Constitution and the By-Laws of the Washington Youth Baseball League

Article I - League Name

Section 1: The name of this organization will be the Washington Youth Baseball League, which will be divided into five subdivisions. These divisions are; (1) 4 year instructional, (2) 5-6 year old – 6U, (3) 7-8 year old – 8U, (4) 9-10 year old – 10U, and (5) 11-12 year old – 12U.

Article II - Mission Statement

Section 1: The purpose of the Washington Youth Baseball League will be to develop baseball knowledge among the youth, promote an active interest in baseball, and to promote sportsmanship among the participants.

Article III - Power

Section 1: It will be the function of the Washington Youth Baseball League to manage, supervise, and control its affairs, property and funds, and to implement the attainment of its purpose by providing to team members administrative and technical guidance and materials necessary to the accomplishment of these purposes

Article IV - Board of Directors

Section 1: Administration: The Washington Youth Baseball League will be governed by a Board of Directors.

Section 2: Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall be eight (8) officers and will consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and one head coach from each age division.  The coach elected from each age division will serve on a one year term basis.  The 4 year old division will be represented by the elected coach from the 6U division. 

Section 3: Vacancy: Upon the death, resignation or incapacitation of any elected board member, or in the event of the failure of any elected board member to carry out the duties of his or her office, the Board of Directors may declare said office vacant and may vote upon a successor to fill the remainder of his or her term, or may leave the position vacant until voted upon by the coaches in that division the next baseball season.

Section 4: Powers: The powers and duties of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, Bath league representative and representatives from each age division will be as provided for in the Bylaws.

Section 5: Elections/Appointments: Elections and appointment for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be held during the public, end of year, December board meeting.  The Presidential election will be held based on nominations from the floor of the December board meeting.  The term of all elected/appointed Board of Directors will consist of one calendar year.  The office of Vice President will be appointed, reassigned or filled by the League President.  The office of Secretary will be will be appointed, reassigned or filled by the League President.  The office of Treasurer will be will be appointed, reassigned or filled by the League President.

Article VII - Duties of Officers

Section 1: President: The president will preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and will give reasonable notice to all members of said meetings.  He/she will be the chief executive officer exercising general supervision over the interest and affairs of the Washington Youth Baseball League, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.  He/she will perform such duties as usually pertain to the office of the president.  The president will employ, on behalf of the league, the official scorer and games umpires, and monitor their performance.

Section 2: Vice President: The vice president will serve in the capacity of the President in his/her absence and perform any other duties assigned by the President.

Section 3: Secretary: He/she will attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and act as the official secretary thereof.  The secretary will keep and preserve a true and correct record of all business transacted at these meetings.  The records and books will at all times be opened for inspection by the Board.

Section 4: Treasurer: He/she will keep records and books ordinarily kept by a treasurer and these books and records will be open at all times for inspection by the Board.  The treasurer will collect all monies collected by the various fund­raising projects and deposit or invest as directed by the Board.

Section 5: Divisional Representative: Will have privilege and rights to one vote per member during all board meetings. Each Board member will take such interest in the Washington Youth Baseball League to reflect credit to the Board.

Article VIII - Funds

Section 1: Revenue: Revenue will be derived from concessions stand funds, various fund-raising projects and sponsor fees as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Disbursement: The Board of Directors may authorize purchases and payment of such expenses, salaries, travel expenses, reimbursements and obligations as provided in the Bylaws or as it may deem necessary, within budgetary limitations, upon the presentation to the secretary-treasurer of a voucher therefore.

Article IX - Amendments

Section 1: How Made: This Constitution or the Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Directors by a 2/3 vote of those present at a properly noticed and called meeting of the Board.

Section 2: Effective Date: Amendments or revision of this Constitution will become effective immediately.

Article X - Meetings

Section 1: The Board of Directors will meet at such time and place as may be determined by either the call of the president or by a request for a meeting made by at least two-thirds of the Board, pending a quorum is present for said meeting.  Two-thirds of the Board of Directors will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority vote of those present will be necessary to give effect to any action of the Board.

Article XI - Coaches

Section 1: All head and assistant coaches for each team must be at least eighteen years old.  All coaches must complete on-line Babe Ruth Coaching Certification before season starts. Once an individual completes the certification through Babe Ruth that person is certified for as long as they coach in Youth. This certification must be forwarded to the League President before regular season play each year.

