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 Town Guidelines |
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TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN BASEBALL RULES
TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
RECREATION DIVISION
BRIAN X. FOLEY, Supervisor Jim Lacarrubba, Commisioner
2007 Baseball Program Guidelines 2007
ALL GAMES WILL BE GOVERNED ACCORDING TO NATIONAL FEDERATION RULES WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS.
1. All games will have a two-hour curfew, with no inning starting after exactly two hours from the time of the first pitch. Official time will be kept on the scorekeepers watch and recorded on a score sheet. It is recommended that each teams scorekeeper do the same.
A new inning on an unlighted field should not be started unless the umpires feel there is reasonable chance that both halves of the inning will be completed. Should a game be halted due to curfew or darkness, the team a head at the time (provided the required number of innings has been played) will be the winner. If a game is tied and cannot be continued due to curfew or darkness, it will count for one point in the standings. If the full two hours are used the game will be official regardless of innings played. Coaches and umpires are encouraged to hustle players on and off the field. All games are to be governed by the two-hour curfew limitation, except play-off games.
2. Game time is forfeit time. However, if a team(s) has eight players, the game will begin at the scheduled time and play with an eight-player line-up. If additional players arrive after game time, they will be eligible as substitutes provided they have been listed, as substitutes on the official line-up card. The ninth player can be added if he is listed as a sub, but cannot enter the official line-up until the beginning of the next new inning. However, if the ninth batting spot occurs before he officially enters the game, he will be recorded as an out. A team must have at least eight players to start a game. Three team forfeits for any reason will result in the team being dropped from league play for the remainder of the season. The organization will lose its place in that league for a period of one year. Head coaches that notify the baseball office of a forfeit 24 hours prior to its scheduled time do not lose their $100.00 forfeit fee.
3. The baseball office will reschedule postponed games. The baseball office has the sole authority on any scheduling matters. Re-scheduled games must be played on the date and at the location specified. Coaches that phone in a forfeit prior to the scheduled date should be aware that the forfeit does not become official until the date and start time of the scheduled game. Therefore, if the league is rained out, the game is canceled and rescheduled for another date and time. In the event of a postponement during the playoffs, it is imperative that the manager or a coach of each team meets with the on-site representative before leaving the field.
**SCHEDULING CONFLICTS: There will be no exceptions on scheduled dates. After Saturday, May 5th, if there is a scheduling conflict for whatever reason, it will not be honored. Coaches are not permitted to reschedule game dates or times without the approval of the baseball office. Scheduled dates will not be changed to accommodate teams missing a player or players. The Baseball Office WILL NOT reschedule field, dates or game time to accommodate programs outside the Town of Brookhaven events. Any such conflict will result in forfeiture to the organization responsible for such a conflict. NO EXCEPTIONS.
4. There will be a championship play-off immediately following the end of the regular season. The baseball office will determine the playoff schedule and format during the season.
5. League champions will be determined on a point system: 2 points for a win, 0 points for a loss, and 1 point for a tie. In the event of a tie for a position or teams tying with the
same points, the team with the most wins earns the higher position in the standings. In the event the teams have the same number of wins, head-to-head competition will determine the winner. EXAMPLE: If team A and team B tie for a place, but team A has won the regular season game, team A will be declared the winner of that place in the standings.
In the event that the two regular games were split or a single regular season game finished tied, the team with the most wins vs. playoff teams will be determined based on the power rating system.
Power Rating: A point value will be given to each team qualifying for playoffs, ex: 1st place-8pts, 2nd place-7pts, and so on. The team that has accrued the most points will be declared the winner of that place in the standings. If this procedure does not produce a winner, the seeding spot will be determined by a coin flip. Teams achieving 17 points qualify for the playoffs. In the event more than 8 teams qualify and out bracket elimination games will be scheduled the day after the final playing date.
