Corn Belt
“B” Ball
RULES
2024
March 17, 2024
Volume 17
2024 Corn Belt "B" Rules
Volume 17, March 17, 2024
LITTLE LEAGUE RULES AND BI-LAWS
1. The CORN BELT "B" BASEBALL LEAGUE
A. The Corn Belt "B" Baseball League (CBBBL) shall consist of how every many Division's
The league managers vote on.
B. Any team wishing to enter the league must attend and be approved by a vote of the
league at the annual league meeting in the spring.
C. Each division shall select a Division Director at the league meeting.
D. Each town will have one vote on league matters, no matter how many teams in has.
E. A one hundred and ninety five ($195.00) dollar annual fee shall be paid by each team
to the league President.
f. League fees must be paid to the League no later than the 1st of May.
G. Any additional fees shall be assessed if and when as they become necessary.
H. All correspondences to the League should be done by email, rockcreekball@aol.com
ONLY Phone in EMERGENCY
I. There are No Complaints to be addressed to the League concerning Rules or
Umpires, that should be handled on the Field.
ANY COMPLAINT WILL COST $50 a complaint.
2. LEAGUE RULES
The CBBBL shall be governed by the Official Rules of Major League Baseball and Pony
Baseball Rule book, Little League Rule Book and Corn Belt "A" League and shall be
superseded by specific rules within our own league as described herein.
A. As per Little League Rules, there is no drop third strike in Corn Belt "B" Baseball.
B. There is no Infield Fly rule in effect in Corn Belt Baseball. But teams can not
drop the ball on purpose in an attempt to turn a Double Play. If the Umpire
discretions are that it was on purpose he shall call time and call the batter
out, and all base runners return to their bases.
C. No "Slash Bunt" Rule For safety reasons, a batter is out for illegal action when
he/she fakes a bunt and then takes a full swing. This would eliminate a A-Ball
player from fake bunting and “slap-hitting” the ball.
3. SCHEDULES
A. The league shall begin competition whenever a majority thereof decides.
B. Every effort should be made by each division to play as many of their scheduled
games as possible, prior to the League Tournament, to decide the Division
Championship.
C. A minimum of twelve(12) games required to decide a division champ.
D. Game days for 2024 are Tuesday & Fridays, with Saturdays being for rain make ups.
E. Rescheduling
1) The home team shall present the opposing Head Coach with two (2) options for
rescheduling a game within 1 week of the original date.
2) If the game is not rescheduled or played within this time frame, the team causing
the delay shall forfeit.
3) Rescheduling shall only be done in the event of graduation ceremonies or inclement
weather, unless both teams decide otherwise.
4) In the event of a scheduling dispute, the Corn Belt shall rule on forfeiture.
5) If a team fails to appear for a regularly scheduled game shall be recorded as a 2-0
loss in the regular season standings.
6) Regular Season games that are cancelled for reasons not approved by these rules,
Corn Belt League Representative, or by mutual agreement of the coaches shall be
recorded as a 2-0 loss of the cancelling team.
7) Regular Season games that cannot be rescheduled (after every attempt by both teams
has been made) shall be recorded as a 1-1 tie in the final standings.
8) The home team's Coach shall notify the League Office of rescheduled games.
4. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
A. A player’s eligibility is based on the ages nine(9) and ten(10) years
old, whose birth date occurs prior to Sept. 1st. Younger players may
participate at a coach and/or parents’ discretion or to complete a team’s
roster if necessary. Eleven (11) years old will only be eligible for "B" Ball,
if the team brings it the leagues attention at the first meeting of the year
and each team votes on it.(But can play any position except pitcher).
It is recommended they play "A" Ball. Players Whose Birthday falls between Old date of
May 1 to New date of Sept. 1, are grandfathered to stay at the level they would have
been until 2027.
B. Boundary lines determining a player’s team shall be based on high school
district or park district providing the player resides at a permanent
address within that area.
C. Players living within a town’s districts or school’s area that DOES NOT
have a team may participate in an adjacent town’s program provided-
I) The player(s) have been approved by the three(3) league officers
II) And also by a majority of the coaches within the division.
