CONWAY PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM 2016 YOUTH BASEBALL RULES & REGULATIONS

CONWAY PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM 2016 YOUTH BASEBALL RULES & REGULATIONS OFFICIALS Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism sanctions the youth baseball program and the selection of players, coaches, and volunteers. The Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department shall oversee all actions. Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism staff or contracted officials will have complete control of all games. At least one umpire will be on site for each game. ELIGIBLE PLAYERS 1.01.1 Pitching Machine Division (7/8) player must be seven years of age on or before April 30 of the current year, and shall not have turned nine years of age on or before April 30 of 1.01.2 Dixie Minors Division (9/10) player must be nine years of age on or before April 30 of the current year, and shall not have turned eleven years of age on or before April 30 of 1.01.3 Dixie Youth Division (11/12) player must be eleven years of age on or before April 30 of the current year, and shall not have turned thirteen years of age on or before April 30 of 1.01.4 Dixie Boys Division (13/14) player must be thirteen years of age on or before April 30 of the current year, and shall not have turned fifteen years of age on or before April 30 of 1.02 Players date of birth shall be certified by an original registration of birth issued by a Governmental agency or a photocopy of the original. 1.03 All players shall remain on the same team until their eligibility ends for that league. 1.04 Players who are non-residents of the City of Conway shall be required to pay a nonresident fee as adopted by the Conway City Council. 1.05 The Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism staff shall have the authority to suspend any team member, whose conduct is considered as detrimental to the best interest of Conway Parks & Recreation Youth Sports Program. 1.06 Only those players who have officially registered and been placed on a team by Conway Parks and Recreation are allowed on the field during practices and games. OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT 2.01 Teams will be dressed with numbered shirts. Each participant will be provided a shirt, hat/visors and socks. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. 2.02 Players must provide their own baseball glove. Athletic supporter with a cup is recommended for all players and mandatory for catchers. 2.03 White baseball pants will be issued for use, but must be returned at season s end. 2.04 Tennis shoes or shoes with molded rubber cleats are permitted in leagues ages 12 and under. Metal spikes are allowed in the Dixie Boys age. Pitchers must wear tennis shoes when pitching off a temporary/artificial mound. 2.05 Jewelry that includes, but not limited to earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, and other body adornments that could be deemed dangerous will not be allowed. Those players with a medical condition that need to wear medical alert tags in the form of bracelets or PAGE 1 of 6

necklaces will be allowed to do so. If worn, the medical alert tags should be taped to the body so that the medical alert information remains visible. PLAYING RULES We will be following Dixie Youth Baseball official rules and regulations unless otherwise noted within this document. 3.01 We will use a continuous batting order for all divisions. 3.02 If a game is tied at the end of regulation, play one (1) extra-inning. If the game is still tied, more innings will be allowed as long as time limit allows. If the time limit has expired, the game will be declared a tie. The time limit for Dixie Minors, Dixie Youth and Coach Pitch is 90 minutes. The time limit for Dixie Boys depends on the number of innings scheduled. 3.03 In the Coach Pitch League, pitchers must wear a batting helmet. 3.04 Rule Changes: Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism is always striving to make our programs better. If any coach, parent, or guardian has a rule change suggestion, please contact our department at (843) 248-1740. All rule change suggestions are considered at the annual rules meeting at the end of the season. 3.05 Lightning Policy: Coaches will follow Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Guidelines concerning the Lightning Policy. The Recreation staff, referees, and coaches may all take responsibility for removing the players from a practice/game area due to dangerous conditions. The Lightning Policy is available online. 3.06 Heat Policy: Coaches for the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department will follow the Heat Policy for youth sports. The Department staff will decide when dangerous conditions are present. The Heat Policy is available online. 3.07 Concussion Policy: Coaches will follow Conway Parks and Recreation Guidelines concerning the Concussion Policy. The Recreation staff, referees, and coaches may all take responsibility for removing the players from a practice/game area due to suspicion of concussion. The Concussion Policy is available online. FORFEITURE 4.01 A team failing to field at least eight eligible players at the start of the game shall result in a forfeit. 4.02 If a team has seven eligible players present at game time, they must start the game. 4.03 There is a 10-minute grace period from scheduled game time to meet the minimum player requirement. As soon as eight eligible players are present the team must start the game. 4.04 Playing ineligible players shall result in forfeiture of the game. 4.05 Any protest for ineligible players will affect only the game in question. PROTEST 5.01 No protests shall be accepted concerning the administration of any playing rule made by game officials. 5.02 Protests can only be made concerning rule definition (no judgment calls can be protested). The head coach must notify the umpires and the opposing coach when protesting, and the notification must be noted before the next pitch is thrown. Once the PAGE 2 of 6

