2017 Catholic Baseball League Rules

Transcription

1 This book does not contain a complete set of rules governing play in the Catholic Baseball League. Pony Baseball rules and the Official Rules of Major League Baseball govern play. This book contains exceptions and variations, which are necessary to meet the needs of the Catholic Baseball League and its core values, as well as rules governing administration. Unless specifically noted, all rules are applicable in all divisions. Some rules may have been reworded, Revised or Added. Some rules may have been reorganized and moved for consistency. LEAGUE The Catholic Baseball League, herein after referred to as CBL or League, was established in It is a competitive baseball league that stresses not only player and coach development, but promotes good sportsmanship and the moral and character development of its youth through the sport of baseball and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The CBL is the administrative organization for a group of Catholic Parishes and Parish Schools providing baseball for players of various ages in several divisions. The CBL Board, herein after referred to as the Board, is charged with the administration and operation of the League. The Board is comprised of representatives from each member Parish or Parish School, with one representative appointed as President by the Board. Board members shall work together in the best interest of the whole League and all youth involved. In voting matters, each Parish/Parish School has one vote. Involved or affected Parish/Parish School representative(s) shall abstain and a minimum of one more than half of remaining Parish/Parish School representatives shall be required in voting matters. It shall be assumed representatives on the Board have authority and permission to be the representatives for their Parish or Parish school. Each Parish s or Parish school s representatives are responsible for administering their baseball program and teams. As condition of membership and the registering of teams in the League, which shall be done by February 1 st, member Parish and Parish school teams agree to abide by all rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the League. Member Parish and Parish school teams also acknowledge that the Board of the CBL has authority in all League matters, including but not limited to protests and disciplinary action, and will make decisions in the best interest of the League. All decisions of the Board are final and shall be accepted in good faith. 1 P a g e

2 1. ORGANIZATION OF DIVISIONS A. The League will be divided into 4 divisions: A B C and D B. Each division shall be composed of teams registered by member Parishes and Parish schools in the CBL. Teams shall be registered with the CBL by February 1 st. C. Each member Parish or Parish school shall have one vote in divisional business regardless of the number of teams entered. D. Permission for a Parish or Parish school to enter more than one team in a division shall be granted by a majority vote of the Board with the soliciting Parish or Parish school not voting. 2. DIVISION REPRESENTATIVES A. Division representatives shall be elected by team managers and coaches or appointed by the Board. B. Only the person elected or appointed as division representative shall conduct duties of the position. C. Duties of the division representative: 1. Represent division on CBL Board. 2. Regularly attend CBL Board meetings. 3. Keep records of all division meetings. 4. Provide current divisional standings at monthly CBL meetings. 5. Transact all other business as deemed necessary for the successful operation of the division. 6. Inform all division managers and coaches of actions taken by the Board at CBL meetings. 3. DIVISIONS/LEVELS OF COMPETITIONS A. A Division: 7 th and 8 th graders B. B Division: 5 th and 6 th graders C. C Division: 3 rd and 4 th graders D. D Division: 1 st and 2 nd graders E. Players may play up one division. Players may not play down, unless there is a safety issue. It shall be brought to the Board for approval prior to moving a player down. The Board shall make a decision on a case-by-case basis. F. Grade level of players will be verified by official school documents/records. G. League age is age of player on March 1 st. H. Birth certificates or baptismal certificates shall certify ages and dates of birth. 4. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY A. Children who are members of CBL member Parishes and/or attend a CBL member Parish School are eligible, subject to the following rules: 2 P a g e

