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This is provided as a baseline of information. Due to recent changes and revisions I will post an updated one as soon as possible. When considering any rules violations, the only controlling authority will be the official TTA rulebook published by TTA.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OFFICIAL REGULATIONS
ORGANIZATION
LEAGUE SCHEDULE
POSTPONED, RAIN-OUT, AND SUSPENDED GAMES
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
SELECTION OF PLAYERS
PLAYER AGREEMENTS
PLAYER TRADES AND RELEASES
ILLEGAL PLAYERS AND PENALTY
PROTESTS AND DISPUTES
UMPIRES FOR LEAGUE PLAY
SCOREKEEPERS
QUALIFICATION OF LEAGUES FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY
COMPUTATION OF INNINGS PITCHED (BASEBALL ONLY)
RE-ENTRY (TTAB ONLY)
RULES GOVERNING ALL LEAGUES
10. GENERAL RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL DIVISIONS
10-1. LOCAL LEAGUE RULES
10-2. HIDDEN BALL TRICK
10-3. INTENTIONAL WALK
10-4. BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT
10-5. CHARGED CONFERENCES - BASEBALL ONLY
10-6. EQUIPMENT
10-7. JEWELRY
10-8. BLOOD RULE
10-9. SHORT HANDED RULE (SOFTBALL ONLY)
10-10. FORFEIT TIME
10-11. BATTER (TTAB FRESHMAN THROUGH SENIOR DIVISIONS)
10-12. TIME LIMIT (TTAS ONLY)
10-13. COURTESY RUNNER RULE
10-14. RULE CHANGE DEADLINE
TEXAS TEENAGE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT RULES
200-1. ELIGIBLE LEAGUES
200-2. ELIGIBLE TEAMS
200-3. TOURNAMENT TEAM ROSTER
200-4. PICK-UP PLAYERS
200-5. UNIFORMS
200-6. CERTIFICATION OF TEAM
200-7. PLAYING FIELDS
200-8. PLAYING RULES (BASEBALL ONLY)
200-9. DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENTS
200-10. TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS
200-11. STATE APPROVED SPECIAL RULES
200-12. TOURNAMENT BRACKETS AND DATES OF TOURNAMENTS
200-13. TOURNAMENT ALLOCATION
200-14. QUALIFICATIONS,PROTESTS, AND DISPUTES
200-15. UMPIRES FOR TTAB/TTAS TOURNAMENTS
200-16. SCOREKEEPER AND STATISTICIANS
200-17. OFFICIAL BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
Go To Top
TEXAS TEENAGE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT RULES
200-1. ELIGIBLE LEAGUES
To be eligible for tournament play a league must be an affiliated member league of the State Association by May 1st of each year and must have complied fully with all standard rules and
regulations for regular League Play.
200-2. ELIGIBLE TEAMSGo To Top
(a) To be eligible for tournament play, a team must be Champions of their League and must have completed their regular season schedule of games by the official end of the season as stated on page 5, Section B-3.
(b) SOFTBALL ONLY: All TTAS Leagues will be required to send their first (1st) and second (2nd) place teams to District Tournament Play. Each District Tournament will ten send their first (1st) and second (2nd) place winners to State Tournament play.
(c) PICK UP PLAYERS SOFTBALL ONLY: Pick-up players should be chosen on a rotating basis accordingly: first place team gets first choice, second place team second choice, and so forth until all pickup players are chosen. Any TTAS player refusing to play for a team when chosen in the selection process, is ineligible to play for any team.
200-3. TOURNAMENT TEAM ROSTERGo To Top
(a) A team shall not have more than eighteen (19) registered and certified players on its roster. (Including three (3) pick-up players.)
(b) In TTAB/TTAS no tournament team shall have more than eleven (11) players the maximum age in their division.
200-4. PICK-UP PLAYERSGo To Top
(a) League Champions shall be permitted to add three (3) additional players for all tournament play.
(b) These three (3) extra players shall be selected by the Manager from teams that played within their same league, played during the regular season.
(c) They must be bonafide players of their League in accordance with Official TTAB/TTAS Rules and Regulations.
(d) All extra players may be of the maximum age provided for in the division in which they are playing.
(e) Pick-up players, as listed on Tournament Roster, shall not be changed after roster is mailed or delivered to the State Office.
200-5. UNIFORMSGo To Top
(a) Pick-up players will be permitted to participate in either their regular season uniform or the uniform of the team with which they will participate.
(b) Numbers shall be required on uniforms for all tournament play.
