MANITOWOC YOUTH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION 2018 Major League Rules www.manitowocyouthbaseball.com The following rules serve as guidelines by which the Manitowoc Youth Baseball Association (MYBA) is governed. The intent of these rules and regulations is to provide equally for each participant, an educational and enjoyable experience. The MYBA reserves the right to act on any actions considered detrimental to the program or contrary to the intent of the prescribed rules, as interpreted by the MYBA. These actions include those of coaches, players and spectators. 1) The MYBA will follow the general rules of baseball Governed by the NFHS and any state adaptations by the WIAA, except with the exceptions made by specific level or those mentioned in the general rules and regulations of the MYBA. 2) The umpire and/or coaches and committee have the authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered by the rules. LEAGUE DIVISIONS AND AGE ELIGIBILITY A. Hardball Leagues Grade Bases Pitcher s Mound Rookie 1 st & 2 nd 60' Approx 40 Machine pitch Minor 3 rd & 4 th 60' 43' Major 5 th & 6 th 60 46' All-Star 7 th 10 th 80 55 B. Softball Leagues Grade Bases Pitcher s Mound Ponytails 1 st - 3 rd 60 32 Junior 4 th - 6 th 60 38 Senior 6 th - 9 th 60 40 Grades for determining eligibility and league are based on the current school year, at the time of registration. A player whose grade differs from that recommended for a particular level may play down one level if they are a safety hazard to themselves or others. They shall be allowed to play down a level if the parent addresses a letter to the MYBA, requesting an assessment be done. The assessment must be done a minimum of 2 weeks before the draft. The assessment will be made by the two commissioner s, and 2 coaches from the league. This panel will decide if the child is eligible to play down a level. PLAYER REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBLITY FOR TEAMS To be eligible for registration to play in the Youth Baseball Program (MYBA), a player must be a resident of the County of Manitowoc, go to school in Manitowoc, or have approval from MYBA. Properly registered players are limited to participation on one team, league, and level while in the program. Players may not play for additional teams outside the program. If you are playing on another team
outside our organization, such as a tournament team, you need to contact your league commissioner and the MYBA for approval. Team rosters are limited to a maximum of 13 and a minimum of 10 players unless approved by commissioner. The MYBA is not responsible for injuries incurred during participation in this program. All players must be properly registered to be eligible to participate in any practices or games. The MYBA will be responsible for properly registering and assigning all players to a team. LENGTH OF GAMES, TIME, RUN RULES AND SUSPENDED GAMES Games in Major League will be scheduled for 6 innings in length No games will ever end in a tie, and it shall be played until completion. No new inning will begin after 1 hour and 30 minutes from the start of the game and the game will be considered complete, unless the game is tied. The time for a new inning begins immediately after the sixth out of the previous inning. Umpires are to notify both head coaches of the official start time. In the event of inclement weather, or darkness, 4 ½ innings (5 if home team is losing) will constitute a complete game. If the game is resumed after a weather delay, the time of delay shall not count against the time limit. The Umpire must inform both head coaches of new ending time. In the event of a suspended game due to weather or darkness, that is not complete, the game will continue right where it left off at a later date. Both coaches are responsible for knowing the game situation: runners on, batting order, pitcher, score, count, etc. If the home team is leading by 10 or more runs after 4 ½ innings or any team is leading by 10 or more runs at the end of any complete inning thereafter, the game will be considered complete and no new inning will begin. Umpires are asking for your help to keep the games moving. Remind the athletes to hustle on and off the field. There shall be no more than 5 warm up pitches between innings, 7 at the start of a game and for a new pitcher. Coaches are also asked to have all players ready to take their positions promptly at the end of there at bat, including the catcher, who should be in gear unless batting. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher when there are 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the player that made the second out of the inning. EQUIPMENT AND UMPIRES The MYBA will furnish game balls and team equipment to all teams. The home team will supply 2 new game balls for each game. Extra slightly used balls would be appreciated. Metal cleats are not allowed. Cleats made of synthetic materials (i.e., plastic, rubber) may be used. Catching equipment will be supplied for each team. Catchers must wear protective headgear, throat protector, and a cup or they cannot catch. It is coach s responsibility to see that protective gear is worn. All offensive ballplayers must wear helmets while on the field of play (runners, hitters, batter in the on-deck circle in front of the screen.) Any children coaching the bases must wear a helmet. Bats for Rookie, Minor, and Major Leagues the maximum size will be 2 1/4, 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 inch in diameter and 33 inches in length. Bats for All-Star League the maximum size allowed will be 2 5/8 inch in diameter with maximum -7 drop. Umpires will be assigned by the MYBA Umpire Supervisor and are in complete charge of the game.
