YARMOUTH YOUTH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
HOUSE RULES
Amended 11/19/2008
1. REGISTRATION
a. Registration will take place on a dates determined by the executive board.
b. Notices will be passed out to all the local schools, public and private, be published in the local newspaper, and be broadcast over the public address systems of the schools if possible.
c. Any boy or girl who will attain the age of eight (8) years old before April 30 of the current year and who shall not attain the age of thirteen (13) years before April 30 of the current year shall be eligible to try out for the Yarmouth Youth Baseball Association (YYBA).
d. Each candidate must present acceptable proof of age to the league president or his designee before the draft is put into operation. When and if such formal proof of age is not available, the League President shall gather as much documentary evidence as possible and promptly present it to the Executive Board. If, in the opinion of the Executive Board, such evidence is satisfactory, a statement to that effect will be drafted which shall be acceptable in lieu of a birth certificate.
e. The president or his designee of the league MUST certify and be responsible for the eligibility of each candidate prior to the player draft.
f. The “League Age” of each candidate shall be recorded and announced at the player tryouts to guide the managers in making their selections.
g. “League Age” is that age attained prior to April 30th in any given season. Thus, a child whose 12th birthday is on April 29th or earlier has a league age of 12: A child whose birthday is on May 1 or later has a league age of 11. This Principle applies regardless of age.
h. Any candidate failing to attend the tryouts, but is still wanting to be considered to play in the YYBA program shall be subject to an evaluation by an approved committee of the YYBA. The committee shall consist of a member of the executive board, and 2 appointed members. If he/she does not attend the tryout or evaluation the player will be placed in the minor league program. 12 year old players will be ineligible to play.
i. All players must follow the following registration guide lines. 8-year olds are automatically designated as "MINORS ONLY" 12-year-olds are automatically designated as "MAJORS ONLY" 9-year olds have the option of remaining "MINORS ONLY" but MUST participate in the Tryouts/Rankings.
10-year olds and 11-year olds MUST participate in the Try-outs/Rankings for a Major League Team. If selected by a Major League Coach (Drafted), the child MUST play on that Major League Team.
ALL PARTICIPANTS OF YARMOUTH YOUTH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION (YYBA) MUST 'TRY-OUT' IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN YARMOUTH YOUTH BASEBALL. NO EXCEPTIONS.
j. Any candidate having checked off the “minor League Only” box on the registration card will not be eligible for the major league program for that season.
k. It is expected that every “Minor League Only” player report to, and participate in, the scheduled tryouts at the same time as those trying out for the major league.
2. TRYOUTS
a. Tryouts will be held at a time determined by the Executive Board of the YYBA.
b. The Tryouts will be split into age groups as follows:
1. 8&9 yr olds
2. 10 year olds
3. 11&12 year olds
c. All “Minor League Only” candidates will be announced as such prior to their trying out.
3. DRAFT
a. A team can protect managers and no more than two (2) existing coaches’ children. Such child(ren) shall be drafted by such manager after an evaluation and rating has been made of such children by an evaluation committee. Under no circumstances is this provision to be used to circumvent the draft procedure in any way. The protected players should be placed in the correct rated slot.
1. The averaged rating will be announced to all present at the draft before the draft can proceed.
2. Any manager or returning coach wishing to protect a family member during a draft (i.e. a nephew) must be approved by a 2/3's vote of the membership."
3. Once drafted by a Major League team, a player is on that team for the duration of his/her Little League eligibility."
b. Procedure:
1. Draft positions shall be in reverse order of finishing places at the end of the previous season.
2. If no manager or representative is present at the draft, the President will appoint someone to draft for that particular team.
3. A brother or sister of a current team member may be protected.
4. There will be no parental interference in the draft procedure of the YYBA.
5. All protected players will be announced before the start of the draft.
6. Protected played will be picked as follows:
a. A player rated as number 1 goes in the first and second round.
b. A player rated as number 2 goes in the second and third round
c. A player rated as number 3 goes in the third and fourth round.
d. ETC.