3 1. If a child is a member of a CBL member Parish which is fielding a team, he/she must play for the Parish team. 2. A child attending a Catholic Parish school which participates in the CBL shall have the option of playing for either the school he attends or the Parish he/she is a member of, if they are different. 3. If a child moves between CBL Parishes prior to the first day of the season, March 1 st, the child shall play for the Parish into which he/she moves. 4. If a child moves between CBL Parishes after the first day of the season, March 1 st, and the child is a member of a team on the first day of the season, he/she shall be eligible to play for that team for the remainder of the season, or he/she may play for the team in the Parish to which he/she has moved. B. Children, who are not eligible under rule 4.A, are eligible for CBL participation in the event of team openings after the sign ups of children eligible under rules 4.A. C. Any child who is a member of a Catholic Parish and/or attends a Catholic Parish School, which is not a member of the CBL, is eligible to play for a CBL member Parish team. D. Children eligible to play in the CBL may participate in other baseball leagues, provided they play at least one game more than half of actual regular season games played of their CBL schedule to be eligible for postseason and all-stars. Example: Team has played 12 regular season games; child must have played in 7 games. 5. TEAM ROSTERS 3 P a g e A. Each manager of a team must submit a player roster to the division representative one week before the start of the CBL season, which shall include name of every child on the team, including their age, date of birth, grade and school attended. It must be in the manager s possession at each and every game. Failure to submit player information at request of the opposing manager must be done so within 24 hours to the CBL Board or possible forfeit of said game may occur. B. Any Parish or Parish school entering two or more teams in a division cannot transfer players from one team to another after rosters have been completed as of March 1 st. Violation of this rule will result in forfeiture of any game in which transferred player made a playing appearance. C. Any player whose eligibility is in question shall be subject to protest by opposing teams. Any roster violation will result in forfeiture of the game. D. New players can be added to rosters up to the one game prior to half of regular season games played, in accordance with all other provisions of these rules. The Board and division representative shall be notified of the roster addition. E. The CBL Board shall approve late sign-ups after half of the regular season games have been played. It is the manager s responsibility to contact the CBL Board for approval. The CBL Board will come to a decision within a reasonable amount of time and notify the manager of the decision. If the player is eligible, he/she must have proof of age and grade. F. Team rosters must contain at least nine players. G. All roster changes must be submitted to the CBL Board prior to games played by affected players. H. If a child drops from a team, the manager must notify the Board and the division representative.

4 I. Managers must exchange line-up cards before the start of each game and also give the official scorekeeper a line-up card. 6. INTER-DIVISIONAL TRANSFERS A. No player may be permanently transferred from a higher division team to a lower division team after having played in 3 regular season games with the higher division team. Permitting that age/grade requirements are met at the lower division, a player may be transferred from a higher division team to a lower division team prior to 3 rd regular season game played. The manager must make notification to the Board and the division representative of the roster change. B. A player may be permanently transferred from a lower division team to an upper division team during the regular playing season. The manager must make notification to the Board and the division representative of the roster change. C. The temporary transfer of a lower division player by an upper division team in order to eliminate the possibility of forfeit caused by lack of players shall constitute a permanent transfer after 3 games played with upper division team. D. To constitute a permanent move, a player must actually make a playing appearance in 3 games, evidenced by entry of his/her name in the lineup. E. All roster changes must be submitted to the CBL Board prior to games played by affected players. Penalty for violation of above rules shall be the forfeiture of each game in which an ineligible player participated. 7. PLAYING FIELDS A. The distances between bases and pitching distances in each division: 1. A division: Bases 70 feet, pitcher s mound 48 feet 2. B division: Bases 70 feet, pitcher s mound 45 feet 3. C division: Bases 60 feet, pitcher s mound 40 feet 4. D division: Bases 60 feet, pitcher s mound 40 feet B. The home team is responsible for having the field in shape and chalked, if possible, and shall furnish field equipment. C. Bases must be securely fastened to the ground. D. On D division fields, an 8-foot diameter circle, centered on the pitching rubber, shall be chalked. E. The batter s box is to be 3 feet by 6 feet and set 4 inches from the edge of home plate. The catcher s box is to be outlined with chalk if possible. F. Players must be in their dugout during games unless in the defensive line up, on base as a runner, batting, or in the on deck circle. Exception to this rule is the warming up of pitchers. Spectators must be kept behind the screen and fences during games and not behind the backstop or in the dugouts. 4 P a g e

