The Beach Park Baseball program is designed to benefit all ...



Table of Contents

Section No. Description Pages

I General League Rules – Conduct 3

II General League Rules – Players 4

III General League Rules – Game Play 5, 6

IV Pinto Rules 7, 8, 9

V Mustang Rules 10, 11, 12

VI Bronco Rules 13, 14

VII Pony Rules 15

SECTION I

GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

Code of Conduct

The Quad-Cities Baseball program is designed to benefit all players by developing baseball skills, knowledge of the rules, good sportsmanship, and respect for other players, managers, coaches and umpires.

1) Confrontation between Managers, Coaches, Umpires, Players or Fans: Any verbal or physical confrontations by any combination of those mentioned above, before, during or after a game will not be tolerated by this association. All incidents shall be reported to the League Representative or a Board Member as soon as possible. All incidents will be reviewed by the Board of Directors. If the Board deems it necessary, disciplinary action will be taken. Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to, a warning, suspension or dismissal from the league.

2) Game Ejections: Any coach, player, or fan ejected from a game by the umpire will be suspended for their team’s next game. No Exceptions!

3) Umpires/Umpire calls: Judgment calls made by an umpire are final and may not be disputed. Managers and Assistant Coaches will be ejected from the game if there is any form of harassment such as verbal abuse, physical abuse or continual arguing. Only an interpretation of a rule may be questioned, in a sportsman like manner.

4) Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking: Consumption of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or controlled substances in the playing area or on School property is prohibited. Any person, coach, family member, fan or player found to be in violation of this rule will be suspended indefinitely from participating and/or attending games. Smoking is prohibited on School property.

SECTION II

GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

PLAYERS

1) Cleats: It is recommended that players wear cleats but not required. Steel spikes are allowed in Pony division only.

2) Helmets: All batters and base runners are required to wear helmets (face guard optional). A player in the “on deck circle” is required to wear a helmet as well.

3) Supporters and Cups: Athletic supporters are required for all male players from Pinto to Pony.

4) Player Etiquette: Talking it up during a game is encouraged. However, comments that are argumentative, insulting or detrimental to another player should not be tolerated. No yelling “Swing”.

SECTION III

GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

GAMES

1) Wet Grounds: In the event of rain or wet grounds, a League Representative will notify the Head Coaches by 4:30pm of cancellations. ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE MADE BY A BOARD MEMBER OR LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE. COACHES MAY NOT CANCEL GAMES WITHOUT LEAGUE APPROVAL. Games must be made up as soon as possible.

2) Ground Rules: The umpire and coaches prior to the start of the game will discuss all ground rules.

3) Game Balls: Each home team will supply a new game ball for the game. The visiting team will provide a clean, usable ball.

4) Scorebooks and Game Reports: It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to keep score for his team. He may assign this task to a responsible adult. Scorekeepers should confirm scores between innings to avoid errors and misunderstandings. Score must be kept by both sides. Substitutes must be reported to the opposing scorekeeper at the time they occur.

5) Dugouts and Dugout Clean Up: Only members of the coaching staff are allowed in the dugouts. Parents of players not coaching must remain outside of the dugout. Players are not permitted to climb, hang on or jump over the dugout fences. Both teams are responsible for clean up after each game. This includes both dugouts and the bleacher areas.

6) Base Coaches: Two responsible adults shall be allowed to act as base coaches. Players may not hold this position. All base coaches should remain within the coach’s box. No coach shall physically assist a runner in leaving or returning to a base. This will result in the runner being called out and the play will be dead. Only one person is allowed in the coach’s box. No other coaches are allowed on the playing field during play except in T-Ball.

7) Backstop: Spectators, players or coaches will not be allowed within 20 feet of the backstop in any manner that promotes questioning of umpire decisions. Furthermore, umpires are allowed (at their discretion) to remove fans standing in back of the backstop at any distance.

8) Contact: There is no contact allowed with a base runner and a fielder. Base runners must avoid contact during a play on them or be called out unless the runner is sliding. Additionally, a defensive player may not unnecessarily initiate contact with the runner. If, in the Umpire’s judgment, a runner or fielder tries to “bowl over” another player, he may be ejected from the game. A defensive player may “block” a base, only if in possession of the ball.

