2009 IthacaCal Ripken Rules
2009 Babe Ruth league, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations and Official Playing Rulesshall be used as the basis for all league play. Included in these rules are Cal Ripken mandated administrative rules highlighted below. These items appear on pages 5 thru 16 of the Rule Book; also included are local league and tournament special rules and regulations on pages 16 thru 20 both are highlighted in Section A. Official Baseball Rules not applicable to the Cal Ripken Division are listed on page 20 and included under Section B. Local League Options are permitted; those adopted by the Ithaca Babe Ruth League are listed in Section C. The Ithaca Babe Ruth League, Inc. mandates the administrative rules listed in Section D. below.
Section A.
• Only eight 12 year-olds are permitted on a local league team. (0.05)
• No Leading (p. 12)
• A pitcher can pitch a maximum of six innings per week. One pitch thrown counts as an inning see 0.06 Pitching limitations for complete rules.
• Protests will be decided by the Cal Ripken Protest Committee. (0.08)
• Re-entry is allowed ( See Local Rule 4 and 5)
• Batting Helmet for bat-boy and players in coaching box, on-deck, at bat (p. 17)
• Catcher’s head-gear required when anyone warms up pitcher (p. 18)
• Catcher’s head-gear, a protective cup, chest protector and shin guards are required for catchers
• No metal spikes (p. 18)
• 2nd trip to mound in one inning requires removal of pitcher (8.06)
• Contact rule—runner must slide or otherwise avoid contact with a fielder covering a base or home plate.
• Balk rule—the ball is dead, umpire will warn the pitcher, if the pitcher balks more than two times in an inning the Umpire will have the pitcher removed.
Section B.
• No advancement by batter on a dropped third strike (p. 20)
• Playing Rules 5.09h, 6.09b, 7.04d and 7.07 do not apply
Section C.
•No inning shall start 2 hours after the official start time.
•10 run rule – game is terminated once becoming regulation if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs, both teams have equal at bats, or the home team leads
Section D. Local
1. Minimum of 8 players required to start a game.
2. Each player on time to the game (or with an excused tardiness) must play 2 innings in the field in a 6 inning game. Coaches are encouraged to ensure participation for all players.
3. At the outset of each game, each player present will be entered into a team’s batting order, and, with the exception of late arrivals, no change or substitutions may be made to the batting order during the game. Players will come to the plate according to the initial batting order regardless of whether or not they are currently occupying a defensive position. If a player does not come to the plate, according to the initial batting order, then the player is out of the game and can not return. Players whose tardiness is excused by their coach will be added to the final position in the batting order when they arrive.
4. Anyone in the batting order is considered an “active” player and, consequently, is not subject to any entry/reentry restrictions for defensive play. The exception is the pitcher position where entry/reentry restrictions do apply as stated in the Babe Rule rulebook.
5. A pitcher who hits 2 consecutive batters or three batters in a game will be removed as a pitcher.
6. If a player throws his bat, the ball is dead; the batter is out for interference. If the same batter throws his bat again in the same game the batter is ejected.
7. Head coaches are responsible for the behavior of asst. coaches, players, parents and fans. After a warning from the umpire, failure to control inappropriate behavior will result in forfeit. If both teams are behaving inappropriately a double forfeit will be called. Both teams lose. IBRL has zero-tolerance for inappropriate behavior
8. The Umpire will after a single warning, eject any head or assistant coach who violates the code of conduct. The league VP of Cal Ripken, VP of Babe Ruth and League President will review all ejections and issue suspension if necessary. Any coach suspended during the season cannot coach a summer team.
9. Each Head Coach shall hold a parents meeting to inform parents and players of the rules and expectations of behavior at games and tasks which need to be accomplished. IBRL is a volunteer organization-- game day field maintenance clean-up and other tasks need parent participation.
10. Home team keeps the official scorebook
11. Home team provides game balls
12. Home team occupies the first base line
13. At Field 8, home team prepares the field for play and repairs and rakes the field after the game.
14. At the Town Field, the home team prepares the field for play and repairs and rakes the field after the game. The visiting team checks the toilet rooms before the games and cleans them after the game.
15. Each team will be allowed equal time for infield practice ( 5 minutes) and cooperate by alternating batters during pre-game batting practice.
16. Only practice field available at CassPark on Thursdays and Sundays during April is Field 8.
17. Gum, sunflower seeds and any other food or beverage that leaves behind residue are not allowed in the Town Field dugouts and stands.
18. No Player may pitch for more than three innings in any one game.
If a player throws one pitch in a particular inning, that inning will count towards the limit of three innings.
19. Each Cal Ripken team will consist of a maximum of 12 players. Any player registering after the draft may be added to a team, in draft order, until each team has 12 players.
20. The league VP may consult with umpires, if requested on official rules and local rules and assist in making final decisions during games.
As of March 26, 2009