All LMBA 9U (Tadpole) programs begin with involvement in our spring season. Players must participate fully in this program to be eligible for the summer ball program.

Players will require the following equipment/apparel:

• Jersey and hat (supplied by the league)
• baseball glove
• rubber cleats (metal cleats are not allowed)
• helmet with chin strap, or have been manufactured with a c-strap (chin protector) not containing snaps.
• jock/jill
• grey baseball pants (any other color is not permitted in spring season)
• 30-inch max length, 2 5/8-inch max diameter, unlimited length/weight drop – bats with greater than 2 ¼ in. barrel diameter must be marked “USABB” or stamped with “BPF 1.15” (Bat Performance Factor)

All BC Minor Baseball rules will be in effect, but LMBA rules take precedence if there is any difference.

Expectations of Players, Coaches, Fans at all LMBA games

1. Coaches are responsible for the behaviour of their team players, fans and parents during games and to make sure there is no abuse of umpires or the equipment. INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOUR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. An umpire may direct a coach to deal with (a) fan(s) that they believe are being inappropriate. It is the responsibility of the coach to notify the division manager of any issues that occur at the ballpark immediately following the game and/or practice.
2. Coaches and/or Players may NOT:
   • Argue any umpire’s decision. The umpire’s call is final.
   • Approach an Umpire during or after a game at any time.
   • Harass or verbally abuse any official on the field of play before, during or after any game.
   • Coaches and players not complying with this may be subject to ejection. All ejections are reported to the LMBA Executive and will be dealt with accordingly.
3. Coaches that have an issue with a (the) umpire(s) will complete the online umpire evaluation form and provide as much information as possible regarding the situation(s) that need addressing. The Umpire-in-Chief will follow up on the evaluation.
4. There shall be no spectators behind home plate, except for the official team scorekeeper. Spectators are permitted to be in the stands or in the outfield. Spectators are not to sit where the teams are set up.
5. Spectators are to refrain from coming into the player's area (dugouts/ area surrounding the dugout). This is done out of respect for the players and the coaches.
6. There shall be no use of cameras (phone or otherwise) on the playing field during the game unless being used for the purposes of the LMBA.
7. Players will be warned once about throwing of bats, helmets, etc. Should any player of that same team throw the bat again they shall be called out. Each team shall be given a warning prior to the batter being called out.
8. Each team is responsible for cleaning up their dugout area after their games and practices.

Game Play – General

1. The Field

• Base paths are set at 60 feet.
• The pitching machine is to be placed in the pitchers’ circle; 42 feet from the point of home plate.
• The pitching machine is to be set at speed #5
• The baseball field is the area enclosed within the baseball fence. Anything within this playing area is “in-bounds”; anything outside of the fenced area is “out of bounds” or “dead ball territory”.
• The first base and third base lines extend from home plate all the way to the outfield fence. These lines determine if a hit is fair or foul. The area between (and including) the foul lines is fair territory, while anything outside them is foul.
• The infield is the dirt area of the field. An infield player is a player whose position is based in the infield.
• The outfield is the grass area of the field. An outfield player is a player whose position is based in the outfield. Outfield players must start in the outfield but can come into the infield to make a play.
• Should a team not be able to use the dugouts, players will set up a temporary dugout/players’ area along the first and third baseline.

2. Game length 

• The length of the game shall be a maximum of six innings.
• No inning to start later than one hour and forty-five minutes after the actual game start time.
• If there is another game scheduled afterwards, or if the umpire decides it is too dark to play safely, the game may be called (Umpire’s decision), and game score reverts to the previous completed inning played.
• in the event of weather or darkness, four innings will constitute a complete game.

3. Runs per inning

• A half-inning will end when either four runs are scored, or three outs have been made.
• The last inning will be considered open. During the open inning, there will no run limit and three outs must be made to end the inning.
• The plate umpire may declare any inning an open inning after 1 hour and 20 minutes from the start of the game, or when they feel the darkness will be an issue within the next 30 minutes.
• Should the open inning (not the sixth inning), be completed prior to the 1 hr 45-minute mark, there will be another open inning if light allows.

