MINORS RULEBOOK & GUIDELINES - SPRING 2021 - Nipmuc Youth Baseball
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MINORS RULEBOOK &
GUIDELINES – SPRING 2021
The purpose of this document is to outline the rules and guidelines for the Minors baseball division. All coaches will
abide by the Code of Conduct of the Nipmuc Youth Baseball, and are expected to teach and reinforce this same level of
good sportsmanship with all players.
LEAGUE INFORMATION:
Nipmuc Youth Baseball Website – http://www.nipmucyouthbaseball.com/site/
Minors League Commissioner – Tim Francy
Please note, where there is a conflict, Nipmuc Youth Cal Ripken local rules supersede Cal Ripken Rules and
Cal Ripken rules supersede “Official Baseball Rules”.
PREPARING FOR THE GAME
EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS:
• Shirt and Hat supplied by league
• Baseball pants – supplied by parents (check with coach for a team preference)
• Rubber cleats – No Metal Cleats are allowed
• Athletic Cup – required for all catchers and suggested for all other players.
• Baseball Bat – USA Baseball's Youth Bat Performance Standard (see attachment)
HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Payment to umpires. League will provide money to head coaches at the beginning of the season. Home team
must have the umpire(s) sign the score sheet / book at the end of the game. If you run out of money, then
please contact your league commissioner.
o For patched umpires: $55
• Provide umpire with 3 game balls. Home team is also responsible for any additional balls needed (i.e. rain soaked
or lost balls). If you run out of baseballs, contact your league commissioner.
FIELD PREPARATION:
• Both the Home and Visiting team should provide at least one coach to prepare the field. Preparation includes:
raking the infield, preparing the pitcher’s mound, creating the batter’s box and left and right field foul lines.
• If your team is playing the final game of the day, both home and visiting teams need to complete the
following:
o Home Team – re rake the pitcher’s mound and the batter’s box
o Visitor Team – Ensure that all equipment is in the sheds and each shed is locked. Also, if at VFW ensure
that the scoreboard is turned off and returned to the charger in centerfield.
• Field preparation takes a precedent over batting or fielding practice
• Batting cage availability – cages are available 1 hour before the game. The home team receives the cage for the
1st 30 minutes and must vacate for the visiting team to access for the 2nd 30 minutes prior to game time o
VFW cages need to be shared with teams playing at small fieldPLAYING THE GAME
SCORE BOOKS – accurate scorebooks must be kept – NO EXCEPTIONS
PLAYING TIME:
• No player shall sit for a second inning on the bench until all other players on the roster have sat once.
o Exceptions will be made for injury or players requesting to sit.
• The League recommends that players do not catch the next inning after pitching. Similarly, players should not
pitch the next inning after catching.
PITCHING:
• All coaches are responsible for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date pitch count throughout each game
• Pitch Count Limits: A pitcher may throw 75 pitches in a game.
o Pitchers are allowed to finish the batter upon which they reach the pitch count maximum
• See chart below showing day of pitching, then availability based on # of pitches throw:
# of pitches # of days Rest Required If the game is played on Sunday,
the player can pitch again on...
0-20 0 Monday
21-35 1 Tuesday
36-50 2 Wednesday
51-65 3 Thursday
66-75 4 Friday
• Pitches thrown will be reported to the league commissioner on the game summary sheet within 24 hours of the
end of the game by each head coach.
• Pitch counters will be provided by the league and must be returned.
• Intentional walks are not allowed.
• Opposing coaches may remove the other team’s pitcher on that pitcher’s 3rd hit batter of the game, or his 2nd hit
batter in one inning
• A pitcher must be removed on the coach's second visit to the mound in the same inning
• No re-entry: Once a pitcher is taken off the mound, he cannot return to pitch in that gam
• Breaking pitches involving the “breaking” or “snapping” of the wrists are illegal and not
allowed.
o Umpires will warn pitcher and Head Coach
o Head Coach should direct pitchers to not throw intentional breaking balls.
o Any pitch deemed to be a breaking ball by the Umpire will be called a “No Pitch”
o Repeat offenders should be reported to the league commissioner.
