Reisterstown Baseball Rules – Minors (Age 9-10) 

Goals of Minors Baseball

The primary goal of the Minors Baseball Program for 9 and 10 year olds is to reinforce the fundamentals and rules of the game which were taught during the Instructional Program. Additional concepts (e.g. only kid pitch, stealing bases) which were not previously covered will also be introduced. At this level the coaches will continue to focus on individual skill improvements and the basics of team strategies. While the main focus remains on skill development and the enjoyment of participation, players will compete and games will resemble as much as possible, the “true” game of baseball.

 

Field Notes

Base Path Length – 60 Feet

Pitching Length – 46 Feet

Only the Recreation Field Leader will decide prior to game time if the playing field is playable. Once a game begins the umpire shall make all field playability calls. Field Leaders may override the umpire and call off games in progress if field playability is an issue during the game.

 

Equipment

 Metal Spikes are NOT allowed in Minors

All Reisterstown Baseball Minors players must wear a helmet with face-mask when at bat, running the bases or coaching a base.

Maximum Barrel Diameter – 2 5/8” (softball bats not permitted)

 

Prior to the start of the Game

BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF EACH GAME, THE COACHES AND UMPIRES SHOULD HAVE A DISCUSSION REGARDING THESE RULES TO ENSURE THAT ALL ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PLAYING RULES. Both teams must exchange lineups prior to the start of the game.

 

Player Substitution and Minimum Playing Rules

1. Free Substitution will be used to give each player present for the game the opportunity to play at least 3 defensive innings (half of a regulation game).

2. Players should not sit consecutive defensive innings unless injured or sick.

3. A player who did not start defensively the previous game must start defensively in the next game.

4. All players present for the game will bat in the batting order.

5. Players arriving after the start of the game will be added to the end of the batting order.

6. A maximum of 10 players may play in the field. (4 outfielders)

7. Injured or sick players may reenter at any time.

8. Re-entry of a player is not permitted after an ejection or removal of a player for unsportsmanlike conduct.

9. Games may be played with 7 players. If a team is unable to field at least 7 players within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the game shall be considered a forfeit. If a team playing with 7 players cannot field at least 7 players for the entire game, the game shall be immediately declared a forfeit. When playing with less than 9 players the open spots will not be declared automatic outs. If there is a doubleheader, this rule separately applies to each game.

 

Game Length

No new inning may start after 8:30pm on school nights (Sunday thru Thursday) during the school year. A new inning is considered started once the last out of the previous inning is recorded. A new inning should not be started unless it is believed that a complete inning could be played. The coaches are expected to act in good faith to ensure that the players get the most playing time possible.

Regular Season – A complete game consists of 6 innings for Minors. If a game is called for any reason (rain, darkness, time limit) it will be considered a completed game and count in the standings if 4 innings have been completed or the team behind has batted 4 times. Managers, by mutual agreement for reasons of maximum time allotment, imminent weather or darkness, from the 4th inning on may declare “This will be the last inning” at the start of the inning.

Playoffs – A complete game for playoffs consists of 6 innings minimum for Minors. Continuation games will be played to determine a winner if the game is suspended due to time, darkness, field conditions or weather related stoppage of play.

 

Mercy Rule

A team that is behind by more than 10 runs may elect to end the game once the game has reached the minimum requirements for a complete game.

 

Scoring Rules

1. A maximum of 5 runs scored per team per inning is in effect for Minors until the last inning 

2. The winning manager is responsible for reporting the score of the game to the Minor’s Commissioner

3. Both managers must submit pitching reports to the Minor’s Commissioner

4. Both teams should keep an accurate score book and consult with the other team periodically during the game for accuracy.

5. The home team maintains the official score book for the game.

 

“Last Inning” Run Rule

The last inning run rule is in place to try to help to avoid ties and to allow both teams a fair chance at winning without going into extra innings. In the last regulation inning (6th) or the last “declared” inning, the following maximum run rule is in effect:

If the away team is winning entering the last inning, then the away team is allowed to score the maximum number of runs allowed (5) in the top of the last inning. The home team will then be allowed to score as many runs as needed to win the game in the bottom of the inning before three (3) outs are recorded to end the game.

If the away team is losing entering the last inning, then the away team is allowed to score as many runs as needed to tie the score and to go up by 3 runs maximum. The top of the last inning is then over. The home team will then be allowed to score 4 runs in the bottom of the inning to win the game before three (3) outs are recorded to end the game.

If the teams are tied going into the last inning, then the away team is allowed to score up to the maximum number of runs allowed (5) in the top of the last inning. The top of the last inning is then over. The home team will then be allowed to score up to six (6) runs in the bottom of the last inning to win the game before three (3) outs are recorded to end the game.

Example 1: Minors Away Team is losing 12-7 going into the last inning. Minors Away Team can score a maximum of 8 runs in the top of the last inning to go ahead by 3 runs. Minors Home Team can score 4 runs in the bottom of the last inning to win the game.

Example 2: Minors Away Team is winning 8-3 going into the last inning. Minors Away Team can score a maximum of 5 runs in the top of the last inning. Minors Home Team can then score as many runs as needed in the bottom of the last inning to win the game.

Away Team Top of Last Inning	Maximum Runs Allowed Last Inning
Ahead	5
Tied	5
-1	4
-2	5
-3	6
-4	7
-5	8
-6	9
-7	10
-8	11
-9	12
-10 or more	Max to Reach +3

 

Base Running - Player Contact Rules

Any runner is out when the runner does not attempt to avoid contact with a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a play. IT IS THE RUNNER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A FIELDER DURING ANY PLAY. If in the opinion of the umpire the runner made a flagrant or deliberate attempt to take out the defensive player, the umpire should run the runner out and may eject the runner for unsportsmanlike conduct. A report of such incident shall be made to the League Commissioner at the conclusion of the game. The ejection shall also include a 1-game suspension for the player.

