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NORTH STARS BASEBALL CLUB
Operating Rules for the
2010 Season
All divisions will follow the regular
baseball rules in the Cal Ripken 2010 Rule Book, which is the official
rule book for NSBC this year. WHEN NSBC RULES CONFLICT WITH THOSE IN THE
CAL RIPKEN RULE BOOK, NSBC RULES SHALL OVERRIDE CAL RIPKEN RULES.
Except where indicated otherwise below,
these NSBC Operating Rules apply to all divisions. In case of conflict or
dispute, binding interpretation of these rules should be sought from the
Umpire-in-Chief. Only a quorum of the NSBC Board of Directors can override
rules interpretations made by the Umpire-in-Chief.
Rules 09-1 through 09-47 generally apply to
all NSBC age-group divisions, but when a conflict occurs, the Specific
Rules for each division shall take precedence.
DEFINITIONS
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NSBC President: |
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The Board-of-Directors
member so designated. For 2010, this is Bob Nelson (880-8841).
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NSBC Treasurer: |
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The Board-of-Directors
member so designated. For 2010, this is Todd Lindquist (487-3411).
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NSBC Umpire-in-Chief: |
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The Board-of-Directors
member so designated. For 2010, this is Bob Nelson (880-8841). Also
known as “Chief Umpire”. This person is responsible for
interpretation of all NSBC rules.
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| Division Chief Umpires: |
| Those adults so designated
by the Board-of-Directors.
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| Head Umpire: |
| The Head Umpire for each
game is the umpire working behind the plate. Judgment calls by
the Head Umpire are binding, and not subject to protest.
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| Manager: |
| The adult so designated by
the Club for each team. For all official purposes of NSBC, the
term “Manager” is equivalent to “Head Coach”.
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| Coach: |
| The adult so designated by
the Club for each team. For all official NSBC purposes, the term
“Coach” is equivalent to “Assistant Manager”.
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| Scheduled Game Time:
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Weekday games -
Typically 5:00PM and
6:30PM, or 9:30AM and 11:30AM at Beulah.
Weekend games - Typically 9:30AM and 11:30AM.
All
times are Mountain Time.
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| Actual Game Time: |
| The time at which the Head
Umpire calls for the first pitch. The Head Umpire shall note what
Actual Game Time was, and so notify both managers during the first
inning. |
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TL |
Time Limit for a game - see numeric definition in rules for each
specific age-group division. |
GENERAL RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL
NORTH STARS DIVISIONS
EQUIPMENT, PREPARATION
AND START OF GAME
09-01 BOTH TEAMS WILL
BRING ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT TO THE GAME SITE (including bats, balls,
helmets, catcher’s gear, bases, home plate, etc.). All bats must satisfy
Cal Ripken rules, and must have a rubber grip or be taped with “friction”
tape (slick plastic tape is prohibited). Warm-up “donuts” on bats are
prohibited (safety hazard).
09-02 In all official
Club games, each team member must be in his NSBC uniform, and WEAR IT IN
THE PROPER MANNER at all times. No metal baseball spikes are allowed. Soft
plastic and rubber spikes are permissible. No hard plastic, metal or
reflective caps or visors are allowed.
09-03 The team
designated as HOME TEAM on the official NSBC Game Schedule will prepare
and set up the playing field by 15 MINUTES before Scheduled Game Time
(SGT).
09-04 Provided they
arrive on time, each team will have seven minutes of warm-up time on the
playing field before the start of the game. The visiting team shall take
its warm-up first, at 15 minutes before SGT. The home team is
entitled to begin its warm-up on the field 8 minutes before SGT (even if
the visiting team got started late). The home team will occupy the
third-base dugout, and provide two game balls which meet the approval of
the game’s Head Umpire.
09-05 All games will
start upon each team having at least the Minimum Required Number of
players by Scheduled Game Time (SGT). If, due to lack of players, a team
is unable to take the field by Scheduled Game Time, that team
automatically forfeits the game. In case of official forfeit, however, the
teams are still encouraged to play the game to the extent possible, so the
players may enjoy the experience.
END OF GAME
09-06 A REGULATION
(i.e., completed) GAME shall consist of six innings (four for T-Ball,
five for Rookies, six for Minors) or a total of TL minutes, whichever comes
first. Regular season tied games (except T-Ball and Rookies) may use extra
innings only until the TL-minute time limit is reached; see Rule 09-07.
Specific rules (below) for each age-group division set the numeric
definition of TL (time limit).
09-07 No inning will
start later than TL minutes after Actual Game Time. When a new inning begins
before Actual-Game-Time-plus-TL-minutes, however, play may continue until it
is stopped (e.g., due to darkness), by the Head Umpire. A new inning shall
be deemed to commence as soon as the last out is called in the previous
inning. Specific rules (below) for each age-group division set the
numeric definition of TL (time limit).
09-08 When, IN THE
JUDGMENT OF THE HEAD UMPIRE, field conditions (due to darkness, rain,
etc.) would impair the SAFETY OF THE PLAYERS, or prevent play of the game,
the Head Umpire (only) may terminate play. In this case, the official
score of the game (if Regulation; see Rule 09-6) shall be the score at the
end of the last COMPLETE inning (except if play is terminated in the
bottom of an inning and the home team is leading). No player, coach, or
bystander shall prod or cajole the Head Umpire to call the game, or make
any other judgment call. NOTE: When play is terminated by the Head Umpire
and the result is a non-Regulation Game (i.e., not in conformance with the
requirements of Rule 09-6), the game will be continued later in accordance
with Rule 09-13. Continued non-Regulation Games are still subject to the
(total) TL-minute time limit of Rule 09-6; both Managers shall jointly
consult with the Head Umpire and note in both scorebooks the amount of
time that was consumed before play was terminated.
