Uvalde Little League
Local Rules and Ground Rules
Article I
Purpose
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Uvalde Little League (ULL) is to implant in our youth the ideals of sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and respect for leadership
AUTHORITY AND VALIDITY
The Board of Directors shall be governed by the Constitution of the League on record in Williamsport, PA. The Uvalde Little League operating rules and bylaws shall be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Following adoption of these rules by the Board, they may only be changed upon the concurring vote of the majority of the Board. These rules pertain to all Uvalde Little League.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE RULES
The ULL operating rules are constructed in a manner intended to conform to the operating regulations and playing rules of Little League Baseball. ULL is a chartered component of Little League Baseball and intends to continue as such.
1. Wherever those rules stand silent, the regulations and playing rules of ULL shall be followed. Wherever those rules are in conflict with the Little League Operating Manual, the Little League regulations and rules shall prevail.
2. Whenever the ULL engages in regular season and interleague play with another chartered title little league, the division involved, shall play by interleague rules as may be negotiated with the other league and approved by the Board. Interleague rules shall take precedence over these Operative Rules.
The Local rules, ground rules, and bylaws of ULL shall expire at the end of each fiscal year, can be changed and voted on by the active Board, and are not considered part of the Uvalde Little League Constitution.
Article II
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of ULL shall be from October 1 to September 30 of each calendar year.
Article III
Fees
A reasonable Little League participation fee may be assessed as parent’s obligation to assure the operational continuity of the ULL. The fees may change year to year. The current fees are set as follows:
General Membership/Volunteer fee: $1.00
Player Fees:
First Child: T-ball/Coach Pitch $70.00
Minor/Major/Junior: $80.00
Maximum cost per family: $200.00
Late fee: $10.00
Team Sponsorship fees:
Bronze level (team only): $200.00
Silver Level (team/plaque): $300.00
Gold level (team/plaque/banner): $400.00
Platinum Level (above, website): $500.00
ULL will not deny any child a chance to play baseball or softball due to financial hardship. ULL will make available either full or partial scholarships, that will be voted on by the Board, to assist with player fees. ULL will look for sponsorship to assist in scholarships. The scholarship program will cover registration fees only.
Article IV
MANAGER, COACHES AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS
All managers, coaches, and volunteers who provide regular services to ULL or have repetitive access or contact with players and teams must complete and submit an official “Little League Volunteer Application,” to the board of directors and satisfactorily complete a background check. Refusal of failing to submit a fully completed application will result in the immediate dismissal of the individual from the league. Volunteers can include, but not limited to: managers, coaches, umpires, team moms, concession workers, parents who assist at practice, and Board of Directors.
All managers and coaches are responsible to help on work days, check playing conditions, and clean and rake field following their respective games. Mangers and coaches from both teams should work together to line and mark the fields before the games and also to return equipment and bases to the storage room after games.
All teams will be assigned umpiring duties at some time. Managers and coaches will be required to fulfill these duties. Failure to fulfill duties will result in a one game suspension for the manager.
DISCIPLINE
Any volunteer who is arrested for any felony offense or any offense involving moral turpitude shall report he arrest to the Board within 72 hours. Any volunteer who is convicted, pleads guilty or no contest, or receives deferred adjudication for such an offense shall also report that event to the Board within 72 hours. The Board will discuss such violations within 48 hours of notification.
Moral turpitude includes but is not limited to:
1. Dishonesty, fraud, deceit, theft, misrepresentation
2. Deliberate violence
3. Base, bile, or depraved acts that are intended to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor
4. Felony possession, transfer, sale, distribution, or conspiracy to possess, transfer, sell or distribute any controlled substances.
5. Acts constituting public intoxication, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, or disorderly conduct, if any two or more acts are committed within any 12-month period
6. Acts constituting abuse under the Texas Family Code.
Managers will be responsible for the conduct of the themselves, their coaches, team players and parents of the team members. Manager and coaches will abide by the Coaches Code of Conduct.
An ejection from a game or league complex of player, manager, coach, volunteer, parent and/or fan due to unsportsmanlike conduct will be followed up and brought to the attention of the Board. The meeting will consist of the board, manager, and the person involved on a case by case bases for status review. Upon review of the violation, the individual can have action taken against them by the Board.
Any person in violation of any of the Official Little League Rules and ULL bylaws may result in disciplinary action by the Board in accordance with those rules. Additional penalties may be levied by the Board. This is at the discretion of the board. Anonymous allegations will be discarded unless they can be documented or corroborated in writing through independent means.
