The 2013 Pearland Little League Local Rulebook (a/k/a White Book) Field Rules:

Transcription

1 The 2013 Pearland Little League Local Rulebook (a/k/a White Book) The Pearland Little League Board of Directors has adopted this Local Rulebook (a/k/a White Book) to supplement the Official Little League Rulebook. The Board of Directors has the final authority to interpret the Local and Official Little League Rules, which includes ruling on all matters not covered by these Rulebooks and amending the Local Rules as required. Field Rules: 1. Managers may appeal a judgment call to the umpires, but may not appeal a judgment call to the director on duty. Managers may not file a formal protest based on a judgment call. 2. Managers may appeal an interpretation/application of the rules to the umpires, and then to the director on duty. If the manager remains unsatisfied, then the manager can formally protest the game by informing the umpire before the next pitch. Before leaving the ballpark, the manager and umpire should notify the director on duty about the protest and the umpires must fill out the form regarding protests. A $50.00 refundable fee will accompany all formal protests. All formal protests must be decided within two weeks. If the protest is allowed, then the fee will be refunded. 3. The home team will use the third base dugout. Before the first game of the day, the home team will chalk the field. After the last game of the day, the home team will empty the trash cans around the field and in each dugout. 4. The visiting team will use the first base dugout. After the last game of the day, the visiting team will rake and water the field. 5. In the T Ball, Machine Pitch, Pee Wee, and Minor Divisions, a team may score a maximum of five runs in an inning. The only exception to the five run rule occurs when an over the fence homerun causes more than five runs to score (e.g., if a team has already scored four runs and a player hits an over the fence grand slam homerun, then all eight runs count). 6. In order to minimize confusion regarding pitching eligibility, on their official line up cards, managers must indicate all players who are ineligible to pitch during the current game. 7. With two outs, all teams can insert a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher of record. This is encouraged to aid in speeding up play, but is not required. The courtesy runner must be the player who made the last recorded out. This rule does not apply to the T Ball Division or to the pitcher in the Machine Pitch Division. 8. Pitchers, who are getting ready to enter a game, must warm up in the on field bullpens and must only be caught by team players. 1

2 Safety: 1. In the T Ball, Machine Pitch, and Pee Wee Divisions, all batters and base runners must wear helmets with full face masks, and these helmet/masks should not be altered in any way. In the Minor and Major Divisions, batters and base runners must wear helmets with either the full or partial (i.e., c flap) face shield, and these helmets/shields should not be altered in any way. 2. Any major injury during the game will constitute an automatic time out. All runners, whether forced or not, will advance one base. A major injury occurs whenever a player is struck by the ball and the player does not immediately continue play. Safety is our first concern. In cases of a prolonged injury needing medical assistance, the director on duty or umpire may stop the game clock. 3. During games or practices, players are not allowed to chew gum or eat. 4. Dugouts will be kept in a neat and orderly manner; this prevents accidental injuries to players who may otherwise trip over bats, balls, or other equipment. 5. All games will be governed by the Pearland Little League Safety Program. 6. Slug Bunting, which is defined as the act of showing bunt and then swinging at the pitch, is prohibited in all twelve year old and under divisions. Penalty: If a batter "slug bunts," regardless of whether or not the batter makes contact with the ball, the batter is out, the ball is dead, and the runners do not advance. 7. Prior to a pitch, a player may not waggle the bat (i.e, move the bat up and down in an attempt to distract the pitcher or catcher). Penalty: The ball is dead, runners may not advance, and the pitch is ruled a strike. 8. Smoking is only permitted in the parking lot. 9. No pets of any kind, other than service animals, are allowed on the park premises. 10. All accidents should be reported to the Safety Director within 24 hours. (See the Safety Manual for procedures) 11. Whenever bats are being swung in the batting cages, batting helmets must be worn. 12. Except during games, no bats shall be swung outside the batting cages or soft toss areas. 13. No pickup baseball games using real bats shall occur on open fields or areas. 2

