TEAM SPONSORS

CENTER YOUTH BASEBALL

LOCAL LEAGUE RULES 2005

The rules in this book are considered local league rules adopted by the Board of Directors of Center Youth Baseball for the 2005 season. For all other rules, refer to the Dixie Youth or Dixie Boys and Majors rule books.

Once regular season play has started, the Board shall refrain from adopting any new local rules unless such rule is immediately required in the best interest of the league or protection of the players beyond the Board's control warrants such action.


INDEX:
Local Rules for Specific Divisions
Rules for Dixie Boys and Majors Division
Child Protection Policy (actual)
This policy will be added as a supplement as soon as approved by the Board and our attorneys.

Coaches and Age Groups

  1. All head coaches (Managers) of CENTER YOUTH BASEBALL must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, and all (Coaches) assistant coaches must be at least sixteen (16). This rule applies to all practices, games, and other team functions.
  2. A person cannot coach in two different divisions (especially for the purpose of freezing players in the draft).
  3. A coach must have 2 years of experience coaching in any division of the league (especially for the purpose of freezing players in the draft).
  4. Each team will have one manager and at least two coaches, which must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. This applies to regular season play as well as tournament play. Managers and coaches are selected by their ability to work with and teach children, knowledge of the rules, conduct, and sportsmanship. No reason shall be given as to the decision of appointment of managers and coaches to a team at any level of play. Managers and coaches may be removed from their positions following a majority vote of the Board of Directors. (Ref. Regulation V (E)).
  5. Managers and coaches are not to ask their sponsor for anything (i.e. money for drinks, end of year parties or any other monetary contributions that are related solely to their team).
  6. The playing age of a participant of CENTER YOUTH BASEBALL is the age of the player on July 31, 2005. Players must play within their own age group. A player wishing to play in an age group other than their own must have approval by the Board.
  7. No Player shall be allowed to play without proof of birth and proof of residency. The Center Youth Baseball boundary is the Center Independent School District. For the 2005 season, players having played in the Center league prior to the 2005 season may choose which league they will play in and will remain there until that time that they register to play in a league that is their home boundary. Once they register to play in a league that is their home boundary, they will remain in that league. (Exceptions to this will be separate agreements with Joaquin and Shelbyville Youth Baseball associations to allow their players to participate in this league).
  8. READ ALL FORMS BEFORE YOU SIGN.

Registration

  1. Board Members shall be present at registrations and tryouts.
  2. Registration fees will be $45.00 for ages 5 - 12 and $60.00 for ages 13 - 18.
  3. There will be a $25.00 charge for checks returned to our bank for any reason. A $10.00 late fee will apply to those who do not register before the try out dates scheduled and there will be NO registrations once try outs are over.
  4. Tryouts are mandatory for all age groups except T Ball. If a player does not attend tryouts, that player will not be eligible for All Star selection or tournament play. The only exception for not attending tryouts is that the Board be notified in advance for the child's absence and the reason given approved by a majority vote of the Board.
  5. Additional fees or mandatory participation in additional fundraisers will be required from any player selected to participate on a tournament team.

Membership

  1. Any person sincerely interested in active participation to further the objective of Center Youth Baseball may apply to become a Member.
  2. There shall be the following classes of Members: Player Members and Regular Members. Player Members: Any player candidate meeting the eligibility requirements of this league shall be able to apply for membership. Player Members shall have no rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of Center Youth Baseball. Regular Member: Any adult person interested in active participation of this league shall be able to apply for membership. Upon application approval and payment of dues, Regular Member may be issued a card numbered in sequential order annually. Only Regular Members in good standing are eligible to nominate candidates for the local Board of Directors and vote at the annual Board elections. Deadline for obtaining membership for the current season shall be May 31.
  3. All Officers, Board Members, Managers, Coaches, Volunteer Umpires, and other elected or appointed officials must be active Regular Members in good standing.
  4. The Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote of those present at any duly constituted Board meeting, shall have the authority to discipline or suspend or terminate the membership of any Member of any class, including managers and coaches, when the conduct of such person is considered detrimental to the best interests of the Local League. The Member involved shall be notified of such meeting, informed of the general nature of the charges and given an opportunity to appear at the meeting to answer such charges.
  5. Dues shall be $5.00 annually to include Regular Member and his/her spouse. Regular Members who fail to pay their fixed dues within 14 days of application to become a member may, by majority vote of the Board present at the Board meeting, be dropped from the rolls and shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership. Dues for Regular Members are separate from registration fees for Player Members.
  6. The secretary shall maintain the roll of membership to qualify voting members.

