General
- Each player is responsible for getting him or herself to the ballpark. This is not the responsibility of the League, manager or coach.
- An evaluation will be held for the Minor, Major, and Babe Ruth Draft.
- Trades are only allowed on draft night unless specifically approved by the Board of Directors.
- All league players are encouraged to wear face masks when batting at all practices and games. This also applies to Griffith Youth Baseball tournament teams.
- For all drafted teams, each Manager is allowed to choose one Coach before the draft begins. Other Coaches must be selected during the draft.
- It will always be the discretion of the Griffith Youth Baseball Board to decide the outcome of different scenarios due to players being injured. A player who has been injured or under a Doctors care for at least 2 or more weeks needs a written release from the Doctor to return to Baseball. This note must be on file with the Division Commissioner, Safety Officer, Secretary, and President. Griffith Youth Baseball will follow the Cal Ripken Division Rules of Babe Ruth League, Incorporated, for players who are injured during the season when it comes to eligibility to play in All Stars and Tournaments that are sponsored through Cal Ripken.
- No head first sliding permitted in any division.
T-Ball
- Players that are 4, 5, and 6 years old are eligible for T-ball. Players must be 4 by May 1.
- The T-ball division shall have a blind draft. Each team will draft an equal amount of 4 yr olds, 5 yr olds, and 6 yr olds.
- If a 6 year old has played 1 year of T-Ball at the parents discretion they may move up to Rookies. If you are 6 and never played T-Ball you cannot move up. You have to play 1 year of T-Ball. No one can move up to Rookies unless you are league age 6.
- A parent or guardian must be at the field with their player at all times.
- T-Ball ground rules
1. If a game is scheduled to follow, no inning will start 15 minutes before the start of the following game. There is a 1 hour and 30 minute time limit on all games.
2. A full team consists of 10-11 players, 4 of which must play in the outfield. The 4th outfielder is eliminated if a team must play with only 9 players.
3. Managers and adult coaches may coach at first, second and third base if they desire. Managers or coaches for the defensive team may also be in the field if they desire.
4. No bunting or pullbacks is allowed. After 5 games within the season the Managers may pitch to their player if the player desires to be pitched to. If not, they will be allowed to hit off of the Tee. You are only allowed to pitch 4 balls to player. After 4 pitched balls the ball goes on the Tee.
5. The pitcher shall keep both feet directly in front of the pitching rubber until the ball is hit.
6. The catcher will remain in position behind the plate until the ball is hit. Catchers must be in full gear.
7. No defensive player shall charge the ball until it is hit.
8. Every player will play 2 innings in the field every game.
9. There are no strikeouts.
10. A ball hit off the tee must travel 15 feet from home plate or it is considered a dead ball.
11. One of the coaches from the batting team is the umpire.
12. The Pledge of Allegiance shall be said before every game.
Rookie
- Players that are 6, 7, and 8 years old are eligible for the Rookies Division.
- A 6 year old, per parental discretion, that has at least one year of T- ball experience, whether a division of Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth League, Incorporated, or another sanctioned League is eligible for Rookies.
- The Rookie division shall have a blind draft. Each team will draft an equal amount of 6 yr olds, 7 yr olds, and 8 yr olds.
- A parent or guardian must be at the field with their player at all times.
- Rookies ground rules
1. No inning will start after 7:15 p.m. or 1 hour and 45 minutes after start time. The inning will be finished.
2. No stealing of bases.
3. No walks – a player hit by a pitch will continue their at-bat with the coach pitching.
4. After ball four, a coach will pitch. No batter receives a walk but may strike out.
5. On an attempted play at a base, after the ball is hit, the runner or runners will be permitted to advance at their own risk, but not more than one base.
6. Continuous batting order – inning-to-inning. Only 9 players in the field when the defense is out.
7. 9 batters per inning maximum or 3 outs. In the event a team bats 9, the defensive players receive credit for 3 outs in the field.
8. All players must play a minimum of 9 defensive outs each game.
9. Unlimited substitution.
10. All players should play every position throughout the season using reasonable discretion. THIS IS AN INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE.
11. Cal Ripken pitching rules must be strictly followed. Refer to Cal Ripken Baseball Rules and Regulations in the Babe Ruth League, Incorporated Rule Book.
