HSYAA (Heath Sertoma Youth Athletic League) Official

Hoback Baseball Bi-Laws 2017 Season

Prepared for:

HSYAA (Heath Sertoma Youth Athletic

League)

Hoback Park Governing Body

Heath, OH 43056

Revision History

Date Version Description of Revision 8/2016 0.0 After Season Review, Open Invite @ BW’s lessons learned session

1/27/17 1.0 First Review Based Upon Board Meetings held at BW3’s end of

2016 – clearly communicated, open invite

1/29/17 1.1 Additional Verbiage Added, Draft #1 Complete and passed to

review panel of immediate baseball board of 2017

2/3/17 1.2 Revision Approved. Content Merged and Formatted.

2/9/17 2.0 Signed Off and current amendments Sealed

2/26/17 2.1 Timeline for decisions, assistant callouts, draft process

clarifications

3/1/17 2.2 Dead Ball clarifications

3/3/17 3.0 Revision Approved. Content Merged and Formatted.

3/5/17 3.1 Drafting Procedure Additions, Equipment Commitment, Veto

and Vote Procedure, TBall Team Clarifications

3/6/17 3.2 Hoback Board Meeting recap Amendment

3/13/17 3.3 Contracting Division Approved

3/15/17 4.0 Rules approved by Hoback Board. Sealed for the 2017 Season

Explanation of Information

All rules and assumptions indoctrinated are a product of collaborative board and committee

meetings to best facilitate and govern the entity of Hoback Park and any other affiliations or

organizations as described. No single persons shall have the right to change or modify hence

forth.

HSYAA BASEBALL RULES These Local Playing Regulations replace Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Little League Rules, pages 1

through 18 entirely. Section 3 shall govern except where conflicting with the Local Playing Regulation.

Official Little League Rules Reference: http://www.littleleague.org/

ALL DIVISIONS Baseball Board Decisions Commitment Any decision properly escalated to the baseball board shall receive an acknowledgment of further

discussion pending or approval within 72 hours of the filed question/grievance to the requestor.

Conflict of Interest

Any decision making party may recuse themselves or collectively be excused from any single

decision should a conflict of interest or personal investment be cited. This is left to the

discretion of the immediate governing council (Chairman, Commissioners & Baseball Board)

HSYAA Commitment for Equipment Pre-T Tee

Foam Bat

12 Tennis Balls

T-Ball Baseball Tee

12 TBalls

Pups Catchers Gear (Shins, Chest, Mask)

12 Baseballs

Score Book

o Coach Responsibility:

Pitchers Mask

Catcher’s Glove (usually child provided)

Farm Catchers Gear (Shins, Chest, Mask)

12 Baseballs

Score Book

o Coach Responsibility:

Catcher’s Glove (usually child provided)

Varsity Catchers Gear (Shins, Chest, Mask)

12 Baseballs

Score Book

o Coach Responsibility:

Catcher’s Glove (usually child provided)

Tournaments

Pups Tournament Date shall be weekend before 4th of July hence forth.

Farm Tournament Date shall be Memorial Day weekend with Memorial Day as the

makeup day

Varsity Tournament Date shall be 3rd Week in April

Game Play

The league shall, at least ten days prior to the first regular scheduled game, establish the

number of players on each team. Each team shall have no more than fifteen (15), nor less than ten

(10) players. The head coach must, at least five days prior to the first regular scheduled game,

register their team roster with the league commissioner.

Each player must be placed in the batting order and play at least 6 defensive outs.

In no instance will a new inning be started after 1 hour 45 min of play. The inning must be

completed unless the home team goes ahead or is ahead in their time-at-bat. Tie games will be

played at a later date as scheduled by the Baseball chairman.

Players participating in team games will be team personnel only and must be listed on the roster

of their respective team.

League games shall consist of ten (10) players. The tenth player must be placed in a defensive

position that places him in fair territory in the outfield (must be in the grass until the ball is

pitched). A team must have a minimum of nine (9) players to start a game. If a game is in progress

with nine players and a player is injured and cannot play, the game can continue with eight (8)

players. When the batting position(s) comes up unfilled there shall be an out called regardless of

the number of outs obtained.

