BRISBANE METRO. Competition Rules

Transcription

1 BRISBANE METRO Competition Rules Oct th Edition To be used in combination with the: BQI Baseball Rules and GBL Bylaws Aussie T-Ball, Rookie Ball U12 Little League Minors Date created: More information: Craig McIver, President Greg Morriss RDC Version: 10.0

2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction to Brisbane Metropolitan Baseball Inc Rules Terms Sponsor Signage The Competition Affiliation Fees Registration of Players Teams PONAG guidelines The Playing Field Playing Equipment Protective Equipment General Playing Rules Playing Time Pitching and Catching Batting Sportsmanship Coaching Umpiring Offensive Behaviour Participation/Score Cards & Scorers Protests Appeals Points Table Wet Days Home club Responsibilities Eligibility of Players for Finals Finals (semi-final, final or grand final) (U12) LITTLE LEAGUE Baseball Rules (League Competitions) Tee Ball Rules Venues & Contacts Brisbane Metro Committee 2014/

3 1 Introduction to Brisbane Metropolitan Baseball Inc Rules These rules are an incorporation of the Brisbane Metropolitan Regional By-Laws and are based on the official Baseball Queensland Inc Baseball Rules, issued 30 July 2014 (see and the Official Baseball Queensland/ Greater Brisbane League Bylaws, issued July 2014 (see Please notify any discrepancies to the Brisbane Metro secretary (see Metro Committee List at clause 28). These Brisbane Metro rules are effective from 16 September Terms ABF BQI Brisbane Metro club GBL Little League Minors PONAG RDCPD QBUA SQBL umpire Australian Baseball Federation Baseball Queensland Inc Brisbane Metropolitan Baseball Region Inc and all competitions run by it Affiliated clubs of Brisbane Metro and if the context requires, a club executive, coach, manager or other person acting on behalf of a club Greater Brisbane League U12 Brisbane Metro competition Playing outside natural age group Regional director of coaching and player development Queensland Baseball Umpires Association South Queensland Baseball League QBUA and if the context requires, a person acting in an official umpiring capacity 3 Sponsor Signage Sponsorship signage on uniforms is permitted. Anything resembling a baseball is prohibited. All sponsors names; size and placement of the signage must be endorsed by BQI and BMBRI. 4 The Competition The competition will be run by the Brisbane Metro committee. 5 Affiliation Fees 5.1 Players must be registered with BQI and Brisbane Metro before they may play or practice. 5.2 Any club which fails to pay Brisbane Metro any affiliation or other registration fees due to Brisbane Metro within 60 days of the date of any invoice shall be deemed to be unfinancial until the outstanding affiliation or other registration fees are paid. 5.3 Any club which is unfinancial shall not be permitted to participate in any Brisbane Metro competition for as long as the club remains unfinancial. Any games scheduled for a club which is unfinancial shall be considered to be forfeited by that club. 3