12. Manager or coach will not leave a game or practice until all players are with a parent or guardian.
13. Home team manager is responsible for preparing the field for play.
14. The umpire (which is a coach) may call a batter out for throwing the bat.
15. Scores and standings will be kept subject to the non-contentious compliance with the aforementioned Ground Rules. The Griffith Youth Baseball Board of Directors reserves the right to discontinue the use of score and standings at any point during the season that it determines said score and standings interfere with the express goal of being an INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE.
16. The Pledge of Allegiance shall be said before every game.
Minor
- Players that are 8, 9, and 10 years old are eligible for the Minor League.
- Minor League teams will be selected by the draft system. An 8 year old, per parental discretion and Board approval, can play at the Minors level and can be chosen for an active roster only if the player has played at least one year of Rookie division baseball. (This rule will not imply to players that were 7 the last league year, and played in the minors already.)
- Manger or coach will not leave a game or practice until all players are with a parent or guardian.
- Minor League ground rules
1. No inning will start after 7:15 p.m. or 1 hour and 45 minutes after start time. The inning will be finished.
2. Stealing of bases is permitted, however, no more than one (1) base on any one play. Runners may not advance on an overthrow on an attempted play. Runners who are on 3rd base may not advance or steal home plate unless there is a hit, a walk or a pass ball from the catcher. Runners may have one successful steal home from 3rd base once per inning.
3. On an attempted play at a base after the ball is hit, the runner or runners will be permitted to advance at their own risk.
4. Continuous batting order – inning-to-inning.
5. 9 batters per inning maximum or 3 outs. In the event a team bats 9, the defensive players receive credit for 3 outs in the field.
6. All players must play a minimum of 9 defensive outs each game.
7. Unlimited substitution.
8. All players should play every position throughout the season using reasonable discretion. THIS IS AN INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE.
9. Cal Ripken pitching rules must be strictly followed. Refer to Cal Ripken Baseball Rules and Regulations in the Babe Ruth League, Incorporated Rule Book.
10. Each manager MUST send all pitcher’s pitch counts to the Division Commissioner immediately following each game. Failure to do so will result in possible disciplinary action and loss of games.
12. Home team manager is responsible for preparing the field for the day.
13. The umpire may call a batter out for throwing the bat.
14. Scores and standings will be kept subject to the non-contentious compliance with the aforementioned Ground Rules. The Griffith Youth Baseball Board of Directors reserves the right to discontinue the use of score and standings at any point during the season that it determines said score and standings interfere with the express goal of being an INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE.
15. The Pledge of Allegiance shall be said before every game.
Major
- Major League teams will be selected by the draft system. Players that are 10 -12 years old are eligible for the Major League.
- Major League teams shall maintain a roster of 11-12 active players. If a player misses 40% of games and is not excused due to illness or vacation, the player will be deemed inactive and will not be eligible for All Stars.
- Manger or coach will not leave a game or practice until all players are with a parent or guardian.
- Major League ground rules
1. Cal Ripken pitching rules must be strictly followed. Refer to Cal Ripken Baseball Rules and Regulations in the Babe Ruth League, Incorporated Rule Book.
2. Each manager MUST send all pitcher’s pitch counts to the Division Commissioner immediately following each game. Failure to do so will result in possible disciplinary action and loss of games.
3. Home team manager is responsible for preparing the field for the day.
Babe Ruth
- Babe Ruth teams will be selected by the draft system. Players that are 13-15 years old are eligible for Babe Ruth.
- Babe Ruth teams shall maintain a roster of 11-14 active players. Each year, ALL players will be selected through a draft. An evaluation shall be held prior to the draft. Siblings are not required to be on the same team. A parent/guardian must submit in writing, prior to the evaluation, to the Division Commissioner their desire for siblings to be on separate teams. Such requests will be honored in writing only. Each manager shall have one Sr. Coach prior to the evaluation. Managers are the only members permitted in the draft room. The Sr. Coach is allowed if the manager is absent. The draft order will be selected by ballot. If a player misses 40% of games and is not excused due to illness, vacation, or school commitment, the player will be deemed inactive and will not be eligible for All Stars.
- Manger or coach will not leave a game or practice until all players are with a parent or guardian or have safely left the field.
- Babe Ruth ground rules
1. Babe Ruth League pitching rules must be strictly followed. Refer to Baseball Rules and Regulations in the Babe Ruth League, Incorporated Rule Book.
2. Each manager MUST send all pitcher’s pitch counts to the Division Commissioner immediately following each game. Failure to do so will result in possible disciplinary action and loss of games.
3. Home team manager is responsible for preparing the field for the day.
