NWCBA 2023 Guidelines
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League
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Standard
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Spring Modification
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MCP
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5 innings w/ 1 hour 45 mins drop dead limit, no new innings after 1 hour 30 mins
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No Change
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Rookie, Minor
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6 innings w/ 1 hour 45 mins drop dead limit, no new innings after 1 hour 30 mins
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No Change
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Major
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6 innings w/ 2 hour drop dead limit, no new innings after 1 hour 45 minutes
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No Change
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General Rules for MCP, Rookie, Minor, and Major
1. Learning the Fundamentals/Competition – while every athlete needs to learn how to compete, our league was established primarily to provide children with a wholesome learning experience by teaching them to play as part of a team, to build character, and to learn baseball fundamentals. The pressures of competition should not be stressed over the learning experience. Winning or losing a game, or the score of a game, should be secondary to providing your team a positive learning experience.
2. Sportsmanship – All coaches, players, parents and spectators are expected to exhibit the highest level of sportsmanship at all times. Poor sportsmanship may result in the coach, player, parent or spectator being removed from the game, the field, or permanently barred from participation in the league. Ultimately, the head coach of each team will be held accountable for the sportsmanship exhibited or not exhibited by himself, his assistants, his players, his player’s parents, and his team’s spectators. If one of the above crosses the line, it will be expected that the head coach will take the necessary action to stop the behavior at the time, and in the future.
3. Chatter – all chatter is to be directed towards each team's own players and not to any opposing player. Each team may receive one warning; subsequent violations will result in the ejection of all offending players, coaches or parents/fans.
4. Safety –
· All players must wear a hard, protective cup for their safety. No soft cups are permitted.
· Protective headgear must be worn by all players while at bat, while a base runner, while standing in the on-deck circle and retrieving foul balls during games. Any player who removes his/her helmet before reaching the dugout may, at the discretion of the home plate umpire, be called out. All batboys/batgirls must wear protective headgear at all times.
· Mouthpieces are to be recommended to all parents. Any player warming up a pitcher at home plate or anywhere else on the field shall wear a mask, including a throat protector. Pitchers may not warm up on the field mound prior to game time.
5. Sliding – all players must slide “feet first” on any play at any base involving potential contact by a base runner with a defensive player. Failure to slide in these situations constitutes a put out of the runner.
6. Footwear – rubber cleats only in all leagues, except Junior League, where metal cleats are permissible. No metal cleats shall be worn on portable pitching mounds.
7. Uniforms – all players are required to wear their team hats and jerseys provided to them by the league. Players are required to wear gray pants for games.
8. Umpires – regardless of result of a call, personality or otherwise, umpires should always be treated with respect. This principle is of upmost importance and should be engrained in the young player’s head from the very first game.
9. Smoking and Alcohol
· No smoking is permitted by anyone, including head coaches, assistant coaches, umpires, or parents on the field, in the bench areas, or anywhere in the area immediately around the field. All Wake County School fields and the North Wake Baseball Complex at The Factory prohibit smoking on the premises.
· No Alcohol is permitted. Alcohol may not be consumed on the field, in the bench area, anywhere near the field, or in the parking lot; prior to, during or after a game or practice. No one may be in any of the above areas under the influence of alcohol or drugs that was consumed prior to their arrival at the facility.
10. Field Responsibilities
· Each day the fields are prepped and ready for scheduled practices/games that are first listed on the schedule. It is the responsibility of the coaches to adjust the bases and mounds for the events to follow. Feel free to use the available rakes to prep fields in between events if needed.
· Field usage conduct of all players should be monitored at all times throughout your practice and game times.
1. Please make sure all players do not soft toss or hit into any of the fencing in and around the fields. The batting cages are used for this purpose.
2. During events, please make sure your players do not play in the dirt in the infield or dig holes in the outfield. The amount of work to fix the fields requires a ton of effort. Please stay on top of this best you can.
· Usage of L-Screens: If you move an L-Screen to another field or cage, it is your responsibility to put it back to the correct cage or field. All L-Screens are marked with the appropriate field and cage number.
· Each team is responsible for cleanup of their dugout at all fields.
TEAM PRACTICES: All teams are permitted on their scheduled fields ONLY. Please be sure to keep your players on YOUR field/cage. Fields that are empty have been prepared for upcoming games or practices. Please be respectful of the prep that is involved to get those ready. If you notice a conflict in the schedule, or are directly impacted with a double-booked event, please contact your league admin ASAP via text or phone immediately.
11. Official Scorebook – the home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook.
12. Scoreboards – Where available, the home team is responsible for operating the scoreboard (or arranging for a parent to operate the scoreboard).
13. Ground Rule Double – a batted ball that bounces over the outfield fence or lands in an outfield area declared out of bounds is a ground rule double. Base runners may advance two (2) bases.
