North Hills Athletic Association

2009 NHAA Baseball Rules

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  Beginners League

 

Instructional League

 

Minor League

 

Bronco League  

NHAA has been discussing switching to Bronco League rules now for 6 years, and we have decided that 2008 was finally the time.  We're happy to report that the Coaches, Parents, and most importantly ... THE KIDS feel it was a great success.
We believe it’s the next step in the progression of baseball for the players.  Here is a comparison of all the baseball age levels and how Bronco fits within the natural progression. 

(click to enlarge)

As you can see from the charts above, Bronco fits well into the overall progression of baseball, as the kids grow and mature. 

In addition, the kids are now be allowed to take leads on the bases, pitchers are taught how to “pitch from the stretch”, and batters are permitted to use "big barrel" bats.  We feel that this all translates into more action on the field.

 GAME PRELIMINARIES

• Weekday games will begin at 6:00 pm.  Weekend games will begin according to their scheduled time, or 15 minutes after the prior game finishes.
• The away team will use the field 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.  The home team will use the field up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.
• Each team must have 9 players to start a game.  A 15-minute grace period (15 minutes after the game’s scheduled start time) will be given to a team with less than 9 players.  If a team still has less than 9 players after the grace period expires, that team will forfeit.
• It is permissible to call-up Minor League players if a manager cannot field a team.  The following restrictions apply:
• A Bronco League player will NOT sit while a Minor League player plays in the field.
• Minor League players must play right field and bat in the last position.
• If 10 players are present and one is a Minor League player, he is not permitted to play.
• Minor League players may not be inserted into a game after the 1st pitch.
• The commissioner of Bronco League - not the managers – will call the Minor League call-ups.
• If a team is reduced to 8 players due to injury or ejection, play can continue.  The open position in the order will be an automatic out.  If a team is further reduced to 7 players, the game is suspended and will be resumed later. 

GENERAL PLAYING RULES 

• A regular game will consist of 7 innings.
• Each player must play a minimum of 4 innings on defense.  There is free substitution on defense except for the pitcher.
• No batting out of order will be charged due to an injury.  An injured player can return to his original position in the batting order and his position on the field.
• Courtesy runners are permitted due to an injury only.  The courtesy runner must be a player not in the game on defense.  If a team has no reserves, the player who made the last out will be the courtesy runner.
• Managers and coaches are permitted to coach bases – not players.
• If a coach or manager touches a runner with the intent to assist or restrain a runner, that runner is out.
• A base runner must go back to the base he is occupying when the pitcher has the ball an is in contact with the pitching rubber.  The pitcher may not use the rubber to stop play already in progress.
• The infield fly rule will be enforced.
• Catchers are not permitted to talk to batters for the purpose of distraction or intimidation.
• Slug bunting is NOT permitted.  If a batter does attempt to slug bunt, the batter is out, the ball is dead, and all runners return to the base they last occupied.  Contact does not need to be made.
• Base runners are encouraged to slide at all bases.  There is no penalty for incidental contact or accidental collisions.  Contact with the intent to injure will result in an out and ejection from the game.
• The first accidental throwing of a bat constitutes a team warning.  The second throwing will result in an out, and all runners must return to their original bases.
• There will be continuous batting.
• A batter may run to first base when a third strike is swung at and missed by the batter but is not caught, provided first base is unoccupied. A batter who does not realize his situation on a third strike not caught, and who is not in the process of running to first base, shall be declared out once he leaves the batting area surrounding home plate.
• Any player or coach may call a timeout. However, granting of the timeout is at the umpire’s discretion.

PITCHING RULES 

• Pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than 6 innings in any one-calendar week.  A calendar week is from 12:01 a.m. Monday to 12 midnight the following Sunday.
• Pitchers shall not pitch in more than six (6) innings on the same calendar day.
• A manager must pitch an 11 year-old for nine outs per week.  The only exception being if a team is only scheduled to play one game within a week.
• A pitcher pitching 4 innings or more in a game must be given at least 40 hours rest prior to pitching again.  Example:  A pitcher pitches 3 complete innings and 1 pitch in the 4th inning on Thursday at 6:00 pm.  He is not permitted to pitch again until Saturday at 10: am.
• Once a pitcher is removed as a pitcher, he cannot pitch again in that game.
• As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter, the pitcher shall be considered as having pitched in one inning.
• A pitcher is allowed a maximum on 5 warm-up pitches between innings.  If a relief pitcher comes in “cold”, the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up properly with at least ten (10) warm-up pitches.
• Balks will not be called.  However, an umpire may warn a pitcher if his motion is not consistent with a normal pitch motion and delivery.
• Use of an illegal pitcher (over 6 innings for week or 4 innings pitched with less than 40 hours rest) will result in a forfeit.  Each manager has the sole responsibility to adhere to this rule.
• A manager or coach must replace a pitcher on the second (2nd) trip to the mound in a half inning.
• Intentional walks are prohibited.
• A pitcher hitting 3 batters in the same inning must be immediately removed from the game as a pitcher.
• Both managers must call in or email their scores and their pitching innings after each game to the Bronco League commissioner within 24 hours.  Both managers must also report any Minor League call-up players used to the Bronco League commissioner.  Failure to adhere to these rules will result in a forfeit.
• Catcher is not allowed to catch more than 5 innings in one game. 

