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Kirksville Baseball/Softball Association

By-Laws
And
Policies & Procedures
Last updated February 2012

Articles I through XII By-Laws and Sections III through VII and Section XI Policies and Procedures of the Kirksville Baseball Softball Association may be obtained by request from any KBSA Board Member.

Section I

Purposes

The purposes of the policy and procedures for KBSA shall be to provide guidelines for the operation of the amateur athletic program to include, but not limited to, the following areas:

  1. The regulation of all play in the KBSA to include the number of teams in each league, the number of players on each team, the selection and removal of managers, coaches and other personnel, the selection and control of sponsors for teams, the establishment and enforcement of eligibility requirements for players, and the selection and assignment of players to teams.
  2. The adopting of all rules of play and the provisions for enforcement of such rules and regulations as are established by the KBSA Board of Directors and/or the general membership.
  3. To establish positions and personnel to assist in the day to day operation of the Amateur Athletic program directed by the KBSA Board of Directors.
  4. To provide for written guidelines under which the KBSA will conduct its financial affairs and to facilitate the overall operation of the business of the KBSA.

Section II

Regulation of Play

In the administration of the amateur athletic program these policies and procedures are to be used as amendments to the Babe Ruth Softball and Baseball, National Federation of State High School Association Rules, Official Baseball Rules, American Legion Rules, and/or any other league rules sanctioned by the Board of KBSA as published in the official handbooks each season. Published rules will govern play in respective leagues unless exceptions or amendments are set forth in these policies and procedures.

Section VIII

Rules of Play and General Rules

Baseball and Softball

Rules of play other than as described in Section II of these policies and procedures shall be governed by the rules and regulations set out by the Kirksville Baseball Softball Association and/or its amendments from year to year. The Board of Directors shall have the power to enforce rules of play  adopted and provided herein.

  1. All participants in KBSA activities shall adhere to the Kirksville Baseball Softball Association Code of Conduct, which is attached to these policies and procedures and incorporated herein by this reference.
  2. All Ages: If a vacancy occurs during a game there will be no out charged.
  3. The coaching staff of each team shall be responsible for the removal of all trash from the dugout and/or the area, if the trash is from their team’s use of the area. If the coaches fail to clean up the trash in the dugout they may be subject to a one game suspension and/or a 10$ fine.
  4. No metal spikes or cleats allowed except for 13-15 baseball.

8.01 PLAYING FIELDS

  1. Ages 5-6 Coed and ages 7-8 baseball will have bases set at 50 feet distances and the pitching rubber at 35 feet. For ages 5-6 coed and 7-8 baseball the pitchers circle is 8 feet in diameter, halfway marks between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and home, a foul dink line equals a 10 foot radius arc radiating from the back edge of home plate from foul line to foul line. There will be an outfield line represented by an arc radiating 10 feet from the bases.
  2. Ages 7-8 softball will have bases set at 50 feet distances and the pitching rubber at 35 feet. The pitchers circle is 8 feet in diameter, halfway marks between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and home, a foul dink line equals a 10 foot radius arc radiating from the back edge of home plate from foul line to foul line. There will be an outfield line represented by an arc radiating 10 feet from the bases. An 11 inch softball is used.
  3. 9-10 Girls Softball will have bases set at 60 feet distances; the pitching rubber is set at 35 feet distance. An 11 inch softball is used.
  4. 11-12 Girls, 13-14-15-16 Girls Softball will have bases set at 60 feet distances; the pitching rubber is set at 40 feet. A 12 inch softball is used. 
  5. Ages 9-10 Baseball will have bases set at 60 feet and the pitching rubber is set at 46 feet.
  6. Ages 11-12 Baseball will have bases set at 70 feet and the pitching rubber set at 50 feet.
  7. Ages 13-14-15 Baseball will have bases set at 90 feet and the pitching rubber set at 60 feet.
  8. Ages 16- 17-18 Senior Babe Ruth Baseball will have bases set at length of 90 feet and pitching rubber is set at 60 feet 6 inches.

