Bear Creek Little League

Anthony Oliver

Bear Creek Little LEague

Rules and Regulations Clinic 2015

Know the rules◦ Rules are powerful and knowing them can keep

problems to a minimum Respect the umpires

◦ They are volunteers and have a hard job to do. Don’t make it harder for them.

Respect the game

Love for the game Like working with kids Giving back to the community Self assurance My wife told me to Nobody else would do it

Why are you here?

Respect for others◦ Don’t scream at the kids

Would you talk that way to your mom?◦ No foul language

Be proactive◦ If you see a problem coming stop it from

happening You are the face of our league

Etiquette and general conduct

There is no on deck in Majors and below. ◦ Only the first batter of the inning shall be out of

the dugout before the inning starts. ◦ Following batters should not pick up the bat until

it is their turn to bat. (On the way to the plate)◦ This is a violation of safety regulations and may

be punishable with suspension of the manager and others involved.

Section 1.00 Objectives of the game/general regulations

Majors and below◦ 2 1/4 “ in diameter◦ No more than 33” in length◦ 1.15 BPF

All of these markings should be clearly legible on the bat.

◦ Composite bats are prohibited unless they are noted as approved bats on the Little League approved bat list.

1.10 The bat

Intermediate and Juniors (11-14)◦ No more than 2 5/8” in diameter◦ No more than 34” in length◦ 1.15 BPF◦ Composite

Must be BBCOR certified with -3 weight rating◦ 2 1/4 “ barrel bats may be used as long as they

meet the 1.15 BPF standard (may not be composite)

1.10 cont’d

Seniors◦ 2 5/8” diameter◦ -3 only◦ BBCOR only

Wood bats included◦ No more than 36” in length

◦ 2 3/4 “ barrel bats are prohibited◦ Penalty see rule 6.06(d)

1.10 Cont’d

1.11 uniform◦ Read from book

1.12 catcher◦ Must wear a catchers mitt

1.13 glove specs 1.15

◦ Pitcher’s glove should not be White Gray Distracting Batting gloves under?

General

1.16 Helmets◦ Worn at all times

1.17 Catcher◦ Must wear a cup◦ Long chest protectors◦ Dangling throat guard on mask◦ No skull caps

General

Definitions2.00

Know them! Knowing these definitions will prevent a lot of problems

Questions?

A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.

Where is the ball?

Fair Ball

Foul Ball A FOUL BALL is a batted ball that settles on foul

territory between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory beyond first base or third base, or that while on or over foul territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground.

Hits a player in the box When a batter hits the tee This is a dead ball and all play shall cease. No re-do

Fair or FoulYou decide

(a) Offensive interference is an act by a member of the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinder 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.◦ Does not have to be intentional◦ Scenarios◦ https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KIo9RApipWATIAYWH7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTEwY3Y3ZTNvBHNlYwNzcg

RzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDQjEwMDkEZ3BvcwMy?p=baseball+interference&vid=91912e52b1543e232ff4fe3fb42e847c&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.TgyZOrOUMsDINCM0m5Kn8Q%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D168%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmhwFWibkRc0&tit=Rockies+turn+three+thanks+to+interference&c=1&h=168&w=300&l=106&sigr=11b86i5ns&sigt=119lmcdt4&sigi=12l1lmmkd&age=1400467929&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=vmn&tt=b

Interference Rule 7.09

An act by the batter, intentional or not that interferes with a players ability to make a play

Scenarios◦ Throw from catcher◦ Runner coming home◦ Batter protected in the box?◦ Ball does not have to be thrown◦ Video◦ Video 2

6.06 (c) Batter’s interference

Running lane 6.05 (j) Coach’s interference 5.08

◦ Thrown ball? Rule 3.15

◦ Hit ball? Rookies

◦ Player trying to make a play? Rookies

Runner’ s interference section 6.00◦ Runner out◦ No runners advance unless forced by batter◦ Batter gets 1st base

Interference cont’d

OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. A fake tag is considered obstruction. (NOTE: Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks off a base, base line or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball.)◦ Does not have to be intentional◦ Scenarios◦ Scenario 2

Obstruction rule 7.06

3.09 Read◦ Coaches cannot warm up pitchers

3.15◦ Who’s allowed on the field?

3.17◦ No electronic devices on the field

Rule 3.00 Game preliminaries

Rookies◦ May have defensive coaches on the field◦ Coaches cannot interfere with play

Get off the field Interference

Out if coach interferes

◦ Pitching coaches must stay in contact with rubber Minors and above

◦ No defensive coaches on the field (exception in fall)◦ 1st and 3rd base coaches

Must stay in coaches box Cannot interfere with plays or runners

Touching or “helping” a runner in all divisions is interference and the runner will be declared out

Coaches

Led by umpire-in –chief Players legal and properly equipped Ground rules

◦ Innings◦ Time limits◦ Modifications

The manager is the only one that an umpire wants to talk to◦ If a coach other than the manager attends the pre

game meeting then that coach shall be declared manager for that game.