4 LEAGUE COMPOSITION
a. The Major League shall be composed of the appropriate number of teams to accommodate an 11 man roster.
b. At no time shall a major league team have on its roster more than five (5) players at each league age, unless special circumstances arise which would require special approval of the executive board.
c. If a team looses a player(s) during the regular season through injury, illness, change of address, or other justifiable reason, the manager must notify the Executive board in writing immediately. Another player of the manager’s choice shall be obtained from the Minor League’s eligible players list through the player agent.
d. If injury is temporary, roster spot must be filled within (3) days...with a choice from Minor League Affiliate Team (but NOT an 8 year old player). The replacement player can be a DIFFERENT player each game. A PERMANENT choice must be made with (10) days from list of ELIGIBLE MINORS. Eligibility to Return-To-Play (i.e. Doctor's note OKAYING Return-to-Play) must be approved by the President . Violation Penalty is at discretion of Executive Board.
e. The procedure for replacing a player is as follows:
The Player agent and/or the vice president of the YYBA will be contacted by the Executive Board of the need for a player to be brought up to the Major League. Such replacement must be of league age. Replacement must be made within ten (10) days of the date of the player loss or the Player Agent will immediately assign the required number of players to that team from eligible players within the minor league. Managers are not to go directly to a manager to permently bring a minor player up.
5. SELECTION OF MANAGERS
a. At the organizational meeting in October, any voting member of the YYBA can nominate a manager for a team. Nominations will be seconded. The Executive Board will meet before the annual meeting and vote on by a majority the nominated managers for the following season.
b. Anyone interested in a managing or coaching position must file a CORI and SORI application to the executive board. These reports shall be submitted each season.
c. There will be (2) coaches and (1) scorekeeper allowed for each team picked by the teams manager and approved by the Executive Board. Each Year the manager will pick his coaches.
d. The manager, his two coaches and the scorekeeper will be the only ones allowed on the field during a game.
e. No new coach will be appointed for any team until after the draft has been completed.
6. PLAY
a. Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of nine (9) defensive outs and have at least one at bat.
b. PENALTY: The player(s) involved shall start the next scheduled game and play no less than the mandatory time limit for both games.
c. The manager for the:
1. First offense-receive written warning from the Exec. Board.
2. Second Offense-suspension for next scheduled game
3. Third Offense- suspension for remainder of season.
4. If violation is deemed to be intentional, a more severe penalty can be handed down. However, forfeiture may not be invoked.
5. In the event the umpire calls a game before the completion of 6 full innings, this penalty will not apply.
d. In the event the umpire calls a game before the completion of 6 full innings, House Rule 6a will not apply.
e. If after (4) complete innings a team is ahead by (10) runs, or if after (31/2) three and one half innings, the home team is ahead by (10) runs, the game shall be called by the home plate umpire.
f. A child can play on a Middle School and YYBA team BUT CANNOT PITCH IN A GAME in both leagues on the same day. Penalty is forfeiture of YYBA game.
7. PITCHERS
a. Any player on the team roster may pitch
b. If a player pitches in less than four (4) innings, one (1) calendar day rest is mandatory.
c. If a player pitches in more than four (4) innings, three (3) calendar days of rest is mandatory.
d. A player may pitch in a maximum of (6) innings in a calendar week...
Sunday through Saturday
e. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched one inning.
Example: if a player pitched in four (4) or more innings on Sunday and is still eligible, that player can pitch again on Thursday……
Monday/Friday; Tuesday/Saturday; Wednesday/Sunday;
Thursday/Monday; Friday/Tuesday; Saturday/Wednesday.
g. All players on one team, league age of twelve (12), may be used as pitchers during one calendar week, but not pitching more than twelve (12) innings as a group within that week.. Each individual pitcher not more than (6) six innings within that same week, and subject to rest periods outlined in 7b and 7c.
h. A player once removed as a pitcher, may not pitch again in the same game.
i. Not more than five (5) pitchers will be allowed to pitch per team per game, regardless of age. However, in the case of an injury to the fifth pitcher, a sixth pitcher may be used.
j. Violation of any section under house rule 7a-7h can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protest shall be made in accordance with rule #4.19of the official baseball rules published by the National Baseball Congress, Inc.
k. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitch is announced, but before a pitch is thrown shall not be considered a violation. League officials are urged to take precautions to avoid such protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender shall be notified immediately.
l. Innings pitched in games declared as “no contest or regulation drawn games” shall be charged against the pitchers eligibility for that week. If resumed in the following week or weeks such pitcher of record may continue up to (6) six innings or the extent of remaining eligibility for that calendar week.
m. Use of the “curve ball/breaking ball” is strictly forbidden. Managers and coaches are urged to instruct their pitchers that throwing the curveball will result in umpire penalization. The pitch will be treated as an illegal pitch, after warning, and such will be subject to penalty as specified in rule #8.02 of the official baseball rules published by the National Baseball Congress.
n. The Balk rule is not applicable in the YYBA. A pitcher however, must have his or her foot in contact with the pitching plate while delivering the pitch or it shall be called a “no pitch” The occasion may be used by the manager/coach or umpire to reinforce the balk rule. EXCEPTION: A minor league pitcher, who cannot reach the plate by standing in contact with the pitching plate, may, after agreement between the managers and coaches, move up by no more than 2 feet.
o. If a pitcher is in contact with the pitching plate and the catcher is in position to receive the ball from the pitcher, sitting or standing, the runner must be in contact with the base and cannot leave until the pitched ball crosses the plate.
