Rules and Regulations

Some of the rule differences pertain to the dimensions of the playing field and playing equipment.  Other rule changes are intended to enhance safety and prevent injury.  These modifications are published by the organizations as addendums to the official rules and are distributed to their affiliates each year. (see below)

In addition to these rules and amendments, the youth baseball organizations publish regulations that govern the conduct of league affiliates and stipulate the requirements for affiliation.  These regulations may also direct the organizations' official tournament playoff system for their respective national championship tournaments.

Finally, the local league affiliate may enact "local league rules and regulations" that further define the playing rules and methods of operation for the independent locality.  The national organizations generally allow local league affiliates the authority to enhance their rules, but may require a formal waiver from the parent organization before major changes may be made. Some rules may not be waived - such as restrictions on the rules governing the frequency of use of young pitchers, which is intended to prevent arm injury.

The following sections outline the rules and regulations under which the Cabot Youth Baseball Association operates.

Official Baseball Rules

Foreword  
1.00 - Objectives of the Game  
2.00 - Definition of Terms
3.00 - Game Preliminaries
4.00 - Starting and Ending a  Game
5.00 - Putting the Ball in Play
6.00 - The Batter
7.00 - The Runner
8.00 - The Pitcher
9.00 - The Umpire
10.00 - The Official Scorer

The rules of baseball have evolved into a complex code which may be difficult to understand due to the "legalistic" manner in which it is recorded.  A rule often may be unclear as to its intent and thus be subject to interpretation.  The Case Book of the Official Playing Rules Committee was created to provide insight into the committee's intent when drafting the official rules.  Some published versions of the official rules include these notations which interpret and elaborate on the language of the official rules.  These enhanced rule-book versions are frequently available at bookstores.

A lack of understanding of the rules of baseball and the resulting incorrect interpretation may be the primary cause for disputes which sometimes arise during the course of a baseball game.  It is incumbent upon umpires, coaches, and players to learn the rules and to study the case book in order to properly conduct themselves during a game.

 Links of Interest 

The Top 40 Baseball Rule Myths 
Baseball Rules Frequently Asked Questions
Youth Baseball Playing Field Dimensions    

Youth Baseball Rules and Regulations

The Cabot Youth Baseball Association youth baseball program is chartered by Babe Ruth League, Inc., which includes Cal Ripken Baseball.  

 Geographical Boundaries 
One primary responsibility of a national youth baseball organization is to establish the geographical boundaries for each franchise that it charters.  

The Cabot Youth Baseball Association charter from Babe Ruth League, Inc. basically encompass the same geographic area served by the Cabot Public School District.

 League Insurance Coverage 
Most youth baseball organizations require local affiliates to acquire accident and liability insurance coverage for their baseball operations.

The Cabot Youth Baseball Association provides accident and liability insurance coverage for the coaches and players in our league.  Insurance claims for accidental injury sustained during practice and games may be initiated by notifying a league officer.  The proper insurance claim forms will be provided as quickly as possible after notification of an injury claim.

 Youth Baseball Rules 
Each national organization publishes a set of rules and regulations for their respective franchises.  This section outlines the rules and regulations under which the Cabot youth baseball program operates.
  
Virtually all national youth baseball organizations have adopted the Official Baseball Rules as their playing rules.  Exceptions are noted in each organizations rule book. Some of the exceptions to the Official Baseball Rules that are in effect for the Cabot youth baseball program are noted below. 

For the Coach Pitch and T-Ball divisions, the bases may be set closer together (45-50 feet) and the outfield fence is also smaller (approximately 150 - 175 feet).

Both the Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth leagues utilize a standard-size baseball diamond with 90' base lines, outfield fences from 300 - 400 feet. pitching mound height of ten inches above the level of home plate and set at 60 feet six inches from the plate, and batter's boxes of 4 feet by 6 feet.

Playing Equipment Restrictions
For the Cal Ripken leagues the baseball bat may not exceed 33 inches in length or 2 1/4 inches in diameter.  There is no restriction on length to weight ratio.
    
Pitching Limitations
For Cal Ripken leagues the pitchers are limited to no more than six innings pitched per calendar week (Monday through Sunday).  Pitchers must have two calendar days rest if they pitch three or more innings in a game.  

Babe Ruth league pitchers are restricted to no more than seven innings per calendar week and must have two calendar days of rest if they pitch four or more innings in a game.

Senior Babe Ruth pitchers are not restricted as to number of innings or rest periods, but caution is urged to avoid overextending a pitcher's use and to avoid arm injury.

