Stanislaus County Baseball for Youth

Transcription

1 Stanislaus County Baseball for Youth 2016 Edition AS WRITTEN THESE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS

2 INDEX Appel 2 Balk...2 Base on Balls.2 Base Runner...2 Batting.2 Batter Becomes a Runner.. 4 Batter is Out When.. 4 Boundries...6 Bunt.. 6 Called Game...6 Catch....6 Catchers Box.. 6 Coach...6 Dead Ball Double Play Equipment...7 Fair Ball....7 Fair Territory....8 Field Personnel.. 8 Force Play....8 Forfeit Game....8 Foul Tip..8 Home Team.. 9 Illegally Batted Ball...9 Illegal Pitch.. 9 Infield Fly...9 Inning.. 9 Interference 9 Leagues.11 Minor League Rules...11 Major League Rules 13 Number Requirements.. 13 Obstruction..13 Official Scorer..14 Overslide or Oversliding...14 Pitching..14 The Pitchers.. 15 Pitchers Pivot Foot.15 Player Eligibility...15 Players and Substitutes.16 Protesting a Game 16 Quick Return Pitch...17 Regulation Game...17 Retouch...18 Runner..18 Schedule..19 Stealing Home...19 Strike..19 Strike Zone..20 Suspended Game..20 Tag...20 Teams.20 Team Roster.20 Ties.21 Time 22 Umpires. 22 1

3 2016 BASEBALL FOR YOUTH REGULATIONS APPEAL: Is the act of a defensive team or player claiming a violation of the rules by an offensive player. An appeal must be made verbally. Any base runner is out on appeal before the next legal pitch or any play or attempted play when: A. After a batted fly ball is caught, he makes no effort to return and fails to retouch his base before he or his base is tagged. B. With the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, he fails to touch each base in order before he or a missed base is tagged. 1. No runner may return to touch a missed base after a following runner has scored. 2. When the ball is dead no runner may return to touch a missed base after he has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed base. C. He overruns or over-slides first base and fails to return to the base immediately, and he or the base, if he attempts to leave the field, is tagged. D. With bases full, batter is awarded base on balls forcing each runner to advance, and runner fails to touch any base to which he is advancing. If appeal causes the third out, then no run shall be allowed to score. NOTE: An appeal of such out, with less than two out, must be made before the next pitch occurs. If there are two outs appeal must be made before all infielders and the pitcher have left fair territory. If the violation occurs during a play which ends a half inning, the appeal must be made before the defensive team takes their positions on the field in fair territory. BALK: No balks allowed to be called in Minor and Major leagues. BASE ON BALLS: Is an award of first base granted to a batter who, during his time to bat, receives 4 pitches outside of the strike zone. In this case of an intentional walk, the batter can be given first base without being pitched to if the manager requests it. BASE RUNNER: Any base runner is out when: A. He runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged, unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a ball. B. If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter-runner because of the action of his teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner. C. He is tagged with a live ball while off his base. The ball must be securely held by the fielder before and after the tag. If the impact of the runner breaks the base loose from its legal position, "no play can be made on that runner if he had reached that base safely." D. He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul fly ball is legally caught, before he or his base is touched by a defensive player. This is an appeal play when runner makes no effort to return and fails to retouch the base he left too soon. 2

4 NOTE: A runner may leave his base the instant the fielder touches the ball. Legally caught refers to catching the ball before it touches the ground. E. He fails to reach the next base before a defensive player tags him or the base, if he is forced to advance by reason of the batter becoming a base runner. However, if there is no force, or if the force is removed by reason of a following runner or runner having been put out, the base runner must be tagged to be put out. F. He is touched by a fair batted ball before it is touched by the pitcher, or before it has touched or passed an infielder, even if he is on his base. The ball is dead and no run may score nor runners advance except who are forced to advance by the batter becoming a base runner. G. He is hit by a declared Infield-Fly while off his base. Both the runner and the batter are out. He is not out, if he is on the base when hit by a cleared Infield-Fly, but the batter is out. H. He attempts to score on play in which the batter interferes with the play at home plate with less than two out. When two are out, the batter is out unless the catcher, despite the interference puts out the base runner attempting to score. If the catcher is unable to put out the runner attempting to score, the interference puts the batter out and the runner does not score. I. He passes a preceding runner before such runner is out. J. After he has acquired legal possession of a base, he must be declared out immediately if he runs the bases in reverse order for the purpose of confusing the defensive team or making a travesty of the game. The ball is dead and no runner may advance. K. In running or sliding for home plate, he fails to touch home plate and makes no attempt to return to the base, provided the defensive team makes an appeal play. L. The runner is out if the runner does not slide or attempt to slide to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. BATTING: The first batter in each inning after the first inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the last player in the batting order to legally complete his time at bat in the previous inning. NOTE: In the event that while the batter is in the batter's box, the third out of an inning is made on a base runner, the batter shall be the first batter of the next inning and the count of balls and strikes will start over. A batter has legally completed his time at bat when he is put out or becomes a runner. The batter becomes a base runner and is entitled to first base without danger of being put out provided he touches first base when: A. Four balls have been called by the umpire. This is known as a base on balls. B. The catcher or any fielder interferes with him. If a play follows the interference, the manager of the offensive team may advise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, base-on-balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference. 3

