*WCWAA*
Local Advanced Machine Pitch League Rules and Manager’s Guide Spring 2013
The goal of the league is to prepare the players to advance to the next level; to have a fun experience; to learn the rules; to learn the basic skills of all positions; to learn sportsmanship
LENGTH OF GAME/SPEED OF GAME
1 All games will be played as scheduled unless cancelled by the Umpire in Chief.
2 Six (6) innings will constitute a complete game.
a The 90-minute time limit will be enforced on all games.
b The umpire and the coaches will declare the game in the last inning if there are ten minutes or less to play when the inning begins.
i Once the last inning is declared, no new innings will be started even if time is left unless the declared last inning ends in a tie. If the umpire and coaches declare the current inning is the last inning and the losing team is behind by 6 or more runs, the game will be declared over at that point. The slaughter rule will apply otherwise; that is, 20 run lead after 4 innings
c In the event of a tie and time is remaining, one inning will be played to determine the winner. If the game is still tied, it will end in a tie. The umpire will declare the game in the last inning if there are ten minutes or less to play when the inning begins.
3 A limit of 5 runs per inning will be enforced during all innings of the game – regardless of whether a team is leading or losing. The only way a team may score more than five runs in an inning is if a player hits a home run over the fence. In this situation, all runners will score.
4 A courtesy runner MUST be used for the catcher when there are two outs in order to speed up the game. This runner will be the runner who made the last out of the inning.
PREGAME
5 Each team must have at least eight (8) players to begin a game. Please Reference the Call up Section as well.
a If a team does not have at least eight players at game time, that team will be given a ten-minute extension before a forfeit will be declared.
6 The home team will be stationed in the first base dugout and the visiting team will be in the third base dugout.
7 The entire team will be the batting order.
8 The home team is responsible for preparing the field and setting up scoreboard and machine. The home team is also responsible game balls and backup balls. The visiting team is responsible for field cleanup/raking the field after the game; including storing the pitching machine and the scoreboard equipment and shutting off lights and scoreboard switches. Both teams are responsible for cleaning up their dugouts.
9 60 Minutes prior to game time, the Visiting team is entitled to the field for warm-ups (if no prior game is scheduled) and the home team is entitled to the cage. 30 minutes prior to game time, the Home team is entitled to the field for warm-ups (if no prior game is scheduled) and the visiting team is entitled to the cage
CALLUPS
The intention of this rule is to let the game be played. It is the intention for games to be determined on the field by the players, not by a forfeit. Players on the active roster should not be sitting on the bench in lieu of a call up.
10 Call-ups should only be made when a team is going to be short a player. In other words, less than 9 players available at time of game. Failure to abide by this rule will result in a forfeit.
a The Call up must be on the approved list provided by the commissioner.
b The Call up must be Baseball Age 7
c The exception is if the coach knows a player has to leave the game early for church or school function, etc.
d If the team has 9 players expected to play, then a call up cannot be used. It is not the intent of the rule to have an active player on a team have to sit on the bench
e If the team has 8, a call up can be used, but is not required
f The call up must bat last and must be used defensively as any other player (i.e., he must be rotated)
POSITIONING OF COACHES
11 Only the manager will be allowed out of the dugout when the team is in the field.
12 When the team is batting, the head coach is allowed outside the fence and base coaches are allowed.
GAME RULES
13 Machine Settings: These will be determined prior to the season by the League Commissioner.
a Fall: 8-4-3 (machine should be placed behind rubber)
b Spring: 9-4-3 (machine should be placed behind rubber)
14 The player-pitcher must stand within six feet of the back of the machine. For safety purposes, the player-pitcher cannot be positioned next to the machine. The player-pitcher’s starting position must be behind the machine.
15 All outfielders must play on the grass. The outfield is defined as at least 10 feet beyond infield dirt. All infielders must maintain a minimum distance from the batter until the ball is hit.
16 Each batter will receive a maximum of five pitches. After the fifth pitch, if the batter has not successfully hit the ball, he will be declared out unless the fifth or last pitch is a foul ball. The batter will then receive another pitch. If the final pitch is declared “un-hittable” by the umpire, the batter will receive an additional pitch.
17 If a batter hits a foul tip with two strikes and is caught by the catcher, an out will be recorded.
18 If a batted ball hits the machine prior to being touched by the player pitcher, it is a dead ball. The batter is awarded first base and any other base runners are allowed to advance one base. If the batted ball strikes the machine in the air and is caught before hitting the ground, an out will be recorded.
