Gardendale Youth Baseball
Local Rules, Farm and PeeWee League
General Information
Game rules are governed by the 2023 USSSA Official Rulebook. Rulebook can also be found online at usssa.com. All official USSSA tournaments (rec league or travel tournaments) will play by rules from the USSSA Rulebook. GYB will play by USSSA Rulebook, except for stated park rules. Below are park rule exemptions.
Sportsmanship (GYBA By-Laws, Article XVI, Special Rules)
Coaches and Players on one team shall not be guilty of any action designed to upset, disrupt, or discredit the players and activities of the opposing team. Any such offense of this nature should be reported to the President or Vice President immediately using a “Grievance Form” or via e-mail. Should this type of behavior occur, it could result in ejection from the game. Any coach or player using any manner of profanity or abusive language toward anyone in the area of the playing fields, dugouts, stands, press-boxes or batting cages will be required to leave the playing field immediately. Once a coach/player is ejected from the game, they must exit the field immediately and may be asked to proceed to another area of the Park away from the playing field. Coaches ejected may not coach whatsoever, or speak to any players, coaches or officials. Any coach/player that is ejected from a game and/or the Park for any of the reasons listed above will have an automatic one (1) game suspension for the team he/she is playing with or coaching at time of ejection. Any coach/player that is ejected a second time from a game and/or the Park for any of the reasons listed above will have another automatic game suspension from the team he/she is playing with or coaching at time of ejection, in addition to a meeting with a minimum of five (5) board members prior to the said coach’s/player’s next game. This meeting will determine the coach’s/player’s future with GYBA. If the coach or player does not attend the scheduled meeting, another automatic one (1) game suspension will apply, in addition to the one above. Continued problems from the same coach/player may result in an expulsion for the remainder of the season. During the games where the coach/player is suspended, the suspended coach must remain in the press-box during the game and will not be allowed to coach in any way and the player(s) will not be allowed to play or participate with the team in any capacity.
Pickup Player Rules (GYB By-laws, Article XVI, Section 21)
Any team that does not have enough players to play may pick up a player(s) drafted after the absent player. For example, the player drafted 5th in the first round may be replaced by any player drafted with the 6th pick of the first round and below. This process will be followed up to an absent player being a 5th round draft player(s). If the player(s) that is absent is 6th round or lower, then any player(s) equal to or below 6th round draft pick may be picked up. The minimum number of players available to pick up must be 20. If the minimum player status is not met, then the team may move up one round or more to meet the minimum available player rule. The player(s) may play any position other than pitching (in Minor or Major League) and must bat last. The amount of players borrowed may not exceed two. Any team that loses a player for 2 or more consecutive games due to an illness, injury or player quitting the team, the coach of that team may bat the substitute at any location in the order. The replacement player must be approved in writing by a board member (preferably the respective League Commissioner) prior to entering the game. The Board will reserve broad authority to deny any such request should a coach intentionally manipulate the system to gain an advantage.
Park-Wide:
· Free substitution on defense. (Exception: FARM (5&6) LEAGUE ONLY: No defensive position changes during an inning. (Exception: an injured player))
· All teams must bat their entire roster during play against GYB teams.
· No intentional rolling of the ball will be allowed. Underhand tosses are allowed within reasonable proximity.
· Batter may not swing after faking a bunt (same pitch). Automatic out if batter swings after showing bunt on a single pitch. Zero Tolerance of abuse for arguing for coaches, umpires and parents during a game. Coach must call conference.
· There will be no tobacco use during games or practice (by players, coaches, or umpires). First violation of this rule will result in an ejection.
Farm 5-6yr old (coach pitch)
Farm players can use any bat with a USSSA 1.15 or USA Baseball stamp. No tee-ball bats will be allowed in Farm. Games will consist of 6 innings, 1 hour and 15 minutes, or run rule by mathematical elimination. Tied games at the end of regulation will resume using international tie breaker, as noted in USSSA Rulebook: Rule 5, Section 22-d.
Other Rules to Note:
· 20ft foul arc
· Coach Pitcher must pitch with one foot touching the 25ft pitching mark or anywhere behind that pitching mark and the back of the pitcher’s circle, within an imaginary straight line between home plate and 2nd base.
