OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM To enable all children who have registered to have the opportunity to play baseball/softball. To teach sportsmanship and fair play. To provide an opportunity for children to learn the proper way to play baseball/softball (Skills and strategies of the game). To have fun. To develop prospects for the more competitive Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Tournaments and All Star Programs. 1
RULES OF BEHAVIOR CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS. COACHES AND SPECTATORS" SHALL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. 1. Managers and coaches are responsible for their players' and parents' actions at practices and games. 2. All spectators are to remain behind the players' bench. 3. No one is permitted behind the backstop during play. 4. There will be no team heckling, harassing or intimidation between players, coaches or spectators. FIRST VIOLATION - Umpire will give a warning to the coach of the offending team. SECOND VIOLATION - If team at bat is guilty of the offense the umpire will award the team on defense an out. If the team in the field is guilty of the offense the umpire will award the batter first base and all base runners will advance one base. 5. In the event a player or coach is ejected from a game and fails to leave the field (complex), the game is automatically forfeited, and the offenders will be subject to suspension. 6. There will be no heckling, harassing or intimidation of umpires by coaches, players or spectators. 2
SAFETY GUIDELINES SAFETY RULES APPLY TO ALL LEAGUES WITHIN Watchung Hills. 1. ALL COACHES SHALL HAVE COMPLETED THE RUTGERS S.A.F.E.T.Y. COURSE AND REQUIREMENTS as per each town Rec Dept. 2. Only players in uniform are allowed on the field as batters, fielders and base runners. Keep all non-team members away from the field, dugout, on deck area and warm up areas. 3. The team at bat is not permitted to allow the on deck batter, or other batters; to take practice swings outside of an approved batting cage. Only the batter and on deck batter may have bats in their hands. Two practice swings are permitted before entering the batters box. Keep all other team members away from the on deck area. 4. Batters, base runners and catchers must wear helmets. If a base runner loses his or her helmet running between bases, the runner must stop at the next base after losing their helmet or they can stop, pick it up, put it back on their head and continue to advance. (i.e. if a runner going from first to second base loses their helmet they can a) stop at second base until time out is called and retrieve the helmet or b) they can retrieve the helmet while the ball is still alive and proceed to continue running the bases). 5. If a player is injured play will stop immediately until the nature of the injury is determined. Follow procedures outlined in the safety-training course. Do not move an injured player until it is determined that no further injury will occur. The coach must prepare a written accident report and notify a league official immediately. 6. Defensive coaches must remain outside the fence boundaries or in the dugout at all times. (Exceptions: Pigtails, Tee-ball, Rookie, AA Minors). 7. Offensive base coaches must remain in the area designated as the coaching box and may not touch base-runners while the ball is in play. A baserunner touched by a coach while the ball is in play will be called out. A player in a coaching box must wear a batting helmet. 8. Sneakers, rubber soled shoes or baseball shoes with rubber or plastic cleats only must be worn at all practices and games. Metal spikes are not allowed, except in Senior League. 9. Interference and obstruction rules will be strictly enforced. 3
10. Interference is an act by the team at bat, which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. The fielder, in the act of fielding a hit or thrown ball, has the right of way. The runner will be called out for interference, and other runners shall return to the last base that was legally touched at the time of the interference. 11. Obstruction: is the act of a fielder, while not in possession of the bail or not in the Act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. 12. Interference and obstruction are umpire judgment calls. 13. Must slide rule is in effect, except for Tee-ball, Rookie and Pigtail. Barreling over is an Umpire judgment call. The runner will be called out, the ball is dead and no runners can advance. If intentional, the umpire must notify the league commissioner of the incident and may result in a suspension for a period of time. 4
INTER-LEAGUE RULES MINOR AND MAJOR LEAGUES All Rules are for the safety of all the children. The primary goal of this recreational league is to provide a good experience for all children. While making an effort to win games is part of that experience, winning is less important than being inclusive of all members of the team. Coaches and teams should introduce themselves and review the RULES prior to the game to show sportsmanship. Games are scheduled for 6 innings of play restricted by the following restraints: 1. No new inning will start after 1 hour 45 minutes of play. a. A new inning starts the moment the 3rd out is made ending the previous inning. 2. With a game following on that field, a 2 hour hard stop time limit shall be enforced. a. I.e. If the 2 hour mark is reached, the game will stop without finishing the inning. 3. Extra innings will not be played in the event that a game concludes with a tie score. 4. A mercy rule will be in effect when a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after the trailing team has batted four or more innings. General Baseball Rules Majors/Minors 1. Teams will bat all players in the lineup. Players arriving after the start of the game must be added at the bottom of the lineup regardless of which lineup position is due to hit next when the player arrives. 