TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Organization Partners

II. League Responsibilities

III. Player Eligibility Requirements

IV. General Conduct

V. Shortened, Rainout, or Postponed Games

VI. Substitution Rules

VII. Umpires

VIII. General League Rules

AGE SPECIFIC RULES

IX. 5-6 year old T-ball

X. 7-8 year old baseball

XI. 9-10 year old baseball

XII. 11-12 year old baseball

XIII. 13-14 year old baseball

XIV. 15-18 year old baseball

XV. 7-8 year old softball

XVI. 9-10 year old softball

XVII. 11-12 year old softball

XVIII. 13-14 year old softball

XIX. 15-18 year old softball

XX. Misconduct Policy

Coach, Player, Spectator Ejection Policy

Review/Protest/Rule Interpretation committee

Protests

Protest Form

Players, Parents, and Coaches Code of Conduct

XXI. Official Team Information

Medical Authorization Form

I. ORGANIZATION PARTNERS

Central Plains Youth Sports,Northeast Baseball and Softball Association

Operational Structure

Board of Directors

Age Division Representatives

Membership

II. LEAGUE RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Registration Process

Game Scheduling

Officiating

Awards

III. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

A player is classified by his\her current age PRIOR to May 1 on a yearly basis.

2008 Season age determination dates (BASEBALL)

6 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\2002

7 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\2001

8 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\2000

9 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1999

10 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1998

11year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1997

12 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1996

13 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1995

14 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1994

15 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1993

16 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1992

17 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1991

18 year old classification birthday prior to 5\1\1990

A Player will be permitted to play in the league, subject to league capacity constraints, but once he or she has submitted their name to be placed on a roster, and that roster has been forwarded to the League, he or she MUST remain on that team. No new player may be added to the roster after June 15^th without the approval of the League. A player may play on one (1) team and in one (1) division, in the league.

Neither the League, the Board members, nor the coaches will be held responsible for any injuries or accidents to players, managers, or game officials while participating in activities sanctioned by the League. Each player will be required to submit a signed affidavit to that effect, to the League before he or she is eligible to play or practice.

To facilitate scheduling rain-out or makeup games, any team participating in any tournament must give two weeks notice, prior to participation. This will help eliminate rescheduling conflicts.

Each coach shall be required to check playing member’s birth certificates when submitting their rosters.

Use of ineligible/suspended players, suspended coaches and or spectators-All games will be forfeited where the use of the ineligible player occurs. The League may impose additional penalties as deemed necessary.

IV. GENERAL CONDUCT

An Age Division Representative, League official, or coach of their own team may cite a player for misconduct which occurs before, during, or after a game. The citing individual may suspend the player from playing in their next 1, 2, or 3 games. This may be appealed to the League within 18 hours after the imposition of suspension. The player may continue to play while the appeal is being heard. The representative that brings the appeal to the Board may not vote on the appeal. The Board must meet within 72 hours of the appeal. This citation procedure will not nullify the power of an umpire to remove a player from a game presently in process.

Occurrence of the following may result in indefinite suspension or other disciplinary actions by League Directors.

Fake tag: A form of obstruction by a fielder who neither has the ball or is about to receive the ball and which impedes the progress of a runner either advancing or returning to a base. When a runner, while advancing or returning to a base is obstructed by a fielder who fakes a tag with the ball, the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction will always be awarded the base or bases he/she would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, had there been no obstruction. If the umpire feels there is justification (after a warning has been issued to a team), a defensive player could be ejected from the game.

No person playing on or representing the opposition shall call the pitcher by name or by position during the wind-up or delivery of the pitch. The base-runner cannot make any verbal communication to the pitcher.

Penalties for misconduct as defined above (other than those items which have a specified penalty), by players, coaches, or fans include expulsion from the game and or premises, or forfeiture of the game by a team of the offending player, coach, for fans. The chief umpire, non-participating Board members, or other League officials in attendance may levy penalties. Forfeiture shall only be levied after a clear warning that the offending action must cease or forfeiture of the games shall follow. Forfeiture, due to the extreme nature of the penalty, shall be used only when all other reasonable efforts and penalties have been exhausted. Any team required to forfeit a game by virtue of the above specified misconduct shall also be required to forfeit their next scheduled or rescheduled game as of the time of the forfeiture. The umpire may levy an out against an offending team due to misconduct from a coach, player, or spectator for inappropriate or non-sportsmanlike behavior.

