RULES & REGULATIONS
Games will be played according to the rules of Little League as printed by Williamsport 2011 with the following exceptions.
1. All teams are responsible for their own insurance.
2a. Rosters must be turned in by July 1, 2011. No player may be added to a roster
after July 1. Maximum number of players on a roster is 15. A player may be
listed on one roster only. (An 11 year old listed on the 12 year old roster may not
play for the 11 year old team). To avoid a forfeit a player from a lower league
may be brought up, but may not pitch. Each lower individual player may be
brought up only twice during the season.
2b. Players must be drawn from the spring league in which they played. If a
team cannot be formed because of lack of interested players from one league,
that team may draw from another league within that town or city upon
approval from the league director. Under no circumstances may
‘All-Star’—‘All-Star’ or ‘city-wide All-Star teams enter the S.Y.B.L. (this is
a competitive but not a win at all cost league).
3. Every player must play at least two innings defensively and bat once.
4. Home teams will supply umpires and field equipment for the regular season and
any playoff game held at home. League will pay umpires and supply balls for all other playoff games.
5. Each team will supply one game ball. Home team will supply extras as needed.
6. Umpires must be at least 17 years of age for the 10, and 9 year old leagues.
Adult umpires (18+ patched if possible) must be used in the 12 & 11year old league. This is the key to a smooth league—try to get the best available. Adult patched umpires are used in the playoffs on all levels.
7. Teams in all leagues may use a 9, 10, or full roster batting order. When using a 10
man order the E.H. (extra hitter) may enter the game defensively and another
player may become the E.H. When using a full roster order, there is free
substitution defensively except for the pitcher. Once the pitcher is removed from
from that position he/she may not return to the mound.
8. Player Re-entry Rule: A starter and only a starter may re-enter the game in any
spot in the batting order once his substitute has batted once and played two
innings defensively (6 outs).
9. Adult coaches may coach both first and third bases. If a player coaches a base, that
player must wear a helmet. All players must wear helmets when batting or running
the bases.
10. Games with a 10+ run differential will be stopped after four (4) innings (3 ½
innings if home team is ahead). Official game, if stopped by weather is (4)
innings (3 ½ if home team is ahead).
11. Pitching rule for the regular season: 12 and 11 year old leagues—4 innings
maximum per game. 10 and 9 year old leagues—3 innings maximum per game. Innings per week and rest periods are waived. See each league playoff
schedule for post-season pitching rules. The SYBL will not use the pitch
count rule.
12. USE OF THE CURVE BALL OR ANY BREAKING BALL IS FORBIDDEN
IN THE A-11, A-10, AND A-9 YEAR OLD LEAGUES AS WELL AS ALL AGE GROUPS IN THE ‘B’ LEAGUE. (FAST BALL AND CHANGE-UP WILL BE THE ONLY PITCHES ALLOWED—KNUCKLEBALLS ARE NOT ALLOWED). ANY TYPE PITCH WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE 12 YEAR OLD ‘A’LEAGUE.
13. ANY BAT THAT MEETS ‘LITTLE LEAGUE’ SPECIFICATIONS AND
APPROVAL MAY BE USED.
14. Teams will receive 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie in league standings.
Games for record sake may last no longer than six (6) innings. Any games tied
after 6 innings will be declared a tie (exception—playoff games).
15. Any pitcher who hits three (3) batters in one game must be removed from that
position.
16. CURFEW: Umpires must call the game when the conditions become potentially
dangerous to players. The safety of the players must be the first consideration of
game officials. NOTE: Each team will assume responsibility for maintaining safe
playing conditions at its field at all games.
17. PROTESTS: If a situation should arise where the umpire has made an incorrect
call on a rules interpretation, a manager must prove that the umpire has made the
call incorrectly by pointing out the written rule in black and white (5 minutes to
find the rule—games cannot be delayed any longer than that). If the umpire is
proven to be incorrect he or she must reverse the call. If the rule can not be found
or is not specific enough, the umpire must defer to his/her judgement and that
judgement is final. There will be no protesting of games. There may be no
protests or delay of game on judgement calls whatsoever.
