House League Rules        

FAIR PLAY POLICY FOR RECREATIONAL HOUSE

1) There should be equal innings for all players. At various times during the season and at the end of the year the total innings every player plays should be very close. This is meant to be innings available to play (minus not being able to play due to injury/away/discipline/etc).

2) Batting order should be varied so all players get to bat first, second etc.

3) There should be equal opportunity to try various positions (pitcher/catcher/infield/etc). There are of course safety issues here and a coach must feel the player can try a position without getting hurt but if a player would like to try pitching, let them try. We realize new players may struggle with new positions but that's how they learn and we do have the five run rule plus the "no walk" rule in Rookie and Mosquito. The whole idea is to develop players and let them have fun.

4) In recreational ball all players in the line-up bat and there is free substitution at the start of each inning.

5) Baseball Nova Scotia has recognized the need for fair play and made a special category for House teams to play in Provincials. The rules are basically the same as in our House leagues (free substitution/everyone bats/5 run rule/etc). One difference is that Provincials keep track of pitch count instead of innings pitched. Entries for provincials must be made by July 1st through Baseball Nova Scotia.

The concept of fair play reduces the emphasis on winning "at all cost" and focuses more on letting the players have fun and having them develop their skills. THIS GOAL SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE UMPIRES. While we have made great progress in this area in the past WE STILL AREN'T THERE YET. We continue to have some coaches, parents and players verbally abuse our young umpires and ONE IS TOO MANY. Please remember, just as our young players make mistakes in learning the game so will our young umpires. Be patient, be encouraging and BE HELPFULL.

We ask every team to have a coach or manager keep a chart sheet of every game showing which players were available to play a game, the positions players played and how many innings each player played. This should be available to parents/players/Home Association if they ask.

For 11U, 13U and 18U please refer to the Sackville Minor Baseball House League rules. 

15U BANTAM Rec Rules for Hammonds Plains and Bedford

ALL GAMES WILL BE A MAXIMUM OF 2 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES LONG. NO NEW INNING WILL START AFTER 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES.  IF GAMES START LATE THEY WILL STILL FINISH 2 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULED START TIME. THE END TIME DOES NOT CHANGE. IF A GAME IS NOT COMPLETED AT THE END OF THE REGULATION TIME THE SCORE WILL REVERT BACK TO THE LAST FULL INNING PLAYED. This only applies on the fields where a game is being played after the first game.  If there is no second game – the game only stops for darkness or a victory.

1) Games are 7 innings long. If a game is called due to time limit, weather, darkness, etc. the score will revert back to the last full inning played unless the home team has tied or taken the lead then the game will end with that result.

2) There is a 5 run per inning limit except the last inning which is open (must get 3 outs).

3) The 10 run mercy rule is in effect after 5 innings (4 and a half if home team is leading).

4) Teams must have 7 players to start an official game, there is a 15 minute grace period for players to arrive but if a team has 7 at start time the game will start on time. Players arriving late (no matter what inning it is) are allowed to play and go in the last spot in batting order. If a team does not have 7 players they forfeit the game and you are encouraged to "even up" 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. This is for regular season play only and not playoffs.

6) All players bat in the line-up.

7) Wood bats only.

8) 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.

9) There is free and unlimited substitution at the beginning of each inning except for the pitcher. (Rules #10-14)

10) Overage players are ALLOWED to pitch and catch. There is a maximum of 2 overage players permitted on a team.

11) In effect are the Baseball Canada pitch count rules.

12) Once removed from the mound a pitcher cannot pitch again in that game.

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

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

15) Lead-offs and stealing is allowed. Consequently balks will be called at the discretion of the umpire(s).

16)  Double earflap helmets are to be worn while on deck, at bat or on the bases.

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

18) 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.

19) ONLY ONE COACH PER TEAM IS ALLOWED TO ASK THE UMPIRES ABOUT A CALL.

20) Instead of forfeiting a game the coach can make a lateral / call over of players from another team in the same division. Only house league players can be used NOT Rep players.  This will not apply during playoffs – you need to call up from below if needed.

21) Players are allowed to wear metal cleats.

22) There will be no tobacco products (smoking) on the field or around the dugouts.

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

24) Violations of house league rules/BNS rules could result in a forfeit game score.

25) If an umpire deems that a team/coach/player(s) have deliberately delayed (or slowed down) a game then it will be an automatic forfeit and the associations will be notified immediately.  The team or individual may face further discipline action.

26) We ask that everyone follow the FAIR PLAY policy.