2012 Spring Season Rules Town Spring Recreation League
13u - 15u u PLAYING RULES – This League is for players who are in the
7th or 8th grade or
1. Balks – Balks will
be enforced After 1 warning per team (SEE SECTION D BELOW FOR MLB’s BALK RULES)
2.
Baseballs - Medium compression baseballs required. Diamond’s DLL-A is recommended.
3.
Bases - 90 feet apart, with 1st and 3rd base measured from the back of home plate to the back of the base.
60 feet from the back of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber.
4.
Bats: BPF 1.15 or Less with weight differential
of -3 ( length of the bat -3 example 31 in in length the weight can not exceed 28oz ) The only bats that
are permitted as legal bats wood or metal that have the stamp on them stating the bat is BPF
1.15 or Less .. This means that the bat is near wood as possible and are the safest of the bats
to use . Players may use a wood bat if desired If the bat does not have
the BPF 1.15 or LESS stamp the bat may not be
used under any circumstance. If a player does use a bat that is not BBCOR or BPF 1.15 and the ball is put
in play the batter will be called out and all runners will return to previous base. 14u weight is restricted to a minus 3 (-3) 2 5/8
5. Dropped
Third Strike - Dropped third strike rules apply, meaning that, upon a 3rd strike that is not caught directly by the catcher
(e.g., on a bounce or off his equipment into his glove is not considered ‘directly’), the batter is permitted
to run to 1st base if (i) 1st base is not occupied or (ii) there are 2 outs. If the catcher attempts to
throw the batter-runner out, the play at first base is a force play.
6. Infield Fly - Infield
fly rule applies, with less than 2 outs and runners on at least 1st and 2nd base. When the umpire declares
a pop-up to be an infield fly, the batter is out, and base runners can no longer be forced out at the next base, only tagged
out. If the pop-up is caught and the runner does not return to the base in time, the play at their original
base can be a force or tag play. (SEE SECTION D BELOW FOR MLB’s INFIELD FLY RULES)
7.
Scoring - Unlimited scoring per inning.
8. Sliding –Any runner is out when the
runner does not slide or attempt to slide to avoid a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag or is in the
process of fielding the ball. The ball becomes dead.
9. Bunting - Faking a bunt and taking
the pitch is permitted. Faking a bunt followed by a full swing (on the same pitch) is not permitted.
Any batter that does so will be automatically called out and ejected from the game – NO WARNINGS ARE REQUIRED
BY THE UMPIRE.
B. NJYB MODIFIED PLAYING RULES:
10. Hit
Batsmen - No specified limit per pitcher, but coaches should exercise judgment with all players’ safety being the first
priority.
11. Intentional Walks - Permitted, although the pitcher must
throw all four balls, with the catcher positioned behind home plate at least until the ball is thrown.
12. Game
Length – Seven innings.
13. Leading and Stealing (base running) - No restrictions and
permitted by AABC and NJABC. Runners can advance at any time at their own risk including passed balls,
wild pitches, errant throws back to the pitcher or errors made during the course of attempting to throw out a base runner
who is already stealing. Stealing home is permitted.
14.
Substitutions (Re-Entry) – For NJABC/NJYB Spring and Summer regular season games, teams must have nine players
in the field and at least nine players in the batting order throughout the duration of the game. Any of
the starting players may be withdrawn and re-entered once, provided such player occupies the same batting position whenever
in the lineup. A substitute who is withdrawn may not re-enter the game. In the event
that a team can not put nine players in the field at any point during the game, the game is stopped and considered a forfeit.
The following exceptions will be allowed during the NJYB regular season but NOT in the state tournament:
a.
Batting Order - Teams can, if they choose, include all available
players in their start-of-game in the batting order or bat nine in the batting order or to use a EH and DH
to allow 10 players to bat.. The decision to either include all available players or nine players or to
use a EH and DH must be finalized for each team (and not necessarily the same for both teams) before the start of the game.
The beginning-of-game batting order shall be followed throughout the game, except for players entering the order as
substitutes.
b.
When batting all players then the Manger will
follow a Cinderella substitution for defensive positions.
c.
When using a DH a Manger may use a player not
playing the field to bat for a player who is a part of the defensive players. The DH is determined prior to the game.
d.
