WICHITA FALLS YOUNG MEN S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM RULES

Transcription

1 WICHITA FALLS YOUNG MEN S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM RULES T-BALL & 5-PITCH Introduction The Youth Baseball Program is sponsored by the Wichita Falls Metropolitan YMCA. The program is under the direction of the Youth Baseball Committee and is administered by the YMCA. It is financed by the player and sponsor fees. To have fun, win or lose. To develop baseball skills. To foster good sportsmanship. To teach each player how to abide by the rules. To teach each player to work together as a team. PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES GENERAL RULES Demonstrate good sportsmanship on as well as off the field. No profanity or detrimental conduct toward the Youth Baseball Program & its participants. Penalty for non-compliance on above rules will constitute immediate ejection from the game. No use of tobacco in any form by anyone within 25 feet of the Baseball Field playing area. To comply with City ordinances, NO ALCOHOL, DRUGS, FIREARMS, WEAPONS. THE YMCA PLEDGE WILL BE REPEATED BY BOTH TEAMS AT START OF EACH GAME All head coaches and their assistants will submit a yearly application and criminal history and be approved. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO COACH OR ASSIST WITHOUT A CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK. 1 st Coaches Meeting TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 6:00 PM-Downtown YMCA 2 nd Coaches Mandatory Meeting TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 6:00 PM-Downtown YMCA (Each team must have a representative present or forfeit 1 st game) Scorekeepers Meeting T-Ball & 5-Pitch Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.-downtown YMCA T-Ball Umpire Training T-Ball & 5Umpire Practical Tuesday, March 22, 6:00 p.m. Downtown YMCA Thursday, March 24, 6:00 p.m. Lake Wichita Park This program would not be possible without the volunteer coaches who unselfishly give of their time and talents, and the parents who support the program financially. Sportsmanship and equal consideration for all should be the utmost concern: however, because only one team can win, at times the underlying purposes of the program are forgotten by overzealous adults. Harassment of others with malicious or disruptive intent will not be tolerated and will be dealt with by the Youth Baseball Committee. COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Josh Callahan, Sean Sullivan, Beau Reneau, Michael Frazier, Daniel Long, Landon Armstrong, Monte Yancey, David Foster & Brandon Brown. FOR SCHEDULES- & RAINOUTS check online ALL SPONSOR FEES MUST BE PAID BEFORE 1ST GAME - NO PAY/NO PLAY

2 ARTICLE 1 - ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION AND FORMATION OF TEAMS Section 1 - any child residing in Wichita Falls, and/or attending school in Wichita Falls may participate in the Youth Baseball Program providing: 1)player fees are paid, and 2)the following eligibility requirements are met. Any child living outside of Wichita Falls may play in the program on a team composed entirely of players from the same community or attending the same school. Section 2 - if players outside the Wichita Falls area can not field a team they may sign up in the Player Pool and be placed on a team. Section 3 Players can play on any team in the school in which they attend or the school district they live in. EXAMPLE: A child who attends Ben Milam and lives in West Foundation can play for either team. However if there is no team available or the team is full they will placed in the player pool. Section 4 - fees are set by the Youth Baseball Committee. Any child who cannot afford the program fee may apply for a scholarship. (Scholarship forms must be handed in no later than March 1, 2016.) Any contracts received after that date may be assessed a late charge. ARTICLE II - DIVISIONS Section 1 - divisions will be organized by players ages as of MAY 1, 2016 or grade *SEE ARTICLE IV - ELIGIBILITY FOR LEAGUE PLAY, Section 1. T-Ball 5-Pitch 5 and 6 years of age 7 and 8 years of age Section 2 - players may play one year up (age). 5-PITCH ONLY -There will be 2 leagues offered - 1 st year & 2 nd year. To determine leagues the following format will be used (regardless of experience, includes Player Pool placements) More than 4 players of oldest age group team MUST play SECOND YEAR ARTICLE III - DISTRICTING Section 1 - a coach may come from any school district; however, any of the coach s children must play for the school they attend or school district they live in as stated in Article III, Section 1. Section 2 - a head coach who has coached the previous year and has moved - may coach the same team and his/her son/daughter will be allowed to remain on that team. Section 3 For those not on a team a Player Pool will be used to assign players. To be eligible for the Player Pool, all players without a team can sign up online at or come to the Downtown YMCA or Family YMCA during registration dates and fill out a contract and pay the appropriate fee