2023 Hoover Tyler Little League Local Rules and Division
Protocols
A. Player
Registration Fees
- Fees for Junior League
players are affixed at $150 per player.
- Fees for Intermediate
Level players are affixed at $145 per player.
- Fees for Major and Minor
A players are affixed at $130 per player.
- Fees for Minor B players
are affixed at $120 per player.
- Fees for T-Ball players
are affixed at $100 per player.
- Fees for families with
multiple players are reduced by $10 for second player thereafter.
- For those families who
are unable pay the current registration fee, the President shall have a
Committee to review the waiver of such fees and require volunteer
participation in the League (L/L Regulation XIII(c).
- Refunds must be approved
by the President.
B. Player Participation
- Junior Division (competitive) - Players
who are of Little League playing age 14 are eligible to play in the
Junior Division. Team rosters shall not
normally exceed 14 players unless approved by the President or Player Agent.
- Intermediate Division (competitive) -
Players who are of Little League playing age 13 are eligible to play in
the Intermediate Division. Team rosters
shall not normally exceed 14 players unless approved by the President or Player
Agent.
- Major Division (competitive) - Players
who are of Little League playing age 10-12 are eligible to play in the Major
Division. Team rosters shall normally
not exceed 13 players unless approved by the President or Player Agent. All
Players age 12 will play at the Major level unless a waiver is obtained from
District 8.
- Minor A Division (competitive) - Players
who are of Little League playing age 8-11 are eligible to play in the Minor A
Division. Maximum team size will be
determined by the Board of Directors based on the number of players signed up. 8-year olds must
have played at least 1 season of Minor B or equivalent to be capable of playing
at the Minor A level.
- Minor B Division (non-competitive) –
Players who are of Little League age 6-9 are eligible to play at this
level. A player age 6 may play in the
Minor B Division if player has played one (1) year a Little League T-Ball
Division or equivalent. Team rosters shall not exceed 12 players unless
approved by the President & Player Agent. All 9 yr olds must participate in a skills assessment by the league to determine their division placement (Minor B or Minor A).
- T-Ball (non-competitive) - This is the
beginning level of play and only players of Little League age 4-6 are allowed to play at this level. Team rosters shall not exceed 12 players
unless approved by the President & Player Agent.
C. Adult Participation & Umpire Duties
- As a condition of
service to the League, all managers, coaches, Board of Director members,
and any other volunteers who provide regular service to the League and/or
have regular access to, or contact with players or teams, must complete
and submit an official "Little League Volunteer Application" to
the local League president every year.
- All Volunteer applicants
must submit to a background check before the volunteer can assume his/her
duties for the current season.
- Refusal to submit a fully
completed "Little League Volunteer Application" shall result in
the immediate dismissal of the individual from working around the players
and other minors of the local League. (L/L Regulation I (b) & (c).
- The league will not
permit "any person to participate in any manner, whose background
check reveals a conviction or guilty plea for any crime involving or
against a minor" (L/L Regulation I (c) 9).
- Umpire Duties of
Managers (instituted in 2020 season)
- Managers are
responsible for supplying a team of two umpires (home plate and bases) to
the following number of games:
- Majors:
provide umpires for a minimum of 3 Minor A games
- Minor
A: provide umpires for a minimum of 3 Major games
- Minor
B: provide umpires for a minimum of 2 Minor A games
- Managers are encouraged
to use their assistant coaches as a partner in the umpiring requirement
- Managers will
self-schedule their games with the Umpire Coordinator at the start of the season.
- The league and/or
District 8 will offer training sessions for all umpires.
- Managers are
responsible for securing qualified replacement umpires if they are not able to meet
a commitment. The Umpire Coordinator must approve anuy replacement personnel.
- If the manager does not
fulfill a commitment, the board will take whatever action it deems
appropriate, including the possibility of a 1-game suspension.
D. Skills Assessment (Tryouts)
- The Player Agent will
conduct two (2) Skills Assessment sessions at the beginning of each
season, attended by all coaches in the relevant competitive divisions. These Skills Assessment shall take place in January and/or
February. An optional practice
session is recommended before the commencement of the official Skills Assessment
sessions.
