Green Bay Area Babe Ruth League By-Laws Version 2.9 Last Revised: 05/7/2013 General League Code of Conduct The code of conduct will apply to all managers, coaches, players, parents, umpires, fans and any other person associated with the Green Bay Area Baseball League organization. Failure to comply will result in action by the organization s Board of Directors as it deems appropriate and necessary for the protection and welfare of the League. The League shall be governed by USSSA and Babe Ruth League, Inc. All Rules and Regulations will follow the WIAA playing rules with the following exceptions/clarifications. 1. All League officials, managers, and assistant coaches are required to submit to a background check. 2. The use of tobacco products and/or the possession or use of alcoholic beverages at any official League function, game, or practice is strictly prohibited. Any League official or person associated with the organization that violates this rule will be prohibited from any further participation in the League activities of any kind. 3. Use of profane language, fighting or physical contact with an umpire is grounds for an automatic ejection without warning. 4. Any malicious action by a player, manager or assistant coach during a game will be grounds for an ejection. Examples of malicious behavior include but are not limited to: a. Throwing or kicking of equipment. b. Intentionally throwing at a batter by a pitcher. c. Threatening movements by a batter toward a pitcher. d. A base runner that purposely collides with a fielder or catcher without sliding. 5. Any person that has been prohibited from further participation in League activities of any kind shall not be allowed to reenter the League without a majority approval vote from the Board of Directors. 6. The Board of Directors shall hold the right to determine any disciplinary action not spelled out in these by-laws. 1 P a g e
Team Rules Code of Conduct 1. Teams shall be governed by USSSA & Babe Ruth League, Inc. WIAA Official Playing Rules with the following exceptions/clarifications. 1. A League-approved coach must be present at every League sponsored function in order for the activity to occur. 2. Each team will be allowed a number of players to be determined by the Board of Directors prior to the start of each season. 3. Registration forms for all players must be kept on file with the team coach. 4. All registration forms and team fees must be turned in on time. Any player whose name is not on a registration form that has been turned in will not be allowed to participate until they are officially registered. 5. A player will not be allowed to play in League games until their fundraising money has been turned in. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the League President in advance of the start of League play. 6. During a League game, each team will be allowed one head coach, two assistant coaches and one scorekeeper to be present in the dugout. Players are the only other personnel allowed in the dugout during a League game. 7. Coaches are allowed to respectfully question an umpire s interpretation of a rule. Judgment calls (ex. Balls & Strikes) are not allowed to be questioned. All umpire decisions are final. 8. A head coach or assistant coach will not be allowed to remove his team from the playing field. If done, the game will be declared a forfeit and the manager or assistant coach will receive a 2 game suspension. 9. At the start of the game a pitcher will get ten warm-up throws on the mound and five every inning thereafter. In the event of an injury and in the umpire s judgment, the new pitcher gets as many pitches as necessary to warm up and prevent injury. The umpire shall use his discretion under inclement weather. 10. All teams will run on and off the playing field between innings. Warm up catchers will be used if the catcher is putting on his equipment. Players must wear a mask while warming up pitchers. 11. Teams warming up for the second game shall do so in a safe area that will not disrupt the game in progress, or endanger the health of any participant or spectator. 12. The home team will occupy the first base dugout. 13. The home team is responsible for putting the bases on the field and chalking the bases prior to the start of the first game of the night. The home team involved in the last game of the night is responsible for putting away the bases after their game, and turning off the lights in use. Both teams will rake the mound and baselines/home plate. The infield will be dragged by tractor. If the tractor is not available, the area around the bases must be raked and holes filled in. The dugouts should also be swept out. 2 P a g e
