2008 SANDY KOUFAX/DALE MURPHY DIVISION RULES

(SUPPLEMENT NATIONAL LEAGUE AND AABC WHITE BOOK)

BASIC RULES AND AGE LIMIT

1.1  Players born on or after May 1, 1994 shall be eligible for the 2008 Dale Murphy (13Us/Sandy Koufax13s) season.

1.2  Players born on or after May 1, 1993 shall be eligible for the 2008 Sandy Koufax (14Us) season.

1.3  Unless excepted below, National (Major) League Rules and the rules as published in the AABC Official 2008 Handbook (The White Book) will govern these leagues.

1.4  All Sandy Koufax (14U) games will be played on a regulation 60-foot, six-inch (pitching distance) x 90-foot (distance between bases) baseball field.  Dale Murphy (Sandy Koufax13s) will remain 54-foot x 80-foot field for tournament play (individual teams have the option of this size field or the regulation-sized one for regular-season play).

1.5  Unique high-school baseball rules DO NOT govern these leagues!  (Federation rules do not apply.)

These include:

1.      Throwing all four pitches on an intentional walk.

2.      Two trips to the mound per inning; on the second trip, the pitcher must be removed and cannot pitch in that contest again (if the pitcher is removed on the first trip to the mound in an inning and plays another position, he may return to the mound later in the game).

ROSTERS

2.1    Team registrations are due May 1, 2008.

2.2    Completed rosters, including signatures, are due to the Sandy Koufax and Dale Murphy (Sandy Koufax 13s) secretary 24 hours prior to the first pitch of the first game.   FAILURE TO MEET THE ROSTER DEADLINE WILL RESULT IN FORFEITS.  All rosters must be on the approved Dale Murphy/Sandy Koufax Division roster form.

2.3    All coaches must complete the coach registration-form by May 15, 2008.  Any coach not completing said form by this date will not be allowed on the field during a game (and if he or she appears, the game will be forfeited).  If a coach joins a team during the season, the coach-registration form must be completed prior to said coach appearing at a game.

2.4    Players may appear on the rosters of both a Sandy Koufax and a Dale Murphy (Sandy Koufax 13s) team (as long as they meet the league age rules).

2.5    Teams are limited to one head coach, three assistant coaches in the dugout. 

2.6    Each Team must have nine (9) players on the field at all times during a game....if the number drops below nine (9) players at any time, the game will terminate and the opposing team will win by forfeit.

EQUIPMENT:

3.1    The catcher shall wear a head protector (helmet), mask with throat protector (either “dangling” version or built-in), chest protector, protective cup and shin guards.  Any player warming up a pitcher at any location shall wear the same protective gear: a head protector (helmet), mask with throat protector (either “dangling” version or built-in), chest protector, protective cup and shin guards.

3.2    Jewelry is prohibited; medical-alert or religious bracelets are not to be considered jewelry.  Any equipment judged by the umpire to be potentially dangerous is illegal.

3.3    Helmets must be worn at all times by batters, base runners, players coaching at first or third and players in on deck circle, batboys.

3.4    An adequate number of baseballs, as determined by the game umpires, must be supplied by the home team for all home games.

3.5    Bats are restricted to -3 Sandy Koufax. The -3 is a comparison of weight to length (a 33-inch, 30-ounce bat is a -3 and legal; a 33-inch, 26-ounce bat is a -7 and not legal).  Bats are restricted to 2.75 inches (2 5/8 inches) in diameter for Dale Murphy Division.

3.6    Metal spikes are allowed unless a team informs its opponent – at least two (2) days in advance – that they are not to be used on their field (i.e. turf fields).  Field restrictions are the sole reason for the prohibition of metal spikes.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

4.1    Should injury or illness prevent a manager from fielding nine players, the manager may, without penalty of forfeiture, replace injured or ill player(s) with a substitute player previously in the lineup, BUT ONLY if use of all other eligible substitute players has exhausted the available roster.  This provision does not apply with respect to a player or players ejected from the game.  If a team is unable to field nine players for reasons of ejection of a player, and no eligible substitute is available, previously used substitute players may not re-enter the game.  Use of less than nine player’s results in forfeiture. 