4.00 Pre game

4.03◦ All players with the exception of the catcher in fair

territory Catcher must remain in catchers box

Catchers balk

◦ With exception of the pitcher and catcher all other players can be anywhere in fair territory

Rule 4.00

T-ball◦ Unlimited infielders if ground rules state this.

Fielders should be placed in traditional positions so that they can gain some concept of the game.

Coach pitch◦ 10 infielders with a rover in the outfield. ◦ Must have 8

Minors and above◦ Must have a minimum of 9 players (exception in

fall)

Players and positioning

4.04◦ Continuous batting order◦ Players may be added to bottom of order if late◦ If a player is removed for illness or injury there is

no penalty◦ If a player is ejected from the game then that

batting spot should be called out 4.05 base coaches

◦ May be coaches or players◦ Must be adult in dugout

4.06 read from book

Rule 4.00

4.07 EJECTIONS◦ Must leave immediately◦ May not return◦ May not sit in stands◦ Suspended for next game

Rule 4.00 cont’d

A 6 inning game (minors and below) has been completed.

Time limit has been reached and the inning has been played

Mathematical elimination◦ After 4 innings of play a team is ahead so that it is

impossible for the other team to catch up in regulation (time should be considered for minors).

4 innings if called for official reasons

4.10 What constitutes a game

Intermediate and up◦ 7 innings have been played and there is a decided winner◦ After 4 ½ innings of play the home team is up by 10 runs. ◦ Time has expired and the inning has been played◦ A team concedes the game◦ Note that a game going to “Drop Dead” time will revert to

the previous inning. This is keeping in mind that the home team has not been able to win on runs scored. If it is after the official game time and has not reached the drop dead time and home team pulls ahead, game will be called and a winner declared.

◦ 5 innings if called for official reasons

A game cont’d

4.15◦ Gametime

A game may be forfeited by the umpire if Read section Include 4.16

4.19 Protests◦ Must be rules based◦ Notify the umpire of the protest◦ No protests in rookies

4.00

Rookies◦ When an infielder has control of the ball and all runners have stopped

advancing. Minors and above (all other situations)

◦ Time shall not be called unless requested by the defense, offense or there is some official reason to call time.

Offensive time outs ◦ A team shall have ONE offensive time out per inning.

Defensive time outs◦ A defensive team can call time to discuss situations but all time outs

that are called in which infielders are approached shall be charged to the pitcher. 3 in one inning 4 in a game Explanation

Other dead ball situations rule 5.09

5.00 Calling time and runners

(Continuous batting order)◦ In order

Batter in box on third out? Bunting with 2 strikes? Swinging and hit by pitch? Double hit?

6.00 The Batter

Three strikes, you’re out. ◦ Even in T-Ball

Coach pitch◦ Three swings or maximum number of pitches

Minors and above◦ Strike zone

Arm pits to knees Reasonable pitch Questioning balls and strikes

Don’t do it unless you want to go to your car

Balls and Strikes

Less than 2 out Runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded Ball that reaches appreciable height Can be caught with normal effort by an infielder Infield Fly

◦ Ball is caught Batter is out and runners must tag up. Force is off and runners advance at

their own risk◦ Ball is not caught

Batter is out. Force is off Runners may run at their own risk Runners do not have to tag up

What if a fielder intentionally drops a ball not covered by this rule? 6.05 (k)

Infield Fly

Batter out of box? Batter switching boxes? Hit by a strike?

6.00 cont’d

Appeal Batter is out when not batting in proper order

◦ Can take place in order before improper batter becomes a runner.

◦ Assumes count Appeal must be made before next play

◦ Proper batter called out and line up resumes◦ All advancement from improper batter voided◦ If appeal is not made then the order is continued

without reference to the incident Scenarios Pg 84

6.07 Batting out of turn

Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.

Delayed dead ball Batter is awarded first base What if ball is hit and put in play?

6.08 (c) Catcher’s interference

Home run Ground rule double Under the fence Deflected ball

◦ Home run vs. ground rule double 6.09 (h)

6.09 Ball out of play

Intermediate and above Less than two outs

◦ 1st base not occupied◦ Batter swings at third strike or called third strike◦ Catcher drops ball or ball is not caught in flight◦ Batter can advance to 1st base with possibility of being

put out by either a tag or by the ball being thrown to first base as in any other force play.

Two outs◦ Same situation as above with the exception that 1st base

can be occupied. All runners that are forced can be put out.

Questions?

Dropped third strike

7.01 Runner has a right to the base if base is touched

before the runner is retired. Fly ball tag up situation/Missed base

The runner cannot return to the previous base after the the pitcher has taken his position on the pitchers plate.

7.02 Runners must touch bases in order or in reverse order when needed exception in rule 5.09 when the ball is dead

7.03 one runner per base. Lead runner is entitled to base unless forced

Runners 7.00

7.04 Batter runner/runners advance Without liability of being put out and if forced

When a walk occurs Live ball Missed base?

Ball out of play Dead ball

7.05 Throwing equipment or hat etc. at a batted ball

Award 3 bases Throwing equipment at thrown ball

Award two bases Ball thrown from fielder out of play

Award 2 bases This award is based on the position of the runners at the time of the throw

Ball from pitcher while on the mound Award 1 base

One from the mound, two from the field

7.00

Rule 7.05 (i) note 2◦ One base on an overthrow

This is a limit not a reward. The runner is not protected in this situation.