200-6. CERTIFICATION OF TEAMGo To Top
(a) Immediately at the end of the Official League Season, or at the earliest possible date after
a team has clinched the championship, the League Official must register their League Champion Team, including the three (3) extra players permitted for tournament play, with the State Executive Director. They must certify that the Championship Team and the three (3) extra players added to the team are all bonafide players of the League in accordance with official TTAB/TTAS Rules and Regulations. A special registration form will be furnished for that purpose and must be signed by the league President or official TTAB/TTAS contact.
(b) This form, also referred to as Tournament Team Roster, shall be submitted to the State Office within twenty-four (24) hours after the official close of the season in order for the league champion to be certified for district tournament play. There shall be no exceptions to this rule; absolutely NO ADDITIONS OR PLAYER CHANGES shall be permitted after roster is mailed or delivered to the State Office for certification. If not signed by league president or contact, team will not be eligible for tournament.
(c) Each League Champion is required to participate in its assigned tournament. Penalty for non-participation can be up to a one year suspension from TTAB/TTAS for that particular league and/or manager. An exception to this penalty is a written notice to the State Office advising that a league in your organization will not be able to participate in tournament play and giving acceptable reason for non-participation. This must be received prior to the Tournament Allocation Meeting each year.
(d) All managers participating in District and/or State Tournament play must present to the Tournament Director a birth certificate or military dependent I.D., (a Photostat copy thereof) of each player on their respective teams, including the three (3) extra "pickup" players. Players age sixteen (16) or older May e required to show a valid (picture) divers license. Tournament Directors must check each certificate before certifying the eligibility of the players and teams. Under no circumstance shall a player be permitted to play in the tournament without one of the
above documents.
(e) Any birth certificate presented to the Tournament Director that is altered in any way prohibits the player from playing in that tournament.
200-7. PLAYING FIELDSGo To Top
(a) All tournament games will be played on fields as required and specified in the official TTAB/TTAS Rules and Regulations.
(b) TTAB baseballs required in all TTAB tournament play.
200-8. PLAYING RULES (BASEBALL ONLY) Go To Top
Official TTAB Rules and Regulations shall supersede all Ground Rules and/or Special Rules adopted by local leagues for local league play. All tournament play will be in accordance with TTAB Rules and Regulations with the following exceptions of Pitching Rules:
(a) For Junior Midget, Midget, Senior Midget, and Freshman Divisions : No pitcher shall pitch more than twelve (12) innings in any one tournament. They may pitch on successive days or in successive games.
(b) For sophomore, Junior, Hi-Junior and Senior Divisions : No pitcher shall pitch more than fourteen (14) innings in any one tournament. They may pitch on successive days or in successive
games.
(c) The pitching rules apply only to District and State Tournament play.
(d) BASE RUNNERS. A base runner is out, if in the judgment of the umpire, if the base coach at first or third base, touches or holds the runner (physically assists) him/her in returning to or leaving first or third base. (Giving a runner a high-five after a home run is not assisting him in any way. This case is not out.)
200-9. DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENTSGo To Top
(a) All District Tournaments shall be double elimination.
(b) All State Tournament Play shall be double elimination.
200-10. TOURNAMENT DIRECTORSGo To Top
(a) A Tournament Director should be selected at the time the Tournament Request form is submitted to the State Office. The Tournament Director selected shall not manage nor coach a team participating in the tournament. After an organization has been notified by the State Office of being selected to host a tournament, the Tournament Director should immediately be confirmed, forwarding to the State Office the name, address, and telephone number(s).
(b) Tournament Directors will be furnished a copy of Stat approved Special Rules and Tournament Brackets by the State Office.
(c) Local ground rules shall be submitted by Tournament Directors to Team Managers and
Umpires prior to the first tournament game. Ground rules apply to playing field conditions only.
(d) Failure of an organization's or Tournament director's compliance of TTAB/TTAS Rules and Regulations, Special Rules, Brackets, etc. will affect future allocation of tournaments.
(e) All District & State Tournament Directors must notify the State Office, with 24 hours, the first and second place teams with manager's names and contact information.
200-11. STATE APPROVED SPECIAL RULESGo To Top
(a) All TTAB/TTAS District and State Tournament games shall use the designated number of innings except: (1) In case of rain, the number of innings for a complete game is determined in each designated age division of this rule book to be considered a complete game. (2) A ten run lead shall apply as appropriate (see specific division rules).
(b) Without exception, no time limit shall be set for TTAB tournament play.