Stealing

A runner is allowed to steal 2nd base after the ball crosses the plate. If the ball is over thrown or under thrown the play will die at second base and all runners may not advance on the play. If the runner comes off the base when stealing they may be tagged out. 

Sliding

All players must slide feet first in the Minors at all times – no headfirst sliding. All players must slide feet first into home plate if a play is being made at the plate. The catcher may not block home plate on plays at the plate. See Player Contact Rules. The umpire has final say on interpreting contact rules for plays at the plate.

 

Playing Rules

1. Balks – None in Minors

2. Bunting – Allowed in Minors. Not more than two bunts per half inning. No bunting is allowed with a runner on 3rd base.

3. Infield fly rule – Not in effect in Minors

4. Stealing – ONLY 2nd BASE after ball crosses plate

5. Leading – Not Allowed in Minors

6. Dropped 3rd Strike – Not in effect in Minors

7. Catcher’s interference – Is in effect in Minors as called by the umpire

8. Courtesy runners are allowed for the catcher with 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the last player out.

9. No phantom, decoy or deceptive plays are allowed in the Minors.

10. One base per over-throw on defensive plays in the field.

11. On a defensive play in the field - once the ball is back to the pitcher, the play is deemed over and players may not advance any additional bases.

 

Pitching Rules

1. A pitching week is defined as Sunday thru Saturday

2. One pitch is considered an appearance.

3. One non warm-up pitch shall be considered 1 inning pitched.

4. Any innings pitched count towards weekly pitching maximums.

5. A pitcher once removed cannot be reentered into the pitching position.

6. Intentional walks are not permitted. If, in the judgement of the umpire, a pitcher intentionally walks a player, that player and all players on base when the intentional walk occurs are permitted to score. Umpires may stop play and warn pitchers and managers if the umpire feels an intentional walk is occurring.

7. In Minors, a pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 innings per game and 6 innings per week. 

8. In Minors, a pitcher who has completed a minimum of 1 inning pitched must have one complete calendar day of rest before pitching again. Exception: if a make-up game is being played or completed, only 20 hours rest is required between appearances. The 20-hour period is started from the time the pitcher has completed in final inning in the previous game.

9. Hit by Pitch – a pitcher must be removed from pitching if the pitcher hits 3 batters in one inning or 4 batters total in two innings.

10. Pitchers are not allowed to start consecutive games. Rotate starting pitchers.

11. Five (5) pitches maximum for warm-up between innings.

 

Behavior Rules

1. Managers are responsible for their own actions as well as the actions of their players and the parents. The behavior code of conduct has been agreed to at registration by all players and parents.

2. Any manager ejected will serve an automatic 1 game suspension.

3. A player ejected will serve an automatic 1-game suspension.

4. A parent ejected will serve a 1-week suspension and will be required to meet with the Executive Committee or League Commissioner prior to being allowed back at a field.

5. The League has the authority to dismiss or suspend a manager for behavior unbecoming with the approval of the league President.

6. A player may be dropped from a team for repeated unsportsmanlike incidents only with the League chairperson and League President’s approval.

 

Regular Season & Playoffs

1. Standings from the regular season will determine playoff seeding for the playoffs.

2. Playoffs, or a post season tournament are to be held in Minors. The format will be a double-elimination seeded playoff beginning in time to allow for completion prior to the league end date.

3. A single-elimination seeded playoff may be substituted if weather and/or field closures prevent the proper completion of double-elimination playoffs

 

Call-Ups

No player may participate in two age brackets during the regular season except for call-ups as defined here. During the regular season only, if a team in the next age-bracket up cannot field 7 players due to injury or lack of player participation, call-ups from the younger age group may occur.

1. Majors Team #1 can call-up players from Minors Team #1 for regular season games that they can’t field at least 7 players.

2. Ponies Team #1 can call-up players from Majors Team #1 for regular season games that they can’t field at least 7 players.

3. Minors cannot call-up players from the Clinic age group.

4. Requests for all call-ups must be submitted to both Commissioners involved for approval.

5. The call-up player and the parents of the call-up player must agree to participate in the call-up.

6. A maximum of two (2) players can be called up per team.

7. The call-up player cannot pitch or catch in the game.

8. If enough players assigned to the team (7) show up for the game and are able to play, the call-up player(s) must sit and cannot participate to fill out the team to 9 players.

9. Call-ups are not allowed in the playoffs.

 

Lightning Rule

Any observed lightning mandates that the fields be cleared, all persons take shelter in their cars until such time where an umpire or field leader calls the game or allows it to proceed. Any lighting will require a 30 minute delay. The 30 minute delay starts from the most recent lightning observed. For our purposes, thunder shall be considered lightning.

 

Tobacco Products

The use of tobacco products, electronic smoking products and vape products on all County and State property is prohibited by law. No coach, player or other individual is permitted to use any of the aforementioned product(s). Failure to comply shall result in removal from the property.

 

Final Comment

The purpose of the in-house (recreation league) baseball program is to provide an opportunity for all players to have a positive experience with the sport. This requires cooperation from all the people involved with the Reisterstown Baseball Program. This means that each player should have the opportunity to play, regardless of playing ability and to experience full games. Each manager is therefore encouraged to coordinate his or her own system to track the playing time of players on the team. Our objective is to build self-esteem with positive reinforcement throughout the program while fostering education in our younger age brackets which turns into more competitive baseball at the older age brackets.

 

***These rules are subject to interpretation and may be changed at the discretion of the Reisterstown Baseball Commissioner and/or Rules Committee***