18. FORFEITED GAMES: Teams must absolutely not forfeit games. Each team
has a 10 game schedule and 4-5 weeks to complete it. Any team that forfeits a game, upon review, may not be allowed to participate in the league the following
year. (refer to rule 2a). Note: all teams must not procrastinate in playing
make-up games. By the same token all teams must be co-operative with teams
who have schedule conflicts (not personnel problems). The S.Y.B.L. is unlike many other leagues or tournaments in that we allow for schedule conflicts (except during the post season tournament). We are proud of the fact that our league is based on this kind of flexibility. However, we can not allow teams to take advantage of this flexibility. Let’s all work together to make this a fun and exciting league for everyone.
19. Any team found in direct deliberate violation of the rules and regulations of the
S.Y.B.L. will be subject to a one year suspension. Adults responsible for any such violation will be banned from future participation in the S.Y.B.L.
20. No slashing (fake bunt, then swing—penalty—batter is out)
ADDITIONAL RULES FOR 9 YEAR OLD LEAGUE
1. Stealing is allowed (only 2cd and 3rd bases).
Example: 1st and 3rd situation—catcher is encouraged to throw out runner at 2cd
base. Runner on 3rd cannot score even if wild throw to 2cd.
Example: A runner stealing 2cd may continue to 3rd if wild throw but no further
Example: Runner stealing 3rd base may not score on wild throw to 3rd , or any
pick-off attempt.
A runner on 3rd can only score on a batted ball or when forced in on a bases
loaded walk or hit batsman.
2. Bunting is allowed.
3. Infield fly rule will be in effect.
4. Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game—must be consecutive.
5. Five runs scored maximum per team at bat (example—player hits a 3-run homer for runs 5, 6, and 7 –team still credited with five runs for the inning.
6. Mercy Rule: If a team is leading by 10 runs after 4 innings (3 ½ if home team is ahead, or goes ahead by 10 runs in the fifth or sixth inning, the game is over.
In the sixth inning, the five run rule is waived. The game immediately ends if the 10-run difference happens.
7. Any team may elect to use a total roster batting order with free substitution (with
the exception of the pitcher). Teams must announce this intention before the game
and may not deviate from it.
E-MAILING OR CALLING IN SCORES
It is of the utmost importance that the league is able to keep an accurate up to the minute account of league standings. The winning manager MUST E-MAIL in the score within 24 hours to ericsybl@comcast.net or call in the score to 508-761-9883. If a score is not e-mailed or called in within this time frame BOTH teams will receive a loss in the standings.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This rule also applies to rescheduled games. All games rained out or rescheduled for any reason must be e-mailed or phoned in to the league office as soon as they are rescheduled. The league must be aware of all rescheduled games. If a game is rescheduled and is not
e-mailed or phoned in to the league, we must assume that the game was played according to the printed schedule. Therefore, 24 hours after the scheduled game time, both teams will receive a loss.
E-MAIL ALL SCORES TO: ericsyble@comcast.net within 24 hours (preferably the night the game is played) or CALL IN scores to 508-761-9883. Follow the correct procedure below.
1. Give League (A or B); age level (12-11-10-9) and region (1-2-3-4)
2. Date game was scheduled, even if made up on another night.
3. Winning team and score followed by losing team and score.
****REMEMBER THE WINNING TEAM’S COACH MUST E-MAIL THE SCORE WITHIN 24 HOURS OR CALL IN THE SCORE OR BOTH TEAMS WILL BE CREDITED WITH A LOSS.
STANDINGS WILL BE E-MAILED OUT TO ALL PROGRAM REPRESTATIVES ON JULY 11, JULY 18, JULY 25. AUGUST 1, AND AFTER THE FINALS ON AUGUST 15.