4.2    Starters may be removed and then re-enter the game once....once removed for a second time, the player is done for the remainder of the game......subs may not re-enter once removed from the game.....any starter re-entering must return to the same spot in the batting order that he left.

4.3    Batting order – in the regular season, the lineup may consist of nine, 10 or as many players as desired, including the use of an EH or a DH, but any lineup consisting of more than nine players must be approved by the opposing manager (the umpire is not involved in this decision) during the pre-game grounds rules discussion.  If the opposing manager does not approve, a nine-player, National League (no EH/DH) lineup must be used.  Regardless of the type of lineup employed, all batters must remain in the same spot in the batting order for the duration of the game. The “EH” is a hitter only, and is not permitted to play the field at any time during the game.  During all tournament/playoff competition, the lineup shall consist of nine (9) players – the pitcher must bat – as it is proscribed under National League rules.

4.4    Speed-up rule -- the last batted out may run for the catcher when two men are out.

4.5    Only one batter may occupy the on-deck area at any given moment.

SLIDING:

5.1    Any runner is out when he does not slide OR attempt to avoid a fielder who HAS the ball and is waiting to make the tag, or while the fielder is waiting to make a play with the ball in transit, or if he maliciously runs into a fielder.  If the runner maliciously runs into the fielder, he could be ejected from the game. Also, the runner could be awarded the base if the fielder acts as if he is about to make the tag (despite not having a reasonable chance to make the tag) or blocks the base without reasonable chance of making a play.

5.2    Head-first slides are legal.

OFFICIAL GAME (LENGTH):

7.1    Game times will be determined prior to the season’s opening.  Any changes must be approved by conference coordinators, head of the umpires and both teams’ managers.

7.2    Teams must be on site within 20 minutes of the scheduled game time (i.e., 6:20 PM for a 6:00 PM scheduled start) or forfeiture will occur.

7.3    Seven innings shall constitute a game

7.4    If a game is called for any reason by the umpire, it is a regulation game:

a: If five innings have been completed; or

b: If the home team has scored an equal or a greater number of runs in four (and/or a fraction innings) than the visiting teamas scored in five completed innings.

7.5    If, after five innings have been completed, the game is called when the teams have not had an equal number of completed terms at bat, the score shall revert to what it was at the end of the last completed full inning, except if the home team, in its half of the uncompleted inning, scores one or more runs which equals or exceeds the opponents score, the final score shall be recorded as when the game is called.

7.6    If a game is called before it is a regulation game, it shall be a suspended game and play shall be resumed at the exact point of suspension.

7.7    “Mercy rule:” A game shall be legally completed – and must end – after the completion of five full innings (or six full innings) if the visiting team is ahead by 10 or more runs, or after four-and-a-half innings (or five-and-a-half innings) if the home team is ahead by 10 or more runs. If the Home team scores the run that creates a 10 run differential in the bottom of the 5^th, 6^th or 7^th inning (or later), the game ends at that point.

7.8    Upon seeing lightning, the umpires shall suspend play for a minimum of 30 minutes.  Should the umpires determine unsafe conditions, due to excessive and continuous lightning (and/or other environmental factors), the game will be ended.

POSTPONEMENTS/FIELD CONDITIONS

8.1    Inclement weather or unplayable field conditions are the only grounds for postponements.

8.2    Postponed games must be rescheduled within one week of postponement (and played within a reasonable time).  The home team must arrange the make up with the visiting team; the home team will then contact the conference coordinator.  If the managers cannot agree upon a date to replay the game, the league president will reschedule it.

