Nippersink Baseball Association: Rules & Amendments
Thursday, April 92009 Rules and Amendments
The Nippersink Pony League will follow IHSA Baseball Rules with the addition of the following amendments:
1. SUBSTITUTION RULE:
a. NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Each team will list all of their players attending the game on their batting roster, but play the field with (9) players only. However, they may play with a minimum of eight (8) players, if only (8) show up. In the event a team plays a game with only eight (8)players, the ninth spot in the line up would be an automatic out. If a team starts the game with more than 9 players, and a player is removed for an injury, there is no automatic out in that injured players batting spot. If there are 10 players in the line-up and a player is ejected, and a player is also removed for an injury, there will be an out for the ejected player only. If a team starts a game with only nine players, and a player is removed for an injury, there will be an out in that position. The reasoning behind this rule, is that we modified our playing rules to accommodate a continuous batting order, and asked for all players to bat. Therefore we will not penalize a team with more than 9 players playing, because of an injury, unless they only bring nine players to start a game.
2. PROTEST PROCEDURE:
In the event a Manager wants to protest a game, the following will apply:
a. The Manager must file the protest with the umpire and opposing Manager before the next pitch.
b. A written report of the event must be submitted to the league president within 48 hours. This Report must include the names of both teams, Managers, and the name of the presiding umpire. The officers of the league will meet with both managers either in person or by teleconference to discuss the event.
c. The league will issue a Ruling on the protest, and make a determination of how to settle the protest. ALL LEAGUE DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
3. TEAM ROSTERS:
All teams must supply a list of all Roster players to the Nippersink Board for the 2009 season by Friday April 3rd 2009. All players required information (name, jersey, DOB) must be entered into the eteamz website prior to the first pitch of the current season. The maximum players allowed is fifteen (15). All players must be rostered only in the Nippersink league. High School players must finish the high school season prior to playing in Nippersink. They cannot practice with the Nippersink team until High School B-Ball is final.
Violation of this rule will cause all games played with the offending player to be forfeited by his/her team. Additionally that player will be automatically suspended from the league for the remainder of the season.
4. Player Call Up:
Teams will be permitted to call up players in the event they can not field a nine man team for any game. The player called up must be from a lower level (ie: Bronco). It is recommended "In House" players are used over "Travel" players. If a team calls up a player, it is the responsibility of the manager to make arrangements with their respective coordinator. The player called up is prohibited from pitching, and can not start before a roster player. If a roster player shows up prior to the game, the Bronco player cannot play the field but can bat (cont order). The mgr should clearly review these rules with the parents PRIOR to the season and set the expectations on the front end.
5. TIME LIMIT:
All Nippersink regular season games will be played within a two hours and 15 minutes time limit. No new inning may be started after the two hour mark. At the two hour 15 minute mark and the game is still not ended, the game will be stopped and will revert to the last completed inning of play for a decision. In the event of a tie game, one additional inning will be allowed after the two hour mark. The only exception to play more than one extra inning is in the event the game is still under the two hour time limit. In this case extra innings will be allowed up to the two hour mark. In the event a game is only thru four complete innings of play, the remaining inning should be played to complete the game. Four innings and the 2 hr mark is NOT a complete game. If it can be played immediately without serious interuption of other games, then play the game. If not, the balance must be rescheduled. A community field director may need to help make the decision. Teams arriving late for games, will only be allowed 15 minutes extra time to start the game and will forfeit if time lapse is more than 15 mins after the official start time. 2 hour rule applies to late starting games. Of course, the league would hope that all mgrs would use good judgemnet as to certain situations when enforcing this rule. Also, games should move at a steady
6. FIELDS & SLIDING RULES:
a. Nippersink Baseball Association games are played on (80) foot base length, and (54) foot pitchers mound.
b. High School sliding rules apply: In the event of a play at the base you are moving to it is the responsibility of both players to avoid contact.
c. Fake tags are prohibited in Nippersink. This is poor sportsmanship and will not be tolerated.
d. RULE: If a player is deemed to have "intent to injure" whether it be while on defense, base running, pitching, or any other situation,the umpire determines if the player is to be ejected from the game and that there was intent to injure.
PENALTY: Ejection from that game, plus an automatic one game suspension from the league to be enforced at the teams next game.
