St. Margaret's Bay Baseball Association: Standard Operating Procedures
2005 Standard Operating ProceduresStandard Operating Policies Rev. 23.05.2005 SMBBA
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to identify and catalogue the operational policies of the St. Margaret’s Bay Baseball Association (SMBBA).
Goals
The goals of the SMBBA toward their Recreational League and Rep Teams are to provide leadership, player development, promote fair play and sportsmanship, in a form where fun and excitement for the game of baseball can be shared and enjoyed by all.
Registration
All Baseball Players must be registered with SMBBA in order to be insured through Baseball Nova Scotia. For liability reasons, players not registered and insured with SMBBA are not permitted to participate in practices or games which are being conducted by members of SMBBA.
Coaching
Certification
SMBBA promotes coaching development and recommends that all Recreational league coaches become certified through Baseball Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). All rep ball coaches have to be certified in accordance with Baseball Canada NCCP and Baseball Nova Scotia coaching regulations.
Certification Tuition Fees
SMBBA recommends that community recreation associations reimburse coaches for tuition fees associated with obtaining NCCP level 1 and 2 certification. In the event that a community recreation association cannot afford or will not reimburse a coach for their tuition fees upon successful completion of their NCCP level 1 and/or 2, SMBBA will reimburse that coach. To receive reimbursement, the individual is required to provide a receipt of proof of payment for tuition and NCCP card with level identified.
Selection of Rep. Ball Head Coaches
All coaches applying for Head Coach positions for Rep. Ball teams are subjected to the SMBBA Framework for selection of Rep. Ball Head Coaches.
Selection of Rep. Ball Asst. Coaches
The Head Coach is responsible for selecting Asst. Rep. Ball Coaches and he/she is also accountable for ensuring that Asst. Coaches conduct themselves in a professional manner and adhere to SMBBAs bylaws.
Selection of Recreational League Head Coaches
Community recreation associations are responsible for selecting Recreational League Head Coaches are also accountable for ensuring that Head Coaches conduct themselves in a professional manner and adhere to SMBBAs bylaws.
Selection of Recreational League Asst. Coaches
The Head Coach is responsible for selecting Asst. Recreational League Coaches and he/she is also accountable for ensuring that Asst. Coaches conduct themselves in a professional manner and adhere to SMBBAs bylaws.
Coaches’ Responsibility
The Head Coach is responsible and accountable for the actions of all players assigned to his/her team while at and during any SMBBA baseball games and practices.
Coaches’ Background Check
All coaches are required to have an RCMP Background Check completed and forwarded to SMBBA Registrar.
Certification Tuition Fees
SMBBA will reimburse all Umpires for their tuition fees upon successful completion of their BNSUB level 1 and/or 2 certification, subject to Umpiring a minimum of six games in SMBBA. Umpires must produce proof of payment for tuition and a copy of BNSUD card, with level identified.
Number of Umpires Per Game
Two Umpires will be assigned to each game in all levels of play.
2005 Pay Rates for Umpires
SMBBA will pay Umpires in accordance with the schedule of rates produced annually by BNSUD. At present, these rates are:
Level Plate Umpire Field Umpire
Midget $40.00 $30.00
Bantam $35.00 $25.00
Peewee $27.00 $18.00
Mosquito $24.00 $18.00
Payment of Umpires
At the beginning of each game Umpires must be paid in cash by the home team coach.
Notification of Umpires
If a game is cancelled, the home field Head Coach must contact the Official Coordination of Umpires prior to 5 pm the day of the game.
Cancellation of Game
In the event a game is cancelled by the Home Team Coach due to weather or field conditions after the Umpires are at the field, Umpires are entitled to $7.50 each to cover transportation costs.
One Umpire
In the event only one Umpire shows up to officiate a game, he/she is entitled to the Umpires plate fee, plus half of the Field Umpires fee. Also, if only the scheduled Field Umpire arrives for the game, that Umpire may officiate from behind the pitcher.
Discontinuance of a Game in Progress
Once the plate meeting has taken place, the Home Plate Umpire is in charge of discontinuance of the game due to weather conditions or darkness.
Strike Zone Mosquito Recreational League
In order to keep the game moving and to get batters swinging their bats, there will be a liberal strike zone.
Rep Ball Teams
Registration and Level
Registering a team with Baseball Nova Scotia and associated level of play is the responsibility of SMBBA Rep Ball Co-ordinator.
Equipment
All equipment purchases to be pre-approved by SMBBA Rep Ball Co-ordinator or by SMBBA Executive, in the absence of the Rep Ball Co-ordinator.
