Glen Rock
Baseball Association
Rules and Regulations
Senior League
2006
GENERAL
Games will be played in accordance with the basic
rules of baseball as specifically amended by these rules. Basic rules of
baseball will be taken as those stated in the Official Baseball Rules of Major
League Baseball.
LENGTH AND
FORMAT OF THE GAME
1.
Regulation
Game - A
regulation game is 6 innings long unless modified by one of the rules below.
2.
Official
Game - A
game is considered official after 4 complete innings or 3 ½ innings if the home
team is ahead. The games called before they are “official” shall be
rescheduled on a date set by the League Commissioner. A “called game” must
be restarted from the point of suspension.
3.
Time
Limitations
- No inning may start later than 20
minutes before the start of the next scheduled game. Until daylight savings
time, no inning may start after 8:00 PM. If, in the judgment of the umpire, it
is too dark to continue play, the umpire has the authority to call the game. In
the case of extra inning games, the above limitations apply.
4.
Line-ups
- Players’ names shall be listed in batting order and given to the opposing
manager before
each game. Managers shall willingly offer the score book and lineup sheet to
other managers to verify pitching eligibility.
5.
Minimum
Number of Players - Rule for Playoffs - No team may start a game with fewer than 8 players.
If the minimum number of players is not available, the game is forfeited.
During a game, fewer than 8 players may be permitted if injury causes a
team to lose the services of 1 player. No
game may be played with fewer than 7 players.
If the game is not “official” and fewer than 7 players are available
, the game is forfeited.
Special
Substitution Rule for Regular Season - No team may start a game with fewer than 8 players.
If the minimum number of players is not available, the opposing manager
may declare a forfeit or allow the team to substitute up to 2 players from
another Senior League team and/or from the 6th grade traveling team
(subject to approval by the commisioner) and/or by lending player(s) from the opposing team.
Substitute players may only play in the outfield, must be put at the
bottom of the batting order lineup and must be removed from the game as players
from the team they are substituting for arrive.
6.
Player
Eligibility
- Players absent from practice or a game without legitimate reason, or
demonstrate poor sportsmanship, may be disciplined by sitting out extra innings
and/or excluded from the next game at the manager’s discretion and/or the
Senior League Commissioner.
7.
Substitutions
- If 11 or more players are present at the start of the game, all players must
sit out 1 inning per game. If less than 11 players are present at the start of
the game, no player may sit out more than 1 inning.
No player may sit out more than 2 innings per 6 inning game. Players
being disciplined for Rules infractions may sit out more than 2 innings per
game. Players arriving after the start of the second inning are not subject to
this minimum playing time. The game will be forfeited if minimum playing times
are not achieved. Each manager must properly document substitutions in the event
of a protest.
8.
Batting
Order -
At the beginning of each game, the manager will list all of the available
players in a batting order to the opposing manager. Each player must bat in the
order reflected on the list regardless of whether or not he played in the field
in that inning or the preceding innings. The batting order can not be changed
during the game, unless a player has left the game or if a player has arrived
after the start of the game (first pitch). If a player is listed in the batting
order but is not present at the time of his initial plate appearance, his
position in the batting order will be scratched. If the player subsequently
arrives, he will be placed at the end of the original batting order. If a team
starts with less than 9 players or if a player leaves the game, leaving less
than 9 players, the spot open will be an automatic out in the order.
LAYOUT OF
THE DIAMOND
9.
Bases
- The distance between all bases shall be 80 feet.
10.
Pitchers
Rubber -
The distance between the rear point of home plate and the front side of the
pitcher’s rubber shall be 54 feet.
EQUIPMENT
11.
Uniforms
- League-authorized T-shirts and a baseball cap
are required to be worn during the game.
12.
Protective
Helmets
- All batters and base runners must wear approved protective helmets.
13.
Bat
Restrictions
-
Bats for use
in the Senior League must meet one of the two following criteria:
1) The "Little League" endorsement; or 2)
BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio) certification.