4 5.4 If a club is unfinancial, Brisbane Metro will immediately inform BQI of that fact and the club will be noted on the BQI Black List. 6 Registration of Players 6.1 Clubs must register with the Brisbane Metro Registrar (see Brisbane Metro committee list) every player who intends to play for the club in any T-Ball, Rookie Ball or Little League competition run by Brisbane Metro and the team that they will play on, by a date to be advised on the Brisbane Metro website, and/or by to the club secretaries. Registration must include: relevant player details as required by Brisbane Metro; the name of the team each registered player is to play for. 6.2 Relevant player details must include the following for each player: full name; date of birth; and any relevant PONAG information. 6.3 If a player who is not registered with Brisbane Metro takes part in a game in the Brisbane Metro competition, that player s name and date of birth must be entered in the comments section of the scorecard on the day of the game. Formal registration by their club must reach the Brisbane Metro Registrar within 7 days of the game in which the player participated. It is the responsibility of the club to make sure this section is complied with. Otherwise, the club will be fined FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00). 6.4 If a club allows a player to participate in any game in any Brisbane Metro competition in an age group outside of the player's natural age group without prior PONAG approval, the offending club will be fined $100 for each game in which the player participates outside of the player's natural age group. The onus is on clubs to sight and photocopy original proof of age of all players. Failure by a club to sight proper proof of age does not excuse a club under this rule. 7 Teams 7.1 Clubs must register their teams participating in the Brisbane Metro competition by a date to be advised on the Brisbane Metro website, and/or by to the club secretaries, including a list of players on each team. Clubs have four weeks from the first round of the relevant competition to finalise players for their teams. Clubs may also be directed to re-balance their teams should Brisbane Metro deem it necessary. 7.2 Where a club has more than one team in the same division of a competition there will be no interchange of players between those teams except to prevent a forfeit (i.e. to fill a minimum player requirement). A borrowed player is not allowed to pitch or catch. This rule does not affect the use of players from lower age groups or lower competition standards, who are guided by PONAG form restrictions. 7.3 Where a club has more than one team in the same division of a competition, Brisbane Metro expects the club to enter teams of equal strength, so as to make for a better competition (see BQI Bylaw 1.10). 7.4 Players registered to play in any Little League Majors competition are not permitted to play in Little League Minor games. Infringements of this rule will result in the offending team forfeiting the points for the relevant game. As per paragraph 7.1 clubs have four weeks from the first round of the relevant competition to finalise players for their respective teams. 4

5 7.5 Players who, under BQI Baseball Rules are Type 2 PONAG players, are not permitted to also play on a team within their natural age group. A breach of this rule will result in the offending team forfeiting any points for any relevant game. 7.6 The minimum number of players to begin any Little League game is eight (8). The minimum number players to begin any T-Ball or Rookie Ball game is six (6). When less than the minimum number of players are available, every reasonable attempt must be made by both teams to ensure that a development game can be played even if this means borrowing players from an opposing team. In Little League games where one team cannot field the minimum number of players within five minutes of the scheduled game time, the result will be recorded as a forfeit against the offending team, regardless of the outcome of the development game. If a T-Ball or Rookie Ball team does not have enough players for a game, a match is to be played by way of merging both teams to an equal number of players. Remember, there are no points involved in these competitions. 8 PONAG guidelines There are no PONAG approvals required for players moving between T-Ball or Rookie Ball. 9 The Playing Field AGE GAME BASEPATHS PITCH DISTANCE CENTREFIELD BASES U8/U10 T-BALL 60 FT 46 FT 150 FT 170 FT REMOVABLE U8/U10 ROOKIE BALL 60 FT 46 FT 200 FT 220 FT REMOVABLE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL 60 FT 46 FT 225 FT REMOVABLE 9.1 As per the BQI Rules for playing fields, all Little League games must have an age specific outfield perimeter of some description (centrefield 225 ft). Even where fields are fully enclosed but the existing fence line exceeds age specific requirements, temporary age specific perimeters must be deployed. Any such perimeter is to be established/installed by the home team. For example: Cones or markers that are clearly seen from home plate. Any batted ball, declared fair, that bounces prior to leaving the field of play, will be ruled a ground rule double. If markers are used to identify the perimeter, the base of the markers forms the limit of the field of play. 9.2 Marking of the fields, including a dead ball line, is the responsibility of the home team. It is recommended that the dead ball line for Little League be between 20 and 35 FT behind home base. 9.3 For home games, clubs must supply adequate shade in either permanent or temporary dugouts for all teams using their grounds. This is to reduce the time players are exposed to the sun. 10 Playing Equipment 10.1 The home team will supply game balls (two ABF approved baseballs for Little League) and provide all the bases, including the pitching rubber and home plate. The plate umpire will make the final decision on the game balls if these are in contention. 5