9) Game Reports: The winning team is responsible for reporting the scores to their local league, through text message or email, within 24 hours of the game. Check with your league representative for contact information.

10) Darkness & Inclement Weather: A game called because of darkness or inclement weather is at the discretion of the Umpire. Any sign of lightning, players must leave the field and seek shelter. The league mandates that at least 15 minutes must pass from the time of the last sighting of lightning before the game can resume. Any game called due to darkness, inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances shall be considered a suspended game.

11) Suspended Games: Coaches involved in a suspended game must write down the game situation to include,

• Amount of time remaining in the game.

• Which team and which team member is at bat and the count.

• What inning and how many outs.

• Position of base runners.

• Who is on the mound, how many innings he has pitched in and who has already pitched. The rule for use of a pitcher in a game is still applicable when the game resumes.

• Position of fielders.

When both coaches and the umpire have agreed, the game shall be considered suspended and will resume from that point at a later time.

All other rules not covered by the above or in the special in-house rules are covered by the”Major League Official Baseball Rules.” As members of the Board we strongly urge you to remember who the game is for and that it is only a GAME. Our goal as Board Members and Coaches is to make it a positive experience for all participants in the Quad Cities Baseball League.

** PLEASE REMEMBER, NO ARGUING WITH THE UMPIRES **

SECTION IV

PINTO RULES

1. GAMES

(A) Regulation Games - Regulation games shall be 6 complete innings, but shall not last more than 2 hours past the scheduled start time. This applies for all regular season and in-house tournaments. The only exception will be if an inning begins prior to exceeding the 2 hour time limit, in which case that entire inning (and only that inning) may be completed (daylight and weather conditions permitting, at the umpire’s sole discretion). Should the umpire terminate play due to poor weather conditions or darkness at any point, the game will revert to the score of the last completed inning. Tie games after 6 innings will play a maximum of 1 extra inning (though the game shall still remain under the same 2-hour time limit restriction). Ties after 7 innings of play shall remain a tie.

(B) Official Games - Official games are 3 1/2 innings with the home team ahead, 4 innings with the visiting team ahead.

(C) Number of Players: Teams consist of 10 fielders, 7 minimum. When 10 are used, 4 must play in the outfield, no short fielders. Free substitutions are allowed except for the pitcher.

(D) Infield Play – Every player shall play an infield position a minimum of one inning before the 4th inning.

(E) Slaughter Rule – After 4 complete innings, if either team is ahead by 10 runs or more, the game is over.

(F) Scoring will be limited to 5 runs per each team’s turn at bat in any inning. After the 5th run scores and ensuing play has stopped, the offensive team’s turn at bat will be over. In no instance will any team record more than the maximum 5 runs in any single inning.

2. BATTING

(A) Continuous batting order. The maximum number of batters each inning depends on which team has the most players.

Team 1 has 12 players-this team shall bat 12.

Team 2 has 10 players -this team shall bat 12.

(B) No dropped third strike. Batter is out.

(C) Infield fly rule does not apply.

(D) Bunts: Intentional bunts will not be allowed and will be called an out. The ball will be dead with all runners returning to their previously occupied bases..

(E) Fences (if installed): Balls not hit over the fence on a fly but go beyond will be considered a ground rule double.

3. PITCHING

(A) Maximum 2 innings per game and 8 per week. During an individual game, a player may pitch in up to 2 different innings, and they must be consecutive innings. Upon throwing even a single pitch in an inning, the pitcher is considered to have pitched one inning. Once a player has pitched and is removed from the pitcher position, the player may not return to pitch for the remainder of the game

(B) Once a pitcher issues three consecutive walks (a hit batsman is considered a walk in respect to this rule) the pitcher shall be replaced by a coach from the offensive team for the next three batters of the current inning. Each batter the coach pitches to shall receive seven pitches and will not be allowed to walk even if the player is hit by a pitch. The player can be called out on strikes. Also, if the player does not put the ball into play upon the completion of the seventh pitch, the player will be deemed out. Once the coach has pitched to three batters, the pitching responsibilities revert back to the pitcher. If the pitcher throws three more walks, the rule is repeated. While the coach is pitching, he must pitch from the same mound as the pitcher, the pitcher remains in the rear of the pitching circle for fielding purposes.

