Ocee Park Athletic Association

Ocee Park Athletic Association

7/8U League Rules

All recreation league play shall be governed by the current Official Major League Baseball Rules, modified by the current Dizzy Dean Official Rules Book, modified by the current Ocee Park Athletic Association (OPAA). Exceptions as provided below, Dizzy Dean and MLB rules shall apply and may NOT be modified by agreement between the managers and/or league representative. Any suggested modifications should be presented in writing to the OPAA Board of Directors for consideration.

General:

1.Only players who are registered in the Ocee baseball program are eligible to play.

1. An official regulation game shall consist of 6 inning games. Time allowed in a game is one hour and fifteen minutes (1:15). There shall be one additional inning of play if the score is even if time has not expired and both teams have had an equal opportunity with the same number of innings at bat. An official game for 6 inning games is defined as 4 complete innings (or 3-1/2 innings if home team is ahead).If a game is started and is called for any reason (i.e. weather) prior to being an official game as described above, the game will start over from the beginning at the rescheduled time. If the game is called after it is an official game but the inning must be completed to declare a winner then the game will resume at the point of the delay.

2.Mathematical Elimination - A game shall be called whenever a team has been mathematically eliminated from the possibility of at least tying the game in the last regulation inning. Mathematical Elimination replaces the Dizzy Dean slaughter rules.

3.Both head coaches must attend the plate meeting at the beginning of the game and line-up cards (offense) must be exchanged. The official start time will be declared at the end of this plate meeting.

4.A new inning begins at the instant that the (3) third out is made in the previous inning.

5.Run Limits - An inning is over after the following three outs, or five runs.

6.There will be a maximum of five runs allowed in all half innings.

7.The “Infield Fly Rule” does NOT apply.

8.Bats must have a certified USABat Stamp and be YBBCOR certified and the barrel may not be larger than 2 5/8 inches.

• Prior to each game it is the coach’s responsibility to line up all player’s bats outside the dugout leaning against the fence for inspection by the umpire. Any bats without the USA Bat stamp are not permitted to be in the dugout for game play.
• If a player comes to bat with a non-USA Bat and puts a ball in the play that player will be called out and all runners will be returned to their original position. The coach and player will be given a warning at this time. If a second violation occurs for the same team whether it be with the same player or a different player that coach will be ejected from the game and subject to further suspension pending review from the Baseball Committee. If the same player violates this rule twice that player will be ejected from the game.

9.Helmets must have a non-glare surface and cannot be mirror-like in nature. The chrome and mirror-like finishes will not be legal in Recreation or Select league play.

10.Unlimited defensive substitutions are allowed but all teams will bat in a continuous batting order.

11.If a player arrives late to a game they are to be inserted into the lineup at the bottom of the batting order. All other playing time rules apply.

12.If a player leaves a game due to injury, illness or other reason no penalty will be assessed to team (i.e. no out given at the players turn to bat).

Defense:

13.Every player must play at least one inning in the infield (P, 1st, 2nd, SS, 3rd) other than catcher, and one inning in the outfield (or sit out) prior to the conclusion of the 4th inning. The only exception to this rule is if prior agreement between both the manager and parent(s) has been made for the safety of the player, and the opposing manager shall be notified at the plate meeting.

14.No player shall be omitted from the defensive lineup in two innings until everyone on the team has been omitted from the defensive lineup in one inning. No player shall be omitted from the defensive lineup in any two consecutive innings unless prevented from playing by injury or illness.

15.A player who starts an inning in the defensive lineup shall complete the inning in the defensive lineup, unless prevented from continuing by injury or illness.

16.A ball thrown outside the fence becomes a “dead ball” and each base runner is entitled to one base. A player may slide feet first into any base.

17.A defensive player must throw, not roll, the baseball to another defensive player. If a thrown ball bounces and/or rolls to the first baseman, it is up to the umpire’s discretion whether the player intended to “roll” the ball. If the intent was to throw the ball, and it is caught on the bounce or roll before the runner reaches the base, then the base runner may be called out. If the ball is clearly rolled, then the base runner must be called safe. NOTE: if a player is consistently throwing a ball that bounces or rolls to first base, then the umpire may use this observation to conclude that the intent is NOT to throw the ball, and suggest to the manager that the player needs to be replaced in the next inning or the base runners will be called safe. The intent is NOT to let coaches abuse this rule by putting the same player at key positions (eg, pitcher) who consistently throws it halfway to first base and it rolls the rest of the way.