Run rule is 15 runs after four innings and 10 runs after five innings.

Any fair fly ball that is deflected by power lines shall be called a Home Run (diamond 3).

While batting, a team may only have 2 additional players on the field (excluding batter &

baserunner(s)) – one on deck, one in the hole.

Player Call Ups Calling up a player: A player may be called up from the younger league.

When calling up you must call up a player who is at his/her last year or a second year of play at

that level and from their feeder team, example, a varsity coach must call up a 10 year old, or a

nine year old in there 2nd year at that level from within its feeder team, this is the age at the time

of sign up, not at the time of the call up.

Only call up a player if you are going to be short enough players that you can not field a team. If

you are a varsity coach and you have 10 players and you know that one is not going to be there

you still have nine, enough to field a team. Do not call up a player.

When a player is called up that player must play in the outfield and be at the bottom of the

batting order.

If you call up a player and your regular player shows up you must play your regular player 1st,

your call up can play the last 2 innings. The player being called up must go in for the player that

he was called up for.

In an effort to track call ups please inform the commissioner of who you called up.

If you show up on game day and you are short on players (no one told you that they would not

be there) then you may use any Hoback player from the next level down to play for you, for

example: a varsity coach needs a player at the last minute, the is no way to call up a 10 year old,

he has a player that has a 9 year old brother, the brother may play that game.

Any coach abusing this rule (at the discretion of the commissioners and chairman) will be

considered a Violation of Code of Conduct for Coaches and will be subject to being removed

from coaching.

Request for Players to Move Up a Division The following procedure dictates how a child may move up a division:

1. The child MUST attend tryouts for the current division they WANT play in

2. The child must be evaluated the same as all others

3. A panel of no less than 5 persons, including the Chairman, Commissioners & persons of

the Chairman &/or Commissioners choosing will privately discuss and must come to a

unanimous decision for the request to pass.

4. The panel will only respond a “granted or denied” response and shall not offer any

additional information, especially anything pertaining to votes and private discussion.

Should the request be granted, they must enter the draft and follow all procedures just as a new player

would.

Base Running

If the orange double bag is used at first base, the defensive player must be touching at least a

portion of the white part of the base to record the out. The orange part is for runners ONLY.

3rd Base Stealing for Farm and Varsity

Once the runner makes an attempt back to 3rd base the play is then called dead. There is

NO ‘dancing’ or baiting the pitcher.

Batting If a player bats out of order, and the opposing coach/bookkeeper catches it, the spot in the order

is out, not the batter.

players can be added to the batting order until they have batted around. At that point the lineup

is considered sealed for the duration of the game (suspended or otherwise). The coach may

alternatively add the player to the lineup, taking an out every time the absent batter is up.

Late players may only enter the game at the beginning of a new inning (batting or outfield)

There is a 5 run rule limit for each inning except for the last inning and any inning after if the

game goes into extra innings. All players at the game will be placed in the batting order. The

batting order shall remain the same for completion of the game. If the time limit is reached and

the umpire determines that an inning before the 6th inning is the last inning, the run rule does

not apply.

Weather Delays Rain delays shall be added to the end of the original game start time.

During any Rain or Thunder Delays, all persons are asked to exit the park to their cars. Coaches

are responsible to shelter any child without parental supervision. No child shall be touching any

fences.

If a game in progress is called because of rain before the completion of four complete innings or

the home team is ahead at the bottom of the 3rd, play will resume on another given day, exactly

where the game was called off. The game will be considered a suspended game at this point.

Coach Commitment

Practices

Pre-Season Coaches will uphold all practice times allocated by the park up to 4 times maximum per week.

Coaches will uphold all practice times allocated by the park a minimum of 1 time per week.

In Season Coaches will uphold all practice times allocated by the park a minimum 1 times per week.

Tournaments

Coaches shall utilize all funds allocated and contribute in all opportunities for the team mandated

by the Board.

Exceptions apply on a case by case basis at the discretion of the commissioner and team culture.

