2012 WYBS RULES FOR ROOKIE LEAGUE
These rules are in addition to the 2012 Official Baseball Rules, 2012 Cal Ripken of Babe Ruth Rule. All Babe Ruth League boundaries and rules apply to this league for player eligibility.
1.The ball is to be the same ball as used in major and minor play.
2.Spring loaded pitching machine will be used in all games. If a machine is unavailable the home team shall be responsible for rescheduling the game as per Rule #15. The Pitching machine is placed at 46’, from rear of plate to back of machine, with speed setting of 9 all season. Machines will be recalibrated half way through the season. Umpire will feed the machines. Coaches need to check the machine before their team bats. Coaches can have the umpire make small adjustments to the machine while a player is at bat but pitches do count during adjustment unless determined to be unhittable by both coaches. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine the Umpire will rule it a dead ball with the batter and all base runners advancing one base. The machine and balls for the game will be supplied by the home team. The new machines have 36 mph; if the new machines are used 36 mph will be used. It is up to both coaches to make sure the correct setting are being used BEFORE the game is started. No exceptions the settings will be what the machines setting say.
3. Players should always wear their league uniforms provided by WYBS. In extenuating circumstances, the league president, league designee, or Umpire-in chief may waive this rule. Shirts are to be tucked in front and back.
4. Ten (10) players, including the catcher, pitcher (placed on either side of the pitching machine assuming the defensive position of the pitcher) and four (4) outfielders, will play in the field. Under no circumstances will a player be allowed to be positioned closer to the plate than the pitching machine. All outfielders must be positioned in the outfield grass. Under no circumstances may a team use the extra fielder as an additional infielder
5.Each batter receives a maximum of five pitches. If the batter strikes outthat consist of 3 swings, or ifthe ball has not been hit into play after five pitches, the batter is out. If the batter fouls the 5th pitch, batter will receive pitches as long as batter continues to foul the pitch. The Umpire may call no pitch on an unhittable pitch that the batter makes no attempt to swing. No stealing, leading off bases or bunting*. Runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit.*Bunting will be allowed in the second half of the season. The start date for this will be April 28, 2012.
6.The batting lineup shall be all players on the team roster who are present, regardless if the child plays the field. Batting order can be determined by coach, but every player must be in batting lineup.The ½ inning is over when all players have batted or when three outs are made, whichever occurs first. Every player must play two defensive innings and one at bat during each game.If a player is unable to play two defensive innings due to time limit, darkness, weather or slaughter rule – then the player must start the next game and play until they have achieved the required number of innings from the previous game and current game.
7.The "infield fly rule" does not apply to this division.
8.Infielders must play in their normal fielding positions. They are not allowed to play any closer than 3 feet inside the base line. A fourth outfielder is allowed thereby giving team 10 defensive players. Outfielders must play in the outfield. The pitcher must line up with both feet in the circle. All defensive players must stay in their positions until the ball is hit.
9.An inning will consist of ten (10) batters or three outs. At the end of play on the tenth batter, the umpire will declare the inning over.
10.Sanctioned umpires are not required for this division. WYBS will furnish the plate umpire. The plate umpire will determine the end of play. If the pitcher has the ball inside the 8’ radius circle or the lead runner has been stopped, then the play is dead. If the play is determined to be dead and the runner has not advanced more than halfway or the base is occupied, the runner must return to the last base he legally occupied. All fields must have a halfway mark between first and second, second and third, and third and home.
11.Games will consist of 6 innings or one hour and forty five minutes. No new inning may be started after one hour and thirty minutes from the start of play, unless four innings have net been completed or the score is tied. If a game is called because of darkness or weather, the score reverts back to the last completed inning unless the home team is at bat and ahead in runs. If the last completed inning is also a tie, the game must be replayed, except in tournament play where the game shall resume where terminated. The umpire shall be the timekeeper and may stop the clock if he feels a team is delaying the game in order to win. Losing coach may call the game if 21 run down.
12. Any coach who is ejected from a game must leave the field and cannot coach the next two scheduled games. If a coach is ejected a second time during the season, he cannot coach the next two scheduled games and during any tournament play. The protest committee will review all ejections to see if other action is required against the violating coach.
13.Throwing a bat or helmet, abusive language, fighting, or any other unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a warning or ejection. Any player who is ejected from a game must leave the game and sit in the stands. He/she may not play in the next game that they attend. If a player is ejected from a second game during regular season, he/she cannot play in the next game they attend and cannot play in any tournament games. All ejections will be reviewed by the protest committee for further action or repeal of the next game penalties against the ejected player.
14.Player and fans may cheer for their side. Catcalls and booing for the opposing team will not be allowed. The umpire may call the game a forfeit if the players or fans refuse to obey this rule. Coaches must keep their team orderly and on the bench during the game.
15.If it becomes necessary to reschedule a game for reasons other than weather or field conditions beyond the coach’s control, the head coach requesting a reschedule must notify the opposing head coach 48 hours in advance. It is the discretion of the coach being asked to reschedule, whether or not the game will be played at a later date. If the game is rescheduled to another field, the home team will be as listed on the schedule.
16. A ball that hits the pitching machine or electrical cord is dead. The batter is awarded a single, and all base runners are allowed to advance one base.
17.If a runner touches the ball during a dead ball time a warning will be issued to the runner. If the same runner touches the ball again during that game the runner will be called out.
18.You must start a game with at least 8, if a player is unable to continue for any reason when that spot in the line up comes around that spot is an out. Note; if you start with 8 you can now play with less due to injury and not have to forfeit. If additional players arrive they must immediately be added to the bottom of the batting order and/or placed on the field.
19.Protective Gear: Players must wear protective gear. Coaches must ensure that a player warming up a pitcher wears a protective mask. In addition, the head coach must make certain that all male players are wearing a protective cup. Failure to do so will result in the removal of that player from the game (book rule). Players purposely flipping helmets while running the bases will be first warned then removed from the game.
- No tobacco or alcohol products are permitted in the dugouts or the field area.
21. No food (and/or eating) is permitted in the dugouts; sunflower seeds and gum are permitted.
22. Each team is responsible for cleaning up the dugout at the end of each game. Please pick up all bubble gum wrappers, plastic bottles, paper cups, etc. Each team is also responsible for filling in holes at the pitcher’s mound and batter’s box
Approved 3-6-12 WYBS Board