Tar Heel Leagues, Inc.

Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. 2006 - Official Rules Disclaimer: The print version of the Tar Heel leagues, Inc. Rule Book supersedes this electronic version. www.tarheelbb.com

Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. Invites All North Carolina Youth Leagues To Affiliate With Us For Franchise Application Blanks, Rule Books, and other information, please write to: TAR HEEL LEAGUES, INC. P.O. Box 1391 Dunn, NC 28335 Phone: (910) 892-5940 Fax:(910)892-5940 Web Site: www.tarheelbb.com 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE... 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS... 5 COACH PITCH * MIDGET * LITTLE * JUNIOR * SENIOR...- 7 - GENERAL RULES...- 7 - I - THE LEAGUE...- 7 - II - TEAMS...- 7 - III - ELIGIBLE PLAYERS...- 8 - IV BOUNDARIES...- 9 - V - LEAGUE SCHEDULES...- 9 - VI - THE PLAYING FIELD...- 9 - VII - OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT...- 10 - VIII FORFEITURE...- 11 - IX PROTEST...- 11 - X SPONSORS...- 11 - XI - MANAGERS AND COACHES...- 11 - XII OFFICIAL SCORER...- 12 - XIII GAMES...- 12 - XIV UMPIRES...- 12 - COACH PITCH LEAGUE...- 13 - Official Rules - Tournament Play...- 13 - Eligible Players...- 13 - Equipment and Uniforms...- 13 - Playing Field...- 13 - Coaches...- 13 - Playing Rules...- 13 - MIDGET AND LITTLE LEAGUES...- 15 - Official Rules - Tournament Play...- 15-1.00 - PLAYING RULES...- 15-2.00 - REGULATION GAME...- 15-3.00 - PITCHING RULES...- 15 - JUNIOR & SENIOR LEAGUES...- 17 - Official Rules -Tournament Play...- 17-4.00 - REGULATION GAME...- 17-5.00 - PITCHING RULES...- 17-3

SAMPLE LEAGUE CONSTITUTION... 19 1:00 - YOUTH BASEBALL... 19 Objectives:... 19 2:00 - LEAGUE MANAGEMENT... 19 THE PLAYER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM... 21 ROTATING NUMBER SYSTEM... 22 POINTS OF EMPHASIS... 23 LAYOUT OF COACH PITCH TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD... 24 LAYOUT OF MIDGET TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD... 25 LAYOUT OF LITTLE TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD... 26 LAYOUT OF JUNIOR TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD... 27 LAYOUT OF SENIOR TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD... 28 LIST OF FIGURES... 31 NOTES... 32 4

Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. P.O. Box 1391 Dunn, North Carolina 28335 Executive Committee JIMMY GAINES State President P.O. Box 1391 Dunn, NC 28335 910-892-5940 919-708-9058 Cell: 919-356-6422 GREG JOHNSON Vice President 1100 Eli Bowen Road Williamston, NC 27892 252-799-7173 252-792-5232 OSCAR H. PACE, JR. State Umpire in Chief 12426 Hwy. 27 W Broadway, NC 27505 919-770-1280 919-499-9971 DENNIS MAIDON Web Master 9411 Buffalo Road Clayton, NC 27527 919-819-0136 919-965-3600 GORDON HAMPTON Assistant Umpire in Chief 2992 Garnet Lane Lenoir, NC 28645 828-728-8411 828-728-1814 828-493-1374 Board of Directors District One DAVID FISHER P.O. Box 207 Shelby, NC2815* 704-484-6839 704-484-2727 District Two NELSON MARTIN P.O. Box 218 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 336-838-3359 336-667-1012 District Three HAROLD GAINES 805 Pumping Station Rd. Sanford, NC 27330 Cell: 919-353-3994 919-776-3087 District Four TERRY GILES 8070 Collier's Chapel Ch. Rd. Linden, NC 28356 910-980-0216 910-892-7171 5

District Five GARY JOHNSON P.O. Box 2344 Smithfield, NC 27577 919-934-2148 919-796-8641 919-963- 3959 District Six GREG JOHNSON 202 E. Vance St. Zebulon, NC 27597 919-269-8265 919-369-3225 District Seven STEVE BARNES 203 Fairview St. Williamston, NC 27892 252-792-8898 252-217-7217 At-Large-Member TIM COOKE P.O. Box 169 Granite Falls, NC 28630 828-396-1221 Fax:828-396-3133 Figure 1 - District Map 6

