2026 Rules

2026 Town of Brookhaven Baseball Program Guidelines Table of Contents

1 Personnel/Eligibility
A- Player/Coach Photo ID
B- Player Eligibility
C- Rosters
D- Team Personnel

2 Game Day
DOUBLE FIRST BASE
A- Lineups
B- EH/DH 
C- Forfeits 
D- Mercy Rule 
E- Pre-Game Warm-up 
F- Time Limit 
G- Speed Up Rule 
H- Uniforms 
I- Protests

3 Schedules
A- Postponements/Cancellations
B- Rescheduling Games
C- Scheduling Conflicts

4 Post Season
A- Playoffs 
B- Playoff Eligibility

5 Sportsmanship
A- Unsportsmanlike Behavior/Ejections/Suspensions

6 Miscellaneous
A- Alcohol/Tobacco
B- Bench Area Cleaning 
C- Bench Restrictions
D- Inappropriate Language/Trash Talk 
E- Injured Players
F- Turf Fields

7 Rule Exceptions
8u 
9u 
10u 
11u 
12u 
13u-18u

2026   Town of Brookhaven Baseball Program Guidelines 2025- ALL GAMES WILL BE GOVERNED ACCORDING TO NATIONAL FEDERATION (NFHS) RULES WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:

1.       ELIGIBILITY/PERSONNEL
A- PLAYER/COACH PHOTO ID’s: All players and coaches will be required to have a Photo ID for the 2026 Summer League only. Each coach is to submit a JPEG photo of each coach and player on their roster to the Baseball Office. PHOTOS MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR ALL PLAYERS AND NEW COACHES FOR 2026, as they have not been updated in the past few years (if we have a coach’s picture on file there is no need to submit a new one). TOB will validate each coach and player prior to each game. PLAYERS AND COACHES WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IF THEY DO NOT SUBMIT A PHOTO TO TOB. These photos must be submitted by MAY 1, 2026.
B- PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: Player/coach waivers, birth certificates (only if new in 2026) and rosters are due no later than May 1, 2026. This will be used to determine player eligibility for the first game of the season. Players/coaches are not eligible to play until there is a complete registration waiver, birth certificate and picture ID on file in the Baseball Office for them.
C- ROSTERS: The cutoff date to determine the league in which a player can participate is May 1, 2026. AGE ELIGIBILITY- TOB WILL ALLOW FOR TWO AGE EXEMPTIONS PER TEAM FOR PLAYERS OF THE SAME GRADUATING YEAR BORN BEFORE MAY 1 BUT WILL ONLY BE ELIGIBLE IF BORN ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1. EXEMPTION PLAYERS MAY ONLY PARTICIAPTE ON ONE ROSTER. A player cannot be more than 2 years younger than the league age. Any player who are turns 18 before May 1, 2026, and are in their senior year of high school for the 2025–2026 school year are eligible to play. These players must provide the Baseball Office with proof of enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year (school identification card or school transcript).

Players may be added up until midnight July 17, 2026. For any player to be added to the roster, the request must be submitted by 12:00 noon, Monday through Friday. The Baseball Office must approve all additions and deletions to the roster. To add players, you must submit a fully completed player registration waiver form, with parental and player electronic signature, birth certificate and a photo to the Baseball Office prior to the player’s first time in the lineup or in a game. Any player who competes without being properly registered will cause his team to forfeit each game in which he plays until he becomes properly registered, and the coach  will be subject to suspension. Photos and birth certificates may not be submitted at the field.

A player may not be registered on more than one team in the same age group, no matter what the division. A non-rostered player participating in a game will result in the forfeit of that game. If the non-rostered player is discovered during the game, they will be removed immediately, the batting spot will result an automatic out (unless there is a sub available). A player may only participate in one game at the same time.
D- TEAM PERSONNEL: Each team must have at least one staff member who is at least 21 years old and at each game. Others must be at least 18 years of age. A coach can be registered with multiple teams. A team may register an unlimited number of coaches; however, teams may not have more than 4 adult manager/coaches (including a scorekeeper) on the bench during the game. One adult registered with the program must be always on the bench. All team personnel must have a photo ID to sit on the bench and/or coach the field. If your photo ID is not on file, you will not be able to participate in the game. Any team personnel who are not registered cannot participate in any manner. Players may coach on the baseline provided they wear a helmet.

