MERIDIAN PARK JUNIOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PARK
MERIDIAN PARK JUNIOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PARK RULES - Fall 2017 The Meridian Park Junior Major League Park Rules are to be followed in conjunction with official 2017 Dizzy Dean rules so please read and familiarize yourself with them. The park will have a copy of the 2017 Dizzy Dean rulebook available at all games along with a copy of the Meridian Park rules. The Meridian Park Board (“the board”), umpires, and coaches are responsible for the enforcement of all applicable rules. The Junior Major League program is for 13-14 year olds and is structured utilizing a 54/80 format. Game Info The head umpire will be provided with 1 new and 2 used game balls for each game. Umpires and coaches are responsible for the return of the balls at the end of the game. During games, game balls hit out of play should be placed in the Dizzy Dean Freshman League field return behind home plate. Each team will be scheduled no more than 2 games per week and games times will be at 5:45 and 7:45. Games will be played on Monday through Thursday at 5:45 and 7:45 and make up games on Friday, scheduled as necessary. Time Limit Game time will be either 7 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes, whichever comes first. No new inning will begin after 1 hour and 45 minutes has passed from game start time as determined by the umpire. If an inning has started, it must be completed. There will be NO immediate stop of the game due to time. The inning will be completed based on who is in the lead. If no winner is determined at that time, the game will be recorded as a tie. Rainouts Weather decisions will be made as soon as possible but not more than one hour before game time. Check the Meridian Park website at www.meridianbaseball.com or visit us on Facebook for updates. Summary of City of Tallahassee Lightning Policy - The City utilizes a weather notification system. Park officials will be notified in real time about weather issues and delays. Information will be shared as it is received and every effort will be made to notify coaches and players of weather delays and cancellations. The board is required to respond to the weather notifications received by the City regardless of the weather conditions present at the time for safety and liability reasons. Games that are rained out will not be rescheduled unless determined necessary by the Meridian Park Board for the season to be considered complete.
Mercy Rule Meridian Park applies a 10 run rule after five innings and a 15 run rule after four innings. If after four complete innings the winning team is ahead by 15 runs, the game will be called. The same rule applies if the winning team is ahead by 10 runs after five innings. Batting Cages/Warm Up The visiting team will have the batting cage for 20 minutes beginning 50 minutes prior to game time and the home team will have the batting cage for 20 minutes beginning 30 minutes prior to game time. Please remember to be courteous to the team awaiting their turn. To avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the batting cage surfaces, players (and coaches) are asked to avoid wearing rubber cleats in the batting cages if at all possible, and under no circumstances should players enter the cages in metal cleats. Food and drink are NOT permitted in the batting cages. The visiting team will have the field for 5 minutes 15 minutes prior to game time with the home team following for 5 minutes. Any coach or player warming up a pitcher from the crouch must wear a protective helmet, whether on the field before/during an inning, or in the bullpens. No exceptions! Player Participation All teams will bat through their entire rosters, regardless of the number of players present. No player will sit for more than one defensive inning in a row. Bats must be BBCOR certified drop three (-3). The diameter of the bat shall be no larger than 2 5/8” barrel. Bats must be 36 inches or less in length. Metal cleats may be worn by players or coaches. Players wearing permanent casts are not allowed to play until the cast has been removed and the doctor has released them to play. There is no “must slide rule” in effect for play; however, any runner is out when he does not slide or attempt to avoid the fielder who has the ball in the proximity of the base and is waiting to make the tag, or if he maliciously runs into a fielder. There will be NO slash bunts or the player will be declared out. Players and coaches will be warned about bat slinging for the first week of games only. Any player called for slinging a bat after the first week of games will be declared out. If a player is injured, becomes ill or must leave the game site after the start of the game, the team will skip over him/her when his/her bat comes up in the order without penalty. If the
injured, ill or absent player returns, he/she is merely reinserted into their original spot in the batting order. A team must have 8 players to play. Should a team be short the required 8 players to start a game, there will not be an automatic forfeit. If the game is to be a forfeit, it must be agreed upon prior to game time by both coaches. It is preferred to play the game. The needed players may be sought from the opposing team’s roster or from the pool player rotation as approved by the board. If a team is unable to secure the required 8 players, then the game will have to be declared a forfeit. Pool players will be required to be placed at the bottom of the “borrowing” team’s roster and must play in the outfield. Teams may use a maximum of two pool players per game unless otherwise approved by the board. If there are 2 outs and your catcher is on base, you can call time out and replace him/her with a courtesy runner. The courtesy runner must be your last recorded out. No courtesy runners are permitted for pitchers. Pitching
Pitch Count and Required Rest Limitations League
Daily Max (Pitches)
11-12 13-14
75 85
Required Rest (Pitches) 0 Days 1-20 1-20
Required Rest (Pitches) 1 Day 21-35 21-35
Required Rest (Pitches) 2 Days 36-50 36-50
Required Rest (Pitches) 3 Days 51-65 51-65
