9/10 Year Old League Rules September 2015

Transcription

1 9/10 Year Old League Rules September

2 Contents 100. EQUIPMENT REGULATION GAME/TIME LIMITS THE PLAYING FIELD OFFENSE DEFENSE PLAY STOPPING APPEALS AND PROTESTS MISCELANEOUS PITCHING RULES GAME CONDUCT

3 BASEBALL & 10 YEAR OLD This league of Shades Mountain Park is organized as a baseball program for youth ages 9 & 10. The rules set forth below shall govern all play. PLAYERS AGE Participation in this league shall be open to any approved youth who is either 9 or 10 years of age on April 30 of the current year. Playing up in an older league is not allowed except for the player to play with his or her grade level or in other extenuating circumstances as determined by the Board in its sole discretion EQUIPMENT 101. All players must wear a numbered baseball uniform. A uniform consists of a cap, shirt, pants and stockings. Shirts must be tucked inside pants. Team uniforms should be the same color. T-shirts (sleeves) of not more than two colors may be worn with the uniform. Pitchers may not wear T-shirts with white sleeves showing NO METAL CLEATS SHALL BE ALLOWED All batters and base runners must wear a pressure type protective batting helmet with protective facemask with full earflaps. A player refusing to wear the protective helmet, after being warned to do so by the umpire, will not be allowed to continue as a player in the game. The substitute will assume the ball and strike count if the player was a batter, or will take his position on the base he occupied if he was a base runner All offensive players will wear protective headgear with face shield when outside the dugout All base runners shall wear protective headgear with face shield. Any base runner that intentionally causes his headgear to fall off while running the bases shall be called out Catchers must wear a protective cup and throat protector Catchers must wear a protective helmet or plastic cap with, or attached to, the mask and full catcher s equipment while on defense The official baseball shall be approved by Shades Mountain Park Board of Directors The bat shall be an unaltered regulation baseball bat (not softball) made of either one piece wood or an approved alloy. Bats shall conform to all requirements set forth on the Shades Mountain Park website. Such requirements may be adjusted from time to time. 3

4 110. Any player warming up a pitcher shall wear a catcher s mask and protective cup; there shall be a protective player within close proximity of the pitcher and catcher wearing a batting helmet to protect the catcher and pitcher while they are warming up REGULATION GAME/TIME LIMITS 201. A regulation game should consist of six (6) full innings No inning may start later than one (1) hour and forty (40) minutes from the official time announced by the umpire and recorded by the scorekeeper in the official score book. For the first game of the day, the clock will start at the time when the game is scheduled to begin (weather permitting). In all subsequent games, the clock will start with the first pitch to a batter. The call of the third out in the last half of an inning shall constitute the start of the next inning In the event a game is halted or delayed before completion due to rain, darkness, protest, tie, or any other cause, it must be resumed from the point of termination when the game is rescheduled by Shades Mountain Park officials, with as nearly the same lineup as possible. WARNING: DO NOT VIOLATE ANY PITCHING RULE In the event of rain, a game shall be considered complete after four (4) innings, three and one-half (3 1/2) if the home team is ahead. For games called due to rain during the fifth and sixth inning, the official score shall be that of the last completed inning unless the home team is at bat and ahead, at which time the score at the time of termination shall be the final score If a team is leading its opponent by at least ten (10) runs after four (4) innings have been played, or three and one-half (3 1/2) innings if the home team (2nd team to bat) leads by at least ten (10) runs, the game shall be terminated and the team in front declared the winner If, after the completion of six innings, the score is tied, one additional inning will be played as long as there is (1) any time left when the 3rd out is made in the bottom of the sixth inning and (2) it is prior to the scheduled starting time for the next game. Otherwise, the game will remain a tie. The game may not need to be continued if it is determined unnecessary for league standings and both head coaches agree. 4

