1. PLAYING FIELD DIMENSIONS
Measurements are taken from the center of bases with the exception of home plate. Measurements are taken from the rear point of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber or to the center of the
bases. Games played at Sheridan will be played using the pre-drilled major league distances for pitcher’s mound and bases; otherwise, distances are as follows:
• Distance between bases: 70 ft.
• Pitching distance: 48 ft.

2. Field Rules – Lineup, Batting Order and Substitutions
1. Each team must field a minimum at the start of the game of eight players or forfeit. The team who has the required number of players may NOT make an accommodation on this point such that the
teams will wait for opponent players, loan players or allow the opponent to play with fewer players. The game MAY and SHOULD be played if possible, but the team without 8 players will forfeit the
game regardless of outcome. There will be no ghost outs.
2. Call-ups from the Sheridan Park minor league are permissible in advance or at game time to get to 8 or 9 players. Each team will be provided at least one 10U player from minors to be in their “call
up” list. The manager shall inform the opposing manager and umpire of the subject players.
3. In the playoffs only, all teams must field at least 9 players; teams that field 8 players will receive a ghost out for any players missing for competitive balance. No intentional walks will be allowed in
this situation.
4. Each player must play at least 4 full innings in the field in each six-inning game. Free substitution is permitted. Each player must play at least one inning in the infield. The league recommends that
each player play 5 full innings in the field.
5. All players will bat in a continuous batting order unless injured, ill, or taken out for unsportsmanlike conduct.
6. Any player arriving after the game has commenced will be placed in the LAST position in the batting order. The team manager has the responsibility of notifying the opposing manager
immediately that a player has arrived and will be inserted in the batting order. A manager may not insert a player in the line up with the intent of him arriving by the time he is scheduled to bat or field.
The starting lineup consists of only players present at the time the game starts.
7. Teams must field a minimum of 8 players at all times but may field as many 9 players, regardless of how many players are fielded by the opponent. A team with 9 or fewer players must field all of
their players.
8. Each team may have a maximum of one manager and three coaches in the dugout during the game. Every coach in the dugout must complete mandated background check through Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth. Non-coach parents are not permitted in the dugout.
9. With 2 outs, the catcher may be substituted on base by the last player who made out.

3. Complete, Called, Extended, Cancelled or Suspended Games
1. If weather or darkness interferes with play so that the game is ended by the umpire, it is a regulation/official game if 3 ½ innings have been played and the home team is winning or if 4
innings have been played and the visiting team is winning. If the game is tied after 4 full innings it is considered a postponed game and will be replayed at a future date from the prior completed inning. If
the game is called in the middle of an inning after the 4th inning, the game will continue from the exact situation from which the game was paused (including the count against the batter and runners
on base). Opposing coaches should take notes on the situation with the umpire before departing the park.
2. Games that are tied at the end of “regular play” (as described above) may play extra innings as time permits at the agreement of the umpire. Regular season games that result in a tie due to a game
time limit will result in a tie in the standings. We do not apply time limits unless there is a follow on game or due to the lights being shut off (i.e. teams should play extra innings if they are able). If the
game is stopped for the reasons discussed due to darkness/weather/time, the game will be finished prior to the next scheduled game between the two teams or at another date set by the two managers by agreement or the commissioner if an agreement cannot be reached.
3. All statistics and game features (i.e., including which pitchers are already used up for the game by virtue of having thrown 3 innings or having been removed as a pitcher, as well as the batting order
for the game) will be in effect. If a player that played on the original day is not available, the team skips his at-bat (they are not assessed an out). If a player that was not available that original day is
now available, he goes to the bottom of the batting order (i.e., the bottom of the order, which could be the 1st man up depending on the game situation).
4. No game will be cancelled or rescheduled without the consent and approval of the Major Division Commissioner.

