League Rules

Subscribe to our Newsletter

League Rules

 
 
 

League Rules

 

  EAST COAST TOURNAMENTS SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL LEAGUE RULES

Unless otherwise noted, all league play 7u-12u will be governed by Little League rules. 13u and above will be governed by National Federation of High School Rules.

*7u & 8u modified rules are towards the bottom of this page

 

Field sizes by age group

7u: 40'/60'

8u: 42'/60'

9u: 46'/60'

10u: 46'/60'

11u: 51'/75'

12u: 51'/75'

13u and above: 60'/90'

 

 

 

 

PLAINEDGE PARK 

Gates to the park on Saturdays and Sundays open at 8:30am. Please plan accordingly. 

ABSOLUTELY NO SUNFLOWER SEEDS OR GUM ARE ALLOWED AT PLAINEDGE PARK 

 

Cleat Restrictions for Fields Listed Below

 

Please take care of our facilities.

 

Turf shoes and sneakers ONLY on portable/turf mounds. Molded cleats NOT PERMITTED on any turf/portable mounds at the following venues. 

 Metal Cleats are NOT PERMITTED  

* Plainedge Park

*Pops Field

*Eisenhower Park A Turf

*Cantiague Park

*Wantagh Park Fields A and B

*Berner Middle School

*Plainedge High School

*Allen Park Turf

*Flynn Memorial Park Turf

 

Or any turf field not listed 

 

 

COACH, PLAYER, AND PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

We expect everyone who plays in our leagues and tournaments to handle themselves in a manner that displays good sportsmanship and sets a good example for every player and participating team. We will not tolerate coaches, players or parents acting out or displaying what we consider unsportsmanlike. If any coach or player gets ejected from a game, it will result in an automatic 1 game suspension. This suspension must be served for that said team’s next game. It is our responsibility to our teams to maintain a fun and positive baseball experience. Coaches it is your responsibility to inform your players and parents of our policy. In the interest of maintaining a quality event, the league committee reserves the right to eject any person from the site for unruly or unsportsmanlike behavior.

Coaches, please remind your players to respect the upkeep and beauty of our fields and the facilities. Please at the end of each game clear the dugout of any trash. There are no seeds or gum allowed at any of our fields. We cannot risk the loss of permits because a field was left a mess and/or you ignored the no seeds or gum policy.

*Absolutely no alcoholic beverages allowed at any of our facilities.

 

INSURANCE

Every team is required to have a proof of insurance. A copy of your insurance with “East Coast Tournaments” listed as an additional insured is required.

 

OFFICIAL ROSTER

You must input your roster on the website before the start of the season. Players can be added to the roster during the regular season up to a pre-determined date which will be announced by the commissioner. Every game you play without a submitted roster on the website could result in a forfeit. If the roster still is not submitted at the time we lock the rosters in, you will become ineligible for the playoffs. A player may not be rostered on two teams in the same division. There are no crossover games between the American and National divisions, therefore a player can play in both the American and National Divisions and also the North and South divisions in the same age group. If a player is rostered on two different teams during the regular season in the same age group, come playoff time that player needs to choose what roster he will be on. You cannot be on two different rosters in the same age group in the playoffs. Every team must submit to East Coast a copy of every player's birth certificate.  Teams can ask for proof of age for any player. If proof of age cannot be given, or a player not rostered then that player in question could result in not being able to play in that game. East Coast will enforce all rules to protect the integrity of the league.

 

UNIFORMS
Players are to be in full uniform once they are on the field. All jerseys must have a number on them.

 

UMPIRES

All games that are played with East Coast will have the following 

*7u-10u games will have one umpire

 *11u -14u games will have two umpires
All umpire fees for league play are to be paid on-field by both teams. Please note that all championship game fees in every age group are paid by East Coast. All Championship games in every age group will have two umpires. 

Umpire rates are as follows.


7u-10u is $40 a team per game 

11u & 12u is $80 a team per game
13u & 14u is $80 a team per game

 

All 9 inning games are $120 per umpire

 

PROTESTS
 The protest must be done before the next pitch. No protest will be allowed for judgment calls.  Protests will only be allowed for a decision based on the interpretation of a rule, or the use of an illegal bat or player. The protest must be done before the next pitch. In the case of an ineligible player, the protest must be made before the final out of the game.

