BCML Travel Baseball 2013 FALL BALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS Ages 7 thru 14

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1 BCML Travel Baseball 2013 FALL BALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS Ages 7 thru 14 A. PURPOSE OF THE LEAGUE To provide an opportunity for youth baseball players to develop their baseball talent and participate in additional travel league competition during the fall months. B. AGE GROUPS INVOLVED 7-8 Age Group: Cannot be 9 before May 1, Age Group: Cannot be 11 before May 1, Age Group: Cannot be 13 before May 1, Age Group: Cannot be 15 before May 1, 2013 C. ADMINISTRATION OF THE LEAGUE This League is governed by the cooperative efforts of the participating youth baseball organizations. All of its rules and regulations will be established and/or changed by the Board of Administrators using a simple majority voteruling basis. To simplify the operation of the league the following positions has been created: BCML Commissioner, BCML Treasure, BCML Rules and Scheduling Executive, BCML 7-8 Division Administrator, BCML 9-10 Division Administrator, BCML Division Administrator, and the BCML Division Administrator. Team registration is required by Friday August 23 rd the registration fee of $ per B division team and $ per A division team is due no later than September 22nd. Make checks payable to: BCML, PO BOX 44198, Nottingham, MD Teams not making payment prior to the midseason championship tournament weekend will not be permitted to participate. Action taken for violations of these rules and regulations may result in game forfeiture, game suspension, season suspension, or removal from the league. The BCML Commissioner must approve disciplinary action taken by the league against any player, manager, team or council. The commissioner may elect to have the BCML board of directors hear and decide the outcome of specific issues. D. BCML COMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES. All league information will be distributed using the website and/or ; It is important that all communications regarding BCML matters be done according to the following procedure: 1) Initial communications, verbal or otherwise, is considered non-binding 2) Any initial communication, verbal or otherwise, must be followed up by a clear and concise copied to both communication parties and the division administrator to commence any formal communication 3) The BCML division administrator s response to agreement renders the communication final and binding.

2 It has been the experience of the BCML too many issues are communicated verbally with no verifiable facts to render concise decisions or clarify issues. It is the responsibility of the division administrator to distribute the results of all formalized communication via e- mail to the other managers, umpire supervisor, BCML management, etc. The umpire is responsible to render decisions on the field per the BCML rules as he interprets. The managers are responsible to have the current rules available in the team binder for the umpire to have for review and interpretation. Any ruling or interpretation by the umpire is final for that game situation. Umpire interpretations do not constitute a rule change; however there may be clarification of the rule(s) required. BCML officials are the formal and final rules interpretation party. If you have any on field agreement in the presence of an umpire; include the time, date, and location so the umpire can be questioned if need be. Again, on field agreements are not binding or formal rules or procedural changes. E. MEETINGS Meetings of the member organizations will be held on a periodic basis as determined by the Commissioner in consultation with the league officials and members. F. GENERAL BASEBALL RULES With the exception of the following rules, the Official American League Rules will be followed for all age groups. All rule interpretations will be determined by the BCML Rules and Scheduling Executive. No other BCML representative or board member has authority to overrule the BCML Rules and Scheduling Executive. 1. GAMES All games will be seven innings in duration, except for the 7-8 & 9-10 age groups, which will play six inning games. A game is considered complete after four innings are complete (or if three and a half innings have been completed for 7-8 & 9-10) with the home team leading when the game is called due to inclement weather or darkness. The home plate umpire is responsible to determine if a game should be called once the game has started. Once the umpire halts play the game is considered complete at the point of time that the umpire stops play. If the game has reached the point in time to be considered an official game (first paragraph in this section) the score, batting statistics, outs, etc reverts back to the start of any inning. If score is not tied the game is considered officially complete and the team with the most runs is determined the winner. Tie games or games with less innings played to qualify for an official game is considered a suspended game. Only these two situations can constitute a suspended game. Suspended games resume at the exact situation and point of time in the game when the umpire stops play. If both teams agree in writing to the division administrator the suspended game can be determined a complete game with the final score being the actual score when the game was suspended.

