
DOWNLOAD RULES
Rules as shown in the Little League Rule book are in effect except as listed in the following rules. The Rules can only
be changed with approval of the MBSA Board of Directors. Manager/Coaches cannot change the rules under any circumstance.
Only managers and coaches approved by the MBSA may supervise the players in games and practices. While parents may assist, there must be an approved manager or coach in-charge.
All Managers and Coaches MUST wear their Manalapan Township volunteer badge and abide by the “Manalapan Parks and Recreation Volunteer Code of Conduct” and have read and agree to the “Manalapan Parks and Recreation
Background Check Policy”. Managers are responsible for the acts of their coaches and parents.
Games and practice dates/times can only be scheduled or rescheduled by the league Commissioners. All incidents should be reported immediately.
If the Managers cannot resolve an issue during a game, they must contact the commissioner OR Associate Commissioner immediately.
All Managers must have a copy of the rules with them at every game.
- Any manager, coach or player ejected from a game must sit out the next game. A second ejection will result in a three game suspension and a MBSA board hearing
- There are no protest all decisions made by the umpire on the field are final
- All players must adhere to and wear designated MBSA uniform attire or they cannot take the field.
- Players must wear an athletic supporter/cup and plastic cleats; metal cleats are prohibited. Heart guards and safety glasses are recommended. It’s the parent’s sole responsibility to ensure their child is wearing all recommended safety gear.
- No jewelry can be worn.
- Catchers must wear all equipment, no skullcaps are allowed
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- Each game will be 6 innings OR a 2 hour time limit. You cannot start a new inning after 1 hour and 45 minutes has elapsed. However you may complete an inning if it has already started and is now beyond the time limit.
- If the game is tied after 6 innings a 7th inning may be played with time permitting based on the rule above.
- An official game is 4 innings (3.5 if the home team is winning)
- Maximum of 8 runs per ½ inning
- The 8 run maximum rule does not apply during the 6th inning or 7th inning (see 4.e.i)
- Playoff exception: The 8 run maximum rule per inning does not apply
- Mercy rule: 12 runs ahead after 3.5 innings if the home team is winning and 4 complete innings if the visiting team is winning.
- A game is considered complete after 3.5 innings if the home team is ahead or 4 innings if the home team is behind. If the 5th is started but not completed the game reverts to the prior inning. If the game ends due to the time limit or darkness it is an official game.
- Playoff exception: Games must go a full 6-innings to be considered official
- Games can end in a tie
i. Playoff exception: Games cannot end in a tie. Games still tied after 7 full innings or that reach the standard time limit (whichever comes first) are considered suspended and must be completed the next day. Managers should follow the process in (5) for suspended games.
- Suspended games are games that end in a tie or end before they are official. Suspended games must be resumed from the point of suspension. Keep your book and batting orders for both teams not just yours.
- You can start a game with 8 players and must finish a game with 8 players. If you start a game with 8 players and 1 player leaves you forfeit the gam
- Every player must play at least 2 consecutive innings in the field. Every Player must play at least 3 innings in the field (6 inning game).
- Except for the pitcher free substitution is in effect.
- Once a pitcher is removed he may not return to the mound to pitch in the game.
- Exception: Teams with 14 or more players present at a game do not have to adhere to the 2 consecutive inning rule but must still abide by the minimum number of innings
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- All players must hit in the lineup with free substitutions in the field
- A player injured or leaving the game will not be recorded as an out in the lineup.
- A player arriving after the game starts will be inserted at the bottom of the order.
- Batters on the bench including on deck batters are NOT ALLOWED to take practice swings. The manager and coaches are required to make sure this doesn’t occur. Managers and/or coaches can be ejected for allowing practice swings to occur.
- Any player that warms up a pitcher either before an inning or in between innings must wear a protective mask.
- Pitch count/inning rules can be found in the “MBSA Pitching Rule Supplement”. Specific division rules supersede the supplement
Pitching Rule Supplement Exception:
Pitcher can pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game and 6 innings per week. The baseball week begins on a Sunday and ends on Saturday.
- If the pitcher hits 2 batters the same inning or 3 in the same game the pitcher must be removed.
- Standard pitch count rest rules apply and can be found in the pitching supplement.
- A manager or coach may make two trips to any one pitcher in any one inning. On the third trip that pitcher must be replaced. The pitcher can take any other position but may not pitch again in that game
- A batter will be called out on a third strike dropped by the catcher and no play to first may result.
- Intentional walks are not allowed, Bunting is allowed.
a. The batter may not fake a bunt to draw the infield in and then swing away. A warning will be given for the first offense. The batter will be called out and ejected from the game for a second offense. No balks will be called.
14. With two outs a Manager should put in a courtesy runner in for the catcher to keep the game moving. The runner must be the last batted out.
15. The team on offense should have a 1st and 3rd base coach. The manager may appoint a third coach to manage the bench.
16. If there is going to be a play at a base (except going into first) the player MUST SLIDE.
17. Sliding headfirst is not allowed except back to the base. If a runner slides headfirst he will be called out.
18. No barreling by a runner or fielder is allowed. Slide or avoid at all plays at home plate
Advancing the bases:
- No Leads: The runner may steal after the ball passes the plate but cannot take a lead.
- Players may advance one or more bases on overthrows by the defense until the ball is in control on the mound, which shall end the play
- First half of the season, players may not steal home on a pitched ball that is not put into fair play. Players may go home on a hit ball or overthrow to any base after a ball is put into fair play by a hit ball.
- Should the defense initiate a play such as the pitcher or catcher throwing over to or running towards third base the player may attempt to steal home. All other base runners may advance one or more bases as well.
- Second half of the season (to be determined by the Commissioner), players will be allowed to steal home (which includes passed balls).
19. There is no bat throwing at any time. If a player throws a bat, there must be a warning given for the first offense. The umpire at his/her discretion may call the same batter out for the second offense. After the warning, please notify the parent.
20. Ask your parents if they want their child to wear a caged helmet prior to the start of the season. If a caged helmet is worn it is replaced by a standard helmet if the batter reaches base.
21. Only approved little league bats with a USA Baseball logo and wood bats may be used (max barrel size 2 5/8”). Any bats not meeting this specification must be removed from play immediately.
22. Home team shall always use the first base dugout.
23. Batters, base runners and player base coaches MUST wear helmets.
24. Any player charging the mound will be ejected from the game.
Manalapan Baseball & Softball Association
Official Rules – Updated March 2019
25. Let parents know they need to get to the field 15-20 minutes prior to game time. All coaches and managers should be on time as well. As they get older, warm up period becomes more and more important.
26. All players have to participate in 50% of their team's games in order to participate in the divisional playoffs. Rare exceptions due to the injuries or other unique circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Vice President overseeing the affected division.
Equipment received:
- 13-14 Team Jerseys
- 13-14 Team Caps
- 3 Coach Caps
- 1 First Aid Kit
- 8 Ice Packs
- 1 Score Book
- 2 dozen practice balls
- 2 dozen game balls
- 1 Equipment bag
- 3 batting helmets
- 1 caged batting helmet
- 1 catcher’s helmet
- 1 right-handed catcher’s glove
- 1 ea. catcher’s chest protector & shin guards
- 1 set of throw-down bases
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