Sportsmanship, Respect for all Players, Coaches and Umpires as well as the CYO Mission Statement is Paramount in Importance.

1. Schedules will be agreed upon at the beginning of the season and changes will be allowed only at the discretion of the commissioner.
2. PIAA rules in effect except where noted
3. Games will be 7 innings. In the event of a tie during the regular season, extra innings will be allowed at the discretion of the umpire. Completing the game at a later date will be decided by the commissioner.
4. The umpire will be in complete control during the game. Due respect from ALL players, coaches and parents is a MUST.
5. A minimum of 8 players is required at the beginning of any game. In this case an automatic out is to be recorded after every 8 batters.
6. Re-entry rule: Only a starter may re-enter the game and they must re-enter in the same spot in the batting order.
7. Pitchers are limited to 7 innings in any 7 day period. A pitcher may not start an inning after he has thrown 65 pitches. A player may be removed as pitcher and returned as pitcher only once per inning, provided that there is no violation of the substitution, pitching or conference rules (PIAA). One warning is given for a BALK. After that runners advance as per PIAA. Rest days are per Archdiocese rules.
8. Courtesy runners are allowed only for the pitcher and catcher. The courtesy runner for the pitcher must be a different player than the courtesy runner for the catcher. Only an unused player may be used as a courtesy runner, one who has not participated in the game in any capacity. PIAA rule.
9. Slide or surrender at all times. Keep in mind this is a judgment call for the umpire based on whether there was a play requiring a slide. More accurate would be to say a base runner may not deliberately run into the catcher trying to break up a play. Only feet first slides except when a player is returning to a base. Head first slides will result in the runner being ruled out (unless returning to a base).
10. In the event of darkness or inclement weather, 3 ½ innings if the home team is winning, 4 complete innings if the visiting team is winning. The 10 run rule will be in effect after 5 innings.
11. Bats must be 2 5/8” in diameter and be no less than -3 (cannot use -4 or lower) an umpire (or commissioner) may negate all runs scored if “illegal bats” are available to players. PIAA bat rules are in force.
12. Metal cleats are prohibited.
13. Winning team reports scores and pitching results.
14. Three divisions will be created with approximately 7 teams in each division (based on entries). Each division will be competitively established by the Commissioner. Factors for division placement are base on the fair placement of 7^th grade teams, 8^th grade teams, mixed grade teams and A or B level teams (when a parish fields two teams not based solely on grade). All games must be completed by May 15^th.
15. Playoffs: will be as follows: The top two teams in each division will make divisional playoffs. Playoff seeding will be based on record against division teams only. Head to head competition will determine seeding for ties; followed by “runs allowed” against the teams involved in the tie; followed by a random draw for seeding. Exception: if there are ties for the last playoff spot there will be a play in game. If there are three or more teams tied for the last playoff spot there will be a playoff series. A random draw will be conducted, if an odd number of teams are tied, to determine who gets a bye. If necessary, all playoff seeding will be determined by the Commissioner
16. Playoff games will be completed: round 1 on May 17 (rain date tbd), round 2 on May 19 (rain date tbd) semi-finals on May 24 (rain date tbd) and championship game on May 26 (rain date tbd), if possible at a neutral region site ( i.e. Archbishop Wood, LaSalle, etc). Note: Archdiocese Tournament starts on May 31st. Home team is highest seed, except for final where a coin flip will determine the home team. All pitchers start the playoffs with 0 innings pitched (Archdiocese pitching rules for playoffs).
17. 17. BOTH TEAMS SHOULD MEET FOR A PRAYER PRIOR TO EVERY GAME.