5 C. He is struck by a pitched ball which he is not trying to hit while he is in the batter s box is legal position to bat, provided he makes an honest attempt to avoid being hit by the ball. If he makes no attempt to avoid being hit by the ball, the umpire shall call the pitch "ball" or "strike" as the case may be. D. A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair ground before touching a fielder, provided that if a fair ball touches the umpire after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder "including the pitcher), the ball shall be considered in play. Also, if a fair ball touches the umpire on foul ground, the ball shall be in play. BATTER BECOMES A RUNNER: The batter becomes a base runner and is in danger of being put out when: A. He hits the ball into fair territory. B. He fails to return at once to first base after overrunning or over-sliding that base. If he attempts to run to second, he is out when tagged. If, after overrunning or over-sliding first base, he starts toward the dugout or toward his position, and fails to return to his base at once, he is out on appeal, when he or the base is tagged by the defensive player. A base runner is entitled to an unoccupied base when he touches it before he is out provided he has touched all of the preceding bases in order. He is then entitled to it until he is put out, touches the next base, or is legally forced to vacate it for a following runner. In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third, and home plate in order. A. If forced to return, he shall re-touch all bases in reverse order unless the ball is dead. B. In running to first base, he may overrun or over-slide the base, provided he returns to the base at once. C. In the event a runner fails to touch a base while advancing or returning, he is out if a defensive player shall touch him with the ball or shall touch the base illegally missed. This is an appeal play. D. With less than two out, the standing of a following runner is not affected by a preceding runner's failure to touch a base. If, upon appeal, a runner is the third out, no runners following him may score. BATTER IS OUT WHEN: A. His fair or fly ball is legally caught by any player of the opposing team. B. He bats the ball illegally. Dead ball, runners may not advance. There is no penalty and the ball is not dead, if the batter does not actually hit the bail either fair or foul. An illegally batted ball is one hit by the batter with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the lines of the batter's box. C. He has three strikes, either called or swinging. The catcher does not have to catch the third strike. The batter is out, but the ball is in play and runners may advance at their own risk. D. He bunts foul on his third strike. E. He hits an infield fly. 4

6 F. He attempts to hit or bunt a third strike and the ball touches him. The ball is dead, runners cannot advance. G. After hitting or bunting a fair ball, he hits the ball a second time or strikes it with a thrown bat or deflects its course in any way while running to first base. The ball is dead and runners cannot advance. There is no penalty and the ball is live if interference is not intentional. H. After a fair hit, he is tagged by a defensive player before he touches first base or first base is tagged by a defensive player who is holding the ball firmly in his hand or glove, before the runner touches the base. I. A fielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. Runners need not retouch, and may advance at their own risk. J. In running the last half of the distance from home plate to first base while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside the three-foot line, or inside the foul line, and in the umpire's judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base. The ball is dead and runners must return. He may, however, run outside the three-foot line or inside the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting a batted ball. K. He fails to take his position in the batter's box promptly and the following action has taken place. After persistent delay, the umpire shall direct the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter and every such pitch shall be called a "Strike" by the umpire, whether or not it enters the strike zone. If the batter enters the batter's box in the interval between any such pitches, the ball and strike count shall continue regularly, but if he as not entered the batter's box when three strikes are called, he shall be declared out by the umpire. L. Any batter or runner who has just been put out hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate. However, he shall not be called out, if despite his interference, the catcher's throw results in a putout, or if the catcher's play results in a putout at home plate. M. He steps from one batter's box to the other while the pitcher is on the rubber. N. A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when he fails to bat in his proper turn and another batter completes a time at bat in his place. The proper batter may take his place in the batter's box at any time before the improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and any balls and strikes shall be counted in the proper batter's time at bat. When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before any play or attempted play, the umpire shall: 1) declare the proper batter out; and 2) nullify any advance or score made because of a ball hit by the improper batter or because of the improper batter's advance to first base on a hit, error, a base-on-balls, a hit batman or otherwise. If a runner advances, while the improper batter is at bat, on a stolen base, wild pitch or passed bail, such advance shall be legal. No runs shall be scored or bases run because of any act of the improper batter. This shall be interpreted as follows: "A base hit is an act of the improper batter. So is his taking first base on balls, etc. But, if while he is at bat, a base runner advances on a stolen base, wild pitch, or passed ball, none of these is an act of the improper batter." The runners are entitled to hold any bases not acquired because of any act of the improper batter. 5