Section 2: All head and assistant coaches will be allowed to coach only by the Board after submitting volunteer applications to the league and a complete background check on the individual is performed and the individual is approved.

Section 3: It is the responsibility of each Coach to promote good sportsmanship among his coaches and teams, to insure that players attend practices, and attend ball games dressed in full uniform.

Section 4: Head Coaches will select suitable assistant coaches for the team. These Coaches must complete the appropriate application form obtained from the League and receive a favorable background investigation and complete the required Coaching Certification before the Board can approve them to coach.

Section 5: Head Coaches will be responsible for selecting a “Team Mom/Dad” before the regular season starts, who also must complete the volunteer application process.

Section 6: All coaches must be properly dressed in team uniform. Use of tobacco products on the playing field or in the dugouts is prohibited.

Article XII - Teams

Section 1: The Board will determine eligible players before the season begins. Eligibility will be determined under the Little Tar Heel official rules through the use of a valid player contract and/or birth certificate submitted to the League by the parent or guardian at the time of sign ups.

Section 2: Player Drafts (not applicable to 4 year old Instructional). Player drafts are comprised of a Primary Draft, a Secondary Draft, and a Supplemental Draft.  The Primary Draft in each age division will consist of the eldest aged players and players playing in their 2^nd or 3^rd year of a respective age division regardless of age.  These players shall be drafted in a primary draft until there isn’t a sufficient number of those players’ remaining to complete a full draft round and a player is selected to each team.  The Secondary Draft will consist of all players in the youngest age group within the age division.  All players, with the exception of those players qualifying for the Primary Draft, shall be drafted in a secondary draft until there isn’t a sufficient number of those players’ remaining in a draft round to provide a player for each team within that round.  The Supplemental Draft will comprise of all players that have remained undrafted after the Primary and Secondary Drafts have been conducted shall be placed in a draft together to be drafted until all players are chosen for a team.

Section 3: Draft Order: The order of the player draft will be based on a draw of numbers by the coaches in each division.  The coach that draws the number 1 overall pick shall pick first in the first round of the Primary and the Supplemental Draft, but shall have the last pick of the first round in the Secondary Draft.  The draft rounds will be conduct in the format of a snake draft which will consist of; round one of a respective draft shall be conducted from drawn number one through the last number drawn, and Round 2 shall be conducted from the last number drawn to number one (all odd numbered rounds shall be drafted from first to last, and all even numbered rounds shall be drafted from last to first).  Teams will be re-drafted each year. All players desiring to play and meeting eligibility rules will be distributed in the player draft.

Section 4: Draft Picks: Before the draft picks are made all coaches in the division will come to a consensus as to the overall draft status of each coaches child.  Based on that consensus each coaches child will be drafted no later than the fourth round.  Any disputes in regards to the coach’s child that are not decided on a majority rule among the division coaches will fall to the League President for the final ruling on the drafting round.  If the coach’s child falls into the secondary draft due to age then the child will be given the same appraisal from the coaches before a draft order is given.  Again all final rulings will be decided by the League President if a consensus cannot be reached by the coaches.  Each head coach will be allowed to select one assistant coach before the start of the draft.  All other assistant coach volunteers will be placed into the pool with their respective child.  Once the head coach has chosen his primary assistant coach for his team that assistant coach’s child will automatically become the first round draft pick of either the Primary or Secondary draft rounds, based on the child’s age.  If the head coaches child is designated by the division coaches to have a first round draft status then the assistant coach’s child will be taken in the second round, either the Primary or Secondary round.  Siblings will be placed on the same team if the age of the children falls into the same age division.  Siblings will be graded by the coaches and will be given a draft status before the start of the draft and any disagreements will be settled by the League President.  The 10U and 12U coaches before the draft begins shall discuss who the pitching prospects are for their respective division.  Once a consensus has been reached by the coaches on who the pitching prospects are each team will be required to draft a pitching prospect by the fourth round of either the Primary or Secondary draft.  No special draft statuses will be given to a player other than those of siblings and such circumstances ruled upon and deemed necessary by the President and the Board of Directors.  All players will be placed in the draft where they may be drafted by anyone. 

