WYBL By-Laws

January 2021 – Revision

League By-Laws for the Washington Youth Baseball League

Article 1 – League Name

1. The Name of this organization shall be the Washington Youth Baseball League (WYBL), which will be divided into five subdivisions.These divisions are; 4U Instructional, 6U Coach Pitch, 8U Coach Pitch, 10U Player Pitch, and 12U Player Pitch.

Article 2 – League Mission Statement

1. The purpose of the Washington Youth Baseball League is to develop the baseball knowledge of the youth participants, promote active interest in baseball, and to promote good sportsmanship of both the players and the spectators.

Article 3 – League Hierarchy

1. It will be the function of the WYBL 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 4 - Board of Directors – Governing Body

1. The Board of Directors (BOD) shall consist of 5 officers which will consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a League Officer.Also, the BOD will elect one coach from each age division to serve on a one season basis term.The 4U division will be represented by the elected coach from the 6U division.
2. BOD Vacancies: 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 BOD 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 BOD the following baseball season.
3. Powers: The powers of the BOD are provided in the league by-laws.
4. Elections/Appointments: Elections and appointments for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and League Officer will be held during the end of the year, Nov/Dec, board meeting.The Presidential election will be held based on nominations from the floor of the meeting.The term of all elected/appointed BOD’s will consist of one calendar year.The offices of Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and League Officer will be appointed, reassigned or filled by the league President.

Article 5 – Board of Directors Duties

1. President: The President will preside at all meetings of the BOD’s and will give reasonable notice to all members of the said meetings.He/she will be the chief executive officer exercising general supervision over the interest and affairs of the WYBL, subject to the direction of the BOD’s.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 scorers and games umpires, and monitor their performance.
2. Vice President: The Vice President will serve in the capacity of the President in his/her absence and perform any other duties assigned to the President.
3. Secretary: He/she will attend all meetings of the BOD’s and act as the official secretary thereof.The secretary will keep and preserve a true and correct record of all business transacted at meetings.The records and books will at all times be open for inspection by the BOD’s.
4. Treasurer: He/she will keep accurate records of all financial transactions performed by the league.He/she will work with the President to maintain a reasonable balance in all accounts and will be responsible for collecting all monies from various projects performed by the league (fundraisers, concessions, registrations, etc.).
5. League Officer: He/she will work with the other officers of the BOD’s and will perform any additional tasks as directed by the BOD’s.
6. Divisional Representative: These individuals will have the right to attend any BOD meeting during the baseball season and will be allowed to vote on matters that relate to the league during this time.Also, these individuals will be responsible for helping the BOD’s with league issues, complaints, and disputes on and off the field in their respective divisions.All final decisions are to be made by the President.

Article 6 – League Funds

1. Revenue will be derived from registration fees, concession stand funds, various fundraiser projects, and sponsor fees as determined by the BOD’s.The BOD may authorize purchases and payments of expenses, reimbursements, vendors, contract workers, and other various items as required to run the day to day operations of the league.All items must be within the budgetary limitations of the league and will be presented to the Treasurer and the President for approval.All purchases for the league will require an invoice in order to be paid by the Treasurer and are subject for review by the BOD’s.

Article 7 – Meetings and Amendments to the By-Laws

1. The BOD’s 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 BOD’s will constitute a quorum and a majority vote of those present will be necessary to give effect to any action of the Board.
2. Amendments to this set of By-Laws may be amended by the BOD’s by a 2/3 vote of those present at a properly noticed and called meeting of the BOD as discussed above. All amendments proposed and ratified to the By-Laws will become effective immediately.

Article 8 – Coaches

1. All coaches and team staff for each team must be at least eighteen years old.All coaches must attend the beginning of the year coach’s meeting in order to coach the upcoming season. Head and assistant coaches will be allowed to coach only once they have submitted the required information via the online registration process and the BOD’s has completed and received an approved background check on them.
2. It is the responsibility of the Coach to promote GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP among his coaches, players, and parents at all times.He/she is responsible for representing not only him/herself but the league and the City of Washington.Use of any tobacco product by a coach on the City of Washington’s playing or practice fields is prohibited.

