WINTER PARK BABE RUTH Minor Division Local Rules of Play Home Team and Visiting Team Responsibility The home team is determined by the official league schedule. The home team is responsible for the following: 1. Supplying two (2) new baseballs to the Head Umpire. 2. Providing an Official Scorekeeper, for record keeping purposes and keeping the pitch counts. 3. The lights are on a schedule set by the City. If the game (or practice ends early or is cancelled), text the Division Commissioner so the lights can be turned off. 4. If the lights need to be turned on or if there is a problem with the lights, the Division Commissioner or the VP of Baseball are the only ones authorized to have the City turn the lights on. Managers are not allowed to call the City to have the lights turned on. The visiting team is responsible for making sure the mound and batters boxes are properly raked after the game. Park Rules All field lights must be turned off by ten o clock (10:00 pm) every night. No game must continue past ten o clock. The League has provided a lightning detection system for the safety of all participants. In the event the horn sounds, the yellow light over the concession stand will activate. YOU MUST GO TO YOUR CAR OR SEEK SHELTER OUTSIDE THE PARK. There is NO LIGHTNING PROTECTED STRUCTURE IN THE PARK. When the horn sounds twice and the light goes off, play may resume. It shall be the responsibility of Managers and Coaches to instruct Parents and Players to seek shelter in their vehicles. DO NOT WAIT IN THE DUGOUTS or in the stands or under the concession stand awning, doing so puts the safety of players & parents in jeopardy. Failure of a Coach or Manager to direct his/her team to seek shelter shall result in actions by the Board of the League against that person. Time Limit of Games Weeknight Games - All weeknight games shall start at 6:15 pm or sooner provided both teams mutually agree they are ready and the umpire is present. To facilitate the consistent start and stop of games, and to provide equitable playing time to all teams, the following time limits will be observed. Game with no rain delays - No new inning may start 1 hour and 45 minutes after the official start time for the game and all play must be stopped two (2) hours after the league scheduled start time of the game. If a game starts late because the umpire is late- No new inning may start after 8:15 pm. In the event of rain delaying the start of the game - If the umpire does not call the game sooner, no game will start later than 7:00 pm. If the start of a game is delayed due to rain, no new inning may start 1 hour and 45 minutes after the start time of the game.
In the event of a game starting on time but stopping later in the game due to a rain delay - If the umpire does not call the game sooner, the game will be called if not started within 30 minutes of the stop time. If the game starts back up the No new inning after 8:00 or 8:15 pm if umpire arrived late will be extended to account for the rain delay, but in no event will a new inning start after 8:30 pm. For example, if game starts at 6:15 pm and there is a 15-minute rain delay 30 minutes in to the game, no new inning may start after 8:15 pm. In the event a game ends due to time, which includes the 10:00 pm park curfew, the final score of the game, if the game is official as defined below, shall be the score at the end of the last completed inning. However, if the home team has tied the score when time is called, then a tie will be recorded. Tied games will end as a tie, which means they will not be continued at a later date. The umpire is responsible for keeping the official time. Weekend Games No new inning may start 1 hour and 45 minutes after the official start time for the game and all play must be stopped two (2) hours after the league scheduled start time of the game unless the game is called by the umpire due to rain or to the extent it is 10:00 pm (park curfew). In the event a games ends prior to completion, the final score of the game, if the game is official as defined below, shall be the score at the end of the last completed inning. Tied games will end as a tie, which means they will not be continued at a later date. Official Games Games shall be scheduled for five (5) innings. A game shall be considered official when one of the following conditions is met. If terminated for any reason after reaching this point, the game results will be officially recorded. 1. The completion of 3 innings if the visiting team is winning, or 2. The completion of 2 1/2 innings if the home team is winning. Any game that is stopped due to rain or other reason that has not reached the required number of innings is considered a suspended game and must be played to its completion at a later date. The game shall be resumed from where it was left off. The record of wins and losses shall be kept after the third game. Player Requirements to Start a Game Each team must have a minimum of eight (8) players at the "official start time" for a game to begin. In the event the minimum cannot be met, the game is considered a forfeit and the win goes to the team that has the required number of players. In the event both teams cannot field the minimum number of players, the game shall be declared a double forfeit and a loss shall be recorded. If a team cannot field the minimum number of players for a scheduled game because it was scheduled on a recognized religious or school function (published by Church, Temple, Mosque or School), the game may be canceled and re- scheduled without penalty, provided notification is submitted to the division Commissioner at least 48 hours prior to the game date. Games cannot be rescheduled for any other reason. Players Arriving after the Start of Games If a player arrives after the start of the game, the player must be added to the bottom of the batting order.