5 G. It will be left to the discretion of the home team as to whether or not an on deck circle will be permitted. If the home team determines that there is not enough room at their field to allow an on deck circle, then a player will not be allowed to pick up a bat until it is that player s turn to bat. H. Ground rules for each field shall be agreed upon at umpire/managers meeting before every game. I. No infield practice shall be allowed. 8. EQUIPMENT A. Each team shall provide a minimum of 4 protective helmets for each game. Every batter and base runner must wear said helmets at all times. B. Metal cleats are not allowed in the CBL. C. All catchers must wear standard catcher s protective equipment, including athletic supporter and cup. D. All players warming up pitchers must wear a catcher s mask. E. Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats as long as they are of good quality and are taped or have a rubber grip are acceptable. The bat diameter must not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter in the A B and C divisions or 2 ½ inches in diameter in the D division at the thickest part, and not be more than 42 inches in length. First offense of this rule, the bat is removed from the game (No hit made). Second offense or the result of the at-bat is a hit, the batter is out and the base runners, if any, shall return to the base occupied prior to at-bat. F. No bat donuts or weights allowed. G. The ball used shall be approved by both managers before the game. Both teams shall supply a new ball for each game. The ball shall weigh not less than 5 or more than 5 ¼ ounces, and measure not less than 9 nor more than 9 ¼ inches in circumference and be leather covered baseballs for A B and C divisions. D division shall use safety balls. H. Uniforms will consist of the conventional four-piece uniform. No duplicate numbers on the same team. I. In all divisions, the playing field, which includes fair and foul territory, shall be kept clear. All equipment shall be kept in the dugout or as far away from the playing field as possible. 9. PLAYING RULES 5 P a g e A. Infield fly rule is in effect for the A B and C divisions. B. A and B divisions: Base runners may lead off. C. C and D divisions: Base runners may not lead off and shall not leave their occupied base until the pitch crosses home plate. Base runners shall be on the base when the pitcher has possession of the ball and steps on the rubber. If base runners leave their base early or lead off, they will be called out in the C division. No warnings. In the D division, runners will receive warnings. D. A division: Base runners may attempt to steal any base. E. B and C divisions: Base runners may attempt to steal any base except home plate, which is closed. Runner shall advance home if forced in or on a batted ball in play.

6 F. Teams ahead by 10 or more runs may not steal any base. If the base runner of a team that is ahead by 10 or more runs steals a base he must return to the base he occupied prior to the pitch. G. The dropped third strike is in effect in the A division only. H. Free substitution is allowed. Pitchers must conform to the rules governing that position. Late players are added to the bottom of the batting lineup. If a player leaves or is injured, the missed at-bat will constitute one out per game. Pre-notification prior to start of game about a player leaving early will not constitute an out when said player s turn at bat occurs. In all Divisions except the D Division, once a team has batted through their own line-up once, a player may not be added to the line-up or substitute for another player and may not play in that game. I. Batting order will consist of every player on the roster present for the game. In C division, once the offensive team has batted through the largest roster, if 3 outs have yet to be recorded, their half inning shall end. EXAMPLE: One team has 12 players, the other 10 players. The team with 12 players has the largest roster; therefore the maximum number of batters per team per inning is 12. J. All players will play every other inning in the field, except for a manager s disciplinary reasons. K. Slide rule: Base runners must slide at any base where there is a tag play. If there is a tag play at home plate, for the purpose of this rule, the plate zone extends 4 feet up the 3 rd base line. If the catcher is not in possession of the ball, and is blocking home plate, that is obstruction and the runner will be awarded home. No head first slides. Runners will be automatically out. This rule does not apply when returning to a base from a run down or pick-off attempt. L. Intentional excessive contact between runners and position player will result in an out and runner being ejected from the game. This must be discussed with managers and the umpire before game. Excessive contact judgment call will be made by the umpire. M. If a batter throws the bat excessively, he/she may be called out. N. Hidden balls will not be allowed. Umpires will rule no play in the event of a hidden ball. O. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher and pitcher at any time, but shall be used for the catcher with 2 outs. The courtesy runner shall be the last out. 10. PITCHER A. A player may pitch a maximum of 9 outs per game. If the ninth out occurs during a double or triple play it is not considered a violation of this rule. B. A player shall not appear officially as a pitcher more than once in any game. C. Violation of the rules will constitute forfeiture. D. Balk rules apply in the A and B divisions. In the A division, each pitcher will receive one warning during the first half of the playing season. No warning will be given in the second half. In the B division, pitchers will receive warnings during the first half of the playing season. Pitchers will receive one warning per game in the second half. E. If a coach goes to the pitcher twice in an inning, the second time the player will be removed from further pitching in the game. 6 P a g e