Article XIII - League Schedule

Section 1: The schedule will include all regular season and tournament games.  Each game will be played as scheduled unless a team is unable to place a minimum of eight defensive players in the field at the beginning of the game, therefore forcing an automatic forfeit.  Knowingly in advance, if a game needs to be rescheduled for lack of appropriate number of players, the League President must be notified at a minimum of 72 hours prior to the game in question, and if not done so timely, the game will remain as scheduled.  The coach initiating the rescheduling will be responsible for contacting the opposing coach and submitting an alternate schedule date to the League President within 24 hours of the notification.  If the alternate rescheduled date isn’t received within 24 hours of the notification, an automatic forfeit will be enforced.  If the coaches cannot agree with the rescheduling of said game within 24 hours of the rescheduling notification, an automatic forfeit will be enforced.  If an agreement is made to reschedule a game, the game must be played within a 14-day time period.  The season schedule as determined by the League President and Board of Directors, doesn’t allow for rescheduling of a game within the predetermined time period of 14 days, the game will result in a forfeit

.

Section 2: In the case of rain prior to the game before 3:00 p.m., the City of Washington Recreation Department will decide if the fields are playable.  After 3:00 p.m., the playability of the fields will be solely in the hands of the umpires and Board of Directors.  If the first game of the night is canceled, all the games for the night are canceled.  In the case of rain or inclement weather prior to games scheduled to be played on a weekend, playability of the fields will be determined by the City of Washington Recreation Department as well as Board of Directors prior to the start of the first game of the day.  Once play begins on a weekend, the playability of the fields will be solely in the hands of the umpires and Board of Directors.  In the event of rain or inclement weather on Friday night or early Saturday morning, every attempt will be made to play games as scheduled once the field conditions have been evaluated by City and Board of Directors.  In an effort to provide time to prepare the fields for play, Saturday game start times could be delayed up to a maximum possible delay of 4 hours.  In any event, once a game has been canceled due to weather conditions, the game will be made up at the next available rain make-up date as dictated by the schedule.

Section 3: A rained-out or suspended game remaining at the end of the season will not be played unless its outcome would affect the standings and playoff positions or reduce the season schedule below ten games.  With suspended games that are completed at a later date, teams are not penalized for players conflicted from playing in the completion of the game. Said players are simply skipped over in the batting lineup without an out recorded.

Section 4: In the event of ties in the standings at the end of the regular season, and subject to Section 6 of Article XIX below, seeding for the tournament play and draft status will be as follows:

a. A team not losing during the regular season against another team will be seeded higher.

b. If teams split their regular season games, seeding for tournament play will be made by comparing their records against each league member, beginning with the highest place team in the division. The team with the better record against the highest place team is seeded higher.

c. If a tie is still present after method A and B have been applied, Section 6 of Article XIX below may be applied in the discretion of the Board or numbers will be drawn to determine seeding.  The coach who draws the number one gets to choose his team's tournament seeding, followed by the coaches who drew the number 2, and so on.

d. Ties for first place during the regular season (meaning first place teams having the exact same win-loss record, regardless of head to head play) will be declared co­-champions for that division.

Article XIV - Playing Field

Section 1: Ground rules and other playing rules not covered by local or Tar Heel League, Inc.  Baseball Rules and Regulations & Official Playing Rules will be governed by National Federation of State High School Association Baseball Rules for 2017.

Section 2: No player in uniform will be allowed in the press box directly behind home plate during a game.

Section 3: No food or drink except those supplied by the team will be allowed on the field or in the dugout before or during the game.

Section 4: Only the official scorekeeper, announcer, scoreboard operator, league officials, and members of the press may be in the press box during the game.

Section 5: 5-6 year old (6U) age division: A pitching machine shall be used to make three (3) pitches to a batter.  The front of the pitching machine must be placed 40 feet from the rear point of home place and shall pitch a ball at a speed of between 25-30mph. The ball must cross a clearly marked line located fifteen (15) feet in front of home plate and between the 1^st and 3^rd baselines. A base runner shall be awarded the base he is closest to when time is called by the umpire at his discretion. For example, when time is called and a base runner is closest to 3^rd base between 2^nd and 3^rd base, the base runner will be awarded 3^rd base.

7-8 Year old age division: A pitching machine shall be used to make five (5) pitches or three swings to a batter. The front of the pitching machine shall be placed 40 feet from the rear point of home place and shall pitch a ball at a speed of between 35-40mph at the start of the season.  The speed of the pitch shall be increased incrementally at the discretion of the Board with advice from the coaches of this division.

There shall be an eight (8) foot radius circle marked around the pitching machine indicating the location of the player(s) playing the pitching position.  The player(s) playing the pitching position may be allowed no further than parallel to that of the pitching machine and must have one foot in the circle at all times during the sequence of the pitches.  This is to prevent the player(s) playing the pitching position from crossing in front of the machine during a pitch.