COACH PITCH * MIDGET * LITTLE * JUNIOR * SENIOR GENERAL RULES I - THE LEAGUE A - It is strongly recommended that the league shall be the only unit of organization; however, if all the managing personnel of the leagues agree, there may be multiple organizations. B - The league shall be a community project and as such, all those active in the project may make up the managing personnel. The personnel may include player representative, scorers, coaches, umpires, managers, ground keepers and all elected officers. C - The Tar Heel Leagues must be composed of from four (4) to ten (10) teams. The boundary limits shall be established by local league office and will not infringe upon another community, town, or city attempting to establish a league in the Tar Heel League program. There shall be no population restrictions. State President will have the authority to accept new leagues with less than four (4) teams. D - Several small nearby towns or communities may combine to form a league provided they meet the conditions of rule C. E - Sanction fees for all Tar Heel Leagues will be $35.00 per team. Tournament sanction fee eliminated. F - Each League must apply for sanction annually with application forms issued by the office of the State President of the Tar Heel Leagues, Inc., and must be filed not later than May 15 of the year concerned. II - TEAMS A - Each team shall consist of a minimum of thirteen (13) and maximum of twenty (20) players. The state president shall have the right to waive this rule upon receipt of letter from league requesting change. B - No Midget League team may have more than eight (8) players with a league age of ten (10). No minimum on players ages nine (9) or eight (8). The state president shall have the right to waive this rule upon receipt of letter from league requesting change. C - No Little League team may have more than eight (8) players with a league age of twelve (12) years. No limit on eleven (11) and ten (10) years old provided they do not exceed 20. The state president shall have the right to waive this rule upon receipt of letter from league requesting change. D - Leagues not having a Midget division may use eight or nine year olds. There will be a state tournament for Midget League. E - No Junior League team shall have more than eight (8) players with a league age of fourteen (14) years and each team must have a minimum of five (5) players with a league age of thirteen (13). The state president shall have the right to waive this rule upon receipt of letter from league requesting change. - 7 -

F - No Senior League team shall have more than eight (8) players with a league age of seventeen (17) years and each team must have a minimum of five (5) players with league age of fifteen (15). The state president shall have the right to waive this rule upon receipt of letter from league requesting change. G - Once a player is drafted or placed on a team, such player remains property of that team for duration of eligibility. H - All managers shall register the names of all eligible players with League office at least four days prior to the first League game. I. - Age for league purposes means "League Age which is that age" attained prior to May 1st of the season in question. (For example:) A boy who is ten years of age early in the season but who will be eleven years of age on or before July 31 will have a "League Age" of eleven. J. - Should a team lose one of the players on its playing roster during a playing season for some bonafide reason; he may add players to replace those lost by contacting the player representative. The added players shall become a bonus player and the player replaced is considered released. K. - A player must not be released for any reason between the time the League schedule is completed until the time to register for playing roster in the spring. L. - Teams may, within ten (10) days after the first regularly scheduled game, trade players. On the eleventh (11) day, all managers shall register their final playing roster with their League Office. III - ELIGIBLE PLAYERS A. - Coach Pitch - Any player whose ninth (9) birthday falls on or after May 1st of current year is eligible to compete in Coach Pitch play. A player must be six (6) years of age. B. - Midget - Any player whose eleventh (11) birthday falls on or after May 1st of current year is eligible to compete in Midget League play. A player must be eight (8) years of age. C. - Little - Any player whose thirteenth (13) birthday falls on or after May 1st of current year is eligible to compete in Little League play. A player must have a minimum League age of eight (8). D. - Junior - Any player whose fifteenth (15) birthday falls on or after May 1st of current year is eligible to compete in Junior League program. E. - Senior - Any player whose eighteenth (18) birthday falls on or after May 1st of current year is eligible to compete in Senior League program. F - Dates of birth of players shall be certified by an original registration of birth issued by a government agency, or copy or photo static copy of the original. When such documents are not available, the League President shall forward to Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. headquarters as much documentary evidence as possible. If the State President determines that such evidence is satisfactory, a statement to that effect will be sent to the League President which shall be acceptable in lieu of other records. - 8 -

