SECTION 1 General Information

1.01.  General Overview

Round Rock Baseball League (RRBL) is a non-profit organization run by volunteers to provide youth in the Round Rock area an opportunity to play baseball at a variety of skill levels.  The league includes players from ages 4 –18 and generally consists of two seasons:  Fall and Spring. 

The Fall Season is played from September – October; teams typically have 2 scheduled outings per week including 1 game and a scheduled practice time.  The Spring Season is played from mid-February-May; teams typically have 3 outings per week including games and scheduled practice time.  The Spring Season is followed up with post-season All-Stars played during the month of June.  

Spring Season games are played throughout the week and on weekends.  Fall Season games are played primarily on weekends.  Sunday’s are typically non-play days but have been used in the past for rain make-ups, tournaments, and occasionally scheduled games.  For weeknight games, there are typically two games played per night on each of the fields; games start no earlier than 6:00 PM.  Depending on the age group the second game will start at 7:15, 7:30, 7:45 or 8:00.   Whenever possible, each season will have at least one tournament planned (field availability and weather permitting) for the league teams (does not apply to Open/Select teams).  

1.02 Registration 

Fall Season registration typically begins in early August and Spring Season registration typically begins in early December. Information concerning registration and fees can be found on the league web page: http://leaguelineup.com/RRBL.  No player will be allowed to compete in any RRBL sanctioned game without paying the registration fees.  All players must be registered with RRBL to be covered by our league insurance.  This insurance will carry over to any league approved tournaments outside our facility (Centex All Star tournaments or RRBL Select teams that travel to other are parks for games) upon approval of the Board of Directors. 

1.03 Player Age Eligibility 

For age divisions 4-14U, any player who before May 1st of the current season reaches the listed age in the Birthday Restriction column shall not be eligible to participate in the listed age division and shall be required to play in the next older division.  Players may not play outside their designated age groups except as noted below. 

Age	Birthday Restriction
4U	Fifth
6U	Seventh
8U	Ninth
10U	Eleventh
12U	Thirteenth
14U	Fifteenth
18U	Nineteenth

 

Exception – players who are protected on the Managers roster may play one (1) level up (i.e., a 10 year old may play on a 12U).  No player may play more than one level up.

The Age Key is updated prior to each season and should be used for reference when determining age division eligibility.   A copy of the players birth certificate must be presented to the league and be on file with the league before the player is allowed to participate in tryouts, practices or games.

1.04 Uniforms and Equipment:

All registered players will receive a team jersey and cap that will be the official team uniform.  No other uniforms will be worn without prior approval from the Board of Directors via the league president.  Appropriate baseball pants are required for all games.  It is also recommended that players have rubber cleats (metal cleats are acceptable for 14U and up).  Catchers in divisions 10U and older are required to wear a protective cup.  Protective cups are recommended for all players, 8U and up.

The league will provide game balls to each manager prior to the beginning of the season.  Catcher's equipment and Batting Tees (T-ball) are available from the league, if needed.  The league does NOT provide bats, helmets or gloves (other than catchers mitts).  Managers who elect to use league issued equipment will be required to submit a personal check in the amount of $150 as a security deposit.  The league equipment manager will hold the security deposit until after the season and all equipment is returned to RRBL.  Equipment turn-in dates will be established and posted on the league web site prior to the end of the season.   Any equipment not returned by the final date will result in security deposit checks being cashed by the league with no refunds issued.  

1.05 4U League – Spring Only

The 4-year-old league is designed to give the youngest players an opportunity to get a feel for the game.  Teams will play on Saturdays.  Scores will not be kept, however runs will be tracked to know when to switch sides.  The team managers/coaches will act as umpires.  There is no intent to be competitive; it is designed to give these young players some exposure to the game.  Players will receive uniforms and trophies similar to the rest of the league. A player must be 4 by April 30.  There will be no exception to the league age rule. 

1.06 “NO Tolerance” Policy:

The Board of Directors will not tolerate abusive language, use of drugs, alcoholic beverages or smoking within the facilities of RRBL. The use of profanity, loss of temper or abuse of equipment will NOT be tolerated and will be grounds for immediate removal from the game by an umpire or league official. If required the Police Department will be contacted to aid in enforcement of all laws and city ordinances pertaining to governing the use of drugs, consumption of alcoholic beverages, use of tobacco products or violating the “No Tolerance Policy” on park premises and practice fields. The “NO TOLERANCE POLICY” is in effect at all times.  All visitors to RRBL facilities must adhere to all posted signs and comply with any requests from the board member on duty.

