UNION COUNTY BABE RUTH LEAGUE

LOCAL LEAGUE RULES

1. Prep only 2-1/2 hour time limit. No new inning may start after 150 minutes from game start time based upon the head umpire’s time. Exception – Five (5) inningsmust be complete, unless the home team is leading after 4 ½ innings. All ties must be played until a winner is determined regardless of the time limit.

2. No Designated hitter.

3. No automatic intentional walk, you must pitch to every batter.

4. Ten (10) run rule after 5 innings.

5. Extra hitter option. If used, must be started at the beginning of the game and listed on the regular batting order.  The EH must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game. All ten must bat and any 9 must play defense. Defensive positions may be changed but the batting order must remain the same. The EH may be substituted for at any time. The substitute must be a player who has not yet been in the game. The starting EH may re-enter one time.

6. Courtesy runner for the catcher only when two (2) outs is optional. The runner

must be a player not in the lineup. If only 9 players, courtesy runner will be player who made the last out.

7. Ejection of players and coaches – Ejection of either will require a on (1) game

suspension (the next game played by the team). Umpires who eject a player or

coach, must file a written report with the President of UCBR within 24 hours for

review. The report should include all game conditions as to inning, outs, bases

occupied by runners, and any other factors. The reason for the ejection must be

clearly stated.

8. Rain outs and re-scheduling of games – Only way to change a game is for a

school function-rain out or death. The game must be made up on the next available field date in the same week. If because of your field not being available

during that week, we will move it to another field. You will still be the home team. All game changes, whether it be a rain out of school function have to go through Dennis Baucom, that way only one person will have to do and call everyone. If it is a rainout and both teams are at the field then go ahead and

reschedule and notify Dennis.

UCBR RULE CLARIFICATIONS

Contact Rule

             If any runner attempting to reach a base or home plate intentionally and

maliciously runs into a player with obvious intent, he will be called out on the play and

ejected from the game. If a defensive player with or without the ball makes intentional

or malicious contact with any runner returning to or leaving a base, then he shall be

ejected from the game.

             This is an umpire judgement play. In plays where contact might occur, the

Runners should slide if close enough to the base. (see rule 706B note).

Half swing appeals

              If called a ball, the appeal is automatic if requested by the defensive team.

              If called a strike, there is no appeal.

Award of bases – ball thrown into dead ball territory

              Pitcher, in contact with the pitching rubber, throws a ball into dead ball territory,

one base is awarded.

              Any fielder does the same, the award is two bases.

              Key – First throw by an infielder 2 bases from the time of the pitch.

                         Second throw by an infielder or first throw by an outfielder, two bases

                         from the time the throw was made.

Obstruction

              The act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, and not in the act of

fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. Umpire’s judgement as to where

the runner is placed. Umpire should signal this with an extended right arm during the

play.

Offensive interference

              An act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or

confuses any fielder attempting to make a play.

Defensive interference

              An act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.

Infield fly rule

               First and second must be occupied by runner and less than two (2) outs. Any batted ball in fair territory which could be caught by an infielder (including pitcher) with normal effort. Batter is out and there are no force plays.

Appeals – must be made with ball in play.

Warm up between innings

                Pitchers are allowed a maximum of 8 pitches or one (1) minute for warm up

between innings. In an emergency, incoming pitchers are allowed what ever warm up pitches deemed necessary by the plate umpire.

Pitching-

       Pitching week runs Monday thru Sunday. If a pitcher pitches four (4) or more innings in a game, then he must have two (2) calendar days rest. Example – if he pitches 4 or more innings on Saturday, even though the week starts over on Monday, he can not pitch again till Tuesday, which he would then have 7 innings left for that week.

between innings. In an emergency, incoming pitchers are allowed what ever warm up pitches deemed necessary by the plate umpire.