7 This rule shall not be enforced unless the error is discovered, the appeal is made by the manager, coach, official scorer or defensive player, and the out is declared before the ball is pitched to the next batter in the order. The umpire shall not direct the attention of any person to the presence in the batter's box of an improper batter. O. Any player losing his helmet intentionally while running the bases shall be automatically declared out by the umpire. P. If a batter throws his bat the umpire shall warn him the first time; the second time the bat is thrown by the same batter, the batter will be called out. BOUNDARIES: Each team shall represent a particular school district within the designated area. The school district shall determine the area in which the team shall draw from to pick their team. All players on a team roster must live in that school district or go to school in the district. NOTE: No School petitions are required for 2016 BUNT: A bunt is a legally batted ball not swung at, but immediately met with the bat and tapped slowly within the field. CALLED GAME: A called game is one in which the Umpire-in-chief ends play before the normal end of the game for some legal reason. CATCH: A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; provided he does not use his hat, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling drops the ball. If the player has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch the player shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. Legally caught refers to catching the ball before it touches the ground. CATCHER'S BOX: The catcher's box is that area behind home plate within which the catcher must stand until the pitcher delivers the ball. COACH: A coach can be a member of the team or a manager or coach who occupies the coacher's box at first and third base to direct his runners and batters when on offense. Players, manager, and coaches of the participating teams shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands during a game in which they are engaged. The offensive team shall be allowed two coaches only; one near first base, and one near third base. Coachers shall: A. Be either a manager or coach or can be a player on the roster. B. Remain within the Coacher's Box at all times. C. Talk to members of their own team only. 6

8 If a thrown ball accidentally strikes a coacher, the ball is alive and in play. DEAD BALL: A dead ball is a ball out of play because of a legally created temporary stop of play. After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when the pitcher takes his place on the pitchers plate with a new ball or the same ball in his possession and the plate umpire calls Play." The plate umpire shall call "Play" as soon as the pitcher takes his place on his plate with the ball in his possession. If a pitch is hit foul and is not caught on the fly, the ball is dead and runners must return to their bases. DOUBLE PLAY: A double play is a play by the defense in which two offensive players are legally put out as a result of continuous action, providing there is no error between putouts. EQUIPMENT: The ball shall be "APPROVED LITTLE LEAGUE" or better to be legal for game use. The Bat shall be made of wood or a material tested and approved to meet Baseball for Youth standards. It shall not be more than 32 inches in length nor more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter. Bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not to exceed 16 inches from the small end of the bat. All bats used in games must be stamped "APPROVED FOR LITTLE LEAGUE" to be legal. Catcher's Mitt must be made of leather. It may be of any size, shape or weight consistent with protecting the player s hand. Fielder's gloves; including first baseman's glove or mitt, must be made of leather and may not be more than 14 inches long from the top to the bottom, nor more than 8 inches wide across the palm. The first baseman is the only fielder who may wear a mitt. All other fielders must use gloves. Pitcher's glove must be one color only and "CANNOT BE WHITE OR GRAY." Shoes; with metal cleats or spikes are prohibited. Shoes with rubber cleats are approved for use. Helmets; each team must provide in the dugout 5 protective helmets stamped "APPROVED FOR LITTLE LEAGUE" in order for them to be used. The wearing of such approved helmets by the batter, on deck batter, and all base runners is mandatory. Athletic supporters including cups; preferably of the metallic, fiber or plastic type, should be worn by all catchers during all practices and games. All players should wear an athletic supporter of some type. A player should at all times while he is warming up a pitcher wear his protective face mask. Catchers; must wear an "APPROVED FOR LITTLE LEAGUE" catchers helmet during the game. This is mandatory. Catchers may use any type of mitt; either a fielder's mitt, first base mitt, or catcher s mitt. FAIR BALL: A fair ball is a legally batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first base or third base, or that touches first or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first or third base: or that, while on or over fair territory, touches the person of an umpire or player. A fair fly must be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair territory at the time he touches the ball. 7

