Spring Hill Little League

Spring Hill Little League By-laws 2013 Season

By-Laws Applying to All Divisions 1. The Board of Directors automatically recognizes all team managers, coaches, and team moms as active members in good standing of SHLL. 2. Parents are not allowed on the playing field during games unless requested by a manager or coach for injury or disciplinary reasons. 3. SHLL reserves the right to disallow participation by any player or parent when deemed in the best interest of the league. 4. Parents are required to read and sign the Parents Code of Conduct prior to each season. Failure to abide by this code may result in suspension or termination of the parent s access to SHLL. Failure to sign the code is not grounds to break the code. 5. Team managers are required to resolve issues with team, players, parents, and other coaches or managers according to the chain of communication. That being Manager, Division VP, Player Agent, Competition Committee, Board of Directors. 6. All rules regarding game play for each division will be set prior to the first pitch of each season. Any rule changes during the season can only be made at the recommendation of the competition committee and unanimous vote of the division managers. Final rule change must be approved by the board. 7. All teams must be represented at coaches meeting and must sign for a rule book. 8. There will be no on deck area on any field. All batters must remain behind a fence until their at bat begins, except for Junior League. 9. Rain outs will be determined by present board members and head umpires. Failure to remain available until games have been officially rained out may result in that game not being made up. 10. Stars and Tee Ball teams will be assembled according to parent requests and the age with each team getting as close to even number of age groups. 11. All managers, coaches, and team moms are subject to board approval pending a clear background check. The president has the right to revoke board approval without explanation per Little League Green Book rules. 12. Only managers, coaches, and team moms being considered for these positions or other persons seeking to volunteer, are required to fill out the volunteer form. They must also present a copy of a picture ID. Background checks will only be run on persons selected as volunteers. 13. All game play rules not covered in by-laws will refer back to Little League Green Book. Any situations not covered by Green Book or by-laws will be taken to the board with a recommendation from the competition and protest committee. 14. Tryouts, per the LL Operations Manual, shall be conducted as follows: All candidates will be given the opportunity to bat, field fly balls, field ground balls, throw, and run. Each of these skills will be graded on a 1-5 scale. A total score of 25 points is the highest rating. Each manager will grade the players for their own reference. 15. If there is to be an expansion of the Major League division, the process used for expansion in 2008 will be used. 16. Any manager or coach ejected from a ball game for a 2 nd time in the same season will be dismissed from his coaching duties pending appeal to the board of directors. 1

17. A participation fee may be assessed as the parent s obligation to assure the operational continuity of SHLL. This fee will be calculated and assessed by the majority vote of the sitting Board of Directors. a. Participation fee for Junior League Division is $100.00 b. Participation fee for Majors Division is $100.00 c. Participation fee for Minors Division is $100.00 d. Participation fee for Farm Division is $100.00 e. Participation fee for Tee Ball Division is $80.00 f. Participation fee for Stars Division is $80.00 g. Participation fee for Girls Softball ages 7-12 is $100.00 h. Participation fee for optional 50/70 Intermediate Division is $50.00 i. There will be a $15.00 field maintenance fee added to each player registration. 18. SHLL will not deny any child a chance to play due to financial hardship. Full or partial scholarships are available with BOD approval. Scholarship eligibility guidelines will be determined annually by the BOD and request forms will be supplied by SHLL. 19. Any request to remove a player and receive a full refund must be done prior to player evaluations. Any request to remove a player once player evaluations have been done shall be given a refund minus $20. Any request to remove a player and receive a refund due to illness or injury must meet the approval of the SHLL board. Approved refunds will be handled as follows: a. Prior to 1st Game: Refund minus $20 b. Within first 4 games: Refund of 50% c. After completion of 4th game: No Refund 20. Players not requiring evaluation may only receive full refund prior to the first day of evaluations. All returned checks are subject to a $15 fee. 21. Board of Directors Attendance Policy Two (2) consecutive board meeting absences without prior notification to an attending board member, will result in a BOD vote to determine termination of board position. Three (3) consecutive board meeting absences with prior notification to an attending board member will result in a BOD vote to determine termination of board position. Majors Division Rules 1. No coaches outside dugouts on defense. 2. Only 3 coaches in the dugout at any time. Majors Division Player Selection Guidelines Starting with Little League Draft Plan A 1. Each team will be required to carry a number of 12 year olds equal to the average of total eligible and participation 12 year old players in the draft divided by the total number of major league teams. This WILL NOT include draft eligible 12 year olds that have requested not to be considered for the Majors draft. 2. Once the average number has been determined and there is deemed to be a surplus to that number, teams will draw for the remaining 12 year olds players. For instance, if the average number of 12 year olds is 5, each team would be required to have at least 5 twelve year olds on their team. If there were 2