G - Birth Certificates described in Rule B shall be presented to the players representative or other authorized personnel at least four days prior to the first game. H - All players must attend at least fifty (50) percent of the total sessions called by team manager in his league to be eligible for the team roster unless: Player has recently moved into community, sickness or injury. I - Any player who wishes to change leagues from one season to another must file a "Letter of Request" to League President. If approved by the League President, must be forwarded to District Director and if approved by all parties, forwarded to State President. Any player released from a league will not be allowed to return to original league. "Release forms" may be obtained from State President. All forms must be signed and approved by each League President(s) as well as each District Director(s). All paperwork must be completed prior to player(s) participating in any game. State President has authority to waiver in hardship cases. IV BOUNDARIES A - The managing personnel of each league shall determine the actual boundaries from which it will select players. B - When two or more leagues operate within a certain locale, each must have its own boundaries. Boundaries for Midget, Little, Junior and Senior Leagues need not be the same. C - When making application for franchise, a map with league boundaries must be included. When a franchise is granted, boundaries for each league will be protected for that calendar year. When changes occur, a new map must be forwarded to the league office. D - In the event a player's residence changes during the playing season, the league which said player started the season with, reserves the right to continue to use said player's service for the remainder of the current season only. V - LEAGUE SCHEDULES A - The managing personnel of each league shall prepare the regular season schedule. This schedule shall provide for a minimum of 10 games. B - Night games played under artificial lights are permissible. C - Each team must play a schedule of one game per week. A team may not play more than three games per week, in local league play. VI - THE PLAYING FIELD A-1 - Coach Pitch - The distance between all bases shall be 60 feet. The distance from the point of home plate to the front of the pitching plate shall be 40 feet. Mound is not necessary. Chalk line must go to all bases. A-1 - Midget - The distance between all bases shall be 60 feet. The distance from the point of home plate to front of the pitching plate shall be 46 feet. Playing field must have a pitching mound. - 9 -

A-2 - Little - The distance between all bases shall be 65 feet. The distance from the point of home plate to front of the pitching plate shall be 48 feet. Playing field must have a pitching mound. A-3 - Junior - The distance between all bases shall be 80 feet. The distance from the point of home plate and the front of the pitching plate must be 56 feet. Playing field must have a pitching mound. A-4 - Senior - The distance between all bases shall be 90 feet. The distance from the point of home plate and the front of the pitching plate must be 60 feet 6 inches. Playing field must have a pitching mound. B - Home plate, the pitcher's rubber, bases, batters box, coach s box, shall be the official size used in regulation baseball. This applies to all leagues. C - For other measurements of playing field see cuts on pages 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19. D - Home run distance shall be the minimum indicated on 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19. E - The 3-foot restraining line shall begin half the distance from home plate to first base. VII - OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT A - All players must be in baseball uniforms. Uniforms shall consist of cap, shirt, pants, shoes and stockings. The use of colored T-shirts of not more than two colors are permitted in local league play and in tournament play. Regular baseball trousers, cap and stockings, however, must be worn with the T-shirt. No identification may be worn to identify any other youth baseball organization. Penalty - Forfeiture of game. B - Coach Pitch Midget and Little Leagues: The bat shall be round and made of wood, or any other approved material. Not to exceed 33 inches in length or 2 1/4 inches in diameter. B2 - Junior and Senior Leagues: The bat shall be round and made of wood, or any other approved material, and shall not exceed 36 inches in length or 2 3/4 in diameter. B3 - Bat weight will not be a factor. C - Coach Pitch Midget and Little Leagues: The ball shall be of the "Official Tar Heel Leagues." Junior and Senior Leagues: The ball shall be of the "Official Tar Heel League." D - Tennis shoes or shoes with molded rubber cleats are permitted in all Tar Heel League play. Metal spikes are permitted in Junior and Senior Leagues. E - A protective helmet must be worn by all batters and must be a helmet that gives protection to temples, ears, and base of skull. Turtle shape style helmets without the ear protectors will not be approved for Tar Heel Leagues. Helmets must be worn by all base runners in local league and tournament play. F - Catchers must wear all protective equipment, masks (to include hockey style) with detachable throat protector, shin guards, chest protector, athletic supporters with protective cup and full catcher s helmets in local league and tournament play. G - Any player warming up another player in live ball territory must have a protective helmet. - 10 -