14. Dead Balls – a ball caught in the screen behind home plate is a dead ball and the runners are entitled to the base to which they are advancing (in leagues where advancing is permitted). Any ball that goes through the fence in an area where the fence is in need of repair is a dead ball and the runners may advance one (1) base. Other out of bounds areas shall be discussed and agreed upon by the opposing coaches and the home plate umpire prior to the game.
15. Weather – the home team, after talking with the umpire (in Minor, Major and Junior Leagues), decides whether to start a game if rain is threatening. If the game is interrupted by rain, a fifteen (15) minute delay will be allowed, except by mutual agreement of the coaches to postpone or end the game. Following the delay, the game may be resumed or terminated in the discretion of the umpire (or by agreement of both coaches in Tee-Ball and Rookie Leagues). If the game is terminated in the middle of an inning by rain and it has become a regulation game, the final score will be the score that existed at the end of the last completed inning of play. If the game fails to become a regulation game (i.e., 4 innings or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead), it must be replayed as a new game. Warning: coaches in Minor, and Major Leagues should protect their pitchers! The pitch count by a player will count in those leagues, even if the game is called for weather.
16. Games - Home team will have the third base dugout. Away team will have the first base dugout.
Rookie, Minor, and Major Leagues ONLY
Replacement Players – if a player moves from the area or is injured, he/she may be replaced. The Commissioner's decision to choose replacement players is final. An injured player, upon recovery, may rejoin the team provided that the total number of players does not exceed the player limit. There will be no outs issued for a sick or injured player. Adding substitute players will not be allowed under any circumstances.
End-of-Season Tournament – following the completion of the Spring season, there may be a league tournament in which all teams will compete. There will not be a season ending tournament at the end of the Fall season.
GENERAL RULES
MCP - Spring (ages 5-6) Fall (ages 4-5) and Rookie – Spring (ages 7-8) Fall (ages 6-7)
1. Official Game – a minimum of eight (8) players will be required to start and continue a game. If one team has less than eight players, they must forfeit the game; or attempt a reschedule if their opposing team is willing, and fields are available. Each team will have ten (10) minutes after the scheduled start time of a game, to see if they can get the minimum of eight players to start the game.
2. Length of Game (MCP) – a game will consist of five (5) innings or one (1) hour and fourty-five (45) minutes (less time if schedule dictates), whichever comes first. No new inning may start after one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes from the time the game began, nor ten (10) minutes before a scheduled start of a following game, unless a delay is encountered due to weather. Games rained out prior to four (4) complete innings will be rescheduled, starting over.
3. Length of Game (Rookie) – a game will consist of six (6) innings with a 1-hour and 45 minute drop dead time limit. If the home team is ahead entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the game is complete. No inning may start after one (1) hour and Thirty (30) minutes from the time the game began, nor fifteen (15) minutes before the start of a following game, unless a delay is encountered due to weather. Extra innings in case of a tie will be allowed as long as the time limit rule is not exceeded. The official starting time shall be the originally scheduled start time or 15 minutes after the end of the preceding game, whichever is later. Games rained out prior to four (4) complete innings or three and one half (3 1/2) innings if the home team is ahead, will be rescheduled as a new game.
4. Baseballs – each team is to provide at least one new game ball per game.
5. Baselines – no player may be positioned on a baseline. Defensive infield players shall not stay on a base nor stand in the path of runners. Defensive infield players shall play in front of or behind the base so as not to cause a collision between offensive and defensive players.
6. Baseline Collisions – all base runners must attempt to avoid a collision with defensive players. If a defensive player is standing in the baseline, the offensive player must go around. Base runners may not intentionally collide with defensive players, when taking a base. Runners must avoid contact, and slide into a base to do so. Base runners that intentionally collide with a defensive player will be called out.
7. Throwing the Bat – any batter who throws the bat will be issued one warning from the plate umpire. If the same batter throws the bat a second time, he shall be called out for the second and each additional occurrence of throwing the bat.
8. Closed Bases – runners cannot leave the base until the batter has hit the ball. Any runner leaving the base before the ball is hit will be called “out” by the umpire having authority over the particular base. No stealing, no advancing on a passed ball or on a ball returned to the “pitcher/coach”.
9. Ball Hitting Pitcher/Coach – if a ball comes into contact with the pitcher/coach, the ball is dead, and replayed. All runners will return to their bases. A pitcher/coach is responsible for getting out of the defensive players way, after the making of his pitch.
10. Base Coaches – each team should have a base coach at first and third base. The coaches shall not physically touch the base runners (push or direct to the next base) while the ball is in play. Base coaches should not allow runners to advance after play is complete.