Release of Players
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Recreational League
Mosq Peewee Bantam Midget
Base Distance 60 ft. 70 ft. 80 ft. 90 ft.
Pitching Distance 44 ft. 48 ft. 54 ft. 60 ft. 6 in.
Number of Innings 6 7 7 7
League Rules
Recreational League Coordinator prepares and presents the Recreational League Rules annually to SMBBA for approval. All Recreational league games are governed by Baseball Canada’s Official Rules of Baseball 2005 edition, supplemented by SMBBA Recreational League Rules.
Game Schedule
Regular season and championship games are scheduled by the SMBBA Recreational League Coordinator and subject to approval of the SMBBA Executive.
Start Time For Games
Game time will be 6:15 pm. Players should be at the field 15 minutes before game time. The second game at Greenwood Hgts. on Monday Nights starts at 830 pm.
Personal Protective Equipment
All players must wear protective cups. Catchers must wear all protective gear, including throat protector. Batters on deck, batters and base runners must wear helmets with chin straps.
Footwear
Absolutely no metal spikes allowed.
Batting Line Up
All players on the team are in the batting line up. Players can be changed in the field and can be brought back into the game at anytime and at any position, with the exception of the Pitcher. Two batting line-ups will be presented at the beginning of each game, one for the Plate Umpire and one for the opposing coach. All overage players are to be noted and brought to the attention of the Umpire and the opposing coach.
Stealing of Bases
Stealing of any base is permitted at all levels of play. Leading off is permitted at the Peewee level and up. No leading off is permitted at the Mosquito level. Stealing of a base at the Mosquito level can only occur after the ball has crossed the plate and before the ball is returned to the Pitcher, who, in the opinion of the Umpire, is on the Pitcher’s mound or within the Pitcher’s mound circle. If a Pitcher is outside the Pitcher’s mound circle and has possession of the ball, any stealing attempts can continue. Batters in Mosquito and Peewee may not run on a dropped third strike. However base runners may steel at there own risk on a dropped third strike.
Bunting
Bunting is permitted at all levels of play. A player may attempt to bunt on all three strikes. An attempted bunt that goes foul on the third strike will be called out.
Pitchers in Mosquito/Peewee/Bantam/Midget
• Each Mosquito Pitcher may pitch no more than 2 innings per game, which must be consecutive.
• Each Peewee Pitcher may pitch no more than 3 innings per game, which must be consecutive.
• Each Bantam/Midget Pitcher may pitch no more than 4 innings per game, which must be consecutive.
• One pitch constitutes one inning pitched.
Results of Games
The results of all games must be reported to the SMBBA Recreational League Coordinator within 24 hours of playing a scheduled game, by the winning team coach. In the event of a tie, cancellation (weather) and/or rescheduling of a game, both coaches will notify SMBBA House League Coordinator within 24 hours of that game.
Failure to Report Game Results
Failure to notify SMBBA Recreational League Coordinator within 24 hours with the game result will result in no game results (win, loss, tie) being recorded in the SMBBA official league stats.
Standard Operating Policies SMBBA
Cancelled or Rained Out Games
Cancelled or rained out games are to be made up within 2 weeks from the original Recreational league scheduled date and before the playoffs, whichever is sooner. The two coaches must agree on a date. The home team is responsible for letting the Schedulers of Officials know at least one week in advance of the rescheduled date so he/she can arrange for umpires. If one coach rejects 2 consecutive attempts to reschedule a postponed or rained out game, that game shall be forfeited. If this happens, the other team is awarded 2 points and a win is recorded in the official SMBBA Recreational league stats. If both coaches cannot agree on a date, time and place, or both coaches at one time or another rejects an offer to reschedule and play the cancelled game, both teams will forfeit the game and no results will be entered into SMBBAs official Recreational league stats except that the game played is scored against each team. Extenuating circumstances may be reviewed and approved by SMBBA Recreational League Coordinator.
Legal Number of Players
The minimum number of players required to play a game is 8. If a team arrives with less than 8 players for the 615 pm start 15 min. grace will be allowed for the team to field 8 players. If 8 players can’t be fielded after 15 minutes grace the game will be forfeited to the opposing team. Every effort should be made to play that evening, as it is the leagues intention to get players playing.
Rep Ball Players Playing in the Recreational League
All Rep Ball players who also play house league must play one level (age group) higher in recreational league play.
Recreational League Team Requires Additional Players
If a recreational league team requires additional players (players not on the roster) to field a team for any regular season or play off game, these additional players must come from a younger age group registered with SMBBA, and where possible, from their own association.