6. Any individual whose language or actions are considered by the baseball staff to be abusive towards members of other teams, umpires, scorekeepers, and Town Representatives will be grounds for immediate disqualification and ejection from the game. Anyone so disqualified must leave the bench and playing area immediately. The playing area is defined as within sight and sound of umpires and site supervisor. Failure to do so will result in a team forfeit. If the individual continues to be abusive from further distance, the team will forfeit the game and he will not be permitted to further attend games in the Town of Brookhaven League for the remainder of the season and a determination will be made on the teams further participation. If necessary, any ejected player must be accompanied by an adult to the parking lot. If an individual is ejected from 2 games he will also be suspended from participating for the remainder of the season. The team manager is responsible for the conduct of his players and spectators/parents before, during, and after scheduled games at the ball-field. If deemed necessary, spectators will be restricted to a designated area by the site supervisor. Before each game, each manager should instruct his players that they must display good sportsmanship during the course of the contest. Umpires are being instructed to call games should an altercation or other type of disturbance occurs between representatives of the teams involved. We do, however feel that such action will not be necessary if all team managers cooperate and place the control of player conduct as their primary aim. Any coach, player, representative, manager, spectator/parent or team attendant that makes physical contact with an umpire or Town Official in a threatening matter will be suspended from further participation in Brookhaven Baseball for the remainder of the summer and criminal charges of assault will be initiated. Further disciplinary measures will also be considered if warranted. These same penalties apply to any parents or spectators who become unruly at the game.
First ejection will result in a minimal one game suspension to be served at the discretion of the baseball office. Multiple game suspensions can be issued at the discretion of the baseball office depending on the severity of the infraction. Any player or coach who receives 2 unsportsmanlike ejections will be expelled from the Town program for the remainder of the season.
7. Only coaches over 21 years of age are eligible to participate. All coaches (including managers) must be approved before a teams registration can be accepted. A coach can be registered with multiple teams within the same organization. Coaches CANNOT
register with teams from other organizations participating in the Brookhaven program. A team may register 4 assistant coaches HOWEVER teams CAN NOT have more than 3 adult assistants (including a scorekeeper) on the bench during the game. One adult registered with the program must be on the bench at all times. Players may coach on the baseline provided they wear a helmet. Any team personnel not registered cannot participate in any manner.
8. Team Eligibility Requirements: Teams entering the program must have 50% of their roster contained Town residents. Teams not meeting this requirement must pay an additional $100.00 non-residency fee. Teams can be charged this fee after the registration date if it is deemed they are not in compliance.
A resident team has first option on available opening with the league. Teams may reserve their slot in the league in which they participated the previous year.
Player registration cards, birth certificates, and roster are due no later than
May 19, 2007. This will be used to determine player eligibility for the first game of the season. Any player who is missing a birth certificate or has an incomplete registration card on May 19, 2007 WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE for the first game. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.
9. In the event of rain or wet grounds, a team representative is required to call the Recreation Department for a recorded message: 451-6120/6121. If no message applies to your team, you must report the scheduled field prepared to play. A coach must call the baseball office to check on postponed games. A game may be called if, in the opinion of the site supervisor, field conditions and/or weather are unfavorable. It would be appreciated if coaches and umpires would help in preparing wet grounds for play. Make every attempt to play games.
In the event of light failure, rain, or lightening, the MINIMUM waiting time will be 30 minutes. If the situation does not improve, the game will be suspended and resumed unless it is an official game. For VARSITY, JV, and AAA five innings must be played to make the game official (4 ½ if the home team is ahead). A and AA leagues, 4 innings will constitute an official game (3 ½ if the home team is ahead).
10. Protests must be made during the game to the Umpire-In-Chief prior to the next pitch. Such protests must be made in accordance with the official 2007 Federation Rulebook that states that a judgment call may in no case be protested.
11. In the event a game is terminated due to rain, lightning, light failure, inclement weather, and etc. provided the losing team has not had 5 at bats, the game will be resumed at the point of suspension with unused time applied. Four at bats for A and AA.
