AYA Baseball is based on three sources of authority for its playing rules. The primary layer is from the OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES, as published by The Sporting News. The second layer of authority, which modifies and overrides the first, is the Rules and Regulations of PONY BASEBALL as published for each league (except TEE-BALL). The final overriding layer of authority is the following list of rules and rule exceptions as approved by the AYA Board of Directors.

 

GROUND RULES

 

1.       Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted within the boundaries of the AYA property or at any practice location at any time. Also, no weapons of any kind including permitted concealed handguns are allowed on AYA property or practice locations, (Violators will be prosecuted). This rule pertains to everyone, including managers, coaches, parents and fans.

 

2.       Profanity will NOT be tolerated from coaches, players or spectators.  Penalty will be the immediate ejection of the guilty party(ies) with subsequent suspensions as provided for in these rules.

 

3.       Littering and glass containers are strictly prohibited on the AYA property or at practice sites.

 

4.       No pets are allowed on the AYA property.

 

5.       The home team will occupy the third base dugout.

 

6.       The home team manager is responsible for chalking the playing field when necessary, putting out the bases, and then returning the bases, scoreboard controller and chalking equipment to their respective storage areas and locking them up when completing the final game of the day on the field. Failure to do so will result in a one (1) game suspension.

 

7.       Tobacco in any form will not be allowed on the fields or in the dugouts at any times before, during, or after a game. Neither managers nor coaches will be allowed to leave the field to use tobacco during a game. The umpire will eject anyone who violates this rule.

 

8.       Each manager is responsible for ensuring that the area on his side of the field is cleaned of litter and trash before leaving after a game. This includes the dugout, inside and outside of the fences, and the bleacher area.

 

9.       Except for Mustang and above leagues, the manager of each baseball team is responsible for providing a volunteer base umpire for each game. A clinic shall held prior to opening day to train any volunteer umpires.

 

10.   Managers are responsible for providing volunteer workers for fieldwork days called by the respective League Commissioners; failure to do so will result in a one (1) game suspension.

 

11.   Managers are responsible for the conduct of the team's players, coaches, and fans. Confrontations among umpires, coaches, players, and fans are strictly prohibited. Persons involved in such incidents may be restricted from further AYA participation.

 

12.   All baseball managers and commissioners must meet AYA coaching certification requirements and attend all coaches’ clinics. 

 

13.   All managers are required to have a first aid kit of some sort and ice in the dugout at each practice and/or game.

 

 

 

PLAYER PARTICIPATION

 

1.       General

 

1.1.    A continuous batting order must be used for each game as established prior to each individual game. Players will bat in their appropriate turn whether or not they are playing defensively in the field. Batting orders may never be altered after the first pitch of the game, except that a tardy player who is eligible to play must be added at the bottom of the batting order.

 

1.2.    Each player present at a game shall play a minimum six (6) Defensive outs. (See RULES EXCEPTIONS – Tee Ball League only.)  A player, who is absent from a game or is benched for disciplinary reasons, is considered to have officially played the appropriate      number of defensive outs for that league (see Rule 1. a & b above).

 

1.3.    For all leagues, a tardy player must show up in full uniform, and be present in the dugout before the first pitch of the second inning to become eligible to play.  An exception to this rule is allowed if both managers so indicate and sign in the official score book their agreement 

 

2.       MUSTANG and above

 

2.1.    Substitutes must be placed in the game by the top of the third inning, i.e. prior to the first pitch of the third inning. Substitutes may be re-entered into the defensive lineup after they have been removed.

 

2.2.    Championship games will be audited inning by inning by the League Commissioner or his representative to ensure that the provisions of La. and 1.b are enforced.

 

3.       Penalties for Violation of Player Participation Rules

 

3.1.    Upon discovery that a player has not been entered by the top of the third inning, the player must immediately be inserted into the line-up and shall play the remainder of that game and the entire next official game. This is an appeal play by the opposing manager to the umpire and NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UMPIRE.

 

3.2.    The official AYA score book shall be the sole record for determining violations of this rule.

 

3.3.    The AYA Board of Directors and the Baseball Director shall impose these penalties.

 

3.4.    Second and subsequent violations shall be cause for dismissal or suspension of the manager by the AYA Board of Directors.

 

 

GAME SCHEDULING

 

1.       All games will start as scheduled by League Commissioners.

 

2.       The League Commissioners will reschedule make-up games. Commissioners will not schedule a team for a fourth game in one week unless both team managers agree. Commissioners must attempt to reschedule games as quickly and fairly as possible, with priority given to games that were postponed the earliest, and also considering the practical issues that affect when the teams are able to play. Should a manager disagree with the rescheduling done by a League Commissioner, he may appeal to the AYA Baseball Board for another date.

 

3.       Regular season games may only be rescheduled as make-up for one of the following reasons:

 

3.1.    Rained out, or

 

3.2.  A team is not able to field enough players due to an authorized school or church function, (2 or more players). League Commissioner must be notified at least 5 hours prior to the scheduled game time or game will be played with pull up players or forfeited.  

 

3.3.  A game is called off before it becomes an official game, or an umpire suspends a game in accordance with the rules herein.

      

 

TEAM ROSTERS

 

1.       All teams should have 10 or more players assigned by the end of final registration.

 

2.       No trades of any kind shall be made between managers after the draft. Any trade by managers will be voided and the players returned to their original teams. The offending managers shall serve a two (2) game suspension for such actions.

 

3.       After the final registration date no players may be added to the league for that season unless approved by the AYA Board and Director of Baseball.

 

 

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

 

1.       Any player may be benched for disciplinary action at the discretion of the team manager PROVIDED:

 

1.1.    No later than the night before the game for which the player is being disciplined, one or both of the player's parents or guardian is notified as to the nature of the action taken by the manager. If a parent or guardian is not available, then the player will be notified in the same manner.

 

1.2.    The team manager notifies the official scorekeeper prior to game time in writing as to the nature of the disciplinary action. This copy shall be permanently attached to the official score book and becomes part of the official game record.

 

2.       A player cannot be subject to disciplinary action for missing practices or games because of authorized school or church functions or a Sunday practice.

 

 

 

OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER

 

1.       Both managers are responsible for providing a volunteer scorekeeper for each game. The scorekeeper must sit behind the home plate backstop. The home team scorekeeper will be designated the official scorekeeper for the game. Both managers, along with the umpire-in-chief, will be required to sign the official score book after each game. The official score book should be picked up at the respective league's "lock box" before the game and returned afterwards by     the scorekeeper.

 

2.       Each manager shall notify the official scorekeeper of any change in his team's offensive or defensive alignment. (Reminder: the rules of baseball do not allow altering the original batting order).

 

3.       Managers or coaches shall not converse with the official scorekeeper unless the umpire-in-chief has called a time out and is present in the discussion, except in the case of lineup changes.

