Rules

THE BOYS AND GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE RULES

Board of Directors

President: Tony Tabone-(315)-252-0103

Secretary: Cherrie Wilczek-(315)-246-9000

Treasurer: Bob Dudek-(315)-255-3818

Directors

Pat Armstrong-(315)-252-7782

Gary Grinnell-(315)-255-1048

David Wilczek-(315)-224-4665

Kari Bouma-(315)-383-5018

Andrew Bouma-(315)-567-9355

Jeff Berry- (315)-374-2426

The League Philosophy:

The purpose of our League is to provide a structured, yet relaxed atmosphere in which children have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of baseball.

Parents and coaches should praise the children and encourage them in all their attempts. Good sportsmanship is crucial. Jeering at umpires coaches, players, directors, or other parents/guardians is unacceptable.

Safety:

Parents are responsible for providing transportation to all league practices, games and events.

Parents cannot leave their children unattended at the fields.

When children are not actively involved in the game or practice, they must remain at the field, unless parents make other arrangements.

Equipment should be put in its proper place when not in use. Equipment should not be thrown.

Bats are allowed to be swung in the on-deck circle and at home plate only. Bats are not allowed in the bench area. Indiscriminate swinging of a bat will not be permitted.

During the game every player on the offensive team, other than the batter and the on-deck hitter must remain on the bench.

All Coaches, Team Parents and Team Personnel will insure that ALL LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES are followed! All coaches, including base coaches and outfield coaches, MUST be at least 18 years of age. Bench coaches MUST remain within 3 feet of the bench area. Base coaches MUST remain within 5 feet of the base they are coaching.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Legal Game:

Games are to be played on the days and at the times scheduled. Any rescheduling must be approved by the league president. Any attempt to reschedule without following this procedure will result in a forfeit.
Five innings will constitute a legal game, UNLESS the two hour time limit comes into effect.
If a game is called for any reason, 2 ½ innings will be considered a legal game if the home team is ahead, 3 innings if the visiting team is ahead.
If three or more innings have been played and the score is tied, or the game does not meet the criteria for a complete game, it will be rescheduled and played from the beginning.
No game will be continued later from the point where it was stopped, unless it involves an upheld protest. In the case of an upheld protest, the game will continue from the point of protest.
Weather related cancellations: An attempt will be made to contact the team manager as soon as a decision to cancel the game has been made. If at all possible, managers will be notified at least an hour before game time. Do not call or have your team members call the President. Baseball can still be played in some inclement weather conditions. Since the weather is unpredictable, a game may not be cancelled until game time. Therefore, unless you are notified of a cancellation prior to game time, you and your team should be prepared to play as scheduled.

Number of Players:

A team must field at least EIGHT (8) registered players to begin a game.
- If a team does not have 8 players, that team will forfeit the game.
- A forfeit will be recorded as a 5 – 0 victory for the team that had a sufficient number of players.
- If neither team can field 8 players, the game will be played at a later date, if scheduling allows it.

The Playing Field:

The bases will be sixty feet apart in the traditional baseball configuration.

Umpires:

Tony Tabone will be in charge of umpires. If you have any concerns or questions about umpiring contact Tony Tabone at 252-0103.
2. There will be a paid umpire that will make all decisions.
The umpire will hold the baseballs to be used in the game.
Coaches, Team Personnel and parents may not argue with an umpire’s decision! If someone does, he/she will be issued a warning. Should that person persist, an ejection from the field will result. The individual must go at least as far as his/her vehicle for the remainder of the game. If the individual refuses to leave, the game will be forfeited to the opposing team.
If a manager wishes to question a ruling, he/she should call “time out” and request a conference. The conference will consist of both managers and the umpire only. All discussions should be conducted in a controlled and courteous manner. After the ruling is discussed, the umpire will make a final decision and play will continue. If the manager is still not satisfied, a protest may be called. A protest may be lodged only if a rule interpretation is involved. Remember a judgment call cannot be protested.
A protest may be registered by phoning the league president within 24 hours of the end of the game. A written copy of the protest must be received by the league president within 48 hours.

Uniforms:

In order to play, a player must wear a complete LEAGUE ISSUED uniform. This includes a team jersey, a team cap, and ALL WHITE PANTS ONLY, NO STRIPES. Players not in full uniform will not be allowed to play. Ball caps MUST be worn facing properly.
Appropriate footwear for baseball, Sneakers or Rubber Molded Cleats, MUST be worn to participate in ALL practices, games, or League functions.

Equipment:

At the beginning of the season each manager is supplied with equipment. This equipment is in playable condition at the beginning of the season. If at any time during the baseball season you experience problems with any of this equipment, you must immediately report this to a board member for replacement. At no time should you use equipment that is defective.
During all practices and games catchers MUST be in full catcher’s equipment.
All batters and base runners MUST wear batting helmets.
Bats will be permitted to be swung in the on-deck circle and at home plate only. Bats will not be allowed in the bench area. Indiscriminate swinging will not be permitted.
EQUIPMENT SHOULD NOT BE THROWN; IT SHOULD BE PUT IN ITS PROPER PLACE WHEN NOT IN USE.
ONLY THE R.I.F. LEVEL 5 BALLS PROVIDED BY THE LEAGUE MAY BE USED FOR PRACTICES OR GAMES. NO HARDBALL BASEBALLS ARE PERMITTED!

