Rules

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE

PLAYING RULES

12 YEAR OLD DIVISION

4 ( C )   Both teams shall have an equal length of on field time for pre-game infield/outfield practice to commence not more than 35 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (1) The host team shall take infield first unless the visiting team took batting practice first. (2) The clock shall start for a ten-minute infield for the visiting team if they have not taken the field at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. This shall be extended to mean that a team showing up for the game later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time shall not have any field time beyond the above noted (15 minutes prior) time frame. (3) Neither starting pitcher shall use the game field mound/pitching rubber for pre-game warm-up unless specifically permitted by the host team.

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE PLAYING RULES 12 YEAR OLD DIVISION (p2)

4 (H)  (1) Either the general or field manager may be designated by the team as the responsible party for determining the start of a game in in-climate weather or darkness. Until the game is started, the umpire shall have no authority in this matter. Umpires fees as may be due according to the host team’s umpire agreement  (such as a show-up fee) may be fully or in part payable by the host team only, if the game is cancelled prior to its start. (2) No game shall be started or commenced where lightning is present or there is a tornado warning  (As distinguished from a watch). Once the game is started, the umpire in chief alone shall be responsible for game suspension. Except in an instance of malicious intent by an umpire, a coach pulling his team off the field due to such conditions because he believed the umpire used poor judgment shall forfeit that game, even when using sound judgement.

(A) Games shall be 7 innings in duration. (Innings necessary to break a tie are permitted)

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE PLAYING RULES 12 YEAR OLD DIVISION (p3)

(E) The Extra Player (EP) Rule may be used at the discretion of either team.  (1) The extra player may be anyone on the teams official league roster. (2) Application of the rule is optional. One team may choose to employ the option, the opposing team may choose not to do so. (3) The extra player is simply an additional person in the lineup who may be placed anywhere in the 10 man batting order   (4) Defensively, there will only b 9 players in the field at a time, but the he E.P. is an interchangeable part with anyone in the lineup. (Ie: If, for example, the E.P. is moved to 2B in the second inning, the 2B then becomes the E.P. with no change in the batting order.)   (5) If a team begins a game using the E.P., they must do so for the duration of the game.  (6) When the EP is used and the team fails to have a 10 man batting order, an out is recorded each time the vacated spot in the batting order is scheduled to appear. (A team with only 10 players would be advised not to employ the E.P.) Note: This is a league rule and “may not” be in effect if you travel to other cities.

(F) An age level may, by a 2/3-majority vote, elect to use the continuous batting order or an additional EP. If the extra EP is used, the same rules apply, as does the use of the single EP. If the continuous batting order is used, the age level will develop rules and guidelines of it’s own that shall be in effect for the current season only.

(I) Pitching distance shall be 50’ and the base distance shall be 70’ unless agreed upon by the managers. Coaches shall adhere to the pitching guidelines on page 6 herein.

(1) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to

make such delivery(2) When a pitcher steps on the rubber before the set position, one hand must be at his/her side with the other hand free. The ball can be either in the bare hand or in the

glove. (3) While in the set position, before going to the plate pitchers must hold the ball in both hands in front of his her body and come to a complete and discernible stop with both feet on the ground. A complete stop shall not be construed as occurring because of a change in direction of the hands and arms. However, the pitcher may throw to any base before or after the stop. The stop is necessary only before throwing to home plate. (4) While in the set position, a pitcher must step, with the foot that is not directly in contact with the rubber, directly to the base that he/she is throwing to. (5) While in the windup position, the pitcher must step back off the rubber with the foot in contact with the rubber, not free foot, before attempting to pick a runner off base. (6) While on the rubber, the pitcher fakes a throw to first base and does not complete the throw.