18.Outfielders shall not be permitted to run with the ball into the infield to make an out. If an outfielder runs the ball in and tags a runner or a base, the runner shall be awarded the base.

19.National League:Play shall be stopped by the defensive team heading off, or stopping the lead runner.

• Any other runner may continue at his own risk
• Any play made on a runner other than the lead-runner will release the lead-runner
• Other runners may continue

20.American League: Play shall be stopped once a defensive infield player has control of the baseball in the infield area. Runners in motion should continue to the closest base and the umpire will call time after runners have stopped advancing. Runners will be moved to the previous base if the runner was not past the half way hash mark at the time the defensive team gains control of the ball in the infield. Runners may be tagged out after the ball is controlled if they are attempting to advance to the next base or return to the previous base prior to the umpire calling time.

21.American League:On an overthrow, abase runner(s) may advance one and only one base regardless of the number of overthrows on a play, before the next batter hits.

• Example One: if the ball is overthrown to first base, the base runner may only advance to second base (at his/her own risk), even if a defensive player picks up the ball and throws it into left field, overthrowing second base, in which case the base runner simply has to stay on second base.
• Example Two: a base runner is on second base with a double, and the outfielder overthrows to the infield after the base runner has already reached second base, the base runner may advance one base to third base at his/her own risk, even if another defensive player picks up the ball and throws it back out to the outfield. The reason for both of these rules is to encourage and teach defensive players to throw to a base, and not to teach defensive players to just “hold the ball”.

22.Any player playing the pitcher position must wear a protective face equipment and/or caged helmet. (Mandatory).

23.The player playing the pitcher position must have one foot inside the pitchingcircle before an at bat begins and may not leave the circle until the ball crosses homes plate with each pitch.

24.The catcher must wear proper protective catching equipment. Helmet with face shield and dangling throat protector or hockey style mask, chest protector and leg guards. Male catchers must wear a cup.

25.Defensive standing on bases is not allowed

26.National League: On defense, each team plays a regular baseball infield including the pitcher and catcher position and only four players in the outfield, positioned in the grass 15’ behind the grass line when play starts. The maximum number of defensive players allowed on the field during play will be 10. (All teams must play with 6 infielders.) In the case of a team missing 1 player a team will play with 3 outfielders. In the case of a team missing 2 players a team will play with 2 outfielders.

27.American League:On defense, each team plays a regular baseball infield including the pitcher and catcher position and only four players in the outfield, positioned in the grass 15’ behind the grass line when play starts. The maximum number of defensive players allowed on the field during play will be 10. (All teams must play with 6 infielders.) In the case of a team missing 1 player a team may play without a catcher or with 3 outfielders. In the case of a team missing 2 players a team may play without a catcher and with 3 outfielders.

Offense:

28.There will be no leads offs, base stealing or bunting.

29.A player must slide feet first into any base. A player may NOT slide head first into any base (unless returning to a base)

30.For the entire season, players will hit the ball as described. Dizzy Dean coach-pitch rules shall be followed with the following modifications. First, a coach-pitcher may throw overhand from anywhere outside the foul arc in a direct line to the pitcher’s mound outside the pitcher’s circle. A pitcher coach may not have a foot in the pitchers circle or inside the foul arc at any time during a pitch. Second, a batter is allowed up to five pitches. The batter must swing at the 5th pitch. If the 5th swing results in a foul ball the batter will continue to bat. If the batter does not hit or make contact on the 5th pitch they will be called out.

• The batter may receive one extra pitch if they did not make an attempt on their 5th swing - this additional pitch will only be awarded if the umpire deems that the pitch was unhittable.

31.A batter will receive one warning for slinging a bat. On the second occurrence, the same batter will be called out.

32.A batter is required to wear a helmet to hit. No on deck batters allowed on the field or outside the fence. Practice swings are prohibited outside the fences.

33.A batted ball that does not travel on or outside a marked 20 foot radius of home plate is a foul ball.

