2017 Boys Mustang Baseball Rules

Revised 4-25-2017

OYA Baseball 2017 Commissioners

Shetland Giovanni Longo juva26@att.netMaverick Chad Capps chadcapps21@gmail.comPinto Jim Pittacora jrp@pittacoralawgroup.comMustang John Winn johnmwinn@hotmail.comBronco Mike Citarella mjcitarella@gmail.comPony Glenn Nagel gnagel60@comcast.net

High School oya@oyaboys.org

Scheduling Coordinator Jenne Roselli

Board of Directors

Chris Kusper-PresidentKen Stack-Vice PresidentScott Van Wagner–High School Basketball DirectorBrian Brandt-Equipment ManagerBrian Cooper–Director of Baseball & SoccerBrian Gaspardo-TreasurerJohn Stefanos–Public Relations DirectorGeorge Malfas–Grammar School Basketball Director

Contact oya@oyaboys.orgPlease communicate through e-mail

OYA Office: (708) 364-7187OYA Fax Line: (708) 364-9365 OYA Website: http://www.oyaboys.org Park Dept. Rain Line: (708) 403-6290

MISSION

The goal of OYA Boys Programs is to enhance the quality of life for the youth of our community, by striving to provide quality baseball, basketball, and soccer laegues, where players can learn and de-velop fundamentals, skills, and good sportsmanship.

GENERAL POLICIES

Play is governed by this OYA Rule Book and then by PONY BASEBALL’S OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES (the “Sporting News” edition).

These rules and regulations have been established by and will be enforced by the Board of Direc -tors of the Orland Youth Association, Boys Programs.

For simplicity and readability, the following terms in this rule book are interchangeable:“Parent” as “parent/guardian; “son” as “son/daughter”; “brother” as “brother/sister”“boy” as “boy/girl”; “his” as “his/her”

Except where specifically referred to as “Fall Ball”, the following Fall Ball Leagues will be referred to by their Spring Baseball league name.

Spring FallMustang 3rd & 4th GradeBronco 5th & 6th GradePony 7th & 8th GradeHigh School in May

High School

** Must reach age by April 30th the following year.

General Rules for Parents1. Player Status: Spring and Summer Baseball: To maintain recreational status, a player may not be

rostered on, any full or part-time travel baseball team not sponsored by OYA, or another recreational baseball program, during the OYA recreational season. A player is considered to be rostered even if not published if he plays in 20% of a Travel team’s games. During registration, players are required to declare any travel baseball team that they have been rostered on. Fall Ball (exception): During registration, players are required to declare any travel baseball team that they are or have been ros-tered on.

2. Transportation: Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from all practices and games. Players are expected to be on the field, in uniform, ready to play, 30 minutes before game time.

a. In the event of inclement weather, call the Village of Orland Park, Parks and Recreation Dept. Rain Line for confirmation of rain-outs (403-6290).

b. If your child is unable to make a game or practice, courtesy is to please call the team man-ager or a coach ahead of time. The team manager may need to cancel the practice, adjust the lineup, or forfeit the game.

3. Uniforms: Supplied by league. a. Players must wear Cup type athletic supporters, for games and practices.

b. Uniforms are not necessary for practices.c. Sunglasses and white sleeved shirts are not allowed for pitchers.

4. Communication: Suggestions, complaints, and questions about player’s progress or a player’s play-ing time are to be directed to the team manager, and not the assistant coaches.

a. Parent Coaching: If a parent wishes to discuss baseball fundamentals with his or her child, they should wait until after the practice or game. Parents are not allowed to “coach” from di-rectly behind home plate at any time.

b. Umpires: Only managers can discuss issues with umpires, not coaches, players, spectators or parents. Any violation may result in forfeiture by the offending team. Anyone ejected from a game by an umpire will automatically be suspended for the following game, and further penalties will be determined by Board review.

c. Safety Exception: Especially at the younger age levels, you are encouraged to help make sure that players do not take warm-up swings too close to others, swing a bat in the dugout , go on deck to bat without a helmet, or practice too close to spectators.