Number of Innings Played
For Cal Ripken Majors, Minors and Rookies, the game length is six innings with at least four innings require for an "official" game to be declared.  For Coach Pitch and T-Ball divisions, the length of the game is left to the local league's discretion, which is set at 4 or 5 innings for the Cabot Coach Pitch and T-Ball divisions..

For Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth, the regulation game is seven innings.  A game may be considered as "official" after five innings.

Substitution of Players - Re-entry Rule
Cal Ripken leagues permit starting players to re-enter the game one time after substitution.  Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth also allow one re-entry by a starter after substitution.
   
Leading off the Base - Special Base Running Rule
Cal Ripken leagues prohibit leading-off the base by base runners.  The runner must maintain contact with the base until the pitched ball reaches the batter.

Protective Equipment Requirements
All leagues require protective headgear for batters and base runners.  All leagues also require full protective gear for the catcher, including a protective cup, and a helmet with face mask and throat protector.
 
Avoid Contact Rule
All leagues prohibit "malicious" contact of a fielder by a base runner, for the sole purpose of knocking the ball loose from the fielder's grip.  
   
Third Strike not Caught
In Cal Ripken leagues, the batter may not advance to first base on a dropped third strike.

Local League Rules

Local Rules for Each Age Division

Dual Participation
Participation by league players and coaches in another league or team while participating in the CYBA league is not permitted.  

Free Substitution
The Cabot Youth Baseball Association board has waived the re-entry rule in select divisions, which allows a coach to freely substitute players in the field during the course of a game.  This local league option permits players to gain more playing-time than would otherwise be possible. 

However, this does not affect the team's batting order,  which may not be changed.  If round-robin batting is not in effect, substitutions still must be made into the batting order, as needed.

Round-Robin Batting
Some divisions of the Cabot youth baseball program permit all players to bat in a "round-robin" order.  This ensures that all players receive an equal number of opportunities to bat during a game.  When used in conjunction with "free-substitution", all players receive the maximum amount of playing experience possible.

Time Limits
All CYBA divisions play under a game time limit.  The time varies depending on the division, from one hour to two hours per game.  This rule helps ensure that multiple games will start on time, or nearly so.

Inning Run Caps
Some divisions are restricted as to how many runs a team may score in a given inning.  This rule helps ensure an equal number of at-bats for each team.

10-Run Rule
Most divisions play under a "mercy rule", which ends a game if one team is ahead by ten or more runs after the appropriate number of innings have been played to constitute an "official" game.  This rule helps prevent runaway scores.

Extra Hitter
The Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth leagues permit the teams to play with an "Extra Hitter", which is a tenth batter in the batting order, if elected by the local league.  This player is treated as a starter and may be substituted for during the course of the game,  This is not the same as professional baseball's designated hitter, who bats for the pitcher in American League games.  CYBA games for these leagues permit the use of the "EH",

Minimum Play Rule
Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth leagues do not mandate playing time, however the Cabot baseball program may also implement minimum play rules of one inning in the field and one turn at bat for all players at the game.

Maximum Bench Rule
For certain divisions, the Cabot Youth Baseball Association requires that no player be assigned to the bench for more than one or two innings per game (depending on team size).  Exceptions are granted for disciplinary reasons or player injury.

• 4 Year-Old T-Ball Rules
• 5 Year-Old T-Ball Rules
• 6 Year-Old Coach Pitch Rules
  
• 8 & Under Pitching Machine Rules
      Recreational Division Rules
      Competitive Division Rules
  
• 10 & Under Minors Rules
      Recreational Division Rules
      Competitive Division Rules
  
• 12 & Under Majors Rules
      Recreational Division Rules
      Competitive Division Rules
  
• 13 Year-Old Prep League Rules
  
• 15 & Under Babe Ruth League Rules
  
• 18 & Under Senior Babe Ruth League Rules

CP&R and CYBA Rules of Conduct
The following rules pertain to in-park and game conduct of participants and spectators.

Cabot Parks & Recreation Rules
Cabot Youth Baseball Association Rules of Conduct

Sportsmanship Code
The following is the code of sportsmanship for all Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken affiliate programs.

Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Code

CYBA By-Laws

Grievance Procedure
Any person who has a grievance of any kind that pertains to the Cabot youth baseball program or the Cabot Youth Baseball Association should forward a written copy of the grievance, complaint, or suggestion to the board of directors as follows:

All grievances should be made in writing to 
Cabot Youth Baseball Association
P.O. Box 1521
Cabot, AR 72023

Or you may contact the Cabot Youth Baseball Association at via email at baseball@CabotBaseball.com.  All communications will be kept in confidence.