WBBA JUNIORS LEAGUE RULES
WE WILL PLAY BY MAJOR LEAGUE RULES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING GENERAL AND SPECIFIC RULES:
a) Pitching week begins Friday and ends on Thursday.
b) Pitchers can work 6 innings per week.
c) Pitchers can work up to 3 innings per outing.
d) If a pitcher works 3 innings he must have a calendar day off before he works again. He cannot pitch back to back days.
e) Designated travel pitchers (4 per travel team) will not be available to pitch without the travel manager’s permission.
f) One pitch in an inning constitutes an inning worked.
g) Once a pitcher is removed, he cannot reenter in that position.
h) Commissioner will work in conjunction with travel managers and intramural managers to coordinate pitching.
i) Each manager will be given a pitching log which will be kept up to date. This log will be stapled in the back of the scorebook and available to the commissioner upon his request. Email pitchers used after game.
j) We will always err on the side of safety when dealing with our pitchers.
a) Each player will bat in a rotation batting order, starting with the number one (1) through THE ENTIRE ROSTER before number 1 batter bats a second time. When a player arrives after the first pitch of the game, that player will be placed at the end of the batting order.
b) ALL players shall play at least three (3) defensive innings in every game.
c) Courtesy runners shall be allowed for an injured player. Additionally, the manager shall use a courtesy runner when the catcher is on base and there are two (2) cuts. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous or second out.
3) UMPIRES
a) Home team provides home plate ump. Visitor provides base ump.
b) The umpire shall have complete authority, once the game has started and may eject or banish from the game or the general area of the playing field any player, manager, coach, or spectator for unsportsmanlike conduct. For example, use of profanity, unnecessary arguing, baiting or needling of the umpire, or fighting. A team manager is responsible for the conduct of players, parents and team followers on his side of the playing field. At his discretion, the umpire may issue a first warning and advise both managers that a recurrence will result in an ejection of the offender from the playing field and immediate area. Failure of the ejected person to comply in a timely manner shall result in that team's forfeiture of the game.
4) MANAGERS
a) Only the manager is permitted to discuss any play in question with the umpire involved in it. Coaches acting in the absence of the manager are also permitted in this discussion.
b) The manager has the absolute right to discipline any player for any unsafe practice on and around the playing field, failure to obey manager’s or coach's directions, or any violation of league rules. Should discipline be required during game time, the umpire shall have complete authority.
c) A scorebook must be kept and surrendered to the commissioner at his request. Care must be taken in the use of the scorebooks. They will be returned for future use.
d) It will be the responsibility of the home team manager to line the field before each game. It is the responsibility of the away team manager to return the field to pregame condition including dragging the field after the game.
e) Two game balls will be supplied by the home team. Additional balls should be previous
f) Managers must submit to the opposing manager a complete roster of players who are present at game time. All players who are late shall be added to the bottom of the batting order as they arrive.
g) It will be the responsibility of each manager to advise the opposing manager of all player changes at the time the change is made. A switch of positions is not considered a player change with the exception of pitchers.
h) Rules must be kept with score books.
i) Each manager must report to the commissioner the pitchers used and the innings pitched within 24 hours after the game has ended.
5) SPECIAL RULES
a) A player may pitch a maximum of three innings per day. A pitcher once removed from the pitching position cannot return to this position. ONE (1) PITCH THROWN IN AN INNING IS CONSIDERED AS ONE (1) INNING PICHED.
b) A manager may use any pitcher of his choosing in any "playoff" game to determine a division or league champion, but only under the guidelines stated above.
c) In order to develop catchers and encourage them to make he throw to second, base stealing will be permitted in the JUNIOR LEAGUE with the following rules:
i) A base-runner cannot leave his base until the pitched ball has passed the batter.
ii) Stealing of second base is permitted with no advance to third under any circumstances.
iii) Stealing of third is permitted.
iv) No double steals. Both runners go back if attempted.
v) Stealing of home will not be permitted.
vi) When a throw is made to second base and there is a runner on third base, the runner on third base cannot advance to home.
vii) If there is a runner on third base and the catcher overthrows second, the runner cannot go home. If third base is unoccupied and an overthrow of second is made, the runner may not advance to third. EXCEPTION - In order to prevent run-up scores, if ahead by 6 runs, the team in the lead is not allowed to steal any base.
d) No leads are allowed. The base runner may leave the base only after the ball passes the batter. The player leaving the base before the ball passes the batter will be stopped and both teams will receive one warning. The second offense that occurs to the above rule will result in the offending runners on either team being called OUT.
e) Batter may not run to first on dropped third strike.
f) Bunting is allowed. NO FAKE BUNTING. Fake bunting will result in the batter being called out regardless of whether he makes contact with the ball.
g) Maximum of nine batters per inning. Ninth batter will be played as if there are two outs. Fielders should attempt to make an out on the last batter. In the event of an overthrow of first on the ninth batter, the only runner that is permitted to score is one that was on third when the ball was pitched. Balls hit to the outfield shall be played normally.
h) Five (5) walk limit per team per inning.
i) No infield fly rule.
j) There will be nine players on the field whenever possible.
k) Distance between the bases will be 60' feet and the distance from home plate to the pitching rubber will be 46 feet.
l) If a pitcher hits 3 batters in one inning or a total of 5 batters in a game and each batter is awarded first base, the pitcher must be removed from pitching for the game. This is intended to protect players.
m) The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first without liability to be out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when he is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit, unless:
i) The ball is in the strike zone when it hits the batter, or
ii) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being hit by the ball.
iii) If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it must be called a STRIKE, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid being touched.
iv) When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does not entitle him to first base, the ball is dead and no runner may advance.
n) Playoffs will be a double elimination tournament.
o) All play off games must be played to completion, even if they must be continued at a later date. Suspended or tie games will pick up the next available night at the point where they were halted and be played to completion. Every effort must be made to finish the official shortened game the following day.
p) Special ground rule: Leary #3 – Any ball that lands in the playground on the fly will be a home run. Any ball that rolls into the playground will be a ground rule double.
4/14/2008