Southern Indiana Babe Ruth Leagues

Cal Ripken 8-Year-Old and Under

State Invitational Rules

 

  1. All players present will be placed in the batting order. Four coaches may be on roster.

 

  1. The batter will have five (5) pitches to hit a fair ball. However, three strikes prior to five (5) pitches will be an out. There will be no walks, intentional or otherwise. Batters hit by pitch will not be awarded bases. The batter cannot be out on a fifth pitch foul ball, unless the ball is caught. Additional pitch required until ball is put into play, or strike out, or ball crosses plate as a normal pitch

 

  1. A team’s time at bat will end with the third (3rd) out.

 

  1. No base runner may leave a base until the ball is hit. No stealing or advancing on passed balls is allowed.

 

  1. The defensive team will have ten (10) position/players. They shall be distributed as follows: four (4) outfielders, four (4) infielders, one (1) pitcher, (who will stand to either side of the coach pitcher), and one (1) catcher.

 

  1. The length of the game will be 1  1/ 2 hours or six (6) innings.

 

  1. The twenty (20) run rule will become effective after 3 1/ 2 innings. Coaches should practice good sportsmanship of winning and losing.

 

  1. Free substitution will be allowed.

 

  1. The infield fly rule will not be in effect.

 

  1. The pitching distance will be 40 feet and will be designated by a white line. The pitching coach will pitch overhand. If coach pitcher steps over the line during pitch, the batter will forfeit 1 pitch and ball is dead.

 

  1. Two (2) Umpires will be utilized to control the field of play. Arguments with the umpires will NOT be tolerated.

 

  1. When a ball is in the field of play and is successfully controlled by a player in the infield, than a player may call TIME to stop play.  However, the player is NOT forced to call time but may continue and make a play on any runner.  When time is called, runners having advanced beyond the half (1/2) way point will be awarded the next base, providing this does not force a lead runner beyond the base he/she should be awarded.  The batter/runner will be awarded first base if time is called in lieu of making a play.

 

  1. If a batter’s ball hits the pitching coach, the batter will be awarded first base and the runners will advance one base if forced.

 

  1. If the pitching coach intentionally makes contact with the batter’s ball or a thrown ball, the runner nearest home will be called out; the umpire will determine the call.

 

  1. The pitching coach may not coach base runners during live base situations.

 

  1. Seven (7)- year- old teams will be allowed to play in tournament.