All current Federal High School Baseball Rules shall apply. Noted below are exceptions or iterations of the National Federation of State High School Baseball Associations:

GENERAL

1. The 8&9 Grade Baseball League is for 8 and 9 graders.
2. One responsible, adult coach must be on the bench during the whole game.  Only adult coaches can be bases coaches as well.  8th and 9th Grade League coaches are to be adults that are college age or above, no player peers are considered team coaches. An adult coach is defined as a coach that:
   1. Is responsible for and in control of the players conduct.
   2. Abides by the league rules and ensures that the players abide by the 8th and 9th Grade League rules.
   3. Presents a good example for the players.
3. A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not commit any un-sportsman-like act to include, but not limited to:
   1. Fake a tag without the ball.
   2. Deliberately throw a bat, helmet, etc.
   3. Initiate malicious contact.
   4. Call “Time” or use any command or commit any act for the purpose of causing a balk.
   5. Leave their position or bench area for the purpose of fighting or physical confrontation.
4. Disputes are will be decided by the League Commissioners and, if there is commissioner split decision the League Coordinator will break the tie.
5. Other
   1. Home team’s score book is official.
   2. Home team sits on the third bases side, regardless of signs posted on the field that may signify otherwise.
   3. When reporting the game score both coaches are to do so to the League Commissioner.
6. Player Participation:
   1. Each player must play in the field a minimum of 3 innings per six innings or a seven inning complete game.  No player can sit more than 2 innings without everyone sitting at least 1 inning.  Additionally, no player can sit 4 innings without everyone sitting at least 2 innings.  For extra inning games, each player is to play a minimum of one half of the innings in the field for even numbered innings. The intent of this rule is to assure, that to whatever extent possible, innings played over the season should be distributed equally among all players.
7. Continuous Batting
   1.  All players on the team must be assigned a position in the batting order.  Batting is be continuous through all players in the batting order, regardless of whether or not they played a defensive position in the field that inning.  Late arrivals are to be placed at the end of the batting order as it is at the start of the game. When a player needs to leave early, the coach needs to inform the opposing coach and umpire when this is to happen. No out is to be recorded at the place in the batting order where the player has vacated. Once a player is out of the game, he is no longer an eligible player.
8. Free Substitutions
   1. Players may be freely substituted throughout the game subject to the restrictions listed in the section covering pitchers, except in the case of injury or a pitching change, defensive players may not be replaced during an inning
9. Injured Player
   1. A player who is injured during the course of the game must either take his normal turn at bat and fulfill his equal time obligation in the field or be declared injured, “not able to compete,” and be taken out for the remainder of the game. An injury must be declared right after the occurrence to the umpire and the opposing coach, but the decision to declare, “not able to compete,” need not be decided until any subsequent turn at bat or his turn in the field, whichever comes first. When a player is removed from the line-up, due to an injury, it is not necessary to take an out in the position in the line-up.
10. Number of Players
    1. A team may start and play a game with only eight players, including substitutions.
    2. A substitution player listing will be provided to each coach at the time of the draft.  No other substitution players will be allowed.
    3. Substitution players may be used if a coach knows that nine or fewer players will be present for a particular game.  The number of substitutions shall not be more than required to have 10 players maximum.
    4. A substitution player from one of the Eden Prairie’s 8th and 9th grade league teams can be used during the regular season on a temporary basis. The list of allowable substitution players will be provided by the community commissioner.  No other substitutions are allowed.
    5. If 9 or more regular team members are present for the game, only regular team players may start the game.  Any player called up must be played equally, but in no case more than any regular team player.
    6. A substitution player may not pitch or catch.
    7. Substitutions must bat last
11. Maximum Runs Per Inning:
    1. A maximum of 7 runs per inning is allowed, with the exception of the last inning of the game, in which there is no limit to the number of runs.
    2. Due to time restrictions on the game, the last inning may not necessarily be the 6th or 7th inning. 
    3. Due to time restrictions on the game, a situation may occur whereby the visitor team has scored 7 runs in the top half of an inning and it is uncertain whether that inning will be the last inning of the game. In this situation, the umpire should stop the top half of the inning after 7 runs and start the bottom half of the inning. If that inning is subsequently determined to be the last inning, the home team will be allowed to score unlimited runs in the bottom half of the inning. After the home team has finished the bottom half of the inning, if the visitor team is behind in score or the game is tied, then the visitor team will be allowed to reconstruct the top half of the inning and continue it from the point it was stopped in an effort to score an unlimited number of runs. (Note: when reconstructing the top half of the inning, the teams will continue exactly as the inning was stopped, including the specific base runners and the bases they occupied, the number of outs and the count on the batter, if applicable.) 
12. Season Ending Tournament
    1. The ranking for the season ending tournament will be determined by winning percentage. Tie games during the season will be counted as a ½ point win.
    2. Each association will have its own season ending tournament amongst its own teams only.

