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RULE CLARIFICATIONS:  red carpet/COA, hit batsman & collisions

This page is designated for umpire-related information, and is also the reference section for codes of conduct, the league by-laws, and any special baseball rule interpretations that may need to be communicated.

UMPIRES

NEW for 2008:  "Minimum Play" and "Pitching Limitations" for National League

The Alameda Babe Ruth Board has adopted the following rules that will affect National League play. These are very important rules that pertain to "Minimum Play" and "Pitching Limitations." They are not debatable and will be enforced by the General Manager, who shall report to the Board of Directors:

1. Minimum Play Rule: During a game, all players will play three (3) defensive innings and have one (1) at bat.

2. Pitching Limitations: The Alameda Babe Ruth Board has adopted the National Babe Ruth "Pitching Limitations" as defined on page 10 of the 2008 Babe Ruth League Rules and Regulations, subject to the following "Pitch Count" limitations: 

(a) No player may pitch more than 105 pitches per game. If a pitcher reaches the limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue until the batter reaches first base or is put out, or the third out is made to complete the half inning. 

(b) A player must have two (2) calendar days rest between pitching assignments if he pitches in more than three (3) innings in one game OR more than 42 pitches. 

(c) A player must pitch four (4) balls in order for a "Base on Balls" to be granted, and all pitches count for that pitcher's "Pitch Count." 

(d) The Home Team Score Book shall be the Official Score Book for enforcement of "Pitch Count" rules. It is suggested that both teams reconcile "Pitch Count" every inning. 

(e) The General Manager shall enforce all of the above rules. All Managers are expected to abide by these rules and report to the General Manager if any violations occur. Violations of any such rule may be grounds for forfeit.

RULE CLARIFICATIONS: 

~ Red Carpet-COA ~ Batters Hit By Balls ~ Runners Avoiding Collisions ~

"Red Carpet" at the College
(see also COA Ground Rules)

Since the National League is just starting regular season play, I thought it appropriate to clarify that the red carpet area in front of the dugouts at the College of Alameda is out of play. 

Dead Ball or In-Play?

  • Any ball touching the red carpet area is a dead ball (just like being thrown into the dugout). 

  • Any ball touching the green facing above the dugout or the poles in the dugout is a dead ball.

  • However, a ball that passes over a portion of the red carpet area, but does not actually touch the red carpet, is in play (except as above for the facing or poles of the dugout).

Live Ball or Out-of-Play?

  • A player must catch a foul pop-up with both feet outside the red carpet area for it to be a catch (one foot on the grass, one foot on the carpet is not a catch). 

  • If a player catches a foul pop-up with both feet on the grass and his momentum carries him onto the red carpet area (or even into the dugout), it is a catch and the ball if live. 

    • The player may throw the ball from the red carpet area with no penalty. 

    • However, if the player falls down onto the red carpet area or in the dugout (one knee on the ground), the ball is dead and any runners are awarded one base from where they were at the time of the pitch.

 

"Hit Batsman"
 from Bill Dal Porto - Head of Umpires

There have been questions recently on the proper ruling when a ball hits the batter. 

  1. If a pitched ball hits the batter (not a rebound from the catcher or umpire), the ball is always dead.
  2. If the ball touched the bat and then the batter, it is a foul ball (as long as the batter was not entirely out of the box when hit with the ball). If the batter was entirely out of the box (i.e. bunt down the first base line), the batter is out.
  3. If the pitch hits the batter and he did not swing at it, he is awarded first base. It does not matter if the ball hit the dirt first, he still gets first base. Only runners forced to advance get to advance. All others stay where they were before the pitch.
  4. If the pitch hits the batter's hands and he was not trying to hit the ball, the batter is awarded first base. The hands are not part of the bat. The hands are part of the arm.
  5. It the pitch hits the batter and he either swung at the pitch or tried to bunt it, it is a strike. If it was the third strike, he is out (it doesn't matter that the catcher did not catch the third strike).

An exception is that if the batter intentionally moved into the pitch or if he made no attempt to avoid being hit (and he easily could have), the umpire should make the batter remain at the plate (umpire's judgment). The ball is still dead and no one can advance, but the pitch is called either a ball or a strike, depending on what it was.

"Runners Avoiding Collisions"
 from Bill Dal Porto - Head of Umpires

I have been asked to clarify the rule that says a runner must slide or attempt to avoid contact with a fielder at any base. This is the exact same rule that the high schools use. The intent of the rule is to avoid having a collision between the runner and the fielder where someone could get hurt.

If a runner crashes into a fielder, he is out and ejected, regardless of whether the fielder holds on to the ball. If the fielder does not have the ball and the runner crashes into him, the runner is safe on the obstruction but he is still ejected.

