2016 RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR 9/10U

The following basic rules and regulations will govern play in the Pittsburgh Metro Baseball League for 2016. The list of rules and regulations is NOT intended to cover all of the playing rules, but rather highlight those areas that are referenced most often by the coaches and participants. In general, the PMBL has adopted the National Federation High School League rules. Except where modified below.

I. PLAYER REGISTRATION/ELIGIBILITY 
A. Players in their respective age groups must not reach the next age before April 1. It is permissible for a player to play up from their designated age division, but they may not play down. For example, an 11 year old may play in the 12 year old division, but a 13 year old may NOT play in the 12 year old division.
B. There is a maximum of 16 players per team. Roster changes may be made through May 31st. Any player(s) added after that date, must be approved by the PMBL.

II. RESIDENCY
A. The PMBL reserves the right to rule on any questionable situations.

III. LEVELS OF PLAY
Some age groups may have multiple skill levels

IV. FIELD DIMENSIONS
A. The following base lengths shall apply: 
10 year olds - 60.0 feet 
B. The following pitching distances shall apply: 
10 year olds - 46 feet 

V. EQUIPMENT
A. Shoes
10 year olds will use molded cleats or tennis shoes. NO METAL SPIKES ALLOWED! 
B. Bats - The following pertains to the legality of bats in the PMB
10 year olds Maximum diameter at the thickest part: 2 1/4" or less with unlimited weight differential 
In length:…………………………...36" or less 

VI. COACH/PLAYER CONDUCT
A. All players, coaches and spectators are to behave in a manner that reflects the positive fun associated with the game of baseball. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated including:
- Verbal abuse - Arguing judgment calls
- Physical aggression - Profanity
- Tantrum-like acts 
B. Any player, coach or spectator ejected from a game will also be suspended from their teams next game. Further sanctions may be warranted depending upon the behavior. A second game disqualification will result in suspension from the remainder of the team's regular season and playoff games. 
C. Anyone ejected for the season is entitled to an appeal. They should submit their appeal in writing to their commissioner. A hearing will be scheduled to include the party involved, their coach, the umpire, and a representative of the PMBL. 

VII. UMPIRES
A. It will be the responsibility of each home team and the visiting team to SPLIT THE UMPIRE COSTS, regardless of who is the home team.
THERE WILL BE ONE UMPIRE PER GAME.  IT IS THE HOME TEAM'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SCHEDULE THE UMPIRES.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOME MANAGER TO CONTACT THE UMPIRES IN THE EVENT OF A GAME CHANGE OR CANCELLATION.   
B. No judgment call may be protested. Only rule interpretations are allowed. Protested games will be completed only when the outcome has significant bearing on the final standings.
C. While the PMBL hopes to eliminate all "no-shows", we must also have a policy in the event that you do have a "no-show".
If an umpire does not show at the field at game time, both managers must agree to one of the following options:
1) Wait for an umpire to show.
2) Start the game with an agreed upon substitute umpire. To avoid conflict between both teams have one person from each team umpire the game.
3) Do not play the game and attempt to reschedule.
D. In any event, call the PMBL commissioner to report problems that arose and what solution was agreed upon. 

VIII. GENERAL RULES
A. Each team must supply 1 new game ball for each game.
B. Home team shall keep the official scorebook.
C. Line markings and bases are the responsibility of the home team.
D. All players must be in matching uniforms.
E. Courtesy runners
The last player to be put out will be allowed to run for the catcher any time. The player that is run for must catch the next inning. Exception: A courtesy runner (the last player to be put out) will be allowed for an injured player.
F. 10U will play with 3 outfielders.
G. 10U will NOT play a dropped 3rd strike rule.
H. Infield Fly rule will be in affect
I. Sliding is a must to avoid contact. Defer to high school rules.
J.  THERE WILL BE A MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) RUNS PER INNING ALLOWED, EXCEPT IN THE FINAL INNING.  "CONTINUATION" IS ALLOWED DURING ALL INNINGS

