• 3/14/2023

• 1.1.1. There are no standings.
• 1.1.2. There is an all-star game.
• 1.1.3. Participation awards are given to each player.
• 1.1.4. A single-game elimination playoff follows the regular season.

• 1.2.1. Base Paths
  • 1.2.1.1. Sixty (60) feet with chalked foul lines.
  • 1.2.1.2. Bases are to be setup by the “home” team, and the “away” team shall put the bases away.
• 1.2.2. Pitching Mound
  • 1.2.2.1. The pitching rubber is forty (40) feet from home plate.
• 1.2.3. Batter’s Box
  • 1.2.3.1. A batter’s box is optional. If used it needs to conform to the standards in the NFHS rulebook.
• 1.2.4. Outfield
  • 1.2.4.1. Chalk or paint lines are made at twenty (20) feet behind the baselines to show each outfielder where to stand with each batter.

• 1.3.1. Sixteen (16) regular season game schedule. Twelve (12) minimum, weather permitting.
• 1.3.2. Games are five (5) innings long or two hours, whichever comes first.
  • 1.3.2.1. No inning can start after 1 hour and 45 minutes, and drop dead at 2 hours. Or called because of darkness.
• 1.3.3. An inning is recorded with three outs or when four runs have been scored.
• 1.3.4. An official game is three (3) or more complete innings.
  • 1.3.4.1. There is no Courtesy Rule.
• 1.3.5. There are no balks, infield fly, or dropped third (3rd) strikes.
• 1.3.6. There is a maximum of two (2) defensive coaches on the field positioned behind the infielders.
• 1.3.7. There is no minimum number of players necessary to start/play the game.
  • 1.3.7.1. When necessary, players can used from the other team.
• 1.3.8. Players who arrive after the start of the game must be immediately added to the line-up and placed at the bottom of the batting order.

• 1.4.1. Inning Requirements
  • 1.4.1.1. Managers may elect to rotate players in and out on a free substitution basis.
  • 1.4.1.2. Minimum player playing time must be completed before what would be the normal last inning for the specific league.
• 1.4.2. Player Rotation
  • 1.4.2.1. 10 PLAYERS: 10 play 5 innings
  • 1.4.2.2. 11 PLAYERS: 10 plays 5 innings 1 play 4 innings
  • 1.4.2.3.12 PLAYERS: 2 play 5 innings 10 play 4 innings
  • 1.4.2.4. 13 PLAYERS: 11 play 4 innings 2 play 3 innings
• 1.4.3. A player may not sit out 2 consecutive innings.
• 1.4.4. The courtesy rule or injury could affect playing time.
• 1.4.5. Any player not meeting the playing requirements as outlined above due to an incomplete or shortened game must start in the next scheduled game.

• 1.5.1. There is a maximum of four (4) runs allowed per team per inning for the entire game.

• 1.6.1. The offensive coaches can serve as umpires in Carol Stream.

• 1.7.1. No balls are called. There are no walks.
• 1.7.2. Strikes can only be called on a swing or by the defensive coach who is positioned behind the catcher. Batter is called out after three (3) swinging strikes. If a batter reaches three strikes without swinging at all pitches offensive coach comes out to throw one additional pitch to batter.
• 1.7.3. There is no bunting.
• 1.7.4. The batter must take a full swing or be required to bat again.
• 1.7.5. Any ball hit off a pitcher is playable anywhere in fair territory.
• 1.7.6. If a ball pitched hits a batter, the batter can take his/her base or continue batting.
  • 1.7.6.1. If the batter is injured and cannot complete the at-bat, the next player bats.
• 1.7.7. Player pitch first followed by coach pitch.
• 1.7.8. If the batter has not hit the ball in fair territory after three (3) pitches from a player pitcher, a coach from the team at bat throws a maximum of four (4) pitches.
  • 1.7.8.1. If the batter does not hit the coach’s last pitch, he is called out.
  • 1.7.8.2. If the batter fouls off the coach’s fourth (4th) pitch, and any subsequent pitches, he continues to be pitched to until he misses or hits the ball in fair territory.
• 1.7.9. A batted ball hitting the coach pitcher is called a “dead ball” and the batter bats again.

• 1.8.1. The play ends, and runners may not advance any bases when the ball reaches the infield, inside the baseline during a defensive play. Until the ball reaches the inside of the baseline, the player can advance to other bases. Any ball thrown past an infielder is a dead ball, and no runner may advance. Runners not more than halfway to the next base are returned to the preceding base.

• 1.9.1. When the pitcher or catcher for the next inning is on base and there are two outs, the manager must substitute a base runner with the player who made the last out.

• 1.10.1. There is no stealing.

