Madison Ridgeland Youth Baseball follows the USSSA Official Baseball National By-Laws & Rules
www.usssabaseball.org/rules-by-laws
3 year old Rules
Time limit 1 hour
Every player plays in the field & is in the batting line-up
Every player advances 1 base at a time
If a player has not hit the ball after 7 attempts, they automatically advance to 1st base
There are no outs
Last batter of the inning – hits a home run and clears the bases. Please rotate who last batter is each inning
All players play in the field
Coaches/Parents are the umpires
Teams play as many innings as they can in 1 hour
4 year old Rules
Teams will play 4 games only hitting off a tee
Teams will play 4 games as a combination Tball/baseball
Players will be given 3 opportunities to hit a coach pitch ball, if ball is not hit then placed on a tee
Time limit 1 hour
Every player plays in the field & is in he batting line-up
Every player bats and advances 1 base at a time
If a player has not hit the ball after 3 pitches, the ball is placed on a tee for 4 swings. If player still has not made contact, then player automatically advance to 1st base
There are no outs
Last batter of the inning – hits a home run and clears the bases. Please rotate who last batter is each inning
All players play in the field
Coaches/Parents are the umpires
Teams play as many innings as they can in 1 hour
Kindergarten
Teams will play 1st 2 games with player receiving 6 pitches then ball is placed on a tee.
After these games, there will no longer be a tee, straight coach pitch
60 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-6
Maximum run per inning- 7
The batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or thee (3) swinging strikes. CHANGE- The bat is extended if the last pitch is hit foul).
10 players play in the field & every team member is in the batting order (4 players must be in the outfield)
1 Coach will be allowed on the field of play during the game
Every player is in the batting line-up / No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Umpires shall call “time” after every play and declare the ball dead when the ball is control in the infield. “Time” shall be called as soon as all the runners are not attempting to advance. “Time” does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule.
No infield fly rule
Coach will be allowed to pitch from the first arch line. Coach will not be allowed to pitch underhand. Coach can pitch either kneeling or standing.
The ball must land on or pass the first arch line in order to be fair
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
The Pitching Coach shall be an adult at least 18 years of age.
Runner(s) may advance one base on an overthrown ball. This is not a “free” base; instead it must be taken by the runner(s).
Ten defensive players shall play in the field. There will not be a player catcher. The 10th player can play either in the outfield (5 outfields) or they can play “short” field but has to be on the grass not in the infield.
If both coaches agree, all players may play in the field with no substitutions. Teams may use free substitution on defense, but the batting order shall remain the same throughout the game. The batting order for a new inning will start when the team left off the previous inning.
The inning will end when there are 3 outs or maximum of 7 runs scored.
Runners shall not lead-off or steal base. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate.
1st Grade
60 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-6
Maximum run per inning- 7
The batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or thee (3) swinging strikes. CHANGE- The bat is extended if the last pitch is hit foul).
10 players play in the field & every team member is in the batting order (4 players must be in the outfield)
No Coaches allowed on the field of play during the game
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Play stops when baseball is in front of the runner
No infield fly rule
Coach must pitch from the second arch line
The ball must land on or pass the first arch line in order to be fair
Runners shall not lead-off or steal base. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate.
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
2nd Grade
60 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-6
Maximum run per inning- 7
The batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or thee (3) swinging strikes. CHANGE- The bat is extended if the last pitch is hit foul).
10 players play in the field & every team member is in the batting order (4 players must be in the outfield)
No Coaches allowed on the field of play during the game
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Play stops when baseball is in front of the runner
No infield fly rule
Coach must pitch from the second arch line
The ball must land on or pass the first arch line in order to be fair
Runners shall not lead-off or steal base. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate.
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
3rd Grade
90 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-6
Maximum run per inning- 7
No balks
No infield fly rule
Dropped third strike is always an out--- batter runner cannot advance
No lead off- runner can leave base when ball crosses the plate
Can’t steal home on an overthrown baseball by the pitcher
1 base given if the ball leaves the playing field
USSSA rules apply
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
8 players play in the field + a catcher behind the plate
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Dropped third strike is always an out- batted runner cannot advance
Every team member is in the batting order
A player removed from the pitching position (starting pitcher or relief pitcher) may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
Whenever a tag play is evident, a runner must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder and/or catcher. Runner is out if contact is made without sliding.
A dead ball appeal can be appealed directly to the umpire without the pitcher throwing to the appeal base.
A runner who jumps over a play will be called out whether or not contact is made with the defensive player.
3rd Grade Machine Pitch
There shall be a 20 foot arc from the 1st baseline to the 3rd baseline in front of home plate. A
batted ball must go past this line to be a fair ball
Pitch circle- There shall be a 10 foot diameter circle with the front edge at 42 feet from the rear
of home plate
Pitching machine- Shall be set at 42 feet from the rear of home plate Pitching machine operator-
Shall be a coach with the batting team
90 minutes time limit Maximum Innings- 6
Maximum runs per inning- 7
No infield fly rule Bunting is not allowed
The batter shall receive a maximum of 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes(the bat is extended if the
last pitch is hit foul)
Dropped third strike is always an out- batter runner cannot advance Umpire shall call "Time" after
the play is over and declare the ball dead.