three 12 s left, each team would draw to see who takes the remaining 12 s. 3. Only tams within 1 pick of the average number will be required to draw for surplus players. For example: if the average number of 12 s is 4 and there is a team with 6 or more 12 s already on a team, that team or teams would not be included in the surplus draw. 4. All teams must be within two 12 s of each other. For example: If there is a team with five 12 year olds, every team must have at least 3 by the end of the draft unless there are not enough players in the draft to accommodate that number. Example: If there are not enough new 12 year olds moving up in a particular year that would allow a team with fewer 12 s to catch up with a team that already had several 12 year olds. Exception: If a team is left short of the mandatory number due to team a team taking more than their required number of 12 year olds. 5. If all teams are within one 12 year old player of each other prior to the surplus draw, ALL teams would be included in the draw. 6. The Surplus Draw should be done prior to the start of the draft. Numbers will dictate the procedures. 7. Each team will draft by reverse order of finish from the previous season except in an expansion year. 8. Each team enters the draft with a predetermined number of 12 year olds that they must pick. These picks may be taken at any time. HOWEVER, once the number of required 12 year old picks becomes equal to the number of remaining picks for each team, those picks must be used to take 12 year olds as long as there are still available 12 year olds to be taken. Any team will be allowed to select a 12 in any round as long as their roster does not exceed 8 twelve year olds in any given year. 9. If an extra 12 year old is selected by a team that has not been required to select one, the team with the last 12 year old pick is relieved of one 12 year old pick. Coaches Picks Coaches Pick options will continue to be legislated by the Little League Operating Manual. Conflicts 1. All questions regarding intent and rule interpretation will be deferred to the Competition Committee. 2. Should a situation arise that is not covered by this resolution, the coach or parent would present to the competition committee for recommendation and then the committee would present to the board of directors for a vote. All-Star Selections 1. Potential all stars will be nominated and voted on by all team managers of their divisions. 2. There will be a minimum of 12 players selected to each all star team. 3. Managers are to place their top 15 nominees in order from first to least on their voting form. Players will be graded in reverse order. 4. Players will be given a total score by taking the sum of the player s rankings. The top ten players with the most points will be slated to the team. The selected manager of the all star team will have the option to select from the remaining nominees to finish out the roster. The manager may elect to take more than 12 players not to exceed the maximum mandated by the league. 3

5. If at any point a player is unable to fulfill their obligations, the manager has the option to return to the remaining nominee list to add a player. (Applies to Farm league only), (Majors can add until the affidavit has been turned into the district administrator) 6. There are no all star teams for minor league. In this division every child has the opportunity to play in a post season tournament held by one of three Maury County Little League organizations. However a child from the minors 9-11 can be nominated for an all star team by a major league manager. A child that played in the minors that season cannot play on the twelve year old all star team in accordance to Little League rules. 7. Major division first place team s manager has first option of the all star team they want to coach if any. The next selection goes to the second place team manager and so forth. 8. The all star managers can select their staff as long as they were a coach during the regular season. 9. Farm division Managers will be given the choice to coach the all star team by order of finish during the regular season. Should there be a tie for first place in the Farm league standings, a tie breaker will be used to select the all star manager. The tie breaker is as follows: Head to head Points allowed head to head Coin flip 10. Minor division All managers have the opportunity to bring their regular season team to a board approved tournament. If a team has to be split up due to the lack of players, the team with the most regular season players manager will have priority. (Note: All managers are subject to board approval) Minors & Farm Divisions Player Selection Guidelines Starting with Little League Plan C 1. The Player Selection process will be monitored by the Division VP, The Player Agent and the Competition Committee Chairman. 2. Managers will draw for draft position prior to the draft starting. 3. Each Team Manager will begin the draft with (1) Coaches selection. Coach s children and sponsor s children who fail to try out will automatically be rated as A players. All other players who miss the tryouts will be put into the X pool for selection. X pool players will NOT be eligible for trades. 4. In draft order, Managers who do not know all of their assistants will pull from the A player draft pool in draft order until each team has the same number of A players, the B players and so forth until all teams have an even number of players. This will allow teams without predetermined coach s picks to move even in numbers with teams that do. 5. Then beginning with the team in the first place draft spot, players will be taken first from the A pool, then the B pool, then C until all players have been selected. Unrated Players will be put in X pool and will be drafted at the end. 6. Once the draft is complete, coaches will be presented with parent requests It will be up to the managers to trade for players that would honor these parent s requests. Only Parent requests will be eligible for trades. The request must be written on the player registration form. Players who miss tryouts will not be eligible for trades. Trades must be approved by both managers and the player agent. 7. Trades in Minor and Farm divisions do not need board approval. Only 1 trade per team. 4