9 FAIR TERRITORY: Is that part of the playing field within, and including first and third base lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards. All foul lines are in fair territory. Home plate is also fair territory. All defensive players, except the catcher, must be in fair territory when the ball is put into play. A. The catcher must stand within the catcher s box until the ball has been pitched. B. The pitcher must be in a legal position while in the act of delivery. C. When the ball is in play, no offensive player shall cross the catcher's line except the batter or a runner who is trying to score. FIELD PERSONNEL: Only players on the team roster, manager, coaches, umpires, equipment personnel (bat boy) and scorer are authorized to be within the confines of the playing field during the games. Except for the batter, baserunners, the batter on deck and base coaches, all players shall be confined to the dugout or bull pen at all times. FORCE PLAY: A force play is a play in which a runner legally loses his right to occupy a base by reason of the batter becoming a base runner. FORFEITED GAME: A forfeited game is a game declared ended by the Umpire-in-Chief in favor of the offended team. For score purposes the game shall be 6 to 0. Umpire-in-Chief may declare a game forfeited in favor of the opposing team before play begins if: A. The team fails to appear upon the field within 15 minutes of the time the Umpire-in-Chief calls "play" at the time appointed for the game to begin, unless, in the umpire's opinion, the delay was unavoidable. B. The team fails to field 7 eligible players. The Umpire-in-Chief shall declare a game forfeited in favor of the opposite team once play has begun, when a team: A. Refuses to continue to play. B. Fails to, or is unable to, continuously field 7 eligible players. C. Uses methods to delay or shorten the game. D. After being warned by the umpire, willfully continues to violate rules. Forfeited games shall be so recorded in the score book, and the book shall be signed by the Umpire-in-Chief. A written report stating the reason for forfeiture should be sent to the league President within 72 hours, but failure to file this report shall not affect the forfeiture. E. Foul or abusive language by fans, coaches or players will result in a warning to the coach (of the team whose fans, coaches or players are causing the problem) by the umpire and a general warning to the team and their fans. After one warning the offenders will be ejected from the ballpark if they continue. Failure to leave the ballpark will result in forfeiture of the game. FOUL TIP: A foul tip is a batted ball that does sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a 8

10 strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher's glove or hand. HOME TEAM: The home team is the team on whose grounds the game is played. If the game is played on neutral grounds, the Home Team shall be decided by mutual agreement. The Home Team is the team that takes the field first, at the start of the game. ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL: An illegally batted ball is one hit by the batter with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the lines of the batter s box. The batter is automatically out. ILLEGAL PITCH: An illegal pitch is: A. A pitch delivered to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate. B. When the pitcher delivers the pitch with a foreign substance applied to the ball. Rosin can be applied to the hand. C. A quick return pitch. D. An interrupted motion. NOTE: If batter reached base safely and other runners advance at least one base, the pitch becomes legal. INFIELD FLY: The infield fly rule will be invoked only if one or both coaches requested that it be used before the game. This will hold true in both Major A and B leagues. An infield fly is an out called by the umpire on the batter if, before two are out, while first and second or first, second and third bases are occupied, he hit a fair fly ball, other than a line drive, that in the judgement of the umpire can reasonably be caught by an infielder. When a defensive player who normally plays in the outfield places himself in the infield, he shall be considered an infielder for the purpose of the infield fly. However, the runners may be off their bases or advance at the risk of the ball being caught the same as on any other fly ball. If a runner is hit by the ball while standing base, he shall not be out, but the ball is dead and the batter shall be called out; but if a base runner is hit while he is off base both he and the batter shall be called out and the ball is dead. Provided that with first and second bases occupied or first, second and third bases occupied, before two are out, any attempt to bunt which results as a fair fly ball shall not be regarded as an Infield-Fly. INNING: An inning is that portion of a game, within which the teams alternate on offense and defense and in which there are three putouts for each team. It will be held that any inning starts the moment the third out is made completing the preceding inning. INTERFERENCE: On any interference the ball is dead. A. Offensive interference is an illegal act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any defensive player attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was, in the judgement of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. 9

