BUDDY (8U) LEAGUE RULES – Conway Station Baseball Complex

Rules for Conway Station Complex apply to all players, coaches, and spectators.

1. We will not tolerate foul language or abusive behavior towards the players, coaches, umpires, scorekeepers, or Parks staff. The first offense will result in immediate ejection from the Complex.
2. All City of Conway parks are tobacco-free facilities. No vapes will be allowed.
3. No alcohol or illicit drugs are allowed in the park.
4. Skates, bikes, scooters, or any other recreational wheeled equipment are not permitted inside the Complex.
5. No dogs allowed unless it is a registered service animal.
6. No gum or sunflower seeds will be allowed on the fields. First offense will result in a warning, second will be removal from the complex.
7. No soft toss allowed into the fence. No practicing near walkways.
8. CONWAY PARKS AND RECREATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY RULE AT ANY TIME. This is a non-negotiable and rules must be adhered to by the coaches, parents, players to ensure safety and promote proper game ethics.

Sportsmanship & Safety

1. USSSA rules will be followed unless otherwise stated. www.arkansasusssa.com
2.  All bats must have a USSSA, USA or a BBCORE stamp on the bat.
3. We want to encourage sportsmanship in every game. Teach players the correct way to play the game and do not purposely run up the score on another team. Make sure players and coaches shake hands after each game. Treat everyone inside the field and off the field with respect and sportsmanship.
4. Players are only allowed to warm up in the warm-up area. They do not need to warm up on the sides of the dugouts or along the sidewalks.
5. Only the batter and the on-deck batter are allowed outside the dugout. The on-deck batter should use the warm-up circle behind the batter: 3rd base side if a right-handed batter is up and 1st base side if a left-handed batter is up.
6. Slinging the Bat – (A bat slung in a harmful manner whether intentional or accidental): It will be the umpire’s discretion to issue one warning or call the batter out. If a batter is called out for slinging the bat, it will be a dead ball, and no runners advance.
7. Ejection from a game for a player, coach, or fan means that person MUST exit to the parking lot.
8. Games will be delayed or called when lightning is within 10 miles of the park. If multiple delays occur, games will be called. If half or less time is remaining on the clock when the delay is called, the game will be called at whatever the score is at that point in time. The league commissioner has the right to end games at any time for any reason.
9. Safety Base: Conway Parks & Recreation utilizes a double first base (safety base) to help reduce collisions at first base. The batter-runner should use the orange safety base on all close plays at first, while the defensive player should use the white base. Umpires may enforce this rule to promote player safety.

Buddy League Game Play

Rules in this section are specific to our Buddy Coach Pitch League (8u).

1. Positions: two pitchers and one catcher, 1B, 2B, 3B, Shortstop, and 3-4 outfield positions. A catcher must be behind the plate, inside the catcher’s box, and in the catching position. Pitchers must have one foot in the circle. Any non-pitching infielder is allowed one step in front of the baseline.
2. Offensive and Defensive coaches: 3 will be allowed.
3. Games will last for 60 minutes or six innings. At the end of time, the remainder of the inning will be played out for home and visitor teams. No extra innings except in tournament play. For ties in tournament play, the last batter will start the inning on second base.
4. There is a 6 run maximum or 3 outs per inning.
5. Run Rule – After 4 completed innings, if a team is up by 13 or more runs the game will be called.
6. There is no Infield fly Rule.                                                                                        
7. There shall be a 20-foot dash drawn from the 1st baseline to the 3rd baseline in front of home plate. Any ball that does not reach the fair ball arc will be called foul.

Pitching & Catching

1. Players will get 5 pitches to put the ball in fair play.  A batter cannot be called out on fouls no matter what. They will simply get another pitch until there is an actual strike or played ball.
2. Pitcher’s Line:  There shall be a line drawn at 30 ft and 42ft. The coach can pitch anywhere in between those lines.
3. The pitching coach’s body cannot go past the line. The pitcher must pitch overhand.
4. The pitching coach shall position himself/herself so as not to obstruct the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit.  If a batted ball hits the pitching coach, it is a NO PITCH/REDO. The players in the pitching position may not line up in front of the coach pitching the ball.
5. Once the ball reaches the pitcher in the infield, the umpire will call time. No more bases can be stolen and the play will resume following the time being called. Umpire reserves the right to call any play dead if no play is being attempted.
6. 10 players will play defense. 4 players must be positioned in the outfield grass. There is only (1) pitcher in Buddy League.  Pitchers must have at least one foot in the dirt upon the pitch. Doesn’t matter how far up or back, as long as one foot is in the dirt.  21. A Catcher must be behind the plate, inside the catcher’s box, in catching position.
7. We will be installing a line halfway between first and second, second and third, and third and home. This line will help the umpire make a more precise judgment call. Please note: the umpire makes the final call. Whatever is called is final, no discussion will be made after that.
8. There is no stealing or leading off in this league.
9. A base runner will not be allowed any extra bases on an overthrown ball. A runner will only be allowed to advance to the next base and then it will be a dead ball if it is missed on an overthrow that passes the baseman.
10. Catchers may be pinch run for by the player making the last out AT ANY TIME. The catcher must have caught the previous inning
11. NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO CALL TIME EXCEPT FOR THE PITCHER AND THE UMPIRES. Players and coaches are not allowed to yell time or make hand motions signaling for time to be called.
12. In order for time to be called, the defensive player must advance the ball and force it into the pitching circle area outside of the mound in order for the umpire to call time. 

Lineups & Substitutions

1. Line-ups must be turned in 10 minutes before scheduled game time.
2. Home and visitor will be determined by a coin flip.
3. No player can sit on the bench on defense for more than 1 inning per game unless a physical or emotional problem occurs.
4. All players will bat in rotation. The lineup must stay in order and moving a player up or down in the batting rotation is not permitted for any reason.
5. No out will be recorded if a player leaves the game due to injury or illness.
6. A team will be permitted to play regardless of how many players they have available. No outs will have to be taken for a team with less players.

Coaches & Officials

1. Coaches: need to be positioned in the dugout area unless coaching first or third base. Only 3 coaches are allowed outside the dugout during the game. Coaches must stay in the general area of the dugout when the team is in the field and in coaching boxes when the team is batting.
2. Only the head coach can approach the umpire about a call in a respectful manner. The coach that does the coin toss is considered the head coach. Absolutely no one else is allowed to approach the umpires on the field. If a fan or assistant coach approaches the umpire, they will be removed from the complex and will receive a suspension for multiple games with possible ban.
3. If at any time there is a ruling call that is questioned, the head coach should respectfully ask the umpire to see if the UIC is available to resolve this issue.
4. If there is an issue with the score, the head coach needs to take it to the umpire. Parents can notify the individual running scoreboard if there is an issue, but any dispute needs to be taken to the umpire.
5. Each team will provide a volunteer to keep the clock and book. The home team keeps the scorebook; the visitor keeps the scoreboard. 

Eligibility & Uniforms

1.  Buddy League is for 7 and 8-year-olds only.
2. If a player’s age is in question, the parent or legal guardian must submit the birth certificate to the Conway Parks and Recreation Department. The player is not allowed to play until this requirement is met. If found that the player is playing in the wrong league, the player will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
3. Shirts will be tucked in and hats must be facing forward.
4. Absolutely no metal cleats will be allowed.