Mites Baseball Rules

M.T.A.A. Mite League Baseball Rules

1. Rules – General

1.1. If a particular rule is not addressed in these M.T.A.A. Mite League Baseball rules, The “Official Baseball Rules” will govern play in all cases.  A copy of the rule book will be available at the tournament. 

2. Eligibility

2.1. All Players must:

2.1.1. Meet the requirements set forth in the M.T.A.A. By-Laws Article III- Membership; Section 5. 

2.1.2. Turn 11 years of age by May 1 of the current baseball season, but may not turn 13 years of age before May 1 of the current baseball season. M.T.A.A. reserves the right to require a Player to produce a Birth Certificate or legal document signifying date of birth. 

2.1.3. Play for the team he/she is selected by in the draft. 

2.1.4. Sign-up  for  each  new  season  on  dates  appointed  by  the  Commissioner  and approved by the M.T.A.A. Board.

 2.2. Player’s who sign up after the draft has been completed shall be placed on the next team in the draft order. 

3. Teams

3.1. All Teams shall be formed through a common draft (See Section 15) for all players who meet the requirements specified under Section 2: Eligibility. 

3.2. Minimum number of players on a roster is 12. 

3.3. M.T.A.A. has the right to disband a team if it forfeits more than three games due to an insufficient amount of players in attendance.  All players will be reassigned via lottery to teams in rotation. 

4. Equipment

4.1. No metal spikes allowed. 

4.2. Little League approved bats only. 

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5. Conduct

5.1. Head Coach and Assistant Coaches 

5.1.1.  A Head Coach and all Assistant Coaches shall meet the requirements and fulfill the duties set  forth in the M.T.A.A. By-Laws Article X –Coaches & Article XI-Assistant Coaches 

5.1.2.  All Coaches must be an M.T.A.A. member with current status 

5.1.3.  Use of alcohol, profanity or ant type of tobacco use shall not be permitted on or around any fields of play at an M.T.A.A. event or practice. 

5.1.4.  Harassment of Umpires, Coaches, and players by Coaches is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from the game and/or the playing area. If a Coach, is asked to leave the playing area by an Umpire or M.T.A.A. official and refuses the represented team shall forfeit the game. 

5.1.5.  Head Coaches are responsible for but not limited to: 

5.1.5.1.  the  conduct  of  their  Assistant  Coaches,  players,  player’s  parents  and spectators. 

5.1.5.2. keeping parents and spectators off the field of play, including dugouts. If necessary, Coaches shall solicit the assistance of the Baseball Commissioner or M.T.A.A. Board Member on Duty. 

5.1.6.  Only the Head Coach, or acting Head Coach, may ask the Umpire for an appeal of a play prior to the next pitch being thrown. If a Head Coach is ejected from a game, he will lose his field privilege for the following game and be subject to M.T.A.A.  Board  review  to  determine  if  any  further  disciplinary  action  is warranted.  If an Assistant Coach is ejected, he will lose his field privileges for the next two games and be subject to M.T.A.A. Board review to  determine if further disciplinary action is warranted. 

5.1.7.  Only the Head Coach, or acting Head Coach shall be permitted to protest a game. The protest shall be delivered in writing to the Baseball Commissioner within 48 hours of the  game’s completion. Upon receipt and review of the protest, the Baseball Commissioner shall  decide if the protest should be presented to the M.T.A.A. Executive Board for a decision. A judgment call by an Umpire is not grounds for protest. 

5.1.8.  Coaches may stand outside the dugout at their own risk. No Coach shall stand further than five feet from the dugout entrance in the direction of home plate. 

5.1.9.  Coaches may not converse with the opposing team’s players, or yell out, in a manner in which may tend to harass, intimidate, confuse, distract or pressure the opposing team’s players. 

5.1.10. If a Coach deems that a player is continually causing problems or has committed an action that he feels requires disciplinary action, he shall inform the Baseball Commissioner  of  the  situation  prior  to  taking  any  disciplinary  action.  The Baseball Commissioner MUST approve the disciplinary action. 

