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4.01 (Includes:
Starting a game, Pre-game meeting at home plate)
Unless official notice has previously been given that the game has been
postponed or will be delayed in starting, the umpire, or umpires, shall
enter the playing field at least five minutes before the hour set for
the game to begin and proceed directly to home base where they shall
request for, and be met by, the managers and a representative captain of
the opposing teams. In sequence (a) the umpire in chief shall first
assure that the teams have exchanged batting orders and that there are
no objections and if necessary, each manager shall give a copy of his
batting order to the umpire in chief. (b) Next, the umpire shall review
the basic ground rules and any appropriate and/or significant rule
exceptions that may apply. (c) When a G&T Team is the home team
or the game is at a G&T home field, the umpire in chief or another
G&T representative shall lead a brief prayer for the safety and
appropriate conduct for all in attendance. While this is preferred to
occur regardless of who is the home team or where the game is played, it
is not mandated. With respect to all persons, participation in the
prayer is not required. (d) As soon as the home plate pre-game
meeting begins, the umpires are in charge of the playing field and from
that moment they shall have sole authority to determine when a game
shall be called, suspended or resumed on account of weather or the
condition of the playing field. Obvious errors in the batting order,
which are noticed by the umpires or managers before the umpire calls
"Play" for the start of the game, should be called to the
attention of the manager or captain of the team in error, so the
correction can be made before the game starts. For example, if a manager
has inadvertently listed only eight men in the batting order, or has
listed two players with the same last name but without an identifying
initial and the errors are noticed by the umpire before he calls
"play," he shall cause such error or errors to be corrected
before he calls "play" to start the game. Teams should not be
"trapped" later by some mistake that obviously was inadvertent
and which can be corrected before the game starts. Upon conclusion of
the home plate pre-game meeting, no substitutions shall be made by
either manager, except as provided in the rules.
4.02 (Includes:
Calling for “play”, Starting positions)
The players of the home team shall take their defensive positions, the
first batter of the visiting team shall take his position in the
batter's box, the umpire shall call "Play" and the game shall
start.
4.03 (Includes:
Player position at pitch, catcher position during intentional walk)
When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all
fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory. (a) The
catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave
his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that
when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher
must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box, or if
unmarked the appropriate area as in the opinion of the home plate
umpire, until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY:
Balk. (b) The pitcher, while in the act of delivering the ball to
the batter, shall take his legal position; (c) Except the pitcher and
the catcher, any fielder may station himself anywhere in fair territory;
(d) Except the batter, or a runner attempting to score, no offensive
player shall cross the catcher's lines when the ball is in play.
4.04 (Includes:
Batting order to be followed)
The batting order shall be followed throughout the game unless a player
is substituted for another. In that case the substitute shall take the
place of the replaced player in the batting order.
4.05 (Includes:
Base coaches)
(a) The offensive team shall station two base coaches on the field
during its term at bat, one near first base and one near third base. (b)
Base coaches shall be limited to two in number and shall (1) wear a
protective helmet if under the age of 18 (An adult over the age of 18
may choose not to wear a protective helmet and accepts full
responsibility and liability in the event of injury. All teams are
considered to be familiar with the all rules within this rulebook.), and
(2) remain within the coach's box or if unmarked the appropriate area as
in the opinion of the umpire, at all times. PENALTY: The offending base
coach shall be removed from the game, and shall leave the playing field.
It has been common practice for many years for some coaches to put one
foot outside the coach's box or stand astride or otherwise be slightly
outside the coaching box lines. The coach shall not be considered out of
the box unless the opposing manager complains, and then, the umpire
shall strictly enforce the rule and require all coaches (on both teams)
to remain in the coach's box at all times. It is also common practice
for a coach who has a play at his base to leave the coach's box to
signal the player to slide, advance or return to a base. This may be
allowed if the coach does not interfere with the play in any manner.
4.06 (Includes:
Unsportsmanlike conduct, foul language)
(a) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer, or batboy shall at
any time, whether from the bench, the coach's box or on the playing
field, or elsewhere (1) Incite, or try to incite, by word or sign a
demonstration by spectators; (2) Use inappropriate or foul language of
any kind including such which in any manner refer to or reflect upon
opposing players, an umpire, or any spectator; (3) Call
"Time," or employ any other word, phrase or noise, or commit
any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious purpose of
trying to make the pitcher commit a balk. (4) Make intentional contact
with the umpire in any manner. (b) No fielder shall take a position in
the batter's line of vision, and with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent,
act in a manner to distract the batter. PENALTY:
The offender shall be removed from the game and shall leave the playing
field, and, if a balk is made, it shall be nullified.
