COBRA

Our playing rules are modified to enhance the experience for our players. Rules are based on a hierarchy of publications in the following order:

1. Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken Playing rules
   These can be found in your rule books.
2. State or Regional rules
   These can be found in the Document Center of www.FLBabeRuth.com.
3. COBRA Bylaws and Rules
   See below.

This is NOT comprehensive, but is designed to give a quick review of rule differences for the specific age group

• Provide: 2 baseballs, $50/umpire split between teams
• 1 umpire until some point in tournament
• No defensive coaches on field, 3 offensive allowed
• May bat 10+ players, 9 = out, <9 = forfeit
• USA Bat only
• Overthrows live
• Run rule: 10/4, 8/5
• Music OK, but restrictions
• No infield fly

• Provide: 2 baseballs, $50/umpire split between teams
• 1 umpire until some point in tournament
• May bat 10+ players, 9 = out, <9 = forfeit
• USA Bat only
• Offensive coach works machine
• No defensive coaches on field, 3 offensive allowed
• Machine set to 43mph
• Courtesy runner for catcher, mandatory with 2 outs, restrictions in rules
• Overthrows live
• Run rule: 12/3, 10/4, 8/5
• Music OK, but restrictions
• No infield fly

• Provide: 2 baseballs, $60/umpire split between teams
• 9U & 10U - 1 umpire until some point in tournament
• 11U & older - 2 umpires, possibly 3 at some point in tournament
• May bat 9+ players, 8 = out, <8 = forfeit
• USA Bat only
• Courtesy runner for pitcher and catcher, mandatory with 2 outs, restrictions in rules
• Run rule: 12/3, 10/4, 8/5
• Music OK, but restrictions
• Infield fly active
• Pitch limits:
  • 9U-12U: 40 pitches per day, finish the inning with other restrictions in rules
  • 13U-16U: 50 pitches per day, finish the inning with other restrictions in rules

1. Home team will provide 2 new baseballs
2. An offensive coach will remove the tee once ball is in play. The umpire will set the tee on the middle of the plate. No defensive coaches may be on the field. All defensive coaches must be in the dugout and only 3 offensive coaches (1B, 3B & one behind plate) may be in live ball territory.
3. Teams must bat the entire lineup and can use free defensive substitution throughout the game.
4. Teams may use up to 10 players on defense (4 outfielders) but may play with 8 players, if only 8 players are available. It will not be counted as an out if a player leaves the game for any reason
5. Each batter will be allowed to 6 total swings.

   A strike shall be called if the batter:
   a. sizes up the ball on the tee
   b. misses the ball but hits the tee
   c. hits the ball foul and has less than 2 strikes
   d. completely misses the ball on the tee.

   A foul will be called if the ball:
   a. is hit into foul territory
   b. does not reach the 25' line AND is not fielded by a defensive player before the umpire calls foul declaring the ball dead. If there is no 25’ line it is up to the umpire’s discretion.

6. All overthrown balls will be considered live and the runner(s) can advance until they are contained or give up the effort to advance to the next base.
7. There will be no new inning after 1:30 (on hour and thirty minutes)
8. There is a four (4) run per inning limit
9. Run Rule is as follows: 3 1?2 innings 10 or more runs, 4 1?2 innings 8 or more runs If in the 5th inning and the winning team is up by 5 and there is no way for the other team to recover, the game will be called as a run rule. If the opposing team has a chance to make 4 runs and still tie the game, the game must continue.
10. Walk-up and intermission (between inning) music is permitted, but must be extinguished once a batter starts to enter the batter’s box. It may not be excessively loud nor inappropriate for youths. Common sense should dictate this, but any mention by a game or park official should be considered a warning and a subsequent request for either will cause that team to surrender playing music for that day; both games if this is their first. If both teams are playing intermission music, the team to bat in the upcoming half inning will have the privilege.
11. Any rule violation must be corrected immediately and escalated to the appropriate division coordinator for review and possible sanctions. Any resistance to correcting violations may be seen as violation, for example: defensive obstruction, offensive interference, or un-sportsman-like conduct; as appropriate, and penalties applied as seen fit by the game’s officials.
12. Managers/Coaches ejected from a game in the 6U division will serve a one game suspension. This suspension will be served on the teams next scheduled game. If a Manager/Coach is ejected a second time during a season they will miss the remainder of the season.

