1. The President shall submit a copy of the league schedule to the local Umpires Association. Umpires will be assigned for league games within the boundaries of the association. Teams outside the umpire association boundaries will secure two (2) umpires per game. An accredited umpires association must be used. i.e.: the same association that provides umpires for local High School games, etc.
2. In the event umpires do not show at game time, the game MAY be started with parents/coaches if both managers agree. Should the game start with volunteers, the game shall continue without interruption when the umpires show. Should only one (1) umpires show, the managers may agree to let the one- (1) umpire call the game. A volunteer may be asked to assist.
3. Baseball is a game consisting of rules designed to maintain high standards of fair play and good sportsmanship. Baseball depends upon players, managers, coaches, umpires, parents, fans, and administrators to respect the code of ethics and rules.
3A. It is the RESPONSIBILITY of the coaches, managers, to be in control of his players, parents, and fans at all times. This will prevent unsportsmanlike conduct towards opponents, officials, spectators or umpires.
3B. Coaches should confine their discussions with game officials (Umpires, tournament directors, etc.) to the rules. Do not challenge judgement calls of game officials.
3C. Coaches, managers are prohibited from "bench jockeying". This includes cursing and obscene gestures toward opponents, umpires and/or spectators.
3D. Coaching staff are to refrain from any personal action which might arouse or incite players or spectators to unsportsmanlike behavior.
3E. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THESE RULES OF CONDUCT, MAY/CAN RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF THE PERSON OR ENTIRE TEAM FROM THE LEAGUE. In the event of a teams removal from the Association, any and all fees paid to the Association will remain with Association. There will be no refunds.
3F. Umpires are contracted to arrive at the field five (5) minutes prior to game time for the pre-game conference. There are NO time limits for games; however, if a field time limit is applicable that will take precedence over our "No Time Limit" league rule. Umpires are trained to listen to properly worded questions from coaches and to consult among themselves so that the right call is made. Umpires are instructed not to use profanity. NOTE: Most umpires are attempting to do the best job that they can. When questioning a call, be under control and respectful.
3G. At the pre-game conference, make certain you explain the rules this League plays by. You must remember . . . the umpires do games for Jr. High School, High School, College, Mickey Mantle, American Legion and more. All the leagues have slightly different rules.
3H Rained Out Games: The umpire associations must be notified a minimum of 2 hours prior to the start of the game. If the umpires are not notified a minimum of 2 hours prior, the umpires will be paid in full. It is the home teams responsibility to notify the umpires association that services the home teams field.
(Refer to ARTICLE 20 for playing rules related to umpiring.)
1. The use of a designated hitter shall be allowed in all league games, play-offs, and Washington State Championship games. A designated hitter may bat for ANYONE. The designated hitter and the player he is batting for are considered "married" to each other and will appear in the batting line-up together.
2. Courtesy runner may be used for the catcher/pitcher with one (1) out . The courtesy runner can not be in the batting order at time of use, but that is not to say that the player could have been in the game at one time.. (it is also not considered an entry into the game).
3. All players must be listed on the starting line up, including substitutes. Any player not listed on the starting line up may not participate in the game. If for any reason the game is suspended and must be finished at a later date, the players included on the original starting line up including substitutes will be the
4. only players that may participate in the finishing or conclusion of the suspended game. Players listed on the starting line-up can be taken from the game and re-entered once, in the same batting position. In addition, once the pitcher has been substituted for and removed from the game, he cannot re-enter as pitcher. If, however, the pitcher leaves the mound but remains in the game, and if he has not been removed due to two (2) trips to the mound, the pitcher may return to the mound. Pitchers may be visited once per inning without being removed from the mound.
5. All games shall consist of seven (7) full innings, except:
4A. Games with five (5) complete innings or 4 ½, if the home team is ahead shall be considered a completed game.
4B. In the event a game is called due to rain, lights go out prematurely, darkness, field time limit, prior to 5 innings the game will be considered a "suspended" game and will resume from the point the game ended the next time the same two teams meet. If the two teams are not scheduled to meet again, rescheduling of games rule shall apply. In the event a game is called due to rain, lights go out prematurely, darkness, field time limit after five (5) or more complete innings and the game is a tie score, it also shall be considered a "suspended" game and resume from the point the game ended the next time the same two teams meet. Reverting back to previous completed innings absolutely will not happen in the event of a tie. If the two teams are not scheduled to meet again, rescheduling of games rule shall apply.
4C. It is considered a complete game: if after five innings, the visiting team is ahead by eight (8) runs. Or if after 4 ½ innings, the home team is ahead by eight (8) runs. (AKA - the 8 run rule)
(See ARTICLE 12 )
4D. Time limits for Sandy Koufax/Pee Wee Reese games, if special field rules apply. (I.e.: no pitch after 11:05 p.m). field time limit, lights go out prematurely, darkness, rain, (i.e.: another scheduled game following), then the score shall revert to the last completed inning (as long as the game is not tied at that specific time), (ie Article 20,#4B) and/or does not revert back before the 5 th inning (5 innings have been completed), the game shall be deemed an officially completed game.
