FJSL BASEBALL Rules and Responsibilities 

League will run from May  – August

• Playoff weekends - TBA

AGE REQUIREMENTS

Summer League: Age as of May 1 of the current summer playing year. (How ever old your oldest player on your team as of April 30 2022 that is what age group your team plays in 2022)

Fall League: as of April 30 of next summer playing year (fall league teams are required to move up a year).

 

10U Specific Rules

• 60-foot bases and 46-foot pitching
• No metal spikes
• Bat regulations- Aluminum bats up to max of -12 is permitted
• Bat Size- Bat barrel 2 3/4 or less
• No drop 3^rd-strike or infield fly rule
• Stealing is permitted
• Runner may steal once the ball cross home plate
• Mond visits are one visit per inning by Coach. If a coach comes out twice in one inning pitcher must be taken out. No limit on catcher visits.

11U to 12U Specific Rules

• 70-foot bases and 50-foot pitching
• No metal spikes
• Bat regulations- Aluminum bats up to max of -12 is permitted
• Bat Size- Bat barrel 2 3/4 or less
• Stealing is permitted
• Mond visits are one visit per inning by Coach. If a coach comes out twice in one inning pitcher must be taken out. No limit on catcher visits.

13U to 18U Specific Rules

• 90-foot bases and 60-foot pitching
• Metal spikes for league play
• Bat regulations BBCOR -3 Bat or -3 wood bat is permitted 
• 13U can also use -5 (Bats not allowed - Demarini Zen CF 2017, Easton Ghost X(2018), Marucci Black)
• Stealing is permitted
• Mond visits are one visit per inning by Coach. If a coach comes out twice in one inning pitcher must be taken out. No limit on catcher visits.

Bat Protest Procedure 

Teams wishing to protest the use of an illegal bat must notify the umpire before the next batter enters the batter's box. If the batter used an illegal bat, they would then be considered an out. Once the first pitch to the next batter has been thrown, the protest will be considered invalid, and the 1st batter is safe on base

Result of Successful Protest 

 

A successful protest will result in the automatic ejection of the player committing the infraction and the manager of the infracting team. The protesting team can then choose to accept an automatic out or the result of the play. A protest is successful only when decided by the Tournament convenor.

 

• 13U - 18U Double Header games to be played on weekends. Play 7 inning games or cannot start a new inning after 2 hours whichever comes first. Except for Exhibitions games: we play 7 innings.
• 11U & 12U Double Header games to be played with weekend schedules. Play 7 inning game or cannot start a new inning after 2 hours, whichever comes first.
• 10U Double Header games to be played with weekend schedules. Play 7 inning game or cannot start a new inning after 2 hours, whichever comes first.  No lead offs for 10U. No stealing base for 10U until ball crosses the plate. A called strike 3 that is dropped by the catcher does not require a throw down to first, if there is a runner on base he can advance, play is still live.
• if there is 5 minutes or more left in time a new inning will start. 
• NO DROP DEAD BALL IN FJSL!!
• Mond visits are one visit per inning by Coach. If a coach comes out twice in one inning pitcher must be taken out. No limit on catcher visits.
• League Playoffs and Championships will be held. Teams must finish their regular season games to determine standings.
• A portion of your registration fee will be donated to the Fergie Jenkins Foundation which supports multiple charities.

Team Obligations     

 

• COACHING ATTIRE

  All coaches must be properly dressed for games. A coaches shirt, team jersey or pullover is acceptable. Coaches shorts or baseball pants are also acceptable. NO denim or cutoff shorts, slacks, work pants, capris, skirts, work boots or dress shoes can be worn while coaching the bases. This also should never be an issue to be dealt with at the field

• Base coaches must stay behind the lines when coaching a base.

• If there are no painted lines then they must stay on the green.

• Each team must provide their blackout dates by March 15 prior to the season start date for schedules to be completed on time.
• Each team will provide their team(s) roster and copies of birth certificates by April 1 for league games and playoffs. Effective May 1st, 2020, if a team is found using illegal players they will be stripped of all wins and removed from the FJSL league.
• No Poaching among FSJL teams!!
• April 30th is the cutoff date for age.
• Each team must provide days and times they are available to play.  To the best of their abilities each team will provide an equal balance of home VS away games with some flexibility to swap to ensure every team within a division can pay each other.
• Each team is to provide the name and address of home fields so directions can be posted on the league website.
• Teams will be responsible to split umpire fees and balls per game.
• Home teams are responsible to book fields and umpires.
• Teams must be available to play make up games to complete their schedule. (Home team to reschedule rain out game)
• **Clarification posted August 6th, 2019, for a call up rule.  A call up can only come from a rostered FJSL team within the respective organization.  A call up would come from the team below, never lateral, and never from above.  A player that has not played with the team throughout the summer season will not be allowed to play during the playoffs.  If an organization has a team playing in another league other then FJSL, then those players from that said team cannot be used as a call up to an FJSL team, even if they are a minor team. If a team is found using non FJSL players, they will be stripped of their wins and if needed their championship.

