MAJOR LEAGUE HOUSE RULES
- Visiting team gets field for practice 30 minutes prior to the start of the game for a total of 15 minutes.
- Home team gets the field for practice 15 minutes prior to the game.
- Only nine (9) defensive players in the field; no extra fielder.
- Make-up games due to weather or circumstances will be up to the discretion of the teams involved. The Major League Coordinator, will call the coaches if a game is called.
- A pitcher can pitch a maximum of six (6) innings per week and no more than six innings in one game (starting the week of
May 25). A pitcher must have one (1) day rest if he or she has pitched two (2) innings, 2 days rest for pitching 3 innings or more. (one pitch in any
inning constitutes as a full inning). Both the Home and the Visiting Coach MUST fill out the pitching log in the concession stand after each game they play.
- The batting order will be continuous; meaning that all players must bat.
- A player must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs and have at least 1 at bat.
- Prior to May 25, players may lead as far as a chalk line (approx 8 feet) off any base. Prior to May 25, patch umpires
will provide up to balk warnings to a pitcher. After May 25, there will be no limitation for leading.
We will revisit balk penalties starting May 25. The umpire will be encouraged to provide instructional guidance to the pitcher, keeping in mind the
flow of the game. Prior to May 25, batters will not be allowed to advance to first base on a strike out that is dropped by the catcher, except for
the third out of the inning. If the catcher does not catch strike three of the third out, the runner may attempt to reach first base.
Starting May 25, normal third strike rules apply (cannot advance to first if the first two outs and first base is occupied).
- Teams may not bat around in any inning except for the last inning.
- All coaches are responsible for cleaning out the dugouts.
- All on-deck batters must wear a helmet. No one else is allowed in the on-deck circle.
- At least one (1) adult must be a base coach. Any base coach under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
- The home team must supply the game balls.
- All catchers must wear a protective cup while catching.
- The home team must supply report the results of the game on the WYB web site.
- Coaches can warm up pitchers between innings to speed up the game.
- Home Team uses the First Base dugouts.
- Only one (1) manager and two coaches are allowed in the dugout.
- Every attempt should be made to complete games within a two hour time frame. An inning may not be started after 1 hour, 50 minutes from the scheduled start time.
SPORTSMANSHIP
- Poor sportsmanship (arguing with an umpire, throwing equipment, using bad language, harassing players, etc…) will
not be tolerated. Players may forfeit the privilege to play in future
games if they become a disciplinary problem. Players and/or coaches
ejected from a game will not be allowed to participate in the next game
(league).
- Poor behavior by players, coaches,
parents or spectators will not be tolerated and can result in ejection from the
game / removal from the park.
- In the event that poor sportsmanship
rises to a level beyond the scope of the player’s coaching staff, the Major
League Division Coordinator reserves the authority to administer appropriate
sanctions.
Minor League House Rules
Interpretation of these rules and any changes to these rules
are subject to review by the Board of Directors.
All WYB house rules will supersede Babe Ruth League rules.
SCHEDULING/FIELD USE
- Game and playoff schedules are determined by the Coordinator and approved
by the Board of Directors. All games must be played according to the schedule.
- In the event of inclement weather or unplayable field conditions, the
coaches will be notified of postponement by the League Coordinator.
- In the event of inclement weather after the games have begun, it will be
at the discretion of the umpire and Field Director whether or not to continue
playing.
- Make up games due to inclement weather or any other circumstance will be
at the discretion of the League Coordinator and coaches involved.
- The visiting team will take the field for practice 30 minutes prior to the
start of the game for a total of 15 minutes. The home team will take the field
to practice 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.
GAME RULES
- The batting order will be continuous. All players MUST bat. If a player
arrives after the start of the game and is not in the lineup (or if his turn
has passed) he will be inserted at the end of the lineup.
- All players must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs and at least 1 at bat. Substitutions
are unlimited, with the exception of the pitcher.
- Runners cannot leave the base until the ball crosses home plate. Runners
are allowed to steal all bases and may score on a play from 3 rd
base.
However, only one runner per team, per inning may steal home plate
- A runner may steal on any pitch regardless if the pitch is a ball or
strike.
- Teams may not bat around in any inning, except for the last inning.
- If a catcher in on base and there are 2
outs, he or she may be substituted for by the player who
made the last out.
- A pitcher can pitch a
maximum of six (6) innings per week and no more than six innings in one game
(starting the week of May 26). A pitcher
must have one (1) day rest if he or she has pitched two (2) innings, 2 days
rest for pitching 3 innings more. (one pitch in
any inning constitutes as a full inning). Both the Home and the Visiting Coach
MUST fill out the pitching log in the concession stand after each game they
play.
GROUND RULES
- Before the start of the game the umpire will cover the ground rules with
the manager or coach from each team.