 

DETERMINING STARTING LINE-UP
We want to let the coach play as many players as he/she wants. The only information needed regarding the starting lineup is the number of batters. We do not care who plays in the field. You must include last names in your scorebook when exchanging lineups.

Offense: Team may bat 9 players, the entire lineup, or in-between. Once the number of batters is determined, it must remain for the entire game. If a player becomes injured during the game and cannot return to the game their spot in the lineup will result in an out one time through the lineup if a substitute is not available. If a player gets ejected from the game, that will result in an automatic out the rest of the game if a substitute is not available. A substitute is anyone not placed in the batting order. Once a substitute bats or runs for a player, the sub and the original starter are locked into that batting position and either one may bat or run in that position ONLY. Once the substitue is substituted for by the starter, the substitute is out of the offensive position only. He can still play in the field. 

 

Defensive: Any player on the roster may play in any defensive position at any time, regardless of being in the batting order. For example, a team may have 18 players, bat 9 of them, and play the other 9 in the field. No one player in a game can assume more than one offensive position.

 

START OF GAME
Each team must supply game balls for every game. Baseballs can be purchased through East Coast. A coin flip determines home and away teams for all regular-season games (all double header games will alternate home and away). A team may start a game with 8 players with no penalty and add the remaining players at any time with no penalty, but must be added to the bottom of the order. If a team only has 7 players that team must forfeit. No game can be played at any time with only 7 players. In the playoffs, the higher seed is the home team unless they defer.

*Approved baseballs for the East Coast League Play

*Rawlings RLLB1

*Rawlings ROLB1

*Rawlings RSLL1

*Wilson 1010s

*Wilson 1035 & 1035s

*Diamond DLL 1 and DLL 2

*Pro 9 OL1

*Spalding NFHS100

*Baden

 

 

REGULAR SEASON TIME LIMIT


All games will be played with a strict 1 hour and 50-minute time limit. No new inning can start at the 1 hour and 50-minute mark. There are extra innings until the time limit is reached. All innings started must be completed. Time will be kept by the umpires. The time will start immediately after the conclusion of the pregame meeting. If the home team is winning as time expires the batter will finish his at-bat and then the game will immediately be over.

 

In a 9-inning game, there is no new inning after 2 hours and 30 minutes.

 

 

PLAYOFF AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES 8u-12u


Time limits will be enforced in all playoff games except championship games. If the time limit has been reached and it is a tie game, you then start the next inning using our version of the California rule.

In championship games there is no time limit but mercy rule is still in effect. If score is tied at the end of 6 innings, a regular 7th inning will be played. If still tied at the end of 7 innings our version of the California rules goes into effect. You will begin the next inning with bases loaded and 1 out. The last 3 previous batters will occupy the bases. This will continue until there is a winner.

 

*Mercy rule is in effect for all playoff and championship games.

 

 

PLAYOFF AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES 13u AND ABOVE

 

Time limits will be enforced in all playoff games except championship games. If the time limit has been reached and it is a tie game, you then start the next inning using our version of the California rule.

In championship games there is no time limit. If score is tied at the end of 7 innings, a regular 8th inning will be played. If still tied at the end of 8 innings our version of the California rules goes into effect. You will begin the next inning with bases loaded and 1 out. The last 3 previous batters will occupy the bases. This will continue until there is a winner.

 

*Mercy rule is in effect for all playoff and championship games.

 

 

 

  

OFFICIAL GAME
  Games called due to weather or darkness by the umpire or the site director will be considered a complete game after 3 innings of play for all age groups. The home team must bat the required number of innings if they are losing for the game to be official. The score will revert back to the last completed inning if the game is called in the middle of an inning once it's an official game. If the game is not official, it is considered a suspended game and you will continue the game where you left off at a later date.

In a 9-inning game, it will be considered official after 5 innings.

 

REPORTING OF SCORES 
The winning team must input the final score of games within 24 hours of completion of the game.