Required Rest (Pitches) 4 Days 66+ 66+
Pitch count example: A pitcher pitches 32 pitches on Monday. The pitcher must rest on Tuesday and will be eligible to pitch again on Wednesday. An inning is interpreted to mean the following: If a pitcher pitches to one (1) batter and is removed from the pitching mound before he is retired, he is only charged with one-third (1/3) of an inning. If he is removed after retiring one (1) batter but after he has pitched to the next batter he is charged with two-thirds (2/3) of an inning. If he is removed after he has retired two batters (2) and has pitched one (1) pitch to the next batter, he is charged with one (1) complete inning. For the first two (2) weeks of the season a pitcher may pitch up to 75 pitches per game and up to 110 pitches per week. After the second week of regular season games a pitcher may pitch up to 85 pitches per game and up to 130 pitches per week. A pitcher may finish the batter if the limit is reached before the batter is retired. Scorekeepers will record official pitch counts and innings pitched. Pitchers may pitch on consecutive days as long as they do not violate any pitching rules. If a pitcher pitches beyond his allotted innings per game, per day, per week because of a double or triple play there is no penalty. (He was legal when the pitch was made).
If any pitcher pitches four (4) full innings and then throws to another batter in the same game, he will not be eligible to pitch until he has had 36 hours rest, beginning with the time he leaves the pitching mound. Once a pitcher has been removed from the mound, he may not return to the mound in the same game. Balks Balks will be called an enforced the entire season. There will be no warning period for Fall season. Please refer to your DD Rule Book for balk clarification. Coaches Coaches need to fill out roster cards for each game providing their player’s names and numbers in the order that they will be batting. A copy should be provided to the umpire and the opposing team at least 10 minutes prior to game start. Please list any pool players last and identify them. It is the responsibility of each coach to make sure that their players stay hydrated. Water will be provided in each dugout during games. No more than three coaches are allowed in the dugout at any given time. Only one coach will be allowed on the field during your team’s defensive play. Chairs are not permitted on the field during games. The head coach will be the only coach allowed to discuss calls, questions, etc. with the umpires. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of themselves, their players, and the parents/fans of their players. Anyone using objectionable language, excessively arguing umpire calls, or otherwise interrupting the enjoyment of others at the park will be asked to leave. Please see the Ejections section of the park rules regarding the handling of these situations. Any manager, coach or player that is ejected must sit out the remainder of the current game and the entire next game. No manager, player, substitute, or coach shall at any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the playing field or elsewhere: a) Incite or try to incite by word or sign a demonstration by spectators. b) Use language that will in any manner refer to or reflect upon opposing players, an umpire or any spectator. c)Call “time” or employ any word or phrase or commit any act while the ball is live and in play f or the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk. Coaches are responsible for making sure their team picks up trash and debris from the dugout before leaving the field for practices and games.
Home/Visitor Team Responsibilities All teams are responsible for providing their own water cooler for each game. Teams who play in the early games will need to get a water cooler from the concession stand, fill it with ice/water and get cups for their own dugout from the concession stand. Teams who play in the late games have to ensure there is sufficient ice/water in the cooler for the second game, get extra cups from the concession stand if necessary and empty the water cooler and return it along with any unused cups to the concession stand following the game. The home team will be responsible for providing two parent volunteers for each game. One parent volunteer will work in the concession stand and one parent volunteer will perform grill duty. The visiting team will be responsible for filling the water cooler for their dugout each game and providing an announcer for the game. Games will NOT start if team responsibilities for home and visiting teams are not covered. Parents must report for duty at least 20 minutes prior to your player’s “scheduled” game time. Disorderly Conduct Abuse of umpires, players, coaches, or officials by coaches, fans, or players will not be tolerated. Cheering must be directed toward your own players and not against the other team. Any disorderly conduct, threat of, or act of violence, shall result in the removal and arrest of the responsible individual(s). Security personnel shall also remove any person on the premises who is intoxicated, from the park. Any person removed under these circumstances, shall be prohibited from entering the park, including the parking lot areas for the duration of the season. No coach, parent of any other person will be permitted to smoke or use tobacco products on or around the baseball field or dugout area. Ejections: Any head coach, assistant coach or player that is ejected must sit out the remainder of the current game and the entire next scheduled game. Any fan ejected from the game must leave the park immediately and may not return for any reason until the next scheduled game. If the same person is ejected for a second time, he/she will not be allowed into any park for the remainder of the season. Razzing, heckling, chanting or making disparaging remarks towards opponents, in any manner, is prohibited and cause for ejection. Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in forfeiture of the game. (All other rule questions should be referred back to the official Dizzy Dean Rules.)