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE PLAYING RULES 12 YEAR OLD DIVISION (p4)

7) FORFEIT AND FORFEIT FEE GUIDELINES:

(A) FORFEIT FEE DEPOSIT (1) All teams shall have $100 on deposit. (Multiple team organizations at any level shall have $200 on deposit to cover all teams in that organization) If not on deposit from a previous season, it must be submitted not less than 15 days prior to the start of the season. (2) If a team refuses to submit an appropriate forfeit fee deposit, all teams in that age level will be notified and teams are not forced to play the violating team until an appropriate forfeit fee deposit is submitted. Any team scheduling a team that does not have a forfeit fee on deposit will be fully financially liable for all expenses incurred in the event of a no-show. (3) Most teams elect to leave the forfeit fee on deposit until they drop out of the league. Some others elect to contact Mike Montgomery (513)398-4572  mmonty@mindspring.com at the conclusion of their league schedule for full return of the deposit not forfeited    (4) Each forfeited game will result in the loss of the full umpire expense incurred from that team’s forfeit fee deposit. (A) If a team forfeits this fee, that team must submit immediate payment to bring their forfeit fund back to the required level to playing their next league game, or their next opponent is not obligated to play them.  

(B) AVOIDING FORFEITS:  In order to avoid the possibility of a forfeit, there are some simple steps each team should take. We strongly encourage each team to do the following:       (a) Send a copy of your schedule with the specific game highlighted, or a form which informs your opponents of what your schedule says to every team on your schedule, asking them to compare your information with theirs.       (b)  If mailing a copy of your schedule is not best for you, call each manager or scheduler and verbally confirm your schedule.      (c)  Some time shortly prior to your game with each team, make contact with the coach to confirm that everything is as scheduled and that they intend to show.   (d)  Post your schedule on the SWOL web site. The league has no way of knowing who made the scheduling mistake and both teams will share any incurred umpire expense.

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE PLAYING RULES 12 YEAR OLD DIVISION (p5)

(C) WHAT CONSTITUTES A FORFEIT   (of the game and/or forfeit fees)

(1) Not showing up for a confirmed, scheduled game would result in a forfeit loss and loss of forfeit fee deposits.

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE PITCH LIMIT RULES

1. Prior to the start of each game, communicate with the opposing team as to who is eligible to pitch and how much. A checks and balances process is in place by examination of a teams record on the web site, where pitching records will be reported, as well as communication with other coaches that played your opponent in the days leading up to your contest.
2. Each pitch thrown in the game counts as a pitch. That includes pitchouts, foul balls, (including those hit with two strikes on the batter), as well as ball four. It does not include warm-up pitches.
3. Compare pitch counts with the opposing team after each inning. If someone is consistently difficult regarding this matter-or if, particularly, they are combative, report this to the umpire and as soon as possible to your age level coordinator. Get witnesses to corroborate your experience. After comparing pitch counts, come to a resolve as to what a pitchers pitch count is after each inning.

4) As a pitcher approaches his limit, insure that the other team and the umpire is made aware of  the fact. And when a pitcher reaches his limit, announce the fact at the point he has done so. If you fail to notify the umpire, a pitcher can go 50 pitches over his limit without penalty because the rule is designed to protect kids not get a cheap forfeit.

1.  
   1. At the moment the umpire is notified the pitcher has reached his limitand this is verified, he is to stop the game and inform the potentially offending coach. It is only if the coach refuses to remove the pitcher that there is a penalty. That penalty is forfeiture of the game at the instant of refusal to remove the pitcher. Note: If you fail to inform the umpire that the pitcher has reached his limit and do so after the fact, there is no penalty.

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE PLAYING RULES 12 YEAR OLD DIVISION (p6)

1. At the conclusion of every game, teams are to sign off on each other’s pitch count form to verify accuracy. It is then the responsibility of the winning team to immediately report both the score, as well as the pitch counts for everyone that pitched in that game. Failure to post scores and pitching results by midnight two nights following the game, will result in the winning team not getting credit for the win.
2. It is the responsibility of the losing team to verify the accuracy of the score and the pitch counts entered by the winning team and report any discrepancies to the age level coordinator.
3. If a field manager is found to have exceeded a pitchers limit through late or inaccurate reporting, he will be notified that his actions have been recorded. If it becomes a pattern of behavior, the manager will receive a three game suspension. If it happens again, he will be suspended until the end of the season or 6 games, whichever is more severe (penalties can run into the start of the next season.) If it happens one more time, the field manager will be suspended from the league and may not coach in this league until his appeal has resulted in reinstatement. He shall not be eligible for a reinstatement hearing until one year following his final suspension.

Pitch Limit Chart

Number of Pitches Days Rest Required

21-35 1

36-45 2

46-60 3

61-70 4

SOUTHWEST OHIO LEAGUE PLAYING RULES 12 YEAR OLD DIVISION (p7)