Canyon Springs Ground Rules Its in writing - No Problem! |
Canyon Springs Little League 2003 Minor/Major Ground Rules 1. League Ages (Rule 3.13) Player's league ages of 8,9,10, or 11 may play in the minors. Player's league ages of 10,11, or 12 years old may play in the majors (see Regulation IV. a). Once a player is drafted, he becomes property of that team. At no time shall a major team have on its roster more than four (4) players of league age 10. At no time shall a major team have on its roster more than eight (8) players of league age 12. 2. Closed Dugouts No one except eligible players in uniform, manager and not more than two coaches shall occupy the bench or dugout (see Rule 3.17). All others shall occupy the spectator area. The game strategy shall be conducted from the dugout. Conversations between spectators and persons in the dugout may result in the offending manager, coach, or player being removed from the game. Once the game begins no manager, coach, or player may leave the dugout without permission from the umpire. Stepping outside the dugout will constitute leaving the dugout without permission. The offending person may then be prevented from reentering the dugout for the remainder of the game. Rule 3.09 will be enforced. Restroom privileges will be permitted providing: a. Permission is first obtained from the umpire. b. The individual goes directly to and from the rest room without going to the snack bar or engaging in conversation with the spectators. 3. Field Preparation The Board Member on Duty will unlock the equipment bin approximately one (1) hour prior to game time in order to allow the home team to get the equipment to set up the field. Teams shall arrive at the playing field no less than one (1) hour prior to game time. The home team shall prepare the field before each game (i.e., install bases, pitcher's rubber, chalk base lines, etc.). The visiting team will clean up the field and remove the bases and secure all league equipment. If the home team is unable to set up the field and the visiting team does it, the home team will assume the visiting team's duties. 4. Infield Practice Wiffle ball batting practice is allowed along the outfield baseline adjacent to each team's dugout, as long as it does not interfere with the opponent's infield warm-ups. No other type of batting practice with baseballs will be allowed. Both teams will be warmed up and ready to take infield practice 30 minutes before game time. The visiting team will be given the first 10 minutes and the home team will be given the next 10 minutes, with the remaining 10 minutes to be used for the umpires meeting, the Little League pledge, and other pre-game business. In the event the previous game runs long and does not allow for infield practice to start as scheduled, the available time will be divided equally between the two teams while still allowing time to conduct the necessary pre-game business. The home team may conduct their infield practice first if the visiting team is not ready at their scheduled time, provided both managers agree. The team not practicing will remain in their dugout. No team will conduct batting practice of any kind (including wiffle ball & soft toss) on any league field within the two (2) hour period preceding the scheduled game. 5. Official Game Time The umpire will designate an official timepiece. The game officially starts at its scheduled time, as indicated on that timepiece. A new inning starts the instant the last out is recorded in the previous inning. No new inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes has elapsed from the official starting time. If the preceding game runs longer than normal, warm-up time will be reduced or eliminated. In this instance, as long as the field can be properly prepared, the game will start on time. Whenever possible, the umpire must start the game at its scheduled time. The official game time will not change as a result of delays caused by managers, coaches, players, or any other persons associated with the teams. EXCEPTIONS: A game may officially start later than its scheduled time if: a) Teams are not given access to league equipment with sufficient time to prepare the field or; b) There are no umpires present at game time or; c) The preceding game has run past the scheduled starting time of the next game. In these instances the umpire will start the game as soon as possible and no new inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes have elapsed from the designated starting time. The designated starting time becomes the official starting time. A new inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes have elapsed if: a) It is not a regulation game or no winner can be determined, and b) It is the last game of the day being played on that field. 6. Complete/Regulation Games a) Complete game: 6 full innings or 5 1/2 innings if home team is ahead. b) Regulation game: 4 full innings or 3 1/2 innings if home team is ahead 7. Mercy Rule C.S.L.L. Inc. adopts Rule 4.10 (e), "The 10 run mercy rule". If after 4 innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead), one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. 8. Tied or Non-Regulation Games Games called when they are tied or before they can be considered regulation games will be finished, when possible, just prior to the start of the next regularly scheduled game between the two teams. Teams will be notified of make-up dates and times by the player agent or league president only. The unfinished game will be played only to the point when it can be considered a regulation game and a winner can be determined. See Rules 4.11 and 4.12. Also see pitching rule 4:11 (e). 