1.07 Sportsmanship

The purpose of RRBL is to help youth interact among their peers and institute groundwork for good sportsmanship.  It establishes for them the fundamentals of teamwork and fair play. The Board of Directors will look with utmost disfavor upon such activities by managers, coaches, players and parents as instructing unsportsmanlike like behavior, and other activities that would be considered unsportsmanlike like. The principles of RRBL Baseball involve much more than just winning, and the Board expects those principles to be adhered to by managers, coaches, players and parents at all times. 

1.08 Ejections & Suspensions

All players, coaches, managers, sponsors and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.   Any player, coach, manager or spectator whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive shall at a minimum be reprimanded with a warning.  If warranted, the offending party shall be ejected from the game at the discretion of the Umpires or League Officials.

1. Any Manager, coach, parent/guardian or player who is ejected from a game will also be suspended for 1 additional game.  If a second ejection occurs during the season, the suspension will be for the remainder of the season, or possibly the following season if the second suspension occurs in the last game. 
2. Any coach, player, or fan ejected from a game is required to immediately leave the facility, including the parking lot. This includes the extra game suspension. Suspensions must be served while absent from the facility confines.  Persons refusing to leave are subject to being escorted off by the police and may be issued a criminal trespass warning, thereby preventing that person or persons from ever entering RRBL facilities. Also, additional game suspensions will be given for failure to leave the premises.
3. Any player, coach, manager or spectator leaving their position or base, in the field, on the bench, in the dugout area or grandstands to participate in a fight, brawl or altercation shall be immediately ejected from the game.
4. Abusive language or cursing shall not be tolerated under any circumstances and shall result in an automatic ejection.
5. Intentional throwing of equipment shall result in an automatic ejection.

As these rules indicate, the matter of disorderly conduct shall be taken seriously.  All players, coaches, managers, and spectators are reminded to be extra aware of good sportsmanship.

1.09 All Stars

All Star play is only applicable in the Spring Season.  Prior to the end of the Spring Season, All-Star teams will be formed for the D1 and D2 Leagues for all age 6U-14U to participate in the local Centex Tournament that usually plays the last three weekends in June.  The total number of All Star teams will be based on the number of teams in each division and the number of players that express interest in playing All-Stars. Expenses for AllStars are paid for by the players and usually includes uniform and team registration fee into the Centex Tournament.  All fees must be paid prior to announcement of the All Star team; these fees are non-refundable.  Players can expect to pay roughly $150 or more to participate in post-season play.  

Players will be selected onto All-Star teams in a voting process by the managers of each of the teams in the league.  Players will declare themselves eligible in April, which confirms to the league that they will be available to play baseball during the entire month of June and that they understand that the player pays all expenses for All-Stars.

The league managers will select the managers of the All-Star teams, taking into consideration the managers or coaches ability to fulfill their league duties as well as the manager’s team standing or place within the league.  

Centex All-Stars is designed to allow local area recreational league players ages 5-14 the experience and excitement of playing tournament baseball. During the month of June Centex will host four weekends of tournaments that will give All-Stars from LCP, Town & Country, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Liberty Hill, & Lake Travis an opportunity to compete at two divisions, Division I & Division II for the Centex Championship.

The Centex Committee is made up of representatives from the local leagues. 

Any player who has played for an open/select team in a nationally sanctioned tournament like Nations, Super Series, USSSA, Triple Crown, PONY, etc. between March 1st of the current year, and the beginning of the Centex series tournament play not eligible to be placed on a Centex All Star team.  If there is a question as a to players eligibility with regard to this requirement, RRBL will use the tournament rosters to verify eligibility under this requirement.  If a players name appears on a roster for a sanctioned tournament, that player will be deemed to have played in the tournament for purposes of determining All-star eligibility for RRBL.  It is incumbent upon a player’s parents/guardian to insure this requirement is met if they desire their player to be considered for selection to an all -star team.

