Flagler Baseball and Softball Local Rules:

 

1. Coaches/Volunteers/Team Mom:

• Every team’s coach, volunteer and team parent MUST complete a YEARLY background check to participate with Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball.
• Coaches must complete the human kinetics Baseball or Softball coaching certificate.
• All teams are only allowed 2 coaches/volunteers on the field while on offense or defense regardless of how many coaches, volunteers, or team parents the team has background checked.
• All coaches must be 18 years of age, complete coaching certifications and complete the yearly background check to be eligible to coach.
• Each head coach will receive one free registration to use how they see fit for the current season.
• Coaches will be reimbursed for their background check at the end of the season. 3 background reimbursements are allotted for T-ball and Rookie. All other divisions receive 2 background reimbursement per team.

 

2. A borrowed player constitutes a player registered in the Flagler Baseball program in the same or lower division.

• Each team will be allowed to use a borrowed player from the same division or bring up a borrowed player from a lower level ONLY to avoid forfeits and only to complete a 9-player roster or 11-player roster for rookie. All divisions excluding t-ball (see local t-ball rules) must have at least 6 team rostered players to be eligible to borrow, and they cannot borrow more than 3 players. The rookie division can at most borrow 3 players to fill out their 11-player roster.
• Prior to the start of the game the coach using a borrowed player(s) must notify the opposing coach that he is using a borrowed player(s).  
• A borrowed player is NOT allowed to play an infield position (including pitcher and catcher) in a Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken League Game, may not start in front of or play more innings than a Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken roster player, and must bat at the end of the batting order.
• If you borrow an age appropriate and registered player from another team giving you a total of 9 players and a player from your team shows up, you must sub your player into the lineup and remove the borrowed player.
• Fall Season Only * A borrowed player may play in the infield but is not allowed to pitch unless agreed to by the borrowing teams head coach and is approved by the opponent’s team head coach.

 

3. Run rule per Inning:

• Rookie – 5 runs per team per inning.
• Minor & 10u Softball – 5 runs per team per inning.
• Major & 12u Softball – 7 runs per team per inning.
• Dale Long & 14u Softball and up – No run rule per inning.

10 RUN MERCY RULE FOR ALL DIVISIONS AFTER 4 COMPLETE INNINGS. 15 RUNS AFTER 3 COMPLETE INNINGS.

4. Game Changer:

• Will be used to calculate averages and end of the year awards.
• Please make sure to accurately enter information for every game.
• Players MUST play in at least 50% of scheduled games to be eligible for individual awards.
• 2 Parents/Volunteers to be trained if no one volunteers, coaches will choose parents.

 

5. Time of Games:

• T-Ball – No new innings start after 4 innings or 1 hour.
• Rookie – No new innings start after 5 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Minor & 10u Softball – No new innings start after 6 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Major & 12u Softball – No new innings start after 6 innings or 2 hours.
• Dale Long & 14u Softball and up – No new innings start after 7 innings or 2 hours and 15 minutes.

*All games excluding t-ball are 15 minutes shorter in the fall season.

 

6. Official Start Time will be given by the umpire and be recorded in the official score book.  Game times are based on the Official Start Time given by the home plate umpire regardless of the Scheduled Game Time.

 

7. Forfeits - If a team cannot field eight (8) or more registered/age appropriate division or borrowed players 20 minutes after the official start time for the game, a forfeit shall be declared. Once the game starts if an injury or unforeseen circumstances occurs, you will be given 10 minutes to find a replacement player to get your team to the necessary 8 players before a forfeit is declared. The teams may continue to play for fun with the absence of an umpire.  A team that cannot field 9 players shall not be penalized by an out when the 8th and 9th player are at bat. In addition, a team shall not be penalized with an out when a starting player cannot complete play in a game due to an injury, illness or family/work obligation. *T-ball does not have a player forfeit limit and does not have a paid umpire as we are focused on the players learning the basics of the game (positions, how to throw, how to stand in the batters box, how to correctly swing, how to run to the different bases and how to field the ball).

 

8. Lineups – First, Last name and number of the player must be written on the lineup cards and in the official scorebook.