The umpires are representatives of the MYBA, and will not tolerate abuse from players, coaches or spectators. The MYBA will support the umpires and their judgment. PROTESTS AND ILLEGAL EQUIPEMENT Any use of illegal equipment, substitutions, players, must be brought to the attention of the umpire before the next pitch to be decided upon. IF there is an infraction, the penalty will be based on NFHS rules and regulations. If it is found that there is no infraction, or it is not brought to the attention of the umpire before the next pitch, the play will stand. All formal protests must be made to the plate umpire at the time of occurrence, and then submitted in writing to the League Commissioner within 24 hours after the completion of the game. A panel made up of the commissioner and Umpire supervisor and/or MYBA committee will rule on the protest within 48 hours of receiving the written protest. Decisions involving judgment calls (i.e., ball/strike, out/safe, fair/foul, etc.) cannot be protested. Only decisions and calls based on rules 1 thru 9 of the NFHS may be protested, and only if they are brought up immediately at the time of the occurrence. RELEASES A player wishing to change teams must submit a release form signed by the player and coach involved. The MYBA will reassign the player to a new team. FORFEITS Teams must have at least seven players to begin a game. If a team has less than 7 it forfeits the game and a practice game is played. Umpires are to stay and umpire the practice game. A game may continue if a team drops below 7 players after the beginning of an official game. When a team fields less than nine players, an automatic out is awarded in the spots not occupied (i.e. 8th/9th or both or less due to injury) A team caught using an ineligible player will forfeit. PLAYER, COACH AND SPECTATOR CONDUCT The umpire shall have the authority to remove any player or coach from the game and park area, if the individual in question is involved in unsportsmanlike conduct, profanity, derogatory remarks or any other action considered detrimental to the game. The game will not continue until the ejected player or coach leaves the game and park area. If the ejected individual refuses to leave the game and park area, their associated team will forfeit the game. Any player or coach ejected from a game may be suspended one or more games. He can file an appeal with the ethics committee and his appeal will be heard within 7 days (the player or coach can continue to participate until the appeal is heard). Any player removed from two or more games during the season because of such actions listed may be dropped from the league. Coaches or players may request a meeting before the ethics committee of the MYBA on player or coach spectator conduct. The ethics committee will meet within 7 days and will issue the individual a written notice. A player or coach may be suspended for one or more games. They may also be banned from the league. Players and coaches must remain on the bench. Under no circumstances is a player or coach
allowed behind the backstop or alleyway between backstop and fence during the game. All teams will be allowed to encourage their team positively, but there will be no tolerance of any negative or intimidating actions toward the opposing team. If a coach pulls a team off the field, that team will forfeit the game and the coach will face the ethics committee. Coaches may be held responsible for the actions of the players and their parents. Tobacco and alcohol use is prohibited at games and practices. Anyone not abiding by this rule will be asked to leave the confines of the baseball diamond and park area. The game will not continue until the individual has left. ALONG with the umpire, coaches and commissioners are asked to help deal with spectators that act in an unsportsmanlike manner. If a fan is required to leave the park due to behavior that is found detrimental to the game, or because of use of tobacco or alcohol, the game will be suspended until removed. The Manitowoc Police Department may be called to assist in such matters. Any problems with players, coaches, or spectators, which lead to removal, must be reported to the commissioner and the ethics committee of the MYBA. COACHES The duties of the coaches are to: 1. Be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the athlete, and thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character. 2. Avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco when in contact with players 3. Promote the program and support decisions of the MYBA 4. Respect and support umpires and their decisions 5. Work with other coaches, players and fans in a sportsmanlike manner. 6. Display and demand good sportsmanship from everyone at all times. 7. Organize games and practices in a safe, organized, and educational fashion. 