2015 CBL Mighty Mites Rules

Chardon Baseball League (CBL)

2015 Mighty Mites Rules

The objective of our Mighty Mites program is for the youth baseball player to expand theskills they learned at the T-Ball level. While reviewing this document, please consider that the collective goals for all coaches, parents, and players is to provide a fun, safe, and teachable environment for the kids to learn and play the sport.

Coach Objectives

Coaches should strive to teach the following skills to their players:

Fair play and sportsmanship
The correct way to hold and swing a baseball bat
The correct method of running the bases
Run toward and through firstbase as quickly as possible
How to advance in a force or non-force situation
What to do in the event of a fly ball
How to watch the base coaches
The correct method of throwing a baseball
The correct method of fielding a ground ball
The correct method of catching a fly ball
How to make outs in the field
Plays at first base
Plays at other bases in force and non-force situations
The correct way to make tags on base runners, i.e. below the shoulders
Teach players how to stop base runners from advancing on the bases

Coaches should maintain a behavioral standard:

Any disagreements between coaches should be handled as adults. Please refrain from arguing or not showing sportsmanship in front of players. If there is a disagreement on a final score or a call, present it to the director.
Unsportsmanlike conduct by any coaches or volunteers on the field will not be tolerated. The first offense will be a warning. Anything after may result in the coach or parent not being allowed on the field.

Player Eligibility

Players must be either 7 or 8 years of age by April 30, 2015 or be in the 1st grade.
The Mighty Mite Division Director or a Commissioner of the CBL will assign all players to a team using the following steps as a guideline toward prioritization:
Children of a head coach will be assigned to that same team.
Siblings will be placed on the same team.
Children of requested assistant coaches will be assigned to the requesting head coach (LIMIT: Only two will be automatically granted)
Returning players to an existing team/coach are granted priority to be on that roster.
Assignments based on age and ability may be made in an attempt to keep the teams as equal as possible.
Requests. If a player wishes to play for a particular coach, with a particular player, or at a particular location, the request must be submitted to the Mighty Mite commissioner prior to team assignments which occur immediately upon closing of registration. While the league does the best they can, requests are notguaranteed. Any requests submitted after registration closes should not even be assumed.
No player can be added to a team after the first game of the year without the consent of the Division Director or the Board of Directors.
Call ups from the CBL T-Ball program are allowed only if the Mighty Mitehas fewer than ten players available for a game. There will be a call up provided by the Division Director before the season begins.
The following restrictions are placed on T-Ball players that are called up.
The player’s T-Ball team must not have a game scheduled that evening
The player is restricted to play only in the outfield
The player must be placed at the end of the batting order

Field Set Up / Misc

Baseball bats must be 30 inches or less. The barrel cannot be larger than 2¼ inches in diameter.
Home team will be responsible for setting up the fields prior to the start of the game.
Bases are to be set at 55 feet.
A “double base” is to be used at first base (when available) in order to reduce the chance of a collision at first base.
The white base is for the fielder and should be placed in fair territory.
The orange base is for the runner and should be placed in foul territory.
Line the field with chalk. The baselinesrun from home plate to both first and third base to mark foul territory. Extend the baselines at least 10 feet past first and third base and/or to the cut of the outfield grass.
Home team will use the dugout on the third base side.
Home team will supply the game ball. The CBL supplies a reduced injury factor (RIF #5) ball. No other ball may be substituted.
Visiting Team will be responsible for dragging the field after the game.
Both teams are responsible for cleaning up the field after the game. Ensure all trash is cleared from each bench/bleacher area and placed in the trash receptacle.
In the case of inclement weather.
In the event of lightning, regardless of its distance away, play must be immediately called. If the weather clears, play may resume 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning.
The home team must call the visiting coach to make cancellation determination.
The home team is responsible to arrange a field and time to reschedule the game.
Please make every attempt to make up games as quickly as possible.
If the game is rained out, do the following steps
The home team must notify the Division Director and the League Scheduler of the rainout.
The League Scheduler will contact both coaches with potential makeup dates.
The coaches will settle on a date and contact the League Scheduler with the decision.
Please respond in a timely fashion to these requests and make all effort to reschedule the game over the next couple weeks. We do not want a backlog of games at the end of the season.
Scorekeeping during all games will be kept. The home team is responsible for promptly submitting the score. Seeding for the tournament will be done according to final standings.
There will be a single elimination Tournament with a consolation bracket at the end of the season. The Championship game will be played on Championship Day.
Field usage, i.e. practice and game schedules, should always be available on the website. On the CBL website, look under the Team Central menu for the Master Schedule spreadsheet. There should also be a worksheet include with the contact information for all Mighty Mites coaches. Use this information if you need to make up game or want to switch practices.