14. After the game, the winning team shall e-mail the results and highlights to the following e-mail address gbbaberuth@yahoo.com. The e-mail must be sent within 24 hours of game completion. 15. The home team will supply two new baseballs and two good, quality used baseballs at the beginning of each game. 16. Each team must retrieve foul balls from their sideline. 17. Each team will keep their equipment in their dugout. 18. Managers must collect all uniforms by August 31 st. 19. Each manager, coach, or other representative is expected to attend all Babe Ruth meetings during the year. When unable to attend, the League President should be notified. A manager will be replaced if meetings are consistently missed. 20. Sponsor s names shall be on the front or back of all uniforms purchased. Uniforms must have unique numbers. Official Playing Rules 1. League games shall be governed by WIAA Rules and Regulations and Official Playing Rules with the following exceptions/clarifications. 1. Metal spikes are allowed for all age groups. 2. The home plate umpire will announce the game starting time to both managers. Both teams will record it in their scorebooks. 3. Each team s scorebook must list both the first and last names of each player. 4. The home team s scorebook will be considered the official book for each game. 5. Fake tags are illegal and dangerous. If an umpire calls a fake tag, all base runners shall advance one base and the player that faked the tag will be ejected from the game. 6. Teams may start a game with eight players. The ninth spot in the batting order shall be declared an automatic out. If another team-rostered player or other appropriate substitute arrives after the game starts they may enter the game when they are ready, and must occupy the ninth spot in the batting order. Games cannot be completed with less than seven players. 7. Time permitting, each team will be allowed ten minutes on the field for warm ups. The pitcher will not be allowed on the mound until his team takes warm ups to start the game. The visiting team shall warm up first. 8. All players must wear the uniform supplied by the League in order to be eligible to play. 9. Any player that intentionally alters their uniform will be responsible to pay the replacement cost of the uniform. 10. Players must wear batting helmets while at bat, on deck, running bases or coaching bases. 11. 14-15 year olds must use a bat size of -5. The 13 year old League will use a bat size up to a -7. Due to changing bat size rules, this rule will be revaluated every year. Senior League must use BBCOR bats. 12. In case there are no umpires present at a game, both teams involved should mutually choose a person(s) to umpire. If a person(s) cannot be mutually agreed upon, the game will be postponed. 3 P a g e
13. Single games and the first doubleheader game start at 5:30 pm with a 2nd game at 7:45 pm. A grace period of ten minutes will be allowed before a game is declared a forfeit. A new inning may not start after two hours and ten minutes of playing time. If the minimum number of innings has been played, the game will be declared official, providing it is not tied. If a game is not official after two hours and ten minutes, it will be continued until it qualifies as an official game. 14. In doubleheaders where the first game is tied after the two hour and ten minute time limit, teams must continue until it is completed. If the second game cannot start by 9:00 pm, the second game will be rescheduled. 15. Any game that is not completed due to rain, darkness or other natural cause, will be resumed from the point of suspension. A complete game is four and ½ innings if the home team is leading, five innings if the visitors are ahead. Any game that is tied, and then suspended for any of the above causes shall be resumed from the point of suspension. Each team shall resume the game with the same line up that was in the game when it was halted if those players are present and able to play. No time limit will be in effect when the game resumes. 16. All make-up games due to postponement or rain must be played that same week. The Chief Umpire must approve all rescheduled games. 17. Any team with a ten run lead after five innings, four and ½ if the home team is leading, shall be declared the winner. 18. Pitching limits will be based on pitch count according to the grid below. In all cases, once the pitcher reaches their pitch limit, they may finish the current batter s at bat. The maximum number of pitches that a 14/15 yr old may throw in a single day is 110 pitches. The maximum number of pitches that a 13 yr old may throw in a single day is 90 pitches. Pitching Rest Rules 13 Yr Old Number of pitches thrown in a day 14/15 yr Old - Number of pitches thrown in a day 75 to 90 Maximum 90-110 Maximum 3 Days 51 to 74 51 to 89 2 Days 35 to 50 35 to 50 1 Day Number of calendar days rest between appearances 34 or Less 34 or Less No rest required (may pitch a max of 2 consecutive days at this pitch range. After this point, the player must rest 2 days) 19. In a league game, each team will compare pitch count totals at the completion of each half inning. In the case of differing totals, the home team s scorebook shall be considered the official total. Coaches will not be allowed to protest pitch count discrepancies. 4 P a g e
20. Any game in which an ineligible pitcher has been used and is protested. The game will go under review by the protest committee. 21. In the event that a player gets injured after a game has begun, a courtesy runner will be allowed. The courtesy runner will be someone not currently in the lineup or the last player to make an out if a coach is batting the lineup. The opposing manager will be allowed to select the player from the opposing team that will act as the courtesy runner. If there is no one on the bench, the player making the last out in the previous inning can be used. A courtesy runner may be used only once per game. 22. A courtesy runner for the catcher or a pitcher can be used at any time. 23. In a seven inning game, each player must play a minimum of three innings in the field and make at least one plate appearance. 