. When using a EH it’s a extra hitter that the manger may insert
in his batting order. This also must be determined prior to the gamee.
e. If a Team decided to bat 9 players
then they must follow the High School Substitution rule for inverting subs.
f. If a player shows up after the completion of the first inning he/she must be used as a substitution regardless
if the Manger decided to bat his entire line up or 9 players or is using a EH/DH. Example: Team Away decided to bat 9 players and Team Home decided to bat all of its players
prior to the game starting. The game now has started and a player for team Home shows up in the middle of the first inning
the manager/coach can add him to the end of his batting order only. Now the first inning is completed and
the game in in the 2nd inning or beyond a player shows up for either team this player now becomes a substitute
and the Manager / Coach will follow the substitute rule of switching players. ..
b.
Substitutions – Teams that choose to include 9 in their starting batting order 1) must follow the Substitution
(Re-Entry) rules described in Rule 14 above, 2) are allowed to use pinch hitters and pinch runners, but once a player starts
the game or enters a spot in the batting order, they cannot bat in any other spot in the order, 3) will forfeit a game in
the event that no eligible substitutes remain available to replace an ejected or injured player. Teams
that choose to include all players in their starting batting order 1) can freely make defensive substitutions for the duration
of the game but the batting order must remain the same for the duration of the game, 2) will be charged an out in cases where
a player that was in the original batting order is unable to play or is not at the field upon their turn to bat (no automatic
out is charged to a team when it would be the last out of the game).
c.
Pitching - A pitcher must be removed from pitching upon the second visit to the mound during an inning by his team’s
manager and/or coaches. Upon any removal of a pitcher, he may stay on or return to the field in another
position, but is ineligible to pitch during the remainder of that game
Pitching
Rule is a Pitcher may not pitch more then 10 inning in any given week. The Week starts on Sunday and ends on
Saturday
15.
Courtesy Runner -. For NJYB regular season games, courtesy runner will be permitted for the pitcher
and catcher when he is on base with 2 outs or, at the discretion of the umpire and managers, for an injured player on base.
The intention of a Courtesy runner is to speed the game up but a Manger does not have to use a such runner.
In either case, the courtesy runner is the player who made the last out, whether as a batter or as a runner.
16. Sliding
– For NJYB regular season and state tournaments, base runners, including batter-runners, are required to slide or avoid
contact as stated above (Rule A (8)). Fielders are subject to obstruction rules (SEE SECTION D BELOW FOR
MLB’s OBSTRUCTION RULES). For NJABC regular season and state tournaments, Head first sliding is permitted
except going into 1st base, also head first sliding is allowed when returning to a base upon a line drive, pick-off,
or fake pick-off.
17. Dugout
- Only the team’s players, manager, two coaches, and one scorekeeper are allowed in the dugout
or dugout area and, if not on the field, players must remain in the dugout throughout the game unless temporarily allowed
elsewhere by their coaches (with supervision). Aside from 1st and 3rd base coaches, all must be in the
dugout or in dead ball area during play. Home teams have first choice of dugouts. Managers,
coaches, and players of both teams are responsible for cleaning up garbage and personal items left in their dugout area after
their game.
18. Extra Innings – For NJYB regular season games, tie
games should go into extra innings but is contingent upon the discretion of the umpire considering darkness and playing conditions
are adequate. For NJABC state tournament games, extra innings will be required in order to determine a
winner but the umpire must confirm that playing conditions are adequate. State tournament games that are
unable to go into extra innings due to conditions must be extended into another day when conditions are adequate.
The tournament commissioner should be notified immediately of any games that need to be extended into another day.
19. Field
Dimensions - The home team is responsible for ensuring that the field meets the requirements summarized in these rules (i.e.,
50-foot pitching rubber, 70-foot bases, etc.). If it does not, the game must be moved to a field that meets
these requirements.
20. Ground Rules
- The umpire and one manager or coach from each team will discuss ground rules, any applicable curfews, and the league rules
summarized in this document prior to the start of each game. Do not assume that any umpire, even familiar
ones, will know all of this league’s rules, such as fake bunts (in place for the fielders’ safety).
Have a copy of this document and the 2012 AABC Official Handbook (the “white book”) with you at each game.
