Believe & Achieve Baseball League (BABL) : Powered by TeamLinkt

Sunday Baseball League Rules (last updated 4-8-2024)

Overview: in all divisions, it is important for coaches and parents to emphasize:
•   Having fun
•   Teaching players the fundamentals of baseball
•   Teaching the basic skills of throwing, catching, and hitting a baseball
•   The importance of good sportsmanship while playing baseball
o   There shall be no “negative chatter” directed at the opposing team.
o   “Positive chatter” by team members with their teammates is permitted and encouraged.
•   Safety

Peewee Division
Start time: SBL starts at 1:40 pm and ends, at the latest, by 2:40. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 1:40. The first 20 minutes (i.e. from 1:40-2:00) are practice. Games should start at 2:00.

Pre-game routine: Switch off practicing different aspects of the game (batting, catching, and throwing). During practice, each player should be given a chance to participate in the activity that is being practiced (e.g. hit, field, run, catch).

Batting: There are no “outs”, bat around the order each inning. It is helpful to have a first base and third base coach so the kids learn when and where to run. Play with light plastic bats and foam ball. Coach will pitch underhand to the batters. A good idea at this age is to switch the batting lineup each week using their numbers (one week start with the lowest number and the next week start with the highest number).

Fielding: All players should be on the field. Let each player try out different fielding positions. A coach from the fielding team should be in the field with the players to guide them along. It is very important at this age to teach them that not everyone should run after every ball and proper spacing in the field.

Field: Bases should be around 60 feet apart.

Safety: Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat, there is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. Children should never be behind the batter.

Pre1A Division
Start time: SBL starts at 1:40 pm and should end, at the latest, by 2:40. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 1:40. The first 15 minutes are practice. Games should start at 1:55.

Batting: players will use a light plastic bat and foam ball. The pitcher will be a coach of the batting team. Another coach should be the catcher, no players should stand behind the better. For the player that is being pitched to, start off with underhand and move to slow pitch overhand. There are no “three outs”, bat around the order each inning, the half inning ends when all players get an at bat. However, players are allowed to make outs in the field and if an out is recorded, the player that is out should sit down. It is important to have a first base and third base coach so the players learn when and where to run.

Fielding: All players should be on the field. Let players try out different fielding positions. A coach from the fielding team should be in the field with the players to guide them along. It is very important at this age to teach them that not everyone should run after every ball and proper spacing in the field.

Field: Bases should be around 60 feet apart.

1st Grade Division
Start time: SBL starts at 2:45 pm and end, at the latest, by 4:15 pm. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 2:45. Pre-game drills will run from 2:45-3:00. Games should start at 3:00. No new inning should be started after 3:55; the fields ought to be cleared by 4:15.

Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, how to hold and swing the bat, how to run the bases, and how to catch and throw the ball, how to let each player field their own position. Respect the calls made on the field, three outs per inning, how to make outs in the field, when to run and when not run (pop-up vs. grounder), how to run bases and how to field each position.

Batting: The pitcher will be a coach of the batting team. Each player can choose underhand or slow pitch overhand. Attempt to progress to overhand for every player by the end of the season. For the first 5 games, there are no strikeouts. After the 5th game, 5 swinging strikes are an out. Three outs and switch sides, if three outs are not made, the half inning ends when all players get an at bat. It is helpful to have a first base and third base coach so the kids learn when and where to run. No bunting.

Base running: Base stealing is not allowed, base runners can only leave base upon contact of bat and ball. Leading is not allowed. No advancing on wild pitch or passed ball. Once the pitcher has the ball and is near the mound, the play is dead and there may be no additional advancement.

Scoring: Score can be kept for each game but there are no standings. No playoffs.

Fielding: All players should be on the field. Let players try out different fielding positions. A coach should be in the field with the kids to guide them along. Teach them that not everyone should run after every ball, etc. A player can be the catcher if they want to, a catcher needs to wear all the catcher’s equipment, the catcher should be backed up by an adult to keep the game moving.