Hit Sticks No hit sticks shall be permitted during game play. They must be used outside the home run

fences.

PUPS DIVISION Pups teams will be organized into the same type of league as their parent club and will play an

organized schedule of games.

At no time will a pup’s team have on the field of play during a league game, more than eight

players who are league age of eight years.

No nine and ten year olds (league age) shall be carried on pups

In all cases, pup team games shall consist of regulation six inning games, time permitting. Games

must go four innings, except for ruling under time constraints.

Pitchers must wear a face mask or a batting helmet with face mask while on the field of play. This

does not apply to coach pitchers.

When the ball is in play a runner may advance to the next base at his/her own risk. With every

overthrow the runner may go just 1 base.

If the ball is overthrown at one base and the runner advances, and there is no attempt at the next

base and the ball is returned to the pitcher, in the pitching circle, the play is considered dead with

the runner staying at that base.

If the runner has stopped and is not making an attempt to the next base, but is off the base and

the ball is returned to the pitcher the play is dead and the runner must return to that base. If the

runner is making an attempt to the next base and the ball is returned to the pitcher the runner

may advance to the next base at his/her own risk and then the play would be considered dead.

(Do not over analyze this umpires and coaches need to interpret intent of the base runner, there

is a difference in a runner’s actions when waiting to "see what happens" vs "taking off" to gain an

extra base.)

If a player gets hit in the hands and hits but does not run due to injury the pitch will be replayed

Halfway Marks (Pups)

Field will be marked with a “Half-Way” line between 1st-2nd, 2nd-3rd, and 3rd-Home.

Past halfway point in baseline at DEAD BALL – Advance

Prior to halfway point in baseline at DEAD BALL – Retreat to previous base

Any advancing baserunner is live and may be tagged or forced out by defense

Any retreating baserunner at dead ball may retreat back to previous base without being tagged

out

If runner is retreating during live ball, runner is live and may be tagged out by defense

Lead Base runner on bases loaded determines Halfway.

If bases are not loaded, individual base runners determine halfway

Upon a fair play hit ball, there is no limit to the amount of bases allowed (follow halfway rule if

necessary)

Dead Ball Play is dead when the ball is in the infield with control or an attempt to the pitcher has been

made by an infielder.

if an outfielder gets the ball, they must throw to an infielder.

o *ii. if an infielder gets the ball (within the infield), they must attempt a throw to the kid

pitcher

Should a child throw to the coach, the coach must make an attempt to catch it. If a coach ‘ducks’

a throw, that will constitute an immediate warning.

the child pitcher must have one foot in the circle

Any attempt to throw the ball back to the pitcher in the circle, or to the coach, whether caught or

not, is considered to be a dead ball. The runner stays at that base until the next play.

Any ball that leaves the field of play or is deemed “out of play” by umpires

Coach, or any team member not active (bench or otherwise) or spectator comes in contact with

the ball

Coach Pitcher Rules: Pitcher (coach) will throw from 46ft, with one foot on the rubber.

Batter will receive a maximum of 5 pitches. In those 5 pitches, the batter will either put the ball in

play, strike out on 3 missed swings, or strike out if the 5th pitch is not put into play.

Balls and strikes will NOT be called by the umpire

If the last pitch is fouled, another pitch will be allowed.

If a batted ball hits the pitcher (coach), the ball is dead and a single will be awarded to the batter,

and all forced base runners will advance 1 base. If the pitcher (coach) purposely interferes with the

batted ball, the runner will be called safe and awarded the base. The coach will receive a warning

If a batter is hit by a pitch, a base will NOT be awarded, but the pitch does not count against the 5

pitches.

Player or coach injury will stop runners and will stay or advance based upon the half way line.

FARM DIVISION No eleven and twelve year olds (league age) shall be carried on farm teams.

The play is dead when the pitcher is on the rubber.

Infield Fly Rule applies in the farm baseball leagues.

VARSITY DIVISION The play is dead when the pitcher is on the rubber.

Re-entry Rule: A player in the starting line-up who has been removed for a substitute

may re- enter the game once, in any position in the batting order, provided: 1) the

substitute has completed one time at bat and; 2) has played defensively for a minimum

of six (6) consecutive outs.