 

4.       The official scorekeeper should notify the manager concerned, or the umpire-in-chief, if an ineligible player or an improper batter is about to be used in the game. However, failure of the scorekeeper to do so has no effect upon the rules, that is, the rules of baseball still apply.

 

PRACTICE SESSIONS

 

1.       Prior to the first game of the official playing season each team shall be limited to a maximum of three and a minimum of one practice sessions per CALENDAR Week. (See RULES EXCEPTIONS Tee Ball League only.) 

 

2.       After the start of the official playing season, each team shall be limited to a maximum of two and a minimum of one practice session per week, with no more than four (4) total meetings per week including regular games, make-up games and practices. (See RULES EXCEPTIONS Tee Ball League only.)

 

3.       All practice games are considered to be a practice session, and they must adhere to the time limits    

     of a regular practice session. SEE RULE 7 BELOW.

 

4.       Whenever a manager and/or coach meets with one or more team members who is not the child of  

      the manager or coach, a practice session shall be considered as held if the meeting is for the

      purpose of educating players in baseball or practicing baseball.

 

5.       Only one practice session per day is permitted. On game days, no form of practice is permitted

      prior to pre-game warm-up, which may commence no earlier than 1 hour prior to scheduled game

      time. No pre-game warm up will be permitted except in designated areas.

 

6.       In pre-game warm-ups, absolutely no batting practice will be allowed with the exception of "soft   

      toss".  UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WILL PURPOSEFUL HITTING OF HARD BALLS AGAINST ANY      

SCREEN OR FENCE BE ALLOWED

  

 

7.       SUNDAY PRACTICES ARE PERMITTED during the regular season under the following conditions.

7.1.    Attendance is not mandatory. A player may not Be penalized for not attending said practice.

7.2.    Practice may not start before 12:00 PM noon.

7.3.    The total number of practices does not exceed those described above.

 

8.       Rules pertaining to individual practice sites must be adhered to.

 

9.       The maximum practice times are as follows:

9.1.    TEE-BALL               1 hour, 15 minutes

9.2.    PINTO                   1 hour, 30 minutes

9.3.    MUSTANG              2 hours

9.4.    BRONCO                2 hours

9.5.    PONY                     2 hours

9.6.    COLT                     2 hours

 

10.   Failure to comply with any of the above rules shall result in a minimum one (1) game suspension or dismissal from managerial duties.

 

11.   Practice sessions will not be allowed and must not be held prior to the date set forth and published by the AYA Board of Directors for each season.

 

 

 

 

RAINOUTS

 

1.       The AYA President, the Executive Vice President, Baseball Director, and the respective League Commissioner (or his official designee), shall be the only persons authorized to call a rainout prior to the commencement of a game.

 

2.       Once a game has begun (first pitch or swing), only the umpire-in-chief has authorization to call a game.

 

3.       At times of inclement weather, unless a team has been notified by a proper AYA official that a game has been rained out, each team member should show up at the field ready to play; never assume that the game has been cancelled.

 

4.       The League Commissioner will reschedule rainout games. It is the responsibility of the team manager to consult the Commissioner to determine when his game will be re-scheduled.

 

 

GAMES CANCELLED DUE TO DARKNESS

 

1.       The umpire-in-chief has the sole authorization to call games on account of darkness. THE UMPIRE'S DECISION IS FINAL AND CANNOT BE PROTESTED OR APPEALED.

 

 

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

 

1.       It is the manager's responsibility to ensure that all players are properly equipped to participate in the game.

 

2.       All players in the PINTO and higher leagues who participate at the position of catcher must wear a protective cup while playing that position.

 

3.       No metal cleats are allowed in any leagues except for Pony/Colt Leagues.

 

4.       Equipment is a substantial investment and should be treated as such by both players and managers.

 

5.       All equipment is to be returned immediately following the team's last game. Failure to do so may result in the responsible manager's being billed, at replacement cost, for any deficiencies.

 

6.       If necessary, times will be scheduled when equipment may be picked up, exchanged or returned at the AYA lock-up and announced to the respective league commissioners by the AYA Baseball Director.

 

 

FORFEITS

 

1.       If a team has 10 or more players on their roster by the end of final registration they must have 9 players present and available to start the game. If they do not have 9 players present the umpire, commissioner, or Baseball Director, shall call the game a forfeit before the start of the game. If the game is played the commissioner or Baseball Director shall call the game a forfeit upon review. No one may override this rule and agree to play the game (coaches, umpires, or Board Members) without the effects of this rule. The game may be played but the forfeit shall be in effect. If a team has only 9 players on their roster by the end of final registration that team may start their game with 8 players without forfeit. (See RULES EXCEPTIONS – Tee Ball League only.)

 

2.       If a team has nine or less players available for a game it may pickup from the next lower league no more than three players to give them a total of no more than ten players. These pick-ups must be treated as substitutes and may play any position except pitcher or catcher.   These players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order.  The team picking up such a player must use their best efforts to receive permission from the player's manager or coach. The Commissioner must then be notified as soon as possible when these players are utilized. THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO TEE-BALL.  

 

3.       The SAME pull up player may not play for the same team in two consecutive games and not more than twice for the same team in one season. For this to happen the decision will be made by the league commissioner and/or the Baseball Director, and their decision shall be final.

 

4.       Any use of an illegal player during a game shall cause a forfeit of that game by the offending team, during the game or upon review after the game.  

 

5.       In the event of an injury to a player or player ejection once a game has begun which causes a team to have only eight available players with which to continue the game, then the manager of that team shall have the option of continuing the game with eight players, or forfeiting the game at that point. The vacant position created in the batting order by an ejection will be recorded as an OUT in each inning that the vacant batting position is scheduled to come to bat. There shall be no penalty for injured player. If at any time afterwards, less than eight players are able to take the field whether due to additional injuries or player ejection, then the game shall be forfeited immediately and that team not having enough players will be given the loss. SEE RULE 19.o ON PAGE 15 FOR PINTO EXCEPTIONS. SEE RULE 20.s ON PAGE 18 FOR TEE-BALL EXCEPTIONS.

 

6.       There will be no forfeits called other than as covered in these Rules.  

 

7.       If for any reason the umpire-in-chief is unable to control a game due to manager, player or fan disruption, or lack of adult supervision in the event of a manager or coach ejection, he shall suspend the game at that point. The status of the game at the time of suspension will be noted in the official score book: player a proper count on the batter, number of outs, players on base, inning of play, and official time remaining. The umpire-in-chief, both managers and the official scorekeeper shall sign the official score book; the League Commissioner will then reschedule the game at a later date The game will be resumed at the point of suspension and played until either the official time expires or the number of innings in a complete game has been played. Any player, manager, or coach that was ejected from the game prior to the suspension of the game, shall remain ejected when the suspended game is scheduled for completion.

 

8.       All forfeited games shall result in a score of 1-0 entered in the score book no mater what the score was at the time of the forfeit.