8.02 REGULATION PLAYING TIME (INNINGS/HOURS)

  1. Ages 5-6 coed will play three (3) innings with an hour and 15 minute time limit.
  2. Ages 7-8 softball will play four (4) innings with an hour and 15 minute time limit.
  3. Ages 7-8 Baseball will play five (5) innings with an hour and 15 minute time limit.
  4. Ages 9-10 Baseball and 9-10 Softball will play five (5) innings with an hour and 30 minute time limit. Ten run rule after four (4) full innings.
  5. Ages 11-12 Baseball will play six (6) innings with an hour and 45 minute time limit. Ten run rules after four (4) innings.
  6. Ages 13-14-15 and 16-17-18 Baseball will play seven (7) innings with a two hour time limit. Ten run rule after five (5) full innings.
  7. 11-12 Softball will play six (6) innings with an hour and 30 minute time limit. Ten run rules after four (4) full innings.  
  8. 13-14-15-16 Softball will play seven (7) innings with a one hour and 45 minute time limit. Ten run rule after five (5) full innings.  Fifteen run rule after four (4) full innings. 
  9. Ages 16-17-18 Senior Babe Ruth Baseball will play seven (7) innings with a two hour time limit. Ten run rule after five (5) full innings.

8.03 Regulation Playing Time

Each boy or girl in the Ages of 5-6coed, 7-8 Baseball and 7-8 Softball must play the entire game which he/she attends except in cases of disciplinary action, provided the Vice President of Baseball or Vice President of Softball has notice of such action. No player sits the bench, all play each inning.

Ages 9-10, 11-12, 13-14-15-16 Softball and 9-10, 11-12, 13-14-15 Baseball batting lineup will consist of all rostered players and will bat until they have made three outs. Free defensive substitution is allowed except for the pitcher, who may re-enter only one time.

8.04 Umpires

  1. Ages 5-6 coed, 7-8 Baseball and 7-8 Softball, both teams may need to provide an umpire.
  2. Ages 9-10 Baseball and 9-10 Softball an umpire will be furnished for home plate. Ages 11-12, 13-14-15 Baseball, and 11-12, 13-14-15-16 Softball there will be two (2) umpires furnished for each game. One will be designated as the home plate umpire and the other will be the umpire.

8.05 Rule Protesting

  1. A manager or coach(es) may protest anything other than the umpire’s judgment, in writing, with a written interpretation of the rule in question. Protest is to be sent to the Kirksville Baseball Softball Association within 48 hours of the game in question. This protest must be accompanied by a non-refundable $20.00 deposit. This protest must be signed by the coach(es) making the protest. KBSA Board of Directors will review the situation and make a ruling within one week from date it is received. A letter stating the decision of the KBSA Board of Directors will be sent to both coaches involved in the game in question.
  2. Tournament protest will be heard on the spot by the vice-president of that division (or their board designee) upon payment of the $20 protest fee. All decisions will be final.

8.06 Sportsmanship Rules

  1. Both teams will be issued a warning when a player on either team intentionally throws a bat. Each incident resulting from a malicious act of throwing the bat will result in immediate suspension of the player.
  2. Players must remain in the dugouts at all times except for the batter, base runners, and on-deck batter. All base runners, the batter and the on-deck batter must wear helmets.
  3. Any type of negativity, profane or abusive language will not be tolerated. PENALTY:
    1. Coaches or players will be immediately suspended from the game and will not be allowed to remain in the dugout. Any reoccurrence of such conduct from any one individual will result in indefinite suspension from KBSA activities.
    2. Any person who attends as a spectator of a game will be barred from the facility for the remainder of the day. Any reoccurrence of such conduct from any one individual will result in indefinite suspension from KBSA activities.
  4. Any player or coach striking or laying hands on an official or destroying property at North Park, Jaycee Park, or Patryla Park will be suspended indefinitely.
  5. A coach or assistant coach purposefully and knowingly acting against the best interest of his/her team or Kirksville Baseball Softball Association, will be severely reprimanded and/or possibly suspended for the remainder of the season and/or the following season. Said action to be determined by the KBSA Board of Directors.
  6. Any requests for disciplinary action should be sent in written form to the Kirksville Baseball Softball Association Board of Directors within 48 hours of the offense. The Board of Directors will review the situation and make a ruling within one week from date it is received. A letter stating the decision of the Board of Directors will be sent to all parties involved in offense.

