Rules
The rules parents ask about, and how they differ by league.
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Baseball Rules by League: Little League to MLB
The biggest differences: in Little League's Major Division and younger, runners can't lead off, so there are no balks, every player must play and bat in the regular season, and pitchers follow strict pitch counts. From the 50/70 Division up, runners lead off and balks are called. High school leaves run rules, pitch counts and courtesy runners to each state.
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Baseball Rules for New Parents: A Plain-English Guide
Youth baseball's odd-looking calls come down to a few rules. A balk sends runners up a base, the infield fly makes the batter out even if the ball drops, and a dropped third strike can let the batter run. Pitch counts set how much a pitcher may throw and how long they rest. Which ones apply depends on your child's league and age.
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Little League vs High School Baseball Rules
Going from Little League's Major Division to high school, runners can lead off and steal, so balks are called. The field grows from 60-foot bases to 90 feet, with the mound at 60 feet 6 inches. Bats must be BBCOR, games go to seven innings, playing time is up to the coach, and pitch count limits come from the state.
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What Is a Balk? The Balk Rule in Baseball, Explained
A balk is an illegal move by the pitcher while runners are on base, usually something that could trick a runner. Every runner moves up one base. With nobody on base the same move is an illegal pitch, and the batter gets a ball. Little League's Major Division and below don't call balks at all.
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Dropped Third Strike Rule: When Can the Batter Run?
If the catcher doesn't catch strike three cleanly, the batter can run to first, but only if first base is empty or there are two outs. With a runner on first and fewer than two outs, the batter is out anyway. Little League uses the rule in the Major Division and up, not in Minors or Tee Ball.
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The Infield Fly Rule, Explained Simply
With fewer than two outs and runners on first and second (or the bases loaded), a fair pop-up an infielder can catch easily is an infield fly. The umpire calls the batter out right away, caught or not, so runners aren't forced to run. They may still advance at their own risk.
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Courtesy Runner Rule in High School and Little League
A courtesy runner can run for the pitcher or catcher so they can rest or gear up, and they stay in the game. In high school it's an optional speed-up rule that each state association decides whether to use. Little League allows a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher of record with two outs, plus a separate special pinch runner below the Senior division.
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Baseball Field Dimensions by Age: Bases and Mound
Little League plays on 60-foot bases with a 46-foot pitching distance through the Major Division (about ages 9 to 12). Intermediate (50/70) moves to 70-foot bases and 50 feet. Junior League, Senior League, high school, college and the majors use 90-foot bases and 60 feet 6 inches. Little League Tee Ball may use a 50-foot diamond.
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Baseball Mercy Rule: Little League and High School
In Little League's Major Division and below, a game ends when a team leads by 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4, or 8 after 5 (half an inning sooner if the home team is ahead). Intermediate, Junior and Senior League use the same margins one inning later. High school games run 7 innings, and each state association sets its own run rule.
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Baseball Terms for Parents: A Plain-English Glossary
The basics: the count is balls, then strikes (3-2 is a full count). A force out happens when a runner has to run and the fielder just touches the base. A tag up means going back to touch your base after a caught fly ball before you run. In the scorebook, positions are numbered 1 to 9, so a 6-4-3 double play goes shortstop to second to first.