FRANKLIN YOUTH BASEBALL ORGANIZATION
BANTAM LEAGUE
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2016
FOREWORD
Franklin Youth Baseball Organization (“FYBO”) is a non-profit educational organization
dedicated to the ideals of good sportsmanship, team play, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect
for authority. In pursuit of these ideals the FYBO will remain sensitive to the physical and
emotional well being of the boys and girls in the program.
Unquestionably, one of the primary reasons for the success of this organization is the rules and
regulations. Program volunteers review and refine the league’s rules and regulations each year.
In 2007 the FYBO Rules Committee adopted these “Home Rules” which supplement the
“Official Rules” which the FYBO recognizes and plays by (i.e. “Official Little League Rules”,
“Babe Ruth” and the “Official Baseball Rules” as published by the National Baseball Congress,
Inc.).
The “Home Rules” that have been instituted for the 2016 season may only be changed upon
motion and two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. Any suggestions or requests for
clarification are to be directed to the Rules Committee. The Spirit of these Rules shall not be
altered by an interpretation that is inconsistent with that of the Rules Committee.
FYBO rules supersede Official Cal Ripken League rules. Exception applies when
playing in a Cal Ripken sanctioned tournament where only Cal Ripken rules will apply.
Where there is no conflict between FYBO rules and Cal Ripken League rules Cal
Ripken rules will apply.
Your cooperation in following these rules will allow for a positive experience for players,
families, coaches and fans. The rules have been established to allow every child the opportunity
to play in the program.
1.00
Draft Process
2.00
Objectives of the Game
3.00
Game Preliminaries
4.00
Starting and Ending the Game
5.00
The Batter
6.00
The Runner
7.00
The Pitcher
8.00
Playoffs
9.00
All Stars
10.00
Player Ratings
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1.00
DRAFT PROCESS
1.01
Draft Preliminaries
The Bantam Coordinator will determine the number of teams based on discussions
with the Director of Baseball. Once the number of teams is determined, the
Coordinator will do the following:
a) The Coordinator will review the sign-up sheets in order to determine the number
of parents that signed up to manage. The Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator and
Director of Baseball will unanimously agree on the manager selections to be
presented to the FYBO board for approval. In the event the three individuals
cannot agree on the managers in question, the President of the FYBO will
intercede to make the final decision. Preference should be given to returning
managers unless there is a concern regarding their performance. The Coordinator
shall secure commitments from interested applicants to manage the teams. If the
Coordinator does not have enough applicants signed up as Manager, the
Coordinator should then ask those applicants who signed up as coaches to
assume a Manager’s position.
b) The Coordinator should make every attempt to team up a volunteer Manager with
a volunteer assistant coach. Every effort should be made to distribute the
assistant coaches among the teams within the confines of Rule 1.01(c). If a
volunteer who signed up as an assistant coach agrees to manage, every effort
should be made to make sure that he/she has more than one assistant coach.
The Coordinator will attempt to put the teams together in the following manner:
(1) First, by team the player played for in Rookie League. Players assigned
to a Rookie League team that was comprised primarily of players from
outside of their neighborhood or school district may be reassigned to a
team within the player’s school district or neighborhood. New sign-ups
will be assigned to a team after all returning players are assign to a
roster.
(2) Consideration should be given to special requests written on sign-up
sheets.
(3) Late sign-ups will be assigned to the next team needing to fill a roster
spot. Rosters should have no more than 13 players per team.
d) Once the teams are set the Coordinator will provide Managers their team rosters,
including names, addressees and telephone numbers.
c)
e) Only the Coordinator may make changes to the roster after it has been set.
f) Managers shall not call their players until instructed to do so by the Director of
Baseball or the President.
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2.00
OBJECTIVES OF THE GAME
2.01
The Bantam League is an instructional program. The overall philosophy is twofold:
(a)
the children are to have fun and develop an appreciation for good
sportsmanship.
(b)
the children are to learn the game of baseball.
2.02
The FYBO Code of Conduct shall govern behavior. In addition to Code of Conduct
sanctions, misconduct by a player, Manager, coach or fan may result in immediate
expulsion from the playing field area. Managers and assistants shall determine
whether expulsion is necessary. Failure to comply with an expulsion order may
result in the termination of play. If a Manager, coach, player or fan is expelled from
the playing field, the league Coordinator shall investigate the relevant facts and
determine whether further disciplinary action is warranted.
2.03
When a Manager, coach, player or fan is ejected from a game, they shall leave the
field immediately and take no further part in the game. They may not sit in the stands
and may not be recalled. If the person or persons refuse to leave the field within five
minutes, play may be suspended or terminated. (Note: Managers, coaches, players
and fans may be subject to further disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion
from the program).
2.04
These are instructional games, there are no standings or championships at stake.
Parents may be asked to umpire the games. If parents are used as umpires, one from
each team should participate. Umpires are used to record official outs and to assist
the Managers in maintaining order during the games.
Players must remain inside the dugout if they are not batting or playing a field position.
Managers & umpires are responsible for maintaining order on the field and in the
dugout. THERE WILL BE NO ON DECK BATTERS ALLOWED.
2.05
All male players are required to wear a metal, fiber, or plastic type cup.
2.06
Batting donuts are not permitted.
2.07
Metal cleats are not permitted.
2.08
Catchers are to use an approved catcher’s mitt.
2.09
Team players shall wear numbered uniforms identical in color. Players shall purchase
white baseball pants. (Exception: female players may purchase gray pants). A
player’s name shall not be printed on his/her jersey.
2.10
Any player who is acting as a base runner, base coach, on-deck batter or batter must
wear a batting helmet. Players can ONLY serve as a base coach in the event no
manager, coach or parent is available to do so.