11. Continuous Batting Order – a continuous batting order will be used and all players attending a game must take their regular turn at bat during the game. The batting order will remain fixed during the game with defensive fielding assignments having no effect on the batting order. Late arrivals will enter the batting order at the bottom of the lineup card. Should a player leave the game (e.g., due to injury), all players below that player in the batting order will move up one slot and maintain their same batting order. If the player who left the game returns and is re-inserted into the game, he/she must enter into the same batting position as he/she originally occupied, with the players below him/her in the batting order moving down one slot into their original positions in the batting order. If a batter leaves the game due to injury, the next batter in the lineup starts with a 0-0 count. No player may change positions in the batting order during a game. Any player who bats out of turn (receives one pitch) is automatically out and all base runners must return to the bases they occupied before the offending batter came to the plate, provided a defensive coach or player calls time out and appeals the player batting out of turn prior to the next batter receiving one pitch. Without such appeal, the result of the out of turn at bat stands.
12. Defense – the defensive alignment will include 10 players, 6 in the infield (pitcher, catcher, third base, shortstop, second base and first base), and 4 in the outfield (left field, left center field, right center field, right field). Each team is to make defensive substitutions and changes each inning. The other team does not need to be notified of these changes.
13. Protests – no protests will be allowed. Questions regarding rule interpretations and calls should be discussed between innings and settled on the spot.
14. Catchers – catchers will occupy the usual catching position, wearing full gear (mask and helmet, chest protector, and shin guards, cup). It is strongly suggested that you teach your catcher proper techniques: set up behind the plate, crouching on both feet, provide a target, bare hand behind the back.
15. Pitchers – the pitcher should stand within the white circle near the pitching rubber or adjacent to the coach/pitcher inside the circle. Pitcher may leave the white circle, to make a play on a hit ball. The pitcher should be placed near the back of the circle when a stronger hitter is at the plate.
16. Infielders – infielders should play in the standard positions for their infield spot. No infielder may stand directly in the baseline. Teach your infielders to stand in front of or behind the baseline. All infielders should be taught to not block the base runner’s path, either at the base, or in the baseline, when not in the action of receiving the ball. Intentionally interfering with a base runner, will result in the umpire awarding the runner the base.
17. Outfielders (Rookie A)– outfielders should be positioned 4 across in the outfield, evenly spaced (preferred), or three across, with one rover or short fielder like in softball.
18. Outfielders (Rookie B and MCP) – outfielders should be positioned 4 across in the outfield, evenly spaced (preferred), or three across, with one rover or short fielder like in softball. No outfielder may throw to first base on a ground ball in an attempt to retire the hitter. Throws should go to the cutoff man, or to defenders occupying other bases. An outfielder MAY throw to first base, after catching a fly ball, in an effort to double up a runner who left first base without tagging up. This is the ONLY exception.
19. Minimum Playing Time – if a team has 12 or more players in attendance at a game, all players are required to “sit out” a minimum of one inning (i.e., no player can be in the field every inning) and all players shall be in the field at least four (4) innings during the game, as well as take his or her regular turn at bat.
20. Maximum Defensive Time – no player shall occupy a defensive position for more than two (2) innings per game and no player shall “sit out” for two (2) consecutive innings. In addition, all players shall occupy both infield and outfield positions in each game.
21. 5-Run Rule – a team’s at bat will end at the earlier of three (3) defensive putouts or five (5) offensive runs scored.
22. MCP/Coach Pitch (TBALL only) – A coach will either pitch the ball to players on his team or adjust the batting tee for each player on his team. Pitching will occur from a minimum distance of 20 feet from the plate. For more advanced hitters, the coach may choose to pitch from further back. Each batter will be allowed eight (8) pitches from a coach or have the ball placed on the batting tee to get the ball into play. There are no called strikes or swinging strikes. A foul ball on the last pitch will result in an additional pitch. The umpire behind the plate will count the pitches. After the seventh (7th) pitch, he will advise the batter and pitcher that the following pitch is the last pitch. If the batter cannot hit a pitched ball, then coaches should use the batting tee.
23. 12 Foot Arc (TBALL only) – the field shall include a 12-foot arc in front of home plate. Any ball hit into fair territory is in play as long as it is hit out of the initial 12-foot arc. Any ball that does not get out of the 12-foot arc area will be considered a dead ball and replayed at no penalty to the batter.
24. No Walks
25. Bunting – (Allowed during Machine Pitch)
26. No Infield Fly Rule
Additional/Modified Rules for MCP League
1. Equal Opportunity – Coaches are encouraged to provide each player equal time at each defensive position and as an equal a number of at-bats as possible.