Infield Fly Rule applies in the varsity baseball leagues.

Drop 3rd Strike Rule The batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by an umpire is not caught,

providing (1) first base is unoccupied or (2) first base is occupied with two out

PITCHING For the 1st inning, and any time a new pitcher is on the mound they may have up to 7 pitches for

warm up, in the 2nd inning or any inning after a pitcher has pitched the pitcher may have up to 5

warm up pitches.

A pitcher must be replaced if he hits 2 batters in the same inning or 3 batters in a game.

If a pitcher is removed from the mound, even if he/she is placed at another position, he cannot

return to pitch in that game.

Violation of any pitching regulations shall result in automatic forfeiture of the game in which the

violation occurs. NOTE: The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher, after he/she announced, (or takes

his warm-up pitches) but before he/she has pitched, shall not be considered a violation of the

playing rule. Association officials and head coaches are urged to take precautions to prevent

protest. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified

immediately. NOTE: It is not the umpire’s responsibility to rule on this situation on the field.

Innings pitched in games declared “No Contest” shall be charged against the pitcher’s eligibility

for that week. Example: Pitcher A pitches two innings on Monday. Game is called at the beginning

of the third inning and declared “SUSPENDED GAME.” Pitcher A is charged with two innings for

that week.

No player brought up to an older team may pitch.

Varsity pitching limits are 85 pitches per day then the pitcher must be pulled from the mound.

Farm pitching limits are 75 pitches per day then the pitcher must be pulled from the mound.

Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI (c) for his/her league age while

facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until that batter reaches base or is put out.

It is the HOME TEAM book keeper’s job to keep track of the current pitch count for both teams.

REST REQUIEREMENTS If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. If

a player pitches 41-60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.

If a player pitches 21-40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed. If a

player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed.

Any coach not following the required days of rest will be warned on first offense then removed

their after.

PLAYERS As of the 2017 Season all players in course shall be grandfathered in regardless of age to finish

the entire progression from T-Ball to Varsity if the player adheres to the following:

Stays at HSYAA without interruption or suspension for each season hence forth

If any interruption occurs (such as taking a season off or participation at a different

organization and returns) the player will then be treated as a new player and must

adhere to the current age restrictions and regulations.

To be eligible (placement or try-out) for baseball, a boy must be of a certain age for each division

of Pups, Farm, and Varsity. The age groups in each division are:

Pups division is for seven and eight year olds, according to the official Little League Guidelines

Farm Division is for nine and ten year olds, according to the official Little League Guidelines

Varsity Division is for 11 and 12 year olds, according to the official Little League Guidelines

Little League Guidelines

Little League International Board of Directors voted in August 2015, moving the date

from December 31 to August 31

Association shall not accept as a candidate or continue as a player any boy participates in another

organized baseball program.

If a team head coach loses one of the players on his/her roster during the current season through

illness, injury, change of address, or other justifiable reasons, he may obtain another player

through the Player Agent to replace the one lost. The playing ability of a boy shall not be

considered a justifiable reason for replacement.

Should a head coach lose a player by reason he/she is entitled to the first option on that boy

should he later become eligible to play.

BROTHER / SISTER OPTION To be declared a “brother option,” a boy must have a brother/step-brother already playing on a

competitive team.

All brother options “MUST” be taken. If age difference is two years or more, brother option does

not apply.

All option players “MUST” be declared prior to the start of the draft.

Exercising the brother/sister option does not count as a draft pick.

ALL STARS

Team & Coaches Each division shall have 2 teams, separated by age.

Head coaches will nominate kids

A tryout shall be held with all coaches in attendance

Any regular season head coach may volunteer to coach the All-Star team

Immediately after the tryouts, head coaches will collectively decide on the players

A silent vote will be held, per division to determine the head coach. Coaches may only volunteer

& vote from within their division

The head coach may pick their assistant

In the event of a tie, both coaches will share responsibility

All-Star Child/Parent Requirements

For a child to be eligible they must meet the following requirements:

Ability to attend all practices and tournaments.