11 B. Defensive interference is an illegal act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch. C. Umpire's interference occurs when an umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher's throw intended to catch a runner in the act of stealing or when a fair batted ball strikes an umpire before touching or passing a fielder. D. Spectator interference occurs when a spectator or any member of the offensive team not at bat or on base reaches out of the stands or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball. When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball is dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference. No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game except for uniformed players, coaches and managers, umpires and scorekeepers. In case of interference with play by any person authorized to be on the playing field, the ball is dead at the moment of the interference and no runners on base may advance. Should an overthrown ball accidentally touch an authorized person, it will not be considered interference. On any interference the ball is dead. It is interference by a batter or runner and the batter or runner is out when: A. After a third strike he hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball. B. After hitting a fair ball, his bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory. The ball is dead and no runners may advance. If the batter-runner drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire's judgment, there is no intent to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play. After hitting a ball foul, in the judgment of the umpire, he intentionally deflects the course of the ball in any manner while running to first base, the ball is dead and no runners may advance. C. Before two are out and a runner is on third base, the batter hinders a fielder in making a play at home base, the runner is out. D. Any member or members of an offensive team stand or otherwise collect around any base to which a runner is advancing, to confuse, interfere or add to the difficulty of the defensive player. Such runner shall be declared out because of the interference of his teammates. E. In the judgment of the umpire, the coachers at first and third base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists him in returning or leaving, third base or first base. The runner, however, shall not be declared out if no play is being made on him. F. In running the last half of the distance from home plate to first base while the ball is being fielded to first base he runs outside the three foot line, or inside the foul line and, in the umpire's judgment, interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, or attempting to field a batted ball. G. He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; provided, that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the base runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field the ball. 10

12 H. A fair hit ball touches him before touching a fielder. If a fair ball goes through, or by an infielder, and hits a runner immediately back of him, or hits the runner after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire must not declare the runner out for being hit by the ball. In making such decision the umpire must be convinced that the ball passed through or by the infielder, and that no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner deliberately and intentionally kicks such a ball on which the infielder has missed a play, then the runner must be called out for interference. If players or coaches of an offensive team interfere with a defensive team player attempting to field a batted ball or interfere with a thrown ball, "interference" shall be called. The ball is dead. The offensive player on whom the play was being made shall be declared out and other runners may not advance. If the umpire behind home plate interferes with the catcher's throw, the ball is dead and all runners must return. LEAGUES: A. The league shall be governed by a Board of Directors from the membership, (one member or director from each school district) assisted by any other volunteer personnel approved by the Board of Directors. The officers shall consist of a President, Vice- President and Secretary/Treasurer. B. Each league shall: 1) Adopt and play a separate schedule of games. 2) Adopt all rules, regulations and policies set down by the Board of Directors, C. The league President shall appoint a 3 man committee to serve with him on the Rules and Regulations Committee. This committee's duties shall be to: 1) Review all rules and regulations from the previous year and make any changes that might be necessary before submitting them to the Board of Directors for their approval. 2) Enforce the Rules and Regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors. They will be designated as the "PROTEST COMMITTEE" when the need arises. MINOR LEAGUE RULES: A. All Minor League teams shall use the same rules in this book as the Major League teams except for the following: B. The 15 run rule applies as follows in all Divisions: After 4 complete innings if one team is ahead by 15 runs the game will be called. MINOR LEAGUE A and B A. The age group will be from 7 to age 10. B. Only 7 ten year olds can be carried on a team roster. C. No minor league pitcher can pitch more than 6 innings per week regardless of circumstances (or no more than 3 innings per game). 11

13 D. There will be a limit of five runs per inning except the last inning. MINOR C A. Any coach on the roster may coach at any time. B. Pitcher must be designated by manager to umpire before the start of the game. C. Pitcher may talk to players and coach them while pitching. D. Pitchers may pitch overhand only. E. Pitcher's hitting his own players will not enable player to go to first base. If the hit batter is unable to continue after being hit he shall be declared out. F. All team consecutive batting system must be used. G. Strikes only are counted. No walks. H. Team in field will have player beside pitcher to field balls hit back to pitcher. Batted ball hitting pitcher is live ball. I. Ten players are allowed on field in "C" league. Extra player is to play in outfield. J. No stealing allowed in "C" league. Runners may not advance from any base until ball is hit. K. Infield fly rule is not enforced in "C" league. L. If a six year old wishes to play, a letter must be presented and approved by the Board of Directors. M. A ball overthrown to a pitcher or a defensive pitcher in a live ball situation is a dead ball and the runners may not advance unless they have reached the next base. If two runners are between the same bases, the lead runner will be awarded the base in front of him/her. N. Bunting is allowed. O. Batter is out if he doesn't hit after seven pitches, except if he fouls off the seventh pitch. P. There will be no called strikes. Q. The pitching distance is 40 feet. Base distance is 6O feet. R. A ten foot diameter circle in chalk will be made around the pitcher's mound. A line will extend from the pitcher's rubber to both sides of the circle. The designated pitcher must have one foot on the line and both feet in the circle until the ball leaves the coaches hand. S. The ball is dead as soon as a thrown ball breaks the plane of the 10 foot circle. (The pitchercoach must make an effort to catch the thrown ball.) T. The catcher may use a fielder's glove or a catcher's mitt. U. The 10th player (who is the fourth outfielder) must play the same distance from the infield as the other three outfielders. V. No 9 year old or older players will be allowed to play Minor C. W. If a batter is removed from the batting order for any reason, he is considered "out" at every batting rotation. 12

