The coaches should discuss these rules with each other and the umpire before each game.
All games will start promptly at their designated times. Teams will be allowed a 10-minute grace period to field the minimum eight players by game time.
All games will last no more than 2 hours from designated start time. No new inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes of game time. At the 1 hour 45 minute mark any inning currently being played will be completed, unless the umpire calls the game. In this case the score will revert back to the last completed inning.
A game is complete if 3 innings are played when the home team is ahead, or 4 innings are played when the home team is behind.
After the 4th inning, if a team is ahead by more than 14 runs the game will be called.
The umpire will make the final decision on calling a game for whatever reason; darkness, rain, field conditions, etc. When a game is called, and it needs to be resumed at a later date, the game will resume at the exact point from which it was called with the exception of pitching as pitch count rules will prevail.
If an official umpire is not present, the home team will supply the home plate umpire and the visiting team will supply the base umpire.
THE 3rd BASE DUGOUT IS THE HOME TEAM DUGOUT
The home team will provide 2 game balls.
PLEASE HAVE UMPIRES SEE CONCESSION STAND FOR CHECKS.
Games will be rescheduled for rainouts and in other cases where both coaches agree, if a game is not made up, each team will be assessed with a loss.
The head coach from both teams must email game info to league coordinators the night of the game. Game info needed: teams playing, final score, innings played, for each pitcher; name, number, league age, and pitches thrown, plus any significant game events.
Each head coach is responsible for keeping their teams pitcher eligibility tracking form including all signatures (copy of form attached)
No stepping out of the batters box between pitches (must keep 1 foot in the batters box)
Pitchers will be allowed 5 warm up pitches (if same pitcher) and 8 pitches (if new pitcher) between innings.
Official CAL RIPKEN Rules will apply with the following exceptions:
1. The batting order must be continuous. All players present for the game shall occupy an active spot in the batting order whether or not they play a position in the field. Players who arrive late will be inserted in the field. Players who arrive late will be asserted at the end of the lineup.
2. No player shall sit out more than two defensive innings in a regular six-inning game. Every player must play minimum of four innings in a regular six-inning game. Coaches should make every effort to avoid having a player sit out two consecutive innings. Positioning of all players is at the discretion of the coach and must take into account the safety of the players at all times.
3. To break a tie extra innings are allowed.
4. Except in the case of pitchers, coaches are allowed free substitutions. This means a player may be taken out of a fielding position and then later re-inserted into the same or different fielding position.
5. A team must field a minimum of 8 uniformed players by the official game time plus a 10-minute grace period. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. A team will forfeit if they are unable to continue a game with 8 or more players. If there are only 8 players, there will be an automatic out for the ninth spot in the batting order.
6. Pitchers may not throw curve balls or any type of breaking pitch.
7. Coaches must not provide any instructions on how to throw a curve ball or any type of breaking pitch.
8. Balks - an instructional warning will be issued during the first 2 weeks, after that the balk will be called.
9. A pitcher who hits two batters in the same inning or three in the same game must be removed as a pitcher for the remainder of that game.
10. A coach or assistant coach is allowed one visit to the mound for any one pitcher during any one inning. A second visit to the mound in the same inning for the same pitcher must result in a pitching change.
11. Stealing and bunting will be allowed. Stealing home on the pitcher is not allowed. Headfirst sliding is not allowed except while attempting to retreat. The batter may not slide into first base. Either type of slide is an automatic out.
12. The batter is allowed to run on a dropped or uncaught third strike if first base is unoccupied and base runners may advance at their own peril. You can also run to first base on a dropped or uncaught third strike with two outs AND first base occupied.
12a. A batter who does not realize his situation on a third strike not caught, and who is not in the process of running to first base, shall be declared out once he leaves the dirt circle surrounding home plate.
13. Any runner who is attempting to reach second, third, or home must slide if it is a close play. If there is a close play and the base runner does not slide, it will be an automatic out. The umpire decides if the play is close enough to invoke this rule.
14. Catchers are not allowed to fully block home plate when a runner is attempting to score. The catcher must leave a clear path to the plate large enough to allow the runner’s foot access to home plate. Failure to leave an opening to home plate will result in a “safe” call and the run will count.
15. Fielders shall not use fake tags designed to slow down a base runner as this could result in injury to the base runner.
16. Bunting is allowed, once a batter shows bunt he cannot reset and swing away. If the player does reset or swing, the batter is automatically out.
17. The infield fly rule will be in effect.
18. Base coaches may be players or coaches.
19. All youth base coaches must wear helmets while in the coaches’ boxes.
20. All catchers must wear a protective cup. It is suggested that all players should wear a protective cup
21. Only official Little League approved bats can be used. (See Approved Bat List)
22. Any player or coach who is ejected from a game by an umpire will be suspended for 1 game. A second ejection will result in suspension from current season and a hearing of the Cal Ripken/HYA board of directors will be held to determine if suspension from all HYA activities will result.
23. Coaches must support umpires at all times. Discussions with the umpire are part of the game but violent, abusive, or loud criticism of the umpires must be avoided. Umpires will report any abuse to the HYA/Cal Ripken President and the HYA/Cal Ripken Board of Directors will take immediate action.
24. If spectators engage in such activity, the coach should ask the person(s) to stop their behavior. If the behavior persists, the umpire is entitled to halt play and ask the coach to request that the person(s) involved leave the area. If they do not leave, then the game may be declared a forfeit at the discretion of the umpire. Again, any such incidents should be reported to the HYA/Cal Ripken President and HYA/Cal Ripken Board of Directors for immediate action.
25. All equipment must be kept inside the dugout area at all times. Bats, etc. must not be left in foul territory.
26. No Cell phone use by anyone on the playing field during games.
27. The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
11-12 85 pitches per day
9-10 75 pitches per day
7-8 50 pitches per day
Pitching rest requirements:
61 or more pitches in a day, three calendar days of rest
41-60 pitches in a day, two calendar days of rest
21-40 pitches in a day, one calendar day of rest
1-20 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest
Ex. If a pitcher throws 22 pitches on Monday, he cannot pitch again until Wednesday. If a pitcher throws 72 pitches on Friday, he cannot pitch again until Tuesday.
A pitcher who reaches his maximum during a batter is allowed to finish facing the batter until the batter either: reaches base, is put out or the third out is made to complete the inning.
The head coach must keep the pitch count and provide when requested by either the opposing coach or the umpire.
EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARING TRASH FROM THE DUGOUTS AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
THE HOME TEAM SHOULD RAKE THE DIAMOND AND LINE THE FIELD BEFORE THE GAME.