Highlands Farm League 2009

LOCAL RULES

1. No more than six runs may be scored by either team in one inning. After six runs are scored in one inning, the team in the field goes to bat, regardless of the number of outs.
2. Coaches must maintain control over the players on the benches at all times. Players must sit on the bench in their proper batting order.
3. Practice times to be reserved on a first-come basis by calling the coordinator for all times other than scheduled times.
4. All other rules are the same as Little League Baseball general rules as set out in the Official Rule Book.
5. Start time for games will be 6:00 at the start of the season moving to 6:30 as the evening light permits.  Sunday games will start at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00.  Please check the schedule as there will be some slight variations!
6. Visiting team infield warm-up: 5:45-5:50 p.m./6:15-6:20 p.m. based on start time of game.
7. Home team infield warm-up: 5:50-5:55 p.m/6:20-6:25 p.m. based on start time of game.
8. Prior to the first inning, the scorekeeper must be given a list of all players in batting order. No changes to the list will be permitted during the game. If a player arrives late, his name must be added to the bottom of the list. Each player will bat in turn whether or not he is in the first fielding line-up.
9. Home team will occupy the third base bench. Visiting team will occupy the first base bench.
10. Players are encouraged to wear a protective cup and MUST wear a cup if playing the back-catcher position.
11. A league game shall ordinarily consist of four innings or ninety minutes of play, whichever comes first.  No new inning may start after 90 minutes of play.
12. On the completion of the game, each team will cheer the other and proceed to shake hands with the opposing players.  A relay race around the bases can occur.

FIELD

13. Pitching distance: 38 ft. Distance between bases: 45 ft.
14. Home-run line shall be a semi-circle 130 ft. from the home plate.
15. Home team will be responsible for preparation of the field before a game and for putting the bases, etc. in the groundkeeper’s box at the end of a game.  Check the surface around home plate, remove any stones and, if necessary, get some sand from the pile and spread it around home plate.  NOTE: Liners are not to be filled until you are ready to line the field.
16. Do NOT make on-deck circles when lining the field.  Little League rules at all levels do not allow “on deck” hitters on the field for safety reasons.  All players on teams that are up to bat should be inside the dugout.
17. Circle around the pitching machine should be kept to a minimum (no more than a 3 foot radius).

AUTOMATIC ROTATION SYSTEM

18. Each player must play a minimum of two innings in the field. There can be no exceptions to this rule.
19. No players to sit off two innings in a row.
20. No player will sit off a second time until everybody else has sat off an inning.
21. No player may play the same position for two consecutive innings.
22. No player may play an infield position for more than two consecutive innings.
23. Each player should have a minimum of one inning infield.

BATTING

24. Pitching machines will be used to pitch to their own team’s batters. No walks allowed, players must hit or be struck out.
25. A batter cannot run on a dropped third strike. The batter is automatically out and the base runners may not advance. The ball shall be considered dead until the next pitch.
26. If a player throws his bat when running to first base, he will be called out by the umpire.
27. Headguards must be worn at all times by batters.
28. If the pitching coach or pitching machine is hit by the batted ball, the play is dead (no strike is assessed).  If the ball passes through the pitching machine circle without being able to be fielded in front of the machine, it is a fair ball.  If the ball is in the air through the circle (i.e. line drive or fly ball) and lands beyond the circle, it is a fair ball.  If the ball is fielded and deflected unintentionally into the circle, it is a ground rule single.
29. If a player throws his bat in a display of temper, he shall be removed from the game.

RUNNING

30. Players must wear running shoes or rubber cleats. No metal spikes or cleats are allowed. Headguards must remain on at all times by base runners. The infield fly rule is not in effect.
31. There shall be no lead-off until the ball crosses the plate.
32. If a rolling or bouncing ball crosses the home-run line, by error or otherwise, the batter is entitled to a two-base hit. A home-run ball must clear the home-run line in the air.
33. No stealing is permitted unless the batter has swung at a pitch. No stealing is permitted on third strike, from first base to second base and from third to home.
34. A fielding overthrow at the third base which is outside the out of play line (as defined by the extension of the third base line fence) or lands in either of the players’ benches shall stop the play. The base runners shall advance to the base they were going to plus one.
35. Players may NOT advance to a new base (they may continue on the way to the one they are headed to) from the moment the fielding player makes a motion to throw the ball to the mound.  The ball does not need to have left his hand; the pitcher does not have to be aware the ball is coming to him.  If the fielder is showing a move to throw the ball to the mound, the runner cannot advance to a new base.  Base coaches should NOT get aggressive about sending stationary runners in this situation.
36. The runner must slide at home plate if, in the opinion of the umpire, (please see Sliding Rule) there is a play at the plate.
37. Coaches will be permitted to coach from first or third base if they remain in the designated coaching box areas.

SLIDING HOME RULE

38. The Local Rule is:

“Runners must slide into home if a play is being made. The runner will be called out if they fail to slide AND the umpire judges that the defense had a legitimate opportunity to put the runner out.”

Purpose of rule: To try to prevent injuries due to collisions at home plate.

The Situation:

The runner and at least one defender are all converging at home plate, and in the opinion of the umpire, the defense has “ a legitimate opportunity to put the runner out.”

Guidelines for Runners and third base coaches:

If you slide home, the defense must put you out.

If the ball is arriving anywhere near home you may be called out if you don’t slide even if you are safe.

No head first slides. Learn the proper way to slide. A head first slide to a base you have not previously touched will be called “OUT”.

FIELDING

39. No coaches will be permitted on the field if team not at bat.
40. If a player throws his mitt in a display of temper, he shall be removed from the game.

UMPIRING

41. Home team must supply a home team umpire.
42. The umpire shall decide if the game is unplayable because of the weather. Teams must be at the field ready to play.  Three complete innings will constitute a game called because of the weather.
43. There will be no protests of any game.

SCOREKEEPING

44. Each team will provide a scorekeeper to keep score for the opposing team. In the event of shortage of scorekeepers, the home team coach has the ultimate responsibility to arrange for scorekeeping.
45. Scores need to be e-mailed to the Farm Ball Co-ordinator at the completion of the game.

POSTPONED GAMES

46. Rained out games should be played at the first opportunity. Coaches will arrange for umpires and scorekeepers. Rained out games shall be played over from the beginning.  Teams MUST arrange booking of the field to play a rained out game with the Farm Ball Co-ordinator.  Rained out games are played on Mondays and Fridays.

PLAYOFFS

47. Playoff schedules will be determined based on the season standings.