14 MAJOR LEAGUE RULES: A. Pitching distance is 46 feet base distance is 60 feet MAJOR A A. Team rosters may contain only 7 twelve year olds. B. There will be no run limit per inning in Major A. C. The 15 run rule applies as follows in Major A and B: After 4 complete innings if one team is ahead by 15 runs, the game will be called. D. Major A players may steal home only on a passed ball. A passed ball is defined as a pitched ball not clearly caught by the catcher. E. Pitching distance is 46 feet base distance is 60 feet MAJOR B A. There will be a limit of five runs per inning except the last inning. B. Team roster may contain only 7 twelve year olds. C. Pitching distance is 46 feet base distance is 60 feet. NIGHT GAMES: Night games can be played, but during the school year every game shall have a two hour time limit, and every precaution should be taken to schedule the game where the time limit will expire before 10 p.m. Tie games will be played until the 10 p.m. curfew and no inning shall start after this time. Games after the school year that are played are exempt from the curfew regulation, but every manager or coach should take every precaution to observe the curfew even during the summer months. NUMBER REQUIREMENTS: All players must have a visible number, no duplicate numbers allowed. OBSTRUCTIONS: Obstruction is the illegal act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal obstruction: A. If a play is being made on an obstructed runner, or if the base runner is obstructed before he touches first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance, without liability to be put out, to the base he would have reached in the umpire's own judgment, if there had been no obstruction. The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base he had last legally touched before the obstruction. Any preceding runners, forced to advance by the award of bases as the penalty for obstruction, shall advance without liability of being put out. B. If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call "time" and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. C. In a "run down" play, if the runner's progress is impeded by a defensive player who does not have the ball in his possession, the umpire shall call "obstruction" and the runner awarded the base he had originally attempted to reach. 13

15 OFFICIAL SCORER: Each team shall have a scorer who shall record: At bats, hits, runs, errors, extra base hits, strikeouts, walks and innings pitched by the individual pitchers. The home team s scorer shall be designated the Official Scorer. No game should start in the absence of the official scorer. He shall not record any play conflicting with the official rules, or with an umpire's decision. The official scorer will use both first and last names in the scorebook. If the game is protested or suspended, the scorer shall make note of the exact situation at the time of the protest or suspension, including the score, number of outs, position of runners and the ball and strike count on the batter. The scorer shall call attention of the umpire or any member of either team to the fact that a player is batting out of order. If the teams change sides before three outs have been recorded, the scorer shall immediately inform the umpire of this mistake. OVERSLIDE OR OVERSL1DING: The act of an offensive player when his slide to a base, other than when advancing from home to first base, is with such momentum that he loses contact with the base and is in danger of being tagged out. PITCHING: When a pitcher takes his position at the beginning of the game or when he relives another pitcher, he shall be permitted up to 8 preparation pitches to his catcher if he so desires. Following this initial warmup, he shall be permitted five pitches between each succeeding inning he works/play to be suspended during all preparatory pitches. If the pitcher is replaced, his substitute shall pitch to the batter then at bat until such batter completes his turn at bat or until the inning ends, unless the substitute pitcher is injured and in the judgment of the Umpire-in-Chief cannot continue. A manager must replace his pitcher when he makes a second trip to the mound in the same inning. If a pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied it shall be called a ball, unless the batter hits the ball and reaches first base. The pitch then becomes legal. The pitcher shall be removed from the game and from the grounds if he: A. Applies a foreign substance of any kind to the ball after a warning. However, he may apply rosin to his ungloved hand. B. Expectorates on the ball, his hand, or glove, or wets his finger with saliva, after a warning. C. Rubs the ball on his glove, person or clothing after a warning. D. Defaces the ball in any manner. E. Pitches a "shine" ball, "Spit ball," "mud ball," or "emery" ball. F. After having been warned, persists in intentionally delaying the game by throwing the ball to players other than the catcher when the batter is in position, except in an attempt to retire a base runner. G. Pitches at a batter's head or body intentionally. The pitcher shall not pitch the "quick return ball". If he tries it, he shall be warned once by the umpire, without penalty. If repeated, each such pitch shall be called a "ball", unless the batter reaches first base on a fair hit, an error, or otherwise. 14

