BELTON YOUTH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS 2012 Article I NAME This organization shall be a non-profit organization known as the Belton Youth Softball Association. Article II PURPOSE The purpose of this organization shall be to organize and promote participation of girls aged 5 15 years of age in controlled and organized softball. The further purpose shall be to expose young people to the benefits of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and active development of healthy bodies. Article III MEMBERSHIP Any girl who meets the age requirements and attends a Belton Independent School District (BISD) school or resides within the Belton Independent School District (BISD) shall be eligible to participate in the program. Those individuals living in surrounding communities that do not play under TTA may also request to play in BYSA. After review and approval from the Board those individuals will be allowed to participate in BYSA so long as they meet TTA th requirements. All players must be 5 years of age on or before April 30 of the current season to th be eligible. (The April 30 date is only for players that are 4 years old and are about to turn 5 st years old. Everyone else is determined by the players age as of January 1.) Division selections st will be made according to age as of January 1 of the current year. All voting members of the Association must be 17 years of age or older. Division ages are as follows: 6 years and under T-Ball 8 years and under Coach Pitch 10 years and under Midget 12 years and under Freshman 15 years and under Junior Article IV RULES AND REGULATIONS Rules and regulations for coaches and players will be determined by these By-Laws, local Association Standing Rules, the Texas Teen-Age Softball Association and ASA. The Association shall hold a General Membership Meeting prior to the start of each season and after the close of each season. By-Law and/or rule changes will be considered and voted on at these two meetings and will be in effect and govern Association play for the next season The President may call a General Membership Meeting at any time for other issues that may arise. 1
Article V OFFICERS A Board of Directors shall govern this organization. This Board of Directors shall consist of the following officers elected by the general membership President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Equipment Manager, Uniform/Trophy Coordinator, and a Division Representative for each division. Each member of the Board will serve a two (2) year term unless otherwise vacated. In the event that a position on the Board is vacated the Board will appoint an interim Board member to the position until the next General Membership Meeting is held. Each member of the Board will have one full vote with the exception of the President who will only vote in the event of a tie. NON-ATTENDANCE OF OFFICERS If a Board member continuously misses required meetings, the Board may choose to remove that member from the Board and appoint an interim officer to fill the position until the next General Membership Meeting is held. Article VI DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS The duties and responsibilities of each Board member shall be as follows: PRESIDENT: 1. Preside over all meetings 2. Appoint all committees as needed 3. Delegate authority, enforce rules and make final rulings as necessary 4. Co-sign checks issued by the Association VICE-PRESIDENT: 1. Fill in for and assume all duties of the President in his/her absence 2. Attend all Board meetings and committee meetings 3. Handle complaints and problems within the league. If solution cannot be reached, bring problems before Board for a decision. 4. Serve as Chair of the sponsor committee 5. Assist President in whatever duties deemed necessary 6. In absence of President and/or Treasurer assume authority to co-sign checks issued by the Association. 7. Be available to help with District or State Tournaments as scheduled by the President. SECRETARY: 1. Keep accurate records and minutes of all meetings 2. Attend all Board Meetings 3. Type all necessary correspondence and keep copies of Association records 4. Make certain each Board member and coach receives a copy of any pertinent information deemed necessary in the operation of the Association, such as By-Laws, and local Association Standing Rules, etc. 5. Maintain Association website 6. Assist President in whatever duties deemed necessary 7. Proof all players birth certificates prior to them being added to a roster 8. Be available to help with District or State Tournaments as scheduled by the President. 2
TREASURER: 1. Assist President in whatever duties deemed necessary 2. Attend all Board Meetings 3. Keep accurate records of all financial transactions 4. Make deposits 5. Co-sign checks issued by the Association 6. Give updated financial report at each official monthly Board meeting and General Membership meeting 7. Responsible for paying umpires and score keepers 8. Be available to help with District and State Tournaments as scheduled by the President. EQUIPMENT MANAGER: 1. Attend all Board meetings 2. Responsible for distribution and collection of all equipment 3. Keep a log of all equipment checked in and out by each team 4. Responsible for maintaining appropriate supplies and equipment for field maintenance and keeping the equipment shed in good order. 5. Assist with field maintenance 6. Must obtain approval from President and Treasurer prior to purchase of any equipment or supplies. 