By Laws Of the Oneotna Little League Effective as of 10/13/2014
These By Laws have been created to assist our league in its every day operation. These By Laws are only superseded by the Constitution of our League which outlines the responsibility of our league as it relates to our charter in Little League and how our League is to operate. These By Laws will represent all of our local rules for our league. The Mission of Little League Baseball Little League Baseball, Incorporated is a non-profit organization whose mission is to "to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball." Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the Little League Baseball and Softball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes. Philosophy of the Oneonta Little League Although each coach needs to develop his/her own coaching philosophy, it is the organizations belief that if you provide a safe environment along with a positive learning experience for each individual that you encounter, that you will promote the effort of these individuals to give all that they have in all aspects of their lives. The actions and words that we as coaches present to our athletes may not be remembered in our lives, but may never be forgotten by our athletes. We as leaders need to be positive and at the same time provide guidance/correction in a way that our athletes demand. Sports provide a valuable learning environment in which we as coaches need to take seriously. Although not necessary, it is recommended that individuals that coach in the Oneonta Little League enroll and complete coaching certification classes in an effort to provide the best environment and instruction for our athletes. Meeting Schedule The Oneonta Little League (hereafter known as the league), will meet on a monthly basis to discuss and further improve the league in any way they deem possible. These meetings will occur Monthly. Meetings will be held year around on the second Monday of the month at the Sixth Ward Athletic Club 22 West Broadway Street Oneonta, New York 13820 Phone: (607)436-9136
It is encouraged that all managers attend every meeting as their input is a valuable tool to move this league forward. All Coaches are invited as well and it is suggested that they attend when they can, they will one day, be the future of our league. There is no meeting in the month of July or August, but any issues that need immediate attention during that time can be resolved by a special meeting of the Executive board. Fields: There are two fields that are used by the League for games and some practices. Our main field is Doc Knapp Field (Major League Field) which is owned by the Sixth Ward Booster Club, but made available to the Little League. Our league maintains the fields and all areas around it. Our secondary field is Rich Murphy Field at Swart Wilcox (Minor League field), which is owned by the City of Oneonta and is located just beyond the East end of the parking lot for Doc Knapp Field (West corner of River Side Elementary School), and is also maintained by our league. Batting Cage Rules for Oneonta Little League The league provides two batting cages for the use of the league, below is the rules for use of those batting cages: These rules outline the terms and conditions for which a team may use the batting cage. These rules will be posted at the batting cages. Review them with your team when using the cages for the first time and enforce them all the time. 1. Only authorized adult managers and coaches may supervise and run events in the cage. 2. Eligible participants include players in Oneonta Little League. Teams outside Oneonta Little League will be able to utilize the batting cages, but will do so at their own risk and the needs of Oneonta Little League supersedes the use by any other team or organization. 3. Only ADULTS can pitch to hitters and must use an L fence protector. No children or players are permitted to pitch at anyone in the batting cages. 4. There shall be no unattended players allowed in the batting cage. 5. Only one batter and one pitcher allowed in the cage at a time. 6. All batters must wear a helmet. 7. Use only baseball that the league provides in the batting cage. 8. No batting activity may take place outside the cage other than hitting off of a batting tee, which can be done (hitting off of the tee), ONLY under the direct supervision of the manager or a coach. All other activity needs to take place inside the netting. 9. No climbing on the equipment. Kids need to be in direct sight of the coaches at all times. 10. Do not hang or climb on any of the netting.