During discussion of ground rules before the game, both teams’ managers and the umpire must discuss any applicable
rules, such as mandatory ending time (due to subsequent games and/or town curfews) and, specifically, when any half-inning
or full inning is no longer permitted to start.
21. Mercy
Rule – Will be 10 runs. If the Home team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 4 ½ or the Away team is ahead by 10
runs or more after the 5th inning then the game will be called a complete game. The mangers may decide to
continue to play from that point on by the game will be considered and official game
22. Official Game
-7 inning or by mercy if the home team is ahead: 4½ innings. If the visiting
team is ahead: 5 full innings.
23. Pitching Rule is a Pitcher may not pitch more than
10 inning in any given week. The Week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday
24. Pitching
Rubber -60 feet from the back of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber. Home team fields must
provide a pitching rubber. If it does not, the game must be moved to a field that meets these requirements.
25.
Postponements/Rainouts/Suspended Games - In the event of inclement weather, if fields are not already closed by the
host town, the teams’ managers may decide to reschedule the game for a later date. Rescheduled games
must be reported to the league commissioner. Prior to the game’s first pitch, the home team has discretion
as to the playability of the field. Afterwards, the umpire has discretion. During any
occurrence of lightning or thunder, games must be suspended and all children and adults must retreat to their cars or a nearby
building until the umpire determines that playing conditions are appropriate. Safety should always be considered
first. In the event a game is not played to completion, the two teams’ managers should decide how
to proceed, if at all, and there is no requirement that the game be continued at a later date. However,
see “Official Game” (Rule 22 above) and “State Tournament Eligibility” (Rule 41 below) regarding incomplete
game implications on state tournament eligibility.
26. Pre-Game Practice - Host teams should allow visiting teams
ample time (at least 15 minutes) and space for fielding practice before the start of the game. Visiting
teams hoping to take batting and fielding practice should contact the host team in advance to confirm field availability.
27.
Shoes - Players must wear cleats or sneakers. Metal spikes are permitted.
28. Umpires
- Assigned by each home team. UMPIRES NEED TO BE CARDED – TO SCHEDULE A CARDED UMPIRE, CALL MIKE
CHAPMAN AT 973-461-9745. Two umpires are required. If no umpire arrives by game time, both managers must
agree for the game to be played with a substitute umpire, in which case the game will be considered a regular season game.
Under no circumstances should the umpire be a relative of a child playing in that game. Home team
is responsible for getting the umpires but fees will be split between both teams. 2 Umpires per game will be arranged by the home team
and both teams will split the fees.
29. Conduct / Warnings / Ejections - Managers are responsible
for themselves and their coaches, players on the field, players in the dugout area, and all spectators. For
example, if any player deliberately throws a bat or helmet, that player and their entire team will receive a warning from
the umpire. Warnings will also be issued if the batter accidentally flings the bat after swinging at the
ball. At the umpire’s discretion, subsequent incidents can lead to ejection. Umpires
and coaches have jurisdiction over spectators, who must yield to their authority or risk removal from the field and its immediate
surroundings. Umpires have jurisdiction over managers, coaches, players, and spectators, who must yield to their authority
or risk removal from the game, the field, and its immediate surroundings. Again, head coaches are responsible
for their assistant coaches, players and parents’ conduct. Ejections are generally preceded by warnings,
except in extreme cases. It is expected that all players, coaches, and parents will demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Managers are responsible for their coaches, players and parents. Actions by parents, coaches and
players that are construed by umpires and the NJYB as demonstrating poor sportsmanship will result in certain disciplinary
action that may include but not limited to game forfeiture, ejection and a future ban from participating in all NJYB leagues.
Cheering: Positive cheering and chanting for one’s own team and youth baseball players is always acceptable and part
of the game. However, team cheering and chanting especially when ramped up at the point of the pitcher's
delivery or the batter’s swing to intimidate youth baseball players will not be tolerated. Team cheering/chanting
(or coach yelling) in the middle of an opposing pitcher’s windup or at the time of a swing by the opposing batter with
the intention of intimidating a youth baseball player will be viewed as poor sportsmanship, is not acceptable and will not
be tolerated. It is the umpire’s discretion to determine if the chanting is considered intimidating.