5. Siblings: During games and practices, only the Team Manager designated Assistant Coaches, and Players are allowed in the dugout and the field. Parents are responsible for keeping yourself and your other children out of harm’s way. Keep small children behind fences when possible.

6. No Alcohol: OYA and the Village of Orland Park strictly prohibit alcoholic beverages at all parks. Any violation may result in forfeiture by the offending team.

7. No Smoking: Village Ordinance restricts smoking at public events. Coaches and any parents on the field or in the dugout should refrain from smoking during OYA games.

8. No Cheerleading: Organized cheerleading (and chanting) and the use of musical instruments are prohibited. The first infraction of this rule may result in a warning from the umpire. On the second infraction, the offender may be asked to leave. If he or she refuses to leave, the team represented by this person must forfeit the game.

9. Insurance: No insurance is available or implied through OYA Boys Programs. It is the responsibil-ity of each individual parent to have insurance for his/her own child.

10. Spectators: Parents are responsible for ALL family members and friends attending games. Specta-tors who do not show appropriate sportsmanship will be subject to disciplinary action including mea-sures that may include the suspension or expulsion of the child from the league. Spectators may not:

a. Harass, heckle or otherwise question umpires, coaches, participants or opponents. The OYA will suspend or remove players where relatives, friends, etc. cannot show proper sportsmanship at games.

b. Engage in negative cheering (ex.-“Don’t worry, he can’t hit.”)c. Use of profanity, alcohol consumption or any other activities not appropriate with young

children and families present. The OYA Board will have final discretion over the appropri-ateness of any behavior based on the specific facts and circumstances.

d. “Coach” or give specific instructions from the stands or behind fences.e. Sit directly behind home plate except at those fields where permanent bleachers are placed

there. All fans must be either in or adjacent to permanent bleachers or down the outfield lines beyond the dugouts.

General Rules for Team Managers 

We, as members of OYA Boys Programs (OYA), believe that our work has a direct impact on the youth we coach and an important impact on the quality of life in our community. To demonstrate our dedica-tion to the children and families in our community, we commit ourselves to the following values and rules of conduct. An OYA Coach acts as an official representative of OYA who is required and trusted to work within the rules established by the OYA Board of Directors. The basic duties of a coach include:  

-        providing positive instruction and guidance for the youth;-        maintaining a positive team attitude & team concept throughout season; - ensuring the enjoyment of all participants including opposing coaches and players- teaching sportsmanship through example and direction of players and parents-       Overall management of the day to day activities of the team (as defined in the

OYA Rule Book for each sport); and-        Adherence to all OYA established rules & Board decisions, throughout season

 A Coach shall perform all of their duties impartially, without favor or ill will and without regard to sta-tus, sex, race, or religion. All players and parents will be treated equally and with courtesy, considera-tion, and dignity. Coaches shall conduct themselves in such a manner as to inspire confidence and respect for the position of trust they hold. Coaches will never allow personal feelings, animosities, or friendships to influence conduct.  Coaches shall perform their duties with integrity and always maintain a professional disposition. In-tegrity is defined as being honest, moral, upright, and sincere. We believe that integrity is the basis for trust within the OYA community; therefore, we can only coach effectively to the extent that we are cred-ible, individually, and as an association. Any deviation from the OYA rules and policies in an effort to win games, or any unsportsmanlike conduct by managers, coaches, parents, or players, will not be tolerated. Such actions are subject to a board committee hearing, and may result in suspension or ejection from the league, for those individ-uals involved.