09-09 During the
regular season, Regulation tie games are possible (when forced by Rule
09-7 or 09-8), and are official. When such a Regulation tie game occurs,
each team will be awarded one-half credit in their division standings.
09-10 In a North Stars
Baseball Club
Playoff or Championship game, a tie game will not be recognized. Should
such a tie game be called for darkness, etc., the game will be continued
according to Rule 09-13.
09-11 The score of each
game (except T-Ball and Rookies) shall be reported to the appropriate
Division Coordinator. This is the responsibility of the WINNING team. In
the event of a tie, both teams shall report.
RESCHEDULING OF GAMES
and CONTINUATION OF INTERRUPTED GAMES
09-12 REGULAR SEASON
GAMES may only be rescheduled due to inclement weather. The Head Umpire
will make this determination and must do so at the Game Site immediately
before SCHEDULED GAME TIME. If the Head Umpire does not appear, both team
managers must agree on the playability of the field; otherwise, the
Division Coordinator will determine later whether a forfeit or re-schedule
is appropriate. NO GAME MAY BE RESCHEDULED for any other reason.
Unauthorized rescheduled games will result in automatic forfeit by both
teams.
09-13 When a non-ReguIation
game is created by a Head Umpire who terminates play in accordance with
Rule 09-08, the Division Coordinator shall schedule the game for later
continuation. Games continued under this rule will be resumed at the EXACT
POINT where they were stopped (same inning, batting orders, base runners,
etc., to the maximum extent possible). The (total) TL time limit of
Rule 09-06 still applies.
CONDUCT
09-14 A coach who
intends to discipline a player for any reason shall notify the appropriate
Division Coordinator before instituting disciplinary action.
09-15 Should a coach
wish to discipline a player for chronic absence or tardiness, or adverse
behavior, the coach may bench the player, provided the coach informs the
player and one of his parents (if present) of his right to appeal to the
Division Coordinator.
09-16 A team’s
Manager may apply to his Division Coordinator for dismissal of a player
who misses three games and/or official scheduled practices, or if he is
involved in any form of physical violence, or if he is under the influence
of alcohol or narcotics. The player may appeal to the League Commissioner.
09-17 Use of profane or
abusive language, alcohol or illegal substances by players is forbidden at
all games and practices, and may be cause for disciplinary action. The
on-site use of alcoholic beverages by ANYONE either before, during, or
after NSBC games and practices is strictly prohibited.
09-18 Managers and
coaches shall be responsible for the conduct of the players and observers
associated with their teams. No persons other than the official NSBC-designated
managers, coaches, umpires, players and other Club officials are allowed
on the playing field during official games and practices. Negative or
abusive comments by any adult, by-stander, or player are prohibited, and
shall be cause for ejection from the site of the game by the Head Umpire.
Failure to comply with rules enforcement shall result in the game being
called by the Head Umpire, and forfeit declared by the Board of Directors.
09-19 Any person may
refer to the Disciplinary Committee any player or adult (including
parents) associated with the Club whose conduct appears detrimental to
the best interests of NSBC. The Committee will consider all such
complaints and recommend action to the Board of Directors. The person in
question has the right of appeal before Board action is finalized.
09-20 In general, a
Division Coordinator, within any Board-established guidelines, has the
authority to settle disputes within his/her division. When questions or
problems remain, the chain of command is: Coach→Manager→Division
Coordinator→League
Commissioner→President→Board
of Directors.
OTHER RULES
09-21 At all official
Club games, the scorekeepers from both teams SHALL SIT TOGETHER, and
shall assure that their respective scorebooks are kept in agreement with
each other throughout the game. Both scorekeepers shall assist the
managers and coaches in assuring that all of the Club’s substitution
and player-participation rules are complied with.
09-22 At official
Club games, no person shall sit or stand behind the backstop and
directly in line with the pitcher’s rubber and home plate. This is to
prevent distracting the pitcher.
09-23 For any team with
a female player, an adult woman shall be in attendance at all practices
and games. It is the Manager’s responsibility to see that this rule is
complied with.
09-24 No radio, tape
recorder or other electronic device that can be heard more than ten feet
from the device itself shall be played at any official NSBC game.
RULES OF THE GAME
APPLICABLE TO ALL DIVISIONS
ELIGIBILITY and
CONTINUOUS BATTING
09-25 Only properly
registered and rostered NSBC players shall participate in NSBC baseball games. No adult
or non-registered person is permitted to participate as a player in any NSBC game or practice.
09-26 In all divisions,
EVERY PLAYER ON THE TEAM will have a permanent place (for that game) in
the batting order, and he will remain in that place whether he is
currently in the defensive line-up or not.
DESIGNATED HITTERS,
BALKS
09-27 Designated
hitters are not allowed in any NSBC division, since all players are to be
in the batting order at all times.
09-28 Balks are not to
be called on the pitcher in any NSBC division.
