Route 84 Baseball Program Rules 9u-12u – Revised June 16, 2015

Route 84 Baseball Program

Summer 2015 Rules

46/60: 9u, 10u, 11u

50/70: 11u, 12u

Program Charter

To allow youth baseball players from towns in Western Connecticut, to have fun and improve their skills while playing competitive baseball during the summer. Each team will show complete respect for the opposing team’s coaches and players and officials and exhibit good sportsmanship. The Program aims to develop a friendly bond between towns and teams that will carry forward into future seasons.

Program Fees

Team League Fee for 2015:$150per team

Program fees are used for:

  1. Trophies for the top 2playoff teams for each playoff for each age group 9-12.
  2. Game Medals for all participants in the All-Star games.
  3. All-Star game trophies.
  4. Umpire fees for the All-Star games.
  5. Championship Banners for the season champion in each age category.
  6. Administration Fee which covers, Web Hosting, Domain Registration and season long Website administration such as Schedule & Game results maintenance
  7. 2015 Babe Ruth League Official Playing Rules Booklet as needed.
  8. A portion of the excess monies collected above the expenses of the program may be donated to charity, or used in future years to offset team registration fees.
  9. If funds are donated from the Route 84 Baseball Program the detailswill be listed on the league website at

Team Insurance

It is the understanding of this program that all teams participating are covered under their towns Cal Ripkenor Little League based insurance. All teams that are participating must confirm their coverage to the program organizers by submitting a faxed or file copy (.pdf, .doc) of the insurance certificate to the age level coordinator.

Non-Cal Ripken baseball towns such as “Little League” must provide a hard copy certificate of insurance showing coverage to host non-Little League teams on their home fields, as well as coverage for their team when playing on away fields that are non“Little League” fields.

In other words, all teams in this program must have insurance that covers their team no matter where they are playing.

All teams must provide a hard copy or e-copy of their insurance certificate to the Route 84 League age level coordinator.

Website

The coach of the winning team must send an email to the website administrator within 24-hours of a game being played.Discuss with the other coach at the end of each game to ensure you are in agreement with the score and have the correct pitchers. When composing the email simplify the content in the following way:

Example:

“Email Subject” 9u – Southbury VS Newtown played 7/5

Results:

Southbury – 8

Easton – 5

Pitchers Outs:

Southbury:

Smith – 2

Jones – 2

Martin – 2

Easton:

Williams – 3

Sullivan – 3

Game Cancellation/Postponements:

When something about a game has changed such as time, day or field…; notify the web administrator with:

Subject: 9u – Southbury vs.Easton “CHANGE”

Include the details of the change in the body of the email. This way, the web administrator will know it is a message of priority and will make the change on the website as soon as possible.

It is very important that you always include the age group in the subject line in every email.

Field directions along with game scores and website calculated team standings will be posted on the program web site

2015regular-season schedule:

16 games for each team

Saturday June 13 - start regular season

Thursday July 23 -end regular season

Saturday July 25 - start double elimination playoffs

Saturday August 1 or Sunday August 2 -Final Championship game

All-Star Game:Each age group and track will have an “All-Star Game” during the regular season. This has proven to be a great opportunity to bring the entire age group together and create a special event for all those involved.

  1. Each team names two players of all-star worthy and ability.
  2. A 3rd player will be named from the top teams in the standings as measured as of the Saturday prior the scheduled All-Star game, as needed to complete the all-star roster.
  3. Goal is to name up to 15players per team (30players total).
  4. Teams are formed by the age group leader and coaches.
  5. Medals for all players participating.
  6. MVP Trophies will be awarded to the All-Star game MVP from each team.
  7. Field location and time decided by age group leader and coaches.
  8. Batting order is continuous, free fielder substitution.
  9. “All-Star” game day is Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday July9, 10, 11, or 12, 2015 (rain date July 16, 17, 18, or 19, 2015).
  10. Pitchers may not pitch more than 6 outs in the game.
  11. Players must play in the field at least 3 innings in the game.

12. Pitchers ‘outs’ will notcount against regular season pitching limitations

Program Rules

Rule 1- Leagues,Teams, Players, Fields and Equipment

If a rule is not covered below, then the rules listed in the 2015 Babe Ruth League / Cal Ripken Baseball “official playing rules” booklet will apply. All teams will be supplied up to two copies of the 2015 Cal Ripken rule book when requested. It is the responsibility of the head coach for each team to ensure a copy of this program supplement along with the 2015 Babe Ruth League booklet be readily available at each game.