3 Team Managers & Coaches: 1. All Manager/Coach applications will be submitted to the Board. Recommendations from Division Directors for Managers and Coaches will be taken from those applications submitted. 2. If a team does not have a Coach of record, then the Manager must select a Coach from the parents of the team's players. 3. The Manager must select a Team Mom to aid in the team operation. 4. Minor, Pee Wee, Machine Pitch, and T Ball Managers will be required to provide individuals, who have knowledge of the rules, to umpire T Ball and Instructional T Ball games. Minor, Pee Wee, and Machine Pitch Managers will be responsible for T Ball games (two umpires must be provided). T Ball Managers will be responsible for Instructional T Ball games (two umpires must be provided). Penalty: If a team fails to provide an umpire when scheduled, the team s Manager and/or Coach will be suspended for the team s next game and the Manager and/or Coach must pay a $35.00 umpire fee for each missing umpire before managing and/or coaching again. 5. Each team will provide a team scorekeeper or announcer for each game. The home team will provide the official scorekeeper and the visiting team will provide the announcer. Scorekeepers and announcers must perform their duties in the designated areas. Designated areas are the score booths on the Major, Minor, Pee Wee and T Ball fields and tables behind home plate on Fields 5 and 6. Scorekeepers will operate the scoreboard, including keeping the pitch counts in kid pitch leagues. 6. Each team will perform field maintenance duties. Penalty: If a team fails to perform its assigned field maintenance duties, then that team s Manager will be ineligible to manage the team s next scheduled game. 7. The Major Division teams will provide Buddies for Challenger Games as assigned. When performing as Buddies, each Major Division team must be represented by no less than 50 percent of the players on their roster, in full uniform. Penalty: If a team fails to perform as Buddies, then that team s Manager will be ineligible to manage the team s next scheduled game. 8. A Manager may refuse to play a player in a game because that player failed to attend practice or for other disciplinary reasons. Before refusing to play a player in a game, the Manager must notify and discuss the penalty with the the Division Director and the player's parents. The player must be listed as ineligible on the lineup card and the reason must be recorded in the Official Score Book. If a player is penalized for any reason, then any other player on the team shall be penalized likewise for the same infraction. 9. All Managers/Coaches must submit a completed Volunteer Application and the 3

4 Safety Director must approve each Volunteer Application. During games, three Managers/Coaches may be in the dugout (four Manager/Coaches in T ball). When on defense, two Manager/Coaches can be in the turf area in front of the dugout. During Major games or other division games played on the Major Field, unless coaching the bases, Managers/Coaches must remain in the dugout. 10. A Manager or Coach cannot be suspended for conduct which occurred during a game that did not result in an ejection until the Coach Representative and Division Director fully investigate the conduct in question, including making every reasonable effort to consult with the umpires from that game. 4

5 Suspended & Make Up Games: 1. The Scheduler shall reschedule all make up games and all suspended games at the earliest possible time. In ITB, TB, and MP, the Scheduler will reschedule make up and suspended games on any day so long as thirty six hours of notice is given. In PW, Minors, Majors, and Juniors, the Scheduler will reschedule all make up and suspended games on the first available Sunday unless a team has a scheduled game on the Saturday before and the Monday after that Sunday if a team has 3 games in a row, then it will be made up the next available Sunday. Saturday rainout or suspended games will be made up the following Sunday because 36 hour notice is not possible unless each team waives the notification period. The existing 36 hour rule is waived during the last 15 days of the season and make up games may be rescheduled to days other than Sunday at the Scheduler s discretion. If feasible, make up and suspended games will be scheduled in the order in which they were originally scheduled. If a rainout or resumed game cannot be played because of the inability of either team to place nine (9) players on the field before the game begins, this shall constitute grounds for a forfeit. 2. In case of resumed or make up games, managers must be given at least 36 hours notice of rescheduled games. If both managers agree, the the notice requirement can be waived. 3. The Scheduler will attempt to reschedule games in which a team cannot field nine players due to a school or religious function. Games rescheduled for school or religious functions will be scheduled on the next available Sunday (same as rainouts). The manager not requesting the original reschedule may ask for another reschedule if he/she cannot field a team of nine. The game would then be rescheduled for the next available Sunday, and that game may not be moved again. The manager requesting the original reschedule may not request to move the rescheduled game for any reason. 5

6 Tie Games: 1. A tie ball game will count as one half (1/2) game won and one half (1/2) game lost. 2. Extra innings will be played if time limit permits. (Not applicable in Tee Ball) League Winners & Tie Breakers: 1. The champion of the Maroon and White Leagues in each Division will be the team with the best winning percentage at the conclusion of the season schedule. All games played will be factored into the decision. 2. Tie Breakers: Ties will be broken as follows: a. Head to Head vs. all teams in the tie b. Record against common opponents c. Strength of Victory: A team s strength of victory is the total games won by each opponent that a team has beaten. Each win by the opponent counts as one game and each tie by the opponent counts as one half game. If a team has beaten the same opponent twice, then that opponent s win total is counted twice. For example, if Team A and Team B finished tied with a 12 2 record and the twelve opponents beaten by Team A won 84 games and the twelve opponents beaten by Team B won 82 games, then Team A has a better strength of victory. d. Coin Flip In the case of ties with more than two teams, once a team is eliminated from the tie, start back over at the top of the tiebreakers with the remaining teams. If multiple teams are eliminated at the same step, they are all eliminated. For example: if four teams are tied and the strength of victory tiebreaker is to be applied and the teams have strength of victory scores of 50, 50, 48, and 47 the teams with 48 and 47 are eliminated and the two teams with 50 scores go back to head to head. Coin flips will eliminate only one team from a tie, at which point the tiebreakers will be applied again with remaining teams. 6

