Greater Route 50 Youth Baseball League

(G50YBL)

RULES

Amended March 14th 2020

1. The Greater Route 50 Youth Baseball League will be comprised of the communities/ townships of Avella, Burgettstown, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, South Side Beaver, and Trinity.

2. The league will follow established baseball rules and Greater Route 50 rules.

3. There shall be a governing board made up of (2) two representatives of each community (with one vote per community).

4. The age cut-off for each division shall be April 30th. The league will have the following age

groups:

5 – 6 – Shetland

7 – 8 – Pinto

9 – 10 – Mustang

11 – 12 – Bronco

13 – 14 – Pony

5. When each area drafts players for their respective teams: Fair representation from each age group must be adhered to as well as fair representation of skill. Balancing skill is more important than balancing age.

NEW MANDATORY DRAFT RULES!!

(passed at 1/28/2024 meeting)

There will be only a Head Coach (HC) for the draft. HCs are no longer permitted to already have 2 or 3 assistant coaches in place prior to the draft. Each HC will start with ONLY their son or daughter on their team. A community rep NOT associated with any of the teams involved in the draft shall be present and officiate the draft. This means if a community rep has a child playing mustang and this is a mustang draft, a different community rep should officiate the draft.

A draft order shall fairly be determined (coin toss, pick a number from a hat, rock, paper, scissors, etc…)

After an order is fairly determined, the draft will commence. If there are only 2 teams at an age group, it’ll be a straight draft. If you pick #1 then you’’ll pick #1, #3, #5, etc….

The coach who lost the coin toss will pick #2, #4, #6 etc….until all the players are on a team.

If there are more than 2 teams in the age group being drafted, then we will use a “snake draft”.

example of a “snake draft” in a 3 team draft:

The HC who picks first, will then not pick again until #6

The HC who picks #2 will not pick again until #5

The HC who picks #3 will pick #4.

The players drafted will go as follows:

a. the first group of kids to be drafted will be returning all-stars from the previous season.

b. the next group to be drafted will be non all-stars who played at this level the previous season.

c. the 3rd group to be drafted will be all-stars from the previous season who are moving up to this age group.

d. the final group to be drafted will be non all-stars from the previous year who are moving up to this age group.

5. Once the draft is completed and all players are on a team, the HC may pick their assistant coaches.

6. Any team that is short players may use alternate (play-up) players provided they use players from the older age group. (Example – 9-10 Mustang needs a player, must use an 8 year old from the 7-8 age group). The move up player must bat last in the order and play the outfield. Anyone who moves up for the entire year must stay up and can play and bat anywhere. *The call-up player, if not needed, may only play two innings and no more than any rostered player on said team (rule passed: 3/18/2012)

Communities cannot share players for separate teams at their respective age group. Call ups must come from the younger Division. Any violation will result in a forfeit.

7. Umpires will be paid by the home team.

8. A 75% majority vote will be required to rule on any items before the board.

9. Birth certificates must be turned in with rosters. (Excluding Shetland) (Rule passed: 1/14/08).

10. Kids must play for the organization of the school district in which they live. Any child already playing for an organization other than their own is “grandfathered” into that organization (rule passed: 1/14/08).

11. Any manager, coach or player who is ejected in any game will serve a 1-game suspension the next game. A second offense results in a 3-game suspension. A third offense results in expulsion from the GR50 for the year.

12. No cell phone usage permitted on the field of play. First offense will result in a warning. Second offense results in an out for offenders’ team. If team is in the field, they will start with one out. If team is batting an out will be recorded but the batter who is batting will get to bat. It is a team out. If you use your phone to do gamechanger, you should be in the dugout and someone else should be coaching the base or in the outfield.

13. No tobacco products or E-cigarettes will be allowed in the dugouts or playing fields. Anyone using these products will be warned to stop usage immediately. If the warning is ignored, the individual will be ejected and removed from the facility.

14. Regular season standings:

Team that wins is awarded three (3) points.
Team that ties is awarded two (2) points.
Team that loses is awarded one (1) point.
No points (0) are awarded for games not played.

15. Regular season tiebreaker (teams ending season with same amount of points):

Head-to-Head winner
If teams split Head-to-Head or if more than two teams have same amount of points:
1. Most wins
2. Least runs allowed for the season
3. Largest run differential for the season***
4. Coin toss

***Note: Max run differential in any one game is 10 runs at all levels of play regardless of actual final score. Example: the final score is 23-4. The score will be recorded as 14-4.

