1. Objective of the Game
2. Definition of Terms
3. Game Preliminaries
4. Starting and Ending Games
5. Putting the Ball in Play
6. The Batter
7. The Runner
8. The Pitcher
9. The Umpire
10. The Official Scorer

3.00 - Game Preliminaries

3.01 - Before the game begins the umpires shall:
· (a) Require strict observance of all rules governing team personnel, implements of play and equipment of players;
· (b) Be sure that all playing lines (heavy lines on Diagram No. 1 and No. 2) are marked with non-caustic lime, chalk, or other white material easily distinguishable from the ground or grass;
· (c) Receive from the league a supply of baseballs which meet Dixie Youth specifications and standards. The umpire shall be the sole judge of the fitness of the balls to be used in the game;
· (d) Be assured by the league that additional balls are immediately available for use if required;
· (e) Have possession of at least two alternate balls and shall require replenishment of such supply of alternate balls as needed throughout the game. Such alternate balls shall be put in play when:
o (1) A ball has been batted out of the playing field or into the spectator area;
o (2) A ball has become discolored or unfit for further use;
o (3) The pitcher requests such alternate ball.
3.02 - No player shall intentionally discolor or damage the ball by rubbing it with soil, rosin, paraffin, licorice, sandpaper, emery-paper, or other foreign substance.
· PENALTY: The umpire shall demand the ball and remove the offender from the game. In case the umpire cannot locate the offender, and if the pitcher delivers such discolored or damaged ball to the batter, the pitcher shall be removed from the game at once.
3.03(a) - A player or players may be substituted during a game at any time the ball is dead, except as covered herein. A substitute shall bat in the replaced players position in the teams batting order but may be used in any fielding position. Managers or coaches shall see that substitutions are properly called to the attention of the official scorekeeper. Any player, whether a starter or substitute, who has been removed from the game may reenter the game one time provided:
· 1. He occupies the same position in the batting order he originally occupied.
· 2. A pitcher does not return to the mound as a pitcher.
o NOTE: A pitcher removed from the game or line-up for a substitute may return to the game in another defensive position provided all other provisions of this substitution rule are observed but may not return to the mound as a pitcher.
· 3. When two or more substitute players of the defensive team enter the game at the same time, the manager shall, immediately before they take their position as fielder, designate to the scorekeeper such player's positions in the batting order. If this information is not immediately given to the scorer, he shall have the authority to designate the substitutes' places in the batting order.
o NOTE 1: It will be held that an inning starts the moment the third out is made, completing the previous inning.
o NOTE 2: "Exception": In the event a manager has used all of his eligible players and a player is injured, becomes ill and cannot continue, is ejected or removed from the game by an umpire or official, or is not present when a suspended game is resumed, the game shall not be forfeited. The opposing manager shall select a player from the bench who is capable of playing the position of the injured or ill player, but who has already been in the game, and this player shall replace the injured or ill player.
3.03(b) Illegal substitutions must be noticed by the opposing manager and called to the attention of an umpire immediately upon the illegal substitute entering the game and before another pitch is thrown or before another play. If no complaint of an illegal substitution is made before the first pitch or play, the substitution then becomes legal. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION (when noticed and protested as outlined above): Immediate removal of the illegal substitute from the game.
· NOTE: For the purpose of this rule, a player enters the game when:
· (a) a batter steps into the batter's box;
· (b) a fielder takes a fielding position;
· (c) a runner takes a position on the base path as a runner.
3.03(c) - If an illegal pitcher enters the game, or becomes illegal after entering the game, this is a continuing violation and may be protested at any time during its continuation.
· PENALTY FOR VIOLATION: The illegal pitcher shall be removed from the mound and the offended team shall have the choice of replaying the game from the point the illegal pitcher entered the game to pitch, or continue from the point when the violation is discovered. If otherwise eligible, the pitcher who is removed from the mound may stay in the game in another defensive position.
· NOTE 1: Innings pitched by an illegal pitcher shall count as innings pitched for that pitcher.
· NOTE 2: For the purpose of this rule, a player enters the game as a pitcher when he has delivered the first pitch.