- Every player of playing
age 8-12 must participate in at least one try-out session in order to be
eligible to play at the Major or Minor A Division level; however, if the
Board believes a player possesses adequate skills to play at this level
and missed the Skills Assessment session for a legitimate reason, they may
waive this requirement (L/L Regulation IV (£)).
- Every player of playing age 9, regardless of the division initially registered for, must attend one of the assessments in order to independently gauge their baseball development for possible inclusion in the Minor A draft.
- If there is more than
one Intermediate and/or Junior Division team, there will also be two
Skills Assessment Sessions for prospective players. These sessions will be held at a regulation-sized diamond for the respective divisions.
E. Drafts
- Drafting of players will
occur only at the Major and Minor A Division levels, and the Intermediate
and/or Junior level if there is more than one team.
- Placement of players onto teams in the Minor B and T-Ball divisions is made by the Player Agent in consultation with division managers. The Player Agent is responsible for making any final
decisions.
- Drafting of
Intermediate, Junior, and Major Division players will follow a recurring
"last through first" place system as determined by the prior
year's finish. Example: 2004 season
finish - A's 1st place, Dodgers 2" place, Yankee's 3rd place, Giants
4th place, Rockies 5th place, Red Sox 6th place. The Draft order will be - Red Sox,
Rockies, Giants, Yankees, Dodgers, A's. This order will continue until each team reaches its maximum level
of players as above. If a team does
not carry from a previous year, the managers and Board will discuss
options, including following the draft rules for Minor A.
Bonus Picks (Majors Division Only): Each manager requiring 8 or more players prior to the draft to
complete the roster will be allowed on bonus pick at the completion of
round 4. If more than one manager
is allowed bonus picks under this section, the order of the rotation will
be identical to that being followed in the draft. - Drafting of Minor A
Division players will begin with a "blind draw" for the draft
order (example - place six (6) numbers in a hat and have each manager
select a number). The results of
the draft order will also allow the manager to select his/her team
name. The drafting of Minor A
Division players will follow the "serpentine method." Example:
1-2-3-4-5-6; 6-5-4-3-2-1, etc. This
order will continue until each Minor A team selects 1 fewer than the
maximum players as indicated above. The final player may be placed on each
team by the Player Agent. This
process allows the League to accommodate any older player who signs up
late, or a Minor B player whom the Player Agent determines should play at
this level. All Minor A teams shall
carry the maximum roster by the end of the second week of play.
- No player can be drafted
to the Major Division Level unless that player has participated in at
least one (1) year of competition at the Minor A level (or equivalent as determined by the Player Agent) with the exception
of Little League Aged 12 year old player. Any exception to this rule shall require a majority vote of the
Board quorum present at any Board meeting.
- Limit of players at
certain ages: It is intention of the Board that no Majors or Minor A team
have more than 8 players at each age level. The Board, acting through the Player
Agent, has the authority to modify this limit depending on enrollments in
a given year.
F. Trading of Players
- The trading of players at
the Junior, Intermediate, Major, or Minor A Division level is allowed in accordance
with Little League Operating Manual. However, this practice is discouraged because of the precedent and
issues that may arise from trades.
G. Loss of
Players/Teams
- A manager of a Junior,
Major, or Minor A Division team who loses a player for a justifiable
reason (i.e., illness, injury, player moves) shall notify the Player Agent of
such fact within one week of learning of such loss. Failure to do so shall
result in a 1-game suspension for that manager. Note: the playing ability of the player "shall not be Considered a
justifiable reason" (LL Regulation III (d).
- A manager of any
Division level team who has a player that misses two or more consecutive
games, or three or more consecutive practices, without notification to the manager, shall immediately notify
the Player Agent of such fact. The
Player Agent shall contact the player and parent/guardian to determine the
reason.
- If a Major Division team
loses a player, and the loss is approved by the Board, the Manager must
select a replacement through the Player Agent within 10 days. Failure to do so shall result on a
one-game suspension for that manager. The replacement player must come from the Minor A Division in
accordance with the By-Law provisions D-2 & E-4.