Parents may be called up to donate no less than 2 hours of time to aid in All-Stars in exchange for

the waiver of additional fees. Volunteer Opportunities shall be determined at the time of

execution.

HSYAA All-Star Responsibility HSYAA will supply an amount of $300.00 per team. The coach has discretion which vendor the

check is to *be made out to. Any remaining balance owed to vendors and/or money due for

tournaments will be paid *by the coaches through sponsorship.

Feeder System Feeder team mappings will retain original alignment as participation allows. Mappings will be

inherent and revisited (when needed) by all Commissioners and the Baseball Chairman if

clarifications and/or decisions are necessary. A vote by Commissioners and the chair shall make

any final decisions if needed.

Conduct of Coaches Any Negative comments both verbal or on any Social Media platform will not be

tolerated. Yelling at umpires, coaches and parents will not be tolerated. Umpires will

issue 1 verbal warning then the coach will be ejected from the park. The coach will then

serve a 1 game suspension (the immediate following game the coach is not permitted in

the park). Upon return, if the coach has any other altercation the coach will be removed

for the remainder of the season and banned from coaching for a term lasting 1 year.

No derogatory chanting is allowed. It is the responsibility of the coach to control his

team (and parents to the best of your ability). If the umpire deems the chanting

derogatory, the umpire can issue a warning to the head coach. The Coaches Code of

Conduct discipline will be enforced if further action is required by the umpire.

Coaches / Players Re-Entering the Draft

All Divisions

When ample participation numbers allow, teams may be formed and coached under the

following:

A single coach may take any coach of his choosing; meaning a maximum of 2 individuals

may coach together when entering the division from Tball for the duration of the

division. Once a child reaches the conclusion of a division, this rule must be reassessed.

If there are not enough participants to warrant a new team (in the circumstance where

two individuals want to coach a team), coaches must be drafted into each team, meaning

no two people can move together – everyone must be drafted.

Should a 2nd year coach of Pups or Farm League lose all assistants in his second year,

the coach may select a single assistant from the upcoming group (any player not already

currently within the same division) to help assist so they are not left alone. The same

rules and actions shall be followed as if the coach was a first year.

A coach may not choose an assistant who’s child has already played in a division for a

year and has elected (and been approved) to re-enter the draft.

Any player that was removed or re-entered the draft from a team may not rejoin that

same team.

Farm

All players entering this division must be drafted into a team. Should there be enough

participation to warrant an expansion team, the coach(s) must petition the board for a

new formation of the team, and at the discretion of all Commissioners, the chair and

immediate governing council (chairman’s decision if anyone else is brought in) to

provision the expansion team.

Varsity

All players will move up from their mapped teams following the instantiated Feeder

System.

Re-Entering the Draft

Players (and coaches) may not re-enter the draft unless the following scenarios are met:

The parent has explicitly expressed intent to the league Commissioner prior to the current

season’s ending dissatisfaction or an appropriate grievance or conflict warranting the change.

This is not limited to an altercation or malicious action, civil disagreements will be met and

judged on a case by case basis as the immediate governing council (Commissioners & chairman)

see fit.

Coaches without Children

Prevision for a head coach without a child on the team- If a head coach is approved by the

commissioner and present in the league without a child that coach must start from the Pups

level and advance through the divisions as if the said coach has a child. The coach must advance

after two years in each division, starting at the Pups level, through the Varsity level. The coach

will be allowed to start back at the Pups level if a team is available for him to coach. This

encourages familiarity with the kids and reinforces the purpose of the feeder system.

Prevision for an assistant coach without a child- An assistant coach without a child can

be an assistant as long as the head coach and commissioner has approved said coach as

an assistant. This coach, with commissioner approval can be an assistant coach with

different teams from year to year and is not required to advance through the divisions

like a head coach.

Definition of without a child- The coach has no son, daughter, step-children, niece,

nephew, cousin and significant other’s child. If any of these are identified at a later date,

the said coach can be removed from coaching immediately and The Code of Conduct

discipline will be enforced.

