farm a special rules
2018 AAA / FARM A SPECIAL RULES “OFFICIAL 2018 LL BASEBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL BE USED EXCEPT AS NOTED” Lineups & Playing Time 1.
All batters shall be in a line up and bat. Latecomers will be added to the end of the lineup.
2.
There is Free defensive substitution – batting order is continuous
3.
All players must play three innings per game in the field. In the case of a game called for darkness or weather which is deemed official does NOT relieve the manager of this rule. If a player does not satisfy the fielding requirements in a shortened game, he must then start the next game and complete both game requirements. Players who arrive late to the game are not required to play three innings in the field.
4.
Mandatory 15 Innings per player of infield play during the regular season.
5.
Less than a full team: a.
Only 8 players available: i.
Regular Season: 1.
For defense, the short team will “borrow” the player who batted last for the other team during the other team’s last at bat, and the “borrowed” player should play left or right field. If the short team is the home team, then it should use the last batter in the other team’s batting order.
2.
For offense, the short team’s lineup will consist of the 8 players available.
3.
Playoffs: The YLL AAA Commissioner, President and Player Agent should be consulted when a team has fewer than 9 players available for a game.
6.
Pitching: Any player who expresses an interest in pitching and can do so safely, should be given an opportunity to pitch. Use the run rule to your benefit to help ease new pitchers into the game.
7.
Catching: Any player who expresses an interest in pitching and can do so safely, should be given an opportunity to pitch.
During the Game 8.
Only 4 runs can be scored in an inning however, in the last inning and extra innings there is no limit. – In effect for entire season including playoffs. In cases where a full six innings are not anticipated to be completed, Managers, along with the umpire should meet and declare the last inning before the start of the top half of the inning
9.
15 Run Travesty Rule: 2-hour time limit on all games – you cannot start another inning after 2 hours. – no time limit for playoff games. Games during regular season that are not complete WILL NOT BE MADE UP.
10. Dropped Third Strike: In AAA only, the batter is out on called or swinging third strike whether or not the catcher catches the ball. 11. NO SLASH BUNTING (Faking a bunt and then taking a full swing IS NOT ALLOWED). This is an automatic out and runners return to their previous base. 12. Courtesy Runner for Catcher in Effect: With 2 outs in an inning, catcher can be replaced as a base runner by last out made. 13. ONE ADULT COACH MUST BE IN THE DUGOUT AT ALL TIMES. Two adult base coaches are permitted as long as at least 3 coaches are at the game. If a player has to coach a base he MUST WEAR A HELMET.
2018 AAA / FARM A SPECIAL RULES Umpires Intimidation of umpires – especially young umpires will not be tolerated. Just like you will probably not make every correct coaching decision in a game, they umpire will probably not make every call correctly. A game may appear to the untrained eye to have been won or lost with a call at home in the last inning, however the game probably was lost innings prior with things under your control: errors, walks, not taking an extra base.
14. ONLY THE MANAGER CAN QUESTION AN UMPIRE. o
Balls and strikes- please do not mumble or question bad strike zones.
o
DO NOT yell OUT or SAFE or make signals as plays happen in the field.
o
JUDGEMENT CALLS CANNOT be appealed.
o
On a point of rule, ex. umpire calls a runner safe, believing it to be a tag play when in fact the runner is forced. Call a time out ask to speak to the umpire. TOGETHER ask the umpire to clarify his call. Explain the rule and ask the umpires to reconsider. ONLY THE TWO MANAGERS MAY GET INVOLVED.
o
No Protests. All issues must be resolved BEFORE the next pitch. If the 2 acting managers and umpires cannot come to an agreement, then the board member on duty or another league official not involved in the game will make the final decision.
15. Equipment Inspection: Each team’s coaches should inspect its equipment prior to each game. At a minimum, inspection should confirm that all bats are LL approved, catcher’s gear is in working order and includes a dangling throat protector, and helmets are free of cracks and stickers. 16. Advancing Runners (Games 1 - 4): The purpose of these base-running modifications is to give coaches time to work with and develop their catchers and fielders since for many this is their first experience with stealing of bases. Even though there is no stealing of home, players should still work on covering home plate during a passed ball. a.
