2024 GAME RULES FOR THE INDEPENDENT LEAGUE FOR “D”
(Any rules prior to April 1, 2024, are obsolete)
The D level of the Dubuque Independent League is the entry level into playing organized baseball. Winning and losing should not be what is important but teaching players the necessary skills to play baseball should be the focus. League standings WILL be kept for D level (these will be used for ranking teams for the Rising Stars and End of Year tournaments, there will not be a league champion).
The following rules pertain to the D level only and take the place of any similar rules used by other levels of the Dubuque Independent League.
Home team will occupy the 3rd base dugout. Away team will occupy the 1st base dugout.
1. All teams will use a lineup and players will bat round robin (this is mandatory). This means all players will bat before the 1st batter bats a second time. All players must bat and play the field during the game. 11 fielders should be on the field, unless agreed to before the game by the coaches.
2. Bats used may be no greater than 2 3/4-inches in diameter. There are no other restrictions on eligible bats at this level.
3. There are no walks and a batter can strike, the batter will be given 4 strikes.
4. The coach will pitch to his or her own team and the coach will be the only one that will call strikes.
5. In the event of an overthrow or multiple overthrows during the same play, only 1 base will be taken. Remember this in an instructional level.
6. Once the ball is controlled by a player in the infield the play is stopped. If a runner is more than half way at that point they can continue to the next base. If they are not halfway then they need to go back to the previous base.
7. When a team scores 5 runs in their one half of the inning then that team’s portion of the inning is over, and the other team will then bat.
8. Outfielders must all be positioned on the grass until contact is made with the ball. When the game is being played on one of the larger fields, coaches should use judgement to position players at an equivalent depth to the age appropriate fields.
9. The length of a game is determined by time not innings. There is no time limit to the number of innings you play in your time frame. No new inning can start after 1 hour and 10 minutes of play.
10. First base coach will umpire first base. 3rd base coach will umpire 3rd base. Outfield coach will umpire 2nd base.
11. There is no stealing and home plate is closed. A runner may not lead off and CANNOT leave the base until the ball is hit by the batter. There is no bunting at D level.
12. At least one new baseball must be used to start each game. This must be a league supplied Wilson A1010 baseball. The home team will provide the baseballs used for the game. The ball should be left on the mound between innings.
13. The player pitcher is recommended to wear a protective mask, or shield, which shall be supplied by the individual teams.
14. If a batter hits a fair ball and it hits the Coach Pitcher, the play is immediately ruled a dead ball, the batter returns back to the plate, all the runners back to their original base and no strike is counted.
15. If a Player or Coach is ejected from a game, the person must leave the ball park immediately. The penalties are as follows:
A. First ejection will result in a suspension of one game in addition to the remainder of the game where ejection occurred. The one game suspension must be served during the next team league game played.
B. Second ejection will result in indefinite suspension from DILB sponsored games pending board review.
C. Suspended individuals will not be allowed on complex grounds while suspension served games are being played
D. Suspension must be appealed to the DILB Board for review.
16. CHANTING BY PLAYERS, COACHES OR FANS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED OR TOLERATED.
NOTE: Absolutely no carry-ins are allowed in the complex. Individual water bottles are permitted.