8. STOPPAGE OF PLAY
a. If, after three and one half (31/2) innings, and the home team is leading the home plate umpire calls the game for rain, the game is over. It is an official game.
b. If after four innings, the home plate umpires call the game for rain. The official game score will be the score at the end of the last complete inning played. (If the game is called in the middle of the 5th inning. The official score will revert back to the score at the end of the fourth inning)
c. If prior to the completion of 3 and on half innings and the home team is not in the lead and the home plate umpire calls the game fir rain the game is considered a “no game” and must be rescheduled by the president at a later date.
d. If at any time the home plate umpire calls the game because of darkness the game is to be suspended until the next time the two teams meet. At the time of the game stoppage the scorekeepers must note who is on base and what base they were on. Also noted must be the number of outs and what the count is on the batter. Also required is the notation of who is pitching at the time. At the time the game is completed, the rules for the number of innings pitched for the individual pitcher must be followed as well as the pitching rule pertaining to the number of 12 yr old pitchers per week must be followed.
e. The Home plate umpire is the one who officially calls a game. Discussion may be held between the managers and umpires, but the calling of the game is the duty of the umpire.
f. Rescheduling of games is to be done by the President of the YYBA due to the number of games that are, or may be scheduled for play on the fields. Note: If a Minor league game is scheduled for play on a major league field when a major league make up game is to be played. The Minor League teams must move to the Minor League (Sears) field for play or that game must be rescheduled on the Minor League field.
g. If after four(4) complete innings, a Team is ahead by ten(10) runs, or after three and one half (3 ½) innings, with the Home team is ahead by ten(10) runs, the game shall be called by the home plate umpire. The game is an official game and the score at that time is the official score of the game. If the teams wish to continue to play, it is considered a scrimmage game and the umpire; at his/her discretion may leave the field. In such situations, House rule 6a will not apply.
h. Home Team responsibilities include the lining of the field prior to the start of play, as well as the installation and putting away of the bases. The “batter’s box” lining frame, guide string and lining machine are stored in the garage. Also the bases for the Provencher field are kept in the garage, and in the scorekeeper’s booth for the Giardino Field.
9. OPENING DAY
a. Opening day will be in April each year as determined by the Executive Board.
10. POSTPONMENTS
a. The postponement of a scheduled game is at the discretion of the assigned umpires after conferring with a member of the Executive Board. If no Executive Board member is present, the decision of the assigned umpire. In no instance should a game be allowed to be played on one field and not the other at the same time under the same inclement conditions. All postponed games must, without exception, be made up on the next available date reasonably acceptable to all parties. If the parties cannot agree on a date, the President shall assign one.
11. INTER-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
a. The six (6) teams with the best records at the end of the regular season shall be eligible for the playoffs, as follows:
1. First Round: The first and second place teams shall receive a bye for the first round. The third place team will play the sixth place team in one (1) game. The fourth place team will play the fifth place team in one (1) game. The two winning teams will advance to the second round.
2. Second Round: The first place team will play the team with the fourth best record. The second place team will play the team with the third best record. The winners will advance to the third round.
3 Third Round: The winners of the second round play a best two (2) out of three (3) series games for the championship. Games in the third round will begin on a Monday and should be completed within one week.
b. No Playoff games will be played on a Sunday.
12. ALL STAR SELECTION:
a. First refusal of managing the all star team will be given to the previous year’s all star managers with the approval of the executive board. Any existing coach, upon notification to the YYBA Executive Board interested in managing/coaching an all star team, will be given consideration for any open position on an all star team.
b. Each All Star Manager will select players for their respective All Star Teams based on League Manager recommendations, player performance during the season, and a try out. Try outs will be run by the All Star team managers and their existing coaching staff.
c. Each All Star team shall have a Tournament at the Yarmouth Fields.
d. No person shall be the manager of more than one All Star Team.
e. The executive board shall add one or more All Star Teams in its sole discretion.
f. The selection of coaches for any open position will be at the discretion of the Team manager.
g. An all star team is allocated funds to cover two (2) road tournaments and one home tournament.
