Spring Leagues – Baseball

Everyone in the league wants to make our young people’s time as enjoyable as possible. Although skills and competition increase as players advance through the program, the focus at all levels in on learning, playing and fun. For example, continuous batting orders are used – so that players bat whether or not they are in the defensive alignment at the time. And all players play a minimum number of innings in the field. But even though we base our rules on the National Federation of High School standards, there are modifications in the program as the boys get older. We hope that this page serves as a “thumbnail” summary of the differences in the leagues.

Below the league summaries, you will also find links to rules, tie-breakers and the weather policy.

Please note, playing “age” is determined by the player’s age as of April 30th of the current year.

CO-ED TEE-BALL

Age: 4-6 years old
Play: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Duration: 4 innings
Baselines: 45′ Pitchers are 30′ away

Emphasis is on fun and the teaching of fundamentals – hitting and catching the ball, throwing and running the bases. “Reduced Injury Factor” (RIF) balls are used. At this level:

• No scores or standings are kept.
• Batters hit from a tee set at home plate.
• Ten players bat each inning regardless of outs.
• Ten defensive players are used with coaches in the field for instruction.
• Parents serve as umpires and help with instruction.

COACH – PITCH “B” LEAGUE

Age: 7 years old
Play: Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays
Duration: 6 innings
Baselines: 60′ Pitching Distance: 36′

The tees are gone and coaches pitch to their own team. 9” ‘RIF’ balls are used and the focus is on fun and the basics of hitting and fielding:

• Score and standing are kept but not emphasized.
• Batters receive up to seven pitches; there are no walks.
• Fielders play a minimum of three innings and must play both infield and outfield positions.
• Ten fielders are used; coaches teach from field.
• Catchers wear gear and receive pitches.

COACH-PITCH “A” LEAGUE

Age: 8 years old
Play: Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays
Duration: 6 innings
Baselines: 60′ Pitching Distance: 46′
A continuation of the 7 year old league with a some advanced and tightened batting, fielding and overthrow rules.

GREEN HAT LEAGUE

Age: 9-10 years old
Play: Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays
Duration: 6 innings
Baselines: 60′ Pitching Distance: 46′
Players pitching to players, no coaches in the field, no more neighborhood teams, a player draft, “league balls”, trained umpires – many changes, but still emphasis is on fun, skill and development.

• Some baseball rules are added, such as infield fly.
• Nine defensive players are now used.
• Catching starts to be a more skilled position.
• Pitchers are limited to a daily and weekly pitch count.
• There are no walks. Coaches pitch to batters after four (4) thrown pitches called balls.
• No leadoffs; but stealing is allowed (except home).

RED HAT LEAGUE

Age: 11-12 years old
Play: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Duration: 6 innings
Baselines: 70′, Pitching Distance: 50′
As our “major league” for young boys, the Red Hat League provides more of the true flavor of baseball. Competition increases but the focus on instruction, fun and sportsmanship remains with more training in teamwork.

• More rules added, including dropped third strike.
• Players begin to specialize at positions.
• Pitchers are limited to a daily and weekly pitch count.
• Limited balk rules are enforced.
• Still no leadoffs, but stealing of all bases are allowed.

BLUE HAT LEAGUE

Age: 13-14 years old
Play: Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays
Duration: 7 innings
Baselines: 80′ Pitching Distance: 54′

The field size increases substantially and the game expands to seven innings in the Blue Hat League (generally for middle school young men). Two umpires are used, and emphasis is on improvement of skills, teamwork and sportsmanship.

• Players continue to become specialized at positions.
• Players become pitchers not just “throwers” – and are limited to a daily and weekly pitch count.
• Outfield positions become “skilled” positions.
• Catchers help to “run the team” on defense.
• Umpires are fully certified OHSAA officials.

BLACK HAT LEAGUE

Age: 15-18 years old
Play: Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays
Duration: 7 innings
Baselines: 90′ Pitching Distance: 60’6″
The Black Hat League is generally made up of high school age young men (eighteen year olds must be in high school at registration). Field size finally becomes “major league” and play is more competitive. Stress is placed on honing of skills, teamwork and sportsmanship.

• Players can stay on the same team for four years, developing more teamwork and team spirit.
• Players are usually specialized at their positions.
• Pitchers throw more types of pitches and are limited to a daily and weekly pitch count.
• Catchers “call” pitches and defensive alignment.
• Outfield positions are important “skilled” positions.