8. Trades must be made immediately after the draft. Once players have been called by their respective managers, trades will not be allowed without the approval of managers, the player agent, the competition committee and the board of directors. Minor League Rules Except for the following additions and clarifications, the Official Little League rules outlined in the 2012 Rule Book will apply. 1. Teams will bat their entire roster. This allows free substitutions but does not waive the minimum playing time of six (6) defensive outs for each player and at least one time at bat. 2. The batting order will be set prior to the start of the game and cannot be changed during the course of the game. 3. Pitchers will adhere to Pitch Count rule in green book regarding number of pitches and rest. 4. 12 year olds may not pitch in the Minor League. 5. Each game will be played with a 5 run maximum per inning per team. 6. Run Rule: Home team wins if up by 11 after 3 ½ innings. Visitor team wins if up by 11 after 4 innings. 7. Players may steal any base as long as they do not leave the base prior to the pitch crossing home plate. 8. Defensive teams may field four outfielders but must play at normal depths (no short fielder or extra middle infielder may be used). 9. Pinch running dictated by rule 7.14 in the Little League Green Book. 10. Eight (8) warm up pitches allowed if needed. 11. No Slashing or fake bunt then swing allowed. Player can be ejected for this offense. 12. No new inning may start after 1hr 30 minutes. A new inning begins as soon as the third out is recorded in the prior inning. The umpire will order the countdown clock to be started when ready, but play will not begin until rosters have been turned in. The clock will not be stopped for any reason other than Serious Injury. If we have to call 911, it s serious. 13. There are no tie games. Any game with a tie score that is halted due to weather, curfew (time), or light failure shall be resumed from the exact point at which they were halted in the original game. It can be completed preceding the next scheduled game between the same teams. (Rule 4.12, page 69, 2011 LL Green Book) This rule is not eligible for amendment or exclusion per LL Regional Director. 14. There will be no forfeits in Minor League. A team must have a minimum of nine (9) players to play the game or the game must be rescheduled. Substitute players are allowed. Players from the opposing team cannot be used to fill the field at that game. Substitute players will come from a pool of players that have expressed desire to play additional games. The Player Agent will create and run the pool. (See Regulation 5c, page 38, 2011 LL Green Book) This rule is not eligible for amendment or exclusion per LL Regional Director. 15. Home team will provide the official score keeper. 16. Visiting team will provide someone to run the scoreboard. 17. Each team is responsible for cleaning up their dugout after each game. 18. After last game of the day, Home team rakes the field, Visitors empty the trash. 5

