Games will be played according to the Baseball Canada Rulebook unless superseded by these League rules:
1. What we are About: Please understand that this ERRBL is a recreational level league. It is the intent of those that established this league to provide an environment for young players to extend their opportunity to play baseball, and as such it is first and foremost very important for all involved to understand that theses rules have been developed to keep the spirit of the game in mind. It is a must that all coaches demand a good sportsmanship attitude from their players towards other players, coaches, and umpires.
2. Game Start Times: All games will start at 6.30 p.m. with no new inning to start after 8:30 p.m. (official time is determined by the umpire’s watch). The umpire may extend the ending time of a game if the game started late. This start time will change to 7:00 pm for all June games to allow more time to get to games (more daylight). The guide is that no new innings are to start after two hours of play. This is particularly so, when more than one game will be played that day (double header). If the weather is nice and both teams agree to play a little longer to finish off the innings, and it is the only game that each team is playing that day, by all means proceed. All Playoff games will have a 2 ½ hour time limit.
In the case of bad weather, all teams are to expect to play unless otherwise notified. A decision on whether or not a game will be played must be made by 5:00pm of the game day.
3. Minimum players: To keep in the spirit of good sportsmanship and to maintain the intent of this league all games will be played even if one team is short players. If a team has less than 7 players, that team will forfeit the opportunity to win the game. It is however our intent that the other team will then lend players to even up the two teams and a game will be played anyway and umps will be paid. If a team can only field 7 players the game will be played as scheduled, but again good sportsmanship must be considered. The team with more players can assist the team that is short by offering to take defensive positions for them when they are in the field, but will bat in normal order with their own team. Teams have till 5 minutes after the scheduled start time to have their players there and ready to play.
4. Pitching Limits: Pitchers may only pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game, 4 innings per day (in the event you have more than one game that day). The maximum a pitcher can pitch in any week (Friday to Friday) is 14. The Baseball Alberta Pitch Count Guidelines are not mandatory, but they are extremely recommended to be followed.
5. If the pitcher throws 1 pitch, he will be charged with 1 inning pitched whether he remains in the game at that position or not, this includes warm up pitches if the player approaches the mound.
6. Pitchers will only be allowed 8 warm-up pitches when they enter the game and 5 pitches during subsequent innings. It would be appreciated if the coaches would warm up their pitchers on the sidelines whenever possible.
7. Field Dimensions: Per baseball Canada rules.
8. Equipment: Per baseball Canada rules.
Bantam boys – permitted -3 bats only (2-5/8” barrel)
Bantam girls – may use up to a -8 bat, must be clearly identified with white tape.
Midget boys – permitted -3 bats only (2-5/8” barrel)
Midget girls – may use up to a -5 bat, must be clearly identified with white tape.
If a boy is caught approaching the plate with a bat with a higher than -3, he will be an automatic out.
If an umpire notices any player with a bat with a higher than -3 approaching the plate and it is not clearly marked with white tape, the batter will be an automatic out.
The location of the white tape needs to be just below the barrel and well above the hand grip area and needs only to be a wrap or two around. The tape needs to be clean and clearly visible.
The umpire needs to be informed prior to the start of the game, the intent to use bats with higher numbers than -3.
9. Substitutions: There are “Unlimited Substitutions” (with the exception of the pitcher) and all players bat.
A. All coaches must provide an official line-up card to the umpire prior to the game.
B. Coaches must indicate on the line-up card which players are overage.
C. Any players who will be late for a game must be listed on the line-up card prior to the start of the game.
i. They are to be placed at the bottom of the line-up and must be designated as absent.
ii. No “automatic out” will be recorded for absent players listed on the line-up card. The absent players batting spot will be skipped.
10. All base runners are permitted to lead off.
11. There shall be 7 innings per game, with 3 being the minimum required for an official game in the event of increment weather or darkness.
12. There is a 5 run mercy rule per inning. A complete inning will end when both teams have either 3 (three) outs or 5 (five) runs scored. This rule will remain in effect throughout the entire game. If after the 4th inning a team is ahead by 15 runs or more, a 15 run mercy rule will apply, with the win being awarded to the team with the higher points. If both teams agree the game can continue anyways.
A. No Open Innings
13. Umpires: The home team is responsible for having the diamond ready, umpires available and to provide game balls. If there is travel costs associated with the umpires getting to the game, this burden lies solely with the “HOME TEAM” regardless of where the game is being played. The “HOME TEAM” must ensure at least one of the attending umpires is certified. If for some reason an umpire does not show up, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is a Coach or any other non certified person permitted to umpire the game and be in charge of the play. A volunteer is permitted to umpire the bases should there be a certified umpire working behind the plate. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are we to allow anyone that isn’t registered with Baseball Alberta as a Player, Coach or umpire to be on the field.
A. Payment of Umpire Fees: The team designated as the “HOME TEAM” is responsible for paying the umpires fees. At no time is the “VISITING TEAM” responsible to pay for any umpire fees.