14.
Baseballs
- Each
team shall supply one new baseball
for each game.
15.
Cleats
- Metal
cleats are prohibited
16.
Protective
Cup -
Catchers are required to wear cups. It is recommended (but not required) that
all other players wear a cup.
BASE RUNNING
17.
Stealing
- Permitted, except no steals of home. Runners on third base may not go beyond
the infield grass until the ball goes past home plate. Runners on third base may
attempt to score after the ball passes home (i.e., on delayed steal, wild pitch
or pass ball).
18.
Dropped
Third Strike
- Same as major league rule.
19.
Leading
- Leading is permitted.
20.
Overthrown
Ball -
If an overthrown ball goes outside the area of play, the runners shall advance
to the base they were going to at the time the ball was thrown and shall be
awarded the next base.
21.
Runner
Hit by Batted Ball
- If a base runner is touched by a batted ball in fair territory before the ball
was touched by a defensive player, the base runner is out and the ball is
declared dead. Other base runners must return to their previously occupied base
unless they are forced to advance because the
batter would be awarded first base.
22.
Infield
Fly Rule
- The infield fly rule will apply.
23. Running into a Defensive Player - Base runners must slide or avoid defensive players. A base runner may not run into a defensive player or attempt to knock a defensive player out of the play. A base runner may slide into a base guarded by a player. If an umpire determines that a base runner intentionally runs into a defensive player, the umpire will declare the base runner out. The ball is dead and no other base runners may advance.
PITCHING
24.
Eligibility
- A player may pitch no more than 9 outs in any one game or 18 outs in one week.
25.
Pitching
in Relief
- The manager must inform the home plate umpire and the opposing manager of a
pitching change. Unless injured, the relief pitcher must pitch to a minimum of
one batter. A player once removed
as a pitcher may not pitch the same game.
26.
Trips
to the Mound
- A manager or coach may take only one trip to the mound per inning. On the
second trip to the mound, the pitcher must be removed. Only one person may go to
the mound at a time.
27.
Balks
- Balks will be called in the Senior League, after one warning per pitcher.
Advise home plate umpire before the game begins.
28.
Curve
Balls -
Curve balls are permitted.
29.
Intentional
Walks -
Managers may not instruct a pitcher to intentionally walk a batter. Violation of
this rule shall result in the batter being awarded second base and all other
base runners being advanced accordingly.
30.
Hit
Batters
- A pitcher who hits 2 batters in the same inning or 3 batters in the same game
must be removed.
SPORTSMANSHIP
31.
Sportsmanship
- Without curbing the competitive desire to win, managers and coaches should
always strive to maintain an atmosphere of sportsmanship on the playing field.
Some specific guidelines are:
·
Teach
your players baseball fundamentals and game strategy.
·
Encourage
your players but avoid remarks which might be insulting or humiliating to both
your players and the players on the opposing team.
·
Take
responsibility for parents of your players who do not comply with the League’s
views on sportsmanship. Quiet disgruntled parents.
·
The
catcher may “yell” encouragement to his teammates but may not talk to the
batter. No defensive player should encourage or intimidate a batter to swing at
a pitch.
·
Avoid
abusing or yelling at an umpire. If there is a rules infraction, discuss the
infraction with the umpire. If you disagree with an umpire’s judgment, keep it
to yourself and control your players. If an umpire is consistently making the
same judgment error, discuss the issue with the opposing manager and approach
the umpire jointly. Report poor umpiring to the Senior League Commissioner.
·
Be
flexible and compromise on minor technicalities when this is in the player’s
interest.
32.
Penalty
for Poor Sportsmanship
- Players, managers and coaches exhibiting poor sportsmanship will be warned by
the umpire in the presence of the manager. A second display of poor
sportsmanship will result in automatic ejection from the game by the umpire.