Action levels to be taken by the Board include but not limited to:
1. Consultation with the league President
2. Letter of Reprimand from the Board
3. Suspension of volunteer for 1 game
4. Suspension of the volunteer for remainder of the season
5. Not favorably considered for future Little League Appointments
6. Dismissal from any and all ULL activities
Article V
PLAYER CONDUCT
Players are expected to adhere to ULL code of conduct for sportsmanship. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in disciplinary action.
Disciplinary action for player misconduct is covered in the ULL Player/Parent Code of Conduct.
A manager may bench a player for disciplinary reasons, misconduct, or absence from practice or games with approval of the Player agent or President. If a child is benched, the manager shall include the child’s name and a notation regarding the managers action on the roster that is given the scorekeeper and plate umpire. The manager shall also notify the player’s parent(s) if present at the game. No child should be benched without prior approval by the appropriate board member.
1. Before a manager can bench a player, he must have a copy of the team’s disciplinary plan, signed by the player and the parent/guardian. This may be a sperate plan in addition to the Code of Conduct.
2. The team discipline plan should be approved by the league board. The player agent will keep a copy of the teams plan on file.
3. This plan should state clearly for what reasons a player may be benched other than a play. This leaves room for you to execute situations.
4. If a child that has been marked absent or reports late the game and is subsequently benched, the manager shall immediately notify the scorekeeper and plate umpire of this action. The manager shall also notify the player’s parent(s) if present at the game.
5. Any manager electing to invoke the provisions of this rule shall report, in writing, to the league player agent within 24 hours of the game and state the reasons for this action. It will be the responsibility of the Player Agent to investigate the situation and report findings to the league President.
6. This does not apply to T-ball or Coach Pitch
If a player is ejected from a game by the umpire for violating the Code of Conduct the disciplinary action can include:
1. Removal of the player from the dug out and placed in the care of a legal parent or guardian. If there is no guardian present a coach will be placed in charge of the players care until that parent or guardian is able to get their child.
2. Ejection of a player on the first infraction will result in a 1-game suspension to be carried out on the next full game.
3. Ejection of a player in any subsequent games will result in a 2-game suspension to be carried out on the next full games.
4. If a player is ejected from a second game, he or she will be ineligible for tournament play.
If a player is involved in a physical altercation with another player on the same or opposing team similar discipline will be handed down after an investigation has been completed by the Board.
All levied actions to players, coaches, and managers will be made a matter of record by the league secretary. Chronic offenders of minor infractions will be dealt with more severely as the violations accumulate at the discretion of the Board.
Article VI
UMPIRES
Umpiring is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the Little League program. We are lucky in ULL to have volunteer umpires and they are as much a part of Little League as any other volunteer.
Little League feels there is no sound reason for paying umpires or any other person volunteering. While the Board agrees with Little League, there are situations during the season to pay a reasonable fee to the home plate umpire. The Board has given authority to the President and Umpire-in-Chief to determine a reasonable fee to be paid upon completion of services. A reasonable fee may be paid for umpires when volunteer services cannot be met in the Minor, Major, and Senior Divisions only. Umpires will only be paid when they are in full uniform and have/use their personal equipment.
The Umpire-in-Chief will make umpiring assignments for all games. Only ULL approved managers, coaches, umpires or individuals approved by the Umpire-in-Chief will be allowed to umpire both home and bases. Managers and coaches will adhere to the following guidelines.
1. A qualified umpire is one who knows the rules of Little League (baseball/softball) and can conduct themselves in accordance with Little League Rules and Regulations. Managers will be given a rule book before the season and are expected to read and study the rules.
2. All managers must attend a Coaches Clinic. Managers will not receive their league equipment if they have not attended a clinic. Managers will be responsible for passing information learned to their coaches.
3. The Umpire-in-Chief will try to avoid having manager/coaches umpire games in the same division in which they manage/coach; as well as keep baseball coaches with baseball and softball coaches with softball.
4. Umpiring duties would be as follows:
a. T-ball/Coach Pitch: no umpires will be needed
b. Minor Divisions: The managers and will assist at the minor level. One paid umpire behind the plate, and one manager/coach on the bases.
c. Major Divisions: The managers and coaches will assist at the major level. One paid umpire behind the plate, and on manager/coach on the bases.
d. Managers and coaches will assist the Umpire-in-Chief as needed, on any level.
5. On games where the team is assigned umpire duty, the team is responsible for providing umpires. In cases where umpire(s) do not show or failure to provide umpires, the manager of the team assigned to umpire duty will be subject to assuming the next available duties of the two participating teams of the game missed. Intentional or multiple violations will result in game suspension of the manger for the next game. Missed umpire duty will be recorded and used for consideration for tournament team coaches and future Little League positions.