4. Mercy rule

• A ten (10) run mercy rule is in effect after 5 or more innings (4 1⁄2 innings if home team is leading).

5. Players

• Each team shall field a team of no more than ten players and no less than nine players. There shall be six infielders and four outfielders. However, should a team be required to play with only nine players, they shall play with only three outfielders.
• Should a team fail to field nine players, the game will be considered a forfeit. If both teams agree, the game may still be played, but the score will be recorded as a loss towards the forfeiting team.
• Fair Play Rule: Each child must sit once before someone sits twice unless injury or other circumstances agreeable to both teams prevent this.
  • If a player cannot play defensively, they must come out of the game.

• All players must remain in the dugout at all times when their team is on the offence unless they are at bat, on-deck (and in the on-deck circle), or on the bases as a runner. Players warming up to return to the defensive line-up can do so in the out of bounds area nearest their dugout.
• Infield Positions: Players are allowed to play a maximum of four (4) innings infield, of which only one position may be played twice.
  • The only position exempt from this is the catcher. Your catcher may occupy the position for a maximum of three (3) innings each. Only two (2) of the innings played at catcher will count towards their infield time. E.g. If Bob plays three innings at catcher, Bob can still play one (1) inning at 1^st base and one (1) inning at 3^rd base.
  • For safety reasons, the pitcher must stand behind the front of the pitching machine while a ball is loaded in the machine. The pitcher may charge after the pitch, but then must return behind the front of the pitching machine before the next pitch.

• Outfield positions: Players shall be allowed to play a maximum of three (3) innings per game. All outfield positions are considered the same position.
• If a player has started the game and must leave before it is over or a player is injured during the game, he/she will be deleted from the line-up and no outs will occur.
• It is the coach’s responsibility to keep track of the player’s positions and they must provide it to the league or other coach should it be requested.

6. Batting

• All players are to bat and be placed in the batting order line up in the order they are to bat. PLEASE ROTATE BATTING ORDER FROM GAME TO GAME.
• Players who arrive late will be added to the bottom of the line-up.
• All batters and runners will wear a double earflap helmet with a chin strap or c-strap (as defined in Uniforms & Equipment). A coach or manager should be in the dugout to supervise and ensure that the next batter is ready to go.
• The pitching machine operator will attempt to be consistent in the placement of the baseball and the delivery of the pitch to all batters.
• The batter may swing at any pitch to attempt to hit the ball, however, if the pitched ball is deemed to be out of the strike zone, the umpire may declare NO PITCH.
• If the pitched ball is in the strike zone and the batter does not swing at it, the umpire will call the pitch a strike.
• If the ball crosses over any part of the plate and is between the batter’s knees and armpits it is considered to have crossed through the strike zone.
• The catcher does not need to catchthe third strike for the batter to be out.
• Bunting is not allowed.
• The infield fly rule is not in effect (i.e. Umpires shall not call an automatic out).

7. Base Running

• A dead ball halts the game, and no plays can legally occur, until the umpire resumes the game. Base runners will finish advancing to the next base they were “clearly progressing towards” or as a result of a force while the play was still live.
• If the batted ball hits the pitching machine or the operator, the ball is dead.
• If the batter runner, after running through first base, turns into fair territory with the intention of advancing to 2^nd base can be tagged out.
• A runner shall be awarded a home run should they hit the ball, in fair territory, in flight, over the outfield fence. The umpire will call “Home Run” allowing all the runners to advance. The play will then be considered dead.
• A hit ball is in play so long as it remains inside the fenced area of the field and runners
  may continue to advance as long as play is considered to be live. This is until an infielder has controlled possession, the overthrow rule comes into effect, or the umpire indicates a dead ball.
• Leadoffs are not allowed. The ball must be hit into play before the base runner(s) can leave the base(s). When a base runner leaves the base before the ball is put into play the umpire shall call “leadoff.” All base runners will return to their original positions with the count on the batter to remain the same. No outs shall occur, and no runs shall score.
• Ground Rule Double – A runner shall be awarded two bases if a ball that is hit within fair territory rolls or bounces over or under the outfield fence. All runners will advance two bases on a ground-rule double. A runner can score on a ground-rule double. The umpire will call “Ground Rule Double” allowing all the runners to advance. The play will then be considered dead.
• Slide or avoid rule is in effect. If a play is being made, or is about to be made, it is MANDATORY for players of all age groups to slide or make an effort to avoid a collision at all bases and home plate. Failure to do either will result in an automatic 'out'. The ball is dead, and no runner may advance beyond the base that was last legally acquired. An umpire will have the option of an ejection if the incident warrants such a measure.
• No headfirst sliding unless going back to a base.  Penalty is an automatic out.
• Obstruction can be called on a defensive player if the bag or plate is not partly exposed. Defensive players may not stand on the baseline without the ball. The runner will be awarded the base.
• Interference will be called on an offensive player if the runner contacts a fielder attempting to make a play on the ball. The runner will be called out.
• Each team is allowed to have one first base coach and one third base coach when on offense. They may instruct their batters and runners on where to go but must not interfere with play or touch them once “PLAY BALL” is called.