DRAFT PROCEEDURE Player Draft

Pups and Farm Commissioners will create a draft board (Pre-T, TBall & Varsity do not

draft)

Returning players are automatically placed on the same team as the previous year and

accounted for in team player totals (if you have 6 returning players and have enough

kids in league for 11 man rosters, then only need the draft 5)

coach's son(s) not drafted in first year at any level that a draft occurs (they are also

accounted for in team total)

Each coaches child on a team will constitute as an automatic draft pick and counted as a

returning member. The team will still get a first-round pick of the age, they will then be

frozen to account for the coaches son

A brother option will be treated as a coaches son.

last place team in standings of previous year gets first pick of the draft

picks go in inverse order of standings. Last team to pick in first round gets first pick in

second round and goes back through the order to draft (snake draft)

if there are enough kids at each level (determined by Commissioner), the older kids are

picked first (if not then open draft)

any child who does not attend the tryouts/evaluations will be a hat pick according to age

and will be placed after all kids are drafted in that age group

all coaches at draft will have a sheet to fill in picks, but a master list is kept by the

commissioner of that level to refer back to only in case of a disagreement

Draft sheets are to be kept private and only viewed by coaches and the board

all coaches are responsible for calling their own kids after the draft is complete (within 3

days)

Practice Time Draft

Divisions start oldest youngest: Varsity, Farm, Pups

Order determined by actual standings from previous year (1st place picks 1st time/day)

After all 3 levels pick their first time/day, then it goes back up (snake style- pups, farm,

varsity)

Age Accountability Procedure

Eligible Children for the draft will be pooled by age, chosen oldest to youngest

Any team exceeding the amount of the team with the lowest number of players in that

age group will be frozen until all teams are equal.

Should an age group run out of eligible players prior to equal distribution, the next team

in line to pick will continue the draft: The order does not reset for each age, the draft is

continuous until completion

Hat picks shall be last picked within their age group

PRE-T & T-BALL Team Formation

No draft rules are exercised. To be eligible for a custom team, the following must be satisfied:

All parties contact information must be presented in entirety to the T-Ball

Commissioner ASAP.

o Parent Name, Child Name, Phone number***Tied to the participant

First Come, First Serve with the only restriction being that kids / teams equal out

across the entire division.

Maximum teams of 11

A head coach must be identified for groups of 6 or more

RULE CLARIFICAITON OR MODIFICATION REQUETS BY NON-BOARD MEMBER

Should any individual request clarification or want a modification of the rules, the following

must be satisfied:

o Notification of immediate Commissioner

o A written, fact based documents that can be reviewed by the baseball board

citing at least one specific example of intent and suggested rendition

o The Rule shall be slated for discussion when the following years talks begin

Rules may be established mid-season if the motion is a perceived necessity, elevated and passed

by a 60/40 majority of the entire Hoback Board and the consent of the Part President.

The Baseball Chairman may veto a rule passed by the majority vote of the Commissioners with

approval of at least one Sertoma member on the baseball council

The Commissioners can overturn a rule rejected by the Chairman by a Unanimous vote

with approval of at least one Sertoma member on the baseball council

The Park President can veto a rule passed by the majority vote of the Baseball Board

with approval of at least one Sertoma member on the baseball council

The Baseball Board can overturn a rule rejected by the President by a Unanimous vote

with approval of at least one Sertoma member on the baseball council

Baseball Board = Chairman, Commissioners & at least one Sertoma Member Advisory Council

Contracting a Division

At times it may be required to contract a division and teams due to lower than expected

numbers. The board and division commissioner will decide on the number of teams to field per

division based on the number of players signed up for each division. If the numbers don’t

support the number of teams from the previous year, the division will need to be contracted to

support the number of players. The team(s) that will be eliminated will be based on the lowest

number of players returning to a team. Ties will be broken by whether a coach is returning or

not. If there is still a tie, the board will have the final decision. The goal is to have the least

impact on the division.

What happens when a team is contracted?

- Any returning players on the contracted team(s) will be placed back into the draft to be

selected by a new team.

- Any coaches will be eligible to be selected by an existing team and shall be treated as a

child/coach entering the division for the first time.