NORTH PENINSULA YOUTH BASEBALL RULES AND POLICIES RULES OF CONDUCT 1. Managers are responsible for the conduct of their team, themselves, their coaches, their players, and the players parents. 2. The managers and their coaches are responsible for keeping non-participants away from the field of play, including directly behind the backstop and dugouts. 3. Any unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated by anyone. It is forbidden for any player, manager, coach or parent to use abusive or profane language or badger or intimidate anyone. It will be considered unsportsmanlike and not be tolerated. The following action(s) can be taken: a. Depending on the violation, one warning will be given when appropriate by the umpires or league officials. If the violation warrants an immediate ejection will occur. b. If after the person(s) committing the violation has been ejected, and the behavior continues the manager and all other persons committing the violation will be ejected from the game and must leave the ballpark before the game will continue. c. If the behavior does not stop after the manager s ejection or if the manager refuses to leave, the game will be an automatic forfeiture. d. Ejection of a manager, coach, or player will result in an automatic suspension for the next game. A second offense will lead to a two game suspension. The third offense may lead to ejection from the league. All violations will be reported to the league commissioner. e. If a manager or coach is ejected and the team is left with no adult-rostered manager or coach because of ejections, the game will be forfeited. Page 1 of 11
f. If an ejection occurs, the umpire will make a written report within 24 hours and file it with the commissioner of the League. The commissioner will determine if further action may be necessary. 4. Only the manager or acting manager after calling timeout may go onto the field to discuss or question the umpire s call that he thinks was made in error. Managers may only discuss an umpire s interpretation of the rules. If a manager wishes to protest a game, all procedures below must be followed: a. The protest must be made to the home plate umpire and the opposing manager notified immediately. It shall be recorded in the official scorebook. b. The protesting manager must submit a written protest with a $35.00 fee within 48 hours after the completion of the game. The protest must contain the exact situation, the rule in question, the umpire s interpretation, and the protesting manager s interpretation. c. A protest committee appointed by the league president will rule on all protests. d. If the protest is upheld, the game will be played from the point of the protest. 5. The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs in any form by players or adult leaders in the dugout, on the benches or on the playing field shall not be permitted. LEAGUE RULES 1. A coaching staff will consist of one (1) manager, one (1) assistant manager, and two (2) coaches in the dugout. All coaches and persons having ANY contact with players must be background checked and listed on the league approved roster. If a coach is under the age of eighteen, he/she must wear a batting helmet with ear protection at all times while on the field of play. Any violation of this rule we will lead to the manager s automatic ejection from the game. 2. Defensively there will be no more than two coaches on the playing field, beyond the baselines at any time; a coach may enter the field of play to instruct his players. Only players in a baseball uniform and wearing helmets shall be used as base coaches when adult coaches are not used. Players are not allowed to coach from the baseline coaching boxes. Page 2 of 11
3. The managers must keep their bench area and doorway clear of any equipment or players that may, during the course of the game, cause interference with the playing of the game. No buckets are allowed in front of the dugouts, by the doorway or on the field of play. Each team will clear and clean the dugouts after each game. If a violation of this rule occurs the umpire will give 1 warning if a second violation occurs then the team committing the violation will be charged an automatic out on their next at bat. 4. A team must have nine (9) players and one (1) manager or coach at game time to start the game, otherwise a forfeit will be declared. No player on a NPYB team roster may play for another NPYB team; if additional players are needed, coaches should pull from the Mustang (Millbrae) or Pee Wee (San Bruno) league, with approval of the commissioner. Penalty for use of an illegal player will be forfeiture of that game. If a player is injured during play or leaves the game early for any reason, the game may continue with eight (8) players, but the injured/departed player s spot in the batting order is an automatic out if it comes up. Once removed, the same player may not reenter the game. If a player shows up by the fourth (4 th ) inning and is listed on the lineup card, they may play in the game. 5. Each player listed on the team roster will play 18 outs per game and must play 12 consecutive outs and have one at bat during the game. Starters must play their minimum 12 consecutive outs at the beginning of the game (i.e., no subs until top of 3 rd inning) unless injury, illness or other extraordinary circumstances prevents this. Players can be excused from the game for illness, disciplinary reasons, school functions, etc. as long as the opposing manager is notified and agrees. Violation of the three-inning rule shall lead to automatic forfeiture of that game and a next game suspension of the manager. Second offense will lead to a two-game suspension. The third offense leads to dismissal from the league. All violations shall be reported to the league commissioner. 