Playing Rules - Rookie Ball and Wexford House League

Rookie Ball House League 2007 Wexford - Agincourt Baseball League (Amended 2007, in conjunction with the Ontario Baseball Association)
1.	PURPOSE
		ROOKIE BALL BASEBALL is a game of baseball which uses a pitching machine as the pitcher. It is played between two teams of 10 players, with a sufficient number of alternatives under the direction of at least one manager and/or coach using special Playing Rules called ROOKIE BALL Rules under the authority of an umpire on a regulation sized ROOKIE BALL playing field. The purpose of ROOKIE BALL BASEBALL is to introduce the batter to the pitched ball in a controlled and safe environment via the use of the pitching machine. Thus ROOKIE BALL BASEBALL is the ideal "stepping stone" between T/BALL and MOSQUITO baseball. The benefits of ROOKIE BALL baseball include the following:
		i. All the positive aspects of T/BALL are retained.
		ii. None of the negative aspects of MOSQUITO baseball are yet introduced, and
		iii. the incidents of arm problems are greatly reduced.

2.	REGULATIONS
		All Ontario Baseball Association Regulations pertaining to Membership, Territorial Rights, Registration, Player signing, Fees, Insurance, Classification, Playoffs, and Tournaments shall apply as stated in the current version of the Constitution of the Ontario Baseball Association as amended each year at its Annual General Meeting.

3.	DIAMOND LAYOUT: (Is the same as MOSQUITO BASEBALL) except that:
	a)	The base lengths are 60 feet;
	b)	the diagonal measurements (1st base to 3rd base or home plate to 2nd base) are 84 feet, 10 inches;
	c)	a safety base (double bag) shall be used at first base with one base being in fair territory while the other base is in foul territory;
	d)	the pitching machine is placed directly in front of home plate at a distance of 44 feet
	e)	an 8 foot diameter safety circle shall be marked off directly in front of home plate and its centre shall be 44 feet from home plate. No Player is permitted to enter the Safety Circle which is considered a Dead Ball Area; and
	f)	the electrical cord must run along or under the ground from the pitching machine to the electrical outlet or generator via the 3rd base side of the diamond or place the generator behind pitching machine.

4.	ROOKIE BALL PLAYING RULES FOR 2000:
4.1		A team shall comprise of a minimum of ten (10) players and a maximum of twenty-five (25) players, all signed to players' certificates of the Series and Classification of the Club entered. Each team must have at least one manager and/or one or more coaches signed to a certificate clearly marked manager or coach and who shall be responsible for that team.
4.2		Each team shall have a catcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman, shortstop, left fielder, a right fielder, a pitcher, and two centre fielders in the line-up.
4.3		The pitcher must stand beside the pitching machine outside of the safety circle and behind the release point of the pitching machine. Lines shall be drawn from the release point to four (4) feet beyond the circle. Pitchers must have both feet on the white line until the ball is released by the machine. Only the pitcher may return a live ball to the operating coach with runners on base. Each pitcher must wear a regulation batting helmet with an attached chin strap.
4.4		The Pitching machine's speed cannot be altered except at the end of an inning. Any tampering with the machine by the coach feeding the machine shall result in his/her immediate ejection. If the machine is malfunctioning it may be adjusted at the discretion of the umpire.
4.5		ALL Rookie Ball baseball games shall be seven (7) innings or until a winner is declared. Five (5) innings shall constitute an Official Game.
4.6		Each batter shall receive a maximum of five (5) strikes as called by the umpire. If a batter does not hit a fair ball within five (5) strikes, he/she strikes out. NOTE: if a ball crosses the plate over a batter's head or bounces into the dirt, the umpire will not count it as a strike unless the batter swings at the pitch.
4.7		Batters cannot walk or bunt. (Bunts are automatic outs.)
4.8		There shall be no passed balls or wild pitches.
4.9		Base runners cannot lead-off, attempt to steal or steal bases and cannot leave the base until the ball crosses the plate (penalty: runner is out.)
4.10		If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball bucket or any adult in the playing field, then the ball is declared dead and the batter is awarded first base with the corresponding move of any base runners who may be forced to move.
4.11		The plate umpire shall be behind the catcher. The second umpire (if one is present) shall be the traditional base umpire.
4.12		All teams, including coaches and managers, must be uniformly dressed to the extent that they must have corresponding tops (or sweaters) and similar caps.
4.13		The on deck batter, the batter and base runners must wear a prescribed protective helmet with flaps covering both ears. Chin straps are mandatory and will be worn as designed by the manufacturer. Helmets may not be changed except after the inning has been completed, or the player has been retired or has crossed home plate.
4.14		Shoes with metal cleats are prohibited.
4.15		All catchers are required to wear a mask with throat protector, helmet, chest protector, shin guards, cup and cup type supported during the game and during any warm-ups, machine set-ups, etc.
4.16		In addition to wooden bats, metal bats shall be allowed in OBA play. These bats shall meet the dimensional requirements, specified in Rule 1:10 of the Official Rules of Baseball. The maximum diameter of the bat barrel is 2-3/4".
4.17		Up to fifteen (15) batters may be placed in a continuous batting order (minimum of 8). There is unlimited substitution in the field.
4.18		A coach/manager may only communicate positive instructions to his/her players on the field.
4.19		Up to four (4) games may be played in one day.
4.20		An inning shall be three (3) outs or the maximum of ten (10) batters. In the case of the tenth (10th ) batter, the out may be made anywhere to close the inning as per the rules of baseball.
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5.		APPROVED BALLS for 2000
		Any baseball approved for Mosquito play and A TEC -Tuffy Supersoft -Kenko Rubber Baseball.