- The home team will supply the umpire with two new baseballs approved for
play in the Cal Ripken league.
- At least one adult must be a base coach. If someone under the age of 18 is
coaching a base, he or she MUST wear a batting helmet.
- All on deck batters MUST wear a batting helmet. No one other than the on
deck batter is allowed in the on deck area.
- All catchers MUST wear a protective cup.
- The official weekday game start time is no later than 5:30 pm. Game times
for Saturday and Sunday, and rescheduled games will be determined by the
coordinator. If another game is scheduled to start, then no inning shall be
allowed to start beyond the scheduled starting time of the later game,
providing the first game is an official game. Time limit for all games is 2
hours. A new inning may not be started after that point.
- No inning shall start after 8:00 pm, with the following exception: Playoff
games that are tied in an inning that would start after 8:00 pm.
- All coaches are responsible for cleaning out the dugouts.
- All complaints or protests shall be discussed with the league coordinator.
If they cannot be resolved, then they will be referred to the Game Protest
Committee (GPC).
- Players or coaches that are ejected from a game will not be allowed to
participate in the teams next house game.
Any rules not referred to here shall be in accordance with
official Babe Ruth League rules. All umpires’ decisions are final.
Rookie Division
Program Philosophy Statement
The goal of the Rookie
Division is to provide a fun and safe learning environment for kids to play
baseball. Emphasis should be placed upon sportsmanship, fair play, and
teaching kids the proper way to play the game of baseball. The program
strives to provide a positive experience for all players and parents. A mix
of practice and game time will afford players ample opportunity to implement
skills developed throughout the course of the season.
The Game
-
All games are limited to 90 minutes.
- All games are limited to 5 innings; a game may end in a tie.
- If time allows
the team batting in the bottom of the 5 th will be allowed to score
more than 5 runs until they reach 3 outs or the game is tied.
- Visiting team Coach is
the official timekeeper.
- **Note: late starting
games must end no later than 90 minutes from the scheduled
start time on Saturdays! Coaches can use their discretion on weekday
games, but the games will not go longer than 5 innings under any
circumstances.
The Visiting Team
- Listed first on the
schedule.
- Uses 3 rd base
dugout.
- Takes infield/outfield
practice 20 minutes prior to game time.
- Controls the conduct of
their own players.
- Keeps their own score.
The Home Team
- Listed second on the
schedule.
- Uses 1 st base
dugout.
- Picks up 2 game balls
from the “On Deck Circle” snack shack.
- Takes infield/outfield
practice for 10 minutes prior to game time.
- Controls the conduct of
their own players.
- Keeps their own score;
submits game highlights to league as required.
Those Permitted on Field
- Only players on official
rosters of participating teams, or fill in players from WYB T-Ball Division
(only!).
- Only one manager and two
coaches in the dugout / coaching boxes.
- Pitching Umpires
(Coaches) pitch to their own team.
- Time will only be
granted by the Pitching Umpire (Coach).
- The fielding team should
set up a coach behind their catcher to keep the game moving.
Umpires
- Home and Visiting
Coaches umpire their own teams.
- Pitching umpire (coach)
makes all calls in the field and has the final say on all calls, but can
request the assistance of fielding coaches as needed.
Playing Time
- Players will receive
equal playing time and play a minimum of three defensive innings per game.
- Players will bat through
the entire roster consecutively, game after game.
- Late arriving players
will be placed at the bottom of the batting order. The batting order can be
changed, as required.
Game Rules
- A minimum of 7 players are
required to play a game
- There will be a maximum of ten
players on the field for defense (4 outfielders).
- 5 runs or 3 outs, whichever comes
first, constitutes one-half inning. A maximum of 5 runs will be scored in any
half inning.
- After a player does not swing at 5
consecutive pitches, the Pitching Umpire (Coach) shall call balls as strikes to
encourage players to swing at pitched balls
- Pitches which are missed will be
called strikes. Likewise, foul balls will be called strikes. No balls will be
called and no walks will be awarded.
- Infield fly rule is waived and not
in effect.
- Players are not allowed to leave
bases early.
- Base runners are required to avoid
defensive players in possession of the ball.
- Bunting is not allowed.
- Base stealing is not permitted.
- Runners may advance 1 base
after an “overthrow”.
- All play ends when the ball is in
the possession of a defensive player within the defined pitching area (within 10
feet of the pitchers mound).
Sportsmanship
- Poor sportsmanship
(arguing with umpire, throwing equipment, bad language, harassing players,
etc.) will not be tolerated. Players may forfeit the privilege to play in
future games if they become a disciplinary problem.
- Poor behavior by
players, coaches, parents, or spectators will not be tolerated and can result
in ejection from the game / removal from the park at the discretion of the
team coaches.
