Patterson Park Youth Baseball (PPYB) 9-12U Playing Rules Revised: 8/11/2013 approved by Board at their 8-22-13 meeting 1. All Patterson Park Youth Baseball (PPYB) league play shall be governed by Ohio High School baseball rules, which use the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) Rulebook. ONLY those exceptions specifically listed herein shall apply. Umpires and managers are expected to follow these rules and to have a copy of the NFHS rule book and the PPYB 9-12U Playing Rules in their possession at every game. 2. Player eligibility: a. Players must be of the age, or younger, of their respective age level on April 30th of the current year. b. No player is eligible to be drafted or assigned to a team until the player has been properly registered with PPYB. c. PPYB will have two age-limited divisions: i. Major League Division (12U): players must be 12 years old or younger on April 30 th of the current season. ii. Minor League Division (10U): players must be 10 years old or younger on April 30 th of the current season. iii. A parent of an 11U child may request that their child be placed in the Minor League Division with the approval of Player Agent. The Player Agent in conjunction with the League VPs will determine if there is a potential safety issue for the player in the Major League Division, or if the player s ability is best suited for the Minor League Division. 3. Field Dimensions: Field dimensions are listed below: Division (Age) Mound Bases Minors (10U) 46 60 Majors (12U) 50 70 4. Equipment a. Bat specifications: The maximum bat length is thirty-three (33) inches and the maximum barrel diameter shall not exceed 2 ¼ inches. All bats must be labeled with a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15 or lower. b. N.O.C.S.A.E. approved batting helmets shall be worn by all batters, base runners, and on deck batters. c. Catchers must wear standard protective gear including protective helmet, mask, chest protector, shin guards and protective cup. Bullpen catchers must at least wear a protective mask. We encourage all male players to wear a cup at all positions, however it is not mandatory for positions other than catcher. Females do not have to wear a protective cup. d. Baseball shoes: Only rubber or plastic spikes are allowed for all 9U-12U divisions. No metal cleats/spikes are allowed. 5. Game play a. A minimum of 8 players is required to begin a game.
b. Games shall be six (6) innings in duration for age levels 10U and 12U. A ten run rule shall apply after the 4thinning has been completed (3½ innings completed if the home team is ahead) c. A continuous batting order will be used for all 10U and 12U games. An injured or sick player or a player being disciplined may be withheld from the batting order as long as the coach reports this to the opposing coach prior to the game s start. Exception: In League Tournament games, a player withheld from the starting line-up is not eligible to enter the game without the permission of the opposing manager. d. Free, unlimited defensive substitutions shall be used, except for the pitcher. Once a pitcher is removed from the pitching position, he shall not return to the pitching position in that game. e. For the first portion of each Major League regular season, a batter may not advance to first base on a dropped third strike, and balks will result in warnings. In the event of a balk, the umpire will immediately call the balk, stop play, and explain the balk to the pitcher but there will be no penalty. The League VP will determine at what point in the season these exceptions will be discontinued. The purpose of these exceptions is to allow pitchers and catchers in the Major League Division to learn the basics of these rules. 6. Play time: PPYB expects that all players will play the majority of defensive innings, unless a player is subject to a disciplinary action that has been communicated to the player and parent. In games shortened by run-rule, weather, or darkness, the manager shall make every effort to play all players at least ½ of the defensive innings played. A defensive inning consist of three outs in the same inning, or the entire bottom half of the last inning of game if the game ends prior to the third out. Playing less than three outs in an inning does not constitute a defensive inning played. a. Minimum playing times rules are: All players shall play at least ½ of the scheduled defensive innings in a game. i. 3 innings in a 6 inning game ii. 3 innings in a 5 inning game that ends because of a run rule, weather, or darkness. iii. 2 innings in a 4 inning game that ends because of a run rule, weather, or darkness. b. All players shall be given the opportunity to play an infield position, catcher or pitcher at least two innings every two games (1 inning/game, or 2 innings every other game). c. No player shall be on the bench for a third (3 rd ) defensive inning until all players have sat on the bench at least one defensive inning. d. Every player shall start the game defensively (play a defensive position the first inning) at least every other game. No players are designated as second stringers. e. If a manager does not comply with the minimum play time in a game, any coach, player, or parent may report the offense to the League VP. The player will then be required to start the next game, complete the minimum innings played from the previous game, and then complete the minimum innings played in the current game. f. Managers that do not comply with minimum play time rules will first receive a warning from the League Vice-President, and then for a second and subsequent violations, the manager will be subject to disciplinary action by the League Vice-President and Board of Directors, up to and including suspension for a period of games.