7. Be available to help with District and State Tournaments as scheduled by the President. UNIFORM/TROPHY COORDINATOR: 1. Gather all uniform information from each team (jersey color, short color, sizes of uniforms, family shirts and coaches shirts) 2. Submit order to uniform provider in a timely manner so that all teams will have their uniforms, coaches shirts and family shirts prior to start of season 3. Double check uniform order when picked up from uniform provider to ensure it is correct 4. Distribute all uniforms, coaches shirts and family shirts to teams 5. Handle any problems that may arise with uniforms, coaches shirts or family shirts 6. Gather pick up player information and order jersey in a timely manner to ensure the player has their jersey before district tournament play begins 7. Gather information on number of trophies and medals needed by amount of players left on each team by mid season 8. Place order for trophies and medals so that each team can receive their trophy or medal at the end of the season 9. Gather information on coaches and sponsors and order coach and sponsor plaques 10. Deliver trophies, medals, coach and sponsor plaques at the final game of the season for each team 11. Order and Distribute trophies and order medals for each tournament we may have 12. Attend all Board meetings 13. Be available to help with District and State Tournaments as scheduled by the President. 3
DIVISION REPRESENTATIVE COORDINATOR: 1. Prepare a schedule for division reps for game nights & provide a copy of the schedule to the board 2. Take on normal duties of division rep. 3. Report back to the board about any problems with division reps. 4. Be at all necessary board meetings 5. Act as a member of the protest committee 6. Attend all Board meetings 7. Be available to help with District and State tournaments as scheduled by the President. DIVISION REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Attend all Board meetings. 2. Handle complaints and problems within their respective divisions. If a solution cannot be reached bring the problem before the Board for a decision. 3. Assist with field maintenance and securing volunteers for assistance with maintenance. 4. Act as member of the protest committee 5. Be available to help with District and State tournaments as scheduled by the President. SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR: The Board will appoint a Special Teams Coordinator to handle all aspects of the Special Teams Division. UMPIRE DIRECTOR: The Umpire Director will not be a Board member and will not be elected by the General Membership, but appointed by the Board of Directors. The Umpire Director shall receive payments as determined by the Board, for each game scheduled. The Umpire Directors duties shall include: 1. Must have qualifications to train and certify all umpires with ASA and TTAS 2. Make out weekly umpire schedule and submit it to the Board. 3. Responsible for selecting and training umpires. 4. Will have appropriate number of umpires for each game. 5. Will make sure umpire time sheets are submitted accurately. 6. In accordance with ASA and TTAS regulations, will have the authority to reprimand or dismiss (for any number of games up to one year) any umpire for misconduct or rule violations with Board approval. If this occurs, the Umpire Director will present to the Board of Directors a written explanation for the action taken. 7. Hold mandatory clinics for potential umpires before the season begins. 8. Meet at least twice a month with all umpires after the season begins to review field mechanics, rules, and specific game situations, which may have occurred. 4
SCOREKEEPER DIRECTOR: The Board of Directors will appoint a Scorekeeper Director who will be accountable to the Board for specific training and any problems concerning the score keepers. The Scorekeeper Directors Duties are as follows: 1. Recruit and train score keepers 2. Schedule score keepers for regular season games and tournaments 3. Provide a copy of the schedule to the board 4. Make sure that score keepers know to be in their seat at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time 5. Provide all score keepers with a list of rules and expectations to follow while they are keeping score FUND RAISING/PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR 1. Bring fund raising ideas to the board for review and approval 2. Act as liaison between fund raising company and BYSA 3. Organize a distribution method for fund raiser (beginning & ending) 4. Price photographers and report back to board for review and approval 5. Coordinate with photographer for scheduling of team and individual pictures 6. Distribute pictures to teams if necessary SUSPENSION: The authority of the Board of Directors as a group includes: 1. Suspension of coaches or assistant coaches for disciplinary reasons for any number of games up to one year. 2. Suspension of a player for disciplinary reasons for any set number of games. Article VII TERM OF OFFICE Each member of the Board will serve a two (2) year term unless otherwise vacated. In the event that a position on the Board is vacated the Board will appoint an interim Board member to the position until the next General Membership Meeting is held. Article VIII FINANCIAL RESONSIBILITY The Board of Directors shall approve all fund raising activities, registration fees and expenditures. Including individual team fund raisers. 5
