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Last updated
12-13-09 12:13 PM
Litchfield Local Weather
Litchfield Baseball Association
LBA Webmaster
Litchfield, New Hampshire
03052

LBA LEAGUE RULES

It is expected everyone participating in the Litchfield Baseball Association conduct himself or herself in a fair and sportsmanlike manner. Everyone should read, understand, and abide by the Rules and Regulations of Cal Ripken Baseball. Each team’s manager has a copy of these rules. In addition to the national rules, the LBA has adopted some localized rules. The following detail LBA’s Local Rules that apply to the T-Ball, Rookie, Minor and Major Divisions

1. Games

Games will start promptly as listed on the schedule created by the Division Coordinator. The team designated as the Visiting Team will control the field for five (5) minutes starting ten (10) minutes prior to game time. The team designated as the Home Team will control the field for the five (5) minutes immediately prior to game time.

 

2. Disciplinary Action for Ejection (Player, Coach, or Manager) Article XII

Depending on the severity of the offense the Board of Directors may impose any of the following penalties (as defined in Article XII Section 4 of the Leagues By-Laws):

Warning, Suspension, Dismissal, Barred.

In the event of a player ejection by an umpire for any scheduled League game, the ejected individual will be subject to the following penalties pending review by Board of Directors:

First ejection: At a minimum suspended for the next game
Second ejection: At a minimum suspended for the next game
Third ejection: At a minimum dismissal from the League for remainder of current season.

An individual desiring to appeal their suspension must furnish a request in writing to a Board member within twenty-four (24) hours of notification of disciplinary action. Upon receipt of such request, a hearing will be scheduled within forty-eight (48) hours.

 

3. Manager/Coach and Player Interaction.

No Manager or Coach should be left alone with any one player at the field before or after practice or game. A reminder that only 1 Manager and up to 3 Coaches may be in the dugout during a game at least 1 of whom must remain in the dugout at all times. Rookie Division is allowed 1 extra bench coach. For T-Ball Division there is no limit on Coaches. There may be 2 Adult base coaches. If players serve as base coaches they must wear protective helmets.

Note: During games the Manager and any Coaches should be positioned in their respective dugouts. If they are outside of their dugout then they will be positioned no closer than the dugout entrance that is furthest away from home plate.

 

4. Rookie Division Specific

Each batter receives at most 8 pitches. There are no walks and no strikeouts. If the batter has not hit the ball in fair territory by the 8th pitch they are declared out. However, the batter can't be called out if last pitch is foul ball.

  • A pitching machine must deliver 8 pitches to each batter. A hit ball that strikes the pitching machine shall be considered a live ball.

  • To promote fielding, a pitcher may not field a ball and then run to tag a base to make an out. Similarly, an outfielder must throw to a base to force an out.

  • To promote knowledge of different positions, players must not play more than 2 defensive innings at any single position.

  • There may be 10 players placed defensively on the field. No more than 6 players may be infielders (pitcher, catcher, 1st, 2nd, shortstop and 3rd.

  • Defensively it is recommended that the first baseman wear a helmet with facemask or that a second safety base be used at first Base.

Note: The defense may use the safety base to record an out on any force out attempt from the foul side of first base or when the ball is thrown from the foul side of first base or when an errant or missed throw pulls the defensive player into foul ground. The offensive player also has the option of touching either base.

 

5. T-Ball Division Specific

  • No score is kept. All games end in a tie.

  • If a defensive team records 3 outs, all runners are removed from the bases and the inning continues until all batters hit once.

  • To promote fielding, a pitcher may not field a ball and then run to tag a base to make an out. Similarly, an outfielder must throw to a base to force an out.

  • All players are placed defensively in the field. No more than 5 players may be infielders (pitcher, 1st base, 2nd base, shortstop, and 3rd base).

  • Defensively it is required that the first baseman wear a helmet with facemask or that a second safety base be used at first Base.

Note: The defense may use the safety base to record an out on any force out attempt from the foul side of first base or when the ball is thrown from the foul side of first base or when an errant or missed throw pulls the defensive player into foul ground. The offensive player also has the option of touching either base.