Spectators may also be removed from the game area if their
conduct warrants such actions in the opinion of the umpire.
4.07 (Includes:
When ejected from game)
When a manager, player, coach or trainer is ejected from a game, he
shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game.
He shall remain in the club house or change to street clothes and either
leave the park if requested, or take a seat in the grandstand well
removed from the vicinity of his team's bench or bullpen and without
participation in the further course of the game. If a manager, coach or
player is under suspension he may not be in the dugout or press box
during the course of a game. PENALTY: If an ejected
participant or spectator refuses to remove himself or herself to the
satisfaction of the umpire, the umpire may elect to forfeit the game to
the opposing team.
4.08 (Includes:
Outspoken disapproval of an umpire’s decision)
When the occupants of a player's bench show outspoken disapproval of an
umpire's decision, the umpire shall first give warning that such
disapproval shall cease. If such action continues_ PENALTY:
The umpire shall order the offenders from the bench. If he is unable to
detect the offender, or offenders, he may clear the bench of all
substitute players. The manager of the offending team shall have the
privilege of recalling to the playing field only those players needed
for substitution in the game.
4.09 (Includes:
Scoring)
HOW A TEAM SCORES. (a) One run shall be scored each time a runner
legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base
before three men are put out to end the inning. EXCEPTION: A run
is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which
the third out is made (1) by the batter runner before he touches first
base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner
who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases. (b)
When the winning run is scored in the last half inning of a regulation
game, or in the last half of an extra inning, as the result of a base on
balls, hit batter or any other play with the bases full which forces the
runner on third to advance, the umpire shall not declare the game ended
until the runner forced to advance from third has touched home base and
the batter runner has touched first base. An exception will be if fans
rush onto the field and physically prevent the runner from touching home
plate or the batter from touching first base. In such cases, the umpires
shall award the runner the base because of the obstruction by the fans. PENALTY:
If the runner on third refuses to advance to and touch home base in a
reasonable time, the umpire shall disallow the run, call out the
offending player and order the game resumed. If, with two out, the
batter runner refuses to advance to and touch first base, the umpire
shall disallow the run, call out the offending player, and order the
game resumed. If, before two are out, the batter runner refuses to
advance to and touch first base, the run shall count, but the offending
player shall be called out. Approved Ruling: No run shall
score during a play in which the third out is made by the batter runner
before he touches first base. Example: One out, Jones on second,
Smith on first. The batter, Brown, hits safely. Jones scores. Smith is
out on the throw to the plate. Two outs. But Brown missed first base.
The ball is thrown to first, an appeal is made, and Brown is out. Three
outs. Since Jones crossed the plate during a play in which the third out
was made by the batter runner before he touched first base, Jones' run
does not count. Approved Ruling: Following runners are not
affected by an act of a preceding runner unless two are out. Example:
One out, Jones on second, Smith on first, and batter, Brown, hits home
run inside the park. Jones fails to touch third on his way to the plate.
Smith and Brown score. The defense holds the ball on third, appeals to
umpire, and Jones is out. Smith's and Brown's runs count. Approved
Ruling: Two out, Jones on second, Smith on first and batter, Brown,
hits home run inside the park. All three runs cross the plate. But Jones
missed third base, and on appeal is declared out. Three outs. Smith's
and Brown's runs are voided. No score on the play. Approved Ruling:
One out, Jones on third, Smith on second. Batter Brown flies out to
center. Two out. Jones scores after catch and Smith scores on bad throw
to plate. But Jones, on appeal, is adjudged to have left third before
the catch and is out. Three outs. No runs. Approved Ruling: Two
out, bases full, batter hits home run over fence. Batter, on appeal, is
declared out for missing first base. Three outs. No run counts. Here is
a general statement that covers: When a runner misses a base and a
fielder holds the ball on a missed base, or on the base originally
occupied by the runner if a fly ball is caught, and appeals for the
umpire's decision, the runner is out when the umpire sustains the
appeal; all runners may score if possible, except that with two out the
runner is out at the moment he misses the bag, if an appeal is sustained
as applied to the following runners. Approved Ruling: One out,
Jones on third, Smith on first, and Brown flies out to right field.
Two outs. Jones tags up and scores after the catch. Smith
attempted to return to first but the right fielder's throw beat him to
the base. three outs. But Jones scored before the throw to catch Smith
reached first base, hence Jones' run counts. It was not a force play.