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5.1.11. Coaches shall inform all players of practice, game and play-off schedules or rescheduled games in a timely manner, so that all players have the opportunity of attending. A Coach’s Failure to do so will be subject to M.T.A.A. Board review to determine if any further disciplinary action is warranted. 

5.1.12. Coaches shall have their players ready to enter the field of play 15 minutes prior to official start time. 

5.1.13. All Head and Assistant Coaches MUST Umpire a minimum of one game in the current baseball season. Your assigned game will be coordinated by the Baseball Commissioner.  Coaches will not be paid for the first game.  Any additional games will be paid. 

5.2. Players 

5.2.1.  Players shall show respect for, be considerate of, and display a positive attitude towards       teammates,                Coaches,        Umpires,     opposing     players        and          parents. Harassment of teammates, Coaches, Umpires and opposing players is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action. 

5.2.2.  Players are expected to participate and be on time to every practice and game as to the best of their ability. If a player is unable to attend, he/she shall call their Coach at least two hours prior to the start of a game or practice to inform them. 

5.2.3.  Players must wear their complete uniform; shirt, pants and hats to all games. 

5.2.4.  Players must remain in the dugout if not playing defense or batting. All players batting or in the on-deck circle shall wear a protective batting helmet. 

5.2.5.  Batboys shall wear protective helmets at all times and should wait for a Coach to tell them when they can retrieve the discarded bat. 

5.3. Parents 

5.3.1.  Use of alcohol, profanity or any type of tobacco use shall not be permitted on or around any fields of play at an M.T.A.A. event or practice. 

5.3.2.  Harassment of Umpires, Coaches, and players by is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from the game and/or the playing area. If a parent is asked to leave the playing area by an Umpire or an M.T.A.A. Board Member on Duty and refuses, the represented team shall forfeit the game. 

6. Game Format

6.1. A regulation game shall be considered official upon any of the following scenarios: 

6.1.1.  7 complete innings or after 6 ½ innings with the home team winning. 

6.1.2.  A game needs to be called due to unseen circumstances: 

6.1.2.1. and 4 ½ innings are completed with the home team winning or after 5 innings if the visiting team is winning. 

6.1.2.2. and is tied after 5 innings; the game shall be resumed from the point of stoppage on  the  first available open date as designated by the Baseball Commissioner that will allow both Coaches to be able to field a team.

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6.1.3.  A postponed game shall be played on the first available open date as designated by the Baseball Commissioner that will allow both Coaches to be able to field a team. 

6.1.4.  A game may be terminated at any point by mutual consent of the Head Coaches, or acting Head Coaches of both teams. 

6.1.5.  The game is official as per Section 6.1.2.1 and the score differential is 10 or more runs as of the 4^th inning, the game shall be terminated.

6.1.6.  The run differential, after the losing team has batted in the 3rd  inning, is 15 or more runs, the game shall be terminated. 

6.2. Should a game need to be called for any reason prior to meeting any of the criteria in Section 6.1, the game shall be replayed from the start. 

6.3. A team shall forfeit any game in which it fails to appear with a minimum of 9 players in uniform at the official start time. 

6.4. A team shall forfeit any game in which the Baseball Commissioner determines that it is in violation of Section 8: Playing Time or Section 10: Pitching. 

6.5. Teams shall be permitted a maximum of two offensive stoppages per inning. 

6.6. No new inning may start after 1 hr 45 min. from start of play (see Section 6.8.2 for play-off  games).  The  Umpire  shall  alert  both  team’s  Head  Coach,  or  acting Head Coach, as to the official start time at the beginning of the game. The home plate Umpire shall notify the teams when the time limit has  been reached, and the final inning is being played. 

6.7. Regular season games may end in a tie. If the time limit has been reached, or 7 complete innings have been played, and the teams are tied, the international tie breaker will be used (last out from previous inning will start on second base). Play will continue for 1 additional inning. Should the score remain tie after the additional inning, the game shall be officially scored a tie. All pitcher inning  rules will continue to apply as per Section 10.1: Pitching Limitations.

