Baseball

Overview

Junior Reserve (4th grade)

• 46’ pitching distance, 60’ bases.
• Continuous batting order and everyone plays 3 innings defensively (see below)
• No leadoffs and no stealing; 10 players in field.

Reserve (5th grade)

• 46’ pitching distance, 60’ bases.
• Continuous batting order and everyone plays 3 innings defensively (see below)
• No leadoffs and stealing permitted only after ball passes the batter.

Senior Reserve (6th grade)

• 48’ pitching distance, 70’ bases.
• Continuous batting order and everyone plays 3 innings defensively (see below)
• Leadoffs and stealing permitted; Balk rule in effect.

Junior Varsity (7th grade)

• 54’ pitching distance, 80’ bases.
• All players must participate in the game
• Leadoffs and stealing are permitted

Varsity (8th grade)

• 54’ pitching distance, 80’ bases.
• Same rules as JV.

Registration fees cover the cost for Diocesan fees, umpire fees, field maintenance, uniforms and equipment.

If necessary, multiple teams will be divided up based on coach’s draft (after signups and assessments).

Tryouts

There are no tryouts at any grade level.

Minimum Playing Time (per player)

4th thru 6th grades
Every player should bat at least once (all teams bat the lineup) and play in the field at least 3 innings.  Coaches will do their best to provide different positions (infield/outfield) for all players.  The above guidelines are assuming full 6 inning games are played and no more than 13 players per team; otherwise more than 13 players and/or less than 6 innings should have 2 innings minimum in the field and still bat at least once.

7th and 8th grade
With specific substitution and re-entry rules in place, players should play 2 innings minimum in the field and bat at least once.

Extenuating circumstances apply for injuries.

Games

Games will start in mid April and the season is about 5 weeks long. We typically play a 10 game season with 2 games per week. All games will be at various schools in the diocese.

Practices

Practices will begin in early March. We will have a few practices in the St. Paul Gym, some at All Star Sports (by the Continent).

Equipment

St. Paul will supply uniforms (jersey, pants, belt, socks and hat) and equipment (batting helmets, bats and balls).  Jerseys, pants and belts are to be returned at the end of the season. Players to provide glove and non-metal cleats.

Rules

Ohio High School baseball rules apply for all grades. Amended rules specific to diocesan baseball can be found on the Columbus Diocesan Recreation website.

Games

Complete diocesan games schedules for all teams can be found on the Columbus Diocesan Recreation website.

Concessions

Not applicable.