 

9. Hitting – All players on the team must hit. *Unless player is injured and removed from the game.

10. Speed-Up Runner – Speed-up runner may ONLY be used for the catcher. You can use the speed-up runner at any time during the game. The speed-up runner for the catcher must be   
the last out. If the catcher is the leadoff batter, or an out has not been made yet, then the player furthest from the catcher in the lineup will be the speed-up runner. (*You do not have to use a speed-up runner for the catcher. Also, if you send the wrong speed-up runner into the game for the catcher and they make contact with the bag the speed-up runner will be immediately called out.)

 

11. Fielding:

• T-Ball – Max of 10 players on the field. 4 outfielders, 4 infielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher.
• Rookie – Max of 11 players on the field. 4 outfielders, 4 infielders, 2 pitcher and 1 catcher
• Minor – Max of 9 players on the field. 3 outfielders, 4 infielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher.
• Major – Max of 9 players on the field. 3 outfielders, 4 infielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher.
• Dale Long – Max of 9 players on the field. 3 outfielders, 4 infielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher.
• Softball - Max of 9 players on the field. 3 outfielders, 4 infielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher.

12. Equipment:

• Bats T-ball – Must have the USA T-ball Stamp
• Bats Rookie – Must have the USA baseball markings 2 5/8” Barrel Maximum (No BBCOR)
• Bats Minor – Must have the USA baseball markings 2 5/8” Barrel Maximum (No BBCOR)
• Bats Major – Must have the USA baseball markings 2 5/8” Barrel Maximum (No BBCOR)
• Dale Long – BBCOR .50 No Greater than -3 drop
• Softball – Must have sticker “Official Softball Bat” or “Official Fastpitch Bat”
• All Divisions – Can use a wooden bat, must be one solid piece of wood. 2 5/8” Barrel Maximum
• All Divisions – Catchers Helmet must cover ears and must have throat protection.
• Baseball – All players must wear a helmet while batting.
• Softball – All players must wear a helmet with facemask while batting. While in the field all players must wear protective mask.

13. All-Stars:

• The player must play in 50% of team’s games to play All-Stars.
• Any player or coach suspended or placed on probation during regular season is ineligible for All-Stars.
• Players are only eligible to play on ONE All-Stars team. If team is eliminated, they cannot play on another All-Star team. *(They are eligible to play on an additional team if a rostered player is not available. This change must be made before any games are played.)
• Players are only allowed to compete on their divisions All-Star team. They may not play on another divisions All-Star team unless they are registered in another division and played in 50% of that team’s games and are not already on another All-Star team.
• Playing time is NOT guaranteed. This is a big commitment
• There is a $25.00 All-Star fee.
• All-star Head coaches are only eligible to represent Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball if: (They win their division, are able to practice a minimum of 3 times per week, follow all local and state Babe Ruth rules, be a person of high moral standing, be a great ambassador for the parents, players and the league, and MUST be approved by a majority vote by the board). *If the winning coach decides not to coach an All-Star team or does not receive a majority vote from the board, additional coaches or volunteers may apply to coach the All-Star team.

 

14. T-Ball:

• Please see local rules T-Ball Local Rules.
• Scorebooks are not used.
• No official score will be entered into the system.
• No Playoffs for T-Ball

 

15. Advance Teams:

• Only available during the fall and every age group may not have Advanced team.
• Players must be playing in the league to be eligible to play on the age-appropriate aged Advanced team.
• Players are only eligible to play on ONE Advanced team.
• Advanced teams are run by multiple coaches, practice times will vary but will not overlap non advanced team practices.
• Some travel will be a part of Advance team games. No overnight games, all games will be within 2hr drive. Games will be on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• Players are nominated by coaches. Teams will be made up of a maximum of 15 players.
• Playing time is NOT guaranteed. This is a big commitment.
• There is a $25.00 Advanced uniform fee.