STARTING THE GAME

1. Pre-Game
   1. Warm-up practice before the game will start 30 minutes before game time.
   2. The visiting team shall have the field first and the home team shall have the field 10 minutes before game time and then remain on the field for the start of the game.
2. Starting the Game:
   1. If one team does not have the minimum number of players (8) within 10 minutes after game time, that team loses by forfeit and the game is canceled.  If both teams do not have the minimum number of players both teams lose by forfeit and the game is canceled. Because the field is available and the object is to play baseball, the teams are encouraged to loan players and begin a practice game.  If the coaches mutually agree to do this, the umpire(s) will work the practice game.
   2. If a team knows ahead of time that they will be short of players for a regular season game, the game can be rescheduled, provided it is communicated to the commissioner and the opposing coach, one-day prior to the game. The commissioner will contact the umpire coordinator and the field scheduler to attempt to find a mutually agreeable time and date.  The opposing coach is not obligated to accept the proposed makeup date, and can instead accept the forfeit as a win.
   3. For the season ending tournament games, there is no rescheduling for teams that are short of players. Teams are obligated to play at the designated scheduled time. No non-rostered substitutions are allowed for the season ending tournament games. Tournament players can not be rostered on another team. A team that fails to meet these obligations is to forfeit the game.
   4. If there is not an adult coach on the bench, a forfeit is to be called. See the definition of an adult coach under the 1.2.
   5. If an umpire has not arrived 10 minutes after game time, the game is to proceed using a volunteer umpire, or a coach from each team will alternate innings as umpire. If the umpire shows later they are to take over their duties.
3. Inclement Weather
   1. The respective Park and Recreation Departments will make the decisions on cancellations of games due to inclement weather up to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. League Commissioners will do their best to communicate with their coaches and other association regarding field conditions.  It is recommended that coach communicate with one another if weather conditions deteriorate after 4:30 PM or on weekends.
   2. A game may be called due to weather after the 4:30 city determination, but before the game starts, upon mutual agreement of both coaches.  If the coaches do not agree, the umpire at the game will make the determination whether or not to start the game. Once a game starts, the decision to call the game due to weather is solely up to the umpire.
   3. During the game, the umpire has discretion for the suspension of play due to rain, lightning or any unsafe condition. If in the opinion of a coach that there is danger to a player they are to call a conference between the other coach and umpire to discuss and agree the course of action.
   4. If lightning is observed the play is to be halted and the field cleared until no lightning is observed for 20 minutes before play can be resumed.
   5. Play is to continue after the weather threat has passed. If it is obvious that the weather condition will not dissipate in a reasonable period of time the game is to be called, based on the umpires discretion or mutual agreement between the coaches and umpire.

ENDING THE GAME

1. Regulation Game:
   1. Seven innings, 6 ½ if the home team is winning, providing there isn’t a tie. If after 4 ½ innings the losing team is down by 10 or more runs the coach of that team may elect to end the game or play the game out.
   2. The game is called due to weather or darkness under the following:
      1.   If 5 full innings have been played, or if the home team has scored an equal or greater number of runs in 4 or 4 1/2 turns at bat than the visiting team has scored in 5 turns at bat.
      2.   If play has gone beyond 5 full innings and the game is called when the teams have not had an equal number of completed turns at bat, the score shall be the same as it was at the end of the last completed inning; except if the home team in its half of the incomplete inning, scores a run (or runs) which equals or exceeds the opponent’s score, the final score shall be as recorded when the game is called.
   3. Time Limit for games:
      1.   For games played, a 1 hour 45min time limit will be in affect if there are multiple games scheduled for the field, has elapsed before the conditions above can be met. There will be a 2 hour time limit on ALL games based on the scheduled starting time. For example, if the game starts at 6:15 P.M., no inning may start after 8:15 P.M., but any inning in progress may be completed. If the starting time of the game is delayed, then the two-hour limit will start at the first pitch. The time during a game delay, due to weather or another reason such as an injury is not to be counted against the 2-hour time limit. For instance, the game is interrupted due to a brief rain shower for 15 minutes, 15 minutes is to be added to the clock time and the game duration would be 2 hours 15 minutes. Games tied after the 2 hour time limit are permitted to continue for one additional inning, unless the field is scheduled for another activity, until darkness or weather requires the game to be stopped.
      2.   For the season ending tournament, the 2 hour game time limit on games is waived for the tournament. Seven innings will be played. All other rules still apply.
      3.   If a regular season game or a season ending tournament game is called and does not qualify to be a complete game, then the game is considered a “no game” and is to be played over in its entirety.