B. Payment of the umpires is the responsibility of each participating association. Each team should be aware of its Association’s policy on paying umpires for ERRBL games and follow those guidelines.
C. If a team is designated as the “HOME TEAM” but are playing at someone else’s field, the coach of the designated “HOME TEAM” MUST pay the umpires at the field after the game.
D. Umpire fees are $45.00 for Bantams and $50.00 Midgets for each umpire. If only (1) umpire is available 1.5 times this amount is paid to that (1) umpire ($65.00 for Bantam and $75.00 for Midget). The home team coach will pay the umpires.
E. Any mileage for umpires is calculated at $0.40/km. (See Baseball Alberta League Rules)
14. A player is not to sit more than 2 consecutive innings during the game, and no player shall sit more than two innings in a game until all players have sat at least two innings.
15. All coaches are encouraged to let the players experience playing all positions during the course of the season unless in the coach’s opinion the safety of a player is jeopardized by playing a particular position.
16. A courtesy runner for the catcher may be used when there are 2 outs in the inning, and the catcher is on base (this is designed to help speed up the game).
17. BOTH teams must call or send the scores in to Brad Wolansky by phone at 427-9009 or email at bradwolansky@baseballalberta.com prior to the following morning of the game. Please provide clearly the game number and runs for and against when calling in.
Schedules and Standings will be available for viewing on Baseball Alberta’s Web-site at www.baseballalberta.com.
18. Makeup games: Should circumstances prevent a League game from being played (per schedule), the host/home club is responsible for giving the opposition suitable advance notification for re-scheduling the game. Notification must also be given to Brad Wolansky at least 48 hours prior to the game. These games need to be made up as soon as possible, but if all efforts have been made to make the game up, but uncooperative weather etc. makes this difficult the game can be assessed a 1 all tie. The arbitration committee can make the decision to award a loss to any team that does not take reasonable steps to make themselves available to make up the game.
19. Play-offs: All teams will take part in play-offs. The play-off schedule will start on or about the last 2 weeks of June and will end on or about the end of June. Silver and Gold medals will be awarded to the top (2) teams in each division.
20. Zero Tolerance: Adhering to schedules must be taken seriously. If your team cannot make it to a game or if you are not 100% sure whether the fields are open or not, you must establish communication with the other team well in advance of anyone heading to that diamond. Teams that do not show up for games will be in violation of this very strict rule and will have their fate decided by the “Disciplinary Committee”. We do not want people traveling to a scheduled or re-scheduled game to find the other team did not show up. This could lead to an immediate removal from this league!
21. It is up to the home team to make sure that everything is good order on their diamond and that the field condition is well kept up. They must also ensure that certified umpires show up on time for games and that at least (2) new baseballs are provided for each game.
22. Over aged players: Any use of overage players is at the discretion of Baseball Alberta and must be approved. If there are any players that once playing in the league are judged to be far better than the rest of the players, Baseball Alberta may revoke his eligibility in the ERRBL. This should only be allowed when that player’s skills are such that his or her safety would be a concern playing at their correct level, or there is no where for them to play.
A. Overage players are permitted to pitch. However, overage players can only pitch 1 inning per game and only 1 overage player is permitted to pitch in any given game.
23. Respect in Sports: All head coaches for each team must complete the Respect in Sport program offered by Baseball Alberta. Failure to complete Respect in Sport by June 1st will result in coaches not being permitted on the field and/or forfeiture of games played.
24. Discipline Policy – All incidents and matters that require disciplinary action will follow the guidelines of the Baseball Alberta discipline policy.
ERRBL Code of Conduct Guidelines
For Players
· I will play by the rules of the game and in the spirit of the game.
· I will respect my opponents.
· I will do my best to be a true team player.
· I will remember that winning isn’t everything – that having fun, learning and making friends is more important.
· I will acknowledge all good plays and performances – from my team and my opponents.
· I will not ridicule or be negative towards players on my team, that of the players on the other team, other coaches or any officials .
For Coaches
· I will coach my players to play fairly and respect the rules, the other teams and the officials.
· I will ensure that all players receive equal instruction, advise and playing time.
· I will not ridicule or yell at my players performance, that of the other teams players, other coaches or any officials.
· I will ensure the safety of my players at all times, including after games. That all potential after game altercations are managed and the situation diffused in a proper and safe manner.
· I will remember that players need a coach they can respect.
· I will remember that any penalties or fines imposed on my team will be the financial responsibility of the team, not the community league or this organization.
· I will communicate any disciplinary action taken against our team to the director of my community, who will then report this information to this league’s disciplinary committee.
· I understand that unacceptable behavior of team parents, fans and supporters is also the responsibility of the coach and team.
· I will ensure this code of conduct guideline is reviewed with each player and coach and that all who are participating print their name and sign the attached sheet.
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