5 300. THE PLAYING FIELD 301. First and third baselines shall be sixty-five (65) feet from the point of home plate The distance from the point of home plate to second base and from first base to third base shall be ninety-one (91) feet eleven (11) inches The pitching distance shall be forty-six (46) feet from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber The home run distance should be 185 feet. The maximum home run distance shall be 250 feet The height of the pitching rubber above the level of home plate shall be raised by a gradual slope to six (6) inches. The strike zone shall comply with major league rules Mound area and batters boxes are to be raked after the last practice/game. Tarps are to be folded and put in the storage rooms when not in use All SMP equipment is to be put in storage rooms after the last practice/game. Lock the storage rooms and Press Box Dugouts are to be cleaned after each practice/game, remind parents to clean bleacher areas Field lights are to be turned off. Do not rely on the timer switch OFFENSE 401. The batting order shall consist of all players on each team. Players will bat in continuous order beginning with the leadoff batter. If one team is unable to field the required number of players for the scheduled game, that team will be forced to forfeit a game The batting order may not be changed once the game has started. Late arrivals must be placed at the end of the batting order. No outs will be recorded for an injured player who cannot bat. An injured player who returns to the game must return to his/her original position in the batting order An inning is over once three outs have been recorded or eight (8) runs for 10 Year Old League and six (6) runs for 9 Year Old League have been scored. The next batter in the lineup, following the last batter of the inning, will lead off the following inning Base coaches shall remain in their coaching boxes at first base and third base at all times, unless player safety dictates otherwise. 5

6 405. If an offensive coach physically assists a baserunner while the ball is in play, the runner will be called out Year Old League only: The runner shall be called out and a no pitch called if a runner leaves the base prior to the pitch reaching the plate Runners shall be called out for sliding head first while advancing to a base. Diving headfirst back to the last base is permitted Sliding is required! Any runner is out when he/she does not slide or attempt to avoid the fielder who has the ball in the proximity of the base and is waiting to make the tag or where an attempt at a play is eminent due to the ball being in the immediate vicinity of the base. This is a judgment call and is not appealable. If contact is made with the fielder and in the umpire s judgment the contact by the runner is deemed to be malicious, the runner is out and shall be ejected from the game Dropped third strike. A batter shall be out on the third strike even if the catcher fails to hold the ball (except in the case of a foul tip). The batter is out and base runners may advance at their own risk Infield Fly. The infield fly rule does apply in both leagues Late arrivals after the game has started must be added to the bottom of the line-up Any runner is out when he/she does not slide or attempt to avoid the fielder who has the ball in the proximity of the base and is waiting to make the tag. If contact is made with the fielder and in the umpire s judgment the contact by the runner is deemed to be malicious, then the runner is out and shall be ejected from the game Headfirst sliding into the next base is not permitted and runner shall be declared out; headfirst sliding back into a base is permitted Three (3) strikes is an out, even if the pitched ball is dropped Year Old League: 10 Year Old League players may lead off and steal bases as per the official rules of baseball. 9 Year Old League: 9 Year Old League players may not lead off but may steal bases. Any 9 Year Old League base runner leaving the base before the ball reaches home plate is out (umpire s decision). The ball is considered dead and a no pitch. If a runner misses a base, it will be an appeal play to the umpire Slashing is prohibited. Slashing is the act of faking a bunt stance, then resetting a taking a swing at the pitch. Faking a bunt is legal as is pulling the bat back from a bunt stance. However, taking a swing afterwards on the same pitch shall be illegal, and it is an umpire s judgment call. If it is ruled a slash, the batter shall be automatically out and no runners shall be allowed to advance. 6

