12U Boys Rules

1. Bases are to be 60 feet and pitcher’s mound at 46 feet.

2. A pitcher may only pitch 6 innings a week (not including during Tri-County). A week is Monday-Sunday. Only the starting pitcher may return to pitching 1 time. Games will be forfeited if a pitcher is found to be in violation.

3. A player can go to any fielding position (including catcher) after they have pitched in a game.

4. A complete game is 6 innings. Run rule is 20 after 3 innings, 15 after 4 innings and 12 runs after 5 innings. There is no “per inning” run rule.

5. Half of an inning will consist of 3 outs.

6. A starting shall consist of 9 players. The minimum is 7 players. You may pull up from younger league as long as they play in the Upland or Van Buren league.

7. Catchers must wear full protective gear (throat guard, catcher’s cup, etc.).

8. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher when there are 2 outs. The courtesy runner will be the player that made the last out. No courtesy runner will be used in the last inning or any extra innings.

9. All players on the roster which are present for the game shall be placed in the batting order, therefore creating free defensive substitution between innings. Should a player miss his turn at bat due to illness or injury, he may return in his spot in the batting order without taking an out. If a player arrives late, he will be placed at the bottom of the batting order.

10. A runner being played on while advancing to a base other than 1st base should attempt to slide. If a runner advances to a base without sliding with the intent of knocking the ball loose by colliding with the fielder, the runner shall be called out and may be expelled from the game. A runner attempting to advance to any base, other than 1st, without sliding should avoid contact. A runner may not leap over the top of a defensive player.

11. A batter or runner shall be called out for knocking off or removing their helmet intentionally.

12. Coaches may not contact runners while the ball is alive. If this occurs, the runner shall be called out.

13. No leading off allowed. The runner cannot leave the base until the ball crosses home plate.

14. Infield fly rule will be enforced.

15. Player throwing the bat: 1 warning per team. After warning, any player on the warned team shall be called out. Runners DO NOT advance if the ball is hit in fair territory.

16. If play is stopped due to inclement weather, 3 ½ innings will be considered a complete game if the home team is ahead. If the minimum innings have not been played, play will begin where the game was stopped. EXCEPTION: Play-off games will be played to completion of 6 innings.

17. Infield ball will be allowed at the discretion of the umpire.

18. Dropped 3rd strike 12u boys only when a 3rd strike is called, or is swung at and missed and the catcher does not make a legal catch, the batter may attempt to reach 1st base if it is unoccupied when there is less than 2 outs, or even when it is occupied when there are 2 outs. Occupied means it was occupied at the time of the pitch. If a runner attempts to steal, this is still considered 1st base being occupied because he was on 1st at the time of the pitch. Time of the pitch is defined as the moment the pitcher starts his windup or commits to a pitch to the plate. To be legally caught, the ball must be caught in-flight. This means if the catcher catches the ball cleanly on a bounce it is NOT a legal catch.

A batter who does not realize his situation on a 3rd strike not caught, and who is not in the process of running to 1st base, shall be declared out once he is determined by the umpire to be going to the dugout instead of making an attempt to 1st base. If the bases are loaded with 2 outs and the catcher does not make a legal catch of a 3rd strike, a force play goes into effect because the batter has now become a runner, the catcher may step on home plate to force out the runner from 3rd or tag the batter or throw to any base to complete an out.

19. When a pitcher gains possession of the ball and is on the rubber, all runners must return to their base immediately. Any runner failing to do so in this situation will be declared out.

20. Good sportsmanship shall be exhibited at all times by players, coaches and their fans. The use of Alcohol, tobacco or illegal substance shall not be permitted within the fence area or dugouts. In addition, vulgar and/ or abusive language and / or behavior will not be tolerated and shall result in the immediate ejection from the ballpark and suspension from the league.

21. Home team provides 1 adult to run the scoreboard during their game.