Field: bases should be around 60 feet apart.

Safety: The player who is at bat must wear a helmet. Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat, there is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. No throwing or slinging the bat. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. Only the catcher wearing all the required equipment should be behind the batter, no other child should be behind the batters.

2nd Grade Division
Start time: SBL starts at 2:45 pm and end, at the latest, by 4:15 pm. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 2:45. Pre-game drills will run from 2:45-3:00. Games should start at 3:00. No new inning should be started after 4:00; the fields ought to be cleared by 4:15.

Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, how to hold and swing the bat, how to run the bases, and how to catch and throw the ball, how to let each player field their own position. Respect the calls made on the field, three outs per inning, how to make outs in the field, when to run and when not run (pop up vs grounder), how to run bases and how to field each position.

Batting: The pitcher will be a coach of the batting team, pitching should be slow pitch overhand. No call balls and strikes but three swinging strikes are an out. Three outs and switch sides, if three outs are not made, the half inning ends when all players get an at bat. It is helpful to have a first base and third base coach so the kids learn when and where to run. No bunting.

Scoring: Score is kept for each game but there are no standings. No playoffs.

Base running: Base stealing is not allowed, base runners can only leave base upon contact of bat and ball. Leading is not allowed. No advancing on wild pitch or passed ball. Once pitcher has ball and is near the mound, the play is dead and there may be no additional advancement.

Catchers: A parent should be the catcher, to keep the game moving.

Fielding: All kids should be on the field. The fielding team’s coach should not be in the field with the kids but should guide them from the sidelines. Teach them how to field positions, backup the first baseman etc.

Field: bases should be around 60 feet apart, pitcher should be about 36 feet from batter.

Safety: The player who is at bat must wear a helmet. Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat, there is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. No throwing or slinging the bat, throwing or slinging the bat results in a team warning to the batting team. A second instance of bat throwing/slinging by anyone on that team results in an out. Only the catcher wearing all the required equipment should be behind the batter, no other child should be behind the batters, but the catcher may be backed up by an adult to expedite the game.

General Notes for 3rd through 8th grade divisions
Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, what is a strike and what is a ball, how to run the bases and tag up, and how to field grounders and pop ups, where to throw the ball, including the cut-off man, in various scenarios, how to turn a double play, how to back up first base and each base, and how to pitch. Respect the calls made on the field, tagging up, infield fly rule, and when to run and when not run (pop up vs grounder).

Positive interaction with umpires: There is to be no arguing with the umpires. A coach, but not a player, can ask an umpire for an explanation, but both coaches must be present for the discussion. An umpire will give one warning to a player or coach that argues and then in the second instance of a player or coach from that team arguing with the umpire, in the umpire's discretion, the umpire can issue an automatic out to the arguing team. Umpires may also eject a player or coach immediately from a game, in his discretion.

3/4 Division
Official Little League rules apply except as set forth below.

Bats: Bats may not have a diameter larger than 2 ¾”. Double-walled bats are not allowed.

Start time: SBL starts at 2:45 pm and end, at the latest, by 4:15 pm. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 2:45. Pre-game drills will run from 2:45-3:00. Games should start at 3:00. No new inning should be started after 4:00. The bottom half of inning can be started after 4:00, but the fields ought to be cleared by 4:15.

Length of Game: Regular season games are 6 innings, however, no new inning may be started after 4:00 pm, an inning started before 4:00 pm can be completed in its entirety. The time of the “new inning” is determined by the third out of the previous inning. For example, if the third out of the bottom half of the last inning is made at 3:59, the new inning may begin, even though the first pitch of the new inning won’t be thrown until after 4:00. If the game is tied after 6 innings and it is before 4:00, one extra inning can be played. Playoff games must be six innings, and if the score is a tie after six innings the game should continue until there is a winner. No team or coach may deliberately slow the game down to avoid another inning from starting as an advantage to its team, if a team is deliberately slowing down the game at the discretion of the umpire, the umpire can disregard the timing and continue the game. In an extra innings game, pitchers can come back in the game and pitch a fourth inning (but no more than a total of four innings in one game). In each inning of an extra inning game, batting team shall start with a runner on 2nd base. Runner shall be the player who made the last out.

