Babe Ruth League, Inc.

Latest Rule Changes for 2020
Last Updated 1/28/2020

The International Board of Directors has approved the following rule changes beginning with the 2020 season. These changes will be reflected in the 2020 Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules and Regulations.

Rules changes/clarifications for the 2020 Season

  1. Rule 11.04 Documents – Certification of completion for Coaching Education and Abuse Prevention Training for all rostered coaches as required in Rule 0.04 #4. (Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Softball)
  2. Rule 0.05 Team Composition – Note Eliminated: If a team registers with Babe Ruth League, Inc. a minimum of four teams is required to register a 13 Prep League. 13-year-old players listed on 13-15 team roster may also participate in the 13 Prep League as the local league option. (Babe Ruth Baseball)
  3. Rule 0.05 Team Composition – Note Eliminated: If a team registers with Babe Ruth League, Inc. a minimum of four teams is required to register a 16 Prep League. 16-year-old players listed on 16-18 team roster may also participate in the Prep League as the local league option. (Babe Ruth Baseball)
  4. Clarification - Wireless communication devices are not allowed; however, electronic scoring devices are permitted. No device on the field or in the dugout may be used as a means of communication. (Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Softball)

Babe Ruth Softball Only

Addition to the current pitching rules for the 2020 Season

(This change is not reflected in the 2020 Babe Ruth League, Inc. Softball Rules and Regulations Rule Book.)

Pitcher’s Foot Placement:
The new addition will eliminate the requirement that a pitcher must have part of her pivot foot on top of the pitchers plate. Now, the pivot foot must only start in contact with the plate. This addition will also allow the pitcher to start with the non-pivot “stride” foot in contact with or behind the plate, and allows the pitcher to step back with the stride foot off of the plate; provided the stepback begins prior to the official start of the pitch, the separating of the hands.

With the new rule addition, Pitchers will have the choice to either continue with the current rule or to comply with the new addition. Both will be accepted as legal play and will not result in an illegal pitch scenario.