All coaches are required to wear a helmet while coaching the bases. The helmet does not need to have ear flaps.

2.       GAME DAY
DOUBLE FIRST BASE RULE- The batter/runner should use the colored base on an initial play at first base unless a fielder is drawn into foul territory to receive a dropped third strike or any errant throw, in which case, the batter/runner would use the white portion of the base. Once the batter/runner reaches first base, the batter/runner must always return to the white base, including when leading off, returning on a pick-off attempt or tagging up on a fly ball. A batter/runner may use either side of first base on a base on balls or an extra-base hit to the outfield when there is no chance of a play to be made at first base. Interference is to be called on batter/runner if they only touch the white portion on a force play at first base and collide with the fielder. Similarly, it is obstruction if a defensive player only touches the colored portion of the base and collides with the batter/runner. It is a fair ball if a batted ball hits or bounds over any portion of the white portion of the double first base. Alternately, it is a foul ball if a batted ball hits or bounds over any part of the colored portion of the base. This will become a National Federation High School (NFHS) rule officially in 2027.
 A- LINEUPS: TOB will supply an official scorekeeper at all games. ALL AGES ARE PERMITTED TO USE A UNIVERSAL LINEUP, WITH NORMAL SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED. Completed line-up cards (provided by TOB or your own and it includes at least 2 copies) must be handed in minimum of fifteen minutes before the game. Coaches must put the player’s FIRST NAME, LAST NAME AND UNIFORM NUMBER on the line-up card. The pitcher must be specifically listed. Once the game starts, the lineup is official, and the batting order cannot be changed. Players may be added to the bottom of the lineup after the game has started. If the lineup is not handed into the scorer on time and it is determined that it is an attempt to circumvent the rules, it may result in forfeit and/or ejection of the head coach. The coach or team official must report all line-up changes to the TOB scorekeeper. Changes are to be reported as they occur. All players must be present to be listed on the starting lineup. In the event a player is removed from the game (injury, illness, etc.) that spot in the batting order will be skipped, unless a sub is added. In all age groups an ejection will result in an automatic out unless a substitute is available.
B- EH/DH: Coaches have the option of using an EH (extra hitter) and or DH (designated hitter). Players listed as an EH can play a field position. The EH spot in the batting order does not change. In the event of an ejected player, the EH can take the   ejected player’s spot in the field. However, if a team has no more substitutes on the bench, then the ejected player’s spot in the batting order is an automatic out. Federation substitution rules will apply. The original lineup may include an EH but must be designated in the original line-up. The extra hitter is a starter and is allowed to take the field and switch with a player already in the field.
C- FORFEITS: If a team has eight players at start time, the game will begin at the scheduled time and play with an eight-player line-up. A team must have at least eight players to start a game. If a team has less than eight players at game time, forfeit time will be 15 minutes after scheduled game time. If a team is scheduled for a doubleheader against the same opponent a forfeit will be imposed one half hour after the first forfeit is awarded. More than three total forfeits (of any kind) may cause dismissal from the league and disqualification from the playoffs. Three team forfeits at the field will result in the team being dropped from league play for the remainder of the season. PLEASE NOTE: Each team that forfeits after 12noon, on the day of the game, will be charged $100.00 per forfeit. The fine MUST BE PAID within TWO WEEKS of the forfeit. FAILURE TO PAY THE FINE WILL RESULT IN THE HEAD COACH BEING SUSPENDED FROM PARTICIPATING IN GAMES UNTIL THE FINE IS PAID AND COULD JEOPARDIZE YOUR SPOT IN THE SUMMER LEAGUE FOR THE FOLLOWING SEASON. 
Coaches that email TOB to forfeit prior to the scheduled date should be aware that the forfeit does not become official until the date and start time of the originally scheduled game Therefore, if the league is rained out, the game is canceled and rescheduled for another date and time.
D- MERCY RULE: If one team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 4 innings have been  played, provided the home team has batted in the bottom of the inning (if losing), the time limit is waived, and the game will be declared official. If a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after the trailing team has had 4 at bats, the game is terminated. The teams may continue to play for the allotted two hours if the teams mutually agree. If a team is ahead by 15 or more runs after the trailing team has had 3 at bats the game is terminated at that point.
E- PRE-GAME WARM-UP: Batting practice  or batting into the fence is not permitted. However, plastic (whiffle) balls are permitted on the outfield perimeter fence. All coaches and participants must yield the field upon the scorekeeper’s arrival. Home team warm-ups will begin 40 minutes before game time and continue for 15 minutes. The visitor will follow for 15 minutes. This will allow 10 minutes for the pre-game conference to go over the ground rules. Umpires or coaches should report non-compliance with any of these guidelines to the Baseball Office. It is imperative that games start on time. The Baseball Office may subject violators to a bench restriction or ejection.
F- TIME LIMIT: All games will have a two-hour time limit, meaning that no inning will start two hours after the time of the first pitch. If a game is tied after 6/7 innings and the time limit has not been reached, play will continue until the time limit expires or a team wins the game. Official time will be kept by the scorekeeper and will begin on the first pitch. It is recommended that each team’s scorekeeper does the same. A new inning on an unlighted field should not be started unless the umpires feel there is a reasonable chance that both halves of the innings will be completed. Should a game be halted due to the curfew or darkness, the team ahead at the time (provided the required number of innings has been played) will be the winner. If a game is tied and cannot be continued due to the curfew or darkness, it will be an official game, and each team will be awarded one point in the standings. If the full two hours are used, the game will be official regardless of the number of innings played. Coaches and umpires are encouraged to hustle players on and off the field. All games are to be governed by the two-hour curfew limitation except play-off games (semifinals and finals only).
G- SPEED UP RULE: A courtesy runner is permitted, regardless of the number of outs, only for the pitcher and catcher (currently in the lineup in those positions). The runner will be the last batted out.
H- UNIFORMS: Jerseys, pants, and caps should match. Registered coaches must be uniformed (including hats) to enter the playing field at any time. Acceptable coach attire includes matching shirts, hats, and athletic pants or shorts. No cutoff jeans, bathing suits, flip-flops or other similar apparel are permitted.
I- PROTESTS: Protests must be made during the game to the Umpire-In-Chief and the TOB staff prior to the NEXT pitch. Such protests must be made in accordance with the official 2026 Federation Rulebook that states that a judgment call may in no case be protested.
3.  SCHEDULES
A- POSTPONEMENTS/CANCELLATIONS: In the event of rain or weather concerns, a team representative is required to check the website, at www.leaguelineup.com/tobbaseball. We will also attempt to send out an alert through GC.A game may be called if, in the opinion of the site supervisor and/or umpire, field conditions and/or weather are unfavorable. In a delay, coaches, players and spectators are expected to wait and the head coach/manager must check with the site supervisor or scorekeeper and umpires for the official notice of game cancellation or resumption of the game. If the situation does not improve, the game will be suspended and resumed later, to be determined by the Baseball Office, unless it is an official game. Once official, if a game is stopped at the top of an inning and the visiting team ties the game or takes the lead it will be considered suspended. Otherwise, the game will revert to the previous inning. For the 13u thru 18u leagues, 5 innings must be played to make the game official (4 ½ if the home team is ahead). For the 8u thru 12u leagues, 4 innings will constitute an official game (3 ½ if the home team is ahead).
Thunder/Lightning Rule Specifics: If the game is official (3 ½ or 4 innings for a 6-inning game; or 4 ½ or 5 innings for a 7-inning game) and there is thunder/lightning we will still wait to attempt to continue.At the first sighting strike of lightning or sound of thunder the game will be paused for a minimum of 30 minutes—and no matter how much lightning/thunder there is during that time, we will wait. At the first sighting of lightning or sound of thunder, after the allotted time, the game will be suspended and rescheduled for a later date. In both circumstances teams/spectators are to leave the field and move to the parking lot. 8:15pm games will be attempted to be played despite earlier (5:30pm/6pm) games being suspended or postponed. Teams should not leave the premises without confirming with TOB Staff.
