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Majors Division - Rules 2009

 

1.     Each team will play 15 regular season games. Games consist of 6 innings.

2.     Each team will be awarded: Win - 3 points,  Tie - 1 point, Loss - 0 points

3.     There will be NO extra innings. 2 hour maximum time limit. However, once started,

       an inning should be completed.

4.     Tie-Breakers for playoff seeding:  1) W/L - Head to Head   2) Runs allowed - Head to Head (fewest).

5.     Teams may start/play with 8 players. If at any time a team cannot field 8 players, the game is over

       and that team will get a loss.

6.     Call ups should be used to avoid forfeits. They are to be players from a lower division. If a player is called up and comes to a game, he MUST play a minimum of 3 innings. Call ups cannot pitch or catch.

7.     ALL players MUST play a minimum of 3 innings. Substitutes MAY alternate innings in the field so nobody sits on the bench for more than an inning. (Ex: Jimmy is a starter. Billy will be his sub in the 4th inning. Jimmy bats the 1st 3 innings, Billy bats the last 3 innings. Jimmy plays the field in the 2nd, 4th and 6th innings. Billy plays the field in the 1st, 3rd and 5th innings) Keep the integrity of your batting order intact.

8.     Ten run mercy rule after 4 innings, equal at bats.

9.     A game becomes official after 4 innings. 3.5 innings, if the home team is ahead. Anything less will be rescheduled by the Division Supervisor. There will be no suspended games.

10.  If a game is halted because of weather (rain/lightning) ALL efforts will be made to make it an official game. If a game is stopped by the Supervisor or Umpire after it has become official, the score will revert back to the last completed inning and the winner will be determined. (Ex: After 4 complete innings, the Home team is ahead 6-4. In the top of the 5th, the Visitors score 7 runs and go up 11-6. The skies open up before the bottom of the 5th inning and the game is called. The score reverts back to the completed 4th inning and the Home team is declared the winner.)

11.  The use of the Catcher Speedup rule is optional (Speedup rule: Two outs only, last batted out must run).

12.  Runners may not leave the base until the pitch crosses home plate. Runners may steal any base. If a runner is deemed leaving the base too early by the umpire (only): if he is safe, he is sent back to the base he started from. If he is thrown out, he is out.

13.  Teams can only have 1 manager, 2 coaches and a pitch counter in the dugout at anytime throughout the game. PLEASE keep all other parents and adults out of the dugouts.

14.  Infield fly rule is in effect. Runners on 1st & 2nd or bases loaded, with less than 2 outs, if an easily catchable fly ball is hit into the infield and it is called by the umpire, the batter is automatically out. Runners advance at their own risk.

15.  No balks or dropped 3rd strikes.

16.  If a manager, coach or player is thrown out of a game by an umpire, FOR ANY REASON, there is an automatic 1 next game suspension that follows.

17.   If there is ANY physical contact by any manager or coach with ANYONE AT ALL, he will be suspended for the remainder of the season. ZERO TOLERANCE.

18.  Discuss any and all issues with the opposing manager during the umpire pre game conference.

19.  Make up games will be ASSIGNED by the division supervisor as quickly as possible. They will be scheduled based on field availability and with every effort to avoid back to back days. Sometimes that may not be possible and ALL teams are expected to play whenever they are rescheduled.

20.  Please keep the dugouts clean. At the end of your game please clear out of your dugout as soon as possible to allow the next game’s team to get in.

21.  No yelling by opposing players after the pitcher begins his windup.

22.  Managers are responsible for their player’s fans and parents behavior. If a parent or fan is deemed abusive to an umpire or opponent, he may be asked to leave. If they continue to be abusive and refuse to leave when asked, that team may be forced to forfeit the game.

23.  Managers MUST take control of their teams and their fans.

24.  If you want to discuss a call or a rule interpretation that occurred on the field, call time and go out to the umpire and/or opposing manager and discuss it amongst yourselves. This is not a forum to show who knows what. Be gentlemen and get it right. Set a good example for your players. 

25.  ALL Playoff and World Series games will be played until the FINAL out of the game.

 

 

 



PITCHING RULES


 - 11 and 12 year old pitchers are allowed to throw a maximum of 85 pitches per game. If they throw a

          single pitch to a batter and then reach the maximum number of allowable pitches, the pitcher is allowed

           to continue until that batter's at-bat is complete.

 

 - If a pitcher throws 20 or less pitches in a game –    No rest is required…

 - If a pitcher throws 21 - 40 pitches in a game –        One day of rest is required…

 - If a pitcher throws 41 – 60 pitches in a game -        Two days of rest AND 1 game off is required…

 - If a pitcher throws 60 or more pitches in a game – Three days of rest AND 1 game off is required…

 

 - Pitch counts are to be kept by both team’s assigned pitch counters. They will compare #’s after every half

    inning. If there is a discrepancy, the pitcher’s pitch counter # will prevail. Umpires WILL NOT settle any

    issues with regard to pitch count. If we determine that the same pitch counters numbers are always off, a

    team may be asked by the division supervisor to replace their counter. This is an honor system.


 - Amendment to “Game Off” Rule. If a pitcher throws 41+ pitches – AFTER 6 FULL DAYS the “GAME

   OFF” requirement will no longer be required.  

 

 

 -Amendment to Pitcher-Catcher Rule. If a pitcher throws 41+ pitches, he cannot move to catcher. If however he hits the 40 mark while pitching to a batter, he can finish the batter and then move to catcher.

 

 

 

        - The “automatic” intentional walk was removed. Pitches must be thrown and count towards pitch count.

 

 

 - Managers may visit the pitcher on the mound. On the third trip to the mound in a game with the same

    pitcher, that pitcher must be removed.


  -Managers MUST maintain pitching charts for each game and be prepared to present them to the opposing manager BEFORE each game to verify who is eligible to pitch that day. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit.

 

-Playoff Format – Single Elimination – 1st place team plays 4th place. 2nd place plays 3rd place. Winners advance to World Series. World Series is 2 out of 3 games.