(C) Balk rule does not apply.

(D) Strike zone is a vertical area between the batters shoulders and knees, and a horizontal area extending three inches beyond the inside and outside of the plate.

(E) The pitcher shall be removed if the pitcher hits two batters in the same inning, but may return the next inning, and only the next inning. In that next inning the pitcher may only hit 1 batter before being removed for the remainder of the game.

(F) New pitchers are allowed 8 warm-up pitches, 6 between innings.

(G) Coaches may make 2 trips to the mound for discussion with the pitcher. On the 2nd visit to an individual pitcher, the pitcher must be removed. Subsequent pitchers are allowed 2 visits as well.

4. BASE RUNNERS

(A) No stealing allowed – runners cannot advance until the ball has been batted or are forced to the next base by a walk, hit batsmen, or catcher’s interference.

(B) Leadoffs by the runners are not allowed. Runners may leave the base to steal (or for any reason) only when the pitcher’s pitch has crossed home plate. Runners will be warned 1 time for leaving a base early, and will be called out on a subsequent attempt to leave the base early.

(C) Runners must stop at the next base when an opposing player has possession of the ball within the pitching circle. Runners shall go back to the previous base if, in the judgment of the umpire, they are less than halfway to the next base and no play is made on them (i.e. the pitcher maintains control of the ball within the pitcher’s circle.

D) If the batting team’s catcher is on base with 2 outs, the batter who made the most recent out must be used as a pinch runner. This will allow the catcher to put on the equipment and be ready for the next inning

(F) On plays at 1st base the batter touches the orange base and the fielder touches the white base. However, the batter will not be called out for touching the wrong base, but should be reminded of the safety reasons for this rule.

(G) Players may only advance 1 base on a ground ball fielded in the infield.

(H) Runners cannot advance home from 3rd base on an overthrow or bad throw to first base. The batter must remain at first, and the play is dead.

5. DISTANCES

(A) Bases- 50 feet between bases.

(B) Pitching-40 feet from pitching rubber to home plate.

(C) Pitching circle – 9 foot radius around pitching rubber.

(D) 2nd base to home is 70 feet 9 inches.

** PLEASE REMEMBER, NO ARGUING WITH THE UMPIRES **

SECTION V

MUSTANG RULES

1. GAMES

(A) Regulation Games - Regulation games shall be 6 complete innings, but shall not last more than 2 hours past the scheduled start time. This applies for all regular season games. The only exception will be if an inning begins prior to exceeding the 2 hour time limit, in which case that entire inning (and only that inning) may be completed (daylight and weather conditions permitting, at the umpire’s sole discretion). Should the umpire terminate play due to poor weather conditions or darkness at any point, the game will revert to the score of the last completed inning. Tie games after 6 innings will play a maximum of 1 extra inning (though the game shall still remain under the same 2-hour time limit restriction). Ties after 7 innings of play shall remain a tie.

(B) Official Games - Official games are 3 1/2 innings with the home team ahead, 4 innings with the visiting team ahead.

(C) Number of Players: Teams consist of 10 fielders, 7 minimum. When 10 are used, 4 must play in the outfield, no short fielders. Free substitutions are allowed except for the pitcher.

(D) Infield Play – Every player shall play an infield position a minimum of one inning before the 4th inning.

(E) Slaughter Rule – After 4 complete innings, if either team is ahead by 10 runs or more, the game is over.

2. BATTING

(A) Continuous batting order. The maximum number of batters each inning depends on which team has the most players.

Team 1 has 12 players-this team shall bat 12.

Team 2 has 10 players -this team shall bat 12.

(B) No dropped third strike. Batter is out.

(C) Infield fly rule applies.

