Louisa Little League

2008 – 2009 Bylaws 

General Information: 

This document expires annually at the end of the fiscal year and must be renewed annually.  It includes the local board’s procedures for selection of Tournament Teams (All Stars) and specific ground rules for various divisions. 

Because each local Little League Board of Directors should have authority to change these types of procedures, they require only Board of Directors consent, without general membership approval.  No part of the by-laws, local rules or ground rules can conflict with or supersede any Little League rule, regulation or policy. 

The by-laws, local rule or ground rules are to be distinguished from the Little League Constitution.  The Constitution spells out the duties and responsibilities of the officers of the board, definition of membership, election procedures meeting requirements such as a quorum, etc. 

The various items in this document contain information that is pertinent to Managers, Coaches and Players.  It is the Manager’s responsibility that his Players and Coaches are aware of them.  The Commissioners of each Division will oversee their program. 

1. Mission Statement

 

The objective of Louisa Little League shall be to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and respect for authority, so that they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children and will grow to be good, decent, healthy, and trustworthy citizens. 

2. Board Of Directors

 
 

1. There will be a Board of Director’s meeting conducted the second

Sunday of each month, at a time and place to be decided by the board. 

2. Louisa Little League shall have thirty board members elected

   from and by the membership, consisting of volunteer personnel. 

3. The Board of Directors shall have less than fifty percent of managers

      and coaches serving on the board. 

4. Should a Board Member miss three meetings, barring

any extenuating circumstances, this will be grounds for dismissal from the board.   All instances will be decided by the Board of Directors. 

3. Executive Board

 

1. The executive board will be appointed by the President to include

Himself/Herself, Secretary, Player Agent and approved by the Board of Directors. 
 

      IV Additional Committees 

            A.  Audit Committee

            B.  Field Maintenance Committee

            C.  Membership Committee

            D.  Safety Task Force Committee

            E.  Nominating Committee

            F.  Fundraising Committee

            G.  Budget Committee

            H.  Opening Day Ceremony Committee

9. Scheduling Committee

J.  Concession Committee   

      V Sportsmanship 

1. Players should be taught to maintain the will to win; however they

   must be taught to accept losses graciously. 

            B.  Unsportsmanlike comments or actions will not be tolerated. 

3. Win or lose, the Players will congratulate their opponents at home

   plate for a good effort following each game. 

      VI Rules of Play 

1. The Official Regulations and Playing Rules for Little League Baseball

and Softball (A.K.A. Little League Rulebook), as established by Little League, Inc. of Williamsport, PA will be followed by each League except as modified, where permitted, in this document. 

      VII Registration & Residency Requirements

                                                                                                                                                          A.  In order to be registered, Players must meet Residence Eligibility     

Requirements as set forth in the Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules for Little League.   

2. The Board of Directors will set registration dates.

 

3. Registration Fee is $60.00.  A late fee of $10.00 will be charged after                                                                                                             

      the last registration date.  Three (3) or more children the registration  

      fee is $30.00 per child.  The late fee remains the same. 

4. Checks returned for Non-Sufficient Funds will be addressed by the

Executive Committee – any fees incurred will be charged back to the

check writer. 

5. Birth Certificates: No youngster shall be accepted for registration

unless he or she presents, or has previously presented (as shown in the league’s player database), a valid certified copy of his or her birth certificate.  A hospital certificate is not acceptable. 

      VIII Managers, Coaches, and Umpires 

   

1. Mangers, Coaches and Umpires are official representatives of the League.

 

2. Appointment of Managers: The Commissioner of each division will make recommendations of Managers of regular season teams to the

President.  The President will discuss any problems or insight with Commissioners and then present Managers to the Board of Directors for approval. 

3. All appointments shall expire at the end of the team’s playing season, unless sooner by the Majority of the Board of Directors.

 

4. The President, Vice President and Executive Board have the authority to suspend any Manager, Coach, or Umpire.

 

5. Managers of Teams shall be responsible for the selection and

training of their teams and for the actions of the Playing Members and Coaches during all games.  

6. No person may manage more than one team within all levels of Louisa Little League Baseball and Softball.  A manager may be a Coach on another team, but that team must be at a different league level.  The President shall not allow this second coaching position to have a detrimental affect on either team, and shall notify the Board of concerns.

 

7. Appointment of Coaches: The Manager of the said team, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of each division shall nominate Coaches of each regular season team to the Board of Directors for approval. Managers following completion of the draft process for that division will select coaches.  Coaches may be nominated before the draft if they have coached in the league for two years and the same team for one year.