11. Once a team has completed their assigned practice time they will yield to the next team. If a team is using both cages at one time and it is outside an assigned practice time, they will yield one of the cages to the second team. 12. When leaving the cage, take care of all equipment; return all the balls to the bucket and do not leave any items inside the netting. 13. Please report any incident or accident to an Oneonta Little League Board Member immediately. 14. The league can close the cage at any time for any reason. 15. Misuse of any kind may lead to loss of future use of the batting cage. 16. No swinging bats outside of cage. Bats should not be in player s hands until they are entering the cage to hit. 17. Only certified bats are to be used while hitting in batting cages. Player Tryouts and Drafts Each year to replenish the players that have left the league, we will hold a tryout for minor league eligible players in March. Below is the rules that govern our draft practices. Oneonta Little League Local Draft Rules (approved) February 8, 2010 1. A new major division coach must be nominated and accepted prior to or during the November meeting. A new major division coach not nominated by this time cannot be nominated until after the completion of the draft. 2. Draft order shall be determined by the previous regular season win loss records. The team with the fewest wins will choose first. In the case of a tie, revert to the local tie-breaker rule guidelines for the regular season. 3. The sibling of a player already on team A will automatically be placed on team A if the majority of Major League managers agree by vote that the sibling is good enough to play at the Major League level. The only exception to this is if the Parent(s) have requested to have the sibling play on a different team. The order in which the sibling is drafted will be determined by the average vote of all managers, President, VP for Minors, and the Player Agent based solely on the talent level of the child in comparison to others who are draft eligible. Each voting member will cast a vote between 1-4 with the average score being rounded to the nearest whole number. The average will dictate which round the child is drafted. 4. The son or daughter of a Major League Manager or Coach will automatically be placed on his/her parent s team. The order in which the sibling is drafted will be determined by the average vote of all managers, President, VP for Minors, and the Player Agent based solely on the talent level of the child in comparison to others who are draft eligible. Each voting member will cast a vote between 1-4 with the average score being rounded to the nearest
whole number. The average will dictate which round the child is drafted. 5. A team that needs six or more players to fill its roster (pre-12 year old draft) is eligible to choose two consecutive players in the third round of the regular draft. 6. A Manager or Coach of team A that moves to Team B and brings his/her child to team B must forfeit team B s first round draft pick to team A if the child has eligibility remaining. This rule does not apply if the coach/player move is the result of contraction of a team. 7. Under extenuating circumstances a player with eligibility remaining may reenter the draft after receiving approval by the Executive Committee. The player must try out during open try outs. 8. If not already on a major league team, a child who is league 10, 11 or 12 must try out. Parents/Guardians of registrants who are League Age 9 and wish to try out for the Major Division must apply to the Player Agent in writing at least one week prior to tryouts. No player who is League Age 9 and registers during tryouts will be allowed to try out for the Major Division. Following try outs, a 9 year old must have a majority vote from the major League managers or their designee to be entered in the draft. Players who do not receive a Majority vote will be assigned to the Minor Division. 9. 12 year old draft: A. All 12 years olds are required to try out for majors B. Order determined by the number of 12 yr olds the teams have returning, fewest picks first C. In the case of a tie, the team that finishes lower picks first, unless there are fewer players than teams left, in which case the order reverses D. The team or teams with the fewest returning 12 yr olds will draft according to bullet B until they have the same number of 12 yr olds as the next group E. At that point, the draft will be re-ordered in accordance of bullet C F. The draft order will be adjusted every time a new team enters (A team enters when all drafting teams have the same number of 12 yr. olds as it does) G. Draft continues until all eligible 12 yr olds have been drafted H. No team will be required to select two consecutive 12 year olds going from the next-tolast round to the last round. In such a case it should be deemed that teams are balanced and the second consecutive player should go to the team not in the 12 year old draft with the fewest wins from previous regular season. (Managers will need to select consecutive players if their team does not have the same number of 12 year olds as all other teams). I. At that point, the regular draft will begin Supplemental Draft: In the event that a team is dissolved, the players on this team will be dispersed as follows: Each team will receive 1 point for each B team all star returning from the previous season,.5
points for each red team all star returning from the previous season, and.25 points for each C team all star returning from the previous season. - Team with the fewest points will select first. In case of a tie, we would resort to the local tie breaker rules. The team who finished lower in the standings would select first. - Repeat until all six teams have selected a player. - If there are more than 6 players then the remaining players will be entered in the 12 year draft. Draft Order every year: 1) Supplemental Draft 2) 12 year old draft 3) Regular draft Expansion Draft: Section 1 12 year old Draft (a) The expansion team will select the first four players if there are at least 8 players in the draft pool then will enter the draft order as the last place team from previous year. (b) The expansion team will select the first three players if there are less than 8 players in draft pool then will enter the draft order as the last place team from previous year. Section 2 11 year old draft (a)the expansion team will select two 11 year old players from the general draft pool. Section 3 Coach s Children (a)if there are three all stars from previous year (A, B, C, or D) teams, the expansion team will select the first player in the general draft pool then will enter the draft order as the 1st place team from the previous year. (b) If there are two all stars from previous year (A, B, C, or D) teams, the expansion team will select the first two players in the general draft pool then will enter the draft order as the 1st place team from the previous year. (c) If there is one all star from previous year (A, B, C, or D) teams, the expansion team will select the first three players in the general draft pool then will enter the draft order as the 1st place team from the previous year. (d) If there are zero all stars from previous year (A, B, C, or D) teams, the expansion team will select the first four players in the general draft pool then will enter the draft order as the 1st place team from the previous year.
