- Amarillo Area Rotary Baseball League Rules
Rule 1.00 – League Code of Conduct and Ejection Policy
1.01 Good sportsmanship is EXPECTED at all times at all AARBL functions and facilities by all coaches,
assistant coaches, players, parents, and fans.
1.01A -- Any unsportsmanlike conduct resulting in the ejection of a coach, assistant coach, parent, or
fan: They must leave the dugout and/or game site IMMEDIATELY. They are SUSPENDED FROM
THE FACILITY for the remainder of that game AND THE NEXT GAME THEIR TEAM PLAYS. If a
coach, assistant coach, parent, or fan is ejected for a second time in any one season, they will
be SUSPENDED FROM THE FACILITY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT SEASON.
1.01B -- Any unsportsmanlike conduct resulting in the ejection of a player: Player is SUSPENDED
for the remainder of that game AND THE NEXT GAME THEIR TEAM PLAYS, but, for the
remainder of the ejection game, player may remain in the dugout or in the stands WITH A
PARENT OR GUARDIAN. The player is SUSPENDED FROM THE FACILITY FOR THE NEXT
GAME THEIR TEAM PLAYS. If a player is ejected for a second time in any one season, the player
will be SUSPENDED FROM THE FACILITY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT SEASON.
1.02 Within 48 hours of the ejection, the umpire must submit in writing to the AARBL Disciplinary
Committee the reason for ejection. After review, based on the severity of the conduct which
warranted the ejection, the Disciplinary Committee may recommend no further disciplinary action,
or they may make a recommendation to the full AARBL Board of Directors for additional
disciplinary action.
1.03 Obviously, no fighting will be tolerated at any time at any facility. Should fighting occur, STERN
DISCIPLINARY ACTION will be taken for all participants.
Rule 2.00 – General Rules
2.01 All bats must follow the Babe Ruth rules. ABSOLUTELY NO USSSA BATS ALLOWED. Here is the website:https://www.baberuthleague.org/bat-rules.aspx
If the Umpire discovers that a bat does not conform to the Babe Ruth rule, it will be taken out of the game and not to be used again. If used again, the player using will be called out and potential player/coach suspension.
2.02 Teams must leave dugouts and stands clean and must leave the field and dugout areas immediately
after the game in order to pass out snacks or have team meetings of any kind.
2.03 The League Administrator is the only one who can add players to any roster. If any team in any league
has less than the maximum of twelve (12) or thirteen (13), the League Administrator has the option to add players in team draft order.
2.04 Home team takes the 3rd base dugout. If playing a double header, you can remain in your same
dugout.
2.05 Positive chatter is allowed, but is limited to players supporting their own teammates. No
noisemakers are allowed.
2.06 No warm-up or practice in the infield before a game. Players may warm-up behind the temporary
fences if there is a game in progress. All other warm-up should take place in the outfield grass.
2.07 Game clock starts at the end of the plate meeting. If there is no game clock, the home plate
umpire has the official time.
2.08 Speed up rule -- A courtesy runner is mandatory for catchers with two outs. Courtesy runners are
optional with less than two outs. The courtesy runner must be a substitute or the last recorded out
if roster batting. A courtesy runner is allowed for the pitcher and catcher of record from the last
defensive inning only.
2.09 Safety Rule: A runner has four options to avoid collisions. 1) Go back 2) Go around 3) Give up or
4) Slide legally. If contact is made due to a failure to follow these options, runner is out. If in the
umpire’s opinion the contact was malicious the player is out and will be ejected. The only
exception to this contact rule is incidental contact. IF THE UMPIRE FEELS THAT THE PLAYER COULD
HAVE AVOIDED CONTACT, HE WILL BE CALLED OUT. This is for the protection of all players.
2.10 All players must stay in the dugout when not playing defense, on deck, batting or base running.
They can’t be standing in the door of the dugout.
