Ground Rules



				Denison Little League Ground Rules Spring 2009 Ground Rules are those that the Local League may change as long as they are not in conflict with the official Little League Playing Rules for each year. Code of Ethics In order to promote the principles of good sportsmanship and teamwork that Denison Little League Baseball is dedicated to insure: Any board member, coach, umpire, parent, spectator, or player whose behavior, either verbal or physical, causes the disruption of these principals, shall be brought before the Board of Directors for any action deemed necessary. Player Eligibility 1. All five (5) and six (6) year olds are restricted to the T-Ball Division only, NO exceptions. All seven (7) and eight (8) year olds are restricted to the Coach Pitch Division only, NO exceptions. All nine (9), ten (10), and eleven (11) year olds are eligible to be drafted into the Minor Division. 2. All ten (10), eleven (11) and twelve (12) year olds are eligible for the Major draft, with the following stipulations: * All twelve (12) year olds will play in the majors. Twelve (12) year olds who request to play in the minors will be voted on by the board. We will limit the number of ten (10) year olds to be assigned to any Major Division team to four (4). 3. All manager-protected players (son or daughter) must be designated at least forty-eight (48) hours in writing prior to the draft day by notice to the player agent. 4. Major Division, manager only can protect his/her child, that player must be drafted in the fifth (5th) round if the player is ten (10) years old, in the fourth (4th) round if the player is eleven (11) years old, and in the third (3rd) round if the player is twelve (12) years old. 5. Minor Division, manager only can protect his/her child, that player must be drafted in the third (3rd) round. 6. On all brother/sister protect options; player agent must be notified in writing before tryouts start. Any options must be taken in the first three (3) rounds. 7. Any child drafted to the Major Division MUST report to the team that child has been drafted to. If the player refuses to report to his/her assigned team, the child will not be eligible to play for the remainder of the season and refunds will be subject to Board of Directors approval. 8. A waiting list of applications received for up to two (2) weeks after the 1st game of the season will be kept for five (5) to nine (9) year olds and from this list, a child will be assigned to a team only if a team losses a player. If it becomes necessary to fill vacancies on a Major Division team, that manager will submit a list of three (3) to five (5) names from the Minor Division listed in order of choice (first choice listed first, etc.) to the player agent within two (2) Minor Division game days. Manager is not to be in contact with the player or the parent/parents of player to be moved up to the Major Division. After such time, if no list is given, a player will be appointed from the draft list. After notification, that player will report to the Major Division team at the team's next practice or game. The player will be chosen at the player agent's discretion. Any child asked to move from the Minor Division to the Major Division and refuses to do so will be frozen to his/her current team. Any child that is not drafted to the Major Division at time of draft and his father manages in the Minor Division will have the option to decline the request of being moved up to the Major Division. (Once a team gets down to ten (10) players, that team is frozen.) 9. After the draft, any eligible Minor Division player who refused to report when he/she is called up to the Major Division will not be eligible to play for the remainder of the season. Eligible players are ten (10), and eleven (11) year olds. Refunds will be subject to Board of Directors approval. 10. No eligible Minor Division players may be asked to be moved up to the Major Division during the last two (2) weeks of the Minor Division play. Conduct 11. Managers shall be responsible for the conduct of their team's assistant coaches, players, and fans. Umpires have the option to clear the field. All games will be left on the playing field. Any argument brought outside the field will mean suspension or the termination of the person or persons involved in the incident. This includes all coaches, players, fans, umpires, and board members. 12. If, for whatever reason, a manager or coach chooses to inflict disciplinary action on a player or players before a game, the action must be noted on the roster going to the scorekeeper, and will be noted in the official score book. If the disciplinary action occurs during a game, the manager/coach must notify the scorekeeper and umpire immediately for notification in the official scorebook. Disciplinary action must be justified. You must notify the team liaison. 13. In light of teaching the players good sportsmanship, it will be required that both teams shake hands after each game. This includes all players, managers, and coaches. If anyone refuses to do this, they will be suspended for their next scheduled game. 14. Anyone inciting his players or fans will be asked to leave the game and be subject to Disciplinary Committee review. If a manager/coach is ejected or suspended from a game, that person must be out of sight of the playing field. In no way are they to communicate, disrupt, or assist in the game in any way and may not be replaced in the dugout. Failure to follow these rules will be cause for ejection from the Denison Little League for the remainder of the season. The game's plate umpire or other board member that may be present must report any such activity to the Board's Disciplinary Committee within twenty-four (24) hours. 15. There will be NO SMOKING in the concession stand or press box. There will be no tobacco products on the playing field. 16. NO DRINKING or intoxication in the park will be tolerated. If you do, you will be asked to leave the park for the remainder of the game. If you do not abide by this rule, the police will be called. The Board of Director in Charge will be the person in charge of this rule. If any assistance is needed, the plate umpire can assist. If this action continues, the fan will be up for review from the Board of Directors. 