24. Teams in the 13 year old league may bring down players from the 14U league to substitute in order to have a game roster of nine or ten players. The players will be identified on a list by the league commissioners prior to the start of league play. 14 year old players not on this list cannot be used as substitutes. The 14 year old substitute may not play the position of pitcher or catcher. The 14 year old substitute may not be in the starting lineup for the game if nine or more players are present. A team may not bring up the same player to substitute on their team more than three times in a season unless given permission by 13 year old Commissioner (VP). 25. Teams in the 14-15 year old League may bring up players from the 13 year old League in order to have a game roster of nine or ten players. The 13 year old substitute may not play the position of pitcher or catcher. The 13 year old substitute may not be in the starting lineup for the game if nine or more players are present. A team may not bring up the same player to substitute on their team more than three times in a season. 26. Umpires must return League equipment to the equipment shack after their last game of the day. Player Re-entry Rules 1. A coach has the option of batting the full line up. If a coach chooses this option, they must notify the umpire and the opposing head coach prior to the start of the game. 2. A player must re-enter the game in the same batting position that they were in when they originally started in the game. 3. Once a pitcher is removed from the pitcher s position in the lineup, they are not allowed to reenter back into the game as a pitcher. 4. Players may exchange positions while in the field without regard to re-entry or withdrawal. 5. A starting player and his substitute may not be in the game at the same time with the only exception being when an injury has occurred and all other eligible players have been used. 6. If a player enters illegally as a fielder, there is no penalty except that he must be removed from the game. However if the player re-enters illegally as a batter, the player s team will be penalized under baseball BRL Rule 6.07a-d, Batting Out of Turn Ejection Rules 1. 1st Offense A player, coach or manager ejected from a game will be suspended for the next game. If the individual that was ejected disagrees, a written appeal must be made within 24 hrs 5 P a g e
of the event occurring. The appeal is to be sent to the President of the League. The President and each of the three League Directors will review the appeal as a panel. In the event of a tie vote, the President s vote shall break the tie. The panel may add additional game suspensions depending on the severity of the offense. 2. 2nd Offense Same as above. 3. 3rd Offense The Board of Directors will review the situation and determine the proper action possibly resulting in removal from the League. Protest Process 1. Protests will be allowed only on rule interpretations and not umpire judgment calls (balls, strikes, etc). 2. The umpires and opposing manager must be informed immediately when the game is being played under protest. This must be done at the time of the disputed play and duly noted in both scorebooks for future reference. 3. A written protest must be submitted to a League President within 24 hours of the finish of the game and must contain the section and number of the rule upon which the protest is based. 4. The President and each of the three League Directors will review the protest as a panel. Any panel member who has coaching or parental involvement shall not rule on protests. The President will select an alternate panel member if this situation arises. 5. The protest panel shall rule on the protest within 24 hours after it has been submitted to the League President. The decision of the protest panel is final. The League President shall notify both managers and the Chief Umpire of their findings via telephone or e-mail. 6. The Chief Umpire will reschedule the game if the protest Is upheld. The game will start from the point where the protest was made. Player Eligibility 1. Any player 13 years of age on April 30th of the current year is eligible to try out for the 13 Year Old League. All 13 year olds will play in this league. 2. Any player 14-15 years of age on April 30th of the current year is eligible to try out for the 14-15 Year Old League. Any player 16-18 years of age on April 30 th of the current year is eligible to try out for the 16-18 year old Senior Divivsion. 3. Players must verify their age with valid documentation of their date of birth when registering. 4. All players must try out to be eligible for the draft. 5. If a player can provide a valid reason for not being able to attend tryouts, they will be placed on a supplemental draft list and teams will draw those players out of a hat. 6. Players registering after the draft will be placed on a 2nd supplemental list and will be placed on teams that are in need of additional players. Trading of players or draft picks is not allowed. 7. If a player is registered in the Green Bay Area Baseball League, they are not permitted to play in any other baseball league during the course of the season. A player who registers or plays in American Legion baseball is not eligible to participate in Green Bay Area Baseball unless given permission by the Board of Directors. 6 P a g e
