While the rules of Babe Ruth may largely match those of the league that played host to the Babe himself, there are a few differences.
Don't Hate the Player…But Can He Play the Game?
Let's start with just who can play Babe Ruth. Any 13 to 15-year-old, having turned 13 before April 30th and not having turned 16 before April 30th of the current year is eligible to participate. Any game found to have included a player outside of this age range shall be declared a forfeit.
Play -Em If You Got -Em
Perhaps the greatest difference between Babe Ruth and higher levels of competitive ball is that all players-no matter how… "average"- must actually play. All players must play a minimum of two straight innings in the field, and bat at least once. However, there are some restrictions; most notably, a player may not pitch more than seven innings a week, and all innings pitched for other teams (junior high, middle school, etc.) count towards the weekly total.
Let's Play Two
In Babe Ruth, it's not unusual to play a doubleheader. In such cases, the first game shall not start any later than 7:40 PM, with the second no later than 10:30 PM. To ensure both games are played in a timely manner, there shall be no more than 30 minutes between games. If a game is called because of weather, curfew or field malfunction (poor conditions, lights burning out, etc.) it is considered regulation if five innings have been completed, or if the home team has scored more runs in 4½ innings then the visitors in their five competed half innings, or if the homers score one or more runs in its half of the fifth. If the game is tied, is shall be declared "suspended." In that case, the game shall be resumed at a date determined by the board of directors.
Safety's on First
Given that the game is played by youths, safety remains imperative. That is why all catchers in Babe Ruth are required to wear a throat guard. But don't bust out more armor than you need-no player wearing a cast or similar bandage is permitted in a game. Otherwise, he will be asked to remain inside the home dugout (third baseline) or away dugout (first baseline).
That is why all offensive players stepping onto the field-to hit, run, or coach base-are required to wear helmets with two ear flaps. In addition, any player with an open wound must immediately be removed from the contest, but may return once the ailment has been treated and/or corrected. Follow these rules, and the Babe himself will surely be proud.
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