Conroe Area Youth Baseball Local League Override Rules

4u Division

1. Duration: Each game should last approximately 1 hour, but not longer than 1 hour and fifteen minutes (1:15).

   1. Teams are encouraged to practice a short amount of time before starting the game.

2. Innings: Aim to complete 2-3 innings within the allotted time.

3. Coaches should be placed at each base and home plate. 

4. All players on a team will bat in a continuous order.

5. Each player will have one at bat per inning (bat the entire roster each inning)

6. Players will hit the ball off a tee.

7. After each hit, the batter and all base runners will advance one base.

   1. Runners should be taught and encouraged to run through first base.

8. The last batter in the order will hit and clear the bases, allowing all runners to score.

9. On defense, rotate fielding positions each inning/batter to ensure all players experience different roles.

   1. Fielders should be taught and encouraged to throw the ball to first base.

Conroe Area Youth Baseball Local League Override Rules

6u Division

League play will be governed by the Major League Rules along with Five Tool rules (Sections H and I) with the following exceptions:

1. The game shall last one hour and fifteen minutes (1:15) or five (5) innings, whichever comes first. When time expires, the inning may be completed if the outcome could change to a win or a tie. If the home team is mathematically eliminated and time has not expired, they will still get their last at bat. A NEW INNING WILL NOT START WITH LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO PLAY.

2. A reduced injury factor (RIF) baseball shall be used for the entire season. 

3. Base paths shall be fifty-five feet (55’).

4. The player fielding the pitcher’s position must wear a league approved helmet with a face mask at all times. The player must start parallel or behind the players pitching rubber.They must start, until the pitch is hit, with at least one foot in the pitching mound area.  

5. Off the tee, 50% of the ball must be hit by the bat for it to be considered a fair ball if it rolls over the fair ball arc (For example, if a batter strikes the tee and the ball rolls forward, it is not considered a fair ball).

6. The offense will roster bat in a continuous order. 

7. The manager must declare at the time of an injured player’s at bat, if they will continue and take an out, or if they will be completely removed from the game. Their decision must be declared to the umpire, official scorekeeper, and the opposing manager.

8. Each player must play at least one inning (three consecutive defensive outs) at an infield position in each game and play on defense at least every other inning in each game. Catcher, pitcher, first base, second base, shortstop, and third base are considered infield positions for the purpose of this rule. If a game lasts less than three (3) defensive innings, there will be no penalty assessed against the coach or team. Any player absent from or arriving late to any game will not be subject to this rule for that game only. 

PENALTY: 

• First Offense - Manager and assistant coaches will be warned and may be placed on probation with the League. Affected player(s) must play two (2) innings at an infield position in the next game played. 

• Second Offense - Team may, at the CAYB Board’s discretion, forfeit the game in which the offense occurred. The manager and assistant coaches may, at the CAYB Board's discretion, be subject to disciplinary action, including removal as manager or assistant coach of the team. 

9. All batters must wear a helmet with an approved face mask. 

10. A batting helmet with a facemask must be worn while playing the catcher's position. The catcher may stand at the back stop while fielding this position. If the player assumes the full catcher's position, all equipment, which includes a cup, must be worn. 

11. Two (2) coaches will be allowed in the outfield defensively to verbally assist the players. If a coach intentionally, at the umpire’s discretion, touches a defensive player or the ball while the ball is in play, this will be considered a four (4) base error. If an outfield coach enters the infield during a play, this will be considered a four (4) base error.

12. Base coaches are not allowed to touch a base runner or enter fair territory while the ball is in play at any time. 

PENALTY: The runner touched is out, in the case a coach enters fair territory the lead runner is out. 

13. Head first slides are not allowed. A player sliding head first shall be called out. The only exception is when a player is returning back to their previously occupied base.

14. Outfielders must throw the ball into the infield to make a play. In the event that an outfielder runs the ball into an infielder, the ball is declared dead and all runners are awarded one base. 

15. Overthrows to first base are considered a live ball until the batter reaches second base or if time is called by the umpire prior to the batter reaching second base. No additional bases are awarded once the batter reaches second base.

16. A fair batted ball hitting a coach pitcher is declared a foul ball if the umpire rules that the coach pitcher’s contact with the ball was unintentional. If, in the umpire’s judgment, a coach pitcher intentionally makes contact with a batted ball, or if the coach pitcher catches the ball, the batter is out, and no runner can advance.

17. Coach pitchers can quickly verbally redirect batters before the pitch is thrown, but cannot delay the game.

18. Time is called when an infielder has possession of the ball in the infield with baserunners not currently advancing or a defensive play being made. Time can also be called when the player pitcher possesses the ball inside of the mound area.

19. For thrown bats, each team will receive one warning per game. After the warning, any subsequent thrown bat by that team will result in the batter being called out.

20. All practice swings must take place outside of the batter’s box. If a player takes a practice swing inside of the batters box, the following penalties will occur in order: 1-Warning, 2-Strike called, 3-Batter is out.

21. There are no game protests in 6U.

Conroe Area Youth Baseball Local League Override Rules

8u Division

League play will be governed by the Major League Rules along with Five Tool rules (Section F) with the following exceptions:

1. The game shall last one hour and fifteen minutes (1:15) or six (6) innings, whichever comes first. When time expires, the inning may be completed if the outcome could change to a win or a tie. If the home team is mathematically eliminated and time has not expired, they will still get their last at bat. A NEW INNING WILL NOT START WITH LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO PLAY.

2. A regulation baseball, provided by CAYB, will be used for the game. No bat marketed for/stating T-Ball will be allowed. 