2. Players may be freely substituted in and out of defensive positions throughout the game (with the exception of pitchers as noted below). No player may be sat out of the defense twice before all players in the lineup have sat out at least once. 3. Every attempt should be made to give players some playing time in the infield positions, assuming that doing so will not put a child into unreasonable risk of injury. 4. Bunting is allowed. Fake bunting (squaring to bunt and then swinging away) is not allowed. 5. Sliding is mandatory if there is a play being made on the base runner (i.e. if a collision is possible). This is in the umpire s judgment in which he feels the base runner, by not sliding, could cause an injury to the fielder or himself. Runners who barrel over a fielder will be called out for interference. 6. There will be no intentional walks. Coaches please also adhere to the spirit of this rule. In other words, there is also to be no pitching around batters or 5
unintentional intentional walks. This is a recreation league which emphasizes sportsmanship over winning, and we want all players to have equal opportunity at bats. 7. Pitcher Rule: Any player on team roster may pitch. 8. Minor AAA Pitcher Rule: No pitcher can pitch more than 6 OUTS in a game (generally 2 innings, but can span 3 innings if pitcher enters an inning when 1 or more outs already exist). 9. Major Pitcher Rule: No pitcher can pitch more than 6 OUTS in a game (generally 2 innings, but can span 3 innings if pitcher enters an inning when 1 or more outs already exist). 10.Pitcher Rule: A player once removed as a pitcher may not pitch again in the same game. 11.Pitcher Rule: A pitcher who hits a batter TWO (2) times in an inning will be removed as pitcher from that game. 12.Pitcher Rule: A pitcher must be removed on the second trip to the mound in the same inning. 13.Bat Rule: USABAT Stamp ONLY Little League or Cal Ripken Approved, 2-1/4 or 2-5/8 barrel. 14.Baseball s Little League or Ripken approved 15.Home Team for play is listed by the schedule, regardless of geography. 16.Home Team by geography will: a. Set-up the field. b. Provide catchers equipment. 17.Umpires - a. WBSI is coordinating/paying for all Majors/Minor AAA games in Warren and Watchung. b. Home town by geography will coordinate/pay for Minors games (I.e. game played in Watchung will be coordinated and paid by WLL). 18.No infield practice prior to the game. Batting Cages and Outfield practice are allowed. 50/70 RULES Specific for Majors 1. Leading is allowed off any base, and stealing is allowed off any base. 2. Infield fly rule applies. 3. 3rd strike is live and if dropped by catcher the batter may attempt to beat throw to first as long as 1st base is unoccupied or when there are 2 outs. 4. Batter is out on tipped third strike only if the catcher fields the pitch off the bat (before the ball hits the ground). 5. No more than four players may huddle at one time on the field. 6. BALKS will be called, for 50/70 Baseball ONLY but warnings will be issued unless the pitcher has intentionally balked in order to stop a runner from stealing. This is at the umpire s discretion. 7. There is no run limit per inning. 6
46/60 RULES Specific for Minors 1. Pitching Rules: Balls and Strikes will be called from the first pitch. 2. Pitching Rules: Balks will not be called. 3. RUNS: 4 Run per inning is in effect for the 1st thru 4th innings. The 5th and 6th innings are uncapped for both teams. 4. No leading prior to the pitch - base-runners must remain on the base until a pitched ball reaches home plate. Runners leaving early will be returned to the base by the umpire. 5. No delayed steals play is dead once the catcher controls the ball and delivers the ball to the pitcher. Runners may not lead and steal on the catcher s throw to the pitcher, regardless of an overthrow. 6. Runners can steal 2nd & 3rd. 7. Runners cannot advance beyond their stolen base due to an overthrow by the catcher or a missed catch/tag by the infielder. In other words, the catcher gets a free throw in an effort to throw the runner out with no penalty for an overthrow or missed catch or missed back-up. 8. Standard 9 fielders is preferred but 10 fielders (6 infield+4 outfield) will be permitted, provided both coaches agree to 4 outfielders prior to the start of each game/inning. a. The outfielders must be on the grass and must be arranged Right, Center Right, Center Left, Left. I.e. no short fielder permitted. 7
UNIFORM GUIDELINES 1. BASEBALL- All players must wear team shirts, baseball caps and baseball pants to play. Shirts shall be tucked-in and caps worn straight. 8
COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Provide a positive atmosphere for all players. 2. Be a role model. Teach players good sportsmanship and good conduct, including respect toward teammates, opponents and officials. 3. Teach players safe basic baseball or softball skills. 4. Cooperate with and assist umpires. Teach cooperation and respect towards umpires. Umpires decisions are final (especially, but not limited to judgment calls). 5. Prohibit use of offensive language or harassment by players, coaches, parents and spectators. 6. Establish effective relationships with parents to promote a positive playing and learning environment for the children, and to promote good sportsmanship and good conduct of the parents. 7. Attend and manage all practices and games. Provide qualified coverage if you cannot attend. Designated replacements shall be approved by the league commissioner and shall have taken the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. course. 8. Understand and comply with league rules established by the board, as explained and supervised by the league commissioner. 9. Distribute and collect team and player equipment. All equipment shall be returned to the boxes following the game. 10. Coordinate distribution of and conformance to schedules. Notify all players of rescheduled games. 11.No smoking around players, on the field or in the dugouts. 12.Limit of three adults in dugout at any time during games. 13.Each team is responsible for cleaning up their side of the field before leaving (dugouts and surrounding area). Pitchers mound and batters boxes to be raked at completion of games and practices. 9
