2010 Lanier Baseball League Rules
TEAM
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
INDEPENDENT
TEAM REQUIREMENTS
A.
Independent Teams are defined as having no home
field in which to play home games and wish to play all away games.
B.
Teams who wish to play as “Independent” must submit
their request to the league in writing as early as possible each season.
C.
The league will approve any returning Independent
Teams before accepting new teams each season.
D.
The league will approve up to, but not limited to,
two teams in each age and division on a first come first serve basis.
E.
All Independent Teams are required to pay one half
of the umpire fee of each official league game played.
PLAYER
ELIGIBILITY
TEAM
ROSTERS
COACH’S
RESPONSIBILITY
All coaches/team managers are expected to:
NOTES:
1. If 1
umpire is available teams must play the game.
2. If the
umpire(s) are late or fail to show coaches have 3 options and must both agree
to the decision before the game is played:
DIVISION
SPLITS
a.
Age groups will be split into 4 possible divisions depending on
participation. The divisions are AA/AAA/Tournament/Feeder. Divisions for each
age group will be finalized the first week of January.
b.
League directors will determine all division splits based on a
team’s past performance/skill level, geography and other factors which need to
be considered. In some cases teams may be contacted and asked for input
regarding splits.
SCHEDULES
c.
All
regular season games must be completed by the season ending date set by the
league, unless weather or time does not permit. If needed, due to abnormal amounts of rain, the league may
extend the season deadline.
d.
Any
regular season games that are NOT played will result in a tie for both teams.
MAKEUP
GAMES
Once the season begins, unless there are extenuating circumstances,
games should only be rescheduled as a result of field availability or weather.
a.
All correspondence regarding makeup games must be done via email
with the age group director copied.
b.
Makeup games must be rescheduled (not played) within 14 days from
the original date of the game. The penalty for not rescheduling a game within
14 days will be an immediate TIE for both teams. Any game not played within the
last 14 days of the season will result in a tie.
c.
Any team, deemed by the league, not cooperating or making an attempt
to reschedule a makeup game will forfeit that game. Teams who are determined,
by the league, to be avoiding a makeup game will forfeit that game.
RESCHEDULING
Once the season begins, unless
there are extenuating circumstances, games should only be rescheduled as a
result of field availability or weather.
a.
All correspondence requesting to reschedule a game MUST be submitted
to the opposing coach via email with the age group director copied.
b.
The coach being asked to reschedule is not required by the league to
do so. The league encourages coaches to work together, but the team being asked
to reschedule has the option to say no and be awarded a forfeit.
c.
Rescheduling due to any reason other than weather or field
availability will be an automatic forfeit unless the team being asked to
reschedule agrees. The reschedule date must be decided before the date the
original game is to be played.
e.
Once both coaches agree to reschedule a game, no forfeits will be
awarded if the rescheduled date is rained out and there are no dates available
for either team to play.
REGULAR SEASON
STANDINGS
1.
Overall winning percentage will be used to figure
standings for the regular season.
2.
First and second place team and individual player
awards will be provided in each AGE GROUP (not division) for the regular
season.
3.
The final regular season standings will be used as the
seeding for the Championship Tournament.
4.
TIED
RECORDS: In cases of ties in the overall winning percentage during the regular
season, the following will determine the final standings/seeding & the
tournament division (if split) in which teams will be placed:
II. Points allowed against
teams tied with
III. Points scored against
teams tied with
IV. Coin toss
FEEDER
TEAM DIVISIONS
D. Age Requirements:
o A 6th grade student must not turn 14 before May 1st to be eligible for a 6th grade team. A 7th grade student must not turn 15 before May 1st to be eligible for a 7th grade team. An 8th grade student must not turn 16 before May 1st to be eligible for an 8th grade team.
o
The 6th grade division will follow
the 12 year old division playing rules. The
7th grade division will follow the 13 year old division playing
rules. The 8th grade division will follow the 14 year old division
playing rules.
PLAYING
RULES
Playing rules not specifically covered below shall follow the
National Federation of High School Rules. No
local park or league rules will supersede Lanier Baseball rules. All umpires must be informed of league rules prior to the
start of all games.
Base Paths &
Pitching Distances:
Division Bases Pitching
8&under 60
40
9&under 65 46
10&under 65 46
11&under 70 50
12&under 70 50
13&under 80 54
14&under 90 60
15/16 90
60
NOTE: Some
fields have permanent mounds that may not be the exact listed distance above.
The league does make exceptions in these cases.