H - If a team uses a bat person, said person must wear protective headgear. VIII FORFEITURE A - A team must have 9 eligible players to start a game, but will be allowed to finish with 8 players for any reason. B - Playing ineligible players shall result in forfeiture of games in which players participated illegally. IX PROTEST A - A protest based on a play which involves umpires judgment is not permitted. His word shall be final. B - The only legal protest is one which involves a violation of playing rules or the use of an ineligible player, and is protested at time of infraction. C - The protesting manager must immediately notify the umpire he is protesting. The umpire shall announce that the game is being played under protest. D - A protest shall be considered only if it is placed in writing and submitted to the League President within 48 hours after the infraction in local league games only. X SPONSORS Teams in local leagues shall be sponsored only by those organizations or business firms whose activities or products are not detrimental to the welfare of the community youth. XI - MANAGERS AND COACHES A - Adult coaches will be allowed to coach at first and third base_ All coaches must be dressed neat and in like manner. Only adults listed on affidavit will be allowed in dugout. B - An offensive manager or coach may call time only once in an inning, and/or batter for the purpose of getting instructions from the coach. On the second time out the batter on whom the violation occurred shall be removed, and pinch hitter inserted in his place. B1 - The coaches shall refrain from calling opposing players by name; he may not commit any act of unsportsmanlike conduct or he will be removed. B2 - No person will be allowed the use of tobacco products inside the fences during play of game. C - A defensive manager or coach may request one charged conference per inning. On the second and any subsequent request, the pitcher must be removed from the mound. (This does not include a conference when the pitcher is removed.) D - The only exceptions to these rules are in case of injury, or if time is called by the opposing coach or umpire. - 11 -

E - If violations of B and C occur to the point where more than three batters are replaced or more than 5 pitchers used, game shall be forfeited. XII OFFICIAL SCORER A - Each league play shall provide an official scorer who shall keep all records as well as innings pitched by each individual pitcher. His records shall be official in the event of a question of the eligibility of a pitcher. XIII GAMES Before June 10 of the current season, Tar Heel League games must be played only between regular season teams. All Star teams must not begin practice before June 10 of current season. XIV UMPIRES A- It is recommended that 2 umpires work each game (local league). B- It is recommended that 3 umpires work all tournament games. All umpires that work District and State Tournaments must be dressed in blue shirts, grey pants and be 18 years of age. All umpires that work District tournaments must be registered with Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. All umpires that work State Tournaments must be registered with Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. and N.C.H.S.A.O.A., Baseball Division. C - Any umpire selected to work District or State Tournaments must end a Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. clinic. D - Umpires will be selected by Umpire-In-Chief at June meeting for purpose of officiating State Tournament games. Umpires not registered by June 1 of current year will not be eligible to officiate State Tournament games current year. E - Umpire-In-Chief will assign all umpires per game at each State Tournament site. F - No umpire will be allowed to officiate any game when any family member is involved. This includes District or State Tournament. G - Minimum of $30.00 per game for State Tournament. H - Coach Pitch - $20.00 per game. - 12 -

COACH PITCH LEAGUE Official Rules - Tournament Play Eligible Players Any player whose 9th birthday does not fall before May 1st of current year. Equipment and Uniforms Equipment and uniform code shall be same as for Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. Midget Division. Playing Field The playing Field shall be same as Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. Midget Division with the following exception; A. Time out will be called by official after defense has contained front runner. B. There shall be a chalked hash mark 1/2 the distance between first and second base, This hash mark shall determine whether a player may advance to the next base or return to the previous base at the time of dead ball. C. Pitching plate shall be in the center of a 12' diameter circle. Coaches Coaching rules will allow only 4 adults coaches in dugout at any time during the game. A. Offense-one coach at third base, one coach at first base, one coach pitching, and one coach in dugout for player control. B. Defensive Coaches - There may be a defensive coach on right field line and left field line, provided they stay in foul territory. Playing Rules 1. Coach must submit a batting order to umpire and scorer before game. All players must be listed in a batting order that will not change during said game. All players must bat in numerical order for entire game. In the event a player is injured (umpire will justify), scorer will be notified and said player will be out for remainder of said game with no penalty in batting order. No player shall sit in dugout two straight innings. Ten players are allowed on defense and each player must play at least every other inning in field. 2. A maximum of five runs, or three outs will constitute an offensive inning. 3. Six (6) innings will constitute a game. 4. If after four or more innings a team has a 15 run lead, game shall be called. The losing team shall have equal number of bats. 5. No team shall play more than 3 games per day in one tournament. 6. No intentional bunting is allowed. No walks allowed. Attempted bunting will constitute a strike. 7. A twelve (12) foot diameter circle is to be drawn around pitching plate. Defensive pitcher must remain inside circle until batter makes contact with ball. 8. All outfielders must be positioned at similar radius. No short fielder will be allowed. - 13 -