Section 4 - any player Player pooled to a team last year has the option to play for that same team in (Players that were player pooled in previous years and have continued to play for the same team may still remain on that team.) Section 5 - If a PLAYER that was on your roster last season has moved to another school or school district/zone and wants to continue playing for you he/she may do so by submitting a letter signed by the parents & coach to the Youth Baseball Committee for consideration to stay on the original team. This is not a guarantee. If this has not been done then the player will be considered illegal. The responsibility lies solely with the head coach of that team. ARTICLE IV - ELIGIBILITY FOR LEAGUE PLAY Section 1 - each youth must meet the age and district (zone) requirements of the youth s division. Divisions will be organized by players age as of MAY 1, 2016 or GRADE. Age qualification is priority with the exception of children whose birthday doesn t fall within the guidelines and are in the same grade as the rest of their team. These players will be allowed to play with a signed waiver from the principal of their school stating they are in the same grade as the rest of their team mates. This rule only applies for 1 year age difference: Penalty: 1) forfeiture of games in which child played (maximum of 4 games forfeited). 2) dropped from that team s roster, and 3) no reassignment to another team for the remainder of the season

3 ARTICLE IV - ELIGIBILITY FOR LEAGUE PLAY - continued Section 2 - no player may be added to a team after the roster has been turned in without approval of the Youth Baseball Committee and/or the Sports Program Director and/or Youth Sports Coordinator. No youths will be added to a roster after a team s 4th played game. Section 3 - Contracts and rosters will be kept at the Downtown YMCA. No player may participate before contract is filed with the YMCA and fee is paid. After the above is fulfilled, player may play for that team only, unless found to be ineligible because of age or districting. Penalty: Article IV, Section 1. Responsibility lies solely with the coach of that team. Section 4 - players can play concurrently in other programs. We will not work around those schedules once ours is posted. Section 5 - The YMCA has the authority to fill T-Ball & 5-Pitch teams to a maximum of 10. ARTICLE V - SCHEDULES AND POSTPONEMENTS Section 1 - schedules will be available on an announced date. Conflict sheets must be turned in no later than 2 nd Meeting. Teams wanting to move games after schedule has been posted may do so by paying a $50 fee and contacting the opposing team and reschedule the game themselves. Teams must notify the Sports Director of the changes at least 48 hours in advance. Schedules will be Section 2 - any team forfeiting two games without 24 hour advance notification will be dropped from the program. Section 3 - in inclement weather the head coach will receive a text message if games are cancelled. If games are cancelled you can check online or call within 36 hours for reschedules - it will be the coaches responsibility to acquire this knowledge. Once rainouts are declared - no 2nd games will be played as well. Section 4 - Field Conditions: Pouring rain, soggy/wet field conditions, dangerous lightning, weather warnings - no game. Field Supervisors may cancel games at anytime - they will also have the authority to run games as scheduled (weather watches are not basis for cancellation of games). If a team leaves the field and the game has not been called because of any of the above by the Supervisor or umpires - that team will forfeit. If both teams leave the field, without the above applying a double forfeit will be declared. Section 5 - Rain-out procedure: games rained out will be considered complete if: T-Ball & 5-Pitch - 3 complete innings or 2 ½ if home team is ahead IF THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF INNINGS HAS NOT BEEN REACHED THEN THE FOLLOWING APPLIES: Games will be considered suspended and will start where it left off with the original players and umpires if available. when a game is tied and has been rained out and the required number of innings for a complete game were played then it will be recorded as a tie. Section 6 - THE YMCA HAS SOLE AUTHORITY TO RESCHEDULE ANY AND ALL GAMES. Decisions concerning completion or rescheduling of interrupted games will be made as soon as possible after all facts have been reviewed. No decisions will be made on the spot. Head coaches are responsible for contacting the Sports Program Director and/or Youth Sports Coordinator for rescheduling. Section 7 - Postponements and rainouts will be played as soon as possible regardless whether it causes back to back games or 2 games on one day. Back to back games and/or double headers will be scheduled only when absolutely necessary. VI - UNIFORMS Section 1 - T-Ball and 5-Pitch teams must use YMCA shirts. Coaches shirts and any extra shirts are optional at a cost of $15 each, NEEDS TO BE PAID WHEN ROSTER IS TURNED IN. Section 2 - any exceptions to the T-shirt rule: will be non-protestable if team obtain a written excuse from the Sports Program Director and/or Youth Sports Coordinator by 3 pm of their scheduled day to play. absence of YMCA logo late uniforms duplication of numbers other exceptions Section 3 - no steel or sharp-edged spikes. Penalty: immediate removal of spikes