6 10.2 Safety/Injury Reduction balls will be used for T-Ball, and Rookie Ball games, and standard baseballs for Little League Bats for use in Little League must comply with international Little League guidelines, and any composite bats must be on the approved list of bats (see ). Teams must carry proof that any composite bats are on this list and must make that proof available for the umpire to see if requested. Note that non-composite bats do not have to appear on the list of licensed bats, as long as they meet Little League specifications (see for more information). As per BQI rules, there are no restrictions on T-Ball, and Rookie Ball bats. 11 Protective Equipment Protective cups are MANDATORY for ALL players (male and female) at all times during games. It is the responsibility of a coach to ensure all players comply with this requirement. 12 General Playing Rules 12.1 It is recommended that fielders be rotated through various positions, especially pitching and catching and from the outfield to the infield. Note for Little League, consistent with the BQI rules, if players have played the outfield at any time in two successive games, they must then play their next full game entirely as an infielder. For dispensation from this rule, clubs must contact the RDCPD who will decide on dispensation from this rule The imminent play rule - If a play is imminent, runners must slide at 2 nd and 3 rd bases and home plate. At home plate, the runner must slide feet first. Note: An imminent play is defined as: A fielder or catcher, while receiving or retrieving the baseball is physically able to touch the base or home plate with normal effort. Penalty for not sliding in the correct manner on an imminent play: The runner shall be called out for interference. All other runners return to the base they were previously occupying When a team is seven (7) or more runs ahead of the opposition, runners on the leading team will only advance on a hit, walk, or wild pitch/passed ball. Runners on the leading team will not advance by stealing, and may not score on a wild pitch/passed ball. The runner will be sent back to third base if this occurs. The purpose of this rule is to encourage additional runs to be batted in, and to provide greater opportunity for the fielding team to obtain outs from forced plays Players MUST start and play a full game in at least 25% of the teams officially scheduled games. Strategic coaching replacements are not encouraged, as they detract from player development Each player named in the line-up or on the bench MUST play at least 50% of the time allowed for that junior fixture. NOTE: A 5 minute leeway either side of the time will be granted. If the time for the change over of players is in the middle of a team s offence (at bat) then time is to be called, to make or advise the umpire & scorers of any necessary changes (eg: replace any batter presently on base with a bench player needing to come into the game at the half way mark) &/or any upcoming changes. Score cards (LITTLE LEAGUE) are to note the time the game starts and time(s) when players enter from the bench or leave the game. 6

7 12.6 In the event of an injury or ejection, a team may continue to play with eight players. Also, a team may commence a game with eight players. However, teams are never permitted to have less than eight players on the field at any given time. For Rookie Ball and Little League, there shall be no automatic out for a missing ninth batter Substituted players may re-enter a game in the event of an injury, ejection or a player forced to leave the ground prematurely but, are not permitted to pitch. 13 Playing Time 13.1 The game start and finish times must be recorded on the scorebook and (for Little League) scorecards Games will be considered finished when either the official finish time or the maximum innings, (see table) is reached. The official finish time shall be the scheduled start time plus the maximum game duration (see Table below) regardless of when the game actually starts UNLESS THERE IS NO SCHEDULED GAME FOLLOWING AND BOTH COACHES AND UMPIRES AGREE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME. These rules are necessary to prevent delays in subsequent games on the same field. Example: the official finish time of a Little League game scheduled to start at 8:30 am is 10:00 am, even if the game doesn t start until 8:37. No new innings is to be started within 5 minutes of the official finish time (all age groups). An inning starts immediately after the final out of the previous innings. Any inning started before the expiry of official time will be completed TO A MAXIMUM OF TEN (10) MINUTES PAST THE OFFICIAL FINISH TIME. If the inning has not been completed in this time, then the score will revert back to the last complete innings, unless the HOME team is batting and in front after the time limit has expired. Example 1: The last out for the 4th inning of a Little League game with an 8:30 start occurs at 9:54. The next inning starts, the away team completes the top half of the 5 th inning, but the home team is still batting, and behind in the score, at 10:10. Time and game shall be called, and the score reverts to that at the end of the 4 th inning. Example 2: The last out of the 5 th inning of a Little League game with an 8:30 start occurs at 9:56. Time and game shall be called If the game start is delayed by more than 15 minutes, the game shall be cancelled UNLESS THERE IS NO SCHEDULED GAME FOLLOWING AND BOTH COACHES AND UMPIRES AGREE TO A DELAYED START. If the delay is due to one team not being ready, the team causing the delay shall be considered to have forfeited the game. If the delay is due to rain, the game will be considered a washout. AGE GAME MAXIMUM DURATION MAXIMUM INNINGS NO NEW INNINGS TO START COMPLETE GAME MERCY RULE U8/U10 T-Ball 1hr N/A Within 5 mins of official finish time N/A N/A U8/U10 Rookie Ball 1hr 15mins N/A Within 5 mins of official finish time N/A N/A LITTLE LEAGUE Baseball 1hr 30mins 6 Innings Within 5 mins of official finish time 2 Innings N/A 7

