Hilton Head Island Baseball Association ~ Hilton Head Island SC
HILTON HEAD BASEBALL ASSOCIATION, INC.
HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA
LOCAL LEAGUE RULES
(Updated September, 2008)
These rules are supplemental to the rules listed in the current National Dixie Youth Baseball Official Rules & Regulations, and are to replace all previously adopted local rules governing the operation of the Hilton Head Baseball Association, Inc.'s ("HHBA") Dixie Youth Program. The HHBA Dixie Boys baseball program (Ages 13-14) will be administered in accordance with playing rules set forth in the National Dixie Boys Baseball Rule Guide; with the exception of those rules specifically enumerated in the Dixie Boys Division Rules appended hereto as Exhibit "E".
HHBA also administers a Fall Baseball program, and it is intended that the Fall leagues shall operate under the same rules that apply to the Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys program operated by HHBA in the Spring/Summer subject to modifications promulgated by the Board of Directors.
RULES OF CONDUCT
All volunteers will be provided with a copy of the CREED OF THE HILTON HEAD DIXIE YOUTH VOLUNTEERS (see back of front cover). Any volunteer who, in the judgment of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the League, violates any portion(s) of the CREED shall be removed from any association with the program and shall not be allowed to reestablish this association without a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
1. Any Manager or Coach involved in any action to willfully hide or cover up abilities of a player from other teams or any prospect involved in such a scheme will be ineligible for any association or participation in the Hilton Head Dixie Youth program.
2. Any member of a team (Manager, Coach, player, scorekeeper, etc.) will be subject to ejection from a ball game if he makes derogatory remarks, such as any type of obscene or abusive language, directed toward any umpire, other players or anyone connected with the game. Any remarks made by the players while they are on the field or in the dugout will be directed toward their own team and no derogatory remarks will be made to the other players.
A spirit of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP shall prevail at all times, before, during and after the game.
Any violators of the above-stated policy are to be reported to the League President by the umpires or any other League Official observing such action immediately and the violators are to appear before the Board of Directors or a Disciplinary Committee within ten (10) days of such a report. In the event the violation is by a player, his Manager (and one or both parents will be invited) shall appear before the Board with him. Violators are subject to any corrective action deemed necessary by a majority of the Board up to and including permanent suspension from the League. Coaches are required to control the behavior of their fans or risk ejection.
3. If a fan uses obscene language or directs derogatory remarks toward Umpires, Managers, players or League officials during a ball game, the Umpire may suspend play, order the ejection of the fan or forfeit the game.
4. The Umpire shall be empowered to warn or eject a player for an act either by a batter, a base runner or a fielder that in the opinion of the Umpire is unsportsmanlike in conduct, without prior consultation or permission of either manager.
5. All players must remain in the dugout except when at bat, on deck or participating in ball game. No participants may leave the playing field area (outside the fences) until completion of the game.
6. Only one Manager or Coach at a time from each team will be allowed on the field to discuss a play situation with umpires. Managers and Coaches shall not enter the opposing team's dugout without being invited or leave the field to view the game from outside the fence.
7. The use of any alcoholic beverage or tobacco product within the confines of the playing field, dugout or bench by any Manager, Coach, player, Umpire or official is prohibited.
8. A player and the player's manager will be warned immediately if he accidentally or intentionally throws his bat. On a second occurrence of bat throwing by the same player, the player shall be called out.
9. A team not able to field eight (8) players at game time shall forfeit (nine (9) players for Dixie Boys League). Game time is forfeit time. There will be no grace periods on any games or reschedules.
10. In the case of a player arriving after the start of a game and before the start of the second inning, the player shall be inserted in the lineup and shall be subject to the applicable minimum playing requirements. When a player arrives after the start of the second inning, the Manager shall have the discretion to play or not to play the player, however, if the player is inserted into either the offensive or defensive lineup, the player shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order, and the applicable minimum playing requirements shall be enforced.
11. In the spirit of sportsmanship, players should refrain from rhythmic chanting when opposing pitcher is preparing to pitch. Manager is subject to ejection after warning at the umpires discretion.
12. All coaches and players are to wear their uniforms conforming to generally accepted baseball attire, i.e., shirts tucked in and hat bills facing forward.
I. GRIEVANCE & DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE
A. Manager and Coach Discipline
a. A Grievance against a Manager or Coach for unsportsmanlike behavior or other violation of Local League Rules may be initiated by an Umpire, another Manager or Coach, a player, a parent or spectator, or any league official.
b. All such grievances must be in writing to the Board Chairperson or President, should be submitted within seventy-two (72) hours of the complained of activity, and should include specifics (date, names of witnesses, etc.). The League reserves the right to investigate any and all verbal grievances without formal written documentation.
c. There will be a Grievance & Discipline Committee. The Grievance Committee will review the complaint, discuss the matter with the Manager or Coach in question, and make a determination as to whether further action is warranted.
d. The Committee may institute disciplinary action consisting of the following:
• No Action
• Verbal Reprimand
• Written Warning (A written warning will remain in the Manager/Coach's record with the league for 2 seasons)
• Written Reprimand with Penalty: Any penalty imposed shall be in writing to the Manager or Coach and may consist league service (see below), probation, definite suspension, or indefinite suspension. No suspension in excess of one (1) game shall be imposed except by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.
