Blaine Spring Lake Park Athletic Association

The sad thing is … that’s probably true. Which begs the question, why in the world have they been allowed to do this all year long? The coaches aren’t the only ones with the excuses when it comes to these matters, though. We have our own like: “We haven’t enforced that rule all year because, well, it’s just regular season.”
 

I am not without my own selfish reasons for bringing this up. This causes problems for me, as I am quite often the one who has to tell these coaches and players that, while they may have played with an illegal bat or in violation of another rule without complaint all year long, we will be playing by the rules from here on out. It is my experience that the teams with which tournament directors have the most problems, are the teams that play in leagues where the enforcement of rules during the regular season are the most relaxed.
 
But there are other considerations that should be looked at as well. It is unfair to the player if we allow him/her to use a bat all year long and suddenly, in the Little League International Tournament, tell that player that they must use a different bat. Additionally, the ensuing disagreement acts as a distraction to the team in question at the very outset of the game, placing the team and the umpires as adversaries before the first pitch is even thrown. Thus, by trying to be a nice guy during the regular season, and allowing rule violations to be overlooked, we do the players and the teams a disservice.
 

One of the many functions of Little League is to teach the game of baseball. The game, of course, has rules, rules that must be enforced by the umpires. Not just the ones we choose to enforce, but all of the rules – all of the time. The end result will be the teams becoming used to the idea of following the rules, the players will be using equipment that they have been used to using all year long, there won’t be any reason for there to be an adversarial relationship between the team and the umpires, I (or some other tournament director) won’t have to break the bad news to anyone, and we have a smoother running world tournament.

By:Jeffrey Knoebel
Central Region Umpire-In-Chief

1.     PERSONNEL IN DUGOUT – Rule 3.17 (pg 63) states...No one except eligible players in uniform, a manager and not more than two coaches shall occupy the bench or dugout...we need to pay more attention to this and enforce regularly so it doesn’t become a problem down the road.  Please add to your “pre-game conference” going forward.

2.     BASE COACHES – Rule 4.05 (pg 64-65) states...The offensive team shall station two base coaches on the field during its time at bat, one near first base and one near third base.  The coaches shall not leave their respective dugouts until the pitcher has completed his/her prepatory pitches to the catcher.

Base coaches shall –

(1) be eligible players in the uniform of their team; a manager and/or coach.  Both base coaches may be managers or coaches.

(2) be a manager or coach only if there is at least one other adult manager or coach in the dugout.

Make sure teams are following the rules.

3.     JEWELRY – Rule 1.11(j) [pg 53] states...Players must not wear jewelry such as, but not limited to, rings, watches, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, nor any hard cosmetic/decorative items; regardless of composition of such items.  The only exception is “Medic Alert” bracelets or necklaces.  (this includes rope necklaces, wrist bands, and sunglasses not worn over the eyes)  Make sure you address this in your pre-game conferences!

4.     SLIDING – Rule 7.08(a)(3 & 4) [pg 78-79] states...Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag (Rookie thru Intermediate).  Any runner is out when the runner slides head first while advancing (Rookie thru Major).  These are the only two mandatory sliding rules in the “Green Book”.  Add to your pre-game conference if not already discussed.

5.     MISCELLANEOUS –

a)     All players MUST wear designated uniforms (hat, shirt, pants), unless a substitute player is assigned by the “Player Agent” to fill a game roster (Major and Intermediate), then their original team uniform is allowed.  Cannot play if they show up in shorts or other shirt or hat, etc. (applies to Rookies thru PREP)

b)    Base coaches need to be a MINIMUM of 5 feet outside of the baseline when pitch is delivered, if no area is marked (safety issue and interference concern)

c)     Reinforce “No On-Deck Batter” (Rookie thru Major) and “No Adult/Coach may Warm-Up a Pitcher” (Rookie thru Intermediate)

d)    Catchers NEED to have a “Dangling Throat Protector” affixed to their mask to play (Rookie thru Intermediate)

e)     We are using the “Continuous Batting Order” in Rookie thru Intermediate leagues...so there is NO PINCH RUNNER provision except in the case of an injury, then ‘last’ batter who was put out may pinch run

f)      Reinforce 1-2 minutes between half-innings...no time for group hugs, team huddles on defense, and need to have a backup catcher to warm up pitcher or pitcher will not get proper warm up pitches...coach responsibility=warm ups / umpire responsibility=move game along (GOAL – maximum innings played in the time allotted)

 

DROPPED 3rd STRIKE

 

For 2013, the Major and Older Leagues have the SAME rule [6.05 (b)(2) in the Green Book] to be called out...ENTER THE BENCH.  There could still be many different interpretations of the ruling, so here is how I would like everyone to apply this rule for BOTH Major and Intermediate League play going forward:

1.      If there are less than two outs, and 1^st base is occupied, the batter is immediately OUT on a dropped third strike.

2.      If there are less than two outs, and 1^st base is open, the batter may attempt to advance to 1^st base and the defense must tag the batter or first base before the batter touches first base on a dropped third strike.  If the batter touches another offensive player, coach, object or ENTERS THE BENCH by getting within 3 (three) feet of the entrance...he/she shall be considered as “ABANDONING THE OPPORTUNITY” and declared OUT.

3.      If there are two outs, and 1^st base is open OR occupied, the batter may attempt to advance to 1^st base and the defense must tag the batter or first base before the batter touches first base on a dropped third strike.  If the batter touches another offensive player, coach, object or ENTERS THE BENCH by getting within 3 (three) feet of the entrance...he/she shall be considered as “ABANDONING THE OPPORTUNITY” and declared OUT.  Any base runners FORCED to advance because 1^st base is occupied must also safely acquire their next base for the inning to continue.

To clarify - As long as the proper conditions exist (as outlined above) and the batter does not make physical contact with another offensive player or coach (interference penalty), pick up the bat they have previously discarded (live ball penalty), touch the baseball or their defensive equipment (live ball penalty), or get within 3 (three) feet of the bench or dugout entrance (definition of ENTERS THE BENCH we will use going forward)...the batter may attempt to acquire 1^st base on a dropped third strike.  They DO NOT have to try immediately or directly.