4 ARTICLE VII - PLAYING RULES The current National Baseball Congress Rules govern all play except for the following modifications: Section 1 - Field Dimensions: T-Ball 55' bases 30' pitching rubber (player must be on 40 ) 5-Pitch 55 bases 40 pitching rubber Section 2 - OFFICIAL GAME Home team is designated on schedule - Home team must provide official scorekeeper and home plate umpire. T-BALL: official starting time will be 6:00 P.M., & 7:00 P.M. teams MUST give up fields no later than 7:00 P.M. & 8:00 P.M. Since standings are not kept and score does not need to be kept - games end officially after 5 innings have been played or you have reached the start time of next scheduled game. 5-PITCH: 5 innings and/or 1 hour. No new innings will begin after 1 hour. Time is noted when 3rd out is called. If an inning has started both teams may bat provided home team is behind. If the game ends in a tie, it will be recorded as a tie, if it has a bearing at the end of the season a decision will be determined by: Head to Head, Run Differential, Coin Flip. Section 3 - GAME TIME will start immediately following the pledge. The umpire or official scorekeeper will go his/her watch or cell phone. Start time will be noted on score sheet. Section 4 - a Line-up with players last name and their numbers must be presented to both scorekeepers before the game. This same line-up must be presented to the umpires prior to the pledge. Umpires will then check this list with players present and give this list to the official scorekeeper. Any players not present and listed by Game Time will be scratched from the score sheet and may be added to the roster as a substitute at the discretion of the coach. Late players may enter the game at any time but must notify umpire and scorekeeper before entering. Late players must play the required playing time. Section 5 - scheduled game time is forfeit time. Teams must have 8 to start, continue, and end. If neither team has at least 8 players at their scheduled game time - double forfeit. Section 6 - batters and runners must wear batting helmets at all times. The helmet must fit securely or a chin strap will be required. Players intentionally throwing helmet off while running will be declared out. Section 7 - Catcher must wear: T-Ball helmet with mask, chest protector, shin or soccer guards 5-Pitch helmet with mask and throat protector, chest protector, shin or soccer guards Section 8 - if a player(s) becomes sick after the game starts and cannot continue, the head coach must notify the scorekeeper, the opposing head coach, and the umpires immediately. The player(s) is then removed from the line-up for the remainder of game with no penalty (automatic out). If the player remains in the line-up - an automatic out is taken in the batting order until he/she can return. There will be no automatic outs if team shows up with 8 players. Section 9 - only players, coaches (limit 4), and a bat person are allowed on the field and in the dugout. Spectators must stay behind the fence or 30 ft. from the baseline where there is no fence. Defensive coaches must stay in the dugout while the ball is in play. All players must remain seated in the dugout on the bench during play. Section 10 - only head coach may approach umpire for conference. Penalty: 1 st time warning, 2 nd time an out will be assessed at their turn at bat. If it occurs and there is no turn at bat left - possible ejection with next game suspension. Section 11 - all official score keepers will maintain a position behind the backstop, must keep score for both teams Section 12 - all players present will bat in order of the line-up. No substitution is allowed in the batting order. Section 13 - there is no Infield Fly Rule Section 14 - free substitution for field players, all batters must bat and remain in original batting order. Section 15 - overthrows that leave the playing field - runners shall be awarded the base they were going to, plus one. Overthrows staying on the playing field or inside the assumed extension mentioned above, runners may advance at their own risk. Call is made when the ball crosses the assumed extension not when it is released Section 16 - a tenth defensive player may be used. Position must be as an outfielder, outfielders cannot touch the infield dirt until the batter hits the ball. Penalty: offensive team has choice to 1) re-bat or 2) take results of play