3. The player fielding the pitcher's position shall wear a helmet (a helmet with a facemask is recommended) at all times and start from right or left and parallel or behind the pitching rubber. They must start, until the pitch is hit, with one foot in the pitching mound area.

4. The intent of CAYB is to develop young players in the correct way to play baseball and all players should be encouraged to throw the ball to make an out or end a play. 

5. The offense will roster bat in a continuous order. 

6. The manager must declare at the time of an injured player’s at bat, if they will continue and take an out, or if they will be completely removed from the game. Their decision must be declared to the umpire, official scorekeeper, and the opposing manager.

7. Each player must play every other inning on defense in each game. If a game lasts less than three (3) defensive innings, there will be no penalty assessed against the coach or team. Any player absent from or arriving late to any game will not be subject to his rule for that game only.

8. Two (2) coaches will be allowed in the outfield defensively to verbally assist the players. If a coach intentionally, at the umpire’s discretion, touches a defensive player or the ball while the ball is in play, this will be considered a four (4) base error. 

9. Base coaches are not allowed to touch a base runner or enter fair territory while the ball is in play at any time. 

PENALTY: The runner touched is out, in the case a coach enters fair territory the lead runner is out. 

10. Head first slides are not allowed. A player sliding head first shall be called out. The only exception is when a player is returning back to their previously occupied base.

11.  For thrown bats, each team will receive one warning per game. After the warning, any subsequent thrown bat by that team will result in the batter being called out.

12. All practice swings must take place outside of the batter’s box. If a player takes a practice swing inside of the batters box, the following penalties will occur in order: 1-Warning, 2-Strike called, 3-Batter is out.

Conroe Area Youth Baseball Local League Override Rules

10u Division

League play will be governed by the the Major League Rules along with Five Tool rules with the following exceptions:

1. The game shall last one hour and thirty minutes (1:30) or six (6) innings. When time expires, the inning may be completed if the outcome could change to a win or a tie. If the home team is mathematically eliminated and time has not expired, they will still get their last at bat. A NEW INNING WILL NOT START WITH LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO PLAY.

2. A regulation baseball, provided by CAYB, will be used for the game. No bat marketed for/stating T-Ball will be allowed. 

3. Ten (10) players with four (4) in the outfield will play on defense. Infielders must remain on the dirt portion of the infield and pitchers in their position until the ball is hit. Outfielders must remain in the grass part of the outfield. The intent of CAYB is to develop young players in the correct way to play baseball and all players should be encouraged to throw the ball to make an out or end a play. 

4. The offense will roster bat in a continuous order. 

5. The manager must declare at the time of an injured player’s at bat, if they will continue and take an out, or if they will be completely removed from the game. Their decision must be declared to the umpire, official scorekeeper, and the opposing manager.

6. Each player must play every other inning on defense in each game. If a game lasts less than three (3) defensive innings, there will be no penalty assessed against the coach or the team. Any player absent from or arriving late to any game will not be subject to this rule for that game only. 

7. Head first slides are not allowed. A player sliding head first shall be called out. The only exception is when a player is returning back to their previously occupied base.

8. Lead offs and steals are governed by section J of the Five Tool Rulebook.

9.  Pitchers will receive 2 warnings for balks in each game. On the third balk, the runners will be awarded one base.

10. Pitchers are governed by the pitching regulations put in place by Five Tool. Note: Players playing up a division are to be held to the pitching restrictions of their age, not the age of the division.

11. Pitch counts are kept in the official book and each coach must sign off on the scorebook to validate their pitchers pitch count. If a coach does not sign the book then the count in the book becomes official.

12. For thrown bats, each team will receive one warning per game. After the warning, any subsequent thrown bat by that team will result in the batter being called out.

13. All practice swings must take place outside of the batter’s box. If a player takes a practice swing inside of the batters box, the following penalties will occur in order: 1-Warning, 2-Strike called, 3-Batter is out.

Conroe Area Youth Baseball Local League Override Rules

12u & 15u Division

League play will be governed by the the Major League Rules along with Five Tool rules with the following exceptions:

1. The game shall last one hour and thirty minutes (1:30) or seven (6) innings. There can be ties.

2. A regulation baseball, provided by CAYB, will be used for the game. No bat marketed for/stating T-Ball will be allowed. 

3. Ten (10) players with four (4) in the outfield will play on defense (if the team has 12 or more players only).

4. The offense will roster bat in a continuous order. 

5. The manager must declare at the time of an injured player’s at bat, if they will continue and take an out, or if they will be completely removed from the game. Their decision must be declared to the umpire, official scorekeeper, and the opposing manager.

6. Each player must play every other inning on defense in each game. If a game lasts less than three (3) defensive innings, there will be no penalty assessed against the coach or the team. Any player absent from or arriving late to any game will not be subject to this rule for that game only. 

7. Head first slides are not allowed. A player sliding head first shall be called out. The only exception is when a player is returning back to their previously occupied base. 

8.  Pitchers are governed by the pitching regulations put in place by Five Tool. Note: Players playing up a division are to be held to the pitching restrictions of their age, not the age of the division.

9. Pitch counts are kept in the official book and each coach must sign off on the scorebook to validate their pitchers pitch count. If a coach does not sign the book then the count in the book becomes official.

10. Pitchers will be given one warning, per pitcher, then balks will be enforced. 

11. For thrown bats, each team will receive one warning per game. After the warning, any subsequent thrown bat by that team will result in the batter being called out.

12. All practice swings must take place outside of the batter’s box. If a player takes a practice swing inside of the batters box, the following penalties will occur in order: 1-Warning, 2-Strike called, 3-Batter is out.