(D) Bunting is allowed. However, players are not allowed to fake a bunt attempt. Once a batter “shows”

bunt, they may not swing away, in order to protect the safety of charging infielders. A batter shall be

declared out if they swing away after faking a bunt.

(E) Fences: Balls not hit over the fence on a fly but go beyond will be considered a ground rule double.

3. PITCHING

(A) Maximum 3 innings per game, and 9 per week. During an individual game, a player may pitch in up to 3 different innings, and they must be consecutive innings. Upon throwing even a single pitch in an inning, the pitcher is considered to have pitched one inning. Once a player has pitched and is removed from the pitcher position, the player may not return to pitch for the remainder of the game.

(B) No limit on walks.

(C) Balk rule does not apply.

(D) Strike zone is a vertical area between the batters shoulders and knees, and a horizontal area extending three inches beyond the inside and outside of the plate.

(E) 2 hit batters in 1 inning, or 3 total hit batters by 1 pitcher, the pitcher must be removed.

(F) New pitchers are allowed 8 warm-up pitches, 6 between innings.

(G) Coaches may make 2 trips to the mound for discussion with the pitcher. On the 2nd visit to an individual pitcher, the pitcher must be removed. Subsequent pitchers are allowed 2 visits as well.

4. BASE RUNNERS

(A) Base runners may only steal second and third base. There is no stealing home.

(B) Leadoffs by the runners are not allowed. Runners may leave the base to steal (or for any reason) only when the pitcher’s pitch has crossed home plate. Runners will be warned 1 time for leaving a base early, and will be called out on a subsequent attempt to leave the base early.

(C) Delayed steals (such as on a catcher overthrow to pitcher) are allowed until the pitcher has control of the ball when returned from the catcher. This does not apply to home plate (no stealing home).

D) A runner may only score under the following conditions:

1) A batted ball and the ensuing play, ending when pitcher controls the ball and umpire calls time.

A walk, hit batsman or catcher’s interference with the bases loaded.

Runners may not score on steals, passed balls, wild pitches, or overthrows by catcher returning ball to pitcher after the last pitch.

5. DISTANCES

(A) Bases- 60 feet between bases.

(B) Pitching-46 feet from pitching rubber to home plate.

(C) 2nd base to home is 84 feet 10 inches.

(D) Fences- Right field 150 feet from home.

Left field 150 feet from home.

Center field 175 feet from home.

** PLEASE REMEMBER, NO ARGUING WITH THE UMPIRES **

SECTION VI

BRONCO RULES

1. GAMES

(A) Regulation Games - Regulation games shall be 7 complete innings, but shall not last more than 2 hours past the scheduled start time. (After the school year ends and on weekends, coaches can agree before the start of the game to play without a time limit.) This applies for all regular season games. (In-house tournaments will not use a time limit). The only exception will be if an inning begins prior to exceeding the 2 hour time limit, in which case that entire inning (and only that inning) may be completed (daylight and weather conditions permitting, at the umpire’s sole discretion). Should the umpire terminate play due to poor weather conditions or darkness at any point, the game will revert to the score of the last completed inning. Tie games after 6 innings will play a maximum of 1 extra inning (though the game shall still remain under the same 2-hour time limit restriction). Ties after 7 innings of play shall remain a tie.

(B) Official Games - Official games are 4 1/2 innings with the home team ahead, 5 innings with the visiting team ahead.

(C) Number of Players: Teams consist of 9 fielders, 8 minimum. Free substitutions are allowed except for the pitcher.

(D) Slaughter Rule – After 5 complete innings, if either team is ahead by 10 runs or more, the game is over.

2. BATTING

(A) A continuous batting order shall be used.

(B) Dropped third strike is in effect.

(C) Infield fly rule applies.

(D) Bunting is allowed. However, players are not allowed to fake a bunt attempt. Once a batter “shows”

bunt, they may not swing away, in order to protect the safety of charging infielders. A batter shall be

declared out if they swing away after faking a bunt.

(E) Fences: Balls not hit over the fence on a fly but go beyond will be considered a ground rule double.