16. If a player is injured, cannot return to the lineup and there is no available substitution, the batting team will be charged an automatic out only for the first time the injured player misses their at-bat.

17. If a player is ejected and there is no available substitution, the batting team will be charged an automatic out each time the ejected player’s spot comes up in the batting order.

18. Forfeits will be scored based on the number of innings the game is scheduled to zero.

Example: Pinto and Mustang play 6 inning games. If there is a forfeit in either of these two divisions the final score will be recorded as 6-0.

In Bronco the games are scheduled for 7 innings, therefore a forfeit will be recorded as 7-0.

(Passed on October 24th 2019)

19. GR-50 does not tolerate “stacked” teams. We are a “rec league”.

Punishment for “stacked” teams is disqualification from the post-season. The coaches of the offending team(s) could face punishment as well such as suspension or banishment from our league.

Community Presidents for 2024 Season:

Avella: Jim Gatewood

Burgettstown: Monica Gross

Chartiers Houston: Nick Beresh

Fort Cherry: Pat Cooper

South Side Beaver: Joel Rosak

Trinity: Jason Sonson

Greater Route 50 Youth Baseball League

(G50YBL)

Shetland

5 – 6

1. Pitching will be at 38 feet.

2. Bases will be at 60 feet.

3. Each player will field at least two (2) innings, unless injury occurs.

4. Score shall not be kept.

5. Each game will be 1 ½ hours.

6. Each team will use a continuous batting order and will bat half of their order each inning except for the last inning in which all batters will bat. If a team has an odd number they may bat half the order each inning. Example a team has 9 players they can bat 5 the first inning and then 5 the following.

7. Each batter will be allowed five (5) pitches and then use the tee.

8. Each coach will pitch for their respective team. If a batted ball hits the coach, the ball is dead and the batter bats and the runners return to base. The pitch will be no pitch. No underhand pitching will be allowed.

9. No bunting.

10. The pitcher must wear a “heart guard” and facemask when playing the pitcher’s mound position.

11. All bats must be 2 ¼’.

Greater Route 50 Youth Baseball League

(G50YBL)

Pinto

7 – 8

1. Pitching will be 38 feet. Pitcher (Coach) must keep one foot on the line. When the coach releases the ball, he should still have a foot on the line. No crow hops.

2. Bases will be 60 feet. Half-way (30 ft) hash marks will be used between bases (rule passed: 1/12/14).

3. Bats: Except for -3 (BBCOR certified), all other 2 ¼” and 2 ⅝”barrel bats with a minus factor of (-5, -7, -9, etc…), MUST be USABat certified with the USABat licensing stamp on the bat in order to be used in league play.

4. Each player will field at least two (2) innings, unless injury occurs.

5. Each team will play 10 players (no rover). A team may start a game with 8 players and finish with 7 with an automatic out. No automatic out is recorded until a team drops to 7 position players.

6. No infield fly rule.

7. Each game will be 6 innings.

8. Each team will use a continuous batting order.

9. Each batter will be allowed seven (7) pitches and four (4) strikes. On the 7^th pitch (or more if they fouled off the last pitch), if the batter does not swing they will be ruled out.

10.NEW FOR 2024! Each team will be allowed two (2) tee hitters if the team has 10 or more players in their lineup. If a team has 9 players, they get 1 tee hitter. Less than 9 and a team cannot use the tee option. Tee hitters must bat last (up until Memorial Day). The tee batters will use the tee after 4 strikes unless foul balls occur. No tee batters allowed after Memorial Day. (Rule passed at 1/28/2024 meeting)

11. Free substitution will be allowed.

12. There will be one (1) team warning for runners leaving the base early per game. Next offense results in an out.

13. Play stops when an infielder possesses the ball and calls “TIME”!! or “TIMEOUT”!!.”Time” or “timeout” can ONLY be called by an infielder. An infielder may retrieve the ball in the outfield and run into the infield and call “time”. The baserunners, if any, if having crossed one of the 30 foot hash marks will get the base to which they were running. If the runner or runners has not yet reached the hash at the moment “time” is called, the runner will be returned to the base from which they came. (see rule 24 for what constitutes infield vs outfield)

14. Coaches will pitch for their respective teams. If a batted ball hits the coach, the ball is dead and the batter and runners return to the base. The pitch will be a no pitch.

Pinto (continued)

7-8

15. Coaches who are pitching are not to coach runners on the bases. First offense is a warning. Second offense the advancing runner is out.