6. If a player is excused for disciplinary reasons for more than one game, it shall be indicated on the lineup sheet and the commissioner will take appropriate action, if necessary. 7. The team listed first on the schedule will be the home team. The home team shall occupy the dugout along the third base line. 8. At Lions field the home team shall take infield practice first, starting twenty-five (25) minutes before the scheduled game time. Infield practice will not exceed ten (10) minutes for each team. This will allow a five-minute respite that can be utilized for a team pre-game conference and the umpire s instructions. There will be no more than a fifteen (15) minute grace period from the scheduled starting time. Each team s starting lineup will include all starting players and substitutes with their first and last names and Page 3 of 11
uniform numbers. A lineup card must be exchanged 20 minutes before game time by opposing managers and/or scorekeepers. There will be no pregame infield practice at Glen Oaks field. 9. All regular season games will have a two (2) hour and fifteen (15) minute time limit. For the purpose of this rule, both managers will be notified by the home plate umpire as to the starting time of the game. 10. No new inning may start after the time limit has expired. The umpire will give a oneinning warning whenever possible as the time limit approaches. 11. In case of rain, the umpire must call for a 30-minute rain delay before the game is considered a rainout. After the rain has stopped, play must resume with the same lineup from the point of delay as long as the umpire considers it safe to play. 12. A continued game must have the same players in the game when it ended, except if a player is ill, on vacation, or absent for another serious excuse. The opposing manager will pick a replacement player whether or not that player has been in the game. 13. A tied game which is the last regularly scheduled game on the weekend or a weekday which does not hinder the start of any other scheduled activity at the field, will be played to its conclusion. 14. Tied games will not be rescheduled to continue; the teams will be awarded a half point. 15. The completion of five (5) innings constitutes a complete game (4 ½ if the home team is ahead). The calling of a game by the head umpire is a judgment call and not subject to protest. 16. Mercy Rule: A mercy rule will be in effect when one team is ahead by more than 10 runs after 5 complete innings. 17. A league-approved baseball will be used for all regular season and post-season games. Two new baseballs will be provided by the home team. 18. Players may not wear metal spikes. Wood or aluminum bats including big barrel bats are allowed. ***At Lions Field, only turf shoes or tennis shoes will be allowed.*** 19. Two umpires will be provided for each regular season game by the League. If only one umpire is available, the game will still be played. If both managers and the remaining umpire agree, a second umpire who is not provided by the League may be used. Page 4 of 11
20. Both teams will be responsible for the field prep, turning on the scoreboard, the right field and left field bullpens and the lights (if needed). 21. The home team will be considered the official book and pitch count. 22. The official scorebook will be noted as to the starting time of the game. 23. The manager, assistant manager, coaches, and players are not permitted to call an opposing player by name in an effort to distract that player; shaking of fences and excessive screaming is also to be discouraged. 24. Players not participating in the game will not leave the dugout during the game without notifying the manager or assistant managers and must not be standing in the doorway. SPECIFIC PLAYING RULES Official major league baseball rules apply except as modified below. 1. All league games are seven (7) innings and 2 ¼ hours. 2. The playing field dimensions are: a. Bases 70 Feet b. Pitcher s Mound 50 Feet 3. Stealing: Stealing a base, including home plate is allowed. Base runners may advance at their own risk if a play is made on any other runner. 4. Base Runners: a. All base runners must wear a batting helmet with an ear protector while on the field of play. If a runner does not have on the proper helmet when the pitcher makes the next pitch to the batter or attempts to throw to any base, the umpire will call a strike on the batter. A Dead Ball is called and no other play is allowed. Page 5 of 11
