2016 PITTSBURGH METRO
BASEBALL RULES 8U

The PMBL shall keep current standings and they will be available on the Pittsburgh Metro Baseball League website: www.leaguelineup.com/pittsburghmetrobaseball

Both managers must report their completed game scores to their Commissioner by 5:00pm the day after the game was completed. Teams will be contacted if scores are not reported and can be assessed a penalty if it occurs more than one time.

Ties will be broken down by the followings procedure:
1)Head to Head competition
2)Best positive run differential in games between the tied teams
3)Best positive run differential in all games played
4)If still tied, a one game playoff will determine the winner

Game Rules
1. There is a maximum of 16 players per team. A roster change may be made through May 31st. Any player add/change after that date must be approved by the President of the PMBL.
The Pittsburgh Metro Baseball League has multiple skill levels.  The PMBL reserves the right to rule on any questionable situations.
2. Players must be 8 years of age or younger on April 1st
3. Each participating team is limited to only one (1) Manager, two (2)coaches, and one (1) scorekeeper.  NO PARENTS, FANS OR OTHER "COACHES" ARE PERMITTED IN THE DUGOUT OR NEAR THE BACKSTOP.
4. Each team will be the Home team for one game of a double-header. Each team supplies (2) Wilson 1074 baseballs (or similar).
5. There will be a maximum of ten (10) players in the field with four (4)
outfielders positioned in an arc at least twenty (20) feet behind the
baselines. No rover is permitted. Minimum of nine (9) players must be
in the field to start the game—if a team does not have nine (9) players
they will have fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled start time to
produce a rostered player or a forfeit will result.
6. All players will bat in a continuous order. Players can only be inserted
into the game at the bottom of the batting order if the game has already
started. If the player arrives after the entire order has hit then the player
is not eligible to play in that game.
7. Batters will be given a maximum of six (6) pitches by their teams
pitching coach. The batter will be declared out if he does not
successfully reach base safely after six (6) pitches or if the batter is out
on three (3) strikes, whatever comes first. However, the batter may not
be declared out after six (6) pitches if the seventh pitch is a foul ball,
unless the foul ball is caught on a fly by any fielder. There are unlimited
foul balls on the ‘last” pitch.
8. One (1) player warning will be given for the first player throwing a bat. On the second occurrence for the violating team, one (1) Team warning will be issued. On the third occurrence for the violating team, any player throwing a
bat will be called out, even after a safe hit. It's a "dead ball", the batter is out, and runners
do not advance.
9. The pitching coach will pitch with at least one foot inside the pitchers circle.  The center of the circle should be approximately forty (40) feet from home plate. The diameter of the pitcher's circle should be eight (8) feet. Pitchers (players) must begin in or behind the pitcher's circle. All pitches from the team pitching coach must be overhand to the batter.  Pitchers must wear a heart guard or chest protector.                              
10. The pitching coach may not interfere with any ball in play. If the pitching coach interferes with the ball in play the batter will be declared out and all runners will return to the base occupied at the start of the play. If the pitching coach touches a batted ball in self defense a dead ball will be declared and runners will return to their original base and the batter will still be at bat, the pitch will not count.
11.The pitching coach is encouraged to leave the active part of the field during a
“live” play without interfering with the sight-line of any and all players on the field of play.
12. The defensive team must move off the base unless there is a play being made at that base. One (1) team warning will be given for the first player blocking a base when no play is eminent. Any other occurrence for blocking a base when no play is eminent will result in the runner and any runners behind the runner where the blocking occurred being awarded that base and the next base.
13. Play will stop when an infielder has "controlled" possession, with both feet in fair territory, in the infield.  The umpire will declare possession.  Play will continue so players can make plays where needed (2nd/3rd/home). If an overthrow occurs at a base, OTHER THAN AT FIRST, one (1) extra base will be rewarded. If the ball never leaves the infield, possession is automatically established, so if any overthrow occurs at any base, runners will only be awarded next base. (ie runner on second would only own 3rd and not be allowed to advance to home etc...) in fair territory and calls time, loudly and/or raises their hands. The umpire will then call time. However, the player may choose to make a play and therefore play will continue until timeout is called. (Time is when the player calls it) Should the infielder make a play and overthrows the base, the runner may advance 1 base only.
