Miracle League Divisions Information

 

The Miracle League is made up of three divisions to allow players to play baseball at the level that is best suited for their abilities and age.  Click on the link below to learn more about each division.

 

Common Information for All Divisions

Miracle Division (Original Miracle League)

Competitive Youth Division

Adult Division

 

The following information is the same for all divisions in the Miracle League.   back to top

• Have fun!!!!!

• All games are played at the Miracle League Field at Graham Park in Cranberry Township, PA.

• The Miracle League Field has a rubberized, all weather surface that is wheelchair accessible.

• The Miracle League season consists of a spring session and fall session.

• The spring session consists of 8 games from mid-May to early-July.

• The fall session consists of 8 games from mid-August to mid-October.

• Every effort will be made to makeup cancelled games due to weather.

• The Miracle League is made up of three Divisions:

  •  Miracle Division.

  •  Competitive Division.

  • Adult Division.

• All players and volunteers must register to participate.

• Every effort will be made to meet requests by players and volunteers.

• All equipment (bats, balls, tee, etc) are provided by the Miracle League.

• Players are encourage to bring their own glove.

• Each team’s coaching staff will have a Manager, Coach(es), Buddy Team Leader(s), and Team Parent(s).

• Players receive a team uniform shirt and hat for the season.

• Managers and Coaches receive a team uniform shirt and hat for the season.

• Buddy Team Leaders and Buddies receive a Buddy T-shirt.

• Players receive a trophy at the end of the spring session.

• Players and volunteers have the option to participate in Photo Day during the spring session.

• Buddies are involved in the game for these three reasons:

  • Protect the players.

  • Assist the player, but only as needed allowing the player the opportunity to play as much as possible.

  • Encouragement and friendship.

The Miracle Division   back to top

See the rules above that are the same for all Miracle League Divisions.

For players who are 5 to 17 years old.  Players must be 5 years old before May 1^st and can’t be 18 years old or older after April 30^th.

Special consideration can be made for children outside of that range on a case by case basis.  Please contact the Miracle League Coordinator for approval.

This is a non-competitive division.

Each player has an assigned Buddy for all games.

Two innings per game.

All players bat each inning.

Batting helmets are optional.

Batters may hit off of a tee or from a Coach pitcher.  There are no strikeouts or walks.

All players get to circle the bases to score a run each inning.

Players are never called “Out”.

Game time is between 60 to 75 minutes.

Teams consist of no more than 14 players.

An umpire covers each game to call players safe on 1^st base and Home.

The score is tied after each inning no matter how many players are on each team.

 

 

 

The Competitive Division   back to top

See the rules above that are the same for all Miracle League Divisions.

For players who are 5 to 17 years old.  Players must be 5 years old before May 1^st and can’t be 18 years old or older after April 30^th.

Special consideration can be made for children outside of that range on a case by case basis.  Please contact the Miracle League Coordinator for approval.

This is a competitive division.  Players can be called out and a team can lose a game.

Buddies are optional for a player.  This is a Parent/Guardian decision.

An umpire covers each game to call balls/strike, fair/foul, out/safe and has the final call on all plays.

The score will be kept.  A team can win, lose, or tie.

Teams consist of no more than 10 players.

 

Game/Inning Length:

• All rules apply as in Little League unless otherwise listed.

• Game is played for 3 innings.

• There is a 75 minute time limit.

• A half inning is completed when either 3 outs are reached, or 5 runs cross the plate.

• Only 5 runs may be scored in a half inning.

• If a home run or extra base hit results in more than 5 runs:

• Play will continue until its end.

• Only up to 5 runs will count.

Fielding Rules:   

• Fielding gloves are optional for fielders.

• 10 Fielders allowed on the field.

• 4 outfielders, 5 infielders, and a pitcher/catcher.

• Fielders are not permitted to block the bases.

• If the umpire deems that the base has been blocked, the runner will be awarded the base.

• Fielders may use a Buddy.

• A coach or other designated person will pitch to their team.

• A fielder may not advance towards home past the pitcher's mound until the ball is hit.

• If the umpire determines a violation, the batter is awarded the base.

• Outfielders may not encroach to the infield .

• Fielders must tag a runner, not their Buddy, to tag them out.

Batting Rules:

• A batter may choose to be pitched to, or use a tee.

• A batter may choose either option at each at bat.

• A batter may not change their choice in the middle of an at-bat.

• A batter being pitched to will have 5 strikes.

• A batter using a tee will have 3 strikes/swings.

• A tipped ball foul follows foul rules.

• A tee hit, where the ball is not tipped, is considered a strike and can result  in a strikeout.

• A ball must be hit off of the tee to be considered in play.

• A batter cannot foul out.

• Fouls count as strikes (no more than 4 for pitched batters, and 2 for tee batters).

• Balls are considered a dead pitch.

• A ball in the “strike zone” is a strike.

• Batters must wear helmets.

• A Buddy may not hit for a batter.

Baserunning Rules:

• Runners may not steal bases.

• Runners may not advance a base on overthrown balls.

• Runners may not lead off.

• Runners cannot be picked off.

• Runners must wear helmets.

• Runners may use a Buddy to help them run the bases.

• Buddies must make every effort to avoid balls hit into play.

• If the Buddy is deemed to have purposefully interfered, the runner is out, and a warning is given.

• A hit ball that hits a runner is considered a dead ball.

• On a dead ball, the batter is given first, and every forced runner is given one base.

Competitive Buddy Rules

• Buddies are there to assist the players and ensure an enjoyable experience for all the kids involved, not just their partner.

• If the umpire determines that a Buddy is in violation of the spirit of what is in the best interests of the kids, a warning will be given. If a second offense occurs, the Buddy will be removed from the game.

• Buddies are optional for the players.

• Buddies may help a player run the bases by pushing their chair.

• Buddies who are helping their players run must make every effort to avoid balls in play.

• If a Buddy intentionally interferes, it is considered a violation and will result in their player being called out, as well as a warning for first offense, or a removal if given a prior warning.

• A Buddy may not be tagged to tag their runner out.

• A Buddy may not interfere with their player being tagged.

• A Buddy may not bat for their player.

• Buddies in the field.

• A Buddy must always play behind their player.

• A Buddy may not catch or throw a ball for their player.

• A Buddy may not stop a ball for a player if it is considered to be beyond their reach.

• A Buddy may stop a ball that is hit at a player if the player needs help fielding it.

• A Buddy may pick up and hand a stopped ball to their player if help is needed picking up the ball.

• Buddies must give every opportunity for their player to play the ball.

 

 

The Adult Division   back to top

See the rules above that are the same for all Miracle League Divisions.

For players who 18 years old before May 1^st.

This is a competitive division.  Players can be called out and a team can lose a game.

Buddies are optional for a player. 

An umpire covers each game to call fair/foul, out/safe and has the final call on all plays.

The score will be kept.  A team can win, lose, or tie.

Two innings per game.

All players bat each inning.

After three outs the bases will be cleared.

Batters can hit off of a tee or from a Coach pitcher.

Batters will bat until the ball is put in play.  There will be no strikeouts or walks.

Baserunners can be put out running the bases.

Fielding, Baserunning, and Competitive Buddy Rules are the same as the Competitive Division.