Article 9 – Player Eligibility

1. The BOD’s will open registration for all eligible players before any given season begins.Eligibility is determined by the following:
   1. 4U – Child who has not turned 5 before April 30^th of the given year.
   2. 6U – Child who has not turned 7 before April 30^th of the given year.
   3. 8U – Child who has not turned 9 before April 30^th of the given year.
   4. 10U – Child who has not turned 11 before April 30^th of the given year.
   5. 12U – Child who has not turned 13 before April 30^th of the given year.
2. A birth certificate for each child must be presented when it is the first season the child has ever played for the League.A birth certificate copy may be requested at any time as determined by the BOD’s.
3. When such documents such as the birth certificate are not available, the President shall forward to Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. District Director as much documentary evidence as possible.If the District Director determines that such evidence is satisfactory, a statement to that effect will be sent to the President which shall be acceptable in lieu of other records.
4. If a player who wishes to change leagues from one season to another must file a “release form” to the President.If approved by the President, the form must be forwarded to the District Director and if approved by all parties, forwarded to the State President of the Tar Heel Leagues.

Article 10 – Player Drafts

1. 4U players are not subject to player drafts.Teams will be organized by the BOD’s with the attempt to keep the number of players for each team below 10.
2. Players in the 6U, 8U, 10U, and 12U each season will be placed into a draft which is to be performed immediately following the end of the player registration process.
3. The draft will consist of a Primary Draft, Secondary Draft and a Supplemental Draft.All draft picks will be performed in a snake draft order.
   1. Primary Draft: Each age division will consist of the eldest aged players and players playing in their 2-3 year of a respective age division regardless of age.These players shall be drafted in the primary draft until there isn’t a sufficient number of players available to complete a full round of drafting.
   2. Secondary Draft: Will consist of all players in the youngest age group within the age division.All players with exception to those players who qualify for the Primary draft shall be drafted in the Secondary draft until there isn’t a sufficient number of players available to complete a full round of drafting.
   3. Supplemental Draft: Will consist of any remaining players who were not selected in either the Primary or Supplemental Draft.All players will be selected to a team at this time.
   4. Draft Order: Snake draft.The order of the draft will be determined by a draw of numbers from a hat by the coaches in each division.The coach that draws the number 1 selection overall shall pick first in the first round of the Primary draft and the Supplemental Draft but shall have the last pick in the first round of the Secondary draft.The draft rounds will be conducted in the format of a snake draft which will consist of the following order example; Round 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Round 2: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Round 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc.Teams will be re-drafted each year and all players desiring to play and meeting eligibility rules will be distributed in the player draft.
4. Draft Picks: Before the draft selections begin each head coach will be allowed to select one assistant coach and their child, if applicable, for their team before the draft begins.All other potential assistant coaches will be placed in the draft with their child, if applicable.Once each head coach has made their decision on one primary assistant coach and their child, if applicable, each head coach along with the President or BOD’s representative will rate each coach’s child as to when they should be selected in the draft order.Based on that consensus each head coach’s child will be drafted no later than the fourth round.Any disputes regarding the head coach’s child that are not decided on a majority rule among the division coaches will fall to the President for the final ruling on the drafting order.Each head coach that has selected a primary assistant coach is required to select that coach’s child in the first round of either the Primary or Secondary draft depending on the child’s age.If a head coach’s 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 draft depending on the age of the child.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 all disagreements will be settled by the President.

    

   1. 10U and 12U coaches will be required to discuss who are the pitching and coaching prospects for their respective division.Once a consensus is reached on pitching and catching prospects each team will draft these players as evenly as possible via the Primary and Secondary draft.All disputes will be decided by the President.
5. 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 BOD’s.All players will be placed in the draft where they may be drafted by anyone.

Article 11 – League Schedules

1. The league schedule will at a minimum provide 8 games to each team.Each game will be played as scheduled unless a team is unable to place a minimum of 8 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.
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.
3. The President and the BOD’s will make every attempt to have built in days into the league schedule to allow for make up days for rain-out and inclement weather.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 scheduled games below 8.With suspended games, that are completed at a later time, 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.
4. In the event of ties in the standings at the end of the regular season the following procedures are to be followed to determine seeding for tournament play:
   1. First tiebreaker will be determined by the RUN differential of runs scored and runs allowed
   2. If a tie is still present then a coin flip will determine the higher seed

   Higher seed in tournament will become the home team.