SAFETY
09-29 If, IN THE HEAD
UMPIRE’S JUDGMENT, a batter throws his bat, he will be declared out. NO
WARNING WILL BE GIVEN AFTER THE GAME STARTS. The ball is dead; all runners
return to base.
09-30 Protective head
gear (with face mask) must be worn by the catcher, batter, and all other members of the
batting team while on the field of play (including any player that may be
in a coach’s box). If, IN AN UMPIRE’S JUDGMENT, a player steps into
the batter’s box without wearing a helmet, or “tosses” his head gear
while running the bases, he will be declared automatically out. If there
is a shortage of batting-team helmets, defensive team helmets shall be
used to ensure that all required persons are furnished with a helmet.
Priority for usage shall be batters first, then base-runners, then any
other offensive-team player on the field of play. Only adults may
elect (at their own risk) not to wear a helmet while on, or close to, the field
of play.
09-31 All sliding into
base must be done feet-first. Any head-first slide will be an automatic
out. The ball is live.
09-32 Each team shall
have their first-aid kit at all games and practices.
09-33 Should an
accident or injury occur, the NSBC President should be
contacted as soon as possible. Insurance claims should be referred to the NSBC Treasurer.
UMPIRES
09-34 The Head Umpire
will be the umpire normally positioned behind home plate. If a
Club-designated Head Umpire does not appear at the game site by 10
minutes before Scheduled Game Time, the managers of each team shall agree
on a Head Umpire and assistant BEFORE THE GAME STARTS. In this case each
team shall provide the Head Umpire for about half the game. Rookies teams
see Rule 09-217; Minors teams see Rule 09-270.
09-35 The Head Umpire
will explain the ground rules to both Managers and warn both teams against
throwing of bats prior to the beginning of the game. The Head Umpire has
the authority to eject players, coaches, and/or any observer, from the
game site. Failure to comply with rules enforcement may result in the game
being called by the Head Umpire, and declaration of forfeit by the Board
of Directors.
PROTESTS
09-36 Except in very
well justified cases, protest of NSBC games is discouraged. All relevant
conditions stated in the current Cal Ripken Rule Book must be followed
when notification of intent to protest is made. Verbal notice of
intent to protest must be given to the Head Umpire before the end of the
game, who shall in turn notify the opposing Manager and both scorekeepers.
See Cal Ripken Rule 0.08.
09-37 Formal written
protests must be placed in the hands of the appropriate Division
Coordinator WITHIN 24 HOURS after notice of intent is given. Formal
protests must be accompanied by a $25.00 cash deposit. As soon as
all necessary information is collected, the NSBC Protest Committee will
meet. If the protest is not upheld, the $25.00 deposit will go into the
Club’s general fund.
09-38 Judgment calls by
umpires are not subject to protest.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND
MINIMUM PLAYING TIME
09-39 A player becomes
a “defensive player” when he TAKES A DEFENSIVE POSITION ON THE
FIELD. This means specifically that a substitute does not begin to
be a player at the time he is penciled into the line-up; he only begins to
be a defensive player at the time he TAKES THE FIELD as a defensive
player.
09-40 Defensive
substitutions may, in general, be made at any time, and defensive re-entry
is generally legal. However, once a defensive substitution is made, the new
entry must
remain in the defensive lineup at least until the current defensive
half-inning is complete. Majors see Rule 09-405.
09-41 Assuming no
disciplinary action is in effect, every team member must be a defensive
player for at least six batters (ten for Rookies) in every game
for which he arrives on time.
09-42 In the event a
game does not run its full course, for whatever reason, a player not
completing the required time on the defensive field will be in the defensive
STARTING lineup at the next official game if he arrives by
15-minutes-before-Scheduled-Game-Time, and shall remain in the defensive
lineup for at least the entire first three innings.
09-43 Every player
must, during the course of the regular season, play the ENTIRE GAME on
defense in at least SIX official Club games. However, any game for which
he is absent or late in arriving may count as one of these six games.
09-44 Violations of
minimum playing time and/or substitution rules are to be brought to the
attention of the Division Coordinator. Such violations may be cause for
forfeit of the game after consideration by the Board of Directors.
FREQUENT violation of substitution, player-participation and/or
minimum-playing-time rules SHALL BE AUTOMATIC CAUSE FOR DECLARATION OF
FORFEIT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ALL AFFECTED GAMES. If their own
child is not playing at least the required number of defensive outs,
parents are encouraged to report that fact to the NSBC President.
INJURED PLAYERS
09-45 A player should
not begin a game if he is unable to play (including batting, running,
fielding and throwing). No courtesy runner will be allowed for a player
who enters the game while injured.
09-46 When a player
becomes injured while running the bases, a substitute runner is allowed.
Majors see Rule 09-405.
09-47 When a player is
unable to bat (and run the bases) in his assigned place in the batting
order, after an injury in that game, then if he is not replaced by an
eligible substitute, his place in the batting order
will be closed up and an out declared the next (and only the next) time he
would come to bat. If a player re-enters after his place in the batting
order is closed up, his previous position (only) will be opened up for
him.
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SPECIFIC RULES
2010 NORTH STARS T-BALL DIVISION
T-Ball teams will generally be assigned no less than 13 players,
and will field all available players on defense (see Rule 09-114
below). Every available rostered player will be assigned a
permanent place in the batting order for each official game. If
necessary, T-Ball teams will start and play with as few as seven
players.
