MSBL provides the following equipment for the Spring Rec season:

• Jersey (parents indicate size during registration)
• Socks
• Hats

Parents must provide the following:

• Pants
• Belt
• Cleats
• Helmet
• Face Guard (Softball)
• Bat
• Mitt
• Heart Guard (optional)

Coaching and Managing Requirements for MSBL Volunteers

To ensure a safe and supportive environment for our players, MSBL has established several requirements for volunteers involved in coaching and managing teams. The Director of Safety & Equipment oversees compliance with these standards and will provide guidance to volunteers on how to meet each requirement. Below are the details that all volunteers must adhere to:

Background Check and Abuse Prevention Training
MSBL, in alignment with Babe Ruth League, Inc., mandates that all managers, coaches, board members, and any other volunteers who have regular and direct contact with players during league-sanctioned activities complete a National Verified Background Check and Abuse Prevention Training every two years. Babe Ruth League, Inc. requires the use of Sports Engine for all background checks and training. Once volunteers are confirmed through registration, an MSBL Board Member will provide the necessary links for completing the background check and Abuse Prevention Training.

Rutgers SAFETY Clinic Certification
All first-time managers and coaches are required to complete certification through the Rutgers SAFETY Clinic. The clinic, officially known as "Sports Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth™," is a three-hour program that fulfills New Jersey's “Minimum Standards for Volunteer Coaches Safety Orientation and Training Skills Programs” (N.J.A.C. 5:52) and offers partial civil immunity to volunteer coaches under the “Little League Law” (2A:62A-6 et. seq.).

Following registration, the MSBL Director of Safety & Equipment will collaborate with the Mountainside Recreation Department to organize a Rutgers SAFETY Clinic session. Information regarding the session will be communicated to all first-time managers and coaches. Historically, these sessions have been offered free of charge through the Mountainside Recreation Department, but any future fees will be the responsibility of the volunteers. If a volunteer is unable to attend the scheduled Mountainside session, they may attend a clinic in another town, covering any associated costs themselves.

Babe Ruth League Coaching Certification
In addition to the above requirements, Babe Ruth League-affiliated baseball and softball coaches must complete the Babe Ruth League Coaching Certification Program. This certification involves taking the following online courses, delivered by Human Kinetics Coach Education:

• Coaching Youth Baseball the Babe Ruth League Way
• Coaching Youth Softball the Babe Ruth League Way

These courses are exclusively endorsed by Babe Ruth League, Inc., and a certification earned is valid for the coach’s entire tenure with the league.

MSBL REC Rules

This page contains rules for our Rec program by Sport & Division.  Scroll down to see the relevant section.

Baseball

2022 Interleague Major League Rules

• Rule: Majors – all rules as per Babe Ruth/ Cal
• Ripken with the below modifications
• Balks: 2 warnings per pitcher
• Batting Cages: Can be used in Mountainside during games.  Cannot be used in Springfield during games.
• Call-ups: From lower league (no borrowing from teams in the same league), bat last, last resort to pitch.
• Dropped third strike?: Yes
• Game length: No inning starts after 1:45 (No time limit in Playoffs)
• Infield Fly Rule: In effect
• Pitches: 2 innings per pitcher per game maximum.  Pitch count does not need to be reported.
• Players on the field: Nine
• Run Differential: 5 runs per inning max; 10 run mercy rule after 4 innings.  In the last inning the team down can score enough runs until tied.  Note, with a time limit the last inning may not be the 6th.
• Stealing: Unlimited
• Umpire Fees – paid by home team – have exact amount.  Major; 2 umpires, $65.00 for carded plate umpire, $60.00 for carded base umpire, $45.00 for GL student/ base umpire

2022 Interleague Minor League Rules

• Rule: Minors – all rules as per Babe Ruth/ Cal Ripken with the below modifications
• Balks: No balks
• Batting Cages: Can be used in Mountainside during games. Cannot be used in Springfield during games.
• Call-ups: From lower league (no borrowing from teams in the same league), bat last, last resort to pitch.
• Dropped third strike? No
• Game length: No inning starts after 1:45 (No time limit in Playoffs)
• Infield Fly Rule: No
• Pitches: 2 innings per pitcher per game maximum. Pitch count does not need to be reported.
• Players on the field: Nine
• Run Differential:
  • 5 runs per inning max;
  • 10 run mercy rule after 4 innings
  • In the last inning, the team down 5 runs or more can only score enough runs until game is tied.
  • Note, with a time limit the last inning may not be the 6th.
• Stealing: Third base only.   Runner must be batted in.
• Umpire Fees; Home team pays – have exact amount.  Minor; 1 umpire, $65.00 for carded plate umpire, $45.00 for GL student

