Rule # 1 - GEAR/BATS/HELMETS

• Steel cleats ARE allowed in the 14 & Under division only.
• Any player warming up a pitcher shall wear a protective mask - NO EXCEPTIONS!

BATS

• Bats shall be not more than thirty-four (34) inches in length and not more than 2 ¾ inches in diameter at the thickest point.  The bat may be made out of metal and must be approved by a nationally recognized youth organization.

HELMETS

• Regular helmets are acceptable for coach pitch games.
  • OPTION 1 - Full helmet with face guards and double ear flaps

  OPTION 2 - Chin Flap Guard

• DIDGET(10U): From the batter’s chin to shins (slightly above the ankles). MUST remain from the outside to the outside of the plate, including the black border.
• BRONCO(12U) and PONY(14U): From the armpits (letters) to the top of the knee and from the outside to the outside of the plate, including the black border.

Must declare what (4 OPTIONS) you plan on doing BEFORE THE GAME STARTS!

1. BAT NINE (9) WITH NORMAL SUBSTITUTION RULE
2. EXTRA HITTER RULE (EH=bat 10) for ALL DIVISIONS
   1. The EH Rule allows for an extra player to be added to the batting order (in addition to the number allowed as listed below for each division).  In electing the EH Rule, it also allows any of the players listed in the batting order to play in the field without regard to substitution rules as written below.
   2. Once the EH Rule is DECLARED, IT MUST BE USED THROUGHOUT THE GAME. (only injuries as listed below may change that status)
   3. PITCHING RULES are STILL IN EFFECT.
3. DESIGNATED HITTER RULE (CAN ONLY BE USED IN 12U & 14U DIVISIONS) 
   1. If the DH is used, then the EH CANNOT be used.
   2. If EH is used, then DH CANNOT be used.
4. BATTING ALL PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER
   1. Is available in EVERY division
   2. Must be declared before the game
   3. CANNOT change during a game
   4. In an event a player cannot bat in the part of the line-up, then it will be handled as an “OUT” - NO EXCEPTIONS
   5. If a Courtesy Runner is needed for the Catcher, then that will be the last batter called out
   6. Substitution is free will between al the players on the roster
   7. NOTE: This DOES NOT change requirements for pitchers.

SUBSTITUTION RULES

• All Offensive and Defensive Substitutions MUST BE reported immediately at the time of the substitution.
• BOTH the Umpire and Opposite Team Coach / Bookkeeper must be notified.

10 & UNDER ONLY

• If a team has ten (10) players at the beginning of a game, the batting order MUST have ten (10) players.
• If a team has ten (10) or more players able to play and DOES NOT bat ten (10), that team will be issued an OUT for failing to bat ten (10).
• If a team has ten (10) players and an injury reduces the team to nine or less players, the team will bat the number of players in the field without being penalized an OUT.
• If a team only has nine (9) players and has a player join the team after the game has started, the new player can join the field immediately and is placed at the bottom of the batting order.
• If a team ONLY has nine (9) players for the game - they can play with nine WITH NO PENALTY OUT.

• There is no pitching limit and we will NOT keep track of pitches or innings pitched.  Coach’s, please be responsible.
• A starting pitcher may re-enter, but NOT as the pitcher.

BALK RULE 

Movement by the pitcher to 3rd base, then to 1st > is CONSIDERED A BALK. 

• This rule applies to EVERY pitcher that appears in the game.
  • 1ST OFFENSE: Warning

  2ND OFFENSE: Balk is called and established baseball rules are followed.

10 & UNDER

• Players CANNOT lead off any base.  They can steal after the ball has crossed home plate.
• ALL BASES ARE CLOSED (including Home Plate) on any balls that are being thrown back to the pitcher (umpire discretion)
• Only Home Plate is CLOSED on passed balls or wild pitches to home plate.
• If the defensive team makes a play on ANY base runner, all bases including home will automatically become open.
• If base runners leave a base before the ball crosses home plate, the following will occur:
  • 1ST OFFENSE: All runners will return to their original base and the pitch is considered a dead ball.
  • 2ND OFFENSE: If any runner leaves a base before the ball crosses home plate, the player is called OUT and the pitch is considered a dead ball.  Other runners will return to their original base.

ALL DIVISIONS - Courtesy Runners are ALLOWED for the CATCHER ONLY

12 & UNDER (BRONCO)

• Base runners CANNOT lead off of first base past the marked eight (8) foot line.  This is measured from inside the base.
• Base runners are NOT allowed to move past the eight (8) foot line until the pitcher makes a move to deliver a pitch to home plate.
• Players can lead off any other base without any restrictions.
• Penalties:
  • 1ST OFFENSE: All runners will return to their original base and the pitch is considered a dead ball.
  • 2ND OFFENSE: If any runner at 1st base crosses the line a second time during the game, the player is called OUT and the pitch is considered a dead ball.  Other runners will return to their original base.

14 & UNDER (PONY)

• Regular baseball rules apply.