- If a Major Division
Manager selects a replacement player through this process, and the
selected player refuses to move up to the Major Division level, that
player will be ineligible to move up to any other Major Division team for
the remainder of that season. In
addition, no player on a Minor A team can be forced to move up
within five games of the end of the regular playing season.
H. Increase/Decrease
in the Number of Junior, Intermediate and Major Division Teams
- If it becomes necessary
to increase the number of Junior, Intermediate, or Major Division Teams,
the Board will approve such increase and determine the number of teams to
add and how to go about an expansion following Little League Rules and
Regulations.
- If it becomes necessary
to decrease the number of Junior, Intermediate, or Major Division Teams,
the Board will approve such decrease and determine which team is to be
eliminated (normally this would be the team with the least amount of
returning players).
- Those players on the
eliminated team will be placed into a special draft that will be conducted
before the regular season draft begins. Once all players from the
eliminated team have been selected, the regular draft will begin. No player from any eliminated Major
Division Team shall be returned to the Minor-A level under any
circumstance.
I. Playing Time &
Batting Order (Regular Season/H-T Playoffs/T.O.C’s)
- Playing time
for Junior, Intermediate, Major and Minor A Division players shall follow
Little League Regulation IV (i) that requires a minimum participation time of six consecutive defensive outs (at any position) and one at-bat (resulting in the batter reaching base safely or getting out).
Managers should make every effort to allow three innings of play. Should players not receive minimum play
in a game, they must start the next game and play any previous
requirements not completed, as well as the required play for the current game, before
being removed (LL IV(i)).
- Every player
on a T-Ball or Minor B team shall participate in the field on defense according
to the local division rules.
- The batting order for
the Junior and Intermediate teams shall follow the normal batting order
process, in which the starting 9 players bat in the order.
- The batting order for
the Major Division teams shall include every person on the roster
(continuous batting) for the first half of the
season. Thereafter, batting order procedure will be used as
determined by the Managers and the Board. . If
the League decides on a 9-player batting order, then standard minimum play rules must be followed.
- The batting order for
the Minor A, Minor B, and T-Ball Divisions shall always include every person on
the roster (continuous batting).
J. Game Time Limits and Extra Innings
- Regulation Junior, Intermediate, and Majors division games shall last no longer than 7 innings (Majors: 6 innings) or two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes, whichever occurs first. See below for information about Extra Innings. The clock shall start when the Home Plate umpire first puts the ball in play. The time limit is a "drop dead" time limit with no extensions for finishing an inning. When a "drop dead" occurs, the final score reverts to the score at the conclusion of the last completed inning.
- Regulation Minor A division games shall last no longer than 6 innings or two (2) hours, whichever occurs first. See below for information about Extra Innings. The clock shall start when the Home Plate umpire first puts the ball in play. The time limit is a "drop dead" time limit with no extensions for finishing an inning. When a "drop dead" occurs, the final score reverts to the score at the conclusion of the last completed inning.
- Minor B division games shall last
no more than 6 innings or one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes,
whichever occurs first. The clock shall start when the first pitch is delivered to the first batter of the game. Managers have discretion to agree to finish an inning after the time has expired. No new innings may be started after time has expired.
- T-Ball division games shall last
no more than 4 innings or one (1) hour, whichever occurs first. The clock shall start when the first batter of the game starts their at-bat. Managers have discretion to agree to finish an inning after the time has expired. No new innings may be started after time has expired.
- Extra Innings (Minor A, Majors, Intermediate, and Juniors divisions only)
- When time has not yet expired, the following rules for Extra Innings will be used:
- At the beginning of each half of an extra inning, the batting team will place a designated runner at second base. The designated runner is determined to be the batter in the position before the leadoff hitter for that inning. No pinch runners or other substitutions are allowed in placing the runner in extra innings.
- Extra innings shall proceed until a win occurs or the time limit is reached. If time expires, the final score reverts back to the score at the conclusion of the last completed inning.
K. Protesting Games
- There are no protests
allowed at the Minor B or T-Ball level.
- A protest at any other level can only be lodged by a manager regarding an interpretation of a ground rule, including player eligibility and must be made immediately after the action being protested (or before the start of a game in the case of player eligibility).