 

MERCY RULE
 8u & above breakdown of the mercy rule
15 runs after 3 innings
10 runs after 4 innings
8 runs after 5 innings

 In a 9-inning game, the mercy rule is
15 runs after 5 innings
10 runs after 6 innings
8 runs after 7 innings

NOTE: If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen(15), ten(10) or eight(8) more runs respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning

 

PITCHING RESTRICTIONS & TRIPS TO THE MOUND

There are no pitching restrictions as far as the pitch count for any age group. 

For ages 7u-12u the pitcher must be replaced on the 2nd trip to the mound (to the same pitcher) in the same inning and a maximum of 3 times in a game per pitcher. NOTE: Once a starting pitcher is removed from the mound, that starting pitcher may only re-enter to any other position other than the pitcher during the game and must return to the original lineup spot. 13u and above high school pitching rules apply. 

 

BALK RULE
7u-10u- No balks

  11u- One warning per pitcher
12u and above- No warning

 

SLASH BUNTING
Slash bunting is not allowed in any age group. If a player attempts to slash bunt, that player will be called out. If a player attempts to slash bunt a second time in a game, that said player will be called out and ejected from the game.

 

CLEAT RESTRICTIONS
7U-12U division- Rubber cleats or turf shoes
13u and above- Rubber, metal, or turf shoes.
Please note: No metal spikes allowed on any turf field

 

COURTESY RUNNER
You may use a courtesy runner for pitchers and catchers at any time. The runner must be last batted out. If the last batted out is a current pitcher or catcher, then the preceding last batted out can be used

AVOID CONTACT RULE
A player may not intentionally run over anyone at any time or place on the field. This call is the umpire’s discretion

HEAD FIRST SLIDE
7U-10U 46/60 Not permitted except back to a base
10u 51/75 and above head first sliding is allowed

 

INTENTIONAL WALK
Pitches do not need to be thrown for an intentional walk

 

LEADING & STEALING OF BASES
8u-10u 46/60 - Can lead and steal only after the pitched ball crosses home plate
 10u 51/75 and above- Regular baseball rules apply

 

TAGGING UP

Tagging up is not allowed in the 7u & 8u division. All other divisions it is allowed

 

INFIELD FLY RULE
There is no infield fly rule for ages 7u-10u. Infield fly rule is in effect for ages 10u 51/75 and 11u and above.

 

DROPPED 3RDSTRIKE
Does not apply for ages 7u-10u 46/60 Batter automatically out.

11u and above, dropped 3rd strike rule is in effect

 

NO CONTINUATION OF A WALK

IN AGES 7U-10U 46/60 THERE IS NO CONTINUATION OF A WALK, MEANING IF A BATTING DRAWS A WALK HE IS ENTITLED TO 1ST BASE ONLY. HE CANNOT ADVANCE TO SECOND BASE ON A WALK. IF PLAYER DOES ADVANCE TO SECOND BASE ON A WALK, THAT SAID PLAYER WILL BE SENT BACK TO FIRST BASE.

 

RAIN OUTS
If rain comes into play, we will do everything we can to stay close to the original game schedule. All rainout games will be made up at some point during the season.

 

GAME CANCELLATIONS
All games that are canceled by the manager must be canceled 48 hours prior to the start time of the game. If this is not done, the canceling team will receive a forfeit and will be charged the full umpire fee for both teams and the fee that was paid for the field.

 


7U MODIFIED RULES
 Field dimension- 40’-60’

1. THE FIRST TWO AND LAST TWO INNINGS WILL BE COACH PITCH.  EACH BATTER WILL GET 5 PITCHES TO HIT THE BALL. THE BATTER WILL BE OUT AFTER 3 SWINGING STRIKES OR AT THE END OF FIVE PITCHES. IF THE BATTER HAS NOT PUT THE BALL IN PLAY AFTER 5 PITCHES IT IS AN OUT.  THE 3RD and 4TH INNINGS WILL BE PLAYER PITCH (4 BALLS AND 3 STRIKES.). IF A PITCHER HITS 3 BATTERS IN A GAME THAT PITCHER MUST BE REMOVED.

