CENTRAL CAL RIPKEN YOUTH LEAGUE 
 

HOME LEAGUE RULES

ARTICLE 1 - GENERAL

SECTION 1 – COMPOSITION OF DIVISIONS

In general, the intent of the Board is such that…

4, 5 & 6 year-olds will play T-Ball;

6, 7, & 8 year-olds will play in the Rookie Division;

8, 9, 10 & 11 year-olds will play in the Major-Minor Division.

10, 11 & 12 year-olds will play in the Major Division. 

A committee chaired by the Vice President will answer questions about the appropriate level of play for an individual player based on safety and what is determined to be in the best interest of the player and the league. 

If required, the Board may modify the above divisions to suit the number, and distribution of the players signed up that year.

SECTION 2 - MAJOR DIVISION RULES

1. Any player not attending a game for any reason shall be credited with two (2) innings played and one (1) at bat.

 

2. Each player at a game and not being disciplined must play at least two (2) innings of defense and have one (1) at bat.

 

3. Any player not playing due to disciplinary action will not be credited with two (2) innings played.  If a manager disciplines a player during the season, he/she may be required to show cause to the board.

 

4. Major teams shall bat the bench and be allowed free defensive substitutions.  Exception to “free defensive substitution” provision is that removal and reentry of the starting and subsequent pitchers shall follow the official interpretation of the Cal Ripken rules pertaining to reentry of pitchers.

 

5. A Major- division game shall consist of six (6) innings with a two (2) hour “drop dead” time limit and no new innings beginning after the one (1) hour and 45 minute point, at which time the score will revert back to the last completed inning, unless there are no games scheduled to follow, then they will complete the game.

SECTION 3 - MAJOR-MINOR DIVISION RULES

1. Major-Minor teams shall bat the bench and be allowed free defensive substitutions.  Exception to “free defensive substitution” provision is that removal and reentry of the starting and subsequent pitchers shall follow the official interpretation of the Cal Ripken rules pertaining to reentry of pitchers.

 

2. Any player not attending a game for any reason shall be credited with two (2) innings played and one (1) at bat.

 

3. Each player at a game and not being disciplined must play at least two (2) innings of defense and have one (1) at bat.

 

4. A player not playing due to disciplinary action will not be credited with two (2) innings played.  If a manager disciplines a player during the season, he/she may be required to show cause to the board.

 

5. A Major-Minor division game shall consist of six (6) innings with a two (2) hour “drop dead” time limit and no new innings beginning after the one (1) hour and 45 minute point, at which time the score will revert back to the last completed inning, , unless there are no games scheduled to follow, then they will complete the game.

 

6. Major-Minor teams will be allowed to field ten (10) players defensively.  The 10th player shall be placed in the grass beyond the infield.

 

7. If a game has a tie score after six (6) innings, the game shall be recorded as a tie.

 

8. There shall be a four (4) run rule in effect of the first four (4) innings.  The 5th and 6th innings will have no run limit (open innings), with the time limit still in effect.  The open innings shall not be moved if the time limit is being approached.

SECTION 4 - ROOKIE DIVISION RULES

1. The Rookie Division is intended for players six (6), seven (7), and eight (8) years old.  Nine (9) year olds that are found to be lacking adequate skills to play in the Minor-Minor division may be assigned to the Rookie Division with the approval of the Vice President.

 

2. A Rookie division game shall consist of six (6) innings with a two (2) hour “drop dead” time limit and no new innings beginning after the one (1) hour and 45 minute point, unless no games are following, then they will complete the game.

 

3. There will be a four (4) run rule in effect during the first five (5) innings of every game.  The sixth inning will have a ten (10) run maximum rule.

 

4. Each team shall bat the bench in rotation throughout the game.  If a player shows up after the game has started, that player shall be placed at the bottom of the batting order.

