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Managers (Head Coach) and Asst. Coaches are expected to be aware of and abide by the national rules found in the current Babe Ruth Inc. Official Regulations and Playing Rules. The rules below are listed for emphasis and convenience, and have been approved by Windsor Baseball Board of Directors. If a rule question cannot be answered upon reviewing the following, please refer to the Minor A Player Representative who will take whatever action is necessary to obtain a definitive answer. This may require consulting with the President, VP, Player Agent, Chief Umpire, or full Board, if needed.
GOAL: The primary goal of this level is one of training and preparation in the mechanics, skills, knowledge, and sportsmanship of baseball. Therefore, WBL resolves that managers should provide for an "adequate number" of team practices during the course of a season.
GAME TIMES AND LOCATIONS:
- Games will be played at Esposti Park, small diamond
- All games are limited to 105 minutes (1 hr 45 min).
- No new inning may begin after 1 hour and 30 minutes (90 minutes) from the official start of the game. If the home team is trailing by 5 runs or less, any inning started must be completed. If the visiting team is trailing at 1 hour and 30 minutes, the last two innings will not be played.
THE VISITING TEAM:
- Listed first on the schedule.
- Uses the 1st base dugout.
- Takes infield/outfield for practice twenty (20) minutes prior to game time.
- Puts away the pitching machine and bases, drags the field.
THE HOME TEAM:
- Listed second on the schedule.
- Uses the 3rd base dugout.
- Takes infield/outfield for practice ten (10) minutes prior to game time
THOSE PERMITTED ON FIELD:
- All players on the official rosters of participating teams (no siblings, parents, friends, scorekeepers).
- Maximum one(1) the head coach and up to two (2) coaches in the dugout and in the coaching boxes per team. Note: mangers/coach may not manage or observe from the stands or behind backstop during game.
- Manager/Coach will deliver machine pitched ball to their own team.
- Defensive manager/coach may request 'time' to instruct his team prior to or after a play. the manage may confer with any player at any time.
- Two adult base coaches are permitted provided one adult is in the dugout (head coaches are encouraged to use at least one team player). Team player base coaches MUST wear protective helmets.
- League official.
BASIC GAME RULES:
- The fielding pitcher may stand no closer to home plate than the pitching machine and must be within ten (10) feet of the pitching machine
- The speed setting for the pitching machine must be within the 38-40 mph range.
- Pitches from the pitching machine, which are, missed swings or foul balls will be called strikes. No balls will be called and no walks will be awarded.
- If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball shall be ruled "dead" and all runners shall advance one base.
- There is no infield fly rule.
- BUNTING IS NOT ALLOWED. Swings that are less than "full swings" (at least 75% power) may be considered to be a bunt attempt and called a strike whether contact is made with the ball or not.
- BASE STEALING IS NOT PERMITTED. Base runners shall not leave their base until the ball has been delivered.
UMPIRES:
- The Manager shall be 'umpire'.
- The Manager/Coach shall be the Pitching Machine Umpire and will be stationed behind the pitching machine, protects players from the pitching machine and makes calls in the outfield, at 3rd base and home plate.
GUIDELINES:
- Number of Players: There must be a minimum of eight (8) players per team to play a Minor A game. Defensive team shall consist of ten (10) players in the field; offense shall consist of all players present for the game.
- Inning: an inning shall consist of all players having one (1) at bat; FIVE (5) RUNS OR THREE (3) OUTS, whichever comes first.
- Coaching:
- Base runners must slide or go around a defensive player in possession of the ball in an attempt to avoid collision. Failure to make such an attempt will result in the runner being called out.
- Playing time: Equal playing time for ALL players is a priority. No player may sit on the bench more than one inning.
- Runners may not advance on an "overthrow" on a defensive play. Players should be encouraged to attempt to make the proper defensive play to develop basis skills.
- End of Play : A play ends when the ball is in the possession of a defensive player within the pitching area (within 10 feet of the pitching machine). The defensive player must refrain from making any demonstration with the ball that might be interpreted as an attempt to make a play. (Example: the defensive player holds the ball aloft while facing a runner) the umpire will withhold judgment until that official is certain that the defense is not attempting or threatening to make a play.
- Scorekeeping: There will be no official score kept except as needed to record runs, outs and minimum play.
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PARTICIPATION RULES
PENALTY:
If a player does not play the minimum amount required, the player(s) involved shall start the next scheduled game, and play any previous requirement not completed and the minimum requirement for this game before being substituted.
The manager shall for the:
A. First Offense - receive a written warning
B. Second Offense -receive a suspension for the next scheduled game
C. Third Offense - receive a suspension for remainder of the season
DISCIPLINE / SPORTSMANSHIP:
- Poor sportsmanship (by Managers, Coaches, Players or Spectators) can result in ejection from the game and removal from the park.
- Examples of poor sportsmanship include throwing equipment, using illegal equipment, bad language, taunting or gesturing in an un-sportsmanlike manner to opponents, arguing with an umpire's judgment call or harassing ANYONE.
- A player may lose his/her privilege to play in one or more future games for disciplinary reasons provided that:
- The Player Agent approves such action in advance, and
- Before any action is taken, every effort is made to resolve the problem by talking with the parents, Player Rep, Manager(s), etc.
- Individual team rules, which identify player and family participation and cooperation guidelines, exist for each team. For disciplinary purposes, failure to recognize or comply with the team rules may result in reduced playing time.
- Thrown Bat: If a batter throws a bat, both teams will receive a warning from the 'umpire'. Any subsequent batter who throws a bat will be called OUT by the umpire (as if the batter had been struck out).
- Any player who misses more than four (4) consecutive games may be dropped from the roster. This action must be initiated by the Manager to the Player Rep and approved by the Player Agent and/or Board.
- Any player who misses four (4) consecutive practices must be benched for the next game.
Violation of Local and/or National playing rules (with emphasis on participation rules) may ultimately result in sanctions including ejection and/or dismissal as determined by the Executive Committee or Protest Committee. The Executive Committee or Protest Committee may impose additional sanctions.
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