USCAA BASEBALL PROGRAM

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1 USCAA BASEBALL PROGRAM RULES and REGULATIONS Revised October 31, 2015 Purpose The purpose of the USCAA s Baseball Program is to provide an opportunity for children of township residents to learn and play baseball. The emphasis of the program is to create a recreational and instructional environment in which the participants can have fun, learn to play the game and enjoy the experience of a team sport as well as to provide an opportunity for select players to compete in a more competitive travel baseball environment The recreational league format is structured to allow the participants to progress through the various levels of the sport. Instructional team play begins at the Training League (6, 7, and 8 year olds) and competitive team play, including playoffs is introduced at the Minor League level (9 and 10 year olds.) AT ALL TIMES THE RECREATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM WILL REMAIN THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE WITHIN THE COMPETITIVE FRAMEWORK OF THE LEAGUES. Balanced playing time for all recreational participants is stressed and exposure to infield and outfield positions is encouraged. Minimum playing time, in terms of innings played is established for all age groups and must be adhered to by all managers. (See specified rules for each league.) Eligibility and Registration Children of current residents of Upper St. Clair Township are eligible to participate in the USCAA Baseball Program. USC resident registration for the Baseball Program occurs through on on-line process on the uscaasports.org website. As part of registration, the parent and player acknowledges that USCAA does not carry medical insurance and acknowledges reading and abiding by the Parent Code of Conduct. Any false or misleading information provided during the registration process, particularly regarding the residence or the birth date of the participant, will affect the child s eligibility for USCAA s Baseball Program and the parents eligibility to participate in other USCAA programs. Birth certificates will be required for any registrant whose birth date on the registration form is not consistent with previously submitted data or other available records or information. 1

2 A fee per participant will be established by the Recreation Baseball Commissioner each year and payment occurs via credit card during the on-line registration process. A registration deadline is established by the Recreation Baseball Commissioner each year. Any baseball registration request beyond the registration deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to placement on a waiting list if there are no openings. High school baseball players on the Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams are eligible to play. Baseball registrants who are also participating in the USCAA Spring Soccer program must abide by the following rules: 1.) On Monday through Saturday, a baseball game has precedence over any soccer activity. 2.) On Sundays, a Soccer game has precedence over baseball. 3.) A game in one sport has precedence over a practice in another sport. Age Groups Boys and girls are eligible to participate in the USCAA Baseball Program and will be comingled. The USCAA Baseball Program uses the April 30 th cut-off date to determine the baseball eligibility age for each player. Players will be grouped based on their date of birth and baseball eligibility age into one of the following leagues: 6-7 year olds Beginner Training League 7-8 year olds. Advanced Training League 9-10 year olds Minor League year olds.. Major League year olds. Pony League year olds. Colt League year olds. American Legion Seven year olds must have one year minimum baseball experience to play in the Advanced Training League. Players cannot play in a younger age group than their age would indicate, unless approval is granted by the Recreation Baseball Commissioner on the basis of a player s physical limitations. 2

