Prep league
- Games are Tuesday/Thursday
- Ages 7 and 8
- Scores should be kept, however not recorded on website.
- No standings will be kept.
- Player Pitch and then Machine Pitch
- Pitching machine hitting-(5) pitches with (3) swing strkeouts
- Up to (2) coach on the field
- (3) outs per inning, no umpires
1. GENERAL
1.1. The “Manager’s Code of Ethics” will serve as a guide for the expectations for all managers and coaches. Managers or coaches in violation in the code of ethics will face discipline by the Washington Baseball Board of Directors.
1.2. Any situation not listed under the current rules or bylaws will be dealt with on an individual basis by the Washington Baseball Board of Directors.
1.3. Eligibility for each division is defined by USSSA Baseball (equals player’s age, in full years, as of April 30).
1.4. Pre-Game Warmup: Unless otherwise mutually agreed, the home team will have the field for warm-up from 6pm-6:15pm. The visiting team will have the field for warm-up from 6:15pm-6:30pm.
2. FIELD DECORUM
2.1. The actions of all players, coaches, managers, umpires, parents, relatives and any other visitors must be above reproach. ANY PERSON, IN THE OPINION OF THE UMPIRE(S), NOT ACTING IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE WASHINGTON BASEBALL WILL BE REQUESTED TO LEAVE THE PLAYING AREA. Failure to comply with the umpire’s ruling may result in forfeiture of the game by the team involved. The umpire and both managers shall make a full written report of any such incident available to the Commissioner of the division within 24 (twenty-four) hours of the conclusion of the game. Further disciplinary actions may be taken by Washington Baseball Board of Directors, including additional suspension for the team manager.
2.2. Only uniformed players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted within the confines of the playing field just prior to, and during, the game.
2.3. With the exception of the batter, on-deck player, base coaches, and base runners, all players must be on the bench while their team is at bat.
2.4. Only managers and coaches are allowed to coach the bases.
EXCEPTION: In the absence of enough coaches to properly coach the bases in any given game, the manager may appoint an adult as a substitute coach for that game. The name of the substitute must be reported to the umpire prior to the game.
2.5. A manager or coach may not leave the vicinity of the bench except to confer with the umpire or one of his players, or to serve as a base coach.
2.6. No use of tobacco products or alcoholic beverages is permitted by managers, coaches, parents, fans, etc. on or near the playing field, the bench, or the dugout.
2.7. Players or coaches throwing batting helmets or bats are subject to ejection from the game.
2.8. Sportsmanship:
2.9. Substantial emphasis will be placed on good sportsmanship. Teams (managers, coaches, and players) cannot make any derogatory remarks or gestures to any official or member of the opposing team, parents, fans, etc.; or attempt to distract them while making a defensive play; or, while batting, by either talk or actions. Umpires will be encouraged to eject anyone from the game not complying with this rule.
2.10. Any offensive player hollering at a defensive player to cause a mistake can be called “Out” for interference.
3. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
3.1. All players must be in their full uniform supplied by the league, including caps, for each game, otherwise they will not be allowed to play. The only exception is that the socks provided are optional. It is expected that managers and coaches attire be consistent, and clearly identifiable as part of the team they represent.
3.2. Metal cleats are not permissible in the Prep League.
3.3. Catchers are required to wear all protective equipment while catching per current Michigan High School rules. A catcher’s mask must be worn by the catcher or any other player designated to warm up the pitcher on or off the field.
3.4. All batters and base runners, and players who act as base coaches, must wear batting helmets.
3.5. The Coach(s) shall not allow a player to enter the batter’s box without a batting helmet.
3.6. It is recommended that all players wear protective cups.
3.7. Bats must be USA Baseball (verified via stamp on the bat).
3.8. League umpires and managers from opposing teams may request to inspect team bats during a stoppage of play during a game if an illegal bat is suspected. If a bat that is not permitted is used during a game, the batter will be called out immediately. If a batter is discovered to have used an illegal bat after they have reached base safely, all runners will return to their original base(s) and the batter will be called out.
3.9. If a team continues to violate this rule and uses illegal bats in game play after a single violation, the team may be required to forfeit the game(s) when illegal bats were used as determined by the division commissioner.