9. Lineup Sheets Each manager will present copies of their lineup sheet to the opposing manager and the official scorekeeper 30 minutes prior to the start of the game. Lineup sheets will contain the following information: a) All team members as listed on the official rosters sent to Williamsport. b) All absences, injuries, ineligibility, and reasons for ineligibility. c) Notations of all players who are league age 12. (Rule VI c, e) d) Date and number of innings pitchers last pitched. e) Notation of any players who must start the game. Note: Any player listed on the lineup sheet as injured is ineligible to enter the game at any time. After two games of inability to play, a release from a physician will be required. Any player injured and removed from a game in progress will not be permitted to re-enter the same game at any time. 10. Minimum Play C.S.L.L. Inc. will strictly enforce Regulation IV (I), the minimum play rule. Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of six (6) consecutive defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time. No player will be removed from a game for a substitute before they have met the minimum requirements for participation. Also see Rules 3.01, 4.01 (d) note, and 4.04. All substitutions must be in the game by the top of the fourth inning. If all substitutions are not made by the top of the fourth inning, the manager or coach in charge will be ejected from the game. Penalty: The player(s) involved shall start the next scheduled game, play any previous requirement not completed for Section (I) and the requirement for this game before being removed. The manager shall for the: a) First Offense - receive a written warning. b) Second Offense - receive a suspension for the next scheduled game. c) Third Offense - receive a suspension for the remainder of the season. Note: If the violation is determined to have been intentional, the Board of Directors may assess a more severe penalty. However, forfeiture of game may not be invoked. Exception: If a game is shorter than six (6) innings due to time limits, mercy rule, etc., a player who does not receive his/her minimum playing time must start the next game and play his/her mandatory time for that game before being removed. 11. Time Outs One (1) offensive time out is permitted per inning. See Rule 5.10 (d) 12. Visits A manager or coach may come out twice in one inning to visit with the pitcher, but the third time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. The manager or coach may come out three times in a game to visit with the pitcher, but the fourth time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. The rule applies to each pitcher who enters a game. See Rule 8.06. 13. Six Run Rule (Minors Only) This rule applies to the first, second, and third innings. After the sixth run is recorded in any half inning, play will be stopped and the teams will change sides, regardless of the number of outs. EXCEPTION: When it is legal for them to do so, runners may advance on a live ball after the sixth run has scored but only until an infielder is in possession of the ball in the vicinity of home plate (umpire' discretion). If, in the opinion of the umpire, a runner has passed third base when an infielder gains possession of the ball in the vicinity of home plate, the runner may attempt to score. All other runners will stop at the furthest base to which they have advanced and the half inning will end regardless of the number of outs. After the third inning there will be no limit on runs a team may score. 14. Base Coaches CSLL allows the use of two adult base coaches (as per Option in Rule 4.05), provided there is a manager/coach in the dugout at all times. 15. Official Scorekeeper The home team will provide an official scorekeeper. The official scorekeeper shall be at least 18 years of age. The scorekeeper shall be seated directly behind the home plate backstop. If the home team is unable to provide an official scorekeeper, the visiting team may provide one if both teams agree. If no volunteer is available, then the home team manager or coach of record must leave the field and become the official scorekeeper. The plate umpire and the official scorekeeper will confirm that all substitutes are entered in the game before the umpire calls "play" at the start of the fourth inning. Any manager or coach refusing to comply with the umpire in regards to substitutions will be ejected from the game. All changes and substitutions should be reported to the plate umpire but may be reported directly to the official scorekeeper with the umpire's permission. The official scorekeeper will record the game starting time as indicated on the designated official timepiece. The official scorekeeper shall not volunteer other information (such as a player batting out of order). EXCEPTIONS: a) If the teams change sides before there are three outs, the official scorekeeper shall inform the umpire immediately. b) If a player listed as injured enters the game, the official scorekeeper must bring the infraction to the attention of the umpire immediately. 16. Roster Vacancy Managers must notify the division player agent within 24 hours of a roster vacancy. The player agent will verify the status of the player with the player's parents. Once it is verified, the vacancy must be filled. Also see Regulation III (d). Minors: The vacancy will be filled with the next eligible player from the waiting list. Any vacancy that occurs within the last two weeks of the regular season or during the postseason will remain unfilled for the balance of the regular season and the postseason tournament. Majors: The manager has seven (7) days from the effective date of the vacancy to select a replacement. The manager may select the next eligible player from the waiting list or he/she may pick an eligible player from a minor team. There will be no contact allowed between the manager and the chosen player or his/her family during the selection process. The manager will report his/her selection to the player agent. The player agent will contact the player, the player's parents, and manager to complete the drafting process. If a minor player refuses to be drafted up to the major division then the manager will select a player from another minor team and the player who refused to be drafted up will be transferred to the minor team from which a player was successfully drafted. No player may be drafted from the minors to the majors within the last two weeks of the major division regular season. Any vacancy that occurs within the last two weeks of the major division regular season or during the postseason will remain unfilled for the balance of the regular season and the postseason tournament. 