• League Service
The Committee shall notify the party complained of within seven (7) days of the meeting of the action taken.
e. "League Service" may consist of a variety of imposed duties such as assistance with field preparation, committee service, concession stand, umpiring, etc.
B. Player Discipline
Players may also be disciplined for violation of the Local League Rules or other unsatisfactory behavior or conduct.
Managers are expected to take appropriate action for minor problems or infractions. This may range from a discussion with the player, to a discussion with his parents, to a benching of short duration. Do not yell at or berate the player; take him aside and speak with him calmly. Managers do not have the authority to suspend a player (a suspension consists of a benching for more than one game). This authority shall be retained solely by the Board.
In the case of any discipline imposed by the Manager, the Manager shall endeavor to have the player and parents agree to the penalty imposed. Umpire and opposing manager must be notified before the start of the game.
In the case of more severe player problems or infractions (fighting, continued use of obscenities, drug or alcohol use, game ejection, destruction of equipment, etc.), the matter should be referred to the Grievance Committee. The Committee will address the situation in accordance with the procedures outlined in the paragraph above.
II. MANAGER AND COACH SELECTIONS
1. All Managers and Coaches must be approved annually by the Board of Directors. A Manager will not be allowed to change teams after tryouts have been completed. Protected players cannot change teams prior to draft.
1a. Completion of a certified coaching clinic will be required of all Managers in the program for Small Fry level and above. A clinic will be given locally on an annual basis. MANDATORY
2. The Head of the Baseball Committee will submit applications of recommended Managers and Coaches to the Board of Directors at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the beginning of the player draft of League involved or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter.
3. The Board will consider additional factors such as baseball knowledge, strength or weakness of coaching staff, and prior league performance (i.e. awards, discipline, etc.). The concepts of reason, fairness and league parity shall control in final decisions by the Hilton Head Baseball Association regarding coaching assignments.
4. Each team will be allowed one (1) Manager, and a Coach or a Sponsor/Coach who can act in any official capacity for the team and whose child(ren) shall qualify under the draft option. It may have two (2) additional Coaches who can act in a coaching capacity only and whose seniority will count toward appointments but whose child(ren) will not be eligible for draft option.
5. No Manager or Coach will be given any scheduling preference by the Board of Directors should he manage or coach more than one team at any given time in the Hilton Head Baseball Association Program. The Board of Directors discourages managing more than one team.
6. Should a Manager vacancy occur during the season, the League President will appoint a new Manager with the approval of the Board of Directors.
7. If a Manager is awarded a team, he will devote as much time as possible to the coaching of that team. If it is the feeling of the League officials that the Manager is not devoting ample time to the task, he will be terminated by the Board of Directors. The vacancy will be filled by the League President appointing a new Manager with the approval of the Board of Directors.
8. It is mandatory that any Coach having a child chosen as a Coach's option shall actively participate in the coaching of the team for the playing year that his son is chosen (unless prohibited by Doctor's Certificate, change in work location or change in work hours). The penalty for non-participation of the Coach shall be that the son of that Coach may be removed from the team and placed on another team in the League that he is participating in the interest of promoting League balance. Only the Board of Directors can administer this penalty.
III. PLAYER DRAFT SESSION
All team rosters will be filled by a draft which will be under direction of the Board of Directors. The Player Draft Procedure is attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
IV. AGE LIMITS
1. The League Age is that age attained by a player prior to May 1st of the season in question. Example: A player who is 10 years of age during the early part of the season but who will be 11 years of age on or before April 30th shall have a League Age of 11. A player who is 10 years of age during the season but who will be 11 years of age on or after May 1st shall have a League Age of 10.
2. Dates of birth of players shall be certified by Birth or Baptismal Certificate or other legally accepted proof of age to a designated League official prior to the League's first regularly scheduled game. A photostatic copy shall be acceptable if signed by proper authorities as a true copy of the birth record.
3. The "up to" age limits for the various Divisions in the Hilton Head Dixie Youth Program shall be as follows:
a. PeeWee (A) * League Age of 6 years old
b. Small Fry (AA) League Age of 8 years old
c. Minors (AAA) League Age of 10 years old
d. Majors League Age of 12 years old
e. Dixie Boys League Age of 14 years old
f. Dixie Pre-Majors League Age of 16 years old
g. Dixie Majors League Age of 18 years old
* HHBA has established a Pee Wee Division to be comprised primarily of 5 and 6 year old children. The Pee Wee Division is intended as an instructional league.
