COGBL – Women’s Division Games Rules for 2008 Season

1. Game Duration: All games will be seven (7) innings.

Exceptions: Maximum time will be 2 ½ hours, with no new inning to start after 2 ¼ hours or local park curfew. In the event of a tie game at the end of 7 complete innings, extra innings will be played, subject to curfew. Double headers shall be 5 innings each. Four innings or 3 ½ innings with the home team leading, shall constitute an official game in the case of weather.

2. Mercy Rules: 2(a) A ten run mercy rule will apply after 5 or 6 innings.

2(b) A six run mercy rule in any one inning shall be effect through the first four innings.

3. Unlimited substitutions except for the pitcher. Once a pitcher is removed as a pitcher, they may not return to pitch in that game.

NEW!!! OBA pitching rules have been adopted and in effect.

Pitch Count Questions and Answers

These are commonly asked questions that apply to Baseball Ontario Open, Provincial, and Elimination tournament pitching regulations (pitch count). The new pitch count regulation (P2-10 f-m) will be printed in the 2008 Rule Book. The Playing Rules are now posted.

1. Why has Baseball Ontario changed the pitching regulation for some of their divisions?
Recently, researchers and medical professionals in the field of sports medicine have determined that the actual number of pitches thrown (i.e., pitch count) is a safer way to regulate pitching in youth baseball. As one of Canada's largest organized youth sports program, Baseball Ontario is again taking a leadership position in youth sports safety.

2. What are the pitch count limits?
The maximum amount of pitches per calendar day: Women – 100 pitches (NOTE: If the pitcher reaches this limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may complete pitching to that batter). The maximum amount of pitches per day without requiring two night rest: Women – 75 pitches

3. How will a team determine who is responsible for counting the pitches?
Selecting the person responsible for counting pitches will be a decision of the home team / official scorekeeper. That person's pitch count will be the officially recognized pitch count for the game. Each pitcher's pitch count is computed by adding the number of balls and strikes, the number of foul balls hit with two strikes, pitches thrown when balks are called, and the number of fair batted balls. Other teams might assign a separate person who simply keeps track of every pitch on a piece of paper. Baseball Ontario will provide local leagues with a suggested form for this in the coming months. Leagues also can use any of the various digital or mechanical pitch counting tools that are available commercially.

4. What is the penalty for violating the pitch count regulation?
Violating the pitch count regulation will result in the offending team forfeiting the game. A second violation by a team will result in the manager / head coach's indefinite suspension (Rule P2-10 m).

5. Can the same pitcher throw in consecutive games?
Depending on the number of pitches thrown and the nights of rest required, the same pitcher could pitch in consecutive games. However, the pitcher cumulative total of pitches thrown for the day will dictate the amount of rest required.

6. If a pitcher is pitching a perfect game or no hitter and reaches his or her maximum pitch count, does he or she have to be removed as a pitcher, or can he/she continue until the perfect game or no hitter is lost?
Any pitcher, without regard to his/her effectiveness, must be removed when he or she reaches the limit prescribed in the regulation. Remember, no game is more important than protecting pitchers' arms.

7. What if all of your players have maximized their daily pitch count limits during a game?
If a team has no remaining players eligible to pitch in a game, the opposing coach may designate a player who has yet to pitch in that game. This pitcher may not throw more than 30 pitches..

8. Are warm up pitches calculated in the pitch count for a pitcher?
No. As always, however, umpires should be mindful that the rules permit a pitcher to have eight preparatory pitches.

9. Do pick off attempts at bases count as thrown pitches?
No. The only pitches that count towards a pitchers pitch count total are ones that are thrown to a batter.

4. Bat through lineup will be in effect. Each team must have 8 players to start the game within 15 minutes of the scheduled starting time. This rule may be waived at the consent of both team managers. Late arriving players may be added to the bottom of batting order.

5. Catcher may be replaced on base with two outs. The replacement runners must be the previous out.

6. The home team will supply two (2) new baseballs plus any additional good baseballs as needed. The home team shall supply two (2) umpires (at least one is to be certified level 2) through their local association.

7. Home teams should provide at least 3 hours notice prior to the scheduled start of the game to visiting teams for game cancellations due to weather / poor field conditions.

8. Any team which cannot field a team for a scheduled game will forfeit that game, unless both teams agree to and are able to reschedule the game. The “at risk” manager shall contact the competing manager at least 24 hours prior to game time or shall be subject to covering any umpire / field costs that might be incurred. The COGBL President, COGBL Women’s Convener and COGBL Umpire-In-Chief, shall rule on any incident. After a third forfeit, the offending team shall be suspended from the COGBL for the remainder of the season and shall not participate in the COGBL playoffs.

