W.E.C.S.S.A.A. BASEBALL LEAGUE 2016 Rules and Regulations

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1 Governing Body W.E.C.S.S.A.A. BASEBALL LEAGUE 2016 Rules and Regulations The WECSSAA Spring Baseball League recognizes the authority of both OFSAA and WECSSAA as governing bodies, and agrees to adhere to all rules and regulations of both bodies. In cases where there may be a slight difference between the rules of the associations, the League will follow WECSSAA provisions first with respect to local play and OFSAA rules for tournament play. If a specific decree has been made by either association with respect to such matters as eligibility requirements and/or the role of the teacher sponsor/coach, the League will follow such direction. The WECSSAA provision is as follows: For W.E.C.S.S.A.A. events, each school must have a teacher from the same Board present in the playing area (i.e. gymnasium, playing field) for the entire game/tournament/meet as per the O.S.B.I.E. supervision guideline. All non-staff coaches must be approved by the Principal with a letter to this effect given to the Secretary/Treasurer prior to his/her first W.E.C.S.S.A.A. competition. Retired teachers are permitted to act as sponsor teachers for up to three years upon retirement at their home school. (i.e. the school they retired from). This is not supported by Board supervisory personnel. We add further that the teacher sponsor, if not the coach, must be present at home plate for the ground rules. Eligibility WECSSAA rules for eligibility will apply. To be eligible for baseball playoffs, each player must have appeared in the field or at bat for at least three regular season games, excluding injuries. Injured players must have appeared in, or been in attendance for, at least three games. Note: An issue arose with respect to students attending vocational schools such as Western. Since this school does not offer many sports a student attending such a school may play for another school which is closest to the student s home. For example, a student who lives near Belle River, but who attends Western, may play for Belle River. This is WECSSAA policy. Length of Schedule WECSSAA baseball teams will play in two divisions, the Cullen/Soulliere Division (Tier 1), Bertoia/Siddall Division (Tier 2). Both divisions consists of 10 teams, each team will play 7 games in their respectful division (round robin schedule). This is within WECSSAA guidelines. The following structure will apply.

2 Cullen /Soulliere Bertoia/Siddall Division 1 Division 2 (Tier 1) (Tier 2) Brennan Essex Holy Names Kingsville Massey Riverside Sandwich St. Anne St. Joseph Villanova Belle River Cardinal Carter General Amherst Harrow Herman Kennedy L Essor Lajeunesse Leamington Tec. Vista Westview Freedom Academy and Assumption will not have a team this year. The schedule will begin on or about April 18, weather permitting, and conclude no later than May 10. The elimination games will be held on May 12 or 13. All teams must complete all games on its schedule. Teams that do not complete scheduled games will face WECSSAA sanctions, possibly including suspension for the following season. No team may cancel a game for any reason other than wet grounds without approval from the convenor. The penalty will be a forfeit. Umpires The convenor will contact the assignor for Windsor Umpires to schedule or cancel the umpires for ALL GAMES including playoffs. It is the home team that is responsible to pay the cost for these officials at the end of the season. It is also the home team s responsibility to inform the convenor if a game is cancelled for any reason. The league assumes no responsibility for unpaid fees. Should a team not meet its fiscal responsibilities in this area; the matter will be referred to WECSSAA for action. The elimination games, the WECSSAA tournament and the SWOSSAA game, all costs must be split evenly between all teams competing in the league. This includes both fees for umpires, and costs to rent diamonds, if applicable. The team that forfeits a game will pay for the umpires/diamond cost for the forfeited game. All cost for the elimination games, the WECSSAA tournament and the SWOSSAA game (if WECSSAA is host) will be tabulated and divided between all teams in the WECSSAA league. This cost will be submitted at the end of the year as a League Entrance Fee by the WECSSAA secretary.

3 Home Diamond It is the responsibility of each home team to make whatever arrangements are necessary to schedule a diamond for its home games. This includes paying the fees for use of the facility, and ensuring that the facility is in game condition. Home teams will decide whether or not a game will be played in the event of inclement conditions. In the event that a game must be canceled, the home team coach must call the visiting team no later than two hours before game time (earlier if possible), the umpires, the convenor and the local media. In rare cases, the city may call off a game due to wet or unplayable grounds. It will notify teams no later than 1:00 pm. Unfortunately, in rare circumstance, games may be canceled while teams are en route in the event of lightning, storms or unforeseen circumstances. In all cases of canceled games, the convenor must be notified immediately. Time Limits Some diamonds will have a curfew. The curfew must be discussed during ground rules. In order to meet a curfew teams may agree to play 1-1 baseball. This means that a batter will have a count of one ball and one strike on him when he enters the batter s box. If there are a large number of rainouts and a doubleheader is feasible, then both games can be played as 1-1 games. Before the Season Begins An official list of eligible players must be ed to the WECSSAA office (wecssaa@publicboard.ca) to the attention of Joe Amicarelli at Essex S.S. before the first game is played. A team roster may not exceed 25 players. A team may dress no more than 20 players for a game. Game Preliminaries 1. The home team manager, or park official in rare cases, will determine if the field is fit to play, prior to the scheduled starting time. Once the game has started, the umpires will have sole jurisdiction. 2. Each manager will supply a lineup card to the opposing team prior to the beginning of each game. This card will include the starting lineup as well as substitute players by number. 3. WECSSAA will use a re-entry rule, as defined in OBA rules. This rule will ALSO be used in OFSAA playoffs.