17. No profanity will be allowed. If in excess, you will be asked to leave for the remainder of the game. If anyone does not abide by this, the police will be called. The Director in Charge and the plate umpire are the people responsible for making this decision. If this action continues, you will be up for review from the Board of Directors. 18. Fans are to refrain from grandstanding, managing, and unsportsmanlike-like conduct. 19. All games must be left on the playing field. Any argument brought outside the field will mean suspension or termination of the person or persons involved. This means managers, coaches, players, umpires, fans, or board members. If there is a problem after a game, the umpires must file the complaint to the Board within twenty-four (24) hours. General 20. No one under the age of fifteen (15) will be allowed to handle food or money in the concession stand. 21. The season officially opens after the draft. No team will be allowed to practice before that time. Coaches may call a team meeting prior to the draft to determine how many players will be returning. 22. NO games will be played or practices conducted during TAKS Testing Week, which begins on Sunday and continues until the following Thursday after school hours. NO EXCEPTIONS. Violation of this rule WILL result in disciplinary action. NO EXCEPTIONS. 23. Any replacement of equipment will be secured through the equipment manager/league president. All equipment will be listed and signed for at the time it is issued. Any lost or broken equipment must be discussed with the equipment manager regarding replacement. 24. All equipment will be turned in to the equipment manager following the last regulation game. Any missing equipment will be the responsibility of the manager. 25. Uniforms will be worn only to Little League Baseball games or specific functions governed by Denison Little League. 26. If two (2) or more teams end the season in a tie, head-to-head competition will decide the winner. (Their record with each other during the regular season.) 27. New rules may be changed and/or added at Board Approval. 28. On 6:00 pm. games, no innings will start after 7:50 pm. 29. We will have team liaison by division: one (1) for T-Ball, one (1) for Coach Pitch, one (1) for Minor, and one (1) for Major Leagues. 30. All teams will wear uniforms issued to them by the Denison Little League. 31. The home team will occupy the first base dugout. 32. Only the manager, listed coaches, team players, and board members will be allowed on the playing field. The Director in Charge or a board member must approve any variances. 33. The visiting team will take the field to warm-up for five (5) minutes, twenty (20) minutes before game time. The home team will take the field to warm-up ten (10) minutes before game time. The scorekeeper will announce when it is time for your team to warm-up and when your team's time has expired. Teams are to clear the field in a timely manner so that the other team will have the opportunity to warm-up. All games will start on time. Scorekeeper will keep the official time. 34. Any team failing to field a team after ten (10) minutes of game time will automatically forfeit the game. 35. The league president will set the time and date for make up games with board approval as soon as possible after the missed game. The game(s) to be made up will be played at the next available time and date in the same order that the game was missed. Major Division make up games will have priority over the T-Ball, Coach Pitch, and Minor Division games. 36. 90% of games played will constitute a completed season, as long as it does not affect overall standings. 37. If a ball crosses the fence in fair territory and hits any obstacle outside the fence causing it to fall back onto the playing field, it shall be declared a home run. 38. Helmets must be worn until the player enters the dugout. Managers/Coaches 39. Do not exclude any players from any practice. Give them enough notice of when practice will be held, including the date and time. If a manager is caught doing this, they will be suspended from their next scheduled game. 40. After two (2) unexcused absences from games, the manager will be up for review and subject to replacement. This includes all scheduled Little League events (opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies and workdays). Also the manager will be up for review as to whether they will get a team next year. 41. Each team must have at least one (1) representative at workday or the manager will be suspended from his next scheduled game. 42. Coaches are responsible for picking up the trash in the dugout after each game. If the trash has not been picked up, the manager will be subject to disciplinary action. 43. A representative from each team will fill in any holes and smooth the pitcher's mound after each game. 44. Check all players for jewelry, watches, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets before each game. 45. There will be no food in the dugout. Water, Gatorade, sunflower seeds and gum only will be allowed in the dugout. 46. Manager or coach must sign the official scorebook, NO EXCEPTIONS. 47. If a player misses two (2) consecutive games and/or practices, the manager must advise the player agent of that fact. If, at the player agent's discretion, the player needs to be replaced, he will be released and not allowed to play for the remainder of the year. 48. No more than two (2) coaches will be allowed outside the dugout and must remain on the pad. Coaches and players must inform the umpire before leaving and returning to the field. Please try to do so between innings. 49. Managers and Coaches will not expect special privileges or be allowed to solicit extra funds for their team. This includes regular season teams, all-star teams, and fall ball teams. 50. If any manager/coach fails to abide by the player participation rule and does not fulfill it by the next game, that manager/coach will be brought before the Disciplinary Committee for review. [See Little League Baseball Official Regulations and Playing Rules - IV The Player (L)]. 51. Any manager not able to field a team must give the league president seven (7) days notice or the game will be considered a forfeit. (Example: school function). 52. Time deadline for line-up to be turned in to the press box is ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (Managers please try to do this as soon as possible.) 