Section 1 Leagues:

Art. 1. Leagues will be organized according to age groups (ages 9, 10, 11 and 12) with teams consisting of players at or under their specified age group. Age is established as of the player’s age on April 30, 2015. This is consistent with the Cal Ripken Baseball age cutoff.

Section 2Teams:

Art. 1.The expectation of the Route 84 Baseball program is that participating teams will make this program their primary focus for the 2015 Summer Baseball season. The Route 84 program has a regular season and corresponding playoff schedule and expects that each team participates in an equal quantity of games across all participating teams. Teams that appear to have difficulty with completing the full regular season schedule of games by July 23, 2015 may be eliminated from the playoff seeding.

Art. 2.It is understood that a team may play in tournaments or other game opportunities, however, first priority as to scheduling and keeping game commitments will be given to the Route 84 Summer Baseball program.

Section 3Players and Eligibility:

For the purpose of Articles 1-3 below, any player in violation of Articles 1-3 below will be considered to be an illegal player. Players discovered to be Illegal:

a. are removed from the game and restricted* immediately upon discovery by either team or the umpire.

b. onoffense will be called out (if they are at bat (whether a pitch as been thrown or not), or on the bases) and advances through their actions might be negated. A pitch (legal or illegal, including balks where allowed) by either team will legalize advances.

c. ondefense who are involved in a play immediately prior to discovery are restricted and the offense will be given the option of the result of the play or another at bat.

*restricted players are to remain on their respective teams' bench for the remainder of the game.

Art.1. All players on a Route 84 Baseball Team roster must have played in their towns’ 2015 spring season baseball program.

Art.2.A player listed on the roster of a 2015 non-Route 84 Baseball team is ineligible to be listed on the roster of a Route 84 baseball team. In other words players cannot be double rostered.

Art. 5. A team can have a “call-up” or “share a player” only in order to have enough players to field a team which is defined as 10-players, (1-extra). This call-up or sharing process can be a player from another team of the same age if that town happens to be fielding multiple teams, or the player can be from another team from that town “up to 1-age level down”. (I.e. a 10 year old player can play up to an 11 year old team). To be clear, this rule is strictly to enable the team when short players to be able to call-up a player in order to field a team. The intention is not to adversely impact the makeup of the team.

Call ups are not allowed during playoffs. Additionally, all players on a team during playoffs must have played at least 50% of that teams regular season games in order to be considered an eligible player and to be eligible to play in the playoffs. Verification of this will be from the regular season scorebook which must be ready at all times while at the field in order to substantiate eligibility.

Section 4 Rosters:

Art. 1.Each team must submit a player roster signed by the head coach. The roster can have a maximum of 16 players and must list the player name, home town, and date of birth. The roster must be titled with the town name, team age (9, 10, 11 or 12) and team level (A or B).

The following statement must also appear below the list of players and above the coach’s signature:

“I certify that the above players are eligible to play for this team based on the 2015 Route 84 rules dated May 28, 2015, and that I intend to follow these rules as outlined and will make them available to each player on my team.”

Completed rosters must be signed by the coach, scanned and emailed to no later than June 30, 2015. This is in addition to the roster template (available on the website) that also must be submitted.

Section 5 Fields:

Art. 1.Route 84 Baseball has a field default format of 46/60 for 9 and 10 yr. olds and a field default format of 50/70 for 11 and 12 yr. olds. For the 11 and 12 yr. olds levels, if the home team does not have access to a 50/70 field then the game can be played on a 46/60 field.

Art. 2. Game Location:Games will be played at an equal split of home and away games based on each town’s field availability. Games will still be designated equally as home and away regardless of field location (see website for details).

Art. 3. Dugout areas:

a)Only players and designated bat boys/girls and a maximum of 4 coaches are allowed in the dugouts. Parents, relatives, siblings and spectators are not allowed. No one may view the game from behind the backstop or the area between the dugouts.

b)It is the responsibility of the head coach for each team to ensure the dugouts and spectator areas are left clean and free from trash after every game. Carry the trash out if you have to as some fields do not provide trash bins, so be ready for that.

Section 6Equipment:

Art. 1.Game Balls:Home and Away teams will each supply two (2) NEW baseballs for each game. Baseball’s must be Rawlings brand and approved for play in either Cal Ripken or Little League.

Art. 2. Bats:All Bats must conform to Cal Ripken guidelines as outlined in the 2015 Cal Ripken rule book.

  1. The bat may not exceed 33”in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼” in diameter. Only 2 ¼” barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed. Wood 2 ¼” barrel bats are allowed.

