C/O Abe Aguayo
599 Market St.
Paterson NJ 07513
973 296-9348
[email protected]
www.potybl.com @AbeA5
Official Rule Book
@ Feb 12, 2017
1. General Information
As a General Rule, we want every coach to know the following:
If at any time you have a problem or serious concern with league
policy, any rule, or with the welfare of a child; you are to immediately
call the League President or any Executive Committee Member. We
will always have an open door, open minded policy and try to resolve
your concerns.
1. The Paterson Old Timers Youth Baseball League is an independent Non-Profit
Organization that provides Recreational Services for the Youth of Paterson.
2. Teams are independently Sponsored and Supported; but are overseen by the
League’s Executive Committee.
3. The Executive Committee is composed of:
a. President
b. Vice President / Major Division Supervisor
c. Vice President / Pee Wee Division Supervisor
d. Recording Secretary
e. Treasurer
f. Active Past Presidents
f. Three At-Large Members elected from the floor
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4. All participating players must either:
a. Live in Paterson
b. Attend School in Paterson
c. Be the child of an active coach (At least two years of service)
d. Get Special Permission from the Executive Committee
If a player lives out-of-town and is granted permission to play in the Paterson Old
Timers Youth Baseball League, he/she may participate in other leagues. All out-oftown players must be registered on the out-of-town disclosure list. Failure to do so will
make the player illegal.
5. All Coaches must be a Registered as a Youth Coach in the State of New Jersey.
Evidence of such must be on record with the league.
6. The Paterson Old Timers Youth Baseball League is divided into 3 Divisions:
a. Pee Wee Division
b. Majors Division
c. Johnny Briggs (Pony Division)
(7-10 years of age)
(10-12 Years of Age)
(13-14 Years of Age)
Players may not participate in two divisions. Separate Rule Sheets are provided for
each division of play. Exception: Upon notifying the Executive Committee, coaches
may move a Pee Wee Player to the Majors Roster at the start of the playoffs if the
Youth Roster becomes shorthanded as a result of injury or other circumstance. The
Pee wee Player may still participate in Pee wee Games.
7. Once a player makes any division All Star Team, he must play exclusively for
Paterson only. There will be no exceptions.
2. Team Information
All teams in the Paterson Old Timers Youth Baseball League must meet the following
requirements:
8. Teams must pay an Entry Fee of $275 for Majors / Pee Wee Teams & $150 for Pony
Teams with each player selling one book of Raffle Tickets (30 tickets).
9. Team Sponsors must provide complete uniforms for every player. A complete
uniform consists of pants, lettered shirt & hat. All uniforms must be identical or as close
to identical as possible.
10. All teams must fulfill all league requirements; which includes Fund Raisers, Paper
Work, Attendance at Meetings, etc. (A complete list of guidelines will be given to each
team at the beginning of the season.)
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11. All teams must successfully complete the season and are encouraged to participate
in all league functions. Among these functions will include; Opening Day Ceremonies,
All Star Game, League Dinner, League Meetings, League Breakfast , etc..
12. All teams must do their fair share in regard to League Fund Raising Projects.
Failure to do so may result in your players not being allowed to participate in All Star
Games and not receiving trophies. Failure to do your Fair-Share may result in having
your team denied re-entry into the League.
13. Majors Division Teams must carry a minimum of 14 players and a maximum of 20
players on their roster. Teams may not have more than 8 players in any age bracket.
14. A player’s age will be determined by his/her age on April 30th. (i.e. If a child is 11
years old and will turn 12 on April 30, he / she will be considered a 12 year old.)
15. All players from your previous year’s roster must be retained during the current
season. If you must remove a player, you must do so in writing to the Executive
Committee and receive approval. The reason that “A player is not good enough” will
not be sufficient to drop a player.
16. A player may not quit your team to join another team. However, if a player / parent
feels that their child is being treated unfairly, they may write to the Executive Committee
and get permission to remove said player from their existing team. If granted, the
Committee will determine the team that the player will play for the current season.
17. A parent who wishes to become a coach on another team and take his child to play
on the other team, he must:
a. Request Permission to coach on their child’s team.
Being rejected:
b. The “would be” coach must appear before the Executive Committee to
explain the circumstances of the situation and why his child should be permitted
to switch teams.
c. The Executive Committee will determine if the player may change teams.
18. All players must submit a Birth Certificate, Medical Release / Permission Form,
Academic Standards Form and a Player Registration Form at time of registration. If the
player cannot produce a Birth Certificate, the Executive Committee can accept
alternative documentation. (This procedure is followed every season for every player.
There will be NO EXCEPTIONS).
19. If a Team drops out of the League, the Executive Committee will determine how the
existing players are dispersed.
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20. Upon Approval of the Executive Committee, players cut from a team’s roster may
be dispersed to other teams in the League.
21. Unless authorized by the Executive Committee; teams may only play games
against other POTYBL Teams. You may not schedule games against other teams
without prior approval by the Executive Committee.
22. Teams who wish to conduct their own TEAM FUND RAISERS may do so; but they
must first complete and submit a “Permission To Conduct A Fund Raiser” Form. The
League will generally O.K. all requests; but we need notification so that we can answer
any questions regarding your Fund Raiser.