Base runners may advance only one base after an overthrow (no advancing on an overthrow during a steal – this includes missed throw downs by catcher or pitcher). i.
Ex – runner on 1st. Steals second. Throw goes into CF. Runner may advance at their own risk to 3B
ii.
Ex – runner is off the base at 1B, pitcher attempts pick off, runner MAY advance to 2B at their own risk but no further.
b.
When the ball is under control in the infield (anywhere in the dirt), runners may not advance any further than the base they are attempting to reach at the point the ball becomes under control.
c.
There is NO STEALING of HOME for the first 4 games of the season. This means that during the first 4 games of the season the only way a runner can advance home is through being hit in, walked or HBP in (bases loaded)
17. Advancing Runners (Game 5 – End of Season): a.
No restrictions - per LL rules – with the exception of only 2 successful steals of home per inning.
b.
A steal of home is defined as a runner who is on base advancing home and scoring in any manner other than the batter hitting the ball to advance the runner.
2018 AAA / FARM A SPECIAL RULES i.
Example situations: 1.
Runner on 3rd is off the base. Catcher attempts a pickoff throw and it goes into RF. Runner advances home. This is considered a “steal” of home. If there were runners on 2 nd/ 3rd and both scored on the throw this would be the two steals of home.
18. Pitching Rules (a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.) (b) A pitcher once removed from the mound CANNOT return as a pitcher. (c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position: League Age: # of Pitches allowed 11-12 = 85 pitches per day 9-10 = 75 pitches per day 7-8 = 50 pitches per day Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements: • • • • •
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Note: Days of rest are calendar days and begin the day following the pitcher’s outing. For example, if a player pitched 40 pitches on a Saturday morning, their rest days would be Sunday and Monday, being eligible to pitch on Tuesday. Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. In these cases, the pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.
19. End of Year Playoffs: a.
Congratulations – you have made the playoffs, use the regular season to prepare your team for them. End of the season playoffs will be a nine-team single elimination format.
b.
Seeding is based upon a random draw team. The team draw will be conducted in the following manner. i.
Any team who does not meet the 15-infield innings per player minimum and does not have extenuating circumstances will be placed in the 8/9 play in game. If more than two teams do not meet the minimum threshold then a separate drawing will be held.
2018 AAA / FARM A SPECIAL RULES c.
Drawing for seeds will start with seed 1 and move consecutively down until all seeds are filled.
d.
If a team has all players meet the 15-inning minimum are eligible to earn additional opportunities in the drawing i.
Infield innings • •
Each player plays 30 innings (1 additional) Each player plays 45 innings (1 additional)
ii. Pitcher – extra entry for entire roster making a pitching appearance iii. Catcher – extra entry for entire roster catching SAFETY & GAME CONDITIONS • • • • • • • •
In the event of lightning stop the game immediately and seek shelter as directed by league officials. If it is raining managers should help guide the young umpires as to field conditions. Please error on the side of safety When using the batting cages DO NOT allow players to swing the bat outside the cage unless in a supervised drill. No climbing on fences. DO NOT allow players to climb the cages to retrieve baseballs NO SOFT TOSS IS ALLOWED AGAINST ANY FENCE IN THE TOWN OF WALLINGFORD. If you arrive at a field with puddles on it DO NOT push water off the dirt into the grass as this creates lip ALL Injuries must be reported to AAA Commissioner & Player Agent Coaches CANNOT warm up a pitcher on the field or in the cage (LL rule). Use the opportunity to have another player practice
Ideas to keep up pace of game • • • •
Switch catcher out with 2 outs Try to make pitching changes at the beginning of an inning Don’t make a catching change during an inning unless injury Have one coach designated to keep batting order – on deck and in the hole batters with helmets on
AFTER THE GAME • •
•
Please clean out your dugout. HOME TEAM COACHES rake the field. Rakes are located in the equipment shed. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN RAKE. We only need to rake around home, the mound and up the 1B and 3B baselines, being sure to fill in holes. Please rake in the direction of the baseline (long way) not against it. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO RAKE THE ENTIRE FIELD. Visiting team coaches empty the trash bags in both dugouts and outside the dugouts
Please e-mail your pitch counts and final score after each game to Matt Cerasale at [email protected] Contact Information:
Joe Carmen Email: [email protected] Phone: 203.843.6207
All batters shall be in a line up and bat. Latecomers will be added to the end of the lineup.