5 ARTICLE VII - PLAYING RULES- continued Section 17 - positions for all defensive infielders except catcher and pitcher: all infielders must play behind an imaginary line stretching from 1st base to 3rd base across the infield. Section 18 any rule not noted with a penalty possible forfeiture of game. Section 19 - Umpires & base coaches cannot physically assist players. Penalty: Automatic out. Section 20 An appeal must be made to the umpire in charge, by the head coach if he/she feels the base runner missed a base. Section 21 Bats T-Ball can use up to a 2 ¼. 5-Pitch can use big barrel bats must have official USAAA stamp. ARTICLE VIII - EJECTIONS Section 1 - control of the games will be the responsibility of the umpires. if a player needs to be warned - they will be warned at the time of the infraction as well as the umpire calling time-out and informing the coach of the infraction. If there is a 2 nd warning the player will be ejected (must immediately move to the bleachers behind home plate). If there is a 3 rd warning the team will immediately be issued a forfeit. if fans exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct, could result in a forfeit. coaches or spectators ejected from ball games must immediately leave the complex. All ejections carry an automatic next played game suspension (cannot attend game nor be in complex) and a possible appearance before the Youth Baseball Committee. anyone who cusses at/to an official of the YMCA Youth Baseball Program (umpire, scorekeeper, supervisor, committee member, staff, coach) will automatically be suspended (cannot be at complex during ball games) for the next 6 playable games and must appear before the committee. if a threat is made to an official (as defined above) or his/her property, that person will be suspended for the remainder of the season and be required to appear before the committee. all ejections will be noted on score sheet and signed by umpire. Section 2 - Any coach having disciplinary problems with players during a game can bring it to the umpire-in-chiefs attention and at that time a decision will be made on the playing status of said player. A player being removed for a disciplinary reason is not allowed to re-enter the game. Substitution for this player will follow ARTICLE 7, same as a sick/injured player. If you only have 9 players then you will receive an out. Any further action taken has to be approved by Sports Director. CHILDREN CONTINUALLY MISSING PRACTICES - Coach needs to talk to parent first and then if that doesn t work, he could sit the child out for a game. This needs to be approved by Sports Director first. ARTICLE IX - PROTESTS Section 1 - Protests will be allowed for eligibility only. General Information After February 1, 2016 the rules will stand as written throughout the season. Interpretation of these rules is up to the Youth Baseball Committee. The Committee has the right to make decisions on situations not specifically covered in these rules. All teams MUST police their area (dugout and stands) immediately after their game. Penalty: forfeit of next game. Players must warm up in area away from spectators TEAM FEES: T-BALL $ PITCH $

6 SPECIFIC RULES: T-BALL 1. Home team bats second. Visitor bats first. 2. All players present will bat in order of roster each team will bat their complete line up. Then opposing team will bat all of their line up. If a team only has 8 players, they will only bat Each batter is allowed 5 attempts to hit the ball into fair territory. Coaches will be allowed but not required to pitch to the batters for no more than 3 pitches then the player will be required to use the T-stand if they have not hit. When the coach is pitching the following are considered swings: swing and a miss foul ball ball does not fully cross the 10' circle When hitting off the tee the following will be considered swings: swing and a miss foul ball tapped ball that falls off the tee hitting or knocking tee down ball does not fully cross 10 circle 4. A foul on the 5 th swing is a strike and the batter is out. 5. If the bat makes contact with ball and the T falls down, it will be considered a hit if the ball leaves the circle in fair territory. 6. At the completion of a play the ball will be returned for placement on the T or back to the coach by the umpire. 7. There will be a 10' circle drawn around home plate. A batted ball must go beyond the circle in fair territory- or it will be a foul ball. A batted ball has to go beyond the circle before it can be fielded. If the batted ball is fielded before it is completely out of the circle a dead ball is called, does not count as strike, and all runner(s) return to their original bases. If a batted ball leaves the 10' circle and rolls back into the circle, it is considered a foul ball. 8. THROWN BAT if a bat is thrown with enough force that it completely leaves the circle, then the batter will be called out. Dropping or carrying the bat outside the circle will not be considered a thrown bat. 9. Runners may leave their bases when the ball is hit. Penalty: runner(s) is out if leave base(s) too soon. 10. The defensive pitcher must have at least one foot on the pitching rubber until the ball is hit. 11. When time is called - each runner must return to the base he/she last touched (in the case of a lead runner - last base he/she touched with all following runners going back). Time is called (except on last batter) when: the ball is thrown from a defensive player toward home and it crosses the 10' circle or the foul lines between 3rd/home and 1st/home thus stopping time. EXAMPLE: runner from 3 rd going home, the ball is thrown by a defensive player and the ball enters the circle before the runner steps on home plate. The runner must go back to 3 rd base since time was called before the runner attained home plate. the ball is carried into the circle by the defensive player thus stopping time EXCEPTION: play begins, bases loaded, time is called - forced runners will advance as there is NEVER ANY PLAY ALLOWED IN THE CIRCLE. 