Rules for the Central Ohio Youth Baseball League. COYBL follows OHSAA / National Federation (NFHS) high school rules except where noted below, and rules vary by age group.

Age Divisions & Eligibility

A player's age on April 30 sets their division — a player who turns an age prior to May 1 of the current season has aged out of that division. A grade exemption lets a player who has aged out by one year stay in the division, and players may always play up in an older division.

Division	Ages out if they turn	Grade exemption	Never eligible if they turn
7U	8 before May 1	1st grade	9 before May 1
8U	9 before May 1	2nd grade	10 before May 1
9U	10 before May 1	3rd grade	11 before May 1
10U	11 before May 1	4th grade	12 before May 1
11U	12 before May 1	5th grade	13 before May 1
12U	13 before May 1	6th grade	14 before May 1
13U	14 before May 1	7th grade	15 before May 1
14U	15 before May 1	8th grade	16 before May 1

How to read this: a 9U player who turns 10 before May 1 is not eligible for 9U — unless they are in 3rd grade. A player who turns 11 before May 1 is never eligible for 9U, grade exemption or not.

Umpires

• 7U through 10U: one umpire is required.
• 11U and up: two umpires are required. If only one umpire is available, both teams must agree that the game will be played and that it will count in the league standings.

Pitch Counts (Pitch Smart)

A pitcher may not return to the mound once removed. Required rest is based on pitches thrown in a day. If a pitcher crosses a threshold mid-at-bat, they may finish that batter and the coach records the threshold count.

Daily maximum: 9U–10U = 75 · 11U–12U = 85 · 13U–14U = 95.

Pitches in a day	Rest required
1–20	None
21–35	1 calendar day
36–50	2 calendar days
51–65	3 calendar days
66 or more	4 calendar days

(7U–8U is coach pitch — no pitching rules.)

Game Length

• 9U–12U: 6 innings (5½ if the home team leads). 2-hour time limit.
• 13U–14U: 7 innings (6½ if the home team leads). 2-hour-15-minute limit.
• Division games cannot end in a tie — play continues until there is a winner.

Run / Mercy Rules

• 15 runs after 4 innings (3½ if the home team leads)
• 10 runs after 5 innings

Rosters & Players

• Maximum 22 players per roster; rosters must be posted online before the first game.
• A player on two teams may only pitch for their primary team.
• Coaches must carry rosters and birth certificates at all times.

Equipment

• Bats: USSSA, USA Baseball, or Five Tool Youth approved.
• Footwear: rubber spikes recommended. Metal (steel) spikes are allowed at 13U and up; they remain prohibited at 12U and below.

Other Rules

• DH, EH, and roster batting are allowed (you cannot use DH and EH together).
• Courtesy runners allowed for the pitcher/catcher with 2 outs.
• Slug bunting is prohibited at 13U and below (player safety).
• A team may start with 8 players (auto-out for the 9th spot); 7 or fewer is a forfeit.

Safety

• Lightning: suspend play when lightning or thunder is detected; wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash/thunder before resuming. No exceptions.
• Heat: monitor the heat index and use caution in dangerous conditions.
• Ejections: an ejected coach sits that game and the next; report ejections within 24 hours.

Insurance & Registration

• Option 1 ($495): team insurance + Five Tool Youth registration.
• Option 2 ($425): team provides its own insurance (proof required) + Five Tool Youth registration.
• Optional add-on: USSSA membership (+$50).

League End Date

The regular season ends June 30 (9U–12U).

Item	Requirement
Roster posted	On your team page at COYBL.ORG before your 1st game
Birth certificates	Coaches must always carry copies. Cannot produce them on request, you forfeit
Umpire info	Both teams must record umpire names and OHSAA numbers before the game starts
Temperature	At least 40 degrees Fahrenheit at first pitch and for the whole game
Lineup	Roster bat, every game
Minimum players	8 to start and finish, and you take an out for the 9th spot

At a glance

Rule	7U and 8U
Regulation game	6 full innings, or 5 1/2 if the home team is winning
Time limit	2 hours on all games
Run limit, innings 1 through 5	7 runs
Run limit, 6th inning	Unlimited
Mercy	15 runs after 4 innings (3 1/2 if home is ahead), 10 runs after 5 innings
Defense	9 or 10 players, including a pitcher and a catcher
Coach pitch distance	40 feet from the tip of home plate
At bat	6 pitches or 3 strikes
Safety arc	30 feet from the back tip of home plate
Pitcher's circle	10 foot diameter around the pitching rubber
Bat barrel	No larger than 2 3/4 inches
Metal spikes	Prohibited
Stealing, bunting, infield fly, intentional walks	None of them
Overthrow	One base only
Divisional umpires	At least one certified COYBL approved umpire
Protest fee	$100.00

Rule types

• COYBL Specific Rules.
• National Federation of High School (NFHS) Rules. When a rule is not addressed specifically within the Age Level and COYBL Specific rules, COYBL defers to NFHS rules.

COYBL Specific Rules

1. Game Time Temperature

• The temperature must be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the start of the game (first pitch) and must remain at least at that temperature throughout the entirety of the game.
• Please also consider extreme heat indexes when deciding to play games. See the heat index information later on this page.

2. Game Length

• Regulation games are 6 full innings unless the home team is winning after 5 1/2 innings, at which point the game is officially over.
• There is a 2 hour time limit on all games. If the game is tied at the time limit, the game is to continue until a winner is decided. Division games cannot end in a tie.
• If the game is tied when the umpire decides to end the game after 4 full innings, or if the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 4th inning, then the game is to be resumed as it stands with all offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded.
• This is specifically mandatory for division games. This is not mandatory for non division games. (Any agreement between head coaches can be made in a safe place after the game has ended as to whether and how the game will be finished for non division games.)

3. Home Plate Meeting

• Any pregame agreement regarding time limits must be agreed upon by both head coaches and the witness of the umpire in charge. Once agreed upon, no exceptions can be made.
• Ground rules of the park and games must be discussed at this meeting.
• During the meeting at the plate, it must be decided who has the official start time of the game and must keep both head coaches and umpires aware of when the time limit is approached.

4. Run or Mercy Rules

Situation	Result
15 runs after 4 innings (3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead)	Game over
10 runs after 5 innings	Game over

5. Playing Rules

Defense and the pitching position

• There are 10 players on defense. One player plays the pitching position, one player plays the catching position. Four players play in outfield positions.
• Teams can use either nine or 10 defensive players. One player must be a pitcher, and one player must be a catcher.
• There is a pitching plate 40 feet from the tip of home plate from which the coach must pitch.
• The pitcher must be within 2 feet of either side of the pitcher's plate and cannot be in front of the pitcher's plate prior to the pitch being made. Make a 4 foot diameter circle from the middle of the rubber. The pitcher must have at least one foot inside the circle and must remain behind the pitching rubber until the pitch is thrown.
• The catcher must be in the catcher's box.
• Teams must have a minimum of eight players to start and finish a game, but must take an out for the ninth player. When a team has a number less than eight, the game is declared a suspended game and is not rescheduled. The suspended game is then ruled a forfeit by the league director. Umpires have no authority to forfeit a game.

Batting

Rule	Detail
Pitches per batter	Six pitches or three strikes
Foul ball on the sixth pitch	The batter continues batting until he or she either does not make contact with the ball or puts the ball in play
Bunt or half swing	Foul ball
Batter hit by the pitch	No base awarded
Batting order	All teams must roster bat for all games
Runs, innings 1 through 5	7 run limit
Runs, 6th inning	Unlimited

Substitution

• Because teams are roster batting, there is free substitution on defense. The batting order must remain the same.
• If a player arrives late, he or she can be entered at the end of the lineup if their name appears on the lineup card prior to the start of the game.
• If a player is ejected when roster batting, the vacated spot in the lineup will be considered an out.
• Courtesy runners must be the last batted out and can be for the catcher of the previous inning only.

Dead ball, base running and pace of play

• Umpires call time after every play and declare the ball dead. When the ball is in possession of a fielder in the infield, all play will stop. Coaches, during the home plate meeting prior to the game, make sure the umpire knows this is our league rule. The player does not have to call time. Once the ball is under control and in possession, it is the umpire's duty to call time. We do not want a track meet.
• Only one base will be awarded on an overthrow. This is true whether the ball is in the out of play area or in the play area.
• Runners cannot leave their bases until the pitched ball crosses the front edge of home plate. A runner who leaves early is declared out, and the pitch is declared a no pitch.
• A fair batted ball hitting a coach pitcher is declared no pitch / do over 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 contacts a batted ball, the batter is out, and no runner can advance.
• The game is to be played in a manner that is realistic and baseball like. These players are 7 and 8 years old, and it does them no good to have the game played like a track meet. Try to play as realistic as possible. It does everyone no good to just run all over the place.

