SAC RIVER LEAGUE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL RULES 2026
THE PURPOSE OF THIS LEAGUE IS TO TEACH THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BASEBALL AND
SOFTBALL. WE AS COACHES, PARENTS, AND FANS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO OUR
KID’S, TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS PROGRAM. EVERYONE
INVOLVED SHOULD MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO TEACH AND PROMOTE GOOD
SPORTSMANSHIP. REMEMBER, WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING. POOR SPORTSMANSHIP
WILL NOT BE TOLERATED; THIS INCLUDES COACHES, PLAYERS, AND FANS. COACHES
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR PLAYERS ANDFANS, AND WILL BE
HELD ACCOUNTABLE. ANY COACH WHO BREAKS THE RULES,OR ACTS IN AN
UNSPORTSMANLIKE MANNER WILL BE SUSPENDED BY THE LEAGUE.
GENERAL RULES
1. Birthday cutoff date is May 1. Teams will be split by year just finished in school
5 and 6 years old, Pre K -K No older than 7…………Little Coaches Pitch
7 and 8 years old 1st & 2nd grade No older than 9…………Big Coaches Pitch
9 and 10 years old 3rd & 4th grade No older than 11………..Pee Wee League
11 and 12 years old 5th & 6th grade No older than 13………Little League
13 - 15 years old………Jr. Boys / Jr. Girls
2. Boys are to play baseball, Girls are to play softball. Except Coaches Pitch.
3. Rosters with the names and birthday of each team member must be sent to the
league commissioner 15 days before the first season game. Coaches’ names and
telephone numbers must be included on each roster.
4. Any player not on a league roster by May 27th shall not be eligible to play in
any game after May 27th.
5. Towns with more than 1 team in a division must divide teams by ages and skill
level as evenly as possible. Coach pitch must divide teams by ages, gender and skill level as evenly as possible
6. All players will play in their own age group, or may move up to the next level.
Exceptions to this rule will be dealt with on a per player basis at the Sac River
League meeting before the season starts.
7. If a team is short on players, a younger (roster) player (of the same sport) may
play on that team, but can only move up 1 level. This will not be allowed to happen every game. If a team becomes that short of players, a younger player, should be moved up permanently for the remainder of the season. LCP may move up a tee ball player.
8. If a team has to have a younger player play, the coach has to inform the other
team before the game starts.
9. No younger player will play in place of a roster player, unless that team is short
the proper number of roster players. At any time the team ends up with the
proper amount of roster players, the younger player must leave the game. No
exceptions, Offenders of this rule will forfeit the game.
10. All baseball and softball leagues must start the game with at least 8 players.
Late arrivals may enter the game only at the top of an inning. The vacant spot in
the batting order can be anywhere in the order and is an automatic out when that
place in the order comes to bat. (Except Coaches Pitch see LCP rule #10 & BCP
rule #8).
11. If a game is rained out, the home team shall propose 2 make-up dates
(excluding Sundays), Holidays or dates which other games are already scheduled)
to be played within 2 weeks of the original scheduled date. If the visiting teams
cannot play on either of these dates, they shall forfeit.
12. If a game starts and you can’t play the number of inns to be a complete game,
the game will start over. 4 innings or 50% of the time limit will constitute a complete game. Revert back to the last completed inning for the winner of the game. In the event of lighting the game will be delayed for 30 minutes after the last sign of lighting (6 miles) Per MSHSAA guidelines.
13. No smoking or alcohol by players, coaches, or umpires is allowed on or close
the field.
14. No In-Field fly rule in coach pitch.
15. Eligible roster players must play in at least 5 of the regular season games to be
eligible to play tournament games.
16. PWG, LLG and JR Girls Pitcher, 1st Baseman, and 3rd Baseman will be required
to wear a protective face mask. Penalty for not wearing the face mask will be 1
out in the teams next at bat.
GENERAL GAME RULES
1. Only players, coaches, and umpires are allowed on the field unless authorized.
This includes benches.