19. Games that need to be rescheduled for any reason must be rescheduled by the Division VP. Should the pitching rules change during the season, the rescheduled games would be played under the rules in effect on the original game date. 20. It will be the winning team s responsibility to update the game scores on the website. Please remember that this is considered an instructional league and the purpose is to instruct and teach the fundamentals of baseball to all players regardless of their ability or skill so they can be prepared to advance to the next level of play with confidence and skills as they continue their baseball careers. SHLL FARM LEAGUE RULES 1. Games will last six (6) innings or 1hr 15 minutes. Should the time limit run out before an inning is completed, the game will continue until the inning is complete. There are no tie games. Any game with a tie score that is halted due to weather, curfew (time), or light failure shall be resumed from the exact point at which they were halted in the original game. It can be completed preceding the next scheduled game between the same teams. (Rule 4.12, page 69, 2011 LL Green Book) This rule is not eligible for amendment or exclusion per LL Regional Director.. No extra innings will be played regardless of time limit. The next inning starts with the last out of the previous inning. 2. Each game will be played with a 5 run maximum per inning per team. 3. Run Rule: Home team wins if up by 11 after 3 ½ innings. Visitor team wins if up by 11 after 4 innings. 4. There will be no forfeits in Farm League. A team must have a minimum of nine (9) players to play the game. Substitute players are allowed. Players from the opposing team cannot be used to fill the field at that game. Substitute players will come from a pool of players that have expressed desire to play additional games. The Player Agent will create and run the pool. (See Regulation 5c, page 38, 2011 LL Green Book) This rule is not eligible for amendment or exclusion per LL Regional Director. 5. Pitching coaches must leave the playing field and go to the designated areas along 1 st and 3 rd base lines while the ball is in play and is not to return to the field until time is called by the umpire. Coach pitchers are not allowed to coach base runners until they have left the field. The umpire may call a No Pitch if coach doesn t leave the field in due time. 6. No more than three (3) coaches will be allowed on the field for offense. You may have one (1) dugout attendant in addition to the 3 coaches. You may have one (1) coach in front of your team s dugout on defense instructing players. The remaining coaches must be in dugout or outside of fence. 7. Coaches can work with players during innings but must not hold up the progression of the game. 8. Male catchers must wear a protective cup when playing the catcher position. 9. All players not fielding or batting must remain in the dugout. 10. There will be no on deck batter. 11. Stealing is not allowed in coach pitch. 12. No head first slides going to a base. Penalty runner is out. Head first is permitted if trying to get back to a base. 13. Runners must make an effort to avoid contact when there is a play at home plate. See rule 7.08 in the Little League Green Book. 14. Each team will bat the roster and must be continuous. 15. Each player must play at least six (6) defensive outs per game and once at bat. 16. Coach Pitcher should start with one foot inside the circle. 6

17. Players on the infield may not position themselves in the baseline. If runner is out due to obstruction the runner will get the base. 18. Base Runners may not interfere with the defensive player fielding the ball; runner should attempt to run behind the fielder and not into or in front of the fielder if possible. Penalty runner is out. Green Book rules apply for use of double first base. 19. No walks are allowed in Farm League. Each batter will receive 6 pitches. At bat cannot end on foul ball unless declared a pop up to the catcher and is caught. 20. Bunting Rules: a. No fake/slash bunting - batter will be called out regardless of pitch count. b. Fouled bunt attempts are a strike. c. A fouled bunt attempt on 3rd strike is an out. d. Strike will be called if batter holds bat in strike zone while ball crosses home plate e. Even if no contact with ball is made. f. One bunt per team per inning. (Must be bunted fair in order to count against the one g. Bunt per inning rule.) h. Umpire will notify scorekeeper when a team uses its one bunt in a given inning. 21. There is no infield fly rule in Farm division. 22. Pinch running dictated by rule 7.14 in the Little League Green Book. 23. Teams are responsible for getting lineup cards turned in to the opposing teams and the official score keeper to each game. Time will start on the umpires call; play cannot start until both rosters have been turned in. 24. At the end of the season should a tie exist in the standings for first, co-championship trophies will be presented. Likewise, co-place trophies will be awarded should ties occur for 2 nd place. 25. Rain out games will be re-scheduled by the Division Vice President for Farm League. 26. Home team will provide the official score keeper. 27. Visiting team will provide someone to run the scoreboard. 28. Each team is responsible for cleaning up their dugout after each game. 29. After last game of the day, Home team will rake the field, Visitors will empty the trash. 30. It will be the winning team s responsibility to update the game scores on the website. TEEBALL RULES 1. Games consist of 5-innings or 1-hour time limit. 2. Score will be kept. 3. Maximum 5 runs per inning per team. 4. A total of five swings, (3-coach pitch & 2-off of tee). After three pitches, the batter must take his remaining 2 swings from the tee. If batter hits tee it is considered part of the ball called foul. No at bat can end on a foul ball. 5. All players will bat and batting order must be continuous. 7

