The following game rules will apply to all 8U rec baseball games played by Belgrade, Oakland, and Sidney during the 2025 Spring season. Any modification to the rules will be explained to the players before the start of the game.
Everyone must complete a code of conduct form (player, parent, and coach) to participate in this 2025 rookie baseball season. Coaches will be responsible for returning all forms to their program coordinator.
General Rules
• Any community that fields more than one team in a division must divide the ages and talent as equally as possible.
• All players on a team are encouraged to play at age level. Only in rare cases will any player be allowed to “play down”. Such exceptions may include player inexperience and decisions on such exceptions will be made at the community level.
• Games start promptly at 6:00 PM and will be 6 innings or 90 minutes of play. No game will end until the home team completes their half of an inning. No new inning will begin after 7:30 PM.
• Home team coaches will be responsible for canceling any games due to weather or field conditions, at least 1 hour prior, and will need to call the opposing coach or coordinator to let them know.
• A home team coach will umpire the game.
• Adult coaches will pitch to their team. Overhand pitching only.
• A half inning shall end after every batter in the order has batted.
• All players must stay in the dugout when not playing defense or up to bat.
Fielding
• Each team may place up to 9 players on the field for defense. The infield should have one player per position with the remainder of the team placed in the outfield.
• Coaches are encouraged to allow players to play the catcher position. Catchers should wear a protective cup.
• A coach should be placed behind the catcher to help speed up the pace of play. Coaches may be in the field, provided they do not interfere with the play.
• The ball shall be considered dead, and no runner may advance once the ball has been thrown to the pitcher and the pitcher has possession of the ball.
• Coaches should rotate players throughout the infield and outfield to gain playing experience.
Batting
• A continuous batting order will be established by each coach. The batting order will not change during a game except due to player injury.
• Batters are limited to 5 strikes (swinging). After 5 strikes, Batter will hit with a tee.
• The offense may have two base coaches but need to have a coach in the dugout while at bat.
• Absolutely NO player handles a bat unless walking to home plate to hit.
• Batters may advance one base on hits to the infield. Batters may attempt to advance two bases (at their risk) on hits to the outfield.
Baserunning
• No advance on passed balls.
• No stealing.
• No leading off of base.
• No headfirst sliding.
• If a player gets out, they must leave the field.