4E. Other field rules will be similarly applied. MANAGERS . . .
DISCUSS FIELD RULES AT THE PRE-GAME
CONFERENCE and have an understanding on the time of the last pitch or end of game.
4F. Suspended games are to be completed. Follow Article 12 for reschedule procedures.
4G. When teams meet and play each other in a tournament that have had a cancelled, rained out, request to reschedule a league game, or for any reason a scheduled league game has not played on the previously scheduled date, the tournament game will count as the league game.
4H. The league will play "slide OR avoid" arms length, safety rules for all league and post season play.
6. Deliberately throwing at, condoning of, suggesting of, or in any way encouraging your pitcher to throw at an opposing batter is absolutely forbidden. Although subjective, the President is empowered to remove the player and or coach and or team from the league. The President also has the power to ban a team from future membership in the Association. Coaching staff will also instruct players to avoid stepping on or cleating the first baseman.
7. On deck batters shall be behind the batter, for safety.
8. (a)All league games may start and play with eight (8) players. When that missing position/player, appears in the line-up, it will register as an out. If the other team is willing to loan a player to start the game, both Managers must agree.
(b). If a ninth player subsequently arrives at the game, he may be immediately inserted into the game, and shall hit in the slot of the player who started, but could not finish the game; or, if the team simply started with 8 players, in the ninth slot.
(c). If a team has substituted all its available players such that no player is otherwise eligible to re-enter the game, and a player then becomes injured or for some other extraordinary circumstance cannot continue to play (the ability of the player to continue to play will be in the sole judgement of the umpire), that team shall be allowed to re-enter one of its "used up, spent" players; such player to be selected by the opposing coach. That player shall then hit in the slot of the player he replaced.
(d). If a player is ejected from the game by an umpire, and all other players have been substituted and starters have re-entered for the substitutes and the team has no other players available to substitute for the ejected player, the team with the ejected player will finish the game with 8 players. An out will be automatic when the ejected player's spot in the batting order comes up.
9. During the pre-game instruction/exchange, both coaches and umpires shall move off to one side in order for the pitcher and catcher to warm up.
10. On field Managers and Coaches are required to wear baseball uniforms. Definition of Coaching Uniforms: Team hat, matching coaching and/or team shirts, and BASEBALL pants. Any other attire is not permitted. The President has the power to assess forfeitures as a RESULT OF NOT FOLLOWING THIS RULE. Follow Article #14 Protests, for proper procedure.
11. Both teams, visitors and home, will provide new game balls for all games, equally.
12. The extra player may be used and be listed in the line up as "EP". Once a game begins with the extra player, the position will be in affect for the entire game. However, the original player playing the position of EP may be inserted defensively into the game and the defensive player that was replaced will assume the EP position. The batting order will remain in tact; the position change will simply be recorded as a position change next to the players name in the original batting order.
13. All players listed in the original starting batting order (maximum of 10) are considered starters and may be substituted for. Because they are "starters" in the starting line up, after being substituted for they may be re-entered back into the game into their original spot in the batting order. The substitute that the starter has re-entered for is now removed from the game. The substitute is now "spent" and may not go back into the game. The only exception is the rule under Article 20, 7-C.
1. A player or coach ejected from the playing field during a game is considered by the Association, to have displayed inappropriate conduct and repeated occurrences WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
2. Any player ejected from any Sandy Koufax/Pee Wee Reese league game, by an umpire, will be suspended from participating in the next league game. However, the player must attend the next league game, in full uniform, and remain in the dugout throughout the game. The suspension will continue and multiply for every game that the penalty has not been fulfilled. This rule WILL NOT APPLY to the State Tournament play unless it is a specific rule by the tournament committee.
3. Any Coach or Manager of a team in the Association that is ejected from a regularly scheduled league or State Tournament game, by an umpire or tournament official, shall pay a fine of $150.00 for the first offense and is suspended from coaching the next game. For a second occurrence, the fine will be $200.00 and a two- (2) game suspension. For a third ejection, the President of the Association may/can ban the coach/manager of the team or any other action that is appropriate. Any games played with a suspended coach or player will result in forfeit. During the game suspension, the coach or manager may not, at any time, enter the dugout, use any kind of communication with the remaining coaches in charge of the team and must be in attendance of the game as a spectator or the suspension will continue and multiply for every game that the penalty has not been fulfilled.
4. Each team's management, coach, team officials, must be in CONTROL of its FANS AND PARENTS. The inability to control fans and/or parents shall NOT
5. BE TOLERATED by the Association and non-compliance shall be justification for removal of the manager, coach, team officials, and or the team.
6. It is the responsibility of the opposing team to notify the President of any coach ejections or player ejection's that took place during the game.
7. A letter of apology may be requested of the ejected coach, player or fan before attending the next scheduled game.
• NOTE: Getting ejected from a Sandy Koufax/Pee Wee Reese league game is NOT considered a "COACHING TOOL." The Association feels that coaches and managers should set the example of sportsmanship for their players and fans!
