Lamar
Parks & Rec - Baseball Rules
Taken
largely from Little League Rules with modifications
Grades for teams:
Game length
Base
Path
Junior
2-3
1
Hour
60 ft
If any league does not have enough players to form
adequate number of teams (as determined by the Recreation Board and Recreation
Director) leagues may be combined for the single season.
CONDUCT
The parent/guardian of every child signs a code of
conduct on the registration form that says;
the league may release any
child from playing and/or refuse any adult, whether coach, parent or spectator
the privilege of attending any practice, game or event for violent or abusive
behavior or inappropriate language toward any player, official or other
spectator.
All
players and coaches should demonstrate the highest degree of sportsmanship at
all time. Cursing, fighting and/or throwing equipment, abusive,
threatening, or intimidating language, or any intentional physical injury
to players, coaches or umpires is grounds for asking the offending player, coach
or spectator to leave the game. A repeat incident is grounds for the offender to
be removed from the game, the league, or from the spectators stands for the rest
of the season. Any further incidents may result in the player coach or spectator
being permanently barred from any further league games that season and
also from any future Recreation Department event. Bad sportsmanship, or
violence, will not be tolerated.
Lamar recreation leagues are “All –Play”
leagues. Every child will be given equal, or nearly equal, playing time, both in
the field and at bat. An exception to the rule may be made for players who have
missed the two previous practices for the game. They must be allowed to play,
but can be reduced in playing time by half, at the discretion of the coach. If a
violation of the rule occurs due to the game’s being called for circumstances
beyond the control of the coach/league, every effort will be made to place the
shorted player in the first-play lineup for the immediate next game.
1.
Prior to
each game, the umpire will hold a brief meeting at home plate to discuss field
rules. Coaches are required to participate in this meeting The coach for each
team shall give the official scorekeeper a roster of players, in batting order
2.
Alcoholic
beverages and tobacco in any form are prohibited on the field or in the dugout.
This
rule is explained by this example: and is in effect for every league game
If a team is supposed to field nine players:
a.
If both coaches agree before the game they may play
10 players. Both MUST agree.
At this point any registered player in that league or the one below it, may play a “pick-up” game so long as coaches and umpires agree, and time is not a factor.
Slide Rule
All Divisions
1.
Must field 9 players, 3 on the outfield grass, with catcher in position in full
gear (including a cup for boys) If fielding 10 by mutual agreement of coaches
prior to game, 4 on the outfield grass.
2.
The “Short”
rule and the slide rule are in effect
3.
Run Rule:
a game will be called and the winner declared if one team is ahead at the
following points: 12 after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.
4.
All players bat. Bat the line-up,
not the entire team roster. If a player sits out an inning and does not field,
he is not on current line-up.
5.
Base coaches must be adults, not players
6.
Bat boys or bat girls are not allowed.
7.
Players shall be in league uniform to play.
Jewelry should be removed.
8.
All players shall be on the bench or in the bullpen
while their team is at bat.
9.
Batters shall wear betting helmets while warming up
in the batter’s box or designated batting circle. If
no batter’s circle is marked, it
should be beside of the entrance to the dugout,
10.
When
team is on defense, all reserve players shall be in the dugout or bull pen.
11.
A
manager or coach shall not enter the playing field except with permission of the
umpire to 1)
to confer with a player 2)
confer with an umpire 3)
coach at a base
12.
A manager
or coach may stand outside of, but within 3 feet of the gate to the dugout.
Dugout gates should remain closed
1.
An inning has three outs, through
the batting order once, or 7 runs – whichever comes first.
a.
If the last batter on the lineup
for that inning is up to bat, the offensive team must notify the umpire and the
defense. If it will be the 3rd
out, the out may be made anywhere. If not the 3rd out, play is over
when the catcher has possession of the ball and touches home plate.
b.
An “at bat” will consist of 3
strikes or five pitches. There are no strikes ‘called’ only swing-and-miss.
If the 5th pitch is fouled, pitches continue for another pitch, until
there is another strike or passed pitch. If, in the opinion of the umpire, there
is an errant pitch, another pitch will be thrown.
