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Amended Nov. 17, 2008
MONTCO YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUES
Regulations and Playing Rules
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Section 1 -TEAM PLAYERS ROSTER - MANAGERS - COACHES – FIELD LOCATIONS
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1.1 Any player that played for a MYBL Organization one year and wants to move to a different MYBL Organization the next year must be granted a Waiver by the MYBL Board of Directors. The Organization that the player wants to move to must request the Waiver at a scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. The
Waiver request must be voted on and approved by a 2/3 majority of the Board of Directors present.
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1.2 Complete player rosters for all teams entered and playing in the MYBL will be prepared in triplicate. These rosters must include the players NAME, ADDRESS, BIRTH DATE, TELEPHONE NUMBER, AND NAME OF SCHOOL ATTENDING One copy of this roster is submitted to the President, a second copy is sent to the League's Scheduling Committee Chairman, and the third is kept with the Team Manager's score book and is brought to every game. Rosters should be submitted by the coaches meeting, prior to the start of the season. Any team that does not submit a roster at least 24 hours before the first league game will forfeit all games until the roster is submitted. Players may not be added to a team’s roster past the midpoint of the team’s original schedule, or after a date specific if set by the Commissioner at the start of the season.
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1.3 Managers' and coaches' NAMES, ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND HOME FIELD LOCATIONS, must be submitted to the President on or before the March Board Meeting. The Scheduling Committee should also be notified at this time of any field or schedule limitations. The League schedules cannot be complete until this information is received.
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1.4 League and Age Limit Classification
Senior and Intermediate Leagues .........................................Cannot be 17 before May 1st
Junior League………………………………………………. Cannot be 15 before May 1st
Prep Leagues .....................................................................Cannot be 14 before May 1st
Midget League ...................................................................Cannot be 13 before May 1st
Bantam League...................................................................Cannot be 12 before May 1st
Rookie League....................................................................Cannot be 11 before May 1st
Peanut League ...................................................................Cannot be 10 before May 1st
Above dates refer to current year. Birth certificates are required for all players participating in the MYBL. Any player who will reach an age above the maximum indicated is not eligible to play in that particular league. There is no minimum age in any league. A player can register and play in only one league. Exception: A player may participate in more than one league if a team in a higher age classification is in need of a ninth and/or tenth player. All such players must be identified to the opposing teams head coach, at the ground rules meeting, prior to the start of the game or they will otherwise be treated as illegal players. No younger player brought up may start ahead of a player on a team’s regular roster. A player may also be moved up on a permanent basis providing this is done prior to the midway point of league schedule, and is approved by the Commissioner. Once moved up on a permanent basis, a player cannot return to the lower classification. If this should be done without the approval of the Commissioner, it will result in the forfeiture of all games played by the team in violation.
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1.5 At the conclusion of player’s season (regular and playoffs) no player can play on any other Montco baseball
team unless qualified to do so under the exception rule of section 1.4 above.
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1.6 Each team will be allowed to roster eighteen (18) players.
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1.7 All teams will be fully and similarly uniformed and all games will be professionally umpired. Under special circumstances, where an umpire is not available, the teams may decide prior to the game to play with umpires supplied by one or both of the teams. Once the game begins neither team may reverse that decision and the outcome is binding.
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1.8 The playing rules will be the Official Major League Baseball Rules as published by Triumph Book except as modified by MYBL.
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1.9 Extra Player Rule: The extra player must be declared by the Manager at the lineup before the game. The extra player can bat anywhere in the ten (10) batter lineup. The nine (9) fielders may be made up of any of the ten (10) starters and may change every inning. An injured, ill or ejected player with no eligible substitute, in the extra player lineup, results in an out at the missing spot in the batting order. All MONTCO Leagues can use the Extra Player Rule, it is up to the individual team manager if he/she want to use it.
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SECTION 2 -PLAYING FIELDS
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2.1 Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Prep Leagues: The field, and all dimensions will be of regulation size, as specified by The Official Major League Baseball Rules.
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2.2 Midget and Bantam Leagues: The distance between all bases will be 75 feet and the distance between home plate and the front side of the pitcher's plate will be 50 feet. Home plate, bases and the pitcher's plate will be identical sizes with those required by The Official Major League Baseball Rules.
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2.3 Peanut and Rookie Leagues: The distance between bases will be 60 feet and the distance between home plate and the front side of the pitcher's plate will be 45 feet.
