LOCAL RULES – FARM DIVISION – 2008-09

The rules below are listed for emphasis, and have been approved by the Davis Little League Board of Directors. They have been added to reflect the needs and philosophy of Davis Little League and take precedence over the Farm Playing Rules for our league games. If a rule question cannot be answered after reviewing this document, the current Playing Rules should then be consulted.

Managers and Coaches are expected to be aware of and abide by the national rules found in the current Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules. The most important have been listed here within the Local Rules for emphasis and convenience, with the national rule number cited in parentheses.

If a rule question cannot be answered upon reviewing the following, please refer to the Farm Player Representative who will take whatever action is necessary to obtain a definitive answer. This may require consulting with the Director of Baseball, Chief Umpire, President or full Board, if needed.

A Resolution by the Board of Directors of Davis Little League: The primary function of the league is to be one of training and preparation of Little Leaguers in the mechanics, skills, knowledge, and sportsmanship of baseball.

Therefore, Davis Little League resolves that team managers should provide for an "adequate number" of team practices during the course of a season. An "adequate number" is defined as an average minimum of three (3) "contacts" (games and practices) per week or a minimum of thirty (30) practices/games during the course of a season (which includes the pre-season period).

GAME TIMES:

THE VISITING TEAM:

THE HOME TEAM:

THOSE PERMITTED ON FIELD:

UMPIRES:

1. After a player does not swing at five (5) consecutive pitches, the Pitching Machine Umpire shall call balls as strikes to encourage players to swing at the pitched balls.
2. Umpires are not to coach while on the field umpiring.
3. The base umpire makes calls at 1st and 2nd base and keeps track of the runner’s position at the conclusion of each play.

PLAYING TIME:

1. Equal playing time for ALL FARM players is a priority. National Little League Rules dictate that every player will participate in each game defensively for a minimum of six consecutive outs and bat at least one (1) time each game (rule Ivi). Davis Little League modified rules require every player to participate defensively for a minimum of half of total team innings played at which they were present during the entire season. For example, if a team plays five defensive innings, all players will have the opportunity to participate in two innings each, however some players will have opportunity to participate in one additional inning. The manager is responsible to adjust playing time in the next game(s) to rectify this inequity.
2. All players must start at least every other game at which they were present during the season.
3. Players will bat through the entire roster consecutively, game after game during the regular season. For example, if batter no. 6 is last up in a game, batter no. 7 will lead off the next game. Late arriving players will bat in their regular positions. The manager is responsible for notifying the scorekeeper of absences and late arrivals.
4. The batting order may be changed at the beginning of each calendar month.

GAME RULES:

1. There must be a minimum of seven (7) players per team to play a FARM game.
2. There will be a maximum of ten (10) players on the field for defense.
3. FIVE (5) RUNS OR THREE (3) OUTS, whichever comes first, constitutes one-half inning. A maximum of five runs will be scored in any half inning.
4. The fielding pitcher may stand no closer to home plate than the pitching machine and must be within ten (10) feet of the pitching machine.
5. The speed setting for the pitching machine must be within the 35-38 mph range. Each team manager should advise the Pitching Machine Umpire of their preferred setting within that range, however, the Pitching Machine Umpire shall choose the specific speed setting to be used during the game and will make any other adjustments that he or she believes are required to produce a trajectory which will result in a flat pitch.
6. Pitches from the pitching machine, which are, missed swings and foul balls will be called strikes. No balls will be called and no walks will be awarded.
7. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the umpire shall call time out, rule the ball "dead" and all runners shall advance one base.
8. The umpire shall make any determination necessary in the event the pitching machine impacts play in any way not anticipated by these rules.
9. The umpire is considered part of the playing field. If a batted or thrown ball hits the umpire, play shall continue.
10. The infield fly rule is waived for the FARM Minors division.
11. All base runners are subject to Rule 7.13 leaving the base early.   Base runners shall not leave their base until the ball has been delivered.
12. Base runners must slide or go around a defensive player in possession of the ball in an attempt to avoid collision.   Failure to make such an attempt will result in the runner being called out.
13. BUNTING IS NOT ALLOWED. Swings that are less than "full swings" (at least 75% power) may be considered to be a bunt attempt and called a strike whether contact is made with the ball or not. This is a judgment call made solely by the umpire.
14. BASE STEALING IS NOT PERMITTED.
15. Runners may not advance on an "overthrow" on a defensive play. Players should be encouraged to attempt to make the proper defensive play to develop basis skills.
16. A play ends when the ball is in the possession of a defensive player within the pitching area (within 10 feet of the pitching machine). The defensive player must refrain from making any demonstration with the ball that might be interpreted as an attempt to make a play. In such situations (Example: the defensive player holds the ball aloft while facing a runner) the umpire will withhold judgment until that official is certain that the defense is not attempting or threatening to make a play.
17. A batted ball that bounds, rolls or is deflected under a fence shall be a ground rule double. In this case, the ball is dead, and all runners advance two bases from their position when the ball was hit.
18. A pitching machine ball shall be used as the game ball when the field is wet.
19. A pitching machine ball may be used as the game ball (anytime) if both managers agree prior to the start of the game.

SPORTSMANSHIP:
DLL has adopted the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) program for purposes of training and certifying managers, coaches, umpires, etc.  The PCA principles of Honoring the Game are to be modeled by all those involved in DLL.

1. A player may lose his/her privilege to play in one or more future games for disciplinary reasons provided that:

a. The Director of Baseball approves such action in advance,
b. The opposing manager is notified prior to start of game, and
c. The action is recorded in the scorebook as player being absent.

Before such action is taken, every effort should be made to resolve the problem by talking with the parents, Director of Baseball, etc.

2. Poor sportsmanship (by managers, coaches, players, or spectators) can result in ejection from the game and/or removal from the park. Examples of poor sportsmanship include: throwing equipment, using illegal equipment, bad language, arguing with an umpires judgment call or harassing an umpire, opposing players or spectators.
3. Individual team rules, which identify player and family participation and cooperation guidelines, exist for each FARM team. For disciplinary purposes, failure to recognize or comply with the team rules may result in reduced playing time.