Article IX SPONSORS Sponsor fees will be $250.00 per team each year. This fee may be changed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors as necessary. Sponsors shall have no say in the operation of their team. Coaches and/or parents will not contact or ask their sponsor for anything without prior Board approval. Sponsor contact without Board approval is grounds for immediate dismissal from the Association. In addition to the individual team sponsors there are three tiers for Association sponsorship. They are as follows: HOMERUN: Team Sponsor Package Cost $250.00 - The business will receive a plaque of recognition for support with the name of the business on the team uniforms. The business will also be listed on our website with a link to the business web site. GRANDSLAM: Team/Banner Sponsor Package Cost $375.00 The business will receive a plaque of recognition for support with the name of the business on the team uniforms. The business name will be placed on a banner with our sponsors. The business will also be listed on our website with a link to the business web site. ALL-STAR: League Sponsor Package Cost $500.00 & above The business will receive a banner at the fields and will also be listed on our website with a link to the business web site. In addition the business name will be listed with the business logo on STAFF shirts. Article X COACHES The Board of Directors will hear any legitimate complaint against a coach and subsequent actions shall be taken at the Board s discretion. These actions could result in a reprimand, probation, or immediate dismissal. 1. All coaches for this Association must fill out a registration form and be approved by the Board of Directors. 2. Each coach must proof the spelling of player s names against the official team roster on leaguelineup.com and the official team roster on the TTAS website prior to the first game being played. 3. Coaches shall conduct themselves and their teams in a proper manner at all times and will follow and abide by the rules and regulations established by BYSA, Texas Teen- Age, and ASA. 4. Coaches are responsible for fan and spectator control. 5. Coaches must be available to help with District and State tournaments as scheduled by the President. 6. Player uniforms shall be purchased and furnished by the Association. Coaches are responsible to see that players wear uniforms Teams may elect to purchase pants for use instead of the Association issued shorts. If a team elects to purchase pants the entire team must wear them and they must match. Otherwise, the team will wear the shorts provided by the Association. 6
Article XI BOARD MEETINGS The President as necessary shall call board meetings with mandatory monthly Board meetings from January thru September. Article XII LAW OR RULE CHANGE The Association shall hold a General Membership Meeting prior to the start of each season and after the close of each season at which time By-Law and/or rule changes will be considered and voted on and will be in effect and govern Association play for the next season. Article XIII COMPLAINTS In order for a complaint to be considered by the Board, a written and signed statement listing the complaint must be turned in to the Division Representative on duty or any Board member. The Vice President will first handle complaints. If he/she cannot resolve the problem, a full Board review may be requested in writing by any of the involved parties. 7
BELTON YOUTH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION 2012 STANDING RULES GENERAL 1. Any flagrant act, abusive or profane language, unnecessary remarks or unsportsmanlike conduct from any player, coach, parent or spectator will result in ejection from the premises of Chisholm Trail Park. It may also result in the forfeit of the game. If a person is ejected and the abuse continues, or said person fails to comply with ejection, the local authorities will be called. If this occurs, the offending person may be barred from the complex for the remainder of the season. 2. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed at the ballpark or team practices. Any use of tobacco products will not be allowed on the playing field or in the dugout area. Smoking is allowed is designated areas of Chisholm Trail Park ONLY. 3. Conflicts should be resolved through contact with coaches or through the Board of Directors. If resolution is not reached, please advise the Board of your intention to contact TTAS regarding the issue. 4. The Association through the President must call a meeting of the Association. 5. As long as TTAS sends first and second place teams to district tournaments, pickups will be chosen with the two teams alternating picks at an official selection meeting. At least two (2) members of the Board shall be present during the official selection meeting. The first place team will pick first, followed by the second place team alternating until both teams have made their 3 selections. Once a player declines an invitation to participate, she shall be eliminated from consideration by the other team. PLAYER SELECTION 1. To participate, each player must register and pay the registration fee and provide a copy of a vital statistics birth certificate or an official military dependant ID. They also shall be required to fill out all forms deemed necessary by the Board. Special waiver of the registration fee for extenuating financial circumstances will be allowed with Board approval. Any players who sign up after the last publicized regular registration date will also be charged an extra $10.00 above the normal fee for processing of special uniform orders. 8
