All standard rules of baseball apply in Interlock Peewee (13U) with the following modifications:

Philosophy & Core Principles

1. The most important rule is to have fun while learning new skills, meeting new people and enjoying baseball.

Game Scheduling, Mercy Rule, Ties, Cancellations

2. All Peewee (13U) Interlock regular season games will be played with a strict time limit that begins at the scheduled start time of 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. (“Curfew”). No new inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes of game time has passed (8:15 p.m.), and the game will end immediately at the 2-hour hard stop, no matter the game situation. If an inning is still in progress when the 2-hour limit is reached and cannot be completed, the final score will revert back to the score at the end of the last fully completed inning. Playoff games will not have a hard stop, with the last inning being played until completed. The Interlock Championship Game will be a full 7 inning game, with no applicable Curfew.

3. A regulation game will consist of up to 7 complete innings. A game will be considered official if 3.5 or 4 innings have been completed or if Curfew has been reached. 3.5 innings will be considered official if the home team is ahead at the time, or any time, they are at bat.

4. A 5-run Mercy Rule applies to all Interlock regular season game innings. The offensive half of the inning ends when 3 outs are counted against the team at bat or when the Mercy Rule takes effect (5 runs scored), whichever occurs first. In the playoffs, the 5-Run Mercy Rule applies to the first 3 innings of all Interlock playoff games and the Interlock Championship Game, and then a 10-Run Mercy Rule applies to all additional innings played in those games after first 3 innings.

5. Tied games are allowed during regular season play. During playoffs and the Championship Game, extra innings may be played subject to Curfew and applicable maximum game time rules. If the tie cannot be broken within those limits (i.e. the game remains tied after the completion of the extra innings or an inning cannot be completed and the home team is trailing), then the tie will be broken by the game result reverting back to the last fully completed inning that produced a clear winner.

6. Cancellation: Games will go forward as scheduled unless a decision to cancel a game, or any part of a game, because of playing conditions, is made by the umpires/coaches at the game. In the event of lightning by the field, the game will end immediately, and all players, coaches, and spectators must leave the field and surrounding area right away. All decisions made by the umpires regarding the game continuation or cancellation are final.

Team Designation, Duties & Pre-Game Timing

7. The Home team will be determined by the schedule. (Visitors versus Home). The Home team may not be affiliated with the Park at which the game is being played – this may be necessary to balance the number of Home and Visitors game for each team.

8. The Home team is to supply the official scorekeeper.

9. Both teams will submit the scores of each game, within 24 hours the of end of the game, to the East Toronto Baseball Convenor(s) by email at: barryatetba@gmail.com and secretary@easttorontobaseball.com. Scores

not submitted in a timely manner will be considered a loss for both teams when determining playoff standings.

10. Pre-game warm-up: The home team has the right to the playing field 5 minutes before scheduled game start time. All other warm-ups are to take place in the bullpen or side areas of the diamond before the start of the game.

11. The Parks will be set up and taken down by the umpires at Birchmount games. The Parks will be set up and taken down by Field supervisors at East Toronto S/W and N/ED diamonds.

12. Players are to be present at the game at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

13. Each team’s line-up will be exchanged with the opposing coach 15 minutes before the start of the game. A consecutive batting order must be given to the scorekeeper with the players’ jersey numbers and names at this time.

14. Each team is to supply 1 new Game ball to the umpire before the beginning of each game.

15. A grace period of 15 minutes past the game start time will be allowed to reach the minimum of 7 players (see Rule 17 below). The game will start immediately once the minimum number of players is reached, and before 6:45 p.m. Curfew time remains unaffected with the hard stop at 8:30 p.m.

16. If a coach chooses not to force an individual to play in a position beyond their ability while in the defensive half of the inning, they must inform the opposing coach and umpires prior to game start. (see Rule 24 below).

Minimum Players, Late Players, Call Ups, Forfeits

17. Minimum Number of Players: Each team must have a minimum of 7 players to play an official game. Subject to Rule 15 above, if a team is unable to field 7 players by the scheduled start time of 6:30 p.m. or within 15 minutes later, the game will be declared forfeited and a score of 7-0 will be recorded in favour of the non-defaulting team. There is no penalty for not having an 8th and 9th player. If the game is played with fewer than 9 players, the 8th and/or 9th batting positions will NOT be automatic outs.

18. Late arriving players may enter the game after it has commenced to assume an unoccupied defensive playing position once time has been granted by the Plate Umpire or the Base Umpire. If the team has a maximum number of fielders on the diamond already, the late arriving player must be inserted into the defensive line-up and play the following inning.