 

6. Equipment

Bats: 2 1\4 maximum diameter and 33 inches maximum length for All Divisions.
Batting Donut: Approved for Major and Minor Divisions only.
Batting Helmets: Face guards required for All Divisions.
Shoes: Rubber cleats or sneakers acceptable. Metal cleats or spikes are prohibited for All Divisions.
Athletic Supporter: Strongly recommended that all players wear hard metal, fiber, or plastic type cup (athletic supporter).
Catchers: Must wear hard metal, fiber, or plastic type cup (athletic supporter), chest protector, helmet with mask and dangling type throat protector.
On-Deck Position: Only allowed if separate fenced in area is available.

 

7. Local Rule Amendments.

The following table lists rule amendments by category from those listed in the Cal Ripken League rule book.

Division
Major (11-12 Year Old)
Minor (9-10 Year Olds) Rookie (7-8 Year Olds) T-Ball (5-6 Year Olds)
Game Length
  • 6 Innings or 2 Hour Time Limit.
  • Actual start time (time of first pitch) to be recorded in Home team’s book.
  • No new inning can start after 1 hour and 50 minutes.
  • Regulation Game after 4 innings (3 1\2 innings if home Team is ahead).

Note: For Playoff games there is no time limit. As long as there is daylight available the game will be completed.

  • 6 Innings or 2 Hour Time Limit.
  • Actual start time (time of first pitch) to be recorded in Home team’s book.
  • No new inning can start after 1 hour and 50 minutes.
  • Regulation Game after 4 innings (3 1\2 innings if home Team is ahead).

Note: For Playoff games there is no time limit. As long as there is daylight available the game will be completed.

  • 5 Innings or 2 Hour time limit.
  • Actual start time (time of first pitch) to be recorded in Home team’s book.
  • No new inning can start after 1 hour and 45 minutes.
  • Regulation Game after 3 innings (2 1\2 innings if home Team is ahead).

Note: For Playoff games there is no time limit. As long as there is daylight available the game will be completed.

3 Innings or 1 hour time limit
Number of Players
  • 8 minimum to start
  • 7 minimum to complete
  • Game forfeited if team fails to field 8 players within 10 minutes of scheduled starting time
  • Game forfeited if 7 players at any time during game.
  • 8 minimum to start
  • 7 minimum to complete
  • Game forfeited if team fails to field 8 players within 10 minutes of scheduled starting time
  • Game forfeited if 7 players at any time during game.
  • 7 minimum to start
  • 6 minimum to complete
  • Game forfeited if team fails to field 7 players within 10 minutes of scheduled starting time
  • Game forfeited if 6 players at any time during game.
  • 6 minimum to start
  • 5 minimum to complete
Batting Order
  • Each player at the field must bat in a continuous batting order.
  • Players arriving late are added to end of lineup.
  • Each player at the field must bat in a continuous batting order.
  • Players arriving late are added to end of lineup.
  • Each player at the field must bat in a continuous batting order.
  • Players arriving late are added to end of lineup.
  • Each player at the field must bat in a continuous batting order.
  • Players arriving late are added to end of lineup.
Substitution

No player may sit out a second or third inning defensively until all players have sat out at least one and two innings respectively.

Note: Once a Pitcher is replaced on the pitching mound the player can not re-enter as a pitcher in the same game.

No player may sit out a second or third inning defensively until all players have sat out at least one and two innings respectively. 

Each player must play at least 2 innings in the infield, unless specifically requested not to by a parent. It is the Manager’s responsibility to inform the opposing Manager.

Note: Each player must plat at least 1 inning in the outfield. Once a Pitcher is replaced on the pitching mound the player cannot reenter as a pitcher in the same game.

No player may sit out a second or third inning defensively until all players have sat out at least one and two innings respectively.

Each player must play at least 1 inning in the infield, unless specifically requested not to by a parent. It is the Manager’s responsibility to inform the opposing Manager. 