16. No bunting

17. There will be a maximum of five (5) runs scored per inning, unless there is a homerun OVER the fence. Example: If a team has already scored 4 runs and then they load the bases and the next hitter hits the ball OVER the fence, all 4 runs will count.

Scoring is unlimited in the final inning.

18. NEW FOR 2024! The pitcher must wear a “heart guard” and a facemask while playing the pitcher’s mound position. (Rule passed at 1/28/2024 meeting)

19. Ten (10) run rule will be in effect. If the visiting team is leading by at least 10 runs at the end of 4 or more completed innings, the game shall be declared complete and the visiting team shall be declared the winner. If the home team is leading by at least 10 runs after the visiting team has completed batting in the 4^th inning or later, the game shall be declared complete and the home team shall be declared the winner. If BOTH coaches agree, they may complete the 6 innings as a scrimmage. This allows less experienced players an opportunity to play the infield. If one of the coaches doesn’t want to continue the game as a scrimmage, then the game is over.

20. No headfirst sliding into advancing bases. Headfirst sliding results in an automatic out. Players may slide headfirst back into a base.

21. Extra innings are played only if BOTH managers agree to play. If one manager elects not to play, the game will result in a tie.

22. When using a tee, the tee must be placed on home plate. It may not be placed in front, behind or to either side to influence the direction of the batted ball.

23.NEW FOR 2024! Throws to first base from any position player that are not fielded by the first baseman but stay in fair territory will be a live ball. If the ball goes into foul territory, it is a dead ball. If the throw goes into rightfield, fair OR foul, it’s a dead ball. If a runner is advancing on a play to first, in the above scenario; from first base to second base, second base to third base or third base to home plate, they will be awarded that base. The player that put the ball in play will only be awarded first base and cannot advance until the next batter.

Overthrows at 2nd base, 3rd base and at home plate are live balls regardless if they go into foul territory or the outfield. If a throw goes “out of play”, for example: over the fence or under a fence, it’s a dead ball and the runners get an extra base. example: If a runner is running from 2nd to 3rd and the throw goes to 3rd base but the ball goes over the fence, or under the fence, the runner gets to go home. If there’s no fence, there should be a line painted identifying “out of play”. If there’s no fence and a painted “out of play” line is being used, this should be discussed and explained by the home team during ground rules before the game. (Rule passed at 1/28/2024 meeting)

24. Coaches in the outfield must stay in the outfield during all plays. Once time has been called an outfield coach may approach an infielder to give instruction, but to not interfere with the flow of the game. The outfield is considered the grass area behind the dirt infield. If your pinto team plays on a “big” field, a line should be painted 3 feet behind the bases to identify where the outfield begins.

25. There will be one (1) team warning for throwing the bat. A second offense will result in the batter being called out.

Pinto (continued)

7-8

26. An 8 foot arc extending from the back tip of home plate towards the pitcher’s mound from foul line to foul line will be drawn prior to each game. Any batted ball that comes to rest within the arc is a foul ball. If the batted ball goes beyond the arc, is touched by a player in the field of play and caroms back inside the arc while coming to rest, the ball is fair and live (rule passed: 2/21/16).

Greater Route 50 Youth Baseball League

(G50YBL)

Mustang

9 – 10

1. Pitching will be 44 feet.

2. Bases will be 60 feet.

4. Each player will field at least two (2) innings, unless injury occurs.

5. Each team will play 10 players (no rover). A team may start a game with 9 players and finish with 8 with an automatic out. An automatic out is not recorded until the team drops to 8 position players.

6. No infield fly rule.

7. Each game will be 6 innings

8. Each team will use a continuous batting order.

9. Runners may steal bases only after the pitch passes the batter. There will be one (1) team warning for a runner leaving early before the runner is called out.

10. A nine (9) year old pitcher(s) must pitch one inning (3 outs) or to six continuous batters before the end of the 4th inning (rule passed: 2009)

11. Three (3) hit batters by a pitcher in a game or two (2) hit batters in the same inning results in the pitcher being removed from pitching for that game.

12. Free substitution will be allowed on defense except for pitchers.

13. No running on a dropped third strike.

14. Eighteen (18) run rule is in effect after 2 innings. Fifteen (15) run rule will be in effect after three innings, Twelve (12) after 4 innings, and Ten (10) runs after 5 innings.. It is encouraged to continue the game as a “scrimmage” if both teams agree, however the umpire(s) is done and permitted to leave when the game is officially over. (Rule passed 10/24/2019)

15. Playoff pitching will remain the same as the regular season.

16. No stealing home under any circumstances.

Mustang (continued)

9 – 10

17. Base runners may not advance home unless the baseball was put into play by a batter, or was awarded home for interference, a dead ball, forced home by a walk or a hit batter, etc. The stoppage of a normal baseball play is at the sole discretion of the home plate umpire.

