North Jersey Baseball News - Aug 29, 2012

League Philosophy: A competitive league where players develop skills and self confidence in a positive environment.

Each team must submit a completed Team Registration Form, Copy of Insurance Certificate, Complete Roster and Registration Fee prior to the first game of the season. If a team is found using players too old for the league, that team will be removed from the league. Coach's must keep a copy of all Birth Certificates.

Each Team Must submit a preliminary roster prior to the League Meeting the endure proper Division placement.

Team Composition: Players must reside in the same town or towns that feed the same HS. Certain exceptions may apply at 14u. All must be approved by NJBSL prior to entry.

A maximum of 16 players can be on the roster. If a town has teams in more than 1 age bracket, players from the younger team may play up. Players eligible for 14u in 2011 must be born January 1, 1997 or later.

• Balls: 12” yellow ASA approved leather softball. Each team supplies 1 game ball at each game.

• Bats: ASA approved with a date of 2004 or later. Use of a non-approved bat will result in the batter being called out.

• Helmets: Helmets with face mask & chin strap are required for all batters.

• 9 players in the field, if Cinderella batting – free substitution, reentry rule not in effect, substitutions need not be announced. If there are players not in the line-up, normal substitution rules apply.

• Windmill pitching is allowed. ASA rules apply. Both feet must be in contact with the rubber at the start of the pitch.

• Inning Limit. There are no inning limits for pitchers. Coaches, please be prudent with the use of your pitcher’s.

• Re-entry – Pitchers can re-enter the mound freely as long as they remain in the line-up. Pitchers are only allowed to return to the mound once per inning.

Optional Cinderella Batting: - Teams have the option to bat Cinderella or use normal substitution rules. The choice must be communicated to the opposing coach prior to the start of the game and can not be changed once the game starts. If batting Cinderella, all players in attendance bat. The additional players will be treated as EP’s and can freely substitute into the field. If a player must leave or is injured, the player is skipped in the batting order without an automatic out being counted. If a player arrives late, she is added to the bottom of the batting order as an additional EP. If using normal substitution rules, starters and substitutes may return to the game one time after being removed from the game. If a player is injured and no substitute players are eligible to return to the game, the opposing coach may select the bench player to re-enter. If one of the players in the lineup gets injured or must leave early, a bench player must be substituted into the game or an automatic out will be recorded when the players spot is reached in the batting order.

• Leading: Runner’s may lead on pitcher’s release. The runner shall be called out if she leaves early.

• Courtesy Runners: Courtesy Runners – A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time. If the team is using Cinderella batting for all players in attendance, the last batter to make an out must be used as the runner. If a team is following normal substitution rules for any players, a player that is not currently in the game must be used as the runner and a different player must be used to run for the pitcher and the catcher.

• End of Play: End of Play – The look back rule is in affect once the ball is secured in the pitching circle. If a runner is standing on a base once the ball is secured in the pitching circle, she must not leave the base or will be called out. If the runner is between bases, she is allowed one stop and then must immediately decide whether to return to the previous bag or continue on to the next bag. Dancing between bases once the ball is secured in the circle will result in the runner being called out. If the pitcher leaves the circle, fakes a throw, or throws the ball in an attempt to make a play on the runner, the ball is again live and the runner’s actions are unrestricted.

• Continuance: If a batter is awarded a base on balls, she may continue to second base even if the ball is secured in the circle. However, if the ball is in the circle, the runner must continue to second base without stopping. If she stops after touching first base without a play being made on her, she will be called out. Again, a fake throw constitutes a play.

• Game length is 7 innings. Mercy at 12 runs after 5 innings (4 ½ innings with home team leading) and 8 runs after 6 innings (5 ½ innings with the home team leading) unless the coaches want to continue to time limit.

• Time Limit. No new inning after 2 hours from the start time. A new inning officially begins as soon as the third out is recorded in the previous inning. Please choose an official time keeper (usually the umpire) prior to the game. Regular season games can end in a tie. Playoff games must go to completion. Unless sufficient notice is given (minimum 24 hours), a team must be able to field 8 eligible players by game time. There will be a 15 minute grace period. If a team does not have enough players after 15 minutes, that team forfeits.

• Weather or darkness – If a game needs to be stopped due to bad weather or darkness prior to the 1 hour 45 minute no new inning mark, it should be considered complete if 4 full innings have been played (3 ½ innings if home team is leading). If the game gets stopped prior to 4 innings being completed, it must be started from the beginning at a later date.

Standings will be posted on www.njbsl.com. The winning coach should report the score

to Peter.Festa@xerox.com. The point system used for the standings will be 4pts = win, 2pts = tie, 1pt = loss. In the case of a forfeit, the winning team will be awarded 4pts and the losing team (who forfeited) will not be awarded any points. It is important to play all your scheduled games.

The home team is the host team must secure the umpire for regular season games and initial rounds of the playoffs. Umpires should be carded. The umpire will be split by the teams at each game. Due to blackout dates and field availability, teams may not have an equal number of home and away games. Therefore, the home team must pay the umpire half the fee and the visiting team must pay the umpire half the fee for each game. Please check the umpire fee in advance as some might be higher than others. Umpire fees are typically $50.00 per umpire per game. NJBSL has an umpire service on the web-site. Please make sure the umpires hired for your home games receive a copy of the rules in advance and know what age group they will be working with. Please do not argue with the umpires over judgment calls. If you believe a rule has been interpreted incorrectly, please call time out and have a conference with the umpire and the opposing coach to review the rule. Once reviewed, the umpire has the authority to reverse the call or let it stand. As with the judgment call, the umpire’s decision is final.

If a coach, player or fan is ejected from a game it is an automatic 1 game suspension. Once ejected, they must leave the complex immediately. Watching the game from the parking area will not be permitted and will result in a forfeit by their team. If this happens a 2nd time they are suspended for the remainder of the season. Failure to adhere to the ejection and suspension rules will result in a team being removed from the league. Coaches are responsible for their players and fans behavior. All cheering should be in a positive manner.