UPTOWNLONG BEACH LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

Member of LITTLE LEAGUE Baseball, Inc.

Operating Policy/Procedure – Field Closures and Delayed, Postponed, or Suspended Games

POLICY / PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Board of Directors of Uptown Long Beach Little League Baseball (ULBLL)has adopted the following Field Closures Policy and Procedures.

The ULBLL Board of Directors is committed to ensure the best possible baseballexperience for the members of our league. League Policies and Procedures have been established and agreed upon by a majority decision (vote), by the Board of Directors in accordance with the following:

(1)Little League Baseball Regulations, Playing Rules, and Policies;

(2)The best interest of the majority of the league;

(3)The best interest of an individual (when it does not conflict with #1 and #2);

(4)The progressive direction and vision for the future of the league (when it does not conflict with #1, #2, and #3).

This Policy/Procedure shall take precedence over any previous version, and is shall be utilized to ensure the safety of the players.

This Policy/Procedure may only be amended by a majority vote of the ULBLL Board of Directors prior to the start of the regular season.

  1. Field Closures
  1. Field Closures
  1. All City of Long Beach and Uptown Long Beach Little League Fields may be closed due to unsuitable weather, field conditions, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the league.
  1. Field Closures may be determined by:
  1. Long Beach City Park and Recreations

1)If the City of Long Beach’s Athletic Field Condition Hotline states that Long Beach fields are closed, we have no choice but to close fields and cancel games.

  1. Uptown Long Beach Little League Field Closures Policy
  1. Determination of Delayed or Postponed Game – Prior to Start of Game
  1. City of Long Beach Park and Recreations Field Closure Notification
  1. In the event of field closures by the City of Long Beach Park and Recreations, all games will be postponed and rescheduled per policy.
  1. Uptown Long Beach Little League Field Evaluation
  1. Rain Fall
  1. In the event of rainfall within a 24-hour period prior to the start of the next scheduled game:

1)One (1) hour prior to the scheduled start of a game the opposingmanagers (or official representatives) and one (1) on-site Board Member will assess the field and dugout areas for safe playing conditions.

2)They shall then determine if the scheduled game should be delayed or postponed.

3)A decision may also be made, at that time, if the remainder of the games scheduled for that day (field specific) shall also be postponed.

  1. In the event of rainfall immediately prior to the start of a scheduled game:

1)Opposing managers (or official representatives) and one (1) Board Member will assess the field and dugout areas for safe playing conditions.

2)They shall then determine if the scheduled game should be delayed of postponed.

3)A decision may also be made, at that time, if the remainder of the games scheduled for that day (field specific) shall also be postponed.

  1. Decision Conflicts
  1. In the event that opposing managers and the on-site Board Member cannotagree upon a decision to delay or postpone the game, due to unsafe playing conditions, the Board Member’s determination shall take precedence over the two (2) managers, in order to fulfill the league’s responsibility to provide safe playing conditions and facilities.
  1. If one (1) team manager (or official representative) cannot be at the evaluation meeting, or fails to attend, then the decision will be made by the other team manager (or official representative) and the Board Member. Their decision will be final, and the non-attending manager (or official representative) will have no recourse.
  1. If neither team manager (or official representative) can attend, or both fail to attend the evaluation meeting, then the decision shall be made by two (2) Board Members. Their decision will be final, and neither team manager (or official representative) will have any recourse.
  1. Restart of Delayed Game
  1. If the scheduled start time of a game is delayed, due to unsuitable weather, field conditions, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the league, opposing managers (or official representatives) and one (1) Board Member will determine the length of the delay in 15-minute increments.
  1. If determined that there is sufficient time remaining (scheduled start time – the time delay = time remaining) to play a complete game, the actual game start time shall be the official scheduled start time.
  1. If determined that there will not be sufficient time remaining to play a complete regulation game, two options are available. One of the options shall be agreed upon by the opposing managers (or official representatives) and one (1) Board Member:
  2. Option One: The game will be played as a shortened gameand will count as long as three (3) innings are completed.

1)NOTE – The ending time of the game cannot affect

any other scheduled start times of games for that

day, and the drop dead time of the game will be 10

minutes before the schedule start of the next game.

  1. Option Two: The game will be postponed and rescheduled per policy.
  1. Specialized Rules or Agreements for restarted delayed games
  1. Restarted games may require specialized:
  1. Time Frames and Limits (and Inning Counts)
  1. Boundary Rules
  1. Dead Ball Zones
  1. Runner Advance / Stop Agreements
  1. Run Limit Agreements
  1. Other specialized (safety) rules for that game
  1. Any Specialized Rules or Agreements, shall be discussed prior to the start of the game, and shall be agreed upon by both team managers (or official representatives) and the umpire.
  1. Postponed GameNotifications for Rescheduling
  1. If a game is postponed, it shall be the responsibility of the on-site Board Member involved with the determination, to notify the Chief Umpire of the need to cancel the scheduled umpire(s).
  2. It shall be the responsibility of the HOME team manager to notify the Division Director of the postponement in order for the game to be rescheduled.
  1. It shall be the responsibility of the Division Director to notify the scheduler to reschedule postponed games and upon notification by the scheduler of the revised game date and time, to notify those managers affected by the changes.
  1. Failure to comply with these procedures may result in unnecessary additional expenses to the league in umpire fees and disciplinary action can result to those managers involved.
  1. Determination of Suspended Gameand Notifications – After Game Starts
  1. Umpire Decision
  1. As soon as the game has started and the umpire takes charge of the playing field, they shall have the sole authority to determine when a game shall be called, suspended, or resumed on account of weather or the condition of the playing field. It is recommended that the umpire consults with both team managers (or official representatives) and one (1) Board Member in making the decision.
  1. Suspended GameNotification for Rescheduling / Resuming
  1. If a game is suspended, it shall be the responsibility of the HOME team manager to notify the Division Director of the game suspension and the details of the game (number of innings played/remaining, current score, stats, etc.) in order for the game to be rescheduled/resumed.
  1. It shall be the responsibility of the Division Director to notify the scheduler to reschedule suspended games and upon notification by the scheduler of the revised game date and time, to notify those managers affected by the changes.
  1. Failure to comply with these procedures may result in unnecessary additional expenses to the league in umpire fees and disciplinary action can result to those managers involved.
  1. Rescheduling of Postponed or Suspended Games
  1. Timeframe for Rescheduled Games
  2. Every attempt shall be made to reschedule games that have been Postponed or Suspended as soon as possible. Games that are required to be rescheduled may:
  3. Be rescheduled on Sundays
  4. Be rescheduled on other permitted fields
  5. Force other games to be relocated to other fields

1)Example: Minor B game relocated to smaller field for Minor A or Majors game to be played on larger field.

  1. Field Usage of Closed Fields
  1. Uptown Long Beach Little League fields may not be utilized for any game or practice once the fields have been determined to be closed.
  1. Field Closures may be for:
  2. Specific fields
  3. Specific parts of fields (infield or outfield)
  4. Complete fields (infield and outfield)
  1. Violation of a Field Closure Notification may result in League Discipline to the manager, coaches, and team.

END.

Page 1 of 5 Updated: November 18, 2016