1. Communication: Team Managers are encouraged to communicate clearly with your team par-ents.

a. After the Draft, please call the Parent of each of your players as soon as possible.b. Please provide copy of schedule and Team Roster, with phone numbers for all Parents.c. Please provide each parent with a copy of the General Rules for Parents.d. Pass out uniforms to Players promptly and carefully so each player receives the sizes that

were ordered or sizes that are appropriate. Inform your commissioner promptly of any missing uniforms or replacement orders.

e. Please inform your team promptly when you get dates for picture day, travel tryouts (if applicable), makeup games/practices, and the picnic.

f. The younger teams traditionally have a snack schedule, to pass out snacks and drinks af-ter each game. (The Manager may wish to note snacks to avoid if someone on the team is allergic to peanut products, MSG, etc. and may wish to discourage caffeine drinks.)

2. Field Usage:

a. Managers must check the Village of Orland Park rain line (403-6290) prior to games, and must not use fields that the Parks Dept. has deemed unplayable.

b. The schedule will designate the home team for each game. The home team resides in the 3rd base dugout. The visiting team bats first.

c. The home team is responsible for putting out the bases, and the visiting team responsible for putting the bases away, as well as being sure that storage cabinets are locked. Bases must be returned to equipment boxes at the end of the game, unless another game imme-diately follows.

d. Upon arrival, team managers should confirm an even split of field usage for warm-ups prior to game starting time. Traditionally, the visiting team may practice on the field 30 - 15 minutes before the game. The home team practices on the field 15 minutes before the game.

e. Games must take place during game time as designated by the schedule set forth by OYA and your Commissioner. Since the field may be allocated to another team or another or-ganization later in the day, a game may not be started later than 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time.

f. If it begins to rain after the game is started, the umpire will make the determination as to whether the game should be called.

g. Upon activation of the lightning detector, or at the first occurrence of lightning, Managers must clear the field and keep their team clear of metal fences, poles, and stands. Follow instructions from Park Dept. officials. Games may continue if the lightning detector gives the all-clear signal within 20 minutes.

h. Managers must hold their team responsible for cleaning its respective dug-out and specta-tor areas, following games and practices.

i. Managers should work to move the games along as efficiently as possible by having a predetermined lineup, having on deck hitters ready, warming up pitchers in between in-nings, and generally working to prevent delays.

3. Team Equipment: Managers are responsible for their assigned equipment. Equipment must be returned to the OYA at the end of the season, but Managers may keep the baseballs. (Many man-agers pass out game balls to players during or at the end of the season.)

a. Game Balls: one new ball per team is required per game. 4. Addressing the Umpires Only team managers can address the umpires, not coaches, players or

parents. Any violation may result in forfeiture by the offending team. There will be no debates on umpire judgment calls (ex.- plays on bases, balks, etc.) including, balls and strike calls.

a. If a player, parent, team manager or coach is evicted by an umpire from any game for any reason, he is automatically suspended for the following game, and also may be subject to immediate dismissal, per review by the OYA Board of Directors.

b. Managers are responsible for the actions of their team’s players, parents and assistant coaches.

c. Managers are required to wear their OYA Manager shirt or hat. This will help control the game.

d. If the Manager wishes to file a formal protest, see page 14.

5. Score Reporting: The final score entered by winning manager) and the number of innings pitched (en-tered by each manager for their team) by all pitchers who appeared in the game, must be entered at www.oyaboys.org within 24 hours of completion of a game by the winning manager. If a manager finds a discrepancy in entered information they should contact the opposing manager immediately.

a. The winning manager should confirm with the losing manager the final score. b. Commissioners may forfeit games in which pitching violations have occurred.

c. Managers may keep batting averages and pitchers’ ERA’s, and note in the scorebook any defensive accomplishments. This Information may be used to determine Picnic All-Starstatus.

6. Rosters & Line-Ups: Rosters are either assigned or selected by draft depending on the league. Once rosters are finalized there are no trades allowed under any circumstances. Rules for playing time must be strictly followed with the general goal of distributing at bats and field time evenly, and providing all players the opportunity to play multiple positions (on both the infield and outfield.)