"Time shall be called as soon as all runners are not attempting to advance.
No lead off- runner can leave base when ball crosses the plate Cannot steal home
1 base given if the ball leaves the playing field USSSA rules apply
The visiting team is responsible to operate the score board.
Home team is responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided
they are not leading.
Once the game has been mathematically determined, the game will be officially completed.
However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the
opportunity for additional at bats.
8 players in the field + a catcher behind the plate
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Every team member is in the batting order
Whenever a tag play is evident, a runner must slide or seek to avoid contact
with the fielder and/or catcher. Runner is out if contact is made without sliding.
A dead ball appeal can be appealed directly to the umpire without the pitcher throwing to the
appeal base.
A runner who jumps over a play will be called out whether or not contact is made
with the defensive player.
4th Grade
90 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-6
Maximum run per inning- 7
No balks
No infield fly run
Dropped third strike is always an out - batter runner cannot advance to 1st base.
No lead off - runner can leave base when pitched ball crosses plate
Runner can steal home on an overthrown baseball by the pitcher
1 base given if the ball leaves the playing field
USSSA rules apply
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
8 players play in the field + a catcher behind the plate
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Every team member is in the batting order
A player removed from the pitching position (starting pitcher or relief pitcher) may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
Whenever a tag play is evident, a runner must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder and/or catcher. Runner will be declared out if contact is made without sliding.
A dead ball appeal can be appealed directly to the umpire without the pitcher throwing to the appeal base.
A runner who jumps over a play will be called out whether or not contact is made with the defensive player.
5th & 6th Grade
90 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-6
Maximum run per inning- 7
Balks will be called- No warning given
Infield fly rule applies
Batter-runner can run on a dropped third strike unless the first base is occupied with less than 2 outs.
Lead off will be allowed
Runner can steal home on an overthrown baseball by the pitcher
1 base given if the ball leaves the playing field
USSSA rules apply
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
8 players play in the field + a catcher behind the plate
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Runner can run on a dropped third strike unless first base is occupied, and it is less than 2 outs.
Every team member is in the batting order
A player removed from the pitching position (starting pitcher or relief pitcher) may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
Whenever a tag play is evident, a runner must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder and/or catcher. Runner will be declared out if contact is made without sliding.
A dead ball appeal can be appealed directly to the umpire without the pitcher throwing to the appeal base.
A runner who jumps over a play will be called out whether or not contact is made with the defensive player.
7th & 8th Grade
90 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-6
Maximum run per inning- 7
Balks will be called- No warning given
Infield fly rule applies
Batter-runner can run on a dropped third strike unless the first base is occupied with less than 2 outs.
Lead off will be allowed
Runner can steal home on an overthrown baseball by the pitcher
1 base given if the ball leaves the playing field
USSSA rules apply
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
8 players play in the field + a catcher behind the plate
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Runner can run on a dropped third strike unless first base is occupied, and it is less than 2 outs.
Every team member is in the batting order
A player removed from the pitching position (starting pitcher or relief pitcher) may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
Whenever a tag play is evident, a runner must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder and/or catcher. Runner will be declared out if contact is made without sliding.
A dead ball appeal can be appealed directly to the umpire without the pitcher throwing to the appeal base.
A runner who jumps over a play will be called out whether or not contact is made with the defensive player.
High School
100 minutes time limit
Maximum Innings-7
Maximum run per inning- 7
Balks will be called- No warning given
Infield fly rule applies
Batter-runner can run on a dropped third strike unless the first base is occupied with less than 2 outs.
Lead off will be allowed
Runner can steal home on an overthrown baseball by the pitcher
1 base given if the ball leaves the playing field
USSSA rules apply
Visitor team responsible to operate score board
Home team responsible to keep book & report score on the website (www.mryouthbaseball.com)
The home team will complete the bottom half of the final inning, even if time has expired, provided they are not leading.
Once the game has mathematically been determined, the game will be officially completed. However, game will be played until time limit, giving all players the opportunity for additional at bats.
8 players play in the field + a catcher behind the plate
No player is to sit a 2nd inning until every player has sat 1 inning
Runner can run on a dropped third strike unless first base is occupied, and it is less than 2 outs.
Every team member is in the batting order
A player removed from the pitching position (starting pitcher or relief pitcher) may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
Whenever a tag play is evident, a runner must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder and/or catcher. Runner will be declared out if contact is made without sliding.
A dead ball appeal can be appealed directly to the umpire without the pitcher throwing to the appeal base.
A runner who jumps over a play will be called out whether or not contact is made with the defensive player.