 

8. Only those persons who are Regular Members of the local league in

Good standing (as defined by Article III, Section 2-B of the Louisa Little League Constitution) shall be eligible for appointment to a Manager or Coach position. 

9. Protests-Managers, Coaches & Umpires:  Each Manager and

Coach has a moral obligation to help prevent protests, and work together for the success of the League.  It is the responsibility of all adults coaching during a game to eliminate a possible protest.  Remember that the Umpires may make honest judgment errors during the season.  Managers and Coaches should accept them as honest judgment errors and will not intimidate Umpires. 

10. All Managers are required to attend a Managers Meeting prior to the

start of the season.  This will be a brief meeting to go over local rules and the game, concession, umpires and other pertinent information.  

11. The Umpire-In-Chiefs will meet and make the Umpire Schedule prior

       to Managers Meeting. 

L.  The Safety Officer shall ensure that a first aid kit is available at each     game. 

13. Managers shall carry all Medical Release forms and the Safety Manual at all times when their team is practicing or playing.

 

14. Use of any profanity, alcohol or illegal drugs, by managers or coaches on or around the playing field, in the dugouts, or where the kids are practicing is strictly prohibited.  Abuse of this could result in suspension until the next board meeting.

 

15. Use of tobacco (including smokeless forms by managers or coaches

on the playing field, in the dugouts, or during practices is strictly prohibited.  Abuse of could result in suspension until the next board meeting. 

16. Use of profanity or foul or abusive language is prohibited at any

   practices or games. 

      IX Division Alignment 

1. Minor League Baseball Age 9-11 and Minor League Softball Age 7-11.
1. Each team will bat the roster if three outs are not recorded.
2. The game time limit is two hours. 
3. There will be no intentional walks.
4. Pitching machines will be used in accordance with league-approved rules and regulations.

(Attachment #1 – Minor Baseball)

(Attachment #2 – Minor Softball)

5. Louisa Little League 2007 Pee-Wee Division Baseball

(Attachment #3) 

2. Major League Baseball and Softball League Age 9-12:
1. All players not already assigned to a Major League team must attend 50% of the tryouts.
2. No player will be called up from a Minor League team in the last two weeks of the regular season.
3. When a player quits the Division, the Player Agent must be notified.  The Manager will have two weeks from the official release date of the player to select another player from the Minor Division or a player will be selected for them.
4. If a player quits a team and returns the following year that player

is assigned to the team he or she left unless they are released in

accordance with the Official Rules and Regulations and Playing

Rules, Section III (e).

5. Team balance must be maintained.
6. The Major Division Baseball will recognize a split season schedule.  The league champion will be decided by a playoff between the winners of the first and second halves.  Should there be a tie during either half a playoff game will be played to determine the half winner.  Should there be a three-way tie during a half there will be two playoff games with one team receiving a bye round during the first playoff game determined by a coin toss between the three teams.
7. The Major Division Softball will not have a split season. 

 

3. Junior Baseball and Softball League Age 13-14:
1. All players not already assigned to a Junior League team must attend 50% of the tryouts.
 

4. Senior Baseball and Softball League Age 15-16:

1.   All players not already assigned to a Senior League team must   

           attend at least 50% of the tryouts. 

5. Big League Baseball and Softball League Age 17-18:

 

X Tryouts 

      A.   The Player Agent of each division is primarily responsible for the

       overall management and fairness of the Tryouts.

            B.   Confidentiality:  All ratings at Tryouts should be confidential and at

no time should any player know their ratings.

C.   There will be two tryouts held for each division that participated in

tryouts.  

                    

      XI Drafts 

1. The player agent or designee is primarily responsible for the overall management and fairness of the draft.
2. The Draft Method for all divisions will be the same.  The draft order will be in reverse order of overall standings from the previous year. (Attachment #4) 12 year-old draft this year
3. No draft shall take place without the Vice President Baseball/Softball to oversee it.

Should the draft proceed without the Vice President Baseball/Softball present, the draft will be invalid, unless the Vice President Baseball/Softball made prior arrangements.

4. All drafts will take place as soon as possible after tryouts but not sooner than 24 hours after the tryouts.
5. All players should be notified of their assignment at essentially the same time for each division.

 

XII Rosters 

1. The League Information Officer will maintain all rosters.
2. Any dismissal or termination of any player from Louisa Little League must be in writing from the Executive Committee with a copy to the player, parents and Board of Directors.

