General Rules
The NFHSA Rule Book is the governing rules for Mid-Continent with the following exceptions in each age group.
1. No designated hitter in any age division.
2. No inning will be started after 11:00 p.m. except no game can end in a tie.
3. It is required that all players wear a numbered shirt and cap, all of uniform color and design with no duplication of numbers. Caps are optional for girls.
4. Two (2) trips to the mound in one inning. On the second trip the manager must remove the pitcher from the mound.
5. No innings of a league game will be started after the starting time of a late game except that no game can end in a tie. EXAMPLE: 6:00 p.m. scheduled game with a game following will not start an inning after 8:00 p.m. unless the game is tied.
T Ball- 1 hour Minor League, A, AA divisions- 1 1/2 hours AAA- 2 hours
6. A calendar week is defined as being 12:01 a.m. Sunday to 12:00 midnight on Saturday.
7. A player may only play on one (1) Mid-Continent Team
8. The number of players on the team roster will not exceed 15, without Mid-Continent Board approval.
9. No smoking or alcoholic beverages shall be permitted on the field or in the dugouts by anyone. PENALTY: 1st time- warning; 2nd time- ejection.
10. All teams may begin play with any number of players. No automatic outs will be taken for less than 9 players. A consecutive batting order will be used. EXAMPLE: If a team fields 7 players, after the 7th player bats, the #1 batter would then bat, with no outs taken for #8 and #9 spot.
11. The home team will furnish a scorekeeper who will be designated by the Umpire in Chief as the official scorekeeper will be as close to home plate as necessary.
12. There will be a 16' diameter circle around pitching rubber in all girls divisions and up to Colts and including colts.
13. The 10 run rule will be in effect for all age divisions after 5innings or 4 ½ if home team is ahead.
14. Baseballs and softballs will be approved by the Board of Directors.
15. All runners, batters, on deck batters, while in field of play or in batter’s box, and players coaching a base must wear approved batting helmets that are in good condition and properly fitted (NF Rule) with a manufactured approved chin strap and face mask. All players not wearing approved chin strap will: 1st offense, warning; 2nd offense, out; and 3rd offense, out and ejection.
16. Mid-Continent approved first aid kits will be at all league fields.
17. Batting Order
a. A mandatory consecutive batting order will be utilized in all division excluding AA/AAA
b. Extra Hitter (EH) is allowed in AA/AAA divisions or a consecutive batting order may be used.
18. The cut off date for adding teams will be the second Sunday of April.
19. A double first base will be used in all divisions.
20. Courtesy runner for pitcher or catcher may be used in all age divisions.
21. A moratorium will be applied for rule changes for the 2015 season, except for safety reasons only.
22. Slide Rule
· Boys- Runners must make an attempt to slide to avoid contact when a play is being made.
· Girls- Runners have the option to slide when a play is being made on them but must avoid contact at all times or runner is called out.
23. Pitching criteria
· All Players/Coaches in Boys divisions will pitch over handed
· All Players/Coaches in Girls divisions will pitch under handed
Extra Hitter
1. The EH is for AA/AAA boys and girls only and is optional for each team.
2. The EH must be declared before the start of the game and can be listed anywhere in the batting order.
3. The EH cannot be terminated once started except if a team runs out of players and then the EH will take a defensive position and the batting spot of the absent player will be blank with no penalty.
4. The EH can be traded into and out of defensive players but cannot be moved in the batting order.
5. The EH can be submitted for, as any other position.
Minimum Playing Time for All Age Groups
1. All players (including the EH, if used) must play 2 full innings of offense and defense in a regulation game unless being disciplined by the manager. The manager must declare such action to the opposing manager and umpires prior to the start of the game. If not declared, the manager must field the player. All subs must be in the game by the start of the 3rd inning. Substitutes on defense may reenter at any time.
2. Failure to play a player the minimum playing time is forfeiture.
3. When a player is removed from the game that player may re-enter the game after 2 full innings, or 12 outs to any position in the batting order. EXCEPTION: Player may return before 2 full innings or 12 outs in of injury or illness if no other subs are available. Injured or ill player must sit out 2 full innings or 12 outs.