6. If a team wants to trade umpire duty with another team, to reassign that responsibility, the schedule must be notified 24 hours prior to the game. Failure to notify the scheduler will result in the originally assigned team being held responsible for umpire duties.
7. Exceptions will be permitted by the umpire-in-chief or the league president to appoint emergency substitutes when necessary. This emergency appointment does not relieve the manager or coach of their responsibilities.
8. Verification of the baseball pitch count will be confirmed by the umpires with the team’s scorekeeper in the middle of each inning, and upon the removal/change/retire of each pitcher. This applies to the minor divisions and above. The manager will be responsible for ensuring that the pitch count is accurate.
9. The official scorebook keeper will be the HOME team for rulings on the field by umpires. The official pitch count log will be kept by the VISITING team.
ARTICLE VII
DIVISION ALIGNMENT
A. Division alignment (may be adjusted depending upon the registration numbers)
1. T-ball
a. 4-year-old
b. 5 and 6-year-old
2. Softball Divisions
a. Coach Pitch 6-8-year-old
b. Minor Girls 8-10-year-old
c. Major Girls 10-12-year-old
d. Senior League 13-15-year-old
3. Baseball Divisions
a. Coach Pitch 6-8-year-old
b. Minor Boys 8-10-year-old
c. Major Boys 10-12-year-old
d. Senior Boys 13-15-year-old
B. Tryouts and Drafting
1. Tryouts and Player selection (draft) will be conducted according to the Little League Operating Manual for baseball and softball divisions. Times and dates will be set by the Board, and Directors of baseball and softball will be responsible for conducting tryouts.
2. There will be no tryouts for t-ball and coach pitch.
3. Letters to hold any age player down in a lower division or move them into a higher division are discouraged. However, a letter of justification may be submitted by the parent or guardian to the player agent or league president. Request will be considered, provided it is received in time for the player agent to review and act upon to the tryout date. Any age player under review needs to attend the tryouts for his age division and the tryouts for the requested division. Requests to move a player will not be considered without a written letter.
4. Tryouts for the minor and major divisions will occur on the same day. All managers for these divisions should be present on this day.
5. The draft for the major and minor league levels will occur as follows:
a. Number of teams will be based on registration numbers
b. Teams will ideally have an equal number of players
c. Players not making at least one tryout will NOT be drafted, they will be selected from a hat or managers may discuss to have all players put back in the draft.
d. It will be at the boards discretion to allow any player that does not attend at least on tryout to be eligible to play.
e. All returning Major league players will not need to tryout and will be placed don the same team they played on in the previous year, unless they are requesting a release or a trade.
f. If a release or trade is requested, they must present a letter of such request to the player agent at registration prior to tryouts. If a release is requested, a tryout must be made by the player and he/she may be dragged by any team except the one he was released from. If a trade is requested, then a tryout will not be required if the managers involved can work a trade.
g. It will be to the discretion of the President and Player agent if such a trade or release will be made.
C. Replacement players
1. When a player is lost to a team during the playing season for any of the following reasons:
a. He/she moves to another city or state to far to commute for practice and play
b. He/she is injured and will not be able to return to play with 50% or more remaining games
c. He/she has for personal reasons decided to terminate association with the team
d. Any other justifiable reasons reviewed and approved by the Board
2. The manager of the team losing the player should notify the player agent or president within 24 hours.
3. The vacancy shall be filled according to Regulation III (d) per Board approval
4. Upon notification and approved of vacancy, the manager shall have 48 hours to select a replacement player, if there is a waiting list.
5. When a major league roster falls below the prescribed amount, and permission has been granted, the manager can choose a stand-by replacement.
6. Managers who fail to notify the player agent or president will be disciplined by the board and will forfeit that position for the remainder of the season.
7. All league players must be in the uniform provided by the league (shirt and cap).
Article VIII
LOCAL GROUND RULES
ULL will operate its season under the official regulations and playing rules for all divisions. The board has voted to approve the following exceptions.
RULES APPLYING TO ALL DIVISIONS
The Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League shall apply and be followed in all divisions except as amended or stated in these Local League Rules. Local League Rules DO NOT apply to post season tournament play or interleague play.
GAME PLAY
1. In all leagues, an active/practice is defined when 4 or more players from the same team meet for an organized event in which baseball/softball is practiced, played or discussed between a manager/coaches and parents/players
2. In T-ball the limit will be one hour, and in Coach Pitch the limit will be one hour and 15 minutes
3. The Umpire will signal the official start time for Major/Minor/Senior divisions, and the official start time should coincide with the scheduled start time.