12. The defensive team may have an outfield coach. This coach must stay in the grass at all times. This coach may give instruction, encouragement, directions, etc. If the coach interferes with any play the umpires will immediately call a dead ball. All runners will be awarded the base they are going to plus one. If there is a second interference - the team loses their privilege of an outfield coach for the remainder of the game. 13. NINTH BATTER. Play will be considered stopped, and the inning ended when a defensive player throws the ball inside the circle around home plate, or if the ninth batter throws the bat out of the circle NO PLAY WILL BE ALLOWED EVER INSIDE OF THE CIRCLE. If a runner enters the circle before the ball the Run counts

7 SPECIFIC RULES 5-PITCH 1. NO COACHING OF RUNNERS ALLOWED BY PITCHING COACH ON FIELD. PENALTY: runner(s) coached is out. Defensive player playing pitcher s position must position him/her self on one side or the other in line with the pitching rubber. 2. All players present must play at least 3 consecutive outs in the same inning in the field. Exceptions will be granted if a game is shortened because of the time limit, or a game is shortened by the umpire(s) because of unplayable conditions pitch coach must pitch over hand with at least 1 foot in contact with 40 pitching rubber. 4.The batter is allowed 5 pitches to hit the ball. A foul ball on the 5 th pitch is an out. 5. A ½ inning will be either 3 outs or 6 runs whichever occurs first. Run Rule per game 15 runs after 3 innings and 10 runs after 4 innings. 6. Once a runner is on base he/she cannot lead off until the ball is hit or he/she will be called out. Runners cannot be picked off nor can they steal. 7. Courtesy Runner A courtesy runner for the CATCHER is optional with less than two outs and REQUIRED with two outs. The intent is to not slow the game down in between half innings. 8. The drawn circle serves one purpose: THROWN BAT if a bat is thrown with enough force that it completely leaves the circle, then batter will be called out. Dropping or carrying the bat outside the circle will not be considered a thrown bat. 9. TIME IS CALLED WHEN: runner has stopped advancing on his own or a defensive player has stopped him/her from advancing. 10. BUNTS NO BUNTS ALLOWED 11. Scorekeepers from either team may bring it to the home plate umpire s attention if wrong batter is batting by: asking the home plate umpire for a time out and telling him/her. 12. Each team has to furnish one umpire. Home Team supplies the umpire behind the plate and the official scorekeeper. 13. First year 5-Pitch may have an outfield coach. The coach must stay on the side line. This coach may give instruction, encouragement, directions, etc. If the coach interferes with any play the umpires will immediately call a dead ball. All runners will be awarded the base they are going to plus one. If there is a second interference the team loses their privilege of an outfield coach for the remainder of the game. 14. BATTING OUT-OF-ORDER Best one. Wrong batter is caught while batting replace with correct batter (assumes same count) Wrong batter bats, next batter up to plate, NO PITCH YET anything that happened during wrong batter s turn is nullified (called back), wrong batter is out (the batter who was to have batted loses turn), the next batter bats. Wrong batter bats, next batter has at least one pitched ball everything stands as is. 15. BATTED BALL a. A batted ball that hits the 5-pitch coach before passing a defensive player, the ball will be considered dead and will be a NO PITCH. b. A batted ball that is first touched bya defensive player and then hits the 5-Pitch coach is considered a live ball. c. A batted ball that hits an umpire is considered a live ball. d. A thrown ball that hits a 5-pitch coach or an umpire is considered a live ball. 16. RUN RULE Each team is allowed 6 runs per inning. Exception: Home run hit out of the park- all runs count. END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT - Top 3 teams from each division will be eligible for play offs. It is a simple elimination tournament with the seeding as follows: Top 3 in National League will be seeded as #1-3, and top 3 American League will be seeded as #4-6. When there are ties in division standings involving teams eligible for play-off positions. Seeding for end of season tournament will be determined by: Head to Head, Run Differential between teams involved, and Coin flip. AWARDS: End of Season Trophies will be awarded to 1st & 2nd place