Named for the sport's legendary slugger, Babe Ruth baseball leagues provide children between the ages of 4 and 18 a chance to play baseball in a fun, competitive environment. The first Babe Ruth League took root in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, in 1951 and featured 10 teams. From those humble beginnings, Babe Ruth Leagues now field more than 1 million players on more then 56,000 teams, including softball leagues for young girls. Babe Ruth Leagues follow all the same rules of Major League Baseball, with a few exceptions to ensure safety and competitive balance for all ages.
Games
A regulation Babe Ruth League baseball game consists of seven innings, not nine. Officials may end a game early according to the 10-run rule, calling the contest if one team takes a lead of more than 10 runs after each team has had the same number of at-bats.
Equipment
For the 2011 baseball season, Babe Ruth Leagues approved a moratorium on the use of certain composite bats in their 13-15 and 16-18 age divisions. Players in the aforementioned divisions will be allowed to use composite bats that comply with the rules and guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations. A few of the league's approved composite bats include Combat, DeMarini and Louisville Slugger. Players may also use aluminum bats so long as they meet league safety standards.
Re-Entry Rule
In Babe Ruth League competition, any of the nine starting players may re-enter the game once per contest. The player must re-enter in his original position in the batting order. A substitute player, meaning someone not in the starting nine, who enters the game and then leaves may not re-enter the lineup.
Pitchers
The standard re-entry rule also applies to pitchers. If the pitcher started the game, he may leave the game and re-enter once, even returning to pitch. If the manager removes the pitcher while the pitcher is acting as a baserunner or hitter, the pitcher may re-enter the game immediately. However, if the manager removes the pitcher during a trip to the mound, the replacement pitcher must face at least one batter before the removed pitcher returns to the mound.
Contact Rule
Babe Ruth League rules prohibit players from intentionally colliding with the catcher or any other fielder in an attempt to reach home plate. If the umpire judges the runner made a deliberate, unwarranted and unsportsmanlike effort to contact the fielder and not home plate, he will call the runner out. League officials instituted this rule to help prevent injuries and enhance player safety.
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