PCAA Majors-70 Division (Ages 11 – 12)
(AS OF 3/2/26)
Purpose
The Majors-70 division is a fun and dynamic level of “kid pitch” baseball. Players pitch from
a distance of 50 feet. The “70” refers to the lengthened distance of the bases. Every aspect
of the game is reviewed and reinforced with the goal of developing each player to his or her
fullest potential. This division also allows the first opportunity for players to “lead off” while
on base and “steal” at will.
Ages
Boys & Girls ages 11-12. (Link to Age Chart)
Practice & Games
Majors teams practice one night during the week for 90 minutes.
Games are played on Saturday plus some weeknights and last approximately 1 hour 50 minutes.
PCAA also schedules competition against other surrounding baseball recreational
programs.
Most practices and home games are held at Pineville Memorial Ballpark. Away games are
only a short drive within the Charlotte area.
Evaluations & Draft
All players are evaluated by coaches at the start of each season to determine their skill
level. Players are then privately ranked based on the evaluation results. Finally, coaches
draft players in an effort to create balanced teams and fair competition.
Majors Field Dimensions:
The base paths are 70 feet.
Pitching distance is 50-feet from front of rubber to back of home plate.
Field Setup
Home team lines field prior to each game and uses 1st base dugout.
Visiting team drags the field after completion of the game.
Rules & Regulations
The Majors Division is guided by Official Baseball Rules (OBR) and Babe Ruth League
Baseball Rules & Regulations.
PCAA has instituted "Local League Rules" as an age specific overlay for the Majors Division.
Local League Rules - Majors Division
Time Limits:
6 innings. No new inning started after 1 hour 50 minutes.
Rain Outs:
Games terminated due to weather will be made up as soon as possible.
A game is official after 4 complete innings.
Suspended Games:
PCAA will follow the situational specific procedures and guidelines detailed in Rule 4.12 of
the Babe Ruth League - Official Playing Rules.
Game Preliminaries:
Majors division coaches will use a continuous batting order.
Games may be started with 8 players. Players from a lower division may be “called up” to
play ONLY IF the team would have fewer than 9 players without those players.
The substitute players MUST bat last in the lineup and may ONLY play outfield positions.
A player from a different team within the division may be used as above ONLY when playing
a cross-association game. The Division Commissioner should be notified by the coach
when this occurs.
Starting and Ending a Game:
If a game is started with less than 9 players then the missing 9th player in the batting order
will be an automatic out. (An opposing coach has the option to waive the automatic out
rule as a gesture of good sportsmanship. If playing with less than 8 an automatic out has to
be taken up to the 8th position.) If the 9th player arrives late they will be inserted at the
bottom of the line-up and the automatic out rule will be discontinued.
If a player is injured during the game and unable to play as determined by the umpire the
game can continue with less than 9 players and the automatic out rule will not be in effect.
If a player starts a game and leaves without injury the automatic out rule will be in effect if
the roster falls below 9 players as a result. (An opposing coach continues to have the
option to waive the automatic out rule as a gesture of good sportsmanship. See above for
less than 8)
Run Limits:
Inning run limits are as follows:
• 1st inning - 3 run max per team
• Innings 2 and 3 - 5 run max per team
• Innings 4-6 - NO run limits
In an inning where the run limit has been reached, that play shall be allowed to finish. Only
three or five runs will count.
The "10 Run Rule" applies after 4 innings.
Playing Rules:
All players must wear a protective athletic cup for all practices and games.
The infield fly rule is enforced in this division.
Majors regular season games are played with two (2) umpires.
If umpires are not present, game may be delayed up to 10 minutes while waiting for
arrival. If no umpire arrives then one party from each team will be chosen to call the game
from behind the pitcher’s mound. Volunteers will call the game during their team’s
offensive half of an inning.
No player may sit out on the bench twice before every other player has sat one time.
Slash Bunt:
A batter is out for illegal action when the player fakes a bunt and then takes a full
swing. PENALTY – Batter is out, the ball is dead, no runners may advance.
Base Running:
Base runners may take a lead and steal at any time.
Pitching Limitations:
PCAA will follow modified BABE RUTH LEAGUE TOURNAMENT PITCHING
REGULATIONS for Majors age players: 11-13 year olds.
There are no limitations on the number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a game
subject to the following pitch count limitations:
PITCHING REST REQUIREMENTS
AGE - 11-13
DAILY MAX (PITCHES IN A DAY) - 85
REST PERIOD
0 Days 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days
1-40 41-65 66-80 80+
If the pitcher reaches the maximum pitch count limit while facing a batter, he may
continue to pitch until the batter reaches base safely or is put out. Note: this does not apply to rest days. Rest day requirements are a hard limit. For example, if a pitcher starts a batter at-bat with 29 pitches and throws two pitches to end with 31. The pitcher will require 1 full day of rest and cannot pitch the next day. Additional Note: these requirements apply to PCAA rec game eligibility. Pitches in other leagues games, such as QCBL or Top Gun will count towards rest requirements to pitch in PCAA games, but conversely, those leagues rest requirements will apply for their games.
Key Rules:
Majors = 85 daily max pitches per day.
Pitchers MUST rest the appropriate number of full calendar days based on the number of
pitches thrown, as shown in the table above.
Players may not return as pitchers once removed from the mound.
No player shall appear in a game as a pitcher for three (3) consecutive days, regardless of
pitch count.
Pitches thrown during a game that doesn't become "official" for any reason must still be
added to a pitchers total count for the day.
