Boy’s Majors 11-12 Rules

Hopewell Recreation Ministry Leadership reserves the right to make any changes that they deem necessary for the betterment of the league and its play.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

No coach or player shall belittle or berate the players, coaches or fans of another team. This type of action will NOT be tolerated. First offense: Warning. Second offense: Ejection from game. PENALTY: Any coach or player ejected from a game will be suspended for a minimum of 1 game up to a maximum of the remainder of the season. Any coach ejected from a game will be required to meet in person with the Hopewell Recreation Minister before coaching another game. The coach is responsible for setting up this meeting.
Coordinators & Referees may issue warnings to players, coaches or teams for team and personal unsportsmanlike conduct or safety concerns.
Harassment of officials and Hopewell Recreation Ministry Staff will not be tolerated. Questions should be asked by the HEAD COACH ONLY and done in an ORDERLY HUMANE and RESPECTFUL fashion about rule interpretations only. Judgment calls are NOT to be argued. Failure to comply with this rule will result in immediate ejection of the guilty party and possibly forfeiture of the game. NO WARNINGS WILL BE GIVEN!!
Judgment calls made by the referee shall NOT be contested.
There will be paid refs for each game.
•  A regulation game shall be six innings or 100 Minutes whichever comes first.
•  If a game is called for weather, darkness, or curfew, it is a regulation game if three full innings have been played, or if the home team has scored a greater number of runs in two or two and a fraction turns at bat than the visiting team has scored in three turns at bat.
•  The infield fly rule shall be enforced.
•  Bases are set at 70 feet.
•  Pitch count – 75 pitches per week, may finish current batter if exceeds 75 pitches
•  No intentional walks.
•  Bunting is allowed.
•  Bats are either 2-1/4 or 2-5/8. No High School Bats. Bats are a -10 drop weight.
•  Dropped 3rd strike – Beginning with game one - runner may advance to first, forced out will be applied to complete the play at first.
•  Stealing is allowed after the pitch reaches the catcher. If a runner leaves the base early the runner is out. Teams are allowed to steal until they are leading by 5. Players that steal after the 5 run lead are considered outs. If the lead drops below 5 runs steals are allowed.
•  Lead offs – None at all for first three games. Beginning with the April 27th game, players may lead off from the bag prior to the pitch.
•  Pick off – None at all for first three games. Beginning with the April 27th game pitchers can throw over in an attempt to pick off the runner.
•  Every player on the team shall be placed in the batting lineup and shall bat in turn. However, only ten (10 max) players shall play in the field in traditional baseball positions with 4 outfields. Free substitution of fielders is allowed, but every player must play two complete innings (six outs) in the field, unless prevented by end game situation such as legal game shortened by weather or darkness, or time limit. Substitute runners are allowed in the event of an injury or for the catcher
or pitcher. Substitute runners have to be the player that made the last out. The catcher will have a pinch runner with 2
outs.
•  The defensive team must play four outfielders beyond the infield (“in the grass”).
•  The offensive team shall bat until three outs are made or until 5 runs are scored.
•  If a player is removed from a game for injury, illness, or a situation beyond the coach’s control (e.g., parents removing a player from a game). No out is assessed when their time at bat comes up.
•  Play can be stopped by traditional baseball means.
•  There shall be no limit on the number of offensive and defensive conferences between coaches and players.
•  Base-running: If the ball is hit into the outfield (reaches the outfield grass), the runners may advance until the ball is returned to the pitcher. Runners may then only advance to the base to which they were running when the ball is returned to the pitcher. A ball is returned to the pitcher when a fielder carries the ball from the outfield grass to the pitcher or throws the ball to the pitcher.
•  Time is called by traditional baseball rules.
•  Time is called when (a) any runner has stopped because a fielder has control of the ball, either at the base occupied by a runner or the next base, or (b) the pitcher (player) has possession of the ball at the pitcher rubber.
•  If a base runner is called out the runner must return to the dugout and is not allowed to run the bases.
•  Runners are not forced to slide, however, if there is contact (without sliding) with a runner and a fielder (only when the fielder has the ball) the runner will be called out. If the fielder does not have the ball the runner will be safe. Players must slide at home if there is a play at the plate. Players may dive back to a bag in a pick-off attempt.
•  Batters, baserunners, and on deck batters must wear protective helmets. Catchers must wear a complete catcher’s gear while the game is in play.
•  If the batter throws the bat, he/she will receive one warning and will be called out if it happens a second time. If the bat is thrown and hits a defensive player, the batter will automatically be called out.
•  No head first slides.
•  Exterior jewelry is not permitted on players.
•  Players must have a number on uniforms for easy identification. Jerseys must be tucked in.
•  Mercy Rule – 15 after 4, 10 after 5.
•  Teams are required to exhibit sportsman-like conduct after each game by shaking hands. A prayer is required at the beginning and end of each game.
•  Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. If a coach, player, or fan is ejected from a game he or she must leave the premises immediately. If the same person is ejected from another game, he or she will be suspended indefinitely from the Hopewell Baptist Church Recreation programs pending a meeting with the Minister of Recreation.
•  The Minister of Recreation or designated Hopewell Representative reserves the right to make final determination on any rules or interpretations that may arise throughout the season.

Coaches, please maintain integrity, be the adult, and set a good example for your players, parents and spectators!