Section 4 General Draft (a) General draft begins following expansion team selections. All-Star Selection Process After Oneonta Little Leagues regular season and tournament are completed, the league will offer All Star baseball to players who are selected to play. There will be no additional cost to play All Stars. The following outlines how those players are selected. Here's the process in simplest terms that is currently in use for the All-Star selection process. Managers will be voted in on the night of the Roundtable meeting. Coaches will not be selected until after the All Star teams are selected. In late May managers gather to have a round table discussion to advocate for the players. This is not a vote or a nomination process, but a time for managers to share what players on their teams should be considered based on their experience working with the child. You may recommend any player from your or another team that has made an impact on you. You are not limited to the amount of players you can suggest and you should be able to discuss the attributes of any player if asked. All-Star selection should be the best night closet to June 15th. All-Star teams should not be released until after June 15th. The player agents prepares ballets for all teams: Blue, Gold, White, Red. (There have been years when a Grey team has been selected, they will follow the same procedures as listed below). Blue Team The League will select the best 11 11 or 12 year olds in the league. Each major league manager has 11 votes for who they feel should make the team. Tallies are done by the Player Agents/President. In case of a tie, there is a revote of those children who are tied. The last and final roster spot is selected by the manager of the Blue team. The Blue team manager also selects the two alternates in case any vacancies occur. This selection process will be followed for selecting all All-Star teams. Gold Team - Of the remaining 11/12 year olds in the league, new ballets are prepared to select the Gold team. The Gold manager can decide whether to have more than 12 roster spots, however he/she only gets to select one player for the team and the two alternates.
There has been a conversation in the past in regards of having a 10 year old play on either the Blue or Gold team. If the Blue team plans to play in the Williamsport Tournament, they are only allowed to carry 11 and twelve year old, thus negating the opportunity for a 10 year old to play on the blue team. If the White team plans to play in the Williamsport Tournament, that 10 year old will play on the white team as his skill level will give the White team the needed expertise. If neither team decides to play in the Williamsport Tournament, 10 year olds would be able play on the Blue or gold team pending approval of all of the managers of the league, but this is strongly discouraged. White Team The League selects the best 9 and 10 years olds in the major league division. The White team Manager can decide how large the roster size should be. It's recommended that at least 12 children are selected for this team. Red Team - The league will vote on the number of minor league children vs. major league children to make this team. Typically, we have a preset number of minor players vs. the major league players. It all depends on talent remaining after the White team is selected. The goal is to select the best 13-15 children. The best remaining 9/10 year olds in the major league division and any of the 8/9/10 year old players in the minors will make up this team based on the numbers determined from each league. Seven year olds are not to make this team. The Red team manager decides on the roster size. The major league managers vote on the Red team players as the minor league manager s vote in the minor league players. The Red team manager gets to select one player and the two alternates. Williamsport - Traditionally Oneonta has sent teams to the Williamsport Tournament (Blue and White teams only). The league should vote in June whether or not they elect to send either team to the Williamsport tournament. The managers from each of these teams should be able to voice their recommendations based on the talent level of the league. In the end, the vote by the league determines whether or not we enter the Williamsport Tournament. The membership will set a budget for all stars in the beginning of the year for the amount of funds that will be allocated to each team for tournaments. There will also be a budget set aside for additional uniform needs. Press Box Procedures Each major and minor league team is responsible for coverage in the press box for one week during the season. Your week will be determined by drawing the team names out of a hat at the last meeting before the start of the regular. The first name will be responsible for the first week of the season, the second name for the second week and so on until all teams and weeks are covered.