53. All changes made in the line-up must be reported to the press box before the change is made. 54. Line-ups are to be provided on official line-up forms. 55. No soft toss into any fence. Umpires 56. All umpires before beginning the season will be interviewed by the Board of Directors. If at any time during the season the umpire has multiple complaints against him/her, they will be up for review by the board. 57. The umpire will go to the manager to give him or her first chance at calming down unruly crowds. If the manager is unable to handle the situation, he needs to go back to the umpire and advise him of the situation. 58. The umpire must tune out fans as much as possible. 59. If there is a definite rules violation, with the rulebook in hand, the umpire must give the courtesy of review to the manager. You may then file a protest if necessary. 60. No jewelry except watches to be worn by umpires. Major Division Rules 61. There will be a one (1) hour and forty-five (45) minute time limit on all games. 62. Teams will bat the roster. 63. There will be a five (5)-run limit per inning until the sixth (6th) inning when there is no run limit. Minor Division Rules 64. Managers will draw numbers for draft order. Draft order will be from the first to last then in reverse order each round that follows. ( i.e. number (1) to ten (10) for the first round and then number ten (10) to one (1) for the second round and then so on.) 65. There will be a one (1) hour and forty five (45) minute time limit on all games. 66. Team rosters and number of playing position will be determined prior to the minor league draft according to the number of members on each team. 67. Games may be protested on a rules violation only. 68. When the one hour (1) and forty five (45) minute time limit has expired, the game will end when home team finishes its time at bat. 69. A time limit expired game constitutes a complete game regardless of innings played. 70. There will be a five (5)-run limit per inning until the sixth (6th) inning when there will be 10 run limit. 71. Even if the home team cannot catch up, teams will play 90 minutes. 72. Minor Division will bat the line up. Coach Pitch Rules 73. Managers will draw numbers for the draft order. Draft order will be from first to last then in reverse order for each round that follows. (i.e. number one (1) to number ten (10) for the first round then number ten (10) to number one (1) for the second round and then so on.) 74. There will be a one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minute time limit on all games. 75. Four (4) adults will be allowed in the dugout. Offense adults will be: Pitcher, First (1st) and Third (3rd) Base coaches. Defense adults will be: one (1) adult behind the outfield players and one (1) adult behind the catcher to retrieve bats and balls. 76. Umpire is located outside the foul line between home plate and first base. 77. The outfield will consist of a RF, RCF, LCF, AND LF positions. No rover will be allowed. 78. Outfielders must be on the grass and not in the dirt of the infield until the ball is in play. (Coaches need to encourage the outfielders to throw the ball instead of running it in.) 79. There will only be one (1) base advancement allowed on any over throw. 80. Adult pitches on one (1) knee from thirty-five (35) feet overhand. Player pitches must have one (1) foot in contact with the pitching rubber when pitch is made. 81. Batter will be allowed six (6) pitches, with only swinging strikes called. If the sixth (6th) pitch is a foul ball, batter will continue batting until he/she strikes out or ball is hit fair. 82. When the ball is hit, the adult pitcher will move out of the line of play promptly and off the playing field into foul territory. 83. If the ball hits the adult pitcher, the ball is dead. 84. On the attempted play at any base, the runner will be permitted to advance at his or her own risk. 85. Once the player pitcher has the ball and is in contact with the dirt of the mound and all runners are on a base, play stops when the umpire calls time. It is the umpire's responsibility to insure that the runners are on/or sent to the appropriate base using the 50% rule. 86. Adult pitcher will not get the ball until play has ended and the umpire calls time. They will stay in foul territory until this happens. 87. There will be a five (5)-run limit per inning until the sixth (6th) inning when a ten (10)-run limit is in effect and every inning thereafter. 88. The ten (10)-run most concede rule will not go into effect until the time limit has expired. 89. In all Coach Pitch games, the game will continue until the time limit has expired even if home team cannot catch up. 90. Coach Pitch Division will bat the line up. Tee Ball Rules 91. Managers will draw numbers for the draft order. Draft order will be from first to last then in reverse order for each round that follows. (i.e. number one (1) to number ten (10) for the first round then number ten (10) to number one (1) for the second round and then so on.) 92. Four (4) coaches will be allowed in the dugout. Offensive coaches will be: First (1st), Second (2nd), and Third (3rd) Bases, and Dugout coaches. Defensive coaches will be: two (2) coaches behind the outfield players, one (1) coach behind the pitcher and one (1) coach behind the catcher to retrieve bats and balls. 93. There will be a one (1) hour time limit on all games. However, a game will not end until all players have batted at least two (2) times. 94. There will be a five (5)-run limit per inning until the sixth (6th) inning when a ten (10)-run limit is in effect and every inning thereafter. 95. The outfield will consist of a RF, RCF, LCF, and LF positions. No rover will be allowed. 96. There will only be one (1) base advancement allowed on any over throw. 97. Once the player pitcher has the ball and is in contact with the dirt of the mound and all runners are on a base, play stops when the umpire calls time. It is the umpire's responsibility to insure that the runners are on/or sent to the appropriate base using the 50% rule. 98. All Players must hit off a tee. 99. T-Ball will bat the line up. 100. There will be "NO TOUCHING" the base runners. 101. After three (3) swinging strikes, the player will be out. Any rule not explicitly addressed in the above Ground Rules will revert to the 2010 Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules; and 2007 Little League Operating Manual.

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