NORTHWEST OHIO AMATEUR BASEBALL LEAGUE

GENERAL RULES (12U Division)

THE NWOABL LEAGUE FOLLOWS THE FIVE TOOL BY-LAWS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THIS RULES ADENDUMN: THE PRESENT OHIO HIGH SCHOOL RULE BOOK WILL BE USED WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS.

1. Field size: Pitchers distance is 50 ft. and bases are 70 ft.

2. Games: 7 innings for single, 6 innings for DH - (Teams can agree to play a 6 inning single game)

3. Pitching:

A.   Maximum of 4 innings in a 7 inning game. 3 innings in a 6 inning game

B.    Innings pitched must be consecutive and an appearance on the mound constitutes an inning. (Example) A pitcher enters the game and picks a runner off base before throwing a pitch is considered an inning pitched.

C.    1 coach’s visit per inning, per pitcher. A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning causes the pitcher’s automatic removal from the mound (not the game).

D.   Balks are enforced in this age division

E.    Dropped Third Strikes are in effect under High School Baseball Rules.

F.    Intentional Walks - An intentional walk will be granted upon request.

5.     Batting and Re-Entry Rule:

A.  Teams may bat 9, use an EH or roster bat. Batting line-up intentions will be announced during the pre-game meeting with the umpires.

B.  A starting player may re-enter the game in the same batting position. Players not in the original batting order are substitute players and may not re-enter a game after coming out.

C.  Roster batting allows a team to bat everyone on the bench and freely move them in and out of the fielding positions.

D.  If a player leaves or is ejected from the game, that batting position would be an out if no legal substitution is left. E. A team may play with 8 fielders.

F. Injured Players:

i. If a player is injured during the game and unable to continue, that player will be replaced by a legal substitution first. If a legal substitute is used and the injured

a player is a starter, the injured players may re-enter the game under 5B above. ii. If the team has already substituted all of its substitute players and no legal substitution remains, they may use a bench player to replace the injured player in the line-up. Starting players must bat in their original batting order and a substitute player would fill the injured player’s position. The injured player would not be able to re-enter the game. In this instance the team making the switch will notify the opposing head coach of the situation.

iii. If a team is roster batting, an injured player will not be an out. That batting position would be skipped.

6.     Slide Rule / Avoid Malicious Contact:

A.   Whenever a tag play is evident, runners must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder. No player can initiate malicious contact. It is the umpire’s judgment call that determines whether the contact is malicious. There can be a collision where both players go head over heels that is not malicious contact. The key for malicious contact is intent. Malicious contact shall supersede obstruction penalties.

7.     Courtesy Runners:

A.   At any time, the team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher of record from the previous time on defense. The courtesy runner must be someone not presently in the lineup and may appear as a runner one time per inning. The re-entry status of the courtesy runner, pitcher or catcher shall not be affected by this rule. If a courtesy runner is determined to be ineligible, a proper replacement (if available) will be substituted. If roster batting, the courtesy runner will be the player that recorded the last out.

8.     Slug Bunting - Fake Bunt / Swing Prohibited:

A.  A Slug bunt is squaring to bunt and then pulling the bat back and swinging away. This puts players in danger and will not be permitted.

B.  Slug bunt attempts will result in the batter being out and all base runners returning to the pre-pitch position on the field.

9.     Bat restrictions: Maximum bat barrel is 2 3/4

10.   Complete Games:

A.  Home team is the official scorebook. Winning team scorebook will be signed by a coach from both teams in case of any discrepancies.

B.  Any games stopped by weather before they are official will be suspended until a later date. A game is official after 2 ½-3 innings in a 6 inning game.

C.  A game called because of darkness is AN OFFICIAL game. Any game stopped by weather before they are official will be suspended until a later date.

D.  The winning team is responsible for reporting the scores on the league web site.

E.   You will have 48 hours to report the scores.

F.   Teams are credited with 3 points for a win and 1 point for a loss G. Commissioners have FINAL on decisions with determining bids.

11.  Other:

A.  No Metal spikes are permitted.

B.  Each team will furnish 2 new baseballs per game

C.  Once Team Rosters are frozen, the only way a player may be added is to contact the league commissioner.

D.  The player’s age on April 30th determines the player’s eligible age.

E.   Umpires are to be paid by both teams the day of the game.

i.   The home team is responsible for providing two certified umpires.

ii.  After the game begins (1^st pitch), umpires control the game, call weather delays, and suspend games. This is not a coach’s decision and any concerns should be brought to the league.

F.   FINAL 4 - TEAMS MUST PLAY 75% of Games to be eligible. Commissioners HAVE FINAL SAY IN ALL FINAL 4 DECISIONS!