17. Umpire Appeal (9.02 (b) Only managers (or designated coach of record if manager is absent) may appeal umpire's decision. 18. Game Ejection C.S.L.L. Inc. adopts Rules 9.01 (d), (e), and 9.05 (a), (b), and (c). The use of foul language, gestures, or making derogatory remarks will not be tolerated. This may be cause for immediate removal of the offender from the game by the umpire or coaches or manager. Disruptive behavior by the spectators will not be tolerated and will be cause for removal of the offender from the ballpark and may be cause for further action by the Board of Directors. See also Rules 4.06 & 4.17. Any manager or coach may appeal his or her ejection in writing to league president no later than 24 hours after conclusion of game. PENALTY: Managers and coaches who are ejected from a game shall be suspended for their next scheduled game. They shall not attend the game or attempt to influence it in any way. See also Rule 4.07. Any manager or coach ejected from a game must immediately leave the park. They may not sit in the stands nor be anywhere near the field of play. Players who are ejected from a game shall be suspended for their next scheduled game. They must attend the game in uniform and spend its duration in the dugout on the bench. Failure to do so shall cause them to be suspended until they comply. 19. Protests Protests are to be filed in writing by the protesting party only, to the league president within 24 hours of the starting time of the game in which the protest was noted. Managers, coaches, and players are to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. If you disagree with the umpire's decision, it is expected that the correct and appropriate procedure be used in discussing the matter. If, after discussing the matter with the umpire, a manager is still not satisfied, he/she may protest the game. While time is out, the manager must go to the official scorekeeper and instruct them to note the particulars of the game at the time of the protest on the game's score sheet. These should include, but not be limited to: time; inning; score; who is at bat; count on the batter; position of the base runners; who is protesting the call; and why. A committee made up of members of the Board of Directors will be convened as soon as possible to examine the protest. If the protest is upheld the game will be replayed from the point of the protest. Umpire's judgment calls can NOT be protested. See also Rules 4.19 and 9.02. 20. Substitute Umpire Managers and coaches may substitute as an umpire in their own division providing both team managers agree in writing in the scorebook prior to the game. Both managers and the Board Member on duty will sign the scorebook. 21. On Deck Circle By ruling of Little League Baseball, there is no "on deck circle" at any field or game. See Rule 1.08. 22. Darkness/Rainouts Any game may be called due to darkness or foul weather if in the judgment of the umpire it is unsafe to continue to play. Any game called before it is a regulation game will be made up as necessary. The player agent or president will schedule all make-up dates and times. Also see Rule 4.11 (d). For concerns as to whether a field is playable due to rain, call the C.S.L.L. line @ 247-1716 after 3:00 P.M. For problems with lights call the City's Parks and Recreation voice pager @ 341-1163. If there is no updated message on either line, assume all fields are playable. 23. No Show A game in which one team does not show may result in forfeiture subject to review by the Board of Directors. 24. Jackets/Sleeves Offensive players, while on the bases or in the coach's box, may wear jackets of any color except white, over their uniform. See Rule 1.11 (a)(3). Any part of an undershirt exposed to view shall be of a uniform solid color (not white) for all players on a team. 25. Food/Beverages in Dugouts No gum, sunflower seeds, or food will be allowed in the dugout. Each team is responsible for cleaning up after the game. All beverages must be in plastic containers and must be in the dugout prior to the game. Absolutely no cans or glass will be allowed in the dugout. Violators will be subject to punishment by the Board of Directors. Punishment may include suspension or removal from the team. Note: There are absolutely no alcohol or tobacco products allowed in the dugout! 26. Cleanup Each team MUST clean up dugouts, bleachers and grounds after each game. The manager of each team is responsible for assuring this is done for his or her respective area of the field. Any manager not assuring this is done may be reported to the respective VP or PA for action. 27. Tiebreakers for determining league champion/TOC rep Should a tie for first place occur after all regular-season games, the following will be implemented. Minor: Head-to-head competition. If two teams split the four regular-season games, then a one-game playoff will be held prior to post-season tournament to determine No. 1 seed. Should a three-way tie occur, then head-to-head among the three teams will be the first tiebreaker. The two teams with the best head-to-head record would then meet in a one-game playoff. Major: Head-to-head. Should a three-way tie occur, then head-to-head among the three teams would be the tiebreaker. The No. 1 team will represent CSLL in the Tournament of Champions, while the No. 2 team will be the top-seeded team in CSLL's Post-Season Tournament |