Rescheduled Games The following rules shall apply to all games to be completed, or made up for lack of players or weather. It shall be the responsibility of the Home team manager to arrange rescheduled games by collecting available dates, coordinated with the League schedule, from the visiting team and presenting them to the division Commissioner. The Commissioner, and ONLY the Commissioner, will schedule an Umpire for the rescheduled game. NO GAME MAY BE RESCHEDULED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER. A GAME PLAYED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL NOT BE OFFICIAL AND BOTH TEAMS PARTICIPATING SHALL REFLECT A LOSS ON THEIR SEASON RECORD. EVERY EFFORT SHALL BE MADE (INCLUDING DOUBLE HEADERS) TO RESCHEDULE GAMES ON THE DAYS WHEN NORMAL LEAGUE PLAY GAMES ARE HELD. Run Rule In the Minor Division all games will end when the game is official and either team has a ten (10) run lead and has had equal times at bat or the home team is leading. Time limits herein stated will be in effect. The game may continue after declaring a team the winner by run rule, at the option of both Managers. Pitchers/Pitching A pitcher may pitch six innings per calendar week [Fall: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 Innings per game], including re-scheduled and make-up games. If a pitcher delivers one pitch, that constitutes an inning pitched. The Babe Ruth calendar week is Monday through Sunday. A pitcher must have 2 full calendar days rest between pitching assignments if he or she pitches more than two innings in any one game. For example, if a pitcher pitches more than 2 innings in a game on Thursday, he or she cannot pitch again until Sunday. If a pitcher pitches more than 2 innings in a game on Saturday, he or she cannot pitch again until Tuesday. A game in which an ineligible pitcher is used is declared forfeited. An unofficial game does not count towards the weekly pitch inning count. In addition to the inning limitations noted above, pitchers are also subject to a pitch count limitation as follows: Pitcher throws 1 to 20 pitches one full day calendar rest regardless of number of innings pitched; Pitcher throws 21 to 40 pitches two full calendar days rest regardless of number of innings pitched; Pitcher throws 41 to 60 pitches three full calendar days rest regardless of number of innings pitched. For example, if a pitcher throws 21 pitches in one inning on Tuesday, he or she cannot pitch again until Friday. A pitcher that delivers more than 40 pitches in any one game shall be required to rest 3 full calendar days regardless of the number of innings pitched. For example, if a pitcher throws 41 pitches in 1 inning on Saturday, he or she cannot pitch again until Wednesday.
