9U Baseball Rules.pdf

Games are up to 4 innings or 90 minutes, with 2 player-pitch innings and 2 machine-pitch innings. No new inning starts after 75 minutes. The visiting team can score 5 runs in the top of the 4th if winning, or as many runs as needed to go up by 5 if losing. The home team can score as many runs as needed to win if losing. Hard baseballs are used, with 60ft base paths and 42ft pitching distance. Tied games remain tied, with no mercy rule. All players are included in the batting order, with a minimum of 8 players per team. Pitching limits apply, with 1 inning per day and 6 innings per week. No balks are called, and catchers do not throw balls back to the pitcher. Batters start with 6 balls from player pitchers and 5 balls from machine pitchers. If a player pitcher strikes out a batter, the batter is out. If a player pitcher walks a batter, the batter hits from a tee. Batters hit by player-pitched balls advance to first base, while those hit by machine-pitched balls get a replacement pitch. Players can pitch on consecutive days, but with restrictions. No statistics are kept, and the goal is for kids to play ball.