game has continued, there cannot be a protest. Once the protest is noted, the game will continue. 5.03 The head coach must submit their protest in writing to the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department within 24 hours of the protest. In the written protest, must include the opponent, score of the game, the inning, outs, count, game time, and the issue being protested. A decision will be made and both head coaches will be notified. COACHES 6.01 Only coaches who have been certified and approved by the Conway Parks & Recreation Department to coach youth baseball and softball during the current year will be allowed to be on the field during practices and games. All others will be asked to leave. A signed coach s code of conduct is required and a criminal background check will be performed on each coaching applicant. Coaches are required to wear their ID badge at all practices and games. 6.02 A person must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for a head coaching position for the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. 6.03 The coaching staff shall consist of no more than ONE Head Coach and TWO Assistants in the team area at game time. If present, the 3 coaches must be the ones that are listed in the official league program. Under special circumstances other coaches will be allowed to fill in as substitutes if they have filled out the proper paper work and have been approved by the Parks and Recreation officials prior to the practice or game in question. 6.04 All coaches shall be approved annually by the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director. Coaches shall be responsible for their teams, notifying them of practices and games; as well as their actions on the field. 6.05 Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department Staff shall have the authority to suspend any coach whose conduct is considered as detrimental to the best interest of the Conway Youth Baseball League. 6.06 Any coach ejected from a game must be reinstated through the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department Staff prior to entering the next scheduled team game. Failure to comply will result in automatic expulsion from the Youth Baseball Program for the remainder of the season. 6.07 All ejected coaches will forfeit their right to coach in two consecutive games implemented immediately. The offending coach after being ejected must leave the park and will not be able to return until after the entire two game suspensions has been served. 6.08 If a coach is ejected, the ejection will stand regardless of the circumstances. This includes protests. 6.09 Second offenses will merit automatic expulsion from the Youth Baseball Program. 6.10 A suspended coach has the opportunity to go through the appeals process. PLAYER SELECTION 7.01 All players entering the league shall be placed on teams through our player assessments and draft. In order to be drafted, a player must attend assessments. If a player does not attend, they will be placed on a team through a blind draw. (All-Stars from the previous year can be ranked and placed in the draft by the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department and coaches). Player s selection is conducted as follows: PAGE 3 of 6

1. At the assessment, the coaches shall rank the players. The number of ranked players will be determined by the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department. 2. The coaches will turn their rankings into the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department and the staff will review the rankings and give each player a calculated score. The players will then be placed in order of their calculated score. 3. The order of the draft will be the reverse order of the standings from the previous year. The draft will snake until all of the ranked players have been selected. After the ranked players have been selected, the draft will continue in the same order until all players have been selected. 4. If a coach has a child that is ranked, that child shall be placed on their team with the draft pick that equals their rankings. If the coach s child is not ranked, they will be placed on the coach s team automatically. 5. If a sibling of an existing player, already on a team, is in the draft, they will be placed on to the same team for a draft pick that is equal to their ranking. If the sibling in the draft is not ranked, they will be placed on the team. This will be the same for multiple siblings. If multiple siblings are ranked, the multiple draft picks will be the closet value to the ranking. 6. All trades must be approved by the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. A team cannot trade a ranked player for an unranked player. No trade may involve players or draft picks from another year. 7. A team may not trade a returning player. 8. Assistant coaches cannot be selected until after their child is on a team. All coaches must be approved by the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. 9. The Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, at their discretion, shall adjust players ranking to the true value of their ability. SCHEDULES 8.01 The Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department will schedule all league games. 8.02 In cases of game postponements due to inclement weather occurring BEFORE 5:00 pm on game day, the Parks & Recreation Department will contact all head coaches involved in games for that day. 8.03 In cases of unfavorable playing conditions occurring AFTER 5:00 pm, teams should report to the game field prepared to play. All decisions to postpone or cancel will be made by game time. Information after 5:00 p.m. will be available on the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Event Hotline (843) 248-1744 or visit www.conwayparksandrecreation.com 8.04 All practices and games must be held on City of Conway property. 8.05 Practice sessions are limited to two practices per week before games begin. 8.06 After games begin, practices are limited to one practice a week, subject to field availability. 8.07 NO practice session may exceed 90 minutes in duration on a week night. NO practice session may exceed 120 minutes in duration on Saturdays. PAGE 4 of 6