"Crashing" is an attempt by the runner to run into the fielder with the intent of making the fielder drop the ball.  Examples are running hard into the fielder, lowering of the shoulder and running into the fielder, and raising the arms when running into the fielder.

If a runner comes into the plate standing up and is tagged by the catcher without the runner making an attempt to run into the catcher and dislodge the ball, that is a legal play even though there is minimal contact initiated by the catcher. If the catcher drops the ball, the runner is safe. This would be the case if the catcher tags the runner on his side as the runner is running by. However, if the catcher is standing with the ball directly in the path of the runner, the runner cannot run into him even remotely hard. If the catcher is knocked down, it is definitely too hard, The runner can slide, he can attempt to go around the catcher, he can get in a pickle, or he can give up and let himself be tagged. This is true even when the catcher is several feet up the line so that sliding is not really an option. It is a safety rule with the advantage going to the defense.

Whether to call the runner out and eject him is a judgment call by the umpire. Some calls are easy, some are not. For instance, if the runner is running hard toward the plate, and the catcher at the last moment runs into the runner's path up the line to catch an errant throw and there is a huge collision, that is a legal play. The umpire has to make a judgment as to the intent of the runner.   If the runner slides, however hard, or if he makes an attempt to avoid the catcher, there is no automatic out and no ejection; and there is no obstruction, as the catcher ran into the path trying to catch the ball, which he is supposed to do.

The examples above talk about the plate, but the same rules apply on any base. 

I hope this helps everyone understand the rule a little better. It's still not always easy for the umpire to make the call, as there are gray areas that always cause an argument. As I said above, some calls are very easy and some are hard and subject to differing opinions. If a coach wants to make sure that his players are not ejected, teach them to slide on all close plays, especially at the plate.   If the fielder is up the line so sliding is not an option, tell them to get into a pickle.

ALAMEDA BABE RUTH'S CODE OF CONDUCT

The Alameda Babe Ruth program is set up for the benefit of the players with the specific objectives of implanting firmly in the youth of Alameda the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage and respect of authority.  With this is mind, the Board of Directors have established the following Code of Conduct for all age group leagues:

  1. All players, coaches, umpires, scorekeepers and fans shall be treated with respect.

  2. Coaches and players shall not demean their own players, opposing players, or umpires before, during or after the game.

  3. Players will be ejected from the game for throwing bats, helmets, gloves, etc.

  4. Any unreasonable display of emotion will elicit a warning from the umpire. This includes the use of foul language. Upon receiving a warning, the player or coach shall immediately stop arguing and return to his position or the dugout. Failure to do so will result in ejection from the game. Any repetition later in the same game will also result in ejection from the game, as will a flagrant violation at any time in the game (even if a warning was not previously given).

These rules are in the best interest of Alameda Babe Ruth and are to be adhered to by all participants.  Immediately following a game, the home plate umpire shall report the ejection of any player, manager or coach as well as any other flagrant violation of these rules to the umpire-in-chief, who will report the incident to the President.

Any player who continually violates this Code of Conduct will not be eligible for all-star selection and may be subject to further league action.  Player ejections must be reported to the General Manager, who has the authority to impose further punishment including suspension for one or more future games.  Any manager or coach ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from participating in his next league game and may be subject to further league action.

Please remember that this is a youth baseball league and winning is not the most important thing. We're here to teach good sportsmanship, the fundamentals of baseball, courage and respect for authority. But most of all, we're out to have fun!

RULES

Babe Ruth plays by essentially the same rules as Major League Baseball.   However, we do have certain safety rules that Major League Baseball does not have, such as limitations on the amount of innings a player can pitch in a week and requiring a base runner to either slide or attempt to avoid contact with the defensive player at a base (normally the catcher at home plate).   We also have a minimum play rule where every player has to play at least two innings and bat at least one time in each game.

Some Basic Baseball Rules...

  1. Fair vs foul.  The position of the ball (not the player) is important.  A ball over foul territory touched by a player in fair territory is a foul ball.  A ball hitting the plate is not foul (plate is in fair territory).

  2. Catch/no catch.  The ball must be “voluntarily released” to have a catch.  If a fielder catches a ball, takes 5 steps, collides with the fence or another fielder, and drops the ball, it is not a catch.  A shortstop who drops a ball on a double play while trying to get the ball into his throwing hand has a catch (and probably an out).

  3. Strike zone. The strike zone is the space over home plate from halfway between the batter’s shoulders and his waist to the top of his knees when the batter assumes a natural stance.  In youth baseball, the plate gets a couple inches wider, particularly on the outside, as the pitchers are not major leaguers and nobody wants 20 walks per game.  

  1. Strike 3.  The batter is not out on strike 3 if the catcher does not catch the pitch directly into his mitt (unless there are less than two outs and 1st base is occupied).  The batter can go toward the dugout and still run to 1st.