Not in play at 7U and 8U

• No infield fly rule.
• No base stealing.
• No bunting.
• No intentional walks.

Equipment and schedule

• Barrel of the bat cannot be any larger than 2 3/4 inches.
• Each team will play everyone within their division twice (2). You may play teams from the other division as non league games. These non league games will not count in the division standings.

6. Field

Marking	Dimension	Purpose
Safety arc	30 feet from the back tip of home plate, first base line to third base line	Fielders must stay beyond the arc until the ball is hit
Pitching plate	40 feet from the tip of home plate	The spot from which the coach must pitch
Pitcher's circle	10 foot diameter with the pitching rubber in the middle	Safety area for the player in the pitching position

Penalties when the defensive player listed as pitcher leaves the circle before the ball is hit:

Offense by the same pitcher	Result
First	The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking the result of the play or accepting a no pitch and ruling the play as over
Second	That player is removed from the pitching position for the remainder of that inning
Any time after that	That player is removed from the pitching mound for the remainder of the game

7. Official Games Due to Weather or Darkness

If weather or darkness interferes with play so that the umpire calls the game, it is a regulation game if:

• 4 full innings have been played, or
• the home team has the lead after the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 4th inning.

Note: If the game is tied when the umpire decides to end the game after 4 full innings, or if the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 4th inning, then the game is to be resumed as it stands with all offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded. This is specifically mandatory for division games. This is not mandatory for non division games. (An agreement between head coaches can be made in a safe place after the game has ended as to whether and how the game will be finished for non division games.)

When play stopped	What happens
Beyond 4 full innings	The final score of the game reverts to the score after the last completed full inning of play after the 4th full inning for the games
Before 4 full innings	An agreement must be made by the two head coaches, in witness of the umpire in charge, to resume the game with offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded, or to start the game over from the beginning. If an agreement cannot be reached, then the game is to be resumed from where it was stopped

Note: Please refer to Pitching Rules for pitcher eligibility for a resumed game.

8. Courtesy Runners

• Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers with 2 outs are allowed to help speed up the game. The courtesy runner must be the person that made the last out. The courtesy runner must have a helmet ready to go into the game and pinch run.
• Note: It is not mandatory to utilize courtesy runners.

9. Footwear

• Rubber spikes are recommended. Metal spikes are prohibited.
• Metal spikes remain prohibited through 12U. They are allowed beginning at 13U.

10. Bats

• COYBL will allow bats that are approved according to the Five Tool Youth bat rules, the USSSA bat rule, as well as the USA Baseball bat rule.
• Barrel of the bat cannot be any larger than 2 3/4 inches (see Playing Rules).

11. Tobacco or Vaper Usage

• There will be no tobacco use in or around the dugout area or on the field of play at any time. Violation of this rule could result in suspension of the violating coach or player.

12. Taunting and Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind against the other team will not be tolerated. Coaches, players, parents or fans that take part in this type of behavior will be removed immediately from the game and park by the umpires.
• Note: Each incident will subsequently be handled individually by the COYBL league office.

13. Umpires

• Under no circumstance is a relative of a player to officiate a COYBL game. The penalty will be forfeiture of the game by the offending team.
• All umpires must be licensed and in good standing with OHSAA. It is asked that they register (free) on the COYBL website. There is a link on the home page for them.
• Use of non OHSAA licensed umpires could result in forfeiture of any and all games and a ban from COYBL for that year.
• Both teams MUST record the names of the umpire or umpires and their OHSAA number prior to the game starting. Failure to do so will result in the game being declared invalid and it must be replayed.
• All divisional games for 7U and 8U must have at least one certified COYBL approved umpire.
• Fees for umpires are set based on the agreement from the paying team or teams and the umpire. COYBL does not make those arrangements. However, as a guideline, an average fee for umpires in Central Ohio for a 6 inning game is $65/$70 each.

Doubleheader type	Who pays
Divisional	Umpire fees are split by both teams
Non division	Umpire fees are determined by the participating teams

14. Team Eligibility

• The league fee includes your national registration fees for all sanctioning bodies that COYBL is affiliated with.
• Team rosters must be on your team page on the COYBL.ORG website before your 1st game.
• All teams must submit the above before they will be allowed to start league play. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of any games played.
• Use of an illegal player or a non roster player will result in forfeiture of any games in which the player participated. At any time during the season, if a league director discovers that an illegal player was used, he can apply a forfeit to the team using the illegal player.
• Coaches must always have a copy of their players' birth certificates with them. If you cannot provide your birth certificates when requested, you will forfeit the game.

15. Player Eligibility

All ages

• A player's age on April 30th determines the player's eligible age division for the current season. This includes April 30th itself.
  • Example: my child is 8 on April 30th, he is eligible to play in the 8 and under division.
  • There is a grade exemption. See the COYBL Age Clarification section below for the specifics.
• Any player can play "UP" in an older age group for COYBL play.

Playing for more than one team

• Players may not play for multiple COYBL teams at the same age level, except for an organization that has multiple teams in the same age group, for example an A Team, a B Team and a C Team.
  • In these cases, the organizations that have multiple teams may be permitted to pull players from A, B or C teams to fill a roster spot on a team with a player from another team in that organization, so it has enough players to play the scheduled game or games. The spirit of this rule is not to have wholesale changes on the roster to have significant advantages. It is intended to have enough players to play the scheduled game or games. Examples: an A Team can pull from B or C Teams, a B Team can pull from A or C Teams, and a C Team can pull from A or B Teams.
• If a player plays for two COYBL teams (must be two different age groups, unless the above applies), that player may only pitch for their primary team. A fill in player may not pitch for the team using him to fill a roster spot.
• Any player playing on more than one team must also be on BOTH COYBL ROSTERS to be eligible to play and to be insured.
• Note: Once a player is added to a roster, he or she cannot be changed during the current season of play. Rosters are time stamped when additions are made.
• You can add non COYBL players at any point in the season.

Leaving teams

• If a player leaves a team for any reason during the current season, he must receive a letter of release from the original team, signed by the head coach and the parent of the player, and this is to be mailed to the age group director. The original team must also officially drop the player from their roster on fivetoolyouth.org before any team is eligible to pick that player up.
• If a player is released from a team, he may not return to that team for the remainder of the current season.
• If a player leaves a team by their choice for any reason, all fees due to the team must be paid in full before the player can play for another COYBL team. No exceptions.
• A player in the 13U or older age groups must be dropped by 6/15 of the current season to be able to be picked up by another team for the current season. NOTE: ANY PLAYER DROPPED AFTER THE DATE GIVEN FOR THEIR AGE GROUP IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY COYBL GAME FOR THE CURRENT SEASON.

16. Division Standings

• Divisional standings will include the wins and losses of the two games played against each of your divisional opponents.
• Any divisional game that is tied must be finished. Ties will not be included in the final divisional standings.
• Any ties in the divisional standings on the final day will be decided by a one game playoff.
• Rainouts or other cancellations must be made up in good faith for divisional play.
  • Note: Divisional play takes priority over non divisional play, so any rainout or cancellation in division play must be made up before non division games. Each game is important for the division standings.
• Please remember it is league policy that divisional games take priority over non divisional games.
• Division games must be made up on the first open date each team has, or the first date of a non division game.
• When scheduling division games, you must take into consideration when the other team will end their season.

17. League Ending Date

• The official league ending date is listed on the Managers Help Page on the COYBL website.

18. Protests

Step	Requirement
What can be protested	Only rule interpretations, age violations and pitching violations. Judgment calls of umpires are not eligible for protest
At the game	The protest must be given to the umpire before the game is completed. The protesting team must get the umpire's name and phone number and submit it along with the protest to the league office
Within 24 hours	Protest must be made to the league office by email
Within 72 hours	A $100.00 protest fee must be submitted with a written protest to the league office to make the protest official
Refund	The $100.00 protest fee is refunded if the protest is allowed

19. COYBL Full Disclosure Policy

• All complaints against a coach or team must be sent to the league office and your age group league director, and you must copy the coach of the team you are complaining about. If this step is not followed, your complaint will not be addressed until you comply.
• We will compile a list of teams, coaches and umpires that receive complaints. If it is deemed excessive, or the issues are severe, you could be banned from play for the next year or longer.