7 Practice Limitations: 1. Pre Season practice can begin on the day after a league s draft (i.e., teams can practice on Sunday following a Saturday draft). 2. Teams in Majors and Minors may have unlimited team functions (i.e., practices, batting cage sessions, practice games, games, etc..) per week. 3. Teams in Pee Wee, Machine Pitch, and T Ball may have no more than three mandatory and one optional team functions (i.e., practices, batting cage sessions, practice games, games, etc...) per week. No team function should exceed two hours. 4. Teams in Instructional T Ball may have no more than three team functions (i.e., practices, practice games, games, etc...) per week. No team function should exceed two hours. 7

8 Player Placement: League Age is defined by Little League Baseball. 1. Player Placement Player Contracts and Roster Sizes a. Players drafted to a Major or Junior Division team shall remain under contract to that League (i.e., White or Maroon) for the duration of their career in that Division. b. Major Division teams must have twelve players on their opening day roster and maintain a twelve player roster for the season. Minor, Pee Wee, and Machine Pitch teams will optimally have eleven (11) player rosters. T Ball and Instructional T Ball teams will optimally have twelve (12) player rosters. c. If a team loses a player through injury, illness, change of address, or any other reason, the team s Manager must notify both the Player Agent and Division Director within 24 hours. The Player Agent will attempt to fill the roster spot via the waitlisted players or players who are eligible for transfer from lower Divisions. If the Player Agent presents the Manager with a list of eligible players for transfer, the Manager has 72 hours to identify three possible replacement players, in order of preference, to the Player Agent. The Player Agent will then contact the player s parents and get consent for the player to move up. The Player Agent will then inform the Manager of his new player, which completes the transfer, and the Manager may then contact the player and his parents. Players will be eligible to play immediately after joining team. Players will not be added to a team that has less than five games remaining on its schedule. A Manager s failure to timely notify the Player Agent and Division Director about the loss of a player will result in the Manager s immediate suspension for two games and subject to further discipline as determined by the Executive Board. d. Before the player transfer is made official by the Player Agent, the Manager (or anyone affiliated with the team) must not, under any circumstance, contact a player or a player's parents. e. Anyone who circumvents this player transfer process will be deemed to have committed a serious violation of Pearland Little League Rules. The Player Agent must refer all violations to the Pearland Little League Board of Directors for appropriate action. f. Only league age eleven (11) year old players who attended their Major Division preseason tryout will be eligible for call up to the Major Division. 8

9 2. Player Placement All Divisions a. Players in Divisions other than Majors must participate in at least one available tryout to be eligible in their draft. Four (4) year olds will not try out. b. All players who do not tryout shall be deemed Hat Picks and have their names placed in a pool to be selected as described in the Draft section. As detailed in the Draft section, some players who do not tryout will be placed into the draft. A hat pick player may not be moved up to the next league for any reason. c. League age four (4) year old players must play in the Instructional T Ball Division. d. League age five (5) year old players will play in the T Ball Division unless they miss tryouts or declare for Instructional T Ball. e. League age six (6) year old players will play in the T Ball Division.* f. League age seven (7) year old players must participate in Machine Pitch.* g. League age eight (8) year old players are eligible for the Pee Wee draft unless they miss tryouts or declare for Machine Pitch. h. League age nine (9) year old players must participate in the Pee Wee Division.* i. League age ten (10) year old players must participate in the Minor Division program.* j. League age eleven (11) year old players are eligible for the Major draft unless they miss tryouts or declare for Minors. k. League age twelve (12) year old players must participate in the Major Division.* *Exception: Players (Age 6 to 12) may play up one Division level as long as they are chosen within the first five rounds of the draft and attend tryouts in both their play up and regular age Divisions (i.e., 6 year olds may play Machine Pitch if they tryout for both MP and T Ball and are chosen within the first five rounds of the MP draft). Manager options are not allowed for players who are playing up. Coach options are only allowed for players who have met the play up provision for at least one year. l. In the Minor Division and the Machine Pitch Division, any brother or sister who is eligible to be drafted up to the Major Division or the Pee Wee Division but decided to remain as a brother or sister option with his younger brother or sister, will not be eligible to be called up later during the season. m. League age thirteen (13) year old players must participate in the Junior Division. n. League age fourteen (14) year old players may participate in the Junior Division or may play up to Seniors if they so choose. 9