IX. CONTINUOUS BATTING
A. Continuous batting and free substitution will be used in all 9/10 year-old Pittsburgh Metro Baseball games. The continuous batting order will be the original starting lineup handed to the opposing team. Therefore, you may have more kids on the bench than playing in the game. The extra player not in the starting lineup, will be ineligible to play in the game for any reason even injury. Should a team use a child not in the starting lineup, this will result in a forfeit

X. PITCHING RESTRICTIONS
A. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 innings per game, 3 per day, and a maximum of 6 innings per week.
B. Definition - A week consists of Sunday through Saturday. One pitch in an inning constitutes an inning pitched.
C. Balks- One warning will be given. Second offense, pitch will be called a ball and runners will not advance one base.

XI. LEADING OFF
A. The following rules shall apply:
10 year olds - A player may not lead off and but may steal any base only after the ball crosses the front of home plate.
ONE TEAM warning for leaving the base early.  Subsequent offenses result in an "out" 
(A RUNNER CAN STEAL HOME WHILE PITCHER IS WALKING BACK TO MOUND)

XII. GAME LENGTH
A. Completed games are FINAL after 6 innings. Extra innings will be allowed based on weather conditions and sunlight.
B. Ties will stand after curfew or darkness. Do not risk injury due to darkness. To insure the playing of the full six innings, hustle between half innings and retrieve all foul balls in a timely manner.
C. The 10-run rule will take effect after 3 1/2 innings.
D. Games called for any reason in mid-inning will revert to the score at the end of the last completed inning.

XIII. STANDINGS
A. The PMBL shall keep current standings and they will be available to the respective coaches on the Pittsburgh Metro Baseball League website: www.leaguelineup.com/pittsburghmetrobaseball
B. Both managers must report their completed game score to their commissioner by 5:00pm the day after the game was completed. Teams will be contacted if scores are not reported and will be assessed a penalty if it occurs more than one time. 
C. Ties will be broken down by the followings procedure:
1) Head to Head competition
2) Best positive run differential in games between the tied teams
3) Best positive run differential in all games played
4) If still tied, a one game playoff will determine the winner

XIV. RAIN-OUT PROCEDURES
A. In the event that a field is unplayable due to weather, the home team coach must:
1) Notify the other coach & umpire(s) as soon as the decision is made. This should be done no later than 90 mins prior to game time.
2) Report the weather cancellation to your league commissioner. 
B. If the PMBL does not hear from a coach or the coach does not report the cancellation via the score reporting system, it will be assumed that the game is on as scheduled. It is then up to the umpire to decide if the field conditions are playable.
C. 10 year old games started, but stopped due to weather conditions, are official after 3 1/2 or 4 innings. 
D. Unofficial games will be made up from the exact point of interruption. When both coaches agree on a specific date for the completion of the game please notify the commissioner of the league and the PMBL via the rain reschedule form.

XV. SCHEDULE CHANGES
A. Schedule changes, once the schedules have been issued, must be reported to your commissioner immediately.
B. Games that are not properly cancelled or re-scheduled, may result in umpires arriving at the fields.  If this happens, any umpire fees will be charged to the teams who canceled. If the paying of the umpire is the responsibility of the PMBL (playoffs only), any re-schedule or make-up game will be the responsibility of the participating teams. It will be the responsibility of the teams involved in the game to pay the umpires if they do show up and the game is cancelled. Please check with the league commissioner for umpire availability before rescheduling games. 

XVI. PLAYOFFS
A. All teams will make the playoffs. The teams will be placed in a single elimination playoff. 
B. Seedings for the PMBL playoffs will be determined based on the league standings after completion of the regular season. Any games played after this date will not count toward the playoff standings or the forfeit fee. 
C. For all games prior to the semis, the higher seed will have the right to host the games.  For the semi-finals and championship,, games will be played at the home field of the highest seed. Should the #1 seed not be able to host, the #2 seed will now hold first right of refusal and so on down the seedings. The coach of the host team will be responsible for scheduling the field, contacting the other coach and supplying all pertinent information, and scheduling the umpire. 

D. PMBL will pay all umpires used in the playoffs for all levels.