Article 12 – Playing Field

1. Ground rules and other playing rules not covered by the Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations & Official Playing Rules will be governed by the National Federation of State High School Association Baseball Rules for 2018.
2. 4U: Shall use any open field at the time of game scheduling.No specific rules are in place for distance of bases as this is strictly an introductory league to the game of baseball.
3. 6U: The distance between all bases must be 60 feet.The distance from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber must be 40 feet.A pitching mound is not necessary.The field will be marked with a 15-foot arc in from of the point of home plate which a batted ball must cross to be in play (foul ball is called if it does not reach the arc and the batter is awarded another pitch).Around the 40-foot pitching rubber there will be an 8-foot radius circle which all defensive players are required to have both feet clearly inside the circle when a pitch is delivered.This is a coach pitch division and coaches that are pitching are required to stand behind a 25-foot mark and may stand as far back as the pitching rubber at 40-foot, kneeling is allowed when pitching to a child.
4. 8U: The distance between all bases must be 60 feet.The distance from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber must be 40 feet.A pitching mound is not necessary.Around the 40-foot pitching rubber there will be an 8-foot radius circle which all defensive players are required to have both feet clearly inside the circle when a pitch is delivered.Defensive players inside of the pitching circle are always required to be parallel with the pitching coach or behind them for their safety.This is a coach pitch division and coaches that are pitching are required to stand in contact with the pitching rubber inside of the pitching circle located at 40 feet away from home plate when delivering a pitch.
5. 10U: The distance between all bases must be 60 feet.The distance from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber must be 46 feet.All playing fields must have a pitching mound.
6. 12U: The distance between all bases must be 70 feet.The distance from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber must be 50 feet.All playing fields must have a pitching mound.

Article 13 – Official Equipment

1. All ball players must be in baseball uniforms to be allowed to participate in league sanctioned games.Uniforms shall consist of cap, shirt, pants, shoes and socks.
2. For 6U, 8U, 10U, and 12U all bats must be USA Baseball approved and carry the USA Baseball Stamp or must be NFHS approved and carry the BBCOR stamp (High School) for use in Washington Youth Baseball and the Tar Heel Leagues.Bats may not exceed 2 5/8” in diameter nor 36” inches in length.There is no rule regarding weight / length ratio.
3. Tennis shoes or shoes with molded rubber cleats are permitted in all divisions.No metal cleats are allowed.
4. A protective helmet must be worn by all batters and must be a helmet that gives protection of temples, ears, and base of the skull.Turtle shaped style helmets without the ear protectors will not be allowed.For the 4U, 6U, and 8U divisions helmet masks are not required but are recommended for added protection.Helmets must be worn by all base runners in local league and tournament play.
5. Catchers must wear a mask (to include hockey style), shin guards, chest protector, athletic supporter (with protective cup) and full catcher’s helmets in local league and tournament play.The use of a detachable throat protector is optional.

Article 14 – Protests

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.
2. Protests and rule interpretations are subject to the Tar Heels Leagues, Inc. Rules and Regulations.
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 by-laws will results is a loss of the head coach’s ability to protest.

Article 15 – Umpires

1. Umpires and umpire’s decision are regulated by the Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations.Umpires must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. After a game begins, the home plate umpire along with communication with the league President will decide on the conditions of the field in case of rain.
3. The umpires will report to the league President any acts of unsportsmanlike conduct by manager, coaches, players, or team followers.
4. Harassing the opposing team or individual players or umpires has no place in this 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.

Article 16 – Lightning/Thunderstorm Policy

1. When thunder is heard, or lightning is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning.Play is to be suspended immediately and all spectators, players, coaches, and volunteers are to return their vehicles.A city staff member shall sound an air horn stating that play is to be suspended immediately.Staying in the dugouts and gathering under the concession stand is not allowed and dangerous during a lightning storm.
2. Once the air horn is blown a THIRTY MINUTE RULE is applied.Once play has been suspended a 30-minute wait period will occur until no visible sign of lightning or thunder is seen or heard.Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the thirty-minute period resets the clock and adds an additional thirty-minute count.Spectators, coaches, and players will be notified by an air horn blowing 2 times in order to return to the fields.

Article 17 - League Rules

1. The rules and regulations stated in these by-laws are binding among all teams, players, coaches and are indisputable.In the case of a conflict with the rules stated in the Tar Heel League, Inc. local by-laws 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 by-laws, Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations shall apply.
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.The 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 substitution announced.
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.If 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.
4. No player, child or parent will be allowed in the press box directly behind home plate during a game.
5. 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.
6. Only the official scorekeeper, announcer, scoreboard operator, league officials, and members of the press may be in the press box during the game.
7. No more than 15 minutes will be allowed between games, unless the official schedule permits.Games will not start before their scheduled time without consent of both the managers, umpire and scorekeepers.
8. Time Limits:
   1. 4U – 45-minute time limit for each game, no inning limitation
   2. 6U – 1-hour or 6 innings, whichever comes first
   3. 8U – 1-hour and 15 minutes or 6 innings, whichever comes first
   4. 10U and 12U – 1-hour and 30 minutes or 6 innings, whichever comes first
9. 6U Game Rules:
   1. Games are to last 1 hour or 6 innings, whichever comes first.
   2. No new inning shall start after 55 minutes from the starting time of the game.
   3. No intentional bunting is allowed. No walks are allowed.Attempted bunting will constitute as a strike.
   4. An eight-foot radius circle is to be drawn around the pitching rubber.A defensive player, with both feet in the circle, must remain inside the circle, even or behind the pitching rubber, until the batter makes contact with the ball.
   5. 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 both feet in the circle shall not field a ball and run to tag any base or baserunner except home plate.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 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.
   6. 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.
   7. 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.
   8. A coach for the hitting team will pitch from in-between the 25-foot and the pitching rubber.Pitching from one knee is permitted.Each team is allowed to have a first base coach, third base coach and a coach assisting the batter behind the plate, if necessary.The defensive team shall have a maximum of three coaches on the field at any time, located in the outfield grass to assist the defense.Coaches must be on the outfield grass when the pitch is delivered and remain there for the duration of the play until time is called.No Coach is allowed to touch or assist a player in making a play, they are only permitted to instruct as to where the play is to occur.
   9. All batters and catchers must wear protective gear as stated in Article 13.
   10. Batters are not allowed to bunt in this division.
   11. 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.