 

 

PROTESTS

 

1.       PROTESTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN TEE-BALL AND PINTO LEAGUES.  For TEE-BALL and PINTO leagues only, no written, verbal, or any other form of protest will be allowed.  All umpire-in-chief's calls, judgment or otherwise, are final. In addition, no boisterous, animated or otherwise demonstrative appeals will be tolerated. Appeals must be made in a reasonably quiet, formal and friendly manner, and the umpire's decision accepted without argument or remark. Violations of this rule will be determined at the sole judgment and discretion of the umpire-in-chief and dealt with by automatic ejections of the offending manager, coach, parent, player or spectators.

 

2.       Mustang league and above, the manager must make protest at the time of the incident in question, that is, before the next pitch is made or a runner is retired. After the umpire-in-chief grants time-out, the protesting manager will have three (3) minutes in which to find the proper written rule (Official Baseball Rules, Rules and Regulations of Pony Baseball, or AYA rules) which covers the protested play in question and bring the rule number to the umpire's attention. No protest can be made that contests an umpire's judgment call. The umpire-in-chief will then have the official scorekeeper enter into the official score book that the game is being played under protest. The status of the game at that time will be noted in the official scorebook.  All protests must be presented in writing to the appropriate League Commissioner within 24 hours after the game in question ends and be accompanied by a $25 cash deposit. (Note if the protest is lost, the deposit is not refunded).  The protest will then be brought before the League Commissioner, Baseball Director, umpires, and managers and ruled upon as soon as possible. Protest should be handled in the league in which they occur. If the protest cannot be resolved satisfactorily, both managers and the umpire-in-chief shall be given the opportunity to present their arguments to the Baseball Board if desired. 

 

 

EJECTIONS

 

1.       Any use of profanity shall cause immediate ejection of a manager, coach, or player. If no ejection occurs, the AYA Baseball Board will still discipline the offending manager, coach or player, and the suspension shall be in effect.

 

2.       Players ejected from a game must remain in the dugout for the remainder of the game under the supervision of the manager and/or his assistant. Player shall be suspended from the next regular scheduled game, but must attend said game and be on the bench with his team. If player fails to show up for the next game, his suspension shall carry over until he shows up for the suspended game.

 

3.       An ejected manager, will be given THREE (3) MINUTES to organize his players and assistant coaches prior to leaving the AYA property. An ejected coach or parent shall also be given the same amount of time to vacate the property. Violation of this rule shall result in a suspension of the game and the offending team shall be liable for the umpire fee to replay the game. If the umpire fee is not paid before the re-scheduled game the original game shall be declared a forfeit.

 

4.       Any manager or coach who is ejected from a game shall not participate in that team's next two (2) official games except as a spectator only; that is, ANY MANAGER/COACH EJECTION SHALL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC TWO (2) GAME SUSPENSION. Any ejected manager/coach who attends his teams next two official games and at those games attempts to coach, instruct, etc. and is so noted as to coach or instruct his team, shall serve an additional TWO (2) game suspension.

 

5.       Second ejection shall be a mandatory FOUR (4) game suspension and a third violation will result in manager suspension for the remainder of the season and upon review possible termination of coaching privileges at AYA permanently.

 

6.       If a manager or coach is ejected during a tournament game the TWO (2) game suspension shall be enforced on the first two regular season games of the next season the manager or coach participates in. 

 

 

INJURIES

 

1.       Any player that receives an injury requiring treatment by a physician, must obtain a written release from the physician and present it to his team manager and League Commissioner before that player can be allowed to participate in any further games or practices.

 

2.       If a player is injured during a play in a game, it is up to the umpire-in-chief's judgment whether or not to stop the game. Umpires are instructed to put the player's safety first, and to immediately stop a game if there is any question of serious injury, particularly when the injury is to the head. In other cases, when the injury does not appear to be serious, the play must continue until it is over and the umpire-in-chief can call time out.

 

 

TIEBREAKERS

 

1.       In the event of a tie in the standings the following tiebreakers shall be used. If there is a tie for first place the first level tiebreaker shall be head to head competition. If a tie still results a one game playoff will be held to determine the champion. Pitching rules shall still be in effect.

 

2.       In all other tiebreaker situations the first tiebreaker shall be head to head competition. If a tie still results the next tie breaker shall be the total number of runs scored for the season minus the total number of runs against, then the team with the highest total shall be declared the winner. If a tie still results a coin flip shall be used to determine the winner. 

 

 

POST-SEASON PLAY

 

1.       All play-off schedules and formats will be determined by each respective League Commissioner and approved by the Baseball Director then the AYA Board of Directors.  Championship games ONLY will be played WITHOUT TIME LIMIT. 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

1.       Should parents request in writing that their child be allowed to play in a league that is a level above that which would normally apply based on the child's age, the following procedure will apply.  

 

1.1.    The parent(s) must first make the request in writing to the Baseball Director.

 

1.2.    The Baseball Director shall investigate the child's abilities and make a ruling on whether or not it is appropriate to allow the child to advance early to a higher league, whichever the case may be.  

 

1.3.    If approved, the player must enter the draft for that league. Unless otherwise provided for in these rules as son/daughter or brother/sister of an approved manager in the higher league. 

 

1.4.    If a player chooses to move up early he must reenter the draft during his first year of normal league age eligibility for that division.  

 

1.5.    Eligibility may only be extended one additional year.

 

1.6.    The AYA Board of Directors must approve the decision made by the Baseball Director.

 

2.       Spectators, players, managers and/or assistant coaches may not heckle, taunt or verbalize in any way with the opposing team for the purpose of intimidation; penalty: the spectator, player, coach or manager shall be warned once and ejected on the next violation.

 

3.       Players during a game shall wear no jewelry. After a warning      to any member of a team, the next violation by ANY player on that team will result in the ejection of that player.

 

4.       Any player catching pitched balls in practice or warm-up before or during a game MUST (AT A MINIMUM) wear a protective cup, catcher's helmet and mask with throat protector.

 

5.       Any player protecting pitcher/catcher warm-ups during a game MUST wear a batting helmet.

 

6.       Any player who assists a coach or another player pitching for infield hitting practice by catching returned balls MUST wear a batting helmet.

 

 

RULES EXCEPTIONS - GENERAL

 

1.       PONY BASEBALL Rules concerning team roster age requirements, is not in force.

 

2.       PONY BASEBALL Rule for PONY and above leagues, concerning designated hitters, is not in force. There are no DH's in the AYA.

 

3.       AVOIDANCE RULE: Any runner advancing to second, third or home base on a close play must slide or otherwise avoid an upright collision or he may be called out by the umpire-in-chief. This does NOT allow a runner to leave the base path to avoid the tag.