4. HHBA does not allow players to play above their league age (e.g. a player of league age 10 trying out for a Majors League team).
5. Players may be approved to play in the League below their current age level only if approved for good cause shown (e.g., physical limitations, health, etc.) by the League Player Agent and the League President. Such players shall not be eligible for All-Star selection.
V. REGISTRATION AND TRYOUTS
1. The dates for registration, tryouts and the draft shall be set by the Board of Directors.
2. All player prospects must attend a registration meeting accompanied by at least one parent or other adult, and a signed parent release form must be turned in at this meeting. Proof of age records must be provided upon request of League officials.
3. All player prospects, except Pee-Wee, must attend a scheduled tryout, and all Managers and Coaches must attend or be represented at all tryouts. Dixie Boys tryouts are optional and shall only be determined necessary by the Board and prospective managers.
4. All prospects participating in tryouts will not leave the field until dismissed by officials in charge of tryouts.
5. A registration fee to be established annually by the Board of Directors will be required for all prospects. Financial Aid is available at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
VI. PRACTICE LIMITATIONS
1. There should be no sanctioned team practice or activity before the League Draft. This is the earliest date that more than three (3) players and one (l) Manager and/or Coach should be involved in any team activity.
2. No practice session should last for more than two (2) hours (batting practice excepted) unless practice games are involved; then a maximum of two (2) six-inning games will be allowed.
3. There should be no more than one (1) practice session per day, during the regular season.
4. The official season beginning date is the date of the League Draft and the season ending date for each team is the date of their last regularly scheduled season game or tournament game.
5. If the fields are closed because of rain, coaches are not allowed to use the fields. This includes the outfields.
VII. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
1. The Board of Directors and/or their designated agent will be responsible for all purchases. No equipment will be bought or used in League or Tournament without consent or approval of the Board.
2. An Equipment Manager will be appointed by the Board of Directors who shall be responsible for controlling the issuance and the maintenance of all equipment. The Equipment Manager will issue all equipment, and a deposit shall be required. The Equipment Manager will keep record of the deposit on file.
3. All uniforms are to be issued by the team Manager.
4. All equipment is to be turned in to the League Equipment Manager within ten (10) days from the date of the team's last game. An inventory list of this equipment and a list of needed equipment and/or repairs for the next season must be given to the Equipment Manager when equipment is turned in or date specified by the Board. If equipment is not returned by the posted deadline, the Team Manager shall forfeit the entire equipment deposit, no exceptions. The Manager will be responsible for all equipment.
VIII. TROPHIES AND AWARDS
1. The League will purchase trophies for the following:
a. League regular season team championship trophies will be presented to a representative of the sponsor of the championship team in each age division and each player on the championship team will receive an individual trophy. Dixie Boys league does not issue trophies for season records or tournament play.
b. Team trophies will be awarded to the sponsor and individual trophies will be awarded to each player on the League Tournament championship team and runner-up team in each age division. Dixie Boys league does not issue sponsor or individual trophies for season records or tournament play.
c. PeeWee/Small Fry teams will receive awards as determined by the Board of Directors.
IX. SCHEDULES, REGULATION GAMES
& MAKE-UP GAMES
1. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for preparing and approving practice and regular season schedules.
2. All games played, regular, make-up or exhibition or other, must be approved by the League Commissioner or Player Agent. No "rescheduling" games due to not enough players showing up due to vacations, other sport participation, etc. Only exception is when a conflict occurs due to a scheduled church event or school event, which would put the total number of players for either team less than the requires number to play. This exception must be identified to the League President prior to the event and approved for rescheduling.
3. Make-up games are to be made up on the earliest possible date as determined by the Board of Directors after consulting with the Managers involved. They shall be scheduled in the same order as originally scheduled unless the Board of Directors approves special arrangements. Supervising umpire needs to be contacted in advance so he can schedule the umpires for game.
4. In the event of a first-place tie between two or more teams in any division, the following tie-breaker formula shall be in effect to determine the order of finish:
a. Head-to-head win/loss record between teams;
b. Best intra-division record;
c. Most runs scored in games between teams;
d. Playoff Game (or coin toss if both Managers agree).
5. Rain-out, acts of God, game postponements shall be rescheduled as a new game.
6. Regulation game in the event of make-up shall be 4-1/2 innings if home team is ahead, 5 innings if home team is behind.
X. UMPIRES
1. The Chief Umpire of the League will be hired by the HHBA Board of Directors. He shall be responsible for the training, directing and game assignments of the Umpires. Chief Umpire shall also serve on the Grievance and Disciplinary Committee.
