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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

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

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.

• 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.

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

Daily maximum

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 the Nations Baseball website 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

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

• 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.