Jaycee-TD Banknorth Baseball League

Playing Rules – 2008

The Jaycee-Courant Baseball League will follow the National Federation High School (NFHS) baseball rules with some modifications:

TABLE A – League Modifications to NFHS Rules

#	NFHS Ref.	Subject	Prep	Junior	Senior
1.	3-4-1	Removal of pitcher after use of allowed defensive conferences	Pitcher is removed as pitcher on the 2^nd trip to the mound by a coach in the same inning; Player may not return to pitch in that game.	Same as Prep	Same as Prep
2.	4-2-4	Game ending procedure	The game will end 1) after 4 and ½ innings if the home team is ahead by 15 or more runs or 2) if the visiting team is ahead after 5 complete innings by 15 or more runs. Note – The 15-run rule applies anytime after the game progresses 4 and ½ or 5 innings as described above. The home team must complete its turn at bat in the 5^th, 6th or 7^th inning should be visitors take the lead by 15 or more runs.	Same as Prep	Same as Prep
3.	6-1-6	Pitching restriction, required rest between appearances	No more than 7 innings per week (Mon.-Sun.); 1 day rest required for player pitching less than 4 innings; 3 consecutive calendar days rest required for player pitching 4 or more innings in a game.	No more than 12 innings per week (Mon.-Sun.); 1 day rest required for player pitching less than 4 innings; 3 consecutive calendar days rest required for player pitching 4 or more innings in a game.	CT High School rule to be followed. No more than 30 outs in a 3 consecutive calendar day period.
4.	8-2 Penalty	Appeal Plays	Appeal plays for base running infractions to follow Pro-rule 7.10.	Same as Prep	Same as Prep
5.	None	Extra Hitter (EH)	An extra offensive player (EH) is permitted if declared in the lineup before the start of the game. The EH does not bat for a defensive player. A team may change the EH but cannot alter the lineup. E.g. Smith batting 5^th as EH and Jones batting 8^th as the catcher. If Smith goes into catch he must continue to bat 5^th. HS Substitution rule where a starter can return is also used.	Same as Prep	Same as Prep
6.	5-4-1f	Lineup – No. Of Players	A team with a 1) 10 player lineup to start the game (using an EH), is allowed to finish the game with a 9 player lineup due to not having any eligible substitutes (team cannot revert back up to a 10 player lineup later in the game) 2) 9 player lineup to start the game (no EH), is allowed to start the game is allowed to finish with an 8 player lineup due to not having any eligible substitutes. An out will be called each time that spot in the batting order comes to bat. A team playing with 8 players may not return to 9 players.	Same as Prep	Same as Prep

TABLE B. The following table illustrates the key rule differences between the NFHS and Pro Rules. NFHS rules emphasize safety, speed-up of game and sportsmanship.

NFHS Rule Ref.	Subject	Pro Rule Ref.	Description
1-3-2, 3,4	Legal Bat	1.10	Wood or non-wood bats permitted; For High School players participating in the League - non-wood bat will require BESR certification to be used; A bat shall not weigh less than 3 ounces less than the length. (33-inch length bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces). Junior Division -5. (Prep Division) No restriction.
2-4-3	Intentional Base on Balls	6.08a	Pitches are not required. Defensive team coach or catcher makes request. Ball is dead and batter is instructed by umpire to go to 1^st.
2-22-1	Obstruction	7.06	Always a delayed dead ball.
2-32	Illegal slide	No Rule	e.g. Roll-block, slashing above knee, pop-up slide into defensive player, slide beyond a base and make contact or alter the play. Runner must be able to contact the base.
3-1-3	Re-entry of starters	No Rule	Any starting player may re-enter once. (Cannot violate League pitching restriction – See Table above # 1.
3-1-4	Designated Hitter	6.10b	No DH permitted.
3-3-1a, 8-3-2	Fielder without ball fakes tag	No Rule	Obstruction; player/team warning
3-3-1n Penalty	Malicious Contact	No Rule	Intent to injure/excessive force; 1) by runner – declared out and ejected; malicious contact supercedes obstruction; 2) by defensive player - ejection
3-4-2	Offensive Conferences	No Rule	One per inning. Additional requests denied.
5-1-1k	Balk	8.05 Pen	Ball is dead immediately
NFHS Rule Ref.	Subject	Pro Rule Ref.	Description
8-3-3d	Fielder steps into dead ball territory after catch	5.10f; 7.04c	Ball is dead; fielder cannot throw from dead ball territory; one base awarded to runners unless fielder intentionally carries ball into foul territory – two base award.
8-4-2b, c, d, e, f	Runner shall slide or avoid contact on a force play or tag play	No Rule	Runner must slide legally or avoid contact; Penalty – runner is out for interference, ball is dead; two will be declared out on a force-play illegal slide with less than 2 out.

Other League Playing Rules

Games will begin at 5:45 p.m. A grace period of 15 minutes (until 6:00 p.m.) is allowed when a legitimate and reasonable circumstance makes it impossible for any team manager to field a team of nine players by 5:45 p.m. The umpire will declare a forfeit after 6:00 p.m. grace period has lapsed. The team with nine players will be declared the winner and receive two points for a forfeit victory.

Pre-game practice will be limited to infield and outfield practice so games will begin promptly. Visiting teams will take infield practice at 5:30 p.m. for 10 minutes. The Home team will complete infield practice by 5:30 p.m.

Three and one half innings shall constitute a regulation game if the home team is ahead; Four innings shall be a complete game if visiting team is ahead. A game called when the visiting team has scored one or more runs to tie or take the lead and the home team has not completed its turn at bat; the score shall be the same as it was at the end of the last completed inning. (Game must have progressed to a point to be a regulation game). In the playoffs Four and one half innings shall constitute a complete game if the home team is ahead.

4. The recommended baseball for the League is the R200. Each coach for each game will supply one new baseball. Additional baseballs needed are the responsibility of the home team. During the playoffs, each team will throw in two new baseballs. The home team is responsible for setting down the bases before game time. Each team should assist in retrieving baseballs.

5. The Home team is responsible for supplying a properly lined field in good condition.

6. Coaches will be responsible for calling off their own games because of rain or unplayable field conditions 1 ½ hours prior to game time. They must notify the umpires, opposing coach and the league office.

7. Playoff games postponed on Saturday in the Playoffs will be played on Sunday at 1:00 pm or later.

8. All suspended games will continue from where they left off. Games that are suspended must be reported to the league office.

9. Five Junior Division players will be allowed to be double-rostered on a Senior Division team.

10. Junior and Senior American Legion rostered players are not permitted to play JCTD Banknorth Baseball.

11. All scores of games must be reported to their supervisor in order to update the standings. Teams will be given a warning before being declared ineligible for the playoffs.

12. Teams who need to postpone games in our league in order to play games in other leagues will be asked not to sign-up in our program. Teams who are involved in Babe Ruth need to have their Districts the same week which will be left open in our program. If this cannot be done teams should not become involved in our program.

13. Head Coach in the Senior Division will be required to be in full uniform.

14. All fees are due by May 15 and are not refundable.