MCYBA Game Rules

Mason County Youth Baseball Association

Playing Rules

General Rules 

Practice 

• No team should practice more than 3 times weekly 

• Practices should not exceed a 2-hour time limit. 

• All players must be offered a water break every 30 minutes. Unless otherwise communicated by the  league. 

Pre-Game 

• Home team will take the 3rd base side of the field. Visiting team will take the 1st base side of the field. • Eight players are required on defense, if a team is unable to field the minimum number of players, the  game will be ruled a forfeit. 

• A ten-minute grace period will be allowed before a forfeit will be declared. 

• All on-deck batters will stay behind the batter that is currently at bat. 

Mercy Rule 

• 10 runs after the 4th inning, 8 runs after the 5th inning (does not apply to 4U/6U)

Keeping Score (Does not apply to 4U)

• Both teams are required to have a scorekeeper to complete book for each game. • Each scorekeeper is required to keep an accurate pitch count for both teams. 

• Both books must be signed by both scorekeepers as well as the head umpire 

• The home team is responsible for reporting game results and pitch counts for both teams  (This must be reported within 24 hours from end of game) 

• If playing a team outside of Mason County Youth Baseball Association the MCYBA rec team must report game results and pitch count for both Teams. 

• Failing to report within the 24-hour window will result in the game being recorded as a tie • Failing to report within the 24-hour window will result in the head coach reporting to the board  for disciplinary action 

• All teams must bat their entire roster unless a player is absent, injured or benched for  disciplinary reasons. 

Pitching 

• Any team members may pitch (Excluding 4U, 6U, & 8U). All players must follow the Pitch-Smart guidelines & required rest chart below 

• No Pitcher shall appear in a game 3 days in a row 

• Pitchers reaching their maximum number of pitches in a day while pitching to a batter, may finish  pitching to that batter before being removed 

• Pitchers in violation of any pitching rules shall be considered an ineligible player. The player and Head  coach will be ejected, the game forfeit and said player and Head coach will be ruled ineligible for the  next scheduled game 

• A new pitcher is allowed 8 warm-up pitches. Returning pitchers are allowed 5 warm-up pitches.  Pitchers should work diligently to resume normal play. 

• All games count towards a pitcher’s recorded count. This includes any games outside of league play.  eg: weekend tournaments or pick-up games for other leagues. 

Rest rules are applicable after reaching the below pitch count. Days of rest are considered calendar days, not hours, and begin counting the next full day.

Slug Bunting - Headfirst Slides - Avoiding contact - Thrown Bats 

• No Slug Bunting- If an umpire rules a Slug bunt was made with contact, the player will be declared out.  The ball is dead, and runners may not advance. 

• Headfirst Slides are allowed by 14U. 12U and below are not allowed to perform a headfirst slide except  when returning to a base in close proximity. 

• Runners must slide to avoid contact, if a fielder is attempting a tag. Failing to do so will result in the  player being called out. 

• For 10U and up, a thrown bat is a delayed dead ball. The batter will be called out or the defense may elect the result of the play.

Bat Regulations 

• No bat shall be used if dented, cracked, modified or otherwise damaged 

• All Bats must be 2-5/8" or less in Diameter (This includes wood bats as well) 

Approved Bat Stamps 

• USA stamped bats 

• 14U ONLY: -3 BBCOR

Courtesy Runners 

• Courtesy runners are allowed for catchers of record, on request to the umpire in charge. The courtesy  runner must be the player farthest from hitting in the lineup. (This should be your last out) The  courtesy runner must be an eligible player on the bench. 

Safety Base 

• If a safety base is in use, The white potion must be located where first base would normally be (In fair territory) and the safety base in foul territory. 

• A batted ball hitting any part of the white portion is to be called fair. 

• If an active play is happening at 1st base the runner must tag the safety base. If the runner steps partly  on 1st base and the safety base but does not otherwise interfere with or hinder the play the player  should be called safe. 

• If the runner does not use the safety base and steps on 1st base and contacts the defensive player at  all, or in the opinion of the official interfere with the play they will be called out. 

• The defensive player must always make contact with 1st base.  

• When returning to 1st base after over running, Runner goes to white. A runner fully on the safety base  is off base 

• Running on a base hit to the outfield (runner may touch the orange or white part) • Re-tag to advance on a fly ball. Runner goes to 1st base 

• The runner may use 1st base and be called safe if the opinion of the official is that the player did so solely  for the purpose of avoiding the defensive player. 

• If the baserunner uses the safety base at any time after the first attempt to 1st base the player will be  considered off the base.

Borrowing Players 

• Players can only be borrowed if a team has fewer than 9 players available to play 

• All players that are borrowed must be registered with Mason County Youth Baseball • All player that are borrowed must be at same level or below 

• A team Borrowing players can only borrow for a total of 10 players 

• Same player may not be borrowed by the same team more the twice in the same season 

• All borrowed players must be announced at the plate meeting as well as what position and place in the  lineup 

Any violation of the above rules will result in the game being forfeit. 