2. Every eligible player in uniform at game time will participate in the game for a
minimum of 3 consecutive defensive outs and 1 full at bat (4 balls, 3 strikes, base
hit or putout). Offenders of this rule will forfeit. No exceptions! Remember this is
for the kids! (Exception: See Coaches Pitch General Rule # 15).
3. All players must wear a number on the back of their jersey.
4. All players must wear helmets at bat, on the bases, or in the coaching boxes.
Any batter entering the batter’s box without a helmet shall be called out.
5. All catchers must be fully protected by helmet, mask, chest protector, shin
guards, and throat protector. Except Coaches Pitch, Coaches Pitch need only wear
a helmet, mask, and throat protector. (This includes batting helmets with
protective masks.)
6. Game time begins after first batter steps in the batters box: forfeit time is 10 minutes after
game time.
7. The last out of an inning constitutes the beginning of the next inning.
8. 1 pitch constitutes an inning.
9. There will be no balks. (Exception: LL boys and Jr. Boys)
10. A pitcher may have only 3 warm-up pitches after the first inning.
11. There will only be pre-game infield warm-up in JRB if time allows. No longer than 7 minutes.
12. Home town must supply at least 2 new balls per game.
13. A player may not block any base without possession of the ball.
14. Slide Rule: A runner will only be required to slide to avoid contact with a
defensive player if: 1. A defensive player has possession of the ball at the base, or;
2. A defensive player is directly attempting to field a ball at the base. 3. If a runner
is called out for not sliding, it is a dead ball and any other runners should return to
their previous base. THIS IS AN UMPIRES JUDGMENT CALL!!
15. At discretion of the umpire, one warning per team will be given for a thrown bat. The next offense will be a called out.
LINE UPS/SUBSTITUTIONS
Teams are allowed to bat their line up or bat a 9 player line up. You must let the opposing team, scorekeeper, and umpires know what line up you will be using.
Line up options
Batting your roster: All batters will remain in the same order in the batting line up. You will not have to report defensive positions.
9 batter line up: Your line up will consist of 9 batters. Starter and sub can interchange during the game more than once, but must stay in the same position in the line up. This has to be reported at the top of the inning or before the start of the half inning. Substitutions cannot be in the middle of the inning. Exception: injury.
PROTESTS
Protests should be filed only as a last resort. We recommend settling the dispute
at the game site. If as a coach, you know the umpire has made a rulebook call
wrong, and the other coach brings it the umpire and wants to protest you should
be big enough to change the call, as to avoid a protest. There is a 15-minute limit
on settling any disputes. In the event of a protest, a $25.00 deposit will be given
to the umpire at the time of the protest. The time and spot in the game should be
noted in both teams’ scorebooks. As soon as the game finished, the umpire and
both coaches will write out a statement as to what took place to cause the
protest. The umpire will then give the deposit and the statements to the
hometown representative. The town representatives of the 2 towns will try to
resolve the issue. If the matter cannot be resolved, it will then be presented to
the league rules interrupter and, or the league Commissioner for a ruling. If the
protest is lost, the deposit will be forfeited to the league. If the protest is upheld,
the game will be replayed from the point of the protest. Remember, you cannot
protest a judgment call by an umpire. Only rule applications. There will be no
refunds on any illegal protests. Protests will not be heard if they do not follow the
above guidelines.
COACHES PITCH GENERAL RULES
1. Teams shall be divided by age, gender, and skill level as evenly as possible.
2. There will be a 6-pitch limit. The batter must hit the 6th pitch, or it is a
strikeout, the batter cannot strikeout on a foul ball. A batter can only strikeout
swinging at 3 strikes, and cannot walk.
3. Hash marks will be located at the 30-foot mark between bases (except between
home and first). Hash mark between 3rd and home for BCP will be 10’ from home
plate. A runner must pass the mark before play is called dead, in order to
advance to next base. If not past the mark they must go back. Note: If a runner is
not past the hash mark before play is called dead, and the runner is forced to
move to the next base by another runner they are not called out, unless it is the
last batter. See LCP rule #4 BCP rule #9.