20. Ejections

Situation	Penalty
Coach ejected	Sits out that game and the next game as well
Player ejected	Sits out the remainder of that game only
Reporting	Coach and player ejections must be reported to the league office by the head coach within 24 hours
Ejection not reported	A two game suspension is levied
Ejection deemed severe in nature	Further suspensions from the league could result
Ejected person does not leave the field and park area as soon as they are ejected and makes a bigger scene	Escalated to a 2 week suspension
Any physical contact, for example a chest bump or a push	Suspension for the year or more
Any punches thrown	Lifetime ban from the league

These rules pertain to parents, umpires, coaches and other spectators at the game.

21. Lightning and Inclement Weather

Recognition. Coaches, athletic trainers, athletes, administrators and contest officials shall be educated regarding the signs indicating thunderstorm development. Since the average distance between successive lightning flashes is approximately two to three miles, ANYTIME that lightning can be seen or heard, the risk is already present. Weather can be monitored using the following methods.

• Monitor weather patterns. Be aware of potential thunderstorms by monitoring local weather forecasts the day before and the morning of the competition, and by scanning the sky for signs of potential thunderstorm activity.
• National Weather Service. Weather can also be monitored using small, portable weather radios from the NWS. The NWS uses a system of severe storm watches and warnings. A watch indicates conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop in an area. A warning indicates severe weather has been reported in an area, and everyone should take proper precautions. Any thunderstorm poses a risk of injury or death even if it does not meet the criteria for severe weather. Therefore, anytime thunderstorms are in the forecast (even if it is only a 20 percent chance), event organizers will be at a heightened level of awareness of the potential danger of lightning.

Management

• Evacuation. If lightning is imminent or a thunderstorm is approaching, all personnel, athletes and spectators shall evacuate to available safe structures or shelters. A list of the closest safe structures should be announced and displayed on placards at all athletic venues.
• Thirty minute rule. Competition or practice shall be suspended once lightning has been recognized or thunder is heard. It is required to wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming practice or competition. Given the average rates of thunderstorm travel, the storm should move 10 to 12 miles away from the area. This significantly reduces the risk of local lightning flashes. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30 minute count shall reset the clock, and another count shall begin.

Safety of the players, coaches, parents and spectators is of the utmost importance and there is absolutely no leeway in these rules. No deviations from this rule are permitted, and violations will result in suspension from COYBL for the remainder of the year.

NFHS Rules

1. Default Rule

• When a rule is not addressed specifically within the COYBL Specific Rules, COYBL defers to the Ohio high school rules published by the NFHS. An NFHS rule book can be purchased by calling 614-267-2502.

COYBL Age Clarification

A player's age on April 30 sets the division. Find your division in the table.

Division	Ineligible if the player turns this age before May 1	Exception: eligible if in this grade	Never eligible if the player turns this age before May 1
7U	8	1st	9
8U	9	2nd	10
9U	10	3rd	11
10U	11	4th	12
11U	12	5th	13
12U	13	6th	14
13U	14	7th	15
14U	15	8th	16

Any player can play "UP" in an older age group for COYBL play.

Injury Reduction

This information is provided to help reduce the risk of injuries. These are not official rules.

Overuse and fatigue

By far, the biggest risk factor for pitchers is overuse and fatigue. Compared to healthy teammates, adolescent pitchers who undergo elbow or shoulder surgery were 36 times more likely to have routinely pitched with arm fatigue. Pitching mechanics, such as hip to shoulder separation and forward trunk tilt, change as players become fatigued.

Numerous studies have shown that pitching too many months, pitching too many innings, pitching too deep into games, violating pitch count recommendations and acute spikes in workload significantly increase the risk of injury. Pitchers should avoid pitching on consecutive days. Follow Pitch Smart guidelines to succeed and stay on the field.

Showcase participation

A showcase can be a terrific opportunity for young players to demonstrate their skills for college coaches and professional scouts. However, pitching in a showcase during the offseason can be particularly hazardous, especially if a pitcher does not have his arm in proper pitching shape. Pitchers should treat these appearances as they would any other game for purposes of daily, weekly and annual pitch count limits. Furthermore, they should avoid the temptation to overthrow in an attempt to light up the radar gun to make a favorable impression.

Throwing curveballs and sliders at a young age

Young pitchers who throw curveballs and sliders may experience more elbow or shoulder pain. However, field studies have not shown increased risk of elbow or shoulder injury with throwing curveballs. Furthermore, the curveball produces similar or even less force, torque and muscle activity about the elbow and shoulder than the fastball does. Hence, pitchers should learn good fastball mechanics and proper arm slot first before introducing breaking balls.

Pitcher catcher athletes

At any level, a pitcher should not also be a catcher for his team, as the combination of these two positions results in far more throwing than is required at other positions. Pitchers who also played catcher were three times more likely to suffer a major arm injury than pitchers who did not also play catcher.

Velocity

Injuries are more likely when there is more stress placed on the body. Higher velocity throws place more stress on the shoulder and elbow, and pitchers who throw with greater velocity than other players their age should be particularly careful to follow Pitch Smart guidelines. It is important that all players establish proper mechanics and throwing techniques before trying to increase their velocity.

Mound height and pitching distance

Youth baseball pitching mounds vary from flat ground to 10 inch high adult mounds. One study found less stress on the throwing arm when pitching from flat ground, but two other studies found no such difference. Both variations are thus likely acceptable.

Pitching distance is another important consideration. In some communities young players transition directly from 46 feet pitching distance to adult 60.5 feet pitching distance, whereas other communities include leagues with an intermediate distance (such as 50 or 54 feet). Shoulder force increases with pitching distance, so inclusion of intermediate pitching distance leagues while adolescent pitchers work up to the adult distance is preferred.

Single sport (baseball) specialization

Many youth and adolescent players choose not to play any other sports and focus solely on baseball to improve their skills and to make themselves more competitive. However, focusing just on baseball year round may increase the risk of injury. Several retrospective studies of professional baseball players have demonstrated that those players who specialized in solely baseball prior to high school have higher rates of injury. It is thus recommended that single sport specialization be delayed at least until high school and preferably until college, although all athletes should maintain baseball specific strength and conditioning in the offseason, such as maintaining shoulder range of motion as well as the strength and endurance of the muscles within the core and around the shoulder blade.

Heat Index

What is the heat index?

"It's not the heat, it's the humidity." That's a partly valid phrase you may have heard in the summer, but it's actually both. The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. This has important considerations for the human body's comfort.

When the body gets too hot, it begins to perspire or sweat to cool itself off. If the perspiration is not able to evaporate, the body cannot regulate its temperature. Evaporation is a cooling process. When perspiration is evaporated off the body, it effectively reduces the body's temperature. When the atmospheric moisture content (relative humidity) is high, the rate of evaporation from the body decreases. In other words, the human body feels warmer in humid conditions. The opposite is true when the relative humidity decreases, because the rate of perspiration increases. The body actually feels cooler in arid conditions. There is a direct relationship between the air temperature and relative humidity and the heat index, meaning as the air temperature and relative humidity increase (decrease), the heat index increases (decreases).

To determine the heat index you need to know the air temperature and the relative humidity. For example, if the air temperature is 100°F and the relative humidity is 55%, the heat index will be 124°F. When the relative humidity is low, the apparent temperature can actually be lower than the air temperature. For example, if the air temperature is 100°F and the relative humidity is 15%, the heat index is 96°F.

Heat index values are for shady locations. If you are exposed to direct sunlight, the heat index value can be increased by up to 15°F. Heat indices meeting or exceeding 103°F can lead to dangerous heat disorders with prolonged exposure and physical activity in the heat.

Classification	Heat index	Effect on the body
Caution	80°F to 90°F	Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Extreme Caution	90°F to 103°F	Heat stroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Danger	103°F to 124°F	Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Extreme Danger	125°F or higher	Heat stroke highly likely

Do these every game. Missing any one of them can cost you the game.

• Post your roster online at www.coybl.org before you play your first game. Failure to do so forfeits any games played.
• Carry a copy of your team roster and player birth certificates at all times.
• Pay the umpires at the plate before the game starts. This is required to avoid conflicts at the end of the game.
• Record the umpire names and their OHSAA numbers before the game starts. Both teams must do this. Failure means the game is declared invalid and must be replayed.
• Exchange lineup cards with the opposing team. If you are using Extra Hitters or batting your roster, tell the opposing manager and the plate umpire before the game starts.
• At the plate meeting, cover park ground rules and decide who owns the official start time. That person keeps both head coaches and the umpires aware as the time limit approaches.
• Confirm the temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

At a Glance

Item	Standard for 9U through 12U
Regulation game	6 full innings, or 5½ innings if the home team is ahead
Time limit	2 hours. Division games cannot end in a tie
Run rule	15 runs after 4 innings (3½ if the home team is ahead). 10 runs after 5 innings
Minimum players	Start with 8 and take an out for the 9th spot. 7 or fewer is a forfeit
Roster maximum	22 players
Metal spikes	Prohibited
Daily pitch maximum	75 at 9U and 10U. 85 at 11U and 12U
Minimum temperature	40 degrees Fahrenheit at first pitch and throughout
League ending date	June 30
League Tournament registration	On or before May 31
Protest fee	$100.00, refunded if the protest is allowed

Rule Types

• COYBL Specific Rules.
• National Federation of High School (NFHS) Rules. When a rule is not addressed specifically within the age level rules and the COYBL Specific Rules, COYBL defers to NFHS rules.