2. Additional Field Coaches – two (2) fielding/defensive coaches can stand in outfield to help keep players focused. Coach cannot touch his players and shall not interfere with any live ball. If a live ball comes in contact with the fielding coach, the ball is considered dead. The batter will be given second base.
3. Umpires – one umpire is provided by each team (from among parents or other spectators). Generally, the home team is responsible for the home plate umpire, and the visiting team is responsible for the base umpire. Coaches should ensure that the umpires are familiar with the rules of play, prior to the start of the game. An on field defensive coach, pitcher, or base coach shall not serve as an umpire for the game.
4. Overthrows – No Advancing on Overthrows.
5. Base Running – On Balls hit to the outfield runners can move up bases until the ball is in possession of an infielder that is in the infield dirt. Has to be an infielder in possession of the ball.
6. Stopping Play – when no additional defensive play is being attempted, the field or plate umpire will call time and the play will cease. The umpire will raise his hands at this time and direct runners to the appropriate base. If the runner is more than halfway to the next base, he/she shall be awarded that base. If the runner is less than halfway to the next base, he/she shall return to the base he/she came from. In the event of non-agreement between umpires on the runner's position (half-way or not), the home plate umpire’s call will have priority.
Additional/Modified Rules for Rookie League
1. 5-Run Rule – a team’s at bat will end at the earlier of three (3) defensive putouts or five (5) offensive runs scored. In the sixth inning, the run limit becomes 10 for both teams. If the home team is leading, entering the bottom of the sixth inning, they will bat, only if the visiting team wants them to.
2. Additional Field Coaches – one (1) fielding/defensive coach can stand in outfield to help keep players focused. Coach cannot touch his players and shall not interfere with any live ball. If a live ball comes in contact with the fielding coach, the ball is considered dead. The batter will be given second base.
3. Umpire – The league will arrange to have (1) umpire present for all scheduled games. And umpire will be rescheduled for games that are cancelled due to weather.
4. Coach Pitch – a coach will pitch to his own team. Blue Flame pitching machine could also be used in some games. For Rookie A league the pitcher will pitch from 40 to 46 feet. For Rookie B League the pitcher will pitch from 35 to 46 feet. Each batter will be allowed 8 pitches, or 3 swinging strikes (there are no called strikes), whichever comes first. If the batter does not swing at the 8th pitch, he is out no exceptions. If the batter fouls off his third strike, or his 8th pitch, he gets another pitch. The umpire behind the plate is responsible for keeping track of the pitch count.
5. Minimum Playing Time – if a team has 12 players at a game, each player is required to sit out one inning. If a team has 13 players (or more) at a game, then some players will need to sit out 2 innings. No player should ever sit out more than 2 innings. Note: Do not penalize players who come to practice, show up on time, have good attitudes and work hard, by making them sit out more than others just because they are weak players.
6. Defense – all players must play a minimum of 2 innings at any of the five (5) primary infield positions (P, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B). All players must play a minimum of 1 inning at any of the four outfield positions. No player may play more than 2 innings at any one position, over the course of the game, regardless of whether those innings are consecutive or separated.
7. Lineups – Coaches will exchange lineup cards prior to the start of every game (which should include positions to be played each inning).
8. Overthrows (Rookie B League ONLY) – When the ball is in the fence line, Maximum of 1 base on an overthrow.
9. Base Running (Rookie B league ONLY) – On Balls hit to the outfield runners can move up bases until the ball is in possession of an infielder that is in the infield dirt. Has to be an infielder in possession of the ball.
10. Cal Ripken 8U Tournaments – Blue Flame is set at 46 feet. Front legs against the front of the 46 feet rubber. The speed will be set to 43 mph and that is based on when the ball crosses home plate.
Rookie Playoff Rules:
1. Championship Game
a. No new inning after 1 hour and 45 minutes.
b. No Drop dead time.
2. Non-Championship Game
a. No new inning after 1 Hour and 30 minutes.
b. No drop dead time.
3. Playoff Game Tie breaker after time is up and inning is completed.
a. Each team shall begin their offensive half of the inning with the bases loaded and one out.
i. The last hitter from the team’s prior offensive inning shall go to 1st base, the hitter before him shall go to 2nd base, and the hitter before him shall go to 3rd base.
b. This rule shall be used for each inning from this point forward until a winning team can be declared.
c. Teams may NOT use a courtesy runner when the game is being contested under tie-breaker rules.
Minor – Spring (ages 9-10) Fall (ages 8-9)
1. General Rules – except where explicitly modified by these rules, Major League Baseball Rules and Official Cal Ripken Baseball Rules and Regulations will be followed.
2. Age – Minor League players must be either nine (9) or ten (10) years old on or before April 30th of the calendar year for the spring season and either eight (8) or nine (9) years old for the fall season. A player may be asked to produce a copy of his/her birth certificate before the start of league play if there is any question about his/her age.