3.10. Please click here to find more information on the USA bat certification, legal, and illegal bats.
3.11. Prior to the start of each game, the home & visiting team must provide three (3) new leather covered balls to be used during the game. Riddell BB-LL2 model baseballs are the only baseballs allowed to be used during league games. Each team will be supplied new game balls to be used for each game by the league at the beginning and at mid-season.
4. MISCELLANEOUS
4.1. All games will be scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm and will be scheduled to end at 8:15 pm. No new inning can be started at 8:15 pm or
later. Any game that is active at 8:15 pm will end after the 3rd out of active inning is recorded.
4.2. All games may be cancelled/postponed due to weather (i.e. rain, lightning, etc.) if observed. Both Coaches must discuss prior to game being called.
4.3. Base length will be sixty (60) feet.
4.4. A base runner deliberately running into a defensive player, including the catcher, will be ejected from the game and will be called out. It is the equal responsibility of the defensive team to avoid a collision on the field.
4.5. If a base runner is hit by a batted ball, and is not standing on a base, he/she will be called out.
4.6. On a batted ball, runners may advance as many bases they are able to attain during the offensive play.
4.7. Sliding into first base will not be taught or encouraged.
4.8. There will be no stealing or leading off the bases.
4.9. If a player becomes injured, and all substitutes have been used, a “courtesy substitute” may be inserted for the injured player. The opposing manager will pick the “courtesy substitute”.
4.10. This rule does not apply if a player leaves the game for any other reason, including ejection from the game.
4.11. A maximum of two defensive coaches will be allowed to coach their team from behind the outfielder position.
4.12. Any and all chatter must be of the positive nature. No negative chatter will be tolerated.
5. HITTING:
5.1. Only the player in the "on-deck circle" shall be allowed to swing a bat. Remaining players must remain behind the fence/backstop.
5.2. All on deck hitters must be wearing a batting helmet while on-deck. If the on-deck batter does not have a batting helmet, the game should be stopped immediately and the player must return to the bench.
5.3. To minimize risk of injury, the on-deck hitter must stand in the area to the back side of the current batter (1B side for LH hitter, 3B side for RH hitter).
5.4. All players shall bat in rotation.
5.5. All batting helmets must be caged.
5.6. Scores will be kept for each game and turned into Commissioner at end of game. No Standings will be kept.
5.7. Max 5 runs can be scored per inning.
5.8. If a batter bats out of turn, the batter who batted out of turn will be called out. The batting order will continue from the next batter listed in the batting order. In the event of an offensive play as a result from the batter who batted out of turn, all runners will return to their original base and the next batter in turn will bat. In the event this results in the 3rd out in an inning, the inning will be over.
5.9. Bunting is not allowed. If a bunt attempt is made, the batter will be issued a warning after their first attempt. If the batter attempts a bunt again after the warning is issued, they will be called out after each bunt attempt.
5.10. Each team gets three outs or once through the batting order, whichever comes first. Both teams will have an equal number of batters. If the teams do not have an equal number of players, then the teams will bat to the higher number of players.
5.11. If a batter throws his bat the team will be given one warning. If it happens any time after the warning is issued, the batter will be called out. All base runners will return to their original base.
5.12. The final batter rule will be in place. When the last batter of the inning, the offensive team must announce this to the defensive team prior to the last batter. When the last batter comes up to bat there is automatically two outs before he/she hits. The inning will end when one of the following occurs:
5.12.1. The batter strikes out
5.12.2. The batter hits into an out
5.12.3. A base runner is tagged or forced out
5.12.4. When the ball is hit and returned to the infield
6. FIELDING:
6.1. If 10 players are available to play, four players must play defensively in the outfield. In the event a team has less than 9 players, they can borrow an outfielder from the opposing team.
6.2. Players must rotate defensive positions. No player shall play the infield or outfield for more than two consecutive innings in a game. The catcher will not be counted as a position in the infield or outfield for this purpose.
6.3. No player may sit out more than one defensive rotation before the rest of the team has sat out one defensive rotation in a game.
6.4. Outfielders must be positioned a minimum of 20 feet back of the baselines.
6.5. Outfielders cannot make an unassisted put-out at a base. When a ball is fielded by an outfielder, the outfielder must throw the ball into the cutoff, to a base, or the Pitcher.
