Baseball Rules

General Rules

Reminder: At all Kidsports games, each team will bat it’s entire roster present at the game.

  1. Games
    1. Official Schedule
      A schedule of games for each Kidsports team will be drafted by the Kidsports program staff. Once a schedule is published by Kidsports, the schedule will not be changed, altered, modified, etc., except for those situations deemed to be of an extraordinary nature (school related). All schedule changes must be approved by a Sports Manager. If you are coaching more than one team you must have an assistant coach prepared to take over the other team(s) in the event of a schedule conflict.Game Times
      All Kidsports games will be played on weekdays starting at 5:00 pm, Saturdays from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, and on Sundays from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm. Unless unusual circumstances occur, games rained-out and/or canceled will be rescheduled on Sunday immediately following the original date scheduled.Team Arrival at Game Site
      At least one coach from each team or his/her appointed representative must be at the game site at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time listed on the official schedule published by Kidsports.Home Team/Visiting Team
      The home team is the team on the left side of the game schedule (or on-line, the team with the home icon next to it). The designated home team will sit on the third base bench.Pre-game Field Preparation
      Both teams are responsible for the preparation of the field for game play. Bases must be secured and properly placed no later than 30 minutes prior to the game. The home coach is responsible for putting down the bases. In grades K-3 the visiting coach will provide a second “first base”. This will be explained further in the Rule Modifications. As a time saver, it is suggested that coaches using the same base distances leave the bases installed for the following game and exchange bases with the next team’s coach.Official Scorekeeper
      The home team is responsible for supplying the official score book and official scorekeeper. Volunteer adults are recommended as scorekeeper. Note: The official scorekeeper is required to keep track of the following:
      1. Correct batting order.Player substitution.Outs.Runs scored.Game starting time.Scores/Standings are not kept for grades PreK – 5. (Scorebooks are still issued at these levels to help train scorekeepers and keep the batting order organized.)
    1. Infield Practice
      The home team begins its ten-minute infield practice twenty-five minutes prior to game time. The visiting team has ten minutes for its infield practice starting fifteen minutes before game time.
      Note: If either team is not ready to begin its infield practice at the above scheduled times; it shall have only the time remaining prior to the expiration of the ten minute period.
    2. Starting Time
      Games must begin on the exact starting time according to the official schedule published by Kidsports. If a team cannot take the field within 15 minutes of the scheduled starting time, the game will be declared a forfeit. If a preceding game extends beyond the scheduled starting time, the game must begin within 20 minutes following completion of the preceding game.
    3. No Protests
      All decisions by umpires are final. Kidsports does not recognize protests. Any disputes must be handled on the field.
  2. Line Up Cards
    1. Line-up Card Completion
      Prior to each game, each head coach is required to fill out an official Kidsports line-up card. The line-up card must include all players listed on the team roster filed with the Kidsports office. Players who will not play must be listed along with the reason for not playing. Valid reasons are: injury, sickness, vacations, absence, quitting the team, discipline.
    2. Time of Completion
      Each team must deliver two copies of the team line-up to the plate umpire five minutes before game time. The umpire keeps one copy which he /she will sign and turn in to the Kidsports office. The second copy is given to the opposing coach. At this time both home and visiting coaches will give the umpire a new game ball. The home team should also provide a good used ball as a back-up.
  3. Game Changes
    1. Rainout Games
      When poor weather exists only the Kidsports Program Staff has authority to cancel games. Determination whether or not to play games will be made at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.
    2. Notification of Cancellations
      It is the responsibility of both teams’ head coaches to check the Kidsports website www.Kidsports.org for game cancellations.
    3. Player Notification
      Each head coach is responsible for notifying team players of game cancellations. Please tell your players to not call the Kidsports office for rainout information. It is suggested that each team set up a phone-tree calling system to help the coach distribute information to team members.
  4. Make-Up Games
    1. Call In
      Information on rescheduled games will be available the next working day after 12:00 noon. Head coaches are responsible for checking the Kidsports website or calling the Kidsports office for dates, times and locations of make-up games.
