Youth Baseball Rules

Apex Park and Recreation District’s Youth Baseball Leagues are governed by National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules with the following exceptions and modifications.

Apex Park and Recreation District shall have the final say on matters not specifically listed in this rulebook.

Leagues are defined as follows:

• Youth Baseball: A modified coed kid pitch league meant for ages 8-10 to help them get introduced to the game of baseball.
  • Each team will be given 1 practice per week and will play 1 game per week.

Payments:

• The entire league fee is due during registration. The cost of a team shirt is included in the league fee.

Eligibility and Rosters:

• All players’ legal guardians must agree to the online waiver upon registration.
• Rosters will be set up by Apex PRD staff.
• Players must be on a roster to be eligible to play. A team may borrow a player from another team if both teams agree.
• Teams must consist of at least 8 players, with a maximum of 12 players, unless approved by the recreation coordinator.
• Players are allowed to play up an age group but may not play down.
• Players may not appear on 2 rosters within the same division.
• All teams are coed.

Coaches:

• Coaches and assistant coaches must do the following:
  • Pass an Apex background check.
  • Complete 3 online courses on Trusted Coaches.
  • Electronically fill out and sign (Docusign) the volunteer coach packet, which includes personal information, code of conduct, and volunteer waiver.
• Head coaches will receive free league entry for their child (limit one per team served as head coach).
• Coaches are expected to adhere to all Apex PRD rules, policies, coaching guidelines, and philosophies. This is a recreational program; all players are to be treated equally, given equal playing time, and taught the fundamentals.
  • Apex reserves the right to implement a forced rotation if playing time is not equally distributed.
  • Coaches are encouraged to allow players to try all positions throughout the season.
• Coaches must provide players with a fun atmosphere in which they can learn and progress in a positive way.
• Coaches are responsible for the behavior of players, coaches, and parents.

Uniforms and Equipment:

• Players are required to wear an Apex-provided team shirt to each game.
• Athletic shoes are required; rubber cleats are optional. Metal cleats are prohibited.
• Apex PRD will provide balls for games and practices.
• Rawlings Youth/8U baseballs will be used in games and practices.
• Coaches will receive 2 pitching nets to utilize at practices throughout the season.
• Limited bats and helmets for games and practices may be provided by Apex PRD, based on equipment availability.
• Each team will be given 1 set of catcher’s gear to use throughout the season. However, players may choose to bring their own catcher’s gear, if desired.
• Players must provide their own baseball mitts.
• Helmets are required. Apex PRD will have helmets to use, or players may choose to wear a self-provided helmet.
• Bats shall not exceed 32 inches in length, and the barrel diameter may be no larger than 2 5/8”. There is no weight-to-length ratio limit.
  • Composite or wood bats are prohibited.
• Cups are strongly encouraged.

Forfeit Procedure:

• If a team needs to forfeit, coaches must contact the recreation coordinator by 2 pm on the scheduled game day.
• If a team has 2 no-calls/no-shows in the same season, the team may be removed from the league, and zero refunds will be provided.

Field:

• Bases shall be set at 60 feet.
• The designated pitching distance shall be set at 40 feet from the back of home plate.

Gameplay:

• Home and visiting teams will be designated via the schedule on TeamSideline.com/Apex. The visiting team will bat first.
• Apex PRD will attempt to provide 1 umpire for each game. The umpire will work behind the plate.
  • If there is no umpire, a coach from the offensive team will be the designated umpire and will work behind the pitcher.
• Games shall be 6 innings or 90 minutes, whichever happens first.
• No new inning shall start after 75 minutes.
• Once an inning starts, it must be finished before the game is called.
• A player may not sit out for more than 1 consecutive inning.
• All positions must be rotated, including catcher and pitcher, at a minimum every other inning.
• There will be no official mercy rules.
• Coaches will meet at the home plate at the beginning of each game and introduce themselves. Coaches need to work together as a team to help all players build skills and improve.
• After gameplay, players and coaches will line up at the home plate and clap hands with the opposing team to end the game.

Offensive Game Play:

• The entire roster must be included in the lineup for each game.
• When a team is batting, they are permitted to have a first base coach and a third base coach. Coaches are also permitted to help position their batters during their at-bats.
• The half inning will end when one of the following occurs:
  • The offensive team scored 5 runs
  • 3 outs are committed
  • A team bats through their entire lineup
    • The last batter would not clear the bases unless the play permits
  • Leadoffs, stealing bases, and bunting are not allowed.
  • Baserunners are not allowed to advance on a passed ball or wild pitch.
  • Each batter will be given up to 7 pitches by the opposing pitcher.
    • 3 strikes constitute an out.
    • After 4 balls or a hit by pitch, the coach from the batting team will pitch the remaining pitches until the player strikes out or puts the ball into play.
      • If the pitcher or coach gets hit by a batted ball, the play will be dead, and all runners will only advance one base.
      • If a batter has 2 strikes, they can keep fouling off balls until they strike out or put the ball into play.
    • There are no walks.
    • If a batter is unable to complete their at-bat, the next batter in the lineup will be brought out with a fresh count.
    • On errors or overthrows, baserunners may only advance 1 base. A second error or overthrow does not constitute extra bases.
    • Only 1 player may be on deck. All other players must be inside the dugout.
    • Players are not allowed to be base coaches.
    • All players outside the dugout must be always wearing a helmet (baserunning, batting, on deck, etc.).

Defensive Game Play:

• When a team is on defense, up to 3 coaches are permitted to be on the field to help position their players.
• Defensive players shall not cross over an imaginary arc of the same distance as the pitching rubber until the ball is hit.
• There is no infield fly rule.
• To speed up the game, coaches shall assist in retrieving foul balls and balls that get past the catcher.
• Outs on the bases should only be made by the infielders.
  • Outfielders should be taught to throw the ball to the infielders or the cut-off person.
• Teams must always have a catcher.
• Outfielders may not be brought any closer to the batter than the edge of the infield or the outfield grass.
• Free substitutions are permitted.

Blood Rule:

• Any participant who is bleeding, has an open wound, or has an excessive amount of blood on their uniform must leave the game.
• The participant may not return until either the bleeding has stopped, the wound has been covered and bandaged, and the uniform has been changed.

Inclement Weather Policy:

• Check TeamSideline.com/Apex for weather updates. We will make every effort to play games.
• In the event of a cancellation, teams will be notified via email or text from TeamSideline.com (individuals must register for text messages to receive them).
• In the event of rain or wet grounds, the officials or field supervisors will make the call if conditions are playable based on the city of Arvada's designated criteria.
• Rainout and Makeup Policy: It is Apex PRD’s policy to make up games as courts and fields are available. In the event of a cancellation, we will do our best to reschedule; however, this is not a guarantee.

Smoking and Alcohol:

• No smoking or vaping of any kind will be permitted.
• No consumption of alcohol will be allowed before, during, or after the game anywhere on the premises. This includes koozies, water bottles, or anything similar.
• Glass bottles of any kind are prohibited.
• Any player, manager, coach, or spectator caught smoking, vaping, or consuming alcohol anywhere on the premises by either the field supervisors or officials will be ejected and must leave the facility.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy:

• Zero tolerance policy: If any player, spectator, or coach is ejected from the game for any reason, they will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the season. They must leave the field immediately. Refunds will not be provided.
• Fans must adhere to good sportsmanship. Yell to cheer on players, not harass coaches or opposing teams. Cheer on both teams.
• Fans are required to keep the fields safe and kid-friendly. Keep younger kids, coolers, chairs, and tents off the field. The only exception is parents who have volunteered to assist the coaches.

Revised 4/29/2025