2. Fees to be paid to Umpires shall be set annually by the Board of Directors.
3. The Chief Umpire or designated agent will make the final decision concerning the playing fitness of the field.
4. The Chief Umpire will review with the Board of Directors umpire assignments, and the Board of Directors will have the right of refusal.
XI. ALL STAR SELECTIONS (All Divisions)
A. Procedure for Selection of All Stars:
1. The League President or League Commissioner will call a meeting with the League Managers for the purpose of selecting All Star teams. The selection process shall be monitored by a Director, League Commissioner or Player Agent ("league official") for the division. Votes shall be by written ballot, collected by the league official, and the votes tabulated and released at a later date. The league official(s) shall have the discretion to disregard or seek clarification of any ballot or vote, which appears to be placed in bad faith or for ulterior purpose. The same procedure shall be followed for selection of (a) the Local League divisional All Star teams, and (b) the All Star teams representing this League's divisions in sanctioned Dixie Youth tournament play.
2. Selection shall be made as follows:
a. Any Manager may recommend or nominate players from his team or another team for voting by other team Managers.
b. Each Manager shall submit a written list of twelve (12) players in the League that he feels should be considered for the All Star team. Each time a player's name appears on a list/ballot, this constitutes a vote for that player.
c. The eleven (11) players receiving the most votes at this time shall be placed on the All Star team.
d. After eleven (11) players have been selected by secret ballot, the All Star Manager may either: (i) select from the League any one (1) player of his choice to fill the one (1) remaining position, or (ii) select the next two (2) players receiving the most votes to complete the twelve (12) player roster; one (1) player to complete the team and one player as an alternate in the event one of the top eleven (11) vote nominees is unable to participate for any reason. The method of choice for the final player will not be disclosed.
3. Any Manager, or group of Managers or Coaches, who conspires to fix or attempt to fix the All Star selection, will be banned from the HHBA's Dixie Youth Baseball program.
4. In addition to the traveling All-Star teams in Minors and Majors American and National League there may be a local All-Star team for Minors and Major National and American comprised of players of any age who played during the regular season in that League.
5. All-Star teams traveling out of town for State Tournaments will receive an expense allowance of $500.00, plus $150.00 per day for each day of travel.
B. Selection of All Star Manager and Coaches
1. Selection of All-Star Manager and coaches are will be made solely by the Hilton Head Baseball Association's Board of Directors. All-Star Managers shall select two additional coaches and submit their names for review and approval by the Board of Directors.
2. The All Star Team Manager will select his first assistant from among the Managers or Coaches in the League. This will be the official Team Coach to be officially reported to Dixie Youth Baseball.
XII. PLAYING RULES FOR EACH DIVISION
1. The current National Dixie Youth Official Rules & Regulations and Dixie Boys Division Rules shall govern the rules of play except as otherwise modified or supplemented herein.
2. The Hilton Head Dixie Youth Baseball Small-Fry League Rules are attached hereto as Exhibit "B".
3. The Hilton Head Dixie Youth Baseball Minor League Rules are attached hereto as Exhibit "C".
4. The Hilton Head Dixie Youth Baseball Major League Rules are attached hereto as Exhibit "D".
5. The Hilton Head Dixie Boys Division Rules are attached hereto as Exhibit "E".
XIII. TOURNAMENTS
1. There will be a Local League championship playoff to determine the championship team in the Major, Minor and Small Fry Divisions. This playoff will be played under regular batting rules but tournament pitching rules shall apply (see Exhibit "F"). Should a League tie-breaker be necessary to determine which team plays in the above championship, it shall be played under regular season batting and pitching rules.
2. Pairings and other details concerning the playoffs will be determined in a meeting to be called by the Board of Directors.
3. All Star teams representing the League's divisions will participate in sanctioned Dixie Youth, Dixie Boys, and Dixie Baseball tournaments.
4. The Board of Directors will make decisions regarding possible bids and bid amounts for hosting any Dixie Youth events.
5. Any team representing the program in any sanctioned Dixie Youth tournament, upon application to the League President and Treasurer, may be provided with an expense allowance in an amount to be determined by the President and Treasurer, provided that the League has ample funds to help defray these costs.
XIV. MISCELLANEOUS
1. If an official team function is held which involves the team and parents as a group, all players and parents must be invited to participate.
2. Rules Clinics will be held prior to opening of the season. All Managers, Coaches and Umpires are strongly encouraged to attend. However, it shall be mandatory for at least one (1) coach, preferably the prospective Team Manager to attend per team.
3. Each team shall furnish at least two (2) parent-workers and two (2) additional workers who are at least twelve (12) years of age for the concession stand when assigned by the Board of Directors. If a team does not furnish workers or make arrangements with the head of the League concessions, the next scheduled game may be forfeited. For safety reasons no worker can be under 12 years of age.