(c) One hour, forty-five minute time limit shall be set for all TTA Softball Tournament play except for trophy games in championship play.
200-12. TOURNAMENT BRACKETS AND DATES OF TOURNAMENTSGo To Top
(a) Official TTAB/TTAS tournament brackets will be provided to all tournament directors
and this bracket shall be followed with NO DEVIATIONS.
(b) Tournament shall be played within the number of days designated on Official Bracket (except for rain).
(c) All towns hosting a District or State tournament must have the Official Bracket posted at all times, with teams, date, time, and place for all games. In boy's tournaments, pitcher inning records must also be listed.
(d) BASEBALL & T-BALL ONLY If tournament scheduling deems it necessary that a team play three games on championship day for a winner to be determined, the Tournament director shall schedule at least four hours delay between the end of the first game and the beginning of the second game for the team possibly required to play a third game to determine the championship. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES shall a team be required to play more than three (3) games within any tournament day.
(e) Tournament brackets will be furnished b the State Office. Only brackets with a "bye" will be required to have a draw.
(f) All District and State tournaments shall be played within the weeks designated by the TTAB/TTAS State Office.
(g) All District Tournaments shall be scheduled to begin on Monday of the designated tournament week.
(h) TTA BASEBALL ONLY: All State Tournament shall be scheduled to begin on Monday of the designated tournament week.
(i) TTA SOFTBALL ONLY: State Tournaments for T-Ball, Midget, Freshman, and Junior girls shall begin on Monday of the designated tournament week, and must be concluded by Thursday.
(j) TTA SOFTBALL ONLY: Senior girls State Tournaments will be held on Friday and
Saturday of the designated week.
200-13. TOURNAMENT ALLOCATIONGo To Top
(a) The TTA Board will allocate District Tournaments in a May Tournament Allocation Meeting each year. State tournaments will be allocated at the Annual State Meeting the prior August.
(b) District and State Tournament Requests should be submitted, along with applicable tournament fee, torment DIRECTOR'S name, address, and phone number, to the State Office before May 1st for District Tournaments and by the forth day before the Annual State Meeting for State Tournaments.
(c) TTAB ONLY: Organizations with more than one league in a particular division may send a champion from each league or may have a playoff and have only one team participate in District Tournament. TTAB/TTAS State Office must b notified in writing before the Allocation Meeting if each league registered does not plan to enter District play. (For penalty, refer to Tournament Rule 200-6 .
(d) All league champions within the dame area, and especially within the same organization, shall be assigned to the same district to determine a State Tournament participant.
(e) Organizations awarded a State tournament shall have a playoff (if they have more than one league in that particular division) to determine their Distinct Champion to participate in the State
Tournament.
200-14. QUALIFICATIONS,PROTESTS, AND DISPUTESGo To Top
(a) Any violation of Tournament Rules must be reported immediately to the Tournament Director.
(b) It shall be the duty and responsibility of the State President to rule on the qualifications and eligibility of all active member leagues during and before the end of the regular season of League Play. Any ruling or decision made by the State President shall be considered final.
(c) During Tournament Play, the Tournament Director and his committee shall make ruling on the eligibility of teams or players at that time. Any such ruling shall be considered final; however, they must be based on substantial facts, placed in writing, and reported to the State President.
(d) The Tournament Officials shall decide all protests and disputes arising during Tournament Play on the level and at the time at which they occur. A protest committee shall be available at all times. A Tournament Director shall not serve as an official member of the Protest Committee.
200-15. UMPIRES FOR TTAB/TTAS TOURNANENTSGo To Top
(a) Umpires shall be furnished by the host organizations. TTA recommends that TTA Certified Umpires be chosen.
(b) There shall be at least two (2) Official Umpires working all TTA District and State Tournament games.
(c) An Official Umpire is defined as one that is appointed and approved by the Tournament Director. A Tournament Director is solely responsible for selection and performance of Umpires.
(d) Umpires shall be chosen from the best source available in the immediate area. Umpires shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
(e) Umpires shall be completely familiar with TTAB/TTAS Rules and Regulations. Prior to tournament, Tournament Directors shall furnish Umpires a TTAB/TTAS Rule book and a copy of local ground rules and TTAB/TTAS Special Rules.
(f) Umpires must be dressed alike and preferably in official Umpire's Uniforms.
(g) A Tournament Director shall not umpire any tournament game.
