Sackville Minor Baseball

1) Games are 6 innings long. All games will be a maximum of 2 hours 20 minutes long. If games start late they will still finish 2 hours 20 minutes from the original scheduled start time. The end time does not change. If a game is not completed at the end of regulation time the score will revert back to the last full inning played. However, if in the last playable inning (does not have to be the open inning), Home team ties or takes the lead the score does not revert back to the last full inning played. The game will continue until the time limit. If, during a game, the umpire(s) make the decision to call the game due to rain, field conditions, darkness then the final score will be taken after 4 complete innings or 3 and a half if Home team is ahead.

2) The 10 run mercy rule is in affect after 5 full innings or 4 and a half if home team is ahead.

3) There is a 5 run limit per inning except the last inning which is open (need 3 outs to end the inning).

4) A team needs 7 players to play an official game. There is a 15 minute grace period but if a team has 7 players at game time then the game is to start on time. Players arriving late to the game (no matter what inning) are to be added to the bottom of the batting order. If a team has less than 7 players it forfeits the game. Teams are then to even up with players and play a scrub game.

5) If a game has a tied score at the end of regulation play then the game stays a tie game.

6) Double ear flap helmets  must be worn at bat, on deck and on bases.

7) A helmet and mask are to be worn by players/coaches warming up the pitcher.

8) All players are in batting order and everyone must play a minimum of three innings unless the game is shortened for whatever reason (weather, time limit,etc.).

9) Bat size for this division shall not be more than 32 inches in length or no more than 2 3/4 inches in barrel diameter. There is no weight restriction for aluminum bats. Wood bats are permitted with no restrictions.

10) For the first offence of a batter throwing a bat (umpires call) the batter will be called out and given a warning. If the batter does it a second time during the game they will be called out and ejected from the game. If a bat (or any equipment) is thrown in anger it will be an automatic ejection for the player.

11) Unlimited and free substitution is allowed at the beginning of each inning except for the pitcher (rules #12-15).

12) PITCH COUNT  Daily pitches 1-25  no rest  

                                                      26-40  1 day rest

                                                      41-55  2 days rest

                                                      56-65  3 days rest

                                                      66-75  4 days rest

                                                      daily maximum 75 pitches

A days rest is considered midnight to midnight. Please check the BNS handbook section 10 for further clarification of pitch count rules.

13) If a player pitches first in a game they cannot catch in that game. If a player catches first in a game then they can pitch in the game but cannot go back to catching in the same game.

14) If a pitcher hits a batter/batters three times in an inning the pitcher must be removed from the mound and cannot pitch again in that game. The removed pitcher can continue to play in a different position.

15) Overage players are NOT ALLOWED to pitch or catch. There is a maximum of 2 overage players permitted on a team. Only one year overage is permitted.

16) Catchers rule is in effect to speed up the game. If a catcher is on base and there are two outs they are to be replaced by the player who made the last out so that the catcher can get their gear on.

17) There is no lead offs or stealing until the ball reaches the batter. There is only one base permitted on a steal. No stealing from third to Home. Since there are no lead offs there are of course no balks. Illegal pitches can still be called at the umpire's discretion.

18) The rule of NO STEALING HOME. 
    1) There is no stealing of any base when the coach (adult) is pitching.
    2) Players are allowed to steal 2nd or 3rd when the pitcher is pitching. A player can only make the attempt to steal once the ball reaches the batter.
    3) If a player, on a hit, is running to 3rd and there is an overthrow to third the runner can go home( as long as the runner has not stopped on or after third). This is NOT a steal it is a continuation of play.
    4) If a player is STOPPED ON THIRD the only way they can get home is by a hit ball or, if the bases are loaded, the batter is hit by a pitch. If a player rounds third base then comes to a stop he is considered STOPPED at third. A player cannot round third then stop to wait to see where the play will be. Once a player stops they must go back to third. A player must make it back to third without being put out.  
     5) If a runner rounds third and gets caught in a rundown, WITHOUT STOPPING, then play will continue and the rundown will be played out.

19) NO WALK RULE
The rule is designed so that there will be no walks during games. Player pitchers pitch to a batter until the batter gets to a 4 ball count. As soon as that happens one of the batter's coaches (usually the 3rd or 1st base coach) runs out to the mound to pitch (NOT LOB the ball) to the batter. The PLAYER PITCHER MUST STAND WITHIN FIVE FEET on either side of the coach as the coach pitches. As soon as that batter is done the coach runs back to his position and the normal player pitcher then begins pitching to the next batter.

When coaches come in to pitch there will be a 5 PITCH MAXIMUM (including foul balls). The pitching coach must pitch from the mosquito pitching rubber. Pitching coaches must pitch overhand NOT underhand. The batter is not allowed to bunt when the coach is pitching.

If the pitching coach hits a batter with a pitch, the batter is not automatically given first base. The pitch is just considered one of the 5 coach pitches.

If the pitching coach throws a pitch that is not called as a strike it is simply called a no pitch and the count remains at four balls and the coach pitches again. If the count is four balls and two strikes and the pitching coach throws a strike (swinging or called by the umpire) then the batter is out. If, after the 5th coach pitch, the batter has not hit the ball or has not been called out with 3 strikes the batter is automatically out.