Softball

1^st & 2^nd Grade Division Rules ("Division 3")

• • 6 innings or time limit. No inning started after one hour and 30 minutes.
  • After the first inning, no infield or outfield warm-up balls permitted. (Allowances made if time is not an issue)
  • Ties are permitted. If the time limit is reached with the game tied, it will be recorded as a tie game. (Sunday games will not allow ties)
  • 10 players in field, free substitution, re-entry rule not in effect, substitutions need not be announced. Only 6 players, including the catcher, are allowed to be positioned in the infield at the start of the play.  The infield extends 10 feet beyond the base path.
  • We highly discourage forfeits. Therefore, as long as a team can field six girls, the game will be played.
  • No Infield fly rule and no dropped third strike.
  • Coaches will pitch to their own players from 35 feet. Walks are not allowed. The batter shall be called out after 3 strikes (swinging), or after she receives 6 pitches and does not put the ball into play.  Except: The umpire will call the sixth pitch. If the sixth pitch is not put into play or fouled, and is called a strike, then the batter is out. If the sixth pitch is not put into play or fouled, and is called a ball, the batter gets another pitch, which will also be called by the umpire.
  • The coach who is pitching must make every effort to avoid interfering with the defensive play on a batted ball. If, in the umpire’s judgment, the coach intentionally interferes with a defensive play or if the coach fails to make a good faith effort to avoid the interference, the play should be called dead, the batter shall be called out, and the runners shall return to the bases they occupied prior to the play.  The coach who is pitching must remain silent from the start of the pitch until the end of the play.
  • Cinderella batting – all players in attendance bat. The additional players are treated as EP’s and can freely substitute into the field.  If a player must leave or is injured, the player is skipped in batting order without an automatic out being counted.  If a player arrives late, she is added to bottom of batting order as an additional EP.
  • Inning End / 4 run max – The inning comes to an end when: 3 outs have been recorded OR 4 runs have been scored.
  • NO RUN LIMIT IN THE LAST INNING; THE LAST INNING MUST BE ANNOUNCED IF TIME IS AN ISSUE
  • Mercy rule – 15 runs after the losing team has batted four times.
  • Teams are permitted to bunt (2) times per game/not to be done in the same inning, no stealing (runners are encouraged to practice leading). Runners will be called out if they leave the base before the ball crosses the plate or is hit.
  • Courtesy runners may be used for the catcher at any time. The courtesy runner is the last batter to make an out.
  • End of Play - Base runners are limited to one base on all batted balls hit in the infield. No advances are allowed for overthrows to any base. Base runners may take additional bases on all batted balls reaching the outfield (that make it to the outfield by ground or out), as defined by any ball that goes 10 feet beyond the base path or any ball that is fielded by an outfielder.  If the base runner is not at the halfway point between the bases once the ball is secured by an infielder, the runner will be sent to back to the previous base. If the runner is at the halfway point or beyond once the ball is secured by an infielder, the runner may advance, at the runner’s risk.

3^rd – 5^th Grade Division Rules ("Division 2")

