Supplemental and Local Rules For San Luis Obispo Babe Ruth Division

 

The following rules and regulations supplement, emphasize and where applicable, supersede the rules and regulations of any previous version of San Luis Obispo, Babe Ruth Baseball.  Managers, coaches and umpires should familiarize themselves with this Supplement as well as the official handbook of Rules and Regulations supplied by Babe Ruth headquarters.  The following rules are for our local regular season play.  Tournament rules are governed by national rule book. The league will follow the official handbook except for the changes outlined in these Supplemental Rules.  Violations of these rules may result in the forfeiture of the game or your good standing as a league or playing member.

 

Registration and Team Formation

Playing age will be determined by the player's age on April 30, 2017. All players will be required to register within their age-appropriate division.

Tryouts  

Tryouts are mandatory for all players, including managers’ sons and daughters wishing to play in the Babe Ruth division.  

 

Draft

Teams are re-drafted each year, therefore, all players must try out and all managers should be in place before tryouts and draft night.  A committee will be formed consisting of the President, Vice President Babe Ruth and the Babe Ruth Representative to determine the draft order.  The committee can appoint one additional League Member to join the committee to assist in the process.  The committee will rate manager’s kids to help determine proper round placement.  Draft order will be determined by random draw.  Though the committee at their option may choose to put any number of players in a pool and choose the order by lottery pick or other means to come up with the draft order which is in the best interest of the league.

Other Draft Rules and Protocol: The placement of children of head coaches on teams will be determined by the committee, using a methodology that objectively assigns players to a draft round that is appropriate for their age and playing experience. A player quitting a team during the playing season shall sit out the remainder of the season.  Or if requested and with good cause, may transfer to another team.  Managers must notify their League Representative if a player is lost because of injury, illness, moving out of town or any other causes within 3 days.  League Representative, Vice President of Babe Ruth, Babe Ruth Representative and President will authorize any transfers or the filling of vacancies.

 

Teams and Rosters

Babe Ruth division teams shall carry 11 players on the roster, unless the League Rep and President find it necessary to place a qualified player on a team because of any number of circumstances. Any player wishing to play out of their age appropriate league must have Board approval and the parents must request it by petitioning the board.

Babe Ruth teams needing to fill rosters on an occasional game basis may bring up players from the Majors division.  Occasional basis is defined as games in which teams have the possibility not to field nine players because of such circumstances as illness or school field trips and functions.  You may choose from the entire Majors division.  Teams must start with minimum of 8 players or forfeit the game, unless a prior agreement is made between both managers and league officials.  Managers should not bring up players if they have enough roster players available.  The following guidelines must be used when filling a roster:

a)      Only players on a list provided by the player agent may be used.

b)      The team manager from whom the player is being borrowed must agree to the use of the player.

c)      A player being borrowed will not miss a game on his/her normal team in order to play in the upper division.

d)      The  player being brought up shall bat last in the lineup and can not pitch.

 

GAME PLAY

 

Games

Games are seven innings in length. Babe Ruth division games have a two-hour, no new inning time limit.  Extra innings will be played if time and light allows.  If the game is tied and the time limit or light has expired, a regular season game will end in a tie and will not be replayed or resumed.  In the event of rain or darkness, a game becomes official after three and one half innings if the home team is winning or four complete innings.  If a fifth inning is started and is not able to be completed for whatever reason, the score reverts back to the fourth inning score.  If a sixth inning is started and is not able to be completed for whatever reason, the score reverts back to the fifth inning. Any games not completing the required innings to become official will not be counted and the entire game will be made up at a later date, if necessary. Winning team managers are required to report scores and umpire attendance immediately after each game.  Each year the league will provide the process as to how to report scores.  

Pitching

No pitcher shall pitch more than 4 innings in any one game. Pitchers may only pitch 7 innings in one week.  A single pitch thrown in an inning will count as a full inning, for the purpose of measuring inning count. The week is from Sunday to Saturday. A coach may visit his/her pitcher on the mound once during an inning.  A second visit will automatically remove the pitcher from the mound.  Coaches can confer with pitchers on the mound between innings during warm up; this will not constitute a visit.  Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, he may not return to pitch during that game.

Batting

All players in uniform and physically fit to play will be placed in the line-up.  If a player is not physically fit to bat, then he or she is not fit to play the field and will sit out until a doctor has released said player or if a major injury, the player has fully recovered to play both offense and defense.  The same applies if the player is not physically fit to field, the player will also not bat.  A player will bat in an assigned spot in the order, regardless of if player is in the fielding line-up.  The batting order does not change during the game.  If a player arrives after the game begins, the player shall be inserted at the end of the line-up.  A place in the line-up may not be “held” for a player expected to or who may arrive late.  All managers must submit a starting batting order to the opposing manager.  In the play-offs, if for any other reason (s) he misses a turn, the first time up will be an automatic out.  No penalty afterwards. Batters will not be allowed to fake bunt and then swing away in the same pitch.  Batters may square to bunt and pull back to take (not swing) the pitch.  Penalty for swinging: batter is out.

