GREATER CINCINNATI KNOTHOLE SELECT TRAVELING LEAGUE

*** 2013 INFORMATION AND RULES ***

I. MISSION AND PURPOSE: The Knothole Select Traveling League will give players and teams the opportunity to play in an additional league outside their District. All Knothole players and teams shall also play their District regular season schedule. Each traveling team shall play between 12-18 games depending on the Class and number of teams in the Class. It is expected that teams will be structured to be committed to playing their full Traveling League schedule in a competitive fashion. This will be a City wide League, but depending on the number of teams in each Class or Sub-class, regional scheduling will be attempted. Also, since each Class consists of multiple ages, if enough teams are registered in each age of a Class, schedules shall be weighted by age. This League shall include Classes A (15U, 14U), B (13U, 12U), C (11U, 10U) and D (9U).

II. MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE A. Management: Executive Supervisor – Chris Kuczek 513-677-1249; 513-505-5644; [email protected] Class A League Supervisor – Class B League Supervisor – Class C League Supervisor – Class D League Supervisor - Shelli Bryant 513-319-9770; [email protected]

League Supervisors will determine league scorekeepers. B. Duties of League Management 1. Executive Supervisor – Responsible for overall program and shall have final decision making authority on any and all issues that are properly presented to the Executive Supervisor under the Traveling League rules. 2. League Supervisors – Responsible for game scheduling and day to day operations of the league(s) within the Class which they supervise. League Supervisors shall not manage/coach a team in the Class they supervise. 3. League Scorekeepers – Responsible for recording all game scores, keeping track of all make- up games, ensuring make-up games are properly scheduled and advising the League Supervisor if any teams are behind in completing their game schedule. C. Game Scheduling 1. Classes B, C and D shall start their season on or about April 15th and the season shall run through June 30th 2. Class A shall start its season the week of May 13th and the season shall run through June 30th. 3. Games shall be scheduled on Sundays except on Mother’s Day. Sunday games can’t start before 1:00PM. Scheduled doubleheaders are probable. Weekday games will be indicated but must be scheduled by the opposing managers such that they do not interfere with either teams’ regular District games. Opposing managers shall have the flexibility to change game dates to ensure all scheduled games are completed. Game dates may not be changed to prevent teams from playing two or three days in a row; a change for a fourth game day in a row is permissible. Game date changes must be communicated to the league scorekeeper by the home team as soon as the change is made.

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D. Team Fees, Registration and Roster Forms 1. The team fee is $125.00. If a team completes 90% or more of their scheduled games that team will receive a refund of $50.00 after the season is completed. 2. Team trophies shall be awarded to the 1st and 2nd place teams in each league. No individual trophies shall be awarded. 3. The traveling league shall not have a post season tournament. This could change in future seasons pending discussion of level of interest with team managers. 4. The team fee shall be paid by check made payable to: Greater Cincinnati Knothole Association (GCKA). The team fee along with the team registration and roster can be turned in to Chris Kuczek at the mandatory managers meeting or mailed to: Chris Kuczek 6366 Derbyshire Lane Loveland, Ohio 45140. E. Mandatory Managers Meeting 1. Classes B, C and D shall have their meeting on Saturday March 16, 2013 at 9:00AM. 2. Class A shall have their meeting on Saturday April 13, 2013 at 9:00AM. 3. All meetings will be held at the Blue Ash Community Center on Cooper road. The information will also be posted on the Knothole website, www.greatercincinnatiknothole.com , in early 2013.

III. TEAM ELIGIBILITY A. Team Structure 1. Each team must be based in a Knothole District and must play a District schedule. The team’s District Supervisor must approve the team’s play in the Traveling League by signing the team’s Traveling League Registration and Roster forms. District Supervisors are permitted to set up District based rules for forming Traveling League teams from their District. If a District Supervisor will not sign and approve a team’s play in the Traveling League, the team’s manager has the right to appeal to the Knothole Executive Board for approval to play without his District Supervisor’s approval. Teams are encouraged to form and play in the Traveling League. 2. Each team must contain a minimum of twelve (12) players and at least 50% of these players must play for the same team which plays in the team’s District league (i.e. 12 players, 6 from the same District team; 13 players, then 7; 14 players, then 7 and so on.) See Player Eligibility below for player eligibility rules. 3. The Traveling League is a uniform league and each player on a team must wear the same uniform as all the other players on that team. B. Team Make-up and Competitiveness 1. Teams are expected to complete their entire Traveling League schedule. Managers must plan ahead to roster enough players to complete their game schedule. Forfeits will be a matter for fines, disciplinary action and possible banishment from playing in the Traveling League in subsequent years. 2. At the end of the season each League Supervisor and the Executive Supervisor shall review the league results and look at each team’s competitiveness versus the other teams in their league. Teams whose competitiveness is significantly lower than the other teams in their league shall be requested to restructure their team to be more competitive or they may risk their eligibility the play in the Traveling League in subsequent years. Competitiveness shall be determined by the team’s record, percentage of scheduled games played and other criteria as determined by the League and Executive Supervisors.

