Majors Division Local playing rules Division Co-Director: Darren Erickson 563-209-3416 [email protected] Division Co-Director: Mark Crowley 563-349-4823 [email protected] BPV President: Bob Tappa 563-499-4702 [email protected] BPV Secretary: Steve Tappa 563-676-8111 [email protected] 1. General rules: 1.1 National High School Federation Rules and Official Baseball Rules will prevail with the exception as stated herein. 1.2 No metal cleats. 1.3 For the first two weeks, normal weeknight games start promptly at 5:45 p.m., and then at 6:00 p.m. the remainder of the season. 1.4 The home team has the third-base dugout. The visiting team has the first-base dugout. 1.5 Ten (10) minutes maximum will be allowed for infield warm-up prior to the start of the game. (No allowance for late arrivals for pre-game warm-ups). Please stay off the infield before taking infield before games. This is to keep the chalk lines and fields fresh for the games. No soft toss against the fences. Please share the batting cages at the 4-Plex (there are eight teams sharing two cages on game nights, four from Majors, four from Minors; time is reserved in the pre-game schedule but communicate and work together and if able to switch times or arrive earlier and clear the cage, please do so). NORMAL PRE-GAME SCHEDULE: First two weeks: Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 8 visiting team: 4:45-4:55 p.m. Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 9 visiting team: 4:55-5:05 p.m. Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 8 home team: 5:05-5:15 p.m. Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 9 home team: 5:15-5:25 p.m. Visitor infield warm-up (both Majors diamonds): 5:20-5:30 p.m. Home team infield warm-up (both Majors diamonds): 5:30-5:40 p.m. Game start (both Majors diamonds): 5:45 p.m. After the first two weeks: Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 8 visiting team: 5:00-5:10 p.m. Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 9 visiting team: 5:10-5:20 p.m. Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 8 home team: 5:20-5:30 p.m. Batting cage (Shoot 1) reserved for Diamond 9 home team: 5:30-5:40 p.m. Visitor infield warm-up (both Majors diamonds): 5:35-5:45 p.m. Home team infield warm-up (both Majors diamonds): 5:45-5:55 p.m. Game start (both Majors diamonds): 6:00 p.m. 1.6 Game length is seven (7) innings. No inning will start 2-1/4 hours after start time or beyond nine (9) innings, whichever comes first. (An inning starts as soon as the final out of the bottom half of an inning is recorded). A 10-run rule is enforced after five (5) innings (or 4 ½ if the home team is leading). Five (5) complete innings also is considered a complete game in case of darkness, weather, or time limit. See Section 6 regarding suspended games. 1.7 Home team will be the official book (check often to ensure the score is correct on the scoreboard and the batting order is correct in both books). Report pitching changes to the other team. Both teams are required to report the final score and their pitching usage to the division director. 1.8 Home team will furnish two (2) new game balls. In the event the city does not prepare the field before the game, the home team will chalk the field and put out bases prior to the game. Home team is responsible for putting away ALL the equipment after the game (including scoreboard units). The scoreboard operator can volunteer from either side. PLEASE WORK TOGETHER ON ALL THESE DUTIES TO ENSURE ALL KIDS ARE PLAYING BASEBALL AND HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE. 1.9 In addition to pitching changes, all late arrivals or early departures will be reported to the opposing scorekeeper. 1.10 Managers, players, and/or bench personnel SHALL NOT: A. Use words, acts, or profanity that reflect upon any participating manager, player, or umpire. B. Enter the area behind the catcher while the opposing pitcher and catcher are in position. PENALTY: Umpire will give one warning to offender for “B” above and then remove the offender from the game if he/she repeats offense. No warning for “A” above. Umpire shall remove offender from the game. If offender does not comply with the umpire’s request, the game is subject to forfeit. 1.11 Adult coaches do not have to wear uniforms. 1.12 All team members shall play a minimum of three (3) full innings on defense each game. Free substitutions. 1.13 The total number of players on each team present shall constitute the team batting order. 1.14 Waive rule 1.12 if the game is shortened by the 10-run rule, player discipline, or player injury. A team's full compliment of players still comprises the batting order, unless a player is forced to leave a game early, where upon that player is skipped in the batting order, and no out is taken. If a player arrives to a game late, he shall be added to the end of the batting order and every effort made to play him in enough innings to meet the minimum requirement. (Example: For an arrival in the fifth inning, the player is in the field on defense in the fifth, sixth and, if applicable, seventh innings). 1.15 Discipline of a player must be reported prior to start of the game to league president and/or division director and players’ parents must have been notified as to the reason for disciplinary action. Disciplinary action must be reported to the opposing coach prior to the start of the game. Follow the same procedure for in-game disciplinary actions. Ejected participants (players and coaches) automatically serve a one-game suspension in their next game, with penalties increasing for multiple infractions. 2. Coaches: 2.1 Only two (2) adult managers, plus one (1) scorekeeper, will be allowed in the dugout. If inactive personnel are not removed upon request of the umpire, the game will be forfeited. 2.2 Managers and coaches, on defense, shall remain in the dugout or no further than arm's length from the front of the dugout. 3. Pitchers: 3.1 Per Major League Baseball's PitchSmart guidelines, no pitcher shall throw more than 85 official pitches in a game or day. (Not warm-up tosses). Pitchers must be removed from the position when they reach the maximum number. Pitchers are allowed to finish the at-bat in which the limit is reached. 3.2 Warm-ups limited to 5 pitches per inning per pitcher. 3.3 Pitchers who throw between 21-35 pitches in a game/day are required to rest for a full day. 3.4 Pitchers who throw between 36-50 pitches in a game/day are required to rest for two days. 3.5 Pitchers who throw between 51-65 pitches in a game/day are required to rest for three days. 3.6 Pitchers who throw between 66-85 pitches in a game/day are required to rest for four days. 3.7 No pitcher is allowed to re-enter the game in the pitching position. 3.8 Rules 3.1-3.7 are intended to help protect the player’s arm. DO NOT ABUSE THIS RULE!!!!!! The penalties include forfeits, suspensions and removal from the program as a coach. 3.9 Pitchers may not wear white wrist sweatbands, white tape on their wrist, or a batting glove on either hand. Undershirts worn by the pitcher must have dark sleeves. 4. Batters/Runners: 4.1 All batters/runners must wear protective headgear or be dismissed from the game. 4.2 Any deliberate throwing of bat or helmet at completion of an at-bat is reason for dismissal from the game. 4.3 Batter is out on a dropped third strike. 4.4 A runner, who fails to slide at a base or home plate when a play is made on them, in the judgement of the umpire, may be called out, particularly if they make contact with the fielder involved. (A “play” is defined as a fielder receiving an on-line throw and attempting to make a tag). If, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner deliberately collides with the fielder, the umpire may eject the player from the game). 4.5 An intentional base on balls may be given by the defensive team by having its coach request the umpire to award the batter first base. This may be done before pitching to the batter or on any ball and strike count. The ball shall be declared dead before making the award. 5. Rain-Outs: 5.1 Rain-outs are decided by the park board by 4:30 p.m. Call 563-344-4467, ext. 4. Listen to the full message and pay attention to the date. If no determination has been made by 4:30, the opposing coaches and division director can decide if the conditions are favorable. After the game has started, the umpires have authority. 5.2 If lightning can be seen, play must be suspended for 15 minutes and all participants are ordered to their cars. The delay time is determined from the last strike, with the clock re-setting with each flash.