8. Help make decisions that may shape the future of the MYBA Coaches are required to send the league commissioner, ratings of each of their players from that year by the end of the season. Any coach that does not send this information will have their players entered into the next levels draft unrated. All coaches will be required to provide information to the commissioners so that a background check can be done on each coach. This background check will be criminal in nature and have nothing to do with a coach s financial position. The winning team is required to have the game results updated on the website or emailed to their commissioner by 10:00 am the day following their game. COMMISSIONERS The duties of the commissioner are to: 1. Determine teams and coaches for that league. 2. Organize the draft. 3. Assign players after the draft, and help with eligibility if needed. 4. Schedule season and make-up games. 5. Select dates and oversee tournament. Arrange for trophies, umpires, concessions, publicity,
SPONSORS and ground care. 6. Serve on the MYBA rules, and ethics committee, as well as being a member of the board. 7. Help rule on protests and report ruling to MYBA. 8. Ensure that results and standings are updated on the website. A sponsor will be defined as anyone who contributes $200 each year for the purpose of sponsoring a team in the program. Sponsors are encouraged to give a two year commitment. The sponsorship fee helps offset many of the costs of the MYBA. RULES OF PLAY The youth baseball program (MYBA) will follow the rules adopted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and all state adaptations of the WIAA, except where these rules supersede. Please make sure to check your specific leagues and levels rules for any deviations from the general rules. MAJOR LEAGUE RULES Innings of Play and Batting 1. Every player present at the game will be put in the batting order. If a player arrives late, he will be placed at the end of the batting order. Example - if there were 13 players present at the game, all 13 players would bat. The number one batter would not bat for the second time until the 13 th batter finishes batting. There is no time limit on when a late player can enter a game. 2. Each player must play the field two innings during the first four innings and a total of three innings in a regulation seven-inning game. 3. A coach is not required to play a player who doesn t attend practices. Abuse of this policy may put the coach before the ethics committee. 4. If a player is injured while batting and it is in the middle of the count, the next batter will bat with a 0-0 count and no out will be recorded. If a player is injured while running the bases the last available person who made an out will replace him. If a player is injured and can t continue, his batting position is skipped. If this causes the team to go below nine players an out will be assessed in position nine or first injured or missing position 5. Stealing a. Base stealing is allowed at all bases b. A runner may not leave the base until the pitched ball crosses the plate. If the runner leaves early, he will be called out. c. No Base stealing is allowed for a team with at least a 10 run lead. Runners caught stealing after a 10 run lead will be returned to the base that they started on. 6. On a dropped third strike, the batter is out. 7. There will be no balks called at this level. 8. There IS the infield fly rule at this level i. The batter is out if he hits an infield fly, with runners on first and second or on first, second and third with less than two outs. ii. The ball remains alive and in play, with runners in jeopardy. 1. If a declared infield fly falls to the ground untouched and bounces foul before passing first or third bases, it is a foul ball.
2. If a fly ball falls to the ground untouched outside the foul lines and then bounces fair before reaching first and third bases, it is an infield fly Pitching 9. A coach entering the field of play to talk to the same pitcher twice in the same inning must remove him from pitching. 10. Pitchers will be limited to a maximum of two innings per game. An inning is defined as the delivery of 1 legal pitch. 11. A pitcher may not re-enter the game as a pitcher once they have been removed from the pitcher position. 12. The pitcher does not need to pitch intentional walks. Miscellaneous 13. Individual trophies for League standings may not exceed 1/3 of the teams. 14. Individual trophies awarded at the Tournament may not exceed 50% of the teams. 15. The home team in all leagues will occupy the first base bench. The visiting team will occupy the 3 rd base bench. 16. The team batting is responsible for retrieving foul balls and returning them to the umpire. 17. Questions concerning these rules or other rules not covered in these pages will be interpreted by the league commissioners with assistance from the MYBA and the umpire Supervisor.