SPRING SPORTS PROGRAMS

PAA BASEBALL / SOFTBALL RULES

  • The official’s coordinator will assign one game official unless two officials have been requested (by the home team) and are available. Officials will be paid according to the published pay schedule. Prior to each game when coaches exchange line-ups and discuss ground rules, the head coach of each team shall present the umpire with one game ball and one-half of the official’s fee (or present voucher for signing).
  • League coaches shall be outfitted in attire, which indicates the member institution for which they coach. Also, coaches are responsible for having their players properly equipped as well as in proper uniforms.
  • Catchers must wear batting helmets with throat protectors that have the current NOCSAE certification. Batters must wear batting helmets that have the current NOCSAE certification. Players who serve as base coaches must wear batting helmets that have the current NOCSAE certification.
  • Steel cleats are permitted for 7/8 grade baseball and
  • Member institutions shall be responsible for maintaining field safety. Backstops must remain in good repair; fields must be free of debris and have properly secured bases; and there must be fencing between team benches and the field of play.
  • Concussions
    • Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems, shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until they have been evaluated by a licensed medical professional and received written clearance to return to sporting activities.
    • Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee ending the game immediately.
  • The softball for both divisions shall be NFHSS (National Federation of High School Sports) approved.
    The baseball for both divisions shall be in accordance with NFHSS standards.
  • Courtesy runners may be used in league games for catchers and pitchers only, providing the runner has not previously entered and then left the game. The same courtesy runner cannot be used for both the pitcher and the catcher. Players can be used as substitutes after being used as a courtesy runner.
  • There are no limits established for a pitcher’s maximum number of innings.
  • All batters may run to first base if the catcher misses the third strike according to NFHSS rules.
  • Games called by darkness are continued whenever possible from the point at which the game was originally called. Games called by rain or other hazard are replayed in their entirety unless the game had completed 3 innings of a 5 inning game or 4 innings of a 6 inning game as a limit.
  • Games tied at the end of regulation should be played until one team wins. The last out from the previous inning shall be placed on 2nd base to start any and all extra innings.
  • Nine players are used at any one time in league games in the field.
  • Teams must have 9 players at game time (10 minute grace period which comes off the game time) to begin a game. Teams may go to 8 players after the game begins, if due to injury or illness. An automatic out will be recorded for the injured or ill player when it is that person’s time at bat. If teams drop to less than 8 players after the game begins, that team then will lose by forfeit. Teams with less than 9 available players due to player ejection will forfeit the game.
  • The penalty for using an illegal bat/equipment is:
    1. For the Player: An immediate out/expulsion from game for unsportsmanlike conduct for the player attempting to use the bat/equipment.
    2. For the Coach: An immediate expulsion from game for unsportsmanlike conduct and followed by a 1-game suspension
  • The Official shall inspect all bats and equipment prior to beginning of the game. Any equipment not available for the pregame inspection should not be used. If a player is late for the game, his/her bat may not be used in the game.
  • Maximum number of games to be played in a season is 16 – tournaments will count as 2 games regardless of the number of games played.
 

Formative Division

Junior Division

(5th & 6th Grades)

(7th & 8th Grades)

Maximum # of Innings

5

6

No New Inning After

1 HR 15 Min

1 HR 30 Min

Game Over Due to Run Rule:

  

13 Run Lead After

3 Innings

4 Innings

7 Run Lead After

4 Innings

5 Innings

 

Girls:

  

Mound

35 Feet

40 Feet

Bases

60 Feet

60 Feet

Lead Off Bases

No

No

Stealing

After Ball Crossing Plate

Leaves Pitcher’s Hand

Max. Per Inning Run Rule For Entire Game

6

6

Bats

ASA 2000, 2004 or the USA Softball All-Games Certification Mark, and not on list of USA Softball Non-approved bats.

ASA 2000, 2004 or the USA Softball All-Games Certification Mark, and not on list of USA Softball Non-approved bats.

