PLUMSTEAD BASEBALL
MINOR PREP RULES

2008 Minor Prep Division Rules – updated 4/2/08 (download PDF copy)

Rules shall be applied in the following order of priority:

1. Plumstead Baseball League Rules.
2. National Babe Ruth Association Rules.
3. Official Baseball Rules

Plumstead Baseball vs. Babe Ruth Baseball Rule Differences:

• Games will be 6 innings in length with a 2 hour time limit, daylight permitting.
• A new inning cannot be started within 15 minutes of the 2 hour time limit.
• Accurate scorekeeping must be kept, but wins and losses will be meaningless during the regular season.

• Incrediballs will be used.
• Batting helmets with facemasks are recommended, but not mandatory.
•  No “Hit Sticks” are to be used before and during games. They may be used during practices, but must be used under the supervision of a coach.
• On-deck batters cannot be outside the caged warm-up areas. If a field doesn’t have a caged in warm-up area, then no on-deck batter can be warming up.
• All catchers must wear a protective cup.
• Bat Throwing: Any player throwing the bat, intentional or unintentional, will be given a warning for the first occasion. Additional occasions will result in the batter being called out and no advancement by the base runners will be allowed.
• Weather: If any coach sees lightning, the game is to be immediately ended. You may continue to play through thunder, but be aware that inclement weather may be approaching.

3) Batting: All players bat regardless of whether or not they are playing in the field.

• Any player arriving after the start of the game must be inserted at the end of the batting lineup.
• The maximum number of batters in any inning shall be 10 or when the 5 run rule applies (see rule below).
• The last inning shall be played until 3 outs are made.
  • The 10-batter rule is not applicable in the last inning

4) Pitching:

• Pitchers are not allowed to pitch more than 3 innings per game (innings do not have to be consecutive) or 6 innings per week (including Travel).  One pitch equals one full inning; no exceptions.  A week shall be Monday through Sunday.

• Pitchers will be limited to 4 innings per week when their team plays 2 games in a week and 6 innings per week when their team plays 3 games a week. The 6 inning limit including travel innings will still be in effect.
• No pitcher should throw more than 50 pitches per game.

• The season will start with the players pitching to the opposing team until the batter gets either 3 balls or 2 strikes, at which time the batter’s coach will come out and throw a maximum of 3 pitches to the batter. The batter either puts the ball in play or is out after the third pitch. If the third pitch is fouled, the batter is still out.
• The pitcher will start the season from 40’ from home plate and eventually move to the pitcher’s mound, 46’, halfway through the season.
• Exception: Players that are identified as Travel pitchers by the Travel Manager must always pitch from the pitcher’s mound.
• If a pitcher hits 2 batters in 1 inning, the pitcher needs to be replaced and will not be allowed to pitch the rest of the game.

5) Stealing: Stealing is prohibited.

6) Substitutions:  Unlimited substitution of players is permitted between innings.

8) Sliding:  The slide or surrender rule shall be in effect when there is a play:  a player must either slide or avoid contact when there is a play at any base, except for a play at first base.  If a player fails to slide or avoid contact as required by this rule, the player shall be called out.  Sliding into 1st base is prohibited unless the runner is attempting to avoid a tag.

9) Infield Fly Rule:  Infield fly rule will not be in effect.

10) Bunting: Bunting is prohibited.

11) Mercy Rule:  No Mercy Rule will be in effect. Coaches are strongly encouraged to rotate players accordingly should their team have a lead of 10 runs or more. All games shall be played until completion, daylight permitting.

12) 5 Run Rule:  During the regular season, the offensive team shall end their at bat, when either the defensive team gets three outs or the offensive team scores 5 runs, except for the last inning of the game.  For the last inning of a game, the defensive team must get three outs to end the inning.  If a game does not reach 6 innings before darkness and rain, then both coaches and the umpire must agree before an inning starts that this will be the final inning and the 5 run rule will not be applied.

13) Playing Time:  No player is permitted to sit on the bench for more than two innings and no player is permitted to sit two innings until all players have sat at least one inning.

• If a player is ill, tardy, violates team rules, not supportive of teammates, not respectful to coaches, umpires, or opposing players, etc. then the coach is not required to rotate that player.

14) All players will be positioned in the normally accepted positions (pitcher, catcher, 4 infielders, 3 outfielders)

15) There shall be a maximum of 2 coaches on the field. The batting team will have a 1st base and 3rd base coaches. The fielding team can have 2 coaches in the outfield. During the regular season, coaches may, at any time, stop the game and talk to their players. There is no limit to how many times that a coach can approach the pitchers mound or enter the field.

16) Ball in play:  The ball will be in play until the runners are stopped and the ball is back to the pitcher in the area of the mound. Base runners are allowed to advance 1 base on an overthrow.

• Exception: No base runner will be allowed to score on an overthrow.

17) Minor Prep Clinic: There will be an optional Minor Prep Clinic each Saturday during the regular season.

18) Mid-Season Update:

• At some point in the season at the decision of the Minor Prep Division Director(s), the games will be all player pitch. The teams will play strikeouts and walks.

19) End-of-Season Tournament: There will be a double-elimination tournament after the regular season is completed.