16 The pitcher shall not be permitted to wear a long sleeved white shirt. He cannot wear any color shirt with ragged, frayed, or split sleeves. He shall not attach tape or any other material of a color different from his uniform or glove, to his glove or clothing. Pitchers may not wear a batting glove while pitching. HE CANNOT WEAR SWEATBANDS ON HIS WRISTS. If, with the bases unoccupied, the pitcher delays the game by failing to deliver the ball to the batter within 10 seconds, after receiving the ball, the umpire shall call a "ball." THE PITCHERS: A. Any players on a team's roster may pitch. B. Pitchers may pitch only three innings per game, maximum of six innings per week. C. If a batter is hit by the pitcher, the pitcher shall be warned by the umpire. If the pitcher hits a second batter in the same inning the pitcher shall be removed from the mound for the remainder of the inning (Minor C coach pitching excepted). D. A pitcher once removed from the mound to another position may pitch again that game. E. A pitcher must be removed from the mound when a coach makes a second trip to the mound in the same inning. A trip to the mound shall be counted each, time the manager or coach crosses the white lines between first and third base that extend from home plate to the out of play area. F. A trip to the mound by a manager or coach is not charged until the first pitch of the inning is thrown. An appeal by a coach or a trip to the field because of injury or equipment repair does not count as a trip to the mound. Managers who leave the dugout and talk to their pitcher from the area between the playing field and the dugout may be charged with a trip to the mound, if in the umpire's judgment, the manager is trying to coach the pitcher. PITCHER'S PIVOT FOOT: The Pitcher's Pivot Foot is that foot which is in contact with the pitcher's plate as he delivers the pitch to the batter. It is considered "no pitch" if this foot is not in contact with the pitching rubber. APPROVED PITCHING POSITION: The pitcher, from either the windup or set position shall assume a stance with is pivot foot on top of, or in front of and in contact with the pitching plate, but not off the end of the pitcher's plate. He shall maintain contact as he pivots and begins his pitching motion. He shall not raise either foot except that in actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward and one step forward with his free foot, if set position is used, he need not pause before delivery of ball. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: A. Any youth who will attain the age of 7 years before April 30, and will not attain the age of 13 years before April 30 of the year in question shall be eligible to participate in the Baseball for Youth program. This means, that a youth who will be 13 years old on April 30 or later is eligible to play that year, a youth who will be 13 years old on April 29 or earlier will not be eligible at any time during the calendar year in question. No 13 year olds may be petitioned into the league. Starting with the 2007 season the date of May 1 st will be used instead of August 1st. 15

17 B. A manager or coach who has been in the league for two or more consecutive years or longer may put his own child on his team roster. A manager or coach may, in addition, enroll his children on other teams in the same district, even if he doesn't coach the teams his children are on. C. If the President finds that a team has an illegal player on their roster, he has the power to forfeit all games that the team has played with the player on the roster. D. No team may play in more than one league and no player may play in more than one team during the season except travel ball player (may not be playing in another league) may be on the roster of any A division American team. Such a player may not pitch, and must be declared on the roster. PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES Players and substitutes shall sit on their team's bench or in the dugout unless participating in the game. No one except eligible players, two managers or coaches and a scorekeeper and equipment person shall occupy the bench during a game. When a batter is retired, he must return to the bench or dugout. A player or players may be substituted during a game at any time the ball is dead. A substitute player shall bat in the replaced player's position in the team's batting order, but may be used in any fielding position. Substitutions should be reported to the Umpire-in- Chief, but there is no penalty for failure to report. The batting order must be followed throughout the game unless a player is substituted for another. Substitutes must take the place of the replaced player in the batting order. If the opposing team detects a batter out of order that batter is out. A player whose name is on his team's Batting Order may not become a substitute runner. The so-called "Courtesy runner" is permitted for injuries, with the consent of both the managers, or coaches. A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time during a game as long as there are two outs that inning (he may re-enter the game when either his next time at bat comes in the same inning or when the team takes the field after the third out of that inning). A starting player, other than a pitcher, may be removed from the game once and return. However, the player must return to the same position in the batting order. This rule does not apply to minor C leagues. PROTESTING A GAME: A. Protest shall be considered only when based on the violation or interpretation of a playing rule or the use of an ineligible player. No protest shall be considered on a decision involving an umpire's judgment. Equipment which does not meet the specification must be removed from the game and shall not be the basis for a protest. B. The managers of contesting teams shall have the right to protest a game. 1) Protesting team must have a rule book to protest C. PROTEST SHALL BE MADE AS FOLLOWS: 1) The protesting manager shall immediately, and before any succeeding play begins, notify the umpire that he is playing the game under protest. 2) Following such notice the umpire shall consult with his associate umpires. If he is convinced that his decision is in conflict with the rules, he shall reverse his decision. If, 16