Suspended Game: If a game is terminated due to rain, lightning, light failure, inclement weather, etc. provided the losing team has not had 5 at bats, the game will be resumed at the point of suspension with unused time applied. In the 8u thru 12u division, the losing team must not have had 4 at bats. Example: Team A has a 2-0 lead after 4 innings, after one hour and fifteen minutes of play. Ruling: Game will be resumed at the top of the 5^th, with Team “A” leading 2-0. Example: Team A has a 2-0 lead after 5 innings, after one hour and fifteen minutes of play. Ruling: Official game. Team A is credited with a 2-0 win.
B- RESCHEDULING OF GAMES: The Baseball Office will reschedule postponed games. The Baseball Office has the sole authority on any scheduling matters. Rescheduled games must be played on the date and location specified by the Baseball Office.
C- SCHEDULING CONFLICTS: Coaches are not permitted to reschedule game dates or times without the approval of the Baseball Office. All exceptions for the summer season are due VIA EMAIL by May 1. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS ACCEPTED AFTER THAT DATE.
EXCEPTION GUIDELINES: 15u-18u: 3 GAME DATES, 11u-14u: 2 GAME DATES, 8u-10u: 1 GAME DATE. Two changes will be permitted if you do not use any of your blackout dates. If you use any blackout dates you will then only be permitted one change (by June 26). A team using a change prior to June 26 must contact the Baseball Office, via email, 48 hours prior to the scheduled game.
NO CHANGES OR EXCEPTIONS WILL BE HONORED FOR ANY GAMES SCHEDULED AFTER JULY 17. NO CHANGES OR EXCEPTIONS WILL BE HONORED FOR ANY PLAYOFF GAMES. IF YOU WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT ANY POINT IN THE PLAYOFFS, THEN YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE. All reschedules and rainouts will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Baseball Office. Scheduled dates will not be changed to accommodate teams missing a player or players. The Baseball Office will attempt to work with coaches to reschedule field, dates or game time if there is a conflict, but if a team cannot make the reschedule on a regularly scheduled day of play, it will result in a forfeit. All teams must be available to play on any normal game night.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL CHANGES AND EXCEPTIONS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE BASEBALL OFFICE VIA EMAIL OR ON THE REGISTRATION FORM. CHANGES AND EXCEPTIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED VIA PHONE, WORD OF MOUTH OR ANY OTHER WAY.
4.  POST SEASON
A- PLAYOFFS: There will be a championship playoff immediately following the end of the regular season. The Baseball Office will determine the playoff schedule and format  during the season. All playoffs are single elimination. Playoff champions will receive a team trophy and individual T-shirts. League champions will be determined on a point system: 3 points for a win, 0 points for a loss, and 1 point for a tie. In the event of a tie in points at the end of the regular season, the teams will be co-champions for the regular season, and each receive championship t-shirts. However, the process explained below will determine playoff seeding. In the event of a tie for a position with the same number of points, head-to-head competition earns the higher position in the standings and playoffs. If the teams are still tied, the team with the most wins earns the higher position in the standings and playoffs. If the two regular games were split or a single regular season game finished in a tie, the team with the most wins against the participating playoff teams will be determined based on the power rating system. Power Rating: A point value will be given to each team qualifying for playoffs, ex: 1st place-8pts, 2nd place-7pts, and so on. The team that has accrued the most points will be declared the winner of that place in the standings. If this procedure does not produce a winner, the seeding spot will be determined by a coin flip.
B- PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY: A player must play a minimum of 8 games in the 15u-18u divisions (5 games for Pitchers Only in Var/JV- a PO is considered a player that is exclusively at Pitcher for the season) and a minimum of 7 games in the 11u thru 14u divisions to be eligible for the playoffs. Players in the 9u and 10u divisions must play a minimum 5 games to be eligible for the playoffs. Players in 8u must have a minimum of 4 games to be eligible for the playoffs. The Baseball Office will review this, and any player who has not met the minimum requirement will not be eligible to play. In the event of a forfeited game, each player currently on the roster of the winning team shall be credited with a game played. In the event of a double forfeit, no player shall receive such credit. Players are required to wear the same uniform number for each game to receive credit for game participation and to determine playoff eligibility.
8u- 4 games, 9u/10u- 5 games, 11u-14u- 7 games, Var/JV- 8 games
5.  SPORTSMANSHIP

A- UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR/EJECTIONS/SUSPENSIONS:

Any individual – player, coach or spectator, whose language or actions are considered by the Baseball Staff to be abusive towards members of other teams, umpires, or any town representatives, will be grounds for immediate disqualification and ejection from the game. Any adult, so disqualified, must leave the bench and play area immediately. The playing area is defined as within sight and sound of both the umpires and site

supervisor. When a player is ejected, they become the responsibility of the parent or coach. Failure to do so will result in a team forfeit. If the individual continues to be abusive from a further distance, the team will forfeit the game.
That individual may not be permitted to attend any future games in the Town of Brookhaven League for the remainder of the season and a determination will be made on the team’s further participation in the league. If an individual has been ejected from 2 games during the season, they will be subject to dismissal from the Town of Brookhaven Baseball program for the remainder of the season. The team manager is responsible for the conduct of his players and spectators/parents before, during, and after scheduled games. Coach/Coaches will assist TOB Staff in controlling team personnel and parents. If deemed necessary, spectators will be restricted to a designated area by the site supervisor. Before each game, each manager should instruct his players that they must display good sportsmanship during the contest. Umpires are being instructed to stop games, should an altercation or other type of disturbance occur between representatives of the teams involved. We do, however, feel that such action will not be necessary if all team managers cooperate and make control of their players’ conduct their primary aim. Any coach, player, representative, manager, spectator/parent or team attendant that makes physical contact with an umpire or Town Official in a threatening matter will be removed from further participation in Town of Brookhaven Baseball for the remainder of the summer and criminal charges will be initiated. Further disciplinary measures will also be considered if warranted. These same penalties apply to any parents or spectators who become unruly at the game. AT ALL TIMES, ONLY A TEAM MANAGER MAY ADDRESS THE UMPIRES OR SITE SUPERVISOR.

A player, coach or parent/spectator’s first ejection will result in at least a minimal one game suspension to be served at the NEXT GAME. However, multiple game suspensions can be issued at the discretion of the Baseball Office depending on the severity of the infraction. Any player or coach who receives two unsportsmanlike ejections will be expelled from the Town of Brookhaven Baseball program for the remainder of the season. SUSPENSIONS RESULTING FROM AN EJECTION WILL NOT BE OVERTURNED.

6.  MISCELLANEOUS

A- ALCOHOL/TOBACCO: There will be ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL OR

TOBACCO PRODUCTS permitted at any Town of Brookhaven site or facility by teams, personnel or spectators. Vaping is also prohibited.