Section 6: The distance between all bases will be 60 feet.  The distance from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching plate will not be greater than 46 feet.  These bases and pitching mound distances do not apply to the 11-12 year old age division.  The 11-12 year old age division shall have a pitching rubber where the front of the same is located 50 feet from the rear point of home plate, and the distance between all bases shall be 70 feet.

Article XV - Official Equipment

Section 1: All ball players will be in full uniform at all times, except players need not wear their caps under the protective helmet.

Section 2: Players may use their own bat and protective helmets if they are legal.  The bat for 6U, 8U, and 10U shall be round and made of wood, or any other approved material, shall not exceed 33 inches in length or 2 ¼ inches in diameter, and must be approved by USAABB or affiliate.  12U are permitted to use a bat made of wood, or any other approved material, shall not exceed 36 inches in length or 2 5/8 inches in diameter and must be approved by USAABB or affiliate.

Section 3: Players and Coaches will wear a mask when warming up a pitcher.

Section 4: Excess equipment will be kept off the playing field during the game.

Article XVI - Protests

Section 1: The President or his designee, one board member appointed by the President and the director of umpires will rule on regular season protests.  Tournament game protest will be decided by a three-person protest committee appointed by the President.  No protest shall be permitted on judgment calls made by umpires.

Section 2: Protests and rule interpretations are subject to the Little Tar Heel, Inc. Rules and Regulation, Article IX – Protest, Section A-D.   

Section 3: All protests, whether during the regular season or tournament, must be lodged by the head coach of the protesting team to the head umpire of the game in progress at the time of the alleged protestable event and prior to the next pitch. For alleged protestable events that result in the final out of the game or the end of the game or the game being terminated by the umpires, the head coach of the protesting team must lodge the protest with the head umpire before leaving the field on which the game was being played.  Both the head umpire and the head coach of the protesting team must inform the scorekeeper of the protest, and said scorekeeper will log the protest in the score book and all parties will inform the League President of the protest.  Failure to timely lodge a protest as stated herein or within the Rules stated in Section 2 hereinabove results is a loss of the head coach’s ability to protest.

Article XVII - Sponsors

Section 1: Sponsors will pay a one-time sponsor fee to the league. The Board of Directors will assess fee annually.

Article XVIII - Umpires

Section 1: Umpires and umpire’s decisions are regulated by the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations. Umpires must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Section 2: After a game begins, the home plate umpire will decide on the condition of the field in case of rain.

Section 3: The umpires will report to the league President any acts of unsportsmanlike conduct by managers, coaches, players, or team followers.

Section 4: Harassing the opposing team or individual players or umpires has no place in this baseball league.  No player will be permitted to make any undue noise, which will be considered harassment, which includes any and all chanting.  Chanting by the players and coaches are prohibited.

Section 5: Lightning/Thunderstorm Policy

1. When thunder is heard, or lightning is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately.

   1. Umpires, League Officials, and City Staff may make this call.

   2. Spectators, Coaches, and players should all leave the playing vicinity and report to their vehicles immediately. Staying in the dugouts and gathering under the concession stand is not allowed and dangerous during a lightning storm.

2. Thirty minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.

3. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count resets the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.

4. Spectators, coachers, and players will be notified by an air horn blowing 2 times in order to return to the field.

Article XIX - League Rules

Section 1: The rules and regulations stated in these By-Laws are binding among all teams, players and coaches and are indisputable.  In the case of a conflict with the rules stated in the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations, these local bylaws will take precedence as allowed by local League modifications and waivers obtained by the League.  In any other situation that may present itself that is not covered by these Bylaws, Little Tar Heel Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations shall apply.

Section 2: At the start of a game, managers will present to the scorekeeper, opposing manager, and umpire, a list of players available to play for that game. This list will begin with the starting lineup and follow with substitutes available to play.  When a substitution is made, the scorekeeper must be notified and the substitute announced.