Field: Pitcher’s mound is 38 feet from back of home plate, bases are 60 feet from each other.

Batting: All players bat through the lineup. The batting order must be set prior to the game and late arriving players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order. There are no forfeits. Players that come after game started are slotted in at the end of the lineup, even if they have already missed a turn. If 8 or less players are present, the coach or another parent may play catcher. If the coach or parent plays catcher, he may not make any fielding plays. Also, a caught foul tip by the adult catcher with two strikes is not an out, and instead counts as a foul ball. If 9 or more players are present, a player must play catcher.

Hit By Pitch: Batters must make every effort to avoid getting hit by pitch. If umpire determines that batter did not make an effort to avoid, a strike will be called and no base awarded.

Bunting: Not allowed. An attempted bunt will be an automatic strike. Bunting is defined as intentionally not taking a full swing, to be determined by Umpire.

Fielding: All players field, no more than 5 players and the catcher and pitcher can be in the infield.

Pitching: Pitcher pitches overhand, but is not allowed to pitch fast. The umpire will determine if a pitch is too fast. A pitch that is too fast will not count. The pitcher should pitch the ball to be able to reach home plate. After 4 walks in one inning by a pitcher, a coach should consider replacing the pitcher, but is not required to. Any pitcher who hits 3 batters in one inning must immediately be removed from the mound. Once a pitcher is removed from being a pitcher he may not be put back in as pitcher. Mound is 38 feet from the back of home plate.

Scoring: Teams can score either 5 runs or enough to tie the game, whichever is more. For example, if score is 6-0 after two innings, trailing team can score 6 runs in an inning to tie the game. If score is 3-0, trailing team can score 5 runs. Notwithstanding the above statement, all runners on base can score at last at bat, for example if team has scored 4 runs and bases are loaded, batter hits a grand slam, all players score and team scores 8 runs in inning.

Base running: Base stealing is not allowed; base runners can only leave base upon contact of bat and ball. Leading is not allowed. Tagging up is allowed for one base advancement (can tag from first to second, but not from first to third). No advancing on wild pitch or passed ball. Once pitcher has ball and is near the mound, the play is dead and there may be no additional advancement. Infield fly rule is in effect.

Catchers: With one or two outs, if the catcher is on base, he should be removed from the base and a pinch-runner substituted for him. The pinch-runner shall be the player who made the last out. The catcher then gets his gear on in anticipation of catching in the next inning.

Safety: Every player who is at bat or on-base as a runner must wear a helmet. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. Only the catcher wearing all the required equipment should be behind the batter, no other child should be behind the batters. No on deck circle, no swinging of the bat unless player is at bat, any violation of this will result in a team warning, upon second instance by anyone on that team, an automatic out will given to batter’s team. Throwing or slinging the bat results in a team warning to the batting team. A second instance of bat throwing/slinging by anyone on that team results in an out. The play is dead and all runners return to their bases. Players must make great effort to avoid any collision with any player. Players do not have to slide, but either must slide or take other action to avoid collision. Players who make unnecessary contact can be called out at discretion of umpire. Cups are not required but recommended.

Overthrows: If an errant throw leaves the field of play it is considered dead. Runners can take the base they were running to or the next base if already reached based at the time ball went out of play. Umpire to advise coaches prior to game as to what is out of play.

Umpires: There is to be no arguing with the umpires. An umpire will give one warning to a player or coach that argues and then in the second instance of a player or coach from that team arguing with the umpire, in the umpire's discretion, the umpire can issue an automatic out to the arguing team. A coach, but not a player, can ask an umpire for an explanation, but both coaches must be present.

5/6 and 7/8 Division
Official Little League rules apply except as set forth below.

