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Clovis Babe Ruth Majors Rules 2017
Majors Division Rules
Time Limit
 No new inning shall begin after two (2) hours from schedule start time or six (6) innings,
whichever comes first.
o Inning is considered to begin at the moment of completion of the final out of the
previous half-inning.
o Games that begin late due to use of grace period or loss of time during game for
any reason, shall not have time added to the end of the game.
 There is NO time manipulation allowed.
o Stalling or adversely accelerating a game designed to modify the outcome of the
game shall not be allowed.
o i.e. Tactics such as player changes or conferences for no apparent reason,
instructing Players to perform in an abnormal manner, or intentionally striking out.
o Any Manager, Coach, or Player suspected of attempting to manipulate a game to
profit from the time constraints shall receive one (1) warning from the Umpire.
 Subsequent time manipulation will be grounds for the Umpire to declare a
FORFEIT and award the opposing team a Win with a 6-0 outcome.
o Any attempt at time manipulation shall put the Manager “On Notice” with CBR
and CBR shall discipline according the CBR Bylaws and CBR Operating
Procedures.
 In the interest of speeding up the game, there shall be a one (1) minute time limit
between innings.
o Umpire shall be in charge of time limit between innings.
o Umpire shall allow Pitcher a maximum of six (6) warm-up pitches per inning.
o Manager and Coaches must make every effort to help Catcher put on gear in
between innings.
 Manager or Coach must catch Pitcher warm-up pitches if Catcher is not in
gear and ready.
o If there are any issues, contact Divisional Director.
 In the interest of speeding up the game, a Manager or Coach may retrieve any balls that
are declared Ball, Strike, or Foul Ball from behind the Catcher and Umpire at their own
risk as long as there are no Runners on Base.
Regulation Game
 Regulation Games shall consist of at least three (3) innings and no more than six (6)
innings.
o May consist of two and one-half (2½) innings if Home team is ahead.
 Games which fail to reach the Regulation limits for any reason are declared “No Game”
and may be rescheduled and replayed in their entirety at a later date.
o i.e. Darkness, rain, etc.
 Tie Games shall stand if the game has reached Regulation limits.
o Tie Games will not be replayed or continued after time or inning limits.
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Clovis Babe Ruth Majors Rules 2017
Mercy Rule
 There shall be a ten (10) Run Mercy Rule when a team leads by ten (10) or more Runs
at the end of four (4) innings or later.
o Game will end after three and a half (3½) innings if Home team is ahead.
o The team that is behind must complete at least four (4) full innings at bat.
o If Away team takes a ten plus (10+) Run lead in the top of the 4th, 5th, or 6th inning
the Home team shall have the opportunity to bat in the bottom of the inning.
 If Home team scores enough Runs so that Away team no longer has a
ten (10) Run lead, play will continue to the next inning.
o The game shall end immediately if the Home team takes a ten (10) Run lead in
the 4th, 5th, or 6th inning.
Suspended Game
 Suspended Game shall only occur if the Home team was leading in the prior inning
before the game is called by the Umpire and the Home team has not completed their last
at bat.
o i.e. Home team was up 6-5 after the 4th inning, now down 8-6 in the 5th inning
when the game is called by the Umpire.
 If the Home team was behind in the prior inning before the game is called, game is over
if it has met Regulation limits.
 In the event of a Suspended Game, game will conclude 30 minutes prior to the next
scheduled game or as directed by the Division Director prior to the end of the season.
o Official Scorebook shall be used to place all players in same positions and
batting orders.
o Only Players in attendance for the original game may participate in Suspended
Game.
o Team must have at least seven (7) of the original Players in order to complete
game as outlined in these rules.
o Game will begin exactly where it left off.
o All Pitching and Catching limitations shall continue as outlined in these rules.
Ground Rules
 Ground Rules will be reviewed by Umpire with each Manager before the game.
o In the absence of the Manager, one Coach shall be designated as “Coach in
Charge” for that game.
 Umpire is required by CBR Rules to review Ground Rules – Contact Divisional Director
is it does not happen.
Scorekeeping
 Home team shall provide the Official Scorekeeper with the Official Scorebook.
o Scorebook may be on paper or electronic.
o Scorekeeper may be Manager, Coach, or spectator in stands.
 Umpire shall keep distractions away from Official Scorekeeper during the game.
o Scorekeeper shall inform the Umpire of any distractions and Umpire shall
relocate Scorekeeper to the Dugout if necessary.
 Managers shall exchange lineups at least five (5) minutes prior to the game with
opposing Manager or Scorekeeper to allow Official Scorekeeper time to get Scorebook
ready at game start time.
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Clovis Babe Ruth Majors Rules 2017
Lineup must include Last Name, First Initial, and Jersey Number for all Players in
attendance.
o Lineup must also include Starting Pitcher and Starting Catcher.
 No other positions are necessary on Lineup Card.
o Late arriving Players must be added to the end of the Lineup and may enter the
game as a Substitute and must bat in the last position available in the Batting
Order.
