13U Baseball and Softball Recreation League Rules

1. Offensive lineup: The batting lineup may be from eight to all players present. All players present must be in batting line up every inning, unless removed due to injury or a disciplinary reason. An automatic out will be taken if only 8 batters. When batting more than 8, if any position in the batting order is left open due to injury, illness, or ejection it will be an automatic out if a sub is not available. If a team only has 7 players present they forfeit. Coaches may agree to play to time limit for practice. Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings in the field unless there is a disciplinary reason for playing fewer innings

2. Defensive Positions: The defensive team must have a minimum of 8 players in the field with a maximum of 9 defensive players in the field, but no more than 6 including the catcher, can be positioned inside the infield baselines.

3. Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings unless there is a disciplinary reason for playing fewer innings.

4. Teams are limited to scoring 6 runs per inning except the 6th inning when 3 outs must be made by the defensive team.

5. Time limit is 1 hour 40 minutes with no new inning starting after the time limit

6. Mercy rule: 12 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5. If the mercy rule applies coaches may choose to play until time limit for practice.

7. Free Substitution

8. Baseball - baseline distance 75 ft, Pitching distance 52'. Softball - baseline distance 60 ft, pitching distance 40 ft.

9. Where the above rules do not apply refer to the USSSA baseball or softball rules.

10. The slide rule (collision avoidance rule)-- The SLIDE RULE (COLLISION AVOIDANCE RULE) will be in effect for all divisions. This rule is in force for any runner at any base where the ball is in the glove (in possession) of the fielder and he is attempting to make a tag. In this instance, THE RUNNER MUST SLIDE OR ATTEMPT TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A FIELDER. If not, the runner is declared out.

    If a deliberate attempt to injure is determined by the umpire, the runner is ejected from the game and a report must be made to the Board of Directors for further disciplinary action.

    It should be noted that a fielder while NOT in possession of the ball and not attempting to field the ball, may be guilty of obstruction if that fielder impedes the progress of a runner. It is entirely up to the judgement of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of obstructing a runner.

11. Safety Equipment - As a general rule, MYBSA continues its long standing policy of permitting guardian and players to determine the use of the protective equipment when they deem it appropriate. MYBSA encourages players to utilize any protective equipment that they deem appropriate. Such protective equipment will be allowed in MYBSA sanctioned play, unless by rule or by Director/Umpire ruling that such protective equipment is disallowed as unsafe or as providing an unfair competitive advantage. If used, the equipment must not be detached. Detached equipment can result in an obstruction or interference ruling. Repeated acts could be grounds for ejection.

12. Scoring in the last inning. All innings in a MYBSA Summer Recreation game have a 6 run max. The only exception is the last inning where there is No Max, so you play until 3 outs. 

    1. First, ideally coaches or the umpire should annouce the last inning prior to the beginning of that inning if other than the 6th inning. That said this is not always obvious when the inning begins. So if you are the visiting team, it is important you watch the clock. So lets say you enter the 4th inning down 7 runs, you score 6, but look at your clock and notice the game has reached the 1 hour and 30 minute mark. At this point you should probably call time out and have a meeting with the opposing coach/umpire to confirm she/he does not feel another inning can be played, if all agree, the visiting team should be able to continue their at bat until 3 outs. That said if all agree this is last inning and you do not tie or get the lead before 3 outs the game is over, also if you exit the field after 6 runs and the home teams next at bat takes the game past 1 hour and 40 minutes, then again game is over.
    2. Second, please do not abuse the No max scoring. So let's say you are the visiting team. You have watched the other team bat at least 3, 4 or 5 times, you enter the last inning up 8 runs, you score 6 , but only have 1 out. At this point do you feel you need to continue to bat in order to win the game? Sure the rule says you can, but do you need to? Please use good judgement.

13. Baseball Only - 2017 MYBSA Pitch count rules do apply to 13u Baseball - Click here to see MYBSA Regular Season Picth Count rule document.

14. If you plan to keep track of the opposing teams pitch count and possible challenge a pitch count at some point in the game please follow this procedure through-out the game.

    1. Keep track of pitch count in your score book. At the side or bottom of each page there should be an area to mark pitches.
    2. At the end of each full inning walk over to opposing coach’s dugout to compare pitch count. If there is a discrepancy you should each have a written account. Both coaches need to agree on a number before starting next inning.
    3. In the event you do not compare pitch counts at the end of each inning, but do decide you want to know how many pitches the opposing pitcher has thrown, you can ask the opposing coach for their number at any point during the game and start keeping track from there. If this occurs you must accept the opposing coaches number.

15. No steel cleats.