3. Umpires – The league will arrange to have (2) umpires present for all scheduled games. And umpires will be rescheduled for games that are cancelled due to weather.
4. Lineups/Pitching – the coaches will exchange lineup cards prior to the start of every game. Follow Pitch Smart guidelines below. Games in which an ineligible pitcher is used shall be declared forfeited by the offending team.
5. Baseballs – each coach shall provide the umpire with one (1) new baseball and one (1) good used baseball prior to the start of the game.
6. Official Game – A minimum of seven (7) players will be required to start and continue a game. Less than seven players will constitute a forfeiture of the game. Each team will have no more than fifteen (15) minutes past the game starting time to field a team. After that time, the offending team will forfeit the game by a 6-0 score. If both teams forfeit, the game may be rescheduled at the discretion of the league commissioner.
7. Length of Game – a game will consist of six (6) innings with a 1-hour 45-minute drop dead time limit. If the home team is ahead entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the game is complete. No inning may start after one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes from the time the game began, nor fifteen (15) minutes before the start of a following game, unless a delay is encountered due to weather. Extra innings in case of a tie will be allowed as long as the time limit rule is not exceeded. The official starting time shall be the originally scheduled start time or 15 minutes after the end of the preceding game, whichever is later. Games rained out prior to four (4) complete innings or three and one half (3 1/2) innings if the home team is ahead, will be rescheduled as a new game.
8. 5-Run Rule (Minor B Only) – in innings 1-5, a team's turn at bat ends at the earlier of three (3) defensive putouts or five (5) offensive runs scored, UNLESS the top of the inning has not been completed by the 1 hour 45-minute time limit. In that event the inning will be treated like innings 6+. In innings 6+, there is no limit on the number of runs scored and a team's turn at bat ends when the defense has made three (3) putouts.
9. 10-Run Rule Mercy Rule – a game may be terminated once it becomes a regulation game if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs and each team has had equal turns at bat or the home team is leading. Termination is solely at the option of the trailing team's head coach.
10. Tie Games – in order for a game to be declared a tie game by the umpire, it must be a regulation game (at least four (4) complete innings must have been played). Extra innings may be played as long as the time limit rule is not violated.
11. Continuous Batting Order – a continuous batting order will be used, and all players attending a game must take their regular turn at bat during the game. The batting order will remain fixed during the game, with defensive fielding assignments having no effect on the batting order. Late arrivals will enter the batting order at the bottom of the lineup card. Should a player leave the game (e.g., due to injury), all players below that player in the batting order will move up one slot and maintain the same batting order. If the player who left the game returns and is re-inserted into the game, he/she must enter into the same batting position as he/she originally occupied, with the players below him/her in the batting order moving down one slot into their original positions in the batting order. If a batter leaves the game due to injury, the next batter in the lineup starts with a 0-0 count. No player may change positions in the batting order during a game. Any player who bats out of turn (receives one pitch) is automatically out, and all base runners must return to the bases they occupied before the offending batter came to the plate, provided a defensive coach or player calls time out and appeals the player batting out of turn prior to the next batter receiving one pitch. Without such appeal, the result of the out-of-turn at-bat stands.
11a. Continuous Batting Order Late Arrival Option 1 - For a player(s) who is arriving late the coach may add the player(s) to the batting order and if that player(s) turn at bat happens before his arrival he will be declared “out” by the umpire. Assuming the player shows up before his next turn at bat then he will bat as normal. The player will be declared out for any missed plate appearances.
11b. Continuous Batting Order Late Arrival Option 2 – For a player(s) who is arriving late the coach may add the “late” player to the end of his batting order and if that player(s) does not show up before his turn at bat the coach can elect to scratch that player from the lineup. In this case that batter will NOT be declared “out”. However, that player(s) will be ineligible to enter the game as a hitter. Note: A continuous batting order that’s been submitted to the umpire may only be changed in the case of an injured player.
12. Defense – the defensive fielding positions will include the regular six (6) infielders plus three (3) outfield positions (a total of nine (9) players on the field).
13. Playing Time – each player may not sit out more than three (3) innings per game in the field defensively and will not sit out more than two (2) consecutive innings in a game. A player may NOT occupy the same defensive position on the field for more than 2 innings. Each player must play at least one inning at an infield position. Exceptions would be for disciplinary reasons or injury.
14. Re-Entry Rule – the re-entry rule will be used for all defensive field positions except the pitcher. A non-pitching player may be entered into, removed from, or removed to, any defensive position at any time during the game, and as often as the coach chooses. For pitcher re-entry follow Cal Ripken rules.