Injury:

In the event of an injury during the game, play will stop and the child will be removed from the game and replaced by another player. The injured player may later return to the game.
If a base runner is injured and unable to continue, the last player who failed to reach base will be substituted. The injured player may later return to the game.

OFFENSE:

At the beginning of the game all players present will be placed in a batting order. Each player in the batting order must have a turn at bat before the first batter comes up a second time. Any player who arrives after the game has started will be placed at the end of the line-up.
The manager or a coach of the batting team will pitch underhand, at a reasonable rate of speed, to his/her players.
He/she may pitch from the vicinity of the pitcher's mound any distance from the plate at his/her risk.
The adult pitcher may not touch any batted ball. If this occurs, it will be considered a “dead ball” and the hitter will return to bat.
Five FULL swinging strikes, no bunting is allowed, will terminate a batter’s turn. This, with the exception of the fifth strike, includes foul balls. The player will return to the bench, but an out is not recorded.
Foul balls above the batter’s head that are caught by the catcher are always an out.
The offensive team may station one coach at first base and one coach at third base. Coaches MUST be at least 3 feet from the base and may give verbal instructions only but MAY NOT touch a runner. The coach will be issued a warning and the runner returned to that base on the first occurrence, runners will be declared out on subsequent violations if physically guided by the coach.
There is no leading or stealing in this league. A runner may leave base only after the batter has made contact with the ball. If a runner leaves base too soon a warning to the manager and the child will result. If it happens a second time, the runner will be called out. A runner may try to advance at his/her own risk if he/she or another runner is played on.
Out of play is an imaginary line drawn from the end of the team benches and extending into the outfield. For any games played at the Throop Field, out of play is any thrown ball striking the fence along either the left and right field lines Any thrown ball that ends up out of play will be declared a dead ball and the runner being played on will be awarded the base that was overthrown, plus the next base. All other runners will be awarded the base they were moving towards, plus an additional base.
8. No more than 9 (or 8) batters may come to bat in one inning.
When the last batter steps up to the plate, both the umpire and defensive coaches must be verbally notified that he/she is the last batter. Failure to do so will result in an automatic out, which will end the inning.
If the last batter hits the ball, the defensive team may end the inning by touching any base in front of the last batter or any other base runner. The last batter is the same as the third out of an inning; the batter MUST reach first base safely for any runs to count. If the batter reaches first base successfully, all runs that score prior to the out being made count. If the out is a force-out, no runs score. If it is not a force, all runs count that score before the out is made.
Rule 7 above is applied on an overthrow on the last batter.
After the last batter has completed his/her turn, the sides will switch even if there are not three outs.
Batters may not throw the bat after hitting the ball. This practice poses a danger to the catcher. The first offense will result in a warning by the umpire. A second infraction will result in the batter forfeiting any remaining swings for that time at bat. This will not count as an out.
In the event of a tie game, a sixth inning will be played, if the score remains tied after the extra inning, a seventh inning will be played, UNLESS THE TWO HOUR TIME LIMIT COMES INTO EFFECT. If the score remains tied after the seventh inning, the game will end in a tie.

DEFENSE:

Each team member must play at least two (2) full innings in the field during each game.
Managers may substitute freely for defensive players. Any player removed for a substitute will be allowed to re-enter the game.
There is no infield fly rule.
The defensive team will field up to ten players. The tenth player must play an outfield position. The outfielders may not play closer than 20 feet behind the baseline. Once the ball is in play, the outfielders may move forward.
Players must play in their assigned position. The first baseman, second baseman, shortstop and third baseman must play in the dirt position of the infield behind the established baseline. The player designated as the pitcher must be positioned either behind the pitcher’s mound or within the circle of the pitcher’s mound. He/she cannot play any closer to home plate than an imaginary line drawn through the center of the pitcher’s mound. Defensive players may move as soon as the batter makes contact with the ball.
Position changes may be made only between batters. Time out will not be granted for any position change unless an injury has occurred.
Two defensive coaches will be allowed to stand in the outfield. They must remain at least 20 feet behind the baseline. The coaches may give verbal instructions, but may not touch the fielder’s or the baseball.
A play will be ended by throwing the ball to the adult pitcher. The adult must remain on the mound throughout the course of the play in readiness to take the throw. However, when the last batter hits the ball, the adult pitcher MUST leave the field.
On a throw form the outfield, that is not a throw to a base for a play on a runner, two things must occur. First, it must be an attempt to throw the ball to the adult pitcher. Second, the ball must break the plane of the infield. If these two criteria are met, the umpire will call time out and make a decision on whether any runners were halfway to a base or not. Any runner determined to be halfway will be awarded that base. This is a judgment call and cannot be protested.

