Rules Modifications

2006

Table of Contents

Rule Modifications

Rule # 1 Innings Pitched (ALL LEAGUES)

A. A starting pitcher may only pitch four innings in one game. He may not enter another game until in the same week until after two complete innings.

B. A pitcher may not pitch more than twelve innings in any one week.

C. A Starting pitcher may not start another game in the same week.

D. A starting pitcher may leave the game so long as he has pitched to six batters or completed one inning. He may renter the game one time. Injuries are excluded from this rule.

E. The playoffs and world series each start a new week no matter which day of the week they start on.

Rule #2 Substitute pitcher

A. A substitute pitcher may not pitch more than 12 innings in any one week.

B. He may not leave a game and re-enter that same game. He must pitch to at least 6 batters or 1 inning.

Rule #3 Pitching Rubber

Billy Sunday pitching rubber 60 ft 6 in

Jack Hyles League 60 ft 6 in

Major League pitching rubber 46 ft

Minor League pitching rubber 40 ft 6 in

Instructional league 26 ft

Rule #4 Base length

Billy Sunday pitching rubber 90 ft

Jack Hyles League 90 ft

Major League pitching rubber 65 ft

Minor League pitching rubber 55 ft

Instructional league 45 ft

Rule # 5 Games Called Because Of Weather

A. The Chief umpire or the commissioner has the authority to call a game for weather related conditions.

B. If lightening bolts are sighted, any coach or umpire is to stop the game immediately.

C. The game will be finished at the earliest possible date.

D. If the game has not been finished by the playoff series, the team that was ahead at the end of the last complete inning will be declared the winner. If the game was tied at the last complete inning, the game will be considered a tie.

E. If a game is postponed before the required number of innings to be considered a complete game, the make up game will be played from the exact point of the postponed game..

F. During the playoffs or World Series, make up games are nearly impossible to make up. The team that was ahead at the last full inning of play in an official game will be the winner.

G. Games will be rescheduled at the earliest possible date, regardless of the availability of players or coaches.

Rule # 6 First Baseman

A. The first baseman may wear a fielders glove.

Rule #7 Games called because of Darkness

A. In the event a game is suspended because of darkness, the game will be completed at the earliest possible date. It will be played from the exact point of the suspended game.

B. If it has not been finished by the playoff series, the team that was ahead at the end of the last complete inning will be declared the winner.

C. If the game was tied at the last completed inning, the game will considered a tie.

D. During the playoffs or World Series, make up games are nearly impossible to make up. The team that was ahead at the last full inning of play in an official game will be the winner.

E. Games will be rescheduled at the earliest possible date, regardless of the availability of players or coaches.

F. When a suspended game is played, the pitchers must still obey all the pitching rules concerning innings pitched per week, etc.

G. Games cannot be re-scheduled on Saturdays without approval of the Pastor.

Rule # 8 Complete Games

League Normal Game Complete Game

Billy Sunday Seven. Five innings

Jack Hyles Seven Five Innings

Major League Six Four innings

Minor League Six . Four innings

Instructional Five Three innings

There is no ten run rule in Billy Sunday or Instructional leagues

Rule # 9 Adult Coaches

A. First and third base coaches may be adult coaches. They must fill out a league application.

B. Adult coaches must be approved in advance. They will go through a screening process with the sex offender registry and a criminal background check.

C. Coaches must wear a plain solid color shirt that is the same color as the uniform color and a team hat. It may have the team name and logo on it. Shirts must be tucked in and neat. Pants may not be obvious work pants and must be neat and clean.

Rule # 10 Complete Team

A. A team may play with eight players without penalty.

B. A team may also play with only seven players, however each time the eighth batting order comes up, the umpire shall automatically call him out.

Rule # 11 Swinging third strike

A batter may run to first base if the catcher misses a third strike, provided 1^st base is not occupied. This rule applies only to the Major Leagues, Jack Hyles, and the Billy Sunday League

Rule # 12 Tagging up

A. A base runner who leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the plate shall be called out by the umpire. This is an appeal play..

