Bluffton Minor League

BLUFFTON MINOR LEAGUE RULES

Ages (7-8)

1) Two games each evening. 1st game beginning at 6:00 pm and 2nd beginning at 7:30 pm.
2) There will be Five (5) innings per game; one hour and fifteen-minute (1:15) time limit.
3) No inning shall start after the one hour and fifteen-minute (1:15) time limit.
4) There will be scheduled rain-outs. Call 273-0397 to set up a date & time.
5) All players will play each game, defensively.
6) Batting order will run continuous through the season.
7) Batters will receive seven (7) pitches. If the batter fouls pitch seven (7), then the at-bat will
continue until a ball is put in play or the batter strikes out swinging. The seventh (7th) pitch
must be hittable (between the bottom of the batter’s knees and top of the shoulder). This
decision is up to the coach feeding the pitching machine.
8) Strikeouts will count towards the three (3) outs per inning.
9) No Umpires. Coaches will do all the umpiring.
10)There will be no stealing or lead offs.
11)Each player must wear a team issued hat and shirt to play.
12)It is STRONGLY recommended that all players wear an athletic cup to protect from
injury.
13)No alterations to uniforms will be permitted except that the child’s name may be added. (i.e. no
STARS, etc.)
14)Any batted ball within fair territory will be considered live.
15)Six (6) players allowed in the infield, i.e. P, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS & catcher.
16)Four (4) players allowed in the outfield. A fifth (5th) outfielder may be allowed if both teams
agree to such.
17)An inning consists of three (3) outs or seven (7) runs. A strikeout will count towards the three
(3) outs per inning.
18)If a player runs into the ball while it is in play, he or she will be called out.
19)Practices and games will be limited to two (2) practices per week OR one (1) practice game and
one (1) practice OR two (2) games per week.
20)NO MONEY may be collected outside of the required fees.

21)Managers and coaches will be permitted to go into the outfield defensively. Base coaches only at
1st and 3rd base.
22)Plays at home will be permitted.
23)Defensive players will not be permitted to play the same position more than two (2) times in one
game.
24)Play will be considered “dead” when the ball is thrown or carried into the infield. An infielder
does not need to be in control of the ball for the play to be considered dead. Coaches are to use
discretion as to the advancement of runners, if they are caught in between bases.
25)If the batter is out of the batter’s box, a warning will be issued to the team, next infraction will
be called a foul.
26)Batters throwing bats will be warned the first time, a second infraction will result in the batter
being called out.
27)No over throw penalty at any base.
28)The second team listed on schedule will be considered the “Home” team.
29)Standard USA/USSA stamped aluminum bats will be used, and shall not exceed 28″ in
length.
30)Regulation size, cork/rubber center, leather covered, HARD baseballs will be used.
31)Any rule may be changed at any time with a majority vote of head coaches.
32)A pitching machine, furnished by this league, will be used for pitching.
33)The pitching machine will be set between 35 mph – 38 mph, and placed approximately 46 feet
from home plate.
34)The pitching machine may be re-set if it becomes bumped or the “locking mechanism” has
become loose.
35)Players playing the pitching position, must wear a helmet.
36)If a ball is batted off of the pitching machine, play will continue unless the ball goes out of
play into foul territory.