CEDAR GROVE JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE

MAJOR LEAGUE ETHICS RULES

Modified 50/70 Format

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.

MAJOR 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. Second 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 eight 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.
14. No single player shall sit for more than three innings in any one game. If a player does not play 3 innings due to weather or injury, he/she must start the next game. If there is sufficient reason, injury, discipline, etc., to deviate from this rule, the manager wishing to deviate must obtain the consent of the oppos­ing manager before the game begins. This consent must be communicated to the umpire who will initial each teams scorebook. If the injury or disciplinary action occurs during the game, the manager must discuss his intent with the other manager and obtain the other managers consent prior to commencement of the next inning. The umpire will be notified as stated above. (Darkness will be classed as weather)

MAJOR LEAGUE SPECIFIC RULES

The Major League will follow the most current official Cal Ripken 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 will be nine players in the field. If a player is injured at bat and can­not continue, the next batter will finish that at bat with the same count as the injured batter. This substituted batter will skip his/her regular turn at bat. If the injured batter cannot continue, his/her position in the order will be skipped. If a base runner is injured, the player having made the last out will replace him/her.
3. No 9 year olds will play in the Major League. A player is considered to be 9 years old if he/she reaches 9 yrs. old prior to Dec. 1 of that year.
4. There is no limit as to the number of 12 year olds that can pitch.
5. 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.
6. There are no balks until May 2^nd, the balk rule is in effect after the 1st warning There are no intentional walks allowed.
7. Stealing is allowed after the pitched ball crosses the plate. If the runner steals before the pitch crosses the plate, the umpire will return him/her to the base he/she occupied prior to the steal and issue a warning to the manager. If an illegal steal occurs again, the player guilty will be called out. If the runner is caught leaving early and is thrown out, the out will stand.
8. There is no leading at any base.
9. Dropped Third Strike - A dropped third strike is an out, but live. (When runners are on base with less than two outs). Starting May 2, drop third strikes will be live.

1. The infield fly rule does apply.
2. If a defensive player is injured on a batted ball and cannot continue the play, play is stopped and the batter and runners are awarded one additional base from the base already
3. 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).
4. A game called because of darkness or weather will be considered complete and will not be continued unless:
5. The game is tied after 4 or more complete innings.
6. Four full innings have not been completed (unless the home team is leading after 3 1/2 innings).
7. 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.
8. Both managers will meet with the umpire prior to the game to discuss the end of the game time.
9. No headfirst slide or diving when advancing.

10. 50/70 will follow USA Standards. All bats must have the USA stamp- 2 5/8" barrel

    • 1- piece solid wood bats are allowed and no USA stamp is required for a solid wood bat.
    • -3 BBCOR is allowed and no USA stamp is required

    • It is the responsibility of both coaches and umpires to check bats for a USA Stamp at ground rules.

SUBSTITUTION / SPEED UP RULES

A pinch runner may be used to allow the catcher time to suit-up for the next inning. The pinch runner must be the player having made the last out.

MAJOR 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. Only one player may pitch 3 innings, 3 pitchers must be used in a full 6 inning game
4. A player may pitch a maximum of 6 innings for that calendar week. - REMINDER: THE CALENDAR WEEK RUNS FROM MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY!
5. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes an inning pitched.
6. 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 at a later date.
7. Pitchers cannot wear white or grey undershirts, or any reflective ornaments, batting gloves, or white wristbands while pitching.
8. 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)

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