· EXAMPLE: John Martin pitches 4 innings on Tuesday, then starts as pitcher on Wednesday. He is an illegal pitcher for the entire game on Wednesday, however if he is not noticed and protested before the game ends, it is a legal game and no protest can be made of that game on the basis of John Martin being an illegal pitcher. At any time during the Wednesday game, upon proper protest, John Martin could have been removed from the mound. If John Martin pitches on Thursday, he is continuing the violation and again subject to removal upon proper protest (the innings pitched Wednesday still count).
3.03(d) - Each league must comply with the player participation requirement in 3:03(d)(1) below during regular season play unless it adopts either 3.03(d)(2) or 3.03(d)(3) as a local league option.
· (1) - (Local league play only) - All players on every team must play at least three consecutive outs on defense and complete one time at bat in each game played by his/her team. (A complete time at bat begins when a player takes a position in the batter's box as a batter with a count of no balls and no strikes and ends when that player reaches base safely or is declared out.) Penalty for violation of this rule shall be forfeiture of the game in the event the violating team is the winner.
· EXAMPLE: Team A, at the start of the game, has only 13 players and Team B has 15 players.
o RULING: Team A must play 13 players and Team B must play 15 players-the minimum requirements.
· (2) - (LOCAL LEAGUE OPTION) (Local league play only) - The minimum number of players on either team shall be required to play at least three consecutive outs on defense and complete one time at bat in each game played by his/her team.
· EXAMPLE: Team A, at the start of the game, has only 13 players and Team B has 15 players.
o RULING: If the league has officially adopted this Local Option 3:03, only 13 players on each team are required to play three defensive outs and complete one time at bat. The extra players of Team B may enter the game but are not required to play.
· NOTE 1: For the purposes of satisfying Rules 3.03(d)(1) and 3.03(d)(2), a substitute is considered in the game when his name has been added to the batting order by the official scorer and until he is replaced by the official scorer. His name must appear in the batting order for three defensive outs and he must complete one time at bat, except for the extra players as referenced in ruling under 3.03 above.
· NOTE 2: This requirement shall apply to both teams even if the last half of the sixth inning is not required. The only exceptions shall be when the game is considered a regulation game but is not completed because of the ten run rule or is shortened by reason of curfew, or acts of God, or when a team concedes before all available players have participated.
· EXAMPLE A [3.03(d)(1) and 3.03(d)(2)]: Team A makes substitutions of players who have not been in the game at the beginning of the sixth inning. Team A scores more runs in five innings than Team B does in six innings and therefore Team A does not bat in the last of the sixth inning. Ruling--Substitutes shall not be given credit for having played in the last half of the sixth inning.
· EXAMPLE B [3.03(d)(1) and 3.03(d)(2)]: Team A is leading by a score of 5 to 3 in the top half of the fifth inning and the game is called on account of rain. Team B has played its required number of players but Team A has not. Ruling--There shall be no violation as six innings were not completed.
· NOTE 3: League officials, other than managers or coaches, shall be empowered to make exceptions to 3.03(d)(1) and 3.03(d)(2) in the event of injury or sickness of a player who is unable to complete an inning or a time at bat. Officials also shall be empowered to grant exceptions for disciplinary or other justifiable reasons. If an illegal substitution is made and the opposing team fails to make a proper appeal, the substitution then becomes legal except if the illegal substitution is a pitcher, it shall be a continuing violation and may be protested at any time during its continuation.
· NOTE 4: Any team which attempts to intentionally allow the opposing team to score in order to extend the game so that it may comply with the player participation requirement shall forfeit the game.
· (3) (i) (LOCAL LEAGUE OPTION) (Local league play only)--Managers shall be required to list all players or the minimum number present on either team in the batting order for each game.
o (ii) The batting order shall remain the same throughout the game.
o (iii) Starting defensive players may be listed anywhere in the batting order. All players shall be required to be listed on the team's line-up for a minimum of three defensive outs and must complete at least one time at bat.
o (iv) A team with more than the minimum number present shall be allowed to use its extra players but shall not be required to do so.
o (v) Players who arrive late after the game has started may be added to the end of the batting order. Note: A manager or coach is not required to list a player in the batting order even though he may be present in the dugout in the event of illness or injury. He may not be required to list a player for disciplinary or other justifiable reason provided he informs the opposing manager and the scorer prior to the beginning of the game. In this event, such a player shall not count in the minimum number present for either team.