 

XIII Team Assignment (Late Players) 

1. Late sign-ups will not be accepted into the League, after the last tryout.
2. Assignment to teams will be made

1. to maintain balance of rosters and then
2. order of the draft.

 

XIV (Discipline of Team Personnel-All Disciplinary Action Requires The

      Approval of the Board of Directors 

1. If a Manager, Coach or Player is removed from the game for

Disciplinary action by the Umpire, he/she must leave the field.  The Manager or adult Coach must not sit on the bench or in the stands and may not be re-called.  If a player is removed from the game, the Team Manager is responsible for ensuring the matter is handled appropriately.  If a Manager, Coach or Player is removed from a game they must sit out the following game and appear before the executive committee to ensure no further disciplinary action is required.

2. Players may be benched for behavior unbecoming to the Louisa Little

League Program.  The opposing Manager or Coach and Head Umpire shall be advised prior to the start of the game (or during the game, if applicable) of any action being taken and for what reason. 

      XV Spectator Rules and Regulations 

            All parents and spectators shall:

1. Become well acquainted with the objectives of Little League Baseball,

Inc.

2. Recognize that these are children, not professional players and needs

ample encouragement, not destructive criticism.

3. Applaud good play of all participants and ignore the errors, award

great effort, initiative and hustle, congratulate the winning team, encourage the losing team and enjoy the game for what it is.

4. Constructively offer any criticism of the program to League or District

Officials (in that order) and at the same time be willing to volunteer their services to improve the League and District.

5. Realize that the umpire is the closest to the play and that each

Umpire calls them as he or she sees them.

6. Any use of profanity, alcohol or drugs on or around the playing field, in the

Dugouts, or where kids are practicing is strictly prohibited.

7. Any use of tobacco (including smokeless forms) on the playing field,

In the dugouts or during practices is strictly prohibited. 

      XVI Scheduled Games and Practices 

1. Once the season’s schedule is issued, no games may be rescheduled

without the approval of the Division’s Commissioner.  The Commissioner will contact the scheduler to let him/her know to reschedule the game.

2. All teams should practice a minimum of one time per week during the

regular season, weather permitting.

3. The Home Team should contact the Umpire and remind them of their

scheduled game.

4. The Home Team is listed second on the schedule.

 

XVII Rainouts and Make up Games 

1. The Scheduler will reschedule all rain out games.
2. Make up games will take place as soon as possible, scheduling allowed.
3. Teams that fail to play a rescheduled game shall be subject to forfeit.
4. All Managers and Coaches shall be notified of rescheduling as soon as possible.  Not knowing about a make up game is not an excuse for not showing up.  It is the responsibility of the Manager to find out when their makeup games are, not the Commissioner or the Scheduler.

 

XVIII League Equipment and Uniforms 

1. Any throwing of helmets or intentional flinging of bats, under any

conditions, will be cause for disciplinary action.

2. Care must be taken to prevent misuse of League equipment by

players.

3. Upon the conclusion of each Player’s last game of the season or

Tournament play; Managers are responsible for collection of League

equipment.

4. Umpire equipment will be available at each field and will be returned

to its proper place at the end of each game.

5. Broken equipment should be returned for replacement so that the

league can keep track of it in its inventory.

6. Equipment will be distributed on designated dates and signed for by

the Manager or Coach.

7. Equipment must be returned on designated equipment return dates. 

The manager agrees to this when signing for equipment. 

      XIX Team Responsibilities 

1. The Home Team is responsible for preparing and lining the fields of

play

2. The Home Team is responsible for keeping the Official Scorebook.
3. The choice of dugouts can be mutually agreed upon by the Managers

of each team, if not the home team shall occupy the first base dugout

and the visiting team shall occupy the third base dugout.

4. Both teams are responsible for ensuring that all trash on and around

the fields are picked up and secure after each ball game.

5. The home team shall be responsible for working the concession

stand.  No game will begin until the concession stand has been opened.

6. The Home Team manager is responsible for depositing concession money after each game.
7. The Information Officer must be notified of the game results.

 

      XX Catchers 

1. Players warming up pitchers or playing catcher during field warm-ups must wear a helmet, facemask, throat protector and athletic supporter with cup.

 

XXI Base Coaches 

1. Teams are allowed two adult base coaches on the field as long as

there is another adult coach in the dugout.  No one under sixteen years of age may coach the bases. 

