FALL LEAGUE RULES
STOW YOUTH
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL LEAGUE INC.
GENERAL RULES FOR FALL LEAGUE
Revised for the fall season of 2006
Rules apply to games from 8/20/06 to 10/31/06
Section 1 – General Rules
1.
It is the primary objective of this organization to provide the
boys and girls of the Stow-Munroe Falls School District and other
communities with an organized adult supervised program that stresses
sportsmanship, complete cooperation, and a chance to learn
baseball/softball according to the Ohio Hot Stove Baseball League Rules
and the American Softball Association Rules, except as modified by the
Stow Youth Baseball/Softball League Incorporated.
1A. Players and Umpires
shall conduct themselves at all times so as to be a credit to the league.
Any member of the Board, Manager, Coach, Player or Umpire accused of using
profane or foul language, being abusive or acting in such a manner as to
be detrimental to the League, may be dismissed from their position if
found guilty by the Executive Board.
2.
All members of the Board, Managers, Coaches, must be members of
Stow Youth Baseball and Softball.
3.
A receipt shall be required in the transfer of all money.
4.
Umpires will be supplied by Stow Youth Baseball/Softball, Summit
Umpires, ASA Umpires, or NSA Umpires.
5.
All managers shall carefully check birth dates of all players
assigned to their teams. If the player is in the wrong age bracket, his
name shall be turned into the League, who in turn will assign the player
to a team according to his age. PENALTY: Forfeiture of all games in which
the player has participated.
6.
Any player who voluntarily withdraws from the Stow Youth Baseball
and Softball League will forfeit the registration fee, unless an exception
is cited by the Board. This request for refund must be submitted in
writing to the Board.
7.
No player may be registered at the fields by managers or coaches.
If a player missed the annual registration, he may request late
registration and will be registered only if openings exist. All registered
players must have their birth certificates verified with the League. A
late fee may be accessed for late registrations.
8.
Managers must submit their completed rosters to the League
Treasurer at the scheduled managers’ meeting. PENALTY:
Forfeit of all scheduled games until the roster is turned in.
9.
No infield or batting practice is allowed on the lined fields before
game times -- Use the outfield or infield-foul areas on 1st and
3rd baseline.
10.
Once a game begins (the first pitch is thrown), no outfield
practice will be allowed between innings by either team. A pitcher gets 5
(five) warm pitches each inning.
11.
There will be round-robin batting in all leagues.
12.
There will be free substitutions, except for pitchers as noted in
specific league rules.
13.
No metal spikes are allowed at any fields.
14.
STOW YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
DESIGNATED LEAGUES:
Boys
Age is determined on May 1st
of playing year.
H League
10 years old and younger (11 if birthday falls on or after May 1st)
G League
12 Years old and younger (13 if birthday falls on or after May 1st)
F League
14 Years old and younger (15 if birthday falls on or after May.1st)
Girls
Age is
determined on January 1st of playing year.
A
League
10 Years old and younger (11 if birthday falls after Jan 1st)
B League
12 Years old and younger (13 if birthday falls after Jan. 1st)
C League
14 Years old and younger (15 if birthday falls after Jan. 1st)
Section II – General League Rules
1.
For baseball leagues, the Ohio Hot Stove Baseball League Rules
shall govern all play except when superseded by the Stow Youth Baseball
League rules or field ground rules.
2.
For softball leagues,
the American Softball Association rules shall govern all play except when
superseded by the Stow Youth Baseball League rules or field ground rules.
3.
Once a game has started, the home plate umpire is in complete
charge of the game. No player, spectator, manager, or coach shall yell or
heckle an umpire. Managers will stress this point to their players and
parents. Any abusive language by a player, spectator, managers, or coaches
directed at the umpire or opposing players shall be called to the
attention of the managers. The managers shall ask the spectators to
refrain from the use of abusive language. If this is not followed, the
umpire may eject the managers and secondly call a forfeit. No one is
allowed to stand/sit behind the backstop.
4.
No protest on an umpire’s judgment call will be considered.
5.
A coach may not change coaching boxes in any one inning. Excessive
or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. The umpire shall give
one warning, and if it persists, the umpire shall eject the individual or
call a forfeit.
6.
No coach, spectator, manager, or player will be permitted to yell
at or distract a player on the opposing team. The umpire shall give one
warning, and if it persists, the umpire may call a forfeit.
a.
