The NELL season consists of the Regular Season, the Round Robin Tournament and the Playoffs.

Transcription

1 I. INTRODUCTION The NELL Playing Rules consist of references to specific rules defined in the Little League Rule Book along with any exceptions or additions to the Little League rules that are specific of NELL including increased playing time, home and away team duties, call ups, manager and fan conduct, etc. The Playing Rules are approved by the NELL Board. The NELL season consists of the Regular Season, the Round Robin Tournament and the Playoffs. All Majors, Minor A and Minor B managers and coaches are expected to be familiar with the Little League and NELL rules. It is recommended every team for a copy of the League Rule Book and the NELL Playing Rules at every game. II. PLAYING TME Mandatory Play LL Rule Book Rule VI (i) page 36 in 2012 book MAJORS: 1. Regular season games: The batting line-up will include all players on the team who are present at game time, with all players batting in rotation. Once the batting line-up has been set no changes are permitted except for late arrivals, which will be entered after the last batter in the original line-up. In the field, each player must play at least 9 innings out of 12 innings every two games. 2. Round-Robin and Playoffs: Little League Rules will be followed. There will be a 9 player batting order with all players will having at least 1 at-bat. In the field, each player must play for at least 3 consecutive defensive innings (nine outs) every game. If both teams playing are mathematically eliminated in the Round-Robin, the Managers must use the regular season playing rules. 3. Strict observance of the 9 out of 12 inning rule during regular season, and "three innings rule during the round robin, is mandatory. A first violation will result in a warning from the League Director. A second violation could result in the forfeiture of the game in which it occurs and possible dismissal of the Manager. MINOR A and MINOR B: 1. Regular season games: The batting line-up will include all players on the team who are present at game time, with all players batting in rotation. Once the batting line-up has been set no changes are permitted except for late arrivals, which will be entered after the last batter in the original line-up. In the field, each player must play at least 9 innings out of 12 every two games if there are more than 10 players on the team and 10 out of 12 innings if there are 10 players on the team. 2. Round- Robin and Playoffs: Batting rules and innings in the field are the same as the regular season NELL Playing Rules Approved March 6, 2013 Page 1

2 ALL LEAGUES: Newtown Edgmont Little League 1. It is the responsibility of the Manager to adjust playing time of a player who has to leave early or arrives late for a game due to a scheduling conflict. Every attempt should be made to fulfill minimum playing requirements. 2. A Manager may limit playing time for disciplinary reasons such as improper conduct, but must let the opposing Manager, the Majors Director, and Umpire know about the action before the start of the game. III. SUBSTITUTES A. LL Rule Book Rule 3.03 page 63 in 2012 book B. MAJORS: Regular season: Free substitution of defensive players. Playoffs: According to the Little League Rule Book. C. MINOR A and MINOR B: Free substitution of defensive players will be permitted during all regular season and playoff games. D. PINCH RUNNERS (ALL LEAGUES): Only allowed for: (1) Injury and (2) Catcher two out speed up rule. In both cases, the pinch runner shall be the player that made the last prior out. IV. PITCHING A. Rule VI (page 39) in the Little League Rule Book contains all pitching regulations 1. Rule regarding a catcher pitching in the same game VI (a) page Rule regarding a pitcher playing catcher in the same game VI(c) page Maximum pitches per game and rest requirements VI(c) page 39 a) MINOR B: In addition to rules 1-3 above, all pitchers are limited to 3 innings per game for regular season, round robin and playoffs. 4. Rest requirements VI(d) page 39 B. The pitcher s name and number of pitches thrown must be recorded by each Manager in the game-results book in the Snack Bar after each game. The home team is the official pitch count recorder. It is recommended that both teams agree on the pitch counts between each inning. C. NELL requires managers to strictly follow the pitch count rules stated in the LL Rule Book. Section VI, page 39 in LL Rule Book. V. REGULATION GAMES A. LL Rule 4.10 B. NELL disregards 4.10(e) 10 run rule for Majors, Minor A and Minor B NELL Playing Rules Approved March 6, 2013 Page 2

