CEDAR GROVE JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE

MINOR LEAGUE  RULES

The Cedar Grove Junior Baseball League requests that all of its members conduct themselves, both on and off the field, as ladies and gentlemen. The League further requests that you treat all players, all managers, and all umpires with the courtesy and respect that you expect and deserve.

The following is a list of ethical practices, which, if used by all, will make each season more enjoyable and rewarding.

1. No profanity by players, managers, or umpires.
2. No overt acts by either players or managers because of a questionable call by an umpire; for example, throwing helmets, gloves, scorebooks, etc.
3. Only the manager and 2 assistants and a score keeper are permitted in the playing area.
4. Managers and umpires only are to discuss problems or disputes, which may arise. Assistant coaches are to control the players during discussions.
5. NO SMOKING: Smoking will not be tolerated on the field. It is important to set an example for the young athletes. If any member of the coaching staff has a need to light up, kindly leave the playing field. Cigars, cigarettes, and pipes are included.
6. Address the umpires in a modified voice when questioning a rule, interpre­tation of a rule, or a call. Judgment calls made by the umpires are NOT to be questioned. We are an instructional league and we will not tolerate intimida­tion of an umpire by anyone.
7. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated from the coaching staff, the players, and fans. Harassing opposing players, yelling "swing" to opposing batters, or any act that may interfere with the normal flow of the game is pro­hibited. It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to control the fans.
8. No one is permitted to stand behind the backstop during a game.
9. Violation of any of these rules can result in suspension or banishment from the League at the discretion of the League Commissioner and the Steering Committee. Any player or coach ejected from a game will be suspended for the next two games.

REMEMBER - Parents are the standard in sports and conduct for the players. We must conduct ourselves in a professional manner at all times and keep our standards high.

MINOR LEAGUE GENERAL RULES

NO UNWRITTEN RULES WILL APPLY

1. If the need arises to file a protest, the following procedures must be adhered to. Failure to follow this procedure will result in a denial of the protest by the Steering Committee.
2. 1. A protest can only be filed by the manager of the team.
   2. The manager must notify the umpire at the time of the incident, prior to the next pitch, that he wishes to file a protest. The umpire will sign each manager's scorebook to indicate the exact situation at the time of the protest.
   3. The manager must call the appropriate League Commissioner within 24 hours of the completion of the game to notify him of the protest. This notification must be done verbally and followed up in writing within the 24-hour period. The written description must include the exact details surrounding the incident that caused the protest.
   4. If the commissioner is satisfied that the correct procedure was fol­lowed, he will notify the Steering Committee and schedule a date to hear the protest.
   5. NO PROTESTS ARE ALLOWED ON JUDGMENT CALLS!
3. All managers or coaches are requested to attend all general meetings.
4. Metal spikes are strictly prohibited.
5. First numbered team on the schedule is the home team and they are re­sponsible to line the field prior to the game.
6. The home team is responsible for preparing the field prior to the game. Also, rake both home plate and fill and rake the pitchers mound at the conclusion.(DO THE FIELD AFTER EACH PRACTICE)

1. Forfeit time is 20 minutes after scheduled starting time. Refer to current schedule for starting times and field assignments.
2. Rainouts or postponements will be rescheduled for the first open date deter­mined by the League Commissioner. The home team manager is responsible for notifying the Commissioner within 24 hours of the postponement as to afford the Commissioner ample time to reschedule the game and umpires. The home team manager is responsible for notifying the visiting team manager of the rescheduled date immediately. At the discretion of the Commissioner, fail­ure to play a rescheduled game will result in a forfeit.
3. A legal team can be fielded with a minimum of seven players.
4. Violation of the substitution or pitching eligibility rules can result in forfei­ture of the game in which the violation occurs.
5. Cups must be worn by all catchers.
6. Batting helmets must be worn on the base paths.
7. Players warming up pitchers must wear a catcher's mask.
8. There is no limit as to the number of pitchers a team may use during any one game. All other pitching rules must be adhered to.
9. For pitching purposes, a calendar week is Monday through Sunday.
10. Only the manager, assistant coaches, or uniformed players are allowed in the coaching boxes.
11. In the event of poor field conditions or adverse weather and prior to the official start of a game, the two managers must agree to start the game. Once the game has begun the umpire's decision as to whether or not to continue will be final.
12. Umpires and managers shall discuss ground rules prior to commencement of the game. It is the responsibility of the managers to communicate this infor­mation to the coaching staff and players.
13. Sunday games are allowed for makeup games only and must start after 1:00 PM

MINOR LEAGUE SPECIFIC RULES

The Minor League will follow the most current official Babe Ruth Rules except for the following.