3 Home team gets their choice of benches. The Home team is responsible for determining if fields are playable prior to the start of a game. The visiting team must be contacted a minimum of two and one half (2 ½) hours prior to the scheduled start of a game if the game is to be postponed due to inclement weather or unplayable field conditions. Each team is responsible for keeping their own score but scorekeepers should verify scores with each other during and after the game. Extra innings will be played to break a tie. If both teams agree and inform the umpire as such, the umpire can end the extra inning game as a tied score complete game. All regularly scheduled league games will be scheduled to be played on Sundays. The managers of the two opposing teams may mutually agree to reschedule any game. The home team is responsible to change the schedule on the website, only after the visiting team confirms via documentation his agreement with the new date and time. Double headers may be required to make up games or during playoffs or for a Mid Season Classic (Sunday single games for 7-8 and 9-10), times to be determined based on field availability, however the default start time for regular season games will be 1:00 pm. If games are played following one another on the same field, the second game will begin 15 minutes after the completion of the first game, or at the scheduled start time, whichever is later. Forfeit time is fifteen minutes after the scheduled starting time, determined by the umpire. An eight (8) to nine (9) game schedule is planned with an optional Mid Season Classic, format to be determined. All registered teams qualify for the Mid Season Classic, fees included in registration fee. Each team will supply one new baseball to begin each game and any additional ba1ls that are needed during the game will alternate between home and visitor. The 7-8 & 9-10 age group will use Official Little League Baseballs; the and age groups will use Pony League Baseballs or equal. Each team is responsible for keeping its own score. The home team's league contact person or team manager is responsible for determining if fields are playable prior to the start of a game. Teams and umpires must be contacted at least two hours prior to the scheduled start of the game if the game is to be postponed due to inclement weather or unplayable field conditions exist. 2. UMPIRES The home team is responsible for obtaining the services of an umpire(s) and schedule the umpire for each regular season home game. Every effort should be made to have a qualified adult umpire for each league game, if both teams agree two umpires may be utilized. Both teams will equally split the cost of paid umpires. If no umpire(s) show up for the game, every effort should be made to find adequate officiating in order to play. Teams may reschedule as a last resort with the consent of both managers. (See previous section 1.) If the umpire does not show up and both managers agree, the manager or coach may umpire from behind the pitcher, each team should alternate complete innings or evenly shared groups of innings. This alternative umpiring task should be performed with good sportsmanship and no disputes for decisions of any kind are permitted by anyone; spectators, players, coaches, and the manager. The agreement by the managers to proceed with the game under these alternative umpiring procedures eliminates any ability to file a protest or request a forfeit. The BCML is responsible to arrange and schedule umpires for the BCML mid-season playoff or tournament games. Both teams are responsible to split the umpire fees, the BCML is responsible to schedule the umpires.

4 3. TEAM ROSTERS It is the team and organization s responsibility, manager or organization travel coordinator, to comply with the BCML roster rules and policies. Failure of the manager or travel coordinator to be forthwith or withhold information from the BCML officials may result in the suspension of the team manager. Ignorance of the situation is not a defense or excuse, seek clarification if you have any doubt. B Division All B Division players MUST REGISTER AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN AN APPROVED in-house Program to be eligible to play in B division games. Maximum of 2 Club Team, (MABA Fulltime, Metro) spring players are permitted on each B division team fall roster. Special consideration can be used for teams playing up. Any non-a BCML division in-house player within the same organization can be brought up to the B team roster for any game, phone notification and approval by the division administrator required. A maximum of three call ups allowed per player, the third call up required permanent roster addition of that player. The initial rosters must be posted on the BCML website by the first scheduled game. A maximum of 15 players allowed on the roster. Website roster access for team manager will be closed after the 2nd game, division administrator access required for changes after the 2nd game. No changes will be allowed to your roster after the 2 nd game, except for injuries or circumstances that would reduce the roster below 12 players. The division administrator must approve exceptions. Failure to submit a roster prior to the first game will constitute the suspension of the manager until the policies are satisfied. NO EXCEPTIONS; NO EXCUSES ACCEPTED. Players must play in 50% of your scheduled games to be eligible for the optional end/mid-season classic. A Division It is NOT a requirement for A division players to have played play in-house, during the spring. Any team associated with an established baseball organization is permitted are encouraged to participate in the BCML A division fall program. Any B division player within the same organization can be brought up to the A team roster for any game, phone contact notification and approval by the division administrator required. A maximum of two call ups allowed per player, the second call up requires permanent roster addition of that player. An initial rosters must be posted on the BCML website by the first scheduled game. A maximum of 15 players allowed on the roster. Changes will be allowed to your roster thru the season but not during the playoffs or tournament. The division administrator must approve any additions or changes once the playoffs or tournament begins, no exceptions.