If the batter gets a hit when the coach is pitching then the pitching coach must make every attempt to immediately get off the playing field in order not to interfere with the play. If an umpire feels the pitching coach has interfered with the play then the batter may be called out.

HELPFUL HINT -
It's not easy for coaches to pitch to the batters. They have a tendency to try to throw TOO EASY to their batters. This results in a slow arc pitch (lob) coming in to the batter.  It's very hard to throw strikes down the middle to these small players but when pitching try to keep your speed up enough so the ball comes in on a fairly straight line. It will make it way easier for your batters to hit. Have fun and good luck.

20) An AVOID CONTACT rule is strictly enforced. Base runners must make every attempt to not have any contact with fielders on plays at the bases/home plate. On accidental contact the runner MAY BE ruled out, on contact ruled intentional or negligent the runner is ruled out and is out of the game. Contact ruled intentional may lead to game suspensions. 
At no time are fielders/catchers allowed blocking the bases/plate. This includes straddling or standing with both feet on the bases/plate.

21) There is a maximum of only FOUR coaches/helpers on the field or in (around) the dugout during a game.

22) ONLY ONE COACH PER TEAM IS ALLOWED TO ASK THE UMPIRES ABOUT A CALL. That coach is to be named before the game begins when Coaches and Captains are called to the plate. Players are not to be named as the person to approach the umpires. If a non-named coach or player approaches the umpires it is an automatic ejection. If the named coach is ejected that team has lost the right to have a coach approach the umpires.  Coaches will only be permitted to cross the foul lines to assess and/or assist injured players or ask for a ruling clarification. No player, coach, manager, trainer or any other team rep shall address an umpire to debate/question a judgement call by an official. This will result in an automatic ejection.

23) If you are short players instead of forfeiting a game the coach can call up/call over players from your division or the division below. You can only call up/call over enough players for a fielding team of ten. If you call up/call over more players then they have to sit out unless a player from the regular team is, for some reason, unable to continue the game. CALL UPS/CALL OVER MUST BE PLACED LAST IN THE BATTING ORDER. CALL UPS/CALL OVERS CANNOT PITCH but they can catch. Only house league NOT Rep players can be called up/called over. You cannot call up/call over a player if it going to interfere with their house league schedule or practices. Sometimes a player who you weren't expecting shows up unexpectedly. Please discuss this with the opposing coach as it is a bit unfair to have a call up/call over being told they are no longer needed. COACHES ARE TO NOTIFY THE OPPOSING COACH, BEFORE THE GAME, WHO THEIR CALL UPS/CALL OVERS ARE.**** DURING PLAYOFFS YOU CAN ONLY CALL UP PLAYERS FROM THE 9U DIVISION. YOU CANNOT CALL OVER PLAYERS FROM THE 11U DIVISION. *****

24) A protective cup (boys) or a jill (girls) must be worn by all players during games or practices.

25) Shorts, tights, yoga pants, etc. are not permitted. All players must wear ball pants or sweat pants.

26) No tobacco products (smoking) allowed on the field or around the dugouts.

27) No jewelry to be worn except for medic alert bracelets.

28) All players/coaches are asked to pick up any garbage in or around their dugout at the end of each game.

29) Violations of house league rules could result in a forfeit game score. House rules take precedence over BNS/ Baseball Canada rules.

30) If an umpire deems that a team/coach/player(s) have deliberately delayed (or slowed down) a game so the score will revert back to the last full inning played then the umpire will immediately notify us after the game at  sackvilleminorbaseball@outlook.com  The coach will be notified with a warning and if it should happen again the offending team will have the score posted as a forfeit game.

31) Home team is responsible to email (or call 865-5586) scores in within 24 hours of game time to sackvilleminorbaseball@outlook.com

32) It is the responsibility of the Home team (contact your association) to reschedule any make up games. Field time in most areas is limited so try to do the best you can. Only games that are rained out (field conditions) or canceled due to a tournament (maximum of 2 games) etc. will be rescheduled. Games canceled due to not enough players, coaches, etc. will be posted as a forfeit. If you need to cancel a game please let me ( Christine) know in plenty of time. When you do reschedule a game please let me know so it can be posted in the Home page on the website. This way coaches who are rescheduling games can check so there will be no conflicts. When another coach or myself contact you with a make up and your team is unable to make it then the game will be posted as a forfeit. Try to give five days notice for a make up game. There will be some exceptions like do not schedule a make up on a long weekend etc.

33) Game protests will not be accepted during regular season play. This is only for playoffs IF NEEDED. A protest can be made for things, such as an illegal player/pitcher or rule, which could result in a win/loss situation. A protest cannot be made for judgment calls such as safe/out. The protest must be made before the game or immediately upon realizing a protest needs to be made during the game. The protesting coach must inform the umpires and the opposing coach of the reason for the protest. Once a protest is made known, but not resolved, the game will start/continue. On completion of the game the protesting coach must immediately email sackvilleminorbaseball@outlook.com the reason for the protest, the umpires names, the team names/field involved and the name of the opposing coach. In the event of an illegal player being used, but not known until after the game, the opposing coach has 24 hours, from the start time of the game, to email the pertinent info. Upon review of the protest, by the protest committee, the game could result in a forfeit score. Please remember that this is recreational baseball. A formal protest should only be used as a last resort as issues during the game can normally be resolved on the field.