7. Pitching Rules: In order to minimize the risk of injury, PPYB has adopted the following pitching rules: a. Pitch count rules. i. If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. ii. If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. iii. If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. iv. If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed. v. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no rest is required. vi. The maximum number of pitches in a single game is: 1. Minors (9-10U): 75 pitches 2. Majors (11-12U): 85 pitches b. Pitcher to Catcher restriction: Any pitcher that delivers more than 50 pitches in a game cannot play catcher for the remainder of the game. c. Completion of batter rule: If a pitcher reaches a pitch-count limit while facing his final batter, the pitcher may continue to throw until the batter reaches base, is put out, or the third out is made to complete the half-inning, and the pitcher s pitch count then shall be recorded as the pitch count limit. For example, a pitcher begins pitching to his final batter with a pitch count of 34 pitches. He throws 6 pitches to retire his final batter. The pitches to his final batter exceeded a pitch count limit of 35, so the official pitch count shall be recorded as 35 if the pitcher is removed from the game. d. The manager shall designate a pitch count recorder to count the pitches each pitcher throws. Managers shall announce to the umpire when a pitcher exceeds each pitch count limit. e. If a manager pitches or catches an ineligible player in a game, the player is not allowed to pitch or catch in his next eligible game, based on pitch count, for that manager s team. The Player Agent will issue a warning to the manager. The Player Agent will file a report to the Board on any manager receiving two warnings in a season with a recommendation on further disciplinary action. 8. Continuous Batting Order: PPYB will employ a continuous batting order for all Minor League (9-10U) and Major League (11-12U) regular season and post-season games. In addition, the continuous batting order shall rotate as described below for the first portion of the season. a. The Major League will employ a continuous, rotating batting order for the first half of the regular season schedule. The Minor League will employ a continuous, rotating batting order for one full rotation through the batting order so that each player bats in the lead off position at least once during the regular season. b. All team members have an assigned spot in the line-up (i.e. if there are 12 players on a team, then the manager will assign each player to a spot in a 12 man line-up). c. The Manager shall submit his batting order to the League VP prior to the first game of the season, and the order shall remain fixed during the period in which the rotating, continuous batting order is used. Players shall rotate down one position in the order each game, with the player in last position in the line-up rotating up to the first position as depicted in the example below:
Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 1. Able 1. Indigo 1. Hotel 2. Baker 2. Able 2. Indigo 3. Charlie 3. Baker 3. Able 4. Delta 4. Charlie 4. Baker 5. Echo 5. Delta 5. Charlie 6. Foxtrot 6. Echo 6. Delta 7. Golf 7. Etc. 7. Etc. 8. Hotel Indigo d. An absent player s spot in batting order will be skipped over, if a team has sufficient players to complete a full defensive line-up (Minors-10 players; Majors-9 players). If a team does not have sufficient players to complete a full defensive line-up, then the absent player spots will constitute an out each time through the line-up until the minimum number of batters are in the order (Minors 10 batters; Majors 9 batters). e. In the event a player is injured, ill, ejected, or has to depart from the Park prior to the conclusion of a game; his spot in the batting order is skipped without penalty for the remainder of the game. A player that arrives late to a game will occupy his normal spot in the batting order upon arrival. f. Pinch runners are not allowed. All players remain in the offensive line-up at all times. If a base runner is injured and must leave the game, the last batter/runner put out will substitute run for the injured base runner. The injured player can return to a defensive position at any time during the remainder of the game, and then continue taking his turn at bat. If the injured player cannot return to a defensive position, his spot in the batting order is skipped over with no penalty for the remainder of the game. The substitute runner will remain in his original spot in the batting order and will not take the spot in the batting order of the injured player. g. A manager faking an injury or illness of a player in order to keep the player out of the game will be ejected from the game and suspended for a minimum of one additional game. h. A courtesy runner is allowed for the player that will play catcher in the next half inning at any time in an inning. The courtesy runner will be the last batter/runner put out. This will speed up play by enabling the catcher to begin putting on his equipment prior to the end of the half inning. The use of a courtesy runner is optional at the discretion of the manager. i. The League VP shall email each team s line-up to all other managers in the division, and post a copy at the Concession Stand. j. After the period of games in which a rotating, continuous batting order is used, the Manager may configure his available players in any order, provided that all players bat continuously. 9. Called-Up Players From Younger Age Divisions: The Player Agent shall maintain a rotational call-up list of at least 10 players (recommended) from each of the PPLL Coach Pitch and Minors Divisions that have the skills required to compete effectively at the next higher age division. The Player Agent shall develop these call-up lists based on recommendations from Coach Pitch and Minors Managers. The Player Agent will contact the recommended players and their parents to determine the availability of the player to be called up to play a game in the
