Fall 2024 Rules

Recreational Youth Sports Enterprise

 

Mission Statement

Recreational Youth Sports Enterprise (RYSE) is an instructional community youth baseball league with a mission to engage the youth of our communities through healthy athletic competition, to provide opportunities to learn and appreciate the sport of baseball, and to encourage the development of life skills and personal character.   Our objectives are to provide quality baseball instruction in the fundamental aspects of the game in a safe, positive, nurturing environment, and expose young people to some of the general life lessons of being an athlete.  We hope through their experience in RYSE, that our athletes will develop an appreciation for physical conditioning, healthy life choices, self-discipline, responsibility, accountability, self-esteem, pride, integrity, teamwork, and sportsmanship.  Finally, and most importantly, RYSE endeavors that each player has an enjoyable and rewarding experience learning and playing baseball and while sharing the healthy emotional spectrum of success and failure with their team, coaches, and family.

Core Values

RYSE embraces the historical pillars upon which baseball was built - Sportsmanship, Character, and Competition.  Our organization is charged with providing every day examples of these core values.  As leaders and role models, nothing is more important than that of being the example of good character to our young people.  It is up to us as parents and leaders in our communities to “Be the change we hope to see.” As an organization, we have even greater responsibilities to those we serve.  Other core values of our organization are Transparency, Communication, and Accountability.  It is by these guiding principles that we endeavor to not only manage RYSE today, but to pass it along to the next generations of volunteer leaders who follow.

Core Purpose

As an organization, our daily purpose is to improve the overall experience for players, parents, and coaches so as to create a culture that not only attracts player and volunteer participation but keeps them coming back year after year.

 

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

For the season of 2023, there will be 1 member to handle any discrepancies and disciplinary actions that arise throughout the season. These members will be referred to as “panel “ or “officials” This includes but not limited to: “contested” games, coach and parent conduct, rule changes and rule enforcement. For FALL 2023 those members are ALLAN MCCLOUD (President) and SHARI RICE (Secretary). In December of 2023, a vote will be taken among league commissioners for Vice President. A "Rules committee and a Tournament committee" will be formed at this time.  With the combination of many communities involved in RYSE, disciplinary action may be regulated to said communities Youth League Board of Directors depending on the severity of the offense. RYSE would like to keep minor offenses within the scope of the RYSE guidelines to keep uniformity across all teams. The following have been adopted by the league as a guide for handling of adult or player discipline problems.

 

  1. This panel will have the authority to discipline, suspend or discharge (with approval of the communities Board of Directors) any player, coach or umpire that is found to be in violation of any of the misconduct guidelines stated within this charter for RYSE.

 

  1. Persons subject to disciplinary action under the rules and regulations of the RYSE will have the right to a hearing with the league officials before the discipline is imposed
  2. In the event of a hearing involving a player or other person under the age of 18, the parents are required to attend.

 

  1. Persons youth or adult that do not agree to abide by the rules and regulations may be subject to disciplinary actions
  2. Recognizing the difficulty of establishing specific penalties for a variety of violations of acceptable conduct, the following conditions are suggested. Officials may impose one of the following actions based upon their opinion of the severity of the offense:
  1. Warning: The offending person will receive a written warning from the panel knowing that any future offenses may impose a more severe punishment
  2. Suspension: The offending person will be advised in writing that they are not permitted to participate in any baseball activities for a specific amount of days or games
  3. Dismissal: The offending person will be advised in writing that they are not allowed to participate in any baseball activities for the remainder of the year. This action MUST be sent to and approved by the offending parties’ youth league board of directors.
  4. Barred: The offending person will be advised in writing that they will no longer be allowed to participate in baseball activities permanently or a given amount of years. This action MUST be sent to and approved by the offending parties’ youth league board of directors.