Game Rules

Games will be six (6) innings in length. Completion of four (4) innings will constitute a complete game in cases of darkness or bad weather.
A team’s half-inning inning will be considered complete either when the fielding team records three outs or the batting team scores five (5) runs. Any runs after the fifth will not be counted.
Regular season games can end in a tie.
Playoff games may not end in a tie. If the game cannot be completed, the game must be postponed at continued at a later date.
A team must have a minimum of eight (8) players on the field in order to constitute an official game. Fewer than eight players will result in a forfeit. A coach or player from the opposing team may fill the position of catcher but cannot make a play.
A maximum of seven (7) playersmay be in the infield at one time, including the catcher and rover.
Up to twocoaches may accompany the defensive team on the field, but they must remain out of the way of play and call the plays at second. These coaches should be positioned in the outfield, preferably behind the outfielders.
Each player must have a minimum of two (2) innings in the infield.
Infield Positions: Pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, and rover.
A player cannot play a single position the entire game, even when a team is short players. Our goal as coaches is to allow every child a chance to play every position, not to just win games.
The only exception to this rule would be in regards to a player’s safety. Such situations must be approved by the child’s parent and the CBL Board.
The Rover Position is defined as that area behind second base. This player must be at least 7 feet behind second base before the start of the play. This player may advance on the infield when making a play or backing one up. This player is not an infielder when determining a dead ball (see Rule #12).
If a coach is hit, catches, or otherwise touches the ball, the ball is dead and will be replayed.
The batting team will have the following coaches on the field:
Pitcher
First base coach
Third base coach
Bench coach– This coach at home may help position the batter and is responsible for calls at home plate as well. No one under 18 is permitted behind the plate during a game.
The pitcher will not pitch the ball until the defensive team is in position and the opposing coach has signaled to initiate play.
All umpire-related calls to be made during the game will be made by the coaches.
First and third base – by the base coach of the batting team
Second base – by an outfield coach of the fielding team
Home plate – by the pitcher or the batting team’s bench coach
Remember, the adults are on the field to teach the kids baseball and sportsmanship.
The batting team must have a continuous batting order. Any batter that is out of order is called out and will not bat until his or her turn comes up again.
EXCEPTION: If a player is injured or becomes ill during a game,they may sit out without penalty until their batting position is jeopardized. If the player cannot bat in their original spot in the batting order,the player will not be able to re-enter the game in any capacity. No penalty or out will be accessed to the team, but they will finish the game less one player.
Coaches may pitch underhand or overhand to his team during the game. Please observe a safe pitching distance. Please advise the other coach of a child that hits well, so they can make sure the infield is paying attention. We don’t want any avoidable injuries.
The batter is out after seven (7) pitches. If the seventh pitch is a foul, one more pitch will be given. After that it is an out. Please use good judgment on this.
There is no bunting, walks, base stealing, or leading off. Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit.
If any batter throws the bat after a swing, both the batter and batting team will be given awarning. Individual players get one warning. Teams get two warnings. Any warnings assessed after those result in a dead ball, and the batter is called out. All runners return to the bases they occupied before the play.
Taking into account the safety of the fielders, no player may play in front of the pitching rubber prior to the batter’s contact with the ball. He may advance on the ball to make a play once contact has been made.
The defensive player at the pitching mound position is to be three (3) feet on either side of the pitching rubber. Please make sure the player is not directly behind the coach.
Dead Ball
Definition of Dead Ball
At first base, third base and home plate: All overthrows when the ball hits the ground or fence outside the lines.
At second base: All overthrows when the ball hits the cut of the grass (use judgment)
An infielder has possession of the ball on the infield side of the baselines and is not making an active attempt on a play with a baserunner.
Barring a play being made (case iii above), any baserunner must be at least halfway between bases and heading toward the next base in order to advance. If the runner is not halfway when the ball is determined dead, the runner must return to the previous base.
Enforcement