23. Any team playing an illegal player will forfeit all games that the player participated.
24. Teams may not begin practice before March 1st of the current season. You may,
however, take players to Public Batting Cages. Violation of this rule will result in
disciplinary actions against the team, coach and manager.
25. Teams will play between 12-14 Regular Season Games.
26. As determined by the Executive Committee, the Top 8 Teams will participate in a
Post season Playoff. All remaining teams are invited to play in a separate Post Season
Paterson Invitational Tournament.
27. Each team in all divisions must have a designated coach. There is a MINIMUM
three (3) coaches on a team in all divisons. Floating coaches are allowed as long as
you meet the minimum requirement.
28. All teams must submit the e mail of a team parent.
3. League Information For Games
29. Teams must appear for all scheduled games. If you do not appear and the field
has been deemed playable by the City of Paterson - You will forfeit the game.
30. Each team is responsible for their own equipment. Teams must have Approved
Little League Bats, Approved Little League Batting Helmets (5), Approve Catcher’s
Equipment, Baseballs, Bases, etc. Failure to have the correct equipment can result in a
forfeit.
31. Each team will provide one new ball per game (The league will give each team
new balls). If additional balls are needed, coaches must provide good used baseballs.
32. The Home Team will always take the 1st base dugout and must supply the bases
for the game.
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33. Umpires are instructed to eject any player who throws his / her bat, glove, hat,
helmet or other object. Furthermore, the umpires are instructed to eject any player who
becomes abusive by word or gesture; or who shows excessive unsportsmanlike
conduct.
34. Umpires are instructed to eject any coach or manager who becomes abusive or
displays excessive unsportsmanlike conduct. If a coach or manager is ejected, he / she
must immediately leave the park area. The ejected coach can only be between foul
poles in the outfield and cannot have any contact with the players or remaining
coaches. This applies to ALL DIVISIONS of play.
35. Assistant coaches may not argue an umpire’s call. If there is need for a discussion
,the Team Manager will be the only coach allowed to talk to the umpire If an Assistant
Coach persists, he will be ejected and face suspension. You must declare at
ground rules who is the team manager.
36. If a player or coach is ejected from a game, he will be suspended for at least one
additional game. Furthermore, the ejected person may be asked to appear at the next
Executive Committee Meeting. Coaches who are serving a suspension, may not be
anywhere in the park before or during a game. They must remain between foul poles.
This applies to ALL DIVISIONS of play.
37. All Managers are directly responsible for the conduct of themselves, their coaches,
their players and their fans. Failure to exercise this responsibility can and will result in
penalties against the team and manager. These responsibilities shall include:
a. Informing the fans that they may not make negative comments or gestures
toward the opposing team or umpire.
b. Informing and disciplining any assistant Coach or Player who shows
Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
c. Conducting yourself in a manner that will not encourage others to display poor
conduct.
d. Maintain a Code where all adults in your dugout dress and act properly. We
don’t want people wearing clothing that will reflect poorly on the league or offend
anyone.
e. Make sure that there are only four adults in the dugout area.
f. Make sure there is a minimum of 3 coaches at all games.
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38. A Game can be suspended and completed at another date under the following
circumstances:
* The umpire stops the game because of Crowd Control
** The Game is stopped by Curfew or Rain and it is not an official game.
(To be official - the trailing team must have batted 4 times)
39. Teams may have two adult coaches on the baselines. These coaches are
encouraged to wear a Paterson Old Timers Youth Baseball League Tee Shirt or a
Team Shirt. All coaches must wear clothing that is in “Good Taste”. Also, there must
always be an adult coach in the dugout area.
40. Teams may not take Batting Practice at, near or around the field before a game.
Fielding and throwing practice is permitted. Exceptions: Teams may take Batting
Practice with Wiffle Balls before game, time permitting. Such practice may be
conducted in outfield or other area that will not cause a safety hazard. Teams may also
use the Batting Cage at Pennington Park.
41. Curfew Rules apply only on evenings when Paterson Public School is in session
the following day.
a. For 5:30 Games that have a 2nd game scheduled after them - “No inning
can begin after 7:40 PM. Discretion will be used if girls softball ends late.
b. Night Games - “No inning may start after 10:05 PM.
c. Under no circumstance can a regular season game go beyond 8 innings.
42. Standings will be kept on Majors and Pony Divisions based on a Points Basis:
2 points = Win
1 point = Tie
0 points = Loss
4. League Playing Rules
The Rules of the Paterson Old Timers Youth Baseball League will be the same as
Little League with the following exceptions:
43. In the interest of creating more play and less strike-outs, we will play on a field with
the following dimensions: 50 ft. pitcher’s mound and 65 ft. bases.
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44. Twelve Man Substitution Rule - Each team must play at least 12 players per
game (9 starters and 3 substitutes). The nine starters must each play two innings in the
field and bat once. Once this has been accomplished; but before the beginning of the
4th inning, the 3 subs must enter the game. The starting players may be reentered into
the game once the substitutes have batted once and played the field for two innings.