3 Players are permitted to play-up 1 year of age, with Commissioner approval, but in doing so would not be eligible to play on any USCAA Travel Baseball team during the year. The only exception to this rule is a rising 7 th grader is permitted to play in USCAA s Pony League and would be eligible to play on the 13 year-old Travel Baseball team, and then would be eligible to play on the 14 year-old Travel baseball team the following year. Program Administration The USCAA Board of Directors appoints a Recreation Baseball Commissioner and Travel Baseball Commissioner who, respectively, are responsible for the overall administration of the Recreation and Travel Baseball Programs. Such responsibility includes, but is not limited to the following: 1.) Registration of eligible participants 2.) Financial control of revenues and expenditures 3.) Equipment requirements including uniforms, balls, etc. 4.) Field permits for practices and games and field assignments 5.) League structure and age groupings 6.) Umpires and umpire coordinators 7.) Compliance with rules and disciplinary procedures 8.) Disciplinary actions 9.) Clinics for managers, coaches, umpires and or players 10.) Travel team policies, including Cooperstown eligibility 11.) Financial hardship assistance The Recreation Baseball Commissioner will select, on an annual basis, individuals to act as a League Director and Assistant League Director for the various Leagues, subject to USCAA Board approval. Upon approval of the Recreation Baseball Commissioner, a League Director may be permitted to manage in the league in which the person is a director if other desirable manager options are not available. An Assistant League Director does not have any limitation and is permitted to manage. The Commissioner may appoint one or more Assistant Baseball Commissioners from the USCAA Board to assist in the administration of the program. League Director Responsibilities Each League Director is assigned the following responsibilities within their league: 1.) Formation of teams as determined by the size of the league The League Director will recommend the appropriate number of participants in each league based on player registrations. Every player must be assigned to a team if he or she has appropriately registered. Late registrants will be included on a team if space is available. A waiting list will be maintained by the League Director in the order in which the registrations are received and players will be placed on teams from the waiting list if and when space becomes available. 3

4 2.) League Balance The League Director will strive to achieve competitive balance among all the teams within the league. Players will be distributed among the various teams based on their ratings from prior years, previous baseball experience or other known facts about the playing ability of the child. Every effort should be made to divide the talent equally among the teams to avoid unusually strong or weak teams. If possible, each team should have an equal number of similarly rated and experienced players. 3.) Manager Selection For the USCAA baseball recreation program, the League Director will identify individuals who have noted on their child s registration form or otherwise indicated a desire to manage or help coach a team. The Recreation Baseball Commissioner will meet with each League Director to discuss selection options for manager from the available pool of volunteers. Priority will be accorded to Managers who satisfy the following criteria: a. Meet the USCAA Background Screening Policy and General Guidelines b. Have demonstrated good sportsmanship and mature behavior in handling young people. c. Have exhibited a proper understanding of the purpose and objectives of the Baseball Program. d. Have the potential to enhance the Baseball Program, in general, and contribute to the positive development of the participants, in particular. e. At least one manager/coach with proper background screening must be in attendance at each event, practice or game. The coaches who have obtained this clearance are posted on the USCAA website to enable parents to verify this is occurring. The Recreation Baseball Commissioner will present Manager selections for all leagues to the USCAA Board of Directors for approval prior to notification of the managers. 4.) Scheduling Each League Director will schedule all practice and regular season game dates as well as All-Star games and Playoff games as their respective league dictates. Directors will assist managers in rescheduling of rain-outs. No games or practices will be held on muddy fields or when lightning is present. 5.) Fields (Boxes and Equipment) Each League Director will distribute uniforms, equipment, baseballs and first aid kits. Field boxes will be stocked by the League Directors will the following: field white field dry bases batting helmets batting helmets field liner umpire s equipment (Minor and Major) rake 4