10 Draft: 1. All Divisions, Tee Ball through the Senior Major, will have snake drafts. The last round of each draft in the Senior Minor, Minor, MP, and TB divisions which do not have enough players for each team will then be decided by draw where each team will select from a hat either a blank (no draft choice required one can be made if so desired by trading a number with someone willing to do so who also draws a number) or a must draft a player choice with a number until all players are drafted. All teams not having a player in the uncompleted round with then draw numbers from a hat for placement of any additional children. The Player Agent and President will be the only individuals to know the order in which additional children are to be placed. 2. No trades are permitted after the draft process is complete. The draft process for a team is complete once the list of players drafted has been turned in by the manager/coach to the player agent or acting player agent and signed by both. 3. Manager s Option: The manager s son or daughter may be claimed as a manager s option and may not be drafted by other teams. The manager must draft his son or daughter in the third (3rd) round. 4. Coach s Option: The coach s son or daughter may be claimed as a coach s option and may not be drafted by other teams. The coach s son or daughter must be drafted in the fourth (4th) round. In order to exercise a coach option during the draft the coach s application must be in the hands of a Board Member by the night of the draft. 5. Brother or Sister Option: Any team selecting a player who has a sibling eligible as an option, must select the other sibling with the next available consecutive draft choice. If neither sibling is drafted prior to the 9th round, one sibling will become a hat pick to be selected at random during the Hat Pick round, with the sibling becoming their teammate during the last full round of the draft. 6. Hat Picks: Any player not participating in the minimum number of try outs to be eligible for the draft will be assigned to teams at random by having their names drawn from a hat during the ninth (9th) round in a process that will be determined by the Player Agent. Teams may not draft Hat Pick players before the 9th round. 7. Draft Major Division Hat Picks: Any returning Major Division player who did not attend at least 50% of the available tryouts will be assigned to teams via hat pick in the 9th round. 10

11 Game Time Limits: Teams should be ready to start the game (i.e., first pitch) at the scheduled starting time. If possible, the pre game meeting with the umpires should take place five to ten minutes before the scheduled starting time and the home team should be on the field and getting ready to start play (i.e., first pitch) at the scheduled starting time. The game clock will start when the umpire signals that the first pitch can be thrown (or first swing in T Ball). 1. T Ball: Weeknight games will be scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (or 10 minutes after first game ends, whichever is later). No inning will start after 1 hour 15 minutes and weeknight games that are not completed will be suspended at 7:35 p.m. (for the early game) and at 9:30 p.m. (for the late game). On weekends, games that are not finished after 1 hour and 30 minutes will be suspended, except for the last game of the day that will be suspended at 9:30 pm. If a game is suspended, then it will be completed on a date determined by the scheduler. 2. Machine Pitch: Weeknight games will be scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (or 10 minutes after first game ends, whichever is later). No inning will start after 1 hour 30 minutes and weeknight games that are not completed will be suspended at 8:05 p.m. (for the early game) and at 10:15 p.m. (for the late game). On weekends, games that are not finished after 2 hours will be suspended, except for the last game of the day that will be suspended at 10:15 pm. If a game is suspended, then it will be completed on a date determined by the scheduler. 3. Majors, Minors and Pee Wee: Weeknight games will be scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (or 10 minutes after first game ends, whichever is later). No inning will start after 1 hour 45 minutes and weeknight games that are not completed will be suspended at 8:10 p.m. (for the early game) and at 10:30 p.m. (for the late game). On weekends, games that are not finished after 2 hours will be suspended, except for the last game of the day that will be suspended at 10:30 pm. If a game is suspended, then it will be completed on a date determined by the scheduler. 4. Juniors: Weeknight games will be scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. (or 15 minutes after first game ends, whichever is later). No inning will start after 1 hour 45 minutes and weeknight games that are not completed will be suspended at 8:10 p.m. (for the early game) and at 10:30 p.m. (for the late game). On weekends, games that are not finished after 2 hours will be suspended, except for the last game of the day that will be suspended at 10:30 pm. If a game is suspended, then it will be completed on a date determined by the scheduler. 11

12 Pitch Count Procedures For Pitching Divisions: 1. Pitch count sheets will be kept by parents on both teams. When the pitch count gets to 15 pitches from the maximum allotted number for that particular pitcher (which depends on his age), the umpire and manager will be alerted of the pitch count. When a pitcher reaches his maximum allotment, the umpire and manager will be told and the pitcher must be removed from the game before the next batter (the pitcher can finish pitching to the current batter). At every pitcher change, both managers will confirm the previous pitcher s pitch count with umpire and sign the official scorecard held by umpire. 2. At the immediate conclusion of every game, both managers will sign the official scorecard held by the umpire which will verify the final score and pitch counts. 3. After every game, umpires will put the official scorecard in the scorecard box in the concession stand. At the end of each weeknight, the Director on Duty (DOD) will gather the scorecards from the concession stand and place them in the three binders above the 4 Field concession stand. There will be three binders (Pee Wee, Minor, and Major) in the Director s closet. On weekends, at the end of each DOD shift, the DOD will gather the scorecards from the concession stand and place them in the three binders above the 4 Field concession stand. 4. Home Managers are responsible for inputting scores, pitch counts, and days rest requirements onto the website by 4:00 pm on the day after every game. A Manager who cannot input the game data must call the Information Director (Mike Newman) by 3:00 pm on the day after the game. 5. If the Home Manager fails to input the score, pitch counts, and days rest requirements onto the website or fails to notify the information director as required, the Manager will be suspended for one game. 6. After the information has been loaded on the website, the Visiting Manager must verify that the score and pitch counts have been entered correctly. If the Visiting Manager feels that the pitch counts or score is incorrect, he should immediately notify the Division Director. 12