      XXII Ten Run Rule 

1. It will be the decision of the losing Manager in a game ended by the 10 run rule at the end of four innings of play whether or not to concede as long as no official rules are violated, (ie. Complete

game or curfew).  Managers must agree. 

      XXIII Slide Rule 

A.  All players must slide when a close play exists on the field.  The                       implementation of this rule is intended to protect the base runner and baseman.  The umpire’s judgment determines what is a “close” play.  Any player intentionally attempting to harm another player will be ejected from the game. 

      XXV Awards 

1. A trophy will be awarded to the Regular Season Championship Team for baseball and softball major league division only.
2. The league does not provide trophies for participation.

 

      XXVI Tournament (All Stars) Team 

1. An original birth certificate is required to play all-stars.
2. The Managers for each team will nominate players for their Division’s

respective tournament team.  A manager must vote for a player he or she nominates on the first ballot.  If a player receives only one vote he or she will not be selected to the tournament team.  The managers will select the tournament team with the exception of the last two vacancies on the team.  The selected manager of the tournament team will have the choice of the last two candidates provided they had at least two votes on the first ballot.  (Example:  all-star Roster of twelve players, the managers will pick ten and the tournament team manager will fill the other two of his or her choice provided

the candidate received two votes on the initial ballot).

3. Selection of All-Star players will be conducted by the Manager, Coach (if requested by the Manger to attend) and the Executive Committee.
4. Louisa Little League Collection and Distribution of All-star monies.

(Attachment #5) 

      XXVII Selection of Tournament Team Managers and Coaches 

1. The managers of all-star teams will be selected based on the regular

Season standings, with the manager of the regular season champion having his or her choice of the team they wish to manage within their

respective division.  The second place team manager would then get his or her choice and then so forth and so on. 

2. A manager or coach of a tournament team must have been a manager or coach of a regular season team.

ATTACHMENT #1

 
 

PITCHING MACHINE RULES – MINOR BASEBALL

AGES 9-11 
 
 

1. SAFETY IS FIRST!
2. 10-Foot circle (dirt area) constitutes free zone.
3. A batted or thrown ball that strikes the machine will be live and played as such so long as it is not in the zone.
4. A battered or thrown ball that strikes the machine or person operating the machine will be live and played as such.
5. Person activating machine will call “ready” prior to each pitch.  At this time all players will assume ready positions and batter will be ready to hit.
6. There is no base on balls.  Hit by pitch will result in batter being awarded first base.
7. Once a batter has:

1. hit the ball
2. struck and missed at three pitches (not including fouls on last strike or
3. been thrown five pitches (not including foul on last pitch)

8. Offensive, Defensive, Umpire or agreed upon volunteer will operate machine.

9. Pitching machine will be used first three innings and pitcher last three innings.
10. Pitching machine speed will be set at #7 @35 mph for baseball.
11. Stealing is only allowed on passed ball.  No advancing on throws back to the pitcher from the catcher.
12. Baseball – Three outs or any put out, on last batter constitutes one half inning being put out.
13. No courtesy runners (except for injury)
14. All other Little League rules apply and cannot be changed through “Gentleman’s Agreement” or otherwise.  Note the rubber is interpreted as one foot in free zone.

ATTACHMENT #2

 
 

PITCHING MACHINE RULES – MINOR SOFTBALL 
 
 

15. SAFETY IS FIRST!
16. 10-Foot circle (dirt area) constitutes free zone.
17. A batted or thrown ball that strikes the machine will be live and played as such so long as it is not in the zone.
18. A battered or thrown ball that strikes the machine or person operating the machine will be live and played as such.
19. Person activating machine will call “ready” prior to each pitch.  At this time all players will assume ready positions and batter will be ready to hit.
20. There is no base on balls.  Hit by pitch will result in batter being awarded first base.
21. Once a batter has:

4. hit the ball
5. struck and missed at three pitches (not including fouls on last strike or
6. been thrown five pitches (not including foul on last pitch)

22. Offensive, Defensive, Umpire or agreed upon volunteer will operate machine.

23. Pitching machine will be used first three innings and pitcher last three innings.
24. Pitching machine speed will be set at #4 @35 mph for softball.
25. Stealing is only allowed on passed ball.  No advancing on throws back to the pitcher from the catcher.
26. Softball – Three outs or any put out, on last batter constitutes one half inning being put out.
27. No courtesy runners (except for injury)
28. All other Little League rules apply and cannot be changed through “Gentleman’s Agreement” or otherwise.  Note the rubber is interpreted as one foot in free zone.