18. No headfirst sliding into advancing bases. Headfirst sliding results in an automatic out. Players may slide headfirst back into a base.

19. Extra innings will be played until a winner is determined. If game is called because of darkness or weather and the visiting team is leading before the home team gets their last at bat, we will revert back to the last completed inning for the result. Ties are permitted.

20. A pitcher may pitch three (3) innings per game, 8 innings per week. A pitcher who pitches three (3) innings in a game must have forty (40) hours rest. One pitch constitutes an inning pitched.

Example: A relief pitcher is brought in with 2 outs in an inning. The relief pitcher throws 1 pitch and gets the final out of the inning. That pitcher has now pitched 1 full inning.

21. There will be one (1) team warning for throwing the bat. A second offense will result in the batter being called out.

22. New pitching week starts each Monday at 12:01 AM.

23. Any batter that “fakes” a bunt AND then takes a swing at the pitch will be called out (rule passed: 7/19/15).

24. “Pitching line-up form” detailing each calendar week’s pitchers and innings pitched signed by Plate Umpire after each game and available to the opposing coach. If the current weeks form cannot be produced, the game will be played under “protest” and results be determined by the eligibility of the pitchers after verification (rule passed: 3/24/13).

The Plate Umpire will sign the pitching chart of both teams each time there is a pitching change (rule passed: 3/24/13).

Playoffs:

All teams make the playoffs.

Single elimination until the finals.

The Finals will be a best of 3 game series.

The team with the higher seed will get 2 home games. Games 1 and 3 (if necessary) will be played at the higher seed. While game 2 will be at the lower seed.

Games 1 and 2 will be played on successive nights. Game 3 (if necessary) will be played two days after game 2.

REGULAR SEASON PITCHING RULES WILL STILL APPLY!!

(Passed on 10/24/2019)

Greater Route 50 Youth Baseball League

(G50YBL)

Bronco

11 – 12

1. Pitching will be 48 feet.

2. Bases will be 70 feet.

4. Each player will field at least two (2) innings, unless an injury occurs.

5. Each team will play 9 players.

6. Each game will be 7 innings.

7. Dropped third (3rd) strike, batter may attempt to reach first (1st) base.

8. A pitcher may pitch four (4) innings per game, 10 innings per week. A pitcher who pitches four (4) innings in a game must have forty (40) hours rest.

One pitch constitutes an inning pitched.

Example: A relief pitcher is brought in with 2 outs in an inning. The relief pitcher throws 1 pitch and gets the final out of the inning. That pitcher has now pitched 1 full inning.

9. An eleven (11) year old pitcher(s) must pitch one inning (3 outs) or to six continuous batters before the end of the 5th inning (rule passed: 4/5/10).

10. Free substitutions will be allowed on defense. Except for the pitcher.

11. Eighteen (18) run rule is in effect after 2 innings. Fifteen (15) run rule will be in effect after three innings, Twelve (12) after 4 innings, and Ten (10) runs after 5 innings.. It is encouraged to continue the game as a “scrimmage” if both teams agree, however the umpire(s) is done and permitted to leave when the game is officially over. (Rule passed 10/24/2019)

12. No metal spikes permitted.

13. The teams will bat the least amount of the two rosters or the entire roster at the coach’s choice.

Example: If team A has 12 kids, and team B has 15 kids, team B may bat either 15 kids or 12 kids. Team A MUST bat 12 kids.Team A may NOT bat 13 or 14 kids, they MUST bat either 12 or 15 based on the above example. If team B chooses to bat 12 kids, the 3 kids who are not in the starting lineup MUST get at least 1 plate appearance unless the game ends early (rain, darkness, or a run rule). The player in the original starting lineup who is pinch-hit for may re-enter the batting order, but MUST re-enter the order in his/her original spot. The pinch-hitter, once the original player re-enters the order, may NOT hit in the game again. This has no bearing on defensive substitutions as you may sub as often as you’d like defensively (except for the pitcher). see rule #10 above

14. Playoffs pitching rules will be the same as regular season pitching rules (rule passed: 1/15/07).

15. There will be one (1) warning per pitcher for balks.

16. No headfirst sliding into advancing bases. Headfirst sliding results in an automatic out. Players may slide headfirst back into a base.