COYBL Specific Rules

1. Game Time Temperature

• The temperature must be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the start of the game (first pitch) and must remain at least at that temperature throughout the entirety of the game.
• Also consider extreme heat indexes when deciding to play games. See the heat index information at the bottom of this page.

2. Game Length

• Regulation games are 6 full innings unless the home team is winning after 5½ innings, at which point the game is officially over.
• There is a 2 hour time limit on all games. If the game is tied at the time limit, the game continues until a winner is decided. Division games cannot end in a tie.
• If the game is tied when the umpire decides to end the game after 4 full innings, or if the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 4th inning, then the game is to be resumed as it stands with all offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded.
• Resuming a tied game is mandatory for division games. It is not mandatory for non-division games. Any agreement between head coaches can be made in a safe place after the game has ended as to whether and how a non-division game will be finished.

3. Home Plate Meeting

• Any pregame agreement regarding time limits must be agreed upon by both head coaches and in witness of the umpire in charge. Once agreed upon, no exceptions can be made.
• Ground rules of the park and the game must be discussed at this meeting.
• During the meeting at the plate, it must be decided who has the official start time of the game. That person must keep both head coaches and the umpires aware of when the time limit is approached.

4. Run or Mercy Rules

Runs ahead	Game ends after
15	4 innings (3½ innings if the home team is ahead)
10	5 innings

5. Number of Players

• You may start a game with 8 players, but you must take an out for the ninth spot in the batting order. A 9th player may enter the lineup at any time during the game as long as the player's name is entered on the lineup card prior to the game.
• You may finish with 8 players, with the understanding that the vacated spot in the lineup will be an out each time it comes up in the batting order, unless it is due to an injury.
• If at any time during the game your lineup is reduced to 7 players or fewer, the game is ruled a forfeit.

6. Official Games Due to Weather or Darkness

If a game is called due to weather or other hazardous conditions, it is ruled an official game as follows.

Game format	Official if the home team is ahead	Official if the home team is behind
Six-inning games	2½ innings completed	3 innings completed
Seven-inning games	3½ innings completed	4 innings completed

Tied games. If the game is tied when the umpire decides to end the game after 4 full innings, or if the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 4th inning, then the game is to be resumed as it stands with all offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded. This is specifically mandatory for division games. It is not mandatory for non-division games. An agreement between head coaches can be made in a safe place after the game has ended as to whether and how a non-division game will be finished.

If play has gone beyond 4 full innings. The final score of the game reverts back to the score after the last completed full inning of play after the 4th full inning of the game.

If play has stopped before 4 full innings. An agreement must be made by the two head coaches in witness of the umpire in charge either to resume the game with offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded, or to start the game over from the beginning. If an agreement cannot be reached, then the game is to be resumed from where it was stopped.

7. Designated Hitter (DH), Extra Hitter (EH), and Roster Batting

• DH and EH are both allowed for league play. You cannot use both in the same game.
• The EH is considered a defensive player and can freely enter the game defensively at any position other than pitcher at any time without affecting the substitution rule. That player must remain in the same place in the batting order.
• The DH is a hitter who does not play a position, but instead fills in the batting order for any position player.
• An unlimited number of Extra Hitters is allowed, up to and including batting the entire roster (roster batting). A team using the EH is required to make the opposing manager and the home plate umpire aware prior to the start of the game. This must be addressed when covering fields and ground rules. Both teams must exchange lineup cards with the opposing team.
• A team using EHs must maintain the same number of batting positions used in their initial lineup for the entire game.
• If a team is unable to maintain the batting lineup due to player injury or illness, the injured or ill player is removed from the batting order with no penalty. If a player is ejected when an EH, the vacated spot in the lineup is considered an out.
• This rule is in effect even if the team drops below 9 players. If a player leaves the game for any other reason, then the missing batter is considered out.
• Any EHs, while not in a defensive position, are treated as defensive players for substitution purposes.
• If a player arrives late, he or she can be entered at the end of the lineup.

8. Courtesy Runners

• Courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher with 2 outs are allowed to help speed up the game.
• Courtesy runners cannot currently be in the game lineup.
• If roster batting, the courtesy runner must be the person that made the last out.
• Using courtesy runners is not mandatory.

9. Footwear

• Metal spikes are prohibited at 9U, 10U, 11U, and 12U. Rubber spikes are recommended.
• Metal spikes are allowed at 13U and above. That does not apply to any division on this page.

10. Bats

• COYBL allows bats that are approved according to the Five Tool Youth Baseball bat rule, the USSSA bat rule, and the USA Baseball bat rule.

Field Dimensions and Approved Baseballs

These come from the league's field dimensions table and the league's approved baseball list. They are reference material that sits alongside the numbered rules above.

Recommended playing field dimensions

Division	Rubber to plate	Base to base	Mound height	Recommended fence
9U	46 feet	65 feet	4 inches	200 feet
10U	46 feet	65 feet	4 inches	210 feet
11U	50 feet	70 feet	4 inches	250 feet
12U	50 feet	70 feet	4 inches	250 feet

Approved baseballs, ages 8U to 12U

Diamond DOL-1, Pro Nine OL1, DBat PRO L, Rawlings RLLB, Wilson A1074, Baden 1BBG, AD Starr AD 200.

Any other baseball needs league approval before it can be used in league play.

11. Slug Bunting

• Slug bunting is not permitted at 13U and below. A slug bunt is squaring to bunt, then pulling the bat back, then swinging at the pitch. This puts players in danger and is not permitted, for player safety.

12. Pitchers

A pitcher cannot return to the mound once removed from the mound in a game.

Daily maximum

Division	Daily maximum (pitches in a game)
9U	75
10U	75
11U	85
12U	85

Required rest (Pitch Smart). The rest tiers are the same at all four ages. Only the daily maximum differs.

Pitches thrown in a day	Calendar days of rest required
1-20	None
21-35	1
36-50	2
51-65	3
66 or more	4

Finishing a batter. At 9U, 10U, 11U, and 12U, if a pitcher reaches one of the pitch count stages above during an at bat, he may finish that batter without being charged the extra pitches. For instance, if a pitcher reaches 35 pitches to a batter, the pitcher can finish that batter before being pulled without being required to take the additional days of rest. The coach enters 35 pitches, not the extra pitches used to finish the batter.

13. Tobacco or Vaper Usage

• There is no tobacco use in or around the dugout area or on the field of play at any time. Violation of this rule could result in suspension of the violating coach or player.

14. Taunting and Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind against the other team will not be tolerated. Coaches, players, parents, or fans that take part in this type of behavior will be removed immediately from the game and park by the umpires. Each incident is subsequently handled individually by the COYBL league office.

15. Umpires

• To avoid conflicts at the end of the game, umpires are to be paid at the plate before the game starts.
• Under no circumstance is a relative of a player to officiate a COYBL game. The penalty is forfeiture of the game by the offending team.
• All umpires must be licensed and in good standing with OHSAA. They are asked to register (free) on the COYBL website. There is a link on the home page for them.
• Use of non-OHSAA licensed umpires could result in forfeiture of any and all games and a ban from COYBL for that year.
• Both teams must record the names of the umpires and their OHSAA numbers prior to the game starting. Failure to do so results in the game being declared invalid, and it must be replayed.
• All divisional games for 7U and 8U must have at least one certified COYBL approved umpire.
• Fees for umpires are set by agreement between the paying teams and the umpire. COYBL does not make those arrangements. As a guideline, an average fee for umpires in Central Ohio for a 6-inning game is $65 to $70 each.
• If you are playing a divisional double header, the umpire fees are split by both teams. For non-division double headers, the umpire fees are determined by the participating teams.

16. Team Eligibility

• Teams must have a liability insurance policy in place before playing any games under COYBL.
  • If you registered under Option 1, you are insured under the 5 Toll Baseball policy.
  • If you opted for Option 2, you need to name COYBL Baseball on your policy as an additional insured to play in one of their events.
• A team cannot be made up of more than 22 roster players.
• Team rosters must be online at www.coybl.org before you play your first game. Failure to do so results in forfeiture of any games played.
• Use of an illegal player or a non-roster player results in forfeiture of any games in which the player participated. At any time during the season, if a league director discovers that an illegal player was used, he can apply a forfeit for prior or current games to the team using the illegal player.
• Coaches must have a copy of their team roster and birth certificates with them at all times.