General Rules for Commissioners

REGISTRATION / AGE GROUPSEach division consists of two age groups. As players are registered, they shall be assigned to a divi-sion and age group as follows:

a. League Age is age attained before May 1st of the baseball season:

Shetland 5 year oldsMaverick 6 and 7 year oldsPinto 7 and 8 year oldsMustang 9 and 10 year oldsBronco 11 and 12 year oldsPony 13 and 14 year oldsColt 15 and 16 year oldsPalomino 17 through 19 year olds

MANAGER SELECTION1. MANAGERS: Commissioners & appointed review committee shall assemble list of possible

managers. Managers will be selected based on their ability to fulfill the mission described above and their ability to appropriately relate to the players and participate as productive leaders in our leagues.

a. This list shall be presented to the Board for approval. The manager’s son(s) is slotted in the appropriate round in the draft based on rating system established that year for his team in the appropriate age group.

b. Commissioners will assemble a final list of Team Managers, including phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and submit to the OYA Board of Directors for posting on the web-site.

a. ASSISTANT COACHES: Assistant coaches will be assigned with their sons either through draft or commissioner selection and are not pre-selected. At all levels, our leagues struggle to find enough manager volunteers, and our hope is as many parents will decide to manage teams as possible. This policy is revisited annually, and may change should volunteer rates increase to meet the need for managers.

TEAM FORMATION

Mustang teams will be using a draft process by all managers.

LATE SIGNUPS AFTER THE DRAFT: Assigned to the team with the next draft pick in that age cat-egory, based on the number of players currently on each team. A team who has lost players would get

replacement players first, if they have fewer players than all other teams. Exceptionally talented chil-dren may be assigned differently if in the Commissioner’s opinion; their re-assignment would lead to more even teams. They may not assign in this manner if it is the team for which they coach.

PLAYING RULESThe official playing rules, with the exceptions all variations contained in this book, shall be “OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES”, completely revised, as released through the office of the commissioner of base-ball, “The Sporting News” edition.

PLAYING FIELDS League Base Dis-

tancePitching Distance*

Home Plate to 2nd Base

RecommendedHome Run (at center field)

Recom-mended Home Run (at foul lines)

Mustang 60 feet 44 feet 84 ft 10 in 225 feet 175 feet

Bronco 70 feet 48 feet 99 feet 250 feet 200 feetPony 80 feet 54 feet 113 ft 2 in 300 feet 250 feet

Colt/Palo.

90 feet 60 ft 6 in 127 ft 3 in 350 feet 300 feet

* Pitching distance = back of pitching rubber to back point of plate

PLAYER EQUIPMENT1. Players must provide their own, properly sized mitt. 2. Bats: OYA will restrict bats to those with BPF (Bat Performance Factor) of 1.15 or less. Bat bar-

rels must be smaller than (or equal to) 2 5/8" in Mustang and above. Bats must be less than 42 inches in length. The BPF is printed on the barrel of many bats or can be researched with the manufacturer

Maximum bat ounces: Mustang 31 ouncesBronco 33 ouncesPony 34 ouncesColt / Palomino 42 ounces

*NOTE: Only rubber-cleated and/or rubber soled shoes permitted for recreational teams;a. Exception: Metal cleated, rubber cleated and/or rubber soled shoes are permitted for

Pony, Colt and Palomino divisions. 3. Batters, players in the on-deck area, base runners and players coaching the baseline coaching

boxes are required to wear protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head, temples, ears, and base of the skull.

a. Mustang batters and base-runners’ headgear must have protective face masks and be used in practices, practice games and all season games.

b. All headgear must be NOCSAE approved. c. Only one player is permitted on deck at a time.

4. Catchers are required to wear a cup-type athletic supporter, mask with throat guard, chest protec-tor, shin guards and protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head when catching behind the plate. (Any player serving as a catcher to warm up a pitcher must wear a mask when the pitcher is warming up on the playfield.)