 

5. Team rosters should consist of no less than twelve (12) players and no more than fifteen (15) per Cal Ripken guidelines.  Ten (10) players will be fielded defensively.  The first nine (9) players will be positioned in the locations dictated by Official Baseball Rules.  The 10th player must be placed beyond the grass line of the infield.  Managers will rotate players into the field defensively after the first inning.  With each new inning, the manager must rotate the benched players into the field and a new player shall sit the bench.  No player is to sit on the bench two (2) innings before every player has sat at least one (1) inning.  Abuse of the substitution rule will require the manager to come before the Board of Directors to explain their actions and discipline may be given.

 

6. When the pitching machine is being used, a six (6) foot circle will be drawn around the pitching mound and is called the pitching circle.  A player cannot field a ball inside the circle.  The pitcher must be inside one of the circles to either side of the pitching circle at the time the ball is put into play.

 

7. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the play will be called dead.  The batter and all base runners will be awarded one (1) base.  Runners on base will only advance in a force situation.  If runners are not in a force situation, they will remain on the base from which they originated when the play was called dead.

 

8. If the pitcher touches or fields the ball inside the pitching circle, the play will be called dead. The batter and all base runners will be awarded one base.  Runners on base will only advance in a force situation.

For example, a runner is on first and second and the ball is declared dead due to a pitcher fielding the ball in the pitching circle.  The batter will advance to first, the first base runner will advance to second, and the second base runner will advance to third. 

   If base runners are not in a force situation, they will remain on the base on which they are standing.

For example, a runner is on second and the ball is declared dead due to the pitcher fielding the ball inside the pitching circle.  The batter will advance to first but the runner on second will stay on second because there was no force situation. 

If the pitcher enters the circle but does not field the ball, the results of the play will stand, except that no outs can be recorded.  The batter will get first base, or further if the play develops that way. 

If a player repeatedly enters the circle to make a play, the umpire will instruct the offending player's manager to move the player to another position. 

9. Runners may leave the base he/she occupies only after the pitched ball has crossed the plate.  No stealing is allowed in the Rookie division.

 

10. No game shall extend beyond six (6) innings.

 

11. A minimum of one (1) umpire furnished per the divisions umpire system shall be used during Rookie Division games.  The umpire will be located behind, and feeding the pitching machine.  It is expected that the umpire provided show up on time to officiate and to understand not only baseball rules but also the rules of the Rookie division.  The umpire schedule is shown on the game schedule sheet.  If a team does not supply an umpire for their assigned game, forfeiture of one win per each non-compliance could be assessed at the end of the season.  It is understood that the umpire is there more in a coaching/teaching mode than a dictator mode.

 

12. Play is stopped only after the umpire yells, "Time." The players may ask for time-out. In order to ask for time out, a defensive player must control the lead base runner, be in possession of the ball, and be in fair territory in the infield.  Controlling base runners means that the defensive player must have made the runners decide to either go back to their base or advance forward before the defensive player is granted a time-out.

 

13. Both teams are responsible for preparing the field for the game.  The pitching machine shall be adjusted at a setting of “44” and tested.  The home team needs to pick up the game balls from the clubhouse and provide a drying towel, if needed, for the pitching machine.  Both teams are also responsible for putting away all of the equipment after the game is completed.  If they play the last game of the day, they are also responsible for making sure that the Rookie equipment shed is locked up.  Both teams are responsible for cleaning up the field, dugouts, and stands following the game.

NO FOOD IS ALLOWED IN THE DUGOUT.  ONLY WATER AND SPORTS DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE DUGOUTS. 

14. There will be a maximum of six (6) pitches when using the pitching machine, except for three (3) strikes and the batter is called out.  A ball hit foul on the sixth pitch is a foul ball rather than an out.  During live pitching, after four (4) called balls occur, a coach from the offensive team shall come out and throw the remaining strikes left for a batter until the batter either strikes out or hits the ball, to a maximum of three (3) pitches from the coach.  After three (3) pitches, the batter is out unless he/she has hit the ball.

