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.

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

• 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.