5 6.) Disciplinary Problems The League Director will provide a report to the Recreation Baseball Commissioner of any dispute or game forfeiture that occurs within his/her league. Such report should be communicated (verbally or in writing) as soon as possible after the dispute or incident arises in that the problem can be resolved as quickly as possible. Disciplinary problems involving an umpire s action/decision which occurs during or after games should be reported by the umpire to the Umpire Coordinator. The League Director will be advised promptly of any disciplinary problem that has occurred within his/her league, however; all such matters will be adjudicated by the Disciplinary Committee, consisting of the Recreation Baseball Commissioner, the League Director of the age group involved and one other among the Travel Baseball Commissioner, Assistant Baseball Commissioner, or other League Director from the baseball program. Umpire Coordinator The Minor League and Major League Directors will appoint individuals on an annual basis to act as Umpire Coordinator and whose duties will include: 1.) Maintaining a list of umpires to officiate the games and scheduling said umpires for all games. 2.) Maintain a schedule of field usage for the purpose of rescheduling rain-outs. 3.) Along with the League Director, ensuring that the performance of umpires measures up to acceptable standards. This may require periodic evaluations either directly or with the aid of game reports from Managers or the League Director. 4.) Providing guidelines and assistance to umpires to ensure that they are fully aware of their responsibilities and the rules of the league which they umpire. 5.) Prompt reporting to the League Director of any and all game misconduct or dispute. 6.) Reporting and accounting of the umpire fees. Umpires Minor League the umpires are young people just learning the role and rules of umpiring. Once the games begin they are in charge. There is to be no arguing with or questioning of balls and strikes with the umpires. Their development is a key ingredient to the baseball program, thus post game constructive discussions with the umpires are appropriate and encouraged. Major League the umpires are young people who have typically spent 2 seasons umpiring in the minor leagues. Once the games begin they are in charge. There is to no arguing with or questioning of balls and strikes with the umpire. Their continued development is important to the quality of the program, thus post-game constructive discussions with the umpires are appropriate and encouraged. The Pony League (13 and 14 year olds) will use an Umpire Association as chosen by the Pony League Director and the Recreation Baseball Commissioner. The umpire coordinator for the Umpire Association chosen to officiate our games will act as liaison to the Pony League 5

6 Director in all matters concerning the Pony League: (Financial, Disputes, Disciplinary problems and Scheduling.) Disciplinary Committee The Disciplinary Committee will consist of 3 members of the USCAA Baseball program. The Recreation Baseball Commissioner as Chairman, the League director for the age group involved in the disciplinary problem, and one other among the Travel Baseball Commissioner, Assistant Baseball Commissioner, or other League Director from the baseball program. The Committee will address any incident relating to a manager, coach, player, and fan or team misconduct before, during or after a game. Any abuse of umpires by a participant in the Baseball program will also be reviewed by the Committee. Incidents involving playing time disputes, game forfeitures, or league standings will normally be handled by the League Director and only referred to the Disciplinary Committee if the USCAA Code of Conduct is violated. The Disciplinary Committee will determine the appropriate action to be taken against any participant who exhibits behavior detrimental to the purpose and objective of the USCAA Baseball Program. Actions that result in suspension and or ejection from the program will be presented to the USCAA Board of Directors. The suspension could be enforced against multiple sports programs. Recreational Program Playing Rules and Regulations 1.) Beginner Training League 6-7 year olds (Season: early April through mid-june) Governing Rules (in order of priority) A.) USCAA Training League Rules B.) Little League Baseball Rules USCAA Rules: - Coaches pitch - All players are in batting order. The batting order should rotate each game. - Six inning games - Ten players play in the field. No player should sit out 2 innings in a row - No player should sit out a 2 nd inning until all players have sat out 1 inning - No player should play more than 2 innings per game in any one position and players should be rotated between the infield, outfield, catcher, and pitcher as much as possible, however, Coaches should consider the safety of a player in any given position based on his or her abilities. - 5 run rule per inning - No stealing The Beginner Training League is a recreational program with emphasis on participation, fun and instruction on the fundamentals of baseball. Standings and won/loss records are not maintained and there are no playoffs. 6