  2. Foul Tip.  The ball has to go straight from the bat to the catcher’s mitt.  This is not a foul ball.  The ball is alive (runners can steal, get thrown out, etc.).

  3. Infield fly.  With runners on 1st and 2nd (or bases loaded) with less than 2 outs, a potential infield fly situation exists.  If a fair pop fly could easily be caught by an infielder, the batter is out.  Runners do not have to advance, but they can at their own risk.  This rule prevents the defense from purposely letting the ball drop and getting a double play.  Note:  An “infield fly” can be on the outfield grass, and an outfielder can catch the ball.  The key is whether or not an infielder could have easily caught the ball.  Note:  A popped up bunt is not an infield fly.

  4. Overthrows.  If an overthrow goes out of bounds, all runners get 2 bases from where they were at the time of the throw (or time of the pitch if it is the first throw by an infielder).  If a pitcher overthrows 1st but does not step off the rubber before throwing, runners only get one base (2 bases if he steps off the rubber first).

  5. Balk.  Common balks are not stopping at the bottom of the stretch and dropping the ball while on the rubber.  The ball is not dead.  If the batter hits it, the offense gets the option of taking the play or all runners getting one base instead.  In our youth league, we are not quite so picky on some types of “major league balks” if the baserunner is not put at a disadvantage.  Nobody wants a game with 10 balks in it.

  6. Interference.  An offensive player interfering with a defensive player’s attempt to catch a ball.  If a batted ball hits a runner, the runner is out, the batter gets 1st base, and no other runners advance unless forced. On a batted ball, the runner must avoid the fielder.  If he interferes with the fielder’s attempt to catch the ball (running into him, pausing in front of him, yelling at him, etc.), it is just the same as if the ball hit the runner.  The base path does not belong to the runner if a fielder is attempting to catch a batted ball.

  7. Obstruction.  A defensive player, not in the process of catching a batted or thrown ball, getting in the way of an offensive player (e.g., 1st or 3rd baseman standing on the bag as runner tries to touch it, faking a tag on a runner to get him to slide).  After the play is over, the runner is awarded the base the umpire thinks he would have reached (on obstruction going back to a bag, the runner gets the next base).

  8. Bat hits catcher’s glove.  After the play is over, the offense gets the option of taking the play or having the batter awarded first base (no runners advance unless forced).  An exception is made if the batter and all other runners advance at least one base.  In this case, the infraction is ignored.

  9. Batter interfering with catcher’s throw.  The batter is out and the runner has to return.  If the batter struck out on the pitch, the umpire could also rule the runner out if the catcher had a chance to throw him out.  Note:  The batter does not have to get out of the box to allow a catcher to make a throw.  He is protected if he stays in the box (unless a runner is trying to score and he has time to leave the box).

  10. Overrunning 1st base.  The runner can turn to his left in returning to 1st base.  But if he makes any movement associated with going to 2nd base, he can be tagged out.

  11. Runner missing a base.  The defense can appeal by tagging the runner or the missed base before the next pitch when the ball is alive.  This can be done immediately.  If the ball is dead, the ball must be put back in play (pitcher on the rubber, the catcher and batter ready, umpire says “the ball is in play”).  The pitcher then has to back off the rubber and make the appeal (without calling time out).  Note:  The plate umpire watches home and 3rd base for missed bases, the base umpire watches 1st and 2nd.

  12. Batting out of order.  If detected while the batter is up, the proper batter comes up and there is no penalty.  If detected after the batter makes an out or gets on base (but before the next pitch), the batter is out, no runners advance, and all outs made on the play stand.  The next batter is the one after the batter that should have batted.  If not detected until after a pitch is made to the next batter, there is no penalty.  The proper batter is then the one who normally bats after the batter who batted out of order (even if a number of other batters are skipped).  Note:  Forgetting to tell that umpire that there is a pinch hitter is not batting out of order.  He becomes the proper batter by standing in the batter’s box.

  13. Ten run rule.  There is a 10 run rule in Alameda Babe Ruth after the losing team has had 5 at bats.

  14. Time limit.  For 14-15 year-old inter-league games and for all Prep League games, no new inning can start after two and a half hours.  During the week no new inning can start after 8 p.m.

  15. Throwing a bat.  If accidental, there is no penalty.  If it continues to happen, the umpire can eject the batter, but he cannot call the batter out.  If a bat, helmet or glove is thrown in anger, umpire’s judgment determines if it is a warning or an immediate ejection.

 

Helpful Links...
Though Babe Ruth plays by essentially the same rules as Major League Baseball, when in doubt, double-check with one of the umpires or League officials who can either inform you of the correct rule or find out for you.