9. Each batter will be allowed six (6) pitches or 3 swings per bat. No limit of number of foul balls on 6th pitch or 3rd swing. 10. No head first sliding will be allowed at any base - Penalty -runner will automatically be declared out. Diving back to a base is not considered a head first slide. 11. No infield-fly rules. 12. No base stealing allowed. A runner leaving the base before the ball reaches home plate will be removed from base and an out will be declared. A delayed dead ball call by umpire. 13. Base runners that miss touching a base shall be called out by the umpire upon completion of the play. No appeals on missed bases will be allowed. Delayed dead ball called by umpire. 14. A team may have a courtesy runner for the catcher at any time. It is mandatory that the catcher be removed from base running with two outs to speed play. The runner used as a courtesy runner will be player that made last out. 15. The umpire's judgment will rule on runner s position at time of called time by either official. 16. Umpire's judgment will rule on defensive player being inside base path to call time out and either player may advance or return to last base touched when time was called. 17. Catcher must be in a squatted catcher's position and not standing. 18. Once a pitcher/coach releases the ball, he cannot be involved with coaching until time is called. There are base coaches to direct runners. Coach may not deceive defensive players to get ball thrown before time is called. Penalty: All runners return to last base. 19. If batted ball hits coach/pitcher before defensive player touches ball, ball is dead; all runners advance 1 base if forced. If coach/pitcher intentionally interferes, ball is dead, batter is declared out and all runners return to base occupied before pitch and lead runner declared out. - 14 -

MIDGET AND LITTLE LEAGUES Official Rules - Tournament Play (Any rule not specifically covered in this book will be governed by the National Federation of State High School Association (Baseball Rules). 1.00 - PLAYING RULES 1.01 - Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and reentered once, provided such player occupies the same batting position, including tournaments. Exception: Pitcher cannot return to mound; refer to Rule 3.02. 1.02 - A player must play one inning for each scheduled game (Optional Local League - will not be enforced during tournament play). 1.03 - The catcher does not have to catch the third strike. The batter is automatically out and the ball remains in play, base runner may advance at own risk. 1.04 - Once a pitcher starts motion toward home plate, pitcher has to deliver ball. If pitcher stops motion, balk will be called. 1.05 - When a pitcher is in contact with the rubber with the ball in his possession, the catcher in the catcher's box ready to receive the ball, the batter is in the batter's box, no base runners shall leave their base until the pitched ball reaches the plate. A - A runner leaving his base before the ball reaches the plate will result in a delayed dead ball being called and the runner removed and called out. B - A player failing to touch a base during a live ball situation will be called out by the umpire by sign of delayed dead ball 2.00 - REGULATION GAME 2.01-A - Midget & Little League games shall be six (6) innings unless shortened or lengthened legally. If score is tied at end of six (6) innings it shall be continued until a verdict is reached if time permits. B - Ten Run Rule: If after 4 or more complete innings a team has a 10 run lead, game shall be called. Losing team must have equal number of at bats. C - If a game is called before it becomes a regulation game, it must be replayed from the exact point of interruption with the same ball and strike count on the batter and the same line-up as near as possible. D - All tournament games must be completed (6) - innings unless home team is ahead in 5 1/2 innings or game is called at end of 4 innings because of 10 run rule. 3.00 - PITCHING RULES 3.01 - Any member of a team may pitch, however all pitchers are subject to all pitching rules. 3.02 - A pitcher removed from the mound or the game may not return to the mound in the same game. - 15 -