• 1.11.1. All players play an equal amount of time.
• 1.11.2. All teams play a maximum of ten (10) players in the field.
  • 1.11.2.1. 4 players are allowed in the outfield (Left, Left Center, Right Center, and Right)
• 1.11.3. Outfielders must play at equal depth at least twenty (20) feet behind the baselines.
• 1.11.4. Managers must position their infielders out of the base path.
• 1.11.5. All players must play their own position. They may only “backup” other positions.
• 1.11.6. Outfielders must throw to a base; they may not run to the base to make a force-out unless no one is covering the base.
• 1.11.7. If the ball is hit directly to the pitcher, a play must be attempted on the batter and/or the base runners.
• 1.11.8. All players must play a minimum of two (2) innings in the infield per game and one (1) in the outfield.
  • 1.11.8.1. Catcher is considered an infield position.
• 1.11.9. A player must not play more than two (2) innings in a row at the same position in any game.
• 1.11.10. When a manager deems any position unsafe for a particular player, he must document the reason and advise the Carol Stream Park District athletic staff, the league coordinator, and the parents/guardian before taking any action.

• 1.12.1. Pitchers are allowed to pitch two (2) consecutive innings per game.
• 1.12.2. When a pitcher is pulled, he cannot re-enter the game as a pitcher.
• 1.12.3. Each player pitches a minimum of one inning per year.
• 1.12.4. A coach from the team at bat pitches.
• 1.12.5. During the entire five (5) innings of each game, a player can pitch to the opposing team.
• 1.12.6. The coach is allowed to move closer to home plate when pitching to a player.
  • 1.12.6.1. Coach pitching from a kneeled position is allowed.
• 1.12.7. When the coach pitches, the player pitcher must be within three (3) feet of the pitching rubber.

• 1.13.1. Each pitcher is limited to hitting three (3) batters per game. The pitcher must be pulled and is not allowed to reenter the game as a pitcher.

• 1.14.1. Does not apply at this level.

• The base runner cannot leave the base until the ball crosses home plate.
• Once a runner turns back towards a base, he may not advance to the next base unless the defensive team makes a play on him/her.
• Runners cannot advance on overthrows to the pitcher from the catcher.
• The play ends when the defensive team has control of the ball in the infield, inside the baseline and is making no attempt at a putout.
• When an out is not made on any ball hit or fielded in the infield, the batter is limited to a single. Base runners may not advance more than one base.
• On overthrows in the field of play, runners may attempt, at their risk, to advance only one base.
• On ground balls hit in the infield, runners may attempt, at their risk, to advance only one base.
• On overthrows out of the field of play, runners are awarded two bases from the last base safely touched prior to the ball exiting the field of play; the batter/ runner gets second base.

• Bunting is permitted, Fake bunting is permitted. Fake bunting then swinging (slashing) is not allowed. The batter is called out.
• Throwing bats is not tolerated. First offense: The player is given a warning. Any subsequent offenses: Player is called out.
• No other exceptions to NFHS rules.

Diameter Restriction

• Bat diameter shall be limited to 2 and 3/4 inches.

Weight Restriction

• There is no bat weight restriction.

• The manager/coach is allowed two trips to the mound in one inning or a total of three trips to the mound for the game per pitcher. The pitcher must be pulled on the second trip in one inning and/or the third trip in the game.
• Pitchers who have been visited three times by their manager/coach are not allowed to re-enter the game as a pitcher.

• Every player must play the infield and outfield position by the 4th inning. Except in the instance where the starting pitcher/catcher pitches/catches the maximum allowed innings must sit in the 4th inning and play the outfield in the 5th inning. The pitcher and catcher are considered in an infield position.
• There are no more than 2 catchers allowed per game.
• When a manager deems any position unsafe for a particular player, he must document the reason and advise the Carol Stream Park District athletic staff, the league coordinator, and the parents/guardian before taking any action.

Player Selection

• The rosters for the league below is distributed to the League Coordinators who are then distribute to their managers. Managers are able to contact the players directly or receive input from the manager of their “farm team”.
• 10U teams may substitute by using a player from 8U.

Substitute Players – General

• No players are allowed to play as a Farm Team player if it interferes with their own team’s game (house and/or tournament).
• If a substitute is being used, he remains on the playing roster for that entire game. No substitute may play more defensive innings than a regularly rostered player. Substitutes may play any position except pitcher and must bat last in the batting order.
• If a team needs a substitute and no one is available from the assigned Farm Team, the manager may obtain a player from another Farm Team. The League Coordinator must be notified. Managers/Coaches should contact the League Coordinator for a list of available players from non-designated Farm Teams.
• Any violation of any of the above-stated rules results in the game being forfeited.
• Playoffs
  • Substitutes are allowed. The number of substitutes used is dependent on the need for the given game and enough to give the team up to a total of ten players for the game.
  • All substitutes needed in playoffs must be cleared through the League Coordinator.

  Regular Season

  • Substitutes are allowed. The number of substitutes used is dependent on the need for the given game and enough to give the team up to a total of ten players for the game.
  • The manager using a substitute from an assigned farm team may use the same player for consecutive games.