Playing
fields should be maintained so as to be safe for players and spectators. Any
complaints concerning field or facilities should be directed to the League
Coordinator.
Equipment:
GAME RULES
C. Tie Games - Any game that is tied at the end of regulation play may play one extra inning if time limit has not expired. If at the end of the extra inning or if the game is still tied after time has expired, the game will be recorded as a tie and counted as a ½ game win.
D. Players – Teams must begin with 9 players and may end with 8 only as a result of injury or illness.
NOTE: Any player leaving the game
for reasons other than a family emergency, injury or communicable disease will
be charged as an out for all remaining at bats and may not return to the game.
1. COMMUNICABLE
DISEASE PROCEDURES
i.
The
bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is an excessive
amount of blood on the uniform it must be changed before the athlete may
participate.
·
Runners may not lead off. They cannot leave the base
until the ball crosses home plate.
·
Runners on 3rd base may only advance to score
on a batted ball or on a walk when the bases are loaded.
·
Nine (9) players
may play in the field.No short-fielders. All
outfielders must stay behind the baseline.
·
A maximum of
seven (7) runs may be scored per inning or three (3) outs. This includes the
last inning.
·
No bunting.
·
Defensive coaches
are not allowed on the field of play & must coach from the dugout.
·
A.R.- Baker is the EH and batting 2nd. Charles is the catcher
and batting 3rd. Baker can become the catcher and Charles the EH. Both players
would remain in their original batting order.
·
A.R.2. –
All players can move freely in defensive positions – the EH is considered a
defensive position.
1. A DH may be (not mandatory) designated for any one starting
player (not just pitchers) and all subsequent substitutes for that player in
the game.
2. A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the DH in the
starting lineup.
3. A DH for said player shall be selected prior to the start of the
game, and his name shall be included on the lineup cards presented to the
umpire and to the official scorer.
4. Failure to declare a DH prior to the game precludes the use of a
DH in that game.
5. If a pinch hitter or pinch runner for the DH is used, that
player becomes the new DH.
6. The player who was the DH may re-enter as the DH under the
re-entry rule.
7. A DH and the player for whom he is batting are locked into the
batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the
batting rotation.
8. The role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game
when: (a) The defensive player, or any previous defensive player for whom the
DH batted, subsequently bats, pinch-hits, or runs for the DH; (b) The DH or any
previous designated DH assumes a defensive position.
1. In a Six Inning game, the game is complete after 3 innings or 2
and ½ if the home team is leading.
2. In a Seven Inning game, the game is complete after 4 innings or
3 and ½ if the home team is leading.
3. Incomplete games (games that do not meet
the minimum innings played requirements) will resume from their exact
point of delay.
PITCHING
PITCHING POSITION –Once a player toes the rubber he
must dispose of 1 batter before being removed from the pitching position.
RETURNING A PITCHER – Only the starting pitcher may
return to the mound.
BALKS - In age divisions 10 and below, pitchers
will be allowed some leniency in regard to balks. Pitchers will be called for
all major violations and warned for minor violations that do not affect the
outcome of a play. In all other divisions, balks will be strictly enforced
without warning.
TRIPS TO THE MOUND - When a team is
charged with its second trip to the mound, in the same inning, to the same
pitcher, the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position for the
remainder of the game. The pitcher may be moved to another defensive position.
LIMITATIONS - Pitching
limitations will not be enforced during league play; however, they are
recommended and will be used during the league championship tournament.
PITCHING COACH – 1 defensive coach shall be
permitted outside the immediate confines of the dugout (i.e. posts, walls) for
the purpose of communicating with the pitcher and catcher (i.e. signals). The
coach may choose to sit on a bucket, kneel or stand in this area. The coach
must remain in this area at all times except when avoiding a play and MUST make
a every reasonable attempt to avoid interference with
a play. Any outbursts, movements, gestures or other acts from the coach which
in the judgment of the umpire are deemed as distracting or interfering with
play will result in the coach being confined to the dugout for the remainder of
the game.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Coaches are responsible for the actions of
themselves, their players, parents and fans. All players, coaches, parents and fans
will be expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Any player,
coach, parent or fan, whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive will, at minimum,
be warned and may be removed from the playing field and/or stands at the
discretion of the league officials and/or umpires.