3.03 - As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter he shall be considered as having pitched one inning. 3.04 - A manager shall not use more than five pitchers in any one game unless game goes into extra innings. Penalty: Forfeiture - Extra innings, number of pitchers unlimited. Any exceptions to calendar week must be approved in writing to District and State Office. 3.05 - In local league play, Midget or Little League, pitchers must have 40 hours rest after pitching in three (3) or more innings, must not exceed six (6) innings per week. If pitching three (3) or more innings on Sunday, cannot pitch again until Tuesday. 3.06 - No Midget or Little Leagues Pitcher will be allowed to pitch more than 12 innings in each level of tournament play, but no more than 6 innings in one day. 3.07 - A pitcher shall be considered ineligible if he makes one legal pitch after reaching the pitching limitations. 3.08 - No protest of game in which ineligible pitcher participates will be allowed unless manager refuses to remove the pitcher from the mound when appeal is made. Penalty: Forfeiture 3.09 - Pitchers must have at least 40 hours rest after pitching in three (3) or more innings in the same game or on the same calendar date, unless suspended game. All innings are determined from the original starting time and date of game for pitcher of record. Example: Pitchers that have pitched or are pitching at time of suspension will be affected. Any pitcher entering pitching position after suspension is resumed will be determined from that time. 3.10 - The responsibility of the above rules is with the managers of the competing teams. 3.11 - All pitchers become eligible at each level of tournament play provided they have 40 hours rest. 3.12 A defensive manager or coach may request one charged conference per inning. On the second and any subsequent request, the pitcher must be removed from the mound. (This does not include a conference when the pitcher is removed.) - 16 -

Official Rules -Tournament Play JUNIOR & SENIOR LEAGUES (Any rule not specifically covered in this book will be governed by the National Federation of State High School Association Baseball Rules.) 4.00 - REGULATION GAME 4.01 - Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and reentered once, provided such player occupies the same batting position, including tournaments. Exception: Pitcher cannot return to mound; Refer to Rule 5.02. 4.02A - Junior & Senior League games shall be seven (7) innings unless shortened or lengthened legally. B - Ten Run Rule: If after 5 or more complete innings a team has a 10 run lead, game shall be called. Losing team must have equal number of at bats. C- If a game is called before it becomes a regulation game it must be replayed from the exact point of interruption with the same ball and strike count on the batter and the same line-up as near as possible. D- All tournament games must be completed - (7) innings unless home team is ahead in 6 1/2 innings or game is called at end of 5 innings because of 10 run rule. 4.03 - A player failing to touch a base during a live ball situation will be an appeal play. 5.00 - PITCHING RULES 5.1 - Any member of a team may pitch, however all pitchers are subject to all pitching rules. 5.2 - A pitcher removed from the mound or the game may not return to the mound in the same game. 5.3 - As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter he shall be considered as having pitched one inning. 5.4 - A manager shall not use more than five pitchers in any one game unless game goes into extra innings. Penalty: Forfeiture 5.5 - In local league play, Junior and Senior League pitchers shall not pitch more than seven (7) innings in one day, or more than ten (10) innings between Monday and Sunday night. 5.6 - No Junior and Senior League pitcher will be allowed to pitch more than 14 innings in each level of tournament play, but not more than 7 innings in one day. 5.7 - Junior and Senior League pitchers must have at least 40 hours rest after pitching in four (4) or more innings in the same game or on the same calendar date. All innings are determined from the original starting time and date of the game for pitcher of record. Example: Pitchers that have pitched or are pitching at time of suspension will be affected. Any - 17 -

pitcher entering pitching position after suspension is resumed will be determined from that time. 5.8 - A pitcher shall be considered ineligible if he makes one legal pitch after reaching the pitching limitations. 5.9 - No protest of game in which ineligible pitcher participates will be allowed unless manager of ineligible pitcher refuses to remove the pitcher from the mound when appeal is made. Penalty: Forfeiture 5.10 - The responsibility of the above rules is with the managers of the competing team. 5.11 - A defensive manager or coach may request one charged conference per inning. On the second and any subsequent request, the pitcher must be removed from the mound. (This does not include a conference when the pitcher is removed.) - 18 -