Draft Procedure

  1. The draft position of players shall be kept confidential. Anyone involved with the draft procedure that does not adhere to this policy may be subject to disciplinary action (included in the Infractions/Penalties section).
  2. This plan will be used to all divisions of Center Youth Baseball, (unless that division consists of more than 6 teams) for the 2005 season. Managers will draw numbers to determine who will select the first player. Selections will begin with the manager who drew number 1; number 2 will pick next, 3, 4 and so on until all managers have one pick. Selection will resume with the last manager picking a player, back down to number 1. The selections will begin with returning players to that division, or oldest first. The Operating Manual does not allow for the "red shirting" (freezing) of players, as in sons or daughters of managers or coaches, but the league shall adopt this policy with respect to the use of automatic option players. Mangers will draft his son and/or daughter, (or relation to a child that is his reason for managing, i.e. grandson, nephew, brother-in-law) in the third round of his/her age draft. Coach's children will be chose in the first round of his/her age draft. (If a parent wants to serve as an assistant for the team of which his child plays, he should follow the child, not the child following the parent's assignment. This is to prevent the recruiting of assistants for the purpose of getting a specific player; however, the Local League will allow a manager one assistant coach going into the draft). The deadline for trading players will be before coaches leave the draft.
  3. Only Mangers (head coaches) will be allowed to participate in the draft.
  4. Dixie Boys and Majors players will return to the team they played on the previous season and the draft will proceed as stated in 2 above.

Schedule

  1. There will be absolutely no changing of a game without notifying the Player Agent of your division. The Player Agent will notify the President and the change will only be approved with a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The team managers involved will be notified. It will then be up to the managers to notify their team. If, after changing a game and only one team shows up, a forfeit shall be declared with the win going to the team that was there to play.
  2. Games rained out will be made up the Saturday following the scheduled game unless otherwise notified. All rescheduling of games will be handled by the division Player Agent and the Board of Directors.

Equipment, Uniforms, and Practices

  1. All batters helmets must have an approved protective facemask and chin strap, unless otherwise stated by the Dixie Baseball rulebook. Decals, emblems and paints are acceptable, so long as there are no shiny objects on the front as to distract the pitcher. T Ball is the only age group that is not required to wear facemasks, with the exception of the pitcher and catcher. The catcher may wear a traditional catcher's helmet and mask, or a batters helmet with a facemask.
  2. Each team manager will insure that his team's equipment is properly maintained.
  3. All players on a team shall wear like uniforms. There shall be no duplicate numbers. No player shall be allowed to participate in any game without being in full uniform (cap, shirt, pants, belts, if applicable and socks). Caps must be worn by all defensive players, except the catcher. Names on shirts and numbers or names on caps are permitted, as long as parents agree on the extra expense. Simply stated: If one has it, they all have it.
  4. 11 - 12 year olds, Boys (13 - 14), and Majors (15 - 18) may wear pants other than gray, provided every parent on the team agrees with the extra expense. T Ball through 9 - 10 will wear gray.
  5. Uniforms are to be worn with pride and respect (e.g. shirt on correctly, shirt tail tucked in, cap on straight, pants knee and ankle length, NO SAGGING or pants under heel of cleats.)
  6. There will be no MANDATORY practices on Wednesdays, Sundays, or during TAKS Testing.

Concessions

  1. If a team does not work the concession stand during their assigned time, the team manager (head coach) will be suspended for the next two games. There will be a schedule for this and no one will be expected to work when his or her child is playing. If, at the time the schedule for the teams to work is being made, a team decides that they do not wish to participate, the team will pay a fine of $125.00, so that someone (cheerleading group, 4-H group, etc.) may be hired to work that team's designated time slot.

