14u Baseball

We play in the Southern Illinois Youth Baseball League consisting of Carrier Mills, Galatia, Norris City, Pope Co., Hardin Co., & Gallatin Co.  The following are the SIYB rules:

 

 

Players must be 14 or under on May 1.  Players who turn 15 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

A player may “play up” one division at the discretion of the league.  If the player moves up but cannot compete at that level, he may move down prior to the first game.

A player can only appear on one roster, unless filling in on a team for a game.

A player not registered with the team cannot compete in games.

 

COACHING:
This division can have two official coaches.

 

BAT RULES:
All bats must be permanently stamped with the new USSSA 1.15 BPF mark or BBCOR .50 certified mark, or USA baseball.  It must be 2 3/4″ diameter or smaller.  Wood, aluminum, graphite, or fiberglass bats are allowed.

 

PLAYING:

  • Ball size: 9″
  • Pitching distance: 54′
  • Base distance: 80′
  • Both head coaches and the umpire will have a brief meeting before the game to discuss/review any rules and/or answer any questions.
  • Time limit is 2 hours.  No new inning will start 10 minutes prior to the two hour time limit.  A new inning begins as soon as the 3rd out is recorded in the bottom half of the previous inning.
  • A complete game will be 7 innings, unless a team is behind by 10 runs after 5 innings, and then the mercy rule applies.  This rule can be waived if time allows and both coaches agree.
  • The game must be stopped at the first sight of lightning.  A game is complete after 4 full innings if called due to weather or another unforeseeable circumstance.
  • Each player will play at least 6 defensive outs.
  • Full batting roster will be used.
  • A field team shall consist of 9 players.
  • A team must have no less than 7 players to start a game or the game shall count as a forfeit.  It would be up to the 2 coaches if they wish to play the game for the sake of letting the kids play ball.  A team will take an out for each player missing from a nine man roster.
  • In order to avoid a forfeit, a non-roster player may be used.  Any non-roster player has to bat in the last batting position and may only play in the outfield.  This non-roster player must be a registered player in the league.
  • Helmets must be worn by all offensive players, including the on deck batter.
  • Courtesy runner is MANDATORY for the catcher that is playing the NEXT defensive inning only after there are 2 outs.  The runner will be the last batted out prior to the catcher getting on base.
  • Runners must slide into the base/plate they are going to if they are being played upon–except for first base.  Any player not sliding into the base/plate will be called out at the umpire’s discretion.  A runner will not be automatically called out for not sliding, if it is judged by the umpire that it was not reasonable or necessary for the runner to attempt a slide (such as the defender being too far up the baseline to permit a slide).  However, the runners must make every attempt to avoid a collision – including plays at home.  Failure to do so will result in the runner being called out at the umpire’s discretion.
  • There will be no head first slides allowed.  An exception would be diving back into a base to avoid an out.  A team shall receive a warning for the first violation; every violation that follows will be considered an out at the umpire’s discretion.
  • A pitcher once removed from the game cannot return to pitch again during that game, if he was removed from the pitching position to another field position, he can come back to pitch once.
  • A pitcher cannot pitch more than 4 innings per game.
  • During the course of the game, other than pitching rules, which must be followed in accordance to the rule book, a player may be “Free Substituted” during the course of the game, in the other eight defensive positions, during the game to fulfill playing the mandatory nine outs in a defensive position.
  • 5 warm up pitches will be allowed at the start of every inning.  When there is a pitching change, 9 warm up pitches will be allowed.
  • A second trip to talk to a pitcher in an inning will result in that pitcher being removed from the pitching position.  An exception would be for an injury.
  • There will be no warning per inning for balking. Runner will advance.
  • Infield Fly Rule will be used.
  • Dropped Third Strike will be used.  Batters can steal first base on a dropped third strike, unless there are 2 outs or first base is occupied.
  • Base runners may steal any base or home plate at their own risk, including on wild pitches and passed balled.
  • Bunting is allowed.
  • Metal or rubber cleats are allowed.
  • No intentional walks will be allowed.
  • Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher, an 8 foot radius from the rubber will be used, a base runner must immediately return to the base they were at or advance at their own risk.  hot-dogging on the bases dramatically reduces the quality of the game and will not be tolerated.  Teams will receive a warning after the first infraction.  A second infraction will result in the base runner being called out at the umpire’s discretion.
  • Absolutely no arguing judgement calls, the umpire calls stand.
  • Abuse of the umpire will not be tolerated; this includes abuse by the coaches, players, and fans.  An umpire will issue a warning for the first violation; a second violation could result in forfeiture of the game.
  • In the event of rain, 4 completed innings shall be considered a complete game.
  • Home team has the official score book.
  • Players must wear a protective cup.