The League will not tolerate violence. Any act of violence or threat of an act of violence will be cause for a team to be barred from further League play. This rule applies to all players, coaches, and fans.

V. SHORTENED, RAIN-OUT, OR POSTPONED GAMES

The decision to end a game before completion shall be that of the chief umpire or district official. A fifteen minute delay must be provided before a game is ended due to rain or threatening weather. This 15 minute delay WILL NOT count as a part of the game’s time limit. Games that have not reached the point of being considered a complete game will be considered a “no game” and will be replayed from the beginning. Games that have reached the point of being considered a complete game and the game is called while an inning is in progress and before it is completed and ONE of the following situations prevails:

The game will be considered a suspended game. A suspended game shall be resumed at the exact point of the suspension of the original game. The completion of a suspended game is a continuation of the original game. The batting lineup should remain the same unless a player from the original game is missing from the suspended game. In this case, all players listed after a missing player will be moved up and any new players that were not present at the original game will be placed at the end of the lineup for the suspended game. On fields without lights, no inning will start after 8:30 pm.

Every attempt should be made to re-schedule uncompleted games, including rain-outs, on the earliest possible date. The only exception to the above statement is if a team already has 3 League games scheduled during a said week.

Games may be made up on Saturdays or Sundays if fields and umpires are available, and adequate advance notification can be given to both teams.

Coaches will be notified as soon as possible upon determination of unplayable conditions. In case of severe or threatening weather, and BOTH coaches agree, the game or scheduled game can be postponed, unless it can be considered a completed game as defined in the rules.

LIGHTNING RULE. The Umpire Director , League Official, or next highest ranking umpire shall have the authority to suspend all games at the complex due to the presence of lightning or other serious weather conditions. When the Umpire Director, League Official, or next highest ranking umpire suspends a game because of weather conditions on a field, all other games are automatically suspended.

A coach of a losing team may call the game before the shortened, rain-out, or postponed game rules take effect if he or she desires by signing BOTH scorebooks.

VI. SUBSTITUTION RULES

The following substitution options may be available to a coach, depending upon the division in which his or her team is playing. If the coach has an option, the coach must declare the option under which they are playing to the plate umpire prior to the commencement of the game as well as to the official score keeper. Once the coach announces the option and play commences, that team must continue to play the entire game under that option.

FREE DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION AND BATTING THE ROSTER

Each coach may substitute at the beginning of each half inning, any of his or her defensive players. That is any field position can be changed without having to report to the umpire. This does not mean that there will be changes in the batting order, once it has been given to the umpire. This rule does not apply to relief pitchers. It is recommended that no player shall remain on the bench for more than one defensive inning at a time.

An offensive player can only be substituted for due to injury or illness. If the player is removed from an offensive position for any injury or illness, he or she must sit out the remainder of the game. If the player is removed for injury or illness, no out will be credited when the player’s name comes up in the batting order again, but they can not participate for the remainder of the game.

RE-ENTRY RULE

Any of the starting players may be withdrawn from a game and re-enter once and only once, including a player who was the designated hitter, provided such player occupies the same batting position when re-entering the line-up. A substitute who is withdrawn from the game may not re-enter. In the case of an injury to a runner, and there are no eligible substitutes left on the bench, the coach may use any player on the bench, but this player may not go into the field after the inning is over.

DESIGNATED HITTER

A designated hitter (DH) may be used for the pitcher’s batting position only. The pitcher’s position can be listed as the DH in the starting line-up. A DH, if used, must be selected prior to the start of the game and his name must be included on the line-up cards given to the umpires and official scorer. Failure to declare a DH precludes the use of a DH in that game. If a pinch hitter or pinch runner is used for the DH, that player becomes the new DH. The player who was the DH may re-enter as the DH under the re-entry rule. The role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game when the DH assumes a defensive position.

VII. UMPIRES

The home plate umpire will be the chief umpire. Umpires will be in complete charge of the game, and all rulings made by them will be final unless protested.

The recommended minimum age of the umpires (both plate and field) for each age division shall be as follows:

Umpires will be provided by the league. When possible, a third umpire should be used for those age groups over 13 years old. Playoff umpires will be determined by the Umpire Coordinator.