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IV. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY A. Player Responsibilities 1. Players on each Traveling League team must come from within the teams’ District boundaries. The District Supervisor may set up District based rules for allowing players to join Traveling League teams. If the District Supervisor does not approve the player’s request to play on a Traveling League team, that player has the right to appeal the decision to the Knothole Executive Board for approval to play without his District Supervisor’s approval. 2. Any Knothole player wishing to play on a Traveling League team outside his District boundaries must obtain written approval from the District Supervisor of his “home” District, but he does not need the approval of the District Supervisor in which the Traveling League team is based. If the approval is not granted, that player has the right to appeal to the Knothole Executive Board for approval to play on said team without his District Supervisor’s approval. 3. Players from teams outside of Knothole (AABC, Little League, CYO, etc.) can be rostered on Traveling League teams, but they must have signed a Knothole Player Contract before they play their first game. Players playing without a signed contract will cause the team to FORFEIT any and all games in which said player(s) participated. Additionally, any player playing without a signed contract on file faces a minimum two game suspension. 4. A player must be of the proper age for the Class in which he is playing on or before April 30, 2013. B. Manager’s Responsibilities 1. Copies #1 & #2 of the Knothole Player Contract for each non-Knothole player rostered on a team must be turned in with the team’s roster prior to the season. Knothole players will have already turned in signed contracts to their District Supervisors. After the season starts, contracts for added players must be received by the respective League Supervisor of the proper Class before that player can participate in a game. Further, revised rosters with the added players must be turned in to the respective League Supervisor of the proper Class each time a player is added. Email is the preferred method for forwarding new player contracts and updated team rosters. Mail and hand delivery also work, but don’t have the benefit of a date stamp of transmission. 2. Managers are not required to turn in birth certificates or pictures of their players. However, in case of a protest on a player’s eligibility, the manager must be able to produce both items within 24 hours or face possible forfeit. NO OVERAGE PLAYERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON TRAVELING LEAGUE TEAMS. 3. No players may be added to team after June 20th.

V. GAME MANAGEMENT A. Game Structure 1. Innings: Class A – 7 innings; Classes B & C – 6 innings; Class D – 5 innings. 2. Start Times: Managers shall work out their game start times. Sundays must be after 1:00PM and would suggest weekday starts at 6:30PM. If a game starting time needs to change, this should be done at least 48 hours in advance of the game whenever possible.

Page 3 of 8 3. Late Team Arrivals: A team is allowed 30 minutes in case of trouble without danger of forfeit. If both teams and umpires are present, but one team is more than 30 minutes late, umpires have the right to order the game played. All attempts to play the game should be made. 4. Forfeits: ONLY THE TRAVELING LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OR LEAGUE SUPERVISOR CAN CALL A GAME A FORFEIT. 5. Pre-game: Prior to the scheduled starting time, there shall be no practice in and around the field of play (this includes, but is not limited to soft toss, hitting into the fence, using a ball on a stick, etc.) one (1) hour preceding the game’s scheduled start time. 6. Each team shall be permitted no less than ten (10) minutes infield practice prior to the commencement of the game, the order to be determined by the teams at the field, dependent upon availability of players. Depending on weather, scheduling issues or other circumstances, the umpires can order the game to be played without infield practice as long as both teams are impacted the same. B. Game Rules 1. Traveling League Rules. 2. City Rules: 1a & e, 2, 3d, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 29. 3. Major League rules. 4. NO DISTRICT RULES APPLY IN THE TRAVELING LEAGUE GAMES. 5. NO OHIO, KENTUCKY AND/OR INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL RULES APPLY IN THE TRAVELING LEAGUE GAMES. 6. A game can’t start if either team has less than nine (9) players available to play. 7. Once a game begins, a team can continue play with eight (8) players. In the , the last vacated position shall be an automatic out. If a ninth player becomes available, that player would be placed at the end of the line-up. A TEAM CAN’T CONTINUE PLAYING WITH LESS THAN EIGHT (8) PLAYERS. 8. Pitching rotation protocol – Any Traveling League team manager who adds a Knothole player(s) to his team with the intent of using said player(s) as a pitcher must contact that player’s regular season Knothole team manager to coordinate that player’s pitching appearances. This will insure compliance with City Rule #17 and will help to insure that the player’s Traveling League pitching assignments do not interfere with his regular season pitching assignments. 9. Doubleheaders – Classes A, B and C – If the first game of the doubleheader goes extra innings; then, prior to the beginning of the start of the second game both team managers can agree to shorten the second game by one regular inning (Class A – 6 innings & Classes B & C – 5 innings). If the second game is shortened, then all innings beyond the shortened regular innings shall be considered extra innings. If both team managers don’t agree to shorten the second game, it shall proceed with the normal amount of regular innings for the Class being played. C. Game Balls Permitted 1. At the start of the game each team will furnish one new ball which must be of the quality of ball such as McGregor, DeBeer, Rawlings and/or Diamond. In addition to commercial outlets, these balls are available for purchase through Kid Glove purchasing. 2. Both teams will furnish good serviceable back up balls of the same type; first with the home team and as called for by the game umpires.