17. Player Eligibility

Age. A player's age on April 30 determines the player's eligible age division for the current season, and that includes April 30 itself. For example, a child who is 9 on April 30 is eligible for play in the 9 and under division. There is a grade exemption. See the COYBL Age Clarification table below for the specifics.

Playing up. Any player can play up in an older age group for COYBL play.

Multiple teams.

• Players may not play for multiple COYBL teams at the same age level, except within an organization that has multiple teams in the same age group (for example an A Team, a B Team, and a C Team).
• In those cases, organizations with multiple teams may be permitted to pull players between the A, B, and C teams to fill a roster spot so a team has enough players to play its scheduled games. The spirit of this rule is not to allow wholesale roster changes for a significant advantage. It exists so teams can field enough players for the scheduled games. An A Team can pull from B or C. A B Team can pull from A or C. A C Team can pull from A or B.
• If a player plays for two COYBL teams (which must be two different age groups unless the organization exception above applies), that player may only pitch for their primary team. A fill-in player may not pitch for the team using him to fill a roster spot.
• Any player playing on more than one team must also be on both COYBL rosters to be eligible to play and to be insured.
• Once a player is added to a roster, he or she cannot be changed during the current season of play. Rosters are time stamped when additions are made.
• You can add non-COYBL players at any point in the season.

Leaving teams.

• If a player leaves a team for any reason during the current season, he must receive a letter of release from the original team, signed by the head coach and the parent of the player, and this is to be mailed to the age group director. The original team must also officially drop the player from their roster on fivetoolyouth.org before any team is eligible to pick that player up.
• If a player is released from a team, he may not return to that team for the remainder of the current season.
• If a player leaves a team by choice for any reason, all fees due to the team must be paid in full before the player can play for another COYBL team. No exceptions.
• A player in the 13U or older age groups must be dropped by 6/15 of the current season to be picked up by another team for the current season.
• Any player dropped after the date given for their age group is not eligible to participate in any COYBL game for the current season.

18. Division Standings

• Divisional standings include the wins and losses of the two games played against each of your divisional opponents.
• Any divisional game that is tied must be finished. Ties are not included in the final divisional standings.
• Any ties in the divisional standings on the final day are decided by a one game playoff.
• Rainouts and other cancellations must be made up in good faith for divisional play. Divisional play takes priority over non-divisional play, so any rainout or cancellation in division play must be made up before non-division games. Each game is important for the division standings.
• It is league policy that divisional games take priority over non-divisional games.
• Division games must be made up on the first open date each team has, or the first date of a non-division game.
• When scheduling division games, take into consideration when the other team will end their season.

19. League Ending Date

• The official league ending date is June 30 for ages 9U through 12U.

20. League Tournament

• If you plan on playing in the COYBL League Tournament, you must register for it on the COYBL site prior to May 31.
• Dates are posted on the Managers Help page on the COYBL site.

21. Protests

• Judgment calls by umpires are not eligible for protest.
• Only rule interpretations, age violations, and pitching violations can be protested.
• The protest must be given to the umpire in charge before the game is completed. The protesting team must get the umpire's name and phone number and submit it along with the protest to the league office.
• Protests must be made to the league office by email within 24 hours.
• A $100.00 protest fee must be submitted with a written protest within 72 hours to the league office to make the protest official. The $100.00 fee is refunded if the protest is allowed.

22. COYBL Full Disclosure Policy

• All complaints against a coach or team must be sent to the league office and to your age group league director, and you must copy the coach of the team you are complaining about. If this step is not followed, your complaint will not be addressed until you comply.
• The league compiles a list of teams, coaches, and umpires that receive complaints. If complaints are deemed excessive, or the issues are severe, you could be banned from play for the next year or longer.

23. Ejections

Situation	Penalty
Coach ejected	Sits out that game and the next game
Player ejected	Sits out the remainder of that game only
Ejection not reported to the league office by the head coach within 24 hours	Two-game suspension
Ejection deemed severe in nature	Further suspensions from the league could result
Ejected person does not leave the field and park area immediately, and makes a bigger scene	Escalates to a 2-week suspension
Any physical contact, such as a chest bump or a push	Suspension for the year or more
Any punches thrown	Lifetime ban from the league

These rules pertain to parents, umpires, coaches, and other spectators at the game.

24. Lightning and Inclement Weather

Recognition. Coaches, athletic trainers, athletes, administrators, and contest officials shall be educated regarding the signs indicating thunderstorm development. Since the average distance between successive lightning flashes is approximately two to three miles, anytime that lightning can be seen or heard, the risk is already present.

Monitor weather patterns. Be aware of potential thunderstorms by monitoring local weather forecasts the day before and the morning of the competition, and by scanning the sky for signs of potential thunderstorm activity.

National Weather Service. Weather can also be monitored using small, portable weather radios from the NWS. The NWS uses a system of severe storm watches and warnings. A watch indicates conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop in an area. A warning indicates severe weather has been reported in an area, and everyone should take proper precautions. Any thunderstorm poses a risk of injury or death even if it does not meet the criteria for severe weather. Anytime thunderstorms are in the forecast, even if it is only a 20 percent chance, event organizers shall be at a heightened level of awareness to the potential danger of lightning.

Evacuation. If lightning is imminent or a thunderstorm is approaching, all personnel, athletes, and spectators shall evacuate to available safe structures or shelters. A list of the closest safe structures should be announced and displayed on placards at all athletic venues.

Thirty-minute rule. Competition or practice shall be suspended once lightning has been recognized or thunder is heard. It is required to wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming practice or competition. Given the average rates of thunderstorm travel, the storm should move 10 to 12 miles away from the area. This significantly reduces the risk of local lightning flashes. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count resets the clock, and another count begins.

Safety of the players, coaches, parents, and spectators is of the utmost importance, and there is absolutely no leeway in these rules. No deviations from this rule are permitted, and violations result in suspension from COYBL for the remainder of the year.

NFHS Rules

Default Rule

• When a rule is not addressed specifically within the COYBL Specific Rules, COYBL defers to the Ohio high school rules published by the NFHS. An NFHS rule book can be purchased by calling 614-267-2502.

COYBL Age Clarification

A player's age on April 30 sets the division. Read your row.

Division	Not eligible if the player turns this age before May 1	Unless the player is in this grade	Never eligible if the player turns this age before May 1
7U	8	1st grade	9
8U	9	2nd grade	10
9U	10	3rd grade	11
10U	11	4th grade	12
11U	12	5th grade	13
12U	13	6th grade	14
13U	14	7th grade	15
14U	15	8th grade	16

Players may always play up in an older division.

Injury Reduction

This information is provided to help reduce the risk of injuries. These are not official rules.

Overuse and Fatigue

By far the biggest risk factor for pitchers is overuse and fatigue. Compared to healthy teammates, adolescent pitchers who underwent elbow or shoulder surgery were 36 times more likely to have routinely pitched with arm fatigue. Pitching mechanics, such as hip to shoulder separation and forward trunk tilt, change as players become fatigued.

Numerous studies have shown that pitching too many months, pitching too many innings, pitching too deep into games, violating pitch count recommendations, and acute spikes in workload significantly increase the risk of injury. Pitchers should avoid pitching on consecutive days. Follow Pitch Smart guidelines to succeed and stay on the field.

Showcase Participation

A showcase can be a terrific opportunity for young players to demonstrate their skills for college coaches and professional scouts. However, pitching in a showcase during the offseason can be particularly hazardous, especially if a pitcher does not have his arm in proper pitching shape. Pitchers should treat these appearances as they would any other game for purposes of daily, weekly, and annual pitch count limits. They should also avoid the temptation to overthrow in an attempt to light up the radar gun to make a favorable impression.

Throwing Curveballs and Sliders at a Young Age

Young pitchers who throw curveballs and sliders may experience more elbow or shoulder pain. However, field studies have not shown increased risk of elbow or shoulder injury with throwing curveballs. The curveball produces similar or even less force, torque, and muscle activity about the elbow and shoulder than the fastball does. Pitchers should learn good fastball mechanics and proper arm slot first, before introducing breaking balls.

Pitcher and Catcher Athletes

At any level, a pitcher should not also be a catcher for his team, as the combination of these two positions results in far more throwing than is required at other positions. Pitchers who also played catcher were three times more likely to suffer a major arm injury than pitchers who did not also play catcher.

