SABA Minor League Rules General Information SABA Rules Excerpt from SABA’s Mission Statement The San Anselmo Baseball Association (SABA) is an independent, volunteer, community based organization whose goal is to teach the fundamentals of baseball and sportsmanship to our community’s kids. SABA teaches behavior according to the principles of fairness, observance of the rules, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing. Managers and coaches should take every opportunity to teach these values. Managers, coaches, parents, and spectators are expected to be positive role models and display proper sportsmanship at all times. SABA Rules vs. Little League Rules For the most part, SABA Rules track the Official Regulations And Playing Rules published by Little League Baseball. However, SABA has modified some rules in an effort to ensure better competition and fairness at both the Minor and Major League levels. On the web site, you will find a series of charts that detail the various rules differences, which fall into three categories: 1) SABA Major League Rules vs. Little League Rules; 2) SABA Minor League Rules vs. Little League Rules; and 3) SABA Major League Rules vs. SABA Minor League Rules. SABA’s Umpires SABA mainly uses youth Umpires to call the games. SABA takes time each season to fully educate and train its Umpires on the applicable SABA Rules. Expected Conduct Expected Player & Parent Conduct (LL Rule 4.06) No Negativity Managers, coaches, or players cannot use negative or critical language toward opposing players, or the umpires, or their own teammates. The offending person will receive 1 warning, and thereafter will face ejection. Noise Limitations No artificial noise in dugouts or stands. Air horns, bells, drums, music or other noise-making devices are prohibited. Respect The Umpires & The Game Respect Umpires’ Calls. Never confront an Umpire about a call. The umpire must always be treated with respect. If you want to discuss a call or some aspect of the game, approach and speak with the Umpire calmly between innings. Coach & Player Responsibilities 1. Move the game along. After batting, get your team on the field quickly and have the catcher ready to warm up pitcher. Maximum of 3 minutes between innings. 2. Base Coaches must stay in the coaches’ boxes, except that they must get out of way of thrown or batted ball. 3. Coaches may stand outside of dugout, but stay alert and stay close to the fence. 4. All players should be in full uniform (hat, belt, etc.). No watches or jewelry. 5. Keep the field clear ─ keep bats, hats, equipment, and all team members in the dugout. 6. Clean the dugout at the end of the game. Game Rules & Time Limits Game Time Limitations Time Limits These limits are intended to insure safety and the Game Schedule. Typically, no inning starts after 2:10 (130 minutes) from the start of the game (defined as the first pitch). An inning starts with the final out of the preceding inning. Official Game Defined A game shall consist of 6 innings. The game shall be called at any time if the umpire determines that continuation of play is unsafe due to darkness, rain, or wet field. The completion of 4 innings (or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead) constitutes an official game if a game is called on account of the 2:10 time limit, darkness, or rain, or otherwise. Extra Innings If 6 innings are played within the 2:10 time limit and the score is tied, then an extra inning shall be played to determine a winner. Sunday Extra-Innings Limitation No new inning may start after the expiration of the time limit for Sunday games. There is no time limit for weeknight games, as daylight allows. The League V.P. Has Authority League V.P.’s can adjust these rules at their discretion. The League VP will declare the game a tie or can schedule a continuation if the two teams meet again later in the season and the schedule allows. Ties Standings are determined on winning percentage. A tie counts as a game played, and half a win. Scoring Limitations Limitations on Scoring Maximum = 5 Runs Per Half Inning In the Minor Leagues, the half inning shall end after 5 runs are scored. Under this rule, the inning is immediately over once the 5th run crosses home plate. Home-Run-RBI Exception In the event of a clean home run – meaning that it clears fence (as opposed to an inside-the- park-home run) – all runs driven in by the home run will count (and the inning ends when the homerun hitter crosses the plate). Last Inning Exception (Last Inning Declared, 6th Inning, or Extra