Scorekeeper must keep track of Outs, Runs by Inning, Pitch Counts, Innings Pitched
and Innings Caught each game.
Manager or designee of Home team shall post Score online with 24 hours of the game.
o Not reporting Score online shall constitute a Forfeit.
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Team Numbers
 Teams must have at least eight (8) Players in uniform and available to play at the
scheduled start time or by the end of a ten (10) minute grace period or the game is
forfeited.
o If an injury forces the eighth (8th) Player to be removed from the game, a team
may finish a game with no less than seven (7) Players.
o When playing with less that nine (9) Players, an Out is recorded for each Batter
missing through the ninth (9th) position.
On-Field Pre-Game Warmups
 A maximum forty-five (45) minute warm-up may be held before regularly scheduled
games – time permitting.
 No pre-game batting practice or fielding practice is allowed on the Infield.
 “Soft toss” with whiffle balls must take place in the Outfield.
 Ground balls must take place in the Outfield.
 Keep safety in mind during Pre-Game warmups.
Injuries and Injury Timeouts
 No Players wearing any type of cast shall be allowed to play.
 In the event of an injury, Managers will stop the game at the completion of play, except if
the injured Player or some other Player is further jeopardized by continued play.
 Injured Players MAY re-enter game with Manager approval along with Parental/Guardian
consent.
 If an injury results in a team only having eight (8) Players, team shall be required to take
an Out in the sport of the 9th Player who left the game.
Batting Regulations and Outs
 Only CBR approved non-wood and wooden Bats not exceeding 33” and barrel not
exceeding 2¼” are allowed – See website for further clarification.
 Run Limitation
o Minors Division shall have a limit of six (6) Runs scored per half-inning
regardless of the number of Outs only through the fourth (4th) inning.
o After the fourth (4th) inning, there shall be no Run Limitation.
 On-Deck Batter
o Only one (1) Player shall be in the on-deck area.
 All other Players must be within fenced area.
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Clovis Babe Ruth Majors Rules 2017
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Player in on-deck area must stay in that area and out of the way of any
potential plays.
Batting Lineup
o All Players present shall be in the Batting Lineup.
o If less than nine (9) Players are present, an Out will be recorded each time the
ninth (9th) Batter is scheduled to bat.
o Any Player showing up late to a game must be placed at the bottom of the
Batting Order.
Inning will end after three (3) Outs are recorded or six (6) Runs have scored.
Bunting is allowed in the Majors Division.
There are NO FAKE BUNT AND SWINGS in CBR including Slap, Slash, or any other
form of Bunt Pullback and Swings.
Courtesy Runner is allowed for Catcher as outlined in these rules.
Fences shall be treated as a reference point for Home Runs, Ground Rule Doubles, etc.
Pitching and Catching Regulations
 Majors Division pitching distance is fifty (50) feet from front of pitching rubber to the tip of
Home Plate.
 Pitching Limits
o No Pitcher may pitch more than two (2) innings in one (1) game, extended to
three (3) innings per game mid-way through the season, or more than six (6)
innings in one (1) calendar week beginning on Monday and ending on Saturday.
o Pitchers are limited to fifty (50) Pitches maximum per game at the beginning of
the season to be extended to sixty (60) Pitches mid-way through the season at
the discretion of CBR.
o Any Pitcher who pitches in a game may not pitch in another game or practice
until the second (2nd) calendar day after appearance.
 i.e. Pitcher in game on Monday may not pitch in game or practice until at
least Wednesday.
 SEVENTH GRADERS are not allowed to Pitch or Catch during a game or practice until
school baseball has ended its season.
 Catching Limits
o Players may have a combination of four (4) innings in any one (1) game as a
Pitcher and/or Catcher.
 A trip to the mound shall be counted any time a Manager or Coach crosses the baseline
or calls a Player to the baseline either before play begins or during an inning.
 Only one (1) trip to the mound is allowed each inning, any more shall result in removal of
the Pitcher.
o If repair is required at the mound, the Manager or Coach shall seek permission
from the Umpire prior to approaching mound.
o If Manager or Coach converses with Pitcher about any other reason than
repairing mound, Umpire shall count that as a trip.
 For the safety of Batters, Umpires may remove Pitchers who demonstrate wildness as
evidenced by hitting multiple Batters in the same inning or in a continuous pattern
throughout the game.
o This rule is subject to the Home Plate Umpire’s discretion.
o If removed, Pitcher may not re-enter that game as a Pitcher.
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Umpire shall immediately Eject Pitchers from the game who intentionally try to hit a
Batter with a pitched ball.
Games in which an ineligible Pitcher has been used shall be forfeited.
o Standings points received in a game in which an ineligible Pitcher has been used
shall be subtracted from the violating team and added to the opposing teams.
o If no points were received, no points shall be exchanged.
Pitcher may re-enter game as a position player.
Courtesy Runner shall be allowed for Catchers only after there are two (2) Outs.
o Last Out shall be Courtesy Runner for the Catcher.
