2008 LTYA Playing Rules for ROOKIE Baseball
In general, the rules of Major League Baseball will govern the Rookie league. These rules are to be followed and adhered to except as noted below. Local rules as outlined below will take precedence over the otherwise accepted rules of the game.
Pre-/Post-Game Duties
Before the Game: Home team should chalk the lines, the batters box, base coaches box and on-deck circles as needed in preparation for game play. The visiting team should rake and water the fields prior to the game if necessary.
After the Game: Both teams need to rake, drag and water down the field after each game. Remember to rake in from the grass to avoid build up on the edges of the infield. Teams may use the Jake if available to drag the field. Visiting team to ensure that the field lights are turned off after night games…this is critical as we are governed by a City of Bee Caves Lighting Ordinance and are subject to monetary fines and possible loss of the use of lights.
FIELD LIGHTS are to be turned off at 9:00 p.m., NO Exceptions.
Local Playing Rules
1. Bat the entire roster.
2. Free Defensive substitutions – MANDATORY: All players must be scheduled to play in the field in at least two of the first four innings of a game. Additionally, all players must play one inning per game in an infield position. For this purpose infield positions are defined as 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd Base, Shortstop & Pitcher. The Commissioner and the LTYA Board will be monitoring games to observe compliance with this rule.
Managers are strongly encouraged to play all players equally throughout the regular season.
3. BASERUNNING - For the Fall 2008 season, teams will play under a "tight bases" format, meaning that no player may take a lead off of a base. The runner may attempt a steal once the ball has crossed the plate.
Base runners must make an effort to avoid contact with a fielder on a play at all bases unless sliding. However, this is not a mandatory slide rule. Failure to make an effort to avoid contact except by sliding on a “close” play at a base (especially home plate) will result in a runner being called out. This is a judgment call by the umpire and not automatic. No head first slides at any base. These slides are dangerous and if attempted will result in the runner automatically being called out. (Diving back to a base to avoid a pick-off is acceptable) Feet first slide only.
4. If an on-deck batter is to assume an on-deck circle in a game where the ball is pitched, it must be the one behind the batter.
5. No Metal cleats or spikes. Players must not wear exposed jewelry or watches while playing.
6. Once a pitcher is removed, he cannot pitch again in that game, but may play in other defensive positions.
7. Obstruction should be called if the fielder/catcher is blocking the base/plate or base path with out the ball or not making an attempt to make a play on the ball. Runners will be awarded as safe, the next base/plate if obstruction occurs.
8. Bat Throwing: A thrown bat that strikes another player or coach will result in an immediate out being called. The batter who has thrown their bat (not striking anyone) will receive a warning from the umpire for their first offense. Any subsequently thrown bats by that player will result in an out.
9. Pitchers can throw a maximum of 2 innings per game during the regular season. In the case of a double header, a pitcher can throw a total of 4 innings per day (2 per game). The Commissioner strongly suggests that coaches utilize a 50-pitch limit.
10. Any single pitcher who hits two (2) batters in a single inning OR a total of three (3) batters in a single game appearance must immediately be removed from pitching (they may move to any other position on the field, or go to the dugout). The homeplate umpire will issue a warning to the pitcher and his team’s head coach, and the head coach of the opposing team will also be notified that the warning has been given.
11. Umpires will be liberal with calling balks early in the season. Beginning mid-season, balks will be fully enforced by the umpires and bases awarded per the rules of baseball. A pitcher will be given one warning for a balk before bases are awarded.
12. During defensive play (team is in the field) a team may have only one (1) uniformed coach outside of the dugout. During offensive play (team is batting) a team may have no more than three (3) coaches outside of the dugout. This includes a first base coach, a third base coach, and one coach positioned outside of the dugout. Umpires will be instructed to enforce this rule. A team will receive one warning. A second violation in the game will result in an automatic out being assessed to that team. Note: the out will not be assessed to a particular batter (so as not to penalize a player), but rather to the team.
13. The Rookie league will NOT utilize the “dropped third strike” rule. The batter will be called out on the third strike regardless of whether or not the catcher fields the ball properly. The batter may not advance to first base.
14. LT Baseball has a ZERO Tolerance rule in place. That means any discussions relative to the outcome of a play will only take place once time is called and then only between the manager and the home plate umpire. Arguing with the umpire by ANYONE (Manager, Coach, Player, and Fan) can and will result in that person being ejected from the ball field and potentially the forfeiture of the game. A coach or player who is ejected from a game will receive a one game suspension by the league and may not attend the next scheduled game.
15. A team MUST have at least two Rikpen Baseball Certified Coaches on the field or in the dugout during game play. Failure to have a certified coach will result in the automatic forfeiture of the game. The Umpires will from time to time request coaches’ name badges to ensure compliance with this rule.
16. Remember, Have Fun, Instruct & Be NICE.
Length of games
1. Games will be six innings maximum.
2. No new inning shall start after one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes. You will complete the current inning already in progress at the 1:30 minute mark. Drop dead time limit is one (1) hour and fifty (50) minutes, NO EXCEPTIONS.
3. The 5 run rule will be place for all regular season games. This run limit will be in place of all innings except the 6th. The 6th inning is an open inning. Play in this inning concludes after each team makes three outs in the field or at bat. In the event that a game has not reached the 6th inning just prior to the 1:30 minute mark, the coaches of each team and the umpire may elect to make the next inning the open inning. If this is agreed upon and the next new inning concludes before the time limit is reached, the game will revert back to the 5 run rule.
4. Ten Run Rule: If after 4 complete innings, or more, of play and the run differential is greater than 10, at the discretion of the manager on the team that is behind in the score, the game can be called at any point and play will stop.
5. If a game is called due to bad weather, the game will be considered complete if 4 innings of play have occurred. If a game is called prior to the above stated time then play will resume at a later mutually agreed to date starting at the beginning of the half inning prior to the game being called.
6. Make up games can be scheduled for complete rainouts but are not required. Make-up games are to be scheduled on the earliest available game slot agreeable to both managers. Make-up games will include Sunday game play.
7. Each team will provide one game ball to be used during the game.