Revised 3/2017
PERRYSBURG AMATEUR BASEBALL/SOFTBALL COMMISSION SUPPLEMENTAL PLAYING RULES MAJOR BOYS BASEBALL I.
GENERAL These playing rules are adopted pursuant to Article XXIV of the BY-LAWS of the PABSC and reflect the League philosophy in accordance with the purpose and objectives set forth in Articles I and II of said By-Laws.
II.
RULE PRIORITY 1st – Local 2nd – AABC
III.
LEAGUE The Major Boys league is a competitive league. It shall consist of boys entering the 5th and 6th grades. This is a competitive league and follows the supplemental rules contained herein. Players must live and/or attend school in the city of Perrysburg. Extreme weather conditions: if the heat index exceeds 100 degrees (for all age groups), the fields will be closed. See website for further details and instruction.
IV.
ELIGIBILITY a. Ages i. No one playing in the PABSC will play in a league lower or higher than their age/grade dictates. Proof of age (birth certificate) will be required at the time of registration. No special allowances will be made for any child with regard to this rule. b. Fees i. No one may practice or play in a game until fees are paid and registration/liability waivers are completed. ii. Fees may be waived/reduced based on financial hardship at the discretion of the Board of Governors. c. Conduct i. Any player or coach may be excluded from league activities for conduct uncomplimentary or detrimental to the league as determined by the League Commissioner and the Board of Governors. d. Team Priority i. A player may play for only one team in the PABSC League. They may play for other area teams as long as they have their Coach’s approval and the Perrysburg team is their first priority in case of game conflict. ii. To avoid forfeits and discourage the rescheduling of games, a player can ‘play up’ to become the 9th person for a team that would otherwise have to play short. Please refer to “Pick Up Rules and Guidelines” for additional regulations regarding the use of ‘pick up’ players. iii. Players can serve as alternates for the PABSC travel teams and play for those teams when they become short-handed. This will be allowed as long as the coach is notified and grants permission, and there is not a conflict with the house team’s schedule. League pitching restrictions will remain in effect.
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e. Team Rosters i. Late registrants will be assigned as openings occur by the League Commissioner and the Director of Player Personnel. PLAYING REQUIREMENTS Playing requirements will be enforced in all house league games except if a team is competing against a team outside of the PABSC League. In this case, the said rules shall be discretionary and subject to the league rules in which the PABSC teams are participating. a. Playing Time i. Major Boys will abide by a 2 hour and 15 minute time limit. Once the inning has started it shall be completed. Exceptions to the above may be: 1. Every player on the team in good standing must play at least four (4) innings on the field per game. ii. Exceptions to the above may be: 1. Disciplinary reasons (opposing team manager must be notified) 2. Complete game of less than full length 3. Incomplete games due to weather, darkness, etc. 4. When a team does not field in the bottom of a seven (7)inning game iii. To facilitate everyone playing, a player may re-enter a game provided: 1. They must re-enter by retaking a position in the field at the start of an inning unless there is an injury, in which event a player may enter onto the field at any time. This is to permit a coach to alternate players every other inning, but not to permit a coach to move players in and out defensively depending on the opposition’s batter. iv. During tournaments there is no time limit, a complete game must be played, and a winner will be determined. Note: Extra innings may be required. v. Note: the Major Boys division will play with 3 outfielders. b. Batting Order i. All eligible players will be placed in the batting order. ii. Any late arriving player(s) will be added to the bottom of the batting order iii. If a player leaves before the game is completed, their batting slot shall be scratched unless the batting order will consist of less than nine (9) players. In this case, when their batting slot comes up, it shall be recorded as an out. c. Pitching Restrictions
Major
V.
Innings/Game 3 i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.