Fielding Regulations
 Games shall be played with up to nine (9) Players on the field.
 Managers shall play all Players in the Infield and all Players in the Outfield for at least
one (1) inning each game within time constraints.
o If safety is a concern for a Player playing an Infield position, discussion must
happen with Parent/Guardian prior to Game.
o If time constraints do not allow for this regulation, Player shall begin the next
game where they did not play in the previous game.
 All Infielders shall play in normal Infield positions – any questions contact Division
Director.
 There shall be free substitution throughout the game.
o Players cannot sit on the bench more than one (1) inning per game unless all
other Players have already sat out an inning.
o If a Player sits out the final inning of a game, Player starts defensively in the first
(1st) inning of the next game.
 Infield Fly Rule is in effect in the Majors Division.
Sliding
 Fundamental to the game of baseball is the ability and courage for a Player to slide into
a base with confidence.
 Players shall be instructed to slide into any base if there is an attempt at an Out on that
Player to avoid personal injury and injury to any Fielder.
o Player shall slide directly into the base within the baseline.
o Player shall slide into 2nd Base, 3rd Base, and Home Plate if there is an attempt at
an Out on that Player (Player is not required to slide into 1st Base unless
returning to that base).
o If a Player goes into a base without sliding and Fielder has the ball, they shall be
declared Out.
 In a double play situation Player shall slide into 2nd Base or run out of the baseline
towards Right Field in order to avoid the ball being thrown at them, regardless of how
close the play is at 2nd Base or if the Fielder makes an attempt to throw to 1st Base.
o If Player goes into 2nd Base without sliding and the Fielder has possession of the
ball to put Runner Out, both the Runner and the Batter shall be declared Out.
 If there is contact made between the Runner and any Fielder with malicious intent
deemed by the Umpire, Runner shall be declared Out and Ejected from the game.
 There is No Headfirst sliding, unless returning to Base, Runner shall be declared Out.
 Managers must remind Umpires to enforce the Sliding Rules.
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Clovis Babe Ruth Majors Rules 2017
Base Stealing / Infield Fly / Balks / Lead-off / Base on Balls / Hit By Pitch / Dropped 3 rd
Strike
 These rules shall be allowed as described in the 2017 OFFICIAL BABE RUTH
BASEBALL AND CAL RIPKEN RULES, REGULATIONS AND PLAYING RULES.
Obstruction and Fake Tags
 Defensive Players must be instructed not to obstruct Runners or Batters unless in
possession of the ball.
 Catchers must not obstruct Home Plate unless in possession of the ball.
 No defensive Player shall fake a tag without the ball.
o Defensive Player shall receive one (1) warning which shall be recorded in Official
Scorebook.
o Repeated violation of a Fake Tag without the ball will result in an immediate
Ejection of that Player.
 In the event obstruction or fake tag occurs, obstruction shall be called and Runner will be
awarded that base and the next base.
o i.e. 2nd Baseman fakes tag or obstructs Runner going towards 2nd Base, Runner
automatically goes to 3rd Base.
o i.e. Catcher stands in front of Home Plate without the ball, Runner is awarded
Home Plate and Run scores.
Uniform
 CBR issued Uniforms consist of Jersey, Cap, Belts, and Socks.
o Teams wishing to purchase alternate Belts or Socks must receive CBR approval
to wear during games.
 Player must provide own Pants (gray/white) to be determined by Manager.
 No names shall be on CBR Jerseys.
 An undershirt may be worn, but not required.
 Medical Jewelry is allowed.
 Wristbands, armbands, and sports necklaces that are non-metal may be worn at
Parental/Guardian approval and liability.
 No Metal Cleats are allowed.
Field Setup/Cleanup Responsibility
 Home team shall be responsible to make sure Home Plate area is raked and ready for
play.
 Home team shall chalk 1st Baseline, 3rd Baseline, and Batter’s Boxes.
 Home team shall place pitching mound at fifty (50) feet from Home Plate.
 Home team shall place all three (3) bases on the field with seventy (70) foot basepaths.
 Away team shall place fence on field at 220 feet from home plate in the holes
interspersed between the foul lines.
 Home team shall rake Home Plate area after the game and return rake, pitching mound,
bases, and any other CBR equipment to lock boxes and/or c-trains.
 Away team shall roll up and return fence to c-trains.
 Each team shall be responsible for cleaning trash from Dugouts and Stands.
Field Issues
 Managers from each team will determine at game time if a field is playable.
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The better part of discretion is to used when determining whether field is playable or not,
there is no reason to play the game if there is any chance of injury.
In the event of a disagreement, Umpire shall make the decision.
CBR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RULE ON ANYTHING NOT COVERED IN THESE RULES.
THESE RULES ARE TO BE USED ADJACENT TO THE 2017 OFFICIAL BABE RUTH
BASEBALL AND CAL RIPKEN RULES, REGULATIONS AND PLAYING RULES.