next older age division. The Player Agent will maintain the rotational call-up list, so that a player goes to the bottom of the list after he is called up for a game. The Player Agent will not call up that player again until all other players on the list above him have been contacted to be called up for a game. The Player Agent will assign a player to a requesting team for one game only. Called-up players: a. shall not play pitcher or catcher b. shall occupy the lowest spot(s) in the continuous batting order that game c. shall not play the first inning on defense if the team has sufficient players at that time to complete a full defensive line-up (Minors-10 players; Majors-9 players) d. shall not play more defensive outs that any regular roster player on the team that callsup the player. 10. Minimum Player and Called-Over Player Rules: No Minor or Major League Division team shall be required to forfeit a game because of an insufficient number of players. A team may play a game with as few as eight (8) players at any time during the game. If a team will not have sufficient players to field a full defensive line-up (9 players in Majors, 10 players in Minors), the following process will apply: a. If a manager knows in advance, the Manager shall contact the Player Agent to call-up the required number of players to complete a full defensive line-up (i.e. a Major League team that expects 7 regular roster players for a game would request to call-up 2 players). The Manager will accept the called-up players assigned to his team by the Player Agent for that game without question, discussion, or negotiation. b. Called-Over Player Process: If a team has less than a full defensive line-up (Minors-10 players, Majors-9 players) at any time during a game, that team may either call-over players from the opposing team to complete a full defensive line-up, or take an out in the highest spot(s) in the batting order of an absent player(s). For example, a Major League team with 8 players would declare an out for the highest vacant spot in their batting order each time through the order. If the requesting team calls-over players from the opposition, the opposing manager shall select any players from his line-up to fulfill the request, until the team providing the called-over players has the minimum number of players to complete a full defensive line-up. The called-over player shall occupy the highest spot in the opposition s continuous batting order of an absent player (1=highest, 13=lowest). If at any time during a game in which a called-over player is utilized, the team receiving a called-over player can field a full defensive line-up with regular roster players (a roster player arrives late), the called-over player will return to his original team. c. If either team cannot field 8 defensive players at any time during a regular season game with players from their roster, the call-up list, or called-over from the opposition, the game shall be called, suspended or rescheduled at the discretion of the League VP. d. If a team cannot field 8 defensive players at any time during a league tournament game, the team may forfeit or play the game with the available players, declaring outs for any player short of a full defensive line-up (Minors-10; Majors-9) in the highest vacant spots in the batting order. There shall be no players called-over from the opposition for league tournament games. e. Only approved called-up players, and called-over players are eligible to play in a game. A team can use another player registered at PPYB with the mutual agreement of the
opposing manager. Players not registered at PPYB are not eligible to play at any time in a PPYB league game. 11. Games will begin at scheduled start time, unless both teams agree to an earlier start time. If the umpire fails to show by at least 10 minutes after the scheduled game time, managers may elect to postpone until a different date, or appoint a mutually agreed upon individual(s) to umpire the game or portion thereof until the assigned umpire arrives a. Weeknight games played prior to May 1 shall be allotted a ninety (90) minute time limit. Weeknight games played on May 1 or after shall be allotted a one hour and forty-five minute (105 minute) time limit. b. Weekend games shall be allotted a one hour and forty-five minute (105 minutes) time limit. c. No new inning shall begin after the allotted time limit. The allotted time limit begins at the scheduled start time. A new inning begins immediately after the third out of the previous inning. d. If an inning is being played as the time limit expires, the home team, if behind, shall be allowed to finish its at-bat. If the home team finishes its at-bat and the game is tied, then the game will end as a tie. No new inning can start after the time limit has expired. e. The last game of the day will have no time limit in order to maximize play time. f. The umpire is responsible for announcing the start time of the game, and keeping track of the official time throughout the game. 12. The home plate umpire shall conduct a coaches meeting prior to the start of every game in order to review ground rules, time limits and all league specific playing rules. At this meeting, coaches will exchange information about who is eligible to pitch that game and any players that are subject to disciplinary action. 13. PPYB will provide at least one PPYB approved home plate umpire per game. A volunteer base umpire will normally be provided by a team that has Park Day that day. 14. Inclement weather, time limit or darkness a. The League Vice-President or another PPYB board member, if the League VP is not available, shall be responsible for determining whether the field is playable to begin a game. Until the game is started, the umpire shall have no authority in this matter. Only the League Vice-President can call a game due to inclement weather, an unplayable field, or darkness prior to the first pitch. b. No game will be played when lightning is present or there is a tornado warning (as distinguished from a watch). Once the game begins, the umpire in chief or a PPYB official alone shall be responsible for such determinations, according to the PPYB safety policy. c. If a game is called due to inclement weather, time limit or darkness, it shall be an official completed game if the 4 th inning has been completed (3½ innings completed if the home team is ahead) in a six-inning game. If a game called due to inclement weather, time limit, or darkness is not yet an official game, it shall be resumed at a point of suspension prior to the start of the next scheduled game between the two teams or at a time agreed upon by the managers and played to completion.