Meridian Park encourages good sportsmanship at all times. We expect our coaches, parents and other spectators to help the park by promoting good sportsmanship as demonstrated in their actions when in attendance at games. The umpire or a Meridian Park board member will step in when necessary. Have a great time & let’s PLAY BALL!
Mercy Rule Meridian Park applies a 10 run rule after five innings and a 15 run rule after four innings. If after four complete innings the winning team is ahead by 15 runs, the game will be called. The same rule applies if the winning team is ahead by 10 runs after five innings. Batting Cages/Warm Up The visiting team will have the batting cage for 20 minutes beginning 50 minutes prior to game time and the home team will have the batting cage for 20 minutes beginning 30 minutes prior to game time. Please remember to be courteous to the team awaiting their turn. To avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the batting cage surfaces, players (and coaches) are asked to avoid wearing rubber cleats in the batting cages if at all possible, and under no circumstances should players enter the cages in metal cleats. Food and drink are NOT permitted in the batting cages. The visiting team will have the field for 5 minutes 15 minutes prior to game time with the home team following for 5 minutes. Any coach or player warming up a pitcher from the crouch must wear a protective helmet, whether on the field before/during an inning, or in the bullpens. No exceptions! Player Participation All teams will bat through their entire rosters, regardless of the number of players present. No player will sit for more than one defensive inning in a row. Bats must be BBCOR certified drop three (-3). The diameter of the bat shall be no larger than 2 5/8” barrel. Bats must be 36 inches or less in length. Metal cleats may be worn by players or coaches. Players wearing permanent casts are not allowed to play until the cast has been removed and the doctor has released them to play. There is no “must slide rule” in effect for play; however, any runner is out when he does not slide or attempt to avoid the fielder who has the ball in the proximity of the base and is waiting to make the tag, or if he maliciously runs into a fielder. There will be NO slash bunts or the player will be declared out. Players and coaches will be warned about bat slinging for the first week of games only. Any player called for slinging a bat after the first week of games will be declared out. If a player is injured, becomes ill or must leave the game site after the start of the game, the team will skip over him/her when his/her bat comes up in the order without penalty. If the
injured, ill or absent player returns, he/she is merely reinserted into their original spot in the batting order. A team must have 8 players to play. Should a team be short the required 8 players to start a game, there will not be an automatic forfeit. If the game is to be a forfeit, it must be agreed upon prior to game time by both coaches. It is preferred to play the game. The needed players may be sought from the opposing team’s roster or from the pool player rotation as approved by the board. If a team is unable to secure the required 8 players, then the game will have to be declared a forfeit. Pool players will be required to be placed at the bottom of the “borrowing” team’s roster and must play in the outfield. Teams may use a maximum of two pool players per game unless otherwise approved by the board. If there are 2 outs and your catcher is on base, you can call time out and replace him/her with a courtesy runner. The courtesy runner must be your last recorded out. No courtesy runners are permitted for pitchers. Pitching
Pitch Count and Required Rest Limitations League
Daily Max (Pitches)
11-12 13-14
75 85
Required Rest (Pitches) 0 Days 1-20 1-20
Required Rest (Pitches) 1 Day 21-35 21-35
Required Rest (Pitches) 2 Days 36-50 36-50
Required Rest (Pitches) 3 Days 51-65 51-65
Required Rest (Pitches) 4 Days 66+ 66+
Pitch count example: A pitcher pitches 32 pitches on Monday. The pitcher must rest on Tuesday and will be eligible to pitch again on Wednesday. An inning is interpreted to mean the following: If a pitcher pitches to one (1) batter and is removed from the pitching mound before he is retired, he is only charged with one-third (1/3) of an inning. If he is removed after retiring one (1) batter but after he has pitched to the next batter he is charged with two-thirds (2/3) of an inning. If he is removed after he has retired two batters (2) and has pitched one (1) pitch to the next batter, he is charged with one (1) complete inning. For the first two (2) weeks of the season a pitcher may pitch up to 75 pitches per game and up to 110 pitches per week. After the second week of regular season games a pitcher may pitch up to 85 pitches per game and up to 130 pitches per week. A pitcher may finish the batter if the limit is reached before the batter is retired. Scorekeepers will record official pitch counts and innings pitched. Pitchers may pitch on consecutive days as long as they do not violate any pitching rules. If a pitcher pitches beyond his allotted innings per game, per day, per week because of a double or triple play there is no penalty. (He was legal when the pitch was made).