2.
There is Free defensive substitution – batting order is continuous
3.
All players must play three innings per game in the field. In the case of a game called for darkness or weather which is deemed official does NOT relieve the manager of this rule. If a player does not satisfy the fielding requirements in a shortened game, he must then start the next game and complete both game requirements. Players who arrive late to the game are not required to play three innings in the field.
4.
Mandatory 15 Innings per player of infield play during the regular season.
5.
Less than a full team: a.
Only 8 players available: i.
Regular Season: 1.
For defense, the short team will “borrow” the player who batted last for the other team during the other team’s last at bat, and the “borrowed” player should play left or right field. If the short team is the home team, then it should use the last batter in the other team’s batting order.
2.
For offense, the short team’s lineup will consist of the 8 players available.
3.
Playoffs: The YLL AAA Commissioner, President and Player Agent should be consulted when a team has fewer than 9 players available for a game.
6.
Pitching: Any player who expresses an interest in pitching and can do so safely, should be given an opportunity to pitch. Use the run rule to your benefit to help ease new pitchers into the game.
7.
Catching: Any player who expresses an interest in pitching and can do so safely, should be given an opportunity to pitch.
During the Game 8.
Only 4 runs can be scored in an inning however, in the last inning and extra innings there is no limit. – In effect for entire season including playoffs. In cases where a full six innings are not anticipated to be completed, Managers, along with the umpire should meet and declare the last inning before the start of the top half of the inning
9.
15 Run Travesty Rule: 2-hour time limit on all games – you cannot start another inning after 2 hours. – no time limit for playoff games. Games during regular season that are not complete WILL NOT BE MADE UP.
10. Dropped Third Strike: In AAA only, the batter is out on called or swinging third strike whether or not the catcher catches the ball. 11. NO SLASH BUNTING (Faking a bunt and then taking a full swing IS NOT ALLOWED). This is an automatic out and runners return to their previous base. 12. Courtesy Runner for Catcher in Effect: With 2 outs in an inning, catcher can be replaced as a base runner by last out made. 13. ONE ADULT COACH MUST BE IN THE DUGOUT AT ALL TIMES. Two adult base coaches are permitted as long as at least 3 coaches are at the game. If a player has to coach a base he MUST WEAR A HELMET.
2018 AAA / FARM A SPECIAL RULES Umpires Intimidation of umpires – especially young umpires will not be tolerated. Just like you will probably not make every correct coaching decision in a game, they umpire will probably not make every call correctly. A game may appear to the untrained eye to have been won or lost with a call at home in the last inning, however the game probably was lost innings prior with things under your control: errors, walks, not taking an extra base.
14. ONLY THE MANAGER CAN QUESTION AN UMPIRE. o
Balls and strikes- please do not mumble or question bad strike zones.
o
DO NOT yell OUT or SAFE or make signals as plays happen in the field.
o
JUDGEMENT CALLS CANNOT be appealed.
o
On a point of rule, ex. umpire calls a runner safe, believing it to be a tag play when in fact the runner is forced. Call a time out ask to speak to the umpire. TOGETHER ask the umpire to clarify his call. Explain the rule and ask the umpires to reconsider. ONLY THE TWO MANAGERS MAY GET INVOLVED.
o
No Protests. All issues must be resolved BEFORE the next pitch. If the 2 acting managers and umpires cannot come to an agreement, then the board member on duty or another league official not involved in the game will make the final decision.
15. Equipment Inspection: Each team’s coaches should inspect its equipment prior to each game. At a minimum, inspection should confirm that all bats are LL approved, catcher’s gear is in working order and includes a dangling throat protector, and helmets are free of cracks and stickers. 16. Advancing Runners (Games 1 - 4): The purpose of these base-running modifications is to give coaches time to work with and develop their catchers and fielders since for many this is their first experience with stealing of bases. Even though there is no stealing of home, players should still work on covering home plate during a passed ball. a.
Base runners may advance only one base after an overthrow (no advancing on an overthrow during a steal – this includes missed throw downs by catcher or pitcher). i.