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SECTION 3 – SCHEDULE
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3.1 It will be the responsibility of the Scheduling Committee of each League, as appointed by the President, to arrange an equitable playing schedule. This can only be accomplished through the cooperation of the member teams, clubs and organizations.
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SECTION 4 –EQUIPMENT
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4.1 All regulation baseball equipment and accessories are legal and may be used at the team's discretion with the following exception(s): Players in the Peanut, Rookie, Bantam and Midget Leagues are not permitted to wear shoes with metal spikes.
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4.2 The MYBL requires that each team have available a sufficient supply of DOUBLE EARFLAP BATTING HELMETS. Batters must wear these helmets, and PROTECTIVE HELMETS must be worn by ALL BASE RUNNERS AND CATCHERS. Catchers are required to wear a heavy duty cup, and it is recommended that all players wear a cup for their protection. Catchers are to wear masks with extended throat protector cage orseparate throat protector during the game as well as while warming-up pitchers. Ball boys are to be equipped with protective helmets when operating on the field. Penalty: The batter or runner will be warned of violation of the above rules and will be ejected if he refuses to comply. A catcher will be disqualified if he refuses to comply. Chin straps, properly worn, is required on all helmets for games in the Peanut, Rookie, Bantam, and Midget Leagues.
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4.3 All players and coaches below the age of 19 are required to wear protective helmets while participating in the coaches' boxes. Those who refuse will be disqualified from further participation.
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4.4 All players and coaches below the age of 19 are required to wear a catcher's mask with throat protection while warming up pitchers on or off the playing field. Those who refuse will be disqualified from further participation.
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4.5 It will be the responsibility of the home team to furnish all baseballs in suitable condition in the opinionof the Umpire-in-Chief, including at least one new baseball. Any first-class baseball acceptable in high school play is permitted; however, synthetic covered balls are not permitted.
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4.6 A player must wear the MYLB patch on his uniform (left sleeve or breast) or he cannot participate in the game.
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4.7 Any equipment judged by the Umpire to be potentially dangerous, is illegal. Jewelry is prohibited, with the exceptions of medical alert tags taped to the body visibly.
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4.8 First Aid kits must be carried to all games by every team, home or away.
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4.9 Wood, metallic or alloy bats are approved for play as follows:
Peanut, Rookie, Bantam and Midget LeaguesCurrent Little League Baseball Rules
- Maximum length - 33"
- Maximum diameter - 2 1/4"
Prep, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Leagues
- Current PIAA Baseball Rules
- Maximum length/weight differential of minus 3 (-3)
- Maximum length - 36"
- Maximum diameter - 2 5/8"
SECTION 5 – GAMES
5.1 Length of Games:
- Peanut and Rookie Leagues - 6 innings
- Bantam, Midget, Prep, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Leagues - 7 innings
5.2 In case of a tie, extra innings will be played, provided that at the time, natural conditions permit it. It is also a regulation game, if called by the Umpire-in-Chief because of darkness, rain or other causes provided four or more equal innings have been played (three and one-half innings, if the home team has scored more runs at the end of its third inning than the visiting team has scored in its four complete innings). A game that is not regulation will be suspended, to be resumed from point of suspension at a later date with all records in tact.