15. Pitch Smart – Pitch Smart tracking will be used to keep track of how many pitches a pitcher throws in a game. You can sign off on other team’s pitch tracking or score sheet. It is important for each team to set workload limits for their pitchers to limit the likelihood of pitching with fatigue. Research has shown that pitch counts are more accurate and effective means of doing so. See required rest recommendation below.
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Age
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Daily Max
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0 Days Rest
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1 Day Rest
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2 Days Rest
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3 Days Rest
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4 Days Rest
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Pitches in Game
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7 – 8
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50
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1 -20
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21 - 35
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36 - 50
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N/A
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N/A
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9 - 10
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75
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1 -20
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21 - 35
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36 - 50
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51 - 65
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66 - 75
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16. Special Pitching Rules
a. No intentional walks.
b. No pitcher may throw any type of pitch other than a Fast ball or change up.
Balk: The only illegal pitch that will be called is when a pitcher starts their delivery towards home plate but does not deliver the ball. If this happens, an illegal pitch will be called, and a warning will be given to the pitcher.
c. The pitcher’s mound will be placed 46 feet from home plate.
d. A pitcher may only throw 50 pitches or 2 innings in a game, whichever comes first.
e. Select Team pitcher’s may only throw 35 pitches in a game, if pitching in a regular season game on a Thursday before a Select Team tournament.
f. A pitcher may not pitch in two consecutive games in a week. If there is a third game in a week period the pitcher may pitch in the first and third games as long as Days Rest guidelines in Pitch Smart are followed. A week period is Sunday thru Saturday.
17. Mound Visits – a coach may make one trip to the mound per inning per pitcher. On the second trip to the mound in the same inning for the same pitcher, the pitcher must be removed from the game as a pitcher. At that point he/she becomes a non-pitching player and may occupy any other defensive position on the field. When a coach goes to the mound, all players must remain at their positions unless summoned to the mound by the coach. Only the players summoned may come to the mound.
18. Ineligible Pitchers – any game in which an ineligible pitcher is used (throws one (1) pitch) shall be declared forfeited to the non-offending team. The opposing coach must make appeal to the umpire during the game or to the League Commissioner within 48 hours of the conclusion of the game.
19. Foul Third Strike – the batter is not out on a foul tip unless the catcher catches the foul tip for a third strike.
20a. Dropped Third Strikes when using Pitching Machine – the batter may NOT advance to first base on a dropped third strike.
20b. Dropped Third Strike when a Pitcher is on the Mound – the batter may advance to first base on a dropped third strike if either the base is unoccupied at the time of the pitch w/ less than two outs, or when there are two outs, regardless of runners on base.
21. Throwing the Bat – throwing or slinging the bat is prohibited and the batter is out. However, the umpire may first issue one warning per team, in which case the play stands. If the batter is called out, no base runner may advance.
22. Lead-offs/Stealing – the goal of this league is to develop more high quality catchers and pitchers and the rules below are intended to help facilitate that goal.
a. No runner lead-offs are allowed until the ball has passed home plate.
b. Delayed Stealing is allowed, base runners must remain on base until the ball crosses home plate.
23. Courtesy Runners – if the catcher or pitcher of record (the player who was at the position during the last pitch thrown by his/her team while on defense) is on base with two (2) outs, the last player to have been put out may be substituted (although substitution is not mandatory) as a runner. If pinch-run for, that player must catch or pitch, as applicable, in the subsequent defensive half-inning.
24. Protests – to be valid, any protest must be announced to the umpire and opposing coach immediately at the time of the dispute. Written notice and detailed explanation of the protest must be turned in to the League Commissioner within 24 hours. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment calls by the umpire.
25. Scorebooks – scorebooks must be accurate and complete. The home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook. Scorekeepers should confer with each other during the game to ensure compatibility of records. Coaches are to check the scorebook after each game.
26. Discipline – a player may be withheld from a game for team discipline reasons if the League Commissioner is notified and agrees as to the reason. Parents must be notified in advance of the game. The League Commissioner, with approval from the NWCBA President or Vice President, may impose a suspension on any head coach, assistant coach, player or parent/fan for unsportsmanlike-like conduct or the failure to abide by the rules above. The suspension for the first violation is two (2) games; for the second violation, ten (10) games; and for the third violation, permanent expulsion from the league. Additionally, any player or coach ejected from a game will be subject to the following penalties:
· Coach – first offense will result in disqualification from that game and his/her team's next game; a second offense will result in disqualification for the remainder of the season.
· Player – first offense will result in disqualification from that game and his/her team's next game; any subsequent offenses will result in disqualification from that game and his/her team's next three (3) games.
Minor Playoff Rules:
1. Championship Game
a. No new inning after 1 hour and 45 minutes.
b. No Drop dead time.