 

15. When using the pitching machine, the umpire has the option to call a NO-PITCH if the ball leaving the pitching machine is outside the regular strike zone.  If a player swings at a NO-PITCH ball and it is clearly out of the strike zone, at the umpire's discretion, he/she may still call a NO-PITCH with no strike counted against the batter.  The only exception shall be if the batter hits the ball foul or fair, then official baseball rules apply.  The ball is a foul ball if hit foul and fair if hit into fair territory.  The umpire must wait to call a NO-PITCH until the ball is in the catcher's glove.

 

16. The home plate umpire will be responsible for making sure that bats are moved out of the way of runners.

 

17. No standings will be kept in the Rookie division.

 

18. If necessary, a meeting of the Managers of the Rookie Division may be held up until May 1 of each playing season to modify and/or improve these Rookie rules.  A majority of the Managers present must endorse the rule changes and these changes must be submitted to the Board of Directors in writing for final approval.

 

19. A scorebook will be kept for each game, only for run limit and batting order purposes.

SECTION 5 - T-BALL RULES

1. Each team should consist of no more than ten (10) or more players.

 

2. All pitchers, catchers, batters, and runners must wear helmets.

 

3. Pitchers and catchers must wear protective cups.

 

4. Games will consist of four (4) innings, or a 1-1/2 hour time limit.  No new inning will begin 1-1/2 hours after the beginning of the game , unless there are no games scheduled to follow, then they will complete the game.

 
 

5. No balls or strikes will be counted.  All players will be allowed to hit the ball.

 

6. The ball must be hit beyond the foul line circle in front of home plate to be considered a fair ball.  Fly balls caught within the foul line circle will be considered an out.

 

7. During its offensive half of an inning, a team shall remain at bat until there are three (3) outs or four (4) runs are scored, whichever comes first.  During the last inning only, the teams shall bat the entire bench.

 

8. If one team cannot field ten (10) players, the opposing team may adjust its defensive number to match.  The minimum number of players to play a game is seven (7).

 

9. The managers shall bat the entire bench (roster) in rotation throughout the game.

 

10. After hitting the ball, if the batter throws the bat completely out of the batting area, the ball is dead and the umpire will caution the player about the effects of throwing a bat.  If the batter throws the bat completely out of the batting area a second time, the umpire MAY call him out. The ball is considered live and play will continue if the bat ROLLS out of the batting area after the batter hits the ball.  This will be at the umpire's discretion.

 

11. Runners may not leave their base until the batter hits the ball.

 

12. Play will stop when the ball is returned to the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle.  Any attempted throw to the pitcher while the pitcher is in the circle will stop play.

 

13. Only one (1) base may be taken on an overthrow out of the playing field, the base of intention plus one (1) base at the time of the throw.  The base of intention is at the umpire's discretion.

 

14. The umpire will adjust the tee for each batter and shall remove the tee before a runner is going to score.

 

15. Managers and coaches of the batting team may coach from the coach's box at first and third bases.  One manager or coach of the defensive team may coach from foul territory beyond 1^st and 3^rd bases, and one may coach in the outfield.

 

16. Each player at the game, and not being disciplined, must play.  Managers will rotate players into the field defensively after the first inning.  With each new inning, the manager must rotate the benched players into the field and a new player shall sit the bench.  No player is to sit on the bench two (2) innings before every player has sat at least one (1) inning.  Abuse of the substitution rule may require the manager to come before the Board of Directors to explain their actions and discipline may be given.

 

17. The 10th player may not play in the infield.  He/she must take a position on the grass beyond the infield.

 

18. If the batter touches or picks up the ball when it falls off the tee or is fouled off the tee, it is a replay "no out."  The umpire is to warn the player not to touch the ball.

 

19. Once a ball is hit off the tee and is live and playable, the official rules of baseball are in effect until the ball is declared dead. 

 

20. Major division players will be encouraged and allowed to umpire T-ball games.

 

21. If a player goes beyond the halfway markers between first/second and second/third or third/home, the player will be allowed to advance to the base when time is called or the ball is thrown to the pitcher to stop play.