In addition to the inning limitations and rest requirements above, pitchers are also subject to a pitch count maximum. For the Minor Division, this is: Maximum Number of Pitches Per Day: 60 [FALL: 40] Should a pitcher reach this maximum during a player's at bat, this pitcher is allowed to continue pitching to this batter until his at bat is complete or the 3rd out is recorded, whichever comes first. Pitch counts DO NOT include pre-game warm-ups or warm-up pitches between innings. Pitch counts DO include pitches thrown in an inning where the game has hit the drop dead time and the score reverts back to the last completed inning. If a team plays a doubleheader, the pitcher who finishes the first game of the doubleheader can start the second game as long as the pitcher has not (i) pitched more than 6 innings in the calendar week and/or (ii) they did not throw 60 pitches or more in the first game of the doubleheader. If a player pitches in the last inning of the first game of the doubleheader and they are eligible to start the second game of the doubleheader they can t throw more than 60 pitches for the day (if the pitcher reaches his 60-pitch limit for the day during a player s at bat, this pitcher is allowed to continue pitching to this batter until his at bat is completed or the 3 rd out is recorded, whichever comes first. Pitchers who are removed during a game, regardless of whether it is between innings or on a first visit to the mound during an inning, will not be able to return to pitch in that game. A pitcher has to be removed on the second official trip to the mound in the same inning. Tournament Pitching Rules Rules These pitch count limitations will apply to all tournament games played in District, Area, State, Regional and World Series competition and will completely replace Tournament Regulation Rule 11.05, Paragraph 4 (innings pitch). There are no limitations on the number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a tournament (bracket or pool play) game subject to the following pitch count limitations: Daily Maximum pitches in a Game/Day - 75 Pitcher throws 1 to 40 pitches no rest required; Pitcher throws 41 to 65 pitches one (1) full calendar day of rest regardless of number of innings pitched; Pitcher throws 66+ pitches two (2) full calendar days rest regardless of number of innings pitched. Batting/Running All players will be placed in the CONTINUOUS batting order. However, only nine (9) defensive players will be used, with this arrangement, defensive substitutions may be made at any time. Sliding in to a base is not mandatory for the base runner. If a runner attempting to reach a base intentionally and maliciously runs in to a defensive player in the area of the base, he will be called out on the play and ejected from the game. The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for crashing the defensive player, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously, this is an umpire s
judgment call. A catcher without the ball in his possession has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The baseline belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he already has the ball in his hand. Each team will be allowed three outs or not more than four (4) runs in each of the first four (4) innings. The fourth run may be scored as a result of a hit, steal, walk, error, or hit batter. The fifth inning, or later innings will play until three outs are made There is no limit on the number of runs that can be scored via catcher s error or passed balls in the Spring [FALL: 1 run per inning]. A runner must immediately return to the nearest base when the pitcher controls the ball while standing inside the mound circle; the runner is still subject to being put out. A runner that fails to immediately return shall be warned one time in a game and a second offense shall result in the runner being called out by the umpire. In order to speed up the game, if there is more than 1 out and a player on base will be catching when that team takes the field the team must substitute this base runner with the last recorded out. If a team violates this rule the catcher will not be allowed any warm up pitches when the team takes the field. A coach will have to warm up the pitcher. Intentional Walks Intentional walks are not permitted in the Minor division. A Manager or Coach may not direct a pitcher to violate the Rules of Play by "trying" to walk a batter. Such a direction by a coach or manager is considered a violation of the Code of Conduct by the manager or coach and by the pitcher if such directions are carried out. Minimum Playing Time Rules For the SPRING seasons, each player will play a minimum of three defensive innings (9 outs) and have at least one at bat per official (as herein defined) game. For games ending in less than five innings, each player will play a minimum of two defensive innings (6 outs) and have at least one at bat per official game. The same minimum play rules apply for the FALL seasons. However, in the Fall, every player must be given the opportunity to play infield at least one inning per game (catcher counts as an infield position for this rule). This is the Must Play rule of the Minor division. It is the responsibility of the Manager to ensure compliance with this rule. Failure to comply with the rule is grounds for a protest and forfeit of the game. Players who arrived after the first defensive inning of the game are exempted from this rule. Protest In the event of a protest condition, the following procedures must be followed: 1. The protesting manager must call time out before the next pitch is delivered. A protest that occurs on a game ending play or condition must be made by noon of the following day to the