Page 4 of 8 3. Umpires are directed to remove all balls deemed by them as unfit from the game. At the completion of the game, the remaining game balls will be given back to the teams with the home team getting the first choice. D. Batting Order Options – all options are permitted but the choice must be made by each team prior to the start of the game 1. Continuous batting order: If a player can’t bat (illness, injury, left field , etc.), such position is NOT an out in the batting order unless the team drops below nine (9) players. If a batter can’t continue (injury, illness, etc.), move to the next batter with a fresh count. If a can’t continue, the last out on the bench will be used. Any nine (9) players may play on defense. 2. The additional hitter (AH) rule: If using the AH, a 10th batter may be added to the batting order at the start of the game. If a team using the AH drops from ten to nine players available, the spot in the lineup is left open and is NOT an out. The re-entry rule applies as well. Any nine of the ten batters may play on defense. 3. The designated hitter (DH) rule: The DH can bat in place of any of the starters. If a DH is used, the DH may not play on defense. If the DH must play defense due to injury, illness, etc., the team may not name another DH and looses the DH option and must play with a regular nine player line-up but can still use the re-entry rule. 4. Combined AH and DH rules: This option can be used with or without the re-entry rule. 5. Regular nine-man batting order rule: This option can be used with or without the re-entry rule. E. Umpires 1. The host team is responsible for providing both umpires for the game. If the host team can’t provide two umpires, then they must give the visiting team the opportunity to provide one or both umpires and this must be done 24 hours or more prior to the game’s scheduled starting time. The visiting team is always allowed to provide an extra who shall be used as a base umpire and shall be paid by the visiting team; it does not matter if this is a third or fourth umpire. 2. Each team will pay one umpire. Cost per umpire: Class A = $45; Classes B & C = $40; Class D = $35. No umpires are to umpire a game without being paid first. If an umpire does a game by himself, he will be paid: Class A = $70, with both teams paying $35; Classes B & C = $60, with both teams paying $30 and Class D = $50, with both teams paying $25. 3. Each umpire who shows up at a game which is not played because one team does not show or have enough players to play will be paid $20. Said team will be charged a $40 penalty (payable to GCKA through the Traveling League Executive Supervisor), to be paid immediately, or the team will not be able to play any more games until the penalty is paid. This could lead to further disciplinary action including but not limited to a suspension and/or not being able to enter a team in the Traveling League in subsequent years. 4. No Traveling League team manager, coach or player may umpire a game in the Traveling League Class in which they play. No person may umpire a game in which an immediate family member is playing or coaching or managing. 5. Umpires are to be paid on the field BEFORE THE GAME STARTS. 6. Umpires shall be at least two years older than the Class for which they are umpiring. If an umpire is only one year older than the Class for which he is umpiring, that umpire shall be used as a base umpire. 7. If a game can’t be played because there are no umpires, the game shall be rescheduled at the opponent’s field. The original home team shall remain the home team. Page 5 of 8 F. Miscellaneous Game Rules 1. Courtesy Runner Rule a. THIS OPTION IS ONLY FOR CATCHERS. This rule applies only to the player who finished the previous inning as the catcher, not the player who will be the catcher the next inning. b. If the team is using the continuous batting order, the player who made the last out shall be used as the courtesy runner. For the other batting order options, any player who is not in the batting lineup may be used as the courtesy runner. c. In any circumstance, the courtesy runner does not enter the score book. 2. No Pitch Intentional Walk Rule a. No pitch intentional walks shall be allowed. Only the defensive team’s Manager can declare a no pitch intentional walk. The defensive team’s Manager shall call time and address the home plate umpire that he wishes to put the batter on first base by way of a no pitch intentional walk. The umpire shall direct the batter to take first base. Other base runners may move up only if forced to by the batter being put on first base. After the batter reaches first base, the umpire shall call “play ball” and the ball will be live again. A manager is limited to two (2) no pitch intentional walks per game. 3. Run Rule a. The game shall be called if one team is ahead by: Class A – 6 or more runs after the losing team has had five (5) complete times at bat; Classes B & C – 8 or more runs after the losing team has had four (4) complete time at bat; Class D – 10 or more runs after the losing team has had three (3) complete times at bat. b. No game can end by run rule if the run limit is reached while the visiting team is at bat. 4. Suspended Game Rule a. Any game stopped because of rain, darkness or time shall be considered an official game after 5 innings (4 ½ innings if home team is ahead) in Class A; and after 4 innings (3 ½ innings if home team is ahead) in Classes B & C, and 3 innings (2 ½ innings if home team is ahead) in Class D. b. Any game stopped because of rain, darkness, time, or tie which has not resulted in an official game will be resumed at the EXACT point of interruption and played to its completion at the earliest time possible. If possible, the suspended game will be completed the next time the two teams meet. The suspended game will be completed before the start of the regular scheduled game. c. Games running over into later scheduled game times are subject to time rules at the host team’s park. An agreement should be made between the managers and umpires prior to the start of such a game on how to handle a game not completed. d. Umpire fees should be pro-rated depending on the number of innings of the suspended game to be completed. If the umpire(s) require full pay for a partial game, the host team shall pay all of any additional amount required. 