Minors Division

The Official Cal Ripken Division of Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations will apply, except as noted by the Swanzey Cal Ripken Baseball Association Minor Division Playing Rules detailed below.

1. A rotating batting order will be used, i.e. all players bat, whether playing in the field or not.

2. No more than six (6) runs per inning can be scored until the last inning (the last inning is defined as the sixth inning, any subsequent extra inning(s) or when the umpire has called "last inning" due to the time limit being reached).

3. In instances where the umpire feels that a serious injury has occurred, play will stop immediately until after the injured player has been attended to.

4. No new inning shall start after 7:30 p.m. through the Second Monday in May and 7:45 pm thereafter. Determine the watch to be used as official time before the start of the game. The last out of the previous inning is the start time for the next inning. Weekend games will be played to completion (including extra innings to break ties) if it does not interfere with start of next game. The Senior Umpire will have the final say.

5. If a team has nine players and loses one to injury during the game, that team must complete the game with eight players. No automatic out for any team playing with 8 players.

6. A maximum of six warm-up pitches are allowed to start an inning.

7. When there are two outs, a manager may remove the catcher as a base-runner and substitute another runner to allow the catcher to get his/her gear on.

8. Pitching Rules will be the same as the pitching rules in the Cal Ripken Division Rules and Regulations.

9. Players must be put in the field by the 3rd inning and must play for at least two consecutive innings in the field.

10. No balks will be called. However, pitchers who can’t abide by the intent of 0.06 will be asked to pitch from the stretch. Pitches must be “legal” pitches; it will be up to the umpire to enforce.

11. Intentional walks are not allowed.

12. Tie games that must be resumed to determine a playoff position will start from the point at which the game was stopped. All appropriate pitching limitations (both game and current week) and substitution rules continue for the game being resumed.

13. There is a 10 run mercy rule in effect after 3-1/2 (if home team is leading) or after 4 innings.

14. Batters who throw a bat will be issued a warning by the umpire. A subsequent thrown bat by the warned batter will be an out.


Majors Division

The Official Cal Ripken Division of Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations will apply, except as noted by the Swanzey Cal Ripken Baseball Association Major Division Playing Rules detailed below:

1. A set batting order will be used with all available players at the game included in the batting order.

2. Free substitutions in the field can occur. All players must play a minimum of 3 (Three) complete innings in the field, unless the game is shortened due to time or mercy rule. Any team that violates this rule will forfeit the game. Coaches will agree on the approach to be taken with players arriving after the start of the game.

3. Games may be played with as few as 8 players, however all attempts should be made to compete with a full roster and batting order. Replacement players must be put at the bottom of the batting order and cannot pitch.

4. No more than eight (8) runs per inning can be scored until the last inning (the last inning is defined as the sixth inning, any subsequent extra inning(s) or when the umpire has called "last inning" due to the time limit being reached). 

5. Balks will be called only after the first instance for each team, and the umpire shall try and explain to the pitcher his violation. After the second Monday in May, No warnings will be issued prior to the first called balk.

6. No new inning shall start after 7:30 p.m. through the Second Monday in May and 7:45 pm thereafter. Determine the watch to be used as official time before the start of the game. The last out of the previous inning is the start time for the next inning. Weekend games will be played to completion (including extra innings to break ties) if it does not interfere with start of next game. The Senior Umpire will have the final say.

7. Tie games will be resumed (provided there is a need in the standings) from the point at which the game was stopped, with all appropriate pitching limitations (both game and current week) continuing for the game being resumed.

8. There is a 10 run mercy rule in effect after 3-1/2 (if home team is leading) or after 4 innings.

a. Games in which the home team is leading prior to time limit, but passes beyond the two hour time limit, will revert back to the score at the start of the half inning, and games will end when time passes the limit. Teams will not finish out the inning if home teams are leading and game is beyond time.

9. Players may NOT serve as base coaches. If a base coach is needed an adult (18 years or older) can be brought in from the stands or from the other team but will not be allowed in the dugout.

10. No Slash Bunt Rule: Bunting is allowed, but “Slash bunting" is prohibited--Batter is out, no warning.

a. Any batter who executes a slash bunt (square to bunt, pull the bat back, then swing away attempting to put the ball in play) shall be ruled out, the ball is dead, and all base runners return to the last safely occupied base at the time of the pitch.

i. Definition- a BUNT is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly. Batters are not permitted to take a half-swing.”

ii. Definition- The ‘slash bunt’ is defined as a half or full swing or an attempt at a half or full swing after the player assumes a bunting stance (either squaring or pivoting). If at any time while in the batter’s box the batter squares or pivots as if to bunt, he either must bunt or attempt to bunt the ball or let the pitch go.

11. Any player ejected from a game shall face suspension from the next scheduled game, in addition to the ejection from the subject game. Player must be dressed and in attendance at next game. If a player is ejected twice in a season, the player will be suspended for the remainder of season and playoffs. In addition, any player ejected twice in a season will not be allowed participation on any All Star team.

12. In instances where the umpire feels that a serious injury has occurred, play will stop immediately until after the injured player is attended to.

13. Batters who throw a bat will be issued a warning by the umpire. A subsequent thrown bat by the warned batter will be an out.


Pitch Count Rules for Minor and Major Divisions

		Rest Period
Age	Daily Max	0 Days	1 Day	2 Days
7-8	50	1-20	21-35	36+
9-10	75	1-40	41-65	66+
11-12	85	1-40	41-65	66+