7 2.) Advanced Training League 7-8 year olds (Season: early April through mid-june) Governing Rules (in order of priority) A.) USCAA Training League Rules B.) Little League Baseball Rules USCAA Rules: - Coaches pitch - All players are in batting order. Batting order should rotate each game. - Six inning games - Ten players must play in the field - No player should sit out 2 innings in a row - No player should sit out a 2 nd inning until all players have sat out 1 inning - No player should play more than 2 innings per game in any one position and players should be rotated between the infield, outfield, catcher, and pitcher as much as possible, however, Coaches should consider the safety of a player in any given position based on his or her abilities. - 5 run rule per inning - No stealing The Advanced Training League is a recreational program with emphasis on participation, fun and instruction on the fundamentals of baseball. Standings and won/loss records are not maintained and there are no playoffs. 3.) Minor League 9 and 10 year olds (Season: late March through mid-june) Governing Rules: (in order or priority) A.) USCAA Minor League Rules B.) Little League Baseball Rules USCAA Rules: - All players are in batting order - Six inning games - A first year player (9 year old) must pitch a minimum of 2 (two) innings per game - No player should sit out 2 innings in a row - No player should sit out a 2 nd inning until all players have sat out 1 inning - No player should play more than 2 innings per game in any one position and players should be rotated between the infield and outfield as much as possible. All players are encouraged to try pitching and catching during the season based on individual capabilities, but this is not mandatory. Coaches must also take into consideration the safety of a player in any given position based on his or her abilities. - Stealing of 2 nd or 3 rd base is permitted only after a pitched ball has passed the plate. Leaving early will constitute a team warning for the first infraction and a recorded out for any subsequent infractions. In both cases, the runner is required to return to the base player left from. -.There is no stealing of home - 10 players in field (4 outfielders) No Rover 7

8 - 5 runs maximum per inning - Teams should have a minimum of 8 of its own players for a game Pitching rules include: Pitchers are limited to (2) innings per game. 9 year olds must pitch a minimum of 2 innings per game per team Through May 31, a called strike wipes out previous balls. Beginning June 1, standard Little League pitching rules apply. The May 31 date may be revised to an earlier date during a season as determined by the Recreation Baseball Commissioner. If a pitcher hits 3 batters in a game, or 2 in one inning, the pitcher must be taken out A team that is short on players can call-up players from a pool of Advanced Training League players. These added players may not pitch and must bat at the end of the order. Playoffs: All teams are eligible for the playoffs (single elimination) Teams will be seeded based on regular season standings. 1 st & 2 nd place teams will receive trophies This is a recreational and instructional program. The emphasis is on participation, fun and the fundamentals of baseball. 4.) Major League 11&12 year olds (Season: late March through mid-june) Governing Rules: (In order of priority) A.) USCAA Major League Rules B.) Bronco Rules USCAA Rules: - All players are in batting order - Six inning games - A first year Major League player (11 year old) must pitch a minimum of 2 (two) innings per game - No player should sit out 2 innings in a row - No player should sit out a 2 nd inning until all players have sat out 1 inning - No player should play more than 2 innings per game in any one position.. - Stealing of 2 nd or 3 rd base is permitted only after a pitched ball has passed the plate. Stealing of home is only permitted if a play is made on a runner at 3 rd base. (Ex.) If a runner is stealing 2 nd and a play is made on that runner going to 2 nd, the runner may continue to 3 rd, but cannot go home unless a play is also made at 3 rd base on the runner. Any runner in advance of the runner the play is being made on may not go home, unless a play is then made on that runner at 3rd. Stealing of home on a wild pitch, for example, is not permitted. - Teams should have a minimum of 7 of its own players for a game. A team that is short on players can call-up players from a pool of Minor League players. These added players may not pitch and must bat at the end of the order. Pitching: 8