League Tryouts 1. All managers shall be notified of the next season s tryout date at the End of Year League meeting in September of each year. 2. On the day of tryouts, each player must check in at the registration area at the park where tryouts are being held. They will receive a tryout identification number at that time. 3. The League Directors and Managers will decide what the format for the tryout will consist of. 4. Players from a dissolved team from the previous year will re-try out again in order to be eligible for the draft. The players will then become part of the regular draft process. 5. A player may re-enter the draft with Board approval. Approval must be obtained before League try-outs. A player will not be eligible to re-enter the draft once tryouts have started for the upcoming season. 6. Each year, the goal of the League is to have the number of 14 and 15 year old players balanced on each team so as to maintain a competitive balance in the League. The same also applies to the Senior League. 7. The draft order for the 14-15 year old League will go in reverse order of the final regular season standings from the previous year. The 13 year old League will draw numbers to determine the draft order. Area Directors also have the option of splitting up evenly pitchers and catchers and then resume with drafting of remaining players. 8. For draft team-ranking purposes, forfeitures from the previous year s regular season will count as wins in the final standings. For league record purposes, forfeitures from the previous year s regular season will count as losses in the final standings. 9. Teams tied in the final regular season standings will draft in the order determined by the league tiebreaker rules. 10.The actual draft process will work like this: a. A Head Coach of a team will be allowed an exemption for their child or other blood relative. b. All Head Coach options will be identified prior to the beginning of the draft. The League Director will ask each coach from the league to call out the estimated round that the Head Coach s option would have been drafted in. The League Director will then call a vote of the teams (one vote per team) to determine which round value will be assigned to the Head Coach s option. This process will repeat itself until all the options are assigned a round value. c. Brother/Sister options will be allowed and will be determined based on current rosters prior to the start of the draft. The League Director will ask each coach from the league to call out the estimated round that the brother/sister option would have been drafted in. The League Director will then call a vote of the teams (one vote per team) to determine 7 P a g e
which round value will be assigned to the brother/sister option. This process will repeat itself until all the brother/sister options are assigned a round value. d. A draft freeze point will be determined prior to the start of the draft. The freeze point will be calculated as ½ of the official league roster size for that particular season plus one. In other words, if the league roster size is 12 players, then the freeze point will be 7 players. The freeze point for each roster will be determined by totaling the number of returning 15 yr olds plus any Brother/Sister options, plus any Head Coach options. Once the freeze point has been reached by a team, it will temporarily stop drafting when it reaches the number. Once all teams have reached the freeze point, normal drafting will continue. e. All 15 year old players will be drafted together first. Teams will continue to draft until they have reached their freeze point. (See freeze point rule above for details). f. All 14 year olds will be drafted together once the 15 year olds have all been drafted. Teams will continue to draft until they have reached their roster limit for the season. Tiebreaker Rules 1. Within the Division a. First tiebreaker is Overall Win-Loss Record b. Second tiebreaker is Head-to-Head Record against each other c. Third tiebreaker is Runs allowed in games played against each other d. Fourth tiebreaker is a Total runs allowed in the season e. Fifth tiebreaker to be decided by league board. 13 League Playoff Format 1. The playoffs shall consist of the top team in each division (assuming a 2 division League containing four to five teams each) as well as the second place finishers in each division (aka. Wild card teams) 2. Any teams tied will follow the League tiebreaker rules. 3. The playoffs will consist of two rounds. 4. The highest ranked division winner will play the lowest-ranked wild card team. The secondranked division winner will play the highest-ranked wild card team. The winner of these two games will play each other for the League Championship. 5. The higher ranked team will be the home team in all playoff games. 6. The ten run rule shall be in effect. 7. The time limit is waived for playoff games. 8. All other league rules apply in the playoffs. 14-15 League Playoff Format 1. The playoffs shall consist of the top team in each division (assuming a four division League containing four teams each) 8 P a g e
2. Any teams tied will follow the League tiebreaker rules. 3. The playoffs will consist of two rounds. 4. The highest ranked division winner will play the fourth-ranked division winner. The secondranked division winner will play the third-ranked division winner. The winner of these two games will play each other for the League Championship. 5. The higher ranked team will be the home team in all playoff games. 6. The ten run rule shall be in effect. 7. The time limit is waived for playoff games. 8. All other league rules apply in the playoffs. 9 P a g e