o (vi) Free substitution defensively shall be allowed for leagues adopting the option provided for in Rule 3.03 (d) (3), but managers shall be required to play each player present at least three defensive outs in each game played by his or her team during local league play.
o SPECIAL NOTE: Local leagues shall have the authority to adopt local rules requiring more than one defensive inning of participation and one complete time at bat. Penalty for violation shall be forfeiture of the game in the event the violating team is the winner, provided the opposing manager files a protest within the fifteen minute time limit allowed for such protest (Refer to Rule 4.19, Paragraph (E). Note 2).
3.04 - A player whose name is on the team's batting order may not become a substitute runner for another member of the team. "Courtesy runners" are not permitted.
3.05 - (a) The pitcher named in the batting order handed to the official scorer, as provided in Rules 4.01(a) and 4.01(b) shall pitch to the first batter or any substitute batter until such batter or any substitute batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates the pitcher from pitching.
· (b) If the pitcher is replaced, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness, which in the umpire-in-chief's judgment, incapacitates the pitcher from further play as a pitcher.
· (c) Reserved
3.06 - The manager shall immediately notify the umpire-in-chief of any substitution and shall state to the scorer the substitute's place in the batting order.
3.07 - The scorer, after having been notified, shall immediately announce, or cause to be announced, each substitution.
3.08 - (a) If no announcement of a substitution is made, the substitute shall be considered to have entered the game when:
· (1) If a pitcher, the substitute takes position on the pitchers plate and commences making warm-up pitches during an inning or commences making preparatory pitches at the beginning of his/her team's offensive half of the inning;
· (2) If a batter, the substitute takes position in the batter's box;
· (3) If a fielder, the substitute reaches the position usually occupied by the fielder being replaced and play commences;
· (4) If a runner, the substitute takes the place of the runner being replaced.
(b) Any play made by, or on, any of the above mentioned unannounced substitutes shall be legal.
3.09 - Players, managers, and coaches of the participating teams shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands during a game in which they are engaged.
3.10 - (a) The local league officials shall determine the fitness of the playing field before the game starts.
o EXCEPTION: During tournament play, the tournament director shall determine the fitness of the playing field.
· (b) Reserved
· (c) The umpire-in-chief shall be the sole judge as to whether and when play shall be suspended during a game because of unsuitable weather conditions or the unfit condition of the playing field; as to whether and when play shall be resumed after such suspension; and as to whether and when a game shall be terminated after such suspension. Said umpire shall not call the game until at least thirty minutes after play has been suspended. The umpire may continue suspension as long as there is any chance to resume play.
3.11 - Whenever a game is suspended because of the unfitness of the playing field, the local league president, or his designated representative, and the tournament director, during tournament play, shall have control of grounds-keepers for the purpose of making the playing field fit for play.
3.12 - When the umpire suspends play, "Time" shall be called. At the umpire's call of "Play" the suspension is lifted and play resumes. Between the call of "Time" and the call of "Play" the ball is dead.
3.13 - The local league will establish ground rules to be followed by all teams in the league for each playing field. The tournament director will establish ground rules to be followed by all teams in tournament play.
3.14 - Members of the offensive team shall carry all gloves and other equipment off the field and to the dugout while their team is at bat. No equipment shall be left lying on the field, either in fair or foul territory.
3.15 - No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game except uniformed players, managers, coaches, umpires, and news photographers authorized by the league. In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the offensive team participating in the game, or a coach in the coach's box, or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball is dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference. Note: See Rule 7.11 for individuals excepted above, also see Rule 7.08(b).
3.16 - When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in the umpire's opinion will nullify the act of interference.
· APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out.
3.17 - Players and substitutes shall sit on their team's bench or in the dugout unless participating in the game or preparing to enter the game. No one except eligible players in uniform and the manager and coaches shall occupy the bench or dugout. When batters or base runners are retired, they must return to the bench or dugout at once.
3.18 - The local league shall provide proper protection sufficient to preserve order and to prevent spectators from entering the field