Innings) There is no limit to the number of runs that a team can score in a half inning before three outs are made if it happens during: 1) The 6th inning (normally the last inning); or 2) Any extra inning beyond 6 innings; or 3) Any inning that has been declared to be the last inning by the umpire (prior to the start of the inning) due to darkness or time limit. (This rule replaces the old 9-batter rule.) Pitching Pitching Limitations Pitching Maximums Maximum = 2 Innings/Game Maximum = 4 Innings/Week Pitchers may only pitch a maximum 2 innings per game and 4 innings total per week. Week Defined The pitching week starts on Sunday morning and ends on Saturday night. Inning Defined One pitch to a batter in a game constitutes an inning pitched. Warm-up pitches do not count. There are no fractions of innings. Example: If the pitcher pitches in the first and then throws only one pitch to a batter in the second inning, then the pitcher is deemed to have pitched two full innings. Exception To Maximum 4 Innings Per Week Rule This rule applies when a team plays 3 games in a given week (Sunday through Saturday). A team may play 3 games in one week due to scheduling or due to rain make-up games. When a team plays 3 games in one week, an individual pitcher, may pitch a maximum of 6 innings total during that week. However, the rule requiring one day of rest between pitching outings (below) would still apply. Mandatory Rest Between Pitching Outings Pitch 2 Innings ─ Rest 1 Day. If a pitcher pitches 2 innings in a given game, then the pitcher must rest one full day before pitching again. Example: If the pitcher pitches on Wednesday, he may not pitch on Thursday, and may not pitch again until Friday. (It’s not just 24 hours of rest.) One Pitching Appearance Per Game Once a player is removed as pitcher, the player cannot pitch again in the same game. Removal of Pitcher at Umpire’s Discretion If a Minor League pitcher hits 2 batters in an inning with a pitch, or hits 3 batters in a game, then the Umpire may remove the pitcher from the mound at the Umpire's discretion. Catchers Must Wear Cup & Throat Protector (LL Rule 1.17) Catchers Must Be Properly Equipped Catchers will not be allowed to catch without this protective equipment. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure compliance with this rule. This rule applies to practices and games. Limitation on Coach Visits To The Mound (LL Rule 8.06) Coach Visits To The Mound Are Limited Coaches may only visit the mound twice per inning. The pitcher must be changed on 3rd visit. Wind Up & Set Positions (LL Rule 8.01) Pitching Positions The pitcher must assume either the Wind Up Position or the Set Position prior to delivering the pitch. Prior to assuming the Wind Up Position or the Set Position, the pitcher may stand on the pitching plate with his hands apart. Prior to assuming either the Wind Up Position or the Set Positions (below), the pitcher may make a natural movement to assume one of the two positions. The Wind Up Position Defined The Wind Up Position is when the pitcher’s front pivot foot is on the pitching plate, the pitcher is facing the batter, and he has both hands on the ball held in front of his body. From the Wind Up Position, the pitcher is allowed to take one step backward and one step forward with is free foot during the course of his pitching motion. The Set Position Defined The Set Position is when the pitcher’s pivot foot is on the pitching plate, the pitcher is facing the batter, the pitcher’s free foot is positioned in front of the pitching plate, and he has both hands on the ball held in front of his body. The pitcher may elect to make a natural movement to assume the Set Position (known as the “Stretch”). However, after the Stretch movement, the pitcher must come to a complete stop in the Set Position before delivering the pitch. Once Set, The Pitcher May Only Move The Head Generally, once the pitcher has come to a complete stop, he may only move his head (to check the runners) prior to delivering the pitch or making a move toward a base. Other movements may be interpreted as a balk. However, balk movements will not be penalized at the Minor League level. Balks (LL Rules 8.01 & 8.05) No Penalty for Balks Balks will not be called at the Minor League level. For instructional purposes only, Minor League pitchers may be advised about balk movements by the Umpire and at the Umpire’s sole discretion. Breaking Balls Prohibited No Breaking Balls Allowed Absolutely no curve balls, sliders, or other breaking pitches of any kind are allowed in SABA.