4. General Playing Rules
1. Teams shall change sides when either 3 outs occur or 5 runs score, whichever comes first. There isno run limit in the 6th inning.
2. The infield fly rule is in effect.
a. The rule applies only when there are fewer than two outs, and there is a force play at third base(i.e., there are runners at first and second base, or the bases are loaded). In these situations, if a fly
ball is in fair play, and in the umpire's judgment it is catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort,the umpire shall call "infield fly", and the batter will be out regardless of whether the ball is actually
caught in flight.
b. If the umpire does not call “infield fly”, the play shall not be assumed to be an infield fly.
c. If "infield fly" is called and the fly ball is caught, it is treated exactly as an ordinary fly ball; thebatter is out, there is no force, and the runners must tag up.
d. If "infield fly" is called and the ball lands fair without being caught, the batter is still out, and thereis no force, but the runners are not required to tag up.
e. In either case, the ball is live, and the runners may advance at the risk of being doubled- off if theball is caught. 3. Drop Third Strike rule IS in effect. (No drop third strike if less than 2 outs and runner on first)
4. Slaughter Rule: 12 runs after 4 innings (3 ½ if the home team is leading) or 10 runs after 5 innings.

5. Pitching Rules
1. A pitcher may pitch in no more than 2 innings in 1 game. As soon as a pitcher delivers 1 pitch to abatter, the pitcher is considered as having pitched 1 full inning.
a. Coaches must monitor the pitches Innings and Pitch count. If a pitcher is throwing to many inningsbetween House and All Star games, the league will modify the rules and reduce the innings to one
inning per qualified pitcher per house game.
2. No Curve Balls or Slides are allowed to be pitched by pitches in the house league games.
3. There are no balks (this may be revisited once we implement leadoffs).
4. No Intentional Walks.
5. If a pitcher hits 3 batters in a game, the manager or umpire must remove him from the mound.
6. A pitcher who is withdrawn from the mound shall not be permitted to return as a pitcher in the same game.
7. A starting or relief pitcher shall be allowed no more than 8 warm-up pitches. Pitchers continuing in
subsequent innings shall be allowed no more than 5 warm-up pitches.
9. One visit per pitcher per inning is allowed (visits prior to the first pitch of an inning shall not becounted as a visit). On the second visit, the pitcher must be removed. Any defensive conference
between a coach and player(s) counts as a visit to the pitcher. A defensive visit for an injury, with theapproval of the umpire, does not count as a visit.

6. Batting and Base Running Rules
1. Bunting is permitted. Batters may not fake bunt and then swing away on the same pitch.
2. Lead offs from first base are permitted at the discretion of the Division Commissioner. The seasonwill start without leadoffs from first base.
3. If a walk occurs the batter awarded first base cannot advance to second base, until the pitchers next pitch.
4. Players must slide or avoid a collision at any base or will be called out.
5. Headfirst slides are not allowed unless returning to a base. A player may be called out after their first warning.
6. Stealing of second base and third base is permitted, however the runner may not leave the base they are occupying at the time of the pitch until the pitched ball has crossed home plate.
7. Stealing of home plate is permitted at any time (but lead-offs are not permitted prior to the pitch crossing the plate).a. If a runner is on third base and there is a base-stealing attempt from first to second, the third base runner is not permitted to steal home even if the ball is overthrown at second base.
b. Players are allowed to steal home during the throwback from the catcher to the pitcher.
8. Players may take one base when the ball is thrown out of play. Balls thrown out of play (by judgment of the umpire) become dead balls (i.e., even if the player throws the ball back into play, the
umpire will end the play and players will not take extra bases). Players may advance at their own discretion when an overthrow results in a ball being in play (with the exception of on a stolen base,
where that rule takes priority).
9. Once the pitcher has possession of the ball and is in the mound area and the prior play has been completed, runners may not leave the base until the ball crosses home plate. After a pitch crosses
home plate, runners may lead off or steal base. Teams will get one warning and thereafter the runner may be called out by the umpire and the pitch shall be considered a dead ball.
10. Once the ball is back in the pitcher’s control and he is in the mound area, runners may complete an active play (i.e., where the runner is already running/advancing to the next base); otherwise, they
must return to the last base occupied. No player may “freeze” off base while the pitcher has control of the ball on the rubber. If this occurs, that base runner in the umpires’ opinion may be returned to
the base or called out.
11. Once a runner returns to a base, he may not leave the base until the next pitch is made; however,the runner may leave if a play is made on him. A fake does NOT constitute a play being made on a
runner.

7. TIME LIMIT
1. After the first pitch, the umpire will inform the coaches of the time. No inning shall begin after 1 hour and 45 minutes from that time. If the lights are on until 9:30 p.m., the final pitch of the early
game must occur by 7:25 pm. Home team is responsible for having field ready to play by game time.

