OBJECTIVE:
To Instruct and train the young player in the basics of the game, in a fun, low-key, competitive atmosphere. Teaching the proper pitching mechanics should be an extremely high priority. Change-ups should be taught to all pitchers. It is highly recommended that curveballs, screwballs, sliders, sinkers and split-finger pitches should NOT be taught or used. Players should now have a decent understanding of what “real” baseball is like. Although scores are kept and the nature of this age group is highly competitive, winning or losing should still NOT take priority over equal playing time, player safety, player improvement, or FUN. Encouraging ALL players to set and attain certain goals should remain the primary objective.
LOCAL RULES :
1. Batting helmets must be worn.
2. No metal cleats may be worn.
3. Pants are required.
4. Games will be two (2) hours in length.
5. No new inning will be started within the last five (5) minutes of the time limit.
6. Umpires have the official time.
7. The home team will occupy the 3rd base side and will keep score. The visiting team will occupy the 1st base side and will rake the fields once the game has ended.
8. All scores will be submitted to the league coordinator.
9. There are no tie breakers in league play. See End-of-Year Tournament for how ties will be handled.
10. The league coordinator will be the one who ranks the teams for the end-of-the-year tournament.
11. Any coach or player (and their parents) that gets ejected from a game MUST meet with the coordinator and president or vice president of the board before they can coach or play again.
12. All protests during a game will be handled by the coordinator working that night.
13. If a game is played and there is a weather delay/ cancellation and that game is over an hour long, that will be considered a “full game.”
14. If a batter bats out of order, they are automatically out.
15. For any player substitution:
a. That player must be a registered player in the league for that age division.
b. The player who is subbing for the team, must bat last and play in the outfield.
BATTING RULES:
1. The duration of a half inning is three (3) outs.
2. Bunting is allowed & encouraged, but no fake bunt followed by a full swing.
3. The infield-fly rule will be enforced.
4. Batters may run to first (1st) base on a dropped third (3rd) strike.
5. All bats can be used.
BASE RUNNING RULES:
1. Head-first sliding is allowed at all bases
2. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher if there are two (2) outs so the catcher putting on his equipment between half innings will not delay play.
3. All runners must slide on close plays (except for pick-off plays). If a runner fails to slide they risk being called out at the discretion of the umpire.
4. Courtesy runners are allowed for an injured player or catcher who needs to get ready for the next inning. There has to be two (2) outs and the last player who was out or a bench player will be the courtesy runner.
PITCHING RULES:
1. Balks will be called – 1 warning per pitcher.
2. The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below. The player may remain in the game at another position except catcher.
3. A returning pitcher is allowed three (3) warm-up pitches. A new pitcher is allowed seven (7) warm-up pitches.
4. The player warming up the pitcher must wear a mask.
5. No infield warm-up is allowed between innings after the first (1st) inning.
6. A pitcher is allowed to re-enter if the pitch count has not been reached.
11&12: 85 pitches.
1. If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until that batter reaches base or is put out.
2. Pitchers in this league MUST adhere to the following rest requirements::
a. 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest.
b. 21-40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
c. 41-60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest and a game must be observed.
d. 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest and a game must be observed.
DEFENSIVE RULES:
1. No player shall sit out more than 2 defensive innings per game.
COACHING RULES:
1. Two (2) adult base coaches are allowed.
2. Only players, two (2) coaches & one (1) dugout manager are allowed in the dugout area.
KEEPING SCORE:
1. Monitor the batting order to ensure that everyone bats in order.
2. Keep track of runs, balls, strikes, outs, and pitches by each pitcher.
3. Complete the pitching log and get the necessary signatures.
DRAFT:
The draft is an essential part of our local youth league. When done correctly, it provides a proper disbursement of talent to ensure as fair a playing field as possible, so that each players can have as much fun as possible.
Below is a guide to help parents better understand the process of selecting teams during the draft process:
Commonly referred to as a Blind Draft, North Platte Youth Baseball Board Officials provide League Coordinators with a list of names for all players registered for the upcoming season. Each Team Coach will then select a player until all teams are at a capacity of no more than 12 players per team.
This same draft process is used for 9/10 Division, 11/12 Division, and 13/15 Division.
Things Parents should know:
1. League Coordinators and Coaches from previous year may use a form of evaluation method to determine/rank players based on talent/capability instead of league age within the division.
2. It is recommended that a player's draft position not be divulged, even after the draft is completed. Once a player is set on a team, there will be no swapping and changing of teams.
Exception: It is a legitimate error on our (North Platte Youth Baseball Board, League Coordinators and/or Coaches) part, the player will be allowed to be reassigned to another team.
3. When there are siblings being drafted in one age division, and the first brother or sister is drafted by a coach, that coach automatically has the option of drafting the other brother or sister. If the coach does not exercise this option, the second sibling can be drafted by any other team.
4. If the coach has a player being drafted in that age division and wishes to draft them, they may do so automatically. Or the coach/parent may exercise the option to allow their player to be drafted by any other team. This option must be expressed at the beginning of the draft meeting.
END-OF-THE-YEAR TOURNAMENT:
1. All players must bat.
2. If there are teams that are tied for the best record at the end of the year, the tie breaker will be:
a. Head to head
b. Coin Flip
3. If the score is tied at the end of the game during the tournament, the “California Rule” will be in affect:
a. Runner on 2nd, who is the last out from the previous inning and one (1) out.
4. Mercy rule is in effect for the tournament:
a. 15 runs after 4 innings
b. 10 runs after 5 innings
5. 8 runs after 6 innings.