Velocity

Injuries are more likely when there is more stress placed on the body. Higher velocity throws place more stress on the shoulder and elbow, and pitchers who throw with greater velocity than other players their age should be particularly careful to follow Pitch Smart guidelines. It is important that all players establish proper mechanics and throwing technique before trying to increase their velocity.

Mound Height and Pitching Distance

Youth baseball pitching mounds vary from flat ground to 10-inch-high adult mounds. One study found less stress on the throwing arm when pitching from flat ground, but two other studies found no such difference. Both variations are thus likely acceptable.

Pitching distance is another important consideration. In some communities, young players transition directly from a 46-foot pitching distance to the adult 60.5-foot distance, whereas other communities include leagues with an intermediate distance such as 50 or 54 feet. Shoulder force increases with pitching distance, so the inclusion of intermediate pitching distance leagues, while adolescent pitchers work up to the adult distance, is preferred.

Single-Sport Specialization

Many youth and adolescent players choose not to play any other sports and focus solely on baseball to improve their skills and to make themselves more competitive. However, focusing just on baseball year-round may increase the risk for injury. Several retrospective studies of professional baseball players have demonstrated that players who specialized solely in baseball prior to high school have higher rates of injury. It is recommended that single-sport specialization be delayed at least until high school, and preferably until college, although all athletes should maintain baseball-specific strength and conditioning in the offseason, such as maintaining shoulder range of motion as well as the strength and endurance of the muscles within the core and around the shoulder blade.

Heat Index Information

The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. When the body gets too hot, it begins to perspire to cool itself off. If the perspiration cannot evaporate, the body cannot regulate its temperature. When the atmospheric moisture content (relative humidity) is high, the rate of evaporation from the body decreases, so the body feels warmer. The opposite is true when relative humidity is low, and the body actually feels cooler in arid conditions. As air temperature and relative humidity increase, the heat index increases.

For example, if the air temperature is 100°F and the relative humidity is 55 percent, the heat index is 124°F. If the air temperature is 100°F and the relative humidity is 15 percent, the heat index is 96°F.

Heat index values are calculated for shady locations. Direct sunlight can increase the heat index value by up to 15°F. Heat indices meeting or exceeding 103°F can lead to dangerous heat disorders with prolonged exposure or physical activity in the heat.

Classification	Heat index	Effect on the body
Caution	80°F to 90°F	Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Extreme Caution	90°F to 103°F	Heat stroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Danger	103°F to 124°F	Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Extreme Danger	125°F or higher	Heat stroke highly likely

9U runs two tracks, Regular and Modified. Teams choose their track when they register. The Modified track is a gentler ruleset for 9U teams still developing after coach pitch.

If your team registered for 9U Modified, these are the only three changes. Everything else in the 9U through 12U rules above applies exactly as written.

1. Five runs per inning cap. An inning ends once the batting team has scored five runs. This is in place so teams play at least three innings of baseball per game.

2. No leading off and no stealing until the ball crosses the plate. This applies at every base.

3. No dropped third strike and no infield fly. Neither is in play at 9U Modified.

Questions about the Modified track? Contact your 9U age group director on the Contact page.

Complete playing rules for the 13U and 14U divisions. This band plays 7 inning games and metal spikes are permitted.

At a glance

Item	13U and 14U
Regulation game	7 innings (6½ if the home team leads)
Time limit	2 hours 15 minutes, takes precedence over innings
Tied at the time limit	Play until there is a winner
Mercy rule	15 runs after 4 innings, 10 runs after 5 innings
Minimum players	Start with 8, forfeit at 7
Metal spikes	Permitted
Daily pitch maximum	95 pitches
Umpires, division games	Two certified COYBL approved umpires required
Minimum temperature	40 degrees Fahrenheit at first pitch and throughout
Drop deadline to be picked up	June 15
League ending date	July 31

Before your first pitch of the season

• Get your team's liability insurance in place. No insurance, no games.
• Post your roster online at www.coybl.org before your first game. Games played without an online roster are forfeited.
• Carry a copy of your roster and every player's birth certificate to every game. If you cannot produce them on request, you forfeit.

At every game

• Attend the home plate meeting. Cover ground rules, park restrictions, time limit agreements, and who owns the official start time.
• Exchange lineup cards with the opposing manager. If you are using extra hitters, tell the opposing manager and the plate umpire before the game starts.
• Record the umpires' names and their OHSAA numbers before the game starts. Failure to do so invalidates the game and it must be replayed.

Rule types

COYBL games are governed by two sets of rules.

1. COYBL specific rules, listed below.
2. National Federation of High School (NFHS) rules. When a rule is not addressed specifically within the age level and COYBL specific rules, COYBL defers to NFHS rules.

COYBL specific rules

1. Game time temperature

• The temperature must be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the start of the game (first pitch) and must remain at least at that temperature throughout the entirety of the game.
• Also consider extreme heat indexes when deciding to play games. See the heat index information at the bottom of this page.

2. Game length

• Regulation games are 7 innings, or 6½ if the home team is ahead after the visiting team completes its at bat in the top half of the 6th inning.
• There is a 2 hour and 15 minute time limit that takes precedence.
• If the game is tied at the time limit, the game must be played until there is a winner.

3. Home plate meeting

• Any pregame agreements regarding time limits must be agreed upon by both head coaches and in witness of the umpire in charge during the home plate meeting. Once agreed upon, no exceptions can be made.
• Some parks have specific restrictions that need to be discussed during pregame conferences.
• Ground rules of the park and games must be discussed at this meeting.
• During the meeting at the plate, it must be decided who has the official start time of the game. That person must keep both head coaches and the umpires aware of when the time limit is approached.

4. Run or mercy rules

Lead	Game ends after
15 runs	4 innings (3½ innings if the home team is ahead)
10 runs	5 innings

5. Number of players

• You may start a game with 8 players, but you must take an out for the ninth spot in the batting order.
• A 9th player may enter the lineup in the ninth spot at any time during the game, as long as the player's name is entered on the lineup card prior to the game.
• You may finish with 8 players, with the understanding that the vacated spot in the lineup will be an out each time it comes up in the batting order.
• If at any time during the game your lineup is reduced to 7 players or fewer, the game is ruled a forfeit.

6. Official games due to weather or darkness

If weather or darkness interferes with play so that the game is called (ended) by the umpire, it is a regulation game if 5 full innings have been played, or if the home team has the lead after the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 5th inning.

If the game is tied when the umpire ends it after 5 full innings, or after the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 5th inning, the game is to be resumed as it stands with all offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded. This is specifically mandatory for division games. It is not mandatory for non division games. For non division games, an agreement between head coaches can be made in a safe place after the game has ended as to whether and how the game will be finished.

If play has gone beyond 5 full innings, the final score of the game reverts back to the score after the last completed full inning of play after the 5th full inning of the game.

If play has stopped before 5 full innings, an agreement must be made by the two head coaches in witness of the umpire in charge, either to resume the game with offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded, or to start the game over from the beginning. If an agreement cannot be reached, the game is to be resumed from where it was stopped. See the pitching rules for pitcher eligibility in a resumed game.

7. Designated hitter (DH), extra hitters (EH), and roster batting

• DH and EH are both allowed for league play. You cannot use both in the same game.
• The DH is a hitter who does not play a position, but instead fills in the batting order for any position player.
• An unlimited number of extra hitters is allowed, up to and including batting the entire roster (roster batting) through age 16U.
• A team using the EH is required to make the opposing manager and the home plate umpire aware prior to the start of the game. This must be addressed when covering fields and ground rules. Both teams must exchange lineup cards with the opposing team.
• A team using EHs must maintain the same number of batting positions used in their initial lineup for the entire game.
• If a team is unable to maintain the batting lineup due to player injury or illness, the injured or ill player is removed from the batting order with no penalty.
• If a player is ejected when an EH, the vacated spot in the lineup will be considered an out.
• This rule is in effect even if the team drops below 9 players. If a player leaves the game for any other reason, the missing batter will be considered out.
• Any EHs, while not in a defensive position, will be treated as such for substitution purposes.
• If a player arrives late, he or she can be entered at the end of the lineup.

8. Courtesy runners

• Courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher with 2 outs are allowed to help speed up the game.
• Courtesy runners cannot currently be in the game lineup. If roster batting, the courtesy runner must be the person that made the last out.
• The courtesy runner must have a helmet ready to go into the game and pinch run.
• It is not mandatory to utilize courtesy runners.

9. Footwear

• Metal spikes are permitted for ages 13U and older. This includes both 13U and 14U.
• Metal spikes remain prohibited at 12U and below.

10. Bats

COYBL will allow bats that are approved according to the Five Tool Youth bat rules, the USSSA bat rule, and the USA Baseball bat rule.