Unsportsmanlike behavior includes, but is
not limited to: any behavior (verbal or non verbal) that is done to
intentionally distract the opposing team, foul or abusive language physical attack of an umpire, opposing coach,
player or fan, kicking dirt at the umpire, opposing coach, player or fan,
artificial noise makers, screaming, yelling, chanting, singing, noise making,
yelling swing at the batter, yelling baulk or screaming loudly when the pitcher
is going into his windup, mocking, provoking, taunting, singing taunting songs,
or any other acts which may be perceived as an intent to be a distraction or
taunt the opposing team will not be allowed. These along with any other acts
deemed unsportsmanlike by the umpire or league director will not be
tolerated under any circumstances.
All coaches,
players, parents and fans are encouraged to cheer on their team in a positive
manner and to make positive comments to all players.
The following penalities
maybe applied but are not limited to:
·
1st
incident in a game: team warning
·
2nd
incident in a game: coach ejection (keep in mind that this means the coach is
out of sight out of mind and then must serve an additional 1 game suspension)
·
3rd
incident in a game: forfeit of the game
EJECTIONS
A. If a player, manager, fan, etc. is
ejected from a particular game by the umpire(s), the person must leave the
playing area completely so that he cannot be seen or heard for the remainder of
the game. This must be done within 2 minutes. The umpire(s) may delay resumption of
play until they are satisfied that the person will not cause further disruption
of the game. If the person does not leave within 2 minutes or refuses to leave the playing area, the
umpire(s) may forfeit the game against that person's team.
B. The
penalty for a coach or player who is ejected will be an additional 1 game
suspension. The suspension will be in effect for the next scheduled
league/tournament game played immediately following the ejection. The
suspension is in addition to the remaining part of the game in which the coach
or player was ejected. NOTE: Additional suspensions or
disbarment from the league may be imposed if the league feels it is
necessary.
C. When any manager, coach
or player is ejected both teams shall inform their age group director within
four (4) hours after the end of the game. A completed “EJECTION REPORT” from
the website, including all details of the incident, must be emailed to the
league director within eight (8) hours after the end of the game.
D. Failure to report an
ejection to the League Director will result in an additional game suspension.
PROTESTS
& APPEALS
Judgment calls and/or ejections are not protestable, may not be appealed and will not be heard.
Protests will be allowed for age, roster, dual participation (playing on 2 LBL
teams in the same season) violations and pitching or game rule interpretations
only.
Umpires will work to settle all problems on
the field. Pitching & game rule protests must be declared to the plate
Umpire before the next pitch
following the dispute. Umpires should advise the opposing coach immediately.
Protests must also be reported in writing to your age group director within 24
hours of the end of the game. The protested call must have changed the outcome of the game. If upheld,
the game must be restarted from the point in which the game was protested. No protest will be allowed following the game.
Age, roster or dual participation (playing
on 2 LBL teams in the same season) protests must be declared to the home plate
umpire during the game and to your age group director within 24 hours of the
game. If the protest is upheld, the team committing the violation will forfeit
the game in question.
The league directors will rule on all
protests within 72 hours. Their decision will be final.
Protest fee is $100.00 cash and must be
submitted to the League Director. The fee shall be returned only if the protest
is upheld.
ACTS
OF DISBARMENT
Any acts of disbarment will be reviewed and
acted upon by the Disciplinary Committee. Their decision will be final.
Acts of disbarment include:
L. Forfeiting more than ¼ of your scheduled league games.
2010
LANIER BASEBALL LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP
TOURNAMENT RULES
We will use LBL regular
season rules for the tournament. Exceptions are listed below:
1.
FORMAT:
2 Pool
Play games, then seeded into a single elimination bracket.
2.
SEEDING: Seeding for pool play will
be determined by the regular season overall winning percentage.
3.
TOURNAMENT
DIVISION SPLITS: All regular season AA
& AAA teams will be combined for pool play. After pool play, depending on
the number of teams, ages may bel split into A, AA
& AAA for the single elimination bracket. The split will be made as evenly as
possible. If there are an odd number of teams, the league will determine the
number of teams for each division.
4.
TIED RECORDS: In
cases of ties in the overall winning percentage from the regular season, the following
will determine the final standings/seeding & the tournament division (if
split) in which teams will be placed:
II.
Points allowed against teams tied with
III.
Points scored against teams tied with
IV.
Coin toss
5.
HOME/VISITOR: The home team will be determined by the seeding from the
league standings. The higher seeded team will be home team in each game
throughout the tournament.
6.
SCORE KEEPING: The home team scorekeeper is required to keep official
book. The visiting team is required to operate the scoreboard.
7.
GAME LENGTH: All ages will play the same time length as
in regular season, except in
the championship, which will be played in full.
8.
MERCY RULE: The mercy rule will be the same as regular season.
9.