4 4. In the event that all eligible players have been used in a game and an injury necessitates the removal of a player from the game, the opposing manager will choose a player from the players who have been removed from the game to replace the injured player. This rule will not apply to players who have been ejected from the game. 5. Before the game: In absentia traditione culturis, the visiting team will sit on the first base side of the field and the home team at the third base. The home team will take its infield first, for about 10 minutes. The visiting team will follow. Infields must be completed prior to the scheduled start of the game. In enforcing this rule, please use common sense. If a home team is short players, the visiting team should take its infield first. Umpires should insist on starting the game on time. If it has rained, the grounds crew may need more time to prepare the field. In such cases the game will start late. Teams must not expect to take an infield in such cases. 6. With respect to rainouts the home team (with the help of the convenor) will reschedule the games ASAP. The convenor s decision will be final. 7. Each team must have a medical kit as part of its equipment. A health form must be completed by all players, and be kept on hand along with the kit in case of an emergency. 8. Any non-teacher coaches or assistants should be introduced to the opposing coaches prior to the start of the game. Playing Regulations The Official Rules of Baseball shall govern play at all WECSSA games with the following exceptions: 1. All WECSSAA rules regarding eligibility, conduct, suspensions & schedule will be enforced. All ejections must be reported to the convenor as soon as possible, no later than the next morning after the completed game. Convenors are mandated by WECSSAA to report all ejections. 2. All games will be 7 innings. Five innings will constitute a complete game, unless provisions of the mercy rule are in force. If the home team is leading at the end of the first half of the fifth inning and a game is terminated, the home team will win the game. If the visiting team ties the score or takes the lead in the sixth inning or later, and the game is called for any reason, prior to the home team completing its at bats, the score will revert back to the last completed inning. That will be the final score of the game. If the score is tied, after both teams have completed an equal number of innings, and if the game is a regulation game, it will be a tie game if called. Tie games will count for 1 point and wins for 2 points in the standings. Playoff games must be completed, unless by mutual consent of both coaches. Games not completed due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances will be completed from the exact point where the game was interrupted.

5 3. The mercy rule: 10-run gap after five innings, 18 run gap anytime, provided that the home team has batted at least once. 4. If coaches choose to play 1-1 baseball, a batter may bunt foul on a 3rd strike once without liability to be put out. 1-1 baseball may not be used in the playoffs, unless there are compelling reasons for the convenor to order its use. 5. In all games, the batter will keep one foot in the batter s box while taking signs. If a batter steps out with both feet, the umpire will give the team a warning. A second offence will result in a strike being called. (No pitch need be thrown.) This rule will be strictly enforced. Umpires will be reminded of this rule prior to the beginning of the season. 6. Base runners must not attempt to injure another player, and are instructed to slide and avoid contact with a fielder. A player who maliciously runs into another player is to be declared out (unless he/she has scored prior to committing the infraction) and is to be automatically ejected from the game. 7. Player Suspensions. Any player ejected from a game shall be automatically ineligible to participate in his team s next two games. If a player is suspended during the second last game of the regular season, he will be suspended for the last game of the season, plus one playoff game. If the suspension occurs during the last game of the regular season, the player will be suspended for the first two playoff games. Two games is the minimum suspension. For more serious infractions, a greater penalty may be imposed. An appeal may be made to the convenor to reduce the penalty to one game for minor infractions. The convenor will listen to the appeal, make a recommendation, and forward the appeal to WECSSAA for final determination. 8. Only baseballs approved by Baseball Canada for use by midget age and up (16 and over) shall be used in high school competition. 9. A 10th batter (EH/Extra Hitter) may be used. This position must be declared in the opening lineup, and once in a lineup this position must be maintained for the entire game. An EH can be placed at any position in the batting order. The EH may play in the field at any time. An EH is not to be confused with a designated hitter. Teams may use both a designated hitter and an EH in a game. 10. Only coaches may question an umpire. See WECSSAA coaches and athletes code of conduct. Coaches are responsible for the behaviour of their players, before, during, and after games. No trash talk is to be allowed at any time, and umpires will be instructed to eject any player engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct.