The chief umpire will notify each head coach of the official starting time.

VIII. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

The Northeast Baseball and Softball Association’s league and tournament activities will generally be governed by current NBC rules for baseball and ASA rules for fast pitch softball with modifications contained herein.

Once schedules have been published, no changes can be made without the consent of the Age Division representatives, upon notification by the League Secretary.

PENALTY: FORFEITURE BY BOTH TEAMS.

Trophies will be awarded in three (3) places for all age groups.

The Board shall select a type of baseball and softball for use in league games. These types of balls shall be used for all league games. The following types of baseballs and softballs are the official balls recognized by the Northeast Baseball and Softball Association and must be used in all league games:

BASEBALLS

5-6 year old T-ball

7-8 year old baseball. RIF level 10 (any manufacture)

9-10 year old baseball High School Specifications (any manufacture)

11-12 year old baseball High School Specifications (any manufacture)

13-14 year old baseball High School Specifications (any manufacture)

15-18 year old baseball. High School Specifications (any manufacture)

SOFTBALLS

7-8 year old softball. RIF level 10-11” optic yellow softball (any manufacture)

9-10 year old softball. ASA approved .47 core 12”optic yellow (any manufacture)

11-12 year old softball. ASA approved .47 core 12”optic yellow (any manufacture)

13-14 year old softball. ASA approved .47 core 12”optic yellow (any manufacture)

15-18 year old softball. ASA approved .47 core 12”optic yellow (any manufacture)

Aluminum bats are permissible. Baseball bats are not allowed to be used in softball games and softball bats are not allowed to be used in baseball games. T-ball bats will be permitted in any baseball and softball game. T-ball bats are defined to include all baseball bats identified by the manufacturer as T-ball bats as well as those baseball bats known as bottle barrel bats (those bats which have an unchanging bat diameter for the majority length of the barrel).

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Baseball:

Softball:

Pre-Game infield practice schedule

Teams to follow will be allowed infield practice with Visitors immediately taking the infield for ten minutes followed by Home Team for ten minutes at completion of the previous game.

All score books will be signed by the chief umpire after the game

Both coaches will meet with the chief umpire at home plate to go over ground rules, and exchange lineups.

The WINNING coach will be required to email/call the score of the game in to league officials by midnight the day following the game, or it will be recorded as a LOSS for both teams. This does not remove the responsibility of the Home Coach calling the postponements or rainouts.

Approved headgear must be worn at all times by all offensive players, outside of the dugout.

All players must have numbers on their shirts or uniform tops. No two players shall have the same number.

Each team may have only one offensive conference per inning. Umpires will caution the coach if a second one is called for and if the coach persists, the umpire may eject the coach from the game. Injury time-outs are not to be confused with offensive conferences.

A pitcher removed from that position for a relief pitcher might return to pitch again as long as it is in a different inning. It may not violate the substitution rule.

Any pitcher who hits 3 players during a game will be removed from the pitching position and cannot return to pitch again during that game. The official scorekeeper is to notify the umpire when three players have been hit by the same pitcher.

Six (6) warm-up pitches or 90 seconds between innings. 7-8 year old baseball and softball have 120 seconds.

No equipment shall be left on the playing field during the game (including foul territory).

The starting time must be noted in each score book at the direction of the chief umpire

All ages, pitchers must throw four intentional balls to walk a batter.

Steal cleats are not allowed in any age groups before age 13.

CRASH RULE

A fielder must be in possession of the ball to block a base.

A base runner must slide (a base runner may make contact with a fielder as a “continuation of the slide,” if in the judgment of the umpire, said contact is not excessive).

OR

(in the absence of a slide) A base runner must avoid contact with the fielder.

“CATCH-BLOCK-TAG/ SLIDE or AVOID CONTACT WITH THE FIELDER”

FIELDER NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE BALL

A fielder NOT in possession of the ball and blocking a base, will be deemed to have OBSTRUCTED the base runner, if in the judgment of the umpire, the base runners progress was impeded to the extent that they did not reach a base they would have reached if the obstruction had not occurred or if the ball precedes the base runner and the base runner is tagged before they have obtained the base, if in the judgment of the umpire, the runner would have reached said base if they had not been obstructed or the fielder had not blocked the base without first obtaining possession of the ball. NOTE: If a fielder is not in possession of the ball and is blocking a base and the base runner deliberately collides with the fielder, the base runner will be called out.

