Footville Winter Hitting League baseball RULES

FOOTVILLE YOUTH BASEBALL

WINTER BATTING LEAGUE RULES

Age Requirements: Footville Youth Baseball will be using the May 1 cut off date. This means that whatever age a player is on April 30, 2009 will be their age for the 2009 Winter Batting League. Footville Youth Baseball does allow players to “play up” in a higher age bracket.

Registration: Each player will need to be registered via a team roster form or an individual registration form. Any misrepresentation of a player’s age will result in total loss of points accumulated for that player and a ban from all current and future league play. Should there be an age challenge the player will have 7 days to provide a birth certificate to management.

Cost: The Winter batting league will begin January 5^th, 2009 (times TBD) and will run 10 weeks. The cost per player is $60.00. Registration and payment is due by November 15^th All registration fees are non-refundable. Make all checks payable to Footville Youth Baseball. Please PRINT the players name in the memo portion of the check.

If a player leaves the game: due to illness or injury and is not able to bat when his spot comes up in the order, the other players on that team may bat for that player.

Game Length: All games will be 7 innings or 45 minutes. No new innings will begin after 45 minutes.

Game Times: All games will start at a designated time. Any teams or players arriving late will be allowed to join the game AT THE POINT THE GAME IS AT. What this means is that if Team #1 has all of their players and Team #2 only has two players. The game will begin. The players for Team #2 will be able to bat for all players on his team. Should the player arrive they may begin play but only from the current inning on. Game time will still only be 7 innings or 45 minutes from the start of the game.

Bat Limitations: Age 12 and under have no bat limitations. Ages 13/14 bats are limited to no greater than 2 and ¾ inch barrel and 8.5 oz. drop. High School will be limited to no greater than 2 and 5/8 inch barrel and 3 oz. drop. If you believe that an illegal bat is used in a game it must be brought to the attention of the management during the players at bat or before the first pitch is made to the next batter. Should the bat be deemed illegal by the management the offending player will forfeit all accumulated points for that game up to that point in the game.

Pitching Speed: These are the set pitching speeds for the following age groups:

Ages U10 = 40

Ages U11 / U12 = 50

Ages U13 / U14 = 60

High School = 70

Home Team: Home team will be determined by schedule. The home team is the first team listed on the scorecard.

Scorekeepers: There will be one scorecard for each game which must be filled out in entirety. Scorecards are to be turned in at the end of each game. Both scorekeepers will need to work together to score the players. An example would be for one scorekeeper to write the scores while the other calls out points. Footville Youth Baseball expects that scorekeepers should keep in mind that this is a league to compete while still having fun improving your swing. Every effort should be made to make it as fair as possible. If a ball is hit on a line then the higher point should be awarded. If neither scorekeeper can determine where a hit ball went then the player will be scored one point. Should a hit ball collide in the air with another ball then the score for that hit will be one point. Each team must provide a scorekeeper for each game. Failure to provide a scorekeeper will result in a 15 point penalty for that team.

Scoring: Each player will take five (5) swings each inning with every hit receiving a point value based on where the ball is hit.
1 pt. – Half way down cage either side on line.
2 pt. – Bottom left or right rear corner on 1 bounce.
3 pt. – Bottom left or right rear cage on a line
4 pt. – Top left or right corner of cage on a line.
4 pt. – line drive up the middle of cage.

5 pt. – hit designated target on back wall of cage

Power Outage or Severe Weather: In the event of a power outage or severe weather (deemed by management) every attempt will be made to contact the players as listed on the Roster form or you can call Bill Woodstock at 608-751-7074 or Troy Aasen at 608-289-5561. All cancelled games will be rescheduled by management. If you cannot play on the rescheduled day you will receive a forfeit.

Ejections: Management reserves the right to eject any player, parent or scorekeeper who management deems unruly or unsportsmanlike. Any ejected person must leave the complex immediately. All points accumulated for an ejected player for that game will be forfeited.

Points: The winner of each game is determined by the total accumulated points for each team. Each player will get 5 pitches per inning for a game length of 7 innings or 45 minutes.

Tie Games: Any Tied games will be recorded as Ties.

Divisional Tie Breakers: At the end of league play standings will be determined by

Total Wins

Total points scored

Head to Head

Spectators: Due to limited space we request that spectators be alert and stay within the designated safe area. The only people around the batting cage area will be the players and a designated scorekeeper per team.

Scorekeepers: There will be one scorecard for each game which must be filled out in entirety. Scorecards are to be turned in at the end of each game. Both scorekeepers will need to work together to score the players. An example would be for one scorekeeper to write the scores while the other calls out points. Footville Youth Baseball expects that scorekeepers should keep in mind that this is for the kids and about the kids. Every effort should be made to make it as fair as possible. If a ball is hit on a line then the higher point should be awarded. If neither scorekeeper can determine where a hit ball went then the player will be scored one point. Should a hit ball collide in the air with another ball then the score for that hit will be one point. Each team must provide a scorekeeper for each game. Failure to provide a scorekeeper will result in a 15 point penalty for that team.

Delay of Game: Any intentional delay of game as deemed by management will result in that player, scorekeeper or team getting one warning. A second offense will result in the team getting a 25 point reduction for that game. A third offense and that entire team will be ejected and no points for that team will be accumulated for that game and it will be considered a loss.

Bats and Helmets: There are a limited number of bats and batting helmets available for use at Footville Youth Baseball. Players are encouraged to bring their own bats and helmets. Helmets must be worn at all times in the cages. No cleats or metal spikes allowed.

All teams must pick up their area (including garbage, equipment and sunflower seeds) after each game or will result in 15 point reduction

Footville Youth Baseball reserves the right to amend the rules at any time.