SAMPLE LEAGUE CONSTITUTION Optional 1:00 - YOUTH BASEBALL 1.01 - This organization shall be known as the Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. 1.02 - The purpose of this organization shall be to develop worthwhile athletic skills and knowledge through baseball activities for the youth of anywhere. Objectives: A. Develop sportsmanship - as winners and losers. B. Promote healthful interest in activities of a worthwhile nature. C. Develop character and physical efficiency. D. Develop self-reliance, courtesy, kindness, loyalty, honesty, cooperation and initiative through supervised baseball activities. 2:00 - LEAGUE MANAGEMENT 2.01 - The governing authority of Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. shall be invested in an Executive Council. The Council shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Player Representative, Scorer, Umpire-in-Chief and Team Managers. Leagues operating in cities or communities with organized recreation department, the Recreation Director shall be an ex official member of the council. 2.02 - At a February meeting, the managing personnel shall elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, etc. 2.03 - A majority of the members of the managing personnel shall constitute a quorum at any meeting and a majority vote shall prevail in all matters. 2.04 - Each League President shall rule on the eligibility of all players and/or shall pass them on to the full Executive Council for a ruling. 2.05 - The League Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings. He shall keep an accurate record of all uniforms issued and shall be responsible for collection of the league uniforms. 2.06 - The League Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all money received. He shall deposit all money in the name of and to the credit of Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. He shall disburse all money under the direction of the League President. 2.07 - The League Sponsor shall have one, or more representatives at each game. This representative shall aid in the supervision of the field, in keeping records, score of each game, in providing officials, and in other ways that promote the interest of this league. 2.08 - A team franchise shall be sold to team sponsoring organization. This franchise may be retained as long as standards are maintained as mentioned in 1.02. 19

2.09 - The finances of the league shall be directed in a way that will give no team an advantage over any other team. All the equipment in the league shall cost the same such as uniforms, etc. 2.10 - The managing personnel may form any kind of promotion organization for this league. 20

THE PLAYER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Optional A very popular system of choosing players for teams in a league is The Player Distribution System. This system works as follows: The league official shall make the announcement in the spring that tryouts will be held on a certain day at a centrally located place in the league boundaries. ALL players 8 through 17 years of age are eligible to tryout for the teams in the league provided they live within the boundaries established for the league. After each team is assigned their allotted number of players then each manager shall draw from a hat the name of the team he is to manage. Then the teams retain rights to all their players for the duration of their Tar Heel League career. If while a father is head coach, a player becomes a candidate, the coach must select his child for his team. In the event of brothers/sisters becoming candidates at the same time, they shall be selected as one player to avoid separation. (A coach may waive this rule if he wishes the other coaches to have a chance to select these players.) 21

ROTATING NUMBER SYSTEM Optional A. The league official shall make the announcements in the spring that tryouts will be held on a certain date at a centrally located place in the league boundaries. ALL players with a "League Age" of 8 through 17 years of age are eligible to try out for the teams in the league, provided they live within the boundaries established by the league. B. After the tryout period is over and all the managers have given to each child a chance to prove his merits as a player, the "Player's Representative" will meet with the managers to distribute the players to the different teams. C. Each manager will draw from a container a number depending on the number of teams in the league. Each manager will then draw a number. The manager that draws the number "one" would have first choice of any player on the field. The manager that draws number "two" would have second choice of any player on the field. The manager with number "three", "four", etc. select their choice. After all managers have made their choice the rotation would reverse. D. Each player would then become the property of the team that selects them for the duration of their Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. career. This system is indeed very popular since the turnover in managers from year to year is very high and there is not a chance of a new manager having to inherit some old managers points. Also, this system does away with the system of keeping record of points from season to season. Only the transaction of players should be recorded. E. If while a father is head coach, a player becomes a candidate, the coach must select his child as his seventh choice if he wishes to select his child for his team. F. In the event of a player becoming a candidate while his brother/sister is a member of a team in the league, he shall be placed on the team with his brother/sister to avoid separation. G. In the event of brothers/sisters becoming candidates at the same time, they shall be selected as one player to avoid separation. 22

