FTRL 2017 Major League Rules

FTRL believes in teaching the youth of our community fundamental skills, sportsmanship and teamwork, while also providing friendly competition and enjoyment. It is not intended as a staging center for adult egos.

General League Rules

1. Major league games consist of six per game. Each team receives three outs per .

1.1. The decision to cancel games due to inclement weather; will be solely the decision of the league President.

1.1.1. In the event the President is unavailable to render a decision on game impacted by the weather, then the Vice-President will be charged with that duty, followed by the Head of Grounds, and finally the Player Agent.

1.2. In the event that lightning is present 20 minutes prior to or during games, then all games will be cancelled immediately. Any game not completed will be rescheduled for another night.

1.3. All games that have begun and been delayed more than 20 minutes due to weather, will be cancelled and if not completed, and will be rescheduled for another night.

1.4. A game will be considered complete if three (3) full innings have been played, even if tied.

1.5. If the game goes over three (3) innings and then is cancelled, the score as of the last full inning completed will be official, even if tied.

1.6. There will be a 2-hour time limit on all games, except during playoffs. During the playoffs, the game will continue until the 6 inning completion or the mercy rule has been reached.

2. Hitting into the backstop is strictly prohibited.

3. Players must wear a helmet during all Major League games.

4. The use of hitting sticks on any diamond or anywhere on the grounds is strictly prohibited.

5. The use of profanity, verbal or physical abuse, or any manner of the threat of physical violence will not be tolerated anywhere on the grounds at Thompson Crossing by the manager, an assistant coach, a parent, a family member, a friend of the player, or the player. The use of metal spikes by anyone is strictly prohibited.

5.1. Any individual(s) engaging in such behavior will be asked to leave immediately.

5.1.1. If the offending party is a manager, asst. coach, or team mom, they will be required to address the Board of Directors explaining their actions, what steps they will take to apologize to those offended (their team, the opposing team, league members, or the league as a whole if required), and what they will do to ensure this does not happen again.

5.1.2. The FTRL Board of Directors will review, discuss, and render a decision of the offending party after such meeting. Resulting actions may include anything: from a warning, to an acceptance of the apology, to a suspension (length to be determined), or termination from their position and banning from the facility.

5.1.3. Any further instances of such behavior over the course of the season will result in a permanent ban and/or police intervention.

5.2. If during a game, multiple instances of inappropriate behavior on behalf of the coaches, players, and/or parents of any one team will result in the game will be called with the opposing team being awarded the victory, regardless of the score, and all parties being dismissed.

5.2.1. Disciplinary action can be taken against those found to be in violation by the Board of Director as outlined in Rule 5.1.1 & Rule 5.1.2 of the FTRL Major League General Rules.

6. Any injury to a player will result in an immediate stoppage of the game. Once the player is able to continue or has been safely removed from the field, the game will resume. Any injuries that require medical treatment must be reported to a Board Member immediately.

7. A player must be registered in the league in order to play.

7.1. Unapproved Substitutions to fill in for someone that will be absent will not be permitted.

7.1.1. Any team caught doing this will have their Manager suspended for the remainder of the season and the game will be considered a forfeit.

8. Playing time

8.1. Players are not allowed to play the same position for more than 2 consecutive innings and no more than 3 full innings during the same game.-(playoffs are the only exception)

8.2. Players are not allowed to sit on the bench (in the event that teams have more players than positions) for consecutive innings and cannot spend more than 2 innings per game on the bench, not playing a position in the field.

8.3. If teams are shown to be in violation of these rules, disciplinary action will be taken.

8.3.1. A first time violation will result in a warning. This warning once given will be applied to all remaining regular and playoff games for the current season.

8.3.2. A second violation will result in the suspension of the Team Manager for 1 game/ will also forfeit said game.

8.3.3. A third violation will result in the Team Manager being suspended for the season, including the playoffs / will also forfeit said game

Pre-game

9. There will be NO practice before any games, this includes playoff games. Even if the field is not or will not be used for that day.

9.1. The time before games is to be used by the scheduled teams that play to have ONLY.

10. Warm-up throws will be in the .

10.1. Home team will stand on the 3rd base foul line and throw toward center field.

10.2. Visitors will line up on the 1st base line and throw toward center field.

Offense Rules

11. The team that is batting must wear their batting helmets and sit in the team’s designated area.

12. Practice swings can only be taken at home plate prior to the hitter’s official at-bat.

13. Any ball that hits, on initial contact in the air, any fence, except the fence in the outfield between the foul poles, will be considered a .

14. Batting lineup rules

14.1. Any team attempting to bat 6 of fewer players at any point during a game will be forced to forfeit the remainder of said game. No additional outs are to be taken for batting anything other than the 6 required players.

14.2. Any player that is capable of playing the field is required to bat, and visa versa.

15. Any player arriving after the completion of 3 innings is ineligible to play the remainder of said game.

15.1. If a child gets hurt or becomes sick and cannot immediately return to the game, then that player will be skipped in his/her batting lineup with NO automatic taken. If the player is able to return from illness or injury then they will be placed back into the same batting spot and can resume hitting. If they cannot return to the game, then they will be skipped for any future at bats with NO automatic out.