16. Softball:

• Max of 9 players on the field. 3 outfielders, 4 infielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher.
• All players must wear a mask when in the field and a helmet with a facemask when batting.
• Pitchers 12 and under throw from the front pitching rubber. 12 and under have a set number of innings they can pitch (See rule handbook). Pitchers 13 and over, throw from the back pitching rubber and do not have a set number of innings that they can pitch.
• Players and Teams can chant for individual players on their team or for their team. (They are not allowed to create chants for the opposing team or any chants that are derogatory in any way.)(It will be up to the league and/or umpires ruling if a violation occurs. Up to expulsion of the player from the game or forfeiture of the game)

 

17. Request:

• We do our best to accommodate coaches and family request.
• Coaches can have up to 3 requests. Children of Coaches and Assistant Coaches do not count against the request total. Example (Head coach has 2 age-appropriate children and the assistant coach has 1 age-appropriate child, the team would still be eligible for 3 request. Giving the team a total of 6 players in this scenario and not letting them draft a player until the 7th round.)
• Request do not guarantee your player will be on that coach’s team.
• If coaches have more than 3 request the head coach is permitted, but not required, to accept up to 3 request at their discretion.

18. Awards/Playoffs:

• The Friday before playoff week there will be an awards banquet for all teams. Further details will be provided during the season.
• Free admission for players. Parents admission will be one canned good. Canned goods will be donated to a local charity in the Fall for Thanksgiving and a local food bank in the Spring.
• Food and awards will be provided per team and division.
• Certain awards are based on statistical numbers others will be based on team votes.
• Playoffs are single elimination tournament. Playoff rankings are based on end of season record. Champions are awarded a medallion.

19. Flagler Athletic Skill Training (FAST):

• Is a first come first serve program that is all volunteer run.
• It will run from the end of Spring to Beginning of Fall. Number of sessions is based on demand and volunteers’ availability.
• Cost is $60.00 for twelve sessions. The player will be provided a hat and a shirt.
• Sessions are two hours a week three times a week. Sessions start at 6:00 p.m..
• Schedule is based around volunteers’ schedules and weather.

 

 

20. Pitching:

 

Age	Daily Max (Pitches in Game)	0 Days Rest	1 Days Rest	2 Days Rest	3 Days Rest	4 Days Rest
7-8	50	1-20	21-35	36-50	N/A	N/A
9-10	75	1-40	41-65	66-75	N/A	N/A
11-12	85	1-40	41-65	66-75	75-85	N/A
13-15	95	1-45	46-65	66-75	75-85	86+
16-18	105	1-45	46-65	66-75	75-90	91+

 

21.          Code of Conduct:

• Disrespecting of opposing teams’ players, teammates, fans, umpires, volunteers, coaches, or board members will not be tolerated.
• Violating code of conduct or local rules can result in 6-month probation, 1 year suspension or lifetime ban from Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball.

 

All players/teams are responsible to keep the infield groomed and lined before a game and should warm up in the outfield only.

Dugouts and bleachers should be cleaned up after each game.

Make it nice for the next game!  It is important to develop and nurture Flagler Baseball pride and everyone’s help and cooperation is needed.

 

HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES - OFFICIAL SCOREBOOK, SCOREBOARD & PITCH COUNT      

An official scorebook is kept throughout the regular season. The home team is responsible for getting this book from the concession stand and keeping the book for their home games including each player’s properly spelled first and last names, dates and teams playing. Coaches, please identify parents/guardians who are comfortable keeping the book or willing to learn.

The coaches are responsible for keeping track of pitches. Pitch counters are available in the concession stand for pickup and should be recorded in the scorebook.

 

VISITING TEAM RESPONSIBILITY - CONCESSION STAND DUTY -1 (30) minute shift per participating player.

The visiting team is responsible for staffing the concession stand.  It is your responsibility to schedule your parents/guardians to work the concession stand. If someone cancels or doesn't show up, it is your responsibility to be sure that their shift is covered either by another parent/guardian or anyone over the age of 16. (Temporary Suspended until further notice)

The away team is responsible for operating the electronic scoreboard which is available for pickup from the concession stand.

The coaches are responsible for keeping track of pitches. Pitch counters are available in the concession stand for pickup and should be recorded in the scorebook.