 

4.       REGULATION GAME:

4.1.    TEE-BALL       6 innings; or 1 hour, 15 minutes

4.2.    PINTO           6 innings; or 1 hour, 30 minutes

4.3.    MUSTANG      6 innings; or 1 hour, 50 minutes

4.4.    BRONCO        7 innings; or 1 hour, 50 minutes

4.5.    PONY/COLT    7 innings; or 1 hour, 50 minutes

 

5.       TIME LIMIT GAMES: No new inning may be started after the time limit has expired. The new inning begins at the time the third out is made in the proceeding inning. If time expires during the middle of an inning, that inning shall be played to completion. Game DOES NOT revert back to the last completed inning. TIME IS KEPT BY THE UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF AND HIS DECISION IS FINAL, NOT THE OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER.  No new inning shall be started after 9PM. 

 

6.       TIE GAMES: Tie games are played out only as long as the time limit has not expired. Ties count as a one-half game won and a one-half game lost.  (These rules DO NOT apply to regular season tiebreaker games or post-season tournament games.)

 

7.       RUN LIMITS PER INNING:

7.1.    TEE-BALL      Five

7.2.    PINTO          Five, except for sixth and subsequent innings

7.3.    MUSTANG     Five, except for sixth and subsequent innings

7.4.    BRONCO       None

7.5.    PONY/COLT   None

 

8.       TEN-RUN RULE:  If a team is leading its opponent by at least ten (10) runs after five (5) or more complete innings have been played, or if the home team goes ahead by ten (10) or more runs at any point in the bottom of the fifth inning, the game shall officially end, and the team ahead will be declared the winner.

 

9.       OFFICIAL GAME: A league game is considered a complete official game, if it either reaches the regulation time limit, or at least four (4) innings (or 3 and one-half innings, if the home team is ahead) have been completed. In TEE-BALL, fifty-five minutes may be considered an official game. 

 

9.1.    If a game is called for any reason before it is an official game, the game will be rescheduled to be replayed in its entirety unless otherwise stipulated in these rules. 

 

9.2.    If, after having reached the official length, a game is called for any reason in an uncompleted inning, the official score will revert to what it was at the end of the previous completed inning. Should the home team have the lead when a game is called in an uncompleted inning, the home team shall be declared the winner and the official score will not revert to the previous inning's score.

 

10.   Except in TEE-BALL and PINTO, once a pitcher has been removed from his position as pitcher, he may not return to that position for the rest of that game.

 

11.   In Mustang and above, any pitcher who has hit (3) batsmen with a pitched ball, that pitcher must be removed from the mound immediately.

 

12.   "SLINGING" THE BAT: any player at bat may be called out for slinging the bat whether intentional or unintentional, if in the umpire-in- chief's judgment, the slung bat put any person on the playing field in jeopardy of being injured. The call shall be for interference, the ball is immediately called dead, and all base runners are returned to their position prior to the play.

 

13.   If, in the umpire-in-chief's judgment, a base-runner has intentionally removed the protective headgear during a live ball, he shall be called out, the ball immediately called dead, and all other runners placed back to their base last obtained.

 

14.   A dual-colored first base is approved for use in TEE-BALL and PINTO league games. Its purpose is instructional, but it shall be used to aid in the umpire-in-chief's determination of fault during interference and obstruction calls at first base. The half of the base nearest foul territory belongs to the runner; the other half thus belongs to the defensive player attempting a force out on a batter-runner advancing to first base. No other use is intended.

 

 

RULES EXCEPTIONS – MUSTANG LEAGUE ONLY

 

1.       During the game, or between innings, the team manager or coaches may warm up the pitcher in foul territory.

 

2.       PONY BASEBALL Rules have been modified as follows:

 

2.1.    Delivery of a single pitch in an inning constitutes having pitched that inning.

 

2.2.    A player may pitch in a maximum of THREE (3) INNINGS IN ONE GAME and in a maximum of six (6) innings in one week.

 

2.3.    If a player pitches three (3) innings in a game, 40 hours of rest is required before pitcher may pitch again. Example: If a player pitches three innings on Tuesday, he is eligible to pitch again on Thursday.  When calculating the (40) hours, the start time of the games in question will be used. 

 

2.4.    In those instances when a one-game play-off is required to break a tie, the Rules and Regulations of AYA BASEBALL regarding pitcher rest shall apply.

 

2.5.    All pitchers are given three (3) extra innings of eligibility per week if a game is rescheduled and the team plays three times in one week. Extra innings apply only at the start of the third game; all other pitcher eligibility rules still apply.

 

3.       PONY BASEBALL Rules regarding base stealing options, has been adopted by AYA. That is, runners may leadoff and steal bases, as in Official Baseball Rules, with the following exceptions: 

 

3.1.    Absolutely NO SUICIDE SQUEEZE PLAYS may be attempted; specifically, a runner on third base may not start his attempt to steal home until the ball has crossed the plate. A 10’ restraining line will be marked at third base, runner may not cross this line until the ball thrown by pitcher crosses the plate. Penalty: runner is called out, no warning given. This is an umpire judgment call, no protest allowed.

 

3.2.    Furthermore, any offensive play that is executed in a manner that the umpire-in-chief deems especially dangerous for a runner on third base, including hit-and-run, may not be attempted. Penalty: Immediate dead ball, strike call if a pitch was delivered, out if third strike, all base-runners return to their base last obtained, third-base coach warned once and ejected on the next occurrence by that team. This is a judgment call from the umpire-in-chief and MAY NOT BE APPEALED OR PROTESTED.

 

4.       A continuous batting order must be used for each game as established prior to each individual game. Players will bat in their appropriate turn, whether or not they are playing defensively in the field. Batting orders may never be altered after the first pitch of the game, except that tardy players who are still eligible to play must be added at the bottom of the order.

 

5.       A balk shall be called if the pitcher steps toward first base and does not throw the ball, or if he begins his pitching motion and then steps toward a base to feint or throw in an attempt to drive back or pick off a base runner.

 

6.       If the pitcher makes other deceptive moves, the umpire-in-chief shall warn that pitcher once and call subsequent balks based on his judgment of intentional deception.  (THIS RULE SHALL ONLY BE IN EFFECT FOR FALL SEASONS AND WILL NOT APPLY TO SPRING PLAY.)

 

7.       If the pitcher has at least one foot on the mound without the ball in a hidden-ball attempt to retire a base runner, a balk shall be called. This play cannot legally be attempted immediately after a time-out or dead-ball situation, since the pitcher must be touching the pitcher's plate with the ball before the umpire-in-chief can put the ball back in play.

 

RULES EXCEPTIONS – PINTO LEAGUE ONLY

 

1.       Each team will be allowed one offensive time out and one defensive time out per inning. These time-outs will be (60) seconds in duration.

 

2.       Adults (18 years old or older) shall be used to pitch. This designated pitcher shall pitch to his team using an overhand motion from a distance of thirty-eight (38) feet, and shall be allowed to use a glove. The designated pitcher must be affiliated with the team he is pitching for. This position may be freely substituted at the manager's discretion.