Section 3: A team may play with eight players. If a ninth player becomes available, he may be inserted in the game.  If a team starts a game with eight players, there is no out charged when the ninth batter would ordinarily have batted; however, if a team plays with nine players and a player is removed because of Coach’s decision, absence or ejection, an out will be charged for that player's position in the batting order.  If a team has less than eight players because of absence or ejection, the game will be forfeited.  If a batter is injured during an at-bat and the count is still live (less than 3 strikes/4 balls), the batter who is next in the lineup assumes the count and the game continues.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the injured player is unable to continue the game, his/her spot in the lineup is skipped over on each subsequent at-bat.  In the event that a team is playing with 8 players and an injury occurs to a player that prohibits the player from continuing the game, whether at bat or otherwise, the game will be suspended and completed at a later date at which time the game will resume play current to the conditions prior to the injury.

Section 4: The team listed last in the official schedule is to be the home team.

Section 5: No more than fifteen (15) minutes will be allowed between games, unless the official schedule permits. Games will not start before their scheduled time without the consent of both managers.

Section 6: The time limit for each Division is as follows: 5/6 – l hr, 7/8 – l hr 15 min, 9/10 & 11/12 is 1 hr 30 min. - subject to the following: The above stated time limit applicable for each age division only applies pursuant to the following: ALL REGULAR SEASON GAMES “shall consist of 6 innings or 4 innings if the game is called or if the home team has scored more runs in 3½ innings than the visiting team has scored in 4 complete innings.”.   Each game must reach 4 innings or 3½ if the home team is winning to count as a regulation game, subject to the two (2) hour time limit stated below.  The umpires will ensure that games reach this required mark, then check the time remaining (if any) to determine the completion of the game.  We will still have the above stated time limits per division, but it will not apply unless and until the required innings played has been met.  TIME LIMIT - no new inning may start after two (2) hours.  Games called because of this time limit will be considered regulation games regardless of the number of innings played or the score of the game.  All innings will be played to their conclusion unless and time limit expires with the home team ahead and at bat.  During the regular season, if a game is tied, either at the end of a two (2) hour time limit or at the end of six innings, the game will be declared a tie.  Subject to the regular season and tournament schedules, and in the discretion of the Board, games called at the two hour time limit in a tie that are considered to be completed shall resume at the point where the game was called to determine a winner.  With tied games that are completed at a later date, teams are not penalized for players conflicted from playing in the completion of the game.  Said players are simply skipped over in the batting lineup without an out recorded.

Section 7: The umpire may, in the case of injury of other unusual circumstances that creates a delay of the game, add to this time limit.

Section 8: If after four (4) innings (or 3 1/2 innings if the home team is leading), a team has a 10 run lead the game will be complete.  Losing team must have an equal number of times at bat as the winning team.

Section 9: Games rained out after 4 innings (or 3 1/2 innings if the home team has scored more runs than the visiting team) will be considered complete. In the event a game is suspended before completion, the game must be continued from the exact point of interruption on the first night the ballpark is available or can be conveniently scheduled.  With suspended games that are completed at a later date, teams are not penalized for players conflicted from playing in the completion of the game.  Said players are simply skipped over in the batting lineup without an out recorded.

Section 10: 5-6 Year Old (6U) Division: Score will be kept and no specific number of innings completed is required. The time limit of one hour controls the determination of the game by completion of the inning when the time limitation expires.  No new inning shall start after 55 minutes from the starting time of the game.  This is a bat all division.  This is a teaching division. The domination rule shall be in effect for this division.  The domination rule has no specific definition and is managed in the discretion of the head umpire; however, there are numerous examples of domination plays that would be affected by this rule.  For instance, a player playing the pitching position with one foot in the circle shall not field a ball and run to tag any base or baserunner.  A player playing the pitching position as well shall not roll the ball toward first base to make a force out; the player playing the pitcher position must make an effort to throw the ball in the air to the first base player to record the out.  Another example: a first baseman shall not run and tag any other base than first, second baseman and shortstop follow the same rule for second, and the third baseman follows the same rule for third base. Another example is that a pitcher shall not field a ball and run to tag home unless he fields the ball in front of the pitching machine within the discretion of the umpire.  Another example is that a pitcher shall not tag a runner running from home to first or from third to home unless, in the discretion of the umpire, his momentum is carrying him immediately in the direction of that runner.  The final example, given is that a pitcher shall not, under any circumstances, tag base runners running between first and second, and second and third.  This is not an exhaustive list of examples.