15.2. If a player happens to leave during the game, he/she will not be allowed to come back into the game if they return to the facility. NO automatic out will be enforced, especially if a coach cannot control a parent taking their child and leaving.

16. A ball batted by the player that hits the pitching coach will be considered a live ball and the defense can make a play on the ball to get the batter out.

16.1. Any player that is unable to the bases after reaching base safely due to injury, may have a substitute runner take their place.

16.2. If the injured player is able to return to the bases during the same inning, they may do so at the next opportunity when play has been stopped.

16.3. The last player to commit the most recent out is the only player that can be used as the substitute runner.

17. Coach

17.1. Coaches will pitch to their own team.

17.2. Coaches must pitch overhand with one foot on the ’s rubber at the start of their delivery.

17.3. Underhand pitches are not allowed in the Majors Division. 17.4. Once a pitch has been successfully batted, must take a knee, squat or walk out of the infield. Try to stay out of interfering with the play and keep the players from automatically throwing the ball to the pitching coach. 17.5. After the pitcher releases the ball talk/communicate with any batter or runner is prohibited until after leaving fair play territory on a successfully . Coaches can not tell a batter if he/she should swing or not as kids should be learning to watch for a good pitch and be able to differentiate. Pitchers should also not be instructing runners when and when not to run. Players are to be learning that listening to and watching actual base coaches for instruction is an important part of running the bases correctly. Once a pitcher leaves fair territory, they are able to help instruct in anyway they choose.

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17.6. The scorekeeper must inform the and managers when a pitcher has reached the pitch limit.

18.

18.1. Strikeouts are any combination of three (3) strikes that have occurred by any of the following events:

18.1.1. A foul ball

18.1.1.1. A foul ball is defined as a pitched ball struck by the bat, whether swung at or not, and does not cross into the field of play

18.1.1.2. A pitched ball that is by a bat and makes contact with the batter while still in the batters box will be called “foul” regardless if the ball advances into the field of play

18.1.1.3. No player can strike out on a foul ball after the first two (2) strikes have been established 18.1.2. An “attempted swing” or “complete swing” at a pitch that results in no contact

18.1.2.1. An “attempted swing” is defined as: the forward movement of the bat by a batter that breaks the plane of the first base foul line or third base foul line

18.1.2.2. A “complete swing” is defined as: a full swing at a pitch with a completed follow through with the bat

19. A batter being pitched to by a coach will be allowed seven (7) pitches. A batter will be called out after three (3) strikes or seven (7) pitches, unless the seventh pitch is a foul ball.

19.1. Foul balls as a pitch except on the seventh (7th) pitch. A player will continue their At-Bat until they either put the ball into play, or do not make contact with the 7th and final pitch.

20. Base Runners must stay within one (1) foot on either side of the base line when advancing to the next base.

20.1. If a base runner exceeds this limit in an attempt to avoid being tagged out by a defensive player, that base runner will be automatically called out.

21. Bunting is not permitted.

22. If, in the eyes of the Umpire, a batter throws a bat in a manner that may endanger a spectator or player, a warning will be issued.

22.1. A previously warned player throwing the bat again in such a manner will be called out and a will be declared with no advancement of the base runners.

23. Sliding at first base and headfirst slides into any base will not be allowed. Headfirst slides back into a base are permitted.

23.1. The first instance will result in a warning to the player, after the play has been stopped. The next incident will result in the player being called out and play will be stopped.

24. The team that is batting will have base coaches at first and third base.

24.1. Coaches may not (by physical touch) control a runner’s progress on the base paths. The player will be called out, if the coach touches the player in an attempt to gain a competitive advantage.

24.2. If a coach purposely interferes with a live ball in the field of play during a game the batter will be called out. If a live ball is determined to be a foul ball, then a coach that touches the ball will not be considered .

24.3. If a coach interferes with a thrown ball, either in play or overthrown, play will stop and all runners will be returned to the previous base. The coach will be issued a warning and if done again, will be ejected from the game and expected to leave the facility in a timely manner (within 5 minutes or less).

25. Base stealing is not permitted since runners must remain on their base until the ball is hit.

26. Overthrow Rule

26.1. On a ball leaving the “Field of Play” base runner(s) will be awarded the base they were advancing to PLUS one (1) extra.

26.1.1. The “Field of Play” will be defined as any territory in fair or foul ground that is within the fence line from the backstop down through the outfield.

26.1.2. The umpire or if no umpire is present, the base coaches, will make the determination as to whether the ball is still live or will call time if the ball does leave the “Field of Play”, awarding the base runner(s) one additional base.

26.2. If the ball remains in the “Field of Play” due to a missed or an overthrown ball, the play will be considered to be live and the runner(s) may advance at their own risk.

26.2.1. “Runners, at risk of being tagged out, may advance only ONE BASE on an overthrow. In the event of additional overthrow within the same play, the batter will NOT be awarded an additional (this is to encourage & teach defensive players to make a play vs. throwing to a pitcher)

26.2.1.1. Common sense coaches’ rule: Using the inability of a 6, 7, or 8 year old to advance your team is not strategy. The question is, would you have your player attempt to advance on an overthrow if you knew the defense could throw and catch. If you would not, then you should not have your player run. There is a difference in an overthrow that is 15 feet away and one that bounces a foot from the player.