  • Quick Reference Alameda Babe Ruth League Rules:  Here

  • Major League Baseball:  Official Rules

  • Interactive Baseball Rules:   Website

ALAMEDA BABE RUTH BY-LAWS,
POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Revised July 2007  
( * = Most recent changes)

CONTENTS

~ alcohol & tobacco ~ all stars ~ all star managers/coaches ~ approval of payments ~ awards/sportsman ~ awards/volunteer ~
~ ball thrown out-of-play ~ board of directors ~ board quorum ~ board selection ~ code of conduct ~ college scholarships ~ 
~ darkness ~ draft, american league ~ draft, national league ~ dugouts ~ eligibility ~ evaluations ~ extra hitter ~ fake tags ~ forfeits ~
~ ground rules* ~ high school players ~ helmets, base coaches & batboys/girls ~ infield practice ~ injuries during game ~
~ jewelry ~ managers & coaches ~ manager/coach responsibilities ~ metal spikes ~ minimum play rule ~
~ pitching rules* ~ protests ~ rain-outs ~ replacing players ~ running over catcher ~ sign-ups ~ 16/19 yr olds ~
~ standings ~ 10-run rule ~ time limits ~ tie games ~ trips to mound ~ trophies ~ uniforms ~

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Alameda Babe Ruth League program is to provide a safe, organized baseball program for 13-19 year old boys and girls in the city of Alameda, with the specific objectives of implanting firmly in the youth of Alameda the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage and respect for authority.  Unless otherwise noted, the sections below pertain only to the 13-15 year old leagues.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
A player must live in Alameda to be eligible to sign up for the 13-15 year old Alameda Babe Ruth programs.  However, once a player is on an American League or National League team, he or she is eligible to sign up and play through league age 15, even if the player has moved out of Alameda.  13 year olds cannot play in the National League; they are only eligible for the American League.  Players are prohibited from participating on a team or in a league of any other baseball program that operates during the same time frame as Alameda Babe Ruth, with the exception of the middle/high school programs.

Additionally, a player who owes money, uniforms or equipment to Alameda Babe Ruth from the previous year is ineligible to participate in the League until said debt is paid (or suitable payment arrangements are made in advance with the Treasurer).  A player who has not paid his/her player fee cannot play in any League game until the fee is paid (or suitable payment arrangements made in advance with the Treasurer).

SIGNUPS
Signups will be held in January or February.  Everyone must sign up, including players returning to the same 14-15 year old team as the previous year.  A player is signed up when a signed medical release form is returned to the league.  All players who sign up for the league at signups, or before a later cutoff date established by the league, are guaranteed to make a team if they attend at least two evaluations (see below).  Players who sign up after the cutoff date can attend the evaluations, but they are not guaranteed to make a team.  Some may make a team if there are enough spots available. The rest will be put on a waiting list in case there are later openings.

EVALUATIONS
A minimum of two and a maximum of three evaluations will be held before the season starts for both the American and National leagues.  To accommodate those who are sick or out-of-town for a weekend, there must be evaluations on two different weekends.

Players who cannot attend two evaluations due to illness, injury or other acceptable reason can still be guaranteed to make a team with the special permission of the General Manager for that league.  For those injured, this usually means the player must show up at the beginning of a regularly scheduled evaluation so the managers can see the player and ask questions.

Returning 15 year olds who played on a National League team the previous year do not have to attend evaluations.  They are automatically on the same team as the previous year as long as they have signed up prior to the end of evaluations (their manager has the option to keep the player even if they have not officially signed up).  Players who were in the American League the previous year are not automatically on a team.  They must sign-up and attend the evaluations.

NATIONAL LEAGUE DRAFT
The National League draft will be held shortly after the last evaluation.  Each team will draft to a maximum 15 player roster.  The number of teams, the roster size, and the breakdown between 14 and 15 year olds will be determined by the General Manager.

Draft selections will be as follows (example below is for a six team league):

                         Team Number                           Draft Pick

                                    1                                  1  12  13  24  25

                                    2                                  2  11  14  23  26          etc.

                                    3                                  3  10  15  22  27

                                    4                                  4    9  16  21  28

                                    5                                  5    8  17  20  29

                                    6                                  6    7  18  19  30

The last place team the previous year gets first choice of draft position (i.e., team 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6), the next to last place team gets the second choice, etc.).  If teams tied the previous year and there was no playoff to resolve the tie, they will flip a coin to see who gets the earlier choice for draft position. To determine standings for draft selection purposes, only regular season games from the previous season count.   Post-season tournament games do not count.

If there is a new team, that team will select five 15 year olds at the beginning of the draft before any other team gets a selection.  In addition, the new team will get the first choice of draft position (as if the new team had finished last the previous year).

