FOX CHAPEL AREA ATHLETIC ALLIANCE

FCAAA

“AA” DIVISION BASEBALL RULES

(9 AND 10 YEAR OLDS)

Any player eligible for “AA” Division can play in the next higher division, but cannot play in the “A” division.  Playing up a division is at the sole discretion of the manager.  Playing down (11 or 12 year olds whose parents request their child to play in “AA” Division) must be requested and approved by the Board.  The main criterion will be the safety of the players.  If decision is positive, the 11 or 12 year old player cannot pitch.

Official Little League rules apply with the following exceptions:

1.         See Pitching Rule-Attachment A

2.         See Protest Procedure-Attachment B

3.         All players on a team will bat in a continuous order in each game.  Manager selects the batting order of the entire team for each game.  Late comers are to go at the end of the batting order.

4.         A player must play at least 3 complete innings per game in the field within the first 6 innings.  The innings need not be consecutive.  Coaches are required to keep a score book in a manner which will permit verification of innings played defensively by each player.  Intentional violation of this three (3) inning minimum rule will result in a forfeit and repeated violations will result in the manager being suspended.

5.         If a pitcher hits two batsmen in one inning or 3 batsmen in the game, he/she must be removed from the pitcher’s position.  In this instance, he/she may be placed in another position in the field.  Umpire has total discretion as to removing a pitcher from the game for deliberately throwing at or hitting a batsman.

6.         A player cannot pitch more than 6 innings in a week (Monday through Sunday).  The rest rules apply during the regular season and during the playoffs, with the exception that a player can pitch 9 innings in a week, Monday through Sunday, during the playoffs, but not more than 3 innings per game.

7.         There are no intentional walks permitted.

8.         There are no balks.

9.         The In-Field Fly Rule does not apply.

10.       Teams must have a minimum of 10 players on their roster.  Any exception to this rule must be approved by the Board.

11.       Managers or coaches may coach the bases at their option.     

12.       If one team leads by 15 or more runs after the trailing team has batted 4 times, the game will be terminated and the team with the lead is declared the winner.  If the home team is behind more than 15 runs after the top of the inning, the inning should be completed.

13.       Home team manager will make the decision as to rainout by no later than 4:30 pm.  Home team manager is responsible for calling other manager and umpire.  If a decision is not made by 4:30 pm then both managers and teams must appear at the field.  Failure to field nine (9) players will result in forfeiture of the game.  Home team manager determines rainout or other decisions prior to the first pitch.  After first pitch, all game decisions belong to the umpire.

14.       If an umpire does not show up by game time, managers may mutually agree on someone from the stands to umpire the game.  Umpires shall be at least 14 years old.  As a last resort, if no one is available, managers or coaches will umpire for their own team. The Commissioner should be notified if the umpire does not show immediately following the game.

15.       Umpire problems/complaints can be brought to the Commissioner.  The Commissioner will make the decision as to whether or not to bring the matter to the Board.

16.       Any player or manager or coach involved in oral arguments and/or fighting during or after a game will be subject to discipline by the Board on a case-by-case basis.  Umpires have the right to remove unruly spectators from the game, interpreted as “the sight and sound of the field.”   Failure to leave in a timely manner may result in forfeiture of the game by the spectator’s team.

176.     By March 1^st, registrants for each organization should be submitted to the FCAAA Secretary for insurance purposes by age category per organization. By April 1^st, team rosters should be submitted to the FCAAA.  Any changes thereafter must come before the Board

18.       Managers must notify the Scheduler of any game changes or rainouts immediately by email.  Managers must reschedule and play rainouts on a mutually agreed upon date within 2 weeks of the end of the week in which the game was scheduled.  The scheduler will help provide them with dates that work for both teams and both managers need to agree on the same date.  Both home and visiting managers must make “good faith” efforts to find a mutually agreeable day and time.  When the managers have agreed, the scheduler will send an email to both managers and George Hendrickson (to schedule an umpire) confirming the new date and time and will change it in the master schedule.  If an agreeable date cannot be found, the Scheduler will reschedule the game.

1.  If one team is able to attend and one is not, the winning team gets 4 points and the loser gets zero.  The forfeiting team will be charged with a loss. 
2. If both teams forfeit, there will be zero points given to each team and a loss to each team.

19.       If in the umpire’s discretion, a base runner is attempting to proceed to any base and a play is made at the base on the runner, the runner cannot run into the defensive player.  If the player does run into the defensive player, at the discretion of the umpire, the runner can be called out.

20.       Unless otherwise noted on the schedule, games shall begin at 6:15 pm.  A 15 minute grace period shall be granted if one team does not have a sufficient            number of players.  The visiting team will have use of the field 20 minutes prior to the start of the game for 15 minutes.  Teams will exchange lineups 5 minutes, or sooner, prior to the start of the game and go over field ground rules with the umpire. 

