Brookline Prep Boys Baseball League Rules

Game Rules

  1. Games are 6 innings in length.
  2. Bases will be set to 60 feet.
  3. A pitching machine will be used for all batters but phased out as the season progresses. At the start of the season, all games will be with machine pitch. Pitching clinics will be offered for all interested 8’s as soon as the season starts. At an appropriate time as determined by the Commissioner in consultation with the coaches and pitching clinic instructors, three innings of boy-pitch will begin. No player allowed to pitch unless he has completed the three-session clinic. (No exceptions to this rule)
  4. When used, the pitching machine is to be set at a constant speed of 40-45 MPH at a distance of approximately 45 feet. The batting team coach will operate the pitching machine. Once the machine is readied for the game the settings will not be changed.
  5. When boy-pitch begins, the rubber will be set at 40’ (front of the pitching rubber to the back tip of home plate)
  6. The batting team will provide a 1st base coach and a 3rd base coach when their team is up to bat.
  7. Each team must field 10 players, including four outfielders.
  8. Teams continue to bat until they have 3 outs or 5 runs per inning. No limit to the number of runs that can be scored in the last inning for either team.
  9. 4 complete innings will constitute a complete game. There will be a two hour time limit per game. Ending the game will be at the umpire’s discretion.
  10. We will look to provide an umpire for at the games which include boy-pitch. These umps will be Tri-County Umpires or Brookline-trained teenagers.
  11. While the pitching machine is used, the umpires will call outs on the bases, fair and foul balls. When player pitches standard rules are followed for fair and foul balls. The Umpires will call unhittable balls. (see batting rules)
  12. All rostered players present at the game will be in the batting order; in addition they must play at least three innings in the field.
  13. There is free substitution of players throughout the game except for pitchers. (see pitcher rules).
  14. The umpire will call time when the pitcher has control of the baseball inside the baselines.
  15. A playoff format will be considered at the regular season’s end, Prep League Commissioner’s decision.

Batting Rules

  1. All batters must wear a helmet when at the plate and on the bases.
  2. Whenever the ball hits the pitching machine the play is dead. The batter gets a single. Any runners are awarded the base they are running to.
  3. There is no bunting (except during boy-pitch), stealing, or leads. A player may not leave the base until the ball is hit. Players may tag up on a pop fly.
  4. All players will bat in the lineup.
  5. Bats - Please refer to the statement regarding bat rules on the Rules web page.

***** Machine-Pitch *****

  1. A batter is out after 3 strikes or 7 pitches.
  2. Unhittable balls will not be included in the 7-pitch count to a batter. Unhittable balls include a ball that bounces before reaching home plate or a ball pitched over the batter’s head. Any pitches in, or close to the strike zone will be counted. If a player swings at a pitch that is deemed unhittable it will not count toward his/her strike count.

**** Boy-Pitch *****

  1. A reasonably expanded strike zone will be called by the umpires. Normal pitch count, and batting rules are in effect when a boy is pitching.
  2. Balls and strikes are called by the umpire.

Fielding Rules

  1. 10 players in the field. Outfielders must be at least 15 feet behind the baseline and 2nd base.
  2. Whenever a thrown ball hits the pitching machine the play is dead. A batter is awarded first base. Each runner is awarded the base they are running to.
  3. Runners may advance on overthrows until time is called by the umpire. One (1) base is awarded for a ball/overthrow that goes out of play.
  4. There is no infield fly rule.
  5. No fielding coaches are permitted in the outfield.

Pitcher Rules

  1. A pitcher can pitch a maximum of 1 inning per game while play allows three innings of boy-pitch.
  2. Each pitcher must have at least one (1) calendar day’s rest between appearances regardless of innings pitched.
  3. A pitch count will be kept. No boy may pitch more than 45 pitches.
  4. A single pitch thrown in an inning will count as an inning pitched.
  5. There are no balks.
  6. Pitchers may be returned to the game as a pitcher after being removed as a pitcher if they have eligibility according to Rule 1 of this section.
  7. If a pitcher hits a player twice in one inning or three times in two innings, the pitcher must be removed.
  8. The pitcher mound will be set at 40 feet.

Ejections - The ejection of a player, coach or manager from any game will result in a minimum 1-game suspension. A second occurrence will result in a 3-game suspension. Any and all ejections will result in a disciplinary board review that may lead to dismissal from the league.