19 In order for “time” to be called for the defensive team, an INFIELDER must make an aggressive play toward the lead runner or stop the progress of the lead runner before calling for time out.
a Time-out will always be at the Umpire’s discretion
b The intention of the rule is to ensure the runners cannot continue advancing and the ball does not have to be thrown all over the infield.
i For example, if a runner reaches 3B and stops and the second baseman, who has the ball, calls for time, it will most likely be granted. Do not expect to continue sending runners all over the field hoping to keep the play going.
20 Plays at the plate are to be made by the catcher rather than another position player, unless the other player is backing up the play. The umpire will allow the runner to score if this happens during the game.
21 The on-deck batter may not be out of the dugout at any time.
22 One successful bunt per inning will be allowed. If a batter fakes a bunt attempt and swings away, his team will receive a warning. If this action occurs again by the same team, an out will be called and no runners may advance.
23 The “must slide” rule at home plate will be strictly enforced; the runner must slide if there is a potential play at home. If an attempt is not made to slide on the play, the runner will automatically be called out. This is umpire’s discretion and cannot be disputed.
24 Slinging the bat can be very dangerous. The batter will be warned the first time this occurs. If the same batter slings the bat a second time during the game, an “out” will be recorded and no runners may advance.
25 The umpire will operate the machine.
26 When a player is injured during a game, time should be called immediately.
a If the injury occurs in the infield, the base runners will be allowed the base that they are going.
b If the injury occurs in the outfield, the base runners will be allowed the base that they are going to plus one extra base.
27 If a player is injured or sick during the game, his batting spot will be skipped and no out will be recorded. The umpire must agree with the coach that the player is injured or sick. If a player leaves for any other reason, he is called out the first missed at bat. If a player leaves the game due to a school or church function, an out will not be recorded. A late player will be added at the end of the batting order and may be put in the game upon arrival.
28 The only bats that are permissible are ones that states ‘Little League approved’ on it.
29 When a manager, coach or player is ejected from a game, they shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game. They may not sit in the stands and may not be recalled.
a Any manager, coach or player ejected from a game is suspended for his teams’ next physically played game and may not attend at the game site from which they are suspended.
b After a manager, coach or player has been disqualified, the league president MAY require such manager, coach or player to appear before at least three members of the Board of Directors to explain their conduct. The members of the Board present at the meeting shall impose such penalty as they feel is justified, but not lessen the one game mandatory suspension.
30 Base runners may only advance one base on an overthrow, but advance at their own risk.
a If no attempt is made to throw out the advancing runner after an overthrow, play is then dead.
b Managers should still instruct their players to hustle to get the ball back into the proper infield positions.
c If a fielder attempts to throw out an advancing base runner and the attempt results in an additional passed ball, the base runner is again allowed to advance one base, but at their own risk.
TOURNAMENT RULES
31 No changes will be made to the Regular Season Rules for Tournament play, except for the following:
a Tournament seeding will be random draw.
b Championship game of tournament will not have a time limit and will be played in its entirety, pending the slaughter rule.
ROTATION RULES
The intention of the rule is to ensure players get the most opportunity possible to play every position and learn the required skills for each position. The effect of this rule will also ensure every player has played in the infield.
32 Nine defenders are allowed on the field: six at ‘normal’ baseball infield positions, the other 3 in the outfield).
33 A player may re-enter the game during an inning if a defensive player exits the game for any reason (injury, illness, etc.).
34 To ensure compliance with these rules, all managers will be required to exchange lineup cards before each game. The full name of players and their number should be listed on the lineup.
35 Any issues with the opposing team’s lineup & rotation must be resolved prior to the game.
a Once the game begins, a team cannot be forfeited for breaking the rotation rules if the lineup card is filled out incorrectly.
36 Rotation Rules for Players
A ‘unique position’ is defined as any of the nine (9) defensive positions on the baseball field.
The catcher’s position and the pitcher’s position are considered part of the infield
a Players are permitted to play a unique position up to three (3) times in a six (6) inning game.
b Players must play one of the unique Outfield positions once by the fourth inning. Players must play in the Outfield at least twice in a six (6) inning game
c Players must play one of the unique Infield positions once by the fourth inning
d No player can be on the bench for a second time until each player has sat on the bench for one inning
e Sitting on the bench counts as playing an Outfield position
37 If a situation should arise, such as sickness, injury, or behavioral issue, the umpires and opposing coach must be notified immediately. Each manager has the right to “bench” a player for any behavioral issues demonstrated on the field or off the field. Again, the umpires and opposing manager must be made aware of the situation immediately and the matter should be noted on the line-up card.