4.10 (Includes:
Regulation game)
(a) A regulation game consists of seven innings, unless extended because
of a tie score, or shortened (1) because the home team needs none of its
half of the ninth inning or only a fraction of it, or (2) because the
umpire calls the game. (b) If the score is tied after seven completed
innings play shall continue until (1) the visiting team has scored more
total runs than the home team at the end of a completed inning, or (2)
the home team scores the winning run in an uncompleted inning. (c) If a
game is called, it is a regulation game: (1) If five innings have been
completed; (2) If the home team has scored more runs in four or four and
a fraction half innings than the visiting team has scored in five
completed half innings; (3) If the home team scores one or more runs in
its half of the fifth inning to tie the score. (d) If each team has the
same number of runs when the game ends or is suspended because of rain,
darkness, etc., the score is
reverted back to the last full inning of play unless the home team is
ahead to determine the winner of the game.
(e) No game may end in a tie if the curfew restrictions can be
met. If the game has been called and it is a regulation game, then a tie
is permitted and one (1) point is awarded to each team. CURFEW
EXCEPTION: Weekday games
will begin at 6:00 p.m. If a team does not have enough players present
to avoid a forfeit, a delay of no more than fifteen (15) minutes will be
allowed. The fifteen (15) minute rule will also apply to the designated
start time for Saturday games. No new innings shall begin after 8:15 pm
during the month of May or after 8:30 until June 10th
(when school is the issue). The umpires may determine at any time that
darkness may prevent the start of a new inning. After June 10th,
there shall be no curfew in effect. A new inning begins
as soon as the third out in the preceding inning is made. All games held
after school is out for the summer (both teams) and all weekend games
throughout the season will start at 6:00 p.m. or as scheduled, and will
be played without a curfew (Game may be called by an umpire due to
darkness). All games are official after 2 hours and 15 minutes as part
of curfew rule.
4.11
(Includes:
Score of regulation game, Early termination of game)
The score of a regulation game is the total number of runs scored by
each team at the moment the game ends. (a) The game ends when the
visiting team completes its half of the seventh inning if the home team
is ahead. (b) The game ends when the seventh inning is completed, if the
visiting team is ahead. (c) If the home team scores the winning run in
its half of the seventh inning (or its half of an extra inning after a
tie), the game ends immediately when the winning run is scored. EXCEPTION:
If the last batter in a game hits a home run out of the playing field,
the batter runner and all runners on base are permitted to score, in
accordance with the base running rules, and the game ends when the
batter runner touches home plate. APPROVED RULING: The batter
hits a home run out of the playing field to win the game in the last
half of the seventh or an extra inning, but is called out for passing a
preceding runner. The game ends immediately when the winning run is
scored. (d) A called game ends at the moment the umpire terminates play.
EXCEPTION: If the game is called while an inning is in progress
and before it is completed, the game becomes a SUSPENDED game. If
a game is suspended before it is a regulation game, it must be replayed
from the point of suspension. These games are to be
completed during the regular season at a time mutually agreeable to both
managers and the league commissioner. If both managers cannot agree on a
time, then the commissioner will specify day and time and will notify
the umpire director to arrange for an umpire. Regular rules will apply
to all such unscheduled games. If each team has the same number of runs
when the game ends or is suspended because of rain, darkness, etc., the
score is reverted back to the last full inning of play unless the home
team is ahead to determine the winner of the game.
4.12 (Includes:
Suspended games)
SUSPENDED GAMES. A suspended game is not considered a forfeit when
suspended for any of the following reasons: (1) A curfew imposed by law;
(2) A time limit permissible under league rules; (3) Light failure or
malfunction of a mechanical field device under control of the home club.
(Mechanical field device shall include automatic tarpaulin or water
removal equipment). (4) Darkness, when a law prevents the lights from
being turned on. (5) Weather, if the game is called under the provisions
of Rule 4.10. the following rules shall be applied to the completion at
a future date of games suspended for the reasons provided in Rule 4.12.
In the even a suspended game has not been resumed and completed in a
timely manner, the league commissioner may consider it a called game to
allow for the conclusion of the regular season and the start of the
playoffs should the suspended game have no implications on the playoff
schedule. A suspended game shall be resumed according to Rule 4.11. The
completion of a suspended game is a continuation of the original game.
The lineup and batting order of both teams shall be exactly the same as
the lineup and batting order at the moment of suspension, subject to the
rules governing substitution. Any player may be replaced by a player who
had not been in the game prior to the suspension. No player removed
before the suspension may be returned to the lineup. A player who was
not with the club when the game was suspended may be used as a
substitute, even if he has taken the place of a player no longer with
the club who would not have been eligible because he had been removed
from the lineup before the game was suspended. If immediately prior to
the call of a suspended game, a substitute pitcher has been announced
but has not retired the side or pitched until the batter becomes a
baserunner, such pitcher, when the suspended game is later resumed may,
but is not required to start the resumed portion of the game. However,
if he does not start he will be considered as having been substituted
for and may not be used in that game.