In the discretion of the umpire, over-throws to first base that pass the foul line shall become dead balls and no runners shall advance.  The same rule applies to over-throws at third base and at home.  There are no re-entry rules or position player substitution rules in this division.  All players available and eligible for the game shall bat in this bat-all division.  Up to eleven (11) players are allowed on the field, consisting of up to four (4) outfielders, one catcher, one first baseman, one second baseman, one third baseman and one shortstop, and up to two pitchers.  A coach for the hitting team will pull the machine for the hitting team and is allowed to have a first base coach, third base coach and a coach assisting the batter behind the plate.  The defensive team shall have a maximum of three coaches on the field located in the outfield grass to assist the defense.  Coaches must be on the outfield grass when the pitch is delivered.  All batters and catchers must wear helmets with proper face guards at all times when on the playing field.  Batters are not allowed to bunt in this division.  If the batter does not put the ball in play after three (3) pitches, the ball is placed on a tee for the batter.  The only exception is if the batter fouls off the third pitch, the batter will receive a fourth pitch, and so on, before placing the ball on a tee.  Fielders shall not roll or intentionally and repeatedly bounce throws to a particular base in order to achieve a put out for their team.  Coaches must teach fielders to make the best throw possible to any particular base without intentionally teaching them to roll or bounce the ball to the base on purpose just to achieve an out.  Again, this is a teaching division where coaches are required to teach fielders to throw the ball properly and make proper baseball plays.

Section 11: 7-8 Year Old (8U) Age Division: This is a bat all division. There is no 5 minute new inning rules in this division.  The 7/8 Division will play by the guidelines outlined in the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations.  A coach for the hitting team shall pull the machine for the hitting team and is allowed to have a first base coach, a third base coach and a coach in the dugout.  The defensive team shall have one coach in the outfield, one coach in the grass in foul play along the first base line and one coach in the grass in foul play along the third base line.  Teams may have up to eleven (11) players on the field on defense, consisting of up to four (4) outfielders, one (1) first baseman, one (1) second baseman, one (1) third baseman, one (1) shortstop, up to two (2) pitchers and one catcher.  Overthrows to first base, as determined in the discretion of the umpire, shall allow each base runner to only advance one base.  For instance, if there is a player located on second base running to third at the time of the overthrow to first base, the hitter is awarded second base and the base runner running from second to third is awarded home.  First base is the only base where this rule applies.  This is a teaching division. Defensive players shall stop the lead runner in this division.  Throwing the ball into one of the pitchers does not stop play, nor does calling time while holding the ball in the infield.  Time will only be called by the umpire when, in the umpire’s discretion, it appears that the play has stopped between the fielder(s) and the base runners.  Each child shall play at least two (2) innings in the field, subject to Section 14 below.  Hitting teams are allowed a maximum of nine (9) batters per inning.  Should any out less than the third out be recorded during the at-bat of the ninth batter of the inning, play does not stop until the umpire calls time.  All games shall be regulation games as provided by the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Rules and Regulations and as stated within these By-Laws.  Catchers shall be located in the proper catcher’s box, in a catching position, prepared to receive the pitch.  All catchers in this age division, the 10U age division and the 12U age division shall wear protective equipment for catching, including a protective cup.  Face guards are not required for batters in this age division, nor are they required for the 10U age division or the 12U age division.  As in the 5-6 age division, base runners are awarded the base that they are closest to (in the umpire’s discretion) at the time the umpire calls time to stop play. When a batter squares to bunt, he must either attempt to bunt the ball or pull the bat back to avoid the pitch.  No batter is allowed to fake a bunt and pull back and swing the bat.  The first time this occurs, the batter is warned, the ball is dead and the batter returns to home to continue the at-bat with one additional strike to his at-bat.  All runners return to their original bases.  Both teams are then warned and informed that should the same occur during that game, the batter doing so shall immediately be called out and all base runners return to their respective bases.  On an attempted bunt, first basemen and third basemen are allowed to rush the plate to field the bunt.  Players playing the pitching position are not allowed to cross the hash lines located at the front of the pitching machine until the ball is pitched.  No player other than the catcher is allowed to cover home plate when receiving a throw.  The only exception to this rule is that a pitcher or first baseman may cover home should the catcher be injured and/or inattentive to the play.  This is a judgment call made by the umpire as to the pitcher’s ability to cover home plate and the catcher’s actions during the play.  The domination rule discussed in the above 5-6 year old division section applies to this division.  Fielders shall not roll or intentionally and repeatedly bounce throws to a particular base in order to achieve a put out for their team.  Coaches must teach fielders to make the best throw possible to any particular base without intentionally teaching them to roll or bounce the ball to the base on purpose just to achieve an out.  Again, this is a teaching division where coaches are required to teach fielders to throw the ball properly and make proper baseball plays.