- A protest at the Minor A
level shall involve the Chief Umpire, any assistant umpire, and the League
President or his/her representative. In the event there is only one field umpire, the President shall
appoint another Board member or uninvolved parent to comprise a three-person
protest committee. The protest shall be resolved before the game resumes.
- A protest at the Major
Division level shall be made in accordance with Rule 4.19 (t). Every effort will be made to resolve the
protest before the game resumes. However, if it cannot be made at that
time, the game will resume until the protest committee can meet on the
matter.
L. Hoover Tyler
Little League Playoff Format
Note: Playoffs normally apply only to Junior, Intermediate, Majors, and Minor A
divisions.
- In any competitive division that has two teams participate in the regular season in the Junior, Intermediate, Majors and/or Minor-A division, a one-game playoff shall be used to determine the local champion.
- In any competitive division that has three teams for the regular season, a Local Champion shall be determined by a single elimination playoff game between a 1st half winner and a 2nd half winner (Regular Season Rules will be in effect). If the same team is the winner of both halves, that team shall be declared the Local Champion for the division.
- In any competitive division with four or more teams, a Local Champion shall be determined by a double-elimination tournament with each team seeded according to its win-loss percentage over the course of the whole season.
- In both formats, the following rules will determine the structure of the championship:
- The team with the best record in each half will be considered the winner for that half (1st Half/2nd Half format only)
- Win-Loss records will include local league games and interleague games.
- In the event of a tie between two or more teams, the following tiebreakers will determine each half winner.
- Head-to-head record
- Local league record (if division participated in interleague play)
- Total runs allowed (all season, lowest to highest)
- Total runs scored (all season, highest to lowest)
- Margin of victory (all season)
- Margin of victory shall be calculated as the total number of runs scored during the regular season minus the number of runs allowed.
- If only 1 team
participates in the regular season in the Junior, Intermediate, Majors
and/or Minor A division, that team shall be declared the Local Champion
for their respective division and shall advance to District 8 Tournament
of Champions (TOC’s).
M. Hoover Tyler
Little League-Local Championship Team
- Local Champions in the
Junior, Intermediate, Majors, and Minor A division shall advance to the
District 8 Tournament of Champions (TOCs) as Hoover Tyler Little League’s
representative.
N. All-Star Manager
Selections
- Minor A, Major,
Intermediate, and Junior level coaches and/or managers interested in
managing an All-Star team must submit an application to the current league
Vice President and President no later than May 15th indicating
their age level preference (8-10, 9-11, 10-12, Intermediate and Junior).
- Prospective All-Star
managers may apply for more than one All Star team.
- All interested
coaches/managers must be in good standing within the league, according to
the following criteria:
- All prospective All-Star
managers must be from the official list of approved managers/coaches for
the current season.
- All volunteer paperwork
has been turned in and approved.
- All prospective All-Star
managers must exhibit the ideals of fair play in keeping with the spirit
of Little League Baseball.
- All Prospective All-Star
managers must have participated in a minimum of 60% of their team’s
regular season games in some capacity (Manager/Asst. Coach).
- The Board of Directors
will review the All-Star Manager applications and vote on individual team
Managers at a meeting of The Board of Directors no later than May 30th.
- If only one application
is received for an individual age group, that applicant shall be deemed
the All-Star Manager for that particular team upon Board approval.
- If more than one
application is received for an individual All-Star team, the managing
positions will be selected by a democratic voting process (ballot,
silent, open, or other mutually agreed upon process).
- Prospective managers
who are also current board members may contribute a vote.
- In the event of a tie
between two (2) or more prospective All-Star managers, a re-vote must
take place between the tied applicants.
- In the event that the
voting is still tied between two (2) or more applicants, the League
President will select three (3) board members, or President plus two (2)
board members to determine the winner by a vote of the three. Voting
will be in a manner consistent with the original vote.
- Selected All Star
Managers must select two official coaches and submit their names in
writing to the League President, Vice President and Player Agent by May
31st.
- Official coaches must be
approved Little League coaches for the current season and meet all the
guidelines previously set forth for All Star Managers.