EXAMPLE: Team A has a 2-0 lead after 4 innings, after an hour and fifteen minutes of play.
RULING: Game will be resumed at the top of the 5th; team A has 2-0 lead with 45 minutes of play.
EXAMPLE: Team A has a 2-0 lead after 5 innings, after an hour and fifteen minutes of play.
RULING: Official game. Team A is credited with a 2-0 victory.
12. According to National Federation rules, the following restriction will be in effect: A pitcher may pitch in a maximum of 12 innings in one day but no more than 18 innings in any 7 consecutive day period. Delivery of one pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning. If he pitches in 8 or more innings in a day, he must have one calendar day of rest before he can pitch again. Any violation of the rule will result in the player being declared ineligible and the team will forfeit the game. The baseball office will handle any violations of this rule. A and AA leagues must comply with modification in guideline 21.
13. Both teams and the Recreation Department will supply baseballs. Each team is responsible for a minimum of THREE new baseballs; there is not limit on how many a team can provide. Umpires are the sole judges on the legality of baseballs. The umpire has the right to disallow any baseballs he determines are not in good condition. Umpires must be readily supplied with baseballs. Brookhaven Town supplies all baseballs for the playoffs. Game balls have to be handed in to the score-keeper 10 MINUTES BEFORE GAME TIME. Failure to do so will result in the head coach being restricted to the bench for the game. Only Wilson A1010 baseballs are legal for league play.
14. A player must play a minimum of 5 games to be eligible for the playoffs. The baseball office will review this and any player who has not met the minimum requirement will not be eligible to play. In the event of a forfeit game, each player currently on the roster of the winning team shall be credited with a game played. In the event of a double forfeit, no player shall receive such credit. Coaches must confirm their player playoff eligibility. It is suggested coaches confirm prior to 5 games remaining on their schedule. Players are required to wear the same uniform number for each game to receive credit for game participation to determine playoff eligibility.
15. Team rosters will be limited to a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 players per club. The cutoff date to determine the league in which a player can participate is
Aug. 31st. The age of the player on Aug.31, 2007 determines a players league of participation. A player cannot be more than 2 years younger of the League age. Players may be added up until midnight July 15, 2007, provided the existing roster does not exceed 18. The baseball director must approve all additions and deletions to the roster. Once a player has been deleted from the roster, he may NOT be put back on the roster. The player is finished for the season. To add players, you must submit a fully completed registration card with parental signature and proof of age to the baseball office prior to the boys for the first time in the lineup or in a game. Any boy who competes without being properly registered will cause his team to forfeit each game in which he plays until he becomes properly registered.
Once a boy competes in one game for a specific organization, he may not change to another organization. However, within the same organization, a player may only change divisions if it is an upward movement. A player may never move to a lower division than the one in which he was originally registered for. In other words, if Joey Smith is originally registered for Holtsville Red in the AA division, he may move up to a Holtsville team in the AAA division, but may not move down to a Holtsville team in the A division. Once he has moved to the AAA division and has played in one game, he may not go back to the AA division. Once a boy plays for a specific division, such as Holtsville Red in the A league, he cannot move to another Holtsville team in the A or to any other organization.
The use of an ineligible player will result in expulsion of that team for the remainder of the season and the head coach will be suspended for one calendar year.
16. Run Rules: If one team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 4 innings have been played, provided the home team has batted in the bottom of the inning (if losing), curfew is waived and the game will be declared official.
EXAMPLE: Team A scores 10 runs in the top of the 4th and leads 10-0. Team B must bat in the bottom of the 4th and reduce the lead to within 10 to continue.
If a team is ahead by 15 or more runs after 3 full innings regardless of which team is at bat, the game is terminated at that point.
