ICBB Leagues Overview
Iowa City Boys Baseball is a recreational league for 5-13 year olds in Iowa City and the surrounding area. Our program has evolved over the years but our commitment to providing a baseball league where our players can learn the game, make new friends and create life long memories remains constant. As players grow within our league we adjust our rules and field dimensions to assist in that growth. We welcome comments, concerns and suggestions about all of our leagues at our Contact Us page.
The following is intended to discuss the progression of the rules only where they relate to the development of the players and as a guide for parents, coaches and fans. For an official version of our rules please go to our Rules page.
The following is intended to discuss the progression of the rules only where they relate to the development of the players and as a guide for parents, coaches and fans. For an official version of our rules please go to our Rules page.
Instructional League
Players - This league is for 5 and 6 year olds. Any child who reaches their 5th birthday on or before April 30, 2025, and does not reach their 7th birthday by May 1, 2025, is eligible to play in our Instructional League. If you have a child who has not yet reached 5 but feel they would benefit from playing in this league, please contact us; we do allow players to "play up" in certain situations. This league is only offered in the spring.
Rules - At this level, the goal is to introduce the players to the rules of the game without the pressure of scorekeeping. All players bat each inning and advance at their own risk. If a player is called out he must return to the dugout while the rest of the team bats. This approach introduces the objective of an at bat and allows the defense to make some plays while giving all players plenty of opportunities. Smaller rosters are also maintained to ensure more opportunities for our Instructional League players both at the plate and in the field.
Games - Games will be played 2 days a week and will start no new innings after 60 minutes of play. These games can be played on any of our diamonds.
Rules - At this level, the goal is to introduce the players to the rules of the game without the pressure of scorekeeping. All players bat each inning and advance at their own risk. If a player is called out he must return to the dugout while the rest of the team bats. This approach introduces the objective of an at bat and allows the defense to make some plays while giving all players plenty of opportunities. Smaller rosters are also maintained to ensure more opportunities for our Instructional League players both at the plate and in the field.
- In the first half of the season the players hit off of the tee, in the second half a coach will "pitch" up to 3 balls to each player from a close distance.
- Coaches are encouraged to coach from the field while staying out of the action. We also encourage a coach to approach the plate with the hitter to offer help.
Games - Games will be played 2 days a week and will start no new innings after 60 minutes of play. These games can be played on any of our diamonds.
Pitching Machine League
Players - This league is for 7 and 8 year olds. Any child who reaches their 7th birthday on or before April 30, 2025, and does not reach their 9th birthday by May 1, 2025, is eligible to play in our Pitching Machine League. If you have a child who has not yet reached 7 but feel they would benefit from playing in this league, please contact us; we do allow players to "play up" in certain situations.
Rules differences from Instructional League - At this level we are still working at a predominantly instructional level while introducing a more competitive game. With that in mind, we encourage coaches to position themselves closer to the action to help reinforce what the players need to be doing with each "pitch". All pitches come from a pitching machine with a maximum of 3 swinging strikes or 5 pitches per at bat. We use the machine to give the players the greatest accuracy of pitches we can deliver and a level playing field at the plate.
Games - Games at the PM League level will not start a new inning of play after 75 minutes. They can be played on diamonds # 1-6.
Rules differences from Instructional League - At this level we are still working at a predominantly instructional level while introducing a more competitive game. With that in mind, we encourage coaches to position themselves closer to the action to help reinforce what the players need to be doing with each "pitch". All pitches come from a pitching machine with a maximum of 3 swinging strikes or 5 pitches per at bat. We use the machine to give the players the greatest accuracy of pitches we can deliver and a level playing field at the plate.
- Bases are 60'.
- While a team is at the plate we encourage a coach (typically a base coach) to approach the hitter to offer instruction. This is more important earlier in the season as coaches are teaching batting stance, hand position, etc on a more frequent basis.