2.
A ball is dead when the pitcher
has control of the ball in the pitching circle – a 12-foot circle with the
pitching mound in its center- and has stopped live play. If a runner is more
than half way to the next base when the pitcher takes the circle, the runner is
awarded the base. The umpire shall make all judgment calls regarding this. If
the pitcher puts the ball back into play it is live.
3. Stealing is permitted to 2nd and 3rd bases only, NOT to HOME -1 base per pitch. Base runner may not leave the base until the ball has crossed home plate. Leaving the base early will result in a dead ball, with the pitch being re-thrown and the runner returned to previous base. CLARIFICATION: The ball continues to be in play until it is in the pitcher's circle and under the pitcher' control. Running home on an overthrow is NOT stealing, as the ball is still in play.
Minor
Division
1.
An inning has three outs, through
the order once, or 7 runs – whichever comes first.
2.
If one team has fewer players,
they begin their ‘at bat’ at the top of the order. Thereafter, the same
number of batters bat. The team with larger number keeps their batters in order,
the number of batters bat. and they begin where last inning left off.
3.
Base coaches must be adults, not
players.
4.
Runners may not lead off. They
must be touching the base they occupy until the pitcher delivers the ball to the
batter.
5.
A ball is dead when the pitcher
has control of the ball on the pitching mound. If a runner is more than half way
to the next base when the pitcher takes the circle, the runner is awarded the
base. The umpire shall make all judgment calls regarding this.
Ø
Major Division
1.
May have two adult base coaches on the field, one at
third base, one at first. Base coaches may stay in their designated are, and
talk only to their own team.
2.
Runners may not lead off. They must be touching the
base they occupy until the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter.
3.
Games shall consist of six innings, unless time is
expired. Any game called for weather shall be “complete” if three innings
have been completed. An incomplete game shall be started at the point it was
interrupted.
4.
Play ends if in the sixth inning the visiting team
fails to make go ahead run, or when
home team makes go ahead run.
Ø
Senior Division
1.
At the beginning of the game the coach may designate
a hitter for a particular player, on the batting order.
2.
Steel cleats are allowed on Senior league on field 2
only. This complies with LL rule
 | If a player injures another player with his steel cleats, he will
be subject to possible expulsion from the game, if, at the discretion of
the umpire, the injury was avoidable or intentional. |
3.
May have two adult base coaches on the field, one at
third base, one at first. Base coaches may stay in their designated are, and
talk only to their own team.
4.
Games shall consist of seven innings, unless
time is expired. Any game called for weather shall be “complete” if
three innings have been completed. An incomplete game shall be started at the
point it was interrupted.
5.
Play ends if in the seventh inning the visiting team
fails to make go ahead run, or when
home team makes go ahead run.
Pitchers
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 | In case of illness or injury to one of the pitchers, a substitution
may be made for that pitcher. |
| No
player shall intentionally discolor or deface a ball, or wear anything on
his uniform that resembles a ball |
| A pitcher may take up to eight practice/ warm up pitches to another player. Only players may warm up a pitcher - no adult coach, ref, ump. or base coach. Anyone warming up a pitcher must wear protective gear while doing so |
| Coaches may come
to the mound twice in an inning (and/or only twice with any one batter) and
no more than four times in a game for the same pitcher. The fourth time,
that pitcher must be removed. The catcher is the only other defensive player
allowed to confer with them. |
| Any player on the team may pitch. |
| Delivering one pitch constitutes pitching in an inning. |
| Only five pitchers may be used in any one game. |
| The pitching machine will be set 34 feet from home plate, set at 54
rpm. |
| A trained adult from the at-bat team will feed the balls, but MAY
NOT coach the team at the same time. |
| If the batted ball hits the machine or the person feeding the
machine, one base will be awarded. |
| If a pitcher pitches less than 3 innings in any one day, one
day of rest is required before he is allowed to pitch again. (if he
pitches Monday he is eligible to pitch again Wednesday.) |
| If a pitcher pitches in 3 or more innings in any one day, 3 full
days of rest are required before he is allowed to pitch again. (If he
pitches Monday he is eligible to pitch again Friday) |
A
pitcher is allowed only 6 innings in any calendar week.