2.11 Metal cleats will not be allowed in any division.
2.12 Teams must be ready for play no later than 15 minutes before their scheduled game time. If games
are running behind, teams must be ready to take the field ready for play 5 minutes’ after
completion of the previous game. Make sure both teams for next game have line-ups turned in to
score keeper and opposing team. The home team is the official book for all games and MUST KEEP
THE OFFICIAL LEAGUE SCOREBOOK - The umpire is the official clock.
2.13 The only person or persons that will be allowed to address the umpire will be the head
coach/asst. coach that was in attendance at the initial plate meeting.
2.14 Absolutely no bikes, scooters, skates, rollerblades, skateboards, alcohol, tobacco products etc.
are allowed in or around the complex. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT PER CITY
ORDINANCE THERE CAN BE NO ALCOHOL AT A YOUTH EVENT AND THIS INCLUDES THE
PARKING LOT AREA. WE WILL ALSO BE CHECKING CUPS TO TRY AND PREVENT PEOPLE
BRINGING ALCOHOL INTO COMPLEX. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE AND
IT’S FOR THE ENTIRE EVENT.
2.15 The home team is responsible for posting the score for their game to the league website.
2.16 Cups will be worn by any player who is playing the catcher position for ages 5-13. The league
strongly suggests any player playing the infield in ages 7-13 wear a cup.
Rule 3.00 -- Age groups
Knee High 3-4 division
Coach Pitch 5-6 and 7-8 divisions
Player Pitch 9-10 and 11-13 divisions
Rule 4.00 -- Playing Field Dimensions and Pitching Distances
4.01 Base Distance
Knee High, 5-6, and 7-8 divisions Bases – 60 ft.
9-10 division Bases – 65 ft.
11-13 division Bases – 75 ft.
4.02 Pitching Distance
Coach pitch 42’ from the front edge of pitcher’s rubber to the rear point of home plate
9-10 division 46’ from the front edge of pitcher’s rubber to the rear point of home plate
11-13 division 52’ from the front edge of pitcher’s rubber to the rear point of home plate
4.03 Fair Ball Arc: 20’ from home plate drawn from 1st baseline to 3rd baseline. Ball must cross this line
to be a fair ball. This will apply to Knee High and coach pitch divisions only.
4.04 Safety Arc: 30’ from home plate drawn from 1st baseline to 3rd baseline. All infielders must stay
behind this line before the ball is hit. This will apply to Knee High and coach pitch divisions only.
4.05 Temporary fences will be set at 200' on ALL fields at the foul lines.
Rule 5.00 -- Game time, innings, and run rules
Knee High 50 min. or 5 innings
5-6 division 60 min. or 6 innings
7-8 division 75 min. or 6 innings
9-10 and 11-13 divisions 90 min. or 6 innings
Game time starts when the plate meeting concludes. The defensive team should be on the
field and ready to play.
No new inning will start once time has expired. If the home team is behind they get their last
at bat.
The game will end when time expires IF ONE TEAM IS MATHEMATICALLY ELIMINATED DUE
TO THE 5 RUN PER INNING RULE; ie, home team more than 5 runs behind when time expires.
Regular season games may end in a tie. Refer immediately below for run rules.
Run rules
In the 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 divisions, there is ONLY a five (5) run maximum per inning rule.
In the 11-13 division, the following run rules will apply:
20 after 1 inning
15 after 2 innings
12 after 3 innings
10 after 4 innings
8 after 5 innings
Rule 6.00 -- 3-4 Knee High Rules
6.01 Fair Ball Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd)
baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball must go past this line to be fair.
6.02 Safety Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in
front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit. There will be no
crowding of the safety arc.
6.03 Pitching Plate: The pitching plate shall be located at forty-two (42) feet from the front edge of the
pitching plate to the back point of home plate.
6.04 Ball: The ball shall measure not less than eight-one quarter (8 1/4) nor more than eight -one half (8
1/2) inches in circumference.