Section 12: 9-10 Year Old Age (10U) Division: This is a bat all division. There is no 5 minute new inning rules in this division.  This division will play under the rules and regulations of the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations and any amendments thereto and subsequent years, subject to the local league rules and waivers obtained by the league and the By-Laws stated herein.  Specifically, the pitching rules and limitations shall be adhered to under all circumstances, with specific attention paid to the six (6) innings per calendar week of Monday through Sunday, and the rule of three (3) innings pitched and the requirement of two (2) calendar days rest in between the three innings pitched and the next pitching session, regardless of calendar week.  Otherwise, regular high school baseball rules apply.  All coaches must understand and review the pitching rules, and must sign the pitching ledger for each particular game within fifteen (15) minutes after the game’s completion or the ledger recorded by the official scorekeeper shall be deemed official and correct.  Compliance with all of the local league and tournament play special rules and regulations of the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations is required.

Section 13: 11-12 Year Old Age (12U) Division: This is a bat all division. There is no 5 minute new inning rules in this division.  The rules and regulations of these By-Laws and of the 9-10 age division stated above shall apply with the exception of the following:

• Pitcher’s mound shall be 50 feet from home plate and the bases shall be 70 feet apart as described hereinabove.

• Runners are allowed to take leads off of all bases and are allowed to steal at will.

• Balks will be enforced at the discretion of the umpires.

Section 14: 7-12 year old age divisions:

1. Each manager will be required in a six (6)-inning ball game to play each player two (2) innings (defensively), except when the manager feels the player is not able to play because of illness or injury.  Note reason on lineup card and inform the official scorekeeper.  If a game is shortened to 4 innings due to rain or 10 run rules and a player did not play 2 innings defensively, the manger is required to play that player enough innings the next game to reach 4 total innings for the 2 games.

2. If any Team Manager fails to follow the minimum playing requirements for any of the three Divisions, the game in question will be forfeited and the manager suspended for the next game, subject to the discretion of the Board.  A second infraction by the same manager of this rule will result in his/her suspension for the remainder of the season, subject to the discretion of the Board.

3. Any player who is late for the start of a game may, at the discretion of the Head Coach for that team, be benched for the game or may be added to the end of the batting lineup and played in the field.

Section 15: 9-10 year old division: A runner leaving his base before the ball crosses home plate will result in an umpire putting the runner back on that base, unless the runner is put out or the batter reaches base, subject to the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations and all subsequent amendments thereto for subsequent years, which shall control.

Section 16: Bat All (all divisions): Is defined as all batters on both teams bat (equal number as the other team) or as determine by the coach of the team with more players before the start of play. Example: Team A has 11 players present, Team B has 12 players present, Team A must bat 11 but coach of Team B may bat 11 or 12.

Section 17: 7-12 year old divisions: Managers have the option of having a courtesy runner for the catcher only at any time.  The courtesy runner will be the player who made the last out.

Section 18: 9-12 year old divisions: No intentional base on balls may be given by the defensive team to an opposing batter simply.  Should a defensive team wish to intentionally walk an opposing batter, the pitcher for the defensive team must throw four balls to the opposing batter to force a walk.  The catcher may indicate the defensive team’s intention to throw four balls by standing up before each pitch and signaling to the side opposite of the opposing batter with his arm extended before and during receipt of the pitch.

Section 19: Only the manager, coaches, team moms, scorekeeper and players will be permitted in the dugout during the game.

Section 20: 9-12 year old divisions: Two base coaches will be allowed while a team is at bat. The manager, coaches or players may coach the bases.

Section 21: Any player or coach who is ejected from a game will have his case heard before the Board or a committee appointed by the Board to determine if he will be suspended for the next game his team plays or for a longer duration. The coach of the team involved will not be on the committee.

Section 22: If a player makes malicious contact with any other players, the player is ejected as outlined in the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations and all subsequent amendments thereto for subsequent years. This is a judgment call by the umpires.

Section 23: An offensive player will wear a helmet at all times he is on the field and his team is at bat.  If a player removes his helmet during a live ball situation, his first instance in a game will result in a warning to the offending team.  Second and subsequent instances will result in an out being called against the offending team, all subject to the discretion of the umpires.

Section 24: All age divisions: A base runner may slide head first at any base except for home plate.  All sliding into home plate must be feet first. Should a base runner slide into home head first, said base runner will be called out at the plate by the umpire, regardless of the result of the play, and the run will not count.