Any player arriving late may not enter a game in progress until the
start of the next half-inning. Players arriving late will be added to
the END of the batting order only.
All T-Ball practices and games will use a Level-1 safety ball approved for
T-Ball by NSBC. Hardballs will NEVER be present at T-Ball activities.
For T-Ball games, all hitting will be done off a batting tee. An
offensive-team coach or manager will position the tee in front of home
plate and place the ball on the tee for each swing. The tee will be
positioned so the ball is about 6-8 inches in front of the front edge of
home plate (toward the pitcher), never on top of home plate. If
both Managers agree they will pitch to all or some of their batters
instead of using a batting-tee, that is also approved by NSBC for
games in the second half of the T-Ball game schedule.
T-Ball teams will play four-inning games, or 60 minutes, whichever
comes first. Extra innings will never be played. All T-Ball practices
and games will employ the NSBC-supplied safety ball or exact equivalent
(no hard-balls). For T-Ball games, TL = 60 minutes.
A defensive-team coach may be stationed beyond the infielders to
coach the defense.
SPIRIT
09-100 The whole idea of the T-Ball Division is to help the
players have some fun, and start learning baseball skills. Although
baseball is by nature a competitive sport, keeping score and playing
to win are entirely eliminated in the T-Ball division. Win-loss
records and division standings are not maintained. Coaches and parents
should employ a positive, teaching approach toward their own team, and
should completely eliminate commentary toward or regarding the
opposing team. During games, coaches are permitted to request time-out
at any time, to enter the field of play and (quickly) instruct their
players regarding skills and rules.
FIELD OF PLAY
09-101 Bases in the T-Ball Division will be 45 feet apart.
Throw-down bases will be used.
09-102 The distance to the "pitching rubber" from home plate
shall be 30 feet in a direct line between second base and home plate,
measured from the front edge of the pitching rubber to the tip of home
plate where the base lines converge. Coaches pitching to
batters, however, are not required to be in contact with the
pitching rubber; they may position themselves anywhere they like, to
maximize the chance the batter will hit the ball as effectively as
possible.
09-103 An arc of radius fifteen feet shall be drawn on the
field, centered on the tip of home plate where the base lines
converge. This arc shall serve as the "fair but foul" line; see Rule
09-105.
HITTING
09-104 The batter is allowed as many swings as necessary to
hit the ball into play. It is the umpire’s
responsibility to remove the batting tee from the home plate area
whenever play might involve an offensive or defensive player
approaching home plate while the ball is in play. A coach who is
pitching to his batters may revert to the batting tee for any batter
whenever he pleases, in order to maximize the hitting experience of
each batter.
09-105 Any ball hit into fair territory but which dies
before reaching the "fair but foul" line shall be declared a foul
ball; all runners return to base.
09-106 Batters are not allowed to bunt, and may not take a
half swing or "swinging bunt". If, in the judgment of the umpire, the
batter has not taken a full swing, so the ball does not go past the
fair-but-foul line, any play that took place as a
result of the improper swing shall be nullified.
09-107 A half-inning will be the customary three outs, or
when a total of ten batters have completed their turns at bat and all
play resulting from the tenth batter has been finished, whichever
comes first. (For the 10th batter, play may be finished by any
defensive player having control of the ball with both feet in contact
with home plate.)
PITCHING
09-108 The defender playing the pitcher’s position must
remain behind the pitcher’s rubber until the ball is hit.
09-109 The ball becomes dead when the playing-pitcher (not a
pitching coach) has control of
same and one foot in contact with the pitcher’s rubber (but any batter
on his way to first base at that time will be declared safe).
BASE-RUNNING
09-110 Runners must stay in contact with the base until the
ball is hit. When a runner leaves a base too soon, the ball is dead
and the runner must return to base. This is a judgment call to be made
by an umpire only.
09-111 When the defensive team gets the ball to the pitcher,
and that pitcher has control of same and one foot in contact with the
pitcher’s rubber, runners between bases who have not yet advanced half
way to the next base must return to the last base touched (unless
forced to the next base by a trailing runner who is legally entitled
to his next base). If the runner has advanced past the mid-point
between bases, he automatically takes that next base. This is a
judgment call to be made by an umpire only, except that batters still
on their way to first base at this time are automatically declared
safe.
09-112 Stealing is not allowed in the T-Ball Division. Note,
however, that tagging up and running after a caught fly ball is not
stealing, nor is advancing after an overthrow from an infielder or
outfielder.
DEFENSIVE PLAY
09-113 No defensive player except the catcher shall begin
play (for each swing by the batter) closer than 25 feet from the tip
of home plate where the baselines converge.
PLAYER PARTICIPATION AND PLAYING TIME
09-114 All players will be in the game at all times, on both
offense and defense.
One extra infielder will be used between first and second base, and as
many outfield positions as necessary will be created so that all
players have a position on defense. Every team member must, during the course of the
regular season, play at least 36 defensive outs (the equivalent of
three full games) as an infielder.
UMPIRE
09-115 Every team manager will provide one qualified adult
umpire for the entirety of each of its games. That adult then becomes
an official NSBC designee for that game. The home team’s adult umpire
will start as Head Umpire behind the plate, and the visiting team’s
umpire will start as the base umpire. The two umpires will exchange
positions after the second inning is completed. No player, coach or
observer shall put pressure upon the umpires to influence any judgment
call. The Head Umpire shall have the final say on any controversial
judgment call.
