18U Baseball

18U Baseball Division Rules

18U DIVISION RULES

Game Length

• Games will be 7 innings or 2 hours, or when field booking time lapses, whichever comes first.
• No new inning shall start within 15 minutes of the 2-hour time limit or field booking time ending. Final inning will be called by the home plate umpire.
• When time expires, teams will complete the end of the inning unless the home team is ahead, and they will only complete the top half of the inning.
• Games that are tied at the end of 7 innings may play 1 extra inning unless time has expired, if time has expired it will be remain a tie.

Participation

• All players will bat in the lineup throughout the game.
• It is recommended (not required) that coaches should change the lineup for every game. Players that are at the bottom of the lineup in game 1 should be rotated to the top of the lineup for game 2.
• Free defensive substitution will be allowed for all players except the pitcher.
• All players must play at least 3 complete defensive innings of a 6 or 7 inning game. All players must play at least 2 complete defensive innings of a 5-inning game.
• All players must play a minimum of 1 inning in the outfield for a regulation game. Coaches should establish a rotation so that all players have played a minimum of 1 defensive inning in the outfield by the end of the game.
• Players should rotate positions at a minimum of every two innings.
• It is understood that not every player will want to play every position, however an effort should be made for them to try out new positions. You are not required to play a participant in a position that they are not comfortable with.
• A player is allowed to leave and re-enter the lineup for any other reason than ejection. This includes illness, hurt, bathroom emergency, etc.
• Any player, coach, spectator, etc. that is ejected from a game will be suspended for the rest of that game and the next scheduled game. The incident will be reviewed by CMBA board members for further disciplinary action if necessary.

Batting and Base Running

• Batters may advance on a dropped 3rd strike.
• Base Runners may lead off and stealing is allowed including stealing home.
• A force slide rule is in effect at all bases and home plate for player safety. The base runner must slide directly into the base or seek to avoid contact.

Pitching

• Coaches must follow required nights of rest for any player who may be rostered in the CMBA Development/All Star program. Coaches are to confirm with the player and as necessary the Development/All Star coach any required nights of rest prior to pitching the player in a House league or tournament game.
• Pitchers are allowed to pitch a maximum of 2 innings per House regular season game. A pitch constitutes an inning. Once a pitcher is removed from his position of pitcher, he is not allowed to return to the position of pitcher. He is allowed to play any other defensive position.
• In House league playoffs or tournament, BC Minor Baseball Association Pitching Rule 24 for Spring Season must be followed:
• 1-45 Pitches = No Rest
• 46-65 Pitches = 2 Nights Rest
• 66-100 Pitches = 3 Nights Rest

Pitchers are permitted to exceed the maximum limit of 100 pitches for a day to complete pitching to a batter.

• Pitching and catching on the same day or in the same game is permitted.
• 1 trip to the mound by a coach per inning - per player. Pitcher is to be removed on the 2^nd trip to the mound by a coach. A pitcher removed due to this rule cannot return as a pitcher in the game.
• No re-entry as pitcher permitted, even if a pitcher has only pitched one inning previously.

Scoring

• There will be a maximum of 5 runs per team per inning. The final inning of play as called by the umpire will be an open inning.
• Scorekeeper should announce immediately when 5th run has scored so teams can change from offense to defense.
• An inning will end once 3 outs are made or 5 runs are scored.
• Scores will be kept and recorded in the score books that are provided. These books are to be turned into the 18U Division Chair at the end of the season.
• Even though we are keeping scores and having a year end tournament, the focus of this league is to develop fundamental skills. Coaches should focus on player/team development and not winning.

Miscellaneous

• Hustle in and out of dugout to increase speed of play.
• Infield fly rule is in effect.
• Players are to remain in dugout when not in the field.
• Balks are enforced.
• Umpires decision is the final decision.
• DO NOT over-use players as pitchers. This could result in potential injury.
• Be respectful of the players, coaches, and umpires.