7 11. LENGTH OF GAMES A. Regulation length of games in all divisions is 6 innings, or 5 ½ if the home team is ahead. Time limits have been established and they are as follows: 1. A division has no time limit. 2. B division has no time limit. 3. C division has no time limit. 4. D division has a 1 hour and 30 minute time limit. B. No new inning time marks have been established and are as follows: 1. A division: No new inning will start after the 2 hour mark. 2. B division: No new inning will start after the 1 hour and 45 minute mark 3. C division: No new inning will start after the 1 hour and 45 minute mark 4. D division: No new inning will start after the 1 hour and 20 minute mark C. New inning begins after 3 rd out of bottom of the previous inning has been recorded. D. In the event the score is tied at the end of regulation length and the no new inning time mark has not been reached, the game shall continue into extra innings until one team has scored more runs than the other after a complete extra inning, or a no new inning time mark has been reached. E. The official scorekeeper, or both if visiting team has one, must note the official start time of the game announced by the umpire. F. The official game start time shall be recorded when the first pitch of the game is delivered for Saturday games. The Official game start time for weekday games shall be 5:15 PM. G. In an attempt to complete as many innings as possible and reach regulation length, thus allowing more game time for the players, the pitcher shall get 5 warm-up pitches in between innings. If pitcher taking the mound is coming in the game for the first time as a relief pitcher, he/she shall get up to 10 warm up pitches. 12. COMPLETE AND REPLAYED GAMES 7 P a g e A. For purposes of determining a complete game during the regular playing season, 4 or more complete innings must have been played and one team scored more runs than the other, or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. B. 10 Run Rule: When a team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 4 innings, or 3 ½ if home team is ahead, the game shall be stopped and recorded as complete. C. Any game stopped by the umpire for any reason other than by reason of forfeit shall be concluded as follows: 1. If fewer complete innings than required to constitute a complete game have been played, the game shall be considered suspended and resumed from the point it was stopped at a later date. 2. If the game is stopped at the end of an inning, and innings played equals or exceeds those required to constitute a complete game, and one team has scored more runs than the other, the game shall be considered complete. If the score is tied, the game shall be considered suspended and resumed from the point it was stopped at a later date.

8 3. If the game is stopped during the course of any inning after sufficient innings have been played to constitute a complete game, and the home team is at bat and ahead, the game is considered ended when stopped. If the home team is at bat and has tied the score, the game shall be considered suspended and resumed from the point it was stopped at a later date. In all other situations, the game is considered to have ended at the end of the last complete inning. If the score was tied at that time, the game shall be continued from that point at a later date. 4. If the game is suspended, the official scorekeeper, or both if visiting team has a scorekeeper, shall make note in the scorebook of the exact situation at the time the game is suspended, including the score, number of outs, base runners, ball and strike count on the batter, and number of innings and outs pitched. All rules regarding player eligibility would be continuous. 5. Any game scheduled to be played because suspended shall be resumed on a date mutually agreed upon by the managers. Attempts to resume suspended game shall be made before the end of the regular season. The home team manager shall inform the Board and the division representative within 48 hours of suspension of game. Violation of this rule will constitute forfeiture if protested. D. D division must bat both rosters to be a complete game. 13. UMPIRES A. The assignment and scheduling of umpires shall be the responsibility of the CBL Board through the Chief Umpire. All regular season games will be assigned one home plate umpire. B. In the event the assigned umpire fails to report, any other umpire used in that game shall be agreed upon by both managers. No division representative or manager shall umpire a game in his own division. Umpires must be 16 years of age or older. C. Umpires shall take full charge of, and be responsible for the conduct of the game in accordance with the rules governing play in the CBL. Umpires shall enforce all rules. Umpires shall maintain discipline and order on the playing field and dugouts, including the spectator areas. D. Umpires have the authority to eject any player, spectator, manager or coach, for unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to excessive or continued arguing or objecting of a decision, foul language, fighting. Umpires must submit a report citing all pertinent information regarding the circumstances of an ejection of any person from a game within 48 hours. Said report can be in written or form and must be filed with the Chief Umpire and the CBL President, which shall be brought to the attention of the Board for any disciplinary action it deems appropriate. E. The umpire shall inspect field conditions, and if reasonably able, all bats prior to the beginning of each game. 8 P a g e