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT  

• All Bronco League players must be in full uniform, including their hat and matching team socks. Managers are strongly recommended to enforce this rule in its entirety. 
• Minor League call-up players are to wear their Minor League uniform. 
• Hats are mandatory for all defensive players.  Only NHAA approved hats may be worn. 
• All catchers must wear a cup as well as a full protective mask/helmet combination. 
• The home and away managers are both responsible for all equipment, field liners, drags, tees, rakes, shovels, etc.  Any lost equipment due to not locking gang boxes, batting cages, or dugout doors will be the financial responsibility of BOTH managers of said game.  NHAA will pursue restitution by all means to recoup funds for lost or stolen equipment.
• “Big Barrel” bats are permitted. However, restrictions of 2-3/4” diameter (max.) and differential of 8.5 (max.) applies.
    

DISCIPLINE 

• Unsportsmanlike conduct, including vulgarity or violence directed at another person by a manager, coach, or player will result in immediate ejection from the game by the umpire without warning.  This behavior is subject to league discipline and suspension.
• The league has the right to suspend a player, manager, or coach for repetitive unsportsmanlike conduct.  This suspension requires the unanimous approval of the President, the Director of Baseball, and the league Commissioner.
• A manager has the right to request a suspension of a player to the Commissioner.
• Intentional throwing of a bat, helmet, or glove by a player will result in an automatic ejection from the game by the umpire.
• Tobacco and alcohol are NOT permitted on or near the field at any time.

SUSPENDED OR POSTPONED GAMES 

• The home team has the responsibility of assessing field conditions prior to the game.
• The home manager must call the umpire in chief and visiting manager 1 hour before game time when possible to report a rainout.
• A rainout, suspended, or postponed game will be rescheduled by the commissioner.
• Once the game begins, the umpire has the responsibility to call a game due to darkness or inclement weather.
• A regulation game will be declared when:
• 5 innings have been completed.
• The home team has scored more runs in 4 or 4+ half innings at bat than the visiting team has scored in 5 complete half innings at bat.
• If a game is called before it has become a regulation game, the umpire shall declare it a postponed game.  All innings pitched count towards the total pitching innings for the current week.
• A postponed game must be played over in its entirety.
• If a regulation game is halted by the umpire due to inclement weather or darkness, the score reverts back to the last complete inning and the game is over.  Example:  The home team is ahead 4-5 after 5 complete innings.  The visitor score 2 runs in the top of the 6th to make the score 6-5 in the visitor’s favor.  The game is then called due to rain or darkness.  The score reverts back to the score at the end of the 5th inning and the home team wins the game 4-5.  If this situation results in a tie, the game will be resumed at the top of the next inning with the score tied.
• If a regulation game ends in a tie, the umpire shall declare it a suspended game.
• Suspended games must be played from the exact point of suspension.  The exact batting order as well as the exact defense must be used when the suspended game is resumed.  Players that were not present for the suspended game are permitted to play in the game, but must bat last in the line-up and play right field.

PROTESTS 

• No protest can be submitted on a judgment call.
• A protested game must be played to its completion once the protest is recorded.
• If the protesting team wins the game, the protest is dropped.
• Any protest due to misinterpretation of a rule must be submitted to the commissioner within 24 hours.
• Before ruling on a protest, the commissioner must contact the umpire, both managers, the Director of Baseball, and the President.
• The protesting manager must inform the opposing manager and the umpire that he is protesting the game at the time of the dispute.  At that time and prior to the next pitch, the protesting manager must have the umpire sign his name in the scorebook and underline a description of the dispute.
• If a protest is upheld, the game will be treated as a suspended game and resumed from the point of protest.
• All protests will be decided by the commissioner.  The commissioner’s decision is final!

PLAYOFFS 

• All teams in the league will participate in the playoffs, regardless of their regular season record.  A team’s playoff seeding will be decided by their regular season record.  Playoff pairings will differ each year based on the number of teams in the league and the numbers of divisions the teams are divided into.  The #1 seed will always play the lowest seed in the 1st round unless the #1 seed receives a bye.  After each round, the remaining teams will be re-seeded.  This means that the highest remaining seed will continue to play the lowest remaining seed throughout the playoffs into the championship game.  In certain instances (i.e. a league with one division and either 5 or 9 teams), the 1st round of the playoffs may consist of the two lowest seeds playing to determine which team will face the #1 seed in the 2nd round. 
• The start of the playoffs will constitute a new pitching week.
• The pitching rules for the playoffs are the same as for the regular season.
• In the event of a one-game tiebreaker, all innings pitched will be subject to regular season pitching rules and will count for the week in question.
• Managers must report their pitching, Minor League call-ups, and scores to the commissioner that same day of the playoff game.

MISCELLANEOUS RULES 

• Playing field
• Distance between bases: 70 feet
• Pitching distance: 48 feet
• Home plate to center of second base: 99 feet
• 10-Run Rule:  If a team is leading an opponent by at least 10 runs after five or more complete innings have been played or after four and one half innings if the home team shall have a 10 run lead at the end of its fourth inning, or before the completion of its fifth innings, the game shall be terminated and the team in the lead shall be declared the winner
• No game shall begin after 8:30 pm, no inning shall begin after 2-hours of game play, and no inning should begin after 10:15 pm
• Players or adult volunteers who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting, abusive language or similarly derogatory activity may be suspended for one or more games.

GAME PRELIMINARIES