West Yorba Linda Little League

West Yorba Linda Little League

Local Rules

Instructional T-Ball

2016 Season

1:00 - Purpose
1:01 - The purpose of the local operating rules is to insure that all teams serve the best interests of the children playing at this level. Everyone involved with the operation of the team should know that this is a non-competitive level of play. No scores will be kept or reported. The instructional league is designed to teach the fundamentals of baseball and to insure that all the players have fun, while promoting high self-esteem. All players should be given positive reinforcement and encouragement at all times from their coaches and parents. These rules are written to ensure that safe and equitable games are conducted at all times. Any question of violation of these rules should be directed to the Instructional Player Agent as soon as possible.
2:00 - Discipline
2:01 – Managers, coaches, parents & players are required to display positive & encouraging behavior. Improper touching, gestures, speech, throwing of gloves or hats will not be tolerated by players, coaches, manager or parents. If such conduct is from a player, the manager must counsel the player immediately. Situations contrary to this policy will be referred to the WYLLL Board of Directors for ruling. Their ruling is final and there is no appeal. A Disciplinary Committee made up of the President, League Player Agent, the Umpire-In-Chief, and at least one other Board member shall hear and review all disciplinary concerns for proper action taken. It is the responsibility of the Manager to contact the Player Agent immediately following the infraction of his/her team. Managers are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their players, coaching staff and parents. Misconduct by any of these participants, may result in a game suspensions, including the manager.
2:02 – Managers are responsible for the safety of their players at all times during practices and games, including transportation “to and from” these events in your vehicle.
3:00 – Scheduling
3:01 - Normal scheduled days will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Game time is 4:45 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and range from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday. Our permits for the YLMS school grass field’s w/backstop are from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays. All games and practices on the skin fields must conclude by 5:45 PM and COMPLETELY vacated by 5:55 PM on weekdays to accommodate PYLGSA.
3:02 – All games are played at Yorba Linda Middle School. Managers are responsible to call the League’s Hotline [phone]) during times of questionable weather or field conditions.
3:03 - Managers should request from the Instructional Player Agent any needed rescheduling 48 hours before game time. Managers should be given 48 hours notice for rescheduled games.

3:04 - Games may only be rescheduled due to school activities, religious reasons, weather, or any other Board approved activity, which may conflict with a scheduled game.

3:05 – WYLLL recognizes and schedules for 3 “events” per week, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors. An “event” is defined as practices and/or games. Any practices above and beyond the 3^rd “event” shall be voluntary. Any “event” that takes place elsewhere other than a permitted practice facility, must have Board approval.
4:00 - Ground and Playing Rules
4:01 - The home team shall take the third base side.
4:02 - Both teams are responsible for ensuring that the field is ready for use. Upon completion of the game, making sure the player benches are returned to the bull pen area and all trash is picked up in and around the field. Team moms should bring trash bags as necessary and dispose of at closest trash receptacle at the park.
4:03 - The managers will meet 5 minutes before the game begin to discuss field conditions, clarify rules, and out of play boundaries. Each Team will provide a new game ball.
4:04 - The Little League Pledge will be recited before each game. It is common to select one or two player to stand on the pitcher’s mound and lead the players.
4:05 - All games must start and end on time. A regulation game is 3 innings, or a time limit of 1 hr 15min (max), whichever comes first.
4:06 - Managers and coaches are the umpires.
4:07 – Up to FOUR (4) adult coaches per team may be on the field. While batting, one coach will be positioned at home plate to place the ball on the tee, one coach at first base and one coach at third base. While on the field, coaches may be positioned as needed. However, one (1) coach or team mom must remain in the dugout when their team is batting to supervise players. Players are PROHIBITED from putting the ball on the tee.
4:08 – No player shall have a bat in his hand at any time, except for the immediate batter.
4:09 - Batting

1. 
   All team members that are present must bat.
   
2. 
   Each inning the teams will bat once through the entire lineup regardless of the number of outs recorded.
   
3. 
   All players must wear a helmet when batting and base running.
   
4. 
   Each batter is entitled to swing off the tee until the ball is put into play.
   
5. 
   There is no bunting or stealing.
   
6. 
   Throwing a bat or any equipment will not be tolerated and the manager must counsel the player immediately.
   

4:10 - Running the Bases

1. 
   All players will run the bases after each at-bat regardless of the outcome of the play.
   
2. 
   A runner who passes one base and is less than ½ of the way to the next base when the ball is returned to the infield shall return to the base that was just passed, whether a play was made on the runner or not. Fielders are encouraged to make plays on advancing runners, however, when the play is over or the coach deems the play over, the ½ way rule must be applied.
   
3. 
   If there is an overthrow of a ball or the ball goes out of play, the runner is limited to the base attained.
   
4. 
   All runners should be encouraged to advance multiple bases while the live ball is in the outfield, until such time the ball is returned to the infield (See note 2). Runners are not limited to one base at a time.
   

4:11 - Fielding

1. 
   All players present will play in the field during each inning.
   
2. 
   The infield is limited to the normal six (6) positions and the outfield will consist of the remaining players present. Outfielders must be positioned no closer than 15 feet from the infield. If more than 4 outfielders, then the coach shall create a second outfield row with the remaining players, positioned no closer than 10’ from the first row.
   
3. 
   Catchers are to be positioned opposite the batter and against the fence to promote safety to the player. Catcher must wear a helmet.
   

4:12 – Base Distances

1. 
   Distance between bases shall be 50’ (approx. 20 steps).
   

5:00 - Opportunity
5:01 - All players shall have the opportunity of playing all positions in the field throughout the course of the season. The WYLLL Board of Directors expects managers to rotate players throughout the infield and outfield to ensure that all players have a chance to contribute to the team’s success. However, player safety shall always be taken into consideration. A manager should not jeopardize a player’s safety by placing them in a position where a possible injury may occur due to inexperience or level of ability.
5:02 - All players should have the opportunity of batting throughout the batting order. Managers should rotate players throughout the batting order to ensure that all players have a chance to contribute to the team’s success.
6:00 - Safety
6:01 - Safety of the players must be the main concern of all managers during any game.
6:02 - Unsafe conditions must be avoided at all time. Report all safety concerns to the League Safety Officer.
7:00 – Draft

7:01 – Managers will draw numbers to determine draft order on the day of draft. Each manager will be entitled to a Manager’s Freeze, a Coach Freeze plus four (4) Player Freezes before the Draft begins (6 total).

8:00 – Equipment
8:01 – Regular fielder gloves, Softball or fast-pitch style catcher’s gloves are acceptable for use, provided the glove fits and covers the entire hand.
8:02 – All bats that meet the specifications defined in the Little League rulebook are acceptable for use. The barrel of the bat shall be 2 ¼” diameters and read “Tee Ball” on the bat.

WYLLL Local Rules 2016 (Updated 1/5/16)