1.10 Privacy Policy

During normal operations of the Round Rock Baseball League (RRBL), we request and collect only the information required to conduct business as a recreational baseball league.  Information collected is protected to the fullest extent possible by a non-profit organization.  The personal information collected is only used for registration, background checks (managers and coaches), and communication purposes during the course of the season.  We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information.  Email sign-up and text lists are deleted and reset at the beginning of each season.  If there is ever a breach of personal information, the league members will be notified immediately.  If you have any questions regarding the use of data with RRBL, please contact the league president listed on the Board of Directors tab on the main page of the league web site.

 

SECTION 2 Park Rules & Lightning Policy

2.01 Field Usage

RRBL contracts with the City of Round Rock for use of the baseball facilities at Old Settlers Park during specific times each year.  Access to the facilities by registered teams is scheduled through the league during these periods.  When the fields are not scheduled for use, all gates are normally locked and teams or individual players/coaches are NOT ALLOWED on the fields.  Field usage is ONLY during scheduled times.  RRBL coordinates ALL field usage with the City of Round Rock during each season in order to comply with city maintenance schedule and other contractual guidelines.

No team, coach or player is authorized to use the fields outside of schedule times.   Field usage is for coaches and players registered on the official team roster.  Violations of this rule will result in manager suspension and possible forfeiture of games or future practice time at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  It is the responsibility of the manager to communicate these requirements to individual coaches and player’s parents.

The following is an excerpt from the field usage agreement between RRBL and the City of Round Rock:

SECTION II: FACILITY USAGE

• All persons who reserve or use the park facilities will comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and ordinances of the City of Round Rock, State of Texas.
• The City of Round Rock looks to rotate fields to provide proper rest and long term playability of the fields. Our target is to have 30 hours of play time on each field. RRPARD will determine field close dates for routine maintenance in advance.
• Persons and/or sport associations, who reserve the fields or park facilities, are responsible for the cleanup of the fields and facilities after its usage. 

2.02 Batting Cages

Batting cages are a “hot item” any time during the season but especially on game nights.   Prior to a game, teams should respect one another by limiting the amount of time they use the cages to 20-30 minutes.  Cages are available on a first come first serve basis for teams and will not be scheduled; however, RRBL teams that are scheduled to play a game have priority over RRBL teams that may be at the park for batting practice. This policy applies to all registered RRBL teams, managers, coaches and players; both league and select.  Teams with a scheduled game have priority over all other RRBL teams.   No RRBL team will occupy or utilize more than one batting cage at a time while other RRBL teams are waiting for the batting cages

It is a REQUIREMENT that any child under the age of 18 MUST wear a batting helmet AT ALL TIMES while in the batting cage.  DO NOT allow players to take ‘practice swings’ outside the cage.  This is the responsibility of the coach to enforce. 

2.03 Practices

Team practices on league fields may not be held unless two adults are present.  Practice time on game fields must be scheduled through the league scheduler.  Practice time on game fields is limited and just because a field appears to be open does not mean that it is available for league use without prior approval.

2.04 Pre-game Warm ups

No infield practice will be allowed prior to a game.   Teams should use the warm up areas outside the field.  Time permitting, 5-10 minutes of warm-up in the outfield is acceptable.

 

2.05 City of Round Parks & Recreation Department Rules

 

 

2.06 League Lightning Safety Policy

Old Settlers Park does not have a lightning detection system.  Parents/guardians have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of their children. 

No lightning safety policies can guarantee total safety, but the following steps can help avoid lightning incidents.   Above all, use your common sense and err on the side of safety. If there is any possibility of lightning, immediately suspend outdoor activities until the threat has passed.

ALL FIELDS AT OLD SETTLERS PARK

Board members, when present at the fields for scheduled events, will monitor the weather and local radar.  However, at all times, team coaches and parents should check the weather and local radar before every practice, game, and other outdoor activity. If there are thunderstorms in the area, the coaches and the officials should consider postponing or suspending the activity.   Parents/guardians are ultimately responsible for the safety of your own children.

If you see dark clouds and the winds increase in intensity, parents and coaches should be on alert for the potential for a threat of lightning. 

There is a threat of lightning if: 

• You can see lightning. 
• You can hear thunder.  
• A lightning detector indicates lightning within 10 miles of the park.  There are now “lightning detector” apps such as “Spark”, by Weatherbug.  However, it is unclear how effective they are determining actual distance. You should not rely solely upon them, but rather should use them as additional sources of information. If the mobile app indicates there is lightning within 10 miles of the park, you should consider that to be a threat of lightning. 