Managers should inform umpires of the warning rule (except in the case of foul
language). A manager or coach may be ejected, if in the opinion of the umpire,
the manager or coach is promoting or unwilling to control any unsportsmanlike
like conduct. The Senior League Commissioner may impose sanctions against
players, managers and coaches who exhibit poor sportsmanship.
33.
Field
Discipline
- All players must remain on the bench or behind protected areas while the game
is in progress, unless they are on the playing field. Only designated coaches
shall be allowed at 1st and 3rd base during the game. No players, coaches,
parents, etc. shall be allowed behind the backstop during the game.
TEAM
RESPONSIBILITIES
34.
Field
- Both team managers should arrive at the field in sufficient time to insure the
field is free of debris, playable, and to correct any problems. A delay in
starting a game due to field conditions will not push back the starting times of
the remaining games.
35.
Equipment
- The home team shall be responsible for positioning and removing the bases,
collecting and returning protective helmets and locking the equipment box.
36.
Copy
of Rules
- Each team is responsible for having a
copy of these rules available for review by an umpire.
37.
Decision
on Field Conditions
- Unless otherwise determined by the GRBA’s Vice
President of Fields, when field conditions are doubtful, the home team
manager shall decide if the game is to be started. After the first pitch, the
umpire shall be the sole authority regarding continued play, especially
regarding darkness.
INJURIES
38.
Player
Injury -
A player may be removed from the game at any time because of injury. He may
return to the game at a later time at the discretion of the manager. If an
injured player is unable to bat, no penalty shall be assessed (unless the team
has less than 9 players - which will be called an automatic out at his spot in
the batting order). An injured player who misses an “at bat” but
subsequently returns to the lineup shall assume his original batting order
position.
39.
Injury
Reports
- Any injury sustained in a practice or a game must be reported (with an injury
report form) to the Senior League Commissioner as soon as possible.
MISCELLANEOUS
40.
Bunting
-
Bunting is permitted.
41.
Forfeits
- The
plate umpire shall declare a game forfeited in favor of the opposing team when,
after being warned by the umpire, if a team 1) Refuses to continue to play, 2)
Uses methods to delay or shorten a game, 3) Fails to discontinue rules
violations.
42.
Game
Postponements
- A manager may request postponement of a game if he is unable to field a
minimum of 8 players due to school, religious, or other conflicting events. This
request must be made to the League Commissioner at least 24 hours before the
scheduled starting time. The game shall not be deemed postponed unless the
League Commissioner advises both managers
of the postponement. At the time of the request for postponement, the manager
must offer a suitable date and time for rescheduling the game. The date and time
must be agreeable to the opposing manager. Games will not be allowed to be
rescheduled just because a superior player is not available.
43.
Protests
- Protests will be considered only when based on the violation of the Rules and
Regulations or the use of an ineligible player. No protests will be considered
on a decision involving an umpire’s judgment.
44.
Protest
Procedure
- The protesting manager shall immediately, and before any further play begins,
notify the plate umpire and the opposing manager that the game is being played
under protest and the reason for the protest. The protesting manager should
notify the League Commissioner of the protest, in writing, within 48 hours. No
protests will be considered without the written report.
45.
Protest
Consideration
- If, in the judgment of the League Commissioner that a protest has merit, the
protest shall be decided by an arbitration panel consisting of the Vice
President of Baseball and 2 League Commissioners.
PLAYOFFS,
CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND ALL STAR GAMES
46.
Rules
- All League rules shall apply to post season games unless amended by the Senior
League Commissioner.
47.
All
Star Selection
- How a player is selected by a team to participate in the All Star Game shall
be left to the discretion of the Team Manager.
48.
Number
of All Star Selections
- The number of All Star selections from each team shall be made by the League
Director with the approval of the GRBA Vice President of Baseball.
49.
All
Star Pitching
- The pitchers may not pitch more than 2 innings.
50.
Length
of All Star Game
- The All Star game shall be 7 innings long to guarantee that each player will
have at least 1 time at bat.
51.
Playoff
Seeding
- All teams will be seeded according to regular season record.