200-16. SCOREKEEPERS AND STATISTICIANSGo To Top
(a) The host organizations shall furnish a competent scorekeeper and statistician to record and keep an accurate record of: at bats, hits, runs, errors, extra base hits, strikeouts, walks, inning pitched, stolen bases, etc.
200-17. OFFICIAL BASEBALL/SOFTBALLGo To Top
(a) All towns hosting a Boys District or State Tournament must use official TTAB Baseball. All towns hosting a Girls District or State Tournament use the Worth K-Master 120-stitch, core 47 white ball.
OFFICIAL REGULATIONS
A. ORGANIZATIONGO TO TOP
1. All league rules and bylaws should be in writing and issued to all managers and coaches.
2. The local league shall be the smallest unit of the organization and shall be affiliated with the TTA State Office each year.
3. The league shall be governed by a Board of Directors, Committee, or Association with elected officers serving as voluntary operating personnel, including a President who is the highest ruling authority of the League.
4. The Board of Directors, Committee, or Association may organize and operate one or more leagues in any and all divisions of TTAB and TTAS. Each league, so organized, shall be considered a separate and independent organization within itself.
5. A League must consist of at least four (4) teams and no more than ten (10) teams, except by special permission of the State Director serving the affiliate requesting the waiver. Each league shall participate in assigned TTA District and State Tournaments. For exception, refer to Tournament Rule 200-6c and 200-13c.
6. Any League registering a fictitious team for the purpose of forming a league can be subject to a penalty of up to a one year suspension from TTA participation.
7. A league or leagues may be organized in a town, city, community, or county. In locations where it is warranted, a larger territory may be organized, subject to approval of the local State Director.
8. Participation of girls in the TTAB Program will be permitted if properly submitted on the Official TTAB Team Roster form by local affiliates. No exceptions or deviations to official rules and regulations will be permitted as a result of their participation.
9. Participation of boys in TTAS will be permitted according to rule 100-10(h). (A maximum of two boys on each team will be permitted in Girls T-Ball in TTAS, if properly submitted on the Official Team Roster).
10. Boys shall not be chosen as pickup players in TTAS Girl T-Ball.
11. TTA will require that each affiliate establish boundary lines in harmony with adjoining affiliates. These boundary lines will be required to be in writing and distributed to all affected areas in your district and a copy sent to your area State Director. TTA feels the defined boundary line should be the local affiliates's responsibility and agreed upon prior to drafting or forming teams. Give top priority to avoid any attempt to "stack teams". The Independent School District boundary line concept is a common choice, but may not apply to every affiliate. Our recommended guideline to each affiliate is that players that live only with their mother, father, legal guardian or grandparents during June and July should be allowed to participate with the nearest TTA affiliate. Any boundary line controversy that cannot be resolved local should be submitted to the State Director and provide complete details. If local affiliates are able to settle disputes, TTA will agree. All boundary line protests must be settled before TTA District or State Tournaments. No TTA tournament shall allow protests over boundary line issues.
12. A player must play in the designated boundary line are of which he/she lives as long as a team or league is offered in the player's age division. If a team or league is not offered, the player may play in the next closest TTA affiliate that offers the age division. This applies to any league of which the player could play according to his/her age category. If a player registers with a league in the boundary line where he/she lives before the deadline for registration ends and that league is full and does not have a place on any team in the league, then that player may play in the town or adjacent boundary area that is most near where he/she lives. If the player registers after the deadline in the boundary area of residency, the player is ineligible to play elsewhere. In Senior Boys and Senior Girls Leagues, teams may select from any location in Texas, except in an area that has a defined boundary line established.
B. LEAGUE SCHEDULEGO TO TOP
1. Playing a minimum of ten (10) official league games per team shall constitute a completed league schedule. Exception to rule: Any TTA team that is required to travel in excess of 75 miles one-way to participate with another team in their league will be required to play only an eight (8) game schedule.
2. The Beginning of league play will be at the discretion of local affiliates.
3. A TTAB (Baseball) league play will terminate as follows: The 2002 Season on July 6. The 2003 Season on July 5. All TTAS (Softball) league play will terminate as follows: The 2002 Season on June 29. The 2003 Season on June 28; Midnight of the above dates is considered the official end.
4. The official league schedule shall be prepared no later than one (1) week before the start of the regular season play.
5. TTAB (Baseball) only: The schedule shall be arranged so that no team will be required to play more that two (2) games per calendar week, except for playing of on (1) postponed, makeup, or suspended game. TTAS (Softball) only: The schedule shall be arranged so that no team will be required to play more than three (3) games per calendar week, except for playing of one (1) postponed, makeup, or suspended game.