3 C. MINOR A: Newtown Edgmont Little League 1. Innings 1 through 5 will use a 5 run maximum per inning rule for the first half of the regular season, with no run limit for inning 6 to the end of the game. For the second half of the regular season and the playoffs there is no maximum run rule. The Minor A/B r will advise when the second half of the season starts. D. MINOR B: 1. Innings 1 through 5 will use a 5 run maximum per inning rule for regular season, round robin and playoffs. Inning 6 to the end of the game No Run Limit. VI. STEALING OF BASES MAJORS: MINOR A: MINOR B: According to Little League Rule Book. First half of season, stealing of second or third base but no advance beyond third on catcher s overthrows to any base. Same rules as Majors second half of season. 1. First half of season: Maximum of two (2) steals per half inning. No advance on overthrow from catcher at any base. One base equals one steal. Runner can advance one base at a time. 2. Second half of season: Unlimited stealing of second and third base. 3. No stealing of home. No delayed steals. (This rule does not prevent a runner from advancing home if a play is made on a runner at third in a non-steal situation). VII. INFIELD FLY RULE MAJORS and MINOR A According to the Little League Rule Book Page MINOR B: The infield fly rule is not in effect. VIII. MOUND CONFERENCES ALL LEAGUES: A Manager or adult coach may visit the mound and confer with the pitcher and catcher only. Little League Rule Book Section 8.06 is in effect. This rule mandates the removal of the pitcher on the third (3 rd ) trip to the same pitcher in the same inning, or the fourth (4 th ) trip to a pitcher in the game. IX. DROPPED THIRD STRIKE MAJORS ONLY: According to LL Rule Book Rule 6.09 (b) 2013 NELL Playing Rules Approved March 6, 2013 Page 3

4 X. MANAGER/COACH/PLAYER/EJECTIONS A. LL Rule 4.07 B. If a manager, coach or player is ejected by an umpire, they will serve a one game suspension from NELL the following game. C. A manager, coach, or player with 2 ejections will be banned from NELL for the rest of the regular season, round robin, playoffs and post-season tournaments and district play. D. The Umpire has full ejection authority of fans and any personal associated in the Newtown Edgemont ball field areas following the strict guidelines of Sportsmanship. XI. FORFEITURE OF GAMES AND CALL UPS ALL DIVISIONS: All teams must field nine (9) players each prior to the start of each game. (4.16) It is the responsibility of the Manager to assure that he will have nine (9) players for every game, and they should be prepared to handle player shortages before the start of each game. Managers may not cancel games if they do not have nine (9) available players. If needed, teams must follow the call up procedure and will be assigned a player or players from the lower division. Section (4.17) of the Little League Rule Book deals with teams unable to field nine (9) players. This is not grounds for automatic forfeiture. In Round Robin and Playoffs games will be rescheduled at a later date. MINOR B ONLY: In the event of unforeseen circumstances, a Manager may elect to play with eight (8) players after the start of the game, but never less than eight (8) players. Directors of Minor A/B and C will give a list of 10+ player s names and phone numbers from their respective divisions who are qualified to play in the division above theirs to the Player Agent and Division Directors above theirs. Managers needing call up players must contact their Division Director as soon as they become aware of the need for a call up player. The Division Director will assign a call up player to the team; in no situation will a Manager contact a call up directly without receiving the players name from the Division Director. Players can not be called up if they have a game for their regular team at the same time. Call up players must play at least three innings, but never play more innings than a member of that team. Call up players must bat last; must play in the outfield, and are not permitted to pitch. The player called up should not be called up again until every player on the call up list for their division has been given an opportunity to play up NELL Playing Rules Approved March 6, 2013 Page 4