· Pitcher’s circle is 16 feet in diameter with the center of the circle 47ft from home plate. Player pitcher must have one foot inside said circle until ball is put in play.
· Each batter gets 6 pitches. 6-yr-olds are considered out after 3 strikes or 6th pitch. Foul ball on the 6th pitch or 3rd strike does not deem a player out.
· 5-year-olds get 6 pitches, but are not out by typical 3-strike rules. A 5-year-old is not out if he/she fouls the 6th pitch.
· Tee – a 5-year-old may use a tee during his/her first at-bat of the game until April 10th. Head coach can elect to provide the tee after 3 pitches are thrown. Player will then get 2 additional swings using a tee. If, while using a tee, player hits foul ball on 2nd attempt, batter is not out and is allowed to have another attempt swinging using a tee. A swing and missing the ball on second attempt while using a tee will result in an out. If a coach elects to not provide the 5-year-old with a tee prior to his/her 4th pitch, batter must continue the at-bat without a tee. Tee will not be in use after April 10th.
· 2 Defensive coaches (1 per each side of field) are allowed to occupy the foul grounds of the outfield to coach outfield players. Defensive coaches may not position themselves in the infield area and may not interfere with offensive base coaches.
· Catcher must take position within the catcher’s box to receive pitch, except during usage of tee.
· A courtesy runner may be allowed for pitcher or catcher anytime during an inning. Courtesy runner shall be the last player whose turn at bat is completed and is not currently occupying a base. *Using wrong courtesy runner in an appeal play may result in courtesy runner being called out.
· No defensive position changes during an inning. (Exception: an injured player)
· Pitcher can only tag batter if he/she fields the ball going towards first base; otherwise, the pitcher must throw the ball.
· First Baseman cannot tag out a runner in between 2nd & 3rd Base (Exception: in the event of a run-down not caused by the first baseman’s original tag attempt between 2nd & 3rd). The First Baseman can tag a runner after said runner leaves 3rd base attempting to score.
· An outfielder cannot tag a baserunner for an out. (Exception: can make tag as part of a run-down)
· Any ball hit into the outfield has to be thrown in before a tag can be made. The threshold is halfway between the infielder/cut off player and the outfielder. (EXAMPLE: A ball gets hit to the shallow part of the outfield. If the ball is closer to the infield player than the outfield player – the infield player can retrieve the ball and play it as normal. If the ball is closer to the outfield player, the infield player may retrieve the ball, but must throw it before a tag can be made and out recorded.
Pee Wee 7-8yr old (coach pitch)
Pee Wee will primarily play games on Hogeland Field. Pee Wee players can use any bat with a USSSA 1.15 or USA Baseball stamp. No tee-ball bats will be allowed in Pee Wee. Games will consist of 6 innings, 1 hour and 15 minutes, or run rule by mathematical elimination. Tied games at the end of regulation will resume using international tie breaker, as noted in USSSA Rulebook.
Other Rules to Note:
· 20ft foul arc
· Coach Pitcher must pitch with one foot touching the 32ft pitching mark or anywhere behind that pitching mark and the back of the pitcher’s circle, within an imaginary straight line between home plate and 2nd base.
· Offense is limited to 7 runs per half inning. Half inning ends once the 7th run scores.
· Pitcher’s circle is 16 feet in diameter with the center of the circle 47ft from home plate. Player pitcher must have one foot inside said circle until ball is put in play.
· Pitcher Coach must have one foot inside pitcher’s circle when delivering a pitched ball.
· Each batter gets 3 strikes or 6 pitches. Fouled ball on 3rd strike or 6th pitch will not result in an out.
· No defensive coaches allowed in outfield.
· Catcher must take position within the catcher’s box to receive pitch.
· A courtesy runner may be allowed for pitcher or catcher anytime during an inning. Courtesy runner shall be the last player whose turn at bat is completed and is not currently occupying a base. *Using wrong courtesy runner in an appeal play may result in courtesy runner being called out.
· Any ball hit into the outfield must be thrown in before a tag can be made. The threshold is halfway between the infielder/cut off player and the outfielder. (EXAMPLE: A ball gets hit to the shallow part of the outfield. If the ball is closer to the infield player than the outfield player – the infield player can retrieve the ball and play it as normal. If the ball is closer to the outfield player, the infield player may retrieve the ball, but must throw it before a tag can be made and out recorded.