12U Loto

Interleague Rules: 12U

Schedule/Cancellations

• In the event of rain, an announcement concerning the scheduled games for that evening will be posted to the website of the host team. Example: If Mount Pearl was playing in Paradise, they would need to refer to Paradise’s website.
• The playoff format will be posted in mid to late August.

Field Dimensions

• The distance between the bases shall be 60
• The distance from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber shall be 44

Rules of Play

• All games shall be played in accordance with regular baseball rules as contained in the Official Rules of Baseball published by Baseball Canada except where modified by the rules detailed in this document and the BNL Manual.
• Games will start when each team has a minimum of 8 players. If a team cannot field 8 players by the scheduled start time, then the umpire will declare a default.

Duration of Game

Games played in St.John’s and Mount Pearl:

• All games in fields with no lights shall be 6 innings and/or 1.5 hours in duration, whichever comes first.
• In fields where we have lights, all games shall be 6 innings and/or 2 hours in duration and no new inning shall start after 1 hour 45 minutes from the scheduled start time. If there is no 2nd game, the first game will be 6 innings. Field specific COVID regulations will supersede these rules if necessary.

Games Played in Paradise:

• All games have 2-hour time slots and will need to call the game at the 2-hour mark. The open inning will try to be called at the 1.5-hour mark.

For all games:

• Home team will be determined by a coin flip.
• If, after the fifth inning (4 1/2 if the home team is ahead), one team leads by 10 runs or more, that team will be awarded the game. The game may be continued at the discretion of the coaches, but the result will be official after the 10-run rule is registered.
• The score shall be kept by the coaches and confirmed with the home plate umpire throughout the game.

At Bat

• All players are in the batting lineup at all times. Players can rotate freely into the field defensively.
• Players must play a minimum of 2 defensive innings in each game.
• A maximum of 3 runs may be scored in any one inning, with the exception of the last inning which shall be open. The home plate umpire will inform the two coaches if the last inning comes before the 6^th.
• When a player late arrives during the game, she is inserted in the last spot on the batting order. When a player leaves during the game, she is removed from the batting order. No automatic out is counted.
• If a player cannot complete her turn at bat, the following batter will replace them with the same count. The replaced player can be reinserted in the game.
• If a player cannot complete her presence on bases, she is replaced with the last recorded out. The replaced player can be reinserted in the game.

Defense

• 10 players will be permitted on the field at a time including 4 outfielders, 4 infielders, defensive pitcher position and catcher.
• Players shall run on and off the field. We urge each coach to instill this in his/her players. It benefits everyone.
• All players must maintain normal baseball positions. Shifts will be allowed.

Game Play Rules

• Bunts are not permitted
• Infield Fly is not in affect
• Real baseballs should be used (Example: Rawlings 80CC)
• The batter cannot become a runner on a catcher’s miss of a third strike. The third strike, either called or swinging does NOT have to be caught by the catcher. The batter is automatically retired.
• No lead offs
• No intentional walks will be permitted
• Runners cannot advance on passed balls
• One umpire will assume the role of pitcher
• The pitcher/umpire shall stand 25’ - 30’ from the plate when pitching and should pitch with an appropriate velocity and trajectory (No Lobbing).
• The pitcher/umpire must use a glove for safety reasons.
• The pitcher/umpire should be positive and communicative with the players.
• The pitcher/umpire should have three baseballs at a time when pitching. The catcher will roll/pass the baseballs behind them to the plate umpire as they receive them.
• If the pitcher/umpire is hit by a batted ball or has to make a play to protect themselves from a batted ball, “Time” will be called and the Batter/Runner will be awarded 1 st base and all runners will advance one base if forced.
• Once the pitcher/umpire touches the ball at any point in a defensive sequence, “Time” will be called and any runners in motion will be placed at the discretion of the umpires.
• Each player shall get up to six (6) overhand pitches from the umpire. The umpire is to use discretion if they throw a bad pitch when determining whether to give an additional pitch or pitches.
• The umpire should clearly notify the batter when it is their last pitch.
• If the batter is out on 3 swinging strikes at any point in the six pitches, an out shall be recorded.
• If the batter is unable to reach base via a hit in the 6 pitch limit, an out shall be recorded.
• The batter is not out on a Foul Ball on their last pitch or subsequent pitches after; they will continue to receive an additional pitch.
• The batting tee WILL NOT be used, and there are no walks, leadoffs or stealing of any kind.
• Base Runners can begin to move once the ball reaches the plate.
• Players will play the pitcher and catcher defensive positions.
• Catchers must be in full protective gear and in the catching position at all times. Coaches should have catchers ready to go each defensive inning.
• Tag play at the plate unless a “Force Play” is dictated as per regular rules of baseball.
• Overthrows are a “Live Ball” unless the ball leaves the playing field or the play is interrupted as per regular rules of baseball.
• Each game should have 2 umpires. 1 umpire is responsible for pitching to the teams, safe / out calls on the bases and catch / no catch in the outfield. The other monitors / tracks pitch count / quality, safe / out calls at the plate and calls fair / foul balls down the lines.
• Example Scenarios:
  • Ground Ball to Short Stop, over throws 1 st base and ball rolls down right field line, batter/runner advances to 3 rd base safely. There is no limit on over throws; players can advance at their own risk.
  • Bases loaded, 2 out, 2 runs in, batter hits a grand slam; offensive team records 6 runs for that inning
  • Bases loaded, 1 out, pitcher/umpire is hit by a line drive from the batter. Time is called.
  • Batter/Runner is awarded 1 st base and all runners advance one base