2025 Rules and Regulations

Table of Contents

• Code of Conduct
• Pre-Season Rules & Guidelines
• Game Day Rules
• 7/8 Year Old Division
• 9/10 Year Old Division
• 11/12 Year Old Division

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Code of Conduct

The following rules apply to all specified divisions within the Route 304 League. Any amendments or decisions to the interpretation of these rules will be decided and determined by the Route 304 Board of Directors, which consists of the Presidents from the communities of Girard, Hubbard, Liberty, McDonald, Mineral Ridge and Niles.

1. To ensure a positive and safe environment for all participants while promoting sportsmanship, all participants or spectators are prohibited from:
   • inciting any actions detrimental to the game.
   • using foul language or gestures.
   • throwing a bat, helmet or other object.
   • willfully badgering, distracting or harassing any player, coach or umpire.
   • showing violent disapproval of a coach’s or umpire’s decision.
   • standing behind dugouts and backstops or standing within 30 feet of any dugout.

   Any person failing to comply with these rules and any other rules as outlined in the Official Baseball Little League Rule Book may, at the discretion of the umpire and league officials, be ejected from the playing field and its surrounding premises (i.e. the park or complex) and subjected to a suspension from future participation.

2. One pre-determined coach can address an umpire with a question or rule interpretation. No other coach or parent should approach an umpire to discuss a rule or call on the field.
3. Each team shall be limited to 4 game-day coaches in the dugout which includes the manager, assistants, and scorekeeper.
4. Any coach or manager that pulls their team from the field before a completed game must notify a league board member immediately. The 304 Board will then discuss the occurrence to determine a proper resolution.
5. Game protests must be made by the manager to the home plate umpire and the official (home team) scorer at the time of the alleged rule violation. It must be made before the next pitch is thrown. It then must be presented to the 304 League Board by 6:00 p.m. the following day. Protests can only be made on rule violations and not on the judgment call of an umpire. In the event one of the presidents is involved in a protested game, an agreed upon substitute will be named by a majority of the remaining presidents.

Ejection Rule

Any manager, coach, player or spectator who is ejected from a game by an umpire or league official will be subject to an additional one (1) game suspension from coaching, playing or viewing with his/her team. The full term of the suspension is to be served immediately beginning with that team’s next game following the ejection. All ejections are subject to board review for additional disciplinary actions should it be deemed necessary.

In addition, any manager, coach, player or spectator who is ejected from a game a second time in the same season will be suspended from coaching, playing or viewing that team’s games for the remainder of the season. The full term of the suspension is to be served immediately beginning with that team’s next game following the ejection.

Any manager, coach, player or spectator who is ejected from a game for any reason may be subjected to an immediate police report and be subject to the discipline of the police for their pursuant actions. If the offender is found to be in violation of any community baseball association rules or in violation of any local or city ordinance for disorderly conduct, the offender may incur additional and future restrictions from Route 304 League games.

Dugout Cheering and Chanting

Dugout cheers, chants and songs are only permitted when directed to teammates as a form of encouragement. These cheers, chants, or songs must be positive in nature and not include any connotation of foul language, negative content, or intimidation strategies. Teams are not permitted to direct these cheers, chants, or songs to opponents, fans, or umpires at any time. Teams not complying with this rule will be subjected to the team manager being suspended.

Residency Rule

It is the intent of the Route 304 League to be a community baseball & softball organization. Thus, it is required that a player shall reside in that community or attend a school in that community. Any other circumstances need to be approved by the league board of directors.

