13U and 14U Rules

Item	13U and 14U
Regulation game	7 innings (6½ if the home team leads)
Time limit	2 hours 15 minutes, takes precedence over innings
Tied at the time limit	Play until there is a winner
Mercy rule	15 runs after 4 innings, 10 runs after 5 innings
Minimum players	Start with 8, forfeit at 7
Metal spikes	Permitted
Daily pitch maximum	95 pitches
Umpires, division games	Two certified COYBL approved umpires required
Minimum temperature	40 degrees Fahrenheit at first pitch and throughout
Drop deadline to be picked up	June 15
League ending date	July 31

• Get your team's liability insurance in place. No insurance, no games.
• Post your roster online at www.coybl.org before your first game. Games played without an online roster are forfeited.
• Carry a copy of your roster and every player's birth certificate to every game. If you cannot produce them on request, you forfeit.

• Attend the home plate meeting. Cover ground rules, park restrictions, time limit agreements, and who owns the official start time.
• Exchange lineup cards with the opposing manager. If you are using extra hitters, tell the opposing manager and the plate umpire before the game starts.
• Record the umpires' names and their OHSAA numbers before the game starts. Failure to do so invalidates the game and it must be replayed.

COYBL games are governed by two sets of rules.

1. COYBL specific rules, listed below.
2. National Federation of High School (NFHS) rules. When a rule is not addressed specifically within the age level and COYBL specific rules, COYBL defers to NFHS rules.

1. Game time temperature

• The temperature must be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the start of the game (first pitch) and must remain at least at that temperature throughout the entirety of the game.
• Also consider extreme heat indexes when deciding to play games. See the heat index information at the bottom of this page.

2. Game length

• Regulation games are 7 innings, or 6½ if the home team is ahead after the visiting team completes its at bat in the top half of the 6th inning.
• There is a 2 hour and 15 minute time limit that takes precedence.
• If the game is tied at the time limit, the game must be played until there is a winner.

3. Home plate meeting

• Any pregame agreements regarding time limits must be agreed upon by both head coaches and in witness of the umpire in charge during the home plate meeting. Once agreed upon, no exceptions can be made.
• Some parks have specific restrictions that need to be discussed during pregame conferences.
• Ground rules of the park and games must be discussed at this meeting.
• During the meeting at the plate, it must be decided who has the official start time of the game. That person must keep both head coaches and the umpires aware of when the time limit is approached.

4. Run or mercy rules

Lead	Game ends after
15 runs	4 innings (3½ innings if the home team is ahead)
10 runs	5 innings

5. Number of players

• You may start a game with 8 players, but you must take an out for the ninth spot in the batting order.
• A 9th player may enter the lineup in the ninth spot at any time during the game, as long as the player's name is entered on the lineup card prior to the game.
• You may finish with 8 players, with the understanding that the vacated spot in the lineup will be an out each time it comes up in the batting order.
• If at any time during the game your lineup is reduced to 7 players or fewer, the game is ruled a forfeit.

6. Official games due to weather or darkness

If weather or darkness interferes with play so that the game is called (ended) by the umpire, it is a regulation game if 5 full innings have been played, or if the home team has the lead after the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 5th inning.

If the game is tied when the umpire ends it after 5 full innings, or after the visiting team has recorded 3 offensive outs in the 5th inning, the game is to be resumed as it stands with all offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded. This is specifically mandatory for division games. It is not mandatory for non division games. For non division games, an agreement between head coaches can be made in a safe place after the game has ended as to whether and how the game will be finished.

If play has gone beyond 5 full innings, the final score of the game reverts back to the score after the last completed full inning of play after the 5th full inning of the game.

If play has stopped before 5 full innings, an agreement must be made by the two head coaches in witness of the umpire in charge, either to resume the game with offensive and defensive stats kept and recorded, or to start the game over from the beginning. If an agreement cannot be reached, the game is to be resumed from where it was stopped. See the pitching rules for pitcher eligibility in a resumed game.

7. Designated hitter (DH), extra hitters (EH), and roster batting

• DH and EH are both allowed for league play. You cannot use both in the same game.
• The DH is a hitter who does not play a position, but instead fills in the batting order for any position player.
• An unlimited number of extra hitters is allowed, up to and including batting the entire roster (roster batting) through age 16U.
• A team using the EH is required to make the opposing manager and the home plate umpire aware prior to the start of the game. This must be addressed when covering fields and ground rules. Both teams must exchange lineup cards with the opposing team.
• A team using EHs must maintain the same number of batting positions used in their initial lineup for the entire game.
• If a team is unable to maintain the batting lineup due to player injury or illness, the injured or ill player is removed from the batting order with no penalty.
• If a player is ejected when an EH, the vacated spot in the lineup will be considered an out.
• This rule is in effect even if the team drops below 9 players. If a player leaves the game for any other reason, the missing batter will be considered out.
• Any EHs, while not in a defensive position, will be treated as such for substitution purposes.
• If a player arrives late, he or she can be entered at the end of the lineup.