Team cheering shall be permitted as long as it is in a sportsman
like manner and not directed at the opposing team. Discipline – warning,
ejection, forfeit, if ejected the manager must umpire one game or be
suspended for a game.
7.
All players must wear full protective headgear while batting,
running bases and catching. If during a live ball situation, the headgear
is intentionally removed while running bases or after scoring but before
leaving the field of play, the runner is out. Any player warming up a
pitcher must wear a mask.
8.
There is a 15-minute grace period from the scheduled game start
time (see your respective league’s schedule). Each team should be
allowed equal warm-up time, up to 15 minutes, with home team going first,
to insure the game starts at scheduled time. No team warm-ups after
scheduled game time. For baseball, there is a 2-hour game time limit
– no new inning shall start after 2 hours of play. Play ends after
the third out is recorded at the end of an inning. If there is a tie,
the Stow Shoot-Out rules will apply (see rule #9 for explanation).
For softball, there is a 2-hour game time limit – no new
inning shall start after 2 hours of play. If there is a tie, the
International Tie Breaker rule will apply (see next #10 for explanation).
9.
Stow Shoot-Out tiebreaker rule (baseball): At the
beginning of each ½ inning, a runner will start on 2nd base,
the runner will be the person who made the last out of the previous
inning. Each batter will get one pitch at bat – if the pitch is a strike
or a foul ball is hit, the batter is out – if the pitch is a ball, the
batter walks to first base – or the ball can be hit into play by the
batter and the play stands. If the visiting team scores in the top half of
the inning, the home team does bat in the bottom half of the inning. The
game will continue each inning until a winner is declared. If the game is
called because of darkness and the score is still tied, a tie will be
called – the game will not continue at a later date.
10.
International tiebreaker rule (softball): At the
beginning of each ½ inning, a runner will start on 2nd base;
the runner will be the person who made the last out of the previous
inning. Each inning will continue until a winner is declared. If the
visiting team scores in the top half of the inning, the home team does bat
in the bottom half of the inning. If the game is called because of
darkness and the score is still tied, a tie will be called – the game
will not continue at a later date.
11.
In the event of thunder, rain, darkness, or any other situation
that would affect the continuance of a game safely or field conditions,
the home plate umpire has the final authority to stop the game. If
possible, the players should be removed to a safe place until weather
improves. After a 20-minute interval, the umpire should decide
whether to continue or officially stop the game. In the event of
conditions that would stop a game (such as rain, darkness, light failure,
etc.) a game will constitute the interpretation of the Ohio Hot Stove
Baseball League or the American Softball Association rules. If lightening
is visible at any time during a game by the umpire, play stops immediately
and the above rules apply as any other weather condition. Speed up rules
must be enforced.
12.
The Executive Board shall have the final authority to rule in all
matters.
13.
A team shall become the responsibility of the manager fifteen (15)
minutes before the game and shall remain his responsibility for fifteen
(15) minutes after the game completion, for it’s conduct on and off the
field. He shall be relieved of this responsibility when the parents take
the youth from the field. A manager shall not leave until all players are
picked up.
14.
All rainout games will be played the following Sunday for boys’
leagues and the following Saturday for girls’ leagues during the 1st
4 weeks of the season. During the last 2 weeks of the season, there will
be additional weekends needed to make the rainout games up, but no
makeup games will be played after October 8th.
15.
Managers and Coaches shall be properly attired at all games. No
cut-offs or sleeveless shirts allowed. Any one in violation will be
ejected from the game until properly attired.
16.
Any person ejected from the game must remain out of sight and
earshot of the umpire and the playing ball field, including managers and
coaches and players.
Ø
In the event of
a manager/coach ejection during a game, the manager/coach will sit out the
next scheduled league game. This means that the manager/coach must not be
present at the basic playing field as a coach or SPECTATOR. If the
manager/coach is on the playing field during his one-game suspension, the
umpire will stop play until you leave or you will forfeit the game.
Ø
If a player is ejected, then that spot in the batting order
becomes an automatic out every time the ejected player is scheduled to bat
for the remainder of that game.
17.
In the boys’ leagues, it is MANDATORY that all players wear
athletic supporters.
18.
All catchers must wear protective headgear, cup (baseball only),
throat guards, and proper catching equipment. PENALTY: Cannot play in the
game as a catcher.
19.