Ex – runner on 1st. Steals second. Throw goes into CF. Runner may advance at their own risk to 3B
ii.
Ex – runner is off the base at 1B, pitcher attempts pick off, runner MAY advance to 2B at their own risk but no further.
b.
When the ball is under control in the infield (anywhere in the dirt), runners may not advance any further than the base they are attempting to reach at the point the ball becomes under control.
c.
There is NO STEALING of HOME for the first 4 games of the season. This means that during the first 4 games of the season the only way a runner can advance home is through being hit in, walked or HBP in (bases loaded)
17. Advancing Runners (Game 5 – End of Season): a.
No restrictions - per LL rules – with the exception of only 2 successful steals of home per inning.
b.
A steal of home is defined as a runner who is on base advancing home and scoring in any manner other than the batter hitting the ball to advance the runner.
2018 AAA / FARM A SPECIAL RULES i.
Example situations: 1.
Runner on 3rd is off the base. Catcher attempts a pickoff throw and it goes into RF. Runner advances home. This is considered a “steal” of home. If there were runners on 2 nd/ 3rd and both scored on the throw this would be the two steals of home.
18. Pitching Rules (a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.) (b) A pitcher once removed from the mound CANNOT return as a pitcher. (c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position: League Age: # of Pitches allowed 11-12 = 85 pitches per day 9-10 = 75 pitches per day 7-8 = 50 pitches per day Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements: • • • • •
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Note: Days of rest are calendar days and begin the day following the pitcher’s outing. For example, if a player pitched 40 pitches on a Saturday morning, their rest days would be Sunday and Monday, being eligible to pitch on Tuesday. Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. In these cases, the pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.
19. End of Year Playoffs: a.
Congratulations – you have made the playoffs, use the regular season to prepare your team for them. End of the season playoffs will be a nine-team single elimination format.
b.
Seeding is based upon a random draw team. The team draw will be conducted in the following manner. i.
Any team who does not meet the 15-infield innings per player minimum and does not have extenuating circumstances will be placed in the 8/9 play in game. If more than two teams do not meet the minimum threshold then a separate drawing will be held.
2018 AAA / FARM A SPECIAL RULES c.
Drawing for seeds will start with seed 1 and move consecutively down until all seeds are filled.
d.
If a team has all players meet the 15-inning minimum are eligible to earn additional opportunities in the drawing i.
Infield innings • •
Each player plays 30 innings (1 additional) Each player plays 45 innings (1 additional)
ii. Pitcher – extra entry for entire roster making a pitching appearance iii. Catcher – extra entry for entire roster catching SAFETY & GAME CONDITIONS • • • • • • • •
In the event of lightning stop the game immediately and seek shelter as directed by league officials. If it is raining managers should help guide the young umpires as to field conditions. Please error on the side of safety When using the batting cages DO NOT allow players to swing the bat outside the cage unless in a supervised drill. No climbing on fences. DO NOT allow players to climb the cages to retrieve baseballs NO SOFT TOSS IS ALLOWED AGAINST ANY FENCE IN THE TOWN OF WALLINGFORD. If you arrive at a field with puddles on it DO NOT push water off the dirt into the grass as this creates lip ALL Injuries must be reported to AAA Commissioner & Player Agent Coaches CANNOT warm up a pitcher on the field or in the cage (LL rule). Use the opportunity to have another player practice
Ideas to keep up pace of game • • • •
Switch catcher out with 2 outs Try to make pitching changes at the beginning of an inning Don’t make a catching change during an inning unless injury Have one coach designated to keep batting order – on deck and in the hole batters with helmets on
AFTER THE GAME • •
•
Please clean out your dugout. HOME TEAM COACHES rake the field. Rakes are located in the equipment shed. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN RAKE. We only need to rake around home, the mound and up the 1B and 3B baselines, being sure to fill in holes. Please rake in the direction of the baseline (long way) not against it. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO RAKE THE ENTIRE FIELD. Visiting team coaches empty the trash bags in both dugouts and outside the dugouts
Please e-mail your pitch counts and final score after each game to Matt Cerasale at [email protected] Contact Information:
Joe Carmen Email: [email protected] Phone: 203.843.6207