8 14 Pitching and Catching 14.1 No junior player may pitch and catch in the same day In Little League Minors, to encourage greater development of pitchers, a pitcher may only play that position for a maximum of 60 pitches or 6 defensive outs whichever comes first. If six runs are scored in an inning, the pitcher will be credited with any remaining defensive outs (e.g. 3 defensive outs if pitched for the entire inning, 2 defensive outs if came into the game with 1 out in the inning already). A pitcher shall not exceed 30 pitches in one inning (may finish batter). Although coaches must adhere to these rules, coaches must also use their best endeavours to only change pitchers between innings and not part way through an inning. The emphasis for Little League Minors is on player development and rotation. In Rookie Ball, 2nd year players in the second half of the season may pitch a maximum of 35 pitches to their own team In Little League Minors and Rookie Ball a catcher may only play that position for a maximum of 9 defensive outs. If six runs are scored in an inning this is considered to be equal to 3 defensive outs Any breach of the pitching/catching/participation rules will result in the following. Each coach of a team is to be treated on an individual basis. 1 st offence - A written warning to the offending coach requesting their attendance at a Brisbane Metro meeting. Notification of the offence is to be forwarded to the RDCPD. 2 nd offence - A $50 fine to the club and subsequent written warning to the re-offending coach requesting their attendance at a Brisbane Metro meeting and a two game suspension. Notification of a 2 nd offence will be forwarded to BQI and the RDCPD. 3 rd offence Automatic referral to BQI for further disciplinary action In Little League Minors and Rookie Ball the same pitcher may not start in two consecutive games e.g. the starting position must be rotated between different players In Little League Minors and Rookie Ball the same catcher may not start in two consecutive games e.g. the starting position must be rotated between different players 15 Batting 15.1 In Rookie Ball and Little League, the inning of the team at bat will cease when 6 runs have scored. A maximum of 6 runs per inning applies: e.g if a home run is hit with bases loaded and five runs already scored in the inning, only one additional run shall count Once batters have faced a pitch during any time at bat, they cannot be replaced during that at bat, except in the case of an injury to the batter There is no designated hitter for the pitcher in junior baseball In Rookie Ball and Little League all players on the team (up to 12) will appear on the batting lineup and bat in order. The extra batter(s) may appear in any batting position and must enter the game in defence at the half way point. The extra batter(s) will not count towards participation until they appear on the field. The batting position of players may NOT be changed at any point during a game, only the fielding positions are changed. It is recommended that the team s batting lineup be rotated weekly. Clubs should ensure they have scorebooks (to score more than nine batters) and lineup sheets to present at the beginning of each game 8