O. All-Star Team
Player Recommendations and Guidelines
- Rules and Guidelines for
all All-Star Divisions (8-10, 9-11, 10-12(Little League), Intermediate and Juniors).
- All players aged 8-14
(League Age) playing in the Minor A, Major, Intermediate and Junior
divisions are eligible for All Stars.
- Players must have
played in a minimum of 60% of their team’s regular-season and postseason
games to be eligible.
- Players must be in good
standing with the league.
- Players must have
completed the All-Star registration process by May 15th to be
eligible.
- Each team will consist
of a minimum of twelve (12) players and a maximum of fourteen (14)
players. Little League Baseball
encourages 14 players.
- Junior All-Star Team.
Players aged 12-14 are eligible for the Junior All Star team provided
they played a minimum of 60% of regularly scheduled Junior division
games.
- Intermediate All Star
Team. Players aged 11-13 are eligible for the Intermediate All-Star team
provided they played a minimum of 60% of regularly scheduled Intermediate
division games.
- 10-12 (Little League)
All Star Team. Players aged 10-12 who played in the Major division are
eligible for this team.
- 9-11 All Star Team.
Players aged 9-11 from both the Major and Minor A division are eligible
for this team.
- 8-10 All Star Team. Players
aged 8-10 from both the Major and Minor A division are eligible for this
team.
- Player Recommendations
- Regular season managers
will submit an official Player Recommendation form to the league
President and/or Vice President no later than May 22nd. Managers will be
supplied with all requisite forms and player eligibility information by
the Player Agent no later than May 17th. This data will be used to guide the eventual formation of the teams.
- Managers may only
recommend players from their current division.
- Managers may only
select players from the provided list of eligible players.
- Managers may recommend
up to three (3) players from their own team.
- Managers may recommend
up to nine (9) players total.
- Managers are encouraged
to take into account each player's current season performance and adherence to
Little League Baseball’s code of conduct.
- All
Star Player Selection
- All Star Player
Recommendation forms will be presented by the League President and Vice
President at a meeting of the Board of Directors to the Board of
Directors no later than May 30th.
- The league Secretary
and Player Agent will tally the player recommendations when provided by
the league President and/or Vice President. Recommendations will be
categorized by number (#) of recommendations for each player in the
following categories.
- Category 1, players recommended
unanimously in their division.
- Category 2, players
recommended by a majority (50% or more) in their division.
- Category 3, players
recommended by a minority (less than 50%) in their division.
- Category 4, eligible
players who did not receive a recommendation.
- The Board of Directors
will approve the All-Star Player Recommendations and categories of
players.
- Elected All Star
Managers will be provided a list showing the results of the player
recommendations no earlier than May 31st to prepare for the
selection process.
- In consultation with the elected All Star
Managers and Coaches for each All-Star team, along with the League
President, Vice President or a designated Board Member will meet to
select individual All-Star teams, from the Board of Directors’ approved list of players, no later than May 31
- Players in Category 1
who received recommendations unanimously must be selected by an All-Star
Manager first (Major Division Category 1 players aged 12 must be
selected for the (10-12) Little League All Star Team).
- Players in Category 2
who received a majority of the recommendations shall be selected after
all Category 1 players have been selected.
- Players in Categories
3 and 4 shall be selected after all players in Categories 1 and 2 have
been selected. Players in Category 3 who received at least 1
recommendation should be considered before selecting a player in
Category 4 who did not receive a recommendation.
- The League President,
Vice President or other designated Board Member must approve each team
final All-Star roster. Players may be notified no earlier than June 1st.
- The Player Agent will
provide each All-Star Manager with complete contact information of their
All-Star roster, as well as a checklist of required documents from each
player’s family no later than June 1st.
P. Disciplinary Measures
- All managers and coaches
are expected to participate in League efforts to maintain or improve the
League including annual field maintenance days. In addition, all managers and coaches
are expected to participate in umpiring duties when so required. Failure to comply with these
requirements shall result in a one-game suspension unless a reasonable
explanation is given. The decision
to suspend shall be left to the discretion of The Board of Directors. Any
affected manager or coach shall have the right to appeal such suspension
to the Board in person or in writing.
