CKAA Majors TBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS
ADOPTED Spring 2022
1. Playing Field
a. Distance between bases is 60ft.
b. Foul arc is 15ft. from home plate.
c. Pitchers stay behind a 40ft. line from the plate
d. Go back lines are marked at 40ft. between 1st and 2nd.
e. Coaches pitch from 30ft. line.
2. Age Requirements
a. Must not have reached the age of 7 prior to April 30 of the current year.
3. Play of the Game
a. A regulation game will be whichever occurs first:
i. Six (6) innings or 2-hour maximum - 1 hour 20 minute time limit (finish inning once started) Note: The time limit is determined on the final out at the bottom of the inning. Mercy rule is determined by - 15 runs after 3, 10 run lead after 4 innings - 7 runs per inning max
ii. Games will not normally end in a tie. Every effort will be made to complete the game. Extra innings will be played until a clear winner is determined. At the discretion of both coaches and the umpire, a game may be stopped in a tie status due to the length of a game on a week night, or near the end of the season; where the outcome will not affect the standings.
b. The game is played with 10 defensive positions. For both the spring and fall seasons, a player cannot sit out a second time (unless disciplinary reasons/injured/sick) until all players have sat out at least one time per six (6) inning game. No player shall sit two consecutive innings **Violation of this rule will result in a warning, 2nd occurrence will result in Head Coach suspension.** Coaches will inform the scorekeeper of their sits during the game of play. A team cannot field a game with less than eight players. If nine play, there must be a catcher. If eight play, a coach can play catcher.
c. A batter hitting out of order will be an out, when the ball is put into play by the pitcher and an appeal is made. All base runners will return to the base occupied prior to the out of order batter coming up.
d. Batting (Pitched Ball)
i. An offensive coach will pitch the ball overhand from a line 30ft. from home plate.
ii. The coach must have one foot on or behind the line. After the ball is hit, the offensive coach must stay out of the way on his/her way off the field. If the ball hits the coach off the bat, the play is dead and the batter is awarded first base. If an offensive coach intentionally touches the ball in an effort to obstruct the play, the batter will be called out and all base runners will return to the previous base occupied prior to the interference.
iii. Throwing a bat may result in the batter being called out at the umpire’s discretion. The head umpire will issue one player warning to the head coach. 2nd time will result in an out.
iv. No intentional bunting allowed. No swinging bunting allowed. Team warning will be issued and 2nd time will result in an out.
v. Three-strike rule will be in effect. The first two strikes will be pitched overhand. After two strikes, the player can elect to use the tee or pitch. Once the batter chooses, he/she cannot change. If the batter chooses to take a pitch on 3rd strike, regular baseball rules apply.
vi. If the batter does not swing at three consecutive pitches, a strike will be called.
vii. A foul ball caught by the catcher must be over the batter’s head to be an out, except when batter has two strikes.
e. Batting (Tee)
i. The batter may not swing at the ball until the coach signals “play ball”. Play ball must be said loud enough for the defensive players to hear. If the batter hits the ball before the coach calls “play ball”, then the play is dead and you will replay the attempt.
ii. The batter has two attempts to put the ball into play from the tee in his natural stance. NO touching the players to direct ball path. One warning and 2nd time will result in an out. The batter will be called out when hitting off the tee if:
1. A swing and miss occur two times
2. The ball does not travel past the 15ft. arc on second attempt
3. The ball is hit foul on the second attempt
f. Pitcher Rules
i. Pitcher can field the ball and run to tag home plate.
ii. Pitcher fields the ball making a baseball move towards 1st base foul line, may run and tag the runner going to 1st base. Player must clearly be moving towards the baseline to make this play. Pitcher cannot chase runner down 1st base line.
iii. Pitcher must throw the ball to 1st base to make a play at 1st.
iv. D. Pitcher fields the ball making a baseball move towards 3rd base foul line, may run and tag 3rd base, or the runner. Player must clearly be moving towards 3rd baseline to make this play.
v. E. Pitcher can NEVER run and tag 2nd base, except when a fly ball is caught they may tag any base.
g. Positioned Players
i. A. Defensive players are only allowed one base to run down players. Example: 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, or 3rd to home plate. (no “circus” acts!)
ii. Freezing Runners
1. A. Freezing the lead runners, the player must be in the baseline, face the lead runner with both hands raised.
2. Both feet must be past the go back line to be awarded the next base. Example lead runner is frozen at 3rd base. If the runner between 1st and 2nd hasn’t clearly passed the go back line they will return to 1st.
3. If runners are not advancing, the umpire will, in a loud voice, call “time.”
h. Defensive Players
i. A. Infield players may retrieve the ball in the outfield that has not gone beyond the halfway point. Balls beyond the halfway point must be retrieved and thrown in from the outfield player.
ii. Outfielders can come in from the outfield grass to make a play at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base for an out. Outfielders cannot make a play at home plate, unless they throw the ball home. Outfielders cannot run to home plate and make a play. Outfielders must start in the grass and field the ball in the grass before they can make a play in the infield. Outfielders can field the ball in the outfield and come into the infield to freeze a runner. Outfielder must field the ball in the outfield to make an out/play at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Example: Outfielder fields a ground ball in the outfield and runs in the clay to make an out at 2nd base. Result will be an out.
iii. Example: Outfielder steps into the infield and fields the ball in the clay and tags 2nd base. No out occurs. Result will be runner is safe.
iv. Umpire Disputes
1. Head coach is the only person to communicate with umpire during a disputed call based ON A RULE.
“Judgement Calls” – Foul/Fair, Out/Safe, Strike/Ball – cannot be appealed.
Note: assistant coaches are confined to coaching their players.
2. Reference CKAA rules.