Division Commissioner. 2. Notify the Home Plate Umpire and the Official Scorekeeper, who records the protest in the scorebook, and the opposing manager, stating the reason for the protest. 3. At this point the game continues under a "protest condition'. Discussion over the validity of the protest will not occur at this point. 4. The protesting manager must submit, in writing, the conditions which he/she deems are a valid protest. The report must document the specific issue in enough detail for the Protest Committee (all baseball player agents for the league) to rule. 5. The written protest and Committee ruling will be presented at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting. A protest request will only be considered if it is in reference to a rule interpretation. A judgment call by an umpire cannot be protested. If a protest is dismissed the game s outcome stands as played. If the protest is upheld the game is replayed from the point of the protest. Dress Code The League furnishes each player with a hat and shirt. Every player must wear a complete and matching uniform provided by the league for all league games. This includes matching pants. A player not in uniform must sit on the bench out of the game until such time as his or her uniform is complete. If a player has started the game and is not in uniform, upon notification to the player's manager by the opposing team manager, the manager must remove the player from the game until proper attire is attained. If the player is not removed by his or her manager, the game is declared a forfeit. It is the responsibility of the opposing manager (and no other person) to notify the offending player's manager and the umpire. If the game is completed without notification, the game is considered an official game. Shirts (jerseys) must be tucked in and hats worn with brims forward, while on the field. The board may take action against managers or players who continually disregard the League dress code. Exposed jewelry such as wristwatches, bracelets, large or loop style earrings and neck chains, or any other item judged dangerous by the umpire, may not be worn during the game. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry, but if worn must be taped to the body. Managers and Coaches Authority for team direction, strategy, and leadership rests with the team Manager and coach. Team direction, strategy and leadership during a game must come from the Manager and coach who are present on the field. Parents may not "coach from the stands" in the form of giving signals and calling Plays. Adult coaches may coach 1 st base and 3 rd base provided a third coach always supervises the dugout. An adult must remain in the dugout even if that means that a player has to coach a base. Important Notes on Ejections and Forfeits While the published league bylaws state that an ejected player or coach must serve a next game suspension, the league s board has adopted the rule that can be found in the Babe Ruth League rulebook.
The Babe Ruth League rule states if a player is ejected from a game, the league president shall decide if additional penalties, such as serving a game s suspension, will be imposed. Should any manager or coach violate the published Must Play rules (those rules that mandate at-bats, play time, and infield play), then that game shall be declared a forfeit. The manager also may face additional penalties as determined by the league board. IT IS THE MANAGERS RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN HIS PLAYERS, PARENTS AND HIS OWN DECORUM. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE RULES OR MAINTAIN DECORUM SHALL RESULT IN SANCTIONS AGAINST THE MANAGER. ANY MANGER OR COACH EJECTED FROM A GAME BY AN UMPIRE SHALL IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE PARK AND NOT RETURN FOR TWO SUBSEQUENT GAMES. IF A MANGER OR COACH IS EJECTED A SECOND TIME IN THE SAME SEASON (INCLUDING TOURNAMENT PLAY) HE WILL NOT RETURN FOR FIVE GAMES AND SHALL BE REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION FOR COACHING ANY ALL STAR TEAM. THE USE OF ANY AUDIBLE PROFANITY SHALL BE GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE EJECTION. PLAYERS CALLED TO ANOTHER DIVISION If it is determined that a Major (12U) League team needs to obtain a player from the Minor League (10U), the following guidelines will be used: 1. The Major team manager is to contact the Commissioner or director for that season and indicate the need for a player and the reason. 2. The major league manager is not to contact any minor league managers, players or parents. 3. The Commissioner, the major team manager and Commissioner for the minor league will determine a suitable player to be moved from the minor division to the major division. 4. Players may only be brought up on a permanent basis and will remain with that major league team for the remainder of the season. 5. Any player selected for the major league (league age 10 or older) that elects not to be moved up will be automatically placed onto the team which loses a player in their place. 6. The minor team that loses a player now selects a player from the rookie program, IF THEY SO DESIRE, assisted by the vice president of the league and the Commissioner for the rookies. note: Sons/Daughters of Mangers may decline. TOURNAMENT (SPRING SEASON) A tournament will be played at the end of the regular season. The format of the Tournament shall be determined by the Board of Directors AND MAY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME. Regular season playing rules will govern all play in the tournament with the following exceptions: All tournament games must complete at least four (4) innings to be official. Games that have not completed four (4) innings (3½ if the home team is ahead) and cannot be completed due to weather, darkness, or reasons beyond normal control, shall be continued from the point of suspension as directed by the COMMISSIONER, through five (5) innings (unless extra innings are required).