9 Pitchers are allowed a maximum of 3 innings per game, and a maximum of 3 innings in two consecutive days. If a pitcher hits 3 batters in a game, or 2 in one inning, the pitcher must be taken out Playoffs: All teams are eligible for the playoffs (single elimination) Teams will be seeded based on regular season standings. 1 st & 2 nd place teams will receive trophies This is a recreational and instructional program. The emphasis is on participation, fun and the fundamentals of baseball. 5.) Pony League 13 & 14 year olds (Season: late March through mid-june) Governing Rules: (in order of priority) A.) USCAA Pony League Rules B.) Pony League Rules C.) Official Baseball Rules We do not use PA High School Rules. All players bat/bat order USCAA Rules: 7 inning games 10 run rule in effect Metal spikes are permitted Avoid contact rule in effect All players are in the batting order. All players must play a minimum of 4 innings. No player should sit out 2 consecutive innings in a row. A team that is short on players can call-up players from a pool of Major League players. These added players may pitch but must bat at the end of the order. Pitching: Pony League Baseball Rules One balk warning per pitcher per game through mid-may upon instruction of the League Director. Then balks will be called and no warning will be applied Pitchers are allowed a maximum of 4 innings per game, and a maximum of 4 innings in two consecutive days. If a pitcher hits 3 batters in a game, or 2 in one inning, the pitcher must be taken out There is no mandatory requirement to pitch a 13 year old each game. Playoffs: All teams are eligible for playoffs (single elimination) Teams will be seeded according to their regular season record Championship will be decided in best of 3 World Series 1 st and 2 nd place teams will receive trophies 9

10 This is a recreational and instructional program. The emphasis is on participation, fun and fundamentals of baseball. Protest Procedures. Managers/Coaches All managers are subject to the USCAA Background Screening Policy, USCAA Baseball Rules and Regulations, principles and rules of the game of baseball, and must abide by them. Managers should pay particular attention to the minimum playing time rules for their league. Violations in this area will be handled by the League Director and referred to the Disciplinary Committee if necessary. Managers are responsible for the actions of their coaches, players, player s parents, and team spectators. This includes language, use of equipment and general conduct. Managers and coaches must adhere to the specific rules set forth in the USCAA Code of conduct of Managers and Coaches. Smoking is not permitted on playing field or dugout bench area. Alcohol on the breath is cause for ejection. Only players, managers and coaches are permitted in the dugout/bench area. A manager can have up to two coaches and 1 scorekeeper assisting him. Mangers who encounter unruly spectators or parents are expected to attempt to defuse the situation. An umpire has the right to eject a manager for the unsportsmanlike behavior of the team s spectators. Managers are expected to quickly defuse any altercation between players, between players and umpires, coaches and umpires and between coaches and players. Managers are not to argue with umpires or question balls and strikes. They are to tell their coaches, players and fans not to do so either. Post-game constructive discussions with young umpires are appropriate and encouraged. Concerns about any particular umpire should be directed to the League Director. No player, coaches, or fans are permitted behind the backstop while the game is in process. Managers should assist the umpire in enforcing this rule. Any manager, coach or player who is ejected from a game is automatically suspended from the next game. Further sanctions may be considered if required. Managers should immediately report any incident or misconduct to the League Director. Players Only registered players will be permitted to play and they must play on the team to which they are assigned. The exception is the pool of players available for call-up from a junior league. Players must wear the uniforms provided by the USCAA. Alterations to the uniforms (i.e. adding names or numbers) is not permitted. 10

11 Batters and base runners must wear protective helmets. Catchers must wear protective helmets with face masks, chest protectors, shin guards and protective cups. Abuse of equipment will be cause of ejection by the umpire following a team warning. Players with minor injuries can continue to play with parental permission. Misconduct-any player ejected from a game is automatically suspended from the next game. All Star Games Minor League, Major League and Pony League programs will hold All-Star games. All All-Star games will be played prior to the end of June. All Stars will be selected by their teammates by secret ballot. No substitutes will be permitted for the All-Star games. The number of players chosen from each team in each age group will vary from year to year based on the number of teams and players in each league. While the number of participants may vary, the selection process will remain the same. The guidelines for the all-star games will be determined by the League Directors and the Recreation Baseball Commissioner. The guidelines include the following: 1.) Number of games for each age group 2.) Number of players from each team and age group 3.) Distribution of players to the All-Star teams 4.) Managers for the games 5.) Fields, dates and game times Managers are not to be involved in the selection of All-Stars, nor are they to persuade players to vote or not vote for any particular player. Traveling Baseball Purpose - The purpose of the Traveling Baseball Program is to provide skilled players an opportunity to compete at a higher level. Fees The Travel Program is paid for with fees assessed to the participants as determined by the Travel Baseball Commissioner. No team will be permitted to buy special uniforms or hats other than those provided by the USCAA. No team may alter the official uniform by adding names, insignia or any other item without prior approval from the Travel Baseball Commissioner. Age Groups Travel Teams are fielded for the following age groups: - Training League 7 year olds - Training League 7 andf 8 year olds - Minor League 9 year olds - Minor League 10 year olds 11