6.05 All players in the lineup will bat. Players must be in their respective positions (No crowding the
safety arc). A batter will swing until he hits the ball in fair territory. All outfielders shall stay behind
the baseline and shall not assume an infield position.
6.06 The defensive player listed as pitcher shall stay in contact with the pitchers’ plate until the ball is
hit. Rule 6.06 Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the
option of taking the result of the play or no-pitch. Rule 6.06 Additional Penalty: First Offense:
Warning; Second Offense: Removal of player from the pitching position for the remainder of the
game.
6.06A If the pitcher fields the ball he must make a baseball play in order to get the out at any
base (i.e. a throw to first baseman, or tagging the runner if fielded near the first base line). At no
time is the pitcher allowed to chase down a runner or run to a base to record an out. The pitcher
may cover a bag for a throw from an infielder to that bag.
6.07 Coaches and parents will be allowed on the field of play during their defensive turn.
6.08 The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time.
6.09 The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster (no minimum number of
players required to play the game) at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at
the bottom of the batting order. All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of
the batting order.
6.10 Teams may use free substitution on defense but the batting order shall remain the same.
6.11 Bunting shall not be allowed.
6.12 There is no limit to the number of swings a batter can take.
6.13 Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit.
6.14 Ball is considered dead on overthrows. Runners cannot advance.
6.15 Once a defensive infielder has control of the ball and is not attempting to make a baseball play,
the play is considered dead. The infielder does not have to be in the infield (i.e., an infielder acting
as a cut off man).
6.16 A team may score a maximum of five (5) runs per inning, including the last inning or record three
(3) outs.
6.17 Knee High will not have umpires. Coaches will monitor the game. Score will not be kept.
6.18 During the first half of the season, all teams WILL BE REQUIRED to hit from a tee. At any time during the second half of the season, the coach of each team will have the option to convert to soft toss coach pitch as the team skills improve, or a team may continue to hit from a tee for the entire season if they choose. PLEASE SEE "CLARIFY KNEE HIGH BATTING RULES" IN THE RULES SECTION OF THE WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Rule 7.00 – Coach Pitch Specific Rules
7.01 Fair Ball Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd)
baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball must go past this line to be a fair ball.
7.02 Safety Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline
in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit.
7.03 Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the front edge at forty-two (42)
feet from the rear point of home plate.
7.04 Pitcher’s Line: There shall be a line drawn from the pitcher’s circle to the safety arc.
7.04.A The pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher’s line. The Coach can pitch
anywhere in-between the 30’ Safety Arc and the 42’ Pitching Circle.
7.04.B The pitching coach shall not verbally or physically coach while in the pitching position
7.04.C The pitching coach shall position himself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on
any possible play once the ball has been hit. Rule 7.04.C Penalty: If a coach violates this rule
after the ball is pitched, obstruction shall be called. Rule 7.04.C Additional Penalty: If a coach
violates this rule before the ball is pitched, First Offense: Warning; Second Offense: Removal
of coach as the pitcher for the remainder of the game.
7.05 Pitching Coach: The Pitching Coach shall be an adult at least eighteen (18) years of age.
7.06 If the player pitcher fields the ball he must make a baseball play to first base (throw to first
baseman, or tagging the runner if in close proximity to said runner). Pitcher may not run down the
base runner or try to out run him to the bag or run to a base to record an out. PENALTY: IF THE PITCHER
DOES RUN TO THE PLAYER OR BASE, THE UMPIRE WILL CALL THE RUNNER SAFE. The pitcher may cover
a bag for a throw from an infielder to that bag.
7.07 Players in the field
7.07A In the 5-6 division all players may be on the field during the defensive half of inning. Only 4
infielders plus your pitcher and catcher may be in the infield all the other players must be on
the grass in the outfield.
7.07B In the 7-8 division only ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field with four (4)
outfielders. The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not assume an infield position. All outfielders shall
stay behind the grass line.