8.3    The home coach is responsible for the field conditions.......once the umpires take the field for ground rules, they determine if a field is playable or not, and may require the home coach to repair the field prior to play. During the game, only the umpires will determine if the field is playable or not.

UMPIRES:

9.1    The home team must arrange for the two umpires who will work each game. The umpires must be accredited. The teams will be responsible for slitting umpires fees.

9.2    Coaches should record the name(s) of all umpires in the scorebook, and have the home-plate umpire sign the scorebook at the game’s conclusion confirming the final score.

9.3    The home and visitor managers should discuss, with the game umpires, the league rules prior to the start of the game.  Keep a copy of these rules and an AABC “White Book” for any disputes.

PROTESTS:

10.1    Protests will be heard on the grounds of interpretation of playing rules; protests will never be heard on a matter of umpire’s judgment.  The manager of the protesting team must notify the umpire BEFORE ANY PLAY CONTINUES the game is being played under protest.  If the appeal is to be pursued, the appealing party must lodge the protest in writing, including citation of the specific rule in question, and post a $100 fee within 24 hours with the Sandy Koufax or Dale Murphy presidents.  If the protest is upheld, the fee is returned; if the protest is denied, the fee is forfeited.

EJECTIONS/SUSPENSIONS/CONDUCT:

11.1    If a player is ejected from a game, and the ejection is reported to the league president, said player shall be suspended for the team’s next game.

11.2    If a coach or manager is ejected, said coach or manager shall be suspended for the team’s next two games. 

11.3    ALL PLAYERS, COACHES, TEAM OFFICIALS AND SPECTATORS should follow the Code of Conduct of proper etiquette and respect that goes along with the GAME of Baseball. Such things as arguing balls and strikes, and throwing or malicious use of equipment, by anyone, can result in immediate ejection without any warning, as well as anything else deemed a violation of said Code of Conduct. No sexual predators will be allowed as a team official. Any person ejected must leave the field area and not be visible from any portion of the field. Players can be allowed to remain on the bench unless they become disruptive. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players AND their spectators.

GAME RESULTS/STANDINGS:

12.1    Each manager (win or lose) must report the final score to the conference coordinator by the end of the day of the game.  Phone, fax or e-mail information for each conference coordinator will be supplied to each manager prior to the start of the season.

12.2    Standings will be kept on a point basis:  two points for each win; one point for each tie, and no points for a loss.

12.3    A team “refusing” to make up a postponed game or play a scheduled game (in the judgment of either the commissioner or league president) will lose a point, while the opponent will receive two points for a forfeiture victory.

12.4   The team with the highest point total at the conclusion of the season will be determined division champion.

In the case of a tie, the following tie-breakers will be used:

Points in head-to-head competition between the tied teams

Run differential in head-to-head competition

Run differential in divisional play.

Run differential in conference play.

HOME TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING 2 CREDITED CARDED UMPIRES BOTH TEAMS WILL SPLIT THE COST FOR THE UMPIRES.


2/58 BATS ONLY ARE PERMITTED
14U KOUFAX          -3 ONLY
13U MURPHY        UNLIMITED
12u and down players are only permitted to use a 2 5/8th bat with no weight restriction

IF A TEAM BATS EVERYONE AND A PLAYER IS EJECTED THAT SPOT BECOMES VACATE AND IS NOW A OUT
IF A TEAM BATS 9 AND USES ALL THEIR SUBS THE GAME WILL END IF A PLAYER IS EJECTED
IF A TEAM STILL HAS A SUB WHEN A PLAYER IS EJECTED THEY MAY BE PUT IN THE BATTING ORDER

BATTING ORDER MUST REMAIN TRUE


NJYB INJURY RULE FOR 2008
IF A TEAM HAS USED ALL ITS PLAYERS AND A PLAYER GETS HURT AND ALL SUBS WERE USED A TEAM MAY RE-INSTATE A SUB TO KEEP THE GAME FROM ENDING. ONLY IF A PLAYER GETS HURT