1. The batting order shall have as many positions as there are players present for the game. Any late arrivals must be added at the bottom of the order immediately before the start of the next complete inning. No player will bat twice before all other players have batted.
2. There are to be no short fielders in the outfield. In addition, there are to be no more than 4 infielders not counting the pitcher and catcher.
3. No 11 year olds will be allowed to pitch. A player is considered to be 11 years old if he/she reaches 11 years of age prior to July 31st of that year.
4. Pitchers will not be allowed to throw curve balls. The umpire will decide if a pitch is a curve, and if so, will rule no pitch. If this infraction occurs three times by the same pitcher, the pitcher must be removed from the mound.
5. There are no balks, intentional walks, or stealing allowed.
6. While the bases are loaded, a base on balls will occur after 8 balls have been thrown (not the conventional four as is the case when the bases are not loaded). Base runners will advance accordingly.
7. The infield rule does apply.
8. If a defensive player is injured on a batted ball and cannot continue play, play is stopped and the batter and runners are awarded one additional base from the base already achieved.
9. A base runner going into a base, in which the fielder already has the ball, must slide or avoid the fielder at that base. If the base runner runs into the fielder with the ball and the umpire judges the play as deliberate, the runner will be called out and be issued a warning. If, during the same game, the same player deliberately runs into a fielder with the ball again, the umpire will call the base runner out and disqualify him/her from the remainder of the game. (The ball is dead)
10. The outfield line will be marked by cones or some other suitable marker placed at the 185-foot mark from home plate by the umpire prior to the commencement of the game. Cones are not required at fenced fields.
11. A batted ball hit over the outfield line is a homerun even if caught.
12. A ground ball going past the outfield line will result in two bases awarded to the batter. This applies even if the ball has been touched by a fielder.
13. A game called because of darkness or weather will be considered complete and will not be continued unless:
    1. The game is tied after 4 or more complete innings.
    2. Four full innings have not been completed (unless the home team is leading after 3 1/2 innings).
    3. If at least three full innings have been completed, and the game is to be called, the score will revert back to the last complete inning. Suspended regulation games must continue from the point of suspension.
14. Both managers will meet with the umpire prior to the game to discuss the end of the game time.
15. No headfirst slide or diving when advancing

SUBSTITUTION / SPEED UP RULES

With two outs and the catcher on base, a pinch runner may be used to allow the catcher time to suit-up for the next inning. The pinch runner must be a player not already in the game or, if all players are in the game, the player having made the last out.

MINOR LEAGUE PITCHING RULES

1. A player who throws more than 20 pitches must have one calendar day of rest.
2. No one player shall pitch more than 3 full innings in any one game. All other pitching rules still apply.
3. A player may pitch a maximum of 6 innings for that calendar week. REMINDER: THE CALENDAR WEEK RUNS FROM MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY!
4. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes an inning pitched.
5. A player shall not be returned to the mound after having been removed as the pitcher in a game, even if that player was placed in another position. A pitcher who was removed from the mound cannot return to the mound if the game is suspended and continued later.
6. Pitchers cannot wear white or gray undershirts or any other reflective ornaments, batting gloves, or white wristbands while pitching.
7. Pitchers may pitch in both games of a doubleheader providing that the innings pitched and games played are uninterrupted (the time between games cannot exceed 15 minutes and the pitcher must finish the first game and start the second). The six inning per week rule still applies. (NO MORE THAN 3 INNINGS IN ONE DAY)
8. Pitching rules apply during regular season, playoffs, and World Series, except for the following:
   1. In the Minor League playoffs and World Series, no pitcher is allowed to pitch more than 6 innings for the entire series, regardless of the number of days required to complete the series.

Coaches should review and adhere to the following:

1. https://www.mlb.com/pitch-smart/pitching-guidelines
2. https://www.mlb.com/pitch-smart/pitching-guidelines/ages-9-12