Indoor Baseball League Rules
Updated 8/29/2018

2017 Genesee Fieldhouse Indoor Baseball League Rules

Genesee Fieldhouse is an indoor facility, thus during snow, rain, and other weather related events outside of our control, games may go on. We will cancel games for the safety of our customers, if weather events become dangerous. However, since we are not in control of the weather, no refunds, discounts, or credits will be offered due to weather related conditions. We will do our best to reschedule any canceled game. Game times and days may not match the typical time frame, but we will make it available as an option, where possible. If a game time/day is not agreeable by both parties or not available, the recorded score will be a 0-0 tie for each team

 

Thank you for your participation in our baseball leagues. Below are age specific rules, however, please read this sheet in its entirety, and let us know if you have any questions. When you are warming up, please be sure to do so in a safe and controlled manner. Keep an eye on your players at all times.

Each team must pay the umpire $15 before each game. If a team fails to pay before the game is started, it will be the umpire's choice whether or not to start the game.


Age Specific Rules:

9U Division -
1.Base Distance will be 65’
2. Pitching Distance will be 46’
3. No leading off until the ball crosses home plate. No leading from the base is allowed. Runner will be called out for leading off. 
4. No stealing until the ball crosses home plate. Base runner once he reaches third base cannot steal home unless there is a play made on any base. (Refer to Rule #17)
5. Batter is out on a dropped 3rd strike.
6. No balks will be called.
7. Ten (10) defensive players allowed.

10U Division - 
1. Base distance will be 65’
2. Pitching distance will be 46’
3. Runners may lead off and steal
4. Base runner once he reaches third base cannot steal home unless there is a play made on any base. (Refer to Rule #17)
5. Balks will be called after one (1) warning per pitcher
6. Batter may advance on a dropped 3rd strike 
7. Ten (10) defensive players allowed

11U/12U Division -
1. Base distance will be 70’
2. Pitching distance will 50’
3. Runners may lead off
4. Batter may advance on a dropped 3rd Strike
5. Stealing of home is allowed
6. Balks will be called after the first warning per pitcher
7. Nine (9) defensive players

13U and Up - 
1. Base distances will be 90’
2. Pitching distance will be 60’6”
3. Runners may lead off
4. Stealing of home is allowed
5. Balks will be called without warning
6. Batter may advance on a drop 3rd strike
7. Nine (9) defensive players

Please read below for additional league rules.