13. EXTRA HITTER:
a. Teams shall use an “extra hitter” hereafter called an “EH” if the number of players at any given game, allow for a tenth batter in the lineup.
b. No player may be EH in more than one (1) game per calendar week.
c. For purposes of this rule, one (1) at bat as EH constitutes being the “extra Hitter” in one game.
d. If the EH leaves a game for any reason (i.e.: injury, personal, etc.) the batting order will be reduced to nine (9) batters from the original ten (10), without penalty to the team. The spot in the batting order will be skipped over for the remainder of the game.
e. First offense penalty for using any one (1) player as EH in the batting order in more than one(1) calendar week shall be a warning. The second offense shall incur a penalty of a one (1) game suspension of the manager/coach. The third offense shall incur a penalty of the managers/coach suspension for the remainder of the season. It will be regarded as a blatant disregard for the intent of the League and for the rules it deems fitting for the promotion of sportsmanship.
f. No substitute player can enter the game as an EH
g. Once a player has entered the game as an EH, he/she will remain as EH for the entire game unless he/she enters the game defensively.
14. FIELD DECORUM
a. Managers and Coaches are expected to conduct themselves as mature adults; shall not argue with umpires nor with managers or coaches from other teams; Shall not publicly berate any individual or player so as to embarrass him or her; shall not use foul, obscene or abusive language either at practice or during games; shall not physically strike or harm any child participating in the YYBA; shall listen objectively to complaints regarding the team from parents of players. Managers and coaches shall regard themselves as good role models for their players.
b. Players are expected to show respect for their team mates, manager, coaches and opposing team players; shall not argue with umpires or opposing team players; shall not visit the snack bar, nor eat food during games; shall remain on the bench when not playing and pay attention to the game; shall not taunt other players. Players are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Players may benched or suspended by their manager or the YYBA for misconduct.
c. Parents and fans are expected to show respect for their child’s team mates, opponents, manager, coaches and their own child(ren) whatever his/her abilities; shall not taunt umpires, or opposing players; shall have consideration for other fans; and shall not interfere, in any way whatsoever, the managers and coaches of their child’s team during a game.
d. Members of the Executive Board and the Board of Directors shall make themselves available to address complaints regarding violations of the “Field Decorum” rules and shall be present at each game played during the season to ensure that the above rules are followed. This includes both the Major and Minor League games.
e. 0-ZERO TOLERANCE RULE:
In the event of any manager or coach of any team within the YYBA,(major or Minor League),is ejected from any YYBA sponsored game by one(1) of the umpires of that game, he/she shall be removed for the completion of that game being played and the next scheduled game for that team. (He or she will not be allowed on the fields during that time) The second ejection inn the same season shall carry with it the penalty of suspension for the remainder of the season.
f. The Executive Board and the Board of Directors, jointly, are authorized to suspend any manager, coach or member of the YYBA who shall violate the provisions of the “Field Decorum” rules. The first offense of the rules will be a warning, either written or verbal. The second offense shall require the suspension of the offender for the remainder of the season.
g. Any member of the YYBA,(manager, coach,member of the Executive Board, or a member of the Board of Directors),may, for the reason of violation of the “field Decorum” rules, ask any parent to leave the premises of the ball fields.
15. School Suspension
If any YYBA player is suspended from school for any reason he/she will not be allowed to be in attendance that day (s) of suspension. He/She will also be suspended for the next scheduled game. Verification of such suspension shall come from the parent/guardian of said player. If a YYBA player has 3 or more verified suspensions from school in a given season, he/she shall become ineligible to play for the remainder of the season. Zero Tolerance rules and code of conduct on the field shall still apply.
PLAYING RULES FOR YYBA MINOR LEAGUES
A. BATTING:
1.There will be no bunting allowed
2. All players on the bench will bat in the inning or until 3 outs are recorded whichever comes first. If one team has more players on the bench than the opposing team, then the team with the fewer players may bat around up to the number of players on the opposing team. This will give all the players ample opportunity to hit, and at the same time to move the game along.
3. In a bases loaded situation, a maximum of 3 “walked in” runs will be allowed.
B. PITCHING:
1. No pitcher shall pitch more than 6 innings per week.
2. No Pitcher shall pitch more than 3 innings in any one game.
3. Pitchers, who have pitched in 3 innings or less in any one game, may pitch in consecutive games up to the 6 inning rule.