5. Field/Rain Condition Rule a. Host team manager shall check the field three (3) hours before game time and notify the visiting team and umpires if the field is unplayable. The host team manager decides if the field is playable before the game starts. b. Once the game starts and the first pitch is thrown, the umpires determine whether field conditions permit the game to continue. 6. Cancelled Game Rule a. Scheduled games should only be cancelled because of rain-outs or school events. Teams face possible forfeits for other reasons. Page 6 of 8 b. All games are to be rescheduled within five (5) days and played within two (2) weeks after the cancellation. c. League scorekeepers are to be notified by the home team about rescheduled games. If there is any problem with rescheduling a game, the League Scorekeeper and League Supervisor should be contacted. The League Supervisor may choose a time and place to play the game and require the teams to show up and play or forfeit the game. d. No games can be scheduled or played after June 30th.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS LEAGUE OPERATING RULES A. Unsportsmanlike Conduct 1. Umpires can call unsportsmanlike conduct on players, coaches or managers for many reasons. 2. For players, the reasons can include unsafe play conditions as judged by the umpire, taunting other players, not following the direction of an umpire, etc. If an offensive player is called for unsportsmanlike conduct; that player is CALLED OUT IMMEDIATELY AND IS EJECTED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE GAME AND HE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED FROM THE TEAM’S NEXT GAME. If a defensive player is called for unsportsmanlike conduct; that player SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY EJECTED FROM THE RAMAINDER OF THE GAME AND HE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED FROM THE TEAM’S NEXT GAME. 3. For coaches and managers, the reasons can be for not having control of their players or fans, smoking or drinking at the field of play or in the team bench area, poor treatment of any player on either team, etc. A coach or manager called for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be IMMEDIATELY EJECTED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE GAME AND IS REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE “SIGHT AND SOUND” OF THE PLAYING FIELD. THE EJECTED COACH OR MANAGER SHALL BE AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED FROM THE TEAM’S NEXT TWO GAMES. B. Discipline 1. Any player, coach, manager or fan ejected from a game for disciplinary reasons will be suspended for a minimum of one game on the first offense. 2. On the second ejection for the same player, coach, manager or fan the suspension will be for a minimum of 2 games and the team could forfeit the game in which the second ejection occurred. 3. A player, coach, manager or fan who has been ejected and/or suspended shall not be in attendance at or within the ball field facility for the remainder of the game and/or games for which they are under suspension. The ball field facility shall be defined as the playing field, adjacent fields, and corresponding parking lot. It is the intent of this rule that such suspended person be absent from the facility during the course of the game(s) for which they are under suspension; such period being defined as sixty (60) minutes before the start of the game and sixty (60) minutes after its conclusion. Violation of the rule shall lead to a more serious penalty. 4. All ejections for disciplinary reasons must be reported to the League Scorekeeper and League Supervisor by BOTH managers. 5. For serious discipline cases, the League Supervisor can impose a more severe punishment, with final appeal to the Traveling League Executive Supervisor. The decision of the Traveling League Executive Supervisor is final and can’t be appealed. The Knothole Executive Board could commence a hearing to determine if added penalties are required. C. Forfeits 1. Only the League Supervisors or the Executive Supervisor can declare forfeits. Page 7 of 8 2. If a team does not field a team within 30 minutes of the scheduled starting game time, the game could be forfeited. Unusual circumstances and emergencies shall be considered before a forfeit is final. 3. If a team does not notify an opposing manger until the day of the game that the team will not have enough players to play the scheduled game, that team will forfeit said game. D. Protests 1. Protest must be made in accordance with City Knothole Rule #14. The protest, along with a $50.00 CASH PROTEST FEE, must be filed in writing with the League Supervisor within 48 hours of the protested game. In the absence of the League Supervisor, the protest and fee can be filed with the Executive Supervisor. 2. The League Supervisor will be responsible for setting up a Protest Committee and the League Supervisor will head said committee. The Protest Committee shall have no less than three (3) participants. No person involved in the protest will be on the Protest Committee. The decision of the Protest Committee is appealable to the Executive Supervisor. The ultimate decision of the Executive Supervisor is final with no further appeal. E. Game Scores 1. The winning team manager is expected to report the game score to the League Scorekeeper within 48 hours of the completion of the game. 2. Failure to comply with this rule could lead to a disciplinary situation or a possible forfeiture of the game. F. Final League Standings 1. The final league standings shall be determined by the number of wins on the final day of the regular season. 2. In case of ties, the following order of tiebreakers shall be used: a. Percentage of scheduled games played to official completion. Forfeited games shall not apply. b. Head to head competition. c. Run differential in games involving head to head competition (the team that scored the most runs in total during head to head competition). The maximum run difference to be used in the calculation is 10 runs per game. d. Least runs allowed in games played to official completion. Forfeited games shall not apply. If the number of games completed is different, then the average runs allowed per game completed shall apply. e. Coin flip.

