Junior League Rules

THE GAME

1. Game 1 starts promptly at 5:30PM. Game 2 starts promptly at 7:30PM (or 10-minutes after the completion of Game 1 if running late).
2. Home team will be last on the schedule.
3. An official scorebook will be kept at all times by the Home team who will occupy the first base dugout (a team playing a DH will remain in their Game 1 dugout).
4. A coach may restrict a player’s game time for repeated unexcused absences from games or practices, or, for more severe disciplinary cases. However, such restrictions must be reported to the Baseball Association prior to the start of the game. Please try to avoid this situation whenever possible.
5. In the event of the manager’s resignation or termination at any time during the season, the board will appoint a new manager.
6. NO TRADES: with the exception of conflict between coach and parent, or between coach and player. All moves must be approved by the board.
7. Pitching distance Junior League: 54”; Bases: 80’ (middle school distances).
8. A re-draft will occur each new season.
9. Games are 7 innings with the following exceptions: 8-run rule is in effect after 5 ½ innings with the home team ahead, or after 6 innings with the visitors ahead; 10-run rule is in effect after 4 ½ innings with the home team ahead, or after 5 innings with the visitors ahead; 12-run rule in effect after 3 ½ innings with the home team ahead, or after 4 innings with the visitors ahead.
10. A 1-hour 45-minute time limit will be in effect for all league games. No new inning shall begin AFTER the 1-hour 45-minute limit, but a new inning can begin at any point BEFORE the 1-hour 45-minute limit is reached. A new inning begins immediately, when the third out is made in the prior inning. For tied games after 7-innings or the 1-hour 45-minute time limit, the International Tiebreaker (ITB) / Major League Baseball (MLB) version will be utilized. At the start of each new inning a runner is placed on second base with the intent of accelerating opportunities to score and bringing the game to a speedier conclusion. The runner is the last batter to make an out in the previous inning. The inning will start with -0- outs and a 0-0 count on the batter.
11. All players must bat and play the field at least 1 full inning in all 7-inning games.
12. Pitch count rules in effect.
13. Balks will be called with one warning given.  A called balk is a dead ball.
14. Offensive Interference is prohibited.  Offensive interference is any action by an offensive player that impedes or interferes with a defensive player making a play.  This does not require contact and can include verbal interference.
15. Defensive Interference is prohibited.  Defensive interference is any action by a defensive player without possession of the ball, and not fielding the ball, that impedes an advancing offensive player.
16. Free substitution will be allowed in the field only (Defensive).
17. If an offensive player is injured, his substitute must come from the bench players who have not been in the batting order. If there are none available, then the opposing coach will select the substitute.
18. No designated hitter allowed
19. Extra Hitter (EH) WILL be utilized in the batting order, even if the other team does not have 10 players available. The rule is intended to get more players in the game.
20. Manager has the option of choosing assistant coaches and scorekeeper.  If a base coach is a minor, that base coach must wear a protective batting helmet.
21. There is NO required slide rule. The appropriate rule in effect is the CONTACT RULE: If a runner attempting to reach any base (including home plate) intentionally and maliciously runs into a defensive player in the area of that base, he will be called out on the play and ejected from the game. The objective of this is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike action by the runner for the obvious purpose of crashing the defensive player, rather than trying to reach a base. Obviously, this is an umpire’s judgment call.
22. If a player, parent, or coach is ejected from a game they must sit out the next contest played in accordance with IHSA regulations as adopted by the CBA. Ejected players are allowed to sit on the bench. Ejected coaches or parents must leave the premises until the game is over.
23. Courtesy runner may be used for the catcher only. The courtesy runner must be the last batted out.
24. Only 1 manager and 2 assistant coaches and 1 scorekeeper will be allowed in the dugout.
25. Game 1 teams must be warmed up and have infield practice taken by 5:25 PM. Each team will be given 10 minutes for infield practice; home team has the field first and must be completed by 5:15 PM. Game 2 teams must warm up in the area outside of the diamond and be ready to start play 10 minutes after the first game ends. Game 2 teams will only be allowed infield practice if time permits.
26. No games will start when a team has less than 6 players; a 10-minute waiting period will be granted for players to arrive. Any team not having the minimum 6 players shall forfeit. If both coaches are in agreement, a practice game may proceed with one team having less than 6 players
27. If a team starts play with only 6 to 8 players and other players show up late, they may enter the game after notifying the umpire and the scorekeeper. They will be placed at the bottom of the batting order.