- Any manager, coach, or
player ejected from a game shall suffer a one-game suspension in
accordance with Little League rule 4.07.
- Any spectator
ejected from the game shall leave the premises immediately (game will be
suspended until individual complies). Failure to comply with these
requirements shall result in a one-game suspension unless a reasonable
explanation is given. The decision
to suspend shall be left to the discretion of The Board of Directors. Any
affected individual shall have the right to appeal such suspension to the
Board in person or in writing.
Q. Field Prep Responsibilities for Games
- Home manager (pre-game):
- Set out one trash can
with liner near each dugout
- Drag all dirt areas and
water any dirt areas of the infield
- Chalk the baselines and
batter’s boxes using approved equipment and league methods
- Install bases
- Minor B: setup and test
pitching machine if used
- Visiting manager
(post-game):
- Put away bases
- Drag and rake all dirt playing areas
- Empty and put away both
trash cans
- Minor B: put away
pitching machine if used
When an interleague game occurs at HTLL, the HTLL manager is responsible for both home and visiting manager duties.
MAJOR Division
- No non-team member may
serve as a batboy.
- Protests are allowed at
the Major division level
- The two managers must
try to resolve the issue with the umpires; only rule interpretations may be protested. No protests are allowed for judgement calls.
- If the umpires and
managers cannot resolve the issue, the game can be protested and brought
before the protest committee
- All ejections from the
game will cause the offending manager, coach, or player to also be
disqualified the next regular season game (per Little League regulations).
- Visiting and managing
teams must complete their field duties as laid out on the schedule.
- The 10-run rule after 4 innings and the 15-run rule after 3 innings are
in effect.
- There is a 10-run limit per inning. The inning is immediately over after the 10th run crosses the plate, regardless of any other action, such as a home run, that would normally allow additional runs to score. This rule will be in effect when
interleague games are hosted at Hoover Tyler.
- A complete game will be
after 4 full innings, or 3.5 if the home team is winning when the game is called.
- The home team will
supply an official scorekeeper for each game. In the case of discrepancy between
scorebooks, this book will have the final word. GameChanger will be
utilized for official scorekeeping.
- The umpire will decide
when to call games due to darkness or weather.
- All rainouts and
continued games must be made within the next two Saturdays.
- All teams failing to
make up their games within the given period will be assessed a win for the
purposes of next year’s draft (potentially lowering their position in the draft).
- All teams must have a
minimum of 2 adults (managers & coaches) on the field at all
times. One adult must be in the
dugout area at all times.
- In the event a manager
or coach is removed from a game and one or less adults remain, the
remaining manager or coach may choose another adult to assist them. If no managers or coaches remain, the
game will be declared a forfeit in favor of the team that did not have
all of their staff removed from the game.
- No players are allowed
to go to the snack bar during the game.
- All players and managers
must notify the umpire to depart the field and dugout area.
- All male players are
required to wear an athletic supporter.
- All male catchers must
wear a protective cup.
- Managers cannot be held
responsible for the conduct of their fans, but
- At the first regular
season game, before the first pitch, the manager must talk to the fans
about appropriate fan behavior.
- Managers must notify the
Player Agent and President if any player is absent for more than 2
consecutive games.
- Any
person who is helping at practices must submit a volunteer application and have
a background check done, or else they may not participate.
- First half of season shall use continuous batting. After the first half of the regular
season, teams will use nine (9) player rosters with substitutions.
- League champions will be determined according to the rule laid out in Section L, above.
MINOR A Division
- Continuous batting order
will be utilized throughout the regular season and playoffs games.
- No
non-team member may serve as a batboy.
- No
non-team members are allowed in the dugout or on the field during games.
- Protests
are not allowed at the Minor A level
- The
two managers must try to resolve the issue with the umpire.
- If
the umpire and managers cannot resolve the issue, then the UIC of the game
(plate umpire) will make the final decision before the next pitch.
- All
protests must be resolved before the next pitch.
- All
ejections from the game will cause the offending manager, coach, or player to
also be disqualified for the next regular season game (per Little League
regulations).
- Visiting
and managing teams must complete their field duties as laid out on the
schedule.