7.08 All infielders must play their positions and must not crowd the 30’ safety arc until the ball is hit.
7.09The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit. Rule
7.09 Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of
taking the result of the play or no-pitch. Rule 7.09 Additional Penalty: First Offense: Warning;
Second Offense: Removal of player from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
7.10 Defensive coaches shall not be allowed on the field of play and shall coach from the dugout. Base
coaches are allowed by the Offensive Team.
7.11 The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time.
7.12 The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster at the beginning of the
game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. All players on the roster
shall bat before returning to the top of the batting order.
7.12A Teams may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) position in the batting order
shall be declared an out each turn at bat (NOT SUBJECT TO WAIVER BY AGREEMENT OF THE HEAD
COACHES). Approved ruling: All subsequent arriving players may be added to the bottom of the
batting line-up as soon as they become available. As soon as a ninth (9th) batter becomes
available, the automatic out in the ninth (9th) batting position is removed for the remainder of the
game.
7.13 Teams may use free substitution on defense but the batting order shall remain the same.
7.14 Bunting shall not be allowed.
7.15 Number of pitches: (ALL PITCHES MUST BE THROWN WITH AN OVERHAND MOTION)
7.15 A In 5-6 age group batter gets 6 pitches no matter how many swings he takes. If he fouls off the
sixth pitch he continues to bat until he puts the ball in play or swings and misses.
7.15 B In 7-8 age group batter gets 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes, whichever comes first. If he fouls off the
sixth pitch or the third swing, he continues to bat until he puts the ball in play or swings and misses.
7.16 There will be no on deck batters. All players must remain in the dugout until time for them to bat.
7.17 There will be NO intentional walks allowed in coach pitch.
7.18 Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit
or reaches home plate. Runners may take only one base on the initial overthrow (at their own risk).
7.19 A courtesy runner for the catcher of record only the previous inning may be used. The courtesy
runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game,
the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base. If the team batting has not played
defense yet and a courtesy runner is used for a player, the player that was run for must assume the
catching position, the next inning. This scenario only applies in the first inning for the visiting team.
7.20 A team may score a maximum of five (5) runs per inning.
7.21 The game is over, when time expires and the HOME team is mathematically eliminated from
scoring enough runs to win or tie the game.
7.22 Play is dead and time will be called once an infielder has control and possession of the baseball. It
is the umpire’s discretion as to where the runner should be if he is between bases when time is
called.
7.23 When a batted ball hits the Pitching Coach, the following shall apply:
7.23A -- If in the Umpire’s judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact,
the batter is declared out and no runners shall advance.
7.23B -- If in the Umpire’s judgment, the coach did make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact, the
ball becomes dead and a no-pitch is declared.
Rule 8.00 -- Kid Pitch Specific Rules
8.01 Nine (9) defensive players shall play in the field
8.02 Balk rules shall apply only in 11-13 age group.
8.03 The dropped / missed third (3rd) strike by the catcher rule shall apply.
8.04 Kid pitch will play with:
9-10 - Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the
ball is hit or reaches home plate.
11-13 - Open bases and runners may advance (steal) at their own risk.
8.05 Anytime a new pitcher comes into the game, they must be announced to the home plate umpire.
No pitcher can reenter the game as the pitcher once they leave the position. The defensive team
may correct this rule infraction at any time by substituting a legal player in the pitcher’s position
without penalty. If an illegal pitcher is permitted to pitch, any pitch or play that result is legal. The
rule violation should be caught by the umpire or the offensive team and immediately corrected. If
the violating pitcher has legal innings remaining, the violation is deemed an improper substitution
and is corrected without penalty.
8.06 Between innings: Five warm-up pitches will be allowed. A new pitcher shall have a maximum of
eight warm-up pitches. If an injury to a pitcher results in a pitching change the new pitcher shall
have a maximum of five minutes to warm up.
8.07 Pitching limits -- A player may pitch up to five innings on one day but will not be allowed to pitch in
the next two days. These five innings may be in any combination of a double header, if the pitcher
does not pitch in more than three innings total in one day. If they pitch three innings plus one
batter, they are ineligible for the following day. For all cumulative totals, one out equals 1/3 inning.