 

22. Standings will not be kept in the T-ball division.

ARTICLE 2 - MINIMUM PLAY REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 1

Each player at a game and not being disciplined must play at least two innings of defense and bat at least once.  If this requirement is not met, the player will play the entirety of the next game. Any manager failing to abide by this rule will be automatically suspended and barred from the playing field and surrounding area for his team's next three (3) scheduled and completed games.  The exception to this rule is when the ten (10) run rule is in effect or when an officially complete game has been called due to rain or darkness.

SECTION 2

Failure of a home team to take the field in the bottom of the sixth (6) inning due to the home team leading shall not be considered a valid reason for not playing a player two (2) innings of defense and one (1) at bat.

SECTION 3

Failure of a manager to have two (2) or three (3) (depending on the division) innings of defense and one (1) at bat per game for every player on his roster at the end of the season may affect the manager's eligibility to manage a tournament team or to participate in post-season play.  This may also have a bearing on his/her eligibility to manage/coach a team the following year.

SECTION 4

The official scorekeeper will check innings and report to the Manager Representative, who will notify the manager in question.  Failure of a notification does not relieve the manager of his responsibility.

ARTICLE 3 - LINE-UPS

 

Before each game, the managers shall turn in a line-up sheet fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled game time, to the opposing manager, official scorekeeper, and the plate umpire.  This sheet will include the starting line-up, jersey number, last name, first name, position, and all other players on the roster.  Any player not present shall be noted and a reason given.  Any player not present and not playing due to disciplinary action will also be noted.  If a player arrives late to the game, the player will be added to the end of the roster and batting line-up (lower divisions only).

ARTICLE 4 – ROSTERS

SECTION 1

1. In the Major Division, a team losing a player for the rest of the season must draft a player from the Major-Minor Division unless it has played more than 3/4 of its games when the vacancy occurs.  No Major team may be permitted to use substitutes from lower divisions.  No inter-division borrowing is permitted.

 

2. If a Major team cannot field a full team of nine (9) players, the game will be rescheduled through the Official Scorekeeper and given the next available date on the calendar.

 

3. No manager or coach is to talk to any player, player's parents, or player's manager/coach when picking their replacement player.  The manager looking for a replacement player must go through the Player Agent.

 

4. There will only be a select few reasons for a player not to come up to the Major division: i.e. a physical limitation, an option player, not attending the required number of tryouts or parental request with Board approval.

SECTION 2

No players in the Major-Minor, Minor-Minor and Rookie Divisions may be held over.  All must return to the pool and be redrafted the next year or appointed, as in the Rookie Division.

SECTION 3

1. Major division teams must be kept up to full strength.  The roster shall consist of no less than twelve (12) active team members.  If a player relinquishes his/her spot on the team, the Player Agent is to be notified immediately by the team manager.  The manager is to give the Player Agent a list of three (3) names of possible replacement players within one (1) week following notification.  If a second manager loses a player at the same time, he/she turns in his/her list of three (3) names at the same time.  The second manager does not get an extra week to look over who is available after the first manager's pick.

 

2. All replacement players are to be picked starting with eligible twelve (12) year olds, then eligible eleven (11) year olds, and then eligible ten (10) year olds.

SECTION 4

1. Players must attend two-thirds (2/3) or more of the scheduled tryouts to be eligible for the Major division draft.  Any player not attending the above-prescribed tryouts, without a board approved excuse, will not be placed on the player draft list.  Instead, their name will be placed in a player pool from which Major-Minor team managers shall draw lots for pool players until all Major-Minor teams are full or the pool is exhausted.

 

2. The player pool order for the Major-Minor division will be an open draft.  Those players who are placed in the player pool due to missing tryouts may be allowed to move up to the Major division with Board approval if an opening occurs later in time and after other options have been exhausted.

 

3. Manager/coach option players are not required to try out.  Sibling option players are required to attend tryouts.

 

4. All Major and Major-Minor Division options must be identified in writing to the Player Agent at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the option player's respective draft.

 

5. Once a player is on a Major Division roster, he/she will remain on that roster throughout his/her Cal Ripken eligibility.