b. A base coach or manager will not touch a base runner to assist the runner while the call is in play, otherwise the runner will be called out. c. A courtesy runner may be substituted for the catcher who played the prior inning when there are two outs in an effort to speed up play. The courtesy runner must be the player who made the second out of the inning. 5. Sliding: A runner must slide or attempt to avoid contact when a play is being made on the runner at any base except first base. If there is no attempt to avoid contact, or unnecessary contact by a player is evident, the player will be called out and the umpire(s) may either give a warning or immediately eject the player. Player must do whatever it takes to avoid contact. There is no incidental contact. In cases of flagrant intent to injure, a one-game suspension may be given. No head-first slides at home plate are allowed. 6. Batting: Batters must wear a batting helmet with an ear protector while in the on deck circle and when in the batter s box and until they return into the dugout. If a batter is in the batter s box without the proper helmet, a strike will be called by the home plate umpire. a. If a batter throws a bat in anger, or carelessly as a part of their swing, they shall receive a warning. If a second warning is given, the batter shall be called out, and at the discretion of the umpire, may be ejected from the game. b. A batter must keep one foot in the batter s box when receiving a sign from the third base coach. First violation will be a warning; second violation will result in a strike being called. This rule shall not apply to a called third strike. SUBSITUTE PLAYERS: 1. A replacement player for an injured, ill, or ejected player during the game will be allowed. If all players on the lineup card have been in the game, the last substituted player will be reinstated. If a player or players have not been in the game, the manager will select the replacement player. Ejected or ill players may not reenter the game. 2. A courtesy runner may be substituted for the catcher who played the prior inning when there are two outs in an effort to speed up play. The courtesy runner must be the player who made the second out of the inning. (Repeat of Rule #5C under Base Runner rules.) Page 6 of 11
3. Players shall return to the lineup in their original place in the batting order. While more than one substitute may be used in the position before the starting player is returned, no substitutions shall be made that will alter the original batting rotation of any of the starting or substitute players. 4. Any player in the starting lineup who has been removed for a substitute may reenter the game one time. PITCHING RULES: 1. Balks: During the first two (2) weeks of the season, one warning will be given to the pitcher if the pitcher commits the violation again the balk rule will be enforced. After the first two weeks, balks will be enforced with no warning given. 2. Eleven-year-old pitchers may not throw more than 65 pitches and 12-year-oldpitchers may not throw more than 85 pitches in any one game. If a pitcher is pitching to a batter and in the at bat they get to the maximum pitch count. They will be allowed to finish pitching to that batter and immediately after that at bat they must be taken out. 3. All pitchers must have 40 hours rest after pitching four (4) innings from the start of the previous game. The clock starts at the beginning of the game for ALL pitchers during the game. A pitcher may not pitch more than ten (10) innings during the pitcher s week. The week runs from Monday to Sunday. For the purpose of this rule, one pitch by any pitcher during the game constitutes an inning pitched. 4. A pitcher may not reenter the game as a pitcher after throwing one pitch. Violation of these rules constitutes a forfeit. 5. The pitching count shall be compared after each inning by the scorekeeper from each team. 6. Pitchers shall take their signs while on the rubber and shall keep their shoulders square while in the set position. 7. If a manager makes more than one trip to the mound to the same pitcher, or the pitcher leaves the mound to talk to the manager or coach in the same inning, the pitcher must be replaced. If a manager or coach calls the catcher or any other player over and then instructs them to talk to the pitcher this will be considered a visit to the mound. Page 7 of 11
8. When the manager or coach needs to make a trip to the mound to check on an injury to the pitcher, he must notify the umpire(s) that he is checking on an injury. The umpire will accompany the manager or coach at a reasonable distance, if strategy is discussed it will then become a visit. 9. When a new pitcher is warming up while the game is in play, there must be a spotter watching the field of play for any foul balls. If the spotter is under the age of eighteen, he/she must wear a batting helmet with ear protection. REGISTRATION: 1. During the season any vacancy(ices) in the roster will be filled from the wait list. The team needing a player according to the number of players agreed to by the League for that season will be assigned the player if there is more than on player on the wait list the placement will be based on when the player registered. Assignment of players will be in accordance with Draft rule #1. DRAFT RULES: 1. The order of the draft shall start with the team who finished in last place the season before having first draft pick and continuing in order, etc. Ties will be decided by a flip of the coin method. 2. Each team will have one pick in each round until the team roster is filled according to the number of players agreed to by the League. A separate draft of new 12 year old s will take place first and be based on the need of each team s roster of returning 12 year old s. Draft rule #1 will apply to both the 11 and 12 year old s in the drafts. 3. If there are twins in a whole league re-draft year, the twins must be drafted by the third to last round of the draft. 4. In a year when the league is expanding to additional teams, the draft order will be as follows; the expansion team(s) will select all of the new 12 year olds in an attempt to even up with the other teams. The expansion team(s) will then get the first pick of the new 11 year old s. If there is more than one expansion team a coin flip will decide who will pick first. 5. Immediately after the draft, trades will be permitted of 11-year-olds only and only at that time. Page 8 of 11