9 14. SCOREKEEPER AND REPORTING SCORES A. The home team shall provide the official scorekeeper. The scorekeeper is unbiased and works for the home plate umpire, not the managers. The scorekeeper shall be accessible to the umpires. It is highly recommended the visiting team also have a scorekeeper. B. The official scorekeeper shall keep an accurate record of line-ups and innings pitched by all pitchers. C. A representative (manager, assistant manager, scorekeeper, etc.) from each team must report the score to the division representative or other designated representative within 48 hours. D. If only one team reports the score within 48 hours, that score stands. The team not reporting the score loses its right to protest the game or dispute game score. E. The Official scorebook must be signed by the umpire at the end of each game. 15. SCHEDULES 9 P a g e A. All games will be played in accordance with the schedule approved by the Board. The regular playing season schedule shall be approved 2 weeks prior to start of regular season play. All attempts should be made by Parish and Parish School representatives to make any needed changes to schedule drafts prior to final schedule approval to minimize the need to postpone/reschedule games. B. First day of the CBL season is March 1 st. The regular playing season begins the first day regular season games are played. The CBL season ends with the last game of tournament play. C. Postponed games will be allowed upon the approval of the Board with good cause and with a reasonable amount of time (at least 72 hours notice) prior to scheduled game. Affected team manager shall notify the Board and the appropriate division representative of need to postpone game and reason. Once postponement of game is approved by the Board, the date of rescheduled game shall be mutually agreed upon by team managers and the Board shall be notified of the date. Attempts to play rescheduled game shall be made before the end of the regular playing season. If approval from Board is not received, the game will be played as scheduled or affected team shall forfeit. D. Good cause, for purposes of postponement has been established as conflicts with Parish/Church events, Parish school events, and Boys and Girls Scouts events. E. Teams able to field a minimum of 8 players at game time shall play scheduled game. Any team failing to field 8 players 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time shall forfeit the game, except in the D division. F. In the event a team forfeits a game for any reason, that team shall be responsible for the entire umpire fee for the forfeited game. G. Games shall not be scheduled the Wednesday of Holy Week and through Easter Break. Games shall resume the Monday after Easter Break. H. In the event of a tie in the standings to determine the league champion or playoff berths, the tiebreaker shall be head to head competition. If head to head competition record is equal, a tie breaker game or games shall be scheduled by the Board.

10 16. MANAGERS AND COACHES A. All managers, coaches, and volunteers involved with the children must have completed Virtus training and have been Live Scan fingerprinted. B. Each manager shall have a current copy of the official Pony baseball rules book and the CBL rule book at each game and have a basic understanding of the rules of the sport. C. All managers and coaches shall sign the CBL Coaches Code of Conduct form, understand and abide by it and all the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the CBL and decisions made by the board. The CBL Coaches Code of Conduct form shall be signed before the start of each season, with a copy filed with the CBL Board. D. A manager or coach that gets ejected by an umpire shall appear before the Board for disciplinary actions. E. Managers and coaches are responsible for their fans. If an umpire is having an issue with a team s fan or fan is exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct, he will warn that team s manager. If the fan continues to be a problem, the umpire has the right to eject the fan from the game and have fan removed from the field. If the team s fan refuses to leave the game, the umpire has the right to suspend the game until the fan leaves. If the team s fan continues to refuse to leave, the team shall be caused to forfeit the game. F. The manager or coach from each team must attend the preseason coaches meeting. G. The manager or coach for each team who is present during the managers meeting before the start of the game shall be designated as the team s manager for the purposes of communicating with the umpire. The designated managers shall be the only persons to address the umpire during the game. 17. PROTEST PROCEDURE A. The President of the CBL will appoint a protest commissioner or protest committee prior to the start of the season. If a protest commissioner or committee is not appointed, the board will act as the protest committee. B. The protest commissioner/committee or the board will arbitrate all protests and all decisions are final. The Parish representatives of involved teams shall not have a vote. At least 3 board members must be present to make a decision or vote. C. Only the manager can protest an umpire s decision, and seek arbitration through the protest commissioner/committee or the board. D. Whenever a matter of protest arises during a game, the manager of the protesting team shall immediately (before the next pitch) notify the umpire that the game is being continued under protest. Umpire will then notify the non-protesting manager and the official scorekeeper of the protest. Failure to make such a notification at the time of an incident shall make null and void any subsequent protest covering the same incident at a later date or time. The protesting manager shall have the umpire sign the official scorebook. It is recommended the umpire also sign that visiting team s scorebook if available. 10 P a g e