17. ENTERING SUBSTITUTES: Brookhaven Town will supply an official scorekeeper at all games. Completed line-up cards must be handed in ten minutes before the game, minimum. Once the line-up card is handed in and accepted and verified by the scorekeeper it is official and no additional changes can be made without substitution rules applying. If the card is not handed into the scorer on time, the head coach will be restricted to the bench for that game. If the card is not handed into the scorer on time and it is determined that it is an attempt to circumvent the rules, it may result in forfeit and/or ejection. The coach or team official must report all line-up changes to the TOWN SCOREKEEPER. Changes are to be reported as they occur. It is suggested to check with the umpires on the legality of a substitution to prevent confusion at a later time. Player need not be present to be listed as a substitute however; a player must be present to be listed on the line-up. Coaches MUST ADD the name and number of eligible substitutes on the official line-up card. Only those substitutes listed on the official line-up card are eligible for that game.
THE PLAERS NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO BE LISTED AS A SUBSTITUTE. IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED ALL ROSTER PLAYERS BE ON YOUR LINE-UP CARD FOR EACH GAME. (This supersedes the federation rule regarding substitution).
Once a player is listed with a uniform number (first game) the player is required to wear that number for the remainder of the season including playoffs. Uniform numbers can be changed with written authorization of the baseball office. Non-compliance may result in forfeits or multiple forfeits.
In the case of an illegal substitution, the illegal player will be banished from the game and the head coach present at the game will be restricted to the bench for the game.
18. PRE-GAME WARM-UP: The Home team is designated and required to sit in the third base bench area. The Visitor is designated to the first base side. No batting practice or batting into the fence fabric. However plastic (whiffle) balls are permitted on the outfield perimeter fence. All coaches and participants must yield the field upon the scorekeepers arrival. Bases should be secured before the start of warm-ups. Home team warm-ups will begin 40 minutes before game time and continue for 15 minutes. The visitor will follow for 15 minutes. This will allow for 10 minutes for the pre-game conference to go over the ground rules. Umpires or coaches should report noncompliance with any of these guidelines to the baseball office. It is imperative that games start on time. The baseball office may subject violators to a bench restriction.
19. BASE DISTANCE: If there is an objection to the distance being too long or short, bring it to the scorekeepers attention before game time. The scorekeeper will not honor this request any other time. Make sure that securing bases does not interrupt infield warm-ups. This should be done prior to warm-ups.
20. INJURED PLAYERS: No injured player, once removed from the game as reported to the umpire or scorekeeper will not be allowed later participation in the game from which he has been removed. This is for the players own protection and liability. The Umpire-In-Chief/Site supervisor will determine whether the player can remain in the game. Accident reports should be filled out on all injured players.
21. EXTRA HITTER: Coaches have the option of using an EH extra hitter. Players listed as an EH cannot play a field position. Federation substitute rules will apply. An EH can be added in the order, but must be designated in the original line-up and cannot be added on after the line-up is handed into the score-keeper.
22. MODIFIED AA LEAGUE:
1) There will be no leading. A base runner leaving the base before the ball has been released by the pitcher will be declared out. This dead ball situation
except with 2 outs.
2) There will be no balk call.
3) If a catcher drops a called 3rd strike, the batter remains out. Base runners
advance at their own risk.
4) All games are 7 innings. Extra innings will be played within the 2-hour time limit.
game shortened due to weather or light failure requires 4 innings (31/2 if the
home team is ahead to be official.
5) The pitching rubber will be set at 50 and bases at 75.
6) Bats must be Little League approved. The umpire will make the final
determination on the legality of all bats.
7) Pitching restrictions: no player may pitch more than 12 innings in a seven-
day period and no more than 7 in a day. If a player pitches 4 or more
innings he must have 2 nights rest. Ex: Pitcher pitches 4 or more innings on
Monday, pitcher is not eligible to pitch until Wednesday.
8) Metal spikes are prohibited in the AA league. Players wearing metal spikes
During the game will be immediately removed from the game and charged with
An unsportsmanlike ejection.