FIELDING:• Every player must play 1 inning at an infield position in each and every game
o Tip: Substitute early. High scoring games may result in only 4 innings played before the time-limit
expires
• Free substitutions are allowed in the field except for the pitcher (see no re-entry rule)
• Play is considered dead when the pitcher has control of the ball on any part of the dirt on the mound
• No intentional blocking of any base including home plate. The catcher may not block home plate
under any circumstances.
o If the umpire rules that a player blocked a runner from the plate or base the runner will be given the
base.
o 2nd offense: Player must be removed from that position for the remainder of the game.
BATTING AND SCORING:
• Every player that is dressed and available to play must be in the batting order.
• All teams must use a continuous batting order
• Late arriving players are inserted in the batting order as follows:
o If term has not sent a batter to the plate, the late arriving player is placed at bottom of order o
Otherwise, player is inserted into lineup just BEFORE current batter. He must wait for the entire
team to bat before he gets his 1st plate appearance.
• A player who misses his turn at bat due to an injury must sit out the next half-inning in the field.
• There is no mercy rule for the game, only per inning.
o Teams are allowed to score no more than 5 runs in one inning. The 5 runs in one inning rule will not be
in play in the final inning for any team who has not given up 5 runs in any previous inning.
▪ Ex: Visiting team has not scored 5 runs in any inning, but leads the game 7 – 0 going into the
final inning. The home team can score 8 runs in the final inning to win the game.
• Regardless of the inning, once a team has a 10 run lead, base runners for that team are prohibited from advancing
to the next base on a passed ball, wild pitch, overthrown ball, misplayed ball in the field or by stealing (if
allowed).
o Coaches are also encouraged to limit the number of bases runners advance on a hit. Should the lead
fall below 10 runs, this recommendation does not apply.
• Thrown bat results in 1 warning (to the entire team) by the umpire. The 2nd offense results in an automatic out.
• During a pitch, if a batter steps out of the batter’s box other than to avoid a wild pitch, the batter will receive a
warning from the umpire (strike call subject to umpire’s judgment).
o 2nd offense in the same game results in a strike call.
o 3rd offense in the same game results in an out.
• The infield fly rule will be enforced
o Ex: Runners on first/second and or bases loaded and less than 2 outs. A pop up in the infield or a shallow
fly ball that can be caught by the infielder will be deemed and automatic out by the umpire. The batter
is called out and the runners may advance at their own risk.
BUNTING:
• Bunting is allowed (both drag bunting and sacrifice bunting)
• Slash Bunting is NOT permitted. Slash bunting occurs when a batter offers the bunt, pulls the bat back, and then
swings at the ball. The batter will be ruled out for slash bunting.
BASE RUNNING AND STEALING:
• The play is considered dead when the pitcher has the ball anywhere on the dirt surrounding the
mound.
o The pitcher DOES NOT have to be standing on the rubber for the play to stop.o Runners not in progress to a base must return to their previous base (this is not a free pass to return to
the base, they may be thrown out)
o If runners advance in violation they will be sent back to the previous base.
• Players can begin stealing bases in the first game of the season.
o Catchers should be instructed to throw to the base being stolen. This is an effort to get the players used
to throwing the ball to the base in a steel situation.
• Stealing home on passed balls is allowed within some limits:
o A team’s runners may NOT advance to home on a steal or on an overthrow following a steal more than 2
times per inning
o Ex: If a runner steals 2nd or 3rd and there is an overthrow on the play, they may go home but these do
count towards the two per inning rule
• There is no leading off of any base.
o Players must wait for the ball to cross home plate before attempting to steal.
• Runners must avoid collisions. Runners should SLIDE FEET FIRST to avoid collisions.
o Any collision judged avoidable by the umpire or head first slide will result in an automatic out
o A 2nd offense in the game will result in an automatic ejection. Coaches must stress feet first sliding
and forbid headfirst sliding with the exception of diving back to a base on a pickoff or if a player
overruns a base.
• Extra bases on overthrows are awarded as following:
o 1 base from thrown ball from the infield
o 2 bases on a thrown ball from the outfield
o This rule does not govern the throws from a catcher on a stolen base play
• Courtesy runners are encouraged for catchers when there are two outs in order to speed up the game. The
batter that made the last out is the only eligible option.
• Coaches are asked to use common sense when they have a big lead and players are continuing to steal bases.