Innings/Calendar Week 7
Calendar week starts Monday and ends on Sunday. There will be five (5) warm up pitches between innings. Relief pitchers shall receive five (5) warm up pitches upon entering the game. One inning consists of three outs. Once a pitcher has been pulled, they cannot pitch again. Pitching records concerning the number of innings pitched per game and per week must be kept in each team’s scorebook. 2 PABSC MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
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vii. If a game is postponed and has to be re-scheduled the pitching and catching restrictions apply for the week the game is made up. viii. A pitcher will be able to come into the game to pitch whether he is on the bench or in the field. The penalty for failure to comply with the above shall constitute a forfeit for the offending team, when a protest is submitted at the completion of the game to the umpire and to the League Commissioner within forty-eight (48) hours. MERCY RULES
Major
VI.
VII.
Runs/Inning 7 (including in last inning)
Runs Ahead At End of Inning to Win 15 after 4 innings 10 after 5 innings
SUPPLEMENTARY RULE EXCEPTIONS a. No infield fly rule b. Walks i. Once the count reaches four (4) balls, the batter will be granted first base. ii. After a walk, a player cannot take off for 2nd base until one pitch has been thrown. iii. No intentional walks are permitted c. Hit batsmen i. A batter that is hit by a pitch will be granted first base. d. Overthrows i. Only one base can be earned on an overthrow. Extra bases are not automatic, if the runner is thrown out – they are out. If another overthrow occurs this process repeats. e.
Slug Bunting - Fake Bunt / Swing Prohibited i. A Slug bunt is squaring to bunt and then pulling the bat back and swinging away. This puts players in danger and will not be permitted. ii. Slug bunt attempts will result in the batter being out and all base runners returning to the pre-pitch position on the field.
VIII. SEASON a. A full season will comprise completion of all games scheduled by the League. i. The regular season champion will be the team with the highest winning percentage. ii. In case of a tie, the below tie breakers will be used: 1. Head-to-head result 2. Runs allowed (in official league play) 3. Runs scored (in official league play) 4. Coin flip iii. House Tournament seeding will be based on regular season winning percentage. 3 PABSC MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
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GAMES a. Preliminaries and conduct i. Before the game, the head coach from each team and umpire will meet to establish all applicable rules and regulations. ii. The home team is responsible for setting up the bases, putting them away, and replacing the post caps. The away team is responsible for raking the infield, pitcher’s mound, batting boxes, base areas, and leveling any holes caused by play. Both teams are responsible for litter control, especially in their dugout area. iii. Each team will furnish one new unused baseball. iv. The home teams’ scorebook is official at all times – including score and counts on the batter. Therefore, the home teams’ scorebook must be maintained at all times. The winning team coach needs to inform the commissioner of the score no later than the day following the game. The commissioner will keep and post league standings throughout the season. v. Before the game begins, the opposing team managers/coaches will exchange batting lineups and also discuss any player benched for disciplinary reasons. Absent players will be communicated to the other manager/coach in the presence of the umpire. vi. Infields will be off limits for the purpose of batting practice and additional infield practice for the period of time up to the two, 15 minute practice sessions preceding game time. 1. Home team has the field for a fifteen (15) minute warm-up thirty (30) minutes before game time 2. Visiting team has the field for a fifteen (15) minute warm-up fifteen (15) minutes before game time. vii. Only the head coach, assistant coach(s), players and scorekeeper are permitted on the benches during the game. There is no smoking allowed on the field or in the dugout at any time. viii. Only the head coach may formally address the umpire on a disputed play. b. Number of Innings
Major
IX.