Game Rules: will apply to regular season, FJSL tournament and end of the year Playoffs unless otherwise stated.

 

• The FJSL Baseball League is a  -3 BBCOR & -3 wood bat league for age divisions 13U & up. Wood composite bats are acceptable.
• 13U can also use -5 (Bats not allowed - Demarini Zen CF 2017, Easton Ghost X(2018), Marucci Black)
• Stealing is permitted
• ​10U -12U teams use aluminum bats up to -12 and may use wood if desired. 
• Batter will be called out for that at bat if using an improper bat in 13U and higher.  
• Metal spikes are allowed for 13U and higher. 
• Baseballs are to be Rawlings. 13U & Under 65cc 14U & up 80cc
• Choice of batting 9 or 10 players using an EH. Use of a DH for the pitcher is optional. Both a DH and an EH may be used in the same game. Re-entry rule for starter only.
• Unlimited substitutions for 10U & 11U. Re-entry must be in the same place in the batting order.
• Pitcher leaves game cannot come back in and pitch in the same game.
• All players can bat for 10U.
• A runner can be substituted for the catcher/pitcher either the last out or a player on the bench can be used.
• Intentional Walks: You are not required to throw the 4 pitches.
• Double Headers: Home team is home for game #1 and Guests are home for game #2.
• Mercy Rule for 7 inning game:10 runs after 5 innings of play 18 runs after 3 innings of play.
• Mercy Rule for 9 inning game:10 runs after 7 innings of play 18 runs after 5 innings of play.
• 20 - 30 minutes in between games.
• Both teams are responsible for official score keeping and reporting to league within 24 hours. By texting 905-931-7952 or emailing fjslbaseball@gmail.com
• In the event of a loss of player currently in the batting order for any reason other than injury and no available substitutions (for example when the team is batting the bench or when all available substitutes have been used), an out will be taken in that batting position (for example batting the bench and a player leaves or batting 10 using an EH and having a player ejected and no eligible substitutes remain on the bench).
• Ties are permitted: unless otherwise stated prior to an FJSL event. (except semi finals and finals)
• The batter's box belongs to the batter. A batter cannot purposely lean into a pitch, batter must try to avoid to be hit; any other hit batter is awarded first base.
• Discipline Rule: Any player or coach ejected from a game will automatically serve a one game suspension in the following game.
• Thunder/lightning delays: When thunder roars, GO INDOORS!

  If you can hear thunder, you can get hit by lightning. Take shelter immediately. If you cannot find a sturdy, fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing, get into a metal-roofed vehicle. Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.

• 4 innings must be played for an official score. 3 and 1/2 if the home team is winning. This will apply to rainouts and delayed games due to Thunder/Lightning. 9 inning complete game is 5.
• Home team is responsible notifying the visiting team and umpires of any rainout. Umpires require at least a 2-hour notice for rain outs. If the umpires show up; the home team is required to pay. Communicate with the visiting team and give appropriate consideration for distances being traveled when making game time decisions.
• MLB rules will be in effect for anything not otherwise stated in League rules.  Re-enter once, substitutes for starters once replaced are permanently removed from the game.
• League Convenor's decision in games and tournaments are final.

Playoff additions:

 

-The higher seed in regular season will be the home team.

-12U and under games time will be; no new inning will start after 2 hours (another inning will start if there is 1 minute or more remaining in time).

-13U and over games time will be; no new inning will start after 2 hours (another inning will start if there is 1 minute or more remaining in time).

-Semi finals and finals will have no time limit (unless announced prior to an event start)

-Game balls are supplied by the league as well as umpire fees are paid by the league.

-All teams will ensure to arrive 45 minutes prior to their game start to ensure if previous games end early the next game can begin.

-Tie Breaker rules will be as follows in pool pay style: Head to head, then runs against, runs for. (If there is more then 3 teams tied for the head to head,  then it goes runs against and runs for)

-Mercy rule in affect; 18 after 3 and 10 after 5.

 

**any ammeded rules must be shared prior to the event to all teams participating.

 

 

 

Revised August 1, 2024