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Pre-Season Rules & Guidelines

1. Player Age Determination
   • Boys – effective age is any player born on or before April 30.
   • Girls – effective age is any player born on or before January 1.
2. Team Parity: Each community should maintain a relative balance of players from each age group on their respective teams. Each community must maintain the +2 / -2 roster balance per team in each age group. Carryovers from previous years do not override this rule. Failure to follow this rule will result in a ban from playoffs for that age group breaking the rule.
3. Prior to selecting rosters, each team can designate 2 adults as coaches.
4. No community will allow for 3 or more adults to dictate their coaching staff in an effort to “stack” a roster.
5. Prior to the beginning of each season, teams must submit complete rosters to their respective league representative by April 1st. The 304 League Board will accumulate and distribute the official league rosters (consisting of every team in the league) to each manager. The official league rosters shall list each player’s name, uniform number, birth date, and school system / home address.
6. Birth Certificates must be provided to the league if a question arises concerning the age of any player.
7. Play-up Restrictions: Each community governs “play-up” requests on an individual basis. However, no community may permit a player to “play-up” 2 years of their age (e.g., a 9-year-old may not “play-up” as an 11-year-old).
8. The League Championship is determined by a tournament held after the completion of the regular season. The playoff format is determined by a majority vote of league presidents and may change from year to year. Teams may be seeded by win/loss records. Tiebreakers are determined by head-to-head results, and if needed, by a coin flip if a head-to-head advantage does not exist.

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Game Day Rules

Equipment

• Batting Helmets: 7/8 and 9/10 Divisions – all batters and base runners must have a football-type facemask on their helmet. 1-piece jaw-guard types do not meet this requirement. 11/12 Division – face masks are recommended but not required.
• Catcher’s Gear: Catchers must wear 1-piece (hockey type) head protection (a batting helmet with a football-type face mask is also approved for the 7/8 divisions), shin guards, and a chest protector.
• Bats: Softball bats must have a barrel of 2 ¼” diameter and must meet 1.2 BPF. Baseball bats can be USA Bat certified, BBCOR certified, or wooden. The maximum barrel diameter for all certifications is 2 5/8″.

Any player who uses a non-approved bat will result in an ejection for that player and manager. A second offense will result in a 3-game suspension for the manager.

1. Game Length: Games last six innings or 1 hour 45 minutes. The game clock begins as soon as the umpire’s pregame meeting is complete. A new inning cannot start after the time limit has passed (a new inning begins with the home team’s third out of the previous inning). It is recommended that the umpire set an alarm to avoid disputes.
2. Tiebreaker Rule: If the score is tied after 6 innings and before the 1:45 time limit, one extra inning may be played. No game shall go longer than 7 innings. The continuation of any game shall not impact or delay the start of a later game on that field the same evening.
3. Games Shortened by Weather or Daylight: All games are considered official after 4 innings are completed. If a game is stopped with the score tied, play shall resume the next time the two teams play each other. If they do not play again, it must be resumed within ten (10) days. A game called before 4 complete innings shall be resumed at the exact point of cancellation within ten (10) days or completed prior to the next game in which the teams are involved.
4. Number of Players Required: A team must have eight players to start and finish a game. If a team starts with eight (8) players, an out will be recorded in the ninth (9th) spot in the batting order.
5. Player “Call-Ups”: Teams may “call up” players from the age division directly below to fill a game-day roster of up to 10 players. The call-up player must be a member of the community and already participating in the 304 League. Once called up for a specific team, that player cannot play for any other team as a call-up participant and is not allowed to pitch.
6. Runner / Defender Collisions: If, in the umpire’s opinion, a player unnecessarily or intentionally collides with another player, that player will be called out and ejected. If a defensive player blocks a base, inhibiting a slide or causing the runner to leave the base path to avoid a collision, the umpire may award the runner the base. A player who does not slide on a close play that risks injury may be called out.
7. Head First Slides: Head-first slides are strictly prohibited (except when diving back to a base). If one occurs, the runner is called out and the ball is ruled dead. No warning is required.
8. Double First Base Bag:
   • A batted ball hitting the white section is fair; hitting only the colored (orange/green) section is foul.
   • On a play at first, the defense must use the white section.
   • The batter-runner must use the colored section on their first attempt to tag first base. On extra-base hits or balls to the outfield with no play at first, the runner may use either section but may only return to the white section after overrunning.
   • Use of the double first base does not change any other rules concerning interference or obstruction.