INTERPRETATION: If the fielder does not have the ball in their possession, they can not block a base or impede the progress of a base runner. If they do, obstruction is going to be called.

FIELDER IN POSSESSION OF THE BALL

If a fielder is in possession of the ball and is blocking a base, the base runner has 4 options.

If a fielder is in possession of the ball and the base runner does not slide, they are required to avoid making contact with the fielder. In the absence of a slide and the base runner makes contact with the fielder, the base runner will be called out, regardless of a tag being made or if the base runner reaches a base before a tag is made on the base runner.

CRASH

If in the judgment of the Umpire, a base runner maliciously collides with a fielder (whether in possession of the ball or not), the base runner will be declared out, ejected and all other base runners will return to their original base.

AVOIDING A FIELDER

If a base runner runs more than 3 feet outside of the baseline to avoid being tagged, unless his/her actions is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball, said base runner is deemed to be in violation of rule 6.05 and/or 7.08(NBC) and 8.7(ASA) and will be declared out. However, if a base runner runs more than 3 feet outside of the baseline or runs more than 3 feet outside of the baseline to avoid contact with a fielder not in possession of the ball, the base runner shall not be considered to be in violation of the above rules and should not be declared out.

Players, fans, and/or coaches will not be allowed behind the catcher or backstop.

Only the players, bat person, and 2 offensive coaches per team will be allowed on the field of play (Exception: see 7-8 baseball and softball rules.)

In the interest of safety and proper conduct in the dugout, it will be strongly encouraged that each team assigns a “bench coach”. this will be stressed in the 7 and 8 baseball and softball and 9 and 10 baseball and softball but it is recommended for all age groups.

Responsibilities for the bench coach are:

LATE ARRIVALS OR ABSENT PLAYERS

A team must have at least seven (7) players and one adult no later than 15 minutes past the scheduled starting time or forfeit the game. In the event that a team does not have the required number of players (9) available at game time, said team will be considered as “playing short.” Said team will be required to take an automatic out (location designated in the batting lineup at the discretion of the coach) for any and all players that the team is short, up to a maximum of two (2) lineup positions. In the event that a team begins a game with less than nine (9) players and a player or players arrives late, said players will be placed in the lineup designated as the automatic out. In the event that a team is playing two (2) players short, the location of a player arriving late and being inserted into the lineup will also be in the location of the designated out position.

If a team has the required number of players to begin a game, any late arriving players will be placed at the end of the batting lineup. Any player or players arriving after a game has began, may be placed in the lineup, regardless of whether the team has batted through their lineup or not. NOTE: The distinction of this rule applies to teams beginning games “playing short” and teams with the required number of players to begin (9).

Teams forfeiting three (3) games due to lack of sufficient number of players are dropped from trophy contention. Nine (9) positions will be batted. Failure to fill a batting position will result in an out being declared for that position each time it is due to bat unless player has been injured or becomes ill during the game creating the shortage.

All teams with uniforms shall comply with official baseball/softball rules regarding uniforms when on the playing field. No liquor, beer, or tobacco advertising will be allowed on the uniforms.

TIE BREAKERS

In the event of a tie by two or more teams for a position in league standings, the following criteria shall be used in the order documented to determine final league standings.

All league rules prescribed by the current NBC Rules for baseball and by the current ASA rules for fast pitch softball shall be further modified with regard to the playing field to conform to the actual conditions existing at each field. In the event the League chooses to use a portable pitching mound, it shall be a minimum of 6” high, 7ft wide, and 7 ft. long with appropriately tapered sides, front, and back. All backstop and fence distances shall be modified to conform to the space available at each playing field.

A player or coach who is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment has been administered. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual would not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is umpire judgment. The re-entry rule would apply to players. If there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before that individual participates again.

Players and umpires are not to wear jewelry (except for watches for umpires) on the field of play. This rule is intended to reduce the risk of injury, reduce unnecessary distractions, and reduce game time lost by hunting for lost jewelry.