The winning or tie manager must call or email the game score
within 24 hours after the game (see your league schedule for the name,
phone number, and email address of the person to contact). If this is not
done, a double forfeit will be called and each team will show a loss for
the game.
20.
In the event of a league tie for the first place there will be a
one game play-off with the winner receiving first (1st) place
trophies and the loser 2nd place trophies. The site and
play-off date to be determined by the Executive Vice-President of Stow
Youth Baseball/Softball.
21.
In the event for a tie in the 2nd place, there will be a
one game play-off and the winner will be given 2nd place
trophies.
22.
All protests must be completed on the SYB protest form provided
to each manager/coach at the initial meeting (make copies if needed) and
must be submitted to the League in writing along with a protest fee of
$25.00 no later than 24 hours from the time of the protest. Protest fees
shall be retained unless the protest committee upholds the protest. The
umpire must be made aware of the protest at the time of the incident,
before the next pitch and it must be noted in the home team’s scorebook.
23.
Player must slide or give up if there is a play at any base (at the
umpires discretion), except first.
24.
A team must have eight players to start and finish a game. If
unable to field eight players a forfeit will be called.
25.
Field setup for all games shall be the responsibility of both
managers and teams.
26.
In the event of any game that cannot be completed within the time
limit allotted, the game will be picked up where it left off and also the
time limit will continue from that point until it is reached. The umpire
must note in the home team’s scorebook the time the game is stopped, the
amount of time remaining to be played to reach the allotted time limit,
the inning, what team was up to bat and what player.
BOYS PROTEST COMMITTEE
GIRLS PROTEST COMMITTEE
1. Umpire in Chief
1. Umpire In Chief
2. League President
2. League President
3. Boys Executive VP
3. Girls Executive VP
Section III -
SPEED UP RULE:
Catcher: When
the catcher is on base or reaches a base within 2 outs, it is requested
the catcher be replaced by the player who made the last out. The catcher
speed up rule will not be in affect during the last inning. The catcher
speed up rule will be enforced if the game requires extra innings.
Pitcher: A
pitcher will be allowed a maximum of 5 warm up pitches, it will be the
managers responsibility to have his pitcher warm up in between innings in
a safe and out of play area. A pitcher replacing a pitcher that has been
removed from the mound during an inning shall be given (at umpire’s
discretion) adequate time to warm up. When the pitcher is on base or
reaches base with 2 outs, a manager has the option of replacing the
pitcher with the person whom made the last out.
IT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANAGER TO
HAVE THE REPLACEMENT RUNNER READY.
Section IV - H
League
1.
The Ohio Hot Stove Baseball League rules apply to all H League
games, with the exception of any rules that conflict with Stow Youth
Baseball rules; then the Stow Youth Baseball rules will apply.
2.
Pitching distance: 46 feet. Base distance: 60 feet. Home to second
base: 84’ 10” feet.
3.
Chinstraps must be worn or the batter is out.
4.
A pitcher may pitch only 8 innings in any 60-hour period, including
all practice games or rainouts. The 60-hour period will be from game time
to the next scheduled game time.
5.
In all H league games, a pitcher shall not pitch more than four (4)
innings in one calendar day.
6.
If one team is leading by 10 runs or more at the end of the 5th
inning, (41/2 innings if home team is ahead) that game shall be ended and
the full inning must be completed unless the home team is ahead.
7.
Seven innings shall constitute a regulation game.
8.
Intentional walks are prohibited (manager cannot tell the umpire he
wants a batter intentionally walked.)
9.
The hidden ball trick is not allowed. PENALTY: Balk – no warning
will be given.
10.
A dropped third strike is an OUT. Runners may advance at their own
risk.
11.
There will be no lead-offs.
12.
There will be no stealing until the baseball crosses home plate.
13.
The manager may take one trip to the pitching mound per inning for
each pitcher used, provided that it is not done for the purpose of
delaying the game. A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning
will cause the pitcher’s automatic removal as a pitcher for the
remainder of the game and shall not, under any circumstances return to the
mound as a pitcher. A third trip to the same pitcher in the same game will
cause the pitcher’s automatic removal.
14.
A defensive player shall not fake a tag on a runner without the
ball or when no play is eminent. PENALTY: Ejection.
15.
A runner cannot deliberately crash into a defensive player who has
clear possession of the ball to make a tag. The runner cannot use a
forearm block, or block of any type. Runner can slide hard. PENALTY:
Runner is out and ejected from game at the umpires’ discretion.