45. The teaching and throwing of a curve ball is prohibited. If an umpire detects a
curve ball he will declare it “No Pitch”. / If the pitcher continues to throw “curve balls”
he may be removed from the mound and a new pitcher will be brought in.
46. A pitcher can only pitch 2 innings per game. The innings must be consecutive
and the throwing of one pitch will constitute pitching an entire inning.
47. The Re-entry Rule is permitted as follows. If and when a Substitute enters the
game, he must remain in the game until he / she plays two defensive innings and bats
once. At this point the starting player may re-enter the game in the same batting spot.
48. There are no balks or running on missed third strikes.
49. A Courtesy runner MUST BE USED for the catcher with two outs. The umpire may
also allow a courtesy runner for an injured player. The courtesy runner must be a
player not in the game. If no bench player is available, the player who made the last out
will become the courtesy runner.
50. Intentional Walk Rule - A player may only receive an Intentional walk when he or a
base runner represents the tying or winning run. If a coach wishes to walk a player
intentionally, inform the umpire and the player will be awarded 1st Base.
51. On Balls thrown into Dead Ball Area. Runners will get the last base that they safely
reached plus one additional base. EXCEPTION: Over throw at 1st base the runner is
awarded 2nd base if the ball enters dead ball territory.
52. On a Home Run or a Ground Rule Double. If a player accidentally misses a base,
while rounding the bases, it will be overlooked by the umpire.
53. Coaches may visit their pitcher only once per inning. On the 2nd visit of an inning
the pitcher must be removed from the mound.
54. Once the pitcher has the ball in the area of the mound, all base runners must either
advance to the next base or go back to their base. Runners may not jockey at this
point. Umpires have been instructed to issue a warning for jockeying. A second
offense will result in the umpire calling the player “OUT“ !
55. If a player leaves a base before the ball reaches Home Plate; penalties will be
issued as per the Little League Rule Book.
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56. Mercy Rule - If a team is leading by 10 or more runs and the trailing team has
batted 4 times, the umpire will call the game.
57. If a team forfeits a game, they are responsible for the cost of the umpire(s) prior to
playing their next regularly scheduled game. Failure to pay this fee will result in
possible forfeits and denial of trophies.
58. If a player gets ill or is injured and there are no additional eligible players, the
opposing coach will determine which player may replace the injured player. If there is no
available replacement, the game will go on with 8 players and an out recorded when the
missing players batting turn is reached.
If a player is ejected and there is no eligible player to replace him, the game is a forfeit.
59. The Paterson OTYBL will not honor the “Infield Fly Rule”.
60. A player who walks may not touch 1st base and attempt to run to 2nd base. Once he
reaches 1st base the play is dead. This rule is called the “No Passport Rule”
61. All coaches must be at least 21 years of age. Any individual under the age of 21
may request permission to coach under the following conditions:
a. They will be working under an experienced coach.
b. They will be under League Probation until they become 21 years of age.
c. They attend Coach’s Clinics and receive a Satisfactory Rating.
62. Teams will be permitted to use an EXTRA HITTER (EH). This EH will be a 10th
man in the batting order and will be treated as any other player with the following
exceptions:
a.
b.
c.
The EH may play the field.
All teams must still make their 3 substitutions. - Therefore you must have
at least 13 players present to use the EH.
The EH rule is optional at each game, but teams must declare their
intentions at the beginning of the game.
63. Teams will receive 1 warning on batters throwing the bat. After your warning,
batters who throw the bat will be automatically out and all runners must return to their
original bases.
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64. Beginning with the start of the 2014 season, it is mandatory that a
representative from your team attend all league meetings.
65. Definition of League Suspension: If a Player is on League Suspension, he
may practice with his team and dress for games. He may not participate in pregame drills or play in the game. Depending on the reasons for his suspension,
said player will receive a warning that will include instructions that another
violation can and will result in a suspension for the rest of the season.
If a Coach is suspended from the league; he may not practice with any team or
engage in any official function with the team during the time of his suspension.
During games he must be between foul poles in the outfield; he/she may not
enter the playing field before, during, or after the game. During the game he may
not yell or relay any type of instructions to the team or coaches. Violation of any
of the above written instructions will result in forfeiture of games, an extension of
the suspension, and additional penalty deemed necessary by the Executive
Committee.
5. Post Season Playoff & Tournament Rules
66. The Executive Committee will determine the number of teams in the Post Season
and how the Playoffs are run.
67. All Playoff Games must be played to conclusion. Games stopped early because of
rain, darkness, etc. will be completed from that point.
68. Any coach ejected from a Playoff Game will be suspended for the remainder of the
playoffs.
69. Any and all protests will be settled at the park between the umpires and the
Executive Committee Members present. The only exception is a protest involving an
illegal player.
70. Any player ejected from a Playoff / Tournament Game will be suspended for one
additional game and possibly prohibited from Post season All Star play.
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All Coaches must attain a NJ Coaches Certification
This Certification is for life.
Coaches and all individuals who are in direct contact with our
players, must also submit to a Background Check conducted by
the Paterson Old Timers Youth Baseball League.
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