Runs Per Inning
Maximum 5 runs per inning, except the 6th inning for Mosquito and 7th inning for Peewee, Bantam and Midget, which is an open inning. The 10 run mercy rule is in effect after 5 innings are completed or 4 ½ innings if the home team is leading by ten runs.
Conclusion of Games and Practices
Coaches are encouraged to hold a minimum of one practice per week for player development. Coaches are not responsible for supervision of players after games or when practices are completed.
Throwing a Bat
At the Umpire’s discretion, a batter will be called out if he/she throws the bat, and an out shall be recorded. All base runners will return to their original base prior to the out.
Overage Players
Recreational League teams may play overage players, subject to each player being approved by SMBBA. Players wishing to play overage must submit a signed letter from a parent, guardian or coach describing why their child should play with the underage group. SMBBA will seek advice of the coach the applicant played for last, unless an executive member is familiar with the player. A motion and majority vote is required to approve the request. The SMBBA Executive can look at extenuating circumstances. Outstanding circumstances can be overruled by the Executive of SMBBA.
• Overage players in Mosquito and Peewee house league divisions are not permitted to play the position of Pitcher.
• Overage players in Bantam and Midget house league divisions are not permitted to play the position of Pitcher or Catcher.
• Overage players are to be identified on all batting line ups and presented to the Coach of the opposing team and Plate Umpire at the beginning of each game.
Game Balls
One new game ball is to be supplied by the home team, regardless of whose field you are playing on. The visiting team will supply a suitable backup ball. In the event of a lost ball, teams will alternate supplying a ball for the game, starting with the home team.
Championship Play-Off Rules
1. The game consists of 6 innings for Mosquito and 7 innings for all levels above Mosquito. Each team is allowed to score a maximum of 4 runs per inning, except the 6th for Mosquito and 7th for Peewee, which is open. All 6 and 7 inning games should be completed if possible, as runs may be important in a tie breaker. Any games called by the Umpire due to darkness are recorded as per the score of the last fully completed inning; however, 5 innings must be played to constitute an official game (4 ½ if the home team is ahead). Any games called because of darkness and having not played the official number of innings will be completed the following morning, starting at the time shown for the first game of that day.
2. It is important that both teams check their scores during and after the game to make sure they agree. Each coach must then report the score to the Field Coordinator.
3. Each team is to supply a new ball per game and have a second ball on hand, if required. The second ball doesn’t have to be new, but in game shape and acceptable to the Umpire.
4. Teams not having the minimum number of players (8 players) required to start a game at the scheduled start time will be given 15 minutes grace to get the minimum number required. If the team is still unable to field a team, the game is forfeited and the score recorded as 7-0. Start times and grace periods are at the Umpire’s judgment.
5. Games tied after regular innings stand as a tie. 2 points are awarded for a win. 1 point is awarded to each team in the event of a tie. If two or more teams are tied at the end of round robin play, the BNS provincial tie breaking formula is used.
6. Only players registered for the year for the teams playing in playoffs may play in the championship tournament. If teams are short players, they may select enough players from those registered in the next lower age group in order to field a team of nine. Under no circumstances are players allowed to move up two age groups. If teams wish to use players that have played with them during the regular season but are not registered at this level, these players must be pre-approved by SMBBA.
7. Regular season rules must be reviewed and included where applicable.
Tie Breaking Procedure
This procedure is followed in sequence:
1. Where two or more teams are still tied, the tie is broken by calculating to two decimal places the team that has given up the fewest defensive runs per defensive innings played. Under this formula, the team having given up the fewest runs per defensive inning finishes higher in the standings. The team having given up the second fewest runs per defensive inning next, and so on.
2. Where two or more teams are still tied, the tie is broken by calculating to two decimal places the team that has scored the greatest number of offensive runs per offensive inning played.
3. In the very unlikely event that two or more teams are still tied, the tie is broken by one or more coin tosses conducted by the host.
4. Where there are no innings played, all scores of forfeited games will be excluded from the tie breaking process under sections 10.2 and 10.3.
Interpretation: Also excluded are innings played in a forfeited game.
Note: A team may play as long as the host notifies BNS. BNS will then notify and fine the team.
6. Throughout the tie breaking procedure, only those games involving the teams actually tied are considered. In a four team tournament, where teams A,B,C,D, for example, team A,B,C innings with each other are considered for the purpose of the tie breaking procedure. Any game involving team D, no matter who their opponent was, is not considered for the tie breaking procedure.
7. For the purpose of calculating innings pursuant to rule 10, one out counts as 1/3 of an inning so that if, for example, the game ends with one out in the 6th inning, then the team will have played 5 and 1/3 innings for the purpose of any such calculation pursuant to this rule.