4. These Rules are intended to be gender neutral. Each reference to he shall mean he/she; each reference to boy shall mean boy/girl; and each reference to son shall mean son/daughter. Males and females alike are encouraged to participate at all levels of League operation from supervisory status to managing and coaching, to volunteer work to players.
5. The home team shall be the assigned official scorekeeper and shall report the official score and innings pitched by every pitcher entering the game to the umpire at the completion of each game. The home team dugout is the one closest to the scorer's bench.
6. The home team also shall be responsible for staffing the electronic scoreboard.
7. Hilton Head Baseball Association, Inc. has adopted the following "Local League Options" from the National Dixie Youth Baseball Guide (Official Playing Rules):
a. Local League Option 4.10(a)(9) - Ten (10) Run Rule.
8. All protests and/or appeals shall be submitted in writing to the League President in accordance with Dixie Youth Official Playing Rule 4.19, where applicable. The Pee-Wee “A” and Small Fry “AA” divisions are not subject to section 4.19. A manager of the Small Fry “AA” division must make a written protest within 24 hours of the game’s conclusion. No Manager, Coach, player or parent shall contact any representative of the District, State or National Dixie Youth organization for any reason, during the pendency of a Local League protest. Such contacts with officials above the Local League level may be made only after the League President has notified all parties of the outcome of the protest and then only in accordance with Dixie Youth Playing Rule 4.19.
9. Grievances, which are complaints concerning conduct of the League's Managers, Coaches and Players, shall be handled in accordance with the rules set forth in Section I.
EXHIBIT "A"
PLAYER DRAFT PROCEDURE
The Tryouts and the Player Draft for each Division in the League will be held under the direction of one or more members of the Board of Directors who shall be responsible for deciding interpretations and applications of the following procedures. The Board will appoint one or more Player Agents who are not participating in the Division to assure the fair and orderly application of these procedures.
Tryout periods shall be conducted in the presence of all Managers who shall observe the ability of and rate each prospect. Additionally, one or more Player Agents appointed by the Board shall be assigned to rate the prospects in each Division. Coaches should also attend to assist in the tryouts.
Each Manager shall have only one rating vote. Ratings used shall be "A+", "A", "A-", "B+", "B", "B-", "C+", "C" and "C-". Manager ratings and Player Agent ratings will be used to arrive at an average rate per prospect known as the "league average". Prospects rated "B+" to "A" will also be differentiated by League age. (e.g. in the Majors a prospect would be rated "A(12) or "A(11)"). The Player Agents shall arbitrate and decide any disputes over the accuracy of the ratings and shall have the right to establish the final league average assigned to the prospect for purposes of the Player Draft. The Player Agent's judgment on any rating shall be final.
The total number of players registered after tryouts will determine the number of teams in each division. Any player that did register, but did not tryout, will be given a rating by the Player Agent. The Player Agent will give any player that did register, but did not tryout, a rating.
The number of players to be drafted to each roster will be set by the Board of Directors after examining the number of players registered. The minimum number of players per team is ten (10) and the maximum is fifteen (15). Majors division teams shall not have more than eight (8) League Age 12 players (Dixie Youth Reg. II(B)) on their roster. Minors division teams shall not have more than eight (8) League Age 10 players on their roster.
The order of the Draft will be determined by a draw, with each team's name placed in a hat and drawn to see which coach has team #1, #2, etc., for the Draft. Team #1 will be given the choice of the prospect with the highest league average; then Team #2 through the last team will select prospects. The Player Agent(s) shall have the authority to "power-rate" or adjust the order of selection in the early rounds of the Draft, or to set the order of the draw, to assure a balanced selection of the highest rated prospects.
For the Dixie Youth Minors and Majors division, all returning players (i.e. returning eleven (11) year old players) must be elected to and play for a team organized in the same League/Franchise (i.e. American or National) in which the player participated during the previous season, and this must continue until the expiration of the player's Majors division eligibility. This policy will be strictly enforced.
EXAMPLE: During the 2002 Season, Johnnie Doe, age 11, plays for the Cubs in Majors National division (League Franchise #Y-2001). For the 2003 season, Johnnie, now age 12, is scouted by the Yankees of the Majors American division (League Franchise #Y-1399). Johnnie is not eligible to play for the Yankees, or any other American division team in 2003, however, he may return to the Cubs, or be selected to play for any other National Division team.
The strict enforcement of this rule is necessary to assure that players do not jeopardize their Dixie Youth Baseball All-Star eligibility by playing for more than one League Franchise during their tenure in Majors.