Prevention of this is the responsibility of Managers and will be enforced by the umpires. All umpire decisions in this matter are final. Safety of our players is our # 1 concern so we will not review the judgment of any umpire when it comes to the safety of the players.
7. BAT SIZE:
Nippersink Requires ( +/- 3 ) for all bats used. Regulation wood bats are also approved for use. Failure to use an approved bat will result in a automatic out and ejection from the game.
7A. Showing Bunt and "slap" swinging, or swinging away after showing bunt, is illegal. Batters should be called out by the umpire. This should be reviewed prior to the game with each new umpire.
8. SHOES:
No player will be permitted to step onto a Nippersink Pony League Field wearing metal spikes. METAL SPIKES ARE BANNED AT ALL NIPPERSINK EVENTS! In the event a player is found wearing metal spikes by either a player, Manager, or Umpire the player will be immediately ejected from the game. Should the same player commit the same offense one more than one occasion the league may impose a suspension of the player of up to three games.
9. Helmets:
Helmets must be worn on the offensive side off the field at all times. When the player ENTERS the dugout their helmet can be removed. Players not complying with this rule can be ejected from the game by the umpire.
9. PITCHING RULES:
a. A pitcher may only pitch (4) innings maximum in a regular season game, and no more than (14) innings in a week. In the event of a make-up game (2) additional innings will be allowed for weather related cancelations. This rule does NOT apply to general rescheduled games that are changed due to "date conflict". This only applys when you are finishing a game that was "previously started" and was called because of weather, not a game that was called before it started.
b. If involved in two games in one day, the player must follow the (7) inning rule maximum with any combination being used. If this is the case, any pitcher pitching more than 4 innings for the day must observe 40 hrs of rest beginning from the end of the final game.
c. One (1) pitched ball constitutes an inning pitched. Once a pitcher is removed from pitching he/she can not return to pitch in that game.
d. Any pitcher that hits (3) batters in one inning or (4) in a game must be removed.
e. Sunday at 5:00 AM is the beginning of the week.
f. All-Star games do not count as innings pitched for the week.
g. Mgrs should use "Good" judgement and keep the pitchers at 85 pitches or less per game.
10. Playing Time Rules:
a. All teams will use a continuous batting order.
b. All players must play a minimum 2 innings in the field. No player shall sit for more than two consecutive innings.
c. FREE SUBSTITUTION RULE
d. Mgrs should use good ethical judgement and play all players within the first 4 innings of the game so all players see action, in case the 12 run slaughter rule eliminates the field play of a player.
11.UMPIRE NO SHOW - In the event of a NO SHOW by any Fox Valley Blues Umpire, the game will be re-scheduled as soon as possible, and the home team must notify the league of the NO SHOW.
It is still the home teams/organization responsibility to reschedule with Fox Valley Blues for the umpire for the make up date.
Because scheduled games are difficult to make up, it is ok to use subst umpires if they are available, AND both teams agree to this prior to the game. They should be paid accordingly also by the home team.
12. MISSED GAMES, GAME CHANGES, OR MAKE-UP's - ALL missed games must be reported to the Webmaster within 48 hrs by the home team. Both teams will have 5 days to re-schedule the missed game. The home team must notify FVB, League Officers, and the opposing team, via e-mail, phone, or fax, and file confirmation and approval of request. If the home team is having a difficult time reaching or re-scheduling with the opposing team, the League officers and community director must be contacted for assistance. All game changes must be done between both team mgrs within the league approved dates. Changes must be reported within 48 hrs (as above) and scheduled within 5 days. If you fail to report a rainout, or missed game to the league, the home team will be recorded with the loss since it's the home teams responsibility to inform the opponent and FVB. If it then exceeds the 5 allowed days to reschedule, BOTH teams will be recorded with the loss. The Home team will get their loss on the website immediately, and we will adjust the visiting teams record and record the loss at year end prior to playoff seeding.
13. Rain, Lightning, or Darkness - Games called because of weather or darkness will be considered complete after 5 complete innings or 4.5 with the home team winning. If the game is called prior to 5 complete innings, the both teams should write down the time started and stopped, verify their scorebooks agree exactly, have FVB sign their book, and re-schedule the balance in time or innings (which ever comes first). This must also be reported under the 48 hr rule. Then, please follow rule #12 above to complete the remainder of the game. As responsible mgrs, we expect all mgrs to clealy communicate their viewpoints of any game, that appears to be headinging into any of the situations above "prior" to making conflicting decisions after the fact.