5 Failure to submit a concise initial roster by the first game will constitute a suspension of the manager until the policies are satisfied. NO EXCEPTIONS; NO EXCUSES ACCEPTED. Players must play in 50% of your scheduled games to be eligible for the optional end/mid-season classic. MABA teams and other club type organization teams are encouraged to participate in the BCML A division Fall Program. 4. TEAM BINDERS Each team is required to have and maintain a team binder with all required documents available for inspection. This binder must be available at each game and must be presented if requested by the umpire or if the other team has a question of player eligibility. It is the team manager s responsibility to make sure the information on the website matches the information in the binder. Team may provide player ID cards, at the team s cost, these will be accepted in place of a birth certificate once the card information is approved by the BCML, all other binder documents are still required Binder must consist but not limited to the following: 1) Official BCML team roster (current printout from the BCML website) 2) Copy of insurance policy with additional insured adder per rule F.8 of this document 3) Copy of parent medical waiver form for each player, includes age verification by parent 4) Contact information for the BCML division administrator & division administrator. 5. PLAYING RULES: Field: Pitching distances will be 40 feet for 7-8; 46 feet for the 9-10 A&B age group; 50 feet for the A&B age group, and 60 = 6 for A&B age groups if 90 diamond is not available. Distances between the bases will be 60 feet for 7-8 & 9-10 A&B age group; 70 feet for the A&B age group; and 90 feet for A age group unless 90 diamond is not available, 80 feet if 90 not available. Teams may agree prior to the game to modify these distances due to field limitations. Home team gets their pick of bench. Pitching: The pitching week is from Monday thru Sunday. Managers are required to advise the opposing manager of the innings pitched in the current week by any pitcher when requested. Any game in which a pitcher is found to be in conflict with the following pitching limits will be considered a forfeit, ruling should be made by the umpire the day of the game as a result of a protest by the opposing manager. The BCML website has recommended pitching safety documentation for the manager and parent to utilize when considering the safety of their player or son/daughter. B Division Pitchers who hit two batters in one inning or 3 in a game must be removed from the mound and cannot pitch again in that game for all age groups. Allowable innings for B division are as follows: 7-8 4/week /week /week /week A Division Allowable innings for A division are as follows: /week /week /week

6 Base Running: The stealing of bases is allowed in all age groups, except 7-8. In the 9-10 A&B age divisions, the runner may not leave the base until after the pitched ball has crossed home plate. Therefore stealing after a walk and before the ball is pitched to the next batter is prohibited unless there is a play on another runner prior to the next pitched ball. In the A&B and A&B age groups the runner may lead off from and steal any base. 7-8 division will not utilize the pitchers hand rule stopping all base runners. These rules allow the base runner to advance only one base on any over throw or combination of over throws, no matter if it goes out of play or not..any thrown ball. Example of 7-8 over throw ruling: runner on first and the batter hits the ball to the short stop who throws to second base, the ball is missed by the second baseman and goes into right field. The runner coming into second base is permitted to advance to third base at his own risk and the batter after reaching first base can advance to second base at his own risk. Subsequently, if the right fielder throws the ball to third base and the third baseman missed the ball the runners can not advance any additional bases, even if the ball goes out of play. After an over throw and the runner(s) have reached the next base, safe or not, the play is dead for all 7-8 game situations. Bunting: There is no bunting in the 7-8 division. All other divisions are permitted to bunt at any time. Foul bunt attempt with two strikes constitutes the third strike and the batter is out. 6. SUBSTITUTIONS: Each team will have the option of batting and substitution as follows: A. Bat 9 and field 9. Once a player is removed from the game he may re-enter the game under the stipulation in option B below. B. Bat 10 and field 9, the l0th batter is a DH (designated hitter) and cannot be played in the field. o If using option A or B starting players may be re-entered once. They must be re-entered in the same position in the batting order that they started. The pitcher must be removed on the second trip to the mound in the same inning, and cannot re-enter to pitch. Also, if a player is injured after all eligible players have been used, the team may re-enter another team member (Injury Only). C. Bat your entire roster and field 9. You would have free substitution of players, except for the pitcher. If a player is injured, leaves the game, or is ejected from the game, he will be called out. Ejections result in an out for each at bat, only one out will be called on a player removed for injury. Should a player arrive late he will be inserted at the end of the batting order. Whichever batting arrangement you decide to use, you must declare which one prior to the start of the game and may not change once the game has started. Teams may start the game with eight players and finish with eight players, all players arriving late must be entered at the end of the lineup immediately upon arrival. 7. SAFETY RULE For all age groups: A player MUST AVOID CONTACT OR SLIDE. Failure to avoid contact may result, in umpire's judgment, being called out and/or ejected from the game. 8. GAME CONDUCT