6. The schedule shall be arranged so that no team will be required to play on successive days except for a makeup or rain out game.
7. A calendar week is defined as Sunday through Saturday.
C. POSTPONED< RAIN-OUT, AND SUSPENDED GAMESGO TO TOP
1. No regular schedule game may be postponed without the approval of the Local League President.
2. It shall be the responsibility of the Local League President to see that all postponed games, rain-out or makeup games, and suspended games are e rescheduled and played at the earliest possible date. All such games must be played dining the regular season of play and before the end of the Official League Season.
a. A postponed and/or makeup game is defined as one that is rescheduled to be played in its entirety at a later date.
b. A rain-out game (if less than the required complete innings have been played) is defined as one that is rescheduled as a makeup game.
c. A suspended game is defined as one that is rescheduled to be continued in play from the exact point of suspension (after the required complete innings with the score tied) of the original game. Refer to Official Baseball Rule 4.
d. TTAS (Softball) only: Rain out rules are ASA rules.
3. Any league that has not finished its season by the official end of the TTAB or TTAS Season and determined its League Champion, shall not be eligible to participate in tournament play.
D. LEAGUE CHAMPIONSGO TO TOP
1. Local league champions shall be determined by the method adopted by the local league officials and the championship team will advance to tournament play.
2. The method used may vary according to local situations. The method used should be determined before the local league season begins.
3. A suggested method: In the event two or more teams are tied for first place at the end of the local season, they shall enter into a single elimination playoff within 24 hours. All TTA rules shall apply relating to pitching rules and no pitcher shall exceed the total number of innings allowed for league play, or pitch on successive days or double headers.
4. Each League Champion is required to participate in its assigned tournament. Penalty for non-participation can be up to a one year suspension from TTA for that particular league and/or manager. An exception to this penalty is a written notice to the State Office advising that a league in your organization will not be able to participate in tournament play. An acceptable reason for non-participation is required. This must be received prior to the Tournament Allocations meeting.
E. SELECTION OF PLAYERSGO TO TOP
1. Te selection of players for teams will be accomplished in compliance with a Player Selections System as adopted by local league officials.
2. No team shall be allowed to protect more that three (3) players in a draft procedure. A "protected player" is defined as a player who is not subject to an open draft. A protected player shall maintain this status as long as he/she remains on a team roster in a any age division.
3. TTAB (Baseball) playing age shall be the age of the player as of July 31, of the current year.
4. TTAS (Softball) playing age shall be the age of the player as of January 1 of the current year.
5. Any girl playing in a TTAB program must abide by TTAB rules, including the league age birthday cutoff date of July 31. Any boy playing in a TTAS program (T-Ball only) must abide by TTAS rules, including the league age birthday cutoff date of January 1.
F. Player agreementsGO TO TOP
1. All players and their parents (or guardians) shall be required to sign a player agreement prior to participating in any TTA activity, agreeing to abide by ALL TTA rules and regulations and, in addition, all local league rules and regulations. The player agreement must include a statement releasing the local league affiliate and it officers, all sponsors, and the TTA State Organization from any and all liability associated with any injuries sustained as a result of any TTA activity.
2. Each player (parent or guardian) must provide the local league organization an official (copy thereof) birth certificate or official military dependant I.D. as documented proof of the correct date of birth.
3. Players thus signed will be considered the property of the team who signed them for the current season, unless properly traded or released.
4. Players participating in TTA will be eligible to play on only on TTA team in one league in one season.
5. Players not registered on an Official Team Roster submitted to the State Office by June 1 will be ineligible to participate in TTA tournaments. Proof of mailing or faxing rosters will be considered in cases of failure in mail delivery or fax transmissions. It is highly recommended that each team insure proper delivery by Certified Mail before the deadline.
G. PLAYER TRADES AND RELEASESGO TO TOP
1. Managers will be permitted to release and sign players and to make trades WITHIN THEIR OWN LEAGUES ONLY, providing it is done in the best interest of their teams, the players and the League in general. Violation of the above regulation will result in an illegal player. The Local League President must approve all player trades and must be fair and just trades for the purpose of helping both the teams and players involved. No trades shall be permitted for the purpose of "stacking" a team with good players to the disadvantage of other teams. NO PLAYER TRADES SHALL BE PERMITTED AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE LOCAL LEAGUE SEASON.
2. No additions to a team, by signing on new players, shall be permitted after midnight June 1st of each year. There shall be no exceptions to this regulation under any circumstances, including local league rules.