Defense still has the opportunity to field the ball and make a play to get an out.

Runners

7.07◦ Batter should be awarded first base when there is

interference from the catcher (touching the batter) or another fielder during an attempted steal of home or a squeeze play. This is a balk charged to the catcher and the ball is dead.

7.00

7.08 runner is out when◦ Running more than three feet away from his or her baseline to avoid a tag

Established when play is being attempted◦ Abandons effort to touch consecutive bases after touching first base◦ Does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder making a play on them

Three choices Slide Get around Give up

There is no must slide rule◦ Interference with a batted or thrown ball◦ Failure to tag up after a fly ball

Appeal play Play can continue without this appeal being made

◦ Read 7.08 (f)-(k) 7.09 Interference

◦ Covered in definitions

7.00

7.09 Appeals Runner is out when

◦ Failing to retouch a base after a fly ball is caught◦ Fails to touch a base if returning to a previous base

7.10 (b)◦ Missing a base in advancing

Runners may not return to touch a missed base after touching a consecutive base after the ball is dead. However the defensive players can make an appeal that the base was missed

May not return to touch a base after a following runner has scored or if they have abandoned the field

Scenarios pg 93◦ Appeal must be made before next pitch or play

Example pg 94

7.00

7.11◦ All offensive members should vacate any space that

is needed for a defensive player to make a play 7.12

◦ I two are out before an appeal. All runners following the runner that the appeal was made on are affected by the appeal. However preceding runners are not affected unless the third out is made before runs score or if the appeal would have originally been a force play. A runner tagging up after a fly ball is not a force. Example

7.00

7.13◦ Rookies

May not leave the base until ball is put in play Time called when runners stop advancing and an

infielder has control of the ball ◦ Minors and below

Runners may not advance until the ball reaches the batter

Runners leaving early affect all other runners Placement of runners based on batted ball

(judgment) Poof play

7.00

8.01◦ Two legal positions

The windup Facing the batter One foot in contact with the plate and the other foot free Can do three things

Deliver the pitch Step and throw to a base

Distance and direction Disengage

Pivot foot Cannot go to stretch or set position Cannot lift leg except in delivery of the pitch

8.00 the pitcher

The set position (stretch)◦ Pivot foot in contact with plate◦ Free foot in front◦ Must come to a complete stop before delivering the

pitch to the batter (complete and discernible stop) Does not apply in minors and below

◦ Can make any movements until they come set except to disengage incorrectly

◦ Can step and throw to a base Distance and direction Before the throw

◦ Step off back of plate to disengage

8.00

Illegal pitch (dead vs. delayed dead) pg 101

No runners on all divisions◦ Not in contact with pitcher’s plate

Counted as a ball in the count Exception

It is ball four The batter puts the ball in play and reaches first base Hit batter

Tee Ball◦ Pitcher must remain in contact with the plate until

ball is hit

8.02 8.03

◦ Eight pitches for warm up max (1 minute)◦ Cold weather?◦ Five for returning pitcher

8.04◦ Pitcher has 20 seconds to deliver pitch◦ Can be called a ball

8.00

8.05 ◦ Balk

Dead ball if pitch is not delivered All runners awarded one base Delayed dead ball if pitch is delivered

Ball 4 Put in play All runners must advance 1 base

Balk is ignored and play continues NOT a coaches decision Runners may advance more than one base but are only protected to

next base Example

A pitcher cannot balk on an appeal

8.00

8.06 visits◦ 2 in one inning

Third visit in an inning and the pitcher has to be replaced

◦ 3 in a game If the visit is the 4th in a game the pitcher must be

removed◦ More than two visits on one batter◦ A visit is any conference with any defensive player

Example◦ Crossing the foul line◦ Exception

Illness or injury

8.00

Cannot play four innings as catcher Once removed cannot return

◦ Exception Intermediate and up

Can return once per game as long as they have played defensively in the game without sitting out

Limits◦ 7-8, 50 pitches◦ 9-10, 75 pitches◦ 11-12, 85 pitches◦ 13-16, 95 pitches

Pitch counts/restrictions

14 and under◦ 66 pitches = 4 days◦ 51-65 = 3 days◦ 36-50 = 2 days◦ 21-35 = 1 day◦ 20 or less = no required rest period

15 and up◦ 76 pitches = 4 days◦ 61-75 pitches = 3 days◦ 46-60 pitches = 2 days◦ 31-45 pitches = 1 day◦ 30 or less = no rest requirement

Pitcher may finish the batter after reaching a threshold Junior/Senior

◦ Pitchers may pitch in more than one game a day given they did not exceed 30 pitches in the previous game

Notes page 39

Rest requirements

9.01 (c) ◦ Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not

specifically covered in these rules 9.02

◦ Judgment calls are just that Cannot be argued Rules calls? Umpires cannot reverse another umpire’s call

They can however discuss and come to a decision

9.00 The Umpire

Questions?