Basic Team Rules For Youth Baseball

Organized youth baseball is supposed to be an enjoyable learning experience for the young people who play the game. It is not about winning or losing and it is not about the coaches. The whole idea is to give youngsters an environment to play baseball and learn how to hit, field, throw, pitch and run the bases correctly.

Guaranteed Playing Time

Every player who shows up in uniform gets to play in every game. Managers and coaches who lead the team are not there to help their team rack up wins and championships. They need to give every player the opportunity to get into the game and get a chance to play. In most youth leagues, each player must get a chance to play at least two innings in the field and get at least one at-bat in every game. This will give players the opportunity to get in the game on an everyday basis and improve each game.

No Umpire Disputes

No youth league player or coach is allowed to argue a call with an umpire. While umpires make mistakes, organized youth baseball is about learning to play the game with the proper attitude and decorum. It is not up to a player to question the umpire's call. A manager or coach can ask an umpire a question about a call or request an explanation. This must be done in a civil tone. The umpire will listen to reasonable statements and questions. He can choose to respond but he does not have to answer. The game then must move on.

Stealing and Leading

Youth baseball allows players to steal bases, but not until the ball crosses home plate after a pitch is thrown. Some leagues allow baserunners to take a lead off the base, while others require the baserunner to stay on the base until the ball crosses home plate. At that point, the runner can take off for the next base. Players can advance extra bases if the ball is overthrown and goes into the outfield.

Pitching Distance

All youth leagues with players ages 10 and younger have pitchers throw from a pitching rubber that is 46 feet from home plate. Players who are 11 and 12 pitch from a distance of 50 feet. Youth league players 13 and older can pitch from the professional baseball distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. All fields must have backstops to prevent the ball from rolling out of play when it gets by the catcher.