INJURY
• If a player must leave the game due to injury, the batting order will remain intact, with the entire order shifting up
to fill the hole. If a player cannot bat, they must not play in the field in the next half inning.
o There is no automatic out for the missing player. The position in the batting order is shifted.
• Pinch running is allowed as required (due to injury); the batter to make the last out of the previous inning will be
designated as the Pinch Runner.
OFFICIAL GAME:
• Teams must field at least 8 players. If one team cannot field 8 players, the game is forfeited.
• Games are scheduled to finish in 2 hours
o Games must start no later than 5 minutes after official game time barring an official delay
• For weekday games, no new innings may be started after 1 hour and 45 minutes after the game
starts o Ex: For games starting at 6 p.m., no full inning shall be started after 7:45 PM
• For weekend games, no full inning shall be started 1 hour and 45 minutes after the OFFICIAL GAME START TIME o
Ex: If the official start time of a game is 2pm and the game does not get under way until 2:15pm (for any
reason), no inning can be started after 3:45 pm regardless of the actual start time. This rule is to prevent
cascading start time delays on days when multiple games will be played in succession (scheduled every 2
hours).
▪ Exception: If no game follows the delayed game, it should be played to its conclusion• If the home team is winning, the game is official after three and one-half innings of
play.
• If the home team is losing, the game is official after four full innings of play.
o If a suspended game (weather, time limit) is not “official”, it will be made up at a later date and replayed
from the point in which the game was suspended through which time an official game is completed.
Please discuss with your commissioner.
o Delayed games must adhere to the 1 hour and 45 minute rule. That is, no full inning should be played 1
hour and 45 minutes after the scheduled start of the game.
• There are no time limits for playoff games (no 1 hour and 45 minute cap). If darkness becomes a concern, then
both of the head coaches will meet with the umpire(s) to decide how to proceed.
• Extra inning – an extra inning can occur as long as there is still time remaining. No extra inning shall be started 1
hour and 45 minutes after the OFFICIAL GAME START TIME. Coaches can agree for time if there are pitch count
concerns due to multiple games that week.
o Any runs scored in extra innings MUST occur on a batted ball, runs cannot occur on passed ball ordead
ball error.
GAME TIMES AND CANCELLATIONS / MISCELLANEOUS:
• As daylight and field availability permit, coaches may agree to begin the final inning beyond the
deadline, permitted:
o There is sufficient daylight to complete the inning
o Both coaches agree
o There is no game immediately following the current game.
• Playoff seeding is based on the following criteria:
o Winning Percentage (Wins=1; Ties=.5 Wins + Ties/ Total games played)
o If winning % is tied, then Head to Head record
o If also tied at Head to Head record, then a Coin Flip will be done to determine the final seeding
• If a game needs to be cancelled for any reason (due to weather etc.) all efforts will be made to call the game
at least 90 minutes prior to official game time. (Home team coach is responsible for contacting the Umps for
that game, and or the designated Ump coordinator to confirm cancellation)
Beginning at 7:15pm, there will be NO between inning warm ups for infield or outfield. Pitchers may throw
up to 3 warm up pitches. New pitchers entering the game may not throw more than 6 warm up pitches.
CALL UP POLICY / TOO FEW PLAYERS:
• Teams expecting 9 or fewer players on their roster for any given game must call up players from the call up list
that is stored in private areas at http://www.nipmucyouthbaseball.com/site/ or provided by the league
commissioner
o A login and password will be distributed to all coaches.
o Players will be contacted in the order they are displayed on the eligibility list, moving to the next player
on the list if the first eligible player is not available. If an eligible player is skipped because of availability,
they stay in that position on the list until they are used as a Call Up. When a player is used as a Call Up,
they are automatically put to the bottom position on that list.
• Teams may play with as few as 8 players, but coaches should make every effort to utilize the call up
list.
• Coaches call players directly and must call players in the order of the list.
• The call-up list is kept up to date by the League CommissionerCALL UP PLAYER GUIDELINES:
• May not pitch or catch
• Bat last in the line-up
• Cannot start in the field ahead of a player on their roster
• Cannot play more innings in the field than a player on their roster
• Call-ups may play all infield and outfield positions and must play at least one inning at each
• Must play roughly the same number of innings as other players.
• Evaluations will be given to AA coach regarding player performance and readiness
THUNDER / LIGHTNING:
• If lightning OR thunder occurs, players must be removed from the field.