3. New Players signed after the season starts will not be eligible to play until after their signed Player Agreements have been submitted to the League Secretary and approved by the Secretary as eligible to play.
H. ILLEGAL PLAYERS AND PENALTYGO TO TOP
1. Players may be declared illegal for the following reasons:
a. Registered on more than one TTAB/TTAS roster submitted to State office.
b. Moved or traded after start of season or roster filed.
c. Misrepresentation of playing age.
d. Participation on more than on TTAB/TTAS team during league play.
e. A Maximum age player who is sighed to a TTA team after eight other maximum age players are already signed.
f. Not officially registered with a league to be a player.
g. Players who reside in a defined affiliate boundary area and play outside that defined area when a TTA program is offered in his/her age division. Penalty: All games in which an illegal player participated shall be forfeited.
2. It shall be the responsibility of the manager of each team to make sure that he/she does not sign or play an illegal player during the season or in tournament play. Penalty for this violation can be up to a two year suspension of the Manager from participation in TTAB/TTAS activity.
3. In the event a manager assistant manager believes or knows of an opposing team playing an illegal player, he/she may make a protest, which must be submitted in writing to the local league president within twenty-four (24) hours of the termination of the game in question. If the protest is allowed, the game will be declared forfeited to the offended team. Any game played in which both managers have lodged an official protest, and both protests have been allowed, the game in question will be thrown out. The game will not be replayed, but will be recorded as a loss of one game each of the teams in the final standings.
4. In the event local league officials or State Directors discover an illegal player, a manger, or team (according to TTAB/TTAS rules and regulations) all games in which player, manager or team participated, shall be forfeited.
5. Any coach playing a player under an assumed name or with an illegal birth certificate: player and coach will be removed for the game at the time the illegal player is identified. Penalty: Team will be removed from Tournament play. Coach will receive a five (5) year suspension from TTA and player will be suspended for two (2) years.
I. PROTESTS AND DISPUTESGO TO TOP
1. All protests and disputes arising during the regular season of League Play shall be settled on a local level. The President of each league shall name a protest committee for that purpose and the committee's ruling shall be considered final.
2. A protest, which may arise from interpretation of playing rules, will be made by notifying the Umpire-In-Chief and the manager of the opposing team, at the time of occurrence, that the game is being played under protest; then submitting the protest in writing to the local league president within twenty-four (24) hours after the game in question.
3. A league president who manages and/or coaches a team in TTAB/TTAS cannot serve or rule on a protest committee in his/her age group.
J. UMPIRES FOR LEAGUE PLAYGO TO TOP
1. An official umpire is one that is approved and appointed by the local league.
2. Local TTA organizations should select the most qualified umpires possible with at least one umpire for each league game and at least two for TTA tournament games. TTA encourages the use of Certified TTA umpires.
3. A State Director shall not umpire or manage in any game. A Tournament Director shall not umpire in any game.
K. SCORE-KEEPERSGO TO TOP
1. The league shall furnish a competent score-keeper and statistician for each game to record and keep an accurate record of: at bats, errors, extra base hits, strikeouts, walks, innings pitched, bases on balls, and stolen bases.
L. QUALIFICATION OF LEAGUES FOR TOURNAMENT PLAYGO TO TOP
1. In order for a league championship team to be eligible to participate in Texas Teen-Age Tournament play, it is mandatory that the following qualifying steps be taken:
a. Register and become a member of the State Association by May 1st of each year. Applications for affiliation must be postmarked on or before midnight, May 1st. A separate application form must be submitted for each league in each TTAB or TTAS division.
b. Make payment in full of the annual registration fees as determined each year by the State Association.
c. Complete and submit Official Team Rosters to state office by June 1st . No rosters will be accepted after that date. No player additions or player changes are allowed after June 1st.
d. Strictly abide by tournament rules as set forth in "Tournament Rules" section of this rule book.
e. Follow the general pattern of TTAB/TTAS and comply fully with the entire standard playing rules and regulations as established by TTAB/TTAS.
2. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the State Association President to rule on the qualifications and eligibility of all active member leagues for Tournament Play. Any ruling or decision made by the State Association President shall be considered final.
M. SCORING RULESGO TO TOP
1. To achieve uniformity in keeping the records of league and championship games, the score keepers must conform to the official scoring rules as carried in the official baseball guide and record book and the ASA official guide.