 

6. A returning player in the Major Division may submit a request to the Board to be released from his/her existing team by written notification 48 hours before the Major draft.  Upon confirmation, the Player Agent will notify the Manager of that team and the player may reenter the open draft.  This player would be eligible to be drafted by any team except the team he/she was just released from.  This release clause, if approved, can only be used once during a player’s time in the Major Division.  The final resolution of all disputes regarding the players release rests with the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 5 – PUBLICITY

SECTION 1

1. The manager or scorekeeper of the winning team is to report the results of the game to the Official Scorekeeper or note the information on the blackboard in the clubhouse.

 

2. The Official Scorekeeper will change the standings board.  No manager, coach, or team scorekeeper shall be allowed to change the standings board.

ARTICLE 6 - TIME LIMIT

SECTION 1 - MAJOR DIVISION

1. A regulation game shall consist of six (6) innings, or four (4) innings, if the game is called due to weather or darkness.  However, if the home team has scored more runs in three and one-half (3-1/2) innings than the visiting team has scored in four (4) complete innings, it is considered a complete game.  The two (2) hour “drop dead” time limit with no new inning starting after the one (1) hour and 45 minute point is in effect for all games, unless there are no games scheduled to follow, then they will complete the game.

 

2. The plate umpire will notify the official scorekeeper (home team scorekeeper) of the exact time the game commences and it will be noted in the home score book.

 

3. "Time outs" called by the plate umpire for injuries or extenuating circumstances may be added to the game's scheduled completion time, at the umpire’s discretion.

 

4. The plate umpire will notify both managers when the time limit is approaching and that the last inning is about to be played.  Example: Play ball is called at 6:10 (official starting time) and the third out of the fourth (4) inning is made at 7:54.  The fifth inning will be considered "in progress" and will be played to completion or until the two (2) hour “drop dead” time limit is reached.  A new inning is considered to start as soon as the third out of the previous inning is made.

SECTION 2 - MAJOR-MINOR, AND ROOKIE DIVISION

1. A regulation game shall consist of six (6) innings, or four (4) innings, if the game is called due to weather or darkness.  However, if the home team has scored more runs in three and one-half (3-1/2) innings than the visiting team has scored in four (4) complete innings, it is considered a complete game.  The two (2) hour “drop dead” time limit with no new inning starting after the one (1) hour and 45 minute point is in effect for all games, unless there are no games scheduled to follow, then they will complete the game.

 

2. The plate umpire will notify the official scorekeeper (home team scorekeeper) of the exact time the game commences and it will be noted in the home score book.

 

3. "Time outs" called by the plate umpire for injuries or extenuating circumstances may be added to the game's scheduled completion time, at the umpire’s discretion.

 

4. The plate umpire will notify both managers when the time limit is approaching and that the last inning is about to be played.  Example: Play ball is called at 6:10 (official starting time) and the third out of the fourth (4) inning is made at 7:54.  The fifth inning will be considered "in progress" and will be played to completion or until the two (2) hour “drop dead” time limit is reached.  A new inning is considered to start as soon as the third out of the previous inning is made.

SECTION 3 - T-BALL

1. If the game is into the fourth (4th) inning at or before the one and a half hour (1-1/2 ) time limit has been reached, the fourth (4th) inning shall be played to its completion.

 

2. If the game is in the third (3rd) inning at the one and a half hour (1-1/2 mark), the game will be considered officially completed at the end of the third (3rd) inning.

 

3. "Time outs" called by the plate umpire for injuries or extenuating circumstances may be added to the game's scheduled completion time.

SECTION 4 - TEN-RUN RULE

Any division game may be terminated once becoming regulation if one team is ahead by ten (10) or more runs and has had equal times at bat or the home team is leading.  The manager/coach who is behind by ten (10) or more runs at the end of a regulation game shall have the option of invoking the 10 run rule by notifying the home plate umpire of his/her decision.  Article 2 - Minimum Play Requirements shall not apply.  In the event of a 10 run forfeiture game, if either team has not met the requirements of Article 2 - Minimum Play Requirements, the manager will be required to start any players who did not play two (2) innings in the next scheduled and completed game.  These players are to play a minimum of two (2) innings and one (1) at bat.  The home plate umpire, in the interest of good sportsmanship, shall declare any team ahead by fifteen (15) or more runs, after a regulation game, the winner.

