Central Cal Ripken Baseball

Official Rules

Minors Division

Except as expressly set forth below, the playing rules for all baseball games shall be those covered in the most current edition of the Babe Ruth Cal Ripken League playing rules.

  1. Both teams are responsible for field maintenance. The home team must prepare the filed before the game (drag the field, water the field, rake around home plate and the mound and chalk the lines) and the visiting team is responsible for the breakdown of the field (put the bases, fence, and equipment away). Both teams are responsible for trash in the dugout.
  2. The home team is listed first on the schedule and will occupy the 3rd base dugout and the visiting team will occupy the 1st base dugout.
  3. There are no warm-ups permitted on the field prior to the game.
  4. All players must be wearing the uniform issued by Central Cal Ripken.
  5. Should an umpire not arrive for the game, one should be chosen from among the parents of the participating teams with dual consent of the respective coaches. It is the responsibility of the head coach of the Home Team to notify the Vice President of the absence of any umpires.
  6. Umpires cannot be pulled from another game if your umpire does not show up.
  7. Players must slide on all close plays. The umpire may call a player out for not sliding on a close play. Headfirst forward slides are not allowed.
  8. Any attempt to “run over” a defensive player by the base runner will be called out and may be ejected.
  9. All batters and base runners must wear a helmet at all times.
  10. Catchers are required and must be in full catchers gear, including an athletic cup, though they are not required to wear catcher’s mitts.
  11. No player shall play with a cast (hard or soft).
  12. There is absolutely no badgering of the opposing teams players (i.e., “hey batter batter”). Players are free to cheer for their own teammates as they wish, but must stop when the pitcher sets.
  13. All players on a team’s roster will bat in rotation in every game. The batting order cannot be changed once the game begins except to add late players to the bottom on the line up.
  14. If a player becomes ill or injured, and must leave part way through the game, the affected team will not incur an automatic out in the batting order for that players spot. If a player leaves for any other reason than illness or injury, only their next at bat will be an out. If a player that becomes ill or injured is on base, the last out can replace them on the base. If a player is leaving for any other reason than illness or injury and they are on base, that will be an out.
  15. Defensive substitutions are allowed during the course of an inning.
  16. No player will be kept from playing defensively for more than one consecutive inning and not more than two innings in a six inning game. The only exception is for disciplinary reasons or illness.
  17. Teams must field a minimum of 8 players at the start of the game. If a team is unable to field 8 players the game will be forfeited.
  18. Games will consist of 6 innings or one hour and forty-five minutes whichever occurs first. No new inning after one hour and forth-five minutes. The new inning begins at the moment of the third out in the prior inning. Iftimeexpires before the inning is completed, the game is over immediately (Drop Dead) and the score will revert to the last complete inning, unless the home team is up to bat and has tied the game or has gone ahead.
  19. Pitching rubber will be set at 46 feet.
  20. Wooden bats may not be used.
  21. No slash bunting. Once a player shows a bunt they may not swing at the pitch. They will receive 1 warning, if they do it a 2nd time the player will be ejected.
  22. Pitching: Pitchers may pitch six (6) innings per calendar week. The calendar week is Monday through Sunday. One pitch constitutes an inning pitched.
  23. Pitching limitations: Minors may only pitch two (2) consecutive innings per game maximum, the only exception is the starter may pitch the 1st inning and come back in a later inning for their 2nd inning.
  24. A hit-by-pitch of 2 back-to-back or 3 total thrown by a pitcher are to be pulled from game.
  25. Only 1 visit by coach to each pitcher on the mound, once a coach makes a 2nd visit to the same pitcher, they must be pulled from pitching, and they may play another position or go to the bench. The length of visits to the mound to be enforced by official.
  26. There are no balks in the minor division only.
  27. Stealing: Minors: The base runner cannot lead off and cannot leave until the ball crosses the home plate on a pitch.
  28. Calling up players:
  29. Can be pulled up from a younger division only
  30. Must have parents approval
  31. Must notify the lower division coordinator prior to the game
  32. Cannot be pulled up when his team is playing
  33. Cannot be pulled up more than four (4) times per season
  34. Cannot pitch, but can play any other defensive position
  35. Must bat last, in the event a lateplayer shows up, that player would bat last
  36. A team cannot pull up more than one (1) player per game unless it is needed to keep from forfeiting
  37. A team must start the game with all rostered players playing defensively
  38. A team can only call up the number of players necessary to total nine (9) players for that game
  39. There will be a five (5) run limit per inning for minors for the 1st 3 innings, from the 4th inning on there is no run limit per inning.
  40. Umpires decisions are final. Should a dispute arise during the course of the game, the two head coaches and the umpire should reach a mutual understanding regarding the dispute. This should be done quietly and quickly. Violation of rules could result in forfeiture of a game, suspension of a manger or coach, or penalty determined by the President.
  41. Notice that the game is being played under protest must be filed with the Head Umpire by the team manager immediately at the time of the disputed decision and before the next pitched ball. A protest arising on a game ending play may be filed by noon of the following day to the President of the league. Protests are voted on and determined by the majority vote of the Executive Board.
  42. Players, coaches and parents may not badger, mock or taunt the umpire or the players, coaches or parents of the opposing team in any manner during the course of a game. Players, coaches and parents who are disruptive to the progress and/or purpose of the game will forfeit the privilege of participation in the game at the discretion of the umpire and/or Board. Under no circumstances are the coaches, players or parents to argue with the umpires, coaches or opposing team. Anyone doing so shall be reported to the Division Coordinator and will be subject to forfeiture of the privilege of participation in future games.
  43. Central Unified School District rules prohibit the use of tobacco products and/or the consumption of alcohol at any time while on school property. Use of cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco products and/or the consumption of alcohol while on school property will result in the offending person being asked to leave the school grounds.
  44. No pets or animals of any kind are allowed on school property, unless a person is being aided by said animal and can provide certificate.