5 XII. Newtown Edgmont Little League DISCIPLINE OF PLAYERS Discipline of players for missing games, practices, etc. is left to the Manager. A reasonable approach and sense of fair play should prevail. If discipline results in loss of playing time, then: 1. Managers of the opposing team, the Division Director and the Umpires must be notified of such action. 2. Notation should be made in the game results book in the Snack Bar and initialed by each Manager. XIII. DARKNESS OR INCLEMENT WEATHER 1. It shall be the discretion of the Umpire to call a game on account of darkness. The Umpire determines when field #1 and #2 lights are turned on. 2. Once a game has begun, it shall be the discretion of the Umpire to delay and/or call a game due to rain or lightning. It is required that an Umpire delay or call a game when there is visible lightning in the area. 3. Called games will be continued or considered "regulation" according to Little League Rule Book Sections 4.10, 4.11 and Rain outs will be called by the Field Maintenance Director or their appointee at game time. In the event of rain, Managers should arrange for a rain date. The following applies to all rain dates: 5. If more than one makeup game is needed, the fields will be assigned according to the level of play. Majors have first preference, then Minor-A and then Minor-B. If two teams at the same level have signed up for a make-up game on the same date, then the first to sign up has preference. 6. Majors will play only on fields 1, 2, 5 or 3. If these fields are taken by other Major teams, they will sign for the next rain date. 7. Minor A and Minor B teams will play make up games if necessary, on field 4, however it must be coordinated with the Minor C Division Director. 8. Playoff games (Semi-final and Final) must be played in their entirety before considered official. All other games will follow Little League rules for establishment of a complete game. XIV. PLAYOFFS / TIE BREAKERS 1. All teams enter playoffs using a round-robin format. After the round-robin, the four (4) teams with best records as determined by the tiebreakers will advance into the semifinals, and winners into the championship game. The Home Team for all round-robin and playoff games will be decided by a coin flip. 2. If tiebreakers are necessary to determine seeding for playoffs, they will be determined in the following order based on the round robin a. Head to head play 2013 NELL Playing Rules Approved March 6, 2013 Page 5

6 b. Total runs allowed during all round robin games (lowest number). c. Special tie-breaker game(s). XV. TIME LIMIT / TIE GAMES If consecutive games are scheduled on a field, there is a two hour time limit from the start of the game when the umpire calls for start. (LL Rule 5.01) The game ends after the completion of the inning under way when the 2 hour limit is reached. (Rule: A new inning begins as soon as the third out occurs, ending the previous inning). NOTE: Round Robin and Playoff games have no time limit. If necessary, tie games will be continued when the involved teams next meet. If the outcome of tie games affects or delays the playoffs, a special date will be decided upon by the League Director for completion of the game. XVI. GAME DAY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. BOTH TEAMS are responsible for: a. Preparing the field before the start of the game, that is, raking the infield, pitcher's mound and home plate area, as well as filling in dirt and sweeping water when necessary. b. Assuring that the dugouts, stands and their side of the field have had all paper and litter properly disposed of and cleaned up after the game. 2. The HOME TEAM will assure that the field is safe and ready for play, including: a. Lining foul lines and batter's box. b. Putting out bases and assuring they are securely fastened. c. Supply two (2) game balls to the umpire. d. Assuring that their team has at least one adult responsible for operating the scoreboard. a. Field #1 Home Manager or representative will ensure that the garage, snack-bar and Peterson building, the scorekeepers areas are secured and locked after the last game and that the snack bar personnel are escorted to their automobiles and are safely on their way. e. Field #2 Home Manager will ensure that the Daly Building, score-keepers area and garage are locked after the last game. 3. The VISITING TEAM will clean up the field after the game a. Rake the infield, pitcher's mound and home plate area after the game to prepare fields for the next game NELL Playing Rules Approved March 6, 2013 Page 6

7 b. Return bases and equipment to the appropriate garage after the last game. XVII. MANAGERS AND COACHES 1. Managers and coaches must complete a league mandated background check prior to the start of the season or they will not be allowed to manage or coach in any capacity. 2. During the game, only three (3) adults will be allowed in the dugout and behind yellow lines on concrete pads. 3. Use of tobacco, alcohol and profane language in any form is prohibited on the playing field, dugout and Little League complex. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE LITTLE LEAGUE RULE BOOK COVERS ANY SITUATION NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN OUR LOCAL RULES. ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS CAN BE CHANGED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEWTOWN-EDGMONT LITTLE LEAGUE BY-LAWS, IF DEEMED NECESSARY NELL Playing Rules Approved March 6, 2013 Page 7