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YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE INFORMATION AND RULES
What does RBI mean to MPRB BASEBALL?
Just like the Major Leaguers who call Target Field home, each player in the RBI Program is a Minnesota Twin. Since
1993, the Twins Community Fund, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the Saint Paul Department of
Parks and Recreation have partnered to provide Twin Cities youth the opportunity to play baseball and softball.
Today, every player on a Minneapolis or St. Paul park team is a member of RBI, the national, competitive league
sponsored by Major League Baseball. In addition to league play, nearly 6,000 Twins RBI players can, attend free skills
clinics, try out for a Twins RBI All-Stars team, and have the chance to attend Twins games and meet players.
Seasonal Information:
- Spring Season: May-July
- Ages 9-18 years old
- Invitation tournament for all leagues except 10U
- Baseball leagues follow play by National Federation (NFHS) rules with modifications (See below)
- Follow the link to register: NEED LINK HERE
- League Fees: NEED FEES
- Youth Program Discounted Fees: Minneapolis residents can choose a price that aligns with their financial situation. Read more about Citywide Youth Program Discounts - Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
- All games officiated by high school and/or MPRB certified officials
Divisions:
- Birth Dates: DATES GO HERE
- Age Divisions: 10U, 12U, 13U, 15U, and 18U
- Roster Size: A team must have at least 8 players to begin play. (How many players to make roster full?)
Game Information:
- No new inning may start 1 hour and 50 minutes after the games first pitch.
- The 10 run rules will be in effect after 5 innings for all divisions.
- Regular season games that are tied after regulation will remain a tie.
- A team must have at least 8 players to begin play. Forfeit: 10 minutes after game time.
Weather & Game Cancellation Policy
- A team’s first two games cancelled due to unplayable field conditions will not be rescheduled. Additional games
cancelled due to unplayable conditions will be rescheduled. Games will not be rescheduled for other reasons.
- MPRB Declared Weather / Inclement Weather Policy: If the reported heat index (as measured by temperature
and dew point) reaches 105 degrees. If the heat index is 105 degrees or higher at 3 p.m. fulltime recreation centers
and programs department staff will be informed of the status of the game by the MPRB league director. Full-time
recreation centers and programs department staff shall notify the coaches of any cancellations.
All Adult and Youth Athletic Activities: once lightning has been spotted or thunder has been heard, all MPRB
athletic activities will be delayed for 15 minutes by the official, staff or coach on site. Games may be re-started
after 30 minutes after last lightning strike is seen and/or last rumble of thunder is heard. The official or staff will
determine if a game will be cancelled.
In the event of inclement weather (i.e. heavy rains), games will be delayed or cancelled at the site by the full-time
Recreation Centers and Programs Department staff and/or official based on field conditions, potential damage to
fields if there is activity on the fields, and the safety of participants. Decision to delay or cancel practices and
games will be based on forecast.
Pitching Guidelines:
10U, 12U, 13U: 9 outs per game
- Once a starting pitcher has been removed, that starting pitcher may not re-enter the pitching position until a new
inning has started. The starting pitcher may re-enter the pitcher position only one time. The starting pitcher may
not re-enter if the maximum pitching guidelines (pitches or outs) has been met.
- Once a relief pitcher has been removed, that relief pitcher may not re-enter the game at the pitcher position.
15U and 18U Pitching Guidelines:
- Once the limit is reached, a pitcher may finish pitching to that batter
- One day of rest is required if a pitcher pitches two straight days.
- Days of rest are measured in calendar days, not 24 hour periods. Example: If an 18U player throws 55 pitches on
Monday they are not able to pitch on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but could pitch again anytime on Thursday.
Playing Rules/Modifications:
10U, 12U and 13U:
MPRB RBI baseball leagues will play by National Federation (NFHS) rules with the
following modifications:
1. Batting Order: The batting order shall include all players in uniform. Late arrivals will be added to the bottom of the
order. If for any reason a player needs to leave the game, that position in the order will be left blank.