D. No player may be rostered on more than one "B" Ball team and be
eligible to participate in the Corn Belt Baseball - with the exception of playing on
a little league and farm league team within the same program. You can call up “C”
Players with in your town.
E. Any team guilty of a roster violation(s) will be subject to forfeiting
all games in question.
5. ROSTERS
A. Roster sheets must be completed in full and given to the Division Director
no later than March 15 or ASAP Rosters for 2024 must be emailed to League office
to Be Posted ONLINE for every teams viewing)
B. Rosters shall be limited to a maximum of twenty(20) players.
C. A MAXIMUM of TWENTY (20) players may be suited in uniform for a game.
D. Any and all roster changes must be submitted in writing to the Division
Director at least one(1)week prior to a player’s participation in order
to be eligible for play.
E. Need Uniform Numbers, First and Last Name, emailed to rockcreekball@aol.com before
release of Schedules
6. LINEUPS AND PLAY
A. A team must field a starting lineup of no less than eight(8) players in
order to start the game.
B. A game may continue with eight(8) players with an OUT being recorded whenever
the open spot in the batting order comes up. A game started with eight(8)
players and has no substitutes and a player is ejected during the game, the
game shall end and the offending team will forfeit the game.
C. The entire roster shall bat in order.(See Rule 6-L)
D. A game will consist of six(6) innings for a complete game unless
rule “E” or “F” apply.
E. If in the event a game is called because of rain before six(6) innings are
complete, a four(4) inning game will be a complete game, or 3 1/2 innings
if the home team is winning. Any game rain out before a fourth (4th) inning
is complete the game will be replayed from the beginning. If a game is called
because of darkness before four(4) innings, the game will be suspended and
resumed from that point to complete a full six(6) innings. No new inning will
start after 8:00pm.
F. A team which is ahead by eleven(11) or more runs after four(4) innings of play,
or the home team is leading by eleven(11) or more runs after three and one half
(3 1/2) innings, shall be the winner.
G. There will be a maximum of five(5) runs per inning, at which time the other team
will bat, no matter how many outs there are. In the sixth(6th) inning there is
a maximum of ten(10) runs, unless the score is tied, in which case the 5 run
rule will be in effect.
H. Free substitution for all players is allowed.
I. Each Player on the Roster must play at least Two(2) defensive inning.
J. Each team will use four (4) outfielders; three(3) if a team has only 9 Players.
K. Bunting is Allowed. There is no Fake Bunting, and pulling the bat back to swing
A Batter will be called out if they do so.
L. Teams have the option to bat their (15) players or bat as
many players as the opposing team have in their line-up & substitute the rest of
the players into the line-up. The Newly enter player must play (2) innings of
Consecutive innings
1 ) Any players dressed at the game and not in the batting
line-up must be substituted into the line-up for at
least (2) innings of defense. (Only if they are not in
the batting order)
7. PITCHING
A. All players may pitch within the guidelines of PONY LEAGUE
Baseball as described by the CBBBL, but must use innings limit listed below.
B. A pitcher is allowed to pitch in any combination, at total of no more than six
(6) innings, in a one(1) week period with a Maximum of 65 pitches per game,
(if the Pitcher reaches 65 pitches in the middle of an at bat, he can finish
Pitching to that batter) beginning at midnight Sunday. If there is a discrepancy
as to how many pitches between two coaches, you add up each coaches count and
Divide by 2. Each team is allowed Three (3) additional innings for rain outs and
rescheduled games where your team would play 3 games in one week. The additional
three (3)innings must be used in the rain out/make up game ONLY.(Max. 35 pitches)
C. A pitcher is considered to have made an appearance after having thrown
one(1) pitch.
D. A pitcher is considered to have pitched one(1) inning after having thrown
his first pitch.
E. Violation of Article 7. PITCHING B. shall result in forfeiture of all games
that said pitcher has pitched in the week of the violation.
F. A pitcher must be given a minimum of forty-eight(48) hours rest after having
made an appearance, unless he has pitched three(3) innings or less the previous
night, before pitching in the next game.
G. The determination of a rest period is based on the starting time of the last
game that the pitcher had pitched in.
H. A PITCHER MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE MOUND AND RETURN, PROVIDED HE HAS NOT BEEN
REMOVED FROM THE GAME DEFENSIVELY. (The Pitcher May Re-enter only Once Per Game)
I. The pitcher’s rubber will be 46 feet from the back tip of home plate to the front
edge of the rubber.
J. Nine(9) & ten(10) years olds who pitch in "A" ball cannot pitch in "B" ball.
K. There is no rule on removal of pitcher for excessive hitting players with pitches,
it's Coaches discretion of removing the pitcher.
L. Strike Zone is from the shoulder to slightly below the knee and 2" inches on
either side of the plate based on the batters upright Standing position.
8. CBBL BALK RULE
A. The CBBL DOES NOT acknowledge a balk rule. However, the pitcher shall be required
to maintain contact with the pitching rubber. All nine(9) fielding players shall
be required to be positioned inside the foul lines when the pitcher begins his
delivery motion.
B. Any violation of this rule shall require the umpire to call a ball WITHOUT warning.
9. GAME TIME AND FORFEITS
A. All game times for weekday games are 6:00pm((to save daylight both coaches can agree to
start at 5:45pm, some night games start at 8:00pm-
check schedules) A 6:30pm forfeit time shall require a late team to either take
the field or begin batting at 6:30pm (8:30pm for night games)
B. This rule should be enforced by the home plate umpire.
C. Any game scheduled for Saturday shall start by a mutual agreement between both
coaches.
D. There is a 2(two) hour time limit on all games, an inning cannot start after 8pm
An inning starts right after the 3rd out is recorded
10. UMPIRES
A. The Home team shall be responsible for providing One(1)umpire. Two (2) is
Suggested. (New 2019)
B. The Umpires should be at least Sixteen (16) years old.
Umpires will be 16 years or older unless they have participated in at least two
hours of classroom/practical training in an approved Corn Belt training program.
C. A Patched umpire must be used for all Playoff games (This is waived in 2024 Due
to umpire shortage)
D. If the assigned umpire or umpires fail to attend the game,
both managers must agree on selection of their replacement.
1. If an agreement cannot be reached by the managers acting responsibly, they are
both to report by phone or in person to the league office. League office will
decide if the game should be rescheduled. If the game is played, it is final.
2. Game may begin with only 1 umpire present, both teams can agree on a Base
Umpire, before the game begins. Once the game is played the game is final.
11. BALLS
A. Home team is responsible for providing two(2)(minimum)new leather little
league baseballs.
B. Additional balls must be made available and provided as the home plate umpire
deems necessary, in order to keep the game moving and to ensure the safety of
the players.
12. EQUIPMENT
A. All umpires shall be required to enforce ALL PONY LEAGUE RULES regarding
equipment.
B. Catchers should be properly protected with a complete set of certified
regulation gear (including a throat protector, helmet, facemask, chest protector,
shin guards, and protective cup)
C. The bat shall be no longer than thirty-two(32) inches in length and the barrel
shall be no bigger than two and 5/8 (2 5/8) inches in circumference. (New 2019)
13. PROTESTS
A. In the event of a protest, the game must be protested at the time of the play
or call-in question.
B. The protest must be confirmed at that time and done so in writing and submitted
to the league President within twenty-four(24) hours as described in the PONY
BASEBALL RULEBOOK. Protest should be emailed to rockcreekball@aol.com There is
a $50.00 protest fee, that will be returned if the protest is upheld. You will
forfeit the protest fee if your protest is Denied.
C. A league protest committee does have the authority to declare the game a forfeit.
14. GAME RECORDS
A. The results from each game and pitcher’s innings pitched must be submitted to
facebook page within 48 hours after the game. (NEW FOR 2011)
Or emailed to rockcreekball@aol.com Highlights
can also be sent, to be included on the highlights page.
Web Site: www.rockcreekball.com for standings.
B. Every team will be responsible for filing a game report. The winning team must
report the game to get credit for the win. Failure to do so will result in the
winning team getting credited with a tie instead of the win.
15. PLAYOFF GAME
A divisional playoff game (if necessary) must be played on the next available
scheduling date, within one(1) week, on a site to be determined by the board.
16. MANAGERS AND COACHES
A. All managers and coaches shall be responsible for the conduct and sportsmanship
of his own players both on and off the field.