 

  1. Misconduct includes but is not limited to
  1. A coach may NOT make contact with a player in an aggressive manner with an attempt to punish the player or to get the players attention ( In extreme cases the authorities can be contacted)
  2. A coach arriving to the field appearing intoxicated
  3. A coach verbally or physically attacking a parent, opposing coach, assistant coach or umpire (in extreme cases the authorities can be contacted)
  4. A parent or player physically or verbally attacking a coach, umpire or player (In extreme cases the authorities can be contacted)
  5. A parent or player arriving to the field appearing intoxicated
  6. An umpire verbally or physically attacking a parent, coach or player (In extreme cases the authorities can be contacted)
  7. This is NOT an exhaustive list and other offenses may be reports to the panel or local board of directors

 

  1. RYSE does not discriminate based upon disability. Every effort should and will be made to accommodate any disability. Any questions or concerns by a coach or parent regarding the use of a disabled player should be brought to the panel immediately.

 

 

COIYL AGE GROUPS AND AGE RESTRICTIONS

Coach Pitch: 7-8 years of age

Minors: 9-10 years of age

Majors: 11-12 years of age

The age cutoff date for a player in the 2023 season is April 30th.

Players of a younger age may be moved into the higher age bracket after evaluation by a coach or commissioner before the start of the official season. At no time may a player above the age level move into a lower bracket.

A legal player is a player that resides within a community’s school district or in the case of a separation/divorce, the player resides with a parent 50% of the year. This will be a faith based system meaning other communities will not challenge a child’s status of residence and it is up to the commissioner of each community to verify the residential status of a player in question.

FIELD SETUP, CONDITION, AND GAME PREP

CP mound is set at 40' with bases at 60'

Minors mound is set at 46' with bases at 60'

Majors mound is set at 50' with bases set at 70'. It will be the responsibility of the HOME team to have fields prepared before play begins including all foul lines marked and the field in playable conditions.

In the event the weather has made fields unplayable, it is the responsibility of the host teams coach to alert the opposing team of cancellation within 2 hours of game time. (Please be considerate so that parents are not making unnecessary trips).

If lightning is spotted by Umpire, coach or parent, the game will be stopped for 20 minutes. If after the 3rd 20 min interval, lightning is still present, the game will be called. If a TORNADO WATCH is in effect for the county, the game will be canceled immediately upon thunder or lightning 30 min before game time or anytime during play. 

 It is the responsibility of the host team to provide 2 playable baseballs for each game. Balls must be approved by the umpire for use in game.

The home scorekeeper is the OFFICIAL scorebook. Any discrepancies will be reviewed by both head coaches and the umpire. Starting 2023, TEAM MANAGER is mandated for use by every coach. Your lineup must be present so that the opposing team can have quick access. Your use of the app after that is optional. 

 

Equipment

NO metal cleats allowed.

Catchers MUST wear a cup.

Heart protectors are encouraged but not mandatory for pitchers and infielders.

BAT RULES FALL 2024:

For the 2024 season, RYSE will allow the following bats to be used during games:

USA, USSSA , BBCOR or wood. NO training bats or altered bats will be allowed. If a bat is found to be ineligible, the umpire will remove the bat from the game and give a warning to both teams. Any subsequent infractions will result in an immediate out. 

CP players playing or pitching on the mound MUST wear a protetive mask.

 

Games

All games at Coach Pitch, Minor and Majors levels will have a 1:30 time limit with no new inning beginning after 1:45. (See specific level for extra innings rules)

 