 

3.       The designated pitcher or manager who pitches shall not be allowed to coach or instruct players in any fashion (either verbally or using physical gestures) while on the field of play except during an offensive time-out. If a designated pitcher is found to be in violation of this rule, he will be warned once, and upon the second violation, ejected from the game (and automatically suspended from the next official game).

 

4.       The designated pitcher will not be permitted to field any balls or willfully obstruct any fielder making a play on a ball.

 

5.       Should the designated pitcher be touched by a batted ball, an immediate dead ball shall be called by the umpire-in-chief, the pitch shall count in the batter's total allowance of pitches, and no runners shall advance.  If such an incident should occur on the batter's final pitch, then the batter shall be called out.

 

6.       If the pitcher obstructs any fielder making a play the umpire may call the runner/ batter out if in his judgment a play could have been made.

 

7.       Pitcher should go to foul territory when batter hits fair ball.

 

8.       A defensive player shall be used to field in the pitcher's position, and he/she MUST wear a batting helmet.

 

9.       The pitcher-player must place himself anywhere to the left or right of the designated pitcher, within 5 feet of the pitcher's plate and behind the forward plane of the pitcher's plate, in such a manner that the designated pitcher is not hindered in his normal pitching motion. The pitcher-player must remain in this designated area until the pitching motion is completed.

 

10.   The catcher must return the ball, following the pitch, to the defensive pitcher-player.

 

11.   There will be no called balls and strikes by the umpire-in-chief on pitched balls.

 

12.   A maximum of five (5) pitches shall be thrown to a batter.

 

13.   There will be no strikeouts of the batter prior to the fifth pitch. Example: If a batter swings at and misses the first three pitches thrown to him, he will still have two pitches remaining to be thrown to him.

 

14.   If the batter has not hit a fair ball after having received five (5) pitches, the batter is considered to have struck out.  If on the last pitch the ball is hit foul, and he continues to hit a ball foul, he will not be out until he misses the ball.

 

15.   A hit batter is not awarded first base.

 

16.   Players are not permitted to steal or leadoff base. This includes advancing on a catcher's error (i.e. a passed ball) or catcher's error in returning a pitched ball to the defensive pitcher.

 

17.   Players are not permitted to leave the base until the ball is hit.

 

18.   If the base runner loses contact with the base before the ball is hit, the umpire shall call him out. The inadvertent act of simply lifting up the foot off the base should not be construed as leaving the base early. If the base runner removes his foot and is moving it toward the next base, then he shall be considered as having left the base. This is a judgment call by the umpire-in-chief.

 

19.   In the situation of an overthrow, where the ball becomes dead by traveling into the stands or dugout, or over or through a fence, or lodging in a fence, the base-runner or batter-runner will be awarded two (2) bases from the last base obtained. The time of the throw determines when the overthrow occurred, not when the ball went out of play and became dead.

 

20.   Following a play in the field, the ball must be returned to a defensive infielder in order to end the play. Then, a dead-ball situation exists only when the defensive infielder has control of the ball and the lead runner has been stopped with no further play attempted.  If a trailing base-runner has not reached his next base prior to the umpire-in-chief's dead-ball signal, that base-runner must return to the base last obtained prior to the next pitch of the inning.

 

21.   No bunting will be allowed. An attempted bunt will be counted as a pitch and declared a dead-ball. If it occurs on the fifth pitch, the batter shall be called out.

 

22.   There is no infield fly rule; that is, infielders must catch infield fly balls.

 

23.   A continuous batting order must be used as established prior to each individual game. Players will bat in their appropriate turn, whether or not they are playing defensively in the field. ANY PLAYER REMOVED FROM THE GAME AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON, EXCEPT INJURY, SHALL RECORD AN OUT EACH TIME HIS TURN SUBSEQUENTLY COMES TO BAT. ANY SUCH REMOVED PLAYER MAY NOT RE-ENTER THE GAME. Removal from a defensive inning due to injury does not constitute removal from the game unless such injured player cannot take his next turn at bat or resume fulfillment of his defensive player participation requirements.

 

24.   In the event a team has to play with 8 players, the open position shall be in the field. The catcher’s position must be filled.

 

RULES EXCEPTIONS – TEE BALL LEAGUE ONLY

 

1.       No player may sit out more than two (2) innings per game on defense. If it is discovered that a player has sat out more than two (2) innings, that player shall be inserted in the defensive line-up and shall play the remainder of that game and the entire next official game. This penalty shall be noted in the official scorebook.

 

2.       No player may play the positions of pitcher, first base, or shortstop more than a combined total of three (3) innings per game nor more than two (2) innings at any one of these positions. Example: A player may be a pitcher for two (2) innings and shortstop one (1) inning; thereafter, he/she may play any position other than pitcher, first base, or shortstop. Violation of this rule shall result in the manager's suspension for the rest of the current game and the next official game.

 

3.       To ensure compliance with these rules, the managers will submit an inning-by-inning line-up card to the official scorekeeper and the official scorekeeper shall enter these defensive alignments into the official score book. Failure to write the defensive positions into the official score book shall result in the manager's suspension from the next official game. The scorekeeper should notify the umpire-in-chief of violations to this rule during the game, and also of players batting out of order. The League Commissioner reserves the right, based on review of the official score book, to impose the penalties described for violations of this rule.

 

4.       Prior to opening day, TEE-BALL teams may practice three times per week. After opening day, teams are limited to two games and one practice per week. Practice sessions will last a maximum of one hour and 15 minutes.

 

5.       Teams are allowed to have a defensive "spotter" coach on the field to position players when the ball is dead. During play, he will not be allowed to speak or motion to the players. Spotter shall not touch the ball or player in the field. Violation will result in the removal of that spotter from the playing field. This position may be freely substituted at the manager's discretion.

 

6.       Ten defensive players will be used. The tenth player will be the fourth outfielder.

 

7.       Each team will be allowed one offensive and one defensive time-out per inning. These time-outs will be (60) seconds in duration.

 

8.       No defensive player may play inside the third base restraining line or more than one-half way down the first base line prior to the ball being hit.

 

9.       The defensive pitcher must be positioned in the pitcher's circle prior to the start of play and the ball being hit. No other player may be inside the circle during play, i.e. anytime after the batter commences his first swing.

 

10.   There will be no unassisted putouts of the batter-runner at first base by any position player, except the first baseman. All players must throw the ball to first base. A "throw" is defined as the act of voluntarily losing possession of the ball by having it leave the hand for the purpose other than a pitch. It may result in the ball being bounced, rolled, tossed or thrown. Penalty for violation: batter/ runner automatically awarded first base.

 

11.   The pitcher, after catching a fly ball for an out, may then run to first base to double a runner who has not "tagged-up" before advancing to the next base.

 

12.   Outfielders must be positioned at least 15 feet behind the base paths at the point a swing is initiated by the batter. There will be no unassisted putouts of a runner or batter/runner by an outfielder other than to catch a fly ball.

 

13.   There will be no advance on an overthrow at first or third base. An "overthrow" is defined as a thrown ball that leaves fair territory. This is a dead ball call.