 6.8. Play-offs 

6.8.1.  All teams will make the play off round.  Play-off seeding shall be determined as follows: 

6.8.1.1.Number of Wins 

6.8.1.2.Head to Head 

6.8.1.3.Run differential, Runs scored – runs allowed, higher number gets higher seed. If still tied, recalculated by removing each team’s lowest scoring game. 

6.8.1.4.Runs Scored 

6.8.1.5.Runs Allowed 

6.8.2.  The play-off round shall be a double elimination tournament with NO time limits.

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6.8.3.  A play-off game shall be considered official upon any of the following scenarios: 

6.8.3.1. 7 complete innings or after 6 ½ innings with the home team winning. 

6.8.3.2. A game needs to be called due to unseen circumstances: 

6.8.3.2.1.  and 4 ½ innings are completed with the home team winning or after 5 innings if the visiting team is winning. 

6.8.3.2.2.  and is tied after 5 innings; the game shall be resumed from the point of    stoppage  on  the first available open date as designated by the Baseball Commissioner  that  will allow both Coaches to be able to field a team. 

6.8.3.3.The game is official as per Section 6.8.3.2.1 and the score differential is 10 or more runs, the game shall be terminated.

6.8.3.4.The run differential, after the losing team has batted in the 3rd  inning, is 15 or more runs, the game shall be terminated. 

6.8.4.  Play-off games MAY NOT end in a tie. If after 6 complete innings have been played, and the teams are tied, the international tie breaker will be used (last out from previous inning will start on second base). Play will continue until a winner is determined.  All pitcher inning rules will  continue to apply as per Section 10.1.2: Play-off Pitching Limitations. 

6.8.5.  All standard Regular season game format rules apply unless specifically stated otherwise in Section 6.8: Play-offs. 

6.9. Games shall be played on 75 ft. base paths with a 53 ft. pitching rubber. 

7. Official Scoring 

7.1. Home Team will keep the official score book. Home Team will be given the Official Score Sheet to be filled out and signed by the Home Team and Visiting Team Coaches. The  Score  Sheet  shall  be   handed  into  the  Baseball  Commissioner;  or  acting representative; or Umpire. However, the  visiting  team is encouraged to keep its own scorebook as well in order to obtain agreement at game’s  end and to settle in-game disputes. Scorekeeping disputes or protests by the visiting team are invalid if they are not keeping their own scorebook for the game. 

7.2. Should any in-game dispute arise (such as batting out of order, number of outs, illegal substitutions, etc.), the opposing Coach should alert the home plate Umpire. If able, the Umpire(s) shall settle the dispute.  If resolution cannot be agreed upon, the Baseball Commissioner shall be sought out to provide the resolution. 

8. Playing Time

8.1. All Players: 

8.1.1.    shall play a minimum of 3 innings by the fifth (5th) inning as a defensive player. An innings is defined as 3 consecutive outs. 

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8.1.2.  shall be placed in the batting order.

8.1.3.  may be inserted and removed on defense an unlimited number of times.

8.2. A  player  who  is  being  disciplined  as  per  Section  5.1.9  shall  have  his/her  parents notified  a  minimum  of  one  day  prior  to  the  disciplinary  action  and  given  full explanation as to why their child is being disciplined and what the disciplinary action shall be. A player’s disciplinary action may  not extend beyond the team giving the disciplinary action.

8.3. Players MAY NOT be a base Coach.

8.4. Knee-Hi Substitutions

8.4.1.  A Mite Coach that has less than 10 Mite roster players able to appear for a game is permitted to substitute one Knee-Hi player in place of each missing player up to a maximum roster of 10 for the game (i.e. 8  Mite roster players plus 2 Knee- Hi substitute players = 10 player maximum).

8.4.2.  A Knee-Hi substitute player MAY NOT play more innings than a Mite roster player

8.4.3.  A Knee-Hi substitute player MAY NOT pitch. 

9. Base Running

9.1. A courtesy runner may be inserted for the catcher with 2 outs to speed up the game. The substitute runner must be the player who made the last out.

9.2. There shall be a lead line 6 feet from the inside edge of each base.  Runners may cross the lead line after the ball crosses the front of home plate.  Should a runner leave early, one warning per game will be issued to both Head Coaches, or acting Head Coaches, simultaneously. Any runners leaving early  after the issued warning and making an attempt to advance will be called out – NO FURTHER  WARNINGS! If a runner leaves early on a hit, the hit will count and the runner will be called out.