4. A runner cannot be tagged out if they are past the hash mark between third
and home. Force outs still apply.
5. All runners must be in contact with the base until the ball is hit and may not
steal.
6. The fielding pitcher must be in contact with the pitching rubber, until the ball is
hit.
7. Pitching rubber will be at 40 feet.
8. If a batted ball makes contact with the pitching coach, play will become dead.
The batter will not be charged with a pitch and all runners must return to their
original base.
9. The pitching coach must stand to the side as not to interfere with the defensive
pitcher’s view, But not more than 3 feet to either side of the pitching rubber and
can be any distance from home plate.
10. The pitching coach must move to foul territory as soon as the ball has been
hit, and not interfere with the play. At the umpires judgement if a coach interferes with the play, the batter will be called out.
11. There will be NO BUNTING.12. The lead runner has to past the hash mark to be able to advance.
13. An inning is over when: 1. The last batter strikes out or flies out. 2. A force out
occurs at any base 3. Play is called dead when the ball enters the arc (LCP) or the
defense team touches the pitching rubber (BCP). 4. Any runner is tagged out.
Note: Runners will score according to standard baseball rules, no runs score in any
force out situation, runners who have passed the hash mark will score in a tag
out, or dead ball situation. When last batter is up in Coach pitch it is a 2 out situation.
14. Players are to play their positions. Out fielders must play behind the baseline.
15. Every eligible player in uniform at game time will participate in the game for a
minimum of 2 innings. Except teams that have 16 or more eligible players.
16. Teams fielding 10 fielders will play with 4 out fielders. (Coach pitch only)
LITTLE COACHES PITCH
1. Teams shall be made up of 5 and 6 year olds. Any town with 2 or more teams
must divide the 6 year olds evenly.
2. Each field must have a 10-foot arc in front of home plate.
3. Any batted ball must travel out of the 10-foot arc and into fair territory to be in
play. If the ball is a fair ball but not out of the arc, it is a dead ball and does not
count as a pitch.
4. A runner must pass the hash mark before the ball passes into the 10-foot arc in
order to get to the next base. If the ball passes into the arc first, the ball is dead
and the runner goes back. If the bases are loaded and the third base runner does
not pass the hash mark, before play is called dead, it is a force out at home.
5. All games will use the RB#5 ball.
6. BATS MUST BE LITTLE LEAGUE APPROVED (2 ¼”) Bats can be t-ball bats.
7. A Defense Coach may stand out somewhere in center field to help the fielders.
The things the Coach can and can’t do: A) Has to stand still, can’t run around the
field. B) Has to stay behind the fielders. C) Can’t delay the next pitch. D) If the ball
hits the coach, it is a dead ball, and the runners advance 1 base. E) Can’t yell so
loud that it interferes with the base runners. F) If the coach does not follow this guide lines the umpire will remove the coach from the field and that team cannot
have a defense coach for the rest of the game.
8. When the fielder fields and throws to first to get the out if there is an
overthrow all runners can advance only 1 base at their own risk (meaning the
runner can still be thrown out). If it is the last batter of the inning, then this rule
will not apply. (This rule is to encourage coaches to teach their players to throw to
first.) Overthrow rule only applies in LCP and only at 1st base.
9.Three innings constitutes a complete game or a 1-hour time limit. If there is no
winner after 3 innings, it is a tie. (Except tournament play, where extra innings will
be played until a winner is decided.)
10. Teams will Bat and field the number of players they have up to 10 batters per inning. Less than 8 players
is a forfeit.
11. Lineups may be different in each inning, providing each player in the lineup
plays defensively and bats in that inning. Lineups for all 3 innings must be given to
the opposing team’s scorekeeper prior to the game.
12. Every eligible player in uniform at game time will participate in the game for a
minimum of 2 innings. Except teams that have 16 or more eligible players.