2. Non-Championship Game
a. No new inning after 1 Hour and 30 minutes.
b. No drop dead time.
3. Playoff Game Tie breaker after time is up and inning is completed.
a. Each team shall begin their offensive half of the inning with the bases loaded and one out.
i. The last hitter from the team’s prior offensive inning shall go to 1st base, the hitter before him shall go to 2nd base, and the hitter before him shall go to 3rd base.
b. This rule shall be used for each inning from this point forward until a winning team can be declared.
c. Teams may NOT use a courtesy runner when the game is being contested under tie-breaker rules.
Major – Spring (ages 11-12) Fall (ages 10-11)
1. General Rules – Major League Baseball Rules (Sporting News edition) will be followed except where explicitly modified by these local (NWCBA) rules.
2. Age – players must be at least eleven (11) years of age and not have reached thirteen (13) years of age as of April 30th of the year in which the spring season is played. A player may be asked to produce a copy of his/her birth certificate before the start of league play if there is any question about his/her age.
3. Umpires – The league will arrange to have (2) umpires present for all scheduled games. And umpires will be rescheduled for games that are cancelled due to weather.
4. Lineups/Pitchers – the coaches will exchange lineup cards prior to the start of every game. Follow Pitch Smart guidelines below. Games in which an ineligible pitcher is used shall be declared forfeited by the offending team.
5. Baseballs – each coach shall provide the umpire with one (1) new baseball and one (1) good used baseball prior to the start of the game.
6. Official Game – a minimum of seven (7) players will be required to start and continue a game. Less than seven players will constitute a forfeiture of the game. Each team will have no more than fifteen (15) minutes past the game starting time to field a team. After that time, the offending team will forfeit the game by a 6-0 score.
7. Length of Game – a game will consist of six (6) innings with a 2-hour drop dead time limit. If the home team is ahead entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the game is complete. No inning may start after one (1) hour and fourty five (45) minutes from the time the game began, nor fifteen (15) minutes before the start of a following game, unless a delay is encountered due to weather. Extra innings in case of a tie will be allowed as long as the time limit rule is not exceeded. The official starting time shall be the originally scheduled start time or 15 minutes after the end of the preceding game, whichever is later. Games rained out prior to four (4) complete innings or three and one half (3 1/2) innings if the home team is ahead, will be rescheduled as a new game.
8. Tie Games – in order for a game to be declared a tie game by the umpire, it must be a regulation game (at least four complete innings must have been played). Extra innings may be played as long as the time limit rule is not violated. Tie games will be played at the end of the season only if the outcome of the game has bearing on the league standings for tournament play. A tie game is replayed as a new game.
9. 10-Run Rule Mercy Rule – a game may be terminated once it becomes a regulation game if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs and each team has had equal turns at bat or the home team is leading. Termination is solely at the option of the trailing team's head coach.
10. Defense – all players must play a minimum of three (3) innings per game in the field defensively. Exceptions may occur as a result of rain/time-shortened games or for disciplinary reasons. A player my not occupy the same defensive position on the field for more than a cumulative total of 4 innings.
11. Re-Entry Rule – the re-entry rule will be used for all defensive field positions except the pitcher. A non-pitching player may be entered at, removed from, or moved to, any defensive position at any time during the game. For pitcher re-entry follow Cal Ripken rules.
12. Continuous Batting Order – a continuous batting order will be used, and all players attending a game must take their regular turn at bat during the game. The batting order will remain fixed during the game, with defensive fielding assignments having no effect on the batting order. Late arrivals will enter the batting order at the bottom of the lineup card. Should a player leave the game (e.g., due to injury), all players below that player in the batting order will move up one slot and maintain the same batting order. If the player who left the game returns and is re-inserted into the game, he/she must enter into the same batting position as he/she originally occupied, with the players below him/her in the batting order moving down one slot into their original positions in the batting order. If a batter leaves the game due to injury, the next batter in the lineup starts with a 0-0 count. No player may change positions in the batting order during a game. Any player who bats out of turn (receives one pitch) is automatically out, and all base runners must return to the bases they occupied before the offending batter came to the plate, provided a defensive coach or player calls time out and appeals the player batting out of turn prior to the next batter receiving one pitch. Without such appeal, the result of the out-of-turn at-bat stands.
12a. Continuous Batting Order Late Arrival Option 1 - For a player(s) who is arriving late the coach may add the player(s) to the batting order and if that player(s) turn at bat happens before his arrival he will be declared “out” by the umpire. Assuming the player shows up before his next turn at bat then he will bat as normal. The player will be declared out for any missed plate appearances.
