The Illinois Elementary School Association, known as the IESA, is a governing body for several elementary schools, middle schools and junior high schools participating in interscholastic sports in Illinois. These schools participate in several sports including boys' baseball. The IESA has existed since 1929 and has 720 member-schools. Each school and its players must adhere to certain rules to remain eligible for participation in IESA baseball.
Basic IESA Rules
The IESA requires licensed officials to work baseball games. Two officials must be licensed by the Illinois High School Association in order to work state, regional and sectional IESA baseball games. Students eligible to participate in baseball must be enrolled in 5th through 8th grade and passing every class to play. Students' work will be checked weekly to determine eligibility for that week's games. Students may only play for the school they attend, and can not play two consecutive seasons in the same sport at the same grade level.
Field and Shoes
The IESA follows many of the same rules as the National Federation of State High School Associations. However, IESA fields are a different size: The field is 80 square feet and the pitcher's mound is 54 feet from the plate, and the distance from home plate to second base must span 113 feet and 1 5/8 inches. The outfield fence must be a minimum of 225 feet from home plate. Regional, sectional and championship games must be played on a field of this size. Players are not allowed to wear metal cleats. If found wearing metal cleats a player will be ejected from the game. Rubber cleats are permitted.
Bat Rules
Bats not made of wood cannot have a diameter more than 2 5/8 inches. Bats cannot be more than 36 inches long and must have a weight that not more than 3 oz. less than the length -- in other words, a bat that is 29 inches long can not weigh fewer than 26 oz. Bats must also feature a label with an approved Ball Exit Speed Ratio, or BESR. The BESR calculates the speed of the ball after contact is made and takes pitch speed and bat speed into account. A bat that is less than 30 inches long, has a larger ratio of weight to length than 3 oz. and features a barrel that is 2 1/4 inches or fewer does not require a BESR label.
Additional Rules
Official baseball uniforms are not required. Players need a T-shirt with a number on the back, shoes, a cap and long pants to participate. As soon as a pitcher throws one pitch, it counts as a full inning. Pitchers may not pitch more than seven innings in one day and no more than 16 in a calendar week. If the starting pitcher is taken out of the game, he can return to the mound one time.
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