13A. It is the resposibility of the Home team mgr to be "in-tune" with their local weather on game day. in the event of questionable weather, the mgr should contact the opposing mgr (phone then e-mail) and communicate his/her intentions for that day. Updates throughout the day should also be communicated if changes occur.
13B. Because rainout games are difficult to determine, decisions should be made within a reasonable time frame, allowing the oposing team enough time to travel AND communicate to all opposing players the intention of the game. This process should also be well communicated to the parents PRIOR to the season starting, so they know what to expect. Mgrs should also understand that every intention should be made to play the game unless safety of the players is at risk, or the home team does not have authority to use the field under adverse weather conditions. This process could also mean if rain arrives inside of the "90 minute required rainout call-in time", they will be charged an umpire fee.
13C. All Rain-Outs must be phoned in to the rain hot line by the Home team. In addition to the phone call, the home team is also responsible of e-mailing the league within 48 hrs, and copying your opponents. If you fail to report a rainout, or missed game to the league, the home team will be recorded with the loss since it's the home teams responsibility to inform the opponent and FVB. If it then exceeds the 5 allowed days to reschedule, BOTH teams will be recorded with the loss. The Home team will get their loss on the website immediately, and we will adjust the visiting teams record and record the loss at year end prior to playoff seeding.
14. COMPLETED GAME RESULTS - Game results must be e-mailed, phoned, or faxed within 48 hrs to the webmaster by the winning team. Information provided must include game date, teams involved, final score, innings pitched by all pitchers, first and last names, and jersey numbers of all pitchers. Also copy the opposing manager for confirmation. The 2009 Mgr/Coach contact list located in the handout section on the home page will have all current information. If you do not update the scores on the website immediately, please E-Mail gop1nra@aol.com, or FAX 815 675 2653, or Phone - 815 675-2620 speaking slowly and clearly. Failure to provide this within 48 hrs will result in a forfeit of the winning team. It is PREFFERED TO HAVE ALL GAME STATS ENTERED BY THE WINNING TEAM, or 2nd e-mailed, or 3rd faxed, or lastly...phoned in. Again, phoned messages must be done clearly, speaking slowly, and spelling when applicable.
15. 12 Run slaughter rule will be enforced. A team winning by 12 or more runs after 5 innings of play will be determined the winner. If the home team is winning by this margin the game will end after 4.5 innings.
16. Sportsmanship: Any Player throwing equipment or using profanity can be automatically ejected from the game, at the discretion of the umpire, and must serve a one game suspension. Any team taunting the opponent from the dug-out, will automatically forfeit the game, at the discretion of the umpire. Players on base should not taunt pitchers verbally or by clapping hands while on base. It is the Mgrs/Coaches responsibility to correct this at once. Umpires will hold the final decision. Any parent/fan ejected from the game/stands by the Umpire for display of abusive behavior to any player, team, coach, fan, or Umpire, will be removed from the park and serve a one game suspension. "All suspensions" generally are considered the current game of the violation, and the NEXT scheduled game.
17. Coaches are not allowed to sit outside of dug-outs during the game. Based on the umpires discretion, an automatic ejection from the game will result is this safety rule is violated.
18. Coaches Ejections: Like players ejections, coaches will also observe missing the next scheduled game in the event they are ejected from any game. The cannot participate form the dugout, but can sit in the bleachers during the second game only.
The Nippersink Rules are put in place with the intent of giving all mgrs guidelines or instructions to clearly follow while playing the game of baseball in this league or at this level of play. It is continually preached and understood by all the mgrs and the league, that we are only here to provide the players a great learning life experience, with positive lasting memories of teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect. Winning should NEVER come at the cost of jeopardizing any of the areas above.
The integrity of these rules is the responsibility of all Managers, and umpires. Any team found in violation of this rules by the league will be penalized accordingly by the league which could include suspension, forfeit, dismissal or all.
A COPY OF THESE RULES, ALONG WITH THE IHSA RULE BOOK, SHOULD BE PRESENT AT EVERY NIPPERSINK GAME AND IN THE DIRECT POSSESSION OF EACH TEAM
The Natural