1. An offensive coach will work the pitching machine. No defensive coaches may be on the field. All defensive coaches must be in the dugout and only 3 offensive coaches (1B, 3B & Pitching Machine operator) may be in live ball territory.
2. Speed set at approx. 43mph.
3. 1 new Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken, or as OK’d by umpire, baseball per team must be provided.
4. Home team keeps the official book.
5. $50/umpire, split between teams.
6. Batters will be given 4 pitches or 3 strikes per at bat
7. There will be no bunting arc, as per BR and OBR.
8. The player that assumes the pitcher’s position must remain within the “mound,” defined as a5 foot radius on one side or the other of the machine, ?until the ball is hit.? If the pitcher violates any of these requirements, then (1) the play will stand, even if the pitcher is involved in the play, and (2) the umpire will warn the violating pitcher’s manager that if the same pitcher violates one or both requirements again, he will have to be removed from the pitcher’s position. The player can assume another position but cannot re-enter as a pitcher in that game.
9. The ball will be declared dead (time out) by the umpire when the defensive team stops the lead runner and all succeeding runners abandon their effort to advance.
10. A batted ball will be considered dead when, before being touched by a fielder, it hits the pitching machine, sandbag or pitching coach. The batter shall be awarded 1st base and on-base runners will advance only if forced. A thrown ball that hits the machine, sandbag or pitching coach is a live ball.
11. Teams may use up to 10 players on defense (4 outfielders) but may play with 9 players if only 9 players are available. If only 9 players are used, the 10th position will be an OUT. If a team starts with 10 or more (because they are hitting entire lineup) batters and drops below 10 batters, the missing batter will be counted as an out. For example, if a team hits all 12 of their players in the lineup and one player leaves, there’s no penalty. If a team b
12. Teams may use up to 10 players on defense (4 outfielders) but may play with 9 players if only 9 players are available. If only 9 players are used, the 10th position will be an OUT.
13. If a team starts with 10 or more (because they are hitting entire lineup) batters and drops below 10 batters, the missing batter will be counted as an out. For example, if a team hits all 12 of their players in the lineup and one player leaves, there’s no penalty. If a team bats 11 (everyone) and two players leave, the 2nd to leave will count as an out.
14. If a team starts with 10 batters and drops below 10, the missing batter will be counted as an out.
15. Bats must have USABat logo or be appropriate size made of wood.
16. There will be no new inning after 1:30 (on hour and thirty minutes)
17. There is a four (4) run per inning limit for innings.
18. There will be one umpire per game during Sunday Play. All or part of the tournament may use 2 umpires.
19. No intentional walks are allowed.
20. No infield fly rule.
21. No “hit by pitcher (machine)” rule.
22. No base stealing. Book rules apply to leaving the base early.
23. Dead ball appeals are allowed by the manager or any player.
24. Courtesy runner (someone not in the game or, if all players hitting, last batter due to hit) is encouraged for catchers but is? mandatory? with 2 outs or 3 runs scored. The incoming catcher may be run for instead, if opposing coach and UIC informed before the beginning of the team’s at-bat. Any player eligible to be courtesy run for may NOT be a courtesy runner.
25. If time has expired, and the home team can not catch up (down by more than 4 runs), the game is over. In this case, the official score will revert to the last completed inning, even if runs are not being used as a tiebreaker.
26. Any rule violation must be corrected immediately and escalated to the appropriate division coordinator for review and possible sanctions. Any resistance to correcting violations may be seen as violation, for example: defensive obstruction, offensive interference, or un-sportsman-like conduct; as appropriate, and penalties applied as seen fit by the game’s officials.
27. Walk-up and intermission (between inning) music is permitted, but must be extinguished once a batter starts to enter the batter’s box. It may not be excessively loud nor inappropriate for youths. Common sense should dictate this, but any mention by a game or park official should be considered a warning and a subsequent request for either will cause that team to surrender playing music for that day; both games if this is their first. If both teams are playing intermission music, the team to bat in the upcoming half inning will have the privilege.