ATTACHMENT #3

 
 
 

LOUISA LITTLE LEAGUE

2008-2009 PEE-WEE LEAGUE 
 
 

1.   At the time of sign-up all 7 and 8 year-olds will try-out for Pee-Wee.
2.    Rules of Pee-Wee will be the same as minor with some minor exceptions:

1. Once teams are picked, no Pee-Wee player can be called up to

minors

2. Pitching machines will be used full-time 
3. Pee-Wee teams will use face guards on their helmets (minors is optional)
4. Players will play positions on the field (vs. all players being on the field at once)
5. No new inning will start following 1.5 hours of play
6. Games will be six  (6) innings long
7. Only one weekday game will be scheduled per-week of play
8. No games will be schedule to finish latter than 8 pm on weeknights
9. The season will be the same as the minor league season
10. Pitching rules will be same as minors (5 pitches, 3 swings except if the third strike is a foul ball)
11. Teams will bat the roster, not the lineup
12. Parents and coaches will perform all umpire duties
13. No more than 5 runs can be scored per inning, play will stop upon the 5^th run scoring
14. No league champion or league record will be maintained (although score can be kept)

      

ATTACHMENT #4

 
 
 
 

2008-2009

Twelve Year-Old Draft Rules 
 
 
 

1. Twelve year olds can be drafted in any round and each team would know before the draft started how many Twelve year olds they would need to draft.
2. The following formula will be used to determine how may twelve year olds a team must select as a minimum if available.  Divide the # of twelve year olds by the # of teams, and draft accordingly, for example if there are 6 teams and 6 twelve year olds each team would get 1 twelve year old.  If any twelve year olds are left, meaning there are 6 teams and 8 twelve year olds, the teams with the fewest twelve year olds returning would draft the remaining twelve year olds.  If there is more than 1 team with the same # of twelve year olds returning the selection would be determined by last years standings.
3. A team must use their last round/rounds to fulfill their minimum draft.

ATTACHMENT #5

LOUISA LITTLE LEAGUE

COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ALL-STAR MONIES

 

1. Louisa Little League will pay for rooms for the duration of state tournament play as follows:

1. Boys – teams carrying 13 players will receive five (5) rooms – to house a maximum of 3 players per room and one manager/coach (or other designated chaperone).
2. Boys – teams carrying 12 players will receive four (4) rooms – to house a maximum of 3 players per room and one manager/coach (or other designated chaperone).
3. Girls – will follow the same rules as above with the exception being if there are male coaches/managers  - one additional room will be allowed.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Collection of extra donations or fundraisers is not a requirement of participation of an all-star team; however, if collected, the person donating the money must be advised that all funds not used in the following manner as a part of the trip, will be returned to Louisa Little League as donations. 

2. If they choose, each team will be responsible for collecting donations and/or fundraising for additional monies for state tournaments.  These additional monies may only be used as follows for players, managers and coaches – and receipts for all purchases must be provided back to the League Treasurer for reconciliation:

1. For meals eaten together as a team.  Buffets are usually available in most locations and are the easiest to attend because they offer a variety of foods for people.
2. Purchase of a state tournament t-shirt and pin – as a souvenir of the tournament.
3. Team activities (movie, putt-putt, etc.) if there is extra time between scheduled games (play early one day and late the next day) in order to keep the players occupied.

 

3. Monies may not be used or distributed in the following manner:

1. Purchase of any individualized item that will not be returned to the League (equipment, shoes, bat bags, etc.).
2. Division of monies to the players/parents.
3. Payment of parent’s, spectators or families’ food, rooms, etc.
4. Payment of a manager/coach’s room that chooses not to be a chaperone in the players’ rooms.
5. Gas money.

 

4. Prior to leaving for the state tournament an accounting of all donations received and fundraising monies must be presented to the League Treasurer (or other person having the ability to signs checks for Louisa Little League).   

1. If time allows, a debit/credit card will be obtained by the League Treasurer in the amount collected and provided to the Team Manager.  Receipts must still be kept for all purchases. 
2. If there is not enough time for (a) above, a check for the total amount collected will be given to the Team Manager.

 

***NOTE: All monies not used during the trip are to be returned to Louisa Little League with receipts.  For reconciliation purposes, the returned money and receipts must total the original amount collected/donated.