11 E. If the game is protested, the official scorekeeper, or both if visiting team has a scorekeeper, shall make note in the scorebook of the exact situation at the time of the protest, including the score, number of outs, base runners, ball and strike count on the batter, and number of innings and outs pitched. F. All protests must be submitted in written or form by the protesting manager and must be received within 48 hours of the protested game. The protesting manager, non-protesting manager, and the game umpire must submit in writing all pertinent information relative to the protest in accordance with the protest procedure rules. G. Protest must be filed with the CBL president with copies given to the Parish representative of non-protesting manager and the CBL Board. H. The non-protesting manager may, if he wishes, reply to the protest. Failure to do so, while not implying agreement, shall deprive the non-protesting manager of any further opportunity to present his version of the incident. The non-protesting manager s reply shall be submitted to the CBL president in written or form within 48 hours after receiving the protesting manager s protest, with copies to the Parish representatives involved and the CBL Board. I. Protest must contain the date, time, place of game, teams involved, names of all umpires and the names of the managers of both teams. The protest must cite the rule under which the protest is made, the decision, and all the other essential facts involved in the matter being protested. J. A $25 fee must accompany each protest submitted to the CBL President within 48 hours. The protest will not be accepted by the president without the fee. K. The CBL president shall forward the protest and all reports and replies to the protest commissioner/committee or the board. The decision will be forwarded to the managers within 7 days of receiving any protest. 18. PROTESTS For purposes of clarifying protestable incidents, the following protest information shall be used as supplemental information only. A. Each manager shall have a current copy of the official Pony baseball rules book and the CBL playing rules at every game. B. Protests based solely on a decision, which involves accuracy of judgment, by an umpire will not be considered. Such matters include, but are not restricted to: 1. Whether a batted ball is fair or foul. 2. Whether a base runner is safe or out. 3. Whether a pitched ball is a strike or not. 4. Whether a pitch was legal or illegal. 5. Whether a base runner did or did not touch a base. 6. Whether a base runner left his base too soon on a caught ball. 7. Whether a fly ball was or was not caught. 8. Whether it was or was not an infield fly. 9. Whether it was or was not an interference/obstruction. 10. Whether the field is fit to continue or resume play. 11 P a g e

12 11. Whether there is sufficient light. C. Protest based on the misinterpretation of the various playing rules should be received and considered. Failure of an umpire to apply the proper rule to a given situation or to impose the proper penalty for a certain violation of the rules would be protestable. D. Protest may involve both a matter of judgment and the interpretation of a rule. For example: With one out and base runners on 2 nd and 3 rd, the batter flied out, the base runner on 3rd tags up after the catch, the base runner on 2 nd does not tag up and the base runner from 3 rd crossed the plate before the ball was played at 2 nd for the 3 rd out. The umpire did not allow the run to score. This situation is protestable if the umpire acknowledges that the run scored before the 3 rd out, but does not allow it. 19. D SPECIAL RULES A. CBL Board approved pitching machines will be used at all fields in the D division and will be positioned at the 40 feet pitching distance. The offensive team s coach will operate the pitching machine for his or her own players. The batter will receive a maximum of 6 pitches. The batter shall be declared out after failing to hit a fair ball after the 6th pitch is delivered. In the event the batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball will be declared dead and batter awarded first base. If the coach operating the pitching machine is hit by the batted ball before it touches a fielder, the ball is live if it stays in fair territory or passes 1st or 3rd base prior to going into foul territory. The coach must make an effort to move away from the batted ball. If the coach interferes with the batted ball the batter will be ruled out and runners will return to base occupied prior to the at-bat. B. In the event the pitching machine is unavailable or becomes inoperable, the offensive teams coach will pitch to his or her own players under the same pitch count rules as in Rule 19.A. The coach must pitch overhand from the pitching rubber at the 40 feet pitching distance. The coach pitcher may stand or kneel. If the coach pitcher is hit by the batted ball before it touches a fielder, the ball is live if it stays in fair territory or passes 1st or 3rd base prior to going into foul territory. The coach must make an effort to move away from the batted ball. If the coach interferes with the batted ball the batter will be ruled out and runners will return to base occupied prior to the at-bat. C. During the first half of the schedule, batters will receive the maximum of 6 pitches, regardless of whether the batter s strike count gets to 3 strikes (No strikeouts). During the second half of the schedule, the batter is out if at any time during the at bat the strike count gets to 3 strikes (Strikeouts). There will be no walks and batters will not be awarded first base on a hit by pitch. There will be no called balls or strikes. Swings missing the ball and foul tips caught by the catcher are counted as strikes. Foul balls are counted as strikes with less than 2 strikes. D. Bunting is not allowed. E. There will be an 8-foot circle around the pitcher s mound. The player pitcher or any defensive player has to catch the ball with both feet in the circle or the ball must stop within the circle to stop play. 12 P a g e