DRAFT Eligibility 1. No player will be placed in the draft or added to a team without the Association secretary having a copy of the vital statistics birth certificate or an official military dependant ID. The Association must have a copy of this birth certificate or official military dependant ID before the player can participate in any game. All registered eligible individuals will be placed on a team by means of a draft conducted each year prior to the beginning of Association play. An eligible individual is defined as: a. An individual who has not yet been assigned to a team in the Association or; b. A current team member who has requested release on her registration form. The Board of Directors must approve this release. All releases must be approved before Play Day and the player will be released to the draft only unless the player s parent or relative has elected to coach. In that case the player will be listed on that coaches team as a protected player. Once the original release is approved, the player MAY NOT be returned to the original team. c. A current team member who has filed a written or verbal request to be moved up to the next age division must have Board approval and will be limited to a one-division jump. (Ex: 12 year old may be moved up to play in the Jr. Division.) 2. Once a player requests to be off of a team (with valid written reason) or does not want to be coached under a particular coach, we will honor one such request and not allow the coach or team to redraft the player or select the player by random drawing. 3. All players included in the draft must participate in Play Day. Any player in the draft that does not participate in Play Day will be placed on a team by random drawing. 4. At play day all coaches will receive a team roster with their teams protected and returning players listed. They will also receive a list of players they are not allowed to draft as well as a list of all players that are draft eligible. 5. If a coach steps down, their protected player(s) from the previous year must return to the draft. This rule does not affect returning players. 9
NOTE: Protected player: Head Coach and/or Assistant Coaches child. If a Coach has more than one (1) child playing in the same age division the oldest child shall be listed as the protected player on the teams roster and their other child/children will be automatically listed on the teams roster but NOT as a protected player. Returning player: Non-Protected Player that played on a team the previous year. NOTE: Sisters (full blood, half, or step) that are in the same age division will automatically be placed on the same team (with no penalty) unless the parents file a written request to have the sisters on separate teams. Once a request to have the sisters on separate teams has been made the sisters will not be allowed on the same team as long as they remain in the age division they were in at the time the request to be placed on separate teams was made. DRAFT PROCEDURES 1. Draft will be conducted one division at a time. 2. Return players will be listed starting at the bottom of each teams roster. 3. Each team will get a first (1st) round pick starting with the newly established teams, then moving to the last place team from the prior season and up in reverse finish order. In the event that there is more than one newly established team in a division the draft order of those teams will be determined by high card or coin toss. The team that draws the highest card or wins the coin toss will select first in the draft. The first st round pick will be placed in the 1 round position. st 4. Hat picks will be drawn after each teams makes their 1 round pick by random drawing. Each team will draw a number to determine what order the hat picks will be drawn. st In the event that a team has all of its roster positions filled except for a 1 round pick, that team will not be required to take a hat pick. If there are more hat picks than teams. The teams will continue drawing hat picks in number order until all hat picks have been drawn. If there are less hat picks than number of teams, all teams will draw a number to determine the order in which hat picks are drawn, however, those teams drawing a blank slip will not draw a hat pick. Hat picks will be placed in the first open positions at the bottom of the team roster just above the return players. 10
5. Each teams protected players (coach and assistant coaches children) will nd rd th automatically be listed in the 2, 3 and 4 positions as long as the team has the maximum amount of three (3) protected players on the teams roster. If a team has less than the maximum amount of protected players the protected players will be nd listed starting in the 2 position on the roster and continuing until that teams protected players are listed. (Example: If a team only has two (2) protected players nd rd the protected players will be listed in the 2 and 3 positions on the roster, leaving th the 4 position open.) The protected players will always be listed in these positions from year to year as long as they remain on that team. 6. Those teams having less than the maximum amount of protected players will then make draft picks using the previously determined draft order until the protected player positions on the rosters are filled. 