6. Within 5 days of the new player evaluations, all current rosters will be frozen. If a returning player has not paid their fee or registered by that date, they will be placed on the wait list, and follow the league procedures for wait list players. 7. If the player does not attend the player evaluation, the player will become a hat distribution player. 8. Any attempt by anyone affiliated directly with any team to manipulate the draft in any way will not be tolerated. The violator(s) will be subject to disciplinary actions. 9. If a whole league re-draft should become necessary, the draft order for the 12-year-olds will be decided by putting all team names into a hat and the draft order will be decided by the numbers selected. The 11-year-olds draft order will be the reverse of the draft order selected for the 12-year-olds. Freezes: 1. A manager s son or daughter must be evaluated. If a manager wishes to freeze their son or daughter, the player must be declared a first, second, or third-round pick by a managers majority vote. The manager must then select their son or daughter in the declared round or forfeit their exclusive right to that player. 2. If a returning player has a sibling new to the league and their parent or guardian requests that the siblings play on the same team, then the sibling becomes an automatic freeze for that team. The player must be declared a first, second, or third-round pick by a managers majority vote. The manager must then select the player in the declared round or forfeit their exclusive right to that player. 3. All eligible players must sign up and try out in order to be eligible for the draft. Any player who does not show up for try-outs will be placed in the hat (by age group) and selected in counting draft order at the end of the regular draft. 4. In a re-draft year, there will be an open draft for 12-year-olds and no freezes. 5. A manager cannot step down to a coaching position to allow a new manager to come into the league for the purpose of freezing the new manager s son or daughter. 6. A courtesy may be given to a manager of a team requesting that a new player be placed on his team. Before the draft starts a manger must make a plea to the rest of the managers in the league for the player to be placed on his team. A vote will be taken at that time and all managers must agree or the player will be in the open draft. Page 9 of 11
Managers meetings: 1. Bronco Division manager meetings will be on the 1 st Monday of each month. At the recreation department. 2. Each team must be represented by a manager or an assistant manager. Only a manager, or assistant managers in the absence of the manager, can vote on league matters. 3. A manager shall not have more than two (2) unexcused absences from meetings without permission from the commissioner of the league. Habitual non-attendance will be cause for a manager s status to be subject to review by the Board of Directors. EXTRA HITTER: 1. The Board of Directors shall make a year by year decision whether to use the extra hitter rule. 2. The rule is as follows: a. Each team will decide whether to use the Extra Hitter ( EH ) rule and must inform the opposing manager before the start of the game. b. The EH (extra hitter) may bat at any number in the batting order. The batting order must remain the same. c. The EH (extra hitter) may enter the game at any time as a defensive player at any position except for the pitcher position. d. The EH (extra hitter) does not need to meet the minimum playing requirements as set forth in the rules (eighteen outs in the field, one at bat). e. If in the event of an injury to or ejection of the EH (extra hitter), the player must be substituted. If the team no longer has a player to substitute for this position (all substitutes have been made and starters have been reentered), then the team will proceed without an EH without penalty. Teams using the EH who have no other substitutes and lose another player to injury, illness, ejection or extraordinary circumstances must use the EH as a defensive player (at any position except pitcher) and proceed with a 9-person lineup without penalty. f. A player being used as the EH (extra hitter) in a game may not be the EH (extra hitter) again for 3 games. Play-offs and Championship: 1. Each year the playoff format will be agreed upon by all the Leagues Commissioners. Page 10 of 11
Tournament Team Manager selection 1. The manager currently in first place in their division will have first option to take the team. If the manager does not wish to take the team the next manager based on standings will be offered the team until the position is filled. Page 11 of 11