7 Year Old League: There will be 8 runs max per inning for the offensive team. In the last inning, the visiting team will not bat if they are losing by more than 8 runs and the game will be called. 9 Year Old League: There will be 6 runs max per inning for the offensive team. In the last inning, the visiting team will not bat if they are losing by more than 6 runs and the game will be called A batter cannot be out of the batter s box when the ball is hit. This includes stepping on home plate. If this happens the batter will be called out After one (1) warning per game per player for slinging his/her bat, the batter will be called out for each additional time he/she slings his/her bat DEFENSE 501. A catcher may not block the plate unless the ball is in flight. Any attempt to do so, as determined by the umpire, will give the base runner a call of safe at the at the plate. This is in compliance with the must slide rule if there is a play at any base except first, including home. A base runner may not run over a catcher and will be considered out if there is an attempt to do so. The intent is to avoid injury Teams will play with nine (9) defensive players on the field. Teams are NOT allowed to play the normal three outfielders (LF, CF, and RF) and a short fielder directly behind the infield A team failing to field at least eight (8) uniformed players within fifteen minutes after the scheduled game time shall forfeit the game Reserved 505. Each 9 Year Old League team member shall appear in the field every inning. Each 10 Year Old League team member shall appear in the field at least three (3) defensive outs in each game, except in the case of a shortened game, injury, or ejection The home team must have their pitcher warmed up and ready to pitch after eight (8) warmup pitches, or two (2) minutes, immediately after the umpire notifies the teams to play ball Warm-up pitches are not included in official pitch counts. 7

8 600. PLAY STOPPING 601. In the judgment of the umpire, if a defensive player is injured by being hit in the face, throat, or head and cannot continue to play, time will be called immediately and all players awarded one base. Any other injury deemed serious enough in the judgment of the umpire will be handled in the same manner. A coach must not enter the field until the umpire calls time. NOTE: THIS IS A JUDGMENT CALL AND CANNOT BE APPEALED OR PROTESTED Coaches may not continually make defensive player changes during the same inning, which are obviously only for the disadvantage of a particular batter Substitution as a base runner for the pitcher or catcher for the next inning will be allowed. The last player to make an out will be the eligible substitute base runner APPEALS AND PROTESTS 701. Appeals will be made by the Head Coach only after timeout has been given by the umpire and before the first pitch is made to the next batter. The Head Coach will make the appeal to the umpire. Once the umpire makes his decision, there is no other in-game appeal and the game will play on. If the Head Coach wants to protest the decision, he will notify the umpire and opposing Head Coach and must have $100 in cash at that time. At the conclusion of the game and within 24 hours, the protest will be discussed with the league commissioner who will make the final decision MISCELANEOUS 801. Playing illegal players will result in a forfeit of a game. The only eligible players are players on a team s official roster or a player from the Play-Up list which will be distributed to the head coaches by the league commissioner prior to Opening Day. A play-up player must play in right field and must bat last in the lineup. If a team has two (2) play-up players then one will play right field and the other will play center field. A player may play-up a maximum of three (3) games per season, unless sanctioned by the league commissioner Two adults may coach the bases. In all play coaches must wear coordinated coach s shirt and team cap. Each team shall have a head coach and up to three (3) assistant coaches All players and coaches must remain in the dugout, on the benches, or in the prescribed areas throughout the game Any coach who calls time and goes onto the playing field more than one (1) time in one inning (not game) per pitcher to talk to a player or players, will be required to remove the current 8