N. COMPUTATION OF INNINGS PITCHED (BASEBALL ONLY)GO TO TOP
1. Divide each inning into three parts.
2. If a pitcher in baseball is replaced with one out in an inning, credit him with 1/3 of an inning.
3. If two are out, credit him with 2/3 of an inning.
4. If three are out, credit him with a full inning.
5. If none are out when replaced, the pitcher will not receive credit for pitching in the inning that he is replaced.
6. Eligibility of pitcher is determined at the beginning of the pitch, that is, a double play will not disqualify pitcher by crediting him with excessive number of outs.
7. Innings pitched is not computed if the game is called prior to becoming an official game.
8. Pitcher is not considered a pitcher until throwing the first pitch.
O. RE-ENTRY (TTAB ONLY)GO TO TOP
1. Any of the starting players may be substituted and re-entered once, provided players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the lineup. The starting player and the substitute may not be in the lineup at the same time. If a manager removes a substitute from the game and re-enters the same substitute later in the game, this is considered an illegal re-entry. Penalty: Player & Manager removed from game.
2. Violation of re-entry rule is handled as a protest when brought to the attention of the umpire by the offended team and may be made at anytime during the game. (The protest need not be made prior to the next pitch).
3. Once a pitcher is removed from the line-up (by a pinch hitter or base runner) he cannot return to the mound in that game. Re-entry does not apply to te courtesy runner provision in 10-13.
4. PENALTY: If an illegal pitcher returns to the pitching position and has thrown one pitch, it is a forfeit. This is not considered a reentry violation so the manager is not ejected.
GO TO TOP
ALL LEAGUE PLAY IN ALL DIVISIONS SHALL BE COVERED BY THE OFFICIAL NATIONAL LEAGUE BASEBALL RULES AND/OR AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL RULES WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:
10. GENERAL RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL DIVISIONSGO TO TOP
10-1. LOCAL LEAGUE RULESGO TO TOP
1. Ground rules shall be furnished to team managers and umpires. Ground rules shall apply to playing field conditions only.
2. Special rules such as time limit, etc., are applicable to local league play only.
3. An official team shall consist of nine (9) players. You must have nine players to start a game and nine players to finish a game (If not, it will be a forfeit). Applicable to District and State Tournaments only. (Exception: rule 10-9)
10-2. HIDDEN BALL TRICKGO TO TOP
The hidden ball trick shall not be permitted in any division.
10-3. INTENTIONAL WALKGO TO TOP
1. An intentional walk may be issued by merely notifying the umpire of the intention. Not applicable to T-Ball leagues.
10-4. BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCTGO TO TOP
A coach, player, substitute, attendant, or other bench personnel shall not:
a. Deliberately throw a bat or helmet. Throwing of bat: To be considered throwing a bat it must be deliberate and leave the batter's hand. If a batter throws his bat, he is not out if a fair ball was hit, but he may be removed from the game. Hitting the catcher on a back swing is not considered throwing a bat.
b. By calling "time" or use any command or commit any act for the purpose of trying to cause the opposing pitcher to balk.
c. Use word, act or noise makers to incite or try to incite spectators to demonstration, or use profanity or remarks wich reflect upon opposing player, umpire, or spectator.
d. Drink, use, or appear to be under the influence of any intoxicants while participating in a TTAB or TTAS game.
e. Enter the area behind the catcher while the opposing pitcher and catcher are in their positions.
f. Fake a tag without the ball.
g. Maliciously run into a fielder who has the ball. When a defensive player has the ball in his possession waiting to make a tag on a base runner, and runner deliberately runs into defensive player. EFFECT: Runner is out, ball is dead. All other runners must return to base last touched at the time of the collision. If act is flagrant the offender shall be ejected.
h. Use noisemaker at any TTAB/TTAS game.
i. PENALTY: In a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h, umpire shall banish the offender from the field. Failure to comply shall result in game being forfeited. However, in e, if the offense is judged to be of a minor nature, the umpire may warn the offender and then disqualify him if he repeats the offense.