8. Courtesy runners

• Courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher with 2 outs are allowed to help speed up the game.
• Courtesy runners cannot currently be in the game lineup. If roster batting, the courtesy runner must be the person that made the last out.
• The courtesy runner must have a helmet ready to go into the game and pinch run.
• It is not mandatory to utilize courtesy runners.

9. Footwear

• Metal spikes are permitted for ages 13U and older. This includes both 13U and 14U.
• Metal spikes remain prohibited at 12U and below.

10. Bats

COYBL will allow bats that are approved according to the Nations bat rules, the USSSA bat rule, and the USA Baseball bat rule.

11. Slug bunting

Slug bunting is not permitted. A slug bunt is squaring to bunt, then pulling the bat back and swinging at the pitch. This puts players in danger and will not be permitted.

12. Pitchers

Pitchers cannot return to the mound once removed from the mound in a game.

Pitch Smart limits for ages 13 and 14. The daily maximum is 95 pitches in a game.

Pitches thrown in a day	Calendar days of rest required
1 to 20	None
21 to 35	1
36 to 50	2
51 to 65	3
66 or more	4

Finishing a batter. For ages 13U and 14U, if a pitcher reaches one of the pitch count stages above during an at bat, he may finish that batter without being charged the extra pitches. For example, if a pitcher reaches 35 pitches to a batter, the pitcher can finish that batter before being pulled without being required to take the additional days of rest. The coach would enter 35 pitches, not the extra pitches thrown to finish the batter.

13. Tobacco or vape usage

There will be no tobacco use in or around the dugout area or on the field of play at any time. Violation of this rule could result in suspension of the violating coach or player.

14. Taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct

Taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind against the other team will not be tolerated. Coaches, players, parents, or fans that take part in this type of behavior will be removed immediately from the game and the park by the umpires. Each incident will subsequently be handled individually by the COYBL league office.

15. Umpires

• Under no circumstance is a relative of a player to officiate a COYBL game. The penalty is forfeiture of the game by the offending team.
• All umpires must be licensed and in good standing with OHSAA. They are asked to register (free) on the COYBL website. There is a link on the home page for them.
• Both teams must record the names of the umpire or umpires and their OHSAA number prior to the game starting. Failure to do so will result in the game being declared invalid, and it must be replayed.
• All divisional games for 13U and older must have two certified COYBL approved umpires.
• If both teams agree to play with one umpire prior to the game, then no complaints or inquiries can be made to any league directors. If there is not a pregame agreement, then the outcome of the game will not be recorded in league standings.
• Fees for umpires are set by agreement between the paying team or teams and the umpire. COYBL does not make those arrangements. As a guideline, an average fee for umpires in Central Ohio for a 6 inning game is $65 to $70 each. Umpires officiating a game by themselves (single umpire) should be paid more than the single umpire rate.
• If you are playing a divisional double header, the umpire fees are to be split by both teams. For non division double headers, the umpire fees are to be determined by the participating teams.

16. Team eligibility

• Teams must have a liability insurance policy in place for their team before playing any games under COYBL.
• If you registered under Option 1, you are insured under the Nations Baseball policy.
• If you opted for Option 2, you need to name COYBL on your policy as an additional insured. Send the league office a copy of your policy naming COYBL, 152 Glen Crossing Drive, Etna, Ohio 43062, on it.
• A team cannot be made up of more than 22 roster players.
• Team rosters must be online at www.coybl.org before you play your first game. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of any games played.
• Use of an illegal player or a non roster player will result in forfeiture of any games in which the player participated. At any time during the season, if a league director discovers that an illegal player was used, he can apply a forfeit for prior or current games to the team using the illegal player.
• Coaches must have a copy of their team roster and birth certificates with them at all times. If you cannot provide your roster and birth certificates when requested, you will forfeit the game.

17. Player eligibility

Age. A player's age on April 30 determines the player's eligible age division for the current season. This includes April 30 itself. For example, a player who is 13 on April 30 is eligible for play in the 13 and under division. There is a grade exemption. See the age eligibility table below for the specifics.

Multiple teams.

• Players may not play for multiple COYBL teams at the same age level, except within an organization that has multiple teams in the same age group, for example an A team, a B team, and a C team.
• In those cases, organizations with multiple teams may be permitted to pull players between A, B, and C teams to fill a roster spot so a team has enough players to play its scheduled games. The spirit of this rule is not to allow wholesale roster changes for significant advantage. It is intended to have enough players to play the scheduled games. An A team can pull from B or C teams, a B team can pull from A or C teams, and a C team can pull from A or B teams.
• Any player can play up in an older age group for COYBL play.
• If a player plays for two COYBL teams (which must be two different age groups, unless the organization exception above applies), that player may only pitch for their primary team. A fill in player may not pitch for the team using him to fill a roster spot.
• Any player playing on more than one team must be on both COYBL rosters to be eligible to play and to be insured.
• Once a player is added to a roster, he or she cannot be changed during the current season of play. Rosters are time stamped when additions are made.
• You can add non COYBL players at any point in the season.

Leaving teams.

