Open Division Rules and Regulations
General
A) The WHYBS Board or Open Division Commissioner will have final decision making responsibilities on any rule or regulation not specifically listed herein.
B) Each team will provide their own uniforms and other team equipment.
C) Each team will provide their own insurance. Certificate holders to be listed as follows: White House Youth Baseball and Softball, and the City of White House.
D) All wood bats are eligible for use. All other bats must have the USA or USSSA BPF 1.15 Stamp. No bat shall exceed 33”.
E) Each team is guaranteed 10 games, weather pending.
F) The Age cut off is April 30th for both the Recreational and Open Division. The age a player is on April 30th is the youngest age group the player can compete at. A player can play up an age group if they so choose.
G) The City of White House has full control of whether fields are opened or closed due to weather.
H) Official Rosters for the season must be provided to the league representative prior to the first game. Any additions or subtractions to the open division roster after the season has started must be approved by the board. Teams can have no more than 15 on the roster.
I) The visiting team will be responsible for the operation of the scoreboard.
J) Home team is responsible for stripping the field prior to the game.
K) Cost per team will be $1200.
Coaching Responsibilities
A) Only the Manager or Manager’s designee may approach umpires during a game about a call or decision made on the field. Only a single coach at a time from each team may approach the umpire.
B) The Manager shall ensure that the dugout is cleaned of all trash and equipment after each game.
C) The Manager is responsible for the safety of players during practices and games.
D) 2 baseballs will be provided by the League for each game. Each team is required to also have 2 new baseballs available to help keep the game moving forward.
E) No team shall take infield practice on the dirt in fair territory before the game starts. Use of the outfield grass and foul territory in front of the dugout is permitted.
Rules Specific to WHYBS and White House Park
A) Tobacco, including vape pens, is banned from on field use and in the direct vicinity of the fields. Designated areas for tobacco use are detailed in the Parks and Recreation Departments bylaws and signs are posted at the park.
B) Profane language will not be tolerated. Use by coaches, parents, or other spectators will result in immediate ejection from the game or park.
C) Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the park with the exception of the Dog Park or other areas designated by the city in their bylaws. This is a city rule and will be enforced by the WHYBS Volunteers.
D) Scooters, Bikes, Skateboard, Hoverboards, or other similar types of wheeled vehicles are not allowed in the vicinity of the fields while games or practices are taking place. This is a city rule and will be enforced by the WHYBS Volunteers.
Playing Rules
General
A) All games are one hour thirty minutes. No new inning can start after 1:25.
B) Mercy Rule-12 after 3 innings and 10 after 4 innings and 8 after 5 innings.
C) The official score book will be the home team's responsibility using the Game Changer App. A physical scorebook will be kept by the Home team as well.
D) Both teams will track pitch counts through the Game Change App. The Home team will also keep pitch counts in the physical book.
E) Courtesy Runners-A Courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher and/or catcher of record at any time during the inning. Coaches are encouraged to use this rule to speed up the game and increase participation.
F) The courtesy runner must be a player not in the lineup.
G) If all players are in the lineup the last recorded out shall become the courtesy runner.
Note: Using the wrong courtesy runner is an appeal play and may result in the courtesy runner being called out.
H) Injury/Illness-If a player is forced to immediately leave the game (before continuance of play) the umpire shall be notified and the player will be skipped in the batting order for the remainder of the game and no out shall be recorded. If the player is a base runner the last recorded out will be used as a replacement runner. Teams may finish a game with no less than 8 players.
I) Malicious Contact Point of Emphasis (Cal Ripken Contact Rule)-Whenever a tag play is evident, the runner must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder. Malicious contact shall supersede all obstruction penalties.
Penalty-Runner shall be called out and may be ejected from the game at the umpire’s discretion. Comment: The umpire should judge the runner's intent. If the umpire feels the contact was unintentional then the runner should only be declared out. If the umpire feels the contact was intentional and/or malicious the runner should be declared out and ejected from the game.
J) Tie Games-Tie games will be permitted during the regular season and pool play tournament games. For bracket play tournament games the last batted out from the previous inning will start extra innings on 2nd base. This format will continue until a winner is determined.
K) Batting practice using a hard ball is always prohibited outside the fenced in field areas. Outside the fence, only soft or plastic balls may be used. Hitting against a fence is prohibited.
L) If a team has less than 9 players for a game, substitute players can be utilized using the following:
a. Players from other teams and same age group within the league, including recreational players.
b. Players from lower age group teams within the league.
M) If a manager chooses to protest a call he must immediately notify the umpire and opposing coach so the exact point of the game can be marked for official record and game play will continue. After the game the protesting manager shall inform the board official on duty and fill out the required Protest form which will be on hand in the Concession Stand. The fee of $100 will be paid at the time of protest by the protesting manager. A decision will be made within 48 Hours by the appropriate board members with input from coaches, umpires, and other necessary parties. If a protest is successful the fee will be reimbursed and the appropriate path forward will be discussed with all parties.
8U Age Group
A) Teams will bat the entire lineup.
B) No bunting is allowed.
C) No walks or intentional walks.
D) Teams can choose to use the pitching machine
a. The pitching machine will be provided by WHYBS.
b. The machine will be set to 40 MPH (Established when the ball crosses home plate).
c. Rules for using the pitching machine will be governed by the Babe Ruth rule book and/or the Tennessee Babe Ruth 8U Tournament rules.
d. If one team is using the machine and the other is not, the coach pitcher will deliver the pitch from in front of the machine.
E) Teams can score 7 runs per half inning
9U, 10U, 11U, and 12U Specific Rules
A) All players shall wear a protective cup.
B) Only a roistered coach can visit the mound. The 2nd trip to the mound will result in the pitcher being removed from the position and replaced with a new pitcher.
C) WHYBS regular season pitch counts will be used during open division play. These rules can be found on the WHYBS website under the Documents/Forms tab. Any violation of these rules will result in a forfeit.
D) Intentional Walks-Coach must inform home plate umpire of intent to walk the batter. No pitch will be thrown and no pitches will be added to the official count.
E) Lineups-Each team has the following options for their game lineups. The option used for each game must be announced to the umpire and opposing team.
Batting Order Options
1) Nine (9)
2) Nine (9) batters with a Designated Hitter
3) Ten (10) batters with an Extra Hitter (EH)
4) All players bat in continuous batting order with free defensive substitutions
F) All other rules will be governed by Game 7 rules. Any rules not specifically mentioned in the Game 7 Rules will be governed by the Babe Ruth Rule Book.
Open Division Tournament and All Star Tournament Teams
A) An end of season tournament will be held to determine the Open Division Champion.
B) The format will be determined by the Open Division Commissioner.
C) Seeding for the tournament will be determined by overall record in the Open Division.
D) Tie Breakers will be as follows:
a. Head to head results
b. Runs Allowed
c. Run Differential
d. Runs Scored
e. Coin Flip
E) The team that wins the tournament can choose to represent WHYBS in the Cal Ripken Tournament trail. The team must declare to the league board prior to the season their intention to participate in the Cal Ripken Tournament trail.
F) Any team participating in the Cal Ripken Tournament Trail is representing the WHYBS League and the city of White House. This team will be required to wear league approved uniforms. The league will donate $250 back to each team to help with the costs of the Tournament Trail Uniforms.
G) Players participating in both the recreational and open leagues can choose to participate on the All Star team from either the recreational or open league. A player cannot participate on 2 Cal Ripken tournament teams in the same season.
H) If a team in 8U decides they would like to be eligible for the All Star Tournament it is encouraged that team uses the pitching machine during the Open League Season and Tournament.