Major Division Baseball Rules

The rules outlined herein are meant to provide 5th & 6th grade players the opportunity to play baseball in a friendly, competitive league. This division will have playoffs and a champion each year. Players and coaches are encouraged to be competitive but not at the expense of others. 

• Games are 6 innings long. If the final inning is not completed, Score reverts back to the score at the end of the last completed inning.
• Regular season games can end in a TIE. 
• No inning may start after one hour and 45 minutes. This time begins when the first pitch of the game is thrown. An inning “starts” when the 3rd out of the prior inning is recorded. During a weather or long injury delay, the clock will stop. (Daylight will still determine if the entire 1:45 is played).
• A full, continuous batting order will be used throughout each game.
• Teams may use unlimited Defensive substitutions during a game.
• In the case of a player arriving late for a game and not in the original line-up, that player may be entered into the end of the line-up and bat in that spot only.
• Bunting is allowed. However, the batter may not show bunt and then pull back and swing. Batter will be declared out, (regardless of whether contact with the ball is made), if the umpire determines this occurred. This rule is for player safety.
• Leading is allowed. However, after taking their initial lead off of a base, base-runners must be at a complete stop when pitch is delivered.
• Stealing IS allowed at ALL bases.
• The “Infield Fly” & “Dropped 3rd Strike” rules are in effect.
• A Game is considered complete after four (4) innings (three and one half, if the home team is leading).
• Each team is limited to FIVE (5) runs per inning. The last scheduled, (or agreed upon due to time limit), inning is unlimited. There is NO slaughter rule.                             
• HOME team will supply TWO new game balls.
• USSSA Bats are NOT allowed. Coaches should inform their players of this. If used, umpire will have bat removed from game.
• Harassment of the opposing pitcher and Unsportsmanlike behavior or language is not allowed.  
• ALL Teams qualify for the Playoffs. 
• PLAYOFFS ONLY: Team must have EIGHT (8) players by 15:00 past scheduled game time or game will be declared a forfeit. If playing with 8, the team will be charged an out for the 9th spot whenever it comes around. If a 9th player shows up late, they are inserted into the 9th spot and no further outs are charged.     

• No player may pitch more than three (3) innings per game (innings must be consecutive), nor more than six (6) innings per week. 
• Pitching calendar week runs from Sunday through Saturday.
• One (1) calendar day of rest is mandatory between pitching assignments. Note: If a player pitches on a Saturday they are still required one day of rest even though Pitching Week begins new on Sunday.
• Pitchers may NOT throw curveballs, sliders, screwballs or any other breaking pitch. Pitcher will be warned on first offense and coach notified. If pitcher continues to throw breaking pitch(s) he can be removed from the game. Note that this is for the pitcher’s own safety, and their own coaches should police this.
• Two innings of each game must be pitched by a 5th Grade player.
• Once taken out of a game, a pitcher can continue in the field, but NOT at the pitcher position.
• The above guidelines apply to both Regular Season & Playoffs.
•  Balks are part of the game. If a pitcher balks as a result of a runner’s movement, it will be called a balk and the runner advances. Umpires will issue a warning to each pitcher on their first offense.

• USA approved bats ONLY. Wooden bats are allowed. Bat barrels must not exceed 2 5/8ths. 
• All equipment must be kept behind the fence.  
• Protective headgear must be worn when at bat, running the bases or if a player is coaching a base.
• Rubber cleats or sneakers only. Any player using metal cleats will be asked to change footwear or be removed from the game.  
• Catchers must wear protective equipment in all games. A cup is mandatory for all catchers.

• Coaches need to keep control of spectators and parents from their team. The umpire can stop a game or call a forfeit if harassed by parents, spectators, players or coaches. 
• Appeals may be made to the second official on the field. That umpire’s decision is final.
• Protests are made on rule interpretation not on umpire judgment. Balls and strikes, safe, out, foul are not open to protest. 
• A protest must be made to the umpire after the play and before the next pitch is thrown. Failure to do so will result in the loss of the protest.  
• Post-game official protests must be made in writing to the Division Director. Protests must include all relevant details of the game situation and reference must be made to the rule in question. 
• If a Division Director upholds a protest, that game will be played from the point of protest forward. Pitching rules will apply. 
• Any ball going through a fence, entrance, dugout or hole will be out of play and the base runners will advance one base.