14. On infield hits, the maximum all runners can advance is one base. On an overthrow to 1st base on an infield grounder, it is an immediate dead ball. Once the ball touches the grass runners are entitled to as many bases as possible, even if the ball gets to the infielder and they make a play.
15. There will be no infield fly rule. Runners may tag up on any fly ball. In the case of an infield pop out and the defense tries to double up a runner who is off the bag, that runner could tag up, and if the ball is overthrow the runner could try for the next base at risk. Therefore the Tag up rule takes precedence on the overthrow rule for infield pop ups.
16. Runners cannot leave the base before the ball is hit . NO WARNINGS.  On the second occurrence, the violating team’s runner or runners will be declared out. This will result in only one (1) additional team out for each violation. Potentially three outs could occur in one swing by a batter where the team has bases loaded and all three runners leave the bases.
17. If a base runner gets hurt and has to leave the game, the prior batter who made the last out replaces the hurt player as a base runner.
18. There is unlimited re-entry for all players. There are to be no fielding substitutions in the middle of a half inning unless for injury.
19. All games are to be six (6) innings for a complete official game. Only games ended under adverse weather conditions will be declared official if at least four(4) full innings have been played—a home team with the lead after 3 ½ innings need not bat for official game under weather conditions.
**Unofficial games (games stopped because of rain)will be made up from the exact point of interruption.
20. There will be a ten run rule which will apply after four(4) full innings --a home team with the ten run lead after 3 ½ innings need not bat. This rule applies to all games in tournament. If both managers choose to complete the game the score of the remaining innings will not count for tiebreakers. This is just to play six full innings if they agree.
21. Only five (5) runs will be allowed per inning per team. This rule will apply for the first five (5) innings. The maximum runs per innings 1-5 is FIVE, but continuation IS ALLOWED. The sixth inning may allow for unlimited runs and the ten-run rule would not apply for the home team to bat if not in the lead. In the case of a true over the fence home run, all runs will count, therefore the max that could be scored in an inning with a walk off grand slam would be 9 runs.
22. Only the team Manager can ask the ruling umpire for an appeal. It is the decision of the ruling umpire to grant the appeal.
23. It is the team manager’s responsibility to control his team and fans, one (1) warning will be given by the umpire, any other warning may result in a forfeit. Absolutely no foul language is permitted. Umpires will immediately tell the manager and the manager must immediately go address the fans. If it occurs again the game will result in a forfeit.
24. It is the responsibility of the umpire to insure both score books match at the completion of each inning.
25. Outfield coaches are allowed on each foul line in the outfield, at least 20 feet behind the bases.  Outfielders must be at least twenty (20) feet behind the BASES, when the pitch is thrown.
26. Runners should slide into second, third, and home to avoid contact, at all times. It will be the umpire’s discretion to call a runner out for making contact with a defensive player at a base or home plate if he does not slide.  NO HEAD-FIRST SLIDING IS ALLOWED, EXCEPT WHEN RETURNING TO A BASE.
27. Bats - The following pertains to the legality of bats in the PMBL.  The Maximum diameter at the thickest part: 2 1/4" or less  with unlimited weight differential. In length: 36" or less. If the batter is caught at the plate with any unapproved bat they will be out. No warning given.
28. No manager can touch a runner while play is live. One (1) warning will be given by the umpire; any other warning will result in the running being out.
29. “Out of Play”. On a ball hit to the outfield, if the throw goes into the dugouts or past the out of bounds line, the runners will be awarded one extra base.
30. No bunting is allowed.
31. No stealing is allowed.
32.  Every game MUST have at least one umpire, two are preferred.
33.  Home & Away teams split the umpire fees, regardless of who is home or away.
34.  After an injury, all teams must still have at least eight (8) players in the field at all times during a game.  If a team does not have at least eight (8) players available at any time, that team must forfeit the game.