8.08 Pitcher visits by Manager -- Leagues and tournaments shall adopt the following rules pertaining to
the visit of the manager or a coach to the pitcher. This rule limits the number of visits a manager
or a coach can make to any pitcher in one inning; a second visit to the same pitcher in the same
inning will cause the pitcher’s removal from the pitching position; the manager or a coach is
prohibited from making a second visit to the mound while the same batter is at bat, but if a pinch
hitter is substituted for this batter; the manager or coach may make a second visit to the mound
but must remove the pitcher. A manager or a coach is considered to have completed his mound
visit when he leaves the 18’ circle around the pitching rubber.
8.09 All on deck batters must take their position behind the batter at the plate.
8.10 No two piece helmets allowed in any age division
8.11 Absolutely no slash bunting allowed. If a player slash bunts, he will be called out and the 3rd base
coach will be ejected.
8.12 You have three options for your lineup. (1) You can bat the entire roster with free defensive substitutions.
(2) Bat 10 with the 10th hole as an extra hitter. The EH (extra hitter) is a positional player with free
defensive substitutions. (3) you can choose to bat 9, but must follow official rules regarding substitutions.
You must announce your choice at the plate meeting. No defensive player can sit on the bench two
consecutive innings. If you are batting your roster and a player leaves the game due to injury, that
spot is the lineup will be skipped with no out given unless the lineup drops below 9 players.
8.12A Teams may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) position in the batting order
shall be declared an out each turn at bat (NOT SUBJECT TO WAIVER BY AGREEMENT OF THE
HEAD COACHES). Approved ruling: All subsequent arriving players may be added to the type of
batting line-up chosen prior to the start of the game, as soon as they become available. As soon as
a ninth (9th) batter becomes available, the automatic out in the ninth (9th) batting position is removed
for the remainder of the game.
8.13 - Picking up players
No kid pitch team will be allowed to pick up players from other league teams unless they are PERMANENTLY
down to seven (7) players. If this is the case, here is the rule for picking up a player for league play. (1) The
head coach must notify the League Administrator or an on-duty board member of the situation.
(2) The player must be from the same team classification and age division as your team. (3) They
must play the outfield only and bat last in the lineup. If these steps are not followed, the head coach
will be suspended for two games. No outs will be taken if a team has at least 9 players, even if the
ninth player is a borrowed player.
Rule 9.00 – Tournament play
9.01 Tiebreakers used for seeding teams for tournament play will be as follows:
1. Head to head record during regular season league games.
2. LEAST runs allowed head to head during regular season league games.
3. LEAST runs allowed during all regular season league games.
4. Coin toss.
9.02 Format
9.02A Knee High will not have a season ending tournament.
9.02B All other ages will have tournaments. TEAMS MUST ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TOURNAMENT IN WRITING, IN ADVANCE,
BY A SPECIFIED DATE. MATCHUPS AND SCHEDULING ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE USED FOR NCAA DIVISION 2 PROCEDURES.
9.02C Details for each season's tournament format will be posted under the "Tournament Information" tab on the website.
9.03 All games must have a winner. Regular season time limits will apply. If game is tied at the expiration of time, tournament speed up rules will begin applying at the top of the next inning, as follows: The player who made the last out in the previous inning starts the new inning on 2nd base.
9.04 Individual awards will be presented to the champion team and runner up team in the championship game.
9.05 In all tournament games, higher seeded team is the Home team.
9.06 It is imperative the HOME TEAM in each tournament game maintain the league's scorebook. Check
those out at the concession stand. IMMEDIATELY AT THE END OF EACH GAME. BOTH HEAD
COACHES SHOULD GO TO THE CONCESSION STAND TOGETHER WITH THE LEAGUE
SCOREBOOK to report the score to the board member on duty that day.