d. Any regular season game that is called because of inclement weather, time limit, or darkness after the 4 th inning has been completed (3 ½ innings completed if the home team is ahead) described in 14.c. with the score tied will be considered a complete game. If the game is called in the middle of an inning, the score will revert back to the score at the end of the last complete inning. 15. Scheduling/Rescheduling / Forfeits: PPYB League VP and Scheduler will be responsible for scheduling all games, and rescheduling any cancelled or suspended games. No game can be rescheduled without the permission of the appropriate League VP. 16. Reporting scores and pitch counts: It shall be the responsibility of the each manager or his/her designate to submit the score and pitching record to the League VP or his/her designate within 24 hours of game time. 17. Regular Season Standings a. Regular season standings will be based on point totals of from all regular season games. A victory is awarded two (2) points, and a tie is awarded one (1) point. b. Standings tie breaking procedure shall be determined in the following sequence: i. Head to head competition with the other team(s) that are tied. ii. Coin flip. 18. Safety and Conduct Issues a. Any player or coach ejected from a game will also be ineligible for at least the next game. Both teams must report the incident to the League VP within 24 hours. The league reserves the right to enforce further penalties as needed. b. Thrown bats: Thrown bats are very dangerous. If a batter unintentionally releases a bat or throws a ball that might come in contact with the catcher, umpire, or another player, the umpire shall take the following action: i. 1 st offense by a player in a game: stop the game after the play is over, warn the player and warn the team s manager. ii. 2 nd offense by same player in a game: stop play after the play is over. The player is called out and ejected from the game. The result of the play stands. All base runners remain at the base they occupied at the conclusion of the play. Runs scored on the play will count. iii. A player ejected from the game for unintentionally throwing his bat is eligible to play in the next scheduled game. c. Base runners must avoid violent or malicious contact with a fielder. Examples of prohibited contact include, but are not limited to, high spiking, sliding hard into a player rather than towards the base, or the use of elbows, shoulders, or knees to dislodge the ball or causing bodily harm. The penalty for violent, intentional or malicious contact is the base runner is called out. The umpire can eject a player for any behavior that in the umpire s judgment was intentional, malicious, and could have injured another player. d. Base runners must slide into home plate when a play is being made at home. If a base runner does not slide into home plate and makes contact with a fielder in the process of making a play at home, the base runner will be called out for not sliding. Minor League/10U Rules Addendum
The following modification to the league rules shall apply to the 10U Division: 1. Ten defensive fielders will be used. In addition to the pitcher, catcher, and infield positions, there will be four outfielders. 2. The infield fly rule will not be used. 3. Batter cannot advance to first on a dropped third strike. The batter is called out immediately upon a third strike. 4. A base runner cannot leave the base before the pitched ball crosses the imaginary plane at the front edge of home plate. If a base runner leaves early, the umpire will raise his hand to indicate an infraction. If the ball is not hit, the defensive team has the option of either 1. accepting the results of the play, or 2. returning the runner to first base. If the ball is hit, the umpire will use his judgment on the outcome of the play had the runner not left early (would runner have been forced at 2 nd base; would runner have been able to advance to 3 rd base on a hit, etc.). 5. A base runner on third base cannot steal home, or advance to home on a passed ball or wild pitch. A base runner can attempt to advance from third base to home ONLY if the catcher s return throw goes past the pitcher, or if the catcher or pitcher throws the ball to another fielder in an attempt to put out any runner on base. The Minor League VP, with the majority of consent of the Minor League managers, may modify this rule at any time during the regular season or for the post-season tournament. 6. A half inning shall consist of three (3) outs or a maximum of ten (10) total batters. If the tenth batter of an inning hits the ball into fair territory, the defensive team can end the inning by putting the batter or a base runner out for an out, or tagging home plate.