  1. Coach Pitch
  1. All games will be restricted to 6 innings.
  2. For Fall 2023, full Coach Pitch, NO kids
  3. Coaches will have 7 total pitches.
  4. Coaches CANNOT pitch from a knee and must throw overhand.
  • Pitching from a knee is more of a safety issue than an advantage.
  1. Coaches do NOT have to stand on the rubber. As a general distance, coaches can stand 3-4’ in front of the mound. Minimum of 36' pitching distance.
  2. If after 1:50 the game is tied, both teams will have 1 more at bat (1 extra inning) by rule. The home team will have last at bat if losing by 5 runs or less at the 1:50 mark. If daylight, field availability and coaches allow, the game can continue until the tie is broken with the home team having the last at bat and not exceeding 9 innings
  3. 5 run per inning limit
  4. 11 after 4 innings, 6 after 5 innings the game can be called
  5. Entire roster will bat during a game (3 outs per inning still enforced)
  6. 10 players on defense with 4 outfielders in an arch, 15’ behind the infield line
  7. All players MUST play at minimum 2 innings per game unless disciplinary action has been taken by a parent or coach. If this situation occurs, the parent and coach must discuss before the game starts. The coach must also let the opposing coach know why the child is out and if he will re-enter the game.
  8. Fake bunts (slug bunting) are prohibited. 1st offense will be an automatic strike, 2nd offense the batter is out
  9. Players are not permitted to steal
  10. Runner must maintain contact with the base until the ball is put into play
  11. If a player bats out of order, that player is out (is able to return for next bat in correct order)
  12. Play will STOP once the ball is in possession on the infield
  13. On an overthrow, runners can only advance ONE base PER OVERTHROW with a maximum of advancement to 2nd base
  14. 4 innings are considered a complete game
  15. If game is called before 4 innings are complete, the game can be restarted where the game stopped
  16. No limit on bunting (but we are trying to teach the kids to hiT

 

 

  1.  Minors
  1. All games will be restricted to 6 innings.
  2. If after 1:30 the game is tied, both teams will have 1 more at bat (1 extra inning) by rule.

The home team will always have last at bat if losing by 6 or less runs at the 1:45 mark. If daylight, field availability and coaches allow, the game can continue until the tie is broken with the home team having the last at bat and not exceeding 9 innings.

  1.  6 run per inning limit
  2.  13 after 4 innings, 7 after 5 innings the game can be called.
  3.  Entire roster will bat during a game (3 outs per inning still enforced)
  4. 10 players on defense with 4 outfielders in and arch, 15’ behind the infield line
  5.  All players MUST play at minimum 2 innings per game unless disciplinary action has been taken by a parent or coach. If this situation occurs, the parent and coach must discuss before the game starts. The coach must also let the opposing coach know why the child is out and if he will re-enter the game.
  6.  Fake bunts (slug bunting) are prohibited. 1st offense will be an automatic strike, 2nd offense the batter is out.
  7.  Players are permitted to steal after the ball has crossed the plate.
  8.  Runner must maintain contact with the base until the ball crosses the plate.
  9.  If a player bats out of order, that player is out (can return for next bat in correct order)
  10.  Play will STOP once the ball is in possession of the pitcher on the mound and the umpire has called time. If the pitcher makes a “baseball” play on a runner, runners may advance.
  11. If up 10 runs at any point, players are not permitted to steal home.
  12. 4 innings are a complete game.
  13. If game is called before 4 innings are complete, the game can be restarted where the game stopped.
  14. A coach is allowed 1 visit to the mound per inning without making a change. On the 2nd visit, a pitching change must be made. Visits to the mound during warm up for a new pitcher are NOT considered a visit. 
  15. Throwing the bat (within reason and up to the discretion of the umpire) will be a warning on the 1st offense and an out on the 2nd.
  16. PITCH COUNTS AND REST- 3 innings per pitcher, per game.

 

 