SECTION 5 - WARM UP

When back-to-back games are scheduled on the same field, the waiting teams will warm up outside the field and be ready to start their game on time.  Infield practice may or may not be permitted, depending on availability of time.   This will be at the home plate umpire's discretion.

ARTICLE 7 - EQUIPMENT

SECTION 1

All broken equipment must be turned into the Equipment Manager before any replacement equipment can be issued.

SECTION 2

During the season, each player is responsible for keeping the uniforms assigned to the team clean and in good repair.  It is the team manager's responsibility to see that this is done.  All equipment, including is to be turned in immediately following the team's last division game. 

ARTICLE 8 - MISCELLANEOUS

sECTION 1

   The manager and two coaches will be allowed to coach bases in all of the divisions.

SECTION 2

Prior to each game, the coaches of both teams will line the field, water the field (if necessary), and set out the bases.  They will also be responsible for putting away the bases and all other equipment used in preparing the field.  Both teams will police the dugouts and playing field for garbage after the game.  If the playing field needs to have tarps put down due to weather conditions, both teams will be responsible for helping to tarp the field.

SECTION 3

   All protested games will be subject to the following procedure: 

1. The manager must give notice that the game is being played under protest to the plate umpire immediately at the time of the disputed decision and before the next pitched ball to the batter or the next play.

 

2. A written report setting forth all the facts of the protest must be filed with the division representative within twenty-four (24) hours of the date of the protest and given to the Umpire-in-Chief.

 

3. The Umpire-in-Chief shall appoint three (3) coaches and/or managers of the division, not connected with the teams involved, to serve on a protest committee.  In cases where the Umpire in Chief is an involved party, assembly of the protest committee shall be deferred to the President.

 

4. After all the pertinent evidence has been reviewed, the Umpire-in-Chief and the protest committee shall make a recommendation to the Board of Directors who will then issue a final ruling on the protest.

 

5. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment calls made by the umpire.

SECTION 4

Each manager will select a team parent for his/her team.  The team parents duties include the telephone committee for the team manager, attending the team parents orientation program, collecting the money for his/her team's fundraising, giving photo orders/money to the photographer, and other miscellaneous chores that may help the manager and division.

SECTION 5

No food or drink will be allowed in the dugouts or on the playing field during the game.  Water and sports drinks shall be allowed in the dugout.  This pertains to all divisions.

SECTION 6

A player, manager, or coach removed from a game shall be suspended for the remainder of that game and all further games until he/she comes before a committee of three (3) board members for review.  The Manager's Representative will form this review committee.  One of the committee members will be the Umpire-in-Chief.  The committee must convene before the offender's next scheduled game.  The umpire must notify the Manager's Representative immediately in writing.  The Manager's Representative is to notify the Board of Directors of the outcome of the review committee.

SECTION 7

NO USE OF TOBACCO: in any form, shall be allowed by managers, coaches, players, or umpires on or in the immediate vicinity of the playing field during the game.  Failure to comply will result in removal from the playing field.

SECTION 8

Inter-league games shall be permitted with other Cal Ripken Leagues with the Vice-President's approval, for insurance reasons.

SECTION 9

   The Player Agent shall not manage or coach a T-ball or Rookie division team.

SECTION 10

At all scheduled work parties, all teams must have at least one (1) member show up for participation.  This can include managers, coaches, parents, players, etc., to show up and work or the team will lose privileges for use of the any field and the batting cage for practice.  The manager/coach may also lose the privilege of being able to participate in managing or coaching during post-season play.  .

SECTION 11 - MAJOR DIVISION

While a team is on offense only, one (1) player will be allowed in the batting cage at a time.  While on offense, managers and coaches shall confine themselves to the dugout or base coaching boxes except during time outs.

