Centerville Baseball Spring League Rules
Centerville Baseball Rules
All Leagues - Team must have a minimum of 7 players to start the game. Automatic out taken when the eighth and/or ninth batting position is up to bat. Team has 10 minutes after start time to field a team to avoid a forfeit. Teams may find substitute players from Centerville teams in the next lower division only. No bat restrictions.
Rookie (PreK/K) Rules
● Six pitches to each batter. Batter is out if sixth pitch is foul
● Base runners not allowed to lead off or steal
● Ball must be in possession of defensive player in the infield before time out is granted
● No infield fly rule
● All players can play on defense, but only 7 in the infield (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, (2) P). Remaining players must be in the outfield.
● Three outs or five runs per inning (whichever comes first).
● Keep score
● The last inning will be declared after at least 45 minutes of game time. Drop dead time is 60 minutes after which score will revert back to the most recent completed inning (even if a tie).
● Overthrows to any base: if an overthrow to ANY base occurs, the runners may attempt to earn a maximum of one extra base, at which point play is called dead. An overthrow is when the fielder has to abandon his/her position to retrieve the baseball. As an example, if there is an overthrow to 1B and the runner decides to run on to 2B, the defender may attempt to get that runner out at 2B. If there is an overthrow at 2B then the runner must remain at 2B since they already were able to reach the one extra base.
Little (1st/2nd Grade) League Rules
● Six pitches to put the ball in play until May 4th.
● Six pitches or three strikes (whichever comes first) starting on May 4th.
● Base runners not allowed to lead off or steal
● Ball must be in possession of defensive player in the infield before time out is granted
● No infield fly rule
● Ten players on defense (four outfielders). No more than 6 players on the infield.
● Three outs or five runs per inning (whichever comes first). Last inning will be declared after at least 50 minutes of game time. Ten run rule in the last inning.
● Keep score
● Drop dead Game time 65 minutes after which score will revert back to the most recent completed inning (even if a tie).
● Overthrows to any base: if an overthrow to ANY base occurs, the runners may attempt to earn a maximum of one extra base, at which point play is called dead. An overthrow is when the fielder has to abandon his/her position to retrieve the baseball. As an example, if there is an overthrow to 1B and the runner decides to run on to 2B, the defender may attempt to get that runner out at 2B. If there is an overthrow at 2B then the runner must remain at 2B since they already were able to reach the one extra base.
Junior League (3rd/4th Grade) Rules
● Base runners may not lead off. Runner can leave the base once the pitched ball crosses home plate.
● Base runners may steal 2nd and 3rd base, but are not allowed to steal home (unless the defensive team makes an attempt to get ANY base runner out). Batter may not run on uncaught third strike.
● Ten players on defense (four outfielders).
● Five run rule (unlimited last inning). *On a homerun all runs count
● Game time: no new inning after 1:20 or 5 innings unless the game is tied.
● Drop dead time is 90 minutes after which the score will revert back to the most recent completed inning (even if a tie).
● Pitchers: no more than three innings per game and five innings per week (new week starts on Monday) or 75 pitches per day. If a player throws only one pitch in an inning, that constitutes one inning.
Minor League (5th/6th Grade) Rules
- Base runners may lead off base and steal all bases.
- Batter may run on uncaught third strike
- Game time: no new inning after 90 minutes or 6 innings unless the game is tied. Drop dead time is 100 minutes after which the score will revert back to the most recent completed inning (even if a tie).
- Pitchers: no more than 4 innings per game and 7 per week (new week starts on Monday) or 75 pitches per day.
COVID RULES
Players should be encouraged to bring their own equipment to the highest extent possible so players will not have to share. Disinfectant spray will be provided to clean gear that will need to be shared.
Please sanitize the bucket of balls before and after each game with disinfectant spray.
Please encourage fans to socially distance.
Allow players to sit with family when they are not up to bat.
Team huddles should be spaced out to allow for social distancing. No high fives or other forms of contact (elbows are acceptable).
End of game cheers should be spaced with no actual contact. Please wave to the other team as opposed to high fives at home plate.