        

        

10. 8U
    1. This is a bat all division.The coach must submit a batting order to the umpire, scorekeeper, and opposing team before the game.All players must be listed in a batting order for the entire game.In the event a play is injured (umpire will make the ruling), the scorekeeper will be notified, and the said player will sit out for the remainder of the inning with no penalty in the batter order.If the batter cannot return due to the injury the team will skip his position in the lineup with no penalty.NO player shall sit in the dugout for two consecutive innings.
    2. A maximum of five runs or three outs will constitute an offensive inning.
    3. Six innings or the time limit will constitute a game or once a team becomes mathematically eliminated, the game shall end.
    4. No intentional bunting is allowed. No walks are allowed.Attempted bunting will constitute as a strike.
    5. An eight-foot radius circle is to be drawn around the pitching rubber.A defensive player, with both feet in the circle, must remain inside the circle, even or behind the pitching rubber, until the batter contacts the ball.
    6. All outfielders must be positioned in a similar radius across the outfield and should not be on the infield dirt.
    7. Each batter is allowed five pitches or three swings per at bat.There is no limit on the number of foul balls on the 5^th pitch or the 3^rd swing.
    8. There is no infield fly rule.
    9. No base stealing is allowed.A runner may leave the base once contact is made with the baseball by the batter.
    10. Base runners that miss touching a base, or leave a base early, shall be called out by the umpire upon completion of the play.A delayed dead ball shall be called by the umpire.The umpire’s judgement will rule on the runner’s position at the point time is called by either umpire.Time is called once the front runner is contained.
    11. A team may have a courtesy runner for the catcher at any time.The runner used as a courtesy runner will be the player that made the last out.
    12. Catchers must be in a squatted catcher’s position behind the batter and not standing or off to the side.
    13. The coach who is pitching must stay in contact with the pitching rubber until the ball is released.Once the coach releases the ball, he/she cannot be involved in coaching until time is called as there are base coaches to direct runners. A coach may not deceive defensive players to get the ball thrown before time is called.
        1. If a coach does deceive a defensive player into making an errant throw the ball is declared dead, the batter is declared out, all runners return to the base occupied before the pitch and the lead runner is declared out.The adult pitcher/coach should only communicate with a batter or player before the ball is put in play.
    14. If a batted ball hits the coach who is pitching (making every attempt to avoid contact) before the defensive player touches the ball, the ball is dead, with all runners advancing one base if forced.If the coach who is pitching intentionally interferes or makes no attempt to avoid contact, the ball is dead, the batter is declared out, and all runners return to the base occupied before the pitch except the lead runner, who is also declared out.
    15. The coach who is pitching must leave the field from either first or third base baseline when the batted ball is put in play and is not allowed to coach until the ball is declared dead.
    16. If the 5^th pitch is wild, hits the dirt, hits the batter, or is over the batter’s head, it is the umpire’s discretion to allow a 6^th pitch to the batter unless the batter swings at the pitch.
    17. A team must have eight players to start a game.A disqualified/ejected player will result in and out each time that position comes to bat.Teams may have up to ten (10) 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, (1) pitcher and one catcher.
    18. The defensive team shall be allowed two coaches in the outfield foul territory to assist in play calling, 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.The coaches are not allowed to come any closer to the playing field then the infield dirt and are not allowed in fair territory unless time is called.
    19. Overthrows to first base are played live until the lead runner is stopped.
    20. 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.
    21. The domination rule discussed in the above 6U 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.
11. 10U
    1. This is a bat all division.
    2. There are no 5-minute new inning rules in this division.All games will last 1-hour and 30 minutes or 6 innings, whichever comes first.
    3. This division will play under the rules and regulations of the Tar Heel Leagues, 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.
    4. Pitching rules and limitations
       1. A player shall not pitch in more than 6 innings in one day, nor more than 6 innings in a calendar week, Monday thru Sunday.
       2. Pitchers throwing the last day of the week must have the allotted rest period
       3. The rule of three (3) innings pitched will constitute one (1) calendar days rest in between the three innings pitched and the next pitching session, regardless of calendar week.
    5. All coaches must understand and review the pitching rules and must sign the pitching ledger for each 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 local league and tournament play special rules and regulations of the Tar Heel League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations is required.
    6. A runner leaving the base early before the ball crosses home plate will result in an umpire putting the runner back on that base, unless the runner is put out.
    7. Intentional base on balls are allowed, however, the defensive coach must notify the umpire before the first pitch is thrown to the batter.
    8. Run Rule – 12 runs after three innings, 10 runs after four innings.The losing team must have an equal number of at bats.
    9. If a game is canceled before it becomes a regulation game, it must be replayed from the exact point of interruption with the same ball and strike count on the batter and the same lineup as near as possible.
12. 12U
    1. This is a bat all division.
    2. There are no 5-minute new inning rules in this division.
    3. Games will last 1 hour and 30 minutes or 6 innings, whichever comes first.
    4. The rules and regulations of these By-Laws and of the 10U age division stated above shall apply except for the following:
       1. Pitcher’s mound shall be 50 feet from home plate and the bases shall be 70 feet apart as described hereinabove.
       2. Runners can take leads off of all bases and are allowed to steal at will.
       3. Balks will be enforced at the discretion of the umpires.
    5. Pitching rules and limitations
       1. A player shall not pitch in more than 6 innings in one day, nor more than 6 innings in a calendar week, Monday thru Sunday.
       2. Pitchers throwing the last day of the week must have the allotted rest period
       3. The rule of three (3) innings pitched will constitute one (1) calendar days rest in between the three innings pitched and the next pitching session, regardless of calendar week.
13. 8U to 12U Additional Rules
    1. Each team is required to play each player two innings defensively, except when the umpire feels that a player is not able to play because of illness or injury.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 coach is required to paly that player enough innings the next game to reach 4 total innings for the 2 games.
    2. If any team fails to follow the minimum playing requirements for any division, the game in question will be forfeited and the BOD’s will issue a warning to the coach.If a second infraction occurs the coach will be suspended for the next game and a third infraction will result in the coach being suspended for the remainder of the season.
    3. Any player or coach who is ejected from a game will be suspended for the following game.
    4. A base runner may slide head first into any base, but no base runner can dive over a fielder in an attempt to reach a base.A base runner jumping over a fielder to avoid a tag from a fielder who is physically possessing the baseball will also be immediately called out.However, a base runner jumping over a fielder who is in the prone position (lying down attempting to gain possession of the ball) will be deemed to be attempting to avoid a collision with the fielder and play will continue without a call from the umpire.
    5. Offensive coaches in the coach’s boxes at first and third base 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.
    6. Offensive and defensive coaches cannot touch or physically assist a base runner during an active play.Any active play where a player is touched by result in the runner or hitter being called out, at the umpire’s discretion.