17. Extra innings will be played until a winner is determined. If game is called because of darkness or weather and the visiting team is leading before the home team gets their last at bat, we will revert back to the last completed inning for the result. Ties are permitted.

Bronco (continued)

11 – 12

18. Throwing the bat is an out. No warning is given.

19. New pitching week starts each Monday at 12:01 AM.

20. Any batter that “fakes” a bunt AND then takes a swing at the pitch will be called out (rule passed: 7/19/15).

21. “Pitching line-up form” detailing each calendar week’s pitchers and innings pitched signed by Plate Umpire after each game and available to the opposing coach. If the current weeks form cannot be produced, the game will be played under “protest” and results be determined by the eligibility of the pitchers after verification (rule passed: 3/24/13).

The Plate Umpire will sign the pitching chart of both teams each time there is a pitching change (rule passed: 3/24/13).

Playoffs:

All teams make the playoffs.

Single elimination until the finals.

The Finals will be a best of 3 game series.

The team with the higher seed will get 2 home games. Games 1 and 3 (if necessary) will be played at the higher seed. While game 2 will be at the lower seed.

Games 1 and 2 will be played on successive nights. Game 3 (if necessary) will be played two days after game 2.

REGULAR SEASON PITCHING RULES WILL STILL APPLY!!

(Passed on 10/24/2019)

Greater Route 50 Youth Baseball League

(G50YBL)

PONY

13 – 14

1. PONY – coach must maintain copy of each player’s birth certificate.

Birth certificates should be kept on file in safe possession. Coaches should not carry birth certificates to games. If a player’s age is challenged, the challenging coach will need to follow the proper procedures on protesting a game. The challenged coach has 24 hours to submit a copy of the player in questions birth certificate to the GR50 league President or suffer a forfeit.

2. Bats with 2 5/8 barrel will be allowed.

3. Any batter that “fakes” a bunt AND then takes a swing at the pitch will be called out (rule passed: 7/19/15).

4. A “Delay of Game” warning will be provided by the Plate Umpire once a batter completely exits the batter’s box with both feet and the batter has not made contact with the ball or was knocked down/brushed back by the previous pitch. Starting with the second offense, an automatic strike will be added to the batter’s count (rule passed: 3/24/13). Each team will receive one team warning.

The batter must have one foot in the batter’s box while taking signs.

5. A pitcher who throws 41 pitches or more in a game will not be eligible to play catcher for the remainder of that day (rule passed: 3/15/15).

Example: Player enters game one of a doubleheader and throws 48 pitches. That player is not eligible to catch for the remainder of game one and the entire game two.

6. Greater Route 50 Pitch Count Restrictions for PONY Pitchers (rule passed: 3/15/15).

Any player on a regular season team may pitch (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game).

The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position (exception is rule 4 above – pitcher to catcher ban):

League Age Maximum Pitch Count:

Pony 13 -14 = 90 pitches per game

PONY (continued)

13 – 14

Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. Current batter reaches base;

2. Current batter is put out;

3. Third out is made to complete the half-inning.

Pitchers league age 13-14 must adhere to the following rest requirements:

If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 51 – 65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 36 – 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 21 – 35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.

Each team must designate a scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder. The Home team is the official pitch count recorder for the game.

The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed. Pitch counts must be reviewed each half inning between the pitch count recorders from both teams.

It is the responsibility of the visiting team scorekeeper to confirm with the home team scorekeeper to verify both teams pitch counts are consistent.
Umpires will not be responsible for maintaining total pitch counts for pitchers.

PONY (continued)

13 – 14

The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Section (c). The umpire will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Section (c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire, and/or the failure of the umpire to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.

Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protests shall be presented to the current Greater Route Fifty Board for review. The Board could decree a forfeit, or not, as it sees fit. The Board could also suspend or remove managers who willfully and persistently violate any rule or regulation.

A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.

Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.

In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.

The use of this regulation negates the concept of the “calendar week” with regard to pitching eligibility.

Each manager is responsible for maintaining and emailing the Greater Route 50 pitch count log to the designated contact after each game. Log is due by 12:00 PM the following day after game has been completed. Failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action/forfeit of game as described in section 6.G.

Example 1: A Pony age pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed the required days of rest.

Example 2: A Pony age pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 90 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has observed the required days of rest.

Example 3: A Pony age pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 90 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible based on his/her pitching record during the previous four days.