6.6. During an offensive play, play will end when the ball is secured by the pitcher. Runners will not be permitted to advance to another base. In the event runners advance to another base while the ball is in the pitcher’s possession, they will be required to return to the previous base.
6.7. One base will be awarded (max) per defensive play for an overthrow. If runners are on base when an overthrow occurs, each runner will only advance one base per defensive play.
7. PLAYER PITCH:
7.1. Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.)
7.2. In a pitcher’s first appearance of a game, he will be allowed a maximum of 8 (eight) practice pitches.
7.3. A pitcher may not wear sunglasses or any type of mirrored glasses. Prescription glasses and /or goggles and transition glasses / lenses are allowed.
7.4. A pitcher may not wear loose fitting long sleeve shirts or wear any type of jacket over the uniform while pitching. Compression type long sleeve shirts are permitted as long as they are a dark solid color. White color is not allowed.
7.5. All jewelry must be removed. Pitchers may not wear any type of arm sweatband, jewelry or batting gloves.
7.6. No batting gloves may be hanging out of a pitcher’s pocket or be exposed.
7.7. Managers are required to submit pitch count records for their team to the league Commissioner by 12pm the following calendar day after a game. A pitch counter will be provided to each team. If a team manager fails to report the pitch count report the league may restrict the player(s) in question from pitching in the next scheduled game.
7.8. First half of season, first inning of each game will be Player pitch. After Memorial Day if both coaches agree, 2 innings of Player pitch is allowed.
7.9. Players Pitcher mound will be 40’ distance from home plate.
7.10. The manager must remove the pitcher after throwing forty-five (45) pitches or one (1) inning, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.
7.10.1. Pitcher rest requirements-
7.10.2. If a player pitches 36-45 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
7.10.3. If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
7.10.4. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required
7.11. Pitches will be called as normal baseball. 3 strikes is an out, 4 balls is a walk.
7.12. Strike zone will be from batter’s box line to batter’s box line and knees to uniform logo.
7.13. Opposing coach will call balls/strikes from behind the pitching machine.
7.14. If a pitcher hits one (1) batter in the same game he/she will be issued a warning. After the second (2) hit batter the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position but is allowed to remain in the game in another position.
Reminder: Player pitched innings are meant to develop the players and not to win the game.
8 MACHINE PITCH:
8.1. Pitcher’s mound for the machine will be 46’ distance from home plate.
8.2. When machine is used, the pitcher must wear a caged helmet at all times when playing defense.
8.3. A coach from the offensive team will place the ball into the pitching machine.
8.4. The pitching machine speed will be set at the start of each game at: 42 MPH
8.5. In the event the pitching machine speed needs to be adjusted to improve pitch accuracy, managers from both teams must agree to the speed change.
8.6. The batter will be allowed 5 hittable pitches or 3 swinging strikes. A foul ball on the third strike or fifth pitch allows the batter to continue to hit until he/she gets on base or makes an out.
8.7. The pitching circle will be used and enforced for the defensive team. This circle will consist of a 6-FT radius around the pitching machine.
8.8. The pitcher cannot stand within the circle when the ball is pitched or enter the circle during live play.
8.9. If a thrown or batted ball rests in the pitching circle, the ball is considered dead and the runners will not be allowed to advance.
8.10. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or coach, the ball is considered dead the batter will be granted first base and the runners will advance one base.
8.11. A batted ball may travel through the pitching circle and will be considered a live ball in the field.
ALL-STAR GAME – SELECTION GUIDELINES
All Star teams are made up from players from all division teams to play one final game for the season.
- The number of players selected per team and number of All Star teams will be determined by the Washington Baseball Board prior to the end of season.
- Managers from the various teams will make up the coaching staff for All Star teams.
- Teams will be determined by the Division Commissioner via a random drawing.
- The All Star selection process is based upon manager preference:
● Players may be selected solely by the team manager.
● Players may be selected by a vote of their teammates and/or coaching staff.
The process that Washington Baseball endorses, but does not enforce, is as follows:
● Manager creates a voting ballot with all team players’ names.
● Ballots are given to players prior to the last scheduled game.
● Manager encourages parents to discuss with their child what qualities make an All-Star (eg. hard work, skill & ability, good attitude, attendance, dedication, etc.).
● Manager announces the teams selected All-Stars to players/families prior to All Star game practice.