• Thunder is an indicator of a potential lightning strike and must be treated as seriously as lightning
itself.
• Under no circumstances should a parent or child be pressured into playing when he/she is not comfortable doing
so. If a parent wants to remove his child from the field, coaches must cooperate and encourage the child to go
with the parent.
• Players must leave the field and dugout area and return to their vehicles.
• The game is suspended for a FULL 20 MINUTES. The storm is given a chance to pass.
• If after 20 minutes, no lightning or thunder is observed, play resumes.
• If thunder or lightning is observed a second time, the game is ended. Players must leave the field and
dugout area and return home. Official game rules apply.
SPORTSMANSHIP / DISPUTES:
• Sportsmanship among coaches is expected at all times. No arguments between adults will be tolerated. o
Coaches may be suspended or removed after commissioner review with no warnings (no strikes)
• All coaches are responsible for the behavior of their fans. If a coach senses poor sportsmanship, the coach
should address his fan section.
• Ejections from the game (Coach or player) result in 1 game suspension for the following game. Multiple ejections for
Coach and/or player during season can jeopardize summer all-star eligibility – Board decision. • Please make sure you
understand these rules clearly and if interpretations arise during the game, discuss the matter calmly with your
fellow coach and the umpire, in a low voice.
• Only the head coaches are allocated to discuss rules and other matters. Assistant coaches must remain
out of the discussion.
o It is best to collect the home plate umpire and the head coach and discuss the matter behind home
plate, away from all players and fans. Send the catcher off to talk to the pitcher.
o Remember: Players that overhear their coach complaining about a call will echo that complaint and
carry it into the dugout. In a short period of time, the entire team will be echoing the coach’s complaint.
We do not want this to occur.
• Any rule disagreements must be brought to the attention of the commissioner for
clarification. • Reminder that coaches shall not argue umpire judgment.
• Fans are not allowed to stand behind the home plate fence during the game.COACHES REPORTING DUTIES:
• The following information must be reported to the league commissioner within 24 hours after the conclusion of
your game:
o Score
o Pitches Thrown Per Player
o Player Absences
o Coaches Absences
o Player Call Ups
o Any disagreements with umpires and/or the other coach
o Any unsportsmanlike-like fan or player behavior
• Only players on the team are allowed in the dugout. Friends and siblings are not allowed to be in dugout •
Player evaluations are an important duty of all coaches. Please make every effort to be able to submit fair
and accurate evaluations for every player in the league when requested for All-star selections.
RAIN OUTS:
• If a game needs to be cancelled for any reason all efforts will be made to call the game at least 90 minutes prior
to official game time. (Home team coach is responsible for contacting the Umps and/or the designated Ump
coordinator to confirm cancellation)
• On communication to the assigned scheduler and or Commissioner the game will be officially cancelled in the
system, and a notification should go out to all players. Updates on teams informational “Walls” should be
updated by the coaches.
• If you do not receive a cancellation message, assume you are playing.
• If there is thunder and lighting, please refer to the Thunder/Lightning guidelines contained within our local rules
o If an umpire insists that a game be played in the presence of lighting or thunder, in conflict with our local rules,
politely remove your team from the field. The umpire will still get paid.
QUALIFYING FOR SUMMER BASEBALL (Ripken or other All Star tournament teams):
• In order to qualify for summer baseball (applies to either Ripken All Stars OR all other tournament
baseball), players must compete in 60% of the spring season (regular plus playoffs) official games. Exceptions
will be considered for injuries or family emergencies. Determination will be made at request by the NYE
committee.
o Playing Club baseball is not considered an exception.
o Ex: if a team plays 15 games, the player must play in 9 games in order to qualify for summer allstars.
• Performance in the spring will be a determining factor in forming the teams, so proper scorekeeping is
important to help rank players
o A separate try out may be held but will not be required nor the sole determining factor in team
formation
• Ripken teams will consist of at least 12 players total, with the top 10 players chosen via ranking by the Minors
coaches and confirmed by the Board; the last 2 players selected by the Head Coach after the coach is chosen
(last 2 players must also must receive Board approval)
o A Head Coach will be chosen by board vote after the 10 top players are selected
• Additional tournament teams may be formed based on interest and will follow the same guidelines for
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