3. PITCHING

(A.1) Maximum 4 innings or 85 pitches, whichever comes first per game and 12 innings per week. During an individual game, a player may pitch in up to 4 different innings, and they must be consecutive innings. If the pitcher throws 85 pitches before the 4th inning is completed, the pitcher will be removed at the end of the at bat that puts the pitcher over 85 pitches. (The pitcher can finish pitching to the current batter, if 85 pitches is reached during the at bat.) Coaches are responsible for keeping pitch counts, and should both do so or have an assistant do so to avoid any discrepancies or arguments. Upon throwing even a single pitch in an inning, the pitcher is considered to have pitched one inning. Once a player has pitched and is removed from the pitcher position, the player may not return to pitch for the remainder of the game.

(A.2) If a pitcher throws 50 or more pitches in a game, that pitcher cannot pitch the next day. Any pitcher throwing 50 or more pitches must have 24 hours rest before pitching again.

(B) No limit on walks.

(C) Balk rule is in effect. However, each pitcher will be issued one balk warning per game before the penalty will apply.

(D) Strike zone is a vertical area between the batters shoulders and knees, and a horizontal area extending three inches beyond the inside and outside of the plate.

(E) 2 hit batters in 1 inning, or 3 total hit batters by 1 pitcher, the pitcher must be removed.

(F) New pitchers are allowed 8 warm-up pitches, 6 between innings.

(G) Coaches may make 2 trips to the mound for discussion with the pitcher. On the 2nd visit to an individual pitcher, the pitcher must be removed. Subsequent pitchers are allowed 2 visits as well.

4. BASE RUNNERS

(A) Leadoffs and stealing are allowed.

(B) Upon an attempted steal of home, the batter must vacate the batter’s box. If, in the umpire’s judgment, the batter interferes with the fielder’s opportunity to make a play, the runner will be out. The ball will be dead and any other runners may only advance one base.

(C) Fake tags are not allowed.

5. DISTANCES

(A) Bases- 70 feet between bases.

(B) Pitching-48 feet from pitching rubber to home plate.

(C) 2nd base to home is 90 feet 6 inches.

** PLEASE REMEMBER, NO ARGUING WITH THE UMPIRES **

SECTION VII

PONY RULES

Continuous batting order - every player must bat, if a player shows up after the game has started, he is inserted at the bottom of the order

 

Once a batter "shows" bunt, he may not swing away. In order to protect the safety of the charging infielders,

a batter faking a bunt then swinging away will be declared out. Any base runners will return to their previous bases.

 

Every player must play a minimum of 2 of the first 5 innings in the field.  

 

Free substitution - for all positions other than Pitcher, once the player is removed from the position of pitcher he may not be reinserted as pitcher in the same game.

 

Innings limit for Pitcher - 4 consecutive innings per game, 14 total innings per week. A pitcher throwing even 1 pitch is considered to have pitched an inning. A week is Sunday Through Saturday.

 

 The Balk rule is in effect. However each pitcher will be issued 1 balk warning per game before the penalty is enforced.

 

Regulation game is 7 innings.

 

A game will be declared "official" after 41/2 innings with the home team ahead, 5 innings with the visiting team ahead.

There is a 2 hour time limit on school evenings. No time limit on weekends or after the school year ends.

 

A game stopped for weather conditions, darkness, etc. that has not reached "official" status will be declared a suspended game, and picked up at that exact point at a later date.

 

If a game is tied at the end of 7 innings 1 extra inning may be played, time and daylight permitting. If the game is still a tie after the extra inning it will end in a tie.

 

If the home team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 4 1/2 innings the game shall be over, 5 innings if the visiting team is ahead.

 

There is no contact allowed between a base runner and a fielder. Runners must avoid contact during a play on them or be called out unless the contact is as a result of sliding. A defensive player may not unnecessarily initiate contact with a runner. If, in the umpire's judgment, a runner or fielder tries to "bowl over" another player he may be ejected from the game. A defensive player may only block a base if he is in control of the ball. These are all judgment calls by the umpire.

 

Any player or coach that is ejected from a game will serve a 1 game suspension the next game that his team plays.

 

High School rules will govern anything not covered above.

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2014 RULE BOOK

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