13 F. Player fielding the pitcher position must have one foot entirely in the pitching circle parallel with or behind the rubber until the ball is pitched. G. If a base runner is more than half way to the next base when the ball is received by the player pitcher in the 8-foot circle, the runner may advance to the next base. If the base runner is less than half way he must return to the previous base touched. H. Runners may not steal bases. I. No official score keeping will occur. J. After 4 runs have scored in any half inning, play stops and teams switch out for the next half inning. K. Each team may field 10 players. The tenth player will be a fourth outfielder. All outfielders must be on the outfield grass. A minimum of 8 players will constitute a team in case of necessity at game time. L. Tees are not allowed. 20. A DIVISION 14 YEAR OLD SPECIAL RULES A. Any player who is 15 years old on March 1 st is not eligible to play. B. Any player who is 14 years old on March 1 st and turns 15 during the CBL season, which includes tournament play, is not eligible to play. C. Any player, who is 14 years old on March 1 st and is 14 years old through the end of the CBL season, including tournament play, is eligible to play. D. Any 14-year-old player eligible to play must be in the 8 th grade. No 9 th graders. E. Any 14-year-old player eligible to play shall not pitch during the CBL season. F. All 14-year-old players must be identified on the line-up card at each game. G. Any player who is 13 years old on March 1 st, shall be considered a 13 year old, and is eligible to pitch. 21. CONDUCT A. No manager, coach, player or anyone in the dugout or spectator area shall at any time exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct, as judged by the umpire, to include but not limited to: excessive or continued arguing or objecting of a decision; foul language, fighting, taunting, baiting, use of intimidation tactics; unfavorable remarks upon a person. B. No manager, coach, player or anyone in the dugout or spectator area shall incite, or try to incite, by words, signs or signals, unsportsmanlike conduct or demonstrations. C. Audible distraction of the batter by the defensive team or spectators, or audible distraction of the pitcher by the offensive team or spectators, after the pitcher has begun his/her pitching motion shall not be permitted. D. Noisemakers of any type are prohibited. E. The umpire may issue a warning to offending person and manager, or eject offending person, depending on severity of the unsportsmanlike conduct, as judged by the umpire. 13 P a g e

14 22. DISCIPLINARY ACTION A. The CBL and its Board shall have the authority to suspend, discharge or otherwise discipline any player, manager, coach, or any other person whose conduct is in violation of the CBL rules and/or is considered detrimental to the best interests of the CBL. All persons involved with the CBL who refuse to comply with the rules governing the CBL are subject to disciplinary action. B. Any person who is ejected or removed from a game for conduct in violation of the CBL rules and/or conduct considered detrimental to the best interests of the CBL shall be suspended for their team s next game. C. Persons subject to discipline shall appear in front of the Board for a hearing before any further discipline is imposed. Should the person subject to discipline refuse to appear before the Board, that person is immediately suspended. The suspension shall be in effect pending a hearing with the person present in front of the Board. D. Should a spectator be ejected/removed from a game, the offending spectator s team manager shall appear before the Board. If a spectator who is ejected/removed from a game attends their team s next game, the team s manager shall be suspended for his team s next game. E. Disciplinary action imposed will match severity of violations or actions in the opinion of the Board. The following are possible disciplinary actions that may be imposed. 1. Warning: The offending person shall be advised of the specific offense and advised that further offenses of any type may result in more severe disciplinary action. 2. Suspension: Suspended from all league activity for a specific number of games or days. 3. Dismissal: Dismissal from league for remainder of the season. 4. Barred: Permanent ban from the CBL. 14 P a g e