13 Rainout Policy: 1. The initial decision to cancel games will not occur earlier than 90 minutes before the first scheduled game of the day (i.e., 4:30 pm for weekday games). Also, although decisions will frequently be made 90 minutes before the scheduled game time, games can be cancelled at any time (i.e., at a time close to the game s starting time after it becomes clear that the field will not be ready despite the work being done on the field). 2. The initial decision to cancel games may or may not cancel all games for the day. For example, a 6:00 pm game could be cancelled and the 8:00 pm game could still be played. Also, a game on Field #6 may be cancelled and a game on the Minor Field may be played. Please be aware of what games have been cancelled and what games may still be played. 3. On days that it rains, teams that are scheduled to play must send at least two workers, as early as possible and prior to any team activities, to help get the fields ready for play. Anyone else who is available should come to the fields as early as possible to help get the fields ready to play. 4. In deciding whether to cancel a game, the following factors will be considered: (1) the amount of rain and the current condition of the field, (2) the weather forecast (i.e., is additional rain expected?), (3) the likelihood of getting the field ready by the game s starting time, and (4) the amount of help available to get the field ready. 5. As soon as practicable, cancellations and updates will be made available via Pearland Little League s Rainout Hotline ( ), PLL s website, PLL s Facebook page, and text messaging. You must register to receive updates via text messages. 13

14 Special Rules: 1. Substitution Rule Rule 3.03 Note (1) A substitute may be removed from the game prior to completion of his/her mandatory play requirements. 2. Use of an Ineligible Pitcher If it is determined by the Board of Directors that a team used an ineligible pitcher, then the offending team shall forfeit the game in question. A team s use of an ineligible pitcher and the subsequent forfeiture of the game can be protested at any time. In addition, managers will be subject to discipline by the Executive Board whether the violation was protested or discovered at a later time. 3. Continuous Batting Order Rule 4.04 All Divisions will adopt the provision for Continuous Batting Order as outlined in Rule Any player who the Manager declares as ineligible for the game due to illness, injury, or disciplinary reasons may not enter the current game unless game becomes suspended and is resumed at a later date per Rule 4.01(d). A player arriving late to a game may not enter the game once their team s lead off batter has completed their second plate appearance. Should this game become suspended, the player arriving late to the original scheduled game may enter the game per Rule 4.01(d). 4. Regulation VI Pitchers In an effort to improve communication, the announcer shall announce the pitch count after each inning and each pitching change. However, the responsibility to follow the pitching rules rests solely on the manager. 5. Pitching/Catching (PW, Minors, Majors, Juniors) In Pee Wee, Minors, Majors, and Juniors, a player who has played the position of catcher in any part of four innings cannot be used as a pitcher at any time during the remainder of that calendar day. This rule is intended to clarify the official Little League rule regarding pitcher/catcher eligibility 6. PLL Stickers for Legal Bats In order to speed play and minimize disputes, all bats that meet Little League's specifications and standards must have a PLL sticker. A Little League compliant bat that does not have a PLL sticker is still legal, but should be stickered as soon as practicable. 7. Hat Picks Any player not participating in the minimum number of tryouts to be eligible for the draft will be assigned to teams at random by having their names drawn from a hat during the ninth (9th) round in a process that will be determined by the Player Agent. Teams may not draft Hat Pick players before the 9th round. However, in order to 14

15 further ensure competitive balance, the Player Agent shall attempt to become informed about all players who have not tried out and place highly skilled players who have not tried out into the regular draft process. In such circumstances, prior to the draft, the Player Agent will explain the value/skill of these players to all teams. 8. No Draft Requests: Parents may request that their child not be drafted by a coach or manager. The League must receive each request before the end of regular registration. Late requests will not be accepted. Each request must identify the coach or manager by name and must provide a specific reason or reasons for the request. All requests will be reviewed by the Player Agent who will only honor good faith, reasonable, and legitimate requests. If such a request is honored, then the manager or coach will not be permitted to draft that child. The requests will remain confidential. 15

