MINORS - BASEBALL RULES
4th AND 5th GRADERS
Revised 2/11/10
1. Have Fun!
The league is intended for boys who have just completed the 4th and 5th grades.
2. Home team will be responsible for running the scoreboard from the dugout.
3. There shall be a time limit on all games of 1hr and 30 minutes with no new inning being allowed to start after 1hr and 25 minutes - regardless of score. Any inning in progress prior to the 1hr and 30 minute time limit shall be allowed to finish as long as the outcome of that inning has direct bearing to the final result of the game.
4. At the beginning of each game the umpire shall designate the “official” starting time and announce to both teams coaches the official starting time for each game. Control and the determination of the expiration of the time limit shall be the sole responsibility of the umpire. While it is the intent of the league to have the running “game time” for each contest reflected on the scoreboard, it will be the umpire’s sole discretion to determine the correct time as per his “official” time he keeps. In case of clock failure on any scoreboard the umpire’s “official” time will be the final time for all contests.
5. All games will be 5 innings in length or the time limit of 1hr and 30 minutes, which ever should occur first.
6. Games that end in a tie at the completion of the time allotment shall be recorded as a tie.
7. ALL games played, regardless of scheduling or other games following the game will adhere to the 1hr and 30 minute time limits.
8. In the event of weather or any other outside circumstances, games shall be official after four innings or in the middle of the fourth inning if the home team is winning.
9. If a team scores 5 runs in its half on any single inning, the side shall be considered to be out and the other team shall take its turn at bat.
10. The 10 run rule shall in effect after 4 complete innings of play. After 4 innings of play and one team ahead of the other by the 10 run limit the game shall be over and recorded as such.
11. The umpire will provide near new League approved Baseball for use in each game. The umpire shall decide on condition of the balls to be used.
12. Coaches are asked to play all players equally. This means that each child on the team should play a minimum of two complete innings played per player.
13. All players including substitutes will bat in order. Any player not “on the bench and ready to play” at the time of the first pitch of any game shall be inserted into the batting order upon their arrival in the last position of the order. That player may not take the field until the next new inning for their team.
14. All batters shall wear an approved safety batting helmet with chin strap at all times while not in the dug out!
15. All pitchers shall pitch from 46feet. All pitchers are restricted to 9 outs of pitching per game. The 9 outs must be consecutive. The pitcher may not re-enter the game at the pitchers position once removed from the contest, but may re-enter at another fielding position.
16. No pitcher on any team may pitch more than 27 outs in any 7 day week, with a 7 day week being defined as the time between 12:00am Monday morning through 11:59pm Sunday evening.
17. No pitcher shall pitch more than 9 outs in any one calendar day!
18. Any team found in violation of any of the pitching / pitcher rules shall be reviewed by the League and if validated forfeit each game that the pitching / pitcher infractions occurred!
19. A team has one minute or is allowed 5 pitches to warm up in between innings. This would start from the time the last batter is out. The only exception would be to allow 7 pitches for a new pitcher entering in the middle of an inning. Conferences at the pitching mound with a coach can be no longer than 1 minute and no more than 3 times per game or once per inning.
20. Balks will be called only if there is obvious, intentional, or repeated misuse of the rules of pitching. One warning per pitcher will be provided. Technical violations giving no advantage shall not be penalized.
21. There will be no intentional curve balls. This is up the umpire’s discretion with the first offense being a warning and the second removal from the game.
22. Stealing of bases shall be allowed. The only bases a runner may steal are second and third base. Runners may steal only when the ball crosses home plate. Base runners must remain in contact with the base until the ball crosses home plate. No runner is allowed to steal home plate unless they are played upon.
23. The lead base runner may advance until played on. If played on and an overthrow occurs, the runner gets the base he was going to plus one additional base.
24. If the catcher misses the ball on strike three and if first base is not occupied or if first base is occupied and there are two outs, the batter may advance towards first base at their own risk. However, once the batter motions toward the dugout, he is out.
25. If the catcher misses ball four, the ball is live. Runners can advance.
26. There shall be no intentional walks.
27. Both teams shall play 9 players in the field at a time. These fielders will include a pitcher, catcher, 4 infielders and 3 outfielders. A team may play the game with a minimum of 8 players if need be. However, a team must forfeit the game if they have 7 or fewer players at the start of the game. Coaches may contact other players in the league below in an attempt to have 9 players at the outset of the game. However, if 9 players from their own team are present, they may not play a player from another team. Any players playing for a team other than their own, must play in the outfield and bat at the end of the batting line up.
28. The infield fly rule shall be in effect. This rule is only in effect when there are runners on 1st and 2nd or the bases are loaded with less than two outs. This call is at the discretion of the umpire and will be made when the aforementioned bases are occupied and a batted ball can be easily caught by an infielder. In other words, the only time the infield fly rule is in effect is when it is called by the umpire. Once called, any base runners may advance at their own risk, but must tag up if the ball is caught.
29. Bunting is allowed.
30. Bases shall be set at 70 feet.
31. Won/loss records shall be maintained for the end of season tournament seeding. Scorebooks are required to record the batting order, innings, outs and runs. The winning coach shall report game results to the league director. If the winning coach does not report their game results to the league director within 24 hours, they will forfeit their win.
32. Standings shall be kept for all teams and standings will be determined by a point system where 2 points are awarded for each win, 1 point for each tie, and no points for any loss.
33. Players throwing the bat shall be warned on the first offense and shall be called out on the second offense.
34. Only official and League approved bats can be used. Bats will be no more than -12 in weight and 2 ¼” diameter. All legal and approved bats will have an official League sticker on them at all times while in use. Illegal bats will be removed and the batter shall be out!
35. Players, other than the pitcher, may be substituted and re-entered at any time. The batting order shall remain the same throughout the game.
36. Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers are allowed.
37. Players, coaches, and spectators shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner exhibiting good sportsmanship at all times. Failure to do so could result in ejection from a game and if need be from the league or forfeiture of a game.
38. Only molded plastic spikes shall be worn at any time during a “live” contest. Any player wearing metal spikes will be immediately ejected from the game and may not re-enter.
39. All players will wear hats and have their shirts tucked in their pants.
40. Unless otherwise indicated, Iowa High School Boys Baseball rules shall apply.

In the case of inclement weather all teams and players will be notified via announcements on KUOO radio station or may contact their local designated League Official for updates and details. Each League (Spirit Lake and Lake Park) shall be responsible for canceling the games on their fields only! It should not be assumed that games cancelled in one town are cancelled in all towns!