MARA Babe Ruth Baseball (Ages 13-19)

MARA is proud to offer competitive baseball through programs for ages 13-19, participating in the 14U, 16U, and 18U Divisions of Babe Ruth Baseball.  Parents and players continually seek out programs at this age level, and MARA is committed to offering a robust playing environment.

UNION COUNTY 2023 LOCAL RULES
Unless specified below, the 2023 Babe Ruth Rule Book applies

A.       Time Limits

• 2-hour-15-minute time limit; 7 innings per game (may play 5-inning double headers).
• No new inning may start after 2 hours and 15 minutes; must finish the inning unless home team is ahead.
• Nine players minimum to start a game.

B.       Pitching

• All pitchers must adhere to the following pitch count rest requirements before pitching in another game:

• Calendar days of rest must be consecutive and do not begin until the following day of the last pitch thrown. Pitchers are cleared to pitch again the day after the last calendar day of rest.

• Pitches delivered in games that are suspended due to darkness, weather, or stopped before becoming official shall be charged against the pitcher’s eligibility. In a game so suspended and resumed the following calendar day, the pitcher at the time the game was halted may continue to the extent of his or her eligibility.

• The pitcher must be removed when he or she reaches the pitch count limit for his or her age group, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position. If a pitcher reaches the maximum number of pitches allowed while facing a batter, he or she may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base, the batter is put out, or the third out is made to complete the half-inning.

• An intentional base on balls may be given by the defensive team by having its catcher or coach request the umpire to award the batter first base. This may be done before pitching to the batter or on any ball and strike count. The ball shall be declared dead before making the award, and the batter will be awarded the base without further pitches thrown.

C.       Mercy Rule

• 15 runs after 4 complete innings or 3-1/2 if home team is leading by 15 or more.
• 10 runs after 5 complete innings or 4-1/2 if home team is leading by 10 or more.

D.      Bat Rules

• 14U: USA Bat marking or BBCOR .50; 2-5/8” barrel
• 16U & 18U: BBCOR .50; 2-5/8” barrel
• Solid one-piece wood bats are permitted for use in all divisions.

E.       Batting

• There are three batting options, one of which must be selected before the game starts; the game must end the way in which it was started:

• Bat 9 – regular substitution rules for bench players; starter must re-enter in same spot in the lineup;
• Bat 9 + Extra Player (EP) – regular substitution rules for bench players; starter must re-enter in same spot in the lineup; the EP is considered a starter, and if a team starts with an EP, it must finish with an EP; or
• Roster bat with free substitution; may not change original batting order.

• All starting players may be removed and re-enter the game once but must re-enter in their original positions in the batting order. When a starter re-enters, the player in the starter’s batting position in the batting order must be removed from the game and is ineligible for the remainder of the game; non-starters are not allowed to re-enter once removed from the game.
• No slash bunting is allowed.

Designated Hitter Rules (18U only)

• An 18U team may elect to use the designated hitter option for the pitcher only.
• An 18U team may use both the EP and the designated hitter in a game. If one or both start the game, the team must finish the game in accordance with the EP and designated hitter rules.
• The hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in a game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A designated hitter for the pitcher must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards.
• The designated hitter named in the starting lineup must bat at least one time unless the opposing team changes pitchers. It is not mandatory that a team designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a designated hitter for that game.
• Pinch hitters for a designated hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter for a designated hitter becomes the designated hitter.
• A runner may be substituted for the designated hitter. In such case, the runner will assume the role of designated hitter. A designated hitter may not pinch run or be used as a courtesy runner.
• A designated hitter is locked in the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made, which would have the effect of altering the batting rotation of the designated hitter.
• Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position, this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game.
• Once the game pitcher bats for the designated hitter, this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game; the game pitcher may only pinch hit for the designated hitter.
• Once a designated hitter assumes a defensive position, this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game. A substitute for the designated hitter need not be announced until it is the designated hitter’s turn to bat.

F.        Courtesy Runner

14U & 16U Rules

At any time, the team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the catcher of record. The courtesy runner should not be in the batting lineup unless a team has only 9 players in attendance. In that case, the courtesy runner must be the player who made the last out. In the event the offensive team bats around, the pitcher and/or catcher who had a courtesy runner inserted on his or her behalf may bat in his or her normal position in the batting order.

18U Rules

• At any time, the team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the catcher. In the event the offensive team bats around, the pitcher and/or catcher who had a courtesy runner inserted on his or her behalf may bat in his or her normal position in the batting order.

• Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave the game under such circumstances.

• The same individual runner may not be used for both positions (pitcher and catcher) during the game.

• Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are not eligible to serve as courtesy runners.

• A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning. If an injury, illness, or ejection occurs and no other runners are available, the courtesy runner may be used as a substitute.

G.      Game Balls: Each team is responsible for supplying 2 new baseballs per game.

H.       Borrowing Players: For associations that have multiple teams, players can be shared amongst these teams; however, a player may only pitch for the permanent roster on which he or she appears. Associations that do not have multiple teams may borrow from their younger divisions with the same rule applying for pitching.

Updated March 2023