Bear Creek Little League
Anthony Oliver
Bear Creek Little LEague
Rules and Regulations Clinic 2015
Know the rules◦ Rules are powerful and knowing them can keep
problems to a minimum Respect the umpires
◦ They are volunteers and have a hard job to do. Don’t make it harder for them.
Respect the game
Love for the game Like working with kids Giving back to the community Self assurance My wife told me to Nobody else would do it
Why are you here?
Respect for others◦ Don’t scream at the kids
Would you talk that way to your mom?◦ No foul language
Be proactive◦ If you see a problem coming stop it from
happening You are the face of our league
Etiquette and general conduct
There is no on deck in Majors and below. ◦ Only the first batter of the inning shall be out of
the dugout before the inning starts. ◦ Following batters should not pick up the bat until
it is their turn to bat. (On the way to the plate)◦ This is a violation of safety regulations and may
be punishable with suspension of the manager and others involved.
Section 1.00 Objectives of the game/general regulations
Majors and below◦ 2 1/4 “ in diameter◦ No more than 33” in length◦ 1.15 BPF
All of these markings should be clearly legible on the bat.
◦ Composite bats are prohibited unless they are noted as approved bats on the Little League approved bat list.
1.10 The bat
Intermediate and Juniors (11-14)◦ No more than 2 5/8” in diameter◦ No more than 34” in length◦ 1.15 BPF◦ Composite
Must be BBCOR certified with -3 weight rating◦ 2 1/4 “ barrel bats may be used as long as they
meet the 1.15 BPF standard (may not be composite)
1.10 cont’d
Seniors◦ 2 5/8” diameter◦ -3 only◦ BBCOR only
Wood bats included◦ No more than 36” in length
◦ 2 3/4 “ barrel bats are prohibited◦ Penalty see rule 6.06(d)
1.10 Cont’d
1.11 uniform◦ Read from book
1.12 catcher◦ Must wear a catchers mitt
1.13 glove specs 1.15
◦ Pitcher’s glove should not be White Gray Distracting Batting gloves under?
General
1.16 Helmets◦ Worn at all times
1.17 Catcher◦ Must wear a cup◦ Long chest protectors◦ Dangling throat guard on mask◦ No skull caps
General
Definitions2.00
Know them! Knowing these definitions will prevent a lot of problems
Questions?
A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.
Where is the ball?
Fair Ball
Foul Ball A FOUL BALL is a batted ball that settles on foul
territory between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory beyond first base or third base, or that while on or over foul territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground.
Hits a player in the box When a batter hits the tee This is a dead ball and all play shall cease. No re-do
Fair or FoulYou decide
(a) Offensive interference is an act by a member of the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinder or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules.◦ Does not have to be intentional◦ Scenarios◦ https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KIo9RApipWATIAYWH7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTEwY3Y3ZTNvBHNlYwNzcg
RzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDQjEwMDkEZ3BvcwMy?p=baseball+interference&vid=91912e52b1543e232ff4fe3fb42e847c&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.TgyZOrOUMsDINCM0m5Kn8Q%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D168%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmhwFWibkRc0&tit=Rockies+turn+three+thanks+to+interference&c=1&h=168&w=300&l=106&sigr=11b86i5ns&sigt=119lmcdt4&sigi=12l1lmmkd&age=1400467929&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=vmn&tt=b
Interference Rule 7.09
An act by the batter, intentional or not that interferes with a players ability to make a play
Scenarios◦ Throw from catcher◦ Runner coming home◦ Batter protected in the box?◦ Ball does not have to be thrown◦ Video◦ Video 2
6.06 (c) Batter’s interference
Running lane 6.05 (j) Coach’s interference 5.08
◦ Thrown ball? Rule 3.15
◦ Hit ball? Rookies
◦ Player trying to make a play? Rookies
Runner’ s interference section 6.00◦ Runner out◦ No runners advance unless forced by batter◦ Batter gets 1st base
Interference cont’d
OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. A fake tag is considered obstruction. (NOTE: Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks off a base, base line or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball.)◦ Does not have to be intentional◦ Scenarios◦ Scenario 2
Obstruction rule 7.06
3.09 Read◦ Coaches cannot warm up pitchers
3.15◦ Who’s allowed on the field?
3.17◦ No electronic devices on the field
Rule 3.00 Game preliminaries
Rookies◦ May have defensive coaches on the field◦ Coaches cannot interfere with play
Get off the field Interference
Out if coach interferes
◦ Pitching coaches must stay in contact with rubber Minors and above
◦ No defensive coaches on the field (exception in fall)◦ 1st and 3rd base coaches
Must stay in coaches box Cannot interfere with plays or runners
Touching or “helping” a runner in all divisions is interference and the runner will be declared out
Coaches
Led by umpire-in –chief Players legal and properly equipped Ground rules
◦ Innings◦ Time limits◦ Modifications
The manager is the only one that an umpire wants to talk to◦ If a coach other than the manager attends the pre
game meeting then that coach shall be declared manager for that game.