- In the event poor
sportsmanship rises to a level beyond the scope of the player’s coaching
staff, the Rookie Division Coordinator and/or the WYB Board Member on duty
that day should be notified and will administer appropriate sanctions.
Safety
-
A first aid kit is
located at the “On Deck Circle” snack shack if needed.
-
Any incidents or
injuries other that superficial routine injuries should be brought to the
attention of the parents as well as the WYB Board Member on duty that day
and/or the Rookie Division Coordinator.
- All play is
immediately suspended and all
players are to return to their respective dugouts at the first sign of thunder
or lightning. The WYB Board Member on duty that day will advise you when it
is ok to resume the game or if the game is cancelled.
-
Dugouts Both teams are responsible to clean up their own dugout before leaving the area.
Tee Ball Rules
Tee Ball Rules
Mission:
Tee Ball is the introductory level division for Wilton Youth Baseball. All
goals at this level are centered in keeping kids
enthusiastic about baseball, learning the rules of the game,
and learning the basic skills of hitting, throwing,
catching, and running. Teamwork and sportsmanship should be
emphasized at all times. Coaches and parents are instructed
that a critical goal at the Tee Ball level should be
encouraging players to enjoy the game while preparing them
for the higher level of Rookie League Play.
-
Practices and Games
Scheduling
Games will be scheduled
by the league T-Ball Commissioner. Practices will be
scheduled at the coach’s discretion. Coaches should strive
for two to three contacts per week but no more than three
games or practices total. The Goal of the schedule once
league play starts will be to have one weekday and one
weekend game per week. An extra practice can be scheduled at
the coach’s discretion. Information regarding when and where
practices can be scheduled will be shared at the beginning
of each season by the Commissioner.
-
Rainouts
Rainouts will occur at
the discretion of the Executive Board and Town Officials and
they will contact the coaches prior to the game. Coaches
must call the league commissioner to ensure that the rainout
day has not been used. Coaches can try to reschedule games
but this may be difficult in the first year and coaches
should try to stick to 3 or less contacts per week.
-
Games
Games will be limited to
4 innings. Home team sits on the first base side. Visiting
team sits on the 3 rd
base side. No more then 5 runs per inning. Hitting team will
have a coach at 1st and 3rd base. Coaches can be any parent
or assistant coach. Fielding team coach calls outs as well
as fair and foul balls. Hitters get as many swings as needed
to hit the ball off the tee. Fielding team can place extra
coaches/parents in the outfield and at the bases to help
children with fielding (no Limits). Coaches may alter rules
at any time to help enrich the experience of any individual
player. After the 6th game, coaches are encouraged to place
their best fielders at 1st base or pitcher only one time per
game but to have them at each position no more than one time
per game. All players will bat in a rotating order. Coaches
can change the order from game to game to enhance the
experience keeping in mind that all players should get an
equal number of at bats by the end of the year. Fielder will
be placed at all the standard positions plus one extra at
2nd base. All other extra players should be placed in the
outfield. A game can be played as long as there are a
minimum of 5 infielders per team. There are 3 outs per
inning. A ball hit to the fence (if there is a fence on the
field) is an automatic double. Players advance one base at a
time. No stealing or tagging up allowed. Base runners can
not advance on balls caught on the fly. No infield fly rule.
All other normal baseball rules apply however coaches are
encouraged that ideally all games should end in a tie. There
are no triples, and home runs occur only if a ball is hit
over the fence. Essentially most hits should be singles.
Players can score from second on a double or home run only.
Coaches Pitching:
After the 6th game of the
season a coach can elect to pitch to certain more mature
players if he deems this appropriate. The player will get 3
pitches. The player can then hit off the tee if a hit is not
made. Coaches are encouraged to stop play during games to
offer strategy and coaching tips to educate players.
Winning and Losing:
Coaches should refrain
from emphasizing winning and losing but are encourage to
name rotating MVP’s after games on their own teams for
exemplary play and good sportsmanship. No player should
receive recognition more than 2 times a season and every
player should be recognized at least once. There will be no
playoffs or league champion. Scores and highlights will not
be reported to area newspapers.
Safety:
Players at bat and on the
bases running must wear helmets at all times. No spikes, but
cleats are allowed and sneakers are acceptable footwear.
Players can use their own bats with a 28oz. max. Aluminum or
wooden bats are allowed. All players in the field must have
baseball gloves.
Dispute:
All disputes between
teams should be minimal and should be handled by coaches on
the field or by the league official on site if the dispute
cannot be resolved on the field. Coaches are encouraged to
contact the League Commissioner for further clarification if
needed. All decisions by the League Commissioner are made in the best
interest of enriching player experience and the League
Commissioner reserves the right to change rules if needed