5. Cup type athletic supporters must be worn by all players at all levels.

6. Mouth-guards are strongly recommended.7. Sliding pants (worn under the uniform pants) are not required, but they are recommended start-

ing at Mustang level.8. Pitchers may not wear white sleeves or non-prescription glasses on the mound.

GAMES

ATTENDENCEThe minimum number of players required to play a game is eight. 1. A game can be postponed only 15 minutes, after which time the game must be forfeited.2. In event of a forfeit, games can/should be played with borrowed players, but result will remain a

forfeit.

LENGTH OF GAMESIn regulation games, the numbers of innings are as follows:

Mustang 6 inningsBronco-Palomino 7 innings

Ties: For Mustang and older games tied at the end of regulation shall go into extra innings until a deci-sion is reached, or game is called by the umpire due to time limit.

Mustang games shall not exceed nine innings. When the score is tied at the end of the maximum number of innings, the game shall be declared a tie game. Exception: No inning limit for playoff games.

COMPLETE GAMES MUSTANG - If game is called for any reason, it is a complete game if four innings have been com-

pleted or if the home team has the lead after 31/2 innings. If a game is called for any reason and it is not a complete game, including tie games as described in

the previous section, it shall be rescheduled, if possible, as a new game, by commissioners. In a called playoff game where the score is tied after reaching complete game status, play will re-

sume at a time scheduled by commissioners. Only players listed in original game roster will be eligi-ble to play, and all game stats and pitching rules will also carry over.

Should a playoff game be rained out before complete game status, the game shall be rescheduled for another date and shall resume at the point of when the game was called.

TIME LIMITS Every attempt should be made by the umpire to complete an inning in progress before calling the

game however, safety comes first. Also, games may be stopped if another organization reserves the field following a game, and is unwilling to wait any longer.

Umpire will keep official time of game.

No new inning shall begin after one hour and fifty minutes. The game is officially over at the end of the inning, or after playing a total of two hours and ten minutes when another OYA game fol-lows

If a game is unavoidably stopped during an inning then the score reverts to the end of the previous full inning, and the “COMPLETE GAMES” rule is applied.

Note: References to “End of inning” above may actually be the middle of an inning, if home team ahead.

Exception: all playoff games have a 1:50 minute time limit except the championship and consolation games.

DELAY OF GAME If in the judgment of the umpire, the game is being intentionally delayed by either team, that team will be given one warning. The second warning results in a forfeit of the game.

No more than three players shall “huddle” on the playing field at any one time during the game. Umpires should discourage such “huddling” when it is tending to delay the game.

BATTING RULES Batting Order: All divisions will use a continuous batting order. All players will and must be listed

in the batting order and bat accordingly. Managers are encouraged to track at-bats throughout the season and try to keep total at-bats even among players.

Batting Out of Turn 1) A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when he fails to bat in his proper turn, and another batter

completes a time at bat in his place.a) The proper batter may take his place in the batter’s box at any time before the im-

proper batter becomes a runner or is put out. In this case, balls and strikes shall be counted towards the proper batter’s time at bat.

2) When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put-out, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before the first pitch to the next batter of either team, or before any play or attempted play, umpire shall:

1 - Declare the proper batter out; and 2 - Nullify any advance or score made because of a ball batted by improper batter or be-cause of improper batter’s advance to first base on a hit, error, base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise.

NOTE: If a runner advances, while the improper batter is at bat, on a stolen base, balk, wild pitch, or passed ball, such advance is legal.

3) When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put-out, and the first pitch is made to the next batter of either team before an appeal is made, then improper batter thereby becomes the proper batter, and the results of his time at bat become legal.

4) When the proper batter is called out because he has failed to bat in turn, the next batter shall be batter whose name follows that of the proper batter thus called out;

5) When an improper batter becomes a proper batter because no appeal is made before the next pitch, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of such legalized improper bat-ter. The instant an improper batter’s actions are legalized, the batting order picks up with the name following that of the legalized improper batter.