- The 10-run rule after 4 innings and the 15-run rule after 3 innings are
in effect.
- The 5-run rule limit per inning is in effect. The inning is immediately over after the 5th run crosses the plate, regardless of any other action, such as a home run, that would normally allow additional runs to score.
- A
complete game will be after 4 full innings, or 3.5 if the home team is winning.
- The
home team will supply an official scorekeeper for each game. In the case of discrepancy between
scorebooks, this book will have the final word. GameChanger will be utilized
for official scorekeeping.
- The
umpire will decide when to call games due to darkness or weather.
- All
rainouts and continued games must be made up within the next two Saturdays.
- All
teams must have a minimum of 2 adults (managers & coaches) on the field at
all times. One adult must be in the
dugout area at all times.
- In
the event a manager or coach is removed from a game and one or less adults
remain, the remaining manager or coach may choose another adult to assist
them.
- If
no managers or coaches remain, the game will be declared a forfeit in favor of
the team that did not have all of their staff removed from the game.
- No
players are allowed to go to the snack bar during the game.
- All
players and managers must notify/ask the umpire to depart the field and dugout
area.
- All
male players are encouraged to wear a protective cup.
- All
catchers must wear a protective cup.
- Managers
cannot be held responsible for the conduct of their team's fans, but before
the first regular season game, the manager must talk to
the fans about appropriate fan behavior.
- Managers
must notify the Player Agent and President if any player is absent for more
than 2 consecutive games.
- A runner is
automatically out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around
a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. This applies to all bases.
- Any
person who is helping at practices must submit a volunteer application and have
a background check done, or else they may not participate.
MINOR B Division
- Only players and
authorized adults are allowed in the dugout or on the field during games.
- No non-team member may
serve as a batboy/batgirl.
- Protests are not allowed
at the Minor B division level.
- Players must remain at
their field/dugout during the entire game
- One adult must be in the
dugout at all times.
- All players must ask
their manager or coach for permission to depart the field or dugout area
to use the restroom. No other reasons are permitted.
- Players must be
escorted to the restroom and back.
- All male catchers must
wear a protective cup. All male players are encouraged to wear a cup.
- Managers and coaches are
allowed to go anywhere on the field during play.
- Manager and coaches may
wear a full baseball uniform while on the field during play.
- Before the first regular
season game, managers must talk to parents and other family members about
appropriate game behavior.
- Any person who is
helping at practices and/or games must fill out a volunteer application
and pass the league background check.
- The on-duty board member
will decide when to call games because of darkness or inclement
weather. Safety must be the main
concern at all games.
- Managers must notify the
Player Agent and President if any player is absent for more than two
consecutive games.
Minor B Game Play Protocols
Final version approved by the Board on March 8, 2023
- Emphasis is placed on
playing the game fairly and for fun, not for the win. For most of the season, game scores are not
kept and should be de-emphasized - we all win.
- Games shall last no more
than six complete innings or 75 minutes, whichever comes first. Managers have discretion to finish an inning that is in progress when the time limit occurs.
- There are no tiebreakers
or make-up games.
- Coaches pitch to their
own team, either by hand or using a league-provided pitching machine
- The offensive coach
pitcher or their designee shall act as the umpire while their team is
batting.
- Batting order will be continuous the entire season.
- Stealing and bunting is
not permitted.
- Defensive alignment and
minimum defensive play:
- Up to 10 defensive players are allowed on the field, including a catcher.
- Only one player is allowed on the infield grass in the pitcher position, positioned on either side of the pitching mound.
- Four infielders may be positioned anywhere on the dirt, but coaches should teach the traditional infield positions and position their players accordingly.
- A “rover” may be positioned behind second base at the edge of the outfield grass.
- All players must play a minimum of two consecutive innings on defense and no player can sit out more than one inning.
- NOTE: It is understood that not all players will sit out each game, and games might not last longer than two innings. Coaches are responsible for rotating their rosters throughout the season so that a player does not sit out again before all other players on the team have sat out.
- Runners may, at their
own risk, attempt to advance a maximum of one base on the first overthrown ball
that stays in play. Additional overthrows that occur as part of the same play shall be ignored and runners sent back to the base last touched after the first overthrow.