12b. Continuous Batting Order Late Arrival Option 2 – For a player(s) who is arriving late the coach may add the “late” player to the end of his batting order and if that player(s) does not show up before his turn at bat the coach can elect to scratch that player from the lineup. In this case that batter will NOT be declared “out”. However, that player(s) will be ineligible to enter the game as a hitter. Note: A continuous batting order that’s been submitted to the umpire may only be changed in the case of an injured player.
13. Pitch Smart – Pitch Smart tracking will be used to keep track of how many pitches a pitcher throws in a game. You can sign off on other team’s pitch tracking or score sheet. It is important for each team to set workload limits for their pitchers to limit the likelihood of pitching with fatigue. Research has shown that pitch counts are more accurate and effective means of doing so. See required rest recommendation below.
|
Age
|
Daily Max
|
0 Days Rest
|
1 Day Rest
|
2 Days Rest
|
3 Days Rest
|
4 Days Rest
|
|
|
Pitches in Game
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 – 10
|
75
|
1 -20
|
21 - 35
|
36 - 50
|
51 - 65
|
66 - 75
|
|
11 - 12
|
85
|
1 -20
|
21 - 35
|
36 - 50
|
51 - 65
|
66 - 85
|
14. Special Pitching Rules:
• No intentional walks are allowed.
• Pitchers are allowed to throw fastballs and change-ups ONLY. No curves, knuckles.
Balks will be enforced in this division. Pitchers will be given one(1) warning for a balk. After the warning has been issued, balks will be called.
• The pitcher’s mound will be placed 50 feet from home plate and bases set at 70 feet.
15. Mound Visits – a coach may make one trip to the mound per inning per pitcher. On the second trip to the mound in the same inning for the same pitcher, the pitcher must be removed from the game as a pitcher. At that point he/she becomes a non-pitching player and may occupy any other defensive position on the field. When a coach goes to the mound, all players must remain at their positions unless summoned to the mound by the coach. Only the three (3) players, including the current pitcher may meet at the mound per trip.
16. Ineligible Pitchers – any game in which an ineligible pitcher is used (throws at least one pitch) shall be declared forfeited to the non-offending team. The opposing coach must make appeal to the umpire during the game or to the League Commissioner within 48 hours of the conclusion of the game.
17. Catchers – all catchers must wear a helmet, mask w/ throat guard, chest protector, and shin guards while playing defense behind the plate (a catcher may remove his/her helmet/mask to field a pitch that has been taken by the batter or to field a batted ball).
18. Dropped Third Strike – the batter may advance to first base on a dropped third strike if either the base is unoccupied at the time of the pitch w/ less than two outs, or when there are two outs, regardless of runners on base.
19. Throwing the Bat – throwing or slinging the bat is prohibited and the batter is out. However, the umpire may first issue one (1) warning per team, in which case the play stands. If the batter is called out, no base runner may advance.
20. Infield Fly- the infield fly rule WILL be in effect for this division
21. Courtesy Runners – if the catcher or pitcher of record (the player who was at the position during the last pitch thrown by his/her team while on defense) is on base with two (2) outs, the last player to have been put out may be substituted (although substitution is not mandatory) as a runner. If pinch-run for, that player must catch or pitch, as applicable, in the subsequent defensive half-inning.
22. Protests – to be valid, any protest must be announced to the umpire and opposing coach immediately at the time of the dispute. Written notice and detailed explanation of the protest must be turned in to the League Commissioner within 24 hours. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment calls by the umpire.
23. Scorebooks – scorebooks must be accurate and complete. The home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook. Coaches are to check the scorebook after each game.
24. Discipline – a player may be withheld from a game for team discipline reasons with the approval of the League Commissioner. Parents must be notified in advance of the game. The League Commissioner, with approval from the NWCBA President or Vice President may impose a suspension on any head coach, assistant coach, player or parent/fan for unsportsmanlike conduct. Additionally, any player or coach ejected from a game will be subject to the following penalties:
· Coach – first offense results in disqualification from that game and his/her team's next game; second offense results in disqualification for the remainder of the season.
· Player – first offense results in disqualification from that game and his/her team's next game; any subsequent offenses result in disqualification from that game and his/her team's next three (3) games.
Major Playoff Rules:
1. Championship Game
a. No new inning after 2 Hours.
b. No Drop dead time.
2. Non-Championship Game
a. No new inning after 1 Hour and 45 minutes.
b. No drop dead time.
3. Playoff Game Tie breaker after time is up and inning is completed.
a. Each team shall begin their offensive half of the inning with the bases loaded and one out.
i. The last hitter from the team’s prior offensive inning shall go to 1st base, the hitter before him shall go to 2nd base, and the hitter before him shall go to 3rd base.
b. This rule shall be used for each inning from this point forward until a winning team can be declared.
c. Teams may NOT use a courtesy runner when the game is being contested under tie-breaker rules.
( 5/23/2023 )