ALL DIVISIONS

• If a player is protecting home plate and a play is being made on the runner, the runner MUST SLIDE.

If the runner does not slide and the plate umpire determines that a play was being made on the runner, the runner will be called OUT. All umpire decisions are FINAL - NO EXCEPTIONS! 

• We expect excellent sportsmanship to occur during the Mid-Summer Classic Tournament. Sportsmanship includes many parts - attitude, intensity, commitment, and the way we interact with each other. 
• GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF US - ESPECIALLY EXAMPLES SET BY COACHES AND PARENTS. 
• No coach, player, umpire, or fan shall engage in any grossly unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to: throwing equipment, use of profanity, arguing, yelling,or directing remarks to, or at any player, coach, or umpire during or after any MSC events. 
• UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED During Mid-Summer Classic Tournament 

Coach Pitch 

1. Any player who is 8 years old on January 1, 2023 or younger is eligible. 
2. Ten (10) players will start the game. 
3. Four (4) Outfielders must be used. 
4. Four (4) run rule per inning (last inning is open) 
5. Five (5) innings is considered a complete game. 
6. 60 minute time limit (umps will keep time and determine last inning) 
7. The player playing the pitcher position must be 5 ft to either side or behind the pitching rubber on the mound. 
8. There is no infield fly rule. 
9. Bats must be no bigger than 2 3/4” max and 34 inches long 
10. Four (4) strikes equal a strikeout. 
11. A maximum of eight (8) pitches may be thrown to the batter, after which it is considered an out unless fouled. 
12. Hurry up rule- in the last inning, If a team is trailing, the team trailing will bat in the top of the inning. 
13. Extra innings-the last out of the previous inning will be placed on 2nd base as a base runner. 
14. SPORTSMANSHIP is required. It’s ALL for the KIDS. 
15. No bunting. 
16. Tagging up is not allowed. 
17. Head-first sliding is not permitted, and will result in an out. 
18. Only the catcher may have a courtesy runner. 
19. There will be no DH or EH 
20. Due to time constraints, there will be no taking in-field between games

*ALL OTHER NORMAL BASEBALL RULES APPLY

DIDGET (10 & Under Player Pitch) 

1. Any player who is 10 years old on January 1, 2023 or younger is eligible. 
2. Ten (10) players can start the game and must have 9 without a penalty. 
3. Four (4) Outfielders must be used. 
4. Four (4) run rule per inning (last inning is open) 
5. Five (5) innings is considered a complete game. 
6. 75 minute time limit (umps will keep time and determine last inning) 
7. Three (3) strikes equal a strikeout (includes dropped ball) 
8. There is no infield fly rule. 
9. Bats must be no bigger than 2 3/4” max and 34 inches long 
10. No leading off but you may steal after the ball passes home plate except there is no stealing home plate even on a passed ball. 
11. Hurry up rule- in the last inning, If a team is trailing, the team trailing will bat in the top of the inning. 
12. Extra innings-the last out of the previous inning will be placed on 2nd base as a base runner. 
13. SPORTSMANSHIP is required. It’s ALL for the KIDS. 
14. Tagging up is not allowed. 
15. Head-first sliding is not permitted, and will result in an out. 
16. Only the catcher may have a courtesy runner. 
17. Due to time constraints, there will be no taking in-field between games. 
18. No bunting. 
19. One base on an overthrow from where the play started.

*ALL OTHER NORMAL BASEBALL RULES APPLY

Bronco (12 & Under) 

1. Any player who is 12 years old on January 1, 2023 or younger is eligible. 
2. 70 foot bases. 
3. 46 foot pitching rubber. 
4. Five (5) run rule per inning (last inning is open) 
5. Six (6) inning is considered a complete game 
6. 90 minute time limit (umps will keep time and determine last inning) 
7. Hurry up rule- in the last inning, if a team is trailing, the team will bat in the top of the inning. 
8. Extra innings-the last out of the previous inning will be placed on 2nd base as a base runner. 
9. Ten (10) run rule after 4 innings, 8 run rule after 5 innings 
10. SPORTSMANSHIP is required. It’s ALL for KIDS 
11. Due to time constraints, there will be no taking in-field between games.

Ponies (14 & Under) 

1. Any player who is 14 years old on January 1, 2023 or younger is eligible. 
2. 90 foot bases. 
3. 60 foot pitching rubber. 
4. 5 run rule per inning (last inning is open) 
5. 6 inning is considered a complete game 
6. 90 minute time limit (umpires will keep time and determine last inning) 
7. Hurry up rule- in the last inning, if a team is trailing, the team will bat in the top of the inning. 
8. Extra innings-the last out of the previous inning will be placed on 2nd base as a base runner. 
9. 10 run rule after 4 innings, 8 run rule after 5 innings 
10. SPORTSMANSHIP is required. It’s ALL for KIDS 
11. Due to time constraints, there will be no taking in-field between games. 
12. Steel cleats are allowed in Pony (14u) division only.

*ALL OTHER NORMAL BASEBALL RULES APPLY