The purpose of the evaluation and draft procedure is to attempt to have a competitive balance between the teams at the beginning of the season.  If there is a competitive imbalance caused by a 15 year old not returning to his National League team (moved, injury, quit, etc.) or some other reason, the General Manager can allow that team to select one or more 15 year olds at the beginning of the draft (i.e., before team #1 gets the first selection).  A majority of the National League managers can appeal the General Manager's decision in this matter to the Board of Directors, as long as the appeal is prior to the commencement of the draft.  If there is an appeal, the draft will be postponed until after a decision by the Board of Directors.

A manager can have an option on his own son or daughter.  The draft round at which a manager option must be exercised will necessarily vary depending on the player's ability and will be determined by a unanimous vote of the National League managers.  If a unanimous vote is not possible, the General Manager will determine when the option must be exercised.  A majority of the National League managers can appeal the General Manager’s decision in this matter to the Board of Directors, as long as the appeal is prior to the commencement of the draft.  If there is an appeal, the draft will be postponed until after a decision by the Board of Directors.  A manager must declare before the start of the draft if the option will be exercised.

There will be no coach, brother or sister options without the express approval of the Board of Directors.

AMERICAN LEAGUE DRAFT
The American League draft will be held shortly after the National League draft.  Each team will draft to a maximum 15 player roster. The number of teams and the roster size will be determined by the General Manager, but all 13-15 year-old players who have signed up prior to the cutoff date and have attended two evaluations will be guaranteed a spot on a team.

Draft selections will be determined by drawing numbers from one to the number of teams in the American League and will be as follows (example below is for a four team league):

                         Team Number                           Draft Pick

                                    1                                  1  8    9  16  17

                                    2                                  2  7  10  15  18            etc.

                                    3                                  3  6  11  14  19

                                    4                                  4  5  12  13  20

A manager can have an option on his own son or daughter.  The draft round at which a manager option must be exercised will necessarily vary depending on the player's ability and will be determined by a unanimous vote of the American League managers.  If a unanimous vote is not possible, the General Manager will determine when the option must be exercised.  A majority of the American League managers can appeal the General Manager's decision in this matter to the Board of Directors, as long as the appeal is prior to the commencement of the draft.  If there is an appeal, the draft will be postponed until after a decision by the Board of Directors.  A manager must declare before the start of the draft if the option will be exercised.  There will be no coach, brother or sister options without the express approval of the Board of Directors.

REPLACEMENT OF PLAYERS

National League: If a team loses a player for the remainder of the season for any reason (quit, injury, discipline, etc.), the manager may select a 14 or 15 year-old player from the American League as a replacement. If a team's roster drops below a minimum roster, as determined by the General Manager, before the regular NL season begins - that team must add a replacement player. Under the same circumstances after the regular NL season begins, the team has an option to add a replacement player to its roster. Once an American League team has had a 14 or 15 year-old player "called-up" in this manner, that team cannot have another player "called-up" unless all other Prep League teams have had a player "called-up."

American League: If a team loses a player for the remainder of the season for any reason (quit, injury, discipline, etc.), the manager may select a player from the waiting list. If a team's roster drops below a minimum roster, as determined by the General Manager, that team must add a replacement player.

All roster changes must be approved in advance by the General Manager. The General Manager shall inform the Treasurer as soon as possible (for player fee and insurance purposes).

UNIFORMS
No team may wear team uniforms, jackets, sweatshirts or similar items of clothing that are not provided by the League without express permission of the Board of Directors in advance.  Players must return League issued uniforms to their manager at the conclusion of their last game.

INFIELD PRACTICE
The visiting team is allowed to take a 10 minute infield practice from 20 minutes prior to game time to 10 minutes prior to game time.  The home team is allowed to take a 10 minute infield practice from 10 minutes prior to game time until game time.  A team forfeits its infield practice if it does not take it during the time allowed.

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
High school players (both varsity and junior varsity) can practice with their Babe Ruth team, but they cannot participate in any games (including practice games) until their high school team has finished its season.  Intra-squad games are OK, but any type of game, "practice" or "scrimmage" that involves players from another team are not.  A player's high school team can forfeit its remaining games if this rule is broken.  This is a high school rule and an Alameda Babe Ruth rule.

If a high school player quits his high school team after its first league game, that player cannot participate in any games (including practice games) until his high school team has finished its regular season (this is an Alameda Babe Ruth rule).  The reason for this rule is to prevent high school players from quitting their high school teams in order to participate in Babe Ruth games or practice games.

MINIMUM PLAY RULE 
All players who are not injured or being disciplined must play at least -- in the National League, two defensive innings; in the American League, three defensive innings -- and bat at least once.   

The opposing manager must be informed prior to the game that the player is being disciplined and will not play.  Once this notification has taken place, the disciplined player cannot play in the game unless an injury or some other situation occurs that would cause the team to play with less than nine players and there are no other players on the bench who are uninjured or being disciplined.  If a player has to be disciplined during the game, the opposing manager shall be informed immediately that the player will not play in the game.