A Manager shall have the prerogative of selecting two protected players. These prerogatives must be reserved prior to the commencement of tryouts or the right is forfeited and the prospect is subject to the Draft. A team shall have no more than two (2) prospects selected as Manager, Coach or Sponsor options. Children of the Manager, of one or more active* coaches, and of the sponsor(s) may be combined in any way (e.g. 2 children of the Manager or 1 child of the Sponsor and 1 active Coach's child, etc.) to arrive at the maximum of two (2) prospects to be protected. (* See Local League Rule Section II, Paragraph 9.) The right to the two (2) prospects is not absolute, shall be reviewed by the Player Agent(s) at the outset of the Draft and is subject to the paramount interest of the League balance and creating teams of as nearly equal strength as is possible. In reviewing the issue of League balance, consideration shall be given to the equal distribution of talented prospects to fill key positions on each team (pitchers, catchers, etc.).
The League will have a prepared list for requests such as: Manager's children, Coach's children, sponsor's children, brothers/sisters and special requests made by parents of prospects, all of which must be submitted to the Board of Directors prior to tryouts. All special requests made by parents must be submitted in writing to the League President prior to tryouts. A Manager must select a prospect reserved under the Manager, Coach or Sponsor option when the Draft is his turn and that prospect falls close to the rating being placed at that time. A Manager is not required to select a prospect designated to his team by special request of parents, but may do so if the request is allowed. Special requests made by parents of prospects rated "B" or higher are disfavored and will be carefully scrutinized by the Player Agent to assure that any team is not unduly strengthened to the detriment of League balance.
Special requests involving children rated "B-" or lower will be communicated to the coach, but not automatically honored. Negative requests should be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors. Negative Requests must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors/Baseball Committee and may be communicated to the Coach.
When the last prospect has been assigned to a team, there will not be any additional players added, except as may be approved by the Commissioner of that League. Any addition of players to a League after the player draft must take into consideration the number of players on each team (a team with only 12 players should be given consideration over a team with 13 players) and league balance (an "A" player should not be added to a team that already has strong players at each skill position, unless the same applies to all teams in the League).
Any prospect refusing to play on a team for which he is chosen shall be ineligible for participation anywhere in the Hilton Head Baseball Association program for the current season.
Any player quitting a team for any reason will not be eligible to participate in the program for the remainder of the current season. The player will be allowed to register for the following season. Should a player quit as a result of circumstances beyond his control during the current season, that player may rejoin the previous assigned team after approval of the League President, if a team vacancy exists.
Once a player is drafted and placed on a team roster, he may be released from that roster only with the permission of the League President. The Manager shall notify the President of the League in the event that any player is dropped from the roster or is otherwise in a non-participatory status. This notification shall be made in writing within five (5) days of the occurrence and shall state the reason for dropping or releasing the player. A player can be dropped from a roster for the following reasons only:
a. Moving out of the area.
b. Sickness or injury.
c. Disciplinary reason. (Derogatory remarks, causing dissension,
etc.)
d. Failure to attend practice or games (after warning).
e. Suspension from League for reasons covered in these rules.
Failure to notify the League President of a player to miss two (2) consecutive games may result in forfeiture of a game or games.
All causes of players being dropped from rosters are to be fully investigated by the League President, Vice-President and the Board of Directors.
EXHIBIT "B"
SMALL FRY LEAGUE RULES
Regulation games are six (6) innings.
1. All players are required to play at least every other inning in the field. No player is to sit on the bench for two consecutive innings.
2. All teams will bat completely through the order regardless of how many players there are on each team. There will, however, be a maximum of ten (10) batters per inning. (If one (1) team has only nine (9) payers, only nine (9) bat per inning. If a team has only seven (7) players present at game time, this shall constitute a forfeit.) The coach is required to announce when his tenth batter comes to the plate and the team in the field will end the play by making an out or returning the ball to the pitcher. Failure to announce the tenth batter may result in a penalty if the Umpire believes that the team deliberately did not announce the tenth batter for personal gain. The Umpire's decision is final.
3. Base runners may continue to advance for so long as the ball remains in the playing area (to be determined by umpires).
4. There will be a maximum of one (1) base awarded on all overthrows of First Base or Third Base, which leave the playing area. All runners may attempt to advance if another play is attempted.
5. The distance between bases shall be sixty (60') feet.
6. a. Pitchers are required to pitch from a ten (10') foot diameter circle. The pitching machine will be located forty six (46') feet from the front of home plate. The pitcher is required to pitch from a position straight in line with home plate and Second Base.
b. All play is stopped when the ball is returned to the "Player Pitcher" within the circle. Any thrown ball that comes through or near the ten (10') foot diameter (including high in air) and missed by the "Player Pitcher" will also stop play. Umpire makes this determination because its apparent that many adult coaches purposely make no attempt to catch the ball.
c. If the "coach" pitcher catches a hit ball or a hit ball strikes any part of the "coach" pitcher, it is a dead ball.
d. If a hit ball strikes the pitching machine the batter shall
be awarded first base and all runners will advance one base.
e. Pitchers are required to use pitching machines.
