8u Baseball

Depending on the number of in-house teams, this age group could possibly travel for some games.  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 and will be followed in all games regardless of opponent:

 

 

Players must be 8 or under on May 1.  Players who turn 9 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.

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

 

COACHING:
This division can have two official coaches and one “bench” coach to keep the scorebook and to help the players stay in order for batting.

 

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: 40′
  • Base distance: 60′
  • Cleats should be non metal only
  • Game limit is 2 hours or 7 innings, whichever comes first.
  • A player must start the inning pitching.  After 4 balls are called by the umpire, the coach will step in to finish pitching from the strike count from the pitcher.  There are no walks.  The coach will either pitch and strike the batter out, or the batter will hit the ball.  If the batter is hit by the pitcher (not the coach), it is considered a dead ball and the batter will take his base.
  • Once a pitcher is removed from the pitching position, as long as he remains a player IN the game, he can return to the pitching position but not more than once in a single inning.  If the pitcher is removed from the game, he cannot return to the pitching position at any point in the rest of the game.
  • If at any time the home team is leading by 10 or more runs after 4 1/2 innings OR the visiting team after 5 innings, the umpire shall terminate the game in favor of the winning team.  Coach can, if time permits, waive the mercy rule if it is mutually agreed upon.
  • In the event of rain, a game is complete after 3 1/2 innings if the home team is winning or after 4 total innings.
  • If the game is called due to weather or another uncontrollable event, the official score shall convert back to the last completed inning and the umpire will declare the winner and the game complete.  If the game is tied, then the result of the game is a tie.
  • No team shall play more than 2 games in one day.  An exception to this rule would be during a tournament.
  • When the offensive team has 2 outs and the catcher is on base, a runner MUST be substituted by the last player to get an out.  This is so the catcher can get his equipment on.  If this rule is violated, the first offense is a warning and the second offense is the runner is called out.
  • Infield fly rule is waived.
  • No dropped 3rd strike rule.  Batter is automatically out.
  • No balks to be called and no pickoffs by the pitcher or catcher are allowed; however all runners are eligible to advance one base on defensive play.
  • Runner may NOT lead off but he can steal after the ball has passed home plate, the runner can, at his own risk, steal/advance to the next base.  He cannot steal home.
  • If the runner runs before the ball passes over the plate, he must return to the original base position.  If he was tagged out, that out stands and the runner is declared out.
  • Face guards are not mandatory.  A helmet must be worn by the batter, on deck batter, and the runners at all times while on the field.  First offense per team, a warning is given and the player must put on protective gear.  Second offense per team, the offending player is called out.
  • Six run limit per half inning for the first five complete innings.
  • For the age divisions that have run limits, no run shall count once the run limit has been met except in the case of a “natural home run” in which all runs count.  A “natural home run” is defined as a home run hit over an outfield fence.
  • Each player must be allowed to play nine defensive outs in a regular season scheduled game or tournament unless the game is shortened and called an official game by some other rules provisions, such as the 10 run rule, weather, etc.
  • The amount of players that bat will be based on the least amount of players one of the teams have that are competing in the game. (Example: if one team has 10 players and one team has 12 players, both teams will bat 10 players) (The other two players can be substituted at the coaches discretion in order to receive at bats.)  Once the game has started the batting order cannot be changed, other than removing a player from the list due to injury, illness, or some other proper circumstances.
  • No player can pitch more than twelve outs per game.
  • During the course of the game, other than pitching rules, which must be followed in accordance is 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.
  • Players must wear a protective cup.
  • All judgement calls by an umpire may not be protested or argued.  Umpires have the final say.