Rules - Major Boys

Brookine Civic Association recognizes all rules of play as put forth in the Official Babe Ruth rules and regulations with the following exceptions or clarifications:

Game Times A grace period of 15 minutes past the scheduled stating time will be allowed to field a complete team. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. An inning may not start 15 minutes prior to the next scheduled game. At exactly 15 minutes after the next scheduled game start time, the game must be discontinued. If there is no scheduled game following, play may continue.

Rescheduling of Games If a manager faces a situation where it is impossible to field a complete team due to unusual circumstances (i.e. Boy Scout outing, Confirmation, etc..) he may petition to reschedule. It will be the League Commissioner's decision to grant the request, based on the availability of fields and time in the schedule.

Complete Games A complete game is on that is played to a regulation seven (7) innings with the following exceptions:

A. Four (4) innings in April
B. In the event of inclement weather, five (5) innings will be considered a complete game (4 1/2 if the home team is ahead). A five (5) inning tie will stand as a tie (regular season). Games of four (4) innings or less will be replaced from the beginning an all records, including pitching, will be disregarded
C. If an inning cannot be completed due to weather (umpire's discretion) or time, the score will revert to the last full inning
D. If a team is ahead by ten (10) runs at the completion of five (5) innings, the game becomes official (4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead)

All regular season games will be played, unless the League Commissioner finds it necessary to cancel some games due to unforeseen circumstances. This must be done with the approval of the League President and Vice President of Baseball.

All games are under a two (2) hour time limit unless there is an open slot following your game.

Rain Out The decision prior to the scheduled start of the game is the responsibility of the President of Baseball or his representative. Once the game has started, it will be the responsibility of the umpire. If two teams are scheduled to play, but take it upon themselves not to play, a forfeit will result for both teams.

Equipment BCA will provide bats, balls, catcher equipment, and batting and running helmets. Shoes and gloves are the players' responsibility.

A. Catcher's masks must have throat protectors
B. Catchers must wear all equipment provided, including a cup
C. Batting helmets must be worn on the base paths
D.

Metal spikes or cleats are prohibited
E. Wooden bats are provided
F. Metal bats must have rubber grips

Players Each team must have no less than nine (9) players to start a game and no less than nine (9) at the end of the game. A manager may "call up" a player from Farm A to meet this requirement (see Call-Ups). Failure to reach these numbers will result in a forfeit.

Uniforms All players must be in complete uniform to be eligible for play. This consists of team hat, shirt and socks, along with game pants (white). Only exception is if a player arrives at game after participating in a school game.

Substitutions In every game, all players must play a minimum of nine (9) defensive outs.

Call Ups A manager may call up a player from Farm A to fill out his roster. The League Commissioner will have a printed list of eligible players for call up. The players will be selected from this list ONLY! They will be chosen in order and once selected they will be removed from the list. Once a player is selected, the League Commissioner will call both managers involved and announce the player's name. Managers have up to 15 minutes before game time to secure these players. A manager may not at any time "pick up" a player from the area around the field. A call up must play the minimum of nine (9) defensive outs. A call up may not play more time than a rostered player. No call up may pitch.

Penalty Failure to comply with these rules will result in a loss regardless of the score. Managers are to use the protest rule to report any infraction.

Legal Protest A protest must take place prior to the next pitch. The umpire must sign the score book a the point of the infraction. He must write a brief description of the action. The score book must be legible. Within 24 hours a written description must be received by the Division Director and Vice President of Baseball, along with a copy of the score book and legal ruling number.

Pitching

1. A player may NOT pitch more than six (6) innings per week when 2 games are played and eight (8) innings per week when there are 3 games played.. NOTE: One pitch in an inning will count as a full inning pitched.
2. The playing week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday.
3. Rest for Pitchers: A pitcher must have one (1) calendar day (24 hours) rest between pitching assignments if he pitches three (3) innings in any one game and three (3) calendar days (72 hours) rest if the player pitches more than three (3) innings in any one game.
4. A pitcher, once removed from the game, may not re-enter as a pitcher.
5. Hit Batsman: A pitcher must be replaced after hitting his third batsman in the game or two (2) batsmen in the same inning. He may stay in the game at another position. Relief pitchers will not be charged with the hit batsmen of the previous pitcher.
6. Balk: The pitcher cannot receive the ball while on the rubber. This applies to a ball thrown back from the catcher to the mound. Quick pitching is not allowed. Once the pitcher begins his delivery, he must follow through. If a pitcher stops his motion, a balk will be called (umpire's discretion).
7. Distractions: A pitcher may not have any distracting objects on his glove or arms. No white sleeves below the elbows.
8. Trips to the mound: A manager may visit each pitcher once per inning and a total of three (3) times per game. After that, the pitcher must be replaced. Only the catcher may join the conference.
9. A 13 year old may NOT pitch.
10. In the event of make up games (rain outs), we will try to reschedule on Sundays. Pitchers will be allowed to throw one (1) additional inning that week.
11. During interleague play, no innings will be charged to the pitchers for that week.

Batters and Base Runners

1. When a runner is running the bases, he cannot remove his helmet or tilt his head to cause his helmet to fall off. Offenders will be called out and any other runner will return to the last base touched. The ball is dead.
2. If a batter throws his bat, a team warning will be given out by the umpire. On subsequent offenses, the offending batter will be called out.
3. No leads. A runner must stay in contact with the base until the ball reaches the batter. First Offense: team warning. On subsequent offenses, the runner will be called out.
4. Stealing Bases: Once the ball reaches the batter, the base running may advance at his own peril.
5. Runners must return to base when the pitcher has the ball on the rubber.
6. Base coaches may not touch a base runner for the purpose of assisting them to run the bases. The runner will be called out, the ball is dead, and no further advancement by other runners will be allowed.
7. Slide or Surrender: A runner will be called out if he does not slide or attempt to avoid a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.
8. If a runner leaves a base early and makes the base he is stealing, he returns to the prior base. If he is out at the base, he is called out.
9. Overthrows: On all overthrows into dead ball areas, runners will be given two (2) bases from the last legally touched base at the time of the release.
10. With two (2) outs, a catcher may have a courtesy runner replace him on the base. This player must be the player who made the second out.
11. Every uniformed player will participate in the batting order.

Miscellaneous Rules

  Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
  Bunting is permitted.
  Strike outs: Batter may not run on a dropped third strike.
  End of Play: A play will come to an end when the pitcher has the ball on the mound and does not engage in making a play on the base runner.
  Coaches: Managers may name three (3) coaches.
  Playoffs: The Division Director and Vice President of Baseball will decide on the playoff format.
  Tournament: In order for a player to be eligible for nomination to the tournament team, he must have played in at least half his team's games. If a player could not participate in half the games (i.e. sickness, injury, etc..), a letter must be written to the Division Director. The determination of the player's eligibility will be a joint decision of the League President, Vice President of Baseball, and Division Director.
  Equipment: It is the responsibility of both teams to prepare the field for play and to secure all equipment at the game's conclusion.
  Field Maintenance and Snack Bar: It is the responsibility of all managers, coaches, and parents to provide volunteer help in these areas. It is the manager's responsibility to see that the scheduling for these operations is met.