Article 18 – Pitching Rules

1. The regular season pitching rules stated under the Tar Heel Leagues, 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.
2. Pitchers may pitch six innings per week.After throwing one pitch in a third inning within one game, the player must have one (1) 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 Monday of the following week.

Article 19 – Local Tournament Rules

1. The local tournament rules and regulations, including hitting and pitching rules stated therein, under the Tar Heel Leagues, 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 can 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.
2. In addition, if a tournament game is tied, it must be played until a winner is declared.

Article 20 – All-Star Teams

1. The BOD’s, 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.
2. The winning coach of the League’s regular season will be given the first opportunity to be the Head Coach for the All-Star Team in their respective division.If the said coach declines the offer to be head coach, then a vote will be held by the head coaches in the division to select the head coach for the All-Star Team.
3. The All-Star Head Coach will be allowed to select their other All-Star Coaches from the regular season teams Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches.No outside coaches will be allowed for All-Star selections, all coaches must be approved by the BOD’s and must have been a coach for the entire league season. The League will support one Head Coach and 3 assistants in the 8U age division, and one manager and 2 assistant coaches in 10U and 12U age divisions.
4. All All-Star uniforms will be paid for by the parents of the All-Star players.If the league has to sponsor a child in need of an All-Star uniform the BOD’s must approve the purchase of any uniforms.