8. EQUIPMENT
1. Each team will be given helmets, catcher’s equipment and balls. Players will be given a jersey and hat by the league. Players provide shoes, basic gray baseball pants, gloves and bats.
2. New balls (2) will be given to the umpire for each game by the home manager.
4. Please encourage all players to wear cups, catchers MUST wear a cup.
5. Pitchers may not wear batting gloves or wrist jewelry on either hand. Pitchers may wear eyeglasses or sunglasses only if they are prescription lenses.
6. Baseball bat policy:
• No bat handle may be taped more than ten (10) inches from the knob.
• All aluminum bats must be taped.
• All bats must be USA approved. USSSA bats are not allowed.
• Wooden bats are permitted in all divisions.
• Throwing of the bat is discouraged. A team warning shall be given if the problem is chronic. After a warning has been issued, the offending player shall be called out on the next infraction.

9. FIELD RULES
1. Regardless of the state of the dugout and field when you take the diamond, you are expected to leave it pristine.
2. No food is allowed in dugouts ever. This includes gum and seeds. Sports drinks are acceptable.
3. No fence hitting of hard balls. You may use whiffle/pickle balls.
4. Dogs are never allowed on the field or in the dugout.
5. Sheridan Park equipment only is allowed to be used on the field for bases and pitching rubbers. Using non-Sheridan Park equipment is tantamount to vandalism since it can cause issues with the
bases that require CPD to cut up the carpet for repair.
6. Balls that roll under or through the Galileo parking lot fence from the Sheridan SW field or under the chain link fence on the Sheridan NE field will be ruled a ground rule double. Balls that clearly
bounce over or clear the fence on the fly will be a home run.
7. No swinging of Baseball bats in the on deck area of the Dugout. Players can be on deck outside of the dugout fence area, between third base and the dugout.

10. SPORTSMANSHIP
1. Disrespect to the umpire or the opposing team will not be tolerated from coaches or players
2. No one is allowed to watch the game behind home plate area; this area is to remain clear during game play. Each team has the responsibility to inform their fans/parents/families to avoid watching
the game from behind home plate.
3. Managers are urged to show leadership. Managers only – i.e., Managers only - are allowed to speak to an umpire to discuss a rule or other game matter. Managers will summon the opposing
manager and calmly discuss the issue. Managers will instruct their coaches to remain in their dugout (or 1st or 3rd base for base coaches) during a manager/umpire discussion. Managers are responsible for keeping their coaches, players, and parents calm and respectful during a manager/umpire discussion.
4. Balls and strikes may not be disputed
5. No distracting noises during the pitcher’s wind-up. Vocal support for their team is allowed in the form of cheering and voicing encouragement. Any form of vocal distraction – even if indirect via
encouraging a batter - during a pitchers wind-up or delivery is not allowed
6. Players, manager and a MAXIMUM of three other team coaches only (inclusive of score keeper and/or game changer) of the game on the field are allowed in dugouts. No non-coach parents or nonplayer friends are allowed.
7. Each team’s manager will be responsible for control of the team’s fans. Verbal intimidation or questioning calls, criticizing players, etc. by team fans may result in an ejection.
8. Any ejections will be reported to the league along with the final score
9. The Board will handle discipline in the case of ejections or repeated episodes of poor sportsmanship.
10. Profanity will not be tolerated by adults or players and may also result in ejection.
11. Verbal intimidation of a player by an adult will not be tolerated. This includes indirect intimidation (e.g., “encouraging” batters by disparaging pitchers, encouraging base runners by
disparaging fielders, etc.). 12. Verbal intimidation of an umpire by any adult will not be tolerated. This includes parents from the stands.
13. Umpires may eject managers, coaches, players or parents based on the above. No warning is necessary – i.e., any ejection is at the umpire’s discretion. It is the umpire’s option to remove a
manager or coach who violates any of these rules or excessively challenges the umpire’s authority.
The Board may also issue ejections at the recommendation of the co-commissioners based on firstperson accounts from the umpire of the game or the co-commissioners. Any ejection will apply to the
remainder of the game as well as for the next game, to include Allstar games. Adult ejections will apply to the manager/coach/parent in question AS WELL AS their player (regardless of
whether their player has involvement in the incident leading to the ejection). Player ejections will apply to the player only.
K. CONSEQUENCES
1. The commissioners’ decisions are final. Inaction or not abiding by the commissioners decision will result in a one game suspension for the manager(s).