9.3. Head first sliding is an automatic out unless returning from a lead or overrunning the base. NO WARNINGS!

9.4. Stealing of all bases, including home, is permitted.

9.5. The infield fly rule will be used.

9.6. The base runner must slide or avoid contact if there is a potential play at a base or home plate.  If, at the Umpire’s discretion, the runner did not attempt to slide or avoid contact, the runner may be called out.  Any flagrant contact, at the Umpire’s discretion, will result in the ejection of the player from the game. A second violation by the same player in any remaining games will be ejected and subject to further disciplinary action by the Baseball Commissioner.

9.7. Protective helmets must be worn at all times by offensive players outside the dugout. If, at  the  Umpire’s  discretion,  the  runner  intentionally  discards  his/her  helmet  while running the bases, he/she will be called out.

9.8. No pick-offs at any base – once pitcher is on base of mound, play is dead.

9.9. If runner crosses lead line, runner MUST attempt to steal the following base.  If the attempt is not made and lead line is crossed, runner will be called out.

9.10. Dropped 3^rd strike will be played as usual – batter can “steal” 1^st base, but cannot advance to next base during that play.  Runner must hold at 1^st base if safe

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 M.T.A.A. Mite League Baseball Rules (cont)

10.   Pitching

10.1. Inning Limitations 

10.1.1. Regular Season 

10.1.1.1.    A Pitcher may pitch a maximum of 4 innings in one game. 

10.1.1.2.    A Pitcher may pitch a maximum of 7 innings in a 6 day period. 

10.1.1.3.    A Pitcher must have 2 complete days of rest, if he/she pitches more than 3 innings in one game before he/she is permitted to pitch again. 

10.1.2. Play-off 

10.1.2.1.      All Section 10 Pitching rules will continue to apply throughout the play-offs. 

Exception:

1. A Pitcher shall be permitted to pitch up to 2 innings per game without requiring any  rest. One thrown pitch in an inning constitutes one full inning pitched 

10.2. Innings pitched in a game that is stopped prior to being an official game as per Section 6.1 or Section 6.8.3 shall be applied to the pitcher as per Section 10.1: InningLimitations. 

10.3. One thrown pitch in an inning constitutes one full inning pitched. 

10.4. No intentional breaking balls or quick pitching will be allowed.  The Umpire will issue one warning.  Thereafter, all intentional breaking balls will count as a ball in the batter’s  count  unless  a  batter  reaches  base  for  any  means  (i.e.  hit,  hit-by-pitch, catcher’s interference, base on balls, etc.). 

10.5. Change-ups and knuckle balls will be allowed. 

10.6. Balks will not be enforced.  The Umpire shall call time and the pitcher and Coach are to be instructed against this practice. 

10.7. A pitcher must be replaced during the second visit to the mound in an inning. Calling a pitcher to the  foul line for any type of instruction or conversation shall constitute a visit. 

10.8. Once a pitcher has been removed in a game, he may not re-enter the same game as a pitcher 

11.   Hitting

11.1. All Players shall be placed in the batting line-up. A copy of the batting line-up, including the  player’s name and jersey number, shall be exchanged between Head Coaches, or acting Head Coaches, prior to the start of the game. Any player entering the game after it has officially started shall be placed at the end of the batting line-up and take his/her at-bat as the order comes around to their slot. 

11.2. Once a batter shows bunt, the batter may not pull back and swing at the pitch or he will be called out – NO WARNINGS! 

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11.3. Throwing of the bat is not permitted.   Teams will be warned once, and subsequent violations will result in the player being called out and possibly ejected from the game. 

11.4. A team batting out of order shall have an out assessed to them for the missed batter and the active  batter shall complete his at-bat.  The opposing team must alert the Umpire to the missed batter as soon as it is recognized, but within the same inning in which it occurs.   Should the missed batter constitute the third out of the ½ inning, all runs scored after the missed batter shall be removed from the score board. The batter immediately following the missed batter shall begin the at-bats the following inning. 