POINTS OF EMPHASIS 1. Host teams for STATE TOURNAMENTS have option to play in District Tournament with understanding that they may only advance if they finish 1st or 2nd in District Tournament. 2. Host team to be allowed in all divisions and that team must play in game number ONE of STATE TOURNAMENT play. 3. Sanction Fees - There is only 1 fee for Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. and that is $35.00 per team. 4. Coach Pitch Division - Umpire will call time as soon as defense has contained front runner. 5. Coach Pitch - Pitcher cannot participate as a coach until umpire has called time. Penalty - All runners return to last base. 6. Courtesy runners for catcher or pitcher at any time, mandatory for catcher with 2 outs. Courtesy runner cannot be active in line-up. Expended players are eligible as courtesy runners. If a team has 9 or less players, the player who made the last out is eligible to run for catcher only with 2 outs. 7. Allow All Stars to begin practice on June 10 of current year. 8. Any coach or player ejected from game due to unsportsmanlike conduct, shall not be eligible to participate in next game of play to include next level. 9. In Midget and Little Divisions, once a pitcher starts motion toward home plate, ball has to be delivered. If pitcher stops motion, balk is to be called. 10. Age of bat person shall not exceed that of players in game. 11. General rules apply to League Play, Official Rules-Apply to Tournaments. 12. At all levels of play, catcher must wear full head protector and shall have extended throat protector. 23

LAYOUT OF Coach Pitch Tar Heel League Field Figure 2 - Coach Pitch Field Layout Bases - 60 ft. - Pitcher's Plate 40 ft. No mound necessary -12 ft. diameter circle around plate Chalk line from home to first, first to second, second to third and third to home. Hash mark halfway between first and second. 24

Layout of MIDGET TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD Figure 3 Midget League Field Layout MOUND * minimum height 8" maximum height 12" Dimensions are mandatory unless marked "Optional" 25

Layout of LITTLE TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD Figure 4 Little League Field Layout MOUND * minimum height 8" maximum height 12" Dimensions are mandatory unless marked "Optional" 26

Layout of JUNIOR TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD Figure 5 Junior League Field Layout.. * MOUND Minimum height 8" maximum Height 12' 27

Layout of SENIOR TAR HEEL LEAGUE FIELD Figure 6 Senior League Field Layout Minimum Distance Outfield Fence 285' with 8 foot fence 28

INDEX age, 6, 7, 11, 20, 21 Age, 7, 21, 22 appeal, 15, 16, 17 application, 6, 8 A B ball, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 22 base, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 22 batter, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 batting, 12, 14, 16 birthday, 7, 12 Board of Directors, 4 boundary, 6 C coach, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22 Coach, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23 Coach Pitch, 7, 8, 9, 11, 22, 23 coaches, 6, 10, 12, 13, 20 conference, 10, 15, 17 D dead ball. See Delayed Dead Ball deceive, 13 defensive, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 delayed, 13, 14 delayed dead ball, 13, 14 Distance, 27 District, 8, 11, 15, 22 E eligible, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 20, 21, 22 Executive Committee, 4 fee, 6, 22 fence, 27 F G game, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22 height, 24, 25, 26 H ineligible, 10, 15, 17 inning, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 I L league, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21 League office, 7 Little League, 6, 7, 14, 15 local, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 M manager, 8, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21 managers, 6, 7, 15, 17, 21 Midget, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 22 Minimum Distance. See Distance mound, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23 MOUND, 24, 25, 26 N National Federation, 14, 16 officers, 6 organizations, 6, 10 Outfield, 27 Outfield Fence, 27 O personnel, 6, 8, 18 pitch, 14, 16 pitcher, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22 pitchers, 11, 14, 15, 16 pitching, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 plate, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23 player, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 22 players, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22 president, 6, 7 President, 6, 7, 8, 10, 18 protest, 10, 15, 17 P R reentered, 14, 16 rest, 15, 16 rules, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22 runner, 12, 13, 14, 22 29

Sanction, 6, 22 Sanction fees, 6 scheduled, 7, 14 scorer, 11, 12 Senior League, 7, 16 State, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 suspension, 15, 16 S team, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 T teams, 6, 11, 15, 20, 21, 22 third strike, 14 time, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 tournament, 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 Tournament, 6, 11, 12, 14, 16, 22 U umpire, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22 umpires, 6, 10, 11 30

LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1 - DISTRICT MAP...- 6 - FIGURE 2 - COACH PITCH FIELD LAYOUT... 24 FIGURE 3 MIDGET LEAGUE FIELD LAYOUT... 25 FIGURE 4 LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD LAYOUT... 26 FIGURE 5 JUNIOR LEAGUE FIELD LAYOUT... 27 FIGURE 6 SENIOR LEAGUE FIELD LAYOUT... 28 31

INDE NOTES 9R- 0Mk 32