Batters Box: A batter is out for illegal action when: o He hits a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside of the batter’s box. o He steps from one batter’s box to the other while the pitcher is in position, ready to pitch.

o He interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base.

o EXCEPTION: batter is not out if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out, for batter’s interference. No base advancement is allowed if “in-terference” is called. If no batter’s box, this is under umpire’s judgment.

o Anytime a bat is thrown by a batter, the batter should be called out. This will be determined by umpire judgment.

Bunting: In Mustang, Bronco and Pony players are not permitted to fake a bunt and then swing away for safety reasons. Any player showing a bunt must attempt to bunt the ball or take the pitch. Batters who swing after indicating a bunt will be automatically called out.

Dropped third strike –Dropped third strike rule does not apply to Maverick, Pinto & Mustang.

Infield Fly: If a fly ball in the infield is declared an “infield fly” ball by the umpire, the batter is au-tomatically out. Runners may advance at their own risk. Rule only applies with first and second, or first, second, and third base occupied before two are out. Infield Fly Rule does not apply to Shetland, Pinto, Maverick or Mustang.

RUNNING RULES Stand-up rule (applies to entire league): The base runner must slide if the play is close. The umpire

will decide if the runner is out. o Exception: At home plate, the IHSA rule of No Slide to Avoid Collision is also allowed.

Lead-offs and Stealing:o In Mustang, runners may steal bases, but may not leave the base they are occupying at the

time of the pitch until the pitched ball passes the plate. Once the pitcher has stepped on the rubber with possession of the ball, runners who leave base before the pitched ball reaches or passes the catcher shall be called out and the pitch shall be considered as a dead ball.

o In Mustang, there will be no stealing home allowed this includes all passed balls, wild pitches, overthrows back to pitcher, or if a play is made on the runner at third or any other base.

Hold Up Rule:

o Mustang - If, while the ball is in play, the pitcher, while in the vicinity of the mound, receives and maintains possession of the ball, the play will then be declared dead, time out automati-cally called, and runners can no longer advance. If a runner is more than halfway to the next base, the runner will be awarded that base, otherwise he must return to the previous base.

o Mustang thru Colt/Palomino - If a team is up by nine (9) or more runs, the runners from that team cannot steal bases, or advance on a passed ball or wild pitch, (A runner who has advanced to the next base but is called back by their coach because of this rule, should wait until the play is dead & then return to the base and cannot be played on.

Catcher Rule: In order to expedite the game, when there are two outs and the team at bat’s catcher is on base, a pinch runner should be put in. The pinch runner must be the batter who made the most recent out, who is not already on a base. A runner who is pinch run for MUST catch the following inning in its entirety (with exception for injury requiring removal.)

GENERAL RULES

Mercy Rule: o Mustang - If a team is leading its opponent by at least 15 runs after four or more equal in-

nings have been played, or after three and one half innings if the home team shall have a 15 run lead the game shall be terminated and the team in front declared the winner.

o Mustang - No team can score more than 6 runs in an inning. Only the 6th run counts in an inning and the sides shall change at that point. Exception: This rule does not apply to the last inning.

o Bronco/Pony/Colt/Palomino - If a team is leading its opponent by at least 10 runs after five or more equal innings have been played or after four and one half innings if the home team shall have a 10 run lead at the end of its fourth inning or before the completion of its fifth in -ning, the game shall be terminated and the team in front declared the winner.

o The Mercy Rule applies in all regular season games and in all playoff games.

Gentleman’s Understanding:If a coach is aware of information and is asked by the opposing coach or umpire to divulge, he is re-quired to provide in an effort to promote full disclosure. Examples include but are not limited to: Being asked the correct batter’s count, acknowledgement of blatant missed-call by umpire when asked di-rectly by ump of your vantage point..

Guaranteed Play Rule: Coaches may sit each player a maximum of two innings. In disciplinary situations, rule may be waived only with the approval of Commissioner.