1a. DURING COACH PITCH, THE PLAYER-PITCHER MUST POSITION THEMSELVES TO THE IMMEDIATE LEFT OR RIGHT OF THE COACH WITHIN THE CIRCLE OF THE MOUND.

2.  NO NEW INNING WILL START AFTER AN HOUR AND 30 MINUTES.

3. MAXIMUM OF 5 RUNS PER INNING, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LAST INNING. HOWEVER, THE TIME LIMIT AND RUN RULE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.

3a. RUN RULE IS 12 RUNS AFTER 4 INNINGS IN THIS DIVISION

4. NO BUNTING

5. A BATTER HIT BY A PITCH IS NOT AWARDED FIRST BASE IN COACH PITCH. IT WILL COUNT AS A PITCH. IF A BATTER IS HIT DURING PLAYER PITCH THEY WILL BE AWARDED FIRST BASE.

6. NO INFIELD FLY RULE

7.  NO BASE STEALING IS PERMITTED. RUNNERS CAN ONLY ADVANCE ON A BALL IN PLAY.

8. EACH TEAM WILL GET ONE WARNING FOR A RUNNER LEAVING THE BASE EARLY. SECOND VIOLATION OF THIS WILL BE DECLARED AN OUT.

9. THERE WILL BE NO SLIDING INTO FIRST BASE. ALL RUNNERS MUST SLIDE FEET FIRST. HEAD FIRST SLIDES WILL BE CALLED AS AN OUT.

10. PLAY WILL ONLY BE STOPPED WHEN THE BALL IS RETURNED TO THE PITCHER (NOT THE COACH, THE PLAYER) AND IN CONTROL ON THE MOUND. IF THE BASE RUNNERS ARE IN-BETWEEN BASES THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE NEXT BASE IF THE UMPIRE DETERMINES THE RUNNER TO BE HALF WAY OR CLOSER TO THE NEXT BASE.  

11.  ON AN OVERTHROW THE RUNNERS ADVANCE ONLY 1 BASE AT THEIR OWN RISK.

12. SPEED-UP RULE – WHEN THE OFFENSIVE TEAM HAS TWO OUTS, IF THE CATCHER FOR THE NEXT INNING IS A BASE RUNNER, THAT PLAYER MUST BE REPLACED BY EITHER THE LAST BATTED OUT OR A PLAYER NOT IN THE LINEUP.

13. YOU WILL HAVE ONE UMPIRE ON THE FIELD.

14. NO PROTEST WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS DIVISION. 

15. PITCHING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

A.  PLAYER PITCHING DISTANCE WILL BE A MINIMUM OF 40 

B. COACH PITCHING DISTANCE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 33 FEET AND A MAXIMUM OF 46 FEET

16. OUTFIELDERS: 4 OUTFIELDERS ARE PERMITTED BUT NOT MANDATORY. IF PLAYING WITH 4 OUTFIELDERS, YOU CAN NOT THROW OUT A RUNNER AT 1ST BASE IF HIT IN THE OUTFIELD.

 

8U MODIFIED RULES

1)  Field dimension is 42’-60’
2) Games are 6 innings
3) 5 run rule per inning per team, 6thinning runs will be unlimited
4) 3 steal attempts per inning per team
5) No stealing of home allowed (all other bases are allowed)
6) A player cannot advance to any base on an overthrow on an attempted steal of any base. If a player takes a lead off any base and the catcher or any other player attempts to pick that player off and commits an overthrow, it is a live ball and the player can advance to any base except home. A player may only be entitled to home on a continuous play on a batted ball. 
7) No continuation of a walk allowed
8) 10 players are allowed in the field (4 outfielders), but not mandatory to have 4 outfielders if you choose not to. If playing with 4 outfielders, no outfielder can throw out a runner at 1stbase on a batted ball. If playing with 3 outfielders you can throw a runner out at 1st base on a ball hit to the outfield.
9) If a pitcher hits 3 batters in a game that pitcher must be removed 
10) No bunting allowed
11) No infield fly rule

12) No tagging up

 

 

 

STANDINGS, SEEDING AND PLAYOFFS

10 game spring league you must play a minimum of 6 games to qualify for playoffs

5 game spring league you must play a minimum of 4 games to qualify for playoffs

16 game summer league you must play a minimum of 12 games to qualify for playoffs

10 game fall league you must play a minimum of 6 games to qualify for playoffs

5 game fall league you must play a minimum of 4 games to qualify for playoffs

 

Any team that forfeits a game will not receive any points.