 

14.   A continuous batting order will be used for each individual game.

 

15.   Batters will be permitted six (6) swings.

 

16.   A batter will have one minute from the time he arrives in the batters box to initiate his/her first swing. If the batter does not commence the first swing within one minute, then he/she will be called out.

 

17.   Tapping the ball off the tee or missing the ball completely are considered "a swing." 

 

18.   A ball hit off the tee in any manner and not crossing the 20 foot arc in fair territory is a foul ball. No defensive player may enter the 20 foot arc to field a batted ball. If a defensive player touches a batted ball inside the 20 foot arc (prior to the ball being called dead), the ball will immediately be declared dead, and that swing will not count, that is, the batter will get that swing over.

 

19.   There will be no called balls and strikes, and no batter can strike out prior to the sixth swing.  That is, if a batter swings and misses the ball on his first three swings, he will still have three swings left before he can be considered to have struck out.

 

20.   A batter not hitting a fair ball within six (6) swings will be considered to have struck out.

 

21.   A foul ball on the sixth swing is a strike out.

 

22.   If a batted ball comes to rest in the pitcher's circle, and no further play is made, the ball is dead when the batter-runner reaches first base.

 

23.   Base runners are not permitted to leave the base until the ball is hit. If the base runner leaves the base before the ball is hit, the umpire shall call him/her out. The act of simply picking up the foot off the base should not be construed as leaving the base early. If the base runner removes his foot and is moving to the next base, then he shall be considered as having left the base and shall be called out. This is a judgment call by the umpire-in-chief only.

 

24.   Restraining lines will be marked on the field halfway between first and second, second and third, and third and home bases. The sole purpose of this line is to position runners when play is stopped. If any part of a base-runner's body has crossed the line at the point the ball is returned to the pitcher's circle or otherwise becomes dead, that runner is entitled to the next base, unless prevented by a slower lead runner. If he has not crossed the line when a dead ball halts play, he must return to the last base obtained. This is an umpire-in-chief's judgment with the assistance of the volunteer base umpires) as to the positioning of runners.

 

25.   When a fielded ball is returned to the pitcher's circle, the ball is dead and no advancing is allowed on the base paths. The ball is considered "returned" when, in the umpire's judgment, it has passed over or through the pitcher's circle. The pitcher requires no control of the ball, nor does the pitcher have to be in the circle when the ball is returned to the circle, for the play to be called dead.

 

26.   A maximum of five (5) runs per inning are permitted in TEE-BALL, including the sixth inning.  If at the end of four innings the home team is ahead by more than ten runs the game will be called with the home team the victor.

 

27.   TEE-BALL games may start with a minimum of eight (8) players of a team present at game time. No substitutes may be used in TEE-BALL. If eight (8) players are not present at game time, a forfeit will be declared; however, the game should be played. Defensive positions left open are outfield rover or catcher.

 

28.   Once a team starts a game, and a player becomes injured (or ejected) and cannot continue, player positions will be left open as listed above (down to a minimum of eight), and the game will continue to be played.

 

29.   Any vacant position in the batting order (of the legal lineup of 10 players) created by ejected players will be recorded as an out in each inning that position comes to bat.

 

30.   In the case of batting out of order, the regular rules of baseball apply, that is, the player who should have batted (the proper batter), is called out. The batting out of order violation must be brought to the umpire's attention before the next batter takes a swing. If the batting out or order is not noticed prior to the first swing by the next batter, no penalty can be applied, and the player at bat has established a new and correct batting order. Official score keeper should be reminded to watch the batting order and immediately tell the umpire when an improper batter is batting. At that time, the proper batter will be put up to bat and will assume the swing count or the improper batter.

 

31.   The batting coach should attempt to remove the tee from home plate when a base runner is coming in to score or that base runner may be called out.

 

32.   There will be an allowance of one minute maximum for the teams to change positions in the field. This is designed to help speed up the game. Managers should make every effort to move their player's on to and off of the field within this one-minute time frame.

 

33.   A runner that is hit by a batted ball that has not gone past an infielder other than the pitcher is automatically out and the ball is dead. Any base runners are positioned back to their former base at the time of the dead ball.

 

34.   AYA TEE-BALL field dimensions:

34.1.Pitcher's circle                                      16' diameter

34.2.Base path length                                   45'

34.3.Home plate to center of pitcher's circle    35'

34.4.Fair ball arc                                          20' arc from back of home plate

34.5.Restraining line                                     22.5' from bases

 

MANAGER SELECTION

 

1.       All applicants for baseball team manager and/or assistant coach must complete an application form and sign the responsibility form.

 

2.       The AYA Baseball Board and AYA Board of Directors must approve all manager applications.

 

3.       The manager applicant will note that as a part of his duties he agrees to obtain a sponsor for his team. FAILURE TO OBTAIN A SPONSOR SHALL BE CAUSE TO DENY APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR MANAGER FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE SEASONS (SPRING-FALL or FALL-SPRING). If a manager fails to acquire a sponsor and wishes to apply for a manager’s position the following season, he MUST provide a fully paid sponsor for the subsequent season prior to drafting a team before he will be approved.  Managers are encouraged to solicit the help of the parents on his/her team when searching for a sponsor.  If a manager is having trouble securing a sponsor, then he should contact his League Commissioner and request help in locating a sponsor. This does not, however, relieve him of the responsibility of securing a sponsor. 

 

4.       After approval by the Baseball Board and Board of Directors, teams will be assigned by the following rules:

 

4.1.    A returning manager will be assigned to the team he managed the immediate prior season.  Managers will NOT be allowed to abandon returning players so that he/she can manage a different team in that division. 

 

4.2.    An approved applicant who was a coach returning to a team without a manager shall be assigned to that team. If two approved coaches from that team both want to manage the team a coin flip will determine the manager. 

 

4.3.    If an approved manager is changing leagues the team selection is to be done at the draft. The procedure is as follows: A manager may specify the team he wants, if two or more managers want the same team they will flip coins or draw straws to see who gets the team.  In this manner managers have a greater chance of managing a team they want. 

 

5.       If vacancies still exist in manager positions as the dates for tryouts and draft approach, and there is no practical way for the AYA Board to meet to approve managers, the Baseball Director may ask the Board to delegate the authority to approve managers, as they become available.

 

6.       Should it become necessary to disband a team (or teams) for any reason, the decision as to which team (or teams) will be disbanded shall be made by a committee made up of the following AYA board members: AYA President, vice-president, Baseball Director, and the affected League Commissioner. The decision will be based on the existence of an approved returning manager or coach for each of the teams and the number of returning players on each team.

 

7.       Should a team be disbanded that has an approved returning manager, he will have the first right of refusal for any baseball managing vacancy. If two or more returning approved managers from disbanded teams exist, then a coin flip will be used to determine their ranking.