PITCHING

1. A player may pitch a maximum of 4 innings in any game.  No player may pitch more than 8 innings total in any one week measured from Sunday to Saturday.  Having pitched in any part of an inning is counted as whole inning. For instance, if a player replaces a pitcher in the second inning with two outs, that complete inning is considered as one inning that he has pitched. A pitcher that has been replaced during a game may not re-assume the position of pitcher.
2. Coaches, players and umpires at this level are assumed to know the balk rules by now and no balk warnings need be given prior to an umpire calling a balk.
3. Once a pitcher has entered the game, at the beginning of each subsequent inning, the pitcher may warm up by using not more than five throws, completed in one minute (timed from the third out of the previous half inning). The umpire may, however, authorize more throws because of injury or inclement weather. Umpires and coaches are encouraged to enforce this rule to ensure timely continuation of play between innings.
4. A pitcher taken out as a pitcher may not re-enter the game as a pitcher.

RUNNERS

1. No Contact Rule:  Contact is to be avoided, sliding is preferred. Any offensive player that runs into a defensive player attempting to make a put out is automatically out, with the exception of the first basemen moving into the path of the runner. Sliding into a fielder who is attempting to perform a double play is not allowed and the penalty of doing so will result in an automatic out of the second runner. If the offensive player intends to injure, the umpire is to throw the player out of the game. Any such incident is to be communicated to the community commissioner. Any player exhibiting a record of deliberate contact is to be disciplined according to the high school rules.
2. A pinch runner maybe allowed for a player with an injury that prevents him from running at full speed. If the player has the condition prior to the game, the umpire must observe that the injury affects the player’s ability to run. If a player is injured during the game, the umpire needs to determine if the injury adversely affects the player’s ability to run. The injured player must take a normal turn in the field. He cannot simply bat. A courtesy runner will be allowed for the current catcher anytime. The player that is run for must catch the next inning. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners until all players have participated. If all players have participated, then the courtesy runner will be the last player that made an out.
3. INFIELD FLY RULE (clarification only)
   1. A fair fly ball (not a line drive or attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort is an infield fly provided first and second bases or all bases are occupied and there are less than two outs.
   2. The umpire shall immediately declare, “infield fly” for the benefit of the runners.
   3. If the umpire does not declare “infield fly”, and it is apparent that it should have been called, the umpire shall at his discretion rule that the batter is out and may return the runners to their original bases.
   4. The ball is alive and runners may advance at their risk as on any fly ball.
   5. If the ball is foul, it is treated as any foul ball.

TEAM CONFERENCES

1. During each game, a manager or coach may make only one trip to the mound per pitcher before removing the pitcher from the game. On the second trip to the mound, the pitcher must be removed. A trip is defined as crossing the first or third base line to discuss any action occurring on the field. Any conference to discuss the balk rule is not considered a trip
2. Only one offensive conference is allowed per inning.
3. A conference with an injured player is not a charged conference.
4. A conference where a pitcher is removed is not a charged conference.
5. The other team may conference during the same time as the team that called the conference and not be charged for the conference.

UMPIRES

1. Complaints against any umpire are to be made to the community commissioner in writing and directed to the appropriate Umpire Coordinator, who will take appropriate disciplinary action. 
2. When consulting an umpire, both opposing coaches must be present.

EQUIPMENT

1. Catchers
   1. Catchers must wear a protective cup and supporter (it is strongly suggested that all players do this).  Coaches shall see that this rule is followed.  Catchers shall also wear the protective helmet and mask supplied by the league if they do not supply their own appropriate equipment.
   2. Only a team member or a coach may warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen.  The warm-up catcher must wear a mask while warming up the pitcher and is encouraged to use a helmet also.
2. Bats:
   1. There are no restrictions on the length of bats, but, each bat must be 2-3/4 inches (wood)  2-5/8 inches (aluminum) or less in diameter at the thickest part and the bat shall not weigh numerically more than five ounces less than the length of the bat in inches (for example, a 31-inch-long bat must weigh 26 ounces or more). Bat’s used must have a BPF rating of 1.15 or a BBCOR marking when not made of wood.
   2. The manufacturer’s label, stating the bat specifications, must be legible, if not, the bat cannot be used.
   3. Use of an illegal bat is an out if: the batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat or is discovered having used an illegal bat. If the infraction is discovered before the next pitch, following the turn at bat of the player who used an illegal bat, the defense may take the penalty or the result of the play.
3. Uniforms
   1. A player must wear a baseball shirt, a baseball hat and baseball pants and either cleats or athletic shoes. The hat must be worn with the bill forward. The shirt must be tucked into the pants. No shorts or sweat pants are allowed. Any player without the appropriate attire cannot participate.
   2. Molded Plastic or Metal spikes are allowed.
4. Baseballs:
   1. The visitor and home team must each contribute one baseball to the umpire before the start of the game. Each team is equally responsible to contribute more balls to make sure that there are two playable game balls throughout the game.