16.
A runner does not have to slide if no play is eminent.
17.
A pitcher will be removed if he hits 3 batters in one inning, or
hits a total of 4 during a game.
18.
Baseball bat restrictions shall be (to conform with Ohio Hot Stove
Rules): use metal baseball bats that are, 2 3/4 of an inch maximum
diameter and difference between weight (in ounces) and length (in inches)
cannot be greater than eight and one half
(8 1/2). (e.g. 31” bat must weigh at least 22 1/2 ounces).
19.
A maximum of nine (9) players will be allowed on the field
(defense) at any one time. There are no restrictions as to the playing
positions.
20.
For baseball, there is a 2-hour game time limit – no new
inning shall start after 2 hours of play. If there is a tie, the Stow
Shoot-Out rules will apply.
21.
In the event of any game that cannot be completed within the time
limit allotted, the game will be picked up where it left off and also the
time limit will continue from that point until it is reached. The umpire
must note in the home team’s scorebook the time the game is stopped, the
amount of time remaining to be played to reach the allotted time limit,
the inning, what team was up to bat and what player.
Section V - G LEAGUE
1.
The Ohio Hot Stove Baseball League rules apply to all G League
games, with the exception of any rules that conflict with Stow Youth
Baseball rules; then the Stow Youth Baseball rules will apply.
2.
Pitching distance: 50 feet, base distance: 70 feet, home to second
base: 99feet.
3.
Chinstraps must be worn or the batter is out.
4.
A pitcher may pitch 8 innings in any 60-hour period. There are no
exceptions.
5.
In all G league games, a pitcher shall not pitch more than four (4)
innings in one calendar day.
6.
Innings shall be determined by the number of put outs per inning (3
per inning). One pitch equals one out.
7.
The 60-hour pitching rules shall be from scheduled game time to
next scheduled game time. This includes all pitchers that have
participated in that game.
8.
Violations of any of the above rulings shall be subject to
forfeiture of game.
9.
Seven innings shall constitute regular game.
10.
A manager or coach may take one trip to the pitching mound per
inning for each pitcher used, provided that it is not done for the purpose
of delaying the game, a second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning
will cause this pitcher’s automatic removal as a pitcher for the
remainder of the game and shall not, under any circumstances return to the
mound as a pitcher. A third trip to the same pitcher in the same game will
cause the pitcher’s automatic removal.
11.
The hidden ball trick is not allowed. PENALTY: Balk – no warning
will be given.
12.
If one team is leading by 10 runs or more at the end of the 5th
inning (4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead), that game shall be ended
and the team leading shall be declared the winner. Any time after 6th
inning, a full inning must be completed unless the home team is ahead.
13.
A defensive player shall not fake a tag on a runner without the
ball or when no play is eminent. PENALTY: Ejection.
14.
A runner cannot deliberately crash into a defensive player who has
clear possession of the ball to make a tag. The runner cannot use a
forearm block, or block of any type. Runner can slide hard. PENALTY:
Runner out and ejected from game, at umpire’s discretion.
15.
One balk warning will be issued per pitcher after which runners
will advance.
16.
Baseball bat restrictions shall be (to conform to Ohio Hot Stove
Baseball Rules): use metal baseball bats that are, 2 3/4 of an inch
maximum diameter and difference between weight (in ounces) and length (in
inches) cannot be greater than eight and one half (8 1/2). (e.g. 31” bat
must weigh at least 22 1/2 ounces).
17.
A maximum of nine (9) players will be allowed on the field
(defense) at any one time. There are no restrictions as to the playing
positions.
18.
For baseball, there is a 2-hour game time limit – no new
inning shall start after 2 hours of play. If there is a tie, the Stow
Shoot-Out rules will apply.
19.
In the event of any game that cannot be completed within the time
limit allotted, the game will be picked up where it left off and also the
time limit will continue from that point until it is reached. The umpire
must note in the home team’s scorebook the time the game is stopped, the
amount of time remaining to be played to reach the allotted time limit,
the inning, what team was up to bat and what player.
Section VI - F LEAGUE
1.
The Ohio Hot Stove Baseball League rules apply to all F League
games, with the exception of any rules that conflict with Stow Youth
Baseball rules; then the Stow Youth Baseball rules will apply.
2.