8.06 Scorekeeping

  1. The KBSA will provide an official score book for each team in each league to be used to record all games played. These scorebooks will become the official property of KBSA.
  2. The home team will be responsible to keep the official scorebook.
  3. Line-ups must be submitted in ink to the official scorekeeper ten minutes prior to the game time. Players will be listed by their last names, number and position played.
  4. The second team listed on the schedule of games will be the home team.
  5. At the completion of all games the following information should be recorded in all official score books:
    1. Name of both teams.
    2. Name of coaches (by their own signature).
    3. Date and time of event.
    4. Runs scored by innings/total runs for each team.
    5. Innings pitched by any player of either team (if applicable).
    6. Signatures of home plate umpire.
  6. At completion of game, home team coach is responsible for completing stats record to be turned in at designated receptacle.

8.08 Minimum Number of Players to Begin Game

  1. In all leagues there will be a minimum of eight (8) players needed to begin a game. If you have six of your rostered players, you may borrow players (See Section 8.09 Borrowing Players) in order to start the game. If the minimum number of players cannot be met by game time the PENALTY: Forfeiture of game.
  2. Late players are to be added to the bottom of the line-up should they arrive. No line-up changes may be made by either team after the first pitch of the game, except to add a late player to bottom of the line-up or if a player must leave the game. If a player leaves the game, creating a vacancy in the line-up, no out shall be charged but no substitution can be made into that vacancy.

8.09 Borrowing Players

  1. Age 5-6 coed and 7-8 Softball may borrow players from teams in their respective leagues provided they do not have enough players for a regulation team. A regulation team consists of ten (10) players. However, they must have at least six (6) of their regular players and only borrow enough players to field a regulation team. All borrowed players must appear on an official roster of a team in the KBSA.
  2. All other leagues may borrow from the next league lower in age group with all intention to borrow the oldest players from the league first. Any team that borrows from another league must have six (6) regular players and may only borrow enough to field a regulation team. A regulation team shall consist of ten (10) players. All borrowed players must appear on an official roster of a team in the KBSA.
  3. All coaches should have the consent of the player’s coach before he/she may play in another league.
  4. Ages 9-10, 11-12, 13-14-15-16 Softball: There will be no out charged for a vacancy in the line-up due to not having 10 players to start the game. Late players may be added to the bottom of the line-up should they arrive.
  5. All borrowed players for any age group must bat at the bottom of the lineup and play in the outfield only.
    1. The violation of any general rule not already occurred by penalty may result in protest of the games involved.
    2. Game Time Starting Limitations

All games scheduled Sunday through Thursday shall be scheduled to start by 8:30 pm regardless of the league of play. All games schedule to start at the above times may start if more then thirty (30) minutes have elapsed from the game start time. This rule shall apply to all league and tournament games regardless of age group.

    1. Limits of Games in One Day

No team shall play more then three (3) games in one (1) day in either league play or tournament play regardless of the age group involved.

    1. Special Tournament Rules
  1. KBSA will set a tournament seeding and rules meeting to which all head coaches are invited. This meeting shall take place at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the tournament, but in no case more then three (3) weeks prior to the start of the tournament. Tournament brackets will be established using single elimination, double elimination, or pool format. Alternative rules must be agreed upon by a majority of the coaches in attendance.
  2. If KBSA intends to implement any rules for a tournament, which are different from the rules used in regular league play, coaches will be notified in writing at least five (5) day prior to the first day of the tournament. If the rule changes are not provided in writing as set forth above, the tournament shall be played using applicable league rules.
  3. Player may play for only one team during a tournament even if that team is eliminated from play. Borrowed players must be in compliance with borrowing players Section 8.09. Exceptions must be requested and approved by the appropriate Vice-President in advance of game start.
  4. Tournament protest will be heard on the spot by the vice-president of that division (or their board designee) upon payment of the $20 protest fee. All decisions will be final.

Section IX

Baseball League Rules

Modified Rules

9.00 All KBSA Baseball Softball Leagues

 

All games tied at the end of regulation innings will end tied unless at least 15minutes remain on the time limit. One and only one extra inning will be played if at least 15 minutes remain on the time limit.