PITCHING: Pitching rules will be used for each age group. These rules
are listed on the following page. In the event the tournament is delayed due to
weather or darkness the pitching charts will be frozen at the point of the
delay and continued into the next day as if there were no delay.
10. PITCHING CHARTS: The
pitching charts are the responsibility of the home team & must be turned in
to the appropriate person / location (as determined by the tournament director)
within 15 minutes of the completion of the game. The chart must be signed by
both team’s coaches. Pitching charts that are not turned in may result in a
forfeit for the home team.
11. TIE GAMES: In the event of
a tie once time has expired the game must continue play until a winner is
determined. There can be no tie games. Play will continue under the following rule: The last batted out from the previous
inning will be placed on 2nd base at the beginning of each extra
inning until a winner is determined. The home team will have their last at
bat.
12. RAIN: In the event of rain or
lightning, a game is considered complete after 4 innings have been played (or
3½ if the home team is ahead at that time). In the event of severe rain all games will be
delayed. Any delayed game will resume play at the point in which it was
delayed. All games will be played in the same order as originally scheduled.
13. BALLS: Lanier Baseball League
will supply 4 game balls per game.
14. TROPHIES: 1st, 2nd & 3rd place team trophies and 1st
& 2nd place individual trophies will be awarded for each age group
in the Championship Tournaments.
15. SPORTSMANSHIP: All players,
coaches and fans are expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.
Coaches
are responsible for the actions of themselves, their players, parents and fans.
All players, coaches, parents and fans will be expected to behave in a
sportsmanlike manner at all times. Any player, coach, parent or fan, whose
conduct is unbecoming or abusive will, at minimum, be warned and may be removed
from the playing field and/or stands at the discretion of the league officials
and/or umpires.
Unsportsmanlike
behavior includes, but is not limited to: any behavior (verbal or non verbal)
that is done to intentionally distract the opposing team, foul or abusive
language physical attack of an umpire, opposing coach, player or fan, kicking
dirt at the umpire, opposing coach, player or fan, artificial noise makers,
screaming, yelling, chanting, singing, noise making, yelling swing at the
batter, yelling baulk or screaming loudly when the pitcher is going into his
windup, mocking, provoking, taunting, singing taunting songs, or any other acts
which may be perceived as an intent to be a distraction or taunt the opposing
team will not be allowed. These along with any other acts deemed
unsportsmanlike by the umpire or league director will not be tolerated under
any circumstances.
All
coaches, players, parents and fans are encouraged to cheer on their team in a
positive manner and to make positive comments to all players.
The following
penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be applied:
·
1st incident in a game: team warning
·
2nd incident in a game: coach ejection (keep in mind that this
means the coach is out of sight out of mind and then must serve an additional 1
game suspension)
·
3rd incident in a game: forfeit of the game
16. TOURNAMENT
PITCHING RULES:
Age
Col A
Col B
7U – 12U 6
9
13U – 14U 7
12
Pitching
Chart:
Column
A – The maximum
number of innings a player can pitch in one (1) day.
Column
B – The maximum number of innings a
player can pitch for the entire tournament.
I Comment: For age divisions
7U – 12U, this is to be interpreted as a player can pitch
any combination of innings
that equals nine (9) as long as he doesn’t pitch more than six (6) innings
in any one day.
II Comment: For age divisions
13U – 14U, this is to be interpreted as a player can pitch
any combination of innings
that equals twelve (12) as long as he doesn’t pitch more than seven (7)
innings in any one day.
1. Once a pitcher toes
the rubber at any point after reaching the maximum allowed in Column A or B he
is in violation of the pitching rules.
PENALTY:
Any violation of pitching limitations shall result in immediate forfeiture of
the game.
2. For all cumulative totals in this rule, one (1) out
equals one-third (1/3) of an inning, two (2) outs equals two-thirds (2/3) of an
inning and three (3) outs equals one (1) full inning. This rule does
not supersede rule 1.
a.
Exceeding the maximum innings allowed in the case of a double or triple play
will not be counted against the pitcher.
b. A pitcher that pitches in a game before reaching the max innings
allowed for the tournament and records no outs is not charged with any innings
pitched.
3. Outs recorded during a game that ends in forfeit
shall count towards a pitchers’ innings limits.
4. It is the responsibility of each team’s manager to challenge pitching
violations by notifying the umpire and then the Tournament Director. The game
and time should be stopped until the matter
is resolved.
5. In the event the tournament is delayed due to
weather or darkness the pitching charts will be frozen at the point of the
delay and continued into the next day as if there were no delay.