Full Length Complete Game 7
Shortened Complete Game 5
No Game (see below) Less than 4 ½
i. Full length games will be 7 and 6 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. Shortened games will be 5 and 4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. There is no game if the weather or darkness requires the umpire to call a game that is less than 4 ½ full innings or less than 4 full innings if the home team is behind. ii. Once the game begins, the plate umpire, alone, has the discretion of delaying or calling a game. The approval of the team managers/coaches is not required, but their opinion should be sought. c. Shortened Complete Games i. Major Boys will abide by a 2 hour and 15 minute time limit. The inning that is being played when the time limit is reached will be the last inning, with the home team batting last. d. Postponed Games 4 PABSC MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
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i. Weather or wet grounds are the only valid reasons for postponement. ii. The 30-Minute rule will be adhered to. Play cannot start or resume until 30 minutes has passed after the last lightning flash or audible thunder. The number of delays allowed will be at the umpire’s and head coaches’ discretion collectively. iii. If the fields are not suitable for play, it will be noted on both the PABSC website and twitter account. iv. All postponed games need to be rescheduled by contacting the Scheduling Director. These games are to be played within two weeks of the week originally scheduled if at all possible. v. All postponed games shall be resumed from the exact point that it was suspended at: 1. Time remaining in accordance to the time limit 2. Same inning 3. Number of outs 4. Batting Order 5. Count for batter 6. Base Runners (if a base runner is absent from original game - use last out runner) 7. Pitcher/ Catcher (current week’s restrictions apply – see restriction section) 8. The umpires will verify the specific details in both scorebooks at the time of postponement and review them prior to resuming. vi. A decision by the League Commissioner and Scheduling Director is necessary to reschedule any game for reasons other than weather (for example, school activities involving or utilizing a number of players from a team). e. Tie Games i. If a game is tied after 7 innings, then it shall go into extra innings; contingent upon the time limit. ii. If neither team is able to defeat the other within two innings, the game is declared a tie. iii. If a game is tied with four or more innings complete and the game is interrupted by weather or darkness, the game will end in a tie. iv. PABSC House Tournament Exception – when a regulation game in the tournament ends in a tie, the International Tie Breaker Rule will be used. 1. A new, full inning will be played until a winner is declared. The game ends when one team is ahead at the end of an inning. 2. At the beginning of each team’s at bat, the last batter who completed their at bat will go to second base. 3. This is not sudden death. 4. No count, or out restrictions will take place. f.
Forfeits i. A forfeit will be ruled by the umpire if a team is unable to field an eight (8) player team within fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled starting time unless the umpire permits a delay because the field is being worked on. If a team is unable to field nine (9) players, the ninth position in the batting order will be an automatic out. ii. Forfeits may also be ruled after the fact by the protest committee for rule violations. iii. In the event a forfeit due to less than eight (8) players, every attempt should be made to play an unofficial game for the sake of the players who did show up.
5 PABSC MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
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MAJOR
g. Field Dimensions Pitching
Bases
50 Feet
70 feet
h. Base Coaching and Running i. Coaching 1. If a player acts as base coach, they must be uniformed and helmeted. If the base coach is an adult, uniforms and helmets are not required. ii. Sliding 1. A runner must slide to avoid serious contact with another player at any base except first. If the runner does not slide and serious contact occurs, the runner will be declared out. If a runner intentionally creates contact with the intent to hurt another player, he will be declared out and ejected from the game at the discretion of the Umpire. iii. Pinch runner/ Courtesy runner 1. At any time, the team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher. This will help speed play up by allowing the catcher to change into the protective gear and/or the pitcher to warm up. The courtesy runner shall be a player that has already batted or the player that recorded the last out. Lead Offs and Stealing
Major
i.
When
Stealing Home
Dropped 3rd Strike
Ball Passes Batter
Yes
No
i. Players can steal every base, including home, once the ball has crossed the plate. This includes wild pitches, passed balls, catcher throwing the ball back to the pitcher, etc. ii. If a runner leaves early, the runner will be given a warning. This warning consists of the ball being declared deal and the runners being sent back to their original bases. On the next occurrence, in the same inning, the runner will be called out and the ball will be declared dead. X.
UMPIRES a. Assignment i. All umpires for all games will be supplied and scheduled by the Umpire Director b. Number of Umpires i. Major Boys will have two umpires - one plate umpire and one field umpire. 1. If for some reason an umpire does not show, the coaches may mutually pick a spectator to call the game in order to get it in as scheduled. The Umpire Director should be notified of this no show.
c. Calling Games 6 PABSC MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
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i. Once the home plate preliminaries are completed, the home plate umpire is in complete charge of the game. ii. The umpire may hold up or stop the game for weather conditions. If the game is held up for more than thirty (30) minutes it will be called off. iii. The umpire will notify managers/coaches at the beginning of the “last inning” due to darkness. d. Appeals i. All appeals are on the coaches. This means the coach has the responsibility to ask the umpire to appeal a play as soon as time is called. e. Time Between Innings i. To keep the game moving, the umpire will limit warm up pitches to five (5) pitches between innings. f.