9 16 Sportsmanship At the conclusion of each game Brisbane Metro asks that each team line up at home plate, walking across the plate to shake hands. Spitting on hands prior to shaking hands with the opposing team, or other inappropriate behaviour or language will not be tolerated. (See Item 17 on Offensive Behaviour) Clubs are encouraged to give weekly sportsmanship awards. The criteria for this award is that the player exhibits outstanding behaviour towards the game, the players on both his own and the opposing teams, the officials, respect for his equipment and an excellent attitude toward the game of baseball. This award is given to encourage the development of good sportsmanship throughout baseball and should be noted on the scorecard. The coach may request an umpire s input when choosing the team s sportsman of the match. 17 Coaching Coaches should adhere to any coaching directives issued by Brisbane Metro or the RDCPD. Repeated violations will result in a written warning to the offending Coach requesting their attendance at a Brisbane Metro meeting. 18 Umpiring 18.1 The home team must provide the home plate umpire plus supply them with a mask, protective gear and a counter. The visiting team will provide the base umpire unless the home team, with the visiting team s consent, volunteers to provide both umpires. 19 Offensive Behaviour 19.1 An umpire has the power to remove any player, coach or team official who behaves in an objectionable manner (eg: for bad language and/or unsportsmanlike behaviour) and will make a report of the name and the offence on the back of the scorecard to be forwarded to the Brisbane Metro registrar. The registrar will report the incident to the Brisbane Metro committee as soon as possible for action Once ejected the player, coach or team official must leave the field, cannot be further involved in that game and must be out of uniform Any player or club official who has been ejected from a game will appear before a Brisbane Metro sub-committee consisting of two representatives (from two clubs not involved in the game), the Brisbane Metro president and the RDCPD. Offenders should be accompanied by a team coach or club official. Failure to appear can result in a further game suspension Coaches and players may not dispute any type of umpiring judgment calls. (eg: Out/safe, ball/strike, or fair/foul) In the event of unsportsmanlike behaviour by a spectator the umpire may: give the spectator a formal warning; or ask the home club's games coordinator to deal with the matter Clubs will be responsible for the behaviour of their spectators. ALL PLAYERS, COACHES, CLUB OFFICIALS AND SUPPORTERS ARE EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO THE AUSSIE SPORT CODES OF BEHAVIOUR. 9

10 20 Participation/Score Cards & Scorers 20.1 Both home and visiting teams will provide competent scorers for each game Score cards (Little League) are to be completed by the home team, signed by the Plate Umpire and submitted to the Brisbane Metro registrar by NOON ON THE WEDNESDAY following the game. Little League Score cards to be scanned & ed to the Brisbane Metro registrar at Scorers are to ensure the scorecard is fully and correctly completed. Signature on the scorecards indicate final acceptance of the outcome of the game by the officials (excepting any protests entered on the card). OFFICIAL SCORE CARDS MUST BE SUBMITTED EVEN FOR WASHOUT GAMES AND FORFEITED GAMES. Cards must still come in for a wash out, heat out or forfeit so the registrar knows what took place Participation cards (T-Ball and Rookie Ball) The home team must complete and submit a participation card to the Brisbane Metro registrar at registrar@brisbanemetrobaseball.org.au by NOON ON THE WEDNESDAY after the game. These cards are necessary to: ensure players participating are registered to Brisbane Metro ensure notifications of injuries; and allow coaches/umpires to make comments on any aspect of the game they may have had rule differences with or player/coach/parent conduct problems or field problems Scorers must sit together. In the event of unresolvable differences in the score, the home team book will be accepted by the umpire as the official score. Scorers (with the exception of informing an umpire or coach when a pitcher is within 10 pitches of reaching their maximum limit) will not take part in the game activities Scorers will show a score of 7-0 on the result card (Little League) when a team has forfeited a game. The team that did not forfeit the game will be credited with a win. However, a scorecard must still be completed, signed and forwarded to the Brisbane Metro registrar Official protests (Little League) must be noted on the scorecard and advised by the protesting team in writing to the Brisbane Metro registrar within 72 hours of the game finish time. 21 Protests 21.1 Protests of any kind shall first be reported to the plate umpire Brief details will be recorded on the scorecard, noting the time of the game at which point the protest resulted (top/bottom of innings, number out, runners, pitch count, batter count, score) No telephone protests will be considered A separate statement detailing full details including game situation etc, should be prepared after the game and forwarded to the Brisbane Metro registrar for action. (Refer Item 20.6 above) 21.5 All protests shall be considered by a Brisbane Metro sub-committee consisting of two representatives (from two clubs not involved in the game), the Brisbane Metro president and the RDCPD These rules are to be adhered to. Any infringements are to be dealt with by Brisbane Metro in the first instance. 10