4.00 Pre game
4.03◦ All players with the exception of the catcher in fair
territory Catcher must remain in catchers box
Catchers balk
◦ With exception of the pitcher and catcher all other players can be anywhere in fair territory
Rule 4.00
T-ball◦ Unlimited infielders if ground rules state this.
Fielders should be placed in traditional positions so that they can gain some concept of the game.
Coach pitch◦ 10 infielders with a rover in the outfield. ◦ Must have 8
Minors and above◦ Must have a minimum of 9 players (exception in
fall)
Players and positioning
4.04◦ Continuous batting order◦ Players may be added to bottom of order if late◦ If a player is removed for illness or injury there is
no penalty◦ If a player is ejected from the game then that
batting spot should be called out 4.05 base coaches
◦ May be coaches or players◦ Must be adult in dugout
4.06 read from book
Rule 4.00
4.07 EJECTIONS◦ Must leave immediately◦ May not return◦ May not sit in stands◦ Suspended for next game
Rule 4.00 cont’d
A 6 inning game (minors and below) has been completed.
Time limit has been reached and the inning has been played
Mathematical elimination◦ After 4 innings of play a team is ahead so that it is
impossible for the other team to catch up in regulation (time should be considered for minors).
4 innings if called for official reasons
4.10 What constitutes a game
Intermediate and up◦ 7 innings have been played and there is a decided winner◦ After 4 ½ innings of play the home team is up by 10 runs. ◦ Time has expired and the inning has been played◦ A team concedes the game◦ Note that a game going to “Drop Dead” time will revert to
the previous inning. This is keeping in mind that the home team has not been able to win on runs scored. If it is after the official game time and has not reached the drop dead time and home team pulls ahead, game will be called and a winner declared.
◦ 5 innings if called for official reasons
A game cont’d
4.15◦ Gametime
A game may be forfeited by the umpire if Read section Include 4.16
4.19 Protests◦ Must be rules based◦ Notify the umpire of the protest◦ No protests in rookies
4.00
Rookies◦ When an infielder has control of the ball and all runners have stopped
advancing. Minors and above (all other situations)
◦ Time shall not be called unless requested by the defense, offense or there is some official reason to call time.
Offensive time outs ◦ A team shall have ONE offensive time out per inning.
Defensive time outs◦ A defensive team can call time to discuss situations but all time outs
that are called in which infielders are approached shall be charged to the pitcher. 3 in one inning 4 in a game Explanation
Other dead ball situations rule 5.09
5.00 Calling time and runners
(Continuous batting order)◦ In order
Batter in box on third out? Bunting with 2 strikes? Swinging and hit by pitch? Double hit?
6.00 The Batter
Three strikes, you’re out. ◦ Even in T-Ball
Coach pitch◦ Three swings or maximum number of pitches
Minors and above◦ Strike zone
Arm pits to knees Reasonable pitch Questioning balls and strikes
Don’t do it unless you want to go to your car
Balls and Strikes
Less than 2 out Runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded Ball that reaches appreciable height Can be caught with normal effort by an infielder Infield Fly
◦ Ball is caught Batter is out and runners must tag up. Force is off and runners advance at
their own risk◦ Ball is not caught
Batter is out. Force is off Runners may run at their own risk Runners do not have to tag up
What if a fielder intentionally drops a ball not covered by this rule? 6.05 (k)
Infield Fly
Batter out of box? Batter switching boxes? Hit by a strike?
6.00 cont’d
Appeal Batter is out when not batting in proper order
◦ Can take place in order before improper batter becomes a runner.
◦ Assumes count Appeal must be made before next play
◦ Proper batter called out and line up resumes◦ All advancement from improper batter voided◦ If appeal is not made then the order is continued
without reference to the incident Scenarios Pg 84
6.07 Batting out of turn
Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.
Delayed dead ball Batter is awarded first base What if ball is hit and put in play?
6.08 (c) Catcher’s interference
Home run Ground rule double Under the fence Deflected ball
◦ Home run vs. ground rule double 6.09 (h)
6.09 Ball out of play
Intermediate and above Less than two outs
◦ 1st base not occupied◦ Batter swings at third strike or called third strike◦ Catcher drops ball or ball is not caught in flight◦ Batter can advance to 1st base with possibility of being
put out by either a tag or by the ball being thrown to first base as in any other force play.
Two outs◦ Same situation as above with the exception that 1st base
can be occupied. All runners that are forced can be put out.
Questions?
Dropped third strike
7.01 Runner has a right to the base if base is touched
before the runner is retired. Fly ball tag up situation/Missed base
The runner cannot return to the previous base after the the pitcher has taken his position on the pitchers plate.
7.02 Runners must touch bases in order or in reverse order when needed exception in rule 5.09 when the ball is dead
7.03 one runner per base. Lead runner is entitled to base unless forced
Runners 7.00
7.04 Batter runner/runners advance Without liability of being put out and if forced
When a walk occurs Live ball Missed base?
Ball out of play Dead ball
7.05 Throwing equipment or hat etc. at a batted ball
Award 3 bases Throwing equipment at thrown ball
Award two bases Ball thrown from fielder out of play
Award 2 bases This award is based on the position of the runners at the time of the throw
Ball from pitcher while on the mound Award 1 base
One from the mound, two from the field
7.00
Rule 7.05 (i) note 2◦ One base on an overthrow
This is a limit not a reward. The runner is not protected in this situation.