The umpire will warn the coach for the first infraction. Continued infractions will result in the
pitch being either called a strike for intimidating a pitcher and a ball for intimidating the batter. Any
ejection of a manager, coach, or player leads to their suspension from the remainder of that game. An ejected
coach or manager must leave the field altogether and must not be within viewing distance of the playing field.
Ejection from a second game in the same season for the same individual results in suspension for the remainder of that
game and the entire next game (regardless of whether it is a regular season or tournament game) and a one-year probation with
the NJYB, with the subsequent game suspension subject to a review of the circumstances of the ejection by the league commissioner.
Ejection from a third game can lead to suspension for the remainder of the season (including tournament games) and,
if warranted, permanent suspension from the NJYB, also subject to review by league and state commissioners. Any ejections
from a NJYB regular season or tournament game must be reported and explained in writing by the head coach of the team whose
coach, manager, player or parent was ejected from the game to the league commissioner no later than one day after the ejection.
30. Birth Certificates/Team Rosters -
Legible copies (not originals) of valid birth certificates and copies of team rosters must be present and in the position
of the Manger
31.
Schedules – The league will have schedules posted on the web site NJYB.net
32. Home
Team - Established by the schedule distributed by the league commissioner prior to the season, regardless of the eventual
site of the game. The home team is responsible (i) for timely distribution of directions to their field,
(ii) for the field’s condition, (iii) to supply umpires, and (iv) to supply at least two new baseballs.
Home teams are also responsible for notifying visiting teams in advance of any unusual circumstances regarding their
fields (e.g., the absence of nearby bathrooms, grandstands, etc.). DIRECTIONS TO YOUR FIELDS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE LEAGUE
COMMISSIONER (IF THEY HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE PRIOR YEAR) SO THAT THEY CAN BE POSTED TO THE WEBSITE.
33. Expenses - During the regular
season home teams supply baseballs and umpires (umpires fees are split). .
34.
Game Scores / Website - Retained strictly by each team’s scorekeeper. The winning team is
responsible for reporting the game results. Game results should be reported by email to bilww@aol.com
35.
Insurance - Teams must provide insurance coverage for all of its players. Copies (not originals)
of confirmation of team insurance coverage must be provided prior to participation in the NJABC state tournament and should
be available at any NJABC regular season or tournament games.
36. Rosters
- Rosters must be submitted prior to their first game and a team may have up to 18 players on their roster.
. Rosters will be submitted will all players information and players signatures to the league director prior to the
first game
37. Standings – Standings will be maintained during the
regular season. The top 4 teams will qualify for the NJYB Spring Play-offs. The Play-offs will be a single
elimination tournament
38. Points 3 Points will be awarded for a
win 2 points for a tie, 1 point for a lose and (-1) point for a game not played on the schedule.
D. ADDENDUM – CERTAIN IMPORTANT MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
39. Balk
– (Rule 5.09) – The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base when a balk is committed. (Rule
8.05) – If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when (a) the pitcher while touching his plate (rubber), makes
any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery; (b) the pitcher, while touching his plate,
feints (fakes) a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw; (c) the pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to
step directly toward a base before throwing to that base; (d) the pitcher, while touching his plate, throw or feints (fakes)
a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play; (e) the pitcher makes an illegal pitch; (f) the pitcher
delivers the ball to the batter while not facing the batter; (g) the pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his
pitch while he is not touching the pitcher’s plate; (h) the pitcher unnecessarily delays the game, (i) the pitcher,
without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher’s plate or, while off the plate, he feints (fakes) a pitch,
(j) the pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch or
in throwing to a base; (k) the pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball; (l) The pitcher,
while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher’s box; (m) the pitcher delivers
the pitch from the Set Position without coming to a stop.
40. Infield
Fly Rule - (Rule 2.00) – An Infield Fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) , which
can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third are occupied, before
two are out. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall
be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be
an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners.
If the ball is near the base lines, the umpire should declare “Infield Fly, if fair. The ball
is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the
same as on a fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any fly ball. Rule 6.05 (e) -.The batter
is out when an Infield Fly is declared. Rule 6.05 (l) – The batter is out when an infielder intentionally
drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and second and third base occupied before two are
out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original bases. In
this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder permits the ball to drop untouched to the ground, except when the Infield
Fly rule applies.