TEAM PLAYER STATUS

1. 12-year old “swing-option players” are eligible to play in both Major League and Junior League, simultaneously.
2. Players will be assigned to teams in a manner approved by the board

UNIFORMS

1. Basketball shoes, tennis shoes, and rubber cleated shoes are allowed. Metal cleats are permitted, but not by pitchers using the portable mound. A person may not play without shoes, in open-toed shoes, or in street clothes.
2. All teams MUST wear the sponsor provided uniform shirt and hat. Players should wear baseball pants.

EQUIPMENT

1. WOODEN BATS ONLY. Bats and balls shall be supplied by the Rec Department, also chest protectors, masks, and shin guards, throat protectors, helmets, and equipment. Players may provide their own equipment.
2. All catchers must wear shin guards, chest protector, and mask with throat protector, protective cup, and helmet. Any player warming up a pitcher between innings must wear a mask with throat protector, and helmet.
3. If there is an outfield fence, any ball hit over the fence in fair territory will be considered a home run
4. A ball hit through or under, or that bounces over the fence will be considered a double
5. If there is not a fence, ground rules will be discussed prior to the start of the game and will not be questioned after the game starts

RAINOUTS & SUSPENDED GAMES

1. The CBA will determine if a game is to be postponed. Managers and players should call the rainout hotline at 348-8555.

1. Games interrupted by darkness, rain, or other conditions before completion are subject to the following rules for suspended games:
   1. If the game reaches the completion of 5 innings (or 4.5 innings when the home team is ahead), the game shall be considered a complete regulation game, so long as the game is not a tie.  If the visiting team is in the lead at the end of the last fully completed inning, that team is the winner.  If the home team is in the lead at the end of 4.5 innings, or the most recently completed inning, if more than 5 innings are complete, the home team is the winner.
   2. Unless the managers arrange for another time to complete the game, a suspended game shall be completed when the teams next play each other.  At that time, the teams should finish the suspended game to the completion of 5 innings, and then play the regularly-scheduled game to the completion of 5 innings.  The suspended game shall continue from the point of suspension.  Any players in the first game but unavailable for the rescheduled time are removed from the batting order without negative consequences.  Any players unavailable for the first game but available for the rescheduled time are placed at the end of the batting order without negative consequences.

PROTESTS

1. Protests must follow official procedure as prescribed in the president’s handbook. All coaches received a copy of the rules. Remember… protest on interpretation of rules only. NO PROTEST on umpire judgment calls. All protests must be filed with the umpire at the time of the occurrence and before another pitch is made. All protests must also be filed in writing to the Rec Department office by 5:00pm, the next business day. Protests will then be decided by the Board.
2. Protests on player eligibility must be brought to the attention of the Rec Department in writing by 5:00pm, the next business day. Protests will then be decided by the Board.
3. Only the managers will discuss the protest with the umpires and any available board members. Anyone else may be ejected for interference. This includes fans.

SPORTSMANSHIP

1. There will be no use of profane language
2. There will be no behavior which threatens any player, coach, or umpire by unsportsmanlike conduct. (for example: intentionally trying to strike an individual, throwing a bat or helmet, or verbally threatening another player, coach, or umpire)
3. Any of these actions may result in ejection and/or expulsion from league play
4. In flagrant cases of unsportsmanlike conduct, an entire team can be held responsible for the actions and conduct of each individual on the team.
5. The manager is responsible for the conduct of his entire team, including players, coaches, scorekeepers, AND FANS
6. If the umpire thinks any case is serious enough, he or she will file a written report with the Rec Department, who will then take further action
7. Any situation that arises not covered by these rules will be decided by the Director of Recreation and the Board

MANAGER’S DUTIES

1. Make sure all dugouts are clean and trash picked up after your game
2. Help umpires cover the mound and home plate if they request assistance
3. Home team provides official scorekeeper; visiting team provides scoreboard operator. Return scoreboard controller to homeplate umpire before leaving the field.
4. Managers need to try to make up rainouts; contact the Rec Department for available dates; contact umpire supervisor to schedule umpires.

Pitching Rules

Pitching Chart for Juniors

*Below you will find individual team schedules in PDF form that can be downloaded and/or printed:

JR1 – Co-Lab Industries

JR2 – VFW Post 1592

JR3 – 1st Federal of Central IL

CH1 – Champaign Legion Prep

FINAL Standings for 2024 JUNIOR as of 7/12/2024

Co-Lab Industries wins tiebreaker with Champaign Legion Prep via head-to-head 2 games to 1

Game Results for 2024 JUNIOR as of 7/12/2024

(Winners in bold)

Juniors Photos

Team Photos are not taken at the Junior League level.

2024 Junior Tournament

Junior Tournament Rules

Junior Tournament Pitch Count Chart