12 - Major League 11 year olds - Major League 12 year olds - Pony League 13 year olds - Pony League 14 year olds A second team or B Team, and in select circumstances a third C team, may also be selected as long as player and parental participation are available. For travel teams 12 and younger, A and B Travel teams are allowed to enter 5 tournaments (including the USC sponsored tournament). C travel teams are permitted to enter 4 tournaments. Teams seeking alternative arrangements need approval of the Travel Baseball Commissioner. Travel Commitment Time Period: In November or December each year before the upcoming summer travel baseball season, the Travel Baseball Commissioner will set the exact dates specifying the travel commitment time period (considering items such as the school district calendar and USC s Kennywood Day) and will post these dates on the USCAA website. o As a guideline for family planning purposes, in general, for the 7-12 year old travel teams, travel practices will formally start about June 15 each year, and obligatory player participation for games and practices will begin about June 21 and will extend to July 31 each year. The tournaments begin at the end of June and will run through the end of July. Once the travel teams are selected, the players will be practicing or playing games virtually every day of the week and weekend. Therefore, it is important that each of the players and their parents understand what a large commitment it will take in order to participate on a travel team. o For the year old travel teams, the travel program will begin on a date generally in late April or early May and end no later than July 31. o The travel teams selected for the core summer travel will remain in effect until the travel selection process the following year. Travel Manager Selection The League Director will choose among the applicants, managers for all travel teams in his age group with participation and agreement of the Travel Baseball Commissioner. The Travel Baseball Commissioner will then present all Travel Team Manager selections to the USCAA Board of Directors for approval. Travel Team Player Selection 1.) To be eligible for selection to an A or B Travel Team, a player must have played in the USCAA in-house program. This player is only eligible for the travel selection if he or she has participated in a minimum of 70% of in-house complete games played. Players nominated for the travel selection must make a 100% commitment for the travel season described as the Travel Commitment Time Period Any player that played up an age group is not eligible to play travel, except those players noted earlier for Pony League baseball. 2.) For the Training League, travel teams will be formed based on a tryout evaluation conducted by evaluators who do not have affiliation with players trying out. The tryout will include evaluation of hitting, fielding, base running, and throwing during the tryout. The League Director working in conjunction with Travel Baseball Commissioner will 12

