OXFORD RECREATIONAL BASEBALL ASSOCIATION RULES AND REGULATIONS


The official rules of the High School Rule Book shall be followed, where conditions permit, for all Leagues except the Pony and Senior Leagues, which shall follow the rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Exceptions to the above rules are either obvious due to the Oxford Recreational Baseball Association Structural Organizations and By-Laws, or are stated or clarified in this list of supplemental rules.

Any protest must be filed in accordance with the procedure given in the By-Laws.  If protest is allowed, the game will be resumed from the exact point at which the infraction occurred.  Protest fees of $25.00 at time of protest.

The following rules apply to all Leagues.  Additional rules for the individual Leagues are given on the pages with their respective heading.

1.    Games shall start as scheduled unless a change is agreed upon by both managers and the umpire is notified of the change.  Forfeit time is fifteen (15) minutes past game time.

2. No inning shall start after 9:00pm.  This rule may not be waived, even with both managers' consent.

3. Both team managers are responsible for setting up the field (bases, mowing, raking, watering) prior to game time.

4. Make-up games should be played within one week.  This is due in part to pitcher eligibility.

5. A playing team shall consist of no less the seven (7) players.  Inability will result in automatic forfeiture.

6.   Each player must play at least six outs in the field and have at least one time at bat in each game,      assuming the game lasts the full number of inning.

7. Players missing team practices (more than one) and not being excused by the manage will not have to be played the minimum number of innings provided that the League Director and the opposing team's manager is notified prior to game time that the player is being withheld for that reason.  Penalty against player must be imposed at the next game for which he shows up ready to play.

8. In any one inning a team's time at bat will be considered complete after play has been completed in which the tenth or more run has been scored.  Example:  With one out and nine (9) runs previously scored in the inning, and bases loaded, the batter hits a double scoring all three (3) base runners, twelve (12) runs have scored, one is out, but the inning is considered complete.

9. A mercy rule is to be established by each league.

10. Teams may have a batboy.

11. Players must wear uniforms and hats.  Jackets may be worn.

12. Batters will not be called out if they step into the batter's box without wearing a batting helmet.  Time will be called and a helmet will be put on the player.

13. Players must wear helmets while running the bases.  Any runner, who, in the umpire's judgment, intentionally removes his helmet while the ball is in play, shall be called out.

14. Players must wear a helmet when in the "on deck" circle. If a player enters the "on deck" circle without a helmet, time will be called and a helmet will be put on the player.

15. Catchers must wear protective headgear, mask, body and leg gear, and a cup.  No cup will be required for T-Ball.

16. Any defective equipment such as a cracked helmet or bat must be removed from the game.

17. The intentional throwing of helmets, bats, or other equipment will not be tolerated.  Any playing violating this rule will be ejected from the game.

18. Pitcher eligibility ( number of innings any one individual may pitch) is to be established by each League, and must be limited by calendar days - not by games played.   No individual player may pitch more than six (6) innings in any one calendar week, and only three (3) innings per game.

19. Once a pitcher has been removed from that position, he may not return as a pitcher during the course of the game.

20. Due to limited leadoff regulations, the balk rule does not apply to any League except Babe Ruth (last 1/2 of the season),Pony and Senior Leagues.

21. Players will not be encouraged to call other player's names, other than their proper first name or their position title.  Example: Pitcher, catcher, batter, etc.

22. Umpires must be at least sixteen (16) years old.  The Head Umpire must approve exceptions.

23. Managers and coaches cannot umpire in any game in which their team is involved, unless mutually agreed by both managers.

24. Umpires may call games because of bad weather, lightning, or other bad conditions, either prior to start of or during the game.

25. Field Director has the final say on the playing of games on all fields.

26. NO ONE - players, coaches, fans, etc. - will be permitted to remain behind the backstop.  Umpires are to use their judgment on interference as a result of this violation.

27. The umpire may, in the event of excessive and continuous abusiveness, give warning to the manager of the offending team that the game may be forfeited if the abuse does not cease.  If the abuse continues, the game will be forfeited to the opposing team by a score of 6-0.  The umpire must then submit a written report to the Head Umpires within 48 hours.  The report must then be forwarded to the League President.

28. No alcoholic beverage will be permitted near the playing field.  After warning, the umpire may temporarily suspend play, or call or forfeit the game, depending on his judgment and assessment of the situation.  A written report must be submitted to the Head Umpire within 48 hours if the game is called or forfeited.  The report must then be forwarded to the League President.

29. If anyone, player, manager, or coach, is ejected from the game, the umpire must report the circumstances to the Head Umpire.  The Head Umpire will keep a record of the person, date, and the cause of the ejection, and the Rules Committee can eject the offender from the next game.

30. The Rules Committee may suspend any manager, coach, or player, for a period of up to fourteen (14) days for flagrant violation of League Rules.

31. If the umpire fails to show up for a game, a parent will volunteer to step in and, "play ball"!

32. No smoking on the playing field or in the bench areas.

33. All pitch league teams will have two (2) catchers masks so that anyone warming up a pitcher on the sidelines must wear a catcher's mask (added to rules by vote of league in October 1984).

34. A Regulation Game consists of six innings.  Exceptions:  Mercy forfeit, weather, or darkness where 5 innings (4 1/2 if home tam is ahead) constitutes a complete game.

35. A Called Game where 5 innings (4 1/2 if home team is ahead) are not completed shall be recorded and played from point where game was called.

36. No noisemakers allowed on field or bleachers (whistles, air horns, megaphone, etc.).