BIG COACHES PITCH
1. Teams shall be made up of 7 and 8 year olds. Any town with 2 or more teams
must divide the ages, gender and skill level evenly as possible.
2. Play will be dead when a defensive player has control of the ball and is in
contact with the pitching rubber with the intent to stop play.
3. There will be NO CIRCLE in the middle of the field.
4. All games will use normal baseballs.
5. BATS CAN BE ANY SIZE
6. A half inning will be over when the fielding team makes 3 outs or 10 batters
have batted. Game will be over after 6 innings or 1 hour time limit. 10th batter of
the half inning will act the same as 2 outs.
7. Every eligible player in uniform at game time will participate in the game for a
minimum of 2 innings. Except teams that have 16 or more eligible players.
8. There will be 1 line-up for the entire game. Example: If you have 12 players and
in the first inning the 5th player in your line up is the 3rd out, when you start the
top of the 2nd inning your 6th batter becomes the lead off in that inning and your
3rd batter in your line-up will become your 10th batter if the defensive team does
not get 3 outs.
9. Hash mark between 3rd and home will be 10’ from home plate.
10. Coaches will pitch from at least 20’ away.
PEEWEE
1. Bases are 60 feet apart.
2. Pitching rubber 43 feet for baseball. 35 feet for softball. Baseball will use
pitching mound.
3. 11-inch softball will be used.
4. Runners may steal 1 base per pitch after the ball crosses the plate. Runners
may not steal home.
5. If after 6 innings or 1:30 the game is tied, game ends in a tie. 4 innings or 45 minutes
constitute a complete game.
6. 6 RUN LIMIT PER INNING. ONCE A TEAM SCORES 6 RUNS IN THERE HALF
INNING THAT HALF INNING IS OVER NO MATTER HOW MANY OUTS HAVE BEEN
MADE.
7. In case of rain 4 innings or if 50% of time has expired, will constitute a complete game.
8. The infield fly rule will be used.
9. Batters cannot advance on a dropped third strike.
10. A pitcher may pitch only 3 innings per game.
11. Runners may not leave base before the pitch crosses home plate. Any runner
leaving to soon will be called out and play is dead.
12. Any baseball or softball bat may be used.13. Softball will use the 16’ circle. (Look back rule. When the defense player has
control of the ball inside the 16’ circle a runner who rounds a base may stop but
then must immediately proceed to the next base or return to the previous base.
Runners may not antagonize the pitcher)
14. Both PWB & PWG will use modified pitching rule: When batter gets to a count of 4-0, 4-1 or 4-2 the batters coach will come to the pitching mound and will pitch the remainder of the batters count. When the coach enters the game with a 4-2 count he/she will receive a minimum of 2 pitches. If the batter swings at the first pitch with no contact made it will be a strike out and a 2nd pitch WILL NOT be awarded, If the first pitch is not swung at (bad Pitch) the batter will receive a second pitch. PWG coach must pitch from the pitching rubber PWB coach will pitch from in front of pitching mound. Player pitcher will start even with the rubber and can move forward with the pitch. All pitches from the coach will be called strikes swinging or non-swinging. There will be no base stealing when the batting teams coach is pitching. The batter can be called out on a foul tip into the catcher’s mitt. A foul ball that is not caught will not count as one of the coaches 3 pitches on the 3rd strike. After the pitch the pitching coach must make an effort get out of the way of the play. If no effort is made the pitch will be a no pitch. If the pitching coach is hit by a pitch, it is a dead ball and no Pitch. There will be no bunting off the coach pitching.
15. Run rule: 15 runs after 3 innings or 10 runs after 4 innings.
16. Softball: Batters will be required to have a facemask on their batting helmets.
LITTLE LEAGUE BOYS
1. Bases will be 70 feet apart.
2. Pitching rubber will be 50 feet.
3. WILL PLAY H.S. RULES
4. Games will be 6 innings, or 1 hour 40 minutes time limit. If a game ends in a tie
at the end of time or innings game ends in tie
5. Run rule: 15 runs after 3 innings and 10 runs after 4 innings.
6. In case of rain 4 innings will constitute a complete game.
7. A pitcher may pitch only 3 innings per game. (See General Game Rule 9A)
8. Any baseball or softball bat may be used.
9. Will use portable pitching mounds.10. 6 RUN LIMIT PER INNING. ONCE A TEAM SCORES 6 RUNS IN THEIR HALF
INNING, THAT HALF INNING IS OVER NO MATTER HOW MANY OUTS HAVE BEEN
MADE.
LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS
1. Bases will be 60 feet apart.
2. Pitching rubber will be 40 feet.
3. Softballs will be 12” balls.
4. Runners may steal on a pitched ball, when the ball is released from the
pitcher’s hand.
5. Games will be 6 innings, or 1 hour 40 minutes time limit. If a game ends in a tie
at the end of time or innings game ends in tie.
6. Run rule: 15 runs after 3 innings and 10 runs after 4 innings.
7. In case of rain 4 innings will constitute a complete game.
8. A pitcher may pitch only 3 innings per game. (See General Game Rule 9A)
9. 6 RUN LIMIT PER INNING. ONCE A TEAM SCORES 6 RUNS IN THEIR HALF
INNING, THAT HALF INNING IS OVER NO MATTER HOW MANY OUTS HAVE BEEN
MADE.
10. Softball will use the 16’ circle. (Look back rule. When the defense player has
control of the ball inside the 16’ circle a runner who rounds a base may stop but
then must immediately proceed to the next base or return to the previous base.
Runners may not antagonize the pitcher)
11. Batters will be required to have a facemask on their batting helmets.
JR. LEAGUE GIRLS
1. Games will be 6 innings, or a 1 hour 40-minute time limit.
2. Bases will be 60 feet apart.
3. Pitching rubber will be 43 feet.4. Softballs will be official high school balls.
5. Pitchers may pitch no more than 6 innings in any 2 consecutive games. 1 pitch
constitutes on inning. Use of an ineligible pitcher constitutes a forfeit.
6. Coaches must have a score book that will show how many innings both teams
pitcher has pitched each game.
7. Run rule: 15 runs after 3 innings and 10 runs after 4 innings.
8. Runners may steal on a pitched ball, when the ball is released from the
pitcher’s hand.
9. Softball will use the 16’ circle. (Look back rule. When the defense player has
control of the ball inside the 16’ circle a runner who rounds a base may stop but
then must immediately proceed to the next base or return to the previous base.
Runners may not antagonize the pitcher)
10. Batters will be required to have a facemask on their batting helmets.
JR. LEAGUE BOYS
1. Games will be 7 innings or a 2-hour time limit.
2. Bases will be 90 feet apart.
3. Pitching rubber will be 60 feet 6 inches. 4. The –3 weigh ratio bat rule is not in
effect. Players can use any BASEBALL bat.
5. Pitchers may pitch no more than 7 innings in any 2 consecutive games. 1 pitch
constitutes on inning. Use of an ineligible pitcher constitutes a forfeit.
6. Coaches must have a score book that will show how many innings both teams
pitcher has pitched each game.
7. Run rule: 15 runs after 3 innings and 10 runs after 5 innings.
TOURNAMENT RULES
1. Championship games will have no time limit.
2. The better-seeded team in any game will be the home team.
3. The host town must have an official score book and adult scorekeeper for all
games. The host town will supply at least 2 new balls per game.
4. There shall be a tournament bracket at the field that shows times and places of
all the games. If the tournament in being held in 2 different towns, the telephone
numbers of both tournament directors should be on the bracket.
5. At the end of each night’s play, the 2 tournament directors will give the results
of the night’s play to each other.
6. The tournament directors’ have the right to make changes to the tournaments
schedule as they see fit.
7. A town may not host the same tournament 2 years in a row.
8. Any major time or field changes has to approved by the league commissioner.
9. There will be no 6 run rule for Pee Wee or Little League in the
tournament.
EDIT:2/18/26