If there is a threat of lightning, then all activities must be immediately stopped and parents or coaches should proceed as follows:

• Get everyone off the fields and out of the dugouts. Instruct everybody to get to a safe place.  The bleachers and dugouts are NOT considered a safe place from lightning strikes. 
• Leave all equipment and related items on the fields. 
• Avoid sheds, small or open shelters, dugouts, bleachers, or grandstands. 
• Substantial, sturdy buildings provide the best protection. If you go inside, stay away from the windows, corded telephones, wiring, and plumbing. 

If you cannot get into a sturdy building, the next safest place is probably a hard-topped metal vehicle with closed windows. Try not to touch the metal or the windows.  

In all cases you must stop all activities and everyone should seek shelter if any of the following occur:

• You receive a text or email alert from the league to suspend all activities due to lightning in the area or league officially verbally tell you to suspend all activities
• You can hear thunder
• Using a lightning detector app (on your mobile device) such as Weather Bug, lightning is shown within 10 miles of the fields.
• You can see lightning and do not have access to a lightning detector app to determine the distance.

Do not resume the event until at least 30 minutes have passed since the last visible lightning or sound or thunder. Generally, this means you should call the game or practice and reschedule for a later time.

***Parents/guardians have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of their children.***

 

SECTION 3 Managers & Coaches

3.01 Manager/Coach Application and Approval

Anyone interested in being a team manager must submit a Managers Application form located on the RRBL web site before the determined deadline. Filling out an application does not guarantee you will be selected for a manager position.  The Board of Directors will make manager selections based on the following criteria: 

• # of years coaching / playing experience, 
• # of years coaching experience at RRBL,
• Ability of manager to meet past commitments at RRBL and number of protections,
• Amount of volunteer work at RRBL beyond coaching,
• Current status within the league (past disciplinary issues will be considered), •      Ability to coach the game, and 
• Parent feedback.

If selected as a manager, you will be responsible for all aspects of your team’s behavior (players, coaches, parents) while representing RRBL. 

All managers and coaches must agree to a criminal background check for the safety of our league players and will not be allowed on the field or in the dugout without successfully completing this background check.  All managers must abide by league rules and follow the “No Tolerance Policy”.  Managers must also agree to participate in all activities requested by the league (meetings, clinics, field days, All-Star selections) and are expected to uphold and support all league activities.

Managers can choose up to 3 assistant coaches. Coaches must also submit an application for background check and agree to abide by all league rules/policies.

Only managers and coaches approved by the Board of Directors will be allowed in the dugout or on the field.   

the league web site prior to the season and may be asked to provide positive identification anytime for field or dugout access.

No defensive coaches are allowed on the field of play with the exception of 2 defensive coaches at the T-ball/ Coach pitch level.  Managers / Coaches may stand within arms length of the dugout while on offense or defense unless otherwise instructed by an umpire.

3.02 Manager Responsibilities

Managers are responsible for their teams complying with league rules and policies at all times during the season and will be held responsible for the actions of their coaches, players, and fans.  Managers are also responsible for being familiar with the RRBL rules of play and all league policies in this document.  Good sportsmanship is expected at all times.

3.03 Team Duties 

It is the manager’s responsibility to get parents to fulfill team duties that include field maintenance (trash) duty. If these duties are not covered, the manager will be reported to the commissioner and will face disciplinary action (i.e. Manager being suspended for one game and potentially forfeiting their next game).  The Board of Directors looks to all parents and players to take an active role in maintaining and supporting the league and the facilities.  Players must clean-up dugouts after all games and practices.  It is the manager’s responsibility to insure this is completed.      

SECTION 4 League Divisions & Player Rosters

4.01 League Divisions

RRBL offers two (2) classifications of youth baseball:

1. Recreational League Division: Players are registered individually and assigned to teams prior to beginning each season. This division is recreational and encompasses players with varying skill levels.  Games are played against other RRBL recreational league teams at Old Settlers Park. 
2. Open/Select Division:  Players are registered as part of a team.  This level is for the most competitive players and usually involves traveling outside of the local area to play weekend tournaments.  These teams are age specific.   Travel, tournament costs, and other expenses associated with this level are not included with the team registration fees.   The team registration fee includes league insurance coverage and practice time.  Space is very limited for Open team registration.  First come/first served.  15 player per team limit.  Roster must be submitted to league prior to established deadline each season (for insurance purposes). 