19. Late or additional batters must be added to the bottom of the batting order.

20. Call-ups from the Mosquito (11U) Division are encouraged to avoid defaulting a regular season or play-off game.

Lineups, Batting Order & Participation

21. All players on the game line-up must be able to play both defense and bat. No player may be listed on the game line-up if they are unable to play a defensive position. All players listed on the line-up sheet must bat.

22. All players must bat in the order presented to the official scorekeeper on the game line-up prior to the start of each game. Once the game begins, no changes may be made to the order other than adding late players to the bottom of the list.

23. Coaches must have teams ready to take the field as soon as the inning at bat is over. If, in the judgement of the home plate umpire, a coach or player intentionally delays the game to reach the time limit, the umpire may extend the time limit to allow the half-inning to finish.

24. Each player must have a turn in both the infield and the outfield during each game. At the coach’s discretion and based on safety for the individual player and/or based on the player’s reluctance to play an infield position, a coach reserves the right not to force the individual to play in a position beyond their ability while in the defensive half of the inning. This information must be provided to the opposing coach and umpires prior to game start. Unless they are injured, no player can sit out twice until all players have had a turn off the diamond.

25. Coaches will ensure that all players on the game roster receives equal playing time. No player may sit out a second time (unless injured or removed for disciplinary reasons) until all other players have sat out one inning, no player may sit a third inning until all other players have sat out two innings, etc. No player may sit out two innings in a row. If a player is removed from the field for disciplinary reasons, both the home plate umpire and the opposing coach are to be notified. Any coach found sitting players out illegally will i) have the proper player placed on the field immediately, and ii) receive an automatic team out at their next at bat. Any coach who is found doing this more than once in one game will be suspended for the balance of that game and for the next league game, regardless of whether it is a regular season game, playoff game, or the Interlock Championship game.

26. Substitutions are only allowed at the end of an inning except in the case of a pitching change or on field injury.

27. Any player leaving the field during an inning due to an injury must remain out of the game for the balance of the defensive inning before re-entering the game in a defensive position. The player removed for injury may take their next scheduled turn at bat. A player unable to take their turn at bat, after being removed from the field due to an injury, will be removed from the line-up and further play in the game (this is not an out nor is it considered batting out of turn). A batter or runner may not have a pinch runner unless the injury occurs during the player’s turn as batter or runner. The player who represents the last recorded out will be substitute runner.

Safety Equipment & Player Gear

28. All Players and coaches will be dressed in a baseball team uniform as issued by the league (coaches uniform is a team shirt and a cap). No visible jewelry is permitted on the diamond. If jewelry is not removable, it must be taped down and covered for the player’s protection.

29. Only rubber cleats may be worn. Metal cleats are prohibited.

30. It is mandatory that all players wear protective athletic support (Jill or Jock). The use of mouth guards while playing infield positions (including pitchers) is strongly encouraged.

31. All catchers are required to wear full catcher’s equipment and a catcher’s mitt during all warm-ups and games.

32. Anyone assuming a catcher’s (“squatting” or “kneeling”) position to warm up a pitcher must wear a protective mask. Coaches may warm up a catcher without wearing a mask, as long as they do not assume the catcher’s position.

33. Batting helmets must be worn by all batters, batters in the on-deck circle, and base runners. Helmets cannot be removed when the player is on the field of play. Any player intentionally removing his or her helmet while on the field of play (unless time is called) will be declared out. Chin straps must be fastened and remain so until the batter/runner is off the playing field. Any player throwing their helmet (whether on the field or in the dugout) is subject to ejection at the discretion of the umpire.

Field Dimensions

34. The Diamond layout is as follows:

· Distance Between Bases = 75 Feet

· Diagonal Dimensions: Home Plate to 2nd / 1st to 3rd = 106 Feet and 3/4 Inches

· Pitching Rubber = 50 Feet

Defensive Positioning

35. A full fielding will be comprised of:

· 1 pitcher

· 1 player on each of first base, second base and third base

· 1 shortstop

· 1 catcher

· 3 outfielders: right, centre, and left.

36. The maximum number of defensive players on the field per inning is 9.

37. The minimum number of defensive players per inning is 7. If one team has 9 or less players and the other team has 9 or more players, the team with 9 or less players has to play all players on defense while the team with 9 or more players can only play 9 players on defense per inning.

Batting Rules

38. Batting:

· Continuous Batting order will apply.

· Dropped third strike does not result in an out if first base is unoccupied or dropped third strike occurs when there are two outs and bases are loaded. Batter is at liberty to attempt to advance to first base unless tagged out or forced out at first base. All other base runners can advance at their own risk.

· All batters at the plate or in the on-deck circle must wear a helmet with a chin strap secured.