Game Player Rules

  1. Center Youth Baseball will play Tight Bases (closed) in age groups 5 - 12. The Balk rule will not apply to this age group but the umpire should inform the pitcher of "Balk".
  2. Head first sliding will not be allowed while advancing to a base. This applies to ages 5 - 12. Headfirst sliding is allowed in the 13 - 14, 15 - 16 groups only.
  3. For the 9 - 10 year old division, each team can score at most seven runs per inning.
  4. Regular Season teams will consist of a minimum of eleven players. The batting order will include all players on the team.
  5. Disciplinary Action or "benching" of a player may occur if a player does not attend 50% of practices, disruptive behavior, fighting, or any other unsportsmanlike conduct.
  6. If a player is dressed in uniform and sitting in the dugout, he must play. If being disciplined or is injured, the child may sit in the dugout with the team, at the manager's discretion, and the umpire, scorekeeper, and opposing manager should be notified as to the reason the player is not playing.
  7. Each team must provide an official scorekeeper. The home team is responsible for keeping the scorebook and the visiting team is responsible for operating the scoreboard. The scorekeeper and scoreboard operator must be in the official score box. During the course of a game, no one shall be allowed in the press box except the official scorekeepers or Board Members.
  8. No game will be started with less than 9 players unless there is an agreement between the managers of both teams. There will be a 10-minute grace period for players to arrive and this will apply to the first game of the day ONLY. (If there is a second game, the deadline for arrival will be the official start of the game). If a game starts with less than 9 players on a team, the absent batter will be charged an out. A game may start with 9 players, but may finish with eight in the case of an injury, ejection and/or player illness. If a team finishes a game with eight players, an out will be charged to that team whenever it is the absent child's at bat. There will be no protests of this game unless it involves something other than the number of players on a team.
  9. Only players and coaches are allowed in the dugout. Any player outside the dugout must wear a batting helmet. Players participating in a game shall remain in the dugout and playing field area and will not be allowed to sit in the stands or go to the concession stand.
  10. READ AND LEARN THE DIXIE LEAGUE RULE BOOK and Local League rules that apply to your division.

Protests

  1. A protest that involves an umpire's judgment shall not be accepted. Only the team manager or the acting team manager shall be entitled to file a protest. The only legal protest shall be one that involves a violation of playing rules or the use of an ineligible player or illegal pitcher.
  2. The protesting manager on a play situation shall notify the umpire that he/she is protesting before another pitch is thrown. The umpire shall announce that the game is being played under protest; but failure of the umpire to make the announcement shall not affect the validity of the protest.
  3. Any protest shall be considered only if it is placed in writing by the team manager or acting team manager and submitted to the local league President or Vice President within 24 hours after the completion of the game and a board meeting will be called. A fee of $25.00 must accompany any protest. This will be refunded if the protest is upheld. The decision of the Board will be final.

Conduct

  1. There will be no smoking or use of tobacco on the playing field or in the dugouts. During a game, a manager or coach may not leave the playing field except in an emergency.
  2. Managers, coaches, and/or players will not be permitted to throw their hats, bats, gloves, helmets, etc. or commit any other acts of unsportsmanlike conduct. A violation may result in ejection from the game. If a player or coach has two ejections, he must sit out an additional game.
  3. Any suggestion or complaint from coaches or parents must be in writing following the chain of command (to Player Agent, then President) and a meeting of the Board of Directors will be called for discussion.
  4. Umpire abuse by coaches, players or parents will not be tolerated. The penalties could be ejection and possible suspension or expulsion from the park. This determination shall be governed by Center Youth Baseball rules.
  5. Managers, players, and spectators will not be permitted to ride, harass, or interfere in any way with the opposing team or umpires during play. Managers and coaches will do everything in their power to assist in controlling the conduct of their team and fans. The manager will be prohibited from making gestures of dislike and criticism to the stands concerning the umpires. All discussions should be away from the fans and players and concern only the manager and the umpire. If the umpire is unable to control the fans, he may eject the person or persons from the stands.
  6. Each team manager will be responsible for the eligibility, training, and conduct of the players and families of the players on his team.
  7. All parents and spectators will conduct themselves in a manner as to reflect good sportsmanship. Any conduct not in the best interest of Center Youth Baseball may be cause for expulsion and banning of a player's parents or spectators from further presence at a league game or function. Failure to adhere to a penalty so enacted may be cause for suspension or dismissal of a player from the league. A suspension or expulsion of a parent or spectator will require a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors.
  8. Any coach or player being ejected from a game may appeal to the Center Youth Baseball Board of Directors. Any decision the Board renders shall be final.
  9. Parents, coaches, player, and umpires must sign a copy of the code of conduct rules.