4. In the interest of safety in all divisions, a batter will receive one warning for throwing a bat. This will be a team warning. If any player on that team throws a bat after the team warning is issued, the player will be called out, and the ball will be considered dead. Managers and scorekeepers will be notified. The second time this happens, the player may be ejected from the game at the discretion of the umpire. This applies to each batter.
5. Complaints or protests of any nature must be in writing and signed in order to be considered. The complaint or protest should be submitted to the league player agent/president, who will investigate as the circumstances warrant.
6. The run rules will be utilized in the competitive divisions per the Official Little League Guidelines.
a. Little League Run Rule 4.10(e) 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings
FIELD MAINTENANCE
1. Both teams will be responsible for making and preparing the field before and after each game.
2. Both teams are responsible for ensuring that all trash is removed from the dugout and around the field at the end of each game.
3. Failure to comply with the above rules will result in suspension of the Manager for the next game.
T-BALL
1. Each team can have 1 manager and 2 coaches provided they are over 18 years of age.
2. Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 activities per week.
3. Two coaches may be on the field when their team goes on defense.
4. One coach must be in the dug-out at all times.
5. All players on the roster will bat in a continuous order as listed by the manager each inning, regardless of outs made.
6. All players on the roster will be given a defensive position each inning.
7. All players must rotate defensive positions each inning.
8. All baserunners will be allowed to learn how to advance the bases.
9. Runners will only advance one base on a hit ball. On a well hit ball, the runners may advance two bases.
10. Players that hit a home run will allowed to clear the bases.
11. The position of the catcher will be eliminated for safety reasons
12. There will be a 1-hour time frame for games.
13. No official score will be kept.
14. There are no protests in t-ball.
COACH PITCH
1. Each team can have 1 manager and 2 coaches provided they are over 18 years of age, unless permission is granted by the League President, and Division Vice President
2. Each team is allowed a maximum of 4 activities per week.
3. Two coaches may be on the field of play when their team goes on defense.
4. Each team will play 10 defensive players
a. 1 catcher, 1 pitcher, 4 infielders, 4 outfielders
b. Teams can play with less than 9 players since it is an instructional division
c. Outfielders must play on the outfield grass and infielders must play their regular positions. The player, playing as the pitcher, must remain to the right or left of the coach pitching with one foot in the dirt circle until the batter swings at the ball.
5. Players will bat through the roster listed by the manager
6. Each batter will receive 5 pitches from the coach who will be standing on the pitching rubber and standing on 2 feet. If the player has not hit in 5 pitches the batter is out. Additional pitches can be thrown if the batter foul tips the 5th pitch. If the player has not hit, the ball in 4 pitches, a tee can be placed in front of the batter.
7. The side will change after 3 outs or 5 runs
8. The batter will not receive a walk if hit by a pitch from the coach
9. A live ball shall be declared dead when it has been returned to the pitcher.
10. Baserunners advance at their own risk, and should not advance past the base they were running too when the ball becomes dead.
11. Base stealing is not allowed
12. Bunting is not allowed
13. Coaches must remain in front of the plate and in the dirt circle.
14. Coaches will make every effort to get out of the way of a hit or thrown ball and not interfere with play.
15. Each game will have a time limit of 1 hour and 15 minutes. No inning will start after 7:15PM.
16. Score will be kept and standings will be placed for end of season tournament.
MINOR LEAGUE
1. Will play by the Rule book with time limit exceptions
2. Each team will be allowed 1 manager, and 2 coaches. They must be over the age of 18. One coach must be in the dugout at all times.
3. Each team may have a maximum of 5 activities per week.
4. All players on the roster will bat in a continuous batting order as listed by the manager.
a. Special Rules can apply to improve speed of play
b. Coach pitch option:
- There will be no walks. If a pitcher throws 4 balls, a coach from the hitting team can assume the role of pitcher.
- The coach will assume the count, and get 2 pitches to the batter
- If the player hits the ball, it is considered live and in play
- If the player swings and misses it will count as strike and go towards the count
- If the player refuses to swing at all 2 pitches thrown, the batter is out.
5. A maximum of 5 runs can be scored per inning up until the 5th inning. After the 5th inning scoring is open.
6. The special pinch runner rule no longer applies at this level.
7. All games will have a time limit of 2 hours starting from the scheduled game time. For example, 6:00PM game will have no inning starting after 8:00PM.
8. The result of the game is final when the umpire calls the game.
9. Standings will be based on Wins (1 point), Ties (0.5 point), and loses (0 point)
MAJOR LEAGUES
1. Will play by Rule book with time limit exceptions.
2. Each team will be allowed 1 manager and 2 coaches. They must be over the age of 18. One coach must be in the dugout at all times.