7. The batter receives six (6) pitched balls, unless he makes three (3) strikes, making an out, before the sixth (6th) pitch. There are no "called strikes". If the sixth (6th) pitch is not put into play, the batter will be called out.
8. Two (2) adult coaches are allowed to coach the bases. Coaches cannot "physically assist" players running the bases. This infraction will result in the runner being called out.
9. Every player must play at least one inning at an infield position prior to the sixth (6th) inning. Infield positions are: first base, second base, third base, shortstop and pitcher. (Catcher position does not qualify.)
10. Ten (10) defensive players are allowed on the field. However, a ten (10) man team must play four (4) outfielders located at least twenty (20') feet behind the base lines. Orange cones can be placed twenty (20') feet behind each base to help umpire. A team with only nine (9) players must position a catcher and three (3) outfielders.
11. Only one (1) on-the-field defensive change is allowed per inning.
12. No bunting is allowed and no head first sliding is allowed unless the runner is going back to the base. A hit ball must progress beyond the 10” arc to be considered in play. If the hit ball is the sixth (6th) pitch, the batter will be considered out.
13. A line will be laid two-thirds (2/3) between each of the three (3) bases and home plate. A player must be past the two-thirds (2/3) point between bases when play is called in order to be awarded the next base or home.
14. On defense, the player-pitcher must have one (1) foot in the 10" diameter circle when the coach pitches.
15. The Home team is always assigned first base dugout and is responsible for keeping the scorebook and electronic scoreboard.
16. Game time is forfeit time. All games shall have a 1:30 time limit. No new inning is started after 1:20 have elapsed from the start of the game. If game is tied after time limit has elapsed, game will be continued where it left off at the end of season if it counts in the standings
17. Older players allowed to play down will not be eligible for All-Stars.
18. Players removed from the game for emergencies/injuries or other valid reasons that have been communicated to the manager of the other team and umpire will not result in a penalty. That player will be bypassed in the batting order without being called out. He may re-enter the game later and return to his designated spot in the batting order.
19. Any player coming to the game late, after the roster has been turned in and the game started will not be declared out. He is added to the end of the line up.
EXHIBIT "C"
MINOR LEAGUE RULES
1. Each player on the team must play a minimum of two (2) complete innings (6 outs) in the field.
2. All teams will bat completely through the order regardless of how many players there are on each team. No more than ten (10) batters shall bat during any half inning by either team. However, if one team has less than ten (10) players in a game, then that team can only bat the amount of players it has in that specific game. Coach/Scorekeeper should announce when last player is up to bat in that inning.
3. Intentional walking of any batter shall NOT be permitted.
4. The ball is live until the tenth (10th) player is declared out and the umpire kills play when lead runner stops. No runner can score if last batter in inning makes an out at first base, or a base runner is forced out.
5. The base runner starting at third base can score on a passed ball or wild pitch.
6. See League and Tournament Pitching Rules.
7. All games shall have a 1:45 time limit. No new inning is started after 1:35 have elapsed from the start of the game. If game is tied after time limit has elapsed, game will be continued where it left off at the end of season if it counts in the standings.
8. Players removed from the game for emergencies, injuries, illness, ejection or other valid reasons that have been communicated to the manager of the other team and umpire will not result in a penalty. The player is not out, and they will skip his spot in the batting order unless he returns.
9. If a team has only seven (7) players present at a game, this shall constitute a forfeit.
10. After four (4) innings, the ten (10) batter rule will not apply. Teams will continue to bat in their half inning until three (3) outs are made.
11. Dixie Youth Defensive Free Substitution rule applies.
12. Substitute runners should be used for injured or ill players and shall be the player who made the last out in the current or previous inning.
EXHIBIT "D"
MAJORS DIVISION RULES
OZONE
1. A batting order will be presented to the official scorer by each Team Manager as outlined in Section 4.01.
2. Dixie Youth Defensive Free Substitution rule applies.
3. See League and Tournament Pitching Rules.
5. If a team has only seven (7) players present at game, this shall constitute a forfeit.
6. Teams must bat through entire batting order for the entire game regardless of how many players there are on each team.
7. Games shall be a 2:00 time limit. No new innings shall be started after 1:45 time limit is reached. Eight (8) inning limit any day or night game that is still under 1:45 time limit. Game will be continued where it left off at the end of the season if it counts in the standings.
8. Substitute runners may be used for injured players and shall be the player who made the last out in the current or previous inning.
9. Players removed from the game for emergencies, injuries, illness, ejection or other valid reasons that have been communicated to opposing manager and umpire will not result in a penalty. The player is not out and his spot in the batting order will be skipped unless he returns.