7 Unsportsmanlike conduct by players, managers and coaches will not be tolerated. Razzing of players is not allowed. The use of profanity and/or fighting among the players will result in the removal of the players involved. The throwing of equipment and/or uniform parts (gloves. hats, bat, etc.) will result in a warning being issued to the team for the first offense. The second offense will result in the player(s) being ejected from the game. Managers are responsible for their team, their conduct, and the conduct of the team's fans. Failure to control any of the above may result in a forfeiture being issued by the home plate umpire, if in his judgment he has issued the appropriate warning with no positive results. If there is an on-field dispute, only the manager or his designee as specified in the ground rules meeting prior to the game are allowed on the field (one or the other). Other coaches or parents are not allowed on the field, period! No smoking or alcoholic beverages allowed on the field, bench area, or in the stands by coaches, parents or fans. If detected and not removed immediately, forfeiture will be assessed. All ejections will be reviewed by the division administrator and commissioner to decide if the suspension is to be extend to the ejection into the next game. This rule covers all players, coaches, managers, and spectator ejections. The BCML reserves the right to ban spectators from BCML venues if they have displayed poor sportsmanship characteristics. 9. SLAUGHTER RULE A 10 run Slaughter Rule is in effect if after 4 innings for 7-8 & 9-10 (maximum runs allowed to be scored in any one inning for 7-8 division is five) or after 5 innings for or 13-14, if one team is behind by ten or more runs. The game will end at the end of the inning unless the home team is the team ahead by 10, this game will end after the visiting team has batted. If the game is suspended for any reason with one team ahead by 6 or more runs the managers may consent to end the game. The umpire must be notified as such before he leaves and he will call the game as complete. F. MISCELLANEOUS 1. UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT Members of each team must be outfitted in a complete uniform, meaning all caps, shirts and pants matching. NO STEEL SPIKES will be allowed, except A&B division. Catchers must wear a protective cup, throat protector, a catcher's mask with a cap, and use a catcher's mitt during the game and warm ups. Bat legality as indicated below: 7-8, 9-10 B, & 9-10 A 2 1/4 barrel no limitations B & A.2 5/8 barrel, no limitations B...2 5/8 barrel, -3 weight drop A & all BBCOR Standards (information for BBCOR is on the BCML website under BCML Training & Health Info ) 2. PROTESTS Every effort is to be made to resolve all protests at the game. Failure to resolve the protest must be reported to the League Commissioner within 24 hours of the scheduled start of the game. The League Commissioner will resolve the protest as he deems fit. A $30.00 protest fee must be submitted to the League Commissioner before a ruling will be given on any protest.

8 3. GAME CONFLICTS Every effort should be made to play each and every game. However conflicts and field unavailability may arise; therefore, the manager from each team should try and work out another date to play within two weeks. The league is not responsible for rescheduling missed games. All correspondence for making up games must be in the form of s that are copied to the division administrator. Note: The cancelling team is required to contact the opposing team by Thursday evening for all situations not weather related. Within 3 days of the postponement the home team must supply the visiting team 3 optional dates and times. (must copy division administrator) If the visiting team cannot make up the games on the proposed dates and time offered by the home team they will offer the home team 3 alternative dates and times. If there can be no agreement on a new date and time for the rescheduled game and the division administrator deems the negotiations fair and reasonable both teams will be awarded a no play status for that game and no points will be awarded to either team. Home teams are responsible to input the rescheduled game date and time on the website. 4. AWARDS No awards, such as trophies or plaques will be awarded for league play. Individual and team trophies, medals, or other awards for tournament division champion and 2 nd place will be awarded in each age group (maximum of 15 awards per team) 5. FORFEITS Forfeiting team must pay the total cost for the umpires. The team at the field is not responsible for paying this fee. Fee must be paid before team will be admitted into the league the following season or until fee is paid. NOTE: Any and all games not played, other than weather related cancellations, are to be reported to the division administrator. If your team reports for a game and the other team is not present and you have not been notified, contact the division administrator. 6. SCORES Scores are to be input on the website by the winning team within 24 hours of the game completion. See Forfeits above for teams who fail to show for a scheduled game. Contact the division administrator if teams are deviating from the schedule for other than weather related reasons. 7. LEAGUE MID SEASON CLASSIC A mid-season CLASSIC is planned and is optional (Final format TBD). Each team will be responsible for splitting umpire fees and supplying game balls. There will be no cost to 2012 Fall BCML Teams to enter the classic. Individual trophies for Champion and 2 nd place will be awarded in each age group (maximum of 15 trophies). The following pitching rules will apply for the Mid Season Classic: The pitching week will run from Friday to Thursday. 7/8 and 9/10B - 4 innings per week 11/12B and 13/14B - 7 innings a week Teams may start the game with eight players and finish with eight players, all players arriving late must be entered at the end of the lineup immediately upon arrival.

9 8. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS Non-Baltimore County Parks and Recreation affiliated teams must submit an insurance certificate naming the BCML, Baltimore County Parks and Recreation, and White Marsh Parks and Recreation Council as additional insured. Not applicable for teams with BCML supplied insurance. Insurance certificate with additional named insured is required prior to the first game. BCML PO BOX Nottingham, MD White Marsh Recreation Council 9033 Honeygo Blvd Perryhall, MD Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks 105 W Chesapeake Ave Towson, MD Teams may secure insurance thru the BCML if they desire, insurance information is on the website.