GENESEE FIELDHOUSE LEAGUE BASEBALL RULES  

No bat restrictions will be followed for our indoor leagues for 9U-12U aged teams only. 14U and High School teams will play with a wood-bat. (league play only). 
1.                    All age groups will play regulation base distances: 65’ bases for 9U/10U, 70’ for 11U/12U, 90’ for 13U/14U and up. Pitching distances: 9U/10U – 46’, 11U/12U – 50’, 13U/14U and up – 60’ 69U/”.
2.                    10U Baseball teams can play with 10 players in the field if a team so chooses – it is not mandatory.
3.                    Any team that has sunflower seeds will forfeit their game(s), with no warnings given. If a team cannot obey the facility rules, they will be asked to leave. Please pass this information on your team members and parents.
4.                    Everyone on the line-up sheet bats, and it is free defensive substitution. If a player is not on the initial line-up sheet, that player will not be allowed to participate in the game, unless the team has not gone through their entire batting line-up, in which the late arriving player can be added to the end of the batting order.
5.                    A player that bats out of order will be an automatic out. If it is not protested prior to the first pitch being thrown to the next batter in the line-up, the at bat will stand. For an example: the 5th batter accidentally bats 4th and hits a double, this batter can be an automatic out, if protested before the next batter receives their first pitch. If the mistake is caught before the first pitched ball to the batter that is incorrectly inserted into the batting line-up, no penalty will occur.
6.                    Pinch-runners must be used for the catcher when there are two outs. Pinch-runners can be used for a pitcher that is going to enter the game the next inning.
7.                    Beginning pitch count is 0 and 0.
8.                    A maximum of 6 innings or 90 minutes for all ages whichever comes first. No new innings will begin with 5 minutes or less left in the game. If the home team is up to bat and is behind at time limit, they will be allowed to finish their half inning, unless the home team is behind by more than 7 run differential (as there only 7 runs allowed maximum per at bat),  at that point they will be allowed to bat until time limit is reached. Any runs that are scored will count towards each team’s run differential. Games can end in a tie. If the visiting team is up to bat and the time limit is reached, the game will end, and the score will revert to last completed inning. Games will be played to time-limit to give maximum chances to the players.
9.                    A team is able to play with 8 players, however, the 9th spot will be an automatic out. A team with 7 players or less will be forfeiture. Teams can still play, however the score will be recorded as 7 – 0. However, if a team during the game falls below the minimum 8 player rule, the player that left the game (either personal reasons or ejection) will be an automatic out.
10.                 If a batted ball rolls through the fencing or any other field demarcation, the ball will be ruled dead (only after umpire inspection) and the ruling will be a ground rule double. Field players must put their arms up to indicate to the umpire that the ball is unplayable.
11.                 Any batted ball hit over the fencing or other field demarcation will be considered a home-run. The batter does not have to run the bases. If he chooses to run all bases must be touched.
12.                 Any batted ball that hits the top of the dome will be a dead-ball regardless if it is caught or not – if caught, the batter is not out, and if dropped, the runners cannot advance, however this will go against the strike count. A batted ball that is hit behind the dugout area, or off the side of the dome cannot be caught for a recorded out. The ball is dead and is unplayable. In 14U and High School Baseball a batted ball that hits the top of the dome will be playable, and  if dropped the runners can advance as long as the ball is in fair territory. If a ball hits the top of the dome, lands in fair territory and spins foul prior to passing 1st or 3rd base,  it will be up to umpire judgment to determine if the ball is fair or not (similar to outdoors).
13.                 Fair territory is defined by an imaginary line running in front of the dugout and running parallel to the base lines. This line is up to umpire judgment on any batted ball. Spectators must be seated behind this imaginary line. Coaches, it is up to you to make sure your parents are seated in the proper spot. A batted ball that is hit behind the dugout is foul and cannot be caught for a recorded out if the ball ricochets back into the field of play. The ball is dead. 
14.                 Infield fly rule will be enforced.
15.                 Dropped 3rd strike rule will be enforced for 10U and up ages. This rule is not in effect for 9U.
16.                 Pitching Restrictions: 10U maximum of 3 innings (one balk warning per pitcher per team), 11U/12U maximum 4 innings (one balk warning per team per game), 14U maximum of 5 innings (no balk warnings), and High School is unlimited (no balk warnings). These rules are per GAME. A pitcher that throws one pitch beyond the maximum will give the batter an automatic pass to first base. A pitcher once removed cannot be re-inserted into pitch for the remainder of the game, he can play anywhere in the field and the batting line-up does not change. 
17.                 Stealing: Lead-offs are not allowed for the 9U, and base runner cannot leave the base until a pitched ball crosses the plate. 10U can lead off and steal whenever the runner would like. However, to minimize stress on the catcher (9U/10U), when a base-runner reaches third base (and the play is dead) the base-runner cannot steal on a wild pitch. The only way a runner in 9U/10U can score from 3rd base is on a batted/bunted ball, bases loaded walk, or a throw to any base. 11U/12U and up can steal at any time. Coaches in the 11U/12U and up baseball must be aware that the umpires will call balks.
18.                 There are only 5-minutes in between games, so please vacate your dugout area as quickly as possible. If you are going to have a team meeting, please do so off the field, so games can stay on time. 
19.                 Dugouts are for coaches and players only. 4 Coaches maximum allowed. If there are more than 4 coaches the umpire will ask the head coach to remove one of the coaches. An umpire will only speak with the head coach on any contested calls. If the dugout does not comply the game will be forfeited 7-0. All players must be in the dugout area at all times, except the on-deck batter. Helmets must be worn at all times when a player is outside the bench area, including any player coaches. 
20.                 Team roster/waivers must be turned in prior to your first game. Any player without a signed and completed waiver will not be allowed to play. If a player is deemed to be too old based on the Genesee Fieldhouse age requirements (ask if you are unsure) your team will forfeit and the player will not be able to play. Please keep copies of birth certificates with you, no need to turn them in, unless a players age is contested.
21.                 On deck batters are responsible for picking up bats after a batted ball.
22.                 Protective cups for catchers are mandatory. If a catcher does not have a cup, he will not be allowed to participate in that position until he is properly equipped. 
23.                 Coaches please pass along to your staff, team members, and parents: Genesee Fieldhouse will not allow any coach, player, or parent in the building that cannot conduct themselves in a calm and professional manner. Any outbursts may cause your team the embarrassment of being asked to leave.

24. Games that are cancelled by the Genesee Fieldhouse due to weather will be recorded as a 0-0 tie. A team that does not show up, the score will be recorded as a 7-0 loss. 

 Oversized bats are allowed, however the bat must fall into the following guidelines: Bat for 10U and 12U cannot have a barrel more than 2 ¾” in circumference and not longer than 36”. 14U and up leagues will play with wood bats. If a player uses an illegal bat and a pitch is thrown, the umpire can be made aware (umpire will not be inspecting bats), the batter will be an automatic out. Any bat deemed illegal prior to a pitch thrown will be removed from the game.  

 

League Tie-Breaker Rules:
 1.      Over-all Record (3-points for a win, 1 point for a tie)
2.      Head to head
3.      Least amount of runs allowed
4.      Largest positive run differential

5.Most amount of runs scored