 

9.01 Ages 5-6 Year old Coed

The 5-6 year old coed league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Baseball Rules with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. All outfielders must remain behind the outfield line until the ball is hit (See 8.01a). When the ball has been hit the outfielder may cross this line to make a play, but must be behind it before the next pitch.
  2. Each team will play a normal infield, all other players will be in outfield, normal being 3B, SS, 2B, 1B, P, C, in front of the outfield line. A player for the defensive team must be inside the pitcher’s circle when the pitch is delivered.
  3. Coaches will pitch to their own players. The coach will start to pitch with one foot in the circle and is allowed only one step on delivery.
  4. The batter cannot receive a base on balls. The batter cannot intentionally bunt the ball. The batter will receive a maximum of six (6) pitches regardless of the number of strikes (no strikeouts at this level).
  5. After 6 pitches the T will be allowed.
  6. If a batted ball hits the pitching coach, it will be ruled a dead ball, the batter returns to bat and the count remains the same. If the ball is hit directly to the pitcher in the circle, the pitcher can make a play to any base or hand the ball to the pitching coach to create a dead ball call (runners advance one base). If the pitcher catches a ball outside the circle & passes through the circle while making a play it is a live ball & legal play until completion of play.
  7. The batted ball must go over the fence to be ruled a home run. If the ball goes through, under, or bounces over the fence, it is a ground rule double.
  8. If a runner has reached the half-way mark between two bases before the ball is touched by the pitcher, he/she may advance to the next base.
  9. The runner must wait until the ball is pitched before leaving their base. First offense the team receives a warning and player returns to their previous base. Every incident following the warning will result in a team’s players being called out. Each incident results in a dead ball being declared until the umpire has rendered his/her decision. Simultaneous occurrences will result in only the lead runner being called out.
  10. A dead ball will be declared if the ball is returned to the pitcher’s circle and is touched by the pitcher (while inside the circle).
  11. Runners will be allowed to advance only one base if the ball is overthrown at any base, but still must advance at their own risk. Any overthrow of first or third base that falls into unplayable territory will advance runners one base. (Unplayable territory to be determined by coaches prior to start of game.)
  12. Each team will bat their entire line-up. Length of inning to be determined by maximum number of batters on either team.  Overthrow rule applies to all batters, including last batter in order.
  13. There is no stealing of any base allowed in this age group and a batter may not run on a dropped third strike; the batter is out.
  14. No big barrel bats allowed.
  15. High school rule on batter stepping out of the box or keeping on foot in the box is waived.

9.02 Age 7-8 Year Old Baseball

The 7-8 year old league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Baseball Rules with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. All outfielders must remain behind the outfield line until the ball is hit (See 8.01a). When the ball has been hit the outfielder may cross this line to make a play, but must be behind it before the next pitch.
  2. No dink line in front of home plate.
  3. The coaches will pitch overhand to their own players. The maximum number of pitches to a batter will be equal to three (3) strikes and/or six (6) pitches, whichever comes first. No base on balls. The coach will start to pitch with one foot in the circle and is allowed only one step on delivery.
  4. Runners will be allowed to advance only one base if the ball is overthrown at first or third bases, but still must advance at their own risk. If the defensive player retrieves the overthrown ball and makes a play on the runner, only that one base is allowed even if the ball is again overthrown.
  5. Dead ball will be declared in the following situations:
    1. Ball falls into unplayable territory (as determined previously).
    2. Ball is thrown thru pitcher’s circle, ball does NOT have to be touched by the player.
    3. Pitcher hands ball to pitching coach after it is batted into pitcher’s circle. Runners will advance one base.
    4. Batted ball hits the pitching coach.
    5. Any decision so deemed necessary by the home plate umpire.
  6. A team will retire at the end of the inning if they have received three (3) outs or batted their entire line-up (whichever comes first). The maximum number of players on either team determines the line-up.
  7. The runner must wait until the ball is hit before leaving the base. First offense the team receives a warning and the player returns to their previous base. Every incident following the warning will result in a team’s players being called out. Each incident results in a dead ball being declared until the umpire has rendered his/her decision. Simultaneous occurrences will result in only the lead runner being called out.
  8. There is no stealing of any base allowed in this age group and a batter may not run on a dropped third strike: the batter is out.
  9. No big barrel bats allowed.
  10. High school rule on batter stepping out of the box or keeping one foot in the box is waived.