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5.3 If a regulation game ends in a tie for any reason, it will be counted as a half win and half loss for each team in determining league standings. A tie game called for any reason in a playoff will be a suspended game and resumed as directed by the Commissioner. 5.4 There are no time limits for Bantam, Midget, Prep, Junior, Intermediate or Senior Leagues. Games will not be scheduled on a field less than two hours apart, however, two and one half hours to three hours is preferable. The home team coach should address any time limits on a field prior to the game, during the ground rule meeting with the opposing coach and umpires. If there is a time limit, no new inning will begin 15 minutes prior to that time. Should the time limit expire and the inning is not complete, the score will revert back to the last full inning. The umpire may count the inning as being complete if in their judgment either team purposely delayed the inning from being completed. If there is no mention of a time limit it should be assumed that the game will be played to the completion. Games may be shortened as provided in paragraph5.2 above. 5.5 Lineup “cards” must be exchanged by the teams prior to the start of the game. Lineup “cards” should include the last names of all the players eligible for the game along with their player number. It should indicate the starting lineup, their beginning positions, and all eligible substitutes. Players may not be added to the lineup card once the game begins. Any time a player is entered or re-entered into the game that team must give those changes to the opposing teams coach or scorekeeper. Scorekeepers must record all player changes in their official books. This does not include position changes. 5.6 A Rookie, Bantam or Midget game will end in the fifth inning (or later) when a team is 15 (or more) runs behind. A Prep, Junior, Intermediate or Senior game will end in the fifth inning (or later) when a team is 10 (or more) runs behind and batted as many times as the team that is ahead. 5.7 Game results - – The winning team’s manager or coach shall call in or email the final score of the game and the game number to the Scheduling Chairman, or their designee, within 48 hours after each game. In the case of a tie game, the home team shall report the score. A team will not be credited with a win until the score is reported. If a team continually fails to report scores on a timely basis disciplinary action can be taken by theCommissioner, which can include forfeiture of games. 5.8 Lightening - Umpire in Charge will stop a game at the first sign of lightening and the game will not be continued that day. The game will have to be rescheduled if not official. 5.9 Postponements - The home team manager or coach shall contact the Scheduling Chairman as early as possible if a game will be postponed. Unless the Scheduling Chairman is notified, the umpire(s) will have to make an unnecessary trip that will cost the home team one-half the umpire's fee. The Montco League Agreement with the umpire services specifies that if the umpire is not notified before he leaves for the game,he is entitled to be paid one-half of the game fee. 5.10 Game Times - Starting times for games will be:
- Week Nights: 6:00 p.m. (regular season games)
- Sundays and Holidays: 1:00 p.m. or later or by agreement between the coaches. Coaches to express
- inability to play earlier on Sundays on their field schedule submissions.
- Playoff Games: 5:45 p.m. (week nights)
- Saturday: Regular Season - dependent upon field availability
- Play-off Games: Set by the Scheduling Chairman based on field availability.
5.11 Rescheduling of Games: All postponed games must be rescheduled by the teams involved within two days. Both coaches will arrive at a mutually agreeable date and then contact the Scheduling Chairman for approval. If the two teams cannot agree on a scheduling date, or the home team makes no attempt to reschedule the game, then the Scheduling Chairman will reschedule the game at a date, time and location of hischoosing and both teams must play. Penalty for failure to comply will be a forfeit. If both teams refuse to play, each team will receive a loss. No games will be rescheduled during the last week of the season without prior approval by the League Commissioner. 5.12 All scheduled league games must be played as scheduled unless the Commissioner rules otherwise. SECTION 6 - PLAYERS/MANAGERS/COACHES 6.1 Any of the nine starting players may be withdrawn from the game and re-enter once, provided such player occupies the same batting order position whenever he is in the line-up. A substitute player, once withdrawn, may not re-enter the game. 6.2 If a player(s) becomes sick and/or injured so that he cannot continue, or is ejected and no legal substitute remains to replace him, an abnormal substitution may be made as follows: the opposing team's manager or captain shall choose a substitute (non-starter) not otherwise eligible because of having been once removed from the game to replace the injured player. If no such substitute is available, any starting player who is not in the current line-up may be chosen by the opposing team. Such an abnormal substitute must be otherwise eligible to play and may not have been previously ejected from the game by an umpire. An injured player replaced under these circumstances may not return to the game. 6.3 The offensive manager, at his discretion, may use a courtesy runner (any eligible player not in the current line-up) for the pitcher and/or catcher to speed up the game. The number of outs is not material. 6.4 A runner cannot leap or jump over another player at home plate. When a defensive player has the ball and is waiting to tag the runner, the runner must slide or legally avoid the tag. If the runner crashes into the defensive player, he is declared out whether the ball is held or not. The ball is immediately dead and other runners must return to the last base legally touched at the time of the collision. A player shall not maliciously run into a fielder. Penalty-offender is banished from the game. 6.5 A fielder may not fake a tag without the ball on any runner or he will be charged with obstruction. 6.6 Restrictions for maximum innings pitched by an individual player per game:
- Peanut and Rookie - Three innings per game
- Bantam and Midget - Four innings per game
- Prep - Five innings per game
- Junior, Intermediate and Senior - No restrictions
NOTE: Delivery of a single pitch shall count as one inning pitched. The above restrictions apply to consecutive and non consecutive innings pitched per game. Teams are strongly encouraged to track and limit the number of pitches a pitcher throws, both in a game and per week. 6.7 A player can re-enter as a pitcher or any position only once during a game. A pitcher removed as a pitcher by rule (a manager's or coaches second visit to the pitcher mount in an inning) cannot re-enter as a pitcher during that game. 6.8 Hit Batter Rule: No pitcher may hit three batters in one inning or a total of five batters in a game. If, or when either of these situations occurs, the pitcher must be immediately removed from the pitching position. He may continue to play at another defensive position, but he is not permitted to pitch again during that game. SECTION 7 - Supplemental Rules for the Peanut and Rookie Leagues 7.1 Six inning games. 7.2 Extra Player Rule can be used. 7.3 A new inning cannot start after the game has gone two (2) hours. 7.4 Pitchers can pitch a maximum of three (3) per game. 7.5 Batter cannot advance to first on a dropped third strike. 7.6 Fifteen Run Rule will occur in the fourth inning or later, when a team is 15 (or more) runs behind and has batted as many times as the team that is ahead. 7.7 Runner(s) may not leave the base until the pitch reaches home plate. If the runner(s) leave the base early and the pitch is not hit, they must return to their original base. If the runner(s) leave the base early and the pitch is hit, they can only advance as far as one base beyond the base gained by the batter. 7.8 A runner on third base when play begins may only score when a batted ball is put into play or a bases loaded walk or hit batter. 7.9 Runner(s) starting on first or second base may only score by batter’s performance (i.e. hit ball). 7.10 Runner(s) starting on first or second base may advance as far as they want if the ball is put into play by a batted ball. SECTION 8 - FORFEITURE AND PROTEST 8.1 A team failing to field at least nine uniformed players will forfeit the game after fifteen (15) minutes beyond the scheduled game time. 8.2 Playing ineligible players will result in the forfeiture of all games in which such players participated. 8.3 The umpire-in-chief may declare a game forfeited when a team fails to appear on the field 15 minutes after the umpire has called "Play Ball", at the appointed hour for the beginning of a game, unless such delayed appearance is in the umpire's judgment unavoidable. In the event that neither team appears within 15 minutes of the appointed hour, a loss will be recorded for both team regardless of whether a game is played or not. 8.4 If a team in any league forfeits or withdraws a team the following fines will be enforced:
- $20.00 - For withdrawing before the season but after schedules have been made
- $20.00 - and umpire fees if forfeiting team is the away team
- $30.00 - and umpire fees if forfeiting team is the away team. For the second regular season
- forfeit.
- $50.00 - and umpire fees if forfeiting team is away team. For third or more regular season forfeit.
8.5 A team that forfeits three (3) games is out of the League, at their level, for the balance of that season. All games scheduled for the forfeiting team become wins for their opponents regardless if they were played prior to a team being removed from the League. 8.6 A protest that involves an umpire's judgment of play is not permitted. Only protests that are based upon an interpretation of a rule will be considered. In order to be able to file a protest the following events must occur:A) at the time of the play in question, and before the next pitch, the manager must state to the umpire-in-chief and the opposing manager that they are playing the rest of the game under protest. If the event in question occurs at the end of the game the protesting manager must state the protest to the umpire-in-charge and the opposing manager prior to them leaving the field.B) Protesting manager and opposing manager shall mark in their books the place where the protest occurred.C) Protesting manager will have the umpire-in-chief sign the book at that time.D) Protesting manager will send his written protest to the Baseball Commissioner, containing all relevant facts and rules regarding the protest, within 24 hours from the completion of the game along with a check for $20.00.E) The Baseball Commissioner will forward the written protest to the Competition Committee for their review and ruling.F) If the Competition Committee rules in favor of the protesting team, the $20.00 will be refunded. SECTION 9 – EJECTIONS 9.1 Disciplinary action for managers/coaches or players ejected from games are as follows:
- Managers/Coaches: Automatic two game suspension. If deemed necessary, additional disciplinary action will be determined by the Competition Committee.
- Players: Automatic one game suspension. If deemed necessary, additional disciplinary action will be determined by the Commissioner of Baseball.