6.		CLASSIFICATION
		Any team which has one or more signed players turning 9 years old during the current playing year shall be classified MAJOR.

WEXFORD HOUSE LEAGUE PLAYING RULES

7.	a)	UMPIRES' DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
	b)	The actions of players, manager, coaches and parents must be above reproach. Conversations with officials regarding judgements, rules, or other game situations must be conducted only after calling a timeout, and must be conducted in normal speaking terms away from the players. Shouting Objections across the field may result in ejection.
	c)	The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on the playing field, benches and dugouts.
	d)	Players or coaches while participating in a scheduled game are not permitted to deliberately harass or direct any discourteous remarks at the officials or any member of the opposing team.
	e)	Managers, coaches or players engaging or persisting in conduct unfavourable to the spirit, principals and objectives of good sportsmanship in Rookie Ball shall receive a single warning from the umpire. If the offence or offences continue, offender or offenders will be removed from the game.
	f)	Anyone removed from the game must leave the playing field and, if requested by the umpire, the spectator area. Failure to do so could result in a forfeiture of the game.
	NO GAMES ARE TO BE PROTESTED

8.	a)	The Batter's Box shall be 3' wide x 6' long and 4" from the edge of home plate chalked on the field prior to the game.
	b)	The batter must stay in the batter's box while hitting. If not, he/she will be warned by the umpire on the first occasion and the umpire will record the incident with the scorekeeper. On succeeding incidents during the game, the player will automatically be out.

9.	a)	Time will be called by the plate umpire when either of the pitchers has possession of the ball and is standing with at least one foot (1) on the four (4) foot line (as described in Section 4.3). If the ball is hit to a pitcher, he has the option to either make a play for an out, or, concede a single by stepping on his line. If a single is conceded, all base runners advance one (1) base. If he opts to make a play, the ball still must be returned to, or by, the pitchers, before the umpire can call time.
	b)	If time is called, and a base runner has passed the halfway point towards the next base, he will be awarded that next base.
	c)	If a pitcher attempts to return the ball to the adult operating the pitching machine, without returning to the dead ball line, and the adult deliberately avoids the throw, the ball will be declared dead, as if the pitcher had returned to the dead ball line, and runners will be positioned as in rule 9 b)

10.		Overthrown balls shall be treated as in the Official Rules of Baseball (i.e. runner may advance one base beyond the base they were attempting to reach)

11.	a)	Games are to start at 6:30 p.m. with a default time of 6:50 p.m. Official time is according to the home plate umpire's watch.
	b)	At least 8 players must be present by 6:50 p.m. at the latest and throughout the game or the game will be defaulted.
	c)	If both teams do not have the minimum 8 players at 6:50 p.m., then both teams will receive a loss. The game will not be rescheduled.
	d)	Each team will field a maximum of ten (10) players. In the event one team cannot because of non-attendance or injury occurring during the game, the opposing team is still entitled to field up to the maximum of ten (10) players.
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12.	a)	All players on the team roster and present at the game will come to bat in turn, regardless of whether they are playing in the field during the inning.
	b)	Every child will be allowed to play no matter how late he/she is. Late players must be placed on the bottom of the batting order .