B- BENCH AREA CLEANING: The head coach is responsible for cleaning their bench area. At the end of each game, the bench area must be cleaned of all litter. It is suggested that team personnel be assigned to this task. At Town fields, trash containers are within close vicinity of the benches.
C- BENCH AREA RESTRICTIONS: There is to be no smoking (vaping) or use of any tobacco products by any participating players, coaches, or spectators within 50 ft. of the bench or playing area. No glass items are permitted in the bench area at any time. Violators will be warned and subject to ejection. Bench areas are restricted to coach and registered team personnel with the proper identification. The area in front of the dugout entrance is not considered part of the bench area. Players, coaches, managers and all other team personnel must have a fence between themselves and the playing field when in the bench area. All team personnel must be on your roster and register with the Town of Brookhaven Baseball Office. All players must remain in the bench area (dugout) except to play or warm-up under supervision. If deemed necessary, spectators may be restricted to a designated area by the site supervisor.
D- INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE-TRASH TALK: Sportsmanship is a primary focus of recreational sports. It is inappropriate for players, parents, spectators, and team personnel to use insulting or demeaning language to one another before, during, or after games. Players should be encouraged by their parents, teammates, and coaches to avoid negative comments directed at opposing coaches, players, or umpires. It is clearly the role of the coach to set the proper example in this area of sportsmanship and to ensure that the team does the same. Coaches and players are reminded that inappropriate language or behavior directed at players, coaches, and umpires. These rules are to be strictly enforced by umpires.
E- INJURED PLAYERS: Once removed from the game it will up to the discretion of the site supervisor, coach and parent to determine if they should return. This is for the player’s own protection and liability player can remain in the game. Accident reports should be filled out on all injured players.
F- TURF FIELDS: RUBBER/PLASTIC CLEATS ARE PERMITTED ON TURF FIELDS. ONLY TURF SHOES OR SNEAKERS ARE PERMITTED ON TURF MOUNDS. VIOLATORS WILL BE SUBJECT TO EJECTION AND SUSPENSION. COACHES WILL BE SUBJECT EJECTION.

THE USE OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS AND GUM IS PROHIBITED AT ALL TURF FIELDS. THERE WILL BE ONE WARNING PER TEAM. AFTER THAT, VIOLATORS WILL EJECTED.

7. RULE EXCEPTIONS

8u

1. The bases will be set at 60’ and the pitching mound at 42’.

2. 4 outfielders are permitted.

3. Each game will be six innings. An official game will be 4 innings (3 ½ if the home team is ahead).

4. Bats: There is a 2 ¼ barrel bat restriction, or any USA Bat is permitted.

5. Teams will be limited to scoring 6 runs per inning in the first 4 innings. Runs will not be limited in the 5th and 6th inning.

6. Stealing will be allowed in the 8u division; however, players cannot steal home plate. There will be no leading, and runners may not go until the ball has passed the batter (one warning per team and the runner must go back to previous base) and then recorded as an out if it occurs again. A runner may not score on a passed ball.

7. Tagging up and bunting is allowed. There is no dropped third strike, infield fly or balks

8. There will be no headfirst sliding, unless going back to a base. There will be one team warning, then recorded as an out.

9. When a ball goes into dead ball area, dead ball rules apply.

10. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched

11. Pitching: Coaches are allowed at 2 conferences per pitcher. The pitcher must be removed at the 3rd conference.

12. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.
9u

1. The bases will be set at 60’ and the pitching mound at 46’.

2. Each game will be six innings. An official game will be 4 innings (3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead).

3. Bats: There is a 2 ¼ barrel bat restriction, or any USA Bat is permitted.

4. Teams will be limited to scoring 6 runs per inning in the first 4 innings. Runs will not be limited in the 5th and 6th inning.

5. Stealing will be allowed in the 9u division; however, players cannot steal home plate. There will be no leading, and runners may not go until the ball has passed the batter (one warning per team and the runner must go back to previous base) and then recorded as an out if it occurs again A runner may not score on a passed ball.

6. Tagging up and bunting is allowed. There is no dropped third strike, infield fly or balks.

7. There will be no headfirst sliding, unless going back to a base. There will be one team warning, then recorded as an out.

8. When a ball goes into dead area, dead ball rules apply.

9. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched.

10. Pitching: Coaches are allowed at 2 conferences per pitcher. The pitcher must be removed at the 3rd conference.

11. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.
10u-60’/10u-65’

1. Infield Dimensions:

    a) 10u-60’: 60’ bases, 46’ mound

    b)  10u-65’: 65’ bases, 46’ mound

2. Each game will be 6 innings. An official game will be 4 innings (3 ½ if the home team is ahead).

3. Bats: There is a 2 ¼ barrel bat restriction, or any USA Bat is permitted.

4. Teams will be limited to scoring 6 runs per inning in the first 4 innings. Runs will not be limited in the 5th and 6th innings.

