A. Play is governed by Official Baseball Rules with exceptions as noted in this document. Rules not appropriate for regular season youth baseball have been waived by the Board.
1. See attached draft rules
1.
Games shall consist of six innings, but a game will not
exceed nine innings. If the score is
tied after nine innings, it will be called a tie.
2.
No inning shall start after two hours from the start of the
game. When the time limit is reached,
the current inning will be completed and the game will be called, except in the
case of a tie, when there is no time limit.
3.
If a game is called for any reason, it is a complete game
if four innings have been completed, or if the home team is leading after three
and one half innings.
a.
If a game is called with a tie score, it will be considered
a suspended game and will be completed from the point it was called at a later
date.
4.
15 RUN RULE: If a
team is leading its opponent by at least fifteen runs after four or more
completed innings, three and one half innings if the home team is leading, the
game shall be ended and the leading team declared the winner.
5.
5 RUN RULE: No team
shall score more than 5 runs in one inning.
If there are less than three
outs when five runs are scored, the teams shall change sides. This rule does not apply in the sixth or
extra innings.
6.
Each team may field a maximum of nine players
a.
Eight players must be available to start the game or the
team will be forced to forfeit the game.
b.
A team has 15 minutes from the scheduled start time to
field the minimum number of players or a forfeit will be called.
c.
The ninth player to arrive after the game has started will
be placed in the ninth batting slot and will be considered a substitute (see
rules on substitution).
d.
If a player comes out of the game due to illness, injury,
or ejection and no substitute is available, the lineup will be condensed and an
out will NOT be imposed each time that player should have batted. However, a team must have 8 players to
continue the game.
1.
Since all players are in the batting order, there is free
defensive substitution. However, each
player must play at least 2 defensive innings in a game. This rule is waived for games that end
prematurely due to run rule, time limit, weather, etc. However, the player affected must start
and play the entire next game.
E. THE BATTER/RUNNER
1. All players present at the game will be in the batting order.
2. Stealing is allowed.
a. Runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball crosses home plate.
b. There are no balks, and no dropped 3rd strike.
3. Umpires shall not permit more than one offensive time out per one half inning.
4. Runners are not permitted to steal home on a throw from the catcher back to the pitcher or any time after the pitcher has control of the ball, except in the case of a wild throw.
1.
Pitchers
shall not pitch in more than three innings on the same calendar day.
2.
Pitchers
shall not pitch in more than eight innings in the same calendar week (12:01 AM
Monday to 12 Midnight the following Sunday).
3.
Pitchers
shall have at least 40 hours rest after pitching 3 innings on the same calendar
day.
a.
Forty
hours is computed from the scheduled starting time of the game in which the
pitching occurred.
b.
As
soon as the pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter, the pitcher shall be
considered as having pitched in one inning.
c.
A
pitcher is charged with the number of innings pitched in the specific calendar
day and week in which they are pitched, regardless of whether they are local
league games, the playoff of postponed games or suspended games, tie games,
exhibitions games, or games in another league.
4.
Any
pitcher withdrawn from the mound and/or lineup, or any pitcher withdrawn from
the mound whom stays in the game at another position, shall not be
permitted to pitch again in the same game.
5.
If
a relief pitcher comes in cold, the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up
properly with at least ten warm-up pitches.
6.
The
pitcher’s name in the batting order turned in prior to the start of the game
shall pitch to the first batter until such batter is put out or reaches first
base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or illness which incapacitates him/her
from pitching.
7.
If
a manager/coach calls time and talks to his defensive players two times in the same inning while the
same player is pitching, a pitching change must be made during the second time
out.
1.
The
first and third base coaches must stay in the coaching boxes.
2.
Base
coaches will not touch baserunners. If
runners are touched, the runner will be called out. It is the discretion of the umpire if the coach is
pushing/holding a player or congratulating him/her.
3.
Players
are not permitted to be base coaches.
1.
The
home team must supply an official scorekeeper who is familiar with baseball and
scorekeeping.
2.
The
official scorekeeper should use the team’s official scorebook.
3.
The
official scorekeeper shall record innings pitched by each player and the
starting time of the game.
1.
Please
report any injuries to a Board Member as soon as possible.
2.
In
case of any injuries deemed serious by the umpire, all play will cease.
1.
It
is the responsibility of the home team of the final game of the day to make
sure the field/dugouts/concession areas are free of any trash or debris after
the game. Trash cans must be emptied
into the dumpster.
2.
It
will be up to the Umpire and the Board to determine when a game will be called
due to weather.
3.
Both
teams’ coaches and managers should arrive at the field early if it has been
raining to help prepare the field for play.
4.
It
is the HOME TEAMS responsibility to line the field, place the bases, remove the
bases, provide baseballs, and turn the lights on and off.
1.
Protests
may be filed for $50.00, which is non-refundable if the protest is lost. Judgment calls by the umpire are not
protestable.
2.
The
managers/coaches may be called upon to umpire Pinto division games.
3.
The
HOME TEAM must supply at least one adult over age 16 (two on Saturdays) to work
in the concession stand during the game.
Failure to supply a worker will result in a forfeit. The team mom should assign games to the
parent volunteers so there is no confusion when the game arrives.
4.
Equipment
should be kept inside the dugout so it does not interfere with play.
5.
No
tobacco or alcohol will be allowed on the field or in the dugouts at any time.