Baseball

Overview

Junior Reserve (4th grade)

• Recreational divisions
• 46’ pitching distance, 60’ bases.
• Continuous batting order and everyone plays 3 innings defensively (see below).
• Pitching limits: 4 innings/day, 6 innings/4 days, no re-entry, no baulks, no breaking balls.
• No leadoffs and limited base stealing; (when pitched ball passes batter, only 1 base at a time, no steal of home).
• 10 players in field.
• 9 run per inning limit (except last inning).
• No dropped 3^rd strike.
• Infield fly rule in effect.
• 1 umpire.
• No season ending tournament.

Reserve (5th grade)

• Recreational divisions.
• 46’ pitching distance, 60’ bases.
• Continuous batting order and everyone plays 3 innings defensively (see below).
• Pitching limits: 4 innings/day, 6 innings/4 days, no re-entry, no baulks, no breaking balls.
• No leadoffs and stealing permitted of all bases only after ball passes the batter.
• 9 players in field, 10 if both coaches agree.
• No dropped 3^rd strike.
• Infield fly rule in effect.
• 1 umpire.
• Season ending tournament.

Senior Reserve (6th grade)

• Recreational divisions.
• 50’ pitching distance, 70’ bases.
• Continuous batting order and everyone plays 3 innings defensively (see below).
• Pitching limits: 4 innings/day, 6 innings/4 days, no re-entry, no breaking balls.
• Leadoffs and stealing permitted; Balk rule in effect.
• Dropped 3^rd strike in effect.
• Infield fly rule in effect.
• 2 umpires.
• Season ending tournament.

Junior Varsity (7th grade)

• Competitive divisions.
• 54’ pitching distance, 80’ bases.
• 9-person batting order with 1 re-entry.
• Pitching limits: 7 innings/day, 10 innings/4 days, no breaking balls, no knuckleballs.
• DH optional.
• All players must participate in the game.
• Leadoffs and stealing are permitted.
• 2 umpires.
• Season ending tournament.

Varsity (8th grade)

• Same rules as JV.

All Grades

• 6 innings games, official after 4.
• No time limit.
• Mercy rule: 15 after 4, 10 after 5.

Registration fees cover the cost for Diocesan fees, umpire fees, field maintenance, uniforms and equipment.

Tryouts

There are no tryouts at any grade level.

Minimum Playing Time (per player)

4th thru 6th grades
Every player should bat at least once (all teams bat the lineup) and play in the field at least 3 innings.  Coaches will do their best to provide different positions (infield/outfield) for all players.  The above guidelines are assuming full 6 inning games are played and no more than 13 players per team; otherwise more than 13 players and/or less than 6 innings should have 2 innings minimum in the field and still bat at least once.

7th and 8th grade
With specific substitution and re-entry rules in place, players should play 2 innings minimum in the field and bat at least once.

Extenuating circumstances apply for injuries.

Games

The season consists of a  10 game regular season (2 games/week) with a single elimination tournament for grades 5-8. All games will be at various schools in the diocese.

Practices

Practices in early March are typically held in the St. Paul Gym. St Paul baseball fields are used once the spring weather permits.

Equipment

St. Paul will supply uniforms (jersey, pants, belt, socks and hat) and equipment (batting helmets, bats and balls).  Jerseys, pants and belts are to be returned at the end of the season. Players to provide glove and non-metal cleats.

Bat Restrictions

Jr Reserve – USA stamped or Wood, no BBCOR.  Max 33” and 2 5/8” barrel
Reserve - USA stamped or Wood, no BBCOR.  Max 33” and 2 5-/8” barrel
Sr Reserve - USA stamped or Wood, no BBCOR.  Max 33” and 2 5/8” barrel
JV and Varsity – BBCOR, USA stamped, or Wood, no size restrictions

Concessions

Not applicable.