4.13 (Includes:
Doubleheaders)
RULES GOVERNING DOUBLEHEADERS. (a) Suspended games may be scheduled as
part of a doubleheader but shall be completed before the second game of
the doubleheader shall begin. (b) The second game of a doubleheader
shall start fifteen minutes after the first game is completed, unless a
longer interval (not to exceed thirty minutes) is declared by the umpire
in chief and announced to the opposing managers at the end of the first
game. (c) The umpire in chief of the first game shall be the timekeeper
controlling the interval between games. The umpire shall start the
second game of a doubleheader, if at all possible, and play shall
continue as long as ground conditions, local time restrictions, or
weather permit. (d) When a rescheduled game is part of a doubleheader
the rescheduled game shall be the first game, and the second game shall
be the regularly scheduled game for that date.
4.14 (Includes:
Lighted fields)
The umpire in chief shall order the playing field lights turned on, if
available, whenever in his opinion darkness makes further play in
daylight hazardous.
4.15 (Includes:
Forfeiture of games)
A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team (a) Fails to
appear upon the field, or being upon the field, refuses to start play
within five minutes after the umpire has called "Play" at the
appointed hour for beginning the game, unless such delayed appearance
is, in the umpire's judgment, unavoidable. If
a team does not have enough players present to avoid a forfeit, a delay
of no more than fifteen minutes will be allowed;
(b) Employs tactics palpably designed to delay or shorten the game; (c)
Refuses to continue play during a game unless the game has been
suspended or terminated by the umpire; (d) Fails to resume play, after a
suspension, within five minute after the umpire has called
"Play;" (e) After warning by the umpire, willfully and
persistently violates any rules of the game; (f) Fails to obey within a
reasonable time the umpire's order for removal of a player from the
game; (g) Fails to appear for the second game of a doubleheader within
fifteen minutes after the close of the first game unless the umpire in
chief of the first game shall have extended the time of the
intermission.
4.16
(Includes:
Forfeiture of games regarding grounds keeping)
A game shall be forfeited to the visiting team if, after it has been
suspended, the order of the umpire to groundskeepers respecting
preparation of the field for resumption of play are not complied with.
4.17 (Includes:
Forfeiture of games regarding inability or refusal to play)
A game shall be forfeited to the opposing team when a team is unable or
refuses to place the regulation number of players on the field.
4.18 (Includes:
Reporting forfeited games)
If the umpire declares a game forfeited he shall transmit a written
report to the league commissioner within twenty four hours thereafter,
but failure of such transmittal shall not effect the forfeiture.
4.19 (Includes:
Protesting games)
PROTESTING GAMES. 1. (a) No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment
decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision of the
League Commissioner shall be final. (b) Even if it is held that the
protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be
ordered unless in the opinion of the League Commissioner the violation
adversely affected the protesting team's chances of winning the game.
(c) Whenever a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication
of the rules the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are
notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next
pitch is made or a runner is retired with
the mutual awareness of both managers, and the Director In Charge if
represented. (d) The protest must be described in the home team’s
scorebook, and with the umpire, along with the inning, ball/strike
count, number of outs, positions of base runners, the time, and the
date. (e) A protest
arising on a game ending play may be filed until 12 noon the following
day with the League Office. (f) Protests
can be made only by the managers of record for that game. Other
managers, directors, and spectators should report any violations of
Bobby Bonner Youth Baseball League rules and regulations to the Director
in Charge or to the League Commissioner. (g) Each manager should submit
a written description of the protest to the League Commissioner within
24 hours of the protested game. 2. Protest Proceedings:
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The
Rules Committee of the Board will be responsible for presiding over
protest proceedings for the duration of the baseball season.
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The
managers’ written statement(s) regarding the protested game will be
reviewed by the committee.
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A
meeting will be scheduled which both managers and the game umpires must
attend to give their versions of the incident.
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The
Rules Committee will investigate and analyze the incident thoroughly
before rendering a decision.
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The
Committee’s decision will be submitted to the League Commissioner and
the Bobby Bonner Travel League Board. With their acceptance the decision
will be final and both managers will be notified.
Note:
Any Bobby Bonner Youth Baseball League Directors having a vested
interest in the protested game must disqualify themselves from
participating in the final decision.
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