      Note: Failure to contact Kidsports for make-up information may result in game forfeiture.
    2. Rescheduling
      Any league game, which must be replayed or continued at a later date due to weather or darkness, will be rescheduled by the Kidsports staff only. Coaches cannot reschedule games.
    3. Sunday Games
      If at all possible, the Kidsports staff will reschedule make-up games on the first Sunday immediately following the original date scheduled.
  5. Bench & Field Conduct
    1. Smoking/Drugs
      Smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages or prohibited substances are not permitted on or near the playing field by any player, coach or team personnel, or spectators.
    2. Team Bench
      Players and substitutes shall sit on their team bench or in the dugout unless playing in the game. No one except eligible players in uniform, coaches and scorekeeper shall occupy the bench or dugout during the game. Whenever a batter is retired, he or she must immediately return to the bench.
    3. Disciplinary Action
      If a coach or scorekeeper is removed from the game by disciplinary action of the umpire, the ejected person must leave the field. He or she may not sit on the team bench or in the stands. Players ejected must sit on the team bench or may leave the game site with a parent or guardian.
      Any player or coach ejected from a game will be suspended from the next scheduled game. Further ejections will result in further suspensions or termination from the Kidsports program.
    5. Helmets
      The umpire shall issue a warning to both benches on a first offense by either team if a player removes his/her helmet on the playing field during live ball action. For additional offenses: PreK – 2 An out will be charged to the offending team for each succeeding offense.
    6. Sunglasses
      Sunglasses are permitted (plastic only). However, the pitcher and the batter are not allowed to wear anything reflective (including mirrored sunglasses). Prescription glasses are allowed. Eye black is preferred and suggested.
    7. Uniforms
      Only Kidsports issued uniform shirts shall be worn by teams during games and tournament play. Uniform shirts must be tucked in at all times during the game and bandannas are prohibited.
      1. Uniforms may not be altered in any way, i.e. printing of business or team names, cutting off sleeves, changing color etc.
      2. The head coach must seek permission from the Kidsports Equipment Manager to wear non-issued Kidsports uniforms. Permission will not be granted until the sport season registration deadline
      3. Kidsports does not require specific attire for coaches.
    8. Illegal Equipment
      Pitchers may not wear any items on the hands, wrists or arms that may be distracting to the batter.
    9. Hats
      All hats must be worn correctly, with the bill facing forward.
    10. Bats
      Any high school restriction on weight-to-length-of-bat will be disregarded.
  6. Umpiring
    1. Conduct during PreK- 3rd Grade Games
      T-Ball games are umpired by volunteers and all decisions are made by these people. The offensive team provides the umpire behind the plate. The defensive team provides the umpire in the field. The two umpires may confer to discuss the call. However, the offensive team’s umpire has the final say on all calls.
    2. PreK – 3rd Grades
      These games are played under a non-competitive atmosphere where no scores/standings will be kept in the K-3rd grade games. Each team is expected to provide a volunteer umpire. Since these umpires are VOLUNTEERS they must be treated with special respect.
    3. Note: For 4th-8th grades Umpires working Kidsports games are often in their first or second year of officiating. Just like the young players on your team, they are still learning and will make mistakes. Please be patient and understand that each umpire is striving to improve and should be treated with respect.
  7. CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
    1. Little World Series (LWS) 6th -8th Grades
      Following completion of the regular season schedule, Kidsports will conduct a championship event in which all teams are included. Since this is part of the regular season there is no additional fee.
    1. Note: There will be no admission charge for spectators to the Little World Series or Jamboree games.

SLIDING /NO CONTACT RULE- ALL GRADES

When a defensive player is in possession of the ball a base (except 1st base), the base runner must avoid contact, slide or give him/herself up for an out. Failure to avoid contact, slide or give he/she up for an out shall be an out and the player may be ejected from the game. The base runner may not leap over a player to avoid a tag.

WHEN A DEFENSIVE PLAYER IS IN POSSESSION OF THE BALL, IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF THE BASE RUNNER TO AVOID CONTACT.

If contact occurs between a base runner and a defensive player when the defensive player does not have possession of the ball the defensive player is called for obstruction and the runner is awarded the base. Until they have possession of the ball, any defensive player must allow runners to advance to any base (including home plate) without obstructing them in anyway.