Flex Rule (Must be noted before game)

No

Yes

Balk

No

No

 

Boys:

  

Mound

49 Feet

56 Feet

Bases

66 Feet

81 Feet

Lead Off Bases

Yes

Anytime during live ball

Stealing

Yes

Anytime during live ball

Max. Per Inning Run Rule For Entire Game

6

6

Baseball Bats

-8 Differential in Length & Weight or

USSSA or USBAT 1.15 BPF Mark with < 2.75 Inch Barrel

-8 Differential in Length & Weight or

USSSA or USBAT 1.15 BPF Mark with < 2.75 Inch Barrel

Designated Hitter

No

Yes

Balk

Yes

Yes

CHARLIE BROWN BASEBALL/SOFTBALL RULES

  • Home team is determined by coin flip.
  • Games will be limited to 5 innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes. 
    • Any inning started before the minutes must be finished IF required to declare a winner. 
    • Tied games may be continued without interfering with the other games schedule at the discretion of the umpire and coaches.
  • There will be a limit of 6 runs scored in any inning. Even if more than 6 runners cross the plate, only 6 runs will count.
  • The game may be complete after 3 innings or 2-1/2 if the home team is ahead.
  • All teams must wear matching jerseys.
  • All batters and runners are required to wear helmets.
  • The catcher must wear helmets, face mask with throat protector, chest protector, and shin guards.
  • Concussions
    • Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems, shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until they have been evaluated by a licensed medical professional and received written clearance to return to sporting activities.
    • Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee ending the game immediately.
  • All players MUST bat during the game in the established order at the start of the game.
  • Only those players who appear on the league roster (that has been submitted) are allowed to participate.
    • Games shall not be forfeited if an opposing team does not have the minimum number of players required to start a game. Teams with less than the minimum number of players will not be penalized with a recorded out when the missing player does not bat.  If a player joins the game late, he shall bat at the end of the batting order.  It is in the best interest to allow all players equal play time per By-Laws Article VII, Section 34.
  • Rules

 

Rule

Softball

Baseball

1st/2nd Grade Coach Pitch

3rd/4th Grade Kid Pitch

1st/2nd Grade Coach Pitch

3rd/4th Grade Kid Pitch

 

Bats

Official Softball Bats

Official Softball Bats

Little League Bats with USSSA or USBAT 1.15 BPF Mark and no greater than 2-5/8″ barrel

Little League Bats with USSSA or USBAT 1.15 BPF Mark, or a -12 Differential in Length & Weight and no greater than 2-5/8″ barrel

Balls

11″ Green Dot Softball Each team must furnish 1 ball

11″ Green Dot Softball Each team must furnish 1 ball

RIF 5 baseball

Each team must furnish 1 ball

Official Baseball

Each team must furnish 1 ball

# Infield Players

6

6

6

6

# Outfield Players

4

4

4

3

Max # Players on Field

10

10

10

9

Mound

30 ft

30 ft

35 ft

46 ft

Coach Pitch Distance

No closer than 30 ft

 

No closer than 30 ft

 

Bases

55 ft

55 ft

60 ft

60 ft

Lead Off Bases

No – can leave when ball is hit. Leaving too soon is an out but leaving anticipating a hit is not an out.

No – can leave when ball is hit. Leaving too soon is an out but leaving anticipating a hit is not an out.

No – can leave when ball is hit. Leaving too soon is an out but leaving anticipating a hit is not an out.

No – can leave when ball is hit. Leaving too soon is an out but leaving anticipating a hit is not an out.

Stealing

No

No

No

No

Infield Fly Rule

No

No

No

No

 

Max # of Pitches

5 (A courtesy 6th pitch will be allowed if the 5th is a foul – if the 6th pitch is foul the batter is out.

 

N/A

5 (A courtesy 6th pitch will be allowed if the 5th is a foul – if the 6th pitch is foul the batter is out.

 

N/A

Balks

No

No

No

No

Batter is Out if:

3 called or swinging strikes or 5 pitch limit is reached

3 called or swinging strikes

3 called or swinging strikes or 5 pitch limit is reached

3 called or swinging strikes

Dropped 3rd Strike

Not in Effect

Not in Effect

Not in Effect

Not in Effect

Walks

No

Yes

No

Yes

Hit by Pitch

No

Yes

No

Yes

 

Pitch Limit

N/A

None

N/A

8 innings per calendar week (Sun-Sat) Throwing 1 pitch constitutes an inning

 

Pitching Changes

 

N/A

2 Trips to the mound in one inning or 3 times in a game per pitcher

 

N/A

2 Trips to the mound in one inning or 3 times in a game per pitcher

Pitches

Must be delivered in underhand motion with an arch that should drop between the batter’s shoulder and knees.