7. The draft will continue using the previously determined draft order until all teams rosters are filled. NOTE: Sisters that are in the same age division will automatically be placed on the same team (unless the parents request that they be placed on separate teams). When a player that has a sister playing in the same division is chosen, the player chosen will be listed in the round in which she was chosen and the sister will be placed in the first open position at the bottom of the roster. Each coach will be presented with a team roster immediately following their draft. The team roster will include each player s name, age, date of birth and contact information. Any errors must be reported to the Division Representative and the Association Secretary immediately. The Division Representative and the Association Secretary must be informed immediately of any players who quit. Failure to report this can result in discipline of the coach up to and including dismissal. Any player who misses three consecutive games without contacting the head coach is subject to immediate dismissal with Board approval. DISTRIBUTION OF SIGN-UPS AFTER DRAFT Any players signed up after the cutoff date determined by the Board will be placed on the next team in the draft rotation for their division starting with those teams that have fewer players until those teams are filled to the level of the other teams. 11
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT 1. Players must wear the Board approved uniform for all regular season games. In extenuating circumstances any deviation from the Board approved uniform must be approved by the Division Representative on duty or any other Board member present. Failure to do so may result in forfeit of the game. 2. All players must wear a batting helmet with a face guard and chin strap. Any player who intentionally removes the helmet during play may be called out. 3. All bats must be taped and must be official softball bats. Electrical tape is illegal. 4. All Association issued bags and equipment must be returned within one (1) week of regular season play unless advancing to the District or State Tournament. Failure to do so may result in the coaches removal from coaching for the next season. It may also result in payment to the Association for the cost to replace any and all bags and/or equipment not returned. Those teams advancing to the District or State Tournaments are to contact the Equipment Manager to return the Association issued bags and equipment within one (1) week of the close of tournament play. PRACTICE 1. Practice cannot be held for Association play on more than two school nights (Monday through Thursday, not including school holidays) and not more than three nights total (Sunday through Saturday), after Association games begin and to continue through the end of regular season play. Association games must be counted as practices. Practices noted as volunteer or nonmandatory must be included in these totals. 2. If a player has four (4) un-excused missed practices, the coach has the option to go before the Board of Directors for possible dismissal of the player. NOTE: Church functions and Belton school activities must be excused. This means that the coach may not penalize players, for these absences and they may not be counted as an un-excused absence. It does not mean, however, that the Association schedule will be reworked if several team members are involved in such activities. The Board will determine if the game can or will be rescheduled for this reason. Parents are responsible for notifying the head coach prior to a player missing a practice or a game. 13
GAME REGULATIONS FOR ALL DIVISIONS 1. At no time shall any coach or team assistant be allowed to leave to playing field or the dugout in order to stand behind the backstop to instruct players. 2. The first team listed on the schedule will be the home team and shall occupy rd the third (3 ) base dugout. 3. Prior to each game, infield practice will be allowed if time permits. 4. No jewelry will be allowed except for stud earrings and medical alert jewelry. If stud earrings are worn, tape should be used to cover them for safety. 5. No metal cleats and no metal spikes will be allowed. 6. Any player who throws or slings a bat shall immediately be called out. If flagrant, the player shall be ejected. At the discretion of the plate umpire, a warning may be given for the first violation. 7. During play, the on-deck batter must remain in their proper position until all play has been signaled dead by the umpire. Violation of this rule is interference and the base runner nearest home plate may be called out at the umpire s discretion. 8. Game time is forfeit time. Any team not ready to play at the scheduled starting time (including having your line-up in to the scorekeeper) will forfeit. Lineups must be in to the official scorekeeper ten (10) minutes prior to your scheduled game time. Line-ups must include full player names, jersey numbers, and positions. Any subs available at game time must also be included on the line-up. Players should be at the field 15 minutes prior to game time. 9. If a player is late to a game, she will be shown as a substitute on the line-up. In the event a team is starting with less than 9 players the player will be added to the bottom of the lineup. 10. When playing with less than a full roster the team must have a player in the pitcher and catcher positions. 11. Outfielders must be positioned in the grass at the beginning of each play. No more than six (6) players positioned in the in-field at the beginning of each play. 14