6 11. A pitcher may pitch no more than 4 innings in a game (3 innings in the elimination games NEW RULE 2016). Once the pitcher takes the mound it constitutes a full inning. These rules differ from the WECSSAA, SWOSSAA, & OFSAA tournament formats. Pitchers are not allowed to exceed these limits in extra-inning games. 12. With two out and the catcher on base, he can be replaced with the player who was the last player called out in the inning, unless the manager chooses to make a substitution in accordance with OBA rules. 13. If a game goes into extra innings, the team at bat will start with a runner at second base. The runner will be the last player who legally finished his at bat when the third out was made in the previous inning, unless the coach makes a substitution in accordance with OBA rules. This rule applies to both teams. 14. Players are to be penalized for making a fake tag because it could cause injury to another player. If a player makes such a fake tag, he will be ejected from the game. 15. Catchers must wear a helmet and mask with adequate throat protection at all times. Note: This includes practice and warmups. Coaches must wear at least a mask in all practices and warmup situations. Coaches on the field must wear an approved helmet. 16. The use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco by all on-field participants (players, coaches, managers, trainers, umpires, etc.) is prohibited at all times. The penalty will be automatic ejection from the game. If coaches wish to smoke, they must leave the ballpark. 17. With the exception of medical alert bracelets, no visible jewellery is allowed. Should a player be ordered to remove the jewellery, both teams will receive a warning. After this warning, any player wearing visible jewellery will be ejected as soon as he/she steps into the batter s box. If the jewellery can be removed very quickly, the first player warned may remove it and continue to play. However, if the jewellery cannot be removed quickly the coach must substitute. An exception will be made for Medical Alert bracelets. 18. All bats used must conform to the Ontario Baseball Association rule. Metal bats will no longer be permitted for use after the 2008 season. Solid wood or composite bats only will be allowed. 19. The home team will furnish at least two or three new baseballs and possibly a third or fourth used ball to the umpires before the game, and is responsible for all other baseballs (if more baseballs are needed throughout the game). 20. The scorer of the home team will be the official scorer. In the WECSSAA tournament, the guest team will be the official pitch count (if no official pitch counter available at the diamond).

7 21. Umpires must be notified immediately of any protest (or appeal) for umpire ruling. A protest may happen at any time for not following a WECSSAA league rule. The game will continue to its completion. The WECSSAA constitution writes the following for protests: PROTESTS All protests must be made in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer of W.E.C.S.S.A.A. within 48 hours (Saturday and Sunday excluded) after the contest accompanied by a $ fee, refundable if the protest is upheld and/or is deemed to have merit All protests must be signed by the Principal The W.E.C.S.S.A.A Executive is responsible for resolving protests in accordance with the playing regulations of that activity. The activity convenor(s) shall attend the protest meeting for consultation purposes. 22. Ties in rankings will be broken by the following tie-breaking formula. Head to Head Competition (League Play) Plus/Minus between common teams played extra innings considered as well Average defensive runs per innings played between common teams Coin Flip Playoff Qualifier Tie Breaker For W.E.C.S.S.A.A. activities that involve league play, a team shall not be eliminated from the final playoff position due to a tie in regular season standings. Sudden death games to determine the final play-off position are classified as play-off games, not regular season games. Playoff Format Elimination Games Teams finishing 1-4 in the Cullen/Soulliere Division will automatically qualify for the WECSSAA Championship Tournament and be seeded 1-4 according to their order of finish. Teams 5 8 from the Cullen/Soulliere Division will play in the Elimination Round against the top four finishers from the Bertoia/Siddall Division as follows: Visitor Home 4 th Bertoia/Siddall vs 5 th Cullen/Soulliere 3 rd Bertoia/Siddall vs 6 th Cullen/Soulliere 7 th Cullen/Soulliere vs 2 nd Bertoia/Siddall 8 th Cullen/Soulliere vs 1 st Bertoia/Siddall Winners will be seeded 5-8 and will advance to the WECSSAA Championship Tournament. Seed positions will be assigned by the convenor based on their division and how they ranked as the season ended. NEW RULE for the elimination games. Pitchers are not to exceed 3 innings.

8 WECSSAA Championship Tournament Eight team Double Elimination Tournament The format used last year for 8 team bracket will be utilized again this year. The winner will advance to the S.W.O.S.S.A.A. Championship game. Both teams must submit two baseballs to the home plate umpire at or before ground rules. Playoff League Fee (League Entrance Fee) All cost (umpires and diamonds cost only no baseball cost) for all playoff games, including the elimination games, the WECSSAA Tournament and the SWOSSAA game (if WECSSAA is the host), will be added up and submitted to WECSSAA with receipts. This cost will be divided between all teams in the WECSSAA league. All diamond cost for Windsor diamonds, throughout the season, will be submitted to the WECSSAA secretary. This cost will be divided by the amount of teams using Windsor diamonds and submitted to only these teams. All diamond cost outside of Windsor will be covered by the teams themselves.