9.2 It is responsibility of the head coach or manager to report (to the Baseball Commissioner, or their designee) and self enforce all ejections for players and coaches on their team, including themselves. If the head coach fails to report or enforce all ejections they will subject to a two game suspension and further disciplinary action by the Competition Committee if deemed appropriate. Inappropriate behavior of the coaches and players off the field can lead to suspensions by the Baseball Commissioner and/or the Competition Committee. SECTION 10 - UMPIRE SERVICE 10.1 The umpire service and the assignment of the umpires will be the responsibility of the Umpire Coordinator. 10.2 The HOME TEAM SCORE BOOK MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL UMPIRES; this will be the responsibility of the home team manager. 10.3 The Umpire Associates and the scheduling committee must be notified at least TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED GAME TIME of any cancellation of a REGULARLY SCHEDULED OR PLAYOFF GAME. 10.4 Any protest must be made immediately (before the next pitch or play) and a written copy of the protest must be forwarded to the Competition Committee and Commissioner. 10.5 The umpire service will assign one umpire for each Rookie, Bantam, and Midget games. Two umpires will be assigned to each Prep, Junior, Intermediate and Senior games. All playoff games will have two umpires assigned. 10.6 If an umpire refuses to sign a score book upon the request of a manager, refuses to divulge his name, or in some other manner proves to be uncooperative the umpire may be banished from the MYBL. If this situation should occur, the MYBL also has no financial obligation to pay the umpire. 10.7 The umpire will have the authority to eject or banish B from the game or the field B any player, manager, coach or spectator for the following reasons and/or violations: UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT, PROFANITY, FISTICUFFS, and UNNECESSARY ARGUING, BAITING and NEEDLING of the umpire or opposing team member.10.8 In the event no umpire appears, the game will be rescheduled, unless both managers agree to play with substitute umpires; then the game will be official. 10.9 The Umpire Association will be, made aware of these RULES and REGULATIONS. The MYBL and the Commissioner will expect 100% cooperation from the Umpire Association and all umpires. SECTION 11 -LEAGUE STANDINGS-PLAYOFFS-CHAMPIONSHIPS 11.1 Players who appear on a team roster with an appropriate birth certificates are eligible for that team’s playoff games if they have played in fifty (50%) percent or more of the actual games played during the regular season. Players must be officially entered into the game to count toward participation. This would not include courtesy runners for the pitcher or catcher. Players entered into the game must be given to the opposing teams coach or scorekeeper at the time of entry. 11.2 The POINT SYSTEMS will be used in order to determine the league standings throughout the year. The team accumulating the greatest number of points after the completion of its league schedule shall be declared the league of divisional champion. Points will be awarded as follows:
- TWO (2) Points for each WIN
- ONE (1) Point for each TIE
- No (0) points for each LOSS
11.3 For tie breaker system see 11.9 below 11.4 League formats-As presented by the Commissioner and adopted by the Board prior to the start of the season. 11.5 Playoff formats-As presented by the Commissioner and adopted by the Board prior to the start of the season. 11.6 No player will be eligible to participate in any PLAYOFF or CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES unless his name appears on the CURRENT YEAR TEAM ROSTER and has played the necessary amount of games as stated in section 11.1. The Commissioner will rule on all eligibility questions. 11.7 To be eligible for CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS a team must have completed its full schedule. The Commissioner may adjust this rule due to weather or schedule revisions. 11.8 ALL PLAYOFF GAMES must be started promptly at 5:45 P.M. on weekdays. Playoff games must be played to the full seven (7) innings unless shortened by Montco League Rules. All playoff games started and not completed will be considered a suspended game. Suspended games must be completed at a site determined by the Commissioner before another playoff game is played. 11.9 Two (2) umpires will be assigned by the umpire service to each playoff game. Playoff umpires costs are equally supported by each franchise within its league, equally divided and billed by MYBL treasurer. 11.10 “Tie breaker” systemA. Place in own division, as determined by point system (Win=2 points, Loss=0 points, Tie=1 point).B. Overall winning percentage (Tie = 1/2 Win).C. Winning percentage in own division when the teams are not in the same division, use next tie-breaker. (Tie = 1/2 Win).D. Season’s record against team(s) tied (in case of 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-way tie aggregate “performance against” record will be used). When only one game has been played between the teams use next tie-breaker.E. Overall strength points (sum of all points earned by teams you defeated; ties earn one-half of those points.F. Strength points in own division.G. Coin toss. Note: In no case will a team be denied a place in playoffs because of items listed above. A special (one-game) playoff would be scheduled in this instance; home field advantage would, however, follow the above system.The above system is to be used to determine the following:(a) which team(s) gain “BYES” in preliminary playoff rounds.(b) the order of finish within divisions and its resultant playoff berth seeding.
(c) Home-field advantage.