12. Coaches must make an attempt to play all players who make practice and come to the game on time and suited up at least two (2) full innings. In order for a coach to not allow a player to participate in a game, the situation must meet the criteria under Section 2 of the Practice Section of the Standing Rules. 13. The following rules will apply for substitutions: Coaches must notify the plate umpire and the scorekeeper at the time substitutions are made or it ill be an illegal substitution. When full time limit expires, the re-entry rule is in effect and the original players may be returned to the game. 14. Postponed, Rain-Out and Suspended Games A. No regular scheduled games may be postponed without the approval of the President. B. It shall be the responsibility of the President to see that all postponed, rain-out or makeup games, and suspended games are re-scheduled and played at the earliest possible date. All such games must be played during the regular season of play and before the end of Official Season. (a) A postponed and/or makeup game is defined as one that is rescheduled to be played in its entirety at a later date. (b) A rain-out game (if less than the required complete innings have been played) is defined as a suspended game. (c) A suspended game is defined as one that is re-scheduled to be continued in play from the exact point of suspension of the original game. A game called by the umpire that is not a regulation game, shall be resumed in the exact spot where it was stopped. 15. In the event of a rain-out, postponed or suspended game, it is the responsibility of the head coach to check immediately with the Association President as to the date and time of the re-scheduled game. The coach must in turn notify his/her players. All rain-out, postponed or suspended games will be played at the date and time set by the President. 15
16. All Association games will have two (2) umpires unless unforeseen circumstances arise. 17. If a scorekeeper has a relative on a team, they will not be allowed to keep score for that team. 18. Only coaches, team assistants (when applicable) and players on the roster will be allowed in the dugout. 19. League champions shall be decided based on final season standings. In the event of a tie, the following rules will apply: 1. Head to Head Competition. 2. Playoff game between the teams that are tied. Unless the coaches agree to go on statistics alone. 3. Difference between total runs scored during head to head competition between the two teams that are tied. 4. Difference between total runs scored within the teams league. 20. All players and coaches should show good sportsmanship at all times. Each player and all coaches shall shake hands with the opposing teams players and coaches after every game. 16
DIVISION SPECIFIC GAME REGULATIONS T-Ball Division (6 & Under) a. Five (5) innings or 1 hour and 20 minute time limit. b. Fifteen (15) run rule after three complete innings or Eight (8) after four complete innings. c. When a team scores a maximum of 7 runs or 3 outs, that will end the half inning. The team will then go on defense. After 4 ½ complete innings (bottom th of the 5 ), if the home team, coming up to their last bat, is behind more than 7 runs, the game shall be called. d. Only 3 coaches and the players listed on the team roster will be allowed in the dugout. e. Each team must have seven (7) players to start a game or the game will be forfeited. If at anytime during the game, a team drops below seven (7) players, the coach of that team shall have the option to concede or to continue playing. If in the judgment of the head coach and the plate umpire, a child is ill and/or injured, that child will be removed from the game entirely. This includes removal from the batting order and therefore, there will be no out called when this child would have batted. The child shall not return to the game in progress for any reason. f. The infield fly rule shall NOT be in effect. g. The look-back rule shall NOT be in effect. h. If the batter hits the tee only, the umpire will call a strike. If the batter hits both the ball and the tee and the ball goes into fair territory, the ball is live and the runners may advance. i. If the double base is used at first during T-Ball league games, umpires will not call runners out for running to the white side of the base. To avoid confusion for those younger players, they should be able to use any part of the bag on defense or offense. On defense a player may use either bag, but not block both bags. If both bags are blocked the runner shall be called safe. j. In T-Ball all players must be listed on the batting roster and all players will bat each inning unless the defensive team makes three outs or 7 runs are scored. th T-ball teams may play ten players in the field. The 10 player must be positioned in the outfield. k. No designated hitters or runners will be allowed in T-ball. m. If the ball stops inside the ten foot arc and is not moving, the catcher may pick up the ball and hand it to the umpire without the batter being awarded first base. n. The EH (Extra Hitter) player is optional but if used must be made known prior to the start of the game and be listed anywhere on the lineup card in the regular batting order. The EH may enter the game on defense at any time, but the 17