4. A pitcher may not re-enter the game as a pitcher once removed from that position.
5. Absolutely no breaking pitches will be allowed to be thrown.
6. If a pitcher hits three batters in a game, the pitcher must be removed from that position.
7. In bases loaded situation, 3 walked in runs will be allowed, after which the pitcher must be changed.
8. One pitch thrown constitutes one inning pitched.
9. If a pitcher has difficulty reaching home plate from the pitching rubber, he/she may allowed to move closer to the plate upon discussion between the head coaches and umpire. The distance shall be 2 ft. or one bats length. The physical safety of the player must be the utmost concern. Discretion by the team’s manager/coach must be used in determining who the pitchers will be. If a child cannot reach the plate or get the ball over the plate, that player should be passed over as a pitcher. The manager/coach may want to work separately with such child if there is pitching potential seen in the child.
C. FIELDING:
1. Standard rules of baseball will apply.
2. Outfield rule: If a ball is hit into the outfield, and is a “catch able ball” and the player misses it shall be called a ground rule double. If it is a ball over the head or to the side of a player and the ball is not “Catch able” and is in fair territory it is a live ball. The Umpire will make the call at the time of the hit
D. BASERUNNING:
1. All base runners MUST wear helmets at ALL times.
2. 2. One Base plus the one the runner is going to, before the throw, will be allowed on an overthrow out of the field of play.
3. Stealing is not allowed.
4. The base runner must be in contact with the base if the pitcher is in the position to pitch and the catcher is in position, standing or sitting behind the plate, to receive the ball from the pitcher.
5. The base runner must not leave the base until the pitched ball crosses the plate.
E. General:
1. The line-up shall consist of 10 players and one designated hitter.
2. All players shall play at least 9 DEFENSIVE outs and have at least 1 at bat.
3. Managers/coaches shall apportion playing time equally to all players on the field at each game. The only exception is for disciplinary reasons.
4. All minor league games will start at their designated times and will not play any longer than two hours after the game has started.
5. All players are expected to be at all games, including those who are being disciplined.
6. Managers/coaches may freely substitute players from the bench as long as the starting players have played the required 9 defensive outs and have at least one at bat. Only injuries to players or players having to leave the game early will pre-empt the substitution rule.
7. Regarding games called due to darkness or rain; any game in which a minimum of 3 ½ innings have been completed with the home team leading at the time, will constitute a complete game. If the home team is behind at the time, the bottom of the half of inning shall be played, unless player safety dictates otherwise. At which point the game will be re-scheduled for play at some future date. In the event that a game is beyond the 3 ½ inning mark, and the game is to be called because of darkness or rain, and the home team is trailing and they are not able to have their last at bat, the score will revert back to the last completed inning. The score at that point in the game will be the final score for that game. If the score was tied at the point in which the game was to be called, the game may be finished at some agreed upon future date depending on the dates available in the schedule, or the score will revert back to the score at the last completed inning.
8. 9 yr old Major league players playing in a minor league setting can pitch.
9. *Major league players playing in a minor league setting will adhere to minor league rules of play. Ie: innings played, batting order.
F. PICKING OF TEAMS:
1. Based on the Try outs, players will be given a rating, 1 through 5, and 1 being the best. If a player was not at the try-outs the rating of said player will be a “3” unless agreed upon by the managers and coaches at the time of the draft. (based on a personal knowledge of the player’s abilities)
2. Once players have been rated, each player’s card will be placed in a stack according to that rating.
3. Placement of Managers/coach’s children will be dealt with first.
4. Placement of any transportation issue players will be then dealt with.
5. Based upon the rating of those players already dispersed, those teams may be passed over when the remaining players of that rating are distributed amongst the teams by rating. Attempting to have an equal number of all the rated players on each team. #1 rated players dispersed first and the rest in the order. The greatest effort will be made to distribute amongst all the teams an equal number of all the rated players. In this way no team will be purposely stacked.
ii. PRACTICES:
1. Unless previously agreed upon, all minor league practices shall be held at the Joshua Sears Field.
2. Scrimmage games may be played between teams for practices if prior agreements have been made.
3. If scrimmage games are to be played between teams from the YYBA and a team from another town in the area, the game may be played after notification has been given to the President or Vice President of the YYBA. Knowledge of such game may be required for insurance accountability.
4. All teams must practice at their scheduled times unless a scrimmage game is to be played or some agreement has been arrived at with the previously scheduled team and the Vice President of the YYBA.
AMMENDMENTS
These rules may be amended in whole or in part by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting membership, in accordance with the regulations set forth by these By-laws, House Rules, and Minor League Rules.