Program Cost $115

Spring Registration for Tournament Teams is open till 03/31/2023

Spring Registration for League Teams is open till 05/20/2023

Below you will find a better description. 

League Teams - League Teams will participate in active games that are played in the Seven Rivers Athletic Association lower division.  These games will be played on various nights (1 night or 2 nights) each week.  These games will be played in conjuction with other cities/private clubs that are also members of the league.  This will require some travel during the week nights.  (Registration will start in Early Spring for League Teams)

Tournament Teams - Tournament teams will participate in active games that are played in the Seven Rivers Athletic Association upper division.  These games will be played on various nights (1 night or 2 nights) each week.  These games will be played in conjuction with other cities/private clubs that are also members of the league.  Tournament teams will also play tournaments on weekends.  Tournament teams will require travel on both weeknights and weekends.  There will be extra feee's associated with being on a tournament team.  (Registration will start this fall for Tournament Teams)

Teams will be evaluated on Saturday, October 15th and Sunday October 16th.  More information will follow on times and locations.  

Shelby Ball Age Policies:

• All evaluations will be done on a yearly basis: prior performance does not guarantee placement
on any specific/previous team
• Registration is online by birthdates/age range (If your child is young for their grade level and
wants to play with classmates, please email your specific request to syb@townofshelby.com
with a subject line of “Level of Play”)
• Attendance at evaluations is mandatory
• Final decisions will be made by a committee and determined through several factors

Questions? Contact Shelby Youth Ball.  

LEAGUE INFORMATION

• 2023 league season will run from June 5 through July 27. League games will be scheduled at either 5:30pm, 7:00pm or 8:30pm throughout the summer.
• All 9U & 10U – 1 league game scheduled every Monday & Wednesday

BASEBALL LEAGUE RULES

FIELD DEMINSIONS

UMPIRES

• 8U: One umpire per game – will call the game from behind the pitcher’s mound
• 9U & 10U: Two umpires recommended – one behind the plate and one out in the field(if only one is available they will call the game from behind the pitcher’s mound)
• 11U – 14U: Two umpires – one behind the plate and one out in the field

GAME LENGTH & TIME LIMITS

• Games consist of 6 innings, except 14U Upper which will play 7 innings
• 85 minute time limit – new inning can’t be started after 80 minutes have expired(determined by last out made in the previous inning)
• Mercy Rule: 10 run rule after 4 innings & 15 run rule after 3 innings
• 5:30pm games will be suspended at 7:00pm (final score from last full inning played)
• 7:00pm games will be suspended at 8:30pm (final score from last full inning played)

BATTING ORDER & DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTIONS

• 8U-10U teams will bat their full roster & play with 4 outfielders
• 11U-14U teams are encouraged to bat their full roster, but may choose not to
• Free substitution is allowed when batting full roster
• 11U-14U: E/H rule is optional if not batting their full roster. E/H rule allows 10 players in the batting lineup, free substitution on defense with 10 players in the batting lineup

STEALING

• 8U: No stealing allowed / Runners may advance bases while ball is in the outfield & will stop advancement once ball returns to the infield / No advancing on overthrows to the pitcher or 1st baseman
• All 9U & 10U: Stealing allowed after one strike is reached & the ball crosses the plate / Runners will be called out for leaving early & the pitch will not count / No delayed steal
• All 9U & 10U: No advancing on overthrows to the pitcher / Runner may only steal one base at a time unless a play is made on them / Runners at 3rd base can only score if walked in, batted in or a play is made on them
• 11U/12U Lower: Stealing allowed once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand / Runner will be called out for leaving early & the pitch will not count
• 12U Upper, 13U & 14U: Leading off & stealing allowed
• ALL AGES: Runners can’t steal or advance a base unless batted or walked around ifteam is up by 10 or more runs (runners will be called out if rule is violated)

RUN & WALK LIMIT RULES (8U only)

• No score will be kept, so no run rule is in effect
• Teams will bat their full roster each inning
• MAXIMIZE GAME PACE – Full bucket of balls should be on the field by the pitcher/empty bucket by the back stop (any balls not caught by catcher should be placed in empty bucket)
• NO WALKS: once the batter reaches ball 3, the following will occur:
  • Batting team coach will come in to pitch the remainder of the at bat
  • Coach must pitch from the mound
  • Hit by Pitch: Batter can take 1st base or have coach pitch to them with a new count
• NO STRIKEOUTS: Once a batter reaches 3 strikes, they will hit off a tee

RUN & WALK LIMIT RULES (9U & 10U)

• 6 RUN LIMIT: only 6 runs can be scored per inning for first 3 innings of play
• WALK LIMIT: after 3 walks per inning (not consecutive), the following will occur:
  • Batter reaches ball 3, hitting teams coach will come into pitch
  • Strike count continues until the batter strikes out or puts the ball in play
  • Coach must pitch from the mound & no bunting if coaches are pitching
  • Defensive team can choose to not utilize this rule
  • Hit by pitch is not counted towards the walk total

PITCHERS

                                                  Recommended Days of Rest

BUNTING

• Bunting is allowed for all age levels except 8U
• Slash bunting (fake bunt & then swing) is not allowed / Slash bunts will result in an out & ejection

DROPPED 3RD STRIKE

• Only in play for 11U-14U

INFIELD FLY RULE

• Only in effect for 11U-14U

COURTESY RUNNERS

• Courtesy runner may be used at anytime for the pitcher or catcher
• Courtesy runner must be used for the catcher with 2 outs
• Courtesy runner can be a player not in the game or player that made the last out

BALKS

• Balks will be called for all 12U-14U (pitcher’s will receive 1 balk warning per game)

DEFENSIVE & OFFENSIVE CONFERENCES

• 3 defensive conferences allowed per game (after 3, a change must be made each time
• 1 offensive conference allowed per inning

SAFETY

• Helmet must be worn by an offensive player while on the playing field
• Players are not allowed to be base coaches
• Catcher’s must have a face mask with throat protector
• Bat boys must have helmets
• Jewelry is not allowed
• Blood/Bleeding: Players must leave the game until it is stopped & uniform is clean

SPIKES

• Metal spikes are only allowed in 13U & 14U

BAT INFORMATION

• Officially stamped USSSA & USA Bats are allowed
• 8U – Max diameter 2 ¾ inches, unlimited length & unlimited weight differential
• 9U-11U – Max diameter 2 ¾ inches, unlimited length & unlimited weight differential
• 12U – Max diameter 2 ¾ inches, max length 36 inches & max weight differential (-10)
• 13U – Max diameter 2 ¾ inches, max length 36 inches & max weight differential (-8)
• 14U – Max diameter 2 ¾ inches, max length 36 inches & max weight differential (-5)
• Other approved bats include: BBCOR & wood