Responsibilities in the press box include opening and closing, official scorekeeper, official pitch count, public address announcer and putting up the flag in center field. The flag should be put up at least 15 minutes before the start of the game. Duties also include trash pickup on both fields at the conclusion of each game, locking all storage areas and the press box, etc. There will also be responsibilities as it relates to each team in the concession stand, but those assignments will come from the President of the Auxiliary. Official Scorer The official score keeper should be in the press box 15 minutes before the start of the game. This individual is responsible for recording the official batting order (name, number and position) in the scorebook prior the start of the game. During the game, you record play by play accounts of the action through out the game (hits, walks, outs, runs, base runners, etc ). After the contest is complete, you need to total the results of the game, sign the book and place in the top drawer of the file cabinet to the right of the scorers table. Each team manager is to sign the score book and pitcher sheet at the conclusion of each game. The Home Team manager will be responsible to email the results of the game to the Web Master of the league to be posted on our website and submitted to the Daily Star. Official Pitch Counter The official pitch counter will be responsible for recording all pitches thrown during the game. The pitch count clicker will be in the top drawer of the file cabinet to the right of the scorers table with the official scorebook. There will also be a pitch count notebook in that drawer, along with clicking the pitches as they are thrown, you will need to mark off the number of pitches on the pitch count sheet in that notebook. It is very important that you keep an accurate count of the pitches thrown, as Little League Baseball has strict regulations to the amount of pitches a pitcher can throw and the amount of rest needed in regards to those pitches (see Rules that Govern the Game section for more details.) On this sheet, you will need to cross off the number of the pitch each time a pitcher delivers to a batter (see form.) Enforcement taken from Little League web page. To ensure that pitching rules are strictly followed, Little League now imposes a number of other strict requirements: Age 11-12; maximum pitch count per day 85 total Age 9 10; maximum pitch count per day 75 total Age 7-8; maximum pitch count per day 50 total
Each league must designate a scorekeeper or official to track pitch counts as the official pitch-count recorder. The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire, and notify the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has reached the pitch limit, who will, in turn, notify the pitcher's manager that the pitcher must be removed. Failure of the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in-chief to notify the manager does not relief the manager of his/her responsibility to remove the pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible to pitch. Violation of the rule can result in a protest of the game in which it occurs Public Address Announcer The first responsibility will be to hang the flag on the flagpole over the center field fence. About five minutes before start of game turn on system and test for sound. Then just prior to the start of the game announce All please rise for the playing of our National Anthem, pause and push play. When done with this, announce players as they come to bat. In the fourth inning, send players from each team to collect donations to help pay for the umpires. After game, turn off system, take down flag, fold and return to press box score table. *Note Kids can announce during the game with proper supervision. Rain Out Procedures: Unfortunately there are times when the weather does not cooperate with our busy schedule and we are forced to cancel a game because of inclement weather. Below are the guidelines in regards to rainouts. The managers of both teams must agree to cancel a game due to weather. There are obvious situations when a game should not be played (thunder and lighting, severe downpours, or excessive standing water on the field) If there is Thunder and Lighting in the area, but no rain, the game must be stopped and delayed until 30 minutes has passed without the sound of any thunder or any visible lighting.
If the managers cannot agree if they are going to cancel a game a third party (President, either Vice President, or Field Coordinator), will be called to provide their opinion and decide if the game will be played. If the field will require more than 5 bags of speedy dry to make it playable, it is most likely not a good idea to play because the integrity of the field is now in question. If a game is started and inclement weather begins, the game is in the hands of the umpire and he is the only one who can cancel the game from that point on. For any games rained out they will play on the next available rain date on the schedule. These rain dates are built into the schedule for a reason and they are to be utilized if needed. Makeup games will be played in the order they were canceled. This may cause an issue for some teams with other games already scheduled, but they cannot change the rain out date. They are expected to play. There is no exceptions to this rule. So as an example if there is one rain out date scheduled on a Friday, and a game on Wednesday is rained out, that game will move to Friday, regardless of what the schedule is for that team for Thursday or Saturday. If in the same week the games are also rained out on Thursday, they will then go to the next available date on the schedule. Game Personnel This must be enforced by everyone, at all times. The only individuals allowed on the field or in dugouts / team areas during practice or game play are those who are recognized by the Oneonta Little League Organization. All individuals must have a current background check on file. Before, during and after games, each team is allowed one manager, two coaches and current members of the team only!! The manager and coaches need to be approved and listed on the official team roster before the start of the season. Other members allowed on field and dugouts are official game personnel which may include umpires, field personnel, emergency personnel, etc All others are excluded, no exceptions. Outside gates and dugout doors need to be closed while the games are in progress. Oneonta Little League Local Rules Oneonta Little League will abide by the official regulations and playing regulations set forth by little league baseball along with the addition/modification of the local rules listed below. The following rules were passed on March 11, 2013 and remain in effect. 1. Batters cannot fake a bunt and then swing away at the pitch. 2. With two outs a team can pinch run for a catcher with a player not in the lineup at that time. 3. All players must wear a batting helmet with a face guard attached. This applies to ALL games: preseason, regular season, all stars, summer season, and fall ball.
