2009 Spring-Summer Rules

9-10 CAL RIPKEN MINOR DIVISION

11-12 CAL RIPKEN MAJOR DIVISION

All coaches must be certified through the Babe Ruth Leagues, Inc. Program. The certification is lifetime. The W.C.Y.A.A. Coaches certification will not be accepted for this division. Coaches cannot be in the dugout or on the field during games without the Babe Ruth Certification. Penalty: Team Will Forfeit Their Game! 

Batter’s Boxes are mandatory for the 2008 Spring Season. No game will be started without a correct batter’s box.

Coaches, players, and scorekeepers are not allowed to have any tobacco products of any type inside playing field or dugout. Coaches and scorekeepers are not allowed to go outside the field/gate to smoke between innings. Penalty: Per Babe Ruth….. Ejection and two game suspensions.

Pitching Rules:

          9/10 Division – Pitchers may pitch only 3 innings per game

          11/12 Division – Pitchers may pitch 6 innings in a week.

A player cannot pitch for a W.C.Y.A.A. team if he is pitching at the middle school level until the middle school season is over.

  1. Five (5) run limit for all innings including extra innings.
  2. The game will be limited to one and a half hours (1 ½).  This means no new inning will start after the time limit has expired.
  3. There will be no ten (10) run slaughter rule.  Play until time has expired or a team is mathematically eliminated.
  4. It is mandatory that each team uses a continuous batting order.  Also, each player must play half (1/2) of the game on defense if time permits.
  5. 9-10 Cal Ripken Minors-Leaving the Base Too Soon: The first time a player leaves a base too soon, he will be warned (his whole team is also warned.)  The second time any player on that team leaves the base too early, that player will be called out immediately.
  6. 11-12 Cal Ripken Majors-Starting with the 2007 Spring-Summer Season, players in this division will be allowed to lead off (as in high school and 13-18 baseball division). Balks will called on the pitchers only after the each individual pitcher has been warned one time. After the first warning, all runners will be awarded a base or the coach will have the option to take the play (if the ball is hit). All other Cal Ripken rules will be used the same as during the 2006 Season. No steel cleats may be worn. Third strike does not have to be caught. Pitchers must pitch off the portable mound. Runners may take a lead off the bag.
  7. Each team gets one (1) warning not to throw a bat.  If the same player throws a bat, that player is out and ejected from the game.
  8. If a game is rained out, call Mickey 239-0652 (office) or 234-3436 (pager) immediately so he can notify the umpires.  Also, call the opposing team at least one and a half (1 ½) hours before game time if possible.  Mickey will reschedule all rained out games as soon as possible.
  9. Helmet Rule:  All players must wear helmets in live ball territories.  First time, the payer gets a warning.  The second time for the same player, that player is called out and ejected from the game.  All players must keep helmets on at all times.  All who are required to wear helmets include bat boys, adult or player warming up the pitcher either on the field or outside the playing field, player on deck, the player batting and the players on base.
  10. If a player is injured or leaves the game, just skip that spot in the lineup.  If a player is ejected, that open spot is an out each time the ejected player is reached.
  11. Each team must start with a minimum of eight (8) players and must finish with at least eight (8) players.
  12. The catcher must wear full mask and detachable throat protector.
  13. Use four (4) outfielders on defense (mandatory) if you have ten (10) players.
  14. Intentional Walks:  You cannot intentionally walk a batter unless there is a runner in a scoring position (meaning you must have a runner on second base).  You do not have to throw four (4) pitches on an intentional walk.
  15. Runner for Pitcher and Catcher:  It is mandatory with two (2) outs for the catcher but is optional at anytime for pitcher.  The runner must be the last batter out, or if you have not recorded any outs, the runner will be the last hitter in the continuous lineup.
  16. Score sheet:  The winning team is responsible for turning in the score sheets to Mickey.  You may fax them to 239-1840 or carry them by the WCYAA office.  If you have a weekend game, score sheets are due to Mickey by Monday at lunch.  On a weekday game, you must have them in by lunchtime the following day.  DO NOT EMAIL SCORE SHEETS!
  17. The calendar week for Babe Ruth Baseball is Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday night at 11:59 p.m.
  18. A pitcher must have two (2) calendar (48 hours) between pitching assignments if he pitches more than two innings in one game.  Each game in which a pitcher pitches is considered an assignment.  Example:  A player pitches on Monday night for four innings, he cannot pitch again until Thursday night.
  19. No steel spikes are allowed.
  20. Trips to the Mound:  The second trip to the mound in the same inning to the same pitcher will automatically result in the removal of the pitcher from the game (as a pitcher only).
  21. Intentionally and maliciously running into a catcher at home plate will result in an out and immediate ejection from the game.  There is a no slide rule in Babe Ruth Leagues, Inc.
  22. Balk Rule for Cal Ripken Division:  There is no balk rule for this division.  If the pitcher continues to balk, the umpire has the right to remove the pitcher from the game as a pitcher only.
  23. The third strike does not have to be caught!
  24. A pitcher may start a game, be taken out, and then come back as a pitcher only once per inning.  This means 2 pitching stints per inning.  A pitcher must finish pitching to the first batter he faces or he cannot return to the mound.
  25. Throwing the Bat Rule:  Same for all WCYAA age divisions.  Same penalty as helmet rule!
  26. The five-foot rule has been deleted for the 2004 season in all ages.  Players may play defense per their coaches instructions except their can only be 2 defensive players on each side of the second base.
  27. All coaches must be inside the dugout!  There will be NO coaches sitting on buckets outside the dugout!
  28. If a game is rained out, call Mickey 239-0652 (office) or 234-3436 (pager) immediately so he can notify the umpires.  Also, call the opposing team at least one and a half (1 ½) hours before game time if possible.  Mickey will reschedule all rained out games as soon as possible.
  29. Each host site should do everything possible to make the field playable.  Please do not just cancel the game because the field is wet.  A little hard work and effort can make the fields playable quick.  A short delay is better than a cancellation anytime.
  30. NO GAME WILL BE RESCHEDULED UNLESS IN THE CASE OF DEATH OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OF ONE OF THE COACHES OR PLAYERS.