The NBC Rule Book, Rule 3.04, specifically discourages the use of courtesy runners. No courtesy runners will be allowed.

(Non-Rainout) Requests to reschedule games must be made at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled date and time of the game(s). Requests must meet the following requirements.

Requests to reschedule a game or games, WILL NOT be considered for the following reasons:

AGE SPECIFIC RULES

IX. 5-6 YEAR OLD T-BALL-under development

X. 7-8 YEAR OLD BASEBALL (MACHINE PITCH)

Age’s 7-8 years old (cannot be 9 before May 1, 2008 and must be a minimum age of 6, as of 1/1/08 to be eligible for this division).

XI. 9-10 YEAR OLD BASEBALL

Age’s 9-10 years old (cannot be 11 before May 1, 2008 and must be a minimum age of 8, as of 1/1/08 to be eligible for this division).

XII. 11-12 YEAR OLD BASEBALL

Age’s 11-12 years old (cannot be 13 before May 1, 2008 and must be a minimum age of 10, as of 1/1/08 to be eligible for this division).

XIII. 13-14 YEAR OLD BASEBALL

Age’s 13-14 years old (cannot be 15 before May 1, 2008 and must be a minimum age of 12, as of 1/1/08 to be eligible for this division).

XIV. 15-18 YEAR OLD BASEBALL

Age’s 15-18 years old (cannot be 19 before May 1, 2008 and must be a minimum age of 14, as of 1/1/08 to be eligible for this division).

SOFTBALL RULES-UNDER DEVELOPMENT

XV. 7-8 YEAR OLD SOFTBALL

XVI. 9-10 YEAR OLD SOFTBALL

XVI. 11-12 YEAR OLD SOFTBALL

XVIII. 13-14 YEAR OLD SOFTBALL

XIX. 15-18 YEAR OLD SOFTBALL

XX. MISCONDUCT POLICY

Any team who accumulates three (3) ejections, (by coaches, players, and spectators, or any person associated with said team) during the league season will forfeit the remainder of their schedule and become ineligible for post-season competition sanctioned by the league.

COACH, PLAYER, SPECTATOR EJECTION POLICY

Any ejection against a coach, player, or spectator will require that person leave the playing facility, which is defined as the playing field, bleacher/spectator area and immediate commons area. Ejected person must leave the playing facility within one (1) minute and have no further contact with anyone associated with the game or the game shall be declared a forfeit.

Any coach, player, or spectator that verbally abuses any league official, employee, or volunteer after an ejection may be required to serve additional game suspensions at the discretion of the league.

Any coach, player, or spectator that physically assaults any league official, employee, or volunteer will be suspended from all league activities for life. In addition, law enforcement will be called and the league will prosecute to the full extent of the law.

REVIEW/PROTEST/RULE INTERPRETATION COMMITTEE

The Review/Protest/Rule Interpretation Committee will consist of a minimum one (1) representative from each age division. In the event of an even number of representatives, either the League President, and/or League Administrator may sit on the committee. However, the President and or other administrator may not vote on any matter except in order to break a tie vote. In the event a representative can not fulfill their responsibility, they may appoint a representative to serve in their place.

The committee may review any situation deemed necessary and/or prudent to the overall function of the league as a whole. This shall include, but not limited to: A complaint filed by a parent alleging abuse of a player, inappropriate conduct/language at a league function, and ejections.

PROTESTS.

Date of scheduled game:___/___/___ Date of protest___/___/___

Protesting Team (name of team):_______________________________

Protesting Coach (name must appear on official roster)______________

Age Division:_______

Opposing Team:____________________________________________

Misinterpretation of rule #:____________________________________

Summary for circumstances:

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

“I understand that I may protest rule misinterpretations only and the protest must be done in accordance with the procedure outlined in this rulebook. I further understand that the $50.00 protest fee will be returned to me ONLY if the protest is upheld in my favor.”

_______________________________ Date ___/___/___

(signature of protesting coach)

_______________________________ Date___/___/___

(signature of head/chief umpire)

PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

I authorize any licensed physician and/or hospital to render medical treatment to player listed below when requested by head coach, assistant, or team official. It is understood that NO primary medical insurance is provided by Northeast Baseball and Softball Association.

PLAYER NAMES (print): PARENT SIGNATURE