13 tally the results of the evaluation to form the travel teams. For the 9, 10, and 11 year old travel teams, the League Director will hold a meeting of all in-house managers by no later than early June to select the travel teams. Each in-house team manager will discuss his own players in each age group (i.e. a Minor League manager will discuss his 9 and 10 year olds). Managers will express their opinions on the capabilities of each interested and eligible player. The other managers are encouraged to offer their comments regarding each player being discussed from the pool. Once all the players in an age group have been presented, the League Director will ask for a private ballot vote of the players, ascribing a ranking of 1 for the best player, a 2 for the second best player, and so on. All ballots must be signed by each manager. Managers are not permitted to vote for players from their own in-house team. In coordination with the Travel Baseball Commission, the League Director will tally the results of the ballots to form the travel teams. For selection of the 12 year old travel teams, both a tryout and in-house manager meeting will be used with each rating accounting for one-half weight. The tryout will be conducted by evaluators not affiliated with players trying out. The tryout will include evaluation of hitting, pitching, fielding and throwing, catching, and base running during the tryout. The League Director will tabulate the two sets of evaluations, and communicate the results to the Travel Baseball Commissioner to form the travel teams. For the 13 and 14 year old teams, a tryout will be conducted by evaluators not affiliated with players trying out. The tryout will include evaluation of hitting, pitching, fielding and throwing, catching, and base running during the tryout. The League Director working in conjunction with Travel Baseball Commissioner will tally the results of the evaluation to form travel teams. Spring Travel At the start of the regular recreation season, USC spring travel teams will be formed consisting of players from the prior year s summer travel teams. The age groups playing Spring Travel will be the 9 s, 10 s, 11 s, and 12 s which is based on the age group they will be playing in during the current recreation season. For the Training League and Minor League travel teams, a targeted 12 players will be selected for each team. For the Major League travel teams, a targeted 11 players will be selected for each team. For the Pony League travel teams, the teams will target between 11 and 13 players for each team. The actual size of each travel team will be based on the pool of available players at each age level. Final approval of the final size of each team will be determined by the Travel Baseball Commissioner. League Directors and the Travel Baseball Commissioner will handle all concerns of the travel program. The Travel Disciplinary Committee will consist of the Travel Baseball Commissioner, the League Director of the age group involved, and either the Recreation Travel Commission or an Assistant Baseball Commissioner. USCAA intends to host both A and B baseball tournaments at the Morton Field Complex for 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 year old travel baseball teams. The Travel Baseball Commissioner is responsible for setting the tournament dates, budget, and tournament fees. The A and B travel baseball managers for each age group will be the Tournament Directors for the USC tournaments, and are responsible for communications with prospective team managers and contacts, selecting teams appropriate for our tournament, creating the tournament schedule, organizing volunteers to run and operate the tournament, 13

14 and admirably representing USC in hosting the tournament. All visiting teams to the USC tournament will be expected to register through the uscaasports.org website. The Travel Baseball Commissioner ultimately has final approval on all teams seeking to join the USC tournament. Additional Programs Colt League The Colt League is for 15 to 17 year old players. The season starts after the High School season has been completed (approx. mid May) and runs through the middle of July. This is not an in-house league; we will play against Colt League teams from other townships. The Travel Baseball Commissioner will select a league for the USCAA Colt Teams to play in. The Commissioner will also select a Colt League Director whose duties include but are not limited to: - - representing USC at Colt League meetings - assignment of players to teams - selection of managers (subject to USCAA approval) Tryouts, if needed, will be held in early May and all players that register will be notified as to the tryout schedule. Any player not making a team will have his/her registration fee refunded in full. The number of Colt League Teams we field in any given year will depend on the total number of registrants. Players who register for Colt are not guaranteed a spot of a team. If a player is not selected to play on a Colt team, a full refund is provided. The targeted Colt Team size will consist of 12 to 14 players. All participants in the Colt League program (managers, coaches, players, parents) are subject to the USCAA Baseball Rules and Regulations and the USCAA Code of Conduct. American Legion The American Legion is for 17 to 19 year old players. Players who turn 20 at any time during the current calendar year of the baseball season are not eligible per American Legion baseball rules. The season starts after the High School season has been completed and runs through the end of July. We are registered in the American Legion-Allegheny County West League and by American Legion rules can field 1 team from USC. The Baseball Commissioner will select a manager each season with final approval from the USCAA Board of Directors. The American Legion Manager and Baseball Commissioner will select players based on player interest, commitment, and baseball performance during the spring high school (or college) baseball season. USC varsity players have first priority. USC players who register for American Legion are not guaranteed a spot of the team. If a player is not selected to play on the team, a full refund is provided. The American Legion team is permitted to roster 18 players for the season. A typical roster would consist of 14 to 16 American Legion age players and 2 to 4 Colt players who could be called up when needed. All participants in the American Legion program are subject to the USCAA Baseball Rules and Regulations and the USCAA Code of Conduct, as well as American Legion Baseball Rules. 14