12.   Catcher Position

12.1.  Protective  gear,  including  an  athletic  cup,  complete  catchers  Head  gear,  chest protector and shin guards, must be worn at all times. 

13.   Officials

13.1. The Baseball Commissioner 

13.1.1. A Commissioner and all Co-Commissioners shall meet the requirements and fulfill  the   duties   set  forth  in  the  M.T.A.A.  By-Laws  Article  IX  –Sport Commissioners. 

13.1.2. The Baseball Commissioner, or Co-Commissioner(s), shall be responsible for but not limited to: 

13.1.2.1.    determining, after consulting with the Umpire, if a game needs to be stopped in mid-play due to any “act of God”. 

13.1.2.2.    determining whether or not a game shall be postponed due to any “act of God.” 

13.1.3. The Baseball Commissioner shall review these rules in their entirety with all Head  Coaches.  The  Baseball  Commissioner  shall  maintain  a  list  with  the signature of all Head Coaches that the rules have been reviewed with them by the Baseball Commissioner and that they have  understanding of the rules set forth herein and will review said rules with all their Assistant Coaches. 

13.2. Umpires 

13.2.1. The Home Plate Umpire is the acting Head Umpire for the game. He shall have the final say, after consulting with the Field Umpire if necessary, in any and all disputes and appeals from a Head Coach. 

13.2.2. The Home Plate Umpire shall determine if and when to temporarily suspend or permanently call a game. A game that is suspended for longer than 30 minutes shall be permanently called and continued or rescheduled as per Section 6.1 

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14.   12u Tournament Team

14.1. The   12u   Tournament   Team   Head   Coach   shall   be   selected   by   the   Baseball Commissioner, pending M.T.A.A. Board approval. The Head Coach shall be selected based on knowledge, coaching ability, demeanor and commitment. 

14.2. The  Tournament  Team  players  shall  be  selected  by  the  Head  Coach  through evaluations scheduled through him and the Baseball Commissioner. The Head Coach and the Baseball Commissioner shall determine the program for the evaluations. 

14.3. All  Tournament  Entries  must  be  approved  through  the  M.T.A.A.  Board.  A  Head Coach violating this rule will be subject to disciplinary action by the M.T.A.A. Board 

14.4. Innings pitched in a tournament shall not count towards the M.T.A.A. Mite League limitations. However, Coaches should use proper discretion as to not over use a player and cause injury. SAFETY COMES FIRST, BEFORE WINNING. 

14.5. In the event of a scheduling conflict between a Tournament game and a regularly scheduled  M.T.A.A. Mite League game, the player is required to attend the Mite League game. Failure to do  so will result in disciplinary action for the player.   The Baseball Commissioner, if he/she so  chooses,  may consult both Head Mite League Coaches that are scheduled to play and if both Coaches are in agreement, the M.T.A.A. Mite League game may be rescheduled by the Baseball Commissioner. 

15.   M.T.A.A. Mite League Draft Procedure

15.1. All players are strongly recommended to report for the common draft on a date and location  determined by the Baseball Commissioner and approved by the M.T.A.A. Board. 

15.2. All players will be assigned a number and provided with identification of the assigned number. 

15.3. All players will be evaluated on their ability to throw, catch, field and hit. 

15.4. A Head Coach is permitted to pick one Assistant Coach prior to the Start of the evaluations. 

15.5. Draft Order and Selection (based on 5 team example) 

15.5.1. Each team may protect two players, whom are not required to participate in the evaluations.  The  protected  player’s  names  shall  be  made  available  to  the Baseball Commissioner as  soon as known, but not later than the start of the evaluation. A        Head Coach and Assistant  Coach having more than 2 eligible players  between  the  2  of  them,  shall  forfeit  their  first  draft  pick  and  all continuous rounds until it equals the number of protected players. 

15.5.2. Should a team choose to protect (2) 12 year-old players, their first draft pick must be an 11 year-old player. 

15.5.3. Upon completion of the evaluation, each Coach will draw a number coinciding with the number of teams in the league to determine the order of the draft. 

15.5.4. Team who draws #1 shall pick first 

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