1. Seeding is decided before the tournament
2. After the initial play-in games, 2 brackets will be formed
3. Winners of the play-in game will play in one single elimination bracket
4. Losers of the play-in game will play in a different single elimination bracket
5. Time limits remain in effect
6. Time limits may be extended or eliminated at some point during the tournament, with advanced notice to all teams.
7. Run rules always remain in effect
8. If there is a tie after the required number of innings or time has expired, use the following to help determine a winner:
   a. Batters start with 1-1 count
   b. Last player due to bat will start at 2nd base
   c. Play continues until a team leads at the end of an inning

1. Players must be in the batting lineup to play defense. Teams may bat the entire lineup and use free defensive substitution throughout the game.
2. Teams may use up to 9 players on defense, but may play with as few as 8. If only 8 players are used, the 9th batting position will be an OUT.
3. If a team starts with 9 or more (because they are hitting entire lineup) batters and drops below 9 batters, the missing batter will be counted as an out. For example, if a team hits all 12 of their players in the lineup and one player leaves, there’s no penalty. If a team bats 11 (everyone) and three players leave, the 3rd to leave will count as an out.
4. Pitching limits
   • 9U-12U is 40 pitches per day, finish the inning
   • 13U-15U is 50 pitches per day, finish the inning
   • ALL divisions
     a. One re-entry is allowed for pitchers
     b. All players and coaches are to comply with the official pitch count restrictions allowed by Babe Ruth. This will include ALL games played, not only COBRA games.
     c. If a pitcher is removed before the third out of an inning, the pitcher may NOT re-enter in that game or any subsequent game that day.
5. Bats
   1. 9U-12U - USABat stamped bats and properly-sized wooden bats may be used, per official Babe Ruth rulebook
   2. 13U-15U – USABat stamped bats, bbcor bats, and properly-sized wooden bats may be used, per official Babe Ruth rulebook
6. Time Limit is 1:30 minutes, no new inning for ALL divisions for Sunday Play.
7. Per inning run limit is no more than 4 runs per inning for ALL divisions.
8. Umpires
   • 1. 9U-10U - There will be one umpire per game during Sunday Play. All or part of the tournament may use 2 umpires. Pay is $60/umpire.
   • 2. 11U-15U – May use a single umpire for Sunday Play, but will normally use 2 for Sunday Play and 2 or 3 for the Tournament. Pay is $60/umpire.
9. Home team keeps the official book.
10. Mercy rule is 12/3, 10/4, 8/5 for ALL divisions.
    • 1. 12 after 3 innings
    • 2. 10 after 4 innings (3 1/2 if home team leads)
    • 3. 8 after 5 innings (4 1/2 if home team leads)
11. If time has expired, and the home team can not catch up (down by more than 4 runs), the game is over. In this case, the official score will revert to the last completed inning, even if runs are not being used as a tiebreaker. Pitches thrown WILL count toward a pitcher’s pitch count.
12. Courtesy runner (someone not in the game or, if all players hitting, last batter due to hit) is encouraged for pitchers and catchers but is? mandatory? with 2 outs or 3 runs scored.

    1. Incoming pitchers or catchers may be run for instead, if opposing coach and UIC are informed before the beginning of the team’s at-bat. In these cases, the player being replaced may NOT have a courtesy runner, unless they are moving to the pitcher or catcher position and proper notice is given.

    2. Any player eligible to be courtesy run for may NOT be a courtesy runner.

    3. Pitchers who have met their pitch count may NOT be run for. Coaches should utilize L.1 (naming the pitcher for the next inning).