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7/8 Year Old Division – Softball & Baseball

1. Each manager will set a continuous batting order. All players present must bat in their pre-determined order for the entire game. Late-arriving players are added to the last batting position.
   • Any listed player who does not bat is an out unless the player is injured.
   • A player is not considered to have batted out of order until the at-bat is completed. If caught earlier, the correct batter assumes the count.
2. Player Playing Time: Every player must play at least 3 defensive innings in a 6-inning game, or 2 innings if the game is shorter.
3. Defensive Positioning: Maximum of 10 players – four outfielders, catcher, pitcher, first, second, third baseman, and shortstop. No rover position.
4. Outfielders must start on the grass until the ball is put into play. No rovers.
5. Outfielders cannot record a force out by running and tagging a base themselves.
6. Infielders must start no closer than 4 feet from their bases. No infielder may move toward the batter until the ball is hit.
7. The catcher must be in full gear and positioned in a crouched stance between the backstop and a line four feet behind home plate until the ball is hit.
8. The pitcher must wear a helmet with a football-type facemask and a heart guard.
9. The pitcher must start with at least one foot in the circle until the pitch crosses home plate.
10. Coach Pitch: The coach pitches from 35 feet. Each batter receives a maximum of 6 pitches. If the ball is not put in play, the batter is out. A batter cannot be called out on a foul ball.
11. Two coaches are permitted on the field with the defensive team, positioned in the outfield, and may not physically assist in defensive plays.
12. Bunting is not permitted.
13. Any ball hit within a 12-foot arc in front of home plate is foul. A ball landing on the line is fair.
14. Any foul ball hit higher than the batter’s head may be caught for an out.
15. The infield fly rule does not apply to this division.
16. Batted balls that hit the coach pitcher are dead and do not count. The pitch does not count as one of the six pitches.
17. No leadoffs or stealing. Runners may not leave a base until the ball is put into play. First violation is a team warning; subsequent violations result in the runner being called out.
18. Live Play – Runners Advancing: Play is live until an infielder, positioned on the infield dirt, has possession/control of the ball. Runners may advance to the next base if they have already cleared the previous base and are in motion at that time.
19. Overthrows: Runners may not advance on overthrows between infielders. This is to encourage proper baseball plays without penalty.
20. An infielder may request timeout once they have control of the ball, but the umpire may deny it if a runner is still advancing. Players must learn that timeouts are not guaranteed.
21. Runs Per Inning: 5-run limit for innings 1–5. Both teams may score unlimited runs in the 6th inning only.
22. Mercy Rule: 12-run lead after 4 complete innings ends the game.
23. The most recent Official Baseball Little League Rule Book governs play, except where modified above.

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9/10 Year Old Division – Softball & Baseball

1. Continuous batting order, same structure as 7/8 Division (late players go last, out-of-order handled as described above).
2. Playing Time: Each player must play at least 2 defensive innings (6 outs) and get at least 1 at-bat.
3. Defensive Positioning: Maximum of 10 players – four outfielders, catcher, pitcher, first, second, third baseman, and shortstop. No rover.
4. A courtesy runner for the catcher is allowed with 2 outs. The courtesy runner is the last player to have recorded an out.
5. No leadoffs. Runners may attempt to steal but cannot leave the base until the pitch crosses the front edge of home plate. First violation is a team warning; subsequent violations result in the runner being called out.
6. Delayed stealing is prohibited. A delayed steal occurs when a runner advances after the catcher has possession and before the next pitch. First offense: team warning and runners returned. Second offense: runner is called out.
7. Continuous walks are not permitted – a player is not permitted past the base granted unless a play is made at that base.
8. A catcher may attempt to throw out a runner stealing without penalty of an additional base on an overthrow (1 base per steal attempt maximum).
9. Runs Per Inning: 5-run rule per inning for innings 1–5. Unlimited runs in the 6th.
10. Mercy Rule: 10-run lead after 4 complete innings ends the game.
11. The most recent Official Baseball Little League Rule Book governs play, except where modified above.

9/10 Girls Softball – Additional Rules

Base Running:

• Hesitation Rule is in effect.
• A runner on 3rd may not attempt to score on a passed ball. No stealing of home.