5. Tagging up and bunting is allowed.

6. No dropped third strike rule or infield fly rule.

7. There will be no headfirst sliding, unless going back to a base. There will be one team warning, then recorded as an out.

8. Stealing of any base (including home) is permitted, and there are no limits on the number of steals a team may have in an inning. The following additional stealing rules are different for the 60’ and 65’ Divisions:

        a) 10u-60’ No leading, and runners may not leave base until the ball has passed the batter. One warning per team (player must go back to previous base), then recorded as an out.

      b) 10u-65’ Leading permitted, and runners may leave a base any time the ball is “live.” Umps will call balks, but for instructional purposes only, and runners will not be advanced. Runners cannot be called out in a balk situation. (For example: if a runner is picked off on a balk move, or a runner breaks early and a pitcher illegally steps off the mound to tag/throw the runner out, a balk should be called, no out is recorded (due to the illegal move/balk), and the runner is returned to the prior base. The ump should explain why the balk was called to the pitcher.)

9. When a ball is overthrown into a dead area, dead ball rules apply.

10. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched.

11. Pitching: Coaches are allowed at 2 conferences per pitcher. The pitcher must be removed at the 3rd conference.

12. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.

11u

1. Bases will be set at 75’ and the pitching mound at 51’.

2. Each game will be 6 innings. An official game will be 4 innings (3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead).

3. Bats: ALL SIZES OF THE EASTON HYPER FIRE -5 ARE BANNED. Otherwise, there are no bat restrictions in this age group.

4. Stealing and leading are allowed in this division.

5. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched.

6. Tagging up and bunting is allowed. The dropped third strike, infield fly rule and balk (one warning per pitcher) rule will be in effect in this league.

7. There will be no headfirst sliding, unless going back to a base. There will be one team warning, then recorded as an out.

8. Pitching: Coaches are allowed at 2 conferences per pitcher, and the pitcher must be removed at the 3rd conference.

9. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.

12u-75’/12u-90’

1. 75’ bases- 51’ mound, 90’ bases- 60’6” mound

2. Each game will be 6 innings. An official game will be 4 innings- 3 innings if the home team is ahead.

3. Bats: ALL SIZES OF THE EASTON HYPER FIRE -5 ARE BANNED. Otherwise, there are no bat restrictions in this age group.

4. Stealing and leading are allowed in this division.

5. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched.

6. Tagging up and bunting is allowed. The dropped third strike, infield fly rule and balk rule will be in effect in this league.

7. There will be no headfirst sliding, unless going back to a base. There will be one team warning, then recorded as an out.

8. Pitching: Coaches are allowed at 2 conferences per pitcher, and the pitcher must be removed at the 3rd conference.

9. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.

13u-14u

This division will utilize National Federation Rules and the Town of Brookhaven rules with the following exceptions:

1. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.

2. This division will utilize BBCOR bats only. No exceptions.

3. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched.

15u-16u

This division will utilize National Federation Rules and the Town of Brookhaven rules with the following exceptions:

1. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.

2. This division will utilize BBCOR bats only. No exceptions.

3. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched. 

17u-18u

This division will utilize National Federation Rules and the Town of Brookhaven rules with the following exceptions:
1. PLEASE SEE SEPARATE TOB/PITCH SMART RULES for pitch count guidelines.

2. Only wood bats are permitted in this age division. No composite or bamboo bats unless BBCOR approved.
3. Universal batting order will be allowed. However, the batting order may NOT be switched.

About Our League

Founded in 2010, the Youth Sports League (YSL) is dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and competitive environment for young athletes to develop their skills and love for the game.

We believe that sports are more than just a game—they teach valuable life lessons about teamwork, discipline, resilience, and leadership. Our league is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and professional coaches who are committed to the growth of every player.

With over 2,000 active players across 150 teams, YSL is the largest youth sports organization in the county. We offer programs for all skill levels, from recreational beginner leagues to competitive travel teams.