Any rule that states reference to the disciplinary actions administered to anyone associated with the league shall be covered in the Infractions/Penalties section.

Tournament Play

  1. The Board of Directors will nominate, approve by a majority vote, and appoint all Managers and Coaches for tournament teams. Only Managers/coaches during the regular league season shall be eligible to manage/coach a tournament team and they shall be registered on their regular season team player roster as filed with the district and state director. (1 Manager and 2 Coaches) (Ref. Regulation V (E)).
  2. Players shall be considered for tournament play through nominations by the Managers and Player Agent of their division. Managers and Player Agents shall then vote on the top 13 players in their division.
  3. Additional fees or mandatory participation in additional fundraisers will be required of players selected to participate on the tournament team.
  4. The player selection and voting procedure shall be kept confidential. Anyone not adhering to this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action.
  5. Player eligibility requirements are covered in Regulation IV of Tournament rules in the Dixie Youth Rule Book.

Child Protection Policy

  1. The entire community knows that the greatest treasure we have is our children. As adults, we want to insure that these young people are able to group up happy, healthy and above all, safe. Whether they are our children or the children of others, each of us has a responsibility to protect them. They are our future and an endless source of joy. Center Youth Baseball will conduct background checks on all volunteers who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players or teams. Failure to comply with this regulation may result in the suspension or revocation of privileges associated with this league. Refer to the Child Protection Policy adopted by Center Youth Baseball.

Board Elections

  1. Board Elections for the next season shall be held in August following the end of regular season and tournament play of the current season. Only Regular Members in good standing are eligible to nominate candidates for the local Board of Directors and vote at the annual Board elections.
  2. Board Members and job descriptions are as follows:

President - The president should be the most informed officer of the league. Each president must know the regulations under which Dixie League operates and in authorizing the annual application for charter, binds all members of the league to faithfully observe the regulations. Beyond the requirements of league administration, the president should personify the best public image in reflection to the community at large. Each president should take an active role in gaining support and winning friends for the league program. The president presides at league meetings, and assumes full responsibility for the operation of the local league. The president receives all mail, supplies and other communications from Dixie Youth Baseball. The president must not manage, coach or umpire, unless the local league has received explicit written permission to allow this from Dixie Youth Baseball.

Vice President - The vice president presides in the absence of the president, works with other officers and committee members, is ex-officio member of all committees, and carries out such duties and assignments as may be delegated by the president. Separate vice presidents may also be selected to oversee individual divisions within the league. If so, one vice president should be selected as the one to preside in the absence of the president. A vice president may manage, coach or umpire, provided they do not serve on the protest committee.

Secretary - The secretary maintains a register of members and directors, records the minutes of meetings, is responsible for sending out notice of meetings, issues membership cards and maintains a record of league's activities.

Treasurer - The treasurer signs checks co-signed by another officer or director (or as directed by the local league's constitution), dispenses league funds as approved by the board of directors, reports on the status of league funds, keeps local league books and financial records, prepares budgets, and assumes the responsibility for all local league finances.

Player Agent - The player agent selected in each division conducts annual tryouts, is in charge of player selection, assists the president in checking birth records and eligibility of players and generally supervises and coordinates the transfer of players to or from the Minor Leagues according to provisions of the regulations of Dixie Youth Baseball. The player agent must not manage, coach or umpire in the division over which he/she has authority.

Safety Officer - The safety officer coordinates all safety activities, ensures safety in player training, ensures safe playing conditions, coordinates reporting and prevention of injuries, and solicits suggestions for making conditions safer.

Information Officer - The information officer manages the league's official home page, assigns administrative rights to league volunteers and teams, ensures that league news and scores are updated on a regular basis, collects, posts, and distributes important information on league activities regarding optimizing use of the Internet for league administration and for distributing information to league members, and displays enthusiasm for the Internet for league administration, for sharing information and for creating a more enjoyable and efficient Dixie League experience.

Coaching Coordinator - The coaching coordinator represents coaches/managers in the league, presents training budgets to the board, orders and distributes training materials to players, coaches and managers, coordinates mini-clinics as necessary, and is responsible for maintaining coaches/managers evaluations and comments reported to league officials about coaches/managers.

Member At Large - The member at large assists in the scheduling of games, umpires, scorekeepers, announcers and any other aspect of assuring that each game has appropriate personnel present.