SCOREKEEPING
09-116 Scorekeeping in the T-Ball Division is done only as
necessary to ensure that the player participation rules are adhered
to. The final score is not to be announced. Scorekeepers should
refrain from disclosing the score at midpoints during the game,
especially if the score is unbalanced. Please refer to the most
important T-Ball rule, Rule 09-100.
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SPECIFIC RULES
2010 NORTH STARS ROOKIES DIVISION
The Rookies division will follow the regular baseball rules in the
Cal Ripken 2010 Rule Book (the official rules for NSBC this year), as
modified by the following. WHEN THESE NSBC RULES CONFLICT WITH THOSE
IN THE CAL RIPKEN RULE BOOK, NSBC RULES SHALL OVERRIDE CAL RIPKEN
RULES.Teams may field all available players on defense, to a maximum of
12. There will, however, be only one extra infielder; all other extra
players shall start each play in the outfield (on the grass). Every
available player will be assigned a permanent place in the batting
order for
each game. If necessary, teams may start
and play with as few as eight players.
When a Rookies team has less than ten
players available for an official game, that team is permitted to
add players from the T-Ball division, for that game, until the team
has a total of ten players available for play. The only T-Ball
players that shall be eligible for such Rookies-division games are
those currently listed as eligible on the Home Page of the
NorthStars website. ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER CHILDREN are allowed
on the field during a Rookies game.
A player arriving late may not enter a game in progress until the
start of the next half-inning. Players arriving late will be added to
the END of the batting order only.
For Rookies games, all pitching to batters shall be done by an
adult from the offensive team. See Rule 09-208 below. Rookies teams
will play with the Level-5 safety ball or equivalent. No hard-balls.
Rooky games are intended to go five innings. But no new inning will
start later than 75 minutes after the first pitch. A new inning is
deemed to commence at the time the last out is made in the previous
inning. For Rookies games, TL = 75 minutes.
When a new inning begins before the 75-minute point, play will
continue until that new inning is complete.
SPIRIT
09-200 The main idea of the Rookies Division is to help the
players have fun, develop their baseball skills, and learn the game.
Although baseball is by nature a competitive sport, keeping score and
playing to win are de-emphasized in the Rookies Division, except in
the annual I-94 Tournament. Win-loss records and division standings
are not maintained during the regular season. Coaches and parents
should employ a positive, teaching approach toward their own team, and
should refrain from commentary toward or regarding the opposing team.
During the regular season, coaches are permitted to request time-out
at any time, to enter the field of play and (quickly) instruct their
players regarding rules and tactics.
FIELD OF PLAY
09-201 Bases in the Rookies Division will be 60 feet apart.
09-202 The distance to the "pitching rubber" from home plate
shall be 35 feet.
09-203 An arc of radius fifteen feet shall be drawn on the
field, centered on the tip of home plate. This arc shall serve as the
"fair but foul" line; see Rule 09-205.
HITTING
09-204 The batter is allowed seven swings to hit the pitched
ball into play. After the last of seven unsuccessful swings, the
batter shall take as many swings as necessary to hit the ball into
play off a batting tee. The batting tee shall be positioned just in
front of home plate (toward the pitcher). It is the Head Umpire’s
responsibility to remove the batting tee from the home plate area
immediately after the ball is hit into play.
09-205 Any ball hit into fair territory but which dies
(untouched) before reaching the "fair but foul" line shall be declared
a foul ball; all runners return to base.
09-206 Batters are not allowed to bunt, and may not take a half
swing or "swinging bunt". If, in the judgment of the umpire, the
batter has not taken a full swing, any play that took place as a
result of the improper swing shall be nullified, and the improper
swing counted. If this should occur on the seventh swing, the batter
must then hit off the tee.
09-207 A half-inning will be completed by ten players having
completed their turns at bat and all play resulting from the tenth
batter has been finished. For the 10th batter, play may be finished
by any defensive player having control of the ball with one foot in
contact with home plate, or by any of the normal ways of producing
an out. If both Managers agree, this 10-batter rule may be
dispensed with for the entire game; then each half-inning will be
ended when 3 outs have been recorded, just as in regular baseball.
PITCHING
09-208 There will be no called balls or strikes in the Rookies
Division. All actual pitching to batters shall be done by an adult
from the offensive team. To maximize the ability of players to hit the
ball well, the adult-pitcher is encouraged to adjust his/her pitching
speed and distance from home plate for each individual batter. The
adult-pitcher may pitch either overhand or underhand to each batter,
and may change this option at any time.
09-209 The adult-pitcher shall do his/her best to avoid
contacting the ball after it has been hit, and while it is in play.
If, in the umpire’s judgment, the adult-pitcher interferes (even
unintentionally) with the fielding of a batted ball, the batter will
be called out and the ball is dead; no baserunners may advance. While
on the field of play, the adult-pitcher may speak to batters and
base-runners, but shall not move away from his customary position on
the field after the pitch is made.
09-210 A "Fielding-Pitcher" shall partner with the
adult-pitcher on the playing field. The Fielding-Pitcher shall make
all defensive plays, never the adult-pitcher. The Fielding-Pitcher
must remain behind the adult pitcher until the ball is hit.
09-211 The ball becomes dead when the Fielding-Pitcher has
control of same and one foot in contact with the pitcher’s rubber, but
any batter on his way to first base at that time will be declared
safe.