11. Slug bunting

Slug bunting is not permitted. A slug bunt is squaring to bunt, then pulling the bat back and swinging at the pitch. This puts players in danger and will not be permitted.

12. Pitchers

Pitchers cannot return to the mound once removed from the mound in a game.

Pitch Smart limits for ages 13 and 14. The daily maximum is 95 pitches in a game.

Pitches thrown in a day	Calendar days of rest required
1 to 20	None
21 to 35	1
36 to 50	2
51 to 65	3
66 or more	4

Finishing a batter. For ages 13U and 14U, if a pitcher reaches one of the pitch count stages above during an at bat, he may finish that batter without being charged the extra pitches. For example, if a pitcher reaches 35 pitches to a batter, the pitcher can finish that batter before being pulled without being required to take the additional days of rest. The coach would enter 35 pitches, not the extra pitches thrown to finish the batter.

13. Tobacco or vape usage

There will be no tobacco use in or around the dugout area or on the field of play at any time. Violation of this rule could result in suspension of the violating coach or player.

14. Taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct

Taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind against the other team will not be tolerated. Coaches, players, parents, or fans that take part in this type of behavior will be removed immediately from the game and the park by the umpires. Each incident will subsequently be handled individually by the COYBL league office.

15. Umpires

• Under no circumstance is a relative of a player to officiate a COYBL game. The penalty is forfeiture of the game by the offending team.
• All umpires must be licensed and in good standing with OHSAA. They are asked to register (free) on the COYBL website. There is a link on the home page for them.
• Both teams must record the names of the umpire or umpires and their OHSAA number prior to the game starting. Failure to do so will result in the game being declared invalid, and it must be replayed.
• All divisional games for 13U and older must have two certified COYBL approved umpires.
• If both teams agree to play with one umpire prior to the game, then no complaints or inquiries can be made to any league directors. If there is not a pregame agreement, then the outcome of the game will not be recorded in league standings.
• Fees for umpires are set by agreement between the paying team or teams and the umpire. COYBL does not make those arrangements. As a guideline, an average fee for umpires in Central Ohio for a 6 inning game is $65 to $70 each. Umpires officiating a game by themselves (single umpire) should be paid more than the single umpire rate.
• If you are playing a divisional double header, the umpire fees are to be split by both teams. For non division double headers, the umpire fees are to be determined by the participating teams.

16. Team eligibility

• Teams must have a liability insurance policy in place for their team before playing any games under COYBL.
• If you registered under Option 1, you are insured under the Five Tool Youth Baseball policy.
• If you opted for Option 2, you need to name COYBL on your policy as an additional insured. Send the league office a copy of your policy naming COYBL, 152 Glen Crossing Drive, Etna, Ohio 43062, on it.
• A team cannot be made up of more than 22 roster players.
• Team rosters must be online at www.coybl.org before you play your first game. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of any games played.
• Use of an illegal player or a non roster player will result in forfeiture of any games in which the player participated. At any time during the season, if a league director discovers that an illegal player was used, he can apply a forfeit for prior or current games to the team using the illegal player.
• Coaches must have a copy of their team roster and birth certificates with them at all times. If you cannot provide your roster and birth certificates when requested, you will forfeit the game.

17. Player eligibility

Age. A player's age on April 30 determines the player's eligible age division for the current season. This includes April 30 itself. For example, a player who is 13 on April 30 is eligible for play in the 13 and under division. There is a grade exemption. See the age eligibility table below for the specifics.

Multiple teams.

• Players may not play for multiple COYBL teams at the same age level, except within an organization that has multiple teams in the same age group, for example an A team, a B team, and a C team.
• In those cases, organizations with multiple teams may be permitted to pull players between A, B, and C teams to fill a roster spot so a team has enough players to play its scheduled games. The spirit of this rule is not to allow wholesale roster changes for significant advantage. It is intended to have enough players to play the scheduled games. An A team can pull from B or C teams, a B team can pull from A or C teams, and a C team can pull from A or B teams.
• Any player can play up in an older age group for COYBL play.
• If a player plays for two COYBL teams (which must be two different age groups, unless the organization exception above applies), that player may only pitch for their primary team. A fill in player may not pitch for the team using him to fill a roster spot.
• Any player playing on more than one team must be on both COYBL rosters to be eligible to play and to be insured.
• Once a player is added to a roster, he or she cannot be changed during the current season of play. Rosters are time stamped when additions are made.
• You can add non COYBL players at any point in the season.

Leaving teams.

• If a player leaves a team for any reason during the current season, he must receive a letter of release from the original team, signed by the head coach and the parent of the player, mailed to the age group director. The original team must also officially drop the player from their roster on fivetoolyouth.org before any team is eligible to pick that player up.
• If a player is released from a team, he may not return to that team for the remainder of the current season.
• If a player leaves a team by their choice for any reason, all fees due to the team must be paid in full before the player can play for another COYBL team. No exceptions.
• A player in the 13U or older age groups must be dropped by June 15 of the current season to be able to be picked up by another team for the current season. Any player dropped after the date given for their age group is not eligible to participate in any COYBL game for the current season.

18. Division standings

• Divisional standings include the wins and losses of the two games played against each of your divisional opponents.
• Any divisional game that is tied must be finished. Ties will not be included in the final divisional standings.
• Rainouts and other cancellations must be made up in good faith for divisional play.
• Divisional play takes priority over non divisional play. Any rainout or cancellation in division play must be made up before non division games. Each game is important for the division standings.

19. League ending date

The official league ending date is July 31 for ages 13U and older.

NFHS rules

Default rule. When a rule is not addressed specifically within the COYBL specific rules, COYBL defers to the Ohio high school rules published by the NFHS. An NFHS rule book can be purchased by calling 614-267-2502.

Field dimensions (base paths, pitching distance, and mound height) are not specified in the COYBL 13U and 14U rules, so the default rule applies and NFHS dimensions govern. Confirm ground rules and any park specific field variations at the home plate meeting.

Age eligibility

A player's age on April 30 sets the division. For each division, a player who turns the next age up before May 1 is ineligible unless he is in the listed grade. A player who turns two ages up before May 1 is never eligible. Players may always play up in an older division.

Division	Ineligible if he turns this age before May 1, unless in the listed grade	Grade exemption	Never eligible if he turns this age before May 1
7U	8	1st grade	9
8U	9	2nd grade	10
9U	10	3rd grade	11
10U	11	4th grade	12
11U	12	5th grade	13
12U	13	6th grade	14
13U	14	7th grade	15
14U	15	8th grade	16

Injury reduction

This information is provided to help reduce the risk of injuries. These are not official rules.

Overuse and fatigue. This is by far the biggest risk factor for pitchers. Compared to healthy teammates, adolescent pitchers who underwent elbow or shoulder surgery were 36 times more likely to have routinely pitched with arm fatigue. Pitching mechanics such as hip to shoulder separation and forward trunk tilt change as players get tired. Studies link injury risk to pitching too many months, pitching too many innings, pitching too deep into games, violating pitch count recommendations, and sharp spikes in workload. Pitchers should avoid pitching on consecutive days.

Showcases. Offseason showcase pitching is especially hazardous when a pitcher's arm is not in pitching shape. Count showcase appearances toward daily, weekly, and annual pitch limits, and avoid overthrowing for the radar gun.

Curveballs and sliders at a young age. Young pitchers throwing curveballs and sliders may report more elbow or shoulder pain, though field studies have not shown an increased injury risk from curveballs, and the curveball produces similar or even less force, torque, and muscle activity at the elbow and shoulder than the fastball. Teach good fastball mechanics and a proper arm slot before introducing breaking balls.

Pitchers who also catch. At any level, a pitcher should not also catch for his team. The combination produces far more throwing than any other position. Pitchers who also played catcher were three times more likely to suffer a major arm injury.

Velocity. Higher velocity puts more stress on the shoulder and elbow. Pitchers who throw harder than others their age should be especially careful to follow Pitch Smart guidelines. Establish proper mechanics and throwing technique before trying to add velocity.

Mound height and pitching distance. Youth mounds range from flat ground to 10 inch adult mounds. One study found less arm stress from flat ground, two others found no difference, so both are likely acceptable. Shoulder force increases with pitching distance, so leagues with an intermediate distance (such as 50 or 54 feet) are preferred over jumping straight from 46 feet to the adult 60.5 feet.

Single sport specialization. Focusing on baseball year round may increase injury risk. Retrospective studies of professional players show higher injury rates among those who specialized in baseball before high school. Delay specialization at least until high school, and preferably until college. All athletes should maintain baseball specific strength and conditioning in the offseason, including shoulder range of motion and the strength and endurance of the core and the muscles around the shoulder blade.