The occurrence of a Dead Ball via overthrow should be called immediately when the ball go out of play by the coach closest to the ball. This will usually be one of the base coaches.
Final decision on whether an active play was attempted or not will be made by the pitching coach or umpire when available.
The status of the runner is to be determined by the coach responsible for the base the running is heading to.
If the base runner passes a runner in front of them, they may be tagged out. If the play ends and no out are made, the players will be sent back to the correct bases and the correct order.
Plays at all bases, including home plate, are permitted. Fielders are not allowed to intentionally impede baserunners or physically block the base/plate. Runners are not allowed to intentionally contact the fielder the field beyond what occurs during a routine slide. Players will be given a warning for this. We don’t need collisions that can seriously injure a player.
The infield fly rule does not apply.
SLIDING: NO Head First sliding is allowed. NO Sliding is permitted at first base. A runner must slide at all other bases if a force or a tag will be applied. This is for the safety of the runner and the defensive player. Any player who violates any of the above will be given one warning. A second violation of this rulewill be recorded as an out and the player returned to the bench.
The base runner is out when:
A defensive player catches a fly ball in fair or foul territory before it touches another object or the ground.
The defensive player with possession and control of the ball tags the base before the runner reaches the base. If the runner is not being forced to the base, they may return to the base just vacated, providing they are not tagged out.
A player with possession and control of the ball tags the baserunner with the ball before the baserunner reaches the base. If the defensive player drops the ball while making the tag, the base runner is safe. The defensive player may not push the base runner off the base to make the tag.
If the baserunner is hit with the batted ball before the fielder had a reasonable attempt at fielding it, the ball becomes a dead ball and the runner is out. The batter will get to first base.
A baserunner runs out of the running lane to avoid a tag by a defensive player. More than 3 feet away from the base line is excessive. Again, this is a learning experience.
A defensive player, without the ball and no play for the ball must allow the base runner access to the bag and the running lane. Violation of this rule results in the runner being ruled safe. This should be determined by that base umpire only.
If the defensive player makes a play for the ball and in doing so blocks or interferes with the base runner, no defensive interference is incurred. The base runner must avoid the defensive player by slowing up or going behind the defensive player. If the runner interferes with the defensive player (offensive interference) the ball will be ruled dead, all runners will advance to the base they were headed too and the offensive team will be given one warning, if offensive interference occurs again by the same team then the play is dead and the runner who committed interference will be called out. (All other runners move to the base they were advancing to during the play with the exception of home, a run cannot score from offensive interference).
After an initial warning has been given, the runner does not slide in a mandatory situation.
If two players end up on the same base and no force is in effect, the second runner to the base may be tagged out. If the play ends and no tag has been made, the second runner is sent back to the base they vacated.
If a force is on the leading runner, they may be tagged out. In that same situation, only the incoming baserunner will be out if the defensive player tags the base or incoming baserunner first, as the leading running is no longer forced.
No run will be scored when the third out is a forced play. If a runner touches home plate prior to a non-forced third out being made, the run is scored.

Safety Tips

Keep a first-aid kit in the dugout. This should include ice and/or ice substitute. A bee sting stick is also very useful.
Listed below are important phone numbers:

Chardon Fire and Emergency / 911
Geauga Hospital / 440-286-6131
State Highway Patrol / 911
Sheriff/Police / 911
Geauga Urgent Care / 440-286-9777
440-286-9808
Poison Control Center / 216-231-4455
800-222-1222

Walk the playing field before each game. Check for glass, holes, rocks, or other hazardous materials.
Do not play if weather conditions or if the field conditions are unsafe.
Inspect all equipment before use.
Keep spectators, especially babies and toddlers at a safe distance from the field of play.
Only the batter shall have possession of a bat when in the field of play. On deck warm ups should be off the field and in a safe area managed by a parent helper or coach
Keep all bats out of harm’s way when not in use.
An adult shall keep offensive players on the bench and behind the protective fencing while waiting their turn at bat.
Make sure players do not stick their fingers through the fence during play.