  1. Majors
  1. All games will be restricted to 6 innings.
  2. Bases and mound will be set at 50/70 for all Major level games.
  3. If after 1:30 the game is tied, both teams will have 1 more at bat (1 extra inning) by rule. The home team will have last at bat if losing by 6 runs or less at the 1:45 mark. If daylight, field availability and coaches allow, the game can continue until the tie is broken with the home team having the last at bat and not exceeding 9 innings.
  4.  6 run per inning limit.
  5.  13 after 4 innings, 7 after 5 innings the game can be called.
  6.  Entire roster will bat during a game (3 outs per inning still enforced)
  7. 9 players on defense with 3 outfielders in an arch, 15’ behind the infield line
  8.  All players MUST play at minimum 2 innings per game unless disciplinary action has been taken by a parent or coach. If this situation occurs, the parent and coach must discuss before the game starts. The coach must also let the opposing coach know why the child is out and if he will re-enter the game.
  9.  Fake bunts (slug bunting) are prohibited. 1st offense is an automatic out.
  10.  Players are permitted to lead off and steal.
  11.  If a player bats out of order, that player is out (can return for next bat in correct order).
  12.  Play will STOP once the lead runner is stopped and the pitcher is on the mound. If the pitcher makes a “baseball move” on a runner, play will continue until the umpire calls time.
  13. 2 warning balks per pitcher per inning. 3rd balk will be enforced.
  14. If the pitcher hits 3 batters in the same inning, he must be removed from the game and cannot return as a pitcher, 4 hit batters per game and they must be removed.
  15. 4 innings are a complete game.
  16. If game is called before 4 innings are complete, the game can be restarted where the game stopped.
  17. A coach is allowed 1 visit to the mound per inning without making a change. On the 2nd visit, a pitching change must be made. Visits to the mound during warm up for a new pitcher are NOT considered a visit. 
  18. Dropped 3rd strike and in-field fly rules are in affect.
  19. Throwing the bat (within reason and up to the discretion of the umpire) will be a warning on the 1st offense and an out on the 2nd
  20. PITCH COUNTS AND REST- 3 innings per pitcher per game.

 

General Rules

  1. NO cross pulling for regular or tournament games. Must play with the roster you began the season with or have the ability to pull UP players from a lower level.
  2. Coach Pitch- at this level and age group, it is hard to keep fielders out of the runners path but please focus on coaching this to avoid collisions and injuries.
  3. Runners MUST slide at all bases excluding 1st when a play is being made. Slide rule is at the Umpires discretion. 
  4. Infield fly is at the umpires discretion on whether a “bloop” or fly ball
  5. Pitchers must be warmed up BEFORE the game begins. A pitcher will only receive 5 warm up pitches before facing the batter. A relief pitcher will receive 7 pitches before facing a batter.
  6. May start a game with 8 players if the 9th is in route to a game. It will be up to the participating coaches to allow a team to continue a game with only 8 players.
  7. On defense coaches may not cross the foul line into the field of play. If a defensive substitution is made, the coach may NOT pull in his team and the pitcher may NOT leave the mound.
  8. If a batter is hurt and can't return during their at bat, the player that caused the last out of the last inning will sub in and resume the count. The injured player will be omitted from the lineup and will NOT cause an out. The roster will continue from its previous order. 
  9. Balls that hit the ground before hitting a player is a "dead ball", not a HBP.
  10. When a ball is thrown or bounces out of bounds, the runners are awarded the next base +1. 
  11. Catcher's interference: First, it's a delayed dead ball; second, the manager has the option of accepting either the base award or the result of the play (if, in fact, the ball is put in play), but not both. If the award is accepted, the batter is awarded first base and other runners advance if forced; however, runners who are not forced must return to their time-of-pitch base
  12. Fair batted ball strikes a base runner or umpire before passing infielder: A base runner who is touched by a fair batted ball is out for interference (and the ball is dead), but the batter himself is awarded first base. If other runners are on base, they advance if forced – unless, of course, the interference causes the third out. In the case of an umpire who is hit by a fair batted ball (again, before the ball passes an infielder), you have umpire interference, which is handled differently. There is no out (obviously), the batter is awarded first base, and other runners advance if forced.
  13. Coaches are not permitted from deviating from the written rules unless the President or Vice President of RYSE have prior notification and have agreed.
  14. Be courteous and respectful to your team and parents. We are a league for the youth not for adults.
  15. If a rule is called into question and not listed in the RYSE rulebook, please contact your commissioner.
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