8. Overthrows

• The play is considered dead should the ball be thrown out of bounds. Runners shall be allowed to advance to the base to which they were proceeding at the time of the throw. NO EXTRA bases are granted.

Overthrow in the Infield Rule:

• The base runners will advance to the base they are clearly progressing towards at the time of an overthrow.
• This rule encompasses situations where the infielder is positioned in the cut position on the gravel or at a base ready to make a play.
• The decisive moment is when the catch was missed, not when the throw was initially made.
• For a throw to be eligible for this rule, it must be reasonably catchable by an infielder or deemed by the umpire as intended for a viable target, ruling out wild throws.
• In cases of wild throws, the decisive moment is now considered to be when an infielder regains possession.
• Once runners successfully reach the next base, they are prohibited from advancing further. Any runner who has not reached the next base remains susceptible to potential defensive plays.
  • Example 1: If the runner arrives at third as an infielder misses the cut throw, they will be held at third. If the runner rounds third base while a ball is in the air from the outfield and is able to score, the runner may continue home, guided by their 3rd base coach, at risk of being thrown out.
    Any close play in question will be called in favor of the defense and the runner will be held at 3rd unless the umpire clearly calls the play a good run and scores them.
  • Example 2: If a runner from 1st base rounding second slows to avoid a tag by the short stop and the short stop misses the cut throw from left field, the runner may now return to second or head to third, no longer in danger of a tag. The pitcher recovers the loose ball, and this runner is still vulnerable to a defensive play at third. However, once this player reaches third base, they may not advance any further as a result of the original overthrow at shortstop, regardless of ball possession or the pitchers play, as it is the next base after the time of the overthrow to an infielder. They may NOT continue to home if the pitcher throws wild to third.
  • Example 3: A runner arrives at third base as the 1st baseman misses a throw in from the right fielder deep in the corner. The runner will be held at third on the basis that we assume if 1st baseman would have retained possession, he would have no chance to score without easily being thrown out.

9. Pitching Machine

• The pitching machine is never to be left unattended and is to be operated by one of the coaches to avoid injury. Players are never to touch the pitching machine.
• The pitching machine is to be operated by the offensive team.
• The pitching machine operator’s hand must be held up prior to releasing the ball so that both the catcher and the batter are aware that the pitch is coming.
• The pitching machine operator is not to field the ball and will be handed the ball by the pitcher.
• If a thrown ball hits the batting machine during “live play” the ball is considered to be live.
• If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball is dead and the batter -runner is awarded first base. All other runners can only advance if forced.
• The pitching machine is to be set at speed #5

10. Call-Ups

• A 7U player may be called up to play on a 9U team for a maximum of 3 games plus one tournament. The 7U & 9U division managers plus the player’s coach must be notified of the name of the player being called up. This is to ensure that the player is eligible to be called up. The player must receive the same treatment as regular players and must not play more innings than a regular team player. Teams are encouraged to call players up from the 7U division to avoid forfeits due to a lack of players.
• Second year 9U players may be called up to play on a 11U team for a maximum of 3 games plus one tournament. The 9U & 11U division managers plus the player’s coach must be notified of the name of the player being called up. This is to ensure that the player is eligible to be called up. The player must receive the same treatment as regular players and must not play more innings than a regular team player. 9U players are NOT allowed to pitch at the 11U level. BCMBA monitors these rules and will impose stiff penalties for violations.