BASE-RUNNING
09-212 Runners must stay in contact with the base until the
ball is hit. When (in an umpire’s judgement) a runner leaves a base
too soon, the ball is dead and the runner must return to base.
09-213 When the defensive team gets the ball to the
Fielding-Pitcher, and that pitcher has control of same and one foot in
contact with the pitcher’s rubber, runners between bases who have not
yet advanced half-way to the next base must return to the last base
touched (unless forced to the next base by a trailing runner who is
legally entitled to his next base). If the runner has advanced past
the mid-point between bases, he automatically takes that next base.
This is a judgment call to be made by an umpire only, except that
batters still on their way to first base at this time are
automatically declared safe.
09-214 Stealing is not allowed in the Rookies Division. Note,
however, that tagging up and running after a caught fly ball is not
stealing, nor is advancing after an overthrow from an infielder or
outfielder.
09-214a Runners coming into home plate are REQUIRED to
slide feet-first if, in the judgment of an umpire, there is any
significant possibility of collision with the catcher. Any
runner who violates this rule, by not sliding, or sliding head-first,
is automatically out.
DEFENSIVE PLAY
09-215 No defensive player except the catcher (and Fielding
Pitcher as described in Rule 09-210) shall begin play
(for each swing by the batter) closer than 35 feet from the tip of
home plate. During the regular season only, a defensive coach may
position himself in the outfield at any time to instruct players; he
must never touch a player or the ball.
OBSTRUCTION IS A SAFETY ISSUE
09-216 For safety reasons, the baseline (and
the area two feet on either side of it) belongs primarily to the
runner. The baseline area is also defined as that arc a runner uses
when rounding a base while running to the next base. When the
ball is live, a defender is only allowed to be in the baseline area
when he has possession of the ball, or is about to field or
catch the ball, and then only when the ball is closer to the
defender than is the runner. Defenders in the 'ready position'
just before a pitch must not position themselves in the baseline
area. Any violation of this entire Rule 09-216 (in the
judgment of an umpire, who will always bias his judgment in favor of
the runner) results in the runner being called 'safe' and awarded
any base he may reasonably have achieved if not obstructed.
All runners ahead of the runner are also awarded that same number of
bases. A second obstruction by the same player in the same
game shall result in the automatic ejection of that player from the
game. Because this is a safety issue, catchers in particular
must follow this rule closely; they will NOT be given benefit of the
doubt. Catchers who violate this rule are subject to immediate
and automatic ejection from the game. Safety must prevail over
all other considerations.
PLAYER PARTICIPATION AND PLAYING TIME
09-217 Every team member must, during the course of the regular
season, play defense for at least 40 batters as an infielder. Any inning for which he is late or
absent shall count as 10 of those batters. Any game for which he is
absent shall count as 20 of those batters.
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SPECIFIC RULES
2010 NORTH STARS MINORS DIVISION
NSBC Minors teams will
generally be assigned at least twelve players, and will field nine
defensive players. Every available rostered player will be
assigned a permanent place in the batting order for each game. If
necessary, teams will start and play with seven players. Any less
than seven available players by Scheduled-Game-Time results in
automatic forfeit. In case of official forfeiture, however, the
teams are still encouraged to play the game to the extent possible,
so the kids may enjoy the experience.
A player arriving late
may not enter a game in progress until the start of the next
half-inning. Players arriving late will be added to the END of the
batting order only.
Minors teams will play
six-inning games. Extra innings will be played to resolve a tie,
unless a conflict with Rules 09-07 or 09-08 exists. Minors teams will
use the official NSBC safety ball (no hard-balls).
FIELD OF PLAY
09-300 Bases in
the Minors Division will be 60 feet apart.
09-301 The
distance to the pitching rubber from home plate shall be 40 feet in
a direct line between second base and home plate, measured from the
front edge of the pitching rubber to the tip of home plate where the
base lines converge. All other field measurements are as given in
the current Cal Ripken Rule Book.
BASE RUNNING AND
SLIDING
09-302 No
stealing of any base is permitted in the Minors division.
09-303 Each base
runner may leave his base when the pitched ball reaches the batter,
but not before. When the ball is not hit into fair territory,
he must return to his base without liability to be put out.
PITCHING AND
CATCHING
09-304 Any
individual player may pitch no more than three innings in any one
game. For purposes of this rule, even one
pitch counts as a full entire inning.
09-305 For
games in the Minors division, the strike zone shall be per Cal
Ripken rules. Note that the black surround of
home plate is part of the strike zone, and that if ANY PART of the
ball is inside ANY PART of the strike zone,
the pitch should be called a strike.
09-306 The third
strike need not be held by the catcher (except when fouled off).
09-307
During the first half of the season, an adult designated by the
manager of the offensive team shall do all the
pitching in each half-inning, and that adult becomes an official
NSBC designee. All pitching will be overhand. The adult may pitch from any distance, and that
distance may vary for each batter. Balls and strikes will be called
on every pitch. The player-pitcher becomes
Fielding Pitcher while the adult is pitching, and will stay behind
the pitcher’s rubber until the ball is hit.
If, in the umpire’s judgment, the adult-pitcher interferes (even
unintentionally) with the fielding of a batted
ball, the batter will be called out and the ball is dead; no base
runners may advance. Pitches thrown by the
adult-pitcher will be returned to the Fielding Pitcher by the
catcher.