41. Offensive Interference – (Rule 2.00) Offensive interference
is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make
a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners
shall return to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference unless
otherwise provided by these rules. Rule 6.05(m) - A preceding runner , in the umpire’s judgment, intentionally interferes
with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play (for double
plays at second). Rule 7.08 (b) – Any runner is out when he intentionally interferes with a thrown
ball or hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball. Rule 7.09 – It is interference
by a batter or a runner when a) after a third strike he hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball, b) he intentionally
deflects the course of a foul ball in any manner, c) before two are out, with a runner on third base, the batter hinders a
fielder in making a play at home, the runner is out, d) any member or members of the offensive team stand or gather around
any base to which a runner is advancing to confuse, hinder or add to the difficulty of the fielders. Such
runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate or teammates, e) any batter or runner who has just been
put out hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out
for the interference of his teammate, f) if, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes
with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, with the obvious intent of breaking up a double play,
the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call the batter-runner
out because of the action of his teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such
action of a runner, g) if, in the judgment of the umpire, a batter-runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted
ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, with the obvious intent of breaking up a double play, the ball is
dead; the umpire shall call the batter-runner out for interference and shall also call the runner who had Advanced closest
to the home plate regardless where the double play might have been possible. In no event may bases be run because of such
interference, h) in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base or first base, by touching or holding the runner,
physically assists him in returning to or leaving first base or third base, i) with a runner on third base, the base coach
leaves his box and acts in any manner to draw a throw by a fielder, j) in running the last half of the distance from home
base to the first base while the ball is being fielded to the first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the 3 ft line,
or inside (to the left of) the foul line and, in the umpire’s judgment, interferes with the fielder taking the throw
at first base or attempting to field a batted ball, k) he fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball,
or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and
the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit
of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming into contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines
to be entitled to field such a ball, (l) a fair ball touches him on fair territory before touching a fielder.
If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, and touches a runner immediately back of him, or touches the runner
after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire shall not declare the runner out for being touched by a batted ball.
In making such decision the umpire must be convinced that the ball passed through, or by, the fielder, and that no
other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner
deliberately and intentionally kicks such a batted ball on which the infielder has missed the play, then the runner shall
be called out for interference. PENALLY FOR INTERFERENCE: the runner is out and the ball is dead.
42. Obstruction – Rule 7.06 – when obstruction occurs, the umpire
shall call or signal “Obstruction”. A) If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or
if the batter-runner is obstructed before he touches first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance, without liability
to be
put out, to the bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s
judgment, if there had been no obstruction. The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond
the base he had last legally touched before the obstruction. Any preceding runners, forced to advance by
the award of bases as the penalty for obstruction, shall advance without liability to be put out, b) if no play is being made
on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall
then call time and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. (Rule 7.06(b) –
when the ball is not dead on obstruction and an obstructed runner advances beyond the base which, in the umpires judgment,
he would have been awarded because of being obstructed, he does so at his own peril and may be tagged out. This
is a judgment call. NOTE: the catcher, without the ball in his possession has no right to block the pathway
of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner, and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding
or when he already has the ball in his hand. .If coaches have used all their substitution and a player gets hurt a coach may re-insert a sub so the game
does not end on forfeit. If a coach used all his players and a player is ejected and the team has no more
subs that team will forfeit regardless of the score. .
43. Player ejection: If a player is ejected that player may remain on the
bench unless the umpire declares that player is a distraction to the team then that player will be removed from the bench.
If a coach is ejected from a game he must remove his self from the field
44. Cut-off
Date; 1 May 1998 for (13u) May 1997 (14U) May 1st 1996 (15u). A player may not turn 14 prior
to May 1st 2012 to compete in the 13u division or 15 prior to May 1st to play 14u May 1st 2012 to play in the 15u
45.
If a team forfeits' a game with-in 24hrs or does not show up to a game scheduled the team forfeiting will play the
entire umpire fees. The team forfeiting the game will pay or arrange to have umpires fees within 24 hours if the fee or fees
is not paid that team will not play any games until the fee or fees are paid.