Scorekeeping:

Each team will provide a scorekeeper for each game.
At the end of each completed inning, the two scorekeepers should compare scores. If there is any discrepancy, the umpire should be consulted.
If the third out is recorded at first base or as a force at another base, the run does not score.
On the last batter, the same rule holds true. If the out is recorded at first base or at another base, before any runner crosses home, the run does not score.
At the end of the game the umpire should sign the score books.

6. It is the responsibility of the winning team manager to prepare the game summary. for The Citizen. The summary must be submitted by email. The email must be sent to citizensports@lee.net Attachments are NOT permitted. GAME SUMMARIES MUST BE SUBMITTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING GAMES!!!!!

When preparing the game summary you must record the score.
Use the first and last names and accomplishments of the children to be mentioned in the remarks.
Mention as many names as possible from both teams.
The manager should also write his name and phone number in the designated area on the supplied Citizen reporting sheet. This is important in case the sports editor needs clarification about details.
When identifying your team and the opposing team in the summary you MUST INCLUDE THE SPONSOR AND TEAM NAME FOR BOTH TEAMS.

Additional notes:

Players are invited and should march in the MEMORIAL DAY parade on Monday, May 27th. Details will be provided when they become available.
There is not an all-star team in this league. However, there is an “Old Timers” Game for children who are not age eligible to return next year. Eligibility for this game is determined by date of birth only. THIS IS AN INVITATION ONLY GAME AND IS NOT OPEN to those players that choose not to return before their age eligibility expires. Details TBD.
The league picnic will be held at the Throop Fire Department Pavilion on Beech Tree Road on Saturday, August 10th from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, rain or shine.
Once a player is assigned to a team, that player must remain on that team for the duration of their eligibility in the program.

SUPPLEMENTAL RULES

ONLY THE HEAD COACH CAN QUESTION CALLS WITH THE UMPIRE.

THOSE PLAYING THE PITCHER’S POSITION MUST HAVE BOTH FEET IN THE BACK HALF OF THE DIRT PORTION OF THE PITCHER’S MOUND AND REMAIN THERE UNTIL THE BALL IS HIT.

ANY BALL FIELDED BY AN OUTFIELDER MUST BE THROWN BACK TO THE INFIELD TO RECORD AN OUT AT A BASE, INCLUDING ON THE LAST BATTER.

ANY BALL FIELDED WITHIN THE PAINTED CIRCLE AROUND THE PITCHER’S MOUND MUST BE THROWNFROM WITHIN THE PAINTED CIRCLE TO ANY BASE, INCLUDING HOME, TO RECORD AN OUT, INCLUDING ON THE LAST BATTER.

ONCE THE SCORE BECOMES A DIFFERENTIAL OF 12 RUNS OR MORE, ANY BALL HIT BY THE TEAM LEADING WILL RESULT IN ONE BASE AT A TIME ON BALLS HIT TO THE INFIELD, INCLUDING ON BALLS OUT OF PLAY AND TWO BASES ON BALLS HIT TO THE OUTFIELD FOR ALL BASERUNNERS AND INCLUDING THE LAST BATTER, UNTIL THE SCORE DIFFERENTIAL BECOMES LESS THAN 12 RUNS. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HEAD COACH OF THE TEAM AHEAD TO ALERT THE UMPIRE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. FAILURE TO ALERT THE UMPIRE MAY RESULT IN A ONE GAME SUSPENSION FOR THE HEAD COACH OF THE TEAM AHEAD!

HEAD FIRST SLIDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC OUT!!!!!

SLIDING OF ANY TYPE INTO 1ST BASE IS ALSO STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC OUT!!!!!

FEET FIRST SLIDING IS PERMITTED AT 2ND BASE, 3RD BASE, AND HOME, ONLY IF A PLAY IS BEING MADE AT THAT BASE. ANY VIOLATION RESULTS IN AN AUTOMATIC OUT!!!!!

EACH TEAM MUST HAVE A COMPETENT ADULT BENCH COACH TO ENSURE THE FIRST BATTER IS PROPERLY EQUIPED AND PREPARED FOR THEIR TURN AT BAT AND THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS ARE ALSO PROPERLY EQUIPED AND IN THE ON-DECK AREA TO KEEP THE GAME FLOWING SMOOTHLY.

THERE IS A TWO (2) HOUR TIME LIMIT, FROM THE SCHEDULED GAME TIME, ON ALL GAMES. IF THE HOME TEAM IS BEHIND AFTER TWO HOURS, THEY WILL FINISH THEIR TURN AT BAT.

ANY FAIR BATTED BALL THAT GOES INTO THE PARKING LOT WILL RESULT IN A GROUND RULE DOUBLE ONLY!

ONLY THOSE PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN REGULAR PARTICIPANTS, (PLAYING IN AT LEAST 60% OF THEIR TEAMS GAMES) IN OUR PROGRAM ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SKILLS COMPETITION, THE OLD TIMERS GAME AND THE END OF THE SEASON TROPHY.

FAILURE OF ANY COACH, TEAM PARENT OR TEAM PERSONEL TO ENFORE ANY AND ALL LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES MAY RESULT IN A ONE GAME SUSPENSION.

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Welcome to the 2025 season our 46th!!!!!!The FUN Starts Here