9.03 Ages 9-10 Year Old Baseball

The 9-10 year old league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Baseball Rules with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. Pitchers may only pitch fifteen (15) outs in one game and not more then six (6) innings in one calendar week. A calendar week is from 12:01 am Monday to Midnight the following Sunday. However, a pitcher must have two (2) calendar days of rest between pitching assignments if he pitches more than three (3) innings in any one game. This applies for Saturday to Monday games, even though this crosses into a new calendar week. PENALTY: Forfeiture of games that exceed limitation for pitching.
  2. The pitching of one pitch to a batter constitutes one inning pitched. Five warm-up pitches maximum between innings. No pitcher can re-enter the game as a pitcher after moving to another position or the bench. No intentional walks allowed.
  3. A pitcher must be removed upon the second trip to the mound by a coach in any one (1) inning. A trip to the mound occurs when a coach crosses the foul line into the field of play.
  4. A dead ball will be declared in the following situations:
    1. If batter walks. No advance by any runner unless forced by walk.
    2. A ball falls into unplayable territory as outlined by the home plate umpire prior to the start of the game.
    3. Any situation deemed necessary by the home plate umpire.
  5. There shall be absolutely free defensive substitution. All players bat in the line-up.
  6. A runner may not steal home. He/she may score if a play is made on him/her or any other base runner by the making of an actual throw to the base in an attempt to get the runner out.
  7. High school rule on batter stepping out of the box or keeping one foot in the box is waived, but it is an out if batter steps on plate when contacting a fair ball.
  8. A base runner may not lead off the base and may only steal after the ball crosses the plate. If a base runner leaves the base prior to the pitch crossing the plate, the umpire shall give each team one (1) warning, thereafter the player is out.
  9. A batter in this league is out on a dropped third strike.
  10. A base runner may not advance to another base when the ball is being thrown back from the catcher to the pitcher and the ball is simply overthrown. It is a deal ball and the runners must return to their respective bases. All other overthrows to the pitcher are live balls.
  11. Bat size is not regulated in this league except that a bat may note exceed 33 inches in length and/or 2 ¼  inches in diameter. No big barrel bats allowed.
  12. Maximum of seven runs allowed to score per team per inning for the entire game, including the last inning.
  13. All borrowed players must bat at the bottom of the lineup and only play in the outfield.
  14. Maximum 10 players on the field during game.

9.04 Ages 11-12 Year Old Baseball

The 11-12 year old league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Baseball Rules with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. Pitchers may only pitch eighteen (18) outs in one game and not more then eight (8) innings in one calendar week. A calendar week is from 12:01 am Monday to Midnight the following Sunday. However, a pitcher must have three (3) calendar days of rest between pitching assignments if he pitches more than four (4) innings in any one game. This applies for Friday to Monday games, even though this crosses into a new calendar week. An inning is defined as 3 outs, i.e. 1 out equals 1/3 of an inning. Six war-up pitches between innings. No pitcher (including starter) can re-enter as a pitcher after being moved to another position or the bench. PENALTY: Forfeiture of games that exceed limitation for pitching.
  2. Maximum 10 players on the field during game.
  3. There shall be absolutely free defensive substitution. All players bat in the line-up.
  4. Bat size in not regulated in this league except that a bat shall not exceed 33 inches and/or 2 ¼ inches in diameter. No big barrel bats allowed.
  5. A batter may leave the batters box after any pitch at his discretion but must return to the batters box within ten (10) seconds. Batter must remain in batters box, per High School rules. Batter will be out if stepping out of the box or stepping on the plate when contacting a fair ball.
  6. A pitcher must be removed upon the second trip to the mound by a coach in any one (1) inning. A trip to the mound occurs when a coach crosses the foul line into the field of play.
  7. Maximum 8 runs allowed to score per team per inning. Run limit waived in last inning.
  8. As per high school rules, a pitcher may indicate an intentional walk and therefore does not have to throw the pitches.
  9. All borrowed players must bat at the bottom of the lineup and only play in the outfield.