If any pitcher pitches four (4) full innings and then throws to another batter in the same game, he will not be eligible to pitch until he has had 36 hours rest, beginning with the time he leaves the pitching mound. Once a pitcher has been removed from the mound, he may not return to the mound in the same game. Balks Balks will be called an enforced the entire season. There will be no warning period for Fall season. Please refer to your DD Rule Book for balk clarification. Coaches Coaches need to fill out roster cards for each game providing their player’s names and numbers in the order that they will be batting. A copy should be provided to the umpire and the opposing team at least 10 minutes prior to game start. Please list any pool players last and identify them. It is the responsibility of each coach to make sure that their players stay hydrated. Water will be provided in each dugout during games. No more than three coaches are allowed in the dugout at any given time. Only one coach will be allowed on the field during your team’s defensive play. Chairs are not permitted on the field during games. The head coach will be the only coach allowed to discuss calls, questions, etc. with the umpires. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of themselves, their players, and the parents/fans of their players. Anyone using objectionable language, excessively arguing umpire calls, or otherwise interrupting the enjoyment of others at the park will be asked to leave. Please see the Ejections section of the park rules regarding the handling of these situations. Any manager, coach or player that is ejected must sit out the remainder of the current game and the entire next game. No manager, player, substitute, or coach shall at any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the playing field or elsewhere: a) Incite or try to incite by word or sign a demonstration by spectators. b) Use language that will in any manner refer to or reflect upon opposing players, an umpire or any spectator. c)Call “time” or employ any word or phrase or commit any act while the ball is live and in play f or the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk. Coaches are responsible for making sure their team picks up trash and debris from the dugout before leaving the field for practices and games.
Home/Visitor Team Responsibilities All teams are responsible for providing their own water cooler for each game. Teams who play in the early games will need to get a water cooler from the concession stand, fill it with ice/water and get cups for their own dugout from the concession stand. Teams who play in the late games have to ensure there is sufficient ice/water in the cooler for the second game, get extra cups from the concession stand if necessary and empty the water cooler and return it along with any unused cups to the concession stand following the game. The home team will be responsible for providing two parent volunteers for each game. One parent volunteer will work in the concession stand and one parent volunteer will perform grill duty. The visiting team will be responsible for filling the water cooler for their dugout each game and providing an announcer for the game. Games will NOT start if team responsibilities for home and visiting teams are not covered. Parents must report for duty at least 20 minutes prior to your player’s “scheduled” game time. Disorderly Conduct Abuse of umpires, players, coaches, or officials by coaches, fans, or players will not be tolerated. Cheering must be directed toward your own players and not against the other team. Any disorderly conduct, threat of, or act of violence, shall result in the removal and arrest of the responsible individual(s). Security personnel shall also remove any person on the premises who is intoxicated, from the park. Any person removed under these circumstances, shall be prohibited from entering the park, including the parking lot areas for the duration of the season. No coach, parent of any other person will be permitted to smoke or use tobacco products on or around the baseball field or dugout area. Ejections: Any head coach, assistant coach or player that is ejected must sit out the remainder of the current game and the entire next scheduled game. Any fan ejected from the game must leave the park immediately and may not return for any reason until the next scheduled game. If the same person is ejected for a second time, he/she will not be allowed into any park for the remainder of the season. Razzing, heckling, chanting or making disparaging remarks towards opponents, in any manner, is prohibited and cause for ejection. Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in forfeiture of the game. (All other rule questions should be referred back to the official Dizzy Dean Rules.)
Meridian Park encourages good sportsmanship at all times. We expect our coaches, parents and other spectators to help the park by promoting good sportsmanship as demonstrated in their actions when in attendance at games. The umpire or a Meridian Park board member will step in when necessary. Have a great time & let’s PLAY BALL!