Heat index information

The heat index, also called the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature. When humidity is high, sweat evaporates more slowly, so the body cannot cool itself as well and feels hotter. As air temperature and relative humidity rise, the heat index rises with them.

To read a heat index chart you need the air temperature and the relative humidity. At 100°F air temperature with 55% relative humidity, the heat index is 124°F. At the same 100°F with only 15% relative humidity, the heat index is 96°F.

Heat index values are calculated for shady locations. In direct sunlight, add up to 15°F. Heat indices at or above 103°F can lead to dangerous heat disorders with prolonged exposure or physical activity.

Classification	Heat index	Effect on the body
Caution	80°F to 90°F	Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity
Extreme caution	90°F to 103°F	Heat stroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity
Danger	103°F to 124°F	Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity
Extreme danger	125°F or higher	Heat stroke highly likely

• League playoffs are played under regular COYBL rules.
• League playoff games have no time limit.
• Pitching is governed by pitch count rules, not by outs recorded.
• Five Tool tournament rules apply only to Five Tool weekend tournaments. They do not apply to COYBL league games or to the COYBL league tournament.

A bat is legal for COYBL league play if any one of these three organizations approves it:

• Five Tool Youth Baseball
• USA Baseball
• USSSA Baseball

Approval by one is enough. You do not need all three.

The fast check in the parking lot: if the bat carries a USA Baseball logo, it is legal for league play, unless that model appears on the USA Baseball or USSSA decertified list.

If any of the three bans a bat for not conforming to its standard, COYBL bans that bat too. That is the only way a bat loses its legality mid-season, so the decertified lists below are the only lists you need to watch.

Bat rules by age group

Division	Bat rule for COYBL league play
7U, 8U	Any bat approved by Five Tool Youth Baseball, USA Baseball, or USSSA. Barrel cannot be larger than 2 3/4 inches.
9U, 10U, 11U, 12U	Any bat approved by Five Tool Youth Baseball, USA Baseball, or USSSA.
13U, 14U	Any bat approved by Five Tool Youth Baseball, USA Baseball, or USSSA.

The 2 3/4 inch barrel limit is written into the 7U and 8U rule book only. At 9U and above, the COYBL rule books set no separate barrel limit, so the standard of whichever organization approved the bat governs.

Check the banned bat lists before you play

Bats get decertified during the season. Check these two lists before your first game and again any time you buy or borrow a bat.

• USA Baseball decertified bats: usabat.com/decertified-bats. These are the models USA Baseball has banned for non conformance.
• USSSA bat, ball and equipment information: usssa.com/baseball/baseball-bat-ball-equipment-info. This page carries the USSSA bat rules for all ages plus the current list of disallowed bats.
• Five Tool Youth Baseball: fivetoolyouth.org. Bat rules live in the Five Tool Youth rule book. For anything Five Tool related, contact Harry Oschip at hoschip@fivetoolyouth.org or 440-796-1515, or Sean Dowers, Regional Director, at sean.dowers@fivetoolyouth.org.

If a bat is disallowed by these organizations, it cannot be used in league play.

Tournaments set their own bat rules

Check the bat rules for every tournament you enter, every time. Tournaments publish rules specific to that event, and those rules may be tighter than what COYBL allows. A bat that is legal all season in league play can be turned away at the gate of a weekend event.

COYBL league playoffs are the exception. The league tournament runs under regular COYBL rules, so everything on this page applies there.

Why COYBL accepts all three

COYBL follows the current USSSA, USA Baseball and Five Tool bat rules together, and permits any bat that any of the three allows. In the league's own words, this is done "to lessen the financial impact on families, while also protecting the kids." Families buy one bat, not three.

If a bat is questioned during a game

• An umpire's judgment call cannot be protested. Rule interpretations, age violations and pitching violations can.
• The protest must be given to the umpire before the game is completed. Get the umpire's name and phone number.
• Email the protest to the league office within 24 hours.
• A $100.00 protest fee and a written protest must reach the league office within 72 hours to make the protest official. The $100.00 is refunded if the protest is allowed.
• In Five Tool weekend tournaments the process is different: stop play, have a tournament director called, and the protest fee is $200 in cash paid before the protest is heard. That $200 is returned if the protest is upheld and donated to Nationwide Children's Hospital if it is not.

Other equipment rules

• Footwear: metal spikes are permitted at 13U and older. At 12U and below, metal spikes are prohibited and rubber spikes are recommended.
• Baseballs: COYBL approves specific ball models by age. See the Approved Baseballs page.
• Helmets: all helmets must be NOCSAE approved and free of cracks or damage. Spot check them.

Who to ask

Your age group director is the first point of contact for any bat question or dispute. For the league office, contact Doug Hare at doughare@coybl.org or 614-778-1391.

• Five Tool Youth Baseball: Harry Oschip, hoschip@fivetoolyouth.org, 440-796-1515
• USSSA Ohio: Dennis Dick, State Director, dennis.dick@usssa.com, (513) 275-1211

The home team supplies the game balls. Before you buy, find your age group in the table below and buy one of the listed models. A ball that is not on this list cannot be used in a league game without league approval first.

Approved by age group

Brand	8U through 12U	13U and 14U
Diamond	DOL-1	DOL-A
Pro Nine	OL1	OLA
Dbat	PRO L	PRO T
Rawlings	RLLB	ROLB
Wilson	A1074	A1075, A1078, A1072
Baden	1BBG	2BBG
AD Starr	AD 200	AD 300

Approved for league play at any age group

These four are approved in addition to the models in the table above.

• Rawlings PLB1
• Rawlings R-100-One
• Wilson A1030
• Wilson A1020

7U

The league ball list starts at 8U. If you are a 7U coach, confirm your game ball with the league before your first home game.

Anything else

Any other baseballs need league approval before use in league play.

To request approval, contact the league before the game, not at the field:

Contact	Doug Hare
Phone	614-778-1391
Email	coybl.001@gmail.com
Mail	152 Glen Crossing Drive, Etna, Ohio 43062

Measure the base path and the pitching distance before your team takes the field, not after the umpire shows up. If the field is chalked for a different age, raise it at the home plate meeting. Ground rules of the park and the game must be covered there with both head coaches and the umpire in charge.

Dimensions by division

Pitching distance is measured from the pitching rubber to home plate. At 7U and 8U that is the plate the coach pitches from.

Division	Pitching distance	Base path	Mound height	Fence (recommended)
7U	40'	60'	0" (flat ground)	180'
8U	40'	60'	0" (flat ground)	180'
9U	46'	65'	4"	200'
10U	46'	65'	4"	210'
11U	50'	70'	4"	250'
12U	50'	70'	4"	250'
13U	54'	80'	4"	300'
14U	60'	90'	6"	375'

The two jumps that catch coaches out. 13U moves up to a 54' rubber and an 80' base path. 14U goes to a full 60' rubber, 90' bases, and a 6" mound, the same field the high school ages play on.

Mound height

• 7U and 8U pitch from flat ground, 0".
• 9U through 13U use a 4" mound.
• 14U uses a 6" mound.

Fence distance

The fence numbers above are recommendations, not requirements. Real parks vary. Short fences, unfenced outfields, and any park specific boundary belong in the ground rules you cover at the home plate meeting.

7U and 8U field markings

Coach pitch fields carry three markings the older divisions do not.

• Coach pitching plate. 40 feet from the tip of home plate. The coach must pitch from there.
• Safety arc. 30 feet out from the back tip of home plate, running from the first base line to the third base line. Fielders must stay beyond the arc until the ball is hit.
• Pitching circle. A circle drawn with the pitching rubber in the middle, marking the safety area for the player in the pitching position. The 7U and 8U rules give two different sizes for this circle. The Playing Rules section calls for a circle 4 feet in diameter. The Field section calls for a circle 10 feet in diameter. Both figures are in the current rule book, so confirm which one your park has chalked during the home plate meeting.

Where the player pitcher has to stand. Within 2 feet of either side of the pitcher's plate, with at least one foot inside the circle. He cannot be in front of the pitcher's plate before the pitch, and he must remain behind the pitching rubber until the pitch is thrown. He cannot leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit. Leaving early carries a penalty that escalates on repeat offenses, covered in the 7U and 8U playing rules.

Ages above and below COYBL play

COYBL divisions run 7U through 14U. For reference, the full dimension chart also covers:

• 4U and 5U: 44' rubber, 55' bases, flat ground, 150' fence.
• 6U: 44' rubber, 60' bases, flat ground, 180' fence.
• 15U through 18U, freshman through senior: 60' rubber, 90' bases, 6" mound, 375' fence at every level, identical to 14U.