2. Participation/Substitution: Players must play a minimum of (2) complete innings (6 outs) in the field. Defensive
substitution shall be unlimited for position players up to the maximum number of innings/outs allowed.
See Pitching Guidelines for pitcher substitution. Penalty: Game forfeit.
a. Starting Pitchers – 8 warm up pitches prior to the start of the game; 5 pitches between any subsequent
inning not lasting more than one minute from the 3rd out of the previous half inning.
3. No pinch running: An injured player must be replaced by the player who was last put out.
4. A runner is out when he/she does not attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag.
If he/she maliciously runs into the fielder, the runner is out and ejected from the game.
5. UPDATE: JEWELRY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT ANY LEVEL OF RBI BASEBALL
6. The team bench may be occupied only by players and certified coaches.
Speed Up Rules:
a. Starting Pitchers – 8 warm up pitches prior to the start of the game; 5 pitches between any subsequent
inning not lasting more than one minute from the 3rd out of the previous half inning.
b. Relief Pitchers – 8 warm up pitches prior to facing first batter; 5 pitches between any subsequent inning
not lasting more than one minute from the 3rd out of the previous half inning.
c. Courtesy Runner – At any time, a team may use a courtesy runner for the catcher or pitcher. A courtesy
runner must be the player who was last put out. A player who violates the rule will declared ineligible.
Injured or ejected players must be replaced with the player who was last put out.
Modifications:
10U Rules Modifications:
- Batter is automatically out on a dropped 3rd strike. Runners may advance to 2nd and 3rd at own risk.
- Runner on 3rd base may only advance on a batted ball, bases loaded walk or hit batter.
- A team may play with 10 defensive players. A 4th outfielder may line up no closer than 15 feet from the base line.
- The Infield Fly Rule will not be enforced.
- No leading off. Runners on 1st and 2nd base must wait until the pitch crosses home plate before stealing. A runner
may not score by stealing home or advancing on a wild pitch or passed ball. - The balk rule will be called but the penalty not enforced. If a pitcher balks the play will be called dead. The umpire
will inform the pitcher he/she balked. However, runners will not advance to the next base. - 5-Run per inning rule is in effect for the first 4 innings. The half inning will end after 3 outs are made or 5 runs scored,
whichever occurs first. This rule will be waived in the 5th and 6th inning.
12U Rules Modifications:
- Batter is automatically out on a dropped 3rd strike. Runners may advance to 2nd and 3rd at own risk.
- The balk rule will be called but the penalty not enforced. If a pitcher balks the play will be called dead.
The umpire will inform the pitcher he/she balked. However, runners will not advance to the next base.
15U and 18U Rules
- Batting Order - Participation/Substitution: Teams may use free substitution on defense and bat all
players OR use the H. S. substitution rule. Coaches MUST declare BEFORE the game starts. Please refer
to minimum playing requirements. - Teams may start and finish with eight players (ninth spot is an out). If a team drops to less than eight
players, the game is a forfeit. If a team is batting all players and someone leaves or is injured, their
respective spot is an out. - Home Team will occupy the Third Base Bench.
- Official Game Ball: Each team will supply 1 New ball per game. When additional balls are needed, teams
should alternate in providing balls beginning with the Home Team. - Team Benches /Dugouts can only be occupied by Certified Coaches and Registered Players.
- Starting/Relief Pitchers: Limited to 8 warm -up pitches prior to the start of the game or facing their first
batter. They will also be limited to 5 pitches between subsequent innings not lasting more than one - Game Balls and Chest Protectors must have NOCSE Certification (stamped or labeled).
Speed Up Rules:
Courtesy Runners: for the Pitcher or the Catcher is optional when there is 1 out or less; but mandatory when there are two outs.
MPRB RBI Baseball Bats Specifications
All bats must include the USA or USSSA stamp, or is a qualified BBCOR bat
Additional Information: