2016 Oak Creek Little League Local Rules 2017 LOCAL RULES

Transcription

1 2016 Oak Creek Little League Local Rules 2017 LOCAL RULES It is the responsibility of each Team Manager to read and understand OCLL s Local Rules and Little League Internationals Rule Book Umpires decisions are final. OCLL Board Members on Duty cannot override an umpire s decision Oak Creek Little League Rules

2 Unless otherwise noted, play is governed by the rules published in the current edition of the Little League Rules, for Baseball and Softball. The following OCLL Local Rules apply to all divisions. Home Team = 3rd Base Dug Out & Away Team = 1st Base Dug Out 1. Game Time Information Time limit is defined as no new inning may start after the time limit expires. Should an inning begin before the end of the time period and carry beyond the time limit, the inning will be played in its entirety. Time starts after the umpires meeting. An inning starts when the 3rd out is made in the bottom half of the previous inning. The time limits are based on 15 minute innings. Please keep the games moving. Pitching Machine, Minor: No new inning will start after 1 hour 30 minutes. Major Indoor 1 hour 25 minutes drop dead time limit Intermediate, Senior League Levels: No new inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes. Interleague Softball games, drop dead time 1 hour and 45 minutes. ONLY THE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF GAME WILL BE PLAYED TO REGULATION INNINGS COMPLETION NO TIME LIMIT. For Pitching Machine, Minor, & Major levels, the team trailing must complete their half of the 4th inning. The Five Run rule applies in ALL games including playoff games, and the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. (The 5 run rule only applies to Pitching Machine and Minor levels). Majors, Intermediate and Senior Baseball DO NOT have run rules. Example: A DIVISIONAL game that is only in the 3rd inning when the time limit is reached will need to complete the 3rd inning & allow the trailing or tied team to bat in the 4th inning. (5 TH inning for Intermetiate and Senior Levels). Once the game reaches the regulation point & the time limit has expired, the game is over. Only playoff games cannot end in a tie. **EXCEPTION**: All DIVISIONAL games, all Interleague Softball games, and all end of season Playoff games will be played to regulation. (Regulation is defined as a complete game or 4 regulation innings. For Intermediate and Senior Ball 5 regulation innings) 2. Regulation Game For Pitching Machine, Minor, & Major Levels, the games are 6 innings in length. An official game is 4 innings (trailing team has batted in 4th inning). ). IF A DIVISIONAL GAME OR PLAYOFF GAME HAS NOT COMPLETED FOUR INNINGS BY THE TIME-LIMIT, TIME WILL BE EXTENDED TO COMPLETE THE FOURTH INNING. (Only the Championship game will be played to entirety of innings regulation). For Intermediate and Senior Levels, the games are 7 innings in length. An official game is 5 innings (trailing team has batted in 5th inning). IF A DIVISIONAL GAME OR PLAYOFF GAME HAS NOT COMPLETED FOUR INNINGS BY THE TIME-LIMIT, TIME WILL BE EXTENDED

3 TO COMPLETE THE FIFTH INNING. (Only the championship game will be played to its entirety of innings regulation) 3. Playing Time Rules A. In all divisions, it is mandatory that each player play in the field not less than 2 full innings (6 defensive outs) in every game attended. No player may sit two consecutive defensive innings. Not playing defense every other inning is OK. B. Oak Creek Little League is an instructional league dedicated to the goals defined in Little League Baseball Inc. Rules, Regulations and Policies, as well as the goals established in the Oak Creek Little League Constitution. It is our belief that it is impossible to maximize the learning experience for our players if the advanced players always play the same position, in the infield, and the players that need more instruction are relegated to the outfield. Accordingly, we have adopted the following concept: In non-standings (*Exhibition) games, players should be given equal opportunity to play multiple defensive positions. C. If a manager feels that a player is physically unable to play an infield position, that manager will need to set up a meeting with the player s parents and the Player Agent/Vice President to express his or her concerns. 4. Pitching Rules A. Each manager and coach will carefully review the Little League pitching & catching rules. These will be strictly enforced. Read your Little League Rule Book! (This rule does not apply to levels where pitching machines are used.) B. In Non Standings Minor & Major Baseball games, pitching is limited to 2 innings per player or the maximum pitch count (whichever comes first). Tournament rules for pitching for any post-season local playoffs will be the same as the regular season. The special tournament pitching rules in the rule book are for Little League All-Star tournaments only, not the OCLL post-season playoffs. 5. Additional Apparel (Exception to LL Rule) A. Sweatshirts and jackets of solid color may be worn over or under the player s jersey, if needed, due to cold weather. For pitchers, they may not be white, gray, or yellow in color. 6. Ten Run Rule (NO TEN RUN RULE) A. Little League Rule 4.10(e) does not apply for OCLL games. 7. Continuous Batting Order A. Little League Rule 4.04 is not only adopted, but mandatory. A continuous batting order is to be used for all games at all levels. 8. One foot in the Batters Box A, Little League Rule6.02(c) will be followed (Page 92 in baseball and 89 in softball) **The Official Little League Rules will apply for all rules that are not covered in the Oak Creek Little League Local Rules.

4 Intermediate & Senior Baseball Division Additional Rules & Clarifications 1. Balk Rule: The Balk Rule (LL Rule 8.05) will be enforced beginning opening day. One warning will be given to a pitcher if a balk occurs. There is one warning per game (not per pitcher). For a warning, an illegal pitch will not be called, and any runners will not be allow to advance. Any runners who may have advanced for a warning will be returned to their last occupied base. However, if a pitch is delivered and the ball is hit, the play will stand regardless of the outcome, as if the warning had not occurred. If a pitch is delivered and not hit, a ball or strike will be called as if it was a legal pitch. Pitching Machine Division Additional Rules & Clarifications 1. Pitching Machine Rules: A. The VISITING team is responsible for obtaining the pitching machine, battery, and electrical cord (if needed). The HOME team returns everything after the last game on that diamond. The machines, cords, batteries and balls should be returned to the maintenance building located on the south end of the complex. 1) Only the batting team s trained manager or coach will operate the pitching machine during the game. 2) Both Managers should agree on the speed of the pitched balls before the game starts. The OCLL Board Member on Duty will be used when an agreement cannot be reached. 3) Any change to the pitching machine speed can only occur after 1 full inning or at the start of following innings, unless both managers agree to change it during an inning because of problems. Keep the best interest of the kids in mind. A. The batter will be called out after three swinging strikes or after 5 pitched balls, whichever occurs first. If the 5th pitch is fouled/tipped, then the batter continues, unless the catcher catches the ball on a fly. Otherwise the batter continues until they take a pitch, put the ball in play, or swing and miss. B. OUTFIELDERS MUST HAVE BOTH FEET ON THE OUTFIELD GRASS ABOUT 12 inches BACK OF THE IN-FIELD DIRT. OUTFIELDERS CANNOT BE MOVED UP ON THE IN- FIELD DIRT.

5 C. The managers/coaches will be in charge of umpiring the game. The coach behind home will act as the home plate umpire. The first and third base coach will act as the first/third base umpire and the pitching machine operator (offensive team manager or coach) will act as the second base umpire. D. If the ball hits the pitching machine or battery box (when used), it is a dead ball and the batter advances to first. Base runners advance one base only if forced. E. The pitcher has to field his position by staying behind the pitching rubber and keeping 1 foot within the pitching circle. Either side of the machine is OK. No charging the batter by the pitcher is allowed. D. The manager can make as many field substitutions as desired at the beginning of each inning. This does not have to be recorded in the scorebook. This free substitution is because the batting order does not change. E. The infield fly rule will NOT apply in the Pitching Machine division. F. No leading off base or stealing bases will be allowed. G. No Bunting in the Pitching Machine division. J. One additional coach will be allowed on the field for defensive coaching in the outfield area. K. Teams should use 4 outfielders at all times, unless they are short of 10 players. The opposing team can still use 4 outfielders when the other team only has 9 players and will only be using 3 in the outfield. L. Generally, batters will advance 1 base on a hit ball at this level of play. EXCEPTION Two base hit: A coach may elect to send the batter (now the runner) to second (and advance all other runners) if the ball HAS BEEN HIT IN THE AIR AND LANDS ON THE OUTFIELD GRASS then a coach may advance a player to second base. When in doubt, keep the hit a single. Only 1 extra base is allowed. M. Little League Rule 5.07 applies with regards to ending a half-inning. 1. Any half-inning ends when: a) Three outs are recorded; or, b) All players on the roster have batted once in that half-inning; or, c) Five runs have been scored. N. Due to the added attention that players in this division need, and the additional duties that the managers and coaches have, each team may have 1 manager and up to 3 approved coaches. This should allow for enough adults to handle any on field duties and dugout supervision.

6 O. Rule 1.12 regarding catchers and catcher s glove is optional. Catchers at this level are recommended to wear a catcher s glove, but it is not required Oak Creek Little League Rules Minor Baseball Division Additional Rules & Clarifications A. Managers, remember this division is to develop players. Although competition will be natural, we ask that you focus on enhancing skills and abilities of each and every player. B. One coach will be allowed on the field for defensive coaching (Optional). They must be in the outfield area and avoid being in the way during play. (No coaches on the field during the playoffs) C. Teams should use 4 outfielders at all times, unless they are short of 10 players. The opposing team can still use 4 outfielders when the other team only has 9 players and will only be using 3 in the outfield. D. The manager can make as many field substitutions as desired at the beginning of each inning. This does not have to be recorded in the scorebook. This free substitution is because the batting order does not change. E. Batter Hit by a Pitch: Considering this is the first year that some players will be pitching, and batters will be facing live pitching, the rule concerning being hit by a pitched ball with regards to not making an attempt to move out of the way of the pitch will not apply at this level. Batters will be more likely to freeze rather than move. Therefore, if a pitched ball hits a batter, they will be awarded first base. F. Infield Fly Rule: When the infield fly rule is called, it will be modified in the following manner: When declared by the umpire, the ball is dead and the batter is out. The runners will not be subject to being called out for being off the base, nor will they be allowed to advance. G. Bunting and Stealing is allowed. a. Runners may leave the base when the ball CROSSES THE HOME PLATE. b. In non-division games runners cannot steal home on a passed ball/wild pitch. H. Little League Rule 5.07 applies with regards to ending a half-inning. a. Any half-inning ends when: i. Three out are recorded; or, ii. All Players on the roster have batted once in that half-inning; or, iii. Five Runs have been scored. I. Little League Rule 6.08 (a) (2) Intentional walks for Minor and Major Baseball a. Does not apply to OCLL Games

7 Major Baseball Indoor Division Additional Rules & Clarifications A. Little League Rule 6.08 (a) (2) Intentional walks for Minor and Major Baseball a. Does not apply to OCLL Games B. Game Time 1 hour and 25 minutes drop dead time limit, minutes between games. C. Have Pitcher warmed up in batting cage prior to going into the game if permitted by Hitters. D. Please get off the field as soon as possible after your game is complete, so the next game can get started and the players have 10 minutes of warm ups. E. Players can only wear tennis shoes, no cleats F. Any ball off the ceiling and does not hit the outfield wall before hitting the field is an out. Umpires judgement on foul balls off of the ceiling. G. Any ball hit above the yellow line is a home run. H. All other local rules on playing time apply to these games as well I. Limit pitchers to 2 innings max or 26 pitches whichever comes first. J. Home team to score to Ethoresen@sbcglobal.net, please list date, teams and score.

8 Minor Softball Division Additional Rules & Clarifications A. Managers, remember this division is to develop players. Although competition will be natural, we ask that you focus on enhancing skills and abilities of each and every player. Save competition for the end of the season tournament. B. One coach will be allowed on the field for defensive coaching. They must be in the outfield area and avoid being in the way during play. (No coach will be allowed in the outfield during the playoffs) C. Teams should use 4 outfielders at all times, unless they are short of 10 players. The opposing team can still use 4 outfielders when a team only has 9 players and will only be using 3 in the outfield. D. The manager can make as many field substitutions as desired at the beginning of each inning. This does not have to be recorded in the scorebook. This free substitution is because the batting order does not change. E. Little League Rule 5.07 applies with regards to ending a half-inning. 1. Any half-inning ends when: a) Three outs are recorded; or, b) All players on the roster have batted once in that half-inning; or, c) Five runs have been scored. F. Bunting and sliding are allowed throughout the course of the entire season Minor Softball Update: A. No walks are allowed: on ball 4 the coach will come out to Coach Pitch to the batter. (If the count was 4 balls and 1 strike, two more strikes/swings are allowed) a player can strike out on coach pitch. A foul ball is played out as usual. Pitcher must be within the pitching circle with both feet, catcher in crouch position behind the plate receiving the pitch from the coach. B. No bunting or slap hitting off coach pitch. If a player does either action verse coach pitch, whether it is hit fair or foul, it will be treated as a dead ball infraction, automatic out. No runners may advance. C. No stealing will be allowed during the time a Coach is pitching.