13.	a)	All players must play equal time. No player may sit out a second inning until all players have sat out one inning. No player may sit out a third inning until all players have sat out two innings and so on. No player may sit out two innings in a row. A supplementary score sheet is provided with space to record the defensive player rotation and teams are encouraged to check the defensive rotations during each inning by inning check. No player may be placed in the bottom three (3) spots of the batting order more than once in every three (3) consecutive games. Any coach found breaking this rule will be suspended for one (1) game. Any coach found sitting out players illegally will be assessed an automatic team out during their next at bat and have the proper player placed on the field immediately. Any coach found doing this more than once in a game will be suspended for the balance of the game and the next league or playoff game. Any coach found continually abusing the rotation rules will be suspended for the balance of the year. All players on the team roster and present at the game must play in the field at least three (3) complete innings in a 5 inning game or more. Unlimited substitutions may be made at any time, or positions changed, providing it does not delay the game.
	b)	EVERY player must play at least ONE (1) INNING in the outfield and at least TWO (2) INNINGS in the infield in each game.
	c)	No player shall play at the same position for more than two innings in each game.

14.	ADDITIONAL POSITIONS
		1st, 2nd, 3rd base and shortstop must stand in the dirt area. NOTE: Not in front of bases until ball is hit. Refer to Rule 2(e)

15.		The Defensive Team will be allowed no more than 2 coaches on the playing field. They are restricted to the outfield and cannot, except if a player is injured, enter the infield. The coaches are allowed there to give verbal instruction to the outfielders. The coaches are not, under any circumstances, allowed to interfere with the ball or the play of the game except to give verbal instructions to the players. The penalties for intentional interference shall be: (1) ejection from the game; (2) the batter shall be called out; and, (3) all runners will return to the base occupied when the ball was hit by the batter.

16.	a)	When a batter throws his bat in the process of swinging at the ball, he/she will be warned by the umpire on the first occasion, and the umpire will record the incident with the scorekeeper. On succeeding incidents during the game, the batter will automatically be out.
	b)	No coaches are allowed within the screened area while a batter is attempting to strike the ball, unless time out is asked for and given by the umpire.

17.		Any base runner struck by a batted ball shall be called out.

18.		DRESS
		Players must wear team sweater, pants and hat. All regular coaches must wear coach's sweater and hat. If all coaches are not present at a game, assisting parent will not be required to have a sweater, but should wear a hat if one is available. All players must wear long pants.
19.		GLOVES Catcher's Mitt: To be used only by the catcher.
20.		The infield fly rule does not apply in Rookie Ball.
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BATTING LINE-UP
21.		Before the game begins, the manager must give a copy of his/her batting lineup to the official scorekeeper. The Home team is the Official Scorekeeper.
22.	a)	All players showing up for the game shall be in the batting line. If a player shows up late, he will enter the game when his/her team is up to bat. He/she be placed at the end of the batting order.
	b)	If a batter bats out of turn, before the ball is hit, correct batter will come to bat with the same count. If the ball was hit, the batter is out and he/she misses his/her turn.

23.	REGULATION GAME
	a)	A Regulation Game will consist of seven (7) complete innings. There will be no extra innings. In case of a tie each team will be awarded one (1) point.
	b)	No inning will start after 8:15 p.m.
	c)	The umpire will call the game because of darkness when, in his judgment, it is not safe to play.
	d)	If a game is called because of 23 (c) above, it will revert back to the last complete inning (unless the home team is winning or tied) regardless of the number of innings played. The game will be regarded as complete.
	e)	If a game is called due to BAD WEATHER, it will be considered a complete game if 2-1/2 innings have been completed and the home team is winning. Three (3) innings must be completed if the home team is losing.
	f)	f a game is called due to BAD WEATHER before Rule # 23 (e) is satisfied, the game must be rescheduled. The coaches must inform the Coordinator and the Coordinator will advise the coaches of a new date. This applies to games which may or may not have started to be played.
	g)	At the first sign of lightning, the home plate umpire will rule the game is over. Players and coaches will be asked to leave the playing field immediately. The game will be re-scheduled UNLESS Rule 23(e) has been satisfied.
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