11 22 Appeals 22.1 Any player, official or club may appeal to Brisbane Metro against any game related decision The president of Brisbane Metro will appoint an appeals committee comprising three or more impartial persons. Members of an appeals committee cannot be affiliated with any of the clubs involved in an appeal Appeals must be in writing and must state clearly the grounds for the appeal. Failure to do this will invalidate the appeal. Appellants must lodge appeals, together with a $ fee, within two working days after notification of any game related decision. Appeals should be forwarded by to the Brisbane Metro secretary Brisbane Metro will make every effort to expedite the outcome of any appeals to ensure fairness to all concerned. Brisbane Metro will hear appeals within seven days of receipt of an appeal and the appropriate fee Any penalty imposed shall be suspended until a decision on the appeal is made by the appeals committee Brisbane Metro will refund the $ fee after an appeal is upheld Brisbane Metro will retain the $ fee after an appeal is denied. 23 Points Table 23.1 Any Little League competition shall use the win/loss percentage system to decide standings. Win/loss percentage is derived by dividing games won by the sum of (games won + games lost), then multiplied by 100. Should any two or more teams be tied for first, second, third or fourth positions after completion of fixtures, the Registrar shall allocate places using the following criteria: a) Head to head for the teams for the season. b) Then runs against, head to head for the season. c) Then runs against overall for the season Where byes exist or there are an uneven number of completed games in Little League Minors, the win-loss percentage will average out the ladder order. Every effort will be made to schedule an equal amount of games for all Little League teams in any Brisbane Metro competition If a game is played, the game results will stand even where some or all of the other games in that grade in that round are washed out. 24 Wet Days 24.1 Where possible, games should be played even if it requires the venue to be changed to the opposition s grounds. If the opposition ground has been offered by 7 pm on the day prior to the scheduled game and the original hosting team refuses to play, the opposition team shall be credited with a forfeit win If the home club s ground controller considers the ground is unplayable they shall advise the contact person for the opposition club by 7am at the latest on game day. 25 Home club Responsibilities 25.1 Provide clean facilities for players, officials and spectators, including shaded dugouts for 11

12 both teams and shaded table for the scorers. Clubs must be aware of their duty of care Provide canteen facilities (hot/cold food and drinks) at the ground Provide protective gear for the plate umpire. 26 Eligibility of Players for Finals 26.1 A player who has qualified in a lower grade (played a minimum of 25% of games for their club throughout the season) may be used in a higher grade semi-final, final or grand final if higher grade players are unavailable. Teams are not permitted to interchange players between teams of the same grade, or use players from a higher grade (e.g. LL Majors) for a lower grade (e.g LL minors) finals game,and will present the team line up to the Brisbane Metro registrar or his/her proxy for verification PRIOR to the game. Failure to field eligible players will result in a forfeit for the offending team(s) To be eligible for finals (semi-final, final or grand final), players must have played in a minimum of 25% of games for their club throughout the season, and may not have played more that 25% of their games at a higher grade. Special circumstances and exceptions may be considered on application to the Brisbane Metro committee. If teams do not have 9 players available, U10 players may play up according to the PONAG process which applies to the regular season. 27 Finals (semi-final, final or grand final) 27.1 In the event of wet weather 3 complete innings shall constitute a game If the game cannot be played for any reason, the registrar will reschedule the game for the following week, if the season schedule permits. The final decision on the scheduling of finals games rests with the Brisbane Metro competition committee. In the event a finals game cannot be rescheduled, then the team with the higher standing on the ladder shall be declared the winner In the event of a rescheduled Little League Minors Grand Final then being declared a washout, the team with the higher standing on the ladder shall be declared the Grand Final winner Game times for Little League Minors finals shall be the shorter of a maximum of 2 hours or 6 innings. A new inning can commence up to the expiry of the official finish time. Any inning started before the expiry of official time will be completed, with no time limit. A mercy rule of 10 runs will apply after 4 innings. (NOTE CHANGE IN THESE RULES FROM REGULAR SEASON PLAY) If tied at the scheduled completion time, the game shall be played until a result is achieved to a maximum of 6 innings in Little League Minors 27.6 In Little League Minors, if the game is still tied after 6 innings the result of the game shall be declared in favour of the team who have had the most runners on third base; if still tied, the team with the most runners on second base; if still tied, the team with the most runners on first base. If the game is still tied, it is to be replayed at a later date Any breaches of pitching/catching/participation/registrations in finals will result in a forfeit by the offending team Home Team. For all finals, the team with the higher standing on the ladder shall be the home team Game Balls. Each team is to supply one game ball and have a second on hand if needed. 12