B. A base runner who leaves too soon after a fly ball has been caught will be called out. This is an appeal play.

Rule #13 Failure To Properly Tag a Base

When a base runner fails to properly tag a base, the team on defense must throw the ball to the base and appeal the out to the umpire. ( This is not an appeal in the instructional league)

Rule # 14 Starting time

Starting time is 6:00 P.M., except Billy Sunday and Jack Hyles Leagues (5:30). In the event that a team does not have enough players to start (7), the team must be able to play 30 minutes later or forfeit the game. If a team has 7 players the game must start at the designated time or as soon as they reach 7 players.

Rule # 15 Balks

Balks will only be called in the Jack Hyles and the Billy Sunday League.

Rule # 16 Innings played

A. All players must play at least two innings (6 defensive outs and 2 innings at bat). Exceptions are games called because of the ten run rule, darkness, or because of rain before the player has the opportunity to play the final two innings.

B. Players that do not play the required two innings because of any of the above circumstances, must start the next game and play four consecutive innings.

C. Players that come to a game late or leave early are not privilege to the benefits of this rule.

D. Coaches do not have the option of not playing a player in a game and then starting that player in the next game.

E. Opposing coaches may protest a game when a player has not played the required two innings. The protest must be made before the first batter of the next to last inning of a normal inning game, completes his at bat. The player will then be put into the game and be required to play 4 innings of the next game.

Rule # 17 End of play

The pitcher must be on the mound with the ball for the play to end. When the pitcher goes to the mound, the runner must re-tag his base. Once a runner has re-tagged his base, he cannot leave the base again without penalty. He will be called out for leading off too soon. (This rule does not apply to Billy Sunday and Jack Hyles Leagues)

Rule # 18 Sliding

A. Runners must slide into base or home. This rule does not apply when a play is not being made on the runner.

B. If Contact is made and the runner failed to slide, it will be considered malicious contact and the runner is out.

C. The catcher may not block the plate unless he has possession of the ball. This rule will not be applied if there is no contact or incidental contact.

D. Lack of contact presupposes that there was not a legitimate play on the runner and the runner will not be called out for a failure to slide.

Rule # 19 Bunting

Bunting is allowed in all leagues except the instructional leagues.

Rule # 20 Consecutive Walks

A. A pitcher can only walk three consecutive batters.

B. The fourth batter must stay up until he hits the ball, strikes out, or is hit by a pitched ball.

C. The sequence will start over after the fourth batter.

D. If the fourth batter is hit by the pitched ball, the next batter must stay up until he also gets a hit, strikes out, or is hit by a pitched ball.

Rule #21. Outfielders

A. Outfielders playing on field two must wear a helmet when there is a team playing on field one.

B. Outfielders on field three must wear a helmet when there is a team playing on field four.

Rule # 22 Throwing bats or equipment

A. Players are to take their helmet off and put it into the helmet bag or give it to an on deck batter when bases are loaded.

B. Any other action, that causes the helmet to end up on the ground, whether intentional or accidental will result in an ejection from the game. This includes an accidentally dropped helmet.

C. This rule will be applied on the first offense.

D. Any other equipment that is thrown in anger, such as catchers helmet, gloves, or bats will be cause for automatic ejection on the first offense. There will not be any warning given for these offenses.

E. When a batter is ejected during the last 2 innings of a game, he will be ejected during the whole next game also.

Rule # 23 Leaving The Batters Box ( Speed up rule)

A. Batters are required to remain in the batters box. The batter may receive instructions from his coach, only after the coach has called time and the umpire has granted time. Penalty: A strike will be called by the umpire.

B. When a coach does call time out, he will be charged with an offensive conference. (One per inning)

C. Exceptions to 23 A

(1) When the batter swings at a pitch.

(2) The batter is forced out of the box by a pitch.

(3) The batter attempts a bunt.

(4) The defense feints or makes a play on a base.

(5) The pitcher leaves the mound.

(6) Time is granted by the umpire.

(7) The catcher leaves the catchers box

(8) The catcher does not catch a pitched ball.

Rule # 24 New batter

The batter must be up to the plate within 20 seconds of the time the pitcher receives the ball. (Major League, Jack Hyles, and Billy Sunday League only.) Penalty: strike will be called.

Rule # 25 Pitcher (Speed Up Rule)

A. At the beginning of the game the pitcher may take 8 warm up throws, completed from one minute of his first practice throw.

B. Between innings, the pitcher may have not more than five pitches to be completed within one minute. The minute starts when the third out is recorded in the last half inning.