EXHIBIT "E"
HILTON HEAD DIXIE BOYS
DIVISION RULES
1. Regulation games are seven (7) innings.
2. Game time is forfeit time and any team unable to field nine (9) players at the scheduled starting time shall forfeit the game. Due to the length of games, there is no grace period.
3. Teams must bat through entire batting order regardless of how many players there are on each team.
4. The "Free Substitution" Rule set forth in the Majors Division Rules (Exhibit "D") shall be in effect.
EXHIBIT "F"
LOCAL LEAGUE & TOURNAMENT PITCHING RULES
Pitching Rules
1. The Manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position except the position of catcher.
League age 13-14 95 pitches per day
11-12 85 pitches per day
9-10 75 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation (c) for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs:
NOTE: A pitcher who delivers one or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
4. Any pitch that is thrown while the pitcher is issuing an intentional walk does not count toward the pitch count for that day.
5. Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
6. A player may not pitch in consecutive games.
Exception – League age 14 and under – A player may pitch in consecutive games if 40 or less pitches were delivered in the previous game.
10. Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protesting a game will follow the Dixie Youth rulebook and or the HHBA local rulebook.
11. A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.
NOTES:
Example 1: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches on a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed the required three (3) days of rest.
Example 2: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has observed the required three (3) days of rest.
Example 3: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible based on his/her pitching record during the previous three days.
Note: The use of this regulation negates the concept of the “calendar week” with regard to pitching eligibility
Dixie Boys Division
See League and Tournament Pitching Rules.
Tournament Participating Requirements
At all division levels, no Dixie Youth All-Star player shall participate on any other baseball team during tournament play which begins on the first permitted practice date of the Dixie Youth/Dixie Boys Tournament Team and until his/her Dixie Youth team is eliminated from sanctioned tournament play.
EXHIBIT "G"
PEE WEE BASEBALL
PeeWee is designed for the beginning baseball player starting at league age 5. The games and practices are intended to be fun, instructional and last for about an hour. All games are usually on Saturday morning and practices are typically during the Week. (These practices can either be league scheduled or can take place in a "neighborhood field" if the manager so desires and advises the Pee Wee Commissioner.)
Players will be placed on teams by neighborhood area whenever possible. Requests for coaches or being with friends on the same team are honored to the extent possible while keeping even numbers of players on each team.
Pee Wee Rules
1. All team members play in the field every inning.
2. All teams bat completely through the order every inning.
3. Use the scorebook to keep the line-up but do not "keep score". Pee Wee games are always "a tie". Emphasis is on instruction not competition.
4. Time limit is 75 minutes. Games should target two complete innings of play. Do not begin a new inning after one hour of play.
5. A batter has the choice to hit a pitched ball or bat off the tee. If the batter opts to try to hit a pitched ball, he/she will get four pitches. If he/she does not put the ball in play, he/she will have four tries from the tee to put the ball in play.
6. A batter may run one base at a time.
7. Defensive players should be instructed to attempt an out at first and/or return the ball to the coach pitcher. Play stops when the coach pitcher has the ball.
8. Manager/Coach should announce "last batter". Only on last batter do base runners continue running to home.
9. Coaches and parents are allowed to coach all bases but cannot physically assist players offensively or defensively.
HILTON HEAD BASEBALL ASSOCIATION, INC.
Affiliated with Dixie Youth Baseball, Inc.
CREED OF THE HILTON HEAD DIXIE
YOUTH VOLUNTEER
As a volunteer in the Hilton Head Dixie Youth Baseball program, I promise to
• Regard Dixie Youth Baseball as a proud community asset for my community and help endow it with the highest personal standards.
• Respect the individual youth. Try to understand his or her capabilities, limitations, and problems of growing up.
• Be exemplary in the growing movement of Dixie Youth, ready to improve the estate of our youngsters whenever possible, and to find honest enjoyment in the creative service and teaching the program affords.
• Recognize obligations in training the youth and teaching lessons of fair play, discipline and team work.
• Keep informed in basic understanding and knowledge of the objectives of the program.
• Cooperate in scrupulous observance of the rules and regulations on a national and local basis which are the strength of Dixie Youth.
• Support the elected officials and directors of the Hilton Head Dixie Youth Program and abide by policies and decisions made by them. I will be engaged in no unscrupulous activity which tends to undermine the authority of those charged with the responsibility of directing this program.
• Attend regularly all official meetings and functions of the local program unless hindered by means over which I have no control, always placing the activities of the League at the highest level of importance. Unless hindered by unforeseen circumstances, I will always be present for team practices and games.
• Encourage volunteer support of parents, educators and all agencies devoted to the welfare of youth.
• Protect the Dixie Youth franchise against exploitation and use of Dixie Youth players for purposes of personal profit or commercialization.
"Building Youth Today for Better Citizens Tomorrow"