13 28 (U12) LITTLE LEAGUE Baseball Rules (League Competitions) For Minor League Divisions of LITTLE LEAGUE refer to Official Rules of Baseball and Official Little League Rules. Rules that are frequently questioned are included below for convenience. Exceptions to the rules are highlighted below BATTING There is no dropped third strike rule in Little League Baseball. i.e if the catcher drops the third strike the hitter is automatically out 28.2 STEALING BASES and ADVANCING ON PASSED BALLS/WILD PITCHES In Little League Minors, no base runner may leave the base until the ball crosses home plate or forced to by the Batter. Players may then advance at their own risk regardless of whether the catcher controls the pitched ball or not. Subject to these rules and in particular rule 12.3, players MAY advance on a passed ball, MAY come home on a wild pitch/passed ball, and MAY steal once the ball has crossed home plate. Players shall not steal if their team is ahead by seven (7) or more runs. Runners on the leading team will not score on a wild pitch/passed ball if their team is ahead by seven (7) or more runs. The runner will be sent back to third base if this occurs INFIELD FLY RULE Infield fly rules applies in Little League Minors games. ( An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule. The batter-runner is out and the ball remains alive. Runners may advance at their own risk ) 28.4 COACH PITCH/SOFT TOSS If the count upon a batter in Little League Minors reaches ball four, the Coach Pitch/Soft Toss rule will come into effect. The Batter retains the strike count but the ball count is reset to 0. The intent of this rule is to encourage batters to attempt to hit player-pitches. The following shall apply:- The coach of the batting team shall deliver a flat trajectory Pitch from the pitching plate or in front of it. The umpire will still call balls/strikes. The fielding team s player pitcher must take up a position behind and to one side of the coach pitcher. If the coach pitches four balls from the pitching plate, then the coach shall deliver a Soft Toss Pitch. When delivering a Soft Toss Pitch, the Coach must be on the foul line. The batter shall take his or her stance. The batter cannot bunt. The catcher must take up a position in the catcher s box. The batter retains the strike count and the Coach must pitch a Soft Toss Pitch. The batter can strike out. All fouls on a Coach Pitch/Soft Toss are strikes except after two strikes, when all fouls shall be called foul. The ball must travel at least 5 metres from the home plate. If the ball fails to travel this distance, it shall be called a foul ball. 13