Coaches

• Coaches occupying a coach’s box must wear a league provided hat as well as matching attire.
• Only those individuals who have completed their Criminal Record Check and have registered as a helper are permitted to work with the players on the field.
• Each team is allowed a maximum of three (3) coaches inside the fenced perimeter once game play commences. Coaches must remain in the dugout area unless their team is on the offence, and they are occupying a coaches’ box. This is out of respect for the other team and their coaches.
• Each team can have one head coach and two assistant coaches. All coaching positions will be exempt from completing further volunteer hours. Additional parent helpers are eligible to assist in pre-game warmup, practices and off the field during games however this does not count towards volunteer hours.
• Each team is required to have a batting order in writing. A copy of the batting order shall be given to the opposing team as well as the home plate umpire. Please include the player's numbers.
• The head coach will meet with the opposing coach and the umpires at home plate 5 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. The coaches will introduce themselves by their first name to the umpires and will present the team lineup sheet/batting order (2 copies) to the home plate umpire. The home team will give their lineup sheets to the umpire first.
• No protests are allowed during league play. If you have an issue, please notify the 9U Division Manager.

Uniforms and Equipment

• Spring Season jerseys and hats that are supplied by the league must be worn to all games. Special team apparel or hats are not permitted to be worn during spring league games.
• Shirts are to be tucked in at all times.
• Players are to wear grey baseball pants. NO summer ball gear is to be worn during spring league play.
• Players are not permitted to wear any additional clothing that covers their team jerseys. This includes jackets. Any additional clothing must be worn underneath the jersey.
• It is mandatory that all players wear athletic supporters.
• Players are to wear rubber cleats; metal cleats are not allowed.
• As per BC Minor Rule 19.02 Helmets - batters, on deck batters, players used as base coaches, or batboys in all age categories shall wear double earflap helmets which give protection to the temple, ears, base of skull, and top of the hat. Skull caps and wraparound headgear are not to be used by any player as so defined.
• For divisions 13U and younger all player helmets must have a chinstrap or have been manufactured with a c-flap (chin protector) and not contain the snaps for a chin strap. Note: if a helmet with a c-flap has the chin strap snaps, a chin strap must also be worn.
• A catcher must wear shin pads; chest protector and helmet/mask.
• All players, coaches and team managers are not permitted to wear any clothing other than described in BC Minor Rule 19.06:
  •  Coaches occupying a coach’s box must wear a league provided hat as well as matching attire.
• Equipment is NOT to be used for any activity that is not an LMBA sanctioned event. Only the coaches and the executive will be given access to the equipment boxes.
• A league provided hardball is used during gameplay.

Game Scheduling

• Games are not to be postponed or rescheduled without the agreement of the 9U Division Manager and both impacted head coaches.
• Teams are not to consider a game canceled due to bad weather unless they are officially notified.
• Minimum game cancellation notification time is 1 ¾ hours before game time start. If a game is cancelled with less notice, umpire fees are still required to be paid by the home team.

Home Team Responsibilities

• The home team is responsible for notifying the umpire allocator, concession manager, and the division manager of any game cancellations, postponements, or re-scheduling.
• The home team is responsible for preparing the diamond by lining the field and filling in any depressions before the game. After the game, they are to make sure all equipment used during the game is returned to the bins and locked up. No children are allowed in the equipment room or bins.
• A league provided hardball is used during gameplay. The home team is responsible for providing the game ball. Ideally, the same ball will be used for the entire game to ensure consistent pitches from the pitching machine.

All information regarding the 2024 Spring season playoffs will be provided during the spring season.

LMBA strives to provide the opportunity for as many interested players as possible to play in the competitive summer ball program, however rosters will be limited and we do not guarantee all players who try out will be assigned to a summer ball team.

This program requires a separate registration and a full tryout process which will take place shortly after the May long weekend. More information will be provided to all registered participants in the LMBA spring season in late April/early May.

The summer ball program requires a high level of commitment from the players. Families are asked to take this into consideration when planning summer vacations.