Base running

Base runners will be permitted to lead off at all bases.  Batters can advance to first base on dropped third strikes when there are two outs or if less than two outs if first base in not occupied.  All blatant balks and balks that impact a play will be called. The baserunner is never allowed to interfere with the defensive players ability to make a play on the ball unless said defensive player mishandles the ball, moves to recover which causes him to run into the baserunner. When ground ball hits a baserunner in fair territory, the play is ruled dead and that baserunner is out. All other baserunners advance 1 base and the batter is awarded first base. If the infield is playing in and the ball has already passed the infielders and it strikes the runner- as long as it was not intentional, all runners are safe. A runner is not out when hit by a deflected ball, unless the umpire deems the act was intentional.  A runner is not out for being hit with a thrown ball unless the umpire deems the act intentional. All players should slide on all close plays to avoid a collision or interference. Players must slide into the base. When contact is made it will be the umpire’s judgment whether the runner created rough or deliberate contact. Catchers can only block the plate within 5 feet of home plate and when the ball is imminent in his possession.  On a close play that the runner did not slide but did try to avoid a tag and or a collision and there was no intent to contact, the runner shall not be called out for not sliding.  Runners may not intentionally interfere by veering towards, without sliding, defensive players who are trying to complete double plays.  At the umpires’ discretion, both runners may be called out.  Managers should teach sliding at the base to avoid double plays and to avoid any possibility of interference and collisions. Headfirst sliding will not be allowed for any age division. If a player slides head first, the runner will be called out.  Headfirst sliding back to a bag is permitted. 

Fielding

Each team will field 9 position players: 3 outfielders, 4 infielders, a pitcher and a catcher. Members of the offense must vacate any space necessary to allow the defensive player to make a play on the ball. If fielder is interfered with, the ball is dead and all runners advance 1 base- exceptions to this rule are noted in ‘base running’. When the catcher drops the third strike, if there are less than 2 outs, baserunner may run to first if first base is not occupied or if there are 2 outs batter runner may advance to first base. 

Required Play Time

All players must play at least 3 defensive innings. In a game of less than 7 innings and the visiting team is losing, then visiting team must have had all players in the field at least two innings. Any manager caught not playing a player the required innings in the field will forfeit the game and be suspended for the next game. A minimum of one defensive inning played by each player must be a position within the infield.  This rule will be in effect until the President or League Representative makes the decision to cease this requirement.  The minimum of 3 defensive innings will remain in effect the entire season.  Any manager caught not playing a player at least 1 defensive inning in the infield will forfeit the game.

Player Injuries and Sickness

If a player is injured during a scheduled practice or game the player agent must be notified immediately.  If the player requires medical attention that player may not return to active play until notification of release is received from the doctor.  This document will be presented to the player agent and approved before play resumes.  A player must be able to occupy both offensive and defensive roles on the field to be eligible to play.  For instance, a player may not exclusively play in the field and not occupy his spot in the batting order.

Re-Entry

Players may re-enter games defensively at any time, but bat in the same order as the start of the game.

 

Managers, Coaches, and Parents

 

Managers are selected by the President, Vice President Babe Ruth and the Babe Ruth League Rep. with input from outgoing managers, division reps and league member input. Managers of the San Luis Obispo Babe Ruth League have a tremendous responsibility.  Your privilege requires many other responsibilities other than coaching.  Your actions will have a direct effect on the success and failures of the league.  Managers and coaches must conduct themselves with integrity when representing The San Luis Obispo Babe Ruth Baseball League.   Managers and coaches should refrain from making negative comments, using vulgar language and demonstrating inappropriate behavior.  Managers and coaches should treat everyone with respect at all times. Any behavior that does not follow these basic guidelines may result in the loss of your good standing with this organization and you may be asked to step down as a volunteer from the San Luis Obispo Babe Ruth Baseball League.  Parents may also lose their “good sanding status” for improper behavior. Managers may be suspended from managing responsibilities by any board member.  The said manager will continue to be removed from managing duties until the board can discuss and make a formal decision.  The board can remove the manager if actions warrant removal. Managers should enlighten parents on all rules and the behavior guidelines set forth in this document.  Parents will be held to the same standards as managers and coaches.  Only managers may approach umpires and no other coaches, parents and players can question the umpires authority and decisions.  Managers must let parents and relatives know that parking close to the baseball field can result in damage to their car and that our insurance does not cover the damage when a coach, parent, relative or guardian park where a foul ball has a chance to strike the car. Managers will also be asked to solicit sponsorship, sell and collect fundraiser ticket money, be asked to attend meetings, training, fingerprinting and perform after game field maintenance. Only officially certified managers, certified coaches, one bat boy/girl (with protective helmet on at all times) and players in uniform shall be allowed in the dugout.  Friends and siblings are not allowed in the dugout.  This is an insurance regulation and managers need to make it known to the league of all said assistant coaches.  There will be no more than 2 coaches and 1 manager in the dugout or on the field during the game.  If choosing to be outside of the dugout, managers and coaches may only stand directly in front of their own dugout close to the fence. Any ball that hits a coach or his equipment will result in a dead ball rule that negatively impacts his/her team. Base coaches may be adults or players in uniform with protective helmets.