Defense still has the opportunity to field the ball and make a play to get an out.
Runners
7.07◦ Batter should be awarded first base when there is
interference from the catcher (touching the batter) or another fielder during an attempted steal of home or a squeeze play. This is a balk charged to the catcher and the ball is dead.
7.00
7.08 runner is out when◦ Running more than three feet away from his or her baseline to avoid a tag
Established when play is being attempted◦ Abandons effort to touch consecutive bases after touching first base◦ Does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder making a play on them
Three choices Slide Get around Give up
There is no must slide rule◦ Interference with a batted or thrown ball◦ Failure to tag up after a fly ball
Appeal play Play can continue without this appeal being made
◦ Read 7.08 (f)-(k) 7.09 Interference
◦ Covered in definitions
7.00
7.09 Appeals Runner is out when
◦ Failing to retouch a base after a fly ball is caught◦ Fails to touch a base if returning to a previous base
7.10 (b)◦ Missing a base in advancing
Runners may not return to touch a missed base after touching a consecutive base after the ball is dead. However the defensive players can make an appeal that the base was missed
May not return to touch a base after a following runner has scored or if they have abandoned the field
Scenarios pg 93◦ Appeal must be made before next pitch or play
Example pg 94
7.00
7.11◦ All offensive members should vacate any space that
is needed for a defensive player to make a play 7.12
◦ I two are out before an appeal. All runners following the runner that the appeal was made on are affected by the appeal. However preceding runners are not affected unless the third out is made before runs score or if the appeal would have originally been a force play. A runner tagging up after a fly ball is not a force. Example
7.00
7.13◦ Rookies
May not leave the base until ball is put in play Time called when runners stop advancing and an
infielder has control of the ball ◦ Minors and below
Runners may not advance until the ball reaches the batter
Runners leaving early affect all other runners Placement of runners based on batted ball
(judgment) Poof play
7.00
8.01◦ Two legal positions
The windup Facing the batter One foot in contact with the plate and the other foot free Can do three things
Deliver the pitch Step and throw to a base
Distance and direction Disengage
Pivot foot Cannot go to stretch or set position Cannot lift leg except in delivery of the pitch
8.00 the pitcher
The set position (stretch)◦ Pivot foot in contact with plate◦ Free foot in front◦ Must come to a complete stop before delivering the
pitch to the batter (complete and discernible stop) Does not apply in minors and below
◦ Can make any movements until they come set except to disengage incorrectly
◦ Can step and throw to a base Distance and direction Before the throw
◦ Step off back of plate to disengage
8.00
Illegal pitch (dead vs. delayed dead) pg 101
No runners on all divisions◦ Not in contact with pitcher’s plate
Counted as a ball in the count Exception
It is ball four The batter puts the ball in play and reaches first base Hit batter
Tee Ball◦ Pitcher must remain in contact with the plate until
ball is hit
8.02 8.03
◦ Eight pitches for warm up max (1 minute)◦ Cold weather?◦ Five for returning pitcher
8.04◦ Pitcher has 20 seconds to deliver pitch◦ Can be called a ball
8.00
8.05 ◦ Balk
Dead ball if pitch is not delivered All runners awarded one base Delayed dead ball if pitch is delivered
Ball 4 Put in play All runners must advance 1 base
Balk is ignored and play continues NOT a coaches decision Runners may advance more than one base but are only protected to
next base Example
A pitcher cannot balk on an appeal
8.00
8.06 visits◦ 2 in one inning
Third visit in an inning and the pitcher has to be replaced
◦ 3 in a game If the visit is the 4th in a game the pitcher must be
removed◦ More than two visits on one batter◦ A visit is any conference with any defensive player
Example◦ Crossing the foul line◦ Exception
Illness or injury
8.00
Cannot play four innings as catcher Once removed cannot return
◦ Exception Intermediate and up
Can return once per game as long as they have played defensively in the game without sitting out
Limits◦ 7-8, 50 pitches◦ 9-10, 75 pitches◦ 11-12, 85 pitches◦ 13-16, 95 pitches
Pitch counts/restrictions
14 and under◦ 66 pitches = 4 days◦ 51-65 = 3 days◦ 36-50 = 2 days◦ 21-35 = 1 day◦ 20 or less = no required rest period
15 and up◦ 76 pitches = 4 days◦ 61-75 pitches = 3 days◦ 46-60 pitches = 2 days◦ 31-45 pitches = 1 day◦ 30 or less = no rest requirement
Pitcher may finish the batter after reaching a threshold Junior/Senior
◦ Pitchers may pitch in more than one game a day given they did not exceed 30 pitches in the previous game
Notes page 39
Rest requirements
9.01 (c) ◦ Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not
specifically covered in these rules 9.02
◦ Judgment calls are just that Cannot be argued Rules calls? Umpires cannot reverse another umpire’s call
They can however discuss and come to a decision
9.00 The Umpire
Questions?
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