9.05 Ages 13-14-15 Year Old Baseball

The 13-14-15 year old league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Baseball Rules with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. Pitchers may only pitch twenty one (21) outs in one game and not more then ten (10) innings in one calendar week. A calendar week is from 12:01 am Monday to Midnight the following Sunday. However, a pitcher must have three (3) calendar days of rest between pitching assignments if he pitches five (5) or more innings in any one game. This applies for Friday to Monday games, even though this crosses into a new calendar week. An inning is defined as 3 outs, i.e. 1 out equals 1/3 of an inning. Six war-up pitches between innings. No pitcher (including starter) can re-enter as a pitcher after being moved to another position or the bench. PENALTY: Forfeiture of games that exceed limitation for pitching.
  2. A regulation game will consist of seven (7) innings, or five (5) innings if the game is called, or if the home team has scored more runs in four and one-half (4 ½ ) innings than the visiting team has scored in five (5) complete innings.
  3. Bat size is regulated by High School rules.
  4. A pitcher must be removed upon the second trip to the mound by a coach in any one (1) inning. A trip the mound occurs when a coach crosses the foul line into the field of play.
  5. There shall be absolutely unlimited defensive substitutions allowed. All players bat in the line-up.
  6. As per high school rules, a pitcher may indicate an intentional walk and therefore does not have to throw the pitches.
  7. All borrowed players must bat at the bottom of the lineup and only play in the outfield.

Section X

Softball Leagues

Modified Rules

 


All KBSA Baseball Softball Leagues: 

  All games tied at the end of regulation innings will end tied unless atleast 15 minutes remain on the time limit. One and only one extra inning will be played if atleast 15 minutes remain on the time limit.

 

ALL ages 7-8 softball and above must wear chin straps: Penalty: 1st offense-warning, 2nd offense-automatic out. This includes tournament play.

 

10.0 Ages 7-8 Year Old Softball

The 7-8 Softball league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Softball Rules for 10 & Under softball with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. All outfielders must remain behind the outfield line until the ball is hit (See 8.01a). When the ball has been hit the outfielder may cross this line to make a play, but must be behind it before the next pitch.
  2. Each team will play a normal infield, all other players will be in outfield, normal being 3B, SS, 2B, 1B, P, C, in front of the outfield line. A player for the defensive team must be inside the pitcher’s circle when the pitch is delivered.
  3. Coaches will pitch to their own players. The coach will start to pitch with both feet in the circle. One step/stride forward is permitted. Ball must be released while one foot is still in the circle.
  4. The batter cannot receive a base on balls. The batter cannot intentionally bunt the ball. The batter will receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or three strikes (whichever comes first).
  5. Runners will be allowed only one base if the ball is thrown past first or third bases. Runners advance at their own risk. If the defensive player retrieves the ball and makes a play on the runner, only that one base is allowed.
  6. If a batted ball hits the pitching coach, it will be ruled a dead ball, the batter returns to bat and the count remains the same. If the ball is hit directly to the pitcher in the circle, it will be ruled a dead ball, if the pitcher hands it to the pitching coach (all runners advance one base).
  7. A fair batted ball must go over the fence to be ruled a home run. If the ball goes through, under, or bounces over the fence, it is a ground rule double.
  8. If a runner has reached the half-way mark between two bases before the ball is touched by the pitcher, he/she may advance to the next base.
  9. The runner must wait until the ball crosses the plate before leaving their base. First offense the team receives a warning and player returns to their previous base. Every incident following the warning will result in a team’s players being called out. Each incident results in a dead ball being declared until the umpire has rendered his/her decision. Simultaneous occurrences will result in only the lead runner being called out.
  10. Runners will be allowed to advance for only one base if the ball is overthrown at first and third base falling into unplayable territory (unplayable territory to be determined by coaches prior to start of game).
  11. Each team will bat their entire line-up or a maximum of 15 batters per inning if a team has more then 15 players. Last batter will advance until a dead ball is declared.
  12. The defensive player (pitcher) may not stand in front of the pitching coach while he/she is delivering a pitch.
  13. The infield-fly rule is not in effect.
  14. Dead ball will be declared in the following situations:
    1. Ball is thrown thru pitchers circle, ball does NOT have to be touched by the player.
    2. Pitcher hands ball to pitching coach after it is batted into pitcher’s circle. Runners will advance one base.
    3. Batted ball hits the pitching coach.
    4. Any decision so deemed necessary by the home plate umpire.
  15. If the pitcher catches a ball outside the circle and passes through the circle while making a play, it is a live ball and legal play until completion of play.
  16. "Borrowed" players must play either in the outfield or at catcher and may bat no lower in the line up then 5th. In the event players are required to bat twice to even the number of batters, a borrowed player may not bat twice.