18 however, after consultation he is convinced that his decision is not in conflict with the rules, he shall uphold his decision. Failure of the umpire to make such announcement shall not affect the validity of the protest. 3) Protesting team must have a rule book to protest D. Whenever it is found that an ineligible player is being used, said player shall be removed from the team roster and all games prior to this happening shall be declared forfeited by the league. E. Any protest for any reason whatsoever must be submitted verbally by the manager first to the umpire on the field of play and then to the league secretary in writing with a 72 hour time limit with a deposit of $ F. The Rules and Regulations Committee shall hear and resolve any such protest as above, including playing rules. If protest is allowed, resume game from the exact point when infraction occurred. The $10.00 protest fee will be returned if the protest is won by the manager. G. A player not present at the original game, may not enter the game until one pitch has been thrown. NOTE: All league managers are urged to take precautions to prevent protest. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offenders should be notified immediately. Coaches must notify the opposing Coach and the Umpire-in-Chief when protesting a game. The protest must also be noted in the home team's scorebook. QUICK RETURN PITCH: A quick return pitch is a pitch made with obvious intent to catch a batter off balance. It is an illegal pitch. The pitcher shall not pitch the "quick return ball." If he tries it, he shall be warned once by the umpire, without penalty. If repeated, each such pitch shall be called a "ball," unless the batter reached first base on a fair hit, an error or otherwise. REGULATION GAME: A regulation game is six innings unless shortened or lengthened legally. It is a regulation game when: A. The home team shall have scored more runs in five innings that the visiting team has scored in six innings. B. The home team scored the winning run in the sixth inning before the inning is completed. If a batter in the last half of the final inning of a game hits a home run over the fence or into the stands, all runners on base at the time, as well as the batter, shall be entitled to score legally, all bases must be touched in order by all runners. The final score of such game shall be the total number of runs made by each team. C. If the score is tied at the end of six completed innings, play is continued until one has scored more runs that the other in an equal number of innings; provided, that if the home team scores the winning run before the third out in any inning after the sixth, the game shall terminate and be a regulation game. If time has expired after six or more innings have been 17

19 played and a tie still remains, the tie game will be played on the following Saturday of the same week. Home team shall be responsible for furnishing the playing field and the umpires. D. Terminated by the umpire on account of weather, darkness, or any other cause which makes further play impossible, provided four or more innings have been played, or the home team has scored more runs in three innings, or before the completion of its fourth inning, than the visiting team has scored in four complete innings. E. The umpire terminates play after four completed innings. The score of such game shall be the score at the end of the last completed inning. If, however, the home team shall have scored more total runs than the visiting team when the game is terminated while the home team is at bat, the score of such game shall be the total runs scored by each team. Also when a game is terminated after four completed innings, with the visiting team at bat and the home team ahead, the score shall be the total number of runs scored by each team the game is terminated. F. All innings which start after 1 hour and 30 minutes shall be open innings. The game must end in two hours. An unfinished inning will revert back to the last complete inning. RETOUCH: A retouch is the act of a runner returning to a base as legally required. RUNNER: One run shall score every time a runner, after having legally touched the first three, bases, shall legally touch home plate before three are out. A run does not count under any of these conditions: A. If the runner reaches home plate on or during a play in which the third man is put out on a force play. B. If the batter fails to reach first base safely and makes a third out. C. If a preceding runner makes a third out by failing to touch a base (appeal play). Two runners may not occupy a base. But, if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching the same base, the second runner shall be out when tagged. The first runner is entitled to the base "unless a force play is involved." When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher's plate with the ball in his possession and the catcher in the catcher's box is ready to receive the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has crossed the home plate. The violation of one base runner shall affect all other base runners. Each runner except the batter may, without danger of being put out, advance one base when: A. The batter is allowed first base without danger of being put out and forces the runner to vacate his base. The ball is dead except in the case of a base on balls. B. The batter hits a fair ball that touches another runner or the umpire before such ball has been touched by or passed a fielder, if the runner is forced to advance. However, runner hit by batted ball is out. C. A fielder after making a catch of a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand or falls across ropes or fence into crowd. 18