batting order must remain the same throughout the game. The EH position can be substituted for and re-entered like any other position. Coach Pitch Division (8 & Under) a. Six (6) innings or 1 hour 20 minute time limit. b Seven (7) run scoring limit per inning. c. Fifteen (15) run lead after 3 ½ or 4 innings or Eight (8) run lead after five innings. d. Only three (3) coaches, one (1) team assistant and the players listed on the team roster will be allowed in the dugout. e. Each team must have seven (7) players to start a game or the game will be forfeited. f. If at anytime during the game, a team drops below seven (7) players, the coach of that team shall have the option to concede or to continue playing. If the team continues to play, then the player (who dropped out due to injury or ejection) shall remain on the line-up and an out will be called each time that player s name comes up in the batting order. If you start the game with 8 or 9 players and you loose a player to due illness or injury that player will remain on the lineup and an out will be called each time that player s name comes up in the batting order. g. The infield fly rule shall NOT be in effect. h. The look-back rule shall NOT be in effect. i. An adult coach/pitcher will be nominated from each team. A team will not be allowed to change the coach/pitcher until an inning is over except in the case of an injury or illness to the coach/pitcher. j. The coach/pitcher must have at least one foot in contact with the pitching rubber when the ball is released. Penalty: Dead ball is called; add one pitch to the count. If this occurs after the th 4 pitch, the batter will be declared out. k. The coach/pitcher cannot coach while their team is on offense and cannot leave the pitching circle before the pitch. Penalty: Removal of the coach/pitcher. One warning will be issued to the head coach per game. l. The coach/pitcher must make every attempt to avoid interfering with the play after the ball has been hit, by moving to foul ball territory, away from the play. If in the judgment of the umpire, the coach/pitcher interferes with the play unintentionally. This includes being physically in the way and/or being hit by a batted ball. a) The ball is declared dead. b) A No Pitch is declared and the batter continues with the same pitch count. 18
c) No base runners advance. d) The coach/pitcher is given a verbal warning. m. If in the judgment of the umpire, the coach/pitcher intentionally interferes with the play. a) The ball is declared dead. b) The batter is declared out. c) No base runners advance. d) The coach/pitcher will be removed from the game. e) NO WARNINGS WILL BE GIVEN. n. The defensive player/pitcher must stand in the back half of the pitching circle and may not move in front of the halfway line until the ball is released from the coach/pitcher s hand. o. With the exception of the catcher, no player may be within 30 feet of the batter until the ball is hit (Hit ball means fair or foul). The outfielders must remain on the grass until the ball is hit. Penalty: For breaking either of these two rules, after one warning is issued, the team at bat will be allowed to take the result of the play or advance the batter to first base. p. A play will be considered dead once the progress of the lead runner has been stopped. When a player has control of the ball in advance of the lead runner and the forward progress of the lead runner has been stopped, the play will be declared dead and the runners may not advance when the ball is thrown to the pitcher. The play will not be called dead if the player/pitcher is holding the ball in the pitching circle. q. Defensive players must return the ball to the pitcher after each play. r. There will be a ball/strike count kept. A batter shall receive a maximum of five pitches or three swinging strikes from the designated coach/pitcher, which ever th occurs first. If the 5 pitch is hit foul, the batter will remain at bat as long as they continue to foul the pitch. No walks will be allowed. s. Runners who are past the half way point between bases when a play is declared dead may continue to the next base. If less than the half way point, the players must return to the base from which they were running from. This is an umpire judgment call. Should more than one runner be running to the same base, the rear runner will be sent back to the base they were running from. If a runner fails to maintain foot contact with a base while the coach/pitcher has the ball, a dead ball will be called and the umpire will issue a warning to the offensive coach for the first offense. Second offense, the runner failing to maintain foot contact with the base will be called out. t. Stealing is not allowed. A base runner is declared out for leaving the base before the ball released by the pitcher. 19