2. Effective immediately and until further notice, Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BTO636 (light grey), CX2-BTO573 (dark grey) and CX2-BTO598 (blue), including all graphic variations, is not eligible, or approved, for use in any Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken program or activity

PENALTY

  1. If the illegal bat is discovered prior to a batter completing his “at bat” the batter shall be called out and the bat removed from the game.
  2. If the illegal bat is discovered after the batter hits a fair ball the batter/runner shall be called out and the bat removed from the game. No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand. This is an appeal play. The “at bat” will be considered legal once a legal pitchis thrown to the next batter.
  3. Any bat discovered prior to the game that does not conform to the above rule shall be directed to be removed immediately and not be allowed for use during the game.
  4. Any identified illegal bat subsequently used a second time will result in the team head coach being ejected from the game.

Section 7 Protests:

It is expected to resolve all situations on the field. However as a rule no protests are allowed on judgment calls by the umpire. The decision of any protest shall be made by the President of Route 84 and all decisions are final. Furthermore, no replay of the game will be ordered unless, in the opinion of the President of Route 84, the protested violation adversely affected the outcome of the game. All protests will not be recognized or considered unless the umpire is notified immediately after a violation was recognized or occurred and before the next legal or illegal pitch. Protests on game ending plays must be filed before the umpire vacates the field.

Rule 2Sponsors

Art. 1.:Team sponsors are allowed in order to help defer the expenses of the team. If sponsor’s logos or name is shown on the player uniform, it must be done so in a way so as to be reasonably discreet, and the product or service type should be appropriate for a youth sport.

Rule 3 Umpires

Art. 1.:Each town hosting games at their field is responsible for scheduling umpires. Home and Away Teams each split the cost of umpires at each game and pay the umpire(s) at the field.

Art. 2.:Umpires must be a standing member of the Ct. Approved Umpires Association to umpire all games for all age levels.If an umpire fails to show for the game within a reasonable amount of time another mutually agreed upon officiating solution may be used, otherwise the game would need to be rescheduled.

If it is determined that the umpire used is not a member of the Ct. Approved Umpires Association the home team risks forfeiting the game.

Rule 4 Playing Terms and Definitions

Section 1 Games:

Art. 1. Start of game:

Games should start at the time agreed upon by both head coaches. If a team arrives more than 15 minutes late for a scheduled game, the late team forfeits the game. Both teams should still play a pickup game to ensure that the players get playing time. Umpire(s) will still need to be paid regardless. A team will forfeit a game if they do not have 8 or more players after 15 min. from the regular starting time, however, coaches should make every effort to avoid forfeits.

Art. 2. Game Length:

a)Games will go for 6 Innings of play unless ended by the Mercy rule. Designated “Home Team” bats last, refer to program website schedule for home team designate. Home team is always listed first in the schedule (Home vs. Visitor) regardless of game location.

b)A game becomes official after 4 innings of play (3 ½ innings if home team is ahead).

c)No NEW inning should be started after 2hours of game play. Both coaches should confer with each other to determine how to proceed with any remaining innings if it appears the game is getting close to the 2hour limit.

Art. 3. Mercy Rule:

a)After the losing team has batted 4 times and is trailing by12 or more runs the game is over. The score at the time of the mercy will be the final score. Coaches are encouraged to finish the game.

b)When a team is ahead by 10 or more runs, coaches are required to instruct their players to stop stealing and advance only one base on singles or two bases on doubles.

c)The Mercy rule is in affect throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Art. 4. Lightning: It is required that all games be immediately delayed for 30 min. after each occurrence andsubsequent occurrence of lightning or thunder that is observed by either the coaches/players/umpires/fans and that everyone immediately exit the field and go to a safe place protecting them from lightning. No game can resume until 30 minutes has passed from the time of the last observance of lightning or thunder.

Art. 5. Batting Order:

a)ALL players bat in a continuous batting order. Players arriving late must be placed at the end of the batting order. Every player on the team must play at least two innings in the field. In other words, if you bring a player to the field that is on your roster, he must play at least two innings (6 outs) of the game.

b)Games can begin with 8 or 9 players if no other players are available. If 8 players are used, there is NO AUTOMATIC OUT rule for the missing 9th spot in the batting order, this is also true if a player leaves the game early and the team is left with only 8 players.

c)There is “No Automatic Out” in the batting order for a vacated spot due to injury, illness or if a player has to leave the game once it has started (regardless of the reason).

d)Any team starting a game or playing during the game with less than 8 players forfeits the game. (Managers are encouraged to keep playing a practice game).

e)There are free fielding substitutions.

Art.6. Extra innings:

a)Game continues for one additional inning only (7 innings max) unless the umpire calls the game for darkness.