21.       If at the end of 6 innings the score is tied, the game shall continue to a maximum of            8 innings.  If after 8 innings the game remains tied, the result will be a tie.

22.       Visiting team manager must call home team manager before 4:30 pm if he is forfeiting the game.  If he does not and the game is forfeited, the visiting team must pay for umpire fee.

23.       There is a 5 run rule per inning.  The inning is over once the batting team reaches 5 runs (regardless of the number of outs).  However, once a team reaches 5 runs, the play will continue until ball is declared dead.  This means a team can score more than 5 runs in an inning.  In the 6th inning, either team can score up to a maximum of ten (10) runs.

24.       The ball will remain live when the ball is being thrown from the catcher to the pitcher.  Stealing home is NOT permitted.  A third base runner may only advance on a batted ball.

25.       No game is to be cancelled in advance due to players being unavailable unless a team is unable to field 9 players due ONLY to a school event.  Any game cancelled pursuant to rule 24 must be reported to the Scheduler immediately.

26.       If a team is using a call-up and a rostered player shows up to give the team their minimum number of players, the call-up player will be allowed to play the same as the rostered players.

Clarification of Little League Rules:

1.         Any player who pitches 3 or less innings must have one calendar day rest before      pitching again.  (See Attachment A)

2.         A player who has pitched previously in the game cannot return to the pitching position.  (See Attachment A)

3.         Manager can protest a violation of the above pitching rules.  If the Board deems the violation intentional, the game will be forfeited for the violating team. (See Attachment B)

4.         Home team is responsible for preparing the field for play.

5.         Either team manager must call the opposing team manager before 4:30 pm if he/she is forfeiting the game.  If he/she does not and the game is forfeited, the forfeiting team must pay for the umpire fees.

6.         The following Point System will be used to determine standings:                                                      

                        Each Win= 4 Points

                        Each Loss= 2 Points

                        Each Tie = 3 Points                                                                                                                           

                       Each Forfeit= 0 Points

Attachment A

Pitching Rule

1.          If a player pitches in three (3) or less innings, one calendar day of rest is mandatory.

Example:

If a player pitches in three (3) or less innings on:     then is eligible to pitch again on:

                        Monday                                                           Wednesday                                                      Tuesday                                                            Thursday                                                         Wednesday                                                      Friday                                                                                      Thursday                                                         Saturday

                        Friday                                                              Sunday                                                            Saturday                                                            Monday                                                           Sunday                                                             Tuesday

2.         A player may not pitch more than three (3) innings in a game.  A player may pitch in a maximum of six (6) innings in a calendar week, Monday through Sunday.  Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning.

3.         No restrictions in the # of 10 year olds that can pitch in a game in a week.

            Each pitcher is limited to a total of six (6) innings within the calendar week and subject to rest periods described above.

4.         A player once removed as a pitcher may not pitch again in the same game.

Attachment B

 “AAA” Division - 11 & 12 year olds

“AA” Division – 9 & 10 year olds

Protesting Game

1. Protest shall be considered only when based on the violation or interpretation of a playing rule or the use of an ineligible player.  No protest shall be considered on a decision involving an umpire’s judgment.  Equipment which does not meet specifications must be removed from the game and shall not be the basis for protest.
2. The managers of contesting teams only shall have the right to protest a game (or in their absence, acting manager).  However, the manager or acting manager may not leave the dugout until receiving permission from an umpire.
3. Protests shall be made as follows:
   1. The protesting manager shall immediately, and before any succeeding play begins, notify the umpire that the game is being played under protest.
   2. Following such notice, the umpire shall consult with the associate umpires.  If the umpire is convinced that the decision is in conflict with the rules, the umpire shall reverse that decision.  If, however, after consultation, the umpire is convinced that the decision is not in conflict with the rules, said umpire shall announce that the game is being played under protest.  Failure of the umpire to make such announcement shall not affect the validity of the protest.
4. Protest made due to use of ineligible player may be considered only if made to the umpire before the final out of the game.  Whenever it is found that an ineligible player is being used, said player shall be removed from the game, and the game shall be continued under protest or not as the protesting manager decides.
5. Any protest for any reason whatsoever must be submitted by the manager first to the umpire on the field of play and then in writing to the Commissioner within 24 hours.
6. A committee composed of the Officers of the Board shall hear and resolve any such protest as above, including playing rules.  If protest is allowed, resume game from exact point when infraction occurred.

Note 1:  This does not pertain to charges of infractions of playing rules or regulations such as field decorum or actions of league personnel or spectators which must be considered and resolved by the Board of Directors.

Note 2:  All Little League officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protests.  When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offenders should be notified immediately.  Example: should a manager, official scorer, league official or umpire discover that a pitcher is ineligible at the start of the next inning of play, the fact should be brought to the attention of the manager of the team involved.  Such action should not be delayed until the infraction has occurred.