SECTION 12

Major and Major-Minor division teams wanting to participate in pre season tournaments that might be offered shall be randomly drawn from a pool of willing participants and shall NOT be determined by the previous seasons win-loss record.  Covering the costs associated with participating in pre-season tournaments shall be the responsibility of those teams involved.  The league will provide the necessary baseballs when required.

ARTICLE 9 - TEAM COMPOSITION

SECTION 1

Each Major division team will have no less than twelve (12) players and no more than fifteen (15) on its roster per the Cal Ripken guidelines.  Each Major division team may have a maximum of seven (7) twelve year olds and a maximum of three (3) ten year olds.

SECTION 2

Major-Minor division teams should have a minimum of eleven (11) players but shall have no more than fifteen (15) players.

SECTION 3

Each Major team manager will ensure that when safety is not an issue, all eligible eleven (11) and twelve-(12) year-olds are drafted to the Major Division teams.  A committee chaired by the Vice President will answer questions about the appropriate level of play for an individual player based on safety and what is determined to be in the best interest of the player and the league.  The total number of ten (10) year olds allowed into the draft will be limited by the number of open draft positions up to a maximum of three (3) per team.  Ten (10) year olds may be selected at any point in the draft, even prior to an eleven (11) or twelve (12) year old. 

For example: There are a total of 35 open draft positions, and it is determined that there are 30 eligible eleven (11) and twelve (12) year olds.  Only five (5) additional ten (10) year olds will be allowed to be drafted into the Major division. 

However, the final make-up of any Major Division team, as long as it is within the boundaries of Article 9, Section 1, is within the manager's control.

SECTION 4

   Drafting of nine (9) year olds will not be allowed in the Major division without Board approval.

SECTION 5

No twelve (12) year olds will be allowed to pitch in the Major-Minor division. 

SECTION 6

Each player’s family may request, with no reason required, that he or she not play for one manager, coach, or team by submitting a letter stating their request to the Player Agent at least 48 hours before the Major draft (regardless of the Division the player will play in).  The League will guarantee their request. If a family submits more than one letter of request, no requests will be honored.

ARTICLE 10 - SAFETY

SECTION 1

The Vice-President (Safety Officer), or in his/her absence, the Umpire-in-Chief, shall delay or postpone any game that is to be played on a field that is judged unsafe due to conditions of the field or other adverse conditions, such as weather.  In the event that the Vice-President and Umpire-in-Chief are unable and unavailable to make a decision on whether or not to play on the fields, the Field Manager may make this decision in their absence.

SECTION 2

If a child's abilities to participate with his/her age group are found to be deficient to the point that his/her or a teammate's safety is jeopardized, he/she may be reassigned to a lower division.  This action would only take place after all parties involved are given the opportunity to submit evidence for or against the reassignment to the Board of Directors for its decision.

SECTION 3

   All catcher helmets shall have extended earflaps for protection.  No skullcaps will be allowed.

SECTION 4

In the T-Ball Division, all pitchers and catchers must wear helmets with attached face protectors and groin protector cups.

SECTION 5

All catchers will be required to wear a chest protector when he/she is behind the plate.  Both the belt length and the extended type with a groin protector will be acceptable.  Neither type of protector shall alleviate the protective cup requirement.

SECTION 6

Players shall wear no jewelry during games or practices.  This shall include watches, rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, etc.  Medical bracelets shall be exempt from this rule.

SECTION 7

No players will be allowed to participate in scheduled games while wearing shorts, cut-offs, or other pants that do not cover and protect the entire leg.  Official uniforms must be worn to all games.

ARTICLE 11 - PLAYER SELECTION SYSTEM

SECTION 1 – option players

1. There shall be six (6) types of option players as follows.
   1. Son or daughter of the manager.
   2. Son or daughter of the coaches, limited to two (2) coach's options on a team at any one time.
   3. Brother or sister of players already selected to the team (sibling option).
   4. Grandson/granddaughter of the manager/coach.
   5. Stepson/stepdaughter/multiple grandchild of the manager/coach.
   6. All other cases will be brought to the Board of Directors for approval.