B. Coaches other than adults need to wear protective helmets while coaching the bases.
17. BASE RUNNING
A. Bases are 60 feet apart.
B. A runner who leaves the base before the pitch crosses the plate can only advance
one(1) base farther than the batter. If played on and is out the out stands.
However, the runner must return to the base with one(1) warning, next occurrence
removal from base with no out being called.
C. Base stealing is allowed, only after the pitch crosses the plate. A runner can
steal or advance on a pass ball/wild pitch for only one base at a Time, per pitch,
on the base steal attempt the runner is not allowed to advance on an overthrow
(This encourages the catcher to try and throw out the runner)
There is no stealing of Home.
D. Base runners must avoid contact. If contact will be made, the runner must slide.
If the runner fails to slide and avoid contact, he is out. If the shoulder is
dropped and the runner intentionally runs into the fielder, he is automatically out
and ejected.
E. After a pitch not hit and the ball is back in the pitcher’s possession, base runners
must return to their base.
F. No advance by a base runner on throwback to the pitcher.
G. No advancement from 3rd by a base runner on an overthrow at 3rd base.
This DOES NOT INCLUDE if the ball goes out of play on the overthrow. When ball is in
control in the infield, there is no advancement by a base runner. If the base runner
is between bases when the ball becomes controlled, and the runner does not stop he
can continue to the base they were running to and is liable to be tagged out as a
result, but once the runner stops or makes any motion to head back to the base, they
just came from, they must return to that base while the ball is in control on the
infield. Common courtesy and sportsmanship shall apply
(This is MANDATORY FOR ALL TEAMS TO INFORM THE UMPIRE Before the GAME STARTS THAT
THERE IS NO ADVANCEMENT FROM THIRD ON ANY OVERTHROW, as long as the ball does not
go out of Play)
18. Lightning/Thunder
A. When thunder is heard or lightning is seen*, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is
close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for at least 30
minutes and vacate the outdoor activity to the previously designated safer location
immediately.
B. 30-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last
thunder is heard or lightning is witnessed* prior to resuming play.
C. Any subsequent thunder or lightning* after the beginning of the 30-minute count will
reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.
D. When independently validated lightning-detection devices or mobile phone apps are
available, this technology could be used to assist in making a decision to suspend play
if a lightning strike is noted to be within 10 miles of the event location. However, you
should never depend on the reliability of these devices and, thus, hearing thunder or
seeing lightning* should always take precedence over information from a mobile app or
lightning-detection device.
19. ALL-STAR GAME
A. 2024 All-Star to be determined at later date - June 22 AT Newark
B. Continuous batting order 3 Players from each team
C. Pitchers can Pitch One inning
D. Alternate players onto the field
E. Suggestion of each player can pitch to 1 inning.
F. No ten-run rule
G. Game must be 6 innings
H. Head Coaches will be voted on by other Coaches
I. Players will receive a Trophy for Participating
(All Coaches are encouraged to assist the Head Coach)
20. END-OF-SEASON-TOURNAMENT
A. Tournament Qualifiers
1) All teams qualify
a) All teams will be seeded by record
b) Seeding will be done by the board
c) 2024 seeds will be Winning Pct. times games Played, then head-to-head
then Runs against
d) All seeding is Final
B. Tournament Play 2024 TBD
1) First rounds are played at the high seed, with hometown furnishing umpires
2) Semi-Finals and Finals are played at the high seed, with hometown furnishing umpires
3) 2023 Tournament all games are at the HIGHER seed, and top four must pick up
Trophies from League President or Leo's Trophies
C. Tournament Pairings
1) See Bracket
D. Tournament Pitching
1) Pitchers may pitch a total of six(6) innings in the first week of
the tournament
2) Pitchers may pitch a total of six(6) innings the second week of
the tournament
3) For 2023 Pitchers may pitch a total of six(6) inning in the first week of
the tournament. Play in Game teams are allowed to
pitch 9 innings in the 1st week if your team is a play in game.
21. AWARDS
A. Individual trophies will be award to the top 4 finishing teams in the Tournament
16 per team
B. All - Star Participants will receive a Trophy/Medal