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9U League

2024 9U League Schedule

League Director:

Karrie Jackson

Rules:

  1. Play time is 1 hour & 10 minutes.
  2. Neither team is allowed to score more than 6 runs per inning.
  3. Run rule 12 after 3, 10 after 4, and 8 after 5.
  4. Wearing jewelry is prohibited, including in the hair. Any earring that cannot be removed must be taped over or band-aid covered.
  5. Teams can play with either 9 or 10 players on the field and bat up to 11 players. The 11th player would be listed on the line-up as an EP (extra player). The EP can be switched with a player on the field without having to make a substitution or change the line-up. A 12th player must be substituted in/out of the game with the umpire and scorekeeper.
  6. No infield fly rule.
  7. The third strike rule does NOT apply.
  8. The pitching mound will be 35 feet from home plate.
  9. ALL play (runners advancing) stops when the pitcher is in control of the ball & inside the pitcher’s circle. Runners cannot advance on an overthrow to the pitcher.
  10. A base runner may advance only one base on an overthrow to a base. (see scenarios)
  11. There is no stealing of any base on a pitched ball.
  12. If a batter gets hit by a pitch, it will be the batters choice to advance to first base or continue the at bat and count the pitch as a ball, as long as the ball did not cross the strike zone or batter did not swing at the pitch. The batter DOES NOT have to attempt to move out of the way of the pitch.  
  13. Team Managers are responsible for the following:
    • All players and coaches conduct during a game.
    • Getting their lineup to the scorekeeper 15 minutes before game time.
    • If home team, assigning a parent to keep the official scorebook.
    • If visitor, assigning a parent to operate the scoreboard.
    • Making sure dugouts are cleaned out after each game.
    • Making sure all parents are aware of the rules and that the umpire’s decision is final in a judgment call. All parents are to be aware that arguing with the officials could result in expulsion from the park.
  14. Sportsmanship – all players, coaches, and parents/fans will be expected to behave in a sportsman-like manner at all times. Teaching kid’s sportsmanship is a big part of our youth program, not just winning games. No abusive language is allowed in or around the complex.
  15. No smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed in or around the complex.
  16. Hash marks will be chalked on the field halfway between bases to determine which base a runner will be awarded while running once pitcher has control of ball in the pitcher’s circle. (runner not to a hash mark will be sent back to previous base)

Base runner/overthrow scenario 1:
There is a runner on 1st base and the batter hits the ball to the pitcher, the pitcher throws the ball to 1st base and is overthrown, the batter advances to second base only and the runner that was on 1st base can advance to 3rd. In the same case if the pitcher fields the ball and throws the ball to second and overthrows the base, then the runner that was on 1st heading for 2nd base gets only 3rd base and the batter can only advance to 2nd base.

Base runner/overthrow scenario 2:
The batter hits the ball to right field all the way to fence the runner/runners can advance to home and score on live-ball action. In the same case, the batter hits the ball to right field and batter runs to 1st and then toward 2nd base and the right fielder throws the ball to 2nd base and overthrows it; the batter can advance to 3rd base only.

Base runner/overthrow scenario 3 (hash marks on field):
The batter hits the ball to center field and CF picks up the ball and throws to the pitcher (who is in the circle) and batter has started to head to 2nd base. If the pitcher has control of the ball and runner has not reached the hash mark, then batter has to go back to 1st base. If no control of ball, batter advances on to 2nd base.

Pitching Rules:

The pitching distance is 35 feet from home plate. (distance is measured from the front edge of pitcher’s plate to apex of home plate.)

Player/Coach pitch rule: The pitcher is allowed to pitch a total of 4 pitches to a batter. The coach will enter the game and finish up the count to the batter based on strikes pitched. For example:

  • If the pitcher pitches 4 straight balls, the coach will be allowed to pitch 3 pitches to the batter to finish the count.
  • If the pitcher delivers a count of 1 strike and 3 balls, the coach will pitch 2 pitches to finish the count for the batter.
  • If the pitcher pitches for a count of 2 strikes and 2 balls, the coach will be allowed to pitch 1 pitch to the batter to finish the count.

Regardless of the count, the coach comes in to pitch after 4 pitched balls from the pitcher; unless the batter has struck out within the first 4 pitches thrown by the pitcher (can be struck out in only 3 pitches.) 

All pitches thrown by the coach are called as a strike regardless of the location.

The coach must pitch from the pitching rubber.

A batter cannot advance to 1st base if hit by the pitch from the coach, it is simply called a strike and applies to the count.

The “coach” pitcher does not have to be the manager or the coach of the team. A parent is allowed to pitch to the players, but must fill out a volunteer form and be approved by the Board.

USSSA rules apply unless otherwise noted.