4. After each team has batted four times, any team with a fifteen run lead wins due to a mercy rule. 5. Managers and coaches may catch for pitchers at games and practices for warm up purposes. 6. No food in the dugouts or on the field during games, water or sports drinks are ok. 7. No parents in the dugouts or on the field during the game. 8. Bullpen use: catcher must wear a face mask and a third player should stand behind the mound (wearing a helmet) to protect the pitcher. 9. Doc Knapp and Minor League fields are to be used for games only unless practices are approved by the Oneonta Little League Board of Directors. 10. There is no dropped third strike rule in Oneonta Little League. 11. Any pitcher that hits three (3) batters in one (1) inning must be removed for a new pitcher. 12. Any batter that is issued a walk, will be limited to first base. If a batter attempts to advance to second base without cause (dropped ball, error, etc), before the next pitch is made, will be automatically called out by the umpire. 13. Any player struck in the head by a ball, no matter the circumstance (pitching or fielding), and shall be evaluated by both managers and the home plate umpire before play continues. If the player remains in the game, they should be continuously monitored and evaluated for signs of a concussion, and immediately removed and medical attention sought if symptoms occur. 14. If a manager desires to intentionally walk a batter, the manager must call Time Out and inform the plate umpire of the intentional walk. Batter will immediately be awarded first base and four (4) pitches added to the official pitch count record. Both managers and the Umpire will be made aware of the new pitch count. 15. In the Minor League: No official score will be kept during the game, nor will records of wins and losses be kept. 16. In the Minor League: A half-inning will be considered complete when the offensive team is put out three times or when 7 batters have completed their turns at bat, whichever comes first. 17. In the Minor League: The first 4 innings of each game will use adult pitch or machine pitch. Players will pitch the last two innings of each game. 18. In the Minor League: During the adult pitch/machine pitch portion of each game, each batter will be allowed a maximum of 7 pitches per at bat. If the batter has not either struck out swinging, nor put the ball in play after 7 hittable pitches, the batter will be considered out. 19. In the Minor League: During the adult pitch/machine pitch portion of each game, neither balls nor non-swinging strikes will be counted. No walks will be allowed during the adult pitch/machine pitch portion of each game. 20. No player in the Minor League may pitch more than 40 pitches in a game. Minor League pitchers must follow all requirements of Little League Regulation VI Pitching that apply to their League Age.
21. In the Minor League: All players will be required to pitch from the pitching rubber. Any pitcher struggling to throw strikes from the rubber will be allowed to move towards the batter, no more than three (3) feet. A pitcher should NEVER be allowed to pitch from the infield grass. Eligibility of Little League Players There are some instances where a player playing in our league is also eligible to play on their school baseball team. As a league we feel it is in the best interest of the player and their safety that they only play on one of these teams, therefore the league has voted that a child playing on a school team will not be eligible to play in the Oneonta Little League. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Residency Eligibility As all other leagues, Oneonta Little League falls within a set of boundaries, clearly marked and available for anyone to view. A player who would like to play in our Little League, must have a legal residence that falls within those boundaries or attend school in our school district. Our map does extend into certain areas of Davenport and Franklin, but we must ensure that those residences meet our requirement. In conversations with LL, as of 2015, a child may play Little League in the league in which their school district is, despite where their residence is. Use of the Listserve Oneonta Little League has developed an email system known as the listserve which is maintained by a third party, to facilitate communication within the league. The listserve should only be used for league business (although there are some circumstances where other things may come up). Any information sent or received from an email from the listserve is considered league business and should not be shared outside of the league. This includes forwarding content to media outlets or putting it on social media. Violations of this will be handled by the Executive Board.
Use of the AED Oneonta Little League has completed all the necessary steps to us our AED as a public device, meaning anyone has access and can use the device. We have placed the machine outside of the press box in an AED case.. As a league we request that only our managers or coaches who are certified in the AED use the machine if necessary, but since it is a public machine, anyone (spectator, coach from another team) can take the machine out and use it. There is some protocol that members of our league will need to follow. The case has been affixed to the outside of the back of the press box to the left of the entrance. The AED will remain in the press box when there are no games in play. While there is a game or games the AED is to be in the case and available for use. Please familiarize yourself with where the case has been placed. It is the responsibility of the manager / coaches to place the AED in the case and return it upstairs to the press box after the game. We will need to check and double check that this has been done. We do not want the machine left in the case if there are no games being played. In the instance when there are a series of games, it should stay in the case, but again we ask that the last team using the fields to please make sure the AED is secured in the press box. If you feel the need you may also take the machine out when practicing on either field. As in any emergency, do not forget to call 911. There is nothing that sends an alert to 911 once the case is opened, so we must remember to do that.