· Infield Fly Rule applies as called by the umpires.

· Thrown bats will result in: i) A warning on first occurrence, ii) An automatic out on the second occurrence, iii) Ejection from the game upon the third occurrence.

· A batter may not switch sides of the plate after the first pitch has been thrown.

Base Running Rules

39. Runners:

· Runners are allowed a full lead off.

· Runners may attempt to steal the next vacant base at their own risk.

· Runners may advance at their own risk on a dropped third strike in accordance with standard baseball rules 6.09 and 7.08.

· Runners may tag up on a caught fly ball to try and obtain the next available base at their own risk.

40. Courtesy Rule: If you have two outs and your catcher for the next inning is on base, please inform the umpire and switch your last out into the running position to ensure prompt change over at the end of your offensive half of the inning.

41. Base Coaches: One coach may be off the main Baseline (in foul territory) at each of First and Third Base to direct the running part of the game.

Pitching & Catching Rules

42. Pitching:

· Each pitcher may have 6 warm up pitches upon taking the mound.

o If the catcher is not ready, a coach will catch the warm-up pitches. Once the catcher is ready, one more warm-up pitch may be provided to the catcher.

· With runners on base a pitcher must come to a full stop before delivering the pitch.

· Baulks will be called after one warning. Each pitcher will be given one warning, and all subsequent offences will be called.

· Any pitcher who hits 3 batters while in the pitching position will be removed from the mound and may continue in the game in another defensive position. If a pitcher hits a batter intentionally, they will be ejected from the game.

· A pitcher may only pitch 2 consecutive innings or 6 consecutive outs during a regulation game.

· Once a pitcher is removed from the game, that player cannot pitch again in the same game.

· No player can pitch and play the catcher position in the same game. If a player pitches, they are not allowed to play the catcher position in that game. If a player plays the catcher position in a game, they are not allowed to pitch in the same game.

· 1 trip to the mound per pitcher will be allowed by a designated coach during an inning. The second trip for the subject pitcher will be only to remove the pitcher from the mound. No extra coaching may be made from the mound. Pitching substitutions must be made from the field.

Sportsmanship, Conduct & Discipline

43. No smoking or use of tobacco products is permitted on the playing field, the dugouts or the immediate vicinity of the dugouts (This applies to coaches, players and umpires).

44. Absolutely no ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are allowed in the park or parking lot during the game. This also applies to street drugs.

45. Sportsmanship: Displays of poor sportsmanship by players or coaches will not be tolerated. Be reminded, the umpires have the discretion to remove any coach or player from the game or the field for disciplinary reasons. Regardless of an umpire’s exercise of discretion, an “offending” player’s coach has the discretion to remove the player from the game for disciplinary reasons. In these circumstances both the home plate umpire and the opposing coach shall be notified and Rule 22 will not apply to the disciplined player.

Examples of conduct subject to discipline:

· Players caught throwing dirt.

· Players or coaches deliberately directing discourteous and/or disrespectful remarks to the opposing team.

· Any player not on the field may not play ball or run around. The players must sit on the bench with the rest of the team unless they are given permission to leave the bench by the coach.

46. Respect for Officials: Any coach or player who abuses an umpire, opponents or spectators either verbally or physically will be ejected from the game and suspended for the next regular season, playoff, or Interlock Championship game. Additional suspension may be determined by the Joint executive committee. The umpire must notify the umpire-in-chief as soon as possible of any infraction. All coaches are responsible for their parents and spectators. If either abuse the umpire or opponents, verbally, physically or otherwise the coach will be asked to control this person(s) or they will be ejected from the park. If the person(s) will not leave the park and continue to carry on the abuse, the umpire will forfeit the game to the opposing team. The umpire must notify the umpire-in-chief as soon as possible of any such infraction.

47. Protests: Protests are not permitted for games in the Peewee (13U) Division. If concerns about the quality of judgement or rule interpretation exist, they should be addressed after the game, with the appropriate league convenor and/or umpire-in-chief.

Coaches, parents and players are reminded that house league baseball emphasizes sportsmanship, fair play and mutual respect for players, coaches and umpires. Parents, coaches and players should consider that umpires at house league games are typically teenagers trying to successfully manage a game involving a broad range of skill levels, temperaments, baseball knowledge and age ranges (from adult coaches to youngest players on the field). The umpires are learning and improving a new set of skills, just as the players are. The standard baseball rule book is over 90 pages, and each league and age division imposes additional rules (you are reading one of about 40 ‘exceptions and clarifications’ to the standard rules for this age group alone).

48. Contact Rule (as written by the Ontario Baseball Association): Runners are encouraged, but not required, to slide when there is a potential play at