• • MSBL Program Objective: Teach our girls the fundamentals of softball, provide them with an opportunity to practice and develop their skills, and help them learn good sportsmanship while having a positive, enjoyable experience as a participant.
  • Junior Division Program Objectives: The Junior Division will build on the basic skills learned in the instructional division (grade 1-2).  An emphasis will be placed on proper mechanics, learning and playing field positions, and sportsmanship.  The milestone skills the girls should achieve in this league are the following:
    • Development of throwing and catching skills
      • Stepping with correct foot
      • Catching with two hands
      • Catching with glove fingers up
    • Development of fielding skills
      • How to field ground balls
      • How to field fly balls/ pop ups
      • Basic situational plays
    • Basics of pitching and catching
    • Fundamentals of hitting
    • Development of base running skills
      • Introduce concept of bunting, leading, and stealing
      • Introduce concept of tagging up
    • *** Before moving on to the Senior Division (Grades 6-8), every player should know how to properly throw, catch, and hit.
    • Rules: The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) playing rules for Fast Pitch will be the standard set of rules with the following changes:
      • ALL jewelry should be removed before playing begins. This includes earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
      • 11” ball will be utilized.
      • Pitching distance should be 35 feet. Base distance should be 60 feet.
      • With regards to pitching, there will be NO coach pitching and all styles of softball pitching will be acceptable. There will be an ASA umpire to call the game.  If the pitcher walks 4 batters in a row OR hits 2 in a row OR hits 3 per inning, the pitcher MUST be removed and replaced with another player. No one pitcher will pitch more than 2 consecutive innings in a row or a total of 4 innings per game.  During an at bat, the batter shall hit the ball, walk or strike out.
      • Play stops when the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle. Runners cannot advance to another base unless the pitcher attempts an additional play.  
      • Drop-3 strike does NOT apply.
      • Bunting is permitted and coaches are required to instruct this aspect of the game. Three bunts per game will be permitted.  The league strongly recommends all 3 bunts to be utilized during the game.
      • Any player throwing the bat will be warned along with the rest of the players on that team. The next player from that team to throw a bat, will be called OUT.
      • Leading:  Baserunners are not allowed to leave the base until the pitch has left the pitcher's hand. The “look-back” rule is in effect. (“look back” - is when the pitcher has control of the ball in the pitcher's circle and is not attempting to make a play on a runner (including a fake or threatened throw); any runner stopped on a base must stay on the base, and any runner not on a base must immediately either advance toward the next base or return to the previous base. Any subsequent change in direction or stop by the runner while off the base will result in the runner being called out, so long as the pitcher does not attempt to make a play.)   Coaches are encouraged to instruct these aspects of the game.
      • Stealing is permitted but only between second and third base, with a maximum of 3 steals per inning. Coaches are encouraged to instruct this part of the game. Runner cannot advance to home on an overthrow.
      • Runners must slide to avoid contact at 2nd & 3rd bases, as well as home plate; Umpires' point of emphasis, defensive obstruction.
      • An inning will end once three outs have been made, or 5 runs scored in an inning. The five-run rule will be in effect except for the last inning. The five-run rule is as follows: the inning will end upon the offensive team making three outs, or after a play in which the offensive team has scored the fifth run of that inning.  All runs scored after the 5th run will not count.  The offensive team will then take the field.  There is no limit on runs in the last inning.
      • Only 10 defensive players may be on the field at one time. A minimum of 7 seven players is required in the field at all times. Players are to play both infield and outfield positions and are to be given the opportunity to play all positions on the field (based on skill level and coaches discretion).
      • Catchers are to wear a helmet, approved mask, chest protector and shin guards at all times. (They may use a regular fielding glove)
      • Free substitution. No player may be out of the field for 2 consecutive innings, and no player shall sit out for the second time until everyone has been out once.
      • Helmets with face guard must be worn by batters, base runners, and on deck batters.
      • Infield fly rule is not in effect.
      • Complete uniforms must be worn to all games. (Uniform shirt, softball pants, socks, cleats) Metal cleats are NOT permitted.
      • Only one girl may be in the on-deck circle at any one time, and no player is allowed to practice swinging a bat in any other location. Coaches are to remind the girls of the importance of this (and all other) safety rules and are to insist that they be followed at all times.
      • NFHS rule for pitcher's plate - at least one foot on to begin pitch.
      • Safety rules and regulations may not be altered.
    • Game times: No new inning after 90 minutes.
    • After the first inning, no infield, outfield warm up balls. Continuing pitcher limited to 5 warm up pitches, including “coming down.”  New pitcher gets 8.  With 2 outs, use a courtesy runner for catcher, so she can gear up.
    • A completed game is 4 1/2 innings if the home team has the lead. If the game is suspended prior to a completed game, when the game is replayed, the same runner shall be put on the same base and the same batting order shall resume until the game has been declared complete.
    • ALL RULES are subject to change, modification, or clarification during the course of the season by the league directors, should they think it necessary.