2.11
Home team managers are responsible for properly securing all field related
equipment after the game has ended.
2.12
Both teams are responsible for preparing the field prior to the game.
2.13
All Managers must be BOARD APPROVED.
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2.14
Any player that is removed from a game due to a head injury will not be
allowed to return to play for that game
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3.00
GAME PRELIMINARIES
3.01
Only those directly involved with the team may enter the bench area or the playing
field. The bench is reserved for Managers, coaches, players and batboys.
3.02
There will be 10 defensive positions. The tenth fielder must play the outfield, thus a
team may field four outfielders. Every player must play not less than two innings in
the infield and not more than 3 innings in the outfield. Players shall be rotated to
different positions. Any player in a game who plays the outfield for more innings
than he/she plays the infield, shall at the next game, play the infield more than the
outfield. No player shall sit on the bench for more than one inning per game unless
all other players have sat out at least one inning.
a) If a coach AND a parent or a parent alone feels a player would risk
serious injury by playing an infield position he/she will not be required to
do so.
3.03
Free substitutions are permitted.
3.04
Full batting rosters will be used during all games. Players will take their turn at bat
even if the player is not playing a defensive position that inning.
3.05
There will be NO STRIKEOUTS OR WALKS.
3.06
The following are NOT permitted during a Bantam game: stealing, bunting, leading
off base, advancing on passed balls, advancing on overthrows, or slashing.
3.07
In the event a game must be rescheduled because of rain, insufficient number of players
or any other acceptable reason, the home team Manager will contact the Coordinator to
reschedule the game. Managers will not reschedule or cancel games. Only the
Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator are authorized to do so.
4.00
STARTING AND ENDING A GAME
4.01
A team will remain at bat until they are charged with three outs or alternatively, score
four runs. If the team scores four runs before they are charged with three outs, then
the teams will change positions after the fourth run has scored.
4.02
During a weeknight game no inning may start after 7:30 PM. During a weekend
game no inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes has elapsed from the game’s
official start time. An inning that has been properly started may be completed if the
conditions do not jeopardize player safety. Managers should agree as to the official
time before the start of the game. Managers should make every effort to keep the
game moving. Players should be instructed to hustle onto and off of the field. On
deck batters should be ready to take their turn at bat.
4.03
A team must have a minimum of 8 players in order to play the game. If a team
should have less that 8 players, then the game may be rescheduled by the Coordinator
or assistant Coordinator.
4.04
No more than two coaches will be allowed on the field for the purpose of providing
defensive instruction. Coaches should make every effort to avoid interfering with
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play. The coach acting as pitcher is not permitted to field a batted ball, he /she
should make every effort to avoid interfering with play.
4.05
The offensive team shall station one base coach at first base and one at third base.
Base coaches shall remain within the coach's box at all times.
4.06
Once the game has started, if in the Managers’ judgment, darkness, inclement
weather, poor field conditions, etc. create unsafe playing conditions, PLAY MUST
BE TERMINATED. .
5.00
THE BATTER
5.01
The batter will be allowed 8 pitches during his/her turn at bat. If after 8 pitches the
batter has not made contact with the ball, the coach will soft toss to the batter until a
fair ball is hit. In order to move the game along this rule will be stricly enforced.
5.02
The bat used must be Little League approved.
5.03
The “infield fly rule” is not recognized in this division.
6.00
THE RUNNER
6.01
Base runners must slide or attempt to avoid contact when there is an imminent play at
the base they are advancing to. Contact between a runner and fielder may only occur by
sliding. Headfirst slides are not permitted. Runners MAY slide head first when
RETURNING to a bag.
6.02
In the event of a legitimate hit to the outfield, runners may advance at their own risk.
All running of the bases will cease once the ball has been returned to the infield and
controlled by a defensive player. A defensive player’s inability to make an accurate
and/or strong throw should not be exploited. Abusive running of the bases will not be
tolerated.
6.03
Stealing is not permitted.
6.04
Base runners can legally re-touch their base once a fair ball in flight is caught and
advance at their own risk. Runners cannot advance if a foul ball is caught nor may
they advance on an overthrown ball.
7.00
THE PITCHER
7.01
For the first half of the season a manager or coach shall pitch to the players on
his/her team. The first eight pitches thrown shall be delivered overhand, on a
level plane and from approximately thirty feet away
7.02
During the last half of the season, players will be allowed for the first three (3)
innings of the game to pitch 1 inning per game to the first three (3) batters of
the inning. If need be, after eight (8) pitches the manager will take the pitchers
place and throw four (4) more pitches to the batter.
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Note: All players must pitch at least once during the course of the season
unless the parent does not want their child and/or the player does not want
to pitch.
8.00
PLAYOFFS
8.01
There are no playoffs for the Bantam League.
9.00
ALL-STAR SELECTION PROCESS
9.01
There are no all-star teams for the Bantam League.
10.00
PLAYER RATINGS
10.01
At the conclusion of the regular season the Coordinator will instruct all Managers to
evaluate the skill level of each player on their team rosters. The evaluation shall be
conducted in a uniform fashion as dictated by the Coordinator. The player
evaluations will be collected and compiled by the Coordinator not later than July 30th.
Prior to the subsequent year’s Single A draft the evaluations shall be delivered to that
year’s Single A Coordinator. The evaluations will be used to select the Single A
teams.
10.02
It is suggested the managers rate each player individually on hitting, fielding and arm
strength utilizing a scale of 1 to 5. The scale breakdown would reflect; 5 – very
good, 4 - above average, 3 – average, 2 – fair, 1 – needs improvement.
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