4.02 Player Protections & Roster Limitations

Managers of recreational league teams are allowed to protect players and rosters will be limited as follows:

Age	Max Players on Roster	Protections
4U	12	9 or less
6U	12	9 or less
8U	12	9 or less
10U	12	9 or less
12U	12	9 or less
14U	12	9 or less
18U	12	12 (Full Team)

 

Player Protection Forms with signatures from the players parent/guardian must be submitted to league officials prior to the established deadline each season.  Late forms will not be accepted.  

Sibling rule:  If a team manager protects one sibling on the roster, then any other sibling playing in the same age division must also be protected by the manager unless specified by the parents for them to play on different teams.

4.03 Try outs (Skills Assessment)

The league will hold tryouts prior to Spring Season to help managers evaluate player talent in hopes of developing parity within the divisions.  All unprotected players are encouraged to participate in the tryouts.  Protected players do not participate in the tryouts.  The 4-6U age divisions do not have tryouts.

If a player does not participate in the tryouts they can only be drafted by a hat pick.  Player’s will be given an opportunity to hit, run, field, throw and catch during the tryout. 

            NOTE:  There will be not tryouts for Fall Season in any age group.  

4.04 Player Selection (Draft)

For Spring Season, players will be placed on teams by using a player draft conducted by the team managers.   For Fall Season, players will be placed on teams by "hat pick" or "Blind Draft" conducted by the registrar.

No player will be allowed to play on 2 RRBL sponsored teams at the same time. Temporary substitutions may be allowed by authorization of the division commissioner or VP in accordance with section 4.06 below.

General Draft Process:

• Managers will be provided a list of eligible players for the tryouts
• The draft will be a snake draft (first to last then last to first) 
• Team selection order will be based on pulling a number from a hat.  The last team to pick will get first choice on team name and/or team color.  Sponsors will get priority selection on team names and/or color.
• Only 1 representative (manager or coach) from each team may participate in the draft.
• Each team will be given 1 minute to make a selection.
• Managers should announce the players “draft” number and name when making their selection

Specifics for the Spring Season Player Draft:

• Managers will begin draft with the number of protects that completed the registration process before the deadline. Empty protects slots will not get filled in order of the draft and by managers with the least number of protects. All empty protect slots will get filled in the order of the assigned drafting sequence with players who attended tryouts and cannot be used on blind picks (“hat picks”).
  
• All players who attended the tryouts must be drafted before the “hat picks”.
• After all players have been drafted, the managers have 10 minutes to make any trades and must turn in their final roster by the deadline.  
• Protected player and “Hat pick” trades will not be allowed.  No exceptions. 
• Players that register after the draft will be added to the next team slated to pick a player.  The league Commissioner may request personnel changes prior to the start of league play if it is in the best interest of the player and the league.

4.05 Player Trades

Managers may trade drafted players immediately following the draft. The league Commissioner must approve the trade and update the roster sheets.  Trading of protected or "hat pick" players will not be allowed.  No exceptions.  No additional trades will be allowed after the draft is complete and the final roster is approved by the commissioner.

4.06 Roster Changes  

Once the draft has been completed and any trades approved by the respective commissioner, a final roster will need to be submitted to each commissioner.  This will be your roster for the entire season; each age division commissioner and the Vice President of Players must approve any changes to the roster.  In the event that a player is lost for the season to an injury, it is up to the board to approve any additions to the roster.  In most cases, unless a team falls below 9 players (10 players in Tee ball or Coach Pitch), it is unlikely that players will be added to the roster. 

On occasion, the league accepts late registrations after the draft has been completed.  In this case, the late registered player will be added to the team who was next in the draft order with an open roster spot (see table in 4.02).  

Players will not be added to team rosters out of draft order except for season ending injuries that result in the roster dropping below 9 players (10 for 6/8U).  A season ending injury is one that will not allow the affected player to play in any games for the remainder of the season.  If a player quits and causes the team to fall below 9 (or 10) players, the manager will need to provide verification to the league commissioner that the player will not be participating for the remainder of the season prior to any consideration for roster additions.