Base Paths

• Sixty (60) feet with chalked foul lines.

Batter’s Box

• A batter’s box is optional. If used it should conform to the standards in the NFHS rulebook.

Pitching Mound

• The pitching rubber is forty-three (43) feet from home plate.

• Eight (8) regular season game schedule. Six (6) minimum, weather permitting. Rainouts are not rescheduled beyond the date of the scheduled start of the post-season.
• Games are six (6) innings long. No inning should start after 1 hour and 45 minutes, and will be drop dead at 2 hours. Or called because of darkness.
• There are no extra innings. Games can end in a tie.
• An official game is four (4) or more complete innings, or if the home team is ahead in the score at the end of three (3) and one half (1/2) innings.
• The game is over if the home team is ahead after five and one half (5 1/2) innings.
• Courtesy Rule – If a team is trailing by 12 or more runs after four innings, or three and a half innings the game is over.
• There are no balks, infield fly, or dropped third (3rd) strikes.
• The minimum number to start the game is eight (8). A catcher must be fielded.
  An automatic out is not be called in the batting order due to a missing or ejected player. In the event a team cannot field 8 players, the game can be played for fun but logged as a forfeit for the team not able to field 8 players.
• Pre-Game Conference – A line-up card must be exchanged. The line-up card must include the batting order with the player’s number and full name. Substitute players must be disclosed to the umpire and opposing manager.
• Players who arrive after the start of the game must be immediately added to the line-up and placed at the bottom of the batting order.

• Each pitcher is limited to hitting a total of two (2) batters an inning or three (3) batters per game. The pitcher must be pulled and is not allowed to reenter the game as a pitcher.

• Pitchers will be allowed to pitch two (2) consecutive innings per game.
• An inning is defined as one pitch.
• Little League Guideline of 50 pitches per day for 10 and under is encouraged.
• When a pitcher is pulled, he cannot re-enter the game as a pitcher.

Championship Game

• The time limit does not apply to the championship game.
• The courtesy rule does not apply to the championship game.
• If the game must be stopped for any reason (darkness, weather) prior to full completion and/or the game is tied and must be stopped, the game is treated as a suspended game and resumed the next day a field is available and any or all Carol Stream Park District tournament team players involved are available.

Games

• The courtesy rule is in effect until the championship game.
  The two-hour game time limit is in effect until the championship game.

Game Times

• Game times are the same as the regular season with the exception of the championship game.

Home & Visitor Team

• The higher seed is the home team, including the championship game.

Playoff Trophies

• Playoff games stopped due to rain or darkness that are not an official game is treated as a suspended game and completed per Carol Stream Park District rules.

Seeding

• Teams are seeded by the won-lost record, best to worst.
• Tie Breaker 2.2 is used to break any ties.

Suspended Game

• Playoff games stopped due to rain or darkness that are not an official game is treated as a suspended game and completed per Carol Stream Park District rules.

• Teams are grouped in one division.

Tie Breakers

• In the event that there are teams tied with the best record at the conclusion of regular season play, the following is used to determine a true division winner: 1st Head to Head result, 2nd Least runs scored against,  3rd Most runs scored

• There is a maximum of five (5) runs allowed per team per inning for the entire game. The exception is in the playoffs the last inning will be unlimited runs.
• Scores and standings are kept. Standings based on win/loss percentage.
• A single-game elimination playoff follows the regular season.
• There are no participation awards.
• The teams that meet in the playoff championship game receive trophies.

• Stealing is allowed.
• Stealing includes runners moving to the next base on passed balls and wild pitches.
• NFHS rules apply, with the following exceptions: There is no stealing of home plate even if a runner on third is played on. The player cannot advance bases until the ball crosses home plate. A runner leaving early is returned to the original base.
• Runners may not advance on an overthrow when stealing.

• Inning Requirements
  • Managers may elect to rotate players in and out on a free substitution basis.
  • A minimum player playing time must be completed before what would be the normal last inning for the specific league.
• Player Rotation:
  • 9 PLAYERS: 9 play 6 innings
  • 10 PLAYERS: 4 play 6 innings, 6 play 5 innings
  • 11 PLAYERS: 10 play 5 innings, 1 plays 4 innings
  • 12 PLAYERS: 6 play 5 innings, 6 play 4 innings
  • 13 PLAYERS: 6 play 4 innings, 7 play 4 innings
• A player may not sit out 2 consecutive innings, and every player must sit once before a player site two innings.
• The courtesy rule or injury could affect playing time.
• Any player not meeting the playing requirements as outlined above due to an incomplete or shortened game must start in the next scheduled game.
• Substitute Base Runner – When the pitcher or catcher for the next inning is on base and there are two outs, the manager must substitute a base runner with the player who made the last out.

• The league provides at least one per game during the regular season and post-season.