Scroll down to see information relating to umpires in District 31

Synopsis of the Significant Changes to the Rules and Regulations for 2010

as of November 5, 2009. 

The exact wording of the Rules and Regulations noted will be provided in the coming weeks.  

(Note: Unless noted otherwise, these changes apply to all divisions) 

REGULATIONS

Regulation I (c) 8 - Note 1: Added a sentence stating that if a league elects to operate a Tee Ball baseball program only, it must use the league age determination date that is noted in the regulation. (Baseball only.) 

Regulation IV (a) - Junior League: Added language making it clear that when a 12-year-old player is found to be ineligible under this regulation, that player and/or his/her team are subject to removal from the International Tournament by action of the Tournament Committee.  

Regulation VI - Updated for 2010: Tournament and regular season rules are in line with each other. A game's rest has been eliminated. Now reads as follows for regular season. 

 Regular Season Pitching Rules - Baseball

VI - PITCHERS

(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.)  

(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. Junior, Senior, and Big League Divisions only: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.  

(c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:

League Age       

17-18     105 pitches per day

13-16     95 pitches per day

11-12     85 pitches per day

9-10       75 pitches per day

7-8          50 pitches per day

Exception: Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI (c) for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.  

(d) Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:

• If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 51 - 65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 36 - 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 21 - 35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.  

Pitchers league age 15-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:

• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 61 - 75 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 46 - 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 31 -45 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.

• If a player pitches 1-30 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.  

(e) Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder.  

(f) The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed.

(g) The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation VI (c). The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Regulation VI (c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in-chief to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.  

(h) Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protest shall be made in accordance with Playing Rule 4.19.  

(j) A player who has attained the league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League. (See Regulation V – Selection of Players)  

(k) A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day. (Exception: In the Big League Division, a player may be used as a pitcher in up to two games in a day.)

NOTES : 1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation. Little League officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately.

2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.

3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.

Example 1: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed the required days of rest.

Example 2: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has observed the required days of rest.

Example 3: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible based on his/her pitching record during the previous four days.

Note: The use of this regulation negates the concept of the “calendar week” with regard to pitching eligibility.

Regulation XIV (e): Added language making it clear that alcohol is prohibited at the game site.  

 PLAYING RULES

Rule 1.10: Added language making it clear that any bat that has been altered must be removed from play.  

Rule 1.11 (h): Added language making it acceptable for Junior, Senior and Big League players to wear metal spikes or cleats. (Added for softball only. This rule already applies to these divisions in baseball.) 

Rule 1.11 (k): Added language making it clear that casts may not be worn by players and umpires during the game, and that persons wearing casts, including managers and coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game.  

Rule 1.14: Standardized the limits on the size of fielders' gloves.  

Rule 2.00 Definition of Pitch: Added language making it clear that a balk or illegal pitch, whether or not a pitch is actually delivered to a batter, counts as a pitch in determining the pitch count for that pitcher. (Baseball only.) 

Rule 3.03 - No. 6: Added language making it clear defensive substitutions must be made while the team is on defense, and offensive substitutions must be made at the time the offensive player has her/his turn at bat or is on base. (Also added to Rule 3.03 for Big League.)  

Rule 5.07, Minor League: Added language providing that the five-run rule may be suspended in the last half inning for either team, by option of the local league.  

TOURNAMENT RULES AND GUIDELINES

Responsibility and Chain of Command: Added language making it clear that the Tournament Committee may impose penalties it deems appropriate, or may take action to correct a situation, regardless of the source of information.  

Conditions of Tournament Play - Protests - C. Use of an ineligible player: Added language making it clear that any violation of Regulations may result in a team having an ineligible player.  

 SAFETY

Appendix A: Added Lightning Safety Guidelines.

Appendix D: Added Bat Modifications and Alterations Policy. 

NOTES

Various Regulations, Regular Season Rules, and Tournament Rules: The deadline for submitting forms that deal with Tournament Eligibility - i.e., regular season player roster forms, Regulation II (d) and Regulation IV (h) forms, waiver requests, chartering, fee payments, combined teams and interleague play forms, etc. - is June 8, 2010. 

Adults and Minors in Positions of Authority: Changes were made to Rule 2.00, Rule 4.1, Rule 9.01, Rule 9.03, Rule 9.04, and the Tournament Rules and Guidelines, making it clear that Minors may serve as coach or umpire under specific and limited circumstances as noted in each rule. (Summary: A coach who is 16 or 17 may only serve as a coach if the adult manager and another adult coach are appointed. A person who is not an adult may serve in a game as an umpire, including as plate umpire, provided one or more other adults are also umpires for that game. However, that non-adult umpire cannot be designated as umpire-in-chief for that game. The umpire-in-chief is not required to be the plate umpire.)   

A major re-construction of all buildings on the Western Region Complex will be taking place the next few months. Currently in the planning process and do not have a timeline for the construction to begin. Please keep checking back on for more information on the impact to the training schools. Thank You. 

Online Registration for all Regional Clinics will be by credit card only. If you don't have a credit card, you will need to call and register with the regional office at 909-887-6444.

You can view a detailed description of the clinics offered on the WR website by clicking on the heading above. Click on the "Register Now" link opposite the clinic desired to register for each clinic.

An added benefit to joining the Umpire Registry:

I am happy to announce a new member's only section created specifically for Umpire Registry members.  Currently, the 2009 Umpire School Rules Instruction Manual (RIM) is available for download as well as other sections of the 60 foot and 90 foot Umpire Instruction manuals.  Archived version of Umpire Newsletter Fairball are also available.

If you prefer, you may print the form in the handout and mail with your payment.

Congratulations are in order for the three new District 31 Staff Umpires.

Dwaine Criss of Escondido American

Mike Deason of Poway Jr-Sr-Big League

Dave Miller of Poway American

The District 31 Umpire Staff now numbers twentyone.

Congratulations to Bennett Criss for graduating from the Western Region Junior Umpire School.  The Junior Umpire School ran from June 20 to June 26. 

Both Rules and Field Mechanics Training are included and the materials offered are outstanding.  Each student will receive ample videotaped plate instruction throughout the week.  Included: dormitory style housing and all meals. Training is designed for 13-18 year olds.

Name	Home League
Steve Arce	Escondido National
Mark Bernstein	District Umpire-in-Chief
Mark Benito	Rancho Bernardo
Mike Cascioppo	Escondido Continental
Jim Clark	Rancho Bernardo
Dwaine Criss	Escondido American
Mike Deason	Poway Jr-Sr-BL
Joel Ewan	Carmel Mtn. Ranch
Gary Graupmann	Rancho Bernardo
Jonas Jackson	Escondido National
Tom Marshall	Escondido National
Mike Martello	Escondido National
Bud Mathews	Escondido Continental
Dave Miller	Poway American
Andy Millon	Carmel Mtn. Ranch
Bob Rosario	Carmel Mtn. Ranch
Don Sharp	Poway American
Dave Walker	Carmel Mtn. Ranch
Jeff Wimbrough	Carmel Mtn. Ranch
Don Wolever	Rancho Bernardo
Shu Zhu	Del Mar

In this handout is an article by Josh Kalk, entitled 'That was a Strike?' from The Hardball Times.

It is ,worth the read, analyzing the MLB strike zone.