Adult coaches may warm up pitchers between innings on the field or in bullpen. Players warming up pitchers must have protective gear on.   Managers will have no more than two minutes to have the defensive teams ready to play.  Players will not stand in dugout opening.  Players should either be seated or if standing, their feet shall be in contact with the ground behind the dugout fence. On deck batters may not start practice swinging until the previous bat has been put in the dugout and the next batter is in the batter’s box ready to hit.  Only one on deck batter will be allowed out of the dugout at any one time. No cell phone or tobacco use during games.

Practice

No team shall start practicing until insurance is in place and teams have been drafted.

Prior to “Opening Day” no manager or coach shall practice with any part of his or her team more than three times in a calendar week.  During the regular season and playoffs, teams shall practice no more than two times in a calendar week.

Game Starting Times-Weekday

All weekday games will start at 5:00 or at umpire’s discretion.

Special Ground Rules

For all fields, any batted or thrown ball that crosses the imaginary line defined by the extension of the dugout either left or right field, is a dead ball.  A ball thrown by an infielder or outfielder that goes out of play shall award the base runner(s) the base they are running for and one additional base. (Example- if a runner is running to third and the throw from right field is thrown past the third base dugout- the runner will get the base they were running for -3^rd base-and one additional base  -home plate- )

Any ball that goes through, under or past the left and right field fence lines is a ground rule double.

Fields and Equipment

Home team will be responsible for placing bases then removing bases and covering up pegs after the game. Home teams are asked to rake out heavily used areas and water if necessary.  Bases and all league equipment should be stored in locked compartments.  All equipment that has been place at a site should stay at that site and is not to be removed from that site. Each team is supplied with practice and game balls, batting helmets and complete catchers gear.  The home team will supply two new game balls before each game.  The game balls will be returned to the home team.  All issued equipment including baseballs will be returned to the league immediately after your last game. Carts and tractors may have one adult driver.  No more than one person is permitted on a tractor. No more than two people are permitted on a golf cart.  Drive Slow!! Under no circumstances are kids allowed to drive golf carts or league field equipment.  Any broken or missing field equipment or team gear should be reported to the Boards Equipment manager.  Any accident involving a possible insurance claim should be reported immediately to the President of the league.

Umpires and Protests

Complaints about umpires should be lodged to the appropriate Umpire Coordinator.

Protest of a game shall be reported to the President the same day.  A committee of three board members shall decide each protest, no later than 4:00 p.m. the following day.  The committee shall be the President, the VP and representative from either Babe Ruth or Majors (depending on the league for which the concern relates) unless one of the three involved has a direct conflict with one of the teams, which is the subject of the protest.  In such conflict, the President shall appoint additional people as necessary to the committee. Umpires are encouraged to make correct decisions even if it means reversal of the call.  Managers should ask politely when seeking help or explanation about a call.  Umpires have the final decision on all aspects of the game.  This includes calling games because of rain or darkness. Only registered managers or a coach acting in place of the manager may question and/or discuss a call with the umpire. If there is a problem with a call, then both managers may get together and if both agree to reverse the umpire’s call, then and only then, will that call be reversed. Otherwise, the umpire’s call is final. All umpires shall be treated with respect. Only registered mangers or the appointed manager in case of absence may respectfully question an umpire.  Any manager, coach, player or parent being thrown out by an umpire for any reason shall remove himself or herself from the playing field.  The penalty for this action shall extend from the remainder of the game and the next game.  If action occurs immediately after a game, the penalty becomes the next (2) games.  Throwing of equipment may be cause for ejection based on umpire’s judgement. Any manager or coach of any team may be removed from his/her position in the league with a board vote.

Concerns and Issues

Any parents or community members that would like to raise a concern with a coach or league representative should submit a written email complaint to sloyouthbaseball@gmail.com.

All issues will be reviewed by a three person subcommittee of the SLO Youth Baseball board, comprised of the President and the VP and representative from either Babe Ruth or Babe Ruth (depending on the league for which the concern relates).