Player's who are "baseball age 9 or 10" and "playing up" will be capped to 75 max pitches
per day as outlined by "Pitch Smart" guidelines.
The head coach for each team must ensure individual pitch totals are recorded in
their official scorebook for pitchers on BOTH teams.
Scorebooks will be made available to the opposing team and league officials to ensure
compliance with "Pitch Smart" upon request.
Additional Pitching Rules:
The pitcher must take signs from the catcher, while standing on the rubber.
Intentional walks can be made with zero pitches by requesting the umpire award the batter
first base.
Balks will be enforced in this division. Each individual pitcher will receive one ‘warning’.
Subsequent occurrences will be declared ‘balks’.
NOTE: Umpires are encouraged to provide greater leniency early in the season.
A pitcher must be removed if a second trip is made to the mound within the same
inning. Note: A coach will NOT be charged a mound visit if a pitcher appears to suffer an
injury on a play and requires attention. Confirm with umpire it's an "injury visit" while
approaching pitcher. Additional Note, meetings with the team defense shall be considered a mound visit.
Any game in which an illegal pitcher has been used shall be declared forfeited. However,
the withdrawl of an illegal pitcher before throwing a pitch to a batter shall not be
considered a violation. Coaches are urged to closely monitor player pitch counts and avoid
forfeited game.
A pitcher will be removed from pitching the remainder of the game if he/she hits 3 total
Batters in the same inning.
Catchers:
Dropped 3rd strike rule is in effect for this division.
Player's must wear a mask while warming up the pitcher.
Bat Requirements:
All non-wood bats must have USABat Marking.
Barrel Maximum – 2 5/8
Hitting with an illegal bat will result in the batter being out. This rule can be enforced from
the point the batter enters the batters box and until the next batter receives their first pitch.
Coaches:
All ejections of coaches will be reviewed by the Commissioner, VP of Baseball and PCAA
President. In most instances ejections will result in a 1 game suspension, but at the discretion of the commissioner/board, a longer suspension could be applied.
If it happens a second time in the season, they will not be permitted to coach at PCAA for
the remainder of the season in any age group and will be disqualified from coaching a
PCAA-sponsored “All-Stars" or Tournament Teams.
Coaches must conduct themselves in accordance with the PCAA Code of Conduct.
Dugouts and fields:
Home team lines field before game and uses 1st base dugout.
Visiting team rakes and drags field after game.
One game ball per team to be supplied by each coach at the beginning of the game.
Balls are returned to each coach at the completion of the game and distributed as a “game
balls” for top players.
Player Safety:
No head first slides except back to base. Keep bats and gear off the playing field.
If there is a play at home plate, runners must slide AND avoid aggressive contact with the
catcher. One warning per game, then if a runner does not slide and there’s a “play at the
plate” the runner is ruled out. To be clear, a runner does not need to slide if there is no play
at home plate.
A player at-bat must step out of the batter’s box and away from the plate when there is a
play at home. Runner will be called out if the umpire deems there was interference with
the play.
A player who throws a bat after hitting the ball will be issued a warning by the umpire. That
player will be ejected from the game if the bat is thrown again. An umpire has the option to
eject the player after the first occurrence in a game if serious injury occurs or the batter is a
known repeat offender.
Conduct:
All parties must conduct themselves in accordance with the PCAA Code of Conduct
outlined below.
Players must not leave the dugout without the permission of the coach.
The team dugout is intended for players, coaches and parent helpers designated by the
head coach.
No siblings or friends should be in the dugout during the game.
Protests:
All protests must be clearly announced to the opposing coach and the umpire prior to the
next pitch being thrown. Protest must be brought to the attention of the Commissioner
immediately following completion of the game.
Judgment calls by the umpire are not grounds for protest.
Protest will be heard and decided by the Commissioner, VP of Baseball and PCAA
President.
Forfeits:
Obvious violation of the rules or continued violation of the rules after being brought to the
coach’s attention shall result in the forfeit of the game.
Tournament Details
The end of each season will culminate in a single elimination tournament.
All of the regular season rules above apply except the following:
Maximum playing time is extended to 2-hours in an effort to ensure a full game is
completed. No new inning started after 2-hours.
"10 Run Rule" still applies.
Substitute players for tournament games can ONLY be “called up” from lower leagues.
No tied games. Extra innings are used when necessary to determine a winner even if
umpires need to leave. One volunteer from each team should become umpires in this
unlikely scenario
PCAA Code of Conduct & Sportsmanship Focus
PCAA asks all players, parents and coaches to demonstrate good sportsmanship and
maintain a positive attitude while participating in our programs.
We believe mutual respect between players, coaches, parents and umpires forms the
foundation of a fun environment for learning and friendly competition.
Swearing or foul language is prohibited during PCAA games and practices.
Umpires should NOT be spoken to beyond “small talk” unless within an official coaching or
score keeping capacity.
Parents and players are prohibited from addressing the umpire in an unsportsmanlike or
disrespectful manner. Failure to follow this rule will result in parents or players being
ejected and removed from the sports facility.
Coaches are allowed to calmly discuss a call with an umpire who is willing to have that
conversation but when possible, this should happen in between innings.
Any dugout chanting or chatter should only be directed at teammates and be in the utmost
positive light. Failure to follow this rule will result in that team’s forfeit and immediate
cancellation of the game.
If there is an injury on the field all players should be instructed to “take a knee” until play is
resumed.