8.08 Make up games will be scheduled by the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. Saturdays may be used as an option to ensure the season will end by the first of June. PLAYER PARTICIPATION POLICY 9.01 The following shall be the minimum play rule for all Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism teams. Coaches shall play use a continuous batting order. Players should also play 6 defensive outs in the field per game. If a game is called due to time limit or mercy, the defensive playing time does not have to be met. 9.02 In the case of a player missing practices, games, or other disciplinary problems, the coach may not have to meet that player s participation requirement. In such a case, prior to the start of the game, the coach must present to Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department staff their reasons for anyone that is not going to meet their playing requirement for the game in question. The Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department Staff will make a final decision on playing time for the game in question. 9.03 In the case of a player arriving after the game has already started, the coach does not have to meet that player s participation requirement for that game. 9.04 In the case of a player who becomes a disciplinary problem after the game has started, the head coach can make an immediate appeal to the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department Supervisor on site. If that supervisor agrees with the decision, the said player may not have to meet their playing requirement for that game. 9.05 Only the head coach will be allowed to protest a player participation rule. 9.06 There shall be no protest on the decision of Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department Staff regarding player participation. 9.07 A player may be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. These actions include but are not limited to: cursing, fighting, intent to injure, and failure to follow umpires or coaches instructions. Any player ejected for these acts, will be subject to further suspensions from the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department depending on the severity of the conduct. ALL STARS Participation in All-Star tournament play is a privilege and not a right. The department currently offers All-Star play for ages 9+ years of age. Participants who are selected to the All-Star Team must be in good standing with the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department, must have a birth certificate on file, must live in the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department Dixie Franchise Territory (or have a release on file from y our home territory) and be properly registered for the sport. In All-Star play, depending on the sport, there may be limited to no minimum playing requirements. The All-Star coaches shall determine the amount of time that each player shall have. Depending on the level of play, Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department will cover any required lodging and meal expenses for players and coaches. The Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department shall administer the All-Star program. Decisions handed down by the department shall be final. 10.1 All Star Meeting 1. The League Coordinator will schedule an All-Star Meeting prior to the end of the season. 2. One coach from each team in the league will attend the All-Star selection meeting. 3. If the Head Coach is unable to attend, an Assistant Coach may represent the team. 4. Coaches must attend the meeting in person. Phone in or proxy votes are not allowed. 10.2 Coaches Selection PAGE 5 of 6

1. The coaches attending the meeting will vote on the All-Star Head Coach from a list of Head Coaches in that league. 2. Coaches reserve the right to remove their name from consideration prior to voting. 3. The selected Coach must be in good standing with Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department. Any coach who has not followed the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department procedures and policies, may be removed from consideration by the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department staff. 4. The coach receiving the most votes will be name the All-Star Head Coach. 5. In the event of a tie for the All-Star coach, the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department will cast the deciding vote. 6. The All-Star Head Coach shall select his assistant Coaches from a list of eligible Coaches within the league who are in good standing. At least one head coach within the league should be offered a coaching position. The other positions should be filled by Assistant Coaches. 10.3 Player Selection 1. Prior to the selection meeting, The Head Coach from each team shall nominate players for All-Star consideration. 2. The nominations may come from their team or any other team in the league. 3. These nominations will be combined on a master listed and will be distributed to all eligible coaches at the meeting. After the list has been reviewed, Coaches will have the opportunity to recommend additional candidates for All-Star voting. 4. Coaches may have discussions on any of the players nominated. 5. Once discussion has ended, each eligible coach will select All-Stars from the list. The number of votes cast will depend on the roster size of the all star team. 6. Those that receive the top votes will be placed on the team. 7. If there is a tie for the remaining spaces, only nominees who received the tied votes will be eligible for consideration. 8. Coaches will then place a final vote for the tied spaces. If a tie still exists, the names will be placed in a hat and the Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department staff will pull names to fill the vacant roster spots. 9. Once the roster is set, The Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department will notify the All-Stars. ALL STAR PLAY 11.1 Depending on travel distance of games, All Star teams may be given a meal allowance for players and coaches. Coaches are responsible for the distribution of funds and collection of receipts for this meal money. Additional guidelines are provided for All-Star Coaches and participants. 11.2 All-Star teams fall under the jurisdiction of Conway Parks, Recreation & Tourism. The Department has complete control over the team. No solicitation of any kind is allowed for All-Star players, coaches or teams. Violation of this rule shall result in disciplinary action. 11.3 Any coach who does not turn in receipts, attempts to contact sponsors/donors, or knows but does not report any individuals for contacting sponsors/donors, may be dismissed from coaching at the Conway Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. PAGE 6 of 6