While on the field of
play, the adult-pitcher shall not coach players after the ball is
pitched.
09-308
During the second half of the season, a player shall pitch to each
batter until he strikes out, hits the ball
into fair territory, or has a count of four balls. In the latter
case, the batter shall not be awarded first
base. Instead, pitching shall revert to the procedure of Rule
09-307; an offensive-tem adult shall complete the pitching to
that batter. The strike count shall pick up where the player-pitcher
established it. The batter cannot walk; he
must strike out or hit the ball into fair territory. The
player-pitcher becomes Fielding Pitcher as in Rule
09-307. If a pitch thrown by the adult-pitcher hits the batter, the
pitch is considered a no-pitch.
DEFENSIVE PLAY
09-309
All defensive players (except the catcher) must position themselves
for each pitch at least 40 feet from the tip
of home plate, and may only move closer after the pitch reaches the
batter.
MINIMUM PLAYING
TIME
09-310
Every team member must, during the course of the regular season,
play at least 54 defensive outs (the
equivalent of three full games) as an infielder.
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SPECIFIC RULES
2010 NORTH STARS MAJORS DIVISION
The Majors
division will follow the regular baseball rules in the Cal Ripken
2010 Rule Book, which is the official rule book for Majors this
year. WHEN THESE NSBC RULES CONFLICT WITH THOSE IN THE CAL RIPKEN
RULE BOOK, NSBC RULES SHALL OVERRIDE CAL RIPKEN RULES.
All Majors teams
will field nine defensive players. Every
available rostered player will be assigned a permanent place in the
batting order for each game. If necessary,
teams will start and play with seven players. Any less than seven
available players by Scheduled-Game-Time
results in automatic forfeit. In case of official forfeit, however,
the teams are still encouraged to play the
game to the extent possible, so the kids may enjoy the experience.
Teams having less than nine available players for any official game
may pick up approved NSBC Rookie players until they have no more
than nine players. A list of Rookies approved for the 2010
season by the NSBC Board of Directors will be available from the
NSBC president. For reasons of safety, insurance and fairness,
the official NSBC policy on pick-up players must be strictly adhered to.
A player arriving late may not enter a game in progress until the
start of the next half-inning. Any player arriving late must
displace any Rookie player who was picked up to fill his spot.
Players arriving
late will be added to the END of
the batting order only, unless they are displacing a pick-up player,
in which case they will take that pick-up player's place in the
batting order.
Majors games are intended to go six innings. But no new inning will
start later than 105 minutes after the first pitch. A new inning is
deemed to commence at the time the last out is made in the previous
inning. When a new inning begins before the 105-minute point,
play will continue until that new inning is complete, unless Rule
09-08 causes termination of the game. For the Majors division,
TL = 105 minutes.
FIELD OF PLAY
09-400 The
field of play shall conform to (60-foot) Cal Ripken rules. The distance to the
front edge of the pitcher’s rubber shall be the standard 46
feet from the tip of home plate where the baselines converge.
STEALING AND
SLIDING
09-401 Runners
may not leave a base until the pitched ball
reaches the batter.
A player leaving his base too soon (in
an umpire’s judgment) is automatically out. When the pitcher
has possession of the ball, with one foot in contact with the
rubber, all runners must immediately commit to a base (any base),
and go there, with liability to be put out (by a throw from the
pitcher). When a runner is actually running, however, this
rule does not come into play until he stops or reverses direction;
all play by a runner in forward motion is "continuation", and the
runner is allowed to attempt going anywhere he wants, no matter what
the pitcher does, until he stops or reverses his direction.
When the pitcher has the ball, with one foot on the rubber,
the runner cannot stand off the base and taunt the pitcher; he must
go to a base and rest until the next pitch; otherwise he will be
called out.
09-401a
Runners coming into home plate are REQUIRED to slide feet-first if,
in the judgment of an umpire, there is any significant possibility
of collision with the catcher. Any runner who violates this
rule, by not sliding, or sliding head-first, is automatically out.
PITCHING AND
CATCHING
09-402 To
be eligible to pitch in the next game played, any individual player
may pitch no more than three innings in the current game. For
purposes of this rule, even one pitch thrown in an inning counts as
an entire inning. If a player throws even one pitch more than
three innings, he becomes ineligible to pitch in his team's next
scheduled game.
09-403 There is no penalty if a pitcher commits a balk. The
ball becomes dead, and he is simply cautioned by the Head Umpire. If a
pitcher repeatedly commits balks, however, the Head Umpire may remove
him from the pitching mound. He still remains eligible to play other
defensive positions. A pitcher who aborts his delivery after the
batter has indicated a possible intention to bunt, however, shall be
called for an “illegal pitch”. An illegal pitch is called a “ball”,
and all runners advance one base.
09-404 A second trip to the mound (e.g., crossing of the baseline) by
a coach shall automatically result in the removal of the pitcher from
the mound for that entire game. He remains eligible to play other
defensive positions.
RE-ENTRY
09-405 Any of the nine starting defensive players may withdraw
and re-enter once. A substitute who is withdrawn may not re-enter. If
injury occurs when all substitutes have already been used, all players
become eligible for re-entry to replace the injured player. Selection
of the replacement player, however, will be made by the opposing
team's Manager.
MINIMUM PLAYING
TIME
09-406
Every team member must, during the course of the regular season,
play at least 54 defensive outs (the
equivalent of three full games) as an infielder.