The other team will still get the points.

 

The following system will be used for advancing and seeding into playoffs


1) Points: 3 points for a win, 2 points for a tie, and 1 point for a loss. If you forfeit a game you will not receive a point for a loss. 


2) Head to Head: If 2 teams are tied- Head to head winner. If 3 teams are tied- One team must have had defeated both other teams. If so that team advances. If that does not happen move to #3


3) Total runs against


4) Run differential


5) Total Runs for


2024 SPRING AND SUMMER AGE REQUIREMENTS

7u Born on or after May 1, 2016
8u Born on or after May 1, 2015
9u Born on or after May 1, 2014
10u Born on or after May 1, 2013
11u Born on or after May 1, 2012
12u Born on or after May 1, 2011
13u Born on or after May 1, 2010
14u Born on or after May 1, 2009
15u Born on or after May 1, 2008
16u Born on or after May 1, 2007
17u Born on or after May 1, 2006
18u Born on or after May 1, 2005

 

 

 

2024 FALL AGE REQUIREMENTS 

 

7u Born on or after May 1, 2017
8u Born on or after May 1, 2016
9u Born on or after May 1, 2015
10u Born on or after May 1, 2014
11u Born on or after May 1, 2013
12u Born on or after May 1, 2012
13u Born on or after May 1, 2011
14u Born on or after May 1, 2010
15u Born on or after May 1, 2009
16u Born on or after May 1, 2008
17u Born on or after May 1, 2007
18u Born on or after May 1, 2006

 

 



AGE, DIMENSIONS, INNINGS

7u plays 40’-60’. 6 inning game. 

 

8u plays 42’-60’. 6 inning game. 

 

9u plays 46’-60’. 6 inning game. 

 

10u plays 46’-60’. 6 inning game. 

  

11u plays 51’-75’. 6 inning game. 

 

12u plays 51’-75’. 6 inning game.  

 

13u and older plays 60’-90’. 7 inning game.

 

 

APPROVED BATS

7u-12u 

 

2 1/4 - 2 3/4 for USA

2 1/4 - 2 3/4 or USSSA BPF 1.15.

 Non-Composite Wood Bats. 

No Bamboo Allowed.

  

 

13U AND ABOVE MUST USE APPROVED BBCOR -3 OR NON-COMPOSITE WOOD BATS

 

 

 

*Please note that BBCOR bats are allowed on any 75ft field or bigger

 

BANNED BATS

The following 2017 DeMarini bats did not meet the 1.15 BPF standard and are banned 

WTDXCBR 2129-17

2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 29″/21 oz

WTDXCBR 2230-17

2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 30″/22 oz

WTDXCBR 2331-17

2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 31″/23 oz

WTDXCBR 2432-17

2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 32″/24 oz

WTDXCBZ 1828-17

2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 28″ /18 oz

WTDXCBZ 1929-17

2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 29″ /19 oz

WTDXCBZ 2030-17

2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 30″ /20 oz

WTDXCBZ 2131-17

2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 31″ /21 oz

WTDXCBZ 2232-17

2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 32″ /22 oz

WTDXCBZ 1929-17F1

2017 CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4″ (-10) – 29″ /19 oz

WTDXCBZ 2030-17F1

2017 CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4″ (-10) – 30″ /20 oz

WTDCCBZ17V

Custom 2017 CF Zen 2 3/4″ (-10)

WTDCCBR17V

Custom 2017 CF Zen Balanced (-8)

 

 

 

 REFUND POLICY  

All deposits are non-refundable ( no refund). Non-refundable deposits can be used towards any league or tournament.

Any cancelations of the season for any reason is 100% or a pro-rated credit to a future league or tournament ( no refund)

 

ALL CANCELATIONS MUST BE MADE BEFORE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT OR NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN