League Rules
12u

North Coast Baseball rules take precedent over all other rules. Other than the rules stated below Federation High School Rules will be followed during the games.

North Coast Baseball utilizes 70' bases and 50' pitching for the 12u division.  The rules used are virtually the same as those used by older age groups.  These dimensions and rules prove to be very exciting to watch and serve to prepare players for the next level of baseball.

There is no head first sliding into home plate under any circumstances.  Ruling by umpire is an automatic out.

For general rules and myths of baseball clarifications please visit www.baseball-rules.com

For Federation Rules please visit www.baseball/rules/fed

League Age Requirements:

Only duly registered players, ages 12 and under as of April 30th of the current year, will be allowed to play in the 12u division.

General Information:

Each team will be provided with 2 new baseballs per game.   Teams shall supply good backup balls in the event a ball is lost.

Umpires will be assigned by the league office to each game.

Every team is responsible to be sure the grounds and dugout areas are clean at the conclusion of the game.

No tobacco of any kind or alcohol allowed at games.

Trophies will be awarded to the first and place teams during the regular season and for the top 2 teams in the post league playoff championship.

Tie-Breakers in the league final standings are decided in the following order:

      (1) Record
(2) Head to head results
(3) Average runs per game allowed during the season
(4) Coin flip

Both teams are responsible for submitting scores via this website to report the game results on the same day of the  game. Teams may also report scores by e-mail to “jludwig@northcoastbaseball.com”.   In the event of a tie, both coaches must agree on a date and time to complete the contest and convey that information to the league office.

Game Time Information:

All regular season weeknight games will begin promptly at 6:00 PM

Weekend games will be played according to the master schedule.

a) Any team not prepared to field 7 eligible, properly uniformed players 15 minutes after the scheduled start time
shall forfeit the game.
b) Umpire has discretion over when  remaining daylight permits the start of a new inning.  The intention is to be able to complete the inning before lack of daylight becomes an issue.

Canceling, Postponing and Rescheduling games

a) The home team shall call the visiting team, league office and umpire ASAP if a field is unplayable. Try to give at least a 2-hour warning when possible

b) At game time, the umpire will have the final say in postponing or stopping a game.

Note: Under no circumstances will there be play going on with thunder or lightning in the area.

c) Rescheduling games are the responsibility of both coaches.  Dates and times of make-up games must be cleared through the league office.   The league office will assign umpires for rescheduled games.

d) Postponement of a game for reasons other than field conditions must be done with the consent of the opposing team’s coach and the league office. At the time of cancellation of the original game the makeup game should be rescheduled. If a game cannot be rescheduled a forfeit ensues.

General Game Information:

All regular season weeknight games will begin promptly at 6:00 PM

Weekend games will be played according to the master schedule.

a) Any team not prepared to field 8 eligible, properly uniformed players 15 minutes after the scheduled start time
shall forfeit the game.
b) Umpire has discretion over when  remaining daylight permits the start of a new inning.  The intention is to be able to complete the inning before lack of daylight becomes an issue.

c) Teams starting a game with 8 players must take an out in the batting order in the last spot in the lineup throughout the game or until a 9th player arrives.

Each game shall consist of seven (7) innings.
a) In the event of a tie, extra innings are allowed if time permits
b) Five (5) innings is an official game (4 ½ if the home team is ahead).

Anyone may coach 1^st and 3^rd, however any player coaching bases must wear a helmet

Mercy Rule:  10 runs after 5 complete innings.

General Player Information:

Teams may bat their entire lineup. You must finish the game with the same number of batters you start with unless a legitimate injury occurs.

A   Players showing up after his team has batted may be inserted into the last spot in the lineup or used as a substitute. (The last batter on the scorecard, not the last batter from where you are in the lineup). The player will be immediately eligible to play in the field no matter what inning they may arrive.

Other than pitchers, (see below) there are free substitutions throughout the game.  Players may be freely substituted at any time during the game.

Pitching Rules:

There are no specific rules as to the number of innings per game that a pitcher may be used.  It is up to the discretion of the coach.  Please use good judgment and protect the health of players.

A pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher one time, as long as he has not left the game defensively.

Pitchers are allowed one balk warning per game per pitcher. The umpire should explain to the pitcher about the violation. Any balk after the pitcher’s first warning shall be penalized with the normal balk rules.  No balk warnings will be permitted during playoffs.

The pitcher must be removed from the game:

a) After two visits to the pitcher in anyone inning, which requires a time out by the coach or anyone else.

b) After a total of three visits to the pitcher during the course of their scheduled pitching, which requires a time out by the coach or anyone else.

A player warming up a pitcher must wear a catcher’s mask. Coaches are encouraged to warm up pitchers between innings in order to keep games moving.

Equipment, Field and Uniform Rules:

Batters and base runners must wear protective helmets.

No metal cleats are allowed in the 12u year age bracket.

There are no bat restrictions in the 12u division.

Base distances shall be 70’ and pitching distances shall be 50' to the back of home plate.

There is no head first sliding into home plate under any circumstances.  Ruling by umpire is an automatic out.

Conduct:

Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and fans.  Any coach or player ejected from a game shall leave the premises immediately for the duration of that game and will not be permitted to participate in the next scheduled game for his team.

Coaches may go on the field during time outs with the approval of the umpire.

Playoff Games:

Single elimination playoff seeding will be rendered according to league standings, such as first place vs last place, 2^nd place vs. next to last, etc.  All games will be played at the higher seeded team field.