 

8.       If a team is disbanded, the players on that team must re-enter the draft.

 

9.       If any baseball team has no approved manager selected prior to tryouts for the respective league, that league's commissioner shall appoint a representative (or representatives) to view tryouts and participate in the draft on the team's behalf. If after the first team (and/or team parents) meeting, no prospective manager is discovered, the team will be disbanded and registration fully refunded for those players.

 

10.   If a manager is found, he must accept all manager responsibilities under established AYA procedures, including AYA approval and certification, with only due dates waived as set forth by the AYA Baseball Board.

 

11.   All-star managers shall be chosen from the league managers only. First right of refusal privileges will be extended to league team managers in the order their teams finished the regular season.  In other words, if your team ended up in first place and you want to manage an All-Star team, you get the first option.  If not, the option is passed to the second place team manager and so on.  In the event NO manager decides to take the team then an assistant manager or coach can request to manage the team. League managers shall have the first right to be assistant coaches on the all-star team. 

 

12.   The Baseball Board AND the AYA Board of Directors must approve ALL All-Star manager selections. 

 

 

ALIEF YOUTH ASSOCIATION

Baseball Draft Rules

 

PLAYER ALLOCATION

 

All players will be allocated to a team by each league commissioner and/or his/her representative in accordance with the rules and regulations specified below.  Players may not be recruited to a team in any other way.

 

1.       If it is desired that sisters/brothers be assigned to the same team, parents will so indicate at the time of registration.

 

2.       If it is desired, daughters/sons and/or sisters/brothers of managers will be placed on the manager’s team as if they were a returning player and will NOT be required to submit to player evaluation process.

 

3.       If it is desired sisters/brothers of a returning player will be placed on the returning player’s team as if they were a returning player and will NOT be required to submit to player evaluation process.

 

4.       A returning player is defined as any player who participated in at least one game during the previous year.  Returning players will return to the same team that they were on the previous year (Spring to Spring….and….Fall to Fall) unless:

 

(a)       They are moving up to the next league.

(b)       The manager’s position is not available on their previous year team AND their parent/sister/brother accepts the manager’s position on another team within the same league.  In this case, the returning player may be moved to the new team.

 

5.       One (1) returning player constitutes a returning team.

 

 

PLAYER EVALUATION

 

1.       All new players will participate in a player evaluation process (try-outs) consisting of activities designed to test each child’s fundamental skills and attitude.  The league commissioner and/or his representative will prepare the roster of all new players.  Rosters will be provided at the time of try-outs.  Each manager will rate all new players by assigning them a grade from (1) through (3) as defined below.  The manager’s judgment will be the basis for the grading of players.  New players may be rated in the following areas:

(a)    THROWING

(b)    CATCHING

(c)    BATTING          

(d)    RUNNING

(e)    FIELDING

 

2.       At the completion of the try-out session, each manager will calculate the average of the (5) grades awarded for the criteria above and grade each player by rounding up or down to the nearest whole number.  All managers will submit their cumulative grade for each player to the league commissioner.  The league commissioner and/or his representative will assign each player a final grade by averaging the combined managers’ scores.  Players will be graded using the following scale:

 

Grade 3 – Excellent athletic ability, some leadership skills and a good attitude.

Grade 2 – Average to better than average athletic ability, leadership skills and attitude.

Grade 1 -  Average to below average athletic ability or little or no experience.

           

 

It is imperative that every manager be fully aware of the definition of the grades 1 through 3 to ensure that each player is given a proper grade.  It is realized that it is an impossibility to make all teams exactly equal in strength of players, but it is felt that this system would prevent inequities by anyone and would be the most fair to the players.

 

3.       All player evaluation grading will be the business of the league commissioner, managers and NO ONE ELSE.  There is no purpose in discussing these subjective ratings with the players and/or parents.  They are not intended as a system of measuring intra-team achievement.  Their sole purpose is to provide a means of distributing talent between teams so that no team can dominate the league.  The intent is not to try to make all teams exactly equal in talent, but to prevent gross inequities.

 

 

PLAYER DRAFT

 

The draft will be held under the supervision of each league commissioner and/or his/her representative(s).  The following are the draft procedures as approved by the AYA Board of Directors:

 

1.       Any player who did not attend the officially scheduled AYA try-outs and did not participate on an AYA team during the previous year will automatically become a “hat pick” selection.  If a player DID participate on an AYA team during the previous season but did NOT attend the try-outs, he/she can only be rated by a unanimous consensus of the manager involved.  Otherwise he/she becomes a “hat pick”.

 

2.       The league commissioner and/or his representative will prepare a drafting roster for each league by separating the players into the (2) respective age groups for his/her league.  Grouping the 3’s, 2’s, 1’s and “hat picks” together will further break down these lists.  Players “playing up” in a league above their regular age group shall be considered part of the list of “lower” age group players for the purpose of the draft. 

 

3.       The number of returning players to each team will determine the draft order.   The team with the least returners drafts first and the team with the most returners drafts last.  In the case of any ties in the draft order, the draft position for those teams involved will be determined by a coin toss or hat draw by the league commissioner. 

 

4.       The draft position for an expansion team will be determined as though it was an existing team with zero players returning.  If there is more than one expansion team, a coin toss or draw from the hat by the league commissioner will determine the drafting positions for the teams involved. 

 

5.       Team draft order for ALL rounds will be in reverse order of each team’s number of returning players as specified in #3 and #4 above.  (Round-by-Round draft……no snake) 

 

6.       In the first round, a manager may choose either a “3” or “2” rated player.  For succeeding rounds, 3’s must be chosen before 2’s, 2’s must be chosen before 1’s and 1’s must be chosen before “hat picks”.

 

EXCEPTION:   Sisters/brothers selected will cost the drafting team in the following manner.  If a team elects to draft a “3” rated sister/brother and the other sister/brother is rated a “1”, the cost of the “1” rated player will be the first pick in the round when the drafting team would normally be drafting “1” rated players.  This player and subsequent choices may not exceed         

                     the limitations set forth to balance the age groups as described in Rule 10 below.

 

7.       Each manager will select players by “NAME” and “NUMBER” from the draft roster. 

 

8.       During the first round, each team will be given one draft choice in the order specified in Rule 5 above.

 

9.       For succeeding rounds and starting with the team with the fewest players at this point in the draft, each manager will select players in draft order until all teams are equalized with same number of players. 

 

10.   In order to implement and achieve age parity within the baseball leagues as required by Pony Baseball rules:

 

(a)    The League Commissioner will determine the optimum number of upper age group players per team for his/her league.

(b)    Prior to each selection, the league commissioner will specify the age group and grading category from which a team may draft.

(c)    During the first round, a team may draft any “3” or “2” rated player regardless of age group UNLESS that team has the optimum number of upper age group players as specified in (a) above. 

(d)    At the point in the draft where a team has reached the optimum number of players in the upper age group (see rule a), the team MUST draft from the lower age group in the current and all succeeding rounds.