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GREATER CINCINNATI KNOTHOLE SELECT TRAVELING LEAGUE

2013 TEAM REGISTRATION FORM

Please Print all Information

Community/Area: ______Team Name: ______

District Number: ______District Supervisor’s Name: ______

Manager’s Name: ______Home Phone # ______

Address ______Work Phone # ______

City/St/Zip ______Cell Phone # ______

E-mail address ______

Coach’s Name: ______Home Phone # ______

Address ______Work Phone # ______

City/St/Zip ______Cell Phone # ______

E-mail address ______

TEAM MAKE-UP: Check Class for your team and fill in number of players by age and total for the team

_____ Class A _____ Class B _____ Class C _____ Class D

# of 15 year olds ______# of 13 year olds ______# of 11 year olds ______# of 9 year olds ______# of 14 year olds ______# of 12 year olds ______# of 10 year olds ______# of younger players ______# of younger players ______# of younger players _____ # of younger players _____ Total team players ______Total team players ______Total team players ______Total team players ______

HOME FIELD NAME: ______Address/Directions: ______FIELD AVAILABILITY: Day of the week REGULAR SEASON NORMAL GAME SCHEDULE: Day of the week Check all that apply ______Sunday Check all that apply ______Sunday ______Monday ______Monday ______Tuesday ______Tuesday

_____ Wednesday ______Wednesday

______Thursday ______Thursday

______Friday ______Friday

______Saturday ______Saturday

Team Manager’s Signature: ______District Supervisor’s Signature: ______GREATER CINCINNATI KNOTHOLE SELECT TRAVELING LEAGUE

2013 TEAM ROSTER

Team Name: ______District # ______District Supervisor Name ______

Manager Name: ______Primary Phone Number: __(____)______

Coach’s Name: ______Primary Phone Number: __(____)______

Must have a coach Please Print all Information

PLAYER NAME PLAYER D.O.B. PLAYER PHONE # PLAYER REGULAR SEASON ORGANIZATION PLAYER CONTRACT

KNOTHOLE, AABC, LLITTLE LEAGUE, ETC. NEEDED (Yes/No)

1. ______

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9. ______

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13. ______

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Team Manager’s Signature: ______District Supervisor’s Signature:______