If there is a shortened game due to darkness, weather, ten run rule, etc., it is recommended that the players who did not get their minimum time in the game:

  • Start the next game,

  • Play the remainder of the missed time plus the new game's minimum time, and 

  • Bat at least twice.

If the game was not shortened, players who did not get their minimum time in the game must:

  • Start the next game, and 

  • Play the entire game.  

Managers who violate the minimum play rule may be disciplined.

INJURIES DURING THE GAME
If an injury, sickness or ejection occurs during the game and there is no player on the bench who is eligible to replace the injured, sick or ejected player, the following shall occur.

  1. If the injury, sickness or ejection is to a starter who was replaced and who then re-entered the game, the player who initially replaced the starter shall take the injured, sick or ejected player's place.

  2. If the injury, sickness or ejection is to a starter who was not replaced, any player on the bench may take the injured, sick or ejected player's place, regardless of whether the player on the bench was a starter or a non-starter.

An injured or sick player, once removed from the game under the above rule, cannot re-enter.

TRIPS TO THE MOUND
The second trip to the mound to the same pitcher in the same inning causes the pitcher's automatic removal as a pitcher.  The pitcher is eligible to stay in the game, but cannot return as a pitcher.  If a pitcher is removed on the first trip to the mound in an inning, the pitcher can return later in the game as a pitcher, even if he/she was substituted for and later re-entered.

PITCHING RULES (New - April 15, 2008)
The following pitching rules shall apply to the American and National leagues for all regular season and the post-season tournament games (does not apply to all-star tournament games):

  1. A pitcher may pitch seven innings per week.  Due to different schedules and the number of participating teams, what constitutes a "pitching week" differs between leagues, i.e.:

    • For the National League, the pitching week is Tuesday through Monday

    • For the American League, the pitching week is Monday through Sunday)

  2. If a pitcher delivers one pitch or makes one play in an inning, that pitcher shall be charged for one inning pitched.

  3. A pitcher must have two days rest between pitching assignments if he pitched more than 42 pitches in any game in the American League or more than two innings in the National League (i.e., a pitcher who pitched on Thursday is not eligible to pitch again until Sunday). In no event may a pitcher exceed 3 innings pitched and be able to pitch the next day, regardless of pitch count.

  4. If a pitcher pitched 42 pitches or less in the American League or two innings or less in the National League, he is eligible to pitch in his team's next game (as long as he has not reached his seven innings per calendar week limit).

  5. Any innings pitched by a pitcher during the last week of his high school season shall count as if they were pitched in Babe Ruth for the purposes of this rule. Thus, if a pitcher pitched one inning for his high school team, he would be eligible to pitch six innings that week in Babe Ruth. If a pitcher pitched three innings for his high school team on Friday, he would not be able to pitch in Babe Ruth on Saturday or Sunday (as he would not have the required two days rest).

  6. AL Pitch Count:  A Maximum "pitch count" of 95 pitches is being imposed in the American League. It is the responsibility of the scorekeepers' from both teams to track the pitch count of both pitchers. Score keepers should confer and reconcile pitches between each inning. Pitches lobbed for an intentional walk do not count towards the 95 pitch total. If a pitcher reaches the 95 pitch total in the middle of an at-bat, the pitcher is allowed to finish pitching to the batter before being replaced.

10-RUN RULE
A game is over after becoming regulation (losing team has had five innings at bat) if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs and both teams have had an equal number of times at bat or the home team is leading.  

CALLING GAMES FOR DARKNESS - COMPLETING GAMES
If a game is called for darkness at the end of the 5th or 6th inning, or in the bottom of the 5th or 6th inning with the home team ahead, the game is final. If the game is called for darkness before it is a regulation game (the losing team has not completed 5 innings at bat or the game is tied in the 5th inning), the game will be continued later and played to completion. If the game is called for darkness in the 6th inning, that one inning only will be continued later. If any continued game is tied at the completion of an inning, the game will be played to completion.

JEWELRY
Players may not wear earrings, watches, rings or any other jewelry that could be dangerous to the player or to other players.  Medical ID's may be worn if they are taped to the skin or worn on a neck chain tucked under the jersey.

RAINOUT
Only the President, General Manger, or the General Manager’s designated representative may declare a game a rainout.  In their absence, the home plate umpire can declare a rainout.

FORFEIT
If a team notifies the General Manager a day in advance that it will not be able to field 9 players, the General Manager will attempt to re-schedule the game in a manner that is fair to both teams.  If re-scheduling is not possible, the game will be “played” as scheduled.  At game time if a team cannot field 8 players, the opposing team will win by forfeit.  At the beginning of a game, the umpires will wait 15 minutes after the scheduled start time before declaring a forfeit.  If a team plays with 8 players, there is no automatic out for the 9th position in the batting order.  The lead-off batter just follows the 8th position in the batting order.

TIME LIMITS
There shall be no time limits for any National League game during the weekend (District inter-league games may have a time limit).  For the American League on weekends, no new inning may start after two hours and thirty minutes unless the game is tied or is not regulation (losing team has had five innings at bat).  For weekday games, no new inning may start after 8:00 p.m. (or earlier if in the umpire's judgment it is too dark to commence an inning), even if the game has not gone seven innings or if the game is tied.  If an inning is started and it then becomes too dark to finish the inning, the game shall be continued from the point of interruption at a time to be decided by the General Manager.

If it is not yet a regulation game when it becomes too dark (the losing team has not completed five innings at bat), the continued game will be played to completion.  If the game is in the sixth inning when it becomes too dark, that one inning only shall be continued, unless the game is tied (i.e., the game will be over at the end of the sixth inning, unless the game is tied).  If any continued game is tied at the completion of an inning, the game will be played to completion.

TIE GAMES
Tie games during the week will be continued at a later time (preferably the next time the two teams play on a weekend, or otherwise as determined by the General Manager).

LEAGUE STANDINGS
There will be no playoffs at the end of the season for the American or National leagues unless there is a tie in the standings for first or second place.  If two teams are tied, there will be a single game playoff.

EXTRA HITTER
The Extra Hitter is a 10-man batting order with 10 starters. The EH must always be shown on the line-up card. 

  • American League - This batting order alignment is REQUIRED.

  • National League - This batting order alignment is optional, however, once a team starts a game with an EH, it must continue with the EH for the entire game.

The EH must also play the required minimum defensive innings (i.e., AL, 3 innings; NL, 2 innings).

DUGOUTS
Only players, managers, coaches, scorekeepers, batboys and batgirls are allowed in the dugout during games.  The third base dugout is for the home team.

BALL THROWN OUT OF PLAY
If a ball is thrown out of play by a fielder, each runner is entitled to two bases from where he was when the ball was thrown.  However, if the throw was the first throw by an infielder, each runner is entitled to two bases from where he was at the time of the pitch.  If a ball is thrown out of play by a pitcher who did not step off the rubber before trying a pickoff play, each runner is entitled to only one base.  If the pitcher steps off the rubber before trying the pickoff play, each runner is entitled to two bases (in essence the pitcher becomes a fielder when he steps off the rubber).

FAKE TAGS
To prevent injury, fielders shall not fake tags.  Players shall be warned once.  Any repetition will result in ejection from the game.  For any fake tag, the umpire may decide to rule obstruction, in which case the baserunner will be allowed to advance to the base he/she might have obtained without the fake tag.

RUNNING OVER CATCHER
To prevent injury, baserunners cannot run over the catcher or any other fielder.  If a collision occurs at the plate or a base and the runner did not slide or try to avoid contact, the runner will be called out, and if the umpire believes the collision was intentional, the runner will be ejected from the game.  If the catcher or another fielder jumps into the base path trying to catch a ball, contact is allowed, unless in the umpire's judgment the collision was intentional. If the catcher or fielder is in the base path and not in the process of catching a throw, obstruction will be called and the runner will be safe (unless the runner intentionally runs over the fielder).

METAL SPIKES   
 Metal baseball cleats have been approved for players in ALL Babe Ruth leagues, including the American League.

HELMETS FOR BASE COACHES & BAT BOYS/GIRLS
Players who serve as first or third base coaches, or as Bat Boy or Bat Girl during the game must wear batting helmets when outside of the dugout.

ALL-STARS  
 The managers in the National League vote for the 15 year-old all star team and the 14 year-old all star team. The managers in the American League vote for the 13 year-old all-star team. The 15 year old all-stars will be selected before the 14 year-old all stars. Each all star team will be drawn solely of players from that age group (exceptions to this rule will be considered by the Board on a case-by-case basis).

Each manager in the respective league votes for 15 players for the team. The top 11 vote-getters are on the team. If there is a tie for the 11th spot, the managers will vote to break the tie. The all-star manager picks the remaining 4 players for the team. These last 4 choices are solely at the all-star manager's discretion.

If there is a vacancy on the all-star team for any reason (quit, discipline, injury, etc.), the all-star manager can select any other eligible player.

All-star jackets and uniforms (except for the hat) belong to the League and must be returned to the League immediately following the all-star season. No one may "purchase" his/her all-star uniform or jacket without express approval of the Board of Directors.

TEAM AND LEAGUE SPORTSMAN
Near the end of the season, each manager will select a team sportsman.  This should be the player who shows up to practices and games on time, has a good attitude, abides by the rules, and accepts victory or defeat graciously.  Athletic ability should not be considered.  In the National League, the team sportsman has to be a 15 year old.  All team sportsmen will receive a plaque at the Awards Ceremony.