Note: Each player must plat at least 1 inning in the outfield, and can play no more than 2 innings at any one position.

Each player should play at least 1 inning in the infield, unless specifically requested by a parent. It is the Manager’s responsibility to inform the opposing Manager.

Each player must play at least 1 inning in the outfield.

Inning   An offensive inning shall end when 5 runs are scored or 3 outs are made. An offensive inning shall end when 4 runs are scored or 3 outs are made. An offensive inning shall end once each offensive player has batted.
Mercy Rule Game is officially over when ahead by 10 or more runs after 5 innings (4 1\2 innings if home Team is ahead). All Games will be completed. Though it may be mathematically impossible for one team to catch up in the remaining innings. All games will be completed. Though it may be mathematically impossible for one team to catch up in the remaining innings. All games will be completed. Not Applicable

Pitcher Innings

Max Number of Pitches

  • 6 Innings max per week, 4 innings max per day.
  • One calendar day of rest required if pitch 2 innings.
  • Two calendar days of rest required if pitch 3 or more innings.
  • Pitching week is from Monday to Sunday
  • Recommended maximum 70 pitches per day.
  • 6 Innings max per week, 3 innings max per day.
  • One calendar day of rest required if pitch 2 innings.
  • Two calendar days of rest required if pitch 3 innings.
  • Pitching week is from Monday to Sunday
  • Recommended maximum 50 pitches per day.
Not Applicable Not Applicable
Mgr Visits & Hit Batter

Pitcher must be replaced at second visit in an inning or third total visit in game.

Pitcher must be replaced upon third hit batter in an inning or 4th total in game.

Pitcher must be replaced at second visit in an inning or third total visit in game.

Pitcher must be replaced upon third hit batter in an inning or 4th total in game.

Not Applicable Not Applicable
Balks

One warning per Pitcher per Game.

Additional Balks only enforced if done to advantage of Defense.

There shall be no penalty for Balks Not Applicable Not Applicable
Dropped Third Strike Batter is out regardless if third strike is caught by catcher. Batter is out regardless if third strike is caught by catcher. Batter is out regardless if third strike is caught by catcher. Not Applicable
Sliding \ Obstruction
  • Runner must slide or avoid the fielder.
  • No Head First slide allowed except back to a base.

Penalty: Runner is out.

  • Fielder cannot block base path unless he is fielding a batted ball, attempting to field a thrown ball, or has possession of the ball.

Penalty: Runner(s) are awarded base(s).

Rule 7.06 Obstruction

  • Runner must slide or avoid the fielder.
  • No Head First slide allowed except back to a base.

Penalty: Runner is out.

  • Fielder cannot block base path unless he is fielding a batted ball, attempting to field a thrown ball, or has possession of the ball.

Penalty: Runner(s) are awarded base(s).

Rule 7.06 Obstruction

  • Runner must slide or avoid the fielder.
  • No Head First slide allowed except back to a base.

Penalty: Runner is out.

  • Fielder cannot block base path unless he is fielding a batted ball, attempting to field a thrown ball, or has possession of the ball.

Penalty: Runner(s) are awarded base(s).

Rule 7.06 Obstruction

 

  • Runner must slide or avoid the fielder.
  • No Head First slide allowed except back to a base.

Penalty: Runner is out.

  • Fielder cannot block base path unless he is fielding a batted ball, attempting to field a thrown ball, or has possession of the ball.

Penalty: Runner(s) are awarded base(s).

Rule 7.06 Obstruction

Bunting

No fake bunt and swing.

Penalty: Dead ball and batter is out.

No fake bunt and swing.

Penalty: Dead ball and batter is out.

No Bunting allowed.

A ball must travel beyond 10 foot arc to be a hit.

No Bunting allowed.

A ball must travel beyond 10 foot arc to be a hit.

Infield Fly Rule   Infield Fly Rule does not apply. Infield Fly Rule does not apply. Infield Fly Rule does not apply.


Litchfield Baseball Association
Litchfield Baseball Association


 
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