Substitutes: In all divisions, any player removed for a substitute may re-enter the game at the begin-ning of any inning only. (Exception: pitchers may not be reinserted to pitch after being removed.)

PROTESTS A protest based on a play which involves an umpire’s judgment is not permitted. When protests are based on an interpretation of the rules, the objecting manager must, at the time

play occurs, notify the head umpire, the opposing manager and official scorer that the game is being played under protest, and submit the protest in writing to a member of the Board of Direc-tors or a Commissioner within 24 hours of the completion of the game.

When protests based on the interpretation of a rule are upheld by the decisions of the OYA board, the game concerned shall be replayed from the point of protest.

Umpires should make a public announcement to the crowd when a game is being played under protest.

Any team manager or other adult leader who withdraws a team from the playing field under any circumstances prior to the official completion of the game shall forfeit all rights to protests as prescribed in this section, and be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.

Intentional Walks

In Mustang and Bronco, the manager or catcher can simply advise umpire of intentional walk,

PITCHING RULES

Innings Pitched Number of innings pitchers may pitch in a calendar day are as follows (players cannot pitch in

Shetland). Managers are encouraged to monitor pitch counts and remove pitchers even if innings limit is not reached:

Pitchers may not exceed… Target pitch count…Mustang 3 innings Less than 65.Bronco 3 innings Less than 75.Pony 3 innings Less than 90.Colt 4 innings Less than 100.Palomino 4 innings Less than 100.

Pitch counts should also be monitored. Keep in mind that warm-up pitches contribute to fatigue, and, as such, the pitch counts above are upper bounds. Develop as many pitchers as possible and have them ready to throw to prevent overworking any player.

After throwing one pitch to a batter, the pitcher shall be considered as having pitched in one in-ning. (For Pinto exception, see page 19.)

A pitcher is charged with number of innings pitched in the specific calendar day in which they are pitched regardless of whether they are league games, inter-league games, scrimmages, playoff games, makeup games, suspended games, tie games, All Star Games, Travel All Star Games, or “ex-hibition games”.

Once removed from the mound, a pitcher may return to the line-up, but may not return to the mound in the same game.

If a relief pitcher comes in “cold” the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm-up properly with at least ten warm-up pitches. Pitchers returning from previous inning will be limited to five warm-up pitches in order to expedite game.

Rest Days : Pitchers must receive a minimum of one day rest for each inning pitched. For example, a pitcher who throws two innings on Saturday would not be eligible to pitch again until Tuesday. For Bronco and above, players are required to rest at least one day if they pitch more that 2 innings in a day and may not exceed 10 innings in a week.

o Playoff Exception: For Mustang, the number of rest days is cut in half for the playoffs. For example, a player pitching two innings must rest only one day.

Manager VisitsThis rule limits the number of trips a manager or coach may make to any one pitcher in any one inning. In Pinto and Mustang, the pitcher is automatically removed after the third trip to the same pitcher in

the same inning. The manager or coach is prohibited from making a second visit to the mound while the same batter

is at bat. A manager or coach is considered to have concluded his visit to the mound when he leaves the 18

foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s mound and is considered making a visit whenever he steps on the field for any reason other than tending to an injury.

Visits to the mound before the game begins, or between innings, do not count.

BalksThe purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. The balk rule applies to all divisions except Pinto and Mustang. Balks are a judgment call where the umpire believes the pitcher has inappropriately attempted to deceive the runner or batter. Such judgment calls may be inquired for clarification, but may not be disputed or argued consistent with our rules.