(e)    The “hat picks” will be divided by age group and rule (a) will determine the age group from which a team may pick.

 

 

ALIEF YOUTH ASSOCIATION

Baseball Managers Responsibilities

 

1.       The Executive Members of the AYA Board of Directors must approve all managers and assistant coaches.

 

2.       Managers, or their representatives, MUST attend all meetings and/or clinics called by the Director of Baseball or a league commissioner.  Baseball tryouts are considered a managers’ meeting.

 

3.       Managers will assist the league commissioners in retention of existing players and recruitment of new players.  This will consist of, but not be limited to, phoning past players and reporting back their individual “returner” status, manning registration booths, and handing out flyers and other advertising media as directed by the Director of Baseball and/or the league commissioners.

 

4.       Managers will actively support any, and all, fundraising activities as approved by the AYA Board of Directors.

 

5.       MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN $400 IN TEAM SPONSORS FOR EACH SEASON.  PAID SPONSORSHIPS WILL BE DUE PRIOR TO THE FIRST PITCH OF YOUR TEAM’S 7th GAME.  If a sponsor is not obtained by the specified date, the manager will be suspended from coaching until a sponsor is received.  Any team that is not sponsored by the end of the season will forfeit any regular season trophies earned and will furthermore be ineligible to participate in any post-season play.

 

6.       All managers will abide by the rules of play for that season, as approved by the AYA Board of Directors.  Continued failure to do so will result in the termination of AYA coaching privileges for the offending manager.

 

7.       Managers will be held responsible for AYA owned equipment that is issued for each teams’ use.  Equipment is to be turned in to the league commissioner immediately following the last game played in that season/tournament.  Managers will be held personally liable for the replacement costs of any missing equipment or any equipment made unusable due to neglect or misuse.

 

8.       Each manager will be issued (12) game balls prior to opening day.  Home team managers will be required to supply to the umpire-in-chief (2) new official game balls for each home game.  Official game balls are Diamond DPL or DPL1 Pony Approved (must have Pony stamp) leather baseball or approved equivalent.  It will be the responsibility of the home team manager to retrieve these balls from the umpire after the game.  In the event a ball is deemed by the umpire-in-chief to be unplayable, a quality used ball will be supplied by the home team to continue play.  Balls hit over the fence as homeruns MAY BE PRESENTED AS A MEMENTO TO THE BATTER IF SO DESIRED BY THE MANAGER.  If a team runs out of balls before season’s end, replacement balls can be purchased at the AYA concession stand. 

 

9.       Managers will be required to provide volunteer workers for Field Work Days as scheduled by each league commissioner.  Failure to do so will result in a (1) game suspension.

 

10.   Managers will be required to obtain volunteer workers to staff the Concession Stand when his/her team has been assigned.  Each team will provide (3) adult volunteers to work approximately 2-hour shifts in the concession stand.  Each team will be called upon at least once and possibly more depending on number of play dates, teams, etc.  Your team will NOT be scheduled during your games.  Failure to fulfill this responsibility will result in that manager working in the concession stand during his/her next scheduled game.

 

11.   Managers will conduct a team meeting prior to opening day, for the purpose of discussing practice and game schedules, fundraiser money collections, field maintenance requirements, concession stand duties and any other team business deemed necessary

 

12.   Managers will be held responsible for the conduct of his team’s coaching staff, players and spectators.  Confrontations among umpires, coaches, players and spectators are strictly prohibited.  Failure to do so will result in the ejection of the manager of the offending team.  This ejection cannot be protested!  Once the manager has chosen an assistant coach to take over the team, the manager must leave the field area.  If the replacement coach cannot restore order the game will be suspended, rescheduled and play will continue from the point of the manager’s ejection.  The ejected manager will NOT be allowed to coach in the rescheduled game.

 

13.   Alcoholic beverages will not be permitted on the AYA premises, any practice sites or any alternative game locations.  Furthermore, managers and assistant coaches are prohibited from consuming any alcoholic beverages prior to an AYA sanctioned event (i.e.…games, practices, meetings, clinics).

 

14.   PROFANITY IN ANY FORM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  Offenders will be immediately ejected without warning.  Umpires, managers, league commissioners, sports directors or any member of the AYA Board of Directors may enforce this rule.

 

15.   Tobacco, in any form, will not be allowed on or near the fields and dugouts at any time during or after a game.  Neither managers nor coaches will be allowed to leave the field during a game in order to use tobacco.  Violators will be immediately ejected from the game.  Umpires, managers, league commissioners, sports directors or any member of the AYA Board of Directors may enforce this rule.

 

16.   Home team manager is responsible for making sure the field his team is scheduled to play on is ready at least (15) minutes before the scheduled game time.  This will include but not be limited to, making sure the playing field and surrounding areas are free from trash and debris, watering and raking the fields (as needed), chalking the infields and securing the bases in the ground.  Failure to do so will result in a (1) game suspension for the offending team’s manager.

 

17.   Home team manager is responsible for turning off any fields lights used and putting away and locking up the bases, chalking equipment, scorebook and scoreboard controller for his field.  Failure to do so will result in a (1) game suspension for the offending team’s manager.

 

18.   Two volunteers from each home and visiting team will assist in raking down the field after each game.  Failure to do so will result in a (1) game suspension for the offending team’s manager.

 

19.   Each field area must be left clean after every game and practice.  Managers are responsible for ensuring that each field is cleared of trash and debris after each use.  This will include but not be limited to the playing field inside the fence, the dugouts, the bleachers and the common area for each league.  Failure to do so will result in a (1) game suspension for the offending team’s manager.

 

20.   Home team managers for the LAST GAME SCHEDULED FOR THAT FIELD ON THAT DAY will be responsible for ensuring that ALL trash containers for his/her field and common area will be dumped in the AYA dumpster immediately following the game.  Failure to do so will result in a (1) game suspension for the offending team’s manager.

 

21.   The proper procedure to reschedule a game is to report the need (as provided for in these rules) for a rescheduling to your league commissioner.  The commissioner will then reschedule the game and arrange for the umpires to be rescheduled.  Any manager that does not follow these procedures will forfeit the right to have that game rescheduled.

 

THE ABOVE LISTED RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED !

 

I have read and understand the above listed manager’s responsibilities and will, as manager of the team, comply with them to the best of my ability.  I further understand that failure to comply with these rules will result in my suspension and possible termination of my AYA coaching privileges.  I also understand that my compliance or lack of will be taken into consideration on any future coaching appointments at AYA.

 

 

_______________________________     ______________________________     ________     ________

                            DIVISION                                                                  TEAM NAME                                     MANAGER          ASST COACH

                                                                                                                                                                       (PLEASE CHECK ONE)

 

_______________________________     ______________________________     ___________________

                          SIGNATURE                                                                PRINTED NAME                                                    DATE

 

 

_______________________________     ______________________________     ___________________

                DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBER                                         SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER                                     DATE OF BIRTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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