3. Each team may have a maximum of 5 activities per week.
4. All games will have a 2.5-hour time limit. For example, 6:00pm game will end at 8:30PM.
5. No inning shall start after 10:00pm.
6. If a double header is required there will be a 2-hour time limit.
7. The result of the game is final when the umpire calls the game.
8. Standings will be based on Wins (1 point), Ties (0.5 point), and Loses (0 point)
INTERMEDIATE (50/70)
1. Will play by rule book with time limit exceptions
2. Each team will be allowed 1 manager and 2 coaches. They must be over the age of 18. One coach must be in the dugout at all times.
3. Each team may have a maximum of 5 activities per week.
4. All games will have a 2.5-hour time limit. For example, 6:00pm game will end at 9:00pm.
5. No inning will start after 10:00pm.
6. The result of the game is final when the umpire calls the game
7. Standings will e based on Wins (1 point), Ties (0.5 point), and Loses (0 point)
JUNIOR/SENIOR LEAGUES
1. Will play by rule book with time limit exceptions
2. Each team will be allowed 1 manager and 2 coaches. They must be over the age of 18. One coach must be in the dugout at all times.
3. Each team may have a maximum of 5 activities per week.
4. All games will have a 3-hour time limit. For example, 6:00pm game will end at 9:00pm.
5. No inning will start after 10:00pm.
6. If a double header is required there will be a 2-hour time limit.
7. The result of the game is final when the umpire calls the game
8. Standings will e based on Wins (1 point), Ties (0.5 point), and Loses (0 point)
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
1. The league champions for the Minor Divisions and above will be determined as follows:
a. Teams will be selected based on number of games won and lost for the season.
b. The team with the best record will play against the team with the second-best record.
c. The team with the best record will be the home team, the team with second best record will be the away team.
d. A playoff may be used when necessary to determine final two teams.
Article IX
TOURNAMENT TEAMS
Managers and Team Selection
1. The first-place team manager for each division may be selected as the tournament team Manager upon Board approval. Manager conduct and decorum throughout the regular season will be considered for this selection, and the Board reserves the right to chose a manager in the best interest of representing Uvalde in Tournament play. Once approved, the manager may select his coaches. Each tournament team will have 1 manager, and 2 coaches. The coaches are subject to the same level of scrutiny as the manager and must be approved by the Board. Winning first place does not guarantee selection.
2. The Board has the option to determine the number of teams in each division. Generally speaking the divisions are as follows:
a. Minors 9-10-year-old
b. Majors 10-11-year-old
c. Majors 11-12-year-old
d. 50/70 12-13-year-old
e. Juniors 13-14-year-old
f. Seniors 14-16-year-old
3. Regular season team managers will fill rosters by submitting player candidates, and vote by secret ballot.
4. Managers should choose player candidates based on regular season statistics, sportsmanship, and behavior.
5. The tournament team managers will determine the number of players on the rosters with a maximum of 14.
6. All tournament teams will be reviewed and approved by ULL Board of Directors.
Player Selection
1. All managers in each division will vote by secret ballot
2. Players with the most votes will make the tournament team
3. All players will need to submit appropriate forms to be fully eligible for tournament play.
4. Any player that declines to play, will be replaced by a player of the managers choosing.
Uniforms
The uniform committee will be responsible for selection of the All-Star Uniforms and approved by the Board. No manager or coach of any All-Star team may solicit or make uniform arrangements. Any requests by a manager/coach must be taken before the Board. Failing to do so could result in disciplinary action by the Board.
Uniforms, as designated by the Board, will be provided by ULL for all selected teams.
Article X
ALTERNATE METHOD OF OPERATION – THE REGULAR SEASON
To aid divisions that are having difficulty getting enough players for their regular season teams the following option is available:
1. Pool Player
a. A pool of players consisting of players from existing teams is created, and a player may be selected at random during the regular season when another team faces a shortage of rostered players.
b. Guidelines:
- The League’s player agent will create and run the pool.
- The Player agent will use the pool to assign players to teams that are short of players on a rotating basis
- Managers will not have the right to randomly pick and choose players from the pool
- Players used from the pool will not be allowed to pitch, except during their own regular scheduled games
- Pool players that are called and show up at the game site must play at least nine consecutive defensive outs and bat at least once.
Article XI
EQUIPMENT
All equipment issued is for ULL use only. Team managers are responsible for the equipment issued to his/her team. No league equipment will be given to players. All managers will return their equipment on the day/night of their last game of the season. If not turned in they will be responsible to pay ULL $200.00. This includes managers of All-Star Teams. All-Star equipment will be issued separately to the All-Star Manager.