9. Cancelled or rescheduled games are to be rescheduled as soon as possible and must be organized between both teams involved. Report any rescheduled games and times to the Women’s Convener; Randy Low by email: randy-low@rogers.com or by phone (905-903-1953).

10. Winnings team manager / coach will be responsible for reporting game results and any player or manager ejections within 12 hours to Randy Low by email: randy-low@rogers.com or by phone (905-903-1953).

11. All loop teams are eligible to participate in the COGBL championships. Championship format to be determined by the Women’s Convener and the COGBL executive prior to July 1. The tournament schedule will be set by Women’s convener

12. Each team manager shall provide the Women’s Convener a preliminary roster list by May 1^st and an OBA signed roster by June 30^th. Eligibility of call ups for any club shall be governed by the local association. (i.e.) Because of insurance restrictions, Burlington would be restricted to players registered in BOMBA

13. Player / manager ejections shall be governed by: 2008 COGBL Women’s Ejection Policy.

14. Any other rule deemed necessary during the season (subject to a 2/3 majority of team managers) shall be communicated by email.

Revised: April, 2008

2008 Women’s Division Ejection Policy

PREAMBLE

1.1 Due to the nature of this COGBL, the game umpires in charge of the game are governed by their own association rules. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance regarding player and coach ejections.

1.2 All challenges, appeals or disputes to these rules will made by a majority vote of a three person committee consisting of the COGBL President, COGBL Women’s Convener, and COGBL Umpire-in-Chief.

NOTIFICATION

2.1 Within 12 hours, the winning manager / coach shall report by email to randy-low@rogers.com or by phone 905-903-1953 any ejection of a manager, coach, or player.

2.2 The home plate umpire and base umpire(s) must file individual and complete reports to their own respective umpire-in-chiefs mandated by their own association, concerning serious accidents, ejections and protests. This report is to be signed by the respective umpire. Reports must be forwarded for each game within 12 hours of the time of the incident. Copies of these reports are to be provided to the COGBL Umpire-in-Chief:

SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS

3.1 Any COGBL club or member of the COGBL violating the Constitution of By-Laws of the affiliate, COGBL or OBA or refusing to abide by the decision of the Executive may be expelled or suspended. It is the duty and obligation of all COGBL Executives members and appointees to report fully and immediately any violation of the COGBL rules and regulations or directives of the COGBL Executive.

3.2 Club(s), Officers or Players may be suspended knowing

(a) Permitting betting or improper conduct by players or officers at COGBL games.

(b) Offering, agreeing, conspiring or attempting to lose any COGBL game or being interested in any pool or wager thereof.

(d) Knowingly having on its list of signed players any disqualified players.

(e) Permitting officers to conduct business of clubs or association adverse to the best interest of organized sport.

3.3 Any player who shall play under an assumed name shall be suspended from the COGBL

3.4 NO SMOKING: Players, coaches, managers, and umpires in uniform must refrain from using tobacco products during all games within field of play or on team benches. Penalty for this would be immediate ejection for players, coaches, and managers and may result is loss of accreditation for umpires.

3.5 In all COGBL play, the Manager or Coach shall not cross the foul lines of the playing field for the single purpose of arguing an Umpire decision. Infringement of this rule shall result in an automatic ejection from the game and all other penalties noted in these rules.

3.6 Players, Coaches, and Managers ejected from any league, exhibition, or play-off game by an Umpire are suspended for one (1) game. The one (1) game suspension shall be served at the next scheduled game. An appeal of the ejection prior to the next scheduled game upheld by the appeal committee, shall allow for an on e (1) scheduled game deferral of the suspension.

3.7 Players, Coaches or Managers who, (a) are ejected more that twice during the season, or (b) whose behavior is considered contemptible are subject to disciplinary hearing of the COGBL President, COGBL Women’s Convener, and COGBL Umpire-in-Chief. The player(s), coach (es), or manager will be required to show cause why they are not to be suspended indefinitely.

3.8 The COGBL Secretary or Women’s Convener hall forward immediately to the OBA the names of team(s), manager(s), coach(es), or player(s) indefinitely suspended by the COGBL. The secretary shall notify the OBA of reinstatement.

POLICY REVIEW

4.1 This policy will be in effect for the 2008 season

4.2 This policy will be reviewed prior to start of subsequent seasons and updated as required.

Revised April, 2008