Pitching:

• Max 12 innings per week (Mon–Sun); 1 pitch = 1 inning.
• Max 4 innings pitched per game (6 in a doubleheader).
• A 9-year-old must pitch at least 2 innings or face 10 consecutive batters in a 5–6 inning game (1 inning if the game is completed in 4 innings).
• Only the starting pitcher may re-enter as pitcher in the same game.
• After 3 mound visits in an inning, the pitcher must be replaced.
• Pitcher must be replaced if they hit 5 batters in the same game.
• Non-compliance with pitching rules results in forfeit and a 1-game suspension for the manager.

9/10 Boys Baseball – Additional Rules

Base Running:

• A runner on 3rd may not attempt to score on a passed ball. No stealing of home.

Pitching:

• Max 9 innings per week (Mon–Sun); 1 pitch = 1 inning.
• Max 2 innings per game (4 in a doubleheader).
• A 9-year-old must pitch at least 1 inning or face 10 consecutive batters in a 5–6 inning game.
• No pitcher may re-enter as pitcher once removed.
• After 3 mound visits in an inning, the pitcher must be replaced.
• Pitcher must be replaced if they hit 3 batters in the same game.
• Non-compliance results in forfeit and a 1-game suspension for the manager.

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11/12 Year Old Division – Softball & Baseball

1. Extra Hitter (EH): Teams may use an EH to create a 10-player batting order. The EH may move to a fielding position and a fielder may become the EH as long as batting order positions remain the same. No player may be the full-time EH for two consecutive games.
2. Playing Time: Every player must play six (6) outs in the field and have one (1) at-bat in each complete game, except a complete-game EH. To ensure this, all players should enter the game by the fourth inning. Only starters may re-enter once the player replacing them has batted and played 6 outs.
   Penalty: Failure to meet minimum playing time results in an automatic 1-game suspension for the manager.
3. Coaches may use a continuous batting order. Players must still play at least 6 outs in the field.
4. Defensive Positioning: Each team will field a maximum of 9 players.
5. A batter-runner may advance to 1st base on a dropped 3rd strike when 1st base is unoccupied, or with 2 outs in the inning. A dropped 3rd strike is any pitch that hits the ground before the catcher receives it.
6. A courtesy runner for the catcher is allowed with 2 outs recorded. The courtesy runner will be the last player who recorded an out.
7. The 10-run rule will be in effect after 3½ or 4 innings.
8. The most recent Official Baseball Little League Rule Book governs play, except where modified above.

11/12 Girls Softball – Pitching

• Max 12 innings per week (Mon–Sun); 1 pitch = 1 inning.
• Max 4 innings per game (6 in a doubleheader).
• An 11-year-old must pitch a minimum of 2 innings or face 10 consecutive batters in a 5–6 inning game (1 inning if the game is completed in 4 innings).
• Only the starting pitcher may re-enter as pitcher in the same game.
• After 3 mound visits in an inning, the pitcher must be replaced.
• Pitcher must be replaced if they hit 5 batters in the same game.
• Non-compliance results in forfeit and a 1-game suspension for the manager.

11/12 Boys Baseball – Base Running & Pitching

Base Running:

• Runners are not permitted to lead off any base. They may attempt to steal upon the pitcher’s release.

Pitching:

• Max 9 innings per week (Mon–Sun); 1 pitch = 1 inning.
• Max 2 innings per game (4 in a doubleheader).
• An 11-year-old must pitch at least 1 inning or face 10 consecutive batters in a 5–6 inning game.
• No pitcher may re-enter as pitcher once removed.
• After 3 mound visits in an inning, the pitcher must be replaced.
• Pitcher must be replaced if they hit 3 batters in the same game.
• Non-compliance results in forfeit and a 1-game suspension for the manager.

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304 League Governing Board

• Girard: President Justin Kay (330.501.4742)
• Hubbard: President Ted Theiron (330.509.1279)
• McDonald: President John Metzinger (330.717.5137)
• Mineral Ridge: President Pete Goche (330.646.7002)
• Niles: President Kyle Leonard (330.716.4379)

This on-page version is a formatted reference. For the official document, please download the full “Route 304 League Rule Book – Revised 2025” PDF.