GARDENDALE YOUTH BASEBALL LOCAL RULES
General Information
Game rules are governed by the USSSA Official Rulebook. Rulebook can also be found online at usssarec.com. All official USSSA tournaments (rec league or travel tournaments) will play by rules from the USSSA Rulebook. Gardendale Youth Baseball Association (GYBA) will play by USSSA Rulebook, except for stated park rules. Below are park rule exemptions.
Sportsmanship
In accordance with the GYBA Bylaws: 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. Should this 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 Park immediately. Any coach/player that is ejected from a game and/or the Park for any of the reasons listed above will have an opportunity to meet with a minimum of five (5) board members prior to the said coach/player’s next game so that a decision can be made regarding the severity of the punishment. The board will hear from the coach/player and a decision will be made. If the player does not attend the scheduled meeting, an automatic one (1) game suspension will apply. Coaches ejected from a game will automatically be suspended for the next game their team plays. The ineligible coach must remain in the press-box during this next scheduled game and will not be allowed to coach in any way. Players will not be allowed to play any during this next scheduled game. Continued problems from the same coach/player may result in an expulsion for the remainder of the season or forfeiting of all-star eligibility. Any such incident should be reported to the President and league Commissioner immediately.
Pickup Player Rules (GYBA 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. Any replacement player must be approved in writing by the 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 (5U&6U) LEAGUE ONLY: No defensive position changes during an inning. (Exception: an injured player)
All teams must bat their entire roster during play against GYBA 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 a 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 the Farm league.
Games will consist of 6 innings, 1 hr and 15 minutes, or run rule by mathematical elimination.
15 runs after 4th inning
8 runs after 5th inning
Tied games at the end of regulation will resume using international tie breaker, as noted below:
At the beginning of each team’s at-bat in the first extra inning, the last batter from the previous inning is placed on 2nd base.
At the beginning of each team’s at-bat in the second extra inning or later, the last batter from the previous inning is placed on 3rd base and the next to last batter is placed on 2nd base.
The traditional system of the visiting team hitting in the top of the inning and the home team hitting in the bottom of the inning will remain in effect until a winner is determined.
It is not sudden death. Each team has an opportunity to bat in each extra inning. The game ends when one team is ahead at the end of a complete inning.
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. A 6U competitive age player is considered out after 3 strikes or the 6th pitch. A foul ball on the 6th pitch or 3rd strike does not deem a player out.
A 5U competitive age player gets 6 pitches, and is not out by the typical 3-strike rule. A 5U competitive age player is not out if he/she fouls the 6th pitch.
Tee – a 5U competitive age player may use a tee during his/her first at-bat of the game until April 4th. Head coach can elect to provide the tee after 4 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 5U competitive age player with a tee prior to his/her 5th pitch, batter must continue the at bat without a tee. Tee will not be in use after April 4th.
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 the wrong courtesy runner is an appeal play and may result in the 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 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 hr and 15 minutes, or run rule by mathematical elimination.
15 runs after 4th inning
8 runs after 5th inning
Tied games at the end of regulation will resume using international tie breaker, as noted below:
At the beginning of each team’s at-bat in the first extra inning, the last batter from the previous inning is placed on 2nd base.
At the beginning of each team’s at-bat in the second extra inning or later, the last batter from the previous inning is placed on 3rd base and the next to last batter is placed on 2nd base.
The traditional system of the visiting team hitting in the top of the inning and the home team hitting in the bottom of the inning will remain in effect until a winner is determined.
It is not sudden death. Each team has an opportunity to bat in each extra inning. The game ends when one team is ahead at the end of a complete inning.
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 the ball is put in play.
Pitcher Coach must have one foot inside the pitcher's circle when delivering a pitched ball.
Each batter gets 3 strikes or 6 pitches. A fouled ball on the 3rd strike or 6th pitch will not result in an out.
No defensive coaches allowed in the outfield.
Catcher must take position within the catcher’s box to receive pitch.
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)
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 the wrong courtesy runner is an appeal play and may result in the 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.)