Bats: Bats may not have a diameter larger than 2 ¾”. Double-walled bats are not allowed.

Start time: SBL starts at 4:20 pm and games should start by 4:35 pm. Coaches should be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 4:20. Pre-game drills will run from 4:20-4:35. Games should start at 4:35. The fields should be should split the time before the game to practice on the diamond.

Length of Game: Regular season games are 6 innings, provided, no new inning may be started after 5:55 pm but an inning started before 5:55 pm can be completed in its entirety. The time of the “new inning” is determined by the third out of the previous inning. For example, if the third out of the bottom half of the last inning is made at 5:54, the new inning may begin, even though the first pitch of the new inning won’t be thrown until after 5:55. If the game is tied after 6 innings, and it is before 5:55, one extra inning can be played. Playoff games must be six innings, and if the score is a tie after six innings the game should continue until there is a winner. No team or coach may deliberately slow the game down to avoid another inning from starting as an advantage to its team, if a team is deliberately slowing down the game at the discretion of the umpire, the umpire can disregard the timing and continue the game. In extra innings, pitchers can come back in the game and pitch a fourth inning (but no more than a total of four innings in one game). In each inning of an extra inning game, batting team shall start with a runner on 2nd base. Runner shall be the player who made the last out.

Field Dimensions:
• 5/6 Division: Pitcher’s mound is 46 feet from back of home plate, bases are 60 feet from each other.
• 7/8 Division: Pitcher’s mound is 54 feet from back of home plate, bases are 70 feet from each other.

Hit By Pitch: Batters must make every effort to avoid getting hit by pitch, if umpire determines that batter did not make an effort to avoid, a strike will be called and no base awarded.

Bunting: Not allowed. An attempted bunt will be an automatic strike. Bunting is defined as intentionally not taking a full swing, to be determined by Umpire.

Fielding: All players field, no more than 5 players and the catcher and pitcher can be in the infield.

Pitching: Players may pitch up to 3 innings per game. A pitcher that starts pitching in the middle of an inning, that inning only counts to the “3 inning rule” if the pitcher pitches to 3 or more batters in that inning. After 4 walks in one inning by a pitcher, a coach should consider replacing the pitcher, but is not required to. Any pitcher who hits 3 batters in one inning must immediately be removed from the mound. Once a pitcher is removed from being a pitcher he may not be put back in as pitcher. Notwithstanding the above, in extra innings, a pitcher who pitched in that game and was removed or the current pitcher may pitch a fourth inning (but no more than a total of four innings in one game).

Scoring: Teams can score either 6 runs or enough to tie the game, whichever is more. For example, if score is 7-0 after two innings, trailing team can score 7 runs in an inning to tie the game. If score is 3-0, trailing team can score 6 runs. Notwithstanding the above statement, all runners on base can score at last at bat; for example, if team has scored 5 runs and bases are loaded, batter hits a grand slam, all players score and team scores 9 runs in inning.

Base running: Base stealing, or advancing on a wild pitch or passed ball, is not allowed.

Leading is not allowed. Tagging up is allowed for one base advancement (can tag from first to second, but not from first to third). Once pitcher has ball and is near the mound, the play is dead and there may be no additional advancement. Infield fly rule is in effect.

Catchers: With one or two outs, if the catcher is on base, he should be removed from the base and a pinch-runner substituted for him. The pinch-runner shall be the player who made the last out. The catcher then gets his gear on in anticipation of catching in the next inning.

Safety: No on deck circle, no swinging of the bat unless player is at bat, any violation of this will result in a team warning, upon second instance by anyone on that team, an automatic out will given to batter’s team. Throwing or slinging the bat results in a team warning to the batting team. A second instance of bat throwing/slinging by anyone on that team results in an out. The play is dead and all runners return to their bases. Players must make great effort to avoid any collision with any player. Players do not have to slide, but either must slide or take other action to avoid collision. Players who make unnecessary contact can be called out at discretion of umpire. Cups are not required but recommended.