Any inning for which he is
late or absent shall count as 3 of those outs. Any game for
which he is absent shall count as 18 of those outs.
OBSTRUCTION IS A
SAFETY ISSUE
09-407 For safety
reasons, the baseline (and the area two feet on either side of it)
belongs primarily to the runner. The baseline area is also defined
as that arc a runner uses when rounding a base to attempt the next
base. When the ball is live, a defender is only allowed to be
in the baseline area when he has possession of the ball, or is
about to field or catch the ball, and then only when the ball is
closer to the defender than is the runner. Defenders in
the 'ready position' just before a pitch must not position
themselves in the baseline area. Any violation of this entire
Rule 09-407 (in the judgment of an umpire, who will always bias his
judgment in favor of the runner) results in the runner being called
'safe' and awarded any base he may reasonably have achieved if not
obstructed. All runners ahead of the runner are also awarded
that same number of bases. A second obstruction by the same
player in the same game shall result in the automatic ejection of
that player from the game. Because this is a safety issue,
catchers in particular must follow this rule closely; they will NOT
be given benefit of the doubt. Catchers who violate this rule
are subject to immediate and automatic ejection from the game.
Safety must prevail over all other considerations.
OTHER RULES
09-408 For
the Majors division, the catcher need not hold the third strike; the
batter is always out and the ball is live. Also for the Majors
division, the infield-fly rule is in full effect.
09-409 For
the obvious safety reason, a batter who (in the judgment of an
umpire) throws his bat, even unintentionally, is automatically
out. All runners must return to the bases they occupied before
the bat was thrown; the ball is dead. A second such incident
by the same player in the same game shall result in the automatic
ejection of that player from the game.
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SPECIFIC RULES
2010 NORTH STARS TRAVEL TEAMS
All NSBC Travel Teams are subject to the following rules, even
when “on the road”:
TEAM ROSTER
09-500 Once
selected and rostered to play on a NSBC Travel Team, no player
may be cut for the "convenience" of the team’s
manager.
All player discipline must be in accordance with the
following rules.
CONDUCT
09-501 When
“on the road” all players shall strictly follow all instructions
given them by their manager and coaches, both on and off the field
of play. A player’s parent who finds him/herself in conflict with
instructions issued by a team’s manager or coach should consult
with that official immediately. Regarding the game eligibility of a
player, however, the team manager shall have the final word, subject
only to a parent’s right of appeal to the NSBC Board of Directors.
09-502 A
Travel-Team manager who intends to discipline a player for any
reason shall notify the League Commissioner before instituting
disciplinary action.
09-503 Should
a Travel-Team manager intend to discipline a player for chronic absence or
tardiness, or adverse behavior, the manager may bench the player
after compliance with Rule 09-502, provided the manager informs the
player and one of his parents (if present) of his right to appeal to
the NSBC Board.
09-504 A
Travel-Team manager may apply to the League Commissioner for a
player’s dismissal if the player misses three
games and/or official scheduled practices, or if he is involved in
any form of physical violence, or if he is under the influence of
tobacco, alcohol or narcotics. The player may appeal to the NSBC
President or Board of Directors.
09-505 Use
of profane or abusive language by players is forbidden at all
Travel-Team games and practices, and may be cause for disciplinary action.
The on-site use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages or narcotics by
ANYONE either before, during, or after Travel-Team games and
practices is strictly prohibited.
09-506
Travel-Team managers and coaches shall be responsible for the conduct of
the players and observers associated with their teams. No persons
other than Club-designated managers and coaches, umpires, players
and other Club officials are allowed on the playing field during
games and practices. Negative or abusive comments by any adult,
by-stander, or player associated with a Travel-Team team are
prohibited, and shall be cause for disciplinary action by the NSBC
Board of Directors.
09-507 Any
person may refer to the NSBC Disciplinary Committee any player or
adult (including parents) associated with a Travel-Team whose
conduct appears detrimental to the best interests of the North Stars
Baseball Club. The
Committee will consider all such complaints and recommend action to
the Board of Directors. Said person has the right of appeal before
Board action is finalized.
09-508 In
general, the NSBC League Commissioner, has the authority to settle
disputes regarding Travel Teams. When questions or problems
remain, the chain of command is: Coach→
Manager→League
Commissioner→President→Board
of Directors.
PLAYING TIME
09-509 NSBC
minimum playing-time rules do not apply to Travel Teams.
Because this is competitive-level play, all players are expected to
compete freely and fairly for playing time and playing positions, as
judged by their team’s manager. Parents should not expect special
treatment for any player at any time, for any reason, at any
Travel-Team game. Team managers, however, are encouraged to spread playing
time around when opportunities present themselves (e.g., when the
outcome of a particular game may appear no longer in doubt).
OTHER RULES
09-510 In
all Travel-Team games, each team member must be in his NSBC-supplied
uniform, and WEAR IT IN THE PROPER MANNER at all times, or that
player may not participate.
09-511 For
any Travel Team with a female player, an adult woman shall be
in attendance at all practices and games. It is the team Manager’s
responsibility to see that this rule is complied with.
09-512 Each
Travel Team shall have their first-aid kit at all games and
practices.
09-513 Should
an accident or injury occur, the NSBC President
should be contacted as soon as possible. Refer insurance claims to
the NSBC Treasurer.
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