Section 25: All age divisions: No base runner is allowed to dive over a fielder (head and/or hands first) to attempt to reach a base. Such an event by a base runner will result in the base runner being called out at the moment he dives over the fielder.  A base runner jumping over a fielder to avoid a tag from the fielder who is physically possessing the baseball will also be immediately ruled out.  However, a base runner jumping over a fielder who is in the prone position (lying down attempting to gain possession of the baseball or injured or otherwise) will be deemed to be attempting to avoid a collision with the fielder and play will continue without a call from the umpire.  Such a base runner will not be ruled out for jumping the fielder in said position. This is in the discretion of the umpires.

Section 26: Coaches in the coach’s boxes at first and third are to remain in their respective coach’s boxes (within reason) during an active play, and are to refrain from entering onto the field or going down the base line toward home plate during an active play. The umpires are empowered to warn coaches of abuse of this rule and have the ability to remove coaches from the field of play for violations.

Section 27: Coaches cannot touch or physically assist a base runner during an active play or that runner is subject to being called out should the umpire see the action.

Section 28: For 4-6 year olds, coaches are allowed to physically assist a batter at the plate should it be needed. However, do not direct or physically move a batter into a position to hit the ball in a particular direction or to avoid getting out. We want to be good sports to all people involved, especially the kids involved.

Section 29: For 5-8 year olds, the coach operating the machine for his team at bat may coach the batter or runners, but said coach may not leave the area immediately behind the pitching machine and outside of the circle unless to avoid a batted ball or a defensive player making a play. The only other times said coach may leave that area is during a timeout in the game or to go and pick up balls from behind the plate.

Section 30: All age divisions: Notwithstanding the domination rule and the umpire’s application of the same, should a defensive player attempt to make an out on a base runner that could, in the umpire’s discretion, invoke the domination rule, and a second base runner then attempts to occupy the same base, the domination rule is ineffective as to the second base runner.

Scenario number 1: the first baseman, after having obtained possession of the baseball, attempts to run home to tag out a runner running from 3rd base (which could have invoked the domination rule as to that base runner). A second runner who is now or will be obtaining 3rd base continues on home to attempt to score and is tagged out by the first baseman. That second runner is not protected by the domination rule.

Article XX - Pitching Rules

Section 1: The regular season pitching rules stated under the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations and all subsequent amendments thereto for subsequent years shall control. Specifically, under no circumstances, during a regular season, may a pitcher be allowed to pitch more than six innings during a day, or more than a total of six innings during a calendar week (Monday through Sunday). This includes the circumstances of having to play three games in one week due to a rain out.

Section 2: Pitching rule: Pitchers may pitch six innings per week. After throwing one pitch in a third inning within one game, the player must have 2-calendar days rest regardless of the day of the week. Pitching week starts Monday and goes through Sunday. For example, if a player pitches one pitch in a 3rd inning of a game on a Saturday, that player cannot pitch again until Tuesday of the following week.

Article XXI - Local Tournament Rules

Section 1: The local tournament rules and regulations, including hitting and pitching rules stated therein, under the Little Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations and all subsequent amendments thereto for subsequent years shall control.  Tournament pitching rules begin as soon as the first game of the tournament is played. All players start with zero innings pitched on the first game of the tournament, regardless of the day of the week. No pitcher is allowed to pitch more than six innings in two consecutive games within the tournament. For example, a pitcher may pitch four innings in one game and the following game may only pitch two, but the game after that may pitch four innings.

Section 2: In addition, if a tournament game is tied, it must be played until a winner is declared.

Article XXII - All-Star Team

Section 1: The Board of Directors, upon advisement by an All-Star committee if created, will determine the number of all-star teams that will be fielded and the criteria of the selection process. Unless otherwise agreed to by the coaches in each age division, All Stars will be chosen by secret ballot of all head coaches from a list of only those players that played in that respective division. Players are only eligible for all-star participation on all-star teams in the respective divisions they played in during the regular season.

Section 2: The Head Coaches will determine the Head Coach of the all-star teams in their respective divisions through a vote of the coaches at a called coaches meeting.

Section 3: The all-star manager will select the all-star coaches from the regular season team Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches. The number of Coaches allowed for each All-Star team shall be determined by the tournament rules. The League will support one manager and 3 assistants in the 8U age division, and one manager and 2 assistant coaches in 10U and 12U age divisions.