XI.
Ejections i. In the case of extremely poor behavior, the umpire may eject a player or coach from the game and the premises. The premises are defined as out of sight and sound of the umpire. Failure to comply with this rule may result in forfeiture of the game. Flagrant misconduct such as obscene language or physical contact with an umpire shall be grounds for immediate ejection – no warning. ii. In the event a spectator (regardless of which team he/she may be associated with) persists in conduct detrimental to the PABSC, the umpire may seek the assistance of both head coaches to calm the situation. Coaches are expected to help. In a situation when spectators cannot be controlled, the plate umpire has the right to call the game.
EQUIPMENT a. Clothing i. All players must wear a complete uniform during all official games. This includes a hat. ii. Jewelry or sharp decorative items must be removed or taped. iii. Players are not to wear uniforms to practice sessions. Uniforms are to be worn only during regular games. iv. Catchers may wear any type of glove desired. v. All catchers will wear helmets and throat protectors. vi. Only catchers and first basemen may use a first basemen’s glove. vii. No player’s names will be attached to uniforms. viii. All male catchers must wear a protective cup. b. Spikes i. Steel spikes are prohibited in the Major Boys league. c. Helmets i. All batters and all runners will wear helmets with ear flaps at all times. This is not a warning rule. Penalty for intentionally removing helmet, unless time is called, is to be called out. d. Care of Equipment, Safety of Participants i. Players throwing bats, throwing or kicking helmets, or mistreating League equipment may be ejected from the game - without warning.
7 PABSC MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
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e. Bat Size i. The maximum diameter of any bat used in Major Boys shall not exceed 2 ¼”. ii. The length of any bat used in Major Boys shall not exceed 33”. iii. The total bat weight of any bat used in Major Boys shall not exceed more than 12 oz. minus the length of the bat. (example 32” length – 12 oz. = total bat weight of 20 oz.) iv. Players and or coaches who do not abide by the bat size rule will face the following consequence(s) 1. The first offense will be a dead ball, the batter is out for the at bat and any base runners will have to return to the base they came from. 2. The second offense will result in the player and coach being ejected. The second offense will also result in a review by the commissioner of the league along with the PABSC Board. Please see the first page of the rules under Eligibility in the subcategory of Conduct. XII.
PROTESTS a. Procedures i. Protest can only be made on rules, not on judgment calls made by the umpire. ii. A protest must be made to the umpire and the opposing coach stating the reason on which the protest is being made. The protest must be accompanied by a check of $15.00 made payable to PABSC. The check will be returned if the protest is honored. At the time of the protest, the umpire will mark both scorebooks with respect to the inning, batter, count, outs, call etc. The umpire will also sign the scorebook. iii. All protests must be submitted in writing by the coach within forty-eight (48) hours after game time to a league officer. The Player Personnel Director will appoint a three person protest committee. The protest committee will render a judgment within forty-eight (48) hours after receiving the protest. None of the protest committee members will be a manager/coach in the league nor may them have a relative in that league. iv. The protest committee may solicit written or oral statements from either manager/coach or the umpires involved. Their decision should be in writing to the Player Personnel Director with copies going to both managers/coaches, the Umpire Director, and the PABSC President. b. Investigations i. An investigation may be requested by a manager/coach or league official through the PABSC President for the purposes of determining player eligibility, rule correction/addition, improper conduct, poor umpiring, etc., or any item not normally covered by a protest.
NOTE: This set of supplemental playing rules was compiled from the Master Supplemental Playing Rules set forth by PABSC. These rules are league specific and were assembled to eliminate confusion on specific rules that differed from league to league.
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