Playing Fields 

Distance between bases 

4U/6U: 60 feet 

8U: 60 feet 

10U: 60 feet 

12U: 70 feet 

14U: 80 feet 

Pitching Distance 

4U: Tee Ball 

6U: 30 feet  

8U: 38 feet 

10U: 46 feet 

12U: 50 feet 

14U: 54 feet 

Home Plate to center of second base 

4U/6U: 70 feet 8.5 in 

8U: 84 feet 10 in 

10U: 84 feet 10 in 

12U: 99 feet 

14U: 113 feet 2 in 

Inning Length 

4U/6U: After all players on the team have batted 

8U: 3 outs or 3 runs scored 

10U: 3 outs or 5 runs scored through the 4th inning, otherwise, 3 outs. 

12U: 3 outs or 6 runs scored through the 4th inning, otherwise, 3 outs. 

14U: 3 outs 

Regulation Game Times 

4U: 2 innings; time 1:00 (No new inning)

6U: 6 innings; time 1:15 (No new inning) 

8U: 6 innings; time 1:30 (No new inning) 

10U: 6 innings; time 1:45 (No new inning) 

12U: 6 innings; time 1:45 (No new inning) 

14U: 6 innings; time 1:45 (No new inning)

Volunteers 

Coaches/Assistant Coaches/Volunteers 

• All Coaches & Assistant Coaches must complete an online sudden cardiac arrest prevention  program and submit a certificate showing completion of the program 

• All Coaches & Assistant Coaches are required to sign a coaches conduct agreement form • All Volunteers must be registered with the league before taking the field, this includes practices. • Only two coaches are allowed on the field during their teams at bat. 

• All coaches should remain in the coaching box at all times while on the field, unless doing so would  interfere with a live ball. 

• Only the head coach will communicate with the umpires 

• All Coaches, Assistant Coaches and volunteers must have a background check completed prior to  stepping on the field with athletes. 

• No parent, guardian or spectator is allowed on the field or practice area with the athletes unless  they are fully registered in one of the above-mentioned positions.

Rules Specific for 4U/6U 

All teams should adhere to the main league rules 

• Base path is 60' 

• 9" 5 ounce Safe-Soft ball will be used 

• 4U is T-ball

• 6U is Coach Pitch

• Each team at bat will bat the entire lineup 

• 10 Defenders used in the field. Outfielders must start in the outfield at least 10 feet beyond the baseline The batting tee will be placed on home plate 

• Once an infielder has a ball and all baseball moves have ceased, the umpire is to call time and the ball is dead. All overthrows are dead balls 

• No base stealing. No leading off. 

• All defensive players must rotate positions each inning unless the coach believes player safety is at risk.

• 6U Coach Pitch Only: Coach is allowed 4 pitches. If the player is unable to hit, the tee is to be used to complete the at-bat.

Rules Specific for 8U 

All teams should adhere to the main league rules 

• Base path is 60' 

• 9" 5 ounce Safe-Soft ball should be used 

• 8U is Machine pitch 

• Strikeouts are recorded. No walks are allowed. 

• Home team is responsible for providing a volunteer umpire. 

• 10 Defenders used in the field. Outfielders must start in the outfield at least 10 feet beyond the baseline. 

• Home team is responsible for providing the pitching machine. 

• Machine pitch is 5 pitches or 3 strikes. At bat cannot end on a foul ball. 

• Pitching distance 38' 

• Once an infielder has the ball and all baseball moves have ceased times should be called. Play ends. o No bunting 

• All overthrows are dead balls 

• No base stealing. No leading off. 

• All defensive players must rotate positions each inning unless the coach believes player safety is at risk. o Machine speed and settings: The Machine should be set around 28-32 MPH. (See settings below for  machine) 

• 4 on pedal - 3 on handle - 3 on the ball holder 

• A batted ball that strikes the pitching machine and remains fair, remains in play but cannot be caught  for an out

Rules Specific for 10U 

All teams should adhere to the main league rules 

• Base path is 60' 

• Pitching distance is 46' 

• 9" 5-Ounce hard ball is used 

• Base Stealing is allowed 

• Base runners can lead off 

• Balk rule is in effect - 1st time will be a warning from official 

• Dropped third strike rule is NOT in effect for 10U 

• No scoring from third on a passed ball or wild pitch. 

• Infield fly rule is enforced 

• Metal cleats not allowed

Rules Specific for 12U 

All teams should adhere to the main league rules 

• Base path is 70' 

• Pitching distance is 50' 

• Base Stealing is allowed 

• Base runners can lead off 

• Balk rule is in effect - 1st time will be a warning from official 

• Dropped third strike rule is in effect for 12U 

• Infield fly rule is enforced 

• Metal cleats not allowed

Rules Specific for 14U 

All teams should adhere to the main league rules 

• Base path is 80' unless otherwise communicated

• Pitching distance is 54' 

• Metal cleats are allowed 

• No metal cleats allowed on portable mounds or turf fields.

• -3 BBCOR Bats