26.2.1.2. Any runner attempting to take more than the additional 1 base overthrow may still be tagged out, but will not be award anything more than the 1 base from the original overthrow.

27. Tie goes to the runner.

28. There will be a five (5) run limit per inning with the last inning being limited to eight (8) runs.

29. After the 4th inning, there will be a “Mercy” Rule put into affect. If a team is down by more than 13 runs after completion of the 4th inning, then the game will automatically be called. If a team is down by more than 8 runs after completion of the 5th inning, then the game will automatically be called on account of the “Mercy” Rule.

29.1. Once the Mercy Rule has been reached, play may be continued but all score keeping will stop. The score of the game at the time the Mercy Rule is invoked will be the Final Score of the game. Any runs recorded after the Mercy Rule is invoked will not count.

29.1.1. Teams may be audited during the year to determine if runs are being counted after an opposing team has the Mercy Rule applied to them.

Defense Rules

30. There will be only two (2) defensive coaches allowed on the field at any one time. Both must be positioned in the outfield behind all defensive players.

31. All defensive coaches must make every effort to avoid contact with a live ball or interfering with the players in the field.

31.1. If a coach accidentally comes in contact with a live ball, play will not stop but will continue until the lead runner has been stopped.

31.2. If a defensive coach intentionally interferes with a live ball or physically touches a defensive player in order to direct them, then play will be stopped and all runners will be awarded the base they were advancing to plus one additional base. The base coach will be issued a warning and if done again, will be ejected from the game and expected to leave the facility in a timely manner (within 5 minutes or less).

32. If a Manager is neither a base coach or defensive coach, then they are not permitted in the field of play during the game except for the following reasons:

32.1. To check on an injured player

32.2. To make pitching changes

32.3. To inform the umpire and the manager of the opposing team of any lineup changes

32.4. To discuss a ruling on the field with the umpire

33. All pitcher helpers MUST wear a league-provided helmet with mask and chest protector and must stand equal to or behind the pitcher’s rubber with at least one foot in the pitcher’s circle.

34. Infield fly does not apply in this league.

35. The infield shall consist of six (6) positions only (pitcher’s helper, , first, second, third basemen, and shortstop); all other defenders shall play in the outfield with a maximum of four (4) players in the outfield.

36. Time will be called when any Infield Player has control of the ball within the boundaries of the infield. 36.1. Play will be considered live if an outfielder has control of the ball or an infielder has control of the ball but not within the boundaries of the infield.

36.2. The Infield is defined as: from the backstop behind home plate to the outer edged of the dirt infield in both fair and foul territory.

36.3. The lead runner must be held if the ball is in the infield and in the possession of any infield player. 36.3.1. If a player leaves a base to advance before the ball is in possession of in an infielder, in the infield, he/she is only entitled to attempt to take that next base. 36.3.2. Once the forward progress of the lead runner has been limited to the next base all other base runners that are not at least halfway to the next base, must return to the previous base.

37. Outfielders will not be allowed to make unassisted plays in the infield unless they are drawn into the infield from a hit ball. For example a shallow fly ball, which the outfielder runs up to make a play on. However, an outfielder charging a grounder can’t continue into the infield and tag either a base or a runner for an out.

38. Infielders may not play in front of the imaginary line running from third base to first base until the ball is hit.

39. must be in the Catcher’s crouch position, in order for a play to count.

39.1. If a catcher makes a play on a hit ball from a standing position resulting in an “out”, the play will instead be called a “Foul Ball” and the batter will continue with their “”

40. Managers of the defensive team must tell their infielders to play either in front of or behind the base paths, not on the base lines. 41. Kid Pitch 41.1. The first two innings of every game will be kid pitch. 41.2 The pitchers foot must begin by touching the pitchers mound. 41.3 All effort should be given by coaches to use several pitchers during the season. 41.4 The role of pitcher counts as pitchers helper in field position for the times it is played. 41.5 4 walks in an inning and the coach will come in to pitch the rest of the inning(hitting a player counts as a walk) 41.6 If a pitcher is taken out due to walks he may continue to pitch the next inning unless 2 or more of the walks were due to hitting the batter. 41.7 In an attempt to get the kids to swing and build confidence in our pitchers umpires are told to call a strike on a ball close to the that could have been batted. Do not argue with the umps.

42. Umpire’s decisions are final.

43. If at any time a situation arises that is not covered or outlined in the FTRL Major League Rules, actual Little League or MLB Rules will be used to determine the outcome of a particular situation.

43.1. Board Members should be involved in such a discussion, provided they are not a manager, coach, team mom, or parent of the either team involved in the situation. The Board Member(s) will discuss the situation, review how the rules are interpreted and render a ruling so play may continue.

ALL RULES ARE THE FINAL DECISION OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD MAY AMEND OR ADD RULES AS NEEDED.