Pitching distance: 55
feet, base distance: 80 feet, home to second base: 113 feet 2 inches.
3.
Chinstraps must be worn or the batter is out.
4.
A pitcher may pitch 10 innings in any 60-hour period. There are no
exceptions.
5.
Innings shall be determined by the number of put outs per inning (3
per inning). One pitch constitutes 1/3 inning appearance.
6.
The 60-hour pitching rule shall be from scheduled game time to next
scheduled game time. This includes all pitchers that have participated in
the game.
7.
Violations of any of the above ruling shall be subject to
forfeiture of game.
8.
The hidden ball trick is not allowed. PENALTY: Balk – no warning
will be given.
9.
In the event of disciplinary action by an umpire resulting in a
player being dismissed from a game, no forfeit can occur. Another player
may be put into the game, however, must have 8 players on the field or a
forfeit will occur.
10.
Seven innings shall constitute a regular game.
11.
If one team is leading by 10 runs or more by the 5th
inning, (4 ½ if the home team is ahead) that game shall be ended and the
team leading shall be declared the winner. Any time after 6 innings, a
full inning must be completed unless the home team is ahead.
12.
The manager may take one trip to the pitching mound per inning
used, provided that it is not done for the purpose of delaying the game. A
second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning will cause this
pitcher’s automatic removal as a pitcher for the remainder of the game
and shall not, under any circumstances return to the mound as a pitcher.
Third trip in the game, to the same pitcher, is automatic removal of the
pitcher as a pitcher. Trips by the coach also count as if he were the
manager.
13.
A defensive player shall not fake a tag on a runner without the
ball or when no play is eminent. PENALTY: Ejection.
14.
A runner cannot deliberately crash into a defensive player who has
clear possession of the ball to make a tag. The runner cannot use a
forearm block, or block of any type. Runner can slide hard. PENALTY:
Runner out and ejected from game, at umpire’s discretion.
15.
Baseball bat restriction (to confirm to Ohio high school rules): 2
5/8” maximum diameter and difference between weight (in ounces) and
length (in inches) cannot be greater than three (3). (e.g. 32” bat must
weigh at least 29 ounces).
16.
A maximum of nine (9) players will be allowed on the field
(defense) at any one time. There are no restrictions as to the playing
positions.
17.
For baseball, there is a 2-hour game time limit – no new
inning shall start after 2 hours of play. If there is a tie, the Stow
Shoot-Out rules will apply.
18.
In the event of any game that cannot be completed within the time
limit allotted, the game will be picked up where it left off and also the
time limit will continue from that point until it is reached. The umpire
must note in the home team’s scorebook the time the game is stopped, the
amount of time remaining to be played to reach the allotted time limit,
the inning, what team was up to bat and what player.
Section IX – C LEAGUE – Follow ASA rules except as noted
below
1.
The 14 and Under Girls’ Fastpitch Softball League is limited to
girls with playing ages of 14 or less on the date specified in the general
rules.
2.
The pitching distance is 40 feet; base path distance is 60 feet.
The distance from home plate to second base is 84 feet 10 inches.
3.
Official ball will be a 12-inch softball.
4.
There are no pitching restrictions except those imposed by the ASA
rulebook.
5.
If the score differential is ten (10) or more at the end of any
inning after five (5) or more innings have been played, the umpire shall
declare the game over.
6.
Chinstraps must be worn or the batter/runner is automatically out.
7.
All players must wear batting helmets that have a protective face
guard/mask on them. It will be worn while batting and while running the
bases. If a face guard/mask is not on the batting helmet, the
batter/runner is automatically out.
8.
Optional: Use of the safety base at 1st (first) base.
9.
A maximum of nine (9) players will be allowed on the field
(defense) at any one time. There are no restrictions as to the playing
positions.
10.
As in ASA, a tie after 7 innings of play or after the time
limit is met; the international tiebreaker rules are to be used (see rule
#9 under Section II).
11.
For
softball, there is a 2-hour game time limit – no new inning shall start
after 2 hours of play. If there is a tie, the International Tie Breaker
rule will apply.
12.
In the event of any game that cannot be completed within the
time limit allotted, the game will be picked up where it left off and also
the time limit will continue from that point until it is reached. The
umpire must note in the home team’s scorebook the time the game is
stopped, the amount of time remaining to be played to reach the allotted
time limit, the inning, what team was up to bat and what player