Major
| If a pitcher pitches less than 5 innings in any one day, one
day of rest is required before he is allowed to pitch again. (if he
pitches Monday he is eligible to pitch again Wednesday.) |
| If a pitcher pitches in 5 or more innings in any one day, 3 days of
rest are required before he is allowed to pitch again. (If he pitches
Monday he is eligible to pitch again Friday) |
| A pitcher is allowed only 9 innings in any calendar week. |
o
A pitcher moved to another position may return once
to pitch in the same game, but not in the same inning.
| If a pitcher pitches less than 5 innings in any one day, one
day of rest is required before he is allowed to pitch again. (if he
pitches Monday he is eligible to pitch again Wednesday.) |
| If a pitcher pitches in 5 or more innings in any one day, 3 days of
rest are required before he is allowed to pitch again. (If he pitches
Monday he is eligible to pitch again Friday) |
| A pitcher is allowed only 9 innings in any calendar week. |
o
A pitcher moved to another position may return once
to pitch in the same game, but not in the same inning.
A pitched ball becomes dead and runners advance one
base (or return to base safely) if:
o
It touches a batter or batter’s clothing while in
batter’s box. The batter must attempt to dodge to be awarded a base.
o
An illegal pitch is committed
o
A ball is
illegally batted
o
A foul ball is not caught
o
A fair ball touches a runner or umpire in fair
territory, before it touches an infielder
o
A fair ball touches an umpire before it has passed
any infielder, including pitcher
o
The plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s
throw, unless the throw successfully gets the runner out.
o
A pitched ball lodges in catcher’s or umpires mask
or body protection
o
The umpire calls ‘time’ for any reason (no
advancement or safe return)
Batting
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
·
Batters shall place both feet in the batter’s box.
·
If a batter refuses to take his proper position, the umpire
shall call “Play” and shall call a strike for every ball thrown until the
batter takes his position.
·
A batter is out if
o
He bats a ball when one or both feet are outside the
batter’s box.
o
He intentionally interferes with a bunted ball on the way to
first base
o
Bats out of order
o
Moves from one batter’s box to the other when the pitcher
is ready to deliver the pitch
o
Interferes with catcher’s ability to field a ball
o
A fair or foul ball is caught before it touches the ground
o
The batter is tagged out or forced out at any base or home
plate
o
Receives three called or swing and miss strikes (except
junior division – see rules)
·
A batter shall wear a betting helmet at all times when in
live ball territory
A runner shall be called out if
o
he runs
more than 3 feet away from the base line , unless he is attempting to avoid
colliding with
o
He is
tagged or forced out at a base
o
He
intentionally interferes with a thrown ball
o
Fails to
touch a bases in order, before touching the next base, or fails to touch home
plate
o
Is
touched by a batted ball
o
Passes a
preceding runner
o
Occupies
a base with a preceding runner
o
Fails to
return to, or retouch a base when the play calls for it
| Any player removed for a substitution may re-enter the game once, providing |
| His substitute has played at least six consecutive outs and |
| Has had at least one turn at bat. |
| The
player retains the same batting position as in the original line-up. |
| If the umpire declares any batter/ runner out, for the cause of
interference, all runners shall return to the base they legally touched
last, before the interference, at the determination of the umpire. |
| Interference is any act by one team impede, hinder, or obstruct
the fair play by the other team – see definitions. |
| Obstruction – the act of a fielder who is in the way of a runner,
unless fielding or attempting to field, the ball.
A fake tag is obstruction. |
| In any obstruction / interference, the ball is dead at the moment of
interference. |
| A thrown ball that
accidentally touches an umpire or base coach is alive and in play providing
there is no intentional interference. |
A game shall be forfeited to the
offended team when a team:
Official score of a
forfeited game is 7 to 0, unless the game is forfeited after the number of
innings required for a regulation game, and the offending team is behind. Then
the score remains as recorded. If the offending team is leading, the score shall
be 7 to 0.