Babe Ruth League, Inc.
Latest Rule Changes for 2024
The International Board of Directors has approved the following rule changes beginning with the 2024 season. These changes will be reflected in the 2024 Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules and Regulations.
Rule Changes Beginning with the 2024 Season (Please note Division or Level of Play)
The Babe Ruth Baseball 13-15 Division will become the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division. The official tournament trail for the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division and the Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18 Division will be as follows:
- 13-Year-Old tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)
- 14-Year-Old tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)
- 13–16 Year-Old tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)
- 16-18 Year-Old tournaments (District, State, Regional, and World Series)
Babe Ruth Baseball Rule 0.02
Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18 – Age Determination Date – Clarification – Any player born on or after January 1, 2005 will be eligible for Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18 Division competition – Season of 2024.
Babe Ruth Baseball Division - 15-Year-Old Swing Player – This rule has been eliminated.
Babe Ruth Baseball Division - 13-Year-Old Prep and 16-Year-Old Prep – For chartering purposes, these divisions have been eliminated.
Babe Ruth Baseball Division – Rule 6.10 – Any Babe Ruth 13-16 and 16-18 league may elect to use the Designated Hitter Rule.
Babe Ruth Baseball Division – Rule 11.05, #12 – The Designated Hitter (DH) Rule 6.10 and Courtesy Runner Rule 3.04(a) are allowed in the 13-16 and 16-18 Division.
Babe Ruth Baseball Division – Rule 11.02, #1 – Team Composition – Each Babe Ruth 13-16 and 16-18 Division tournament team shall consist of no less than twelve (12) players and no more than eighteen (18) players, one (1) manager, and three (3) coaches.
a. Each Babe Ruth 13-16 and 16-18 tournament team may consist of any eighteen (18) players from the league or division regardless of age or position played during the local league regular season.
Cal Ripken Baseball Division, Babe Ruth Baseball Division, and Babe Ruth Softball Division – Determination of Pool Play Standings – Addition of Criterion #5 – Coin Flip
All coin flips are governed by tournament jurisdiction as determined in Rule 11.06. If the results of the run differential with a maximum of 10 per game of the teams involved cannot break the tie, the tie is broken using a coin flip. In the event of 3 or more teams tied, a coin shall be assigned to each team. The coin landing on the opposite side as the others advances. If all coins land on the same side, teams must re-flip. The remaining teams’ tie is broken by reverting to criterion #2.
Cal Ripken Baseball Division, Babe Ruth Baseball Division, and Babe Ruth Softball Division – World Series – Important: All members of the official roster must report at their designated team report time (local time of the series) on the scheduled day of travel. Players and coaches on the official roster not arriving at the designated team report time will not be permitted to participate in the World Series without a written approved waiver from Babe Ruth League Headquarters prior to traveling to the site.
PENALTY: Any player, or replacement player, manager or coach who violates this rule shall be ineligible in the current level of tournament competition.
Babe Ruth Softball Division – Rule 11.07(h) – 8U COACH PITCH OR PITCHING MACHINE SECTION - Each batter will have three (3) swinging strikes or a maximum of four (4) pitches.
Babe Ruth Softball Division - POWERS OF DISTRICT, STATE, AND REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS – Annual State fees may be established. State fees, as well as any other league or team assessments, must be submitted and approved in writing by the Regional Commissioner and Babe Ruth League, Inc.