Bantam's Division Games Rules for 2008

1.      a. COGBL Bantam Division Fees:  Division fees are $100 per team, payable to the COGBL treasurer by June 1st.  A penalty of $50 shall be incurred if this fee is not paid by the due date.

b. COGBL Playoff Tournament Fee:  The COGBL playoff fee is $300.00 per team payable to the COGBL treasurer by June 1st.

2.      All games will be seven (7) innings. Exceptions: No new inning to start after two hours or local park curfew. In event of a tie at the end of 7 complete innings, extra innings will be played -- subject to the curfew rule.  The lead umpire shall ensure the game proceeds at a reasonable pace without undue delays.

3.      a) A ten run mercy rule will apply after 5 or 6 innings. b) A six run mercy rule in any one inning shall be in effect through the first 4 innings

4.      Unlimited substitutions except for a pitcher. [i.e. Once a player has been removed as a pitcher in the game, they may not return to pitch in that game.]

5.      Bat through line-up will be in effect. Each team must have 7 players to start the game. The eighth & ninth spots in the order will be considered automatic outs. Late arriving players may be added to bottom of batting order.

6.      A pitcher may pitch a maximum of three (3) innings per game. The Pitch Count rules outlined in Appendix “A” below also apply. If a pitcher hits the maximum pitch count before 3 innings, she must be removed as pitcher. The pitcher can still only pitch a maximum of 3 innings, even if the pitch count is below the limits as outlined in Appendix “A”. A single pitch to a batter thrown in an inning constitutes a full inning pitched.

7.      Catcher may be replaced on base with two (2) outs. The replacement runners must be the previous out.

8.      Batter hit by pitch - if a pitcher, either purposely or unintentionally (lack of control), hits a batter(s) more than once in any one game, then in that event the pitcher and the manager shall receive a warning.  Should the pitcher hit a batter a third time, the pitcher shall be immediately replaced.  If an umpire deems that a pitcher threw at a batter intentionally, the pitcher shall be immediately ejected from the game.  To clarify:

·        Pitcher hits batter(s) once - not addressed unless umpire thinks it was on  purpose

·        Pitcher hits batter(s) twice - pitcher and manager receive warning

·        Pitcher hits batter(s) three times – pitcher is immediately replaced with another pitcher

9.      Home team will supply baseballs and umpires through their local association.

10.  Four innings, or 3 ˝ if the home team is winning, shall constitute an official game in the event of weather delays or darkness.

11.  Cancellation courtesy: Home teams should provide 3 hours notice [prior to start of game] to visiting team for cancellation to make a game due to weather / poor field conditions.

12.  Any team which cannot field a team for a scheduled game (7 players minimum) will forfeit that game, unless both team managers agree to reschedule the game. At risk manager should contact other manager at least 48 hours before scheduled date. If both teams unable to field teams, it will be treated as a rainout and be rescheduled.

13.  Cancelled or rescheduled games are to be rescheduled as soon as possible, and must be organized between both teams involved. Report any re-scheduled games and time to the Bantam division convener by email at bantam@cogbl.com. Games not made up will be treated as losses for both teams for the purposes of loop standings. Missing games results are treated the same way.

14.  Winning team manager/coach is responsible for reporting games results within 24 hours to the bantam division convener  by email at bantam@cogbl.com.  Game results not reported will be recorded as a tie for both teams.  Therefore, it is in the interest of the winning team to report the game result

15.  In the case of a tie, the home team is responsible to report as directed above.

16.  Game results will include the number of runs for each team at the end of the forth inning.

17.  Standings will be based on 2 point for a win, 1 point for a tie. In case of a tie at the end of the regular season, the win/loss record of the tied teams against each other shall be used to determine the order. In the case where a tie continues, runs for vs runs against from the head to head game(s) will be used. Where a tie continues, a flip of a coin will determine the order.

18.  All loop teams shall participate in the COGBL playoffs at the end of the season (provided they have complied with OBA roster requirements). These playoffs are separate and apart from the 2006 OBA Provincial Championships.  An OBA double-knockout style tournament will be used and played in a venue to be determined - with the possibility that first round of games to be play at loop parks.

19.  Each team manager shall provide the convener a list of players & coaches on their rosters by June 1, and copies of OBA rosters by June 30.  In addition, to be officially permitted to participate in the playoffs, the roster shall be submitted to OBA in accordance with OBA’s requirements.  For loop play only eligibility of call ups for any club shall be governed by the local clubs rules. For example, Burlington would be restricted to players registered in BOMBA based on insurance considerations.

20.  Any other rule deemed necessary during the season - subject to a 2 / 3rds majority of team managers -- which will be communicated by email.

21.  The distance between bases is 82 feet and pitching distance is 55 feet.

22.  Ejection: A coach ejected for the first time by an umpire during the course of a game shall sit out one game.  A second ejection shall result in a further 2 game suspension.  A third suspension shall result in a suspension for the balance of the season.  The opposing team coach shall report the ejection to the convener.

Appeals:  A coach who has been ejected may immediately appeal the ejection to an appeals tribunal. There shall be an appeal cost of $50, this expense not to be borne by the team, payable to the COGBL treasurer before the appeal shall be heard.  The appeals tribunal shall consist of the division convener and the COGBL president and if necessary a third person nominated by the convener and president.

 

Tournament Play

1.      Excepting the following, the regular games rules above apply.

2.      All non-playoff games will be seven (7) innings. Exceptions: No new inning to start after two hours or local park curfew. In event of a tie at the end of 7 complete innings, extra innings will be played - subject to the curfew rule.  The lead umpire shall ensure the game proceeds at a reasonable pace without undue delays.  Four innings, or 3˝ if the home team is winning shall constitute an official game in the event of weather delays or darkness.

3.      All playoff games (COGBL or OBA’s when hosted by a COGBL team) shall be seven (7) innings, no time limit. Exceptions: weather and local park curfew.

4.      With the exception of the OBA’s, a “bat through” lineup is permitted in any COGBL Bantam tournament.

5.      Pitching Rules.  Only Baseball Ontario Pitching rules (P2-10 Pitching rules (a) and (e) thru (m) in the constitution) shall apply to tournaments (COGBL pitching rules do not apply. Please see Appendix “A” for these rules as excerpted from the OBA constitution.

       5.1        Illegal pitching penalty: Where a player pitches more innings or outs than permitted, the player's team shall forfeit the game. A second violation by a manager's/head coach's team will result in the manager's/head coach's suspension. Any player advancing to play in a higher series (ie. Peewee call-ups) shall be restricted to the pitching rule of the series in which she is registered.

5.2       A second trip by a manager/coach to the same pitcher in the same inning shall result in the pitcher's automatic removal from the pitching position. The pitcher, once removed after the 2nd trip in an inning, may continue in the game at another position but shall not be permitted to return to pitch in that game.