- We encourage something similar for the fielding team. It is permitted that a coach be on the outfield foul line opposite his/her team's dugout to offer coaching to that side of the field. Coaches should always remain in foul territory and should not touch players of either team while the ball is in play.
- We operate with 3 outs per half-inning, or a max of 5 runs, whichever comes first. Not all players will bat each inning.
- This league has a catcher who will wear the full catcher's gear. This player does not have to squat behind the plate but can if he chooses to. The catcher is eligible to make outs on caught pop ups and tipped 3rd strikes.
- To stop play the ball must be thrown to an infielder and the ball must be held over the infielder's head to stop play. Runners on base are instructed to go to their nearest base by the umpire. This rule encourages aggressive base running and defense to be played while giving the fielding team the option to stop runners where they are.
Games - Games at the PM League level will not start a new inning of play after 75 minutes. They can be played on diamonds # 1-6.
Junior League
Players - This league is for 9 and 10 year-olds. Any child who reaches their 9th birthday on or before April 30, 2025, and does not reach their 11th birthday by May 1, 2025, is eligible to play in our Junior League. If you have a child who has not yet reached 9 but feel they would benefit from playing in this league, please contact us; we do allow players to "play up" in certain situations.
We operate with 3 outs per half-inning, or a max of 5 runs, whichever comes first. The starting pitch count will be 1-0.
Games - Games at the JR League level will not start a new inning of play after 90 minutes. They can be played on diamonds # 1-7.
We operate with 3 outs per half-inning, or a max of 5 runs, whichever comes first. The starting pitch count will be 1-0.
- Bases are 60' and the pitching rubber is at 42'.
- There is no "holding the ball up" at this level. Runners are free to run until time is called when the runner must stay on the base until the ball crosses the plate for the next pitch.
- Home plate is "Closed" on a wild pitch. Runners on base may advance to 2nd or 3rd base on any pitch after it crosses the plate but stealing home is not permitted. This encourages batters to put the ball in play to score runs rather than taking pitches in hopes of a wild pitch that frequently results in runs scored from 3rd base.
- After ball 4 or a hit batter, the batter will take 2 soft tosses from a Jugs Soft Toss Machine. If neither is put in play, the batter will be called out (this includes if the 2nd toss results in a foul, the batter is still out).
Games - Games at the JR League level will not start a new inning of play after 90 minutes. They can be played on diamonds # 1-7.
Senior League
5Players - This league is for 11, 12 and 13 year-olds. Any child who reaches their 11th birthday on or before April 30, 2025, and does not reach their 14th birthday by May 1, 2025, is eligible to play in our Senior League. If you have a child who has not yet reached 11 but feel they would benefit from playing in this league, please contact us; we do allow players to "play up" in certain situations.
Rules differences from Junior League - When the players reach this level we make a few rules and field dimension changes that our board feels are appropriate for the size and skill level of our 11 12, and 13 year old players.
Games - Games at City Park will be played on diamonds #1 and #2. Games at the SR League level will not start a new inning of play after 90 minutes. The majority of games will be played at City Park. In the Spring League, each team will occasionally play its game at Penn Meadows Park in North Liberty. All Fall Ball games are played at City Park.
Rules differences from Junior League - When the players reach this level we make a few rules and field dimension changes that our board feels are appropriate for the size and skill level of our 11 12, and 13 year old players.
- Bases are moved back to 70' and the pitching rubber to 50'. Junior League used 60' bases and 42' pitching rubbers.
- Home plate is now open on passed balls and we take walks, no more toss machine after ball 4.
- At-bats start with a "fresh" count, 0-0, not 1-0.
- We operate with 3 outs per half-inning, or a max of 5 runs, whichever comes first.
Games - Games at City Park will be played on diamonds #1 and #2. Games at the SR League level will not start a new inning of play after 90 minutes. The majority of games will be played at City Park. In the Spring League, each team will occasionally play its game at Penn Meadows Park in North Liberty. All Fall Ball games are played at City Park.