10-5 CHARGED CONFERENCES-BASEBALL ONLYGO TO TOP
a. Each team when on defense, may be granted not more than three charged conferences during a regulation game, without penalty, to permit a coach or his representative to confer with a defensive player or players. It is a charged conference only when a coach, player, or team representative calls timeout from the dugout and stops play to confer with one of the defensive players. (If a coach walks across the diamond between innings and talks to a player as he returns to his dugout and does not delay the game in any manner, it is not a charged conference.) In any extra inning game, each team shall be permitted one charged conference each inning while on defense without penalty. The number of charged conferences permitted is not cumulative. A coach, player, substitute, or attendant may make a request for time. Time granted for an obviously incapacitated player shall not constitute a charged conference nor shall a conference be charged whenever the pitcher is removed as pitcher. PENALTY: For any charged conference in excess of three in a regulation game, or for any charged conference in excess of one in each extra inning, the pitcher must be removed as pitcher for duration of game.
b. Refer to official baseball rule 8.6 or ASA official ASA rule sec. 6 whereby a second trip to the mound in the same inning shall cause pitcher's automatic removal.
c. Each team, when on offense, may be granted not more than one charged conference per inning to permit the manager or any of that team's personnel to confer with base runners and/or the batter. The umpire shall deny any subsequent request for charged conferences. Violation may result in removal of the manager from the field of play.
d. Each manager should be notified when he is charged with a charged conference.
e. Softball only: Refer to ASA rulebook.
10-6. EQUIPMENTGO TO TOP
a. ANY person warming up a pitcher in any position, whether sitting or standing, shall wear a facemask. NO LEAGUE OR TOWN CAN WAIVE THIS RULE. First offense - removal or coach from the game; second offense - forfeit the game.
b. In TTAB, metal spikes or metal cleats are permissible in Hi-Junior and Senior divisions only.
c. ALTERED OR ILLEGAL BATS: When a batter enters batter's box with, or is discovered using an altered or illegal bat. The batter is declared out and the batter and manager are ejected from the game. The ball is dead and each runner must return to he last base touched at time of pitch.
d. TTAS ONLY: The ball used in all tournaments will be the 120 stitch-core 47 white softball by worth K-Master.
10-7. JEWELRYGO TO TOP
a. No person may wear jewelry during a game (Boys or Girls). For persons wearing a medical alert bracelet/necklace, or an non-removable ring, these should be taped prior to game time.
10-8. BLOOD RULEGO TO TOP
a. A player, coach, or umpire who is bleeding or who has blood on his uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered. If medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time, the individual will not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is left to the umpire's judgement. Uniform rule violations will not be enforced if a uniform change is required. The umpire shall:
1. Stop the game and allow treatment if the injured player would affect the continuation of the game.
2. Immediately call a coach, trainer or other authorized person to the injured player.
3. Apply the rules of the game regarding substitution, short-handed player, and re-entry if necessary.
10-9. SHORT HANDED RULE (SOFTBALL ONLY)GO TO TOP
a. If a team begins play with the required number of players, that team may continue a game with one less player than it started with, whenever a player leaves the game for any reason other than ejection. Under no circumstances shall a team be permitted to bat less than eight.
b. If a player leaves the game as a runner, player shall be declared out.
c. When the player who has left the game is scheduled to bat, an out shall be declared for each turn at bat.
d. The player who has left the game cannot return to the lineup. Exception: A player, who has left the game under the blood rule, may return even after missing a turn at bat. PENALTY: The game is forfeited for any violation.
10-10. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIMEGO TO TOP
10-11. BATTER (TTAB FRESHMAN THROUGH SENIOR DIVISIONS)GO TO TOP
1. To avoid delay of the game, the batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box during his time at bat, except when:
a. He swings at a pitch.
b. He is forced or pulled out by the pitch.
c. He attempts a drag bunt.
d. The defense attempts or feints a play at a base.
e. The pitcher leaves the dirt or moves 5 feet from the rubber.
f. Time is granted for either team.
g. Catcher leaves the catcher's box for signals or equipment.
h. A wild pitch occurs.
i. PENALTY: A strike is called and the ball remains live. NOTE: Umpire shall point outside the box wither left hand, call strike, and signal strike with the right hand.
10-12 TIME LIMIT (TTAS ONLY)
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1. Local leagues may establish time limits for its league play schedule, but must abide by the following TTA tournament rules:
a. All TTAS tournament games shall be 1 hour and 45 minutes except trophy games.
b. No time limits in tournament play in TTAB
c. No international tie-breaker will be used in TTAS.
10-13. COURTESY RUNNER RULE
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1. A courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher is allowed for all open base leagues in TTAB. (Freshman Open Base, Sophomore, Junior, Hi-Junior and Senior). The umpire and scorekeeper must be notified that it is a courtesy runner. The same runner may not be a courtesy runner more than once per inning. PENALTY: Pitcher removed from game.
10-14. RULE CHANGE DEADLINE
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1. All proposed rule changes must be submitted to the state office by the fourth day prior to the annual meeting to be considered by the Board of Directors of TTA.
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BULLARD BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
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