23. BENCH AREA RESTRICTIONS: There is to be no smoking by players, coaches, or spectators within 50 ft. of the bench or playing area. There are to be no glass items in the bench area at anytime. Violators will be warned and subject to ejection. Bench areas are restricted to coach and registered team personnel. The area in front of the dugout entrance is NOT considered part of the bench area. Players, coaches, managers and all other team personnel must have a fence between themselves and the playing field when in the bench area. All team personnel must be on your roster and filed with the Town of Brookhaven Baseball Office. All players must remain in the bench are (dugout) except to play or warm-up under supervision. If deemed necessary, spectators may be restricted to a designated area by the site supervisor.
24. PLAYERS MUST BE IN MATCHING UNIFORMS: Jerseys, pants, and caps must be matching to be eligible to warm-up, play, or sit in/on the bench area. Any player not in full matching uniform is ineligible to play and must stay out of the bench area. Registered coaches must be uniformed (including hats) to enter the playing field at anytime. Acceptable coach attire includes matching shirts, hats, and athletic pants. Coaches are not permitted to enter the field wearing shorts or sweatpants.
25. FIRST AID KITS: All teams are required to have a First Aid Kit on their bench at all times. Ice or ice packs are included as MANDATORY first aid supplies.
26. BENCH AREA CLEANING: The head coach is responsible for bench area cleaning. At the end of each game, the bench area must be cleaned of all litter. It is suggested that team personnel be assigned to this task. At Town games trash containers are within close vicinity of the benches.
******POINTS OF EMPHASIS******
DELIBERATE THROWING/KICKING OF BAT OR HELMET: Automatic ejection from the game and banishment from the playing area will result if any object (bat, helmet, etc.) is thrown or kicked. This action can result in danger to another player, coach, or spectator and will not be tolerated.
INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE-TRASH TALK: Sportsmanship is a primary focus of recreational sports. It is inappropriate for players, parents, spectators, and team personnel to use insulting or demeaning language to one another before, during, or after games. Players should be encouraged by their parents, teammates, and coaches to avoid negative comments directed at opposing coaches, players, or umpires. It is clearly the role of the coach to set the proper example in this area of sportsmanship and to assure that the team does the same. Coaches and players are reminded that FEDERATION Rule 3-3-1g refers to inappropriate language or behavior directed at players, coaches, and umpires. These rules are to be strictly enforced by umpires.
JEWELRY- All players are prohibited from wearing any type of jewelry in the bench area or playing field. Ex: bracelets (rubber/metal), necklaces, rings, and watches) *Medical Alert bracelets are permitted.
MALICIOUS CONTACT PROHIBITED: The baseball office is concerned that some coaches have not explained to their players that malicious contact is illegal and is considered unsportsmanlike. Players risk serious injury anytime a runner purposely tries to run over another player. A majority of intentional collisions occur at home plate where the catcher is blocking the plate. Runners should be instructed to slide or attempt to avoid making contact with any defensive player. A player who maliciously runs into another player is automatically ejected and is declared out, unless he scored prior to committing the infraction.
So that focus can be given to the parameters surrounding malicious contact, the following is offered: Contact or a collision is considered to be malicious if (1) the contact is the result of intentional, excessive force and/or (2) there is and intent to injure. It should not be misconstrued that the absence of these two conditions would automatically preclude the presence of something malicious, but they certainly offer a starting point. This will result in an immediate ejection from the game. The umps will warn you in the pre-game conference. Malicious contact is penalized whether committed by an offensive or defensive player.
PRE-GAME CONFERENCE MEETING: The pre-game conference meeting should begin approximately 10 minutes prior to the game. For the safety of coaches, players, and umpires, the home team players DO NOT take the field until the pre-game conference meeting has been completed. There have been instances where coaches, players, or umpires have been hit and injured by errant throws as the game pitcher is warming up during the pre-game conference meeting.
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