9 pitcher from the mound. Once removed, the pitcher shall not return to the mound after the side has been retired Any coach going onto the playing field to talk to the same batter (or a batter going to the dugout or bench to talk to a coach) more than one (1) time per batter per inning will result in the current batter being declared out. NOTE: The only exception to Rule 803 and 804 is in the case of injury or if the time is called by the opposing team or umpire Only registered players or coaches of the team are permitted on the coaching lines. The coaches, whether or not they are on the coaching lines, may moderately dispute any decision or may discuss any point with the umpires to the extent allowed by the rules of baseball, but if he at any time makes any derogatory remarks about, or to the opposing players, he shall immediately be ejected from the game Coaches may go onto the field to talk to a batter only one time per batter Any Coach who willfully delays a game utilizing the above or other tactics will risk FORFEIT to the opposing team The Home team is responsible to ready the field for play, which includes striping and repairs necessary due to standing water. The home team manager will secure the field and turn off lights if it is the last game of the day The first visiting team of the day will obtain the score books and set up the P.A. equipment. The last visiting team of the day will secure the scorebooks and P.A. equipment after conclusion of the last game of the day The field and all equipment are to be ready for play fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start time Each team furnishes a game ball for every game The home team provides the official scorekeeper and the visiting team provides the official game announcer for each game, both must be in the press box. Minimum age in press box is to be 13. Only adults may operate the PA system A batting order must be submitted to the official scorekeeper and to the opposing team prior to each game. There is a Batting Order Form in each press box The Coaches will be responsible for the disposition of their fans and will be required to enforce any disciplinary action Call-ups must play outfield and bat last. A team may call up a player to be able to field a team of 9. A player may play up a maximum of three (3) games per season. 9 YO League callups must come from the official 8 year old call-up list and 10 YO League call-ups must come from the official 9 YO League call-up list. The league commissioners will maintain the official call-up lists. 9

10 817. Umpires are to be in and keep control of every game. Judgment calls such as balls/strikes, safe/out, fair/foul, etc. are not to be argued. An umpire may eject any coach, parent or player who excessively argues a call. Any parent ejected from the stands must leave the park immediately and not return until cleared by the Shades Mountain Park Board of Directors. Any player or coach ejected must leave the park immediately and will be suspended for the next game. If an ejected player or coach attempts to participate in the next game, he will be disqualified for the remainder of the season. Any coach or player ejected from a game must come before the Shades Mountain Park Executive Committee to be cleared for practice and games before participating in either The Shades Mountain Park Board of Directors shall have the authority to remove or eject any coach or player for the remainder of the season for any flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct PITCHING RULES 901. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 60 pitches in one game or day A pitcher may pitch up to 20 pitches in one game or day and be able to pitch again after one (1) night s rest. Any pitcher that pitches pitches in any one game or day must have two (2) nights rest before pitching again. All rest periods for pitchers begin with the time he leaves the pitching mound as a pitcher Therefore, rest rules are as follows (in any one game or day): 20 pitches or less = one (1) night, pitches = two (2) nights, pitches = three (3) nights. Pitch counts may be revised for end of season tournaments If a pitcher exceeds the 20 pitch count in a game, that pitcher may not play catcher in the same game after he pitches. A player may become the pitcher in the same game after he has played catcher A pitcher can pitch in consecutive games in the same day if he does not violate any of the pitching rules stated herein A pitcher may only throw more than 60 pitches in one game or day in order to finish pitching to a batter during which the 60 pitch maximum is reached. The pitcher must then be removed from the mound. If a pitcher approaches one of the lower pitch count limits (20 or 40) while facing a batter, a coach may announce prior to reaching the limit that the current batter is the last batter that the pitcher will face. The pitcher will then be charged and recorded for that limit only and will not incur an extra night s rest given that the pitcher leaves the mound after the current batter s appearance is complete Pitchers are limited to 60 pitches in any one game or day; however, if the game is interrupted for any reason before becoming official and is postponed for a period that allows a pitcher to meet the rest rules in rule 503, then the same pitcher is allotted a new pitch count. 10

11 908. The number of pitches thrown by each pitcher and the time the pitcher leaves the mound must be recorded in the official scorebook in the press box, and the scorebook must be signed by both managers after every game. The official score keeper is the official pitch count recorder. The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either coach or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed. The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in rule 501. The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher's manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with the rules herein YO League: No balks will be called by the umpires. 10 YO League: Pitchers will be allowed some leniency in regard to balks. Pitchers will be called for all major violations and warned for minor violations that do not affect the outcome of a play. Balks are judgment calls by the umpire GAME CONDUCT Remember The game is for our children! Cheer for both teams, not against the opponent. Edited and adopted Summer, 2015 by the Shades Mountain Park Board 11