u. No bunting/slapping. If a ball is hit short, it will be allowed provided that, in the umpire s judgment, it was not a bunt/slap attempt. If a player is judged to have been coached to half swing in order to hit the ball short, the play will be called dead, the pitch will count as a strike and the coach will be given a warning. If it occurs again, the player will be declared out and the coach will be ejected for unsportsman like conduct. v. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher only. The courtesy runner can only be used when there are two (2) outs and must be someone that is not in the current batting lineup. If all your players are in the current batting lineup then you must use the last out as your courtesy runner. w. The catcher must be in the squat position in the catcher box, facing the pitcher, and ready to receive the pitch. Positions that will not be permitted include but are not limited to: a) Standing up and leaning over. b) Kneeling down on one or both knees. c) Sitting on the ground or anything else. x. The EH (Extra Hitter) player is optional but if used must be made known prior to the start of the game and be listed anywhere on the lineup card in the regular batting order. The EH may enter the game on defense at any time, but the batting order must remain the same throughout the game. The EH position can be substituted for and re-entered like any other position. Midget Division (10 & Under) a. Six (6) innings or 1 hour and 20 minute time limit. b. Six (6) run scoring limit per inning. c. Ten (10) run rule after four innings. d. Only 3 coaches and the players listed on the team roster will be allowed in the dugout. e. Each team must have seven (7) players to start a game or the game will be forfeited. If at anytime during the game, a team drops below seven (7) players, the coach of that team shall have the option to concede or to continue playing. If the team continues to play, then the player (who dropped out due to injury or ejection) shall remain on the line-up and an out will be called each time that player s name comes up in the batting order. f. The infield fly rule shall be in effect and enforced. g. The look-back rule shall be in effect and enforced. h. The DP/Flex player position is allowed. 20
Freshman Division (12 & Under) a. Six (6) innings or 1 hour 20 minute time limit. b. Six (6) run scoring limit per inning. c. Ten (10) run rule after four innings. d. Only 3 coaches and the players listed on the team roster will be allowed in the dugout. e. Each team must have seven (7) players to start a game or the game will be forfeited. If at anytime during the game, a team drops below seven (7) players, the coach of that team shall have the option to concede or to continue playing. If the team continues to play, then the player (who dropped out due to injury or ejection) shall remain on the line-up and an out will be called each time that player s name comes up in the batting order. f. The infield fly rule shall be in effect and enforced. g. The look-back rule shall be in effect and enforced. h. The DP/Flex player position is allowed. Junior Division (15 & Under) a. Six (6) innings or 1 hour and 20 minute time limit. b. Ten (10) run rule after four innings. c. Only 3 coaches and the players listed on the team roster will be allowed in the dugout. d. Each team must have seven (7) players to start a game or the game will be forfeited. If at anytime during the game, a team drops below seven (7) players, the coach of that team shall have the option to concede or to continue playing. If the team continues to play, then the player (who dropped out due to injury or ejection) shall remain on the line-up and an out will be called each time that player s name comes up in the batting order. e. The infield fly rule shall be in effect and enforced. f. The look-back rule shall be in effect and enforced. g. The DP/Flex player position is allowed. 21
When the local Association sets a specific time limit on the games and when the time limit has been reached, and the inning is completed the game is over and official. You do not have to play a set number of innings when you use an established time limit. If any game ends in a tie after regulation play or time limit, each team will be credited with ½ win. If any teams are tied at the end of the season see the tie breaker rules under Game Regulations for All Divisions #19. PROTESTS 1. The Association Board by and thru a Protest Committee will settle all protests, which are acceptable. Any protest will be ruled on by the Protest Committee within five (5) days from the time the protest is lodged. 2. To protest a game: a. The head coach of the protesting team shall immediately notify the plate umpire before the next pitch is delivered, as to his/her intent to protest. The umpire shall in turn notify the opposing coach and the official scorekeeper. b. Division Representative present should be alerted before coach leaves the complex. c. A WRITTEN protest and $50.00 fee (cash) must be submitted to any board member within 24 hours of the game in question. d. No protest will be heard or considered if it is based solely on a judgment call on the part of an umpire. e. If the protest is won, the $50.00 fee will be refunded to the protesting coach. If the protest is not upheld, the fee will go to the Association general fund. UMPIRES 1. Umpires who are coaches or assistant coaches in local Division games should not umpire in his/her Division. 2. Umpires who are immediate family members (parents, siblings, children or stepchildren) to players should not umpire games involving these relatives. 3. Umpires should be dressed appropriately in uniform attire. 4. Umpires should conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times when in uniform. 22
5. The Umpire Director in cases of emergency or unforseen circumstances can make exceptions to rules #1 and #2 with notice to the Association President prior to the game. 6. Umpires must sign in and out of the Association s log as well as the scorebook to receive payment for games called. Falsifying this information will result in termination with BYSA. 23