14 There is no Stealing allowed during Coach Pitch or running on passed balls. When a Coach Pitch/Soft Toss is being made, the runners are not permitted to take a lead. A Coach Pitcher hit by Batted ball will result in a dead ball, batter receives First Base for the hit and all Runners return to previous base unless forced to advance. There can be no Out of any base runner made on the play. A batter who achieves a safe hit from a Coach Pitch/Soft Toss shall not run more than one base. Any runners on base may not advance more than one base. The batted ball will remain in play. The intent of this rule is to encourage batters to hit pitches from the opposition pitcher LL MINORS RUNNERS It is contrary to the spirit of Little League for a coach to teach or encourage a player to deliberately take advantage of a fielder with a low skill set by running the base paths or taking a lead in a way that encourages fielding errors. 29 T-Ball Rules 29.1 GENERAL DURATION OF GAME Max 60mins MAXIMUM RUNS SCORED PER INNING 6 Runs Both coaches are to meet prior to the start of the game and confirm the official time. Teams may field as many players as any opposing team, but no more than 12; and bat up to 12 players in any given game. Players that exceed the normal nine, MUST occupy fielding positions in the outfield. It is important to note that at this age level, all emphasis should be on games and modified games that are used to help develop basic motor skills T-BALL PLAYING RULES BATTING a) The home plate umpire is to suspend play by calling Time before requesting Batter Up. Batters then assume their position in the batter s box. Batters cannot hit the ball until the umpire calls Play Ball. b) A batted ball is in play when it is hit off the tee and passes over the 15 feet fair ball line. Otherwise it is considered a foul ball. A MARKED LINE SHOULD INDICATE THE 15 FOOT AREA. c) The batter will continue his time at bat until the ball is hit into fair territory. Note: No strikes will be called on the batter. BASERUNNING d) Base stealing is prohibited. e) Runners may not leave their base until the batter makes contact with the ball. f) Runners may not advance beyond the base they are approaching on the call of time. Time may only be called by the umpire once the ball is in the possession of a player in the infield and it is deemed that no other plays will reasonably take place. g) NO runner(s) including the batter/runner, may advance beyond the base they are approaching in the event of an overthrow. 14

15 h) Runners approaching a base occupied by a fielder in possession of the ball are to be given out. This eliminates the need for, but does not preclude the tagging of a runner. FIELDING i) A fielding pitcher is not considered an infielder. Infielders must assume their initial fielding position behind the basepaths. Outfielders must be well behind their infielders before play can resume. An appropriate distance is approximately 5 metres behind the infielders. j) The catcher is to be approximately 3 metres directly behind home plate and in front of the umpire. k) Pitchers must throw the ball to get an out. If this does not occur the batter/runner shall be awarded the base that they are running to. Coaches are to encourage ALL fielders to throw the ball to a teammate rather than independently running to a base to execute the force out. l) The Infield Fly rule (see rule 2.00 of the Official Rules of Baseball) does not apply to U8 Tee Ball. Therefore, if any fly ball is caught by an infielder, the batter is out, the ball becomes dead and NO runner(s) may advance or be put out. m) On overthrows at any base, the ball is automatically declared dead. NO runner(s) including the batter/runner, may advance beyond the base they are approaching T-BALL COACHING a) Coaches are only permitted on field if positioned behind their infielders. When on field, coaches may not physically touch a hit ball, or a player in the act of fielding. Penalty: Batter/runner is awarded first base; all other runners advance one base only. b) In accordance with Item 16.2 in General Coaching, no debates on ANY calls are permitted. c) Coaches must wear at least the club uniform shirt and cap and be neatly attired at all times. Open faced shoes of any type, are prohibited. No league or statistical data will be kept of tee ball games. 15

16 30. Venues & Contacts Hendra All Stars Bannister Park Wet Weather Contact Gerler Rd & McIntyre St John Moore Hendra Q 4011 Mob: Ph: (07) Pine Hills Lightning Wet Weather Contact James Drysdale Reserve Brooke Fraser Jinker Track Mob: Bunya Q 4055 Ph: Ph: Carina Red Sox Wet Weather Contact Clem Jones Sports Centre Alex Henderson Creek Rd & Zahel St Mob: Carina Q 4152 Ph: (07) Windsor Royals Wet Weather Contact Holloway Field Justin Craig Market St Ph: Newmarket Q 4051 Ph: (07)

17 31 Brisbane Metro Contacts 2014/2015 Brisbane Metro President Craig McIver Mob: Brisbane Metro Vice President Craig Roberts Mob: Brisbane Metro Treasurer Ian Rodin Mob: Brisbane Metro Secretary Paul Hope Mob: Brisbane Metro Registrar Gavin French Mob: Brisbane Metro State Councillor Mark Blaskovich Mob: Brisbane Metro State Councillor Scott McTavish Mob: Brisbane Metro RDCPD Greg Morriss Mob: Little League Scorecards to be scanned & ed to the Brisbane Metro registrar at BY NOON OF THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY please. Brisbane Metro Mailing Address: 17