10.01 Ages 9-10 Year Old Softball

The 9-10 Softball league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Softball Rules for 10 & Under softball with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. There will be no maximum innings pitched restrictions in the league.
  2. Teams are to bat complete roster with free substitution except for pitcher. Pitcher may re-enter only one time.
  3. Team will bat (3) outs or through (10) batters in any one inning.
  4. No exception for last batter, who may put the ball in play, strike out, walk, or be hit by a pitched ball. Play can continue on other runners until either three outs are made or play is otherwise concluded.
  5. 9-10 league may steal and may leave the base after the ball leaves the pitchers hand. Runners may only steal one base per pitch and can not steal home even if a play is made on the runner.
  6. If an attempt to make a play at first base: a ball is thrown past the first base foul line and makes contact with the fence the batter/runner is entitled to advance to 2nd base with liability to put out, but may not advance to 3rd base even if a play is made on her by a fielder.
  7. Teams will consist of 10 players in the field.
  8. There will be no out charged for a vacancy in the line-up due to not having 10 players to start the game. Late players may be added to the bottom of the line up should they arrive.
  9. "Borrowed" players must play in the outfield and bat at the bottom of the lineup.
  10. In an attempt to lessen the number of walks, and bring hitting and fielding back into the game, the KBSA Board of Directors will implement the following rule which will be in effect until June 30, 2012 for 9-10 softball only:

No Walk Rule: If ball 4 is called by the umpire the batter will not be given a Base on Balls and the following coach pitch rules will apply:

a)      The batter will remain at bat and assumes whatever Ball/Strike count she has accrued. The coach for the team at bat will then pitch a maximum of 3 additional pitches to the batter. The umpire shall call a strike if the batter fouls the pitch (less then 2 strikes), or swings and misses, if this is strike 3, the batter is out. If the batter has not hit the ball into play after the 3rd pitch the batter is out.

b)      The ball is dead unless legally hit into playable territory by the batter. Runner(s) may not steal. Runners may not advance on a wild pitch or a passed ball.

c)      The runner must wait until the ball is hit before leaving their base.

d)     The coach must start with both feet on the pitching rubber and may take only one step/stride forward. One foot must maintain contact with the rubber until the pitch is released.

e)      If a batted ball hits the pitching coach, it will be ruled a dead ball, the batter returns to bat and any runners return to their starting base. The Ball/Strike count remains the same, it is not counted as a strike, but it counts as 1 of the 3 pitches.

f)       If the batter puts the ball in play, and in the ensuing play by the defensive team, a thrown ball hits the pitching coach, and in the judgment of the umpire the pitching coach made a reasonable attempt to avoid contact, the ball is dead and the runners advance to base they were attempting to take at the time of contact.

g)      If in the umpire’s judgment the pitching coach intentionally interfered with the play, the ball is dead, the runner nearest home is out, and all other runners return to their starting base.

h)      The pitcher may not stand in front of the pitching coach while he/she is delivering a pitch, but must have one foot in the pitcher’s circle.

10.02 Ages 11-12 Year Old Softball

The 11-12 Softball league games will be played under the Babe Ruth Softball Rules for 12 & Under softball with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. There will be no maximum innings pitched restrictions in the league.
  2. Teams will consist of 10 players in the field.
  3. There will be no out charged for a vacancy in the line up due to not having 10 players to start the game. Late players may be added to the bottom of the line-up should they arrive.
  4. Teams are to bat complete roster with free substitution except pitcher. Pitcher may re-enter only one time.
  5. Maximum 8 runs allowed to score per team per inning. Run limit waived in last inning.
  6. All borrowed players must bat at the bottom of the lineup and play in the outfield only.

10.03 Ages 13-14-15-16 Year Old Softball

The 13-14-15 Softball League games will be played under the Babe Ruth Softball Rules for 14 & Under softball with the exceptions herein provided:

  1. Teams will consist of 10 players in the field.
  2. There will be no out charged for a vacancy in the line up due to not having 10 players to start the game. Late players may be added to the bottom of the line-up should they arrive.
  3. Teams are to bat complete roster with free substitution except pitcher. Pitcher may re-enter only one time.
  4. Maximum 8 runs allowed to score per team per inning. Run limit waived in last inning.
  5. All borrowed players must bat at the bottom of the lineup and play in the outfield only.