• If a player leaves a team for any reason during the current season, he must receive a letter of release from the original team, signed by the head coach and the parent of the player, mailed to the age group director. The original team must also officially drop the player from their roster on the Nations Baseball website before any team is eligible to pick that player up.
• If a player is released from a team, he may not return to that team for the remainder of the current season.
• If a player leaves a team by their choice for any reason, all fees due to the team must be paid in full before the player can play for another COYBL team. No exceptions.
• A player in the 13U or older age groups must be dropped by June 15 of the current season to be able to be picked up by another team for the current season. Any player dropped after the date given for their age group is not eligible to participate in any COYBL game for the current season.

18. Division standings

• Divisional standings include the wins and losses of the two games played against each of your divisional opponents.
• Any divisional game that is tied must be finished. Ties will not be included in the final divisional standings.
• Rainouts and other cancellations must be made up in good faith for divisional play.
• Divisional play takes priority over non divisional play. Any rainout or cancellation in division play must be made up before non division games. Each game is important for the division standings.

19. League ending date

The official league ending date is July 31 for ages 13U and older.

Default rule. When a rule is not addressed specifically within the COYBL specific rules, COYBL defers to the Ohio high school rules published by the NFHS. An NFHS rule book can be purchased by calling 614-267-2502.

Field dimensions (base paths, pitching distance, and mound height) are not specified in the COYBL 13U and 14U rules, so the default rule applies and NFHS dimensions govern. Confirm ground rules and any park specific field variations at the home plate meeting.

A player's age on April 30 sets the division. For each division, a player who turns the next age up before May 1 is ineligible unless he is in the listed grade. A player who turns two ages up before May 1 is never eligible. Players may always play up in an older division.

Division	Ineligible if he turns this age before May 1, unless in the listed grade	Grade exemption	Never eligible if he turns this age before May 1
7U	8	1st grade	9
8U	9	2nd grade	10
9U	10	3rd grade	11
10U	11	4th grade	12
11U	12	5th grade	13
12U	13	6th grade	14
13U	14	7th grade	15
14U	15	8th grade	16

This information is provided to help reduce the risk of injuries. These are not official rules.

Overuse and fatigue. This is by far the biggest risk factor for pitchers. Compared to healthy teammates, adolescent pitchers who underwent elbow or shoulder surgery were 36 times more likely to have routinely pitched with arm fatigue. Pitching mechanics such as hip to shoulder separation and forward trunk tilt change as players get tired. Studies link injury risk to pitching too many months, pitching too many innings, pitching too deep into games, violating pitch count recommendations, and sharp spikes in workload. Pitchers should avoid pitching on consecutive days.

Showcases. Offseason showcase pitching is especially hazardous when a pitcher's arm is not in pitching shape. Count showcase appearances toward daily, weekly, and annual pitch limits, and avoid overthrowing for the radar gun.

Curveballs and sliders at a young age. Young pitchers throwing curveballs and sliders may report more elbow or shoulder pain, though field studies have not shown an increased injury risk from curveballs, and the curveball produces similar or even less force, torque, and muscle activity at the elbow and shoulder than the fastball. Teach good fastball mechanics and a proper arm slot before introducing breaking balls.

Pitchers who also catch. At any level, a pitcher should not also catch for his team. The combination produces far more throwing than any other position. Pitchers who also played catcher were three times more likely to suffer a major arm injury.

Velocity. Higher velocity puts more stress on the shoulder and elbow. Pitchers who throw harder than others their age should be especially careful to follow Pitch Smart guidelines. Establish proper mechanics and throwing technique before trying to add velocity.

Mound height and pitching distance. Youth mounds range from flat ground to 10 inch adult mounds. One study found less arm stress from flat ground, two others found no difference, so both are likely acceptable. Shoulder force increases with pitching distance, so leagues with an intermediate distance (such as 50 or 54 feet) are preferred over jumping straight from 46 feet to the adult 60.5 feet.

Single sport specialization. Focusing on baseball year round may increase injury risk. Retrospective studies of professional players show higher injury rates among those who specialized in baseball before high school. Delay specialization at least until high school, and preferably until college. All athletes should maintain baseball specific strength and conditioning in the offseason, including shoulder range of motion and the strength and endurance of the core and the muscles around the shoulder blade.

The heat index, also called the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature. When humidity is high, sweat evaporates more slowly, so the body cannot cool itself as well and feels hotter. As air temperature and relative humidity rise, the heat index rises with them.

To read a heat index chart you need the air temperature and the relative humidity. At 100°F air temperature with 55% relative humidity, the heat index is 124°F. At the same 100°F with only 15% relative humidity, the heat index is 96°F.

Heat index values are calculated for shady locations. In direct sunlight, add up to 15°F. Heat indices at or above 103°F can lead to dangerous heat disorders with prolonged exposure or physical activity.

Classification	Heat index	Effect on the body
Caution	80°F to 90°F	Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity
Extreme caution	90°F to 103°F	Heat stroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity
Danger	103°F to 124°F	Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity
Extreme danger	125°F or higher	Heat stroke highly likely