 

2. Once a manager/coach's option has been taken, that player taken as an option shall remain the team's optioned player throughout his/her career.  Upon graduation/resignation of a designated option, the vacated option may be used during the next draft.

 

3. Manager/coaches options will be exercised in the following manner:
   1. Manager's option - 2nd round
   2. Coach's option - 3rd round
   3. Second coach's option - 4th round
   4. Brother/sister/multiple grandchild option - 5th round
   5. Brother options that are attached to a coaches/managers option, will be reclassified as a coaches option when the original coaches/managers option has completed their Cal Ripken eligibility. 

 

4. In the event there are no manager/coach's options, remaining options (except for option listed in Paragraph C, Line 4 above) shall progress up in the draft, no further than the second round.

SECTION 2 - MAJOR division DRAFT

1. The Major Division draft shall follow the suggested method formulated by Babe Ruth headquarters except for any rules noted within these home division rules.  The detailed procedures are available in the President's Handbook, pages 24-27, under the heading of Player Selection Systems-Player Draft.

 

2. Options must be turned into the Player Agent at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the draft and must be in writing.  Optioned players do not try out with the exception of sibling options.  Sibling options must try out.

 

3. Team position in draft picks will be in reverse order of the previous year's final standings.  For example, the last place team from the previous year has the first draft pick in the current year's draft.

 

4. Ties from team standings will first be broken by head-to-head competition, then drawn from a hat if the teams had split head-to-head competition.

 

5. If a coach or parent moves to another Major division team to become that team's manager, the coach/parent will be allowed to take their child(ren) with them as an option(s).  However, the team to which that coach/parent becomes a manager will lose its first draft pick.

SECTION 3 - MAJOR-MINOR division DRAFT

1. The Major-Minor draft shall follow the Major draft when it comes to option definition and manager/coach's options.

 

2. Drawing lots prior to the beginning of the draft shall determine the drafting order.

 

3. Teams will be allowed three (3) option players meeting the requirements of Article 11, Section 1, paragraph A, lines 1-6 of the Central Cal Ripken Home League Rules.

 

4. Options shall be exercised in the same manner as the Major division draft.  See Article 11, Section 1, paragraph C.

 

5. If a player signs up late after the Major-Minor division draft but before the cutoff date, all teams with the fewest number of players will be put in a hat and drawn.  Example:  Two (2) teams in the Major-Minor division have twelve (12) players and the others have eleven (11).  The teams with eleven (11) players will go into a hat, from which a team will be drawn.  The team drawn will be the designated team for the late signed-up player.

 

6. Players joining a Major-Minor division team late must attend practice for one (1) week at the managers discretion prior to playing in league games due to safety reasons.

 

7. If a Major division player signs up after the draft, they must be returned to the Major-Minor division and will not be allowed to move up to the Major division.  They will be eligible for post-season play on all teams.

SECTION 4 - ROOKIE DIVISION selection

1. There will not be a player draft in the Rookie division.

 

2. The Player Agent will select a committee and will hold a one (1) day tryout to determine the ability of all players eligible for the Rookie division.  The Player Agent will then divide the players up as equally as humanly possible amongst the Rookie division teams.  Option players must also participate in the Rookie division tryouts.  Every effort will be made to equalize the teams and keep the same number of eight (8) year olds and seven (7) year olds on each team.

 

3. The Player Agent will convene a committee of at least three (3) Board members to review Rookie team assignments.

 

4. If a player signs up late after teams have been assigned players but before the cutoff date, Article 11, Section 3, paragraph E of the Central Cal Ripken Home Division Rules shall apply.

SECTION 5 - T-BALL DIVISION

1. There will not be a player draft in the T-ball division.

 

2. The Player Agent shall establish the T-ball teams.  Consideration will be taken to put players which live close together and/or attend the same schools on the same team.