Willie Mays (9-10) Rules and Regulations The League

Willie Mays is an extension of the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) and is intended for players ages 9 and 10.

Eight (8) and eleven (11) year old players may play in this division at the request of the parents with the consensus among the coaches and the approval of the Board of Directors. Eleven (11) year old players are not eligible for Willie Mays all-star teams and may not pitch during the regular season.

The date used to determine age is May 1^{st (}.i.e. 5/1/06 for 2006 season).

Teams:

The players will be selected via a blind draft overseen by League Officials and non-conflicting persons.

Pitchers may pitch six innings per week if their team plays two games, nine innings if their team plays three games. Once playoffs begin, it begins a new week. No pitcher may pitch more than four innings in any one game and no more than 4 innings on consecutive days.

One pitch constitutes one inning.

Once a pitcher is taken out, he/she cannot return to the game as a pitcher but can play any other position.

Pitching distance will be 46 feet from the front of the rubber to the back of home plate.

Balks will not be called.

Manager may only make two trips to the mound per pitcher in an inning. Second trip, the manager must remove the pitcher. A total of three trips for each pitcher per game. On the third trip, the manager must remove the pitcher. This includes assistant coaches.

Schedules:

Teams will play 2 to 3 times per week. Players are to be at the field by 5:45. Games begin at 6:00. Times may vary on weekends if applicable.

The Town will be responsible for determining if the field is playable. Rainouts will be played as close to the week of the scheduled game as possible. Non-league games (e.g., vs. Waterford) may be made up. Rescheduling will be the responsibility of the home team manager. Please contact the division coordinator with rainouts/rescheduled dates.
Admission to Games:

No admission shall be charged to any Willie Mays game.

There are no individual awards in the Willie Mays division. The first place team from the regular season will be recognized. Playoffs will be held at the end of the season. The playoff champion will also be recognized.

Defensive coaches are not permitted in Willie Mays.

Offensive coaches are as follows:

1 Manager and 3 coaches are permitted on the field during play. A manager, a scorekeeper and one in the coaching boxes at 1^st and 3^rd base.

Base paths will be 65 feet in length.

There will be no profanity or throwing equipment. This is cause for a player or coaching staff to be ejected from the game.

• 
  Batting Order - The batting order shall be the players listed in the order they are to bat. The batting order shall contain the entire roster of players.
  
• 
  Batting Out of Order - If a batter bats out of turn (i.e., completes a turn at bat) and the other team is aware of it, the batter is automatically out and any runners would go back to the base where they started. Note: This must be caught prior to throwing a pitch to the subsequent batter. No protests can be made afterward. The manager must make the effort to maintain the proper batting order.
  
• 
  Base Runner - Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball passes the batter. A runner may not advance because of an overthrow from the catcher to the pitcher. A runner may advance one base on an overthrow into foul territory at their own risk.
  
• 
  Sliding – When sliding, base runners shall slide feet first. On a play being made on a runner at home plate, the runner must slide into home plate. If the runner does not slide, the runner shall be called out. A runner may score standing up and/or run out of the baseline to avoid contact on a close play at the plate if the catcher is in or near the baseline before the ball arrives at the plate. The runner must make all attempts to avoid contact with the catcher by sliding or avoiding contact. Excessive contact with the catcher by the runner without sliding in the judgment of the umpire will result in the runner being declared out.
  
• 
  Bunting - Bunting is allowed in Willie Mays.
  
• 
  Infield Fly Rule - This does not apply in Willie Mays.
  
• 
  Side Retired - Offensive side is retired after three outs in any inning or after five runs in all except the final inning. Three outs must be made in the last inning unless winning run scores before third out.
  
• 
  Defensive Play - All players will play in the field at least 3 innings each game. Positions are up to the discretion of the coaches. There will be 10 defensive players, four in the outfield. If a team is unable to field at least eight players they must forfeit the game.
  
• 
  Playing Field - The Town will be responsible for determining if the field is playable. After a game has started it is the responsibility of the umpires to stop the game due to weather or darkness.
  
• 
  Length of Game - All games will be six innings no extra innings will be played.
  
• 
  Official Game - An official game will be after 4 innings. 3½ innings if home team is winning. If a game is stopped due to weather, darkness, or other reason:
  
  • 
    If official, the score will revert to the previous complete inning to determine the outcome.
    
  • 
    If unofficial, the game must be replayed in its entirety.
    
  • 
    Note: All innings pitched in stopped games, whether official or unofficial, count as innings pitched for that game and week.
    
• 
  Game Balls - The home team will supply two new baseballs for each game.
  
• 
  Umpires - The league will supply two umpires per game. Umpires will be youths and must be treated with respect.
  
• 
  Metal Cleats - No metal cleats allowed in Willie Mays.
  
• 
  Uniforms - Players should be in uniform (a baseball shirt (tucked-in), baseball pants and hat) when on the playing field.
  
• 
  Catchers - may not catch if they are not wearing a cup. They may use a glove that is not a catchers mitt if they choose.
  
• 
  Dropped Third Strike Rule - A batter may not advance on a dropped third strike.
  
  • 
    Stealing - Runners on base cannot advance when the pitcher has the ball unless a play is made at the time. After the ball passes home plate, the runner can advance at their own risk. If the runner tries to advance, or take a lead off the base, before the ball passes home plate the umpire shall immediately call a dead ball and the runner shall be called out. No warning shall be given.
    

• 
  They are batted home.
  
• 
  They are forced home by a base on balls.