After all team sportsmen has been selected, the managers in the American League will select one of the American League sportsmen as their league sportsman.  This player will receive the Whitey Wootten award at the Awards Ceremony.  The managers in the National League will select one of the National League sportsmen as their league sportsman.  This player will receive the Ty French award at the Awards Ceremony.  In voting for the league sportsman, a manager may not vote for his own team sportsman.

It is very important that the identity of the team and league sportsmen be kept secret until the Awards Ceremony.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The league President will select an adult volunteer of the year.  That person will receive the Volunteer of the Year award that has been established in memory of Woody Dal Porto at the Awards Ceremony.  The only restriction on the selection is that the President cannot select himself/herself. 

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Drinking of alcoholic beverages is not allowed on the field, in the stands, or anywhere else near the playing field.  Smoking and chewing tobacco are not allowed on the field.

TROPHIES
Trophies (individual and team sponsor) will be awarded to the first and second place teams in the American and National leagues.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Alameda Babe Ruth will award at least one $500 scholarship each year (plus any additional from donations) to a graduating high school senior who will be attending college the next fall.  The Board of Directors will appoint a Scholarship Committee, which will select the scholarship winner(s) without further approval by the Board.  The scholarship(s) will not be paid until proof of enrollment in the fall is submitted.

PROTESTS
All protests must be submitted in writing to the President within 24 hours following completion of the game protested.  All protests will be decided by the President or by his/her appointed committee.

16-19 YEAR OLD
 For our 16-19 year old teams (i.e., our Sr. Leaguers) at least 75% of the players must live in Alameda and any non-Alameda players must be either pitchers or catchers.

If there are two teams of 16-19 year-olds, the coaching staffs for both teams will work together with the understanding that the Mariners are a feeder program to the Merchants.  The Merchants will be the “major league” or “varsity” team and the Mariners will be the “minor league” or “junior varsity” team.  The Merchants will have priority over fields, uniforms, equipment, etc.  The Merchants and the Mariners may play in different leagues, and neither is required to play in a Senior Babe Ruth League if that League is not competitive.  The General Manager will recommend which league(s) the Merchants and Mariners will play in, but the Board of Directors has final approval.

All players must try out unless approved by the General Manager in advance.  Returning Merchants players may be frozen and not required to try out with the approval of both the Manager and the General Manager.

CODE OF CONDUCT
The Alameda Babe Ruth program is set up for the benefit of the players with the specific objectives of implanting firmly in the youth of Alameda the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage and respect of authority.  With this is mind, the Board of Directors have established the following Code of Conduct for all age group leagues:

  1. All players, coaches, umpires, scorekeepers and fans shall be treated with respect.

  2. Coaches and players shall not demean their own players, opposing players, or umpires before, during or after the game.

  3. Players will be ejected from the game for throwing bats, helmets, gloves, etc.

  4. Any unreasonable display of emotion will elicit a warning from the umpire. This includes the use of foul language. Upon receiving a warning, the player or coach shall immediately stop arguing and return to his position or the dugout. Failure to do so will result in ejection from the game. Any repetition later in the same game will also result in ejection from the game, as will a flagrant violation at any time in the game (even if a warning was not previously given).

These rules are in the best interest of Alameda Babe Ruth and are to be adhered to by all participants.  Immediately following a game, the home plate umpire shall report the ejection of any player, manager or coach as well as any other flagrant violation of these rules to the umpire-in-chief, who will report the incident to the President.

Any player who continually violates this Code of Conduct will not be eligible for all-star selection and may be subject to further league action.  Player ejections must be reported to the General Manager, who has the authority to impose further punishment including suspension for one or more future games.  Any manager or coach ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from participating in his next league game and may be subject to further league action.

MANAGERS AND COACHES

The Board of Directors selects all managers for all age groups and can remove them at any time.  Managers can choose their own coaches without prior approval of the Board of Directors. However, the Board of Directors can remove a coach at any time.

MANAGER/COACH RESPONSIBILITIES
Manager and coach responsibilities include the following:

  1. To set an example for the players by adhering to and enforcing the Code of Conduct.

  2. To be responsible for the conduct of his players and parents.

  3. To attend tryouts for the purpose of preparing for the player draft.

  4. To attend scheduled meetings including pre-season, post-season, general, or Manager/Coach meetings. 

  5. To be responsible for the care and collection of equipment and to turn in uniforms and equipment promptly at the end of each season.

  6. To assist with field maintenance including the following:

  • Drag, hose down and line infield prior to the game (both teams responsible).  Note that the Park Department assists with dragging and hosing down the fields. 

  • Pick up trash in own dugout after the game.

  • Put away the bases, hoses, etc. after the game (home team).

  • Drag dirt areas at Stargell Field after the game and repair home plate and pitcher areas (both teams).

ALL-STAR MANAGERS AND COACHES 
 The National League manager with the highest standings (based on regular seas