2. Game Preliminaries

2.1 Pre‑Game Warmup

• Teams in all divisions are encouraged to warm up before the start of the game.
• For 6:00 pm games, teams may use the outfield and may use the infield until 15 minutes before game time.
• For 8:00 pm games, teams are encouraged to arrive early and:
  • Book the batting cage (if available), or
  • Warm up on unused grass areas in the park.
• Coaches from both teams are responsible for ensuring players are ready for the pre‑game Plate Talk before the scheduled start time.

2.2 Plate Talk

• Head Coaches and umpires meet at home plate at the scheduled game time to review ground rules.
• The umpire assumes full control of the game at this point.

2.3 Game Balls

• KTBA supplies all baseballs for all games.

2.4 Umpires

• If no umpires are present at game time, teams should attempt to obtain volunteers from:
  • Registered umpires in attendance, or
  • Registered coaches.
• If proper umpire safety equipment is unavailable, the home plate umpire must work from behind the pitcher’s mound.

2.5 Umpire Harassment

• Verbal harassment of an umpire before, during, or after a game is strictly prohibited.
• Violations result in:
  • Immediate ejection, and
  • Suspension for the next game.
• Severe or repeat violations may result in additional suspension as determined by the KTBA Discipline Committee.

2.6 Physical Abuse

• Physical abuse or threats of physical abuse result in an automatic suspension until further notice from the KTBA Discipline Committee.
• KTBA will cooperate fully with any police investigation.

2.7 Minimum Number of Players

• All divisions require a minimum of seven (7) players to start a game.
• If fewer than seven players are available at game time, the team automatically defaults.
• The game should still be played for player development, with coaches encouraged to lend players.
• For forfeited games, the official score is 7–0.

2.8 Call‑Ups (Regular Season)

2.8.1 Order of Call‑Ups

Teams must follow this order when selecting call‑ups:

1. House League players from other teams within the same division.
2. Rep players (maximum 3 games each).
3. Players from the House division below, but only those in their final year of that division.
   • Example: A 14U team may call up an 11‑year‑old from 11U, but not a 10‑year‑old.

2.8.2 Call‑Up Requirements

• A call‑up must play and may only be removed due to injury.
• There is no limit to the number of call‑ups, but teams may not exceed 9 players.

2.8.3 Borrowed Player Restrictions

Borrowed players:

1. May not miss their own game.
2. Must bat last in the order.
3. May not increase the roster above 9 players.
4. May not play more innings than regular roster players.
5. May not pitch or catch.

2.9 Fair Play

2.9.1 Bench Rotation

• No player may sit two innings until all players have sat one inning.
• No player may sit three innings until all players have sat two innings, and so on.
• Applies to all players, including the catcher.

2.9.2 Pitcher Exception

• Pitchers may exceed the rotation rule, but by the end of the game:
  • A pitcher may not have played more than one inning more than any other player.
• Any conflict must be resolved before the next inning without delaying the game.

2.9.3 Batting Order (Regular Season)

• Coaches must rotate the batting order from game to game so the same players do not always bat first or last.

2.9.4 Defensive Position Rotation

• Coaches are encouraged to rotate players through different positions during the regular season.
• No player should play more than three innings in the outfield, if possible.
• A player’s outfield innings cannot exceed their infield innings by more than one.
• No defensive substitutions may occur during an inning except for injury.

2.9.5 Penalties

• Violations of Fair Play rules (2.9 and 11–18) may result in discipline
  from the Division Convener, VP of House League, and/or the Disciplinary Committee.

2.10 Rep Players (Regular Season)

2.10(a) Eligibility & Priority

Rep players may participate in House League when available.
If conflicts arise, the priority order is:

a) Rep games
b) House League games
c) Rep practices
d) House League practices

Penalty:
Rep players who violate this priority may face suspension following Discipline Committee review.
Example: Missing a Rep game to attend a House League game may result in suspension.

2.10(b) Pitching Restrictions

• All Rep players may pitch a maximum of 1 inning (3 outs) per game.
• This rule does not apply to affiliate Rep players.
• Updated in 2026 to apply to all Rep players, not just pitchers.

Penalty for violation:
If a Rep player pitches more than 1 inning:

A. 1‑game suspension for the coach of record
B. Possible additional suspensions
C. Forfeiture of the game
D. Disciplinary Committee interview with the coach of record