34.A batted ball that hits the coach is ruled dead by the umpire and the pitch does not count; it is as if the pitch never happened.

Coaching:

35.National League:The offensive team is allowed a first base coach, a third base coach and a coach pitcher. The coach pitcher MAY NOT coach the batter or a runner. The coach pitcher is REQUIRED to safely and quickly leave the fair field of play immediately after the ball is put into play. Coaches will receive one warning and then at the discretion of the umpire, the batter may be called out if the coach pitcher is not making every effort to get off the field or if they are coaching the batter or runners.

36.National League: The defensive team is allowed two coaches outside their team dugout along the baseline. Defensive coaches may not stand past the base in the outfield area.

37.American League: The offensive team is allowed a first base coach, a third base coach, a batting coach/coach catcher and a coach pitcher. The coach pitcher is REQUIRED to safely and quickly leave the fair field of play immediately after the ball is put into play. Coaches will receive one warning and then at the discretion of the umpire, the batter may be called out if the coach pitcher is not making every effort to get off the field.

38.American League: The defensive team is allowed two coaches outside their team dugout along the baseline. The defensive team is also allowed two defensive coaches in the playing field. Both coaches must stay in the outfield BEHIND the outfield defensive players and cannot interfere with or touch the ball at any time.

39.Pitching coaches must pitch overhand to the players and must get off the field and pick up the batter’s bat. At the umpire’s discretion, if the bat is left as an obstruction for the base runner and/or if the pitcher does not leave the field of play in a timely manner, the base runner will be called out. The coach pitcher must pitch on the line between the 20’ foul arc and the pitcher’s circle. The coach pitcher cannot be inside the foul arc or the pitchers circle at any point during the pitch.

End of Season Tournament:

• Rules as stated above will be used for tournament play with the exception of the tie. No ties will be allowed during tournament play. A game will continue until a winner has been determined based on regular baseball rules.
• The tie-breaker for play-off competition is 1) overall record/win percentage, 2) head-to-head, 3) coin toss.
• A game must be completed in its entirety until either the time limit, inning maximum or mathematical elimination is reached.

Rules violations:

• Any violation of rules are subject to disciplinary action up to and including warning, forfeiture of game(s), suspension of player(s) or coach(es) and/or dismissal from the league. Due to the many variations of possible infractions and/or violations, subsequent disciplinary actions will be considered on a case by case basis by the OPAA BOD.

Protest:

• A coach may file a protest with the league within 12 hours of completion of the game being protested. Only errors in the interpretation of the rules can be the object of a protest; judgment calls, such as the calling of balls and strikes, or calling a base runner safe or out, cannot be protested. The head coach must immediately inform the umpires of his intention to protest their ruling, and file a formal request for review with the league Recreation Coordinator within a twelve (12) hours. The league will then rule on whether the umpires erred, and if the disputed action affected the outcome of the game. If the protest is upheld, the game is replayed from the point of the disputed ruling.

Conduct and Sportsmanship

It is the Head Coach’s responsibility to manage and control their teams and to lead by example.

• Inappropriate, obscene, or abusive language or behavior may result in a player, coach, parent, or spectator being ejected from the game/park. This includes arguing with umpires and un-sportsman like conduct.

• All umpires and OPAA board members have the authority to eject anyone violating the conduct rules.

• Any player, coach, parent, or spectator ejected from a game must leave the field immediately and are not allowed to stay near the field or sit in the stands, but are allowed to wait in the parking lot if needed.
• Physical contact or violence involving a player, coach, or parent will result in automatic ejection from the game, a one game automatic suspension, and possible suspension from the league.
• If a player demonstrates actions which are detrimental and or abusive to the team, the player will be suspended from the team immediately and will not participate in any games or practices until the suspension is reviewed by the OPAA Vice President of Baseball.
• Any player, coach or parent ejections will lead to an immediate suspension. Length of suspension or possible termination of OPAA membership will be determined by the Baseball Committee of the B.O.D. within 36 hours of the incident. Other infractions of the code of conduct and sportsmanship expectations may be subject to this discipline as well.

OPAA may revise/alter rules at any time during a season if needed to enhance the program.

Questions concerning the Rules should be directed to the OPAABoard.

February 28, 2018