SLOW PITCH – must have an arc at the top of the

batter’s head dropping

between the shoulders and

knees when crossing the

plate.   No quick pitch

allowed.  The ball must be

seen at all times.

 

Pitches must be delivered in an overhand motion (flat baseball style pitch)

 

Pitches must be delivered in an overhand motion (flat baseball style pitch)

Dead Ball

The ball is dead when the team in the field attempts to throw the ball to the pitcher or infielder. As soon as the ball cross the plane of the infield, the ball is dead. If a runner is off base the runner is allowed to continue to the next base and stop.

The ball is dead when the team in the field attempts to throw the ball to the pitcher or infielder. As soon as the ball cross the plane of the infield, the ball is dead. If a runner is off base the runner is allowed to continue to the next base and stop.

The ball is dead when the team in the field attempts to throw the ball to the pitcher or infielder. As soon as the ball cross the plane of the infield, the ball is dead. If a runner is off base the runner is allowed to continue to the next base and stop.

Regular baseball rules

Overthrown Balls

The runner and batter are allowed to take the base they were going plus one.

The runner and batter are allowed to take the base they were going plus one.

The runner and batter are allowed to take the base they were going plus one.

The runner and batter are allowed to take the base they were going plus one.

  • Rules for coaches:
    1. All head coaches will be held responsible for the actions of their players, fans, and assistant coaches.
    2. Coaches should have emergency forms available on all players at all practices and games. This form should list any medical conditions, allergies, special circumstances, and all emergency numbers.
    3. Coaches should have a first aid kit at all practices and games.
    4. Coaches should be properly attired at all games & practices.
    5. Coaches should stress safety first in all circumstances.
    6. One defensive coach may be allowed on the field behind second base to help coach outfielders.
    7. Two (2) offensive coaches are allowed on the field to aid base runners.  One (1) at first and one at third.  In addition, for Coach Pitch, a third coach is required to pitch the ball to batters. 

T-Ball RULES

Teams can be coed or all boys or all girls (Jr. K and Sr. K)

Home team determined by coin toss

Infield shall consist of 5 infielders plus a catcher – all other players must be 12 feet behind the infield base path

Five (5) innings or 1 hour – 15 minute game length.  No new inning may start after 1 hr from the start time.

Each half inning is 3 outs or 6 runs. Each team will bat the full roster for each inning. (Teams are encouraged not to talk up the score since we do not keep score in the league). [Rev Summer 2021]

All players must bat during the game and in the order established prior to the start of the game.

The tee stand is placed on the home plate

All batters must hit off the tee – no pitched balls to batters

There are No strike outs in T-ball

The ball hit off the tee must travel a distance of 10 feet or more to be considered a hit. (fields should have the 10 foot area marked)

The distance between bases is 45 feet. (download layout)

Time outs- Can be called just don’t abuse the time.

One plus one on overthrows at 1st and 3rd bases.

The ball is dead when it passes the plane of the infield from the outfield – any player off the base is allowed to go to the base he/she is headed toward.

Please do not have players take extra bases – it confuses everyone –

    1. the fielders do not learn how to field and instead throw the ball around behind the runner
    2. the runners don’t learn how to run the bases and don’t learn to pay attention to the base coaches.

No forfeits – borrow players and play with less than 9 players if necessary.

 
Coaches:
    1. Defense: One (1) coach may be on the field (in the outfield) behind 2nd base.
    2. Offense: One (1) coach may be on first and one (1) on third and one (1) at home plate to help the batter and prevent injuries if bats are slung.
    3. Coaches may not touch, grab, hold, or push their players while the ball is in play.
 
Officials:
    1. Coaches can serve as the officials – base coaches call the bases while their team is at bat or both coaches agree on a volunteer.
 
Equipment:
    1. Catchers must wear helmets
    2. Balls: Cooper soft touch, rag balls, or Incrediball™
    3. Bats: T-Ball bats

Encourage both teams to come together at the end of the games in fellowship and prayer.  Removed for Spring 2021 due to COVID-19.