13. The infield Fly Rule IS in effect.
14. Walk-up and intermission (between inning) music is permitted, but must be extinguished once a batter starts to enter the batter’s box. It may not be excessively loud nor inappropriate for youths. Common sense should dictate this, but any mention by a game or park official should be considered a warning and a subsequent request for either will cause that team to surrender playing music for that day; both games if this is their first. If both teams are playing intermission music, the team to bat in the upcoming half inning will have the privilege.
15. Any rule violation must be corrected immediately and escalated to the appropriate division coordinator for review and possible sanctions. Any resistance to correcting violations may be seen as an additional violation, for example: defensive obstruction, offensive interference, or un-sportsman-like conduct; as appropriate, and penalties applied as seen fit by the game’s officials.

Coaches need to keep their online rosters updated, even if you're using a player for a single game or set of games. Please have rosters updated 48 hours before scheduled game time. If you had to adjust your roster closer to game time, please inform the other teams so they can download the game again and score properly. Players must have played in at least HALF of scheduled COBRA games to be allowed to participate in the tournament, unless they provide a medical reason which we can waiver just like all star play rules.

For playoffs:

• Games must result in a winner - no ties.
• Extra innings we will place the last player due up at 2B at the beginning of the inning.
• Extra innings are defined as more innings than standard games OR innings after the time has expired for the game.
• Batter counts remain 0-0 to start in extra innings.
• All age groups will have 2 umpires. Be prepared money wise accordingly.
• Must run for catcher with 2 outs to speed up game.
• The 90 minute NNI rule will remain throughout the tournament.

Rosters and scoresheets must be maintained, and kept updated using GameChanger, and available to your COBRA Divisional Commissioner at all times.

Speed Up Keys

• HUSTLE in and out - College teams get 90 seconds between innings. If YOU could do that, you’d probably get an extra half inning AT LEAST per game.
• MANDATORY speed up - I don’t care if your catcher is the fastest guy on the team. Rotate him around so he can run, but when he’s catching, we’ll get more play time if he can be suited up for defense. Coaches may report an upcoming change and run for the catcher coming into the game as long as they inform the UIC and opposing coach before the team's at-bat begins.
• WARM-UP your pitchers BEFORE you bring them in. The 45 pitch limit impacts this, but you know if your guy is getting close. You have free defensive substitution. Take your next guy out and warm him up before you put him in, either while your other pitcher is finishing up, or between innings. Give him a throw or two when he gets out there if you have to, but not the full 8 pitches. It’ll keep everyone on their toes, and as a defensive strategy, give your opponent less looks before they get to step into the box.
• BE READY at game time - even if your umpire isn’t there yet, he will be. I have not known ONE of these guys to be late for ANY events. Visitor/Home is on the schedule for this reason (instead of flipping, for example). Have your pitcher warming up on the field 5 minutes before game time, and your other players in position. START YOUR GAME ON TIME.
• ONE FOOT IN, ONE FOOT OUT of the box when taking signs - it drives me NUTS when the batter walks half way down to third base to get signs. Dude, if you have to get that close to see your coach, you ain’t hitting the ball. One foot in, one foot out, get your signs, and play.
• GIVE SIGNS EARLY - We already take too long between innings, then before the batter gets in the box, he looks at coach for signs. What have you been doing for the past 3 minutes?
• MAKE SUBS EARLY - this is better for league play and All Stars when you have to report changes, but as an umpire, it flies all over me when we’re ready to play and the coach brings me subs. Now, everybody is waiting. Tell him as soon as the last out occurs so he can report to everyone and we can start the next inning on time.
• PINCH RUNNERS READY - Have your guys ready, with their helmets, when your pitcher and catcher come up to bat. Ask for time as soon as they get on base, and have your runner HUSTLE to position.
• FOUL BALLS - designate your bench players, or parents, to chase foul balls on your side. Also, foul balls down the lines should be chased by someone on the bench (with a helmet) so that play may resume, instead of waiting for the Right Fielder to go get it.