If there is at least one runner on base, it is a balk when: o The pitcher, while touching his plate makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch

arm fails to make such delivery. o The pitcher, while touching his plate, fakes a throw to first base and fails to complete

throw. o The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to

that base. (A fake may be made to second and/or third base without making a throw as along as the pitcher does not, in the same motion, “wheel” and throw to first base.)

o The pitcher, while touching his plate, fakes a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play.

o The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while he is not facing the batter. o The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching

the pitcher’s plate. o The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game. o The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher’s plate or while off the

plate, he fakes a pitch. o The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other

than an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base. o Pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball. o The pitcher delivers the pitch from set position without coming to a stop.o The pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the

catcher’s box. With or without a runner, it is a balk when:

o The pitcher makes an illegal quick pitch, which is a pitch, delivered before the batter is rea-sonably set in the batters box. With runners on base, the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base it is a balk and the pitch counts as a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and is not permit -ted.

If a balk is declared by the umpire, the ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put-out. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base as a result, then in this case the play proceeds without reference to the balk.

STANDINGS AND PLAYOFFSCommissioners keep season standings within each conference. Commissioners are encouraged to report standings to the OYA board of directors frequently, for posting on the web site: http://www.oy-aboys.org.

Starting with Mustang, all divisions have playoffs, and all teams make the playoffs.These standings are also used to determine playoff seeding. In the case of a tie in the standings, the fol-lowing criteria will be used to break ties:

Head-to-head competition, then Fewest runs allowed season, then fewest runs allowed head to head, then Coin flip

In the event of a multi-way tie, theses rules are applied to all teams involved, to break the multi-way tie (by eliminating a team), and then these rules are re-applied to the remaining teams, to break the remain -ing tie(s). Repeat until a winner of the tie is found.

During playoffs, the team with the better seed has home field advantage.

At the end of playoffs, trophies will be awarded for 1st through 3rd place.

CONCUSSION POLICYIf at any time a player is pulled out of a game by a coach or official due to the possibility of concussion that player will not be allowed to participate again until a doctors release has been given to the OYA. 

OYA Boys Program – Baseball 2016

PARENT RULES

1. Our primary goal is to teach the kids to pursue the best they can be with dignity, class, and respect for themselves, the game and the opponent. We must lead by example.

2. All cheering must be positive and encouraging for your team, the other team and the referees.

3. Please do not “coach” from the stands. It is very confusing to the kids and very unfair to the coaches who are volunteering their time.  We are always looking for coaches if you would like to volunteer in the future.

4. No fans (including children) are permitted behind home plate at any time (unless permanent bleachers are in place).

5. Respect the facilities. Do not litter, leave the area clean. Accompany your children to the restrooms. No alcohol. Please keep your children in sight and off the field.

6. Respect our volunteer coaches. Provide advance notice when your child will be absent, and do not un-dermine or usurp their authority/responsibility with the team or your child.

7. Managers handle all communication with the umpires. If you feel something should be pointed out or said, please speak with your manager and he/she will discuss it with the umpire if appropriate.

8. All children will play, and all children will be given the chance to develop and improve. Our goal is that the kids have a fun, positive experience, and our second goal is they develop as players and people. Each team strives to win games while achieving these goals and displaying good sportsmanship at all times.

9. Communicate clearly and proactively with the coaches. Please do not let any concerns or problems fes-ter.

10. CHECK YOUR E-MAIL. There is no longer a need for phone trees or for the coach to spend an hour on the phone. Check your e-mail and your team’s home page for team bulletins on the OYA website. www.oyaboys.org.

Many of these points are self-evident, but the OYA doesn’t want any “suburban horror stories”. Violations of the rules will be subject to disciplinary action. Our objectives are first to make sure the kids have fun, and sec-ond to teach them the basics of the game. If we accomplish those things, the season will be a great success.

OYA Boys Program – Baseball 2016

PLAYER RULES

1. Sportsmanship first!  Be encouraging and positive in everything you do. Respect your manager, coaches, teammates and opponents.

2. Check with the target before throwing a ball.

3. Try hard; don’t ever give up!

4. Listen and Pay attention. Now is baseball time!

5. Ask lots of questions.

6. Be a good teammate and a good sport.

7. No arguing with the umpires. Respect the game, your teammates, coaches and parents, the other team and the umpires. Play with class and confidence.

8. HAVE FUN!