6. All players will play in the field but only 5 can be allowed in the infield at traditional baseball positions. 7. Only one base will be given on an over thrown ball with runner advancing at their own risk. 8. A ball thrown or ran back to the pitching circle stops play. 9. A runner who has not made it half way to the next base before the ball reaches the pitchers circle will have to return to the previous base. 10. No lead offs, no steals. 11. Any inning started must be completed unless home team is winning and all batters have batted at least once in the game. 12. After 45 minutes the umpire will deem the next full inning as the last inning. (Note: play will continue until all batters have batted at least once in the game. If three outs are obtained in the last inning prior to everyone having batted, bases will be cleared no further runs will score and the game will continue until all remaining batter have batted once in the game. 13. Two (2) coaches may assist players in the outfield for defense. 14. Pitching coach must leave the field during plays. STARS RULES 1. Games consist 2 times through both teams batting orders. 2. The game should not exceed 50 minutes 3. Score will not be kept. 4. Batter hits from the tee until he puts the ball in play. 5. All players will bat and batting order must be continuous. 6. All players will play in the field but it is recommended only 5 players be allowed in the infield at traditional baseball positions 7. Only one base per play. 8. Play stops when the runner reaches the next base. 9. No lead offs, no steals. DIAMOND SOFTBALL RULES 1. Games will be at least 4 and no more than 6 innings in length and limited to 1 1/2 hours. An inning will be completed if time has expired but no new inning will start. 2. The batting order will be continuous for all girls on the team that day. 1. Every player available on the team that day must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs and at least one time at bat. 3. Bunting is allowed. 4. A base runner shall not leave their base until the pitched ball has left the pitcher's hand. 5. Sliding is permissible. Sliding head first is not allowed and result in the runner being out. 6. The umpire shall call balls and strikes (4 balls equals a walk, 3 strikes an out). 7. There will be 9 fielders. 8. Play will stop when the pitcher has control of the ball within an 8 foot circle around the pitcher's mound. 8

9. Pitch count will follow Little League Baseball pitch count rules 10. The infield fly rule will be in effect at all times (Sec. 2.00). 11. On a dropped third strike, the batter may run to first base if it is open, or if there are two outs. 12. One coach is allowed on the field for defensive instructional purposes. RUBY SOFTBALL RULES 2. Games will be at least 4 and no more than 6 innings in length and limited to 1 1/2 hours. An inning will be completed if time has expired but no new inning will start. 3. The batting order will be continuous for all girls on the team that day. 4. Every player available on the team that day must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs and at least one time at bat. 5. Bunting Rules: a. Fouled bunt attempts are a strike. b. A fouled bunt attempt on 3rd strike is an out. c. Strike will be called if batter holds bat in strike zone while ball crosses home plate even if no contact with ball is made. d. One bunt per team per inning. (Must be bunted fair in order to count against the one bunt per inning rule.) 6. Umpire will notify scorekeeper when a team uses its one bunt in a given inning. 7. No stealing is allowed. 8. No infield fly rule. 9. Adhere to all Little League Regulations with the following additions: 10. Teams may utilize four outfielders in Ruby division. 11. One coach is allowed on the field for defensive instructional purposes. 12. Coach Pitcher should start with one foot inside the circle and must leave the field when the ball is in play. 13. No walks are allowed in Rubies. Each batter will receive 5 pitches. At bat cannot end on foul ball unless declared a pop up to the catcher and is caught. 14. Maximum 5 runs per inning or three outs. 9

These By-laws may be amended, repealed or altered in whole or in part by a majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Regular Members provided notice of the proposed change is included in the notice of such meeting. Draft of all proposed amendments shall be submitted to Little League Baseball, Incorporated, for approval before implementation. These By-laws were approved by the Board of Directors of Spring Hill Little League on January 7, 2012. Kayce Williams, President Date Craig Teal, Vice President Date Kim Teal, Secretary Date Meredeth McCraw, Treasurer Date Spring Hill Little League Spring Hill, TN Little League ID No. 03420305 Federal ID No. 62-1621846 10