GENERAL RULES 1. Managers shall have a copy of the official rules and an official roster for the team at every game. 2. All managers must have a team meeting with the team parents prior to the start of the first game. Review with them: The objectives of the program, behavior and safety rules. 3. Avoid formal protests by trying to resolve problems at that time with the umpires. If a protest is unavoidable, the protest must be called before the next pitch, and the coach must notify the umpire that the game is being continued under protest. A letter detailing the nature of the protest must be delivered to the league commissioner within 24 hours. Protests apply only to rules and will be addressed by the "dispute resolution committee." Protests are not accepted on umpire judgment calls. 4. Violation of any pitching rule will result in a forfeit. 5. If a rule is not specifically addressed, the official rules of Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken baseball/softball will be followed, subject to modifications stipulated or interpreted by Watchung Hills Baseball Interleague Committee. 10
STANDARD RULES AND REGULATIONS 1. MUST PLAY RULES MUST PLAY rules apply to all WBSI leagues. a. DEFENSIVE PLAYING REQUIREMENTS: NO PLAYER SHALL SIT FOR TWO INNINGS UNTIL ALL OTHER PLAYERS HAVE SAT FOR AT LEAST ONE INNING. i. Violation of this rule will result in immediate player substitution or forfeit. ii. Defensive changes are not permitted during an inning. Exceptions: pitching changes; due to injury; player withdrawn from game. iii. Play time for late arriving players starts from their arrival time. I.e. an inning NOT PLAYED does not count as an INNING SAT. b. OFFENSIVE PLAYING REQUIREMENTS: All players will be listed in the lineup, which will be the batting order for the entire game. Thus all players will bat in order, whether they are playing the field at the time or not. 2. GAME TIME RULES AND FORFEIT RULES a. See schedule for game time. b. The home team, which is determined by referring to the schedule, is at bat last. Visitors are to bat first. Home team occupies the first base side of the field; visitors occupy third base side. c. Warm-ups: The visiting team has the field from 30 minutes to 15 minutes prior to game time. The home team has the field from 15 minutes prior to game time. NOTE: Back to back games (e.g., weekend and night doubleheaders) take priority over practices. A game will not be delayed to accommodate practice / warm up time. Remaining free time will be divided equally. This normally does not happen, so coaches should have pitchers warm up on the sidelines. d. Umpires should report to the field 15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. Ground rules and special league rules should be reviewed with the coaches prior to starting the game. e. A team must field SEVEN players by 15 minutes past game time. f. If at any time, a team falls below the required SEVEN players the team shall forfeit. g. LATE ARRIVALS AND PLAYERS LEAVING: i. Late arriving players will be inserted as the last batter in the lineup whenever they arrive. ii. If a player leaves a game for any reason, that player s position in the line-up is simply skipped without penalty of an OUT. 3. OFFICIAL GAME: A game in which the losing team completed its time at bat in the fourth or subsequent inning, or the game was tied after at least four completed innings are played. For senior league five innings. 11
4. TIE GAMES AND EXTRA INNINGS: Tie games may continue into extra innings, time and daylight permitting. However, regular season games shall abide by the scheduled time constraints and simply be recorded as a TIE. a. Exception: PLAYOFF GAMES MUST BE COMPLETED WITH A WINNER. 5. CANCELLATIONS, RESCHEDULING: a. Cancellation prior to start of game must be made by the league commissioner or board representative. b. Coaches and commissioners shall work together to immediately reschedule any/all cancelled REGULAR SEASON games. 6. SUSPENDED GAMES a. Suspension of a game in progress: The umpire s decision to call a game in progress, which is not yet an Official Game, due to weather or darkness is final. b. Suspended games will resume from the exact point that they were stopped. i. The coach of the team which was losing at the time the game was stopped has the option to not finish the game if he elects to do so. c. The score in games that end or are called because of rain, darkness or time that have completed enough innings to be considered OFFICIAL as defined above will revert back to the score at the end of the last complete inning. d. A power failure will be considered a SUSPENDED GAME if the game is not yet OFFICIAL as defined above. (Note: If the lights go out while the ball is in play, the ball is dead. When play is resumed, the batter will be up to bat with a clean count and all runners will assume the base they were on prior to the dead ball.) 7. ALL PITCHING RULES AND MUST PLAY RULES REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR EXTRA- INNING GAMES AND CONTINUATION OF SUSPENDED GAMES. a. Example: A pitcher can not re-enter the same game, regardless of extra innings or days rest between suspension and continuation of game. 12