- Overthrows that go out of play are treated in accordance with standard baseball rules.
- On a batted ball in
play, the batter and any runners will typically advance base-to-base
unless put out by the defense.
- The batter and any runners
may advance two bases on a hit that reasonably warrants extra bases.
- Coaches shall not take advantage of defensive inexperience to advance
runners additional bases.
- Triples and inside-the-park home runs are not
allowed.
- Batted balls that hit the
coach pitcher, or any piece of the pitching machine, or the ball bucket
(if used) are considered fair balls and in play. Play on!
First Half of Season:
- Batting will be continuous, with each player batting in every inning, even if not playing defensively.
- If a batter does not hit the ball into fair territory after five (5) pitches, then the batter will receive a base on balls (walk).
- Batters cannot strike out in the first half of the season.
- If the batter-runner or baserunner is put out by the defense, the runner is removed from the bases but no "out" is counted. Batting continues even if there have been three "outs".
Second Half of
Season:
The precise date when the second half begins will be determined by the league President and communicated to the managers ahead of time.
- Batting will be continuous, with all players present at the game placed into the batting lineup.
- If a batter does not hit the ball into fair territory after three (3) swinging strikes, then the batter will be counted as an out (strikeout). Foul balls are counted as strikes only until the batter has two strikes. Subsequent foul balls are not counted as strikes and the batter will receive additional pitches.
- Coaches may give the batter an additional pitch if one is reasonably considered to have been unhittable, regardless of whether the player swings or not. No strike shall be assessed if the pitch is considered to have been unhittable.
- Each inning, the offensive team bats until one of the following occurs: a) some combination of defensive outs and strikeouts results in three outs or b) five runs have scored.
- Batters cannot be given a base on balls (walk).
TEE-BALL Division
- Two GOALS:
FUN and SAFETY!!
- Soft
Tee-balls will be used for games and practices.
- Batters will
hit balls placed on Tees. Coach
pitch will be optional in the Tee Ball Division for the final 3 games of
the season, at the discretion of the Manager.
- If the
option of Coach Pitch is used, the entire team must be pitched to.
- If a player
does not put the ball in play after five pitches, the tee shall be brought
out and that player is to hit from the tee during that at bat.
- No non-team
member may serve as a batboy.
- No non-team
members are allowed on the field during games.
- Emphasis is
placed on playing the game FAIRLY and for FUN, not for the win.
- Game scores
should not be kept - we all win.
- There are no
tiebreakers or make-up games at Tee-ball.
- All teams
must have a minimum of 2 adults (managers & coaches) on the field at
all times. Additionally, one adult
must be in the dugout area at all times when the team is batting.
- Managers and
coaches are allowed to go anywhere on the field during play.
- No players
are allowed to go to the snackbar during the
game.
- All players
must ask their manager or coach for permission to depart the field and
dugout area. Keep track of your
players.
- There will
be no traditional catchers at the Tee Ball level. A player may serve as a
catcher with the assistance of a coach.
- Managers
must notify the Player Agent and President if any player is absent for
more than 2 consecutive games.
- Stealing is
not permitted at the Tee-ball level. Bunting is not permitted at the Tee-ball level.
- All players
will bat in the line-up (Continuous Batting).
- All players should have equal opportunity to play defense, though during an inning managers may choose to rotate a subset of players into the game defensively with the remaining players working on drills in the outfield. No fewer than 7 players shall be on defense at any time. Managers are encouraged to position the players in traditional defensive positions as much as possible.
- 1 hour game time limit, or 4 innings, whichever comes
first.
- One half
inning is when all members of the team have batted. There is no limit on the number of outs,
and baserunners are not removed from a base if put out by the defense.
- The team
manager and coaches may wear a full baseball uniform on the field during
play.
- To end the
play, the ball is thrown to the pitcher who returns it to the coach at home plate.
- There are no
strikeouts or walks.
- Managers are
responsible for field prep and clean-up duties – separate attachment.
- Any person
who is helping at practices or games must submit a volunteer application
and have a background check done, or else they may not participate.