16 Special Rules For The Machine Pitch Division: 1. The pitching machine will be set at 42 miles per hour for the entire game. Before the first game of the day, the Visiting team is responsible for setting up the pitching machine. After the last game of the day, the Visiting team is responsible for returning the pitching machine to Danny's Dugout. 2. Managers and coaches can only make adjustments to the machine s pitch location before each offensive inning. Exception: The umpire may allow adjustment to the machine during an inning if two consecutive pitches are outside the strike zone and the batter does not swing at either pitch. The second pitch outside the strike zone will not count and is a dead ball (i.e., runners cannot advance). 3. The coach pitcher may not coach at any time and may not occupy a position in the dugout. The coach pitcher must never communicate with the batter, another player, manager, or coach. Communication includes non verbal cues (i.e., hand signals). Penalty: The first violation of this rule will be a warning. The second violation will result in the coach pitcher's removal from the game. 4. The coach pitcher must give all fielders the opportunity to play the ball by making every effort to stay out of their way. If a batted ball hits the coach pitcher before being touched by a defensive player, the ball is dead and all base runners, including the batter, advance one base. 5. If the coach pitcher (in the umpire s judgment) intentionally touches a legally batted ball or interferes with any defensive play (including blocking the view of any defensive player), then interference will be called and the batter will be out. The umpire will return all other runners to the last base that was legally touched at the time of interference. Penalty: The first violation of this rule will be a warning. The second violation will result in the coach pitcher's be removal from the game. 6. Three swinging strikes or four pitches will constitute an out; however, batter will continue to receive pitches when fouling off the 3rd strike. All pitches count unless extremely out of the strike zone (umpire judgment). 7. If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine or the electrical cord, the play on the field will be declared dead and the batter will be awarded first base. All other runners will advance one base, including the runner on third base who will score. The offensive team will be allowed one pitch to check to see if the machine needs adjustment. 8. If a thrown (or deflected) ball hits any part of the pitching machine, then the ball will be live and play will continue. The offensive team will be allowed one pitch to check to see if the machine needs adjustment once play has stopped. 9. The umpire will immediately stop play if the ball lands underneath the pitching machine and a safety hazard exists. The umpire will then exercise judgment and award the proper bases to the runners. 10. There is no infield fly rule. 16

17 11. The player fielding the pitcher s position will take his or her position inside the 10 foot pitching circle. He or she can be to the left, or the right, or behind the pitching machine but no closer than the front of the pitching machine legs. The player pitcher will remain with both feet in the pitcher s circle until the ball has been hit or received by the catcher. Penalty: If the pitcher violates this rule, it shall be the option of the offensive manager to accept the play as is or do a complete replay. In the event of a replay, the prior pitch will not count. 12. The Umpire will call time when a player has control of the ball and has stopped the progress of the lead runner. When the Umpire calls time, any runner who has not completely passed the halfway mark must return to the previous base; any runner who has completely passed the halfway mark will be awarded the next base. 13. There are no walks. A batter shall not become a base runner unless he or she hits the ball into fair territory, or the umpire calls catcher s interference. If a pitched ball hits a batter: the ball is dead, the pitch will count (at the umpire s discretion), and the batter will finish his or her turn at bat. 14. Batters are not permitted to bunt the ball. These are umpire judgment calls. Penalty: If a violation of this rule occurs, then the batter shall be called back to the plate, the pitch will count, the ball/play will be declared dead, and no runners will advance. 15. No Stealing Home. The runner on third may not advance on a steal of home, including delayed steals. However, he can advance on passed balls at home plate (when the ball leaves the dirt area around home plate), any dropped return throws from the catcher to the pitcher, or attempted throws from the catcher to any base. 16. All infielders must stay on the infield dirt until the batter has hit the ball. All outfielders must stay in the outfield grass until the ball is hit. On fields with an entire dirt infield, the infielders must not cross the line of the bases until the batter has hit the ball. Penalty: If a violation of this rule occurs, then the offensive manager has the option to accept the play "as is" or do a complete replay in which case the pitch will not count and the runners will return to their prior bases. 17. The Coach Pitcher must feed the ball into the pitching machine in the same manner each and every time. Any attempt to manipulate or alter the ball, the machine, or the flight of the ball will be deemed unsportsmanlike. The umpire may issue one warning, a second violation will result in the ejection of the coach pitcher and the manager. 17

18 Special Rules For The T Ball Division: 1. The batter is allowed a total of three (3) swings. The batter is out if the 3rd swing is a foul ball Measuring Up does not constitute a swing, even if the ball is knocked off the tee. 2. When a ball is hit into the infield, it will be considered a fair ball only if it travels beyond the bunting circle. Balls that come to a stop within the ten (10) foot bunting circle will be considered foul balls. 3. All infielders must stay on the infield dirt until the batter has hit the ball. All outfielders must stay in the outfield grass until the ball is hit. On fields with an entire dirt infield, the infielders must not cross the line of the bases until the batter has hit the ball. The pitcher must have both feet touching the pitching rubber until the ball is hit. Penalty: If a violation of this rule occurs, it shall be the option of the offensive manager to accept the play "as is" or do a complete replay. 4. The catcher must wear a chest protector and a mask/helmet with a throat guard. The catcher must stand in the catcher s circle on the first base side when a right handed batter is hitting and in the catcher s circle on the third base side when a left handed batter is hitting. 5. Bunting is NOT allowed. An intentional bunt is an automatic out. The batter must take a full swing and follow through. Judgment of a full swing will be the Umpire s decision. Tapping the ball is not considered a swing and is not a foul. 6. The tenth (10th) player on a team s defense must be utilized as a 4th outfielder. 7. The Umpire will call time when a player has control of the ball and has stopped the progress of the lead runner or when no other play is being made. When the Umpire calls time, any runner who has not completely passed the halfway mark must return to the previous base; any runner who has completely passed the halfway mark will be awarded the next base. 8. The runner or runners will be permitted to advance at their own risk on an overthrow that remains in play, but not more than one base. 9. Run rule 15 runs after 4 complete innings or 10 runs after 5 innings. The team behind must concede the game. 10. A team may start an inning with any defensive alignment of their choice. Teams are allowed to move players only once per game during an inning. The team must call time and notify the scorekeeper when a move occurs during an inning. The scorekeeper will annotate the book accordingly. If a substitution must be made for issues such as injury, attendance, etc..., then the manager may adjust the defensive alignment while making that substitution. 18

19 Special Rules For The Instructional T Ball Division: 1. There will be no strikeouts. 2. When a ball is hit into the infield, it will be considered a fair ball only if it travels beyond the bunting circle. Balls that come to a stop within the ten (10) foot bunting circle will be considered foul balls. 3. Up to twelve players can be on the field with no more than six infielders (i.e., the traditional infield positions, including the catcher). All infielders must stay on the infield dirt until the batter has hit the ball. One rover position can be utilized immediately behind second base. All outfielders must stay on the outfield grass until the ball is hit. On fields with an entire dirt infields, the infielders must not cross the line of the bases until the batter has hit the ball. 4. The catcher must wear a helmet. The catcher must stand in the catcher s circle on the first base side when a right handed batter is hitting and in the catcher s circle on the third base side when a left handed batter is hitting. 5. Bunting is not allowed. An intentional bunt is an automatic out. The batter must take a full swing and follow through. Judgment of a full swing will be the Umpire s decision. Tapping the ball is not considered a swing and is not a foul. 6. Up to three defensive coaches will be allowed on the outfield grass to verbally instruct defensive players. Other defensive coaches should remain in foul territory. 7. For the hitting team, a coach may be utilized at home plate to assist each batter. First and third base coaches should not leave the coaches boxes to escort players to the next base. 8. The Umpire will call time when a player has control of the ball and has stopped the progress of the lead runner or when no other play is being made. The Umpire will also call time when a player intentionally throws the ball into or through the ten foot pitching circle. When the Umpire calls time, any runner who has not completely passed the halfway mark must return to the previous base; any runner who has completely passed the halfway mark will be awarded the next base. 9. No batter will advance any farther than second base on a ball hit, which was stopped by an infielder or came to rest before reaching the outfield grass. For balls that are hit and reach the outfield grass, the batter may advance as many bases as he/she is able. 10. Unless the player is making an unassisted play at his or her own base (home for the pitcher, second base for the shortstop) the ball must be thrown to another player for a force out. If the ball is not thrown to the base as described above, the runner will be declared safe. 11. Game Time Limits: No inning will start after 55 minutes. The inning in progress will be completed if the visiting team is batting or is ahead in the score if the home team is batting. If there is more than 15 minutes before the next official game time the 19

20 inning should be completed, regardless of score. Any subsequent game will start at the later of scheduled game time or 10 minutes after the completion of the previous game. 12. No more than 4 runs will be scored in any half inning. Any subsequent runs scored on the same play that scored the 4th run will not be counted. 13. There will be no infield warm up. 20

21 Pearland Little League All Star Selection Process The All Star Selection Committee shall consist of the Little League President, the Little League Vice President, the Senior Little League Vice President, and the Player Agent. Step 1: Player Selection During the month of May, the Player Agent will request that each team submit a list of players who wish to be considered for selection to the All Star team. Within seven days of this request, each team s manager must submit (to the Player Agent) a list of players who wish to be considered for selection to the All Star team. Players must be reminded about the time commitment needed for the All Star season and that any absence after the first day of practice will be cause for replacement, at the discretion of the All Star Manager. In order to be eligible for consideration for the 9, 10, 11, or 12 year old All Star teams, the player must be completing his second consecutive PLL spring season, unless the player did not live in the PLL boundary during the prior season or the player can prove an injury prevented his participation during the prior season. The rule will not apply to players in the 2013 All Star season. The Manager and Coach of record of each team in each League (i.e., White or Maroon) will meet in a separate meeting called by the Player Agent with at least seven days prior notice. If possible, the meeting should occur after first place has been decided. At this meeting, the Managers and Coaches of record will be given a list of players who are eligible for All Star consideration. Before voting, the Managers and Coaches should openly discuss the eligible players so that everyone has input on the players being considered for the All Star team. The discussion should help the Managers/Coaches rank the players and provide guidance for the All Star Manager. Any information divulged during this meeting shall remain confidential and must not be discussed outside the selection meeting. After the discussion, each Manager and Coach shall individually complete a ballot that rank orders the eligible players. Each ballot must rank order a minimum of fourteen eligible players and a maximum of twenty eligible players; any ballot with less than fourteen eligible players or more than twenty eligible players will deemed invalid. The players should be ranked based on their abilities with the best player being ranked number one and thereby receiving twenty points (see below). 1 = 20 points 11 = 10 points 2 = 19 points 12 = 9 points 3 = 18 points 13 = 8 points 21

22 4 = 17 points 14 = 7 points 5 = 16 points 15 = 6 points 6 = 15 points 16 = 5 points 7 = 14 points 17 = 4 points 8 = 13 points 18 = 3 points 9 = 12 points 19 = 2 points 10 = 11 points 20 = 1 points Step 2: Tabulating Results After the Managers and Coaches have submitted their All Star ballots, the Selection Committee (Little League President, Little League Vice President, Senior League Vice President, and Player Agent) will tabulate the ballots and create a rank ordered List (with point totals) of the top twenty players, including ties. In order to be considered official and complete, at least two members of the Selection Committee must be present during the vote tabulation. The rank ordered List (with point totals) will be given to the All Star Manager as soon as that Manager is approved by the Board. Step 3: All Star Manager Selection The All Star Manager will be selected by a vote of the Board of Directors in a special meeting called for that purpose. The Board must select the first place Manager as the All Star Manager unless that Manager declines consideration or is ruled ineligible because of poor standing within Pearland Little League (including, but not limited to; unmet financial obligations, recurring poor displays of sportsmanship, etc ). If the first place Manager declines consideration or is ruled ineligible, then the Board must select the second place Manager as the All Star Manager unless that Manager declines consideration or is ruled ineligible because of poor standing within Pearland Little League (including, but not limited to; unmet financial obligations, recurring poor displays of sportsmanship, etc ). If both the first and second place manager decline consideration or are ruled ineligible, then the Board of Directors must select the third place manager as the All Star Manager. The Board will continue this selection process in sequential order of finish (i.e, fourth place manager, then fifth manager, etc..) until an All Star manager is selected. If all managers decline consideration or are ruled ineligible, then the Board of Directors will select a suitable candidate to manage the All Star team. All Managers who are ruled ineligible will be given opportunity to appear before the Board and state their case regarding possible selection as All Star Manager. Once approved, the All Star Manager may select up to two eligible Coaches of record to assist as All Star Coaches. These Coaches must be regular season Managers or 22

23 Coaches of record (a Manager or Coach of record is a volunteer brought before the Board no later than April 15th as provided for in the Tournament Section of the Little League Baseball Rules and Regulations). The eleven and twelve year old All Star Managers will be chosen from the Major Division, the ten year old All Star Manager will be chosen from the Minor Division, and the nine year old All Star Manager will be chosen from the Pee Wee Division. Step 4: Final All Star Team Selection As soon as the All Star Manager is approved by the Board, the Manager will be given the final List of the All Star voting from Step 2 (the List will rank order the top twenty players, including ties, and include the point totals). The Manager may only share this List with approved All Star Coaches. The Manager must select the All Star team from this List. The Manager may, however, select one Wild Card Player who will be an asset to the team, but who was not on the List. Before selecting a Wild Card Player, the Manager must meet with the Selection Committee to justify the Wild Card selection. Each All Star team must maintain a minimum roster size of twelve players. If a player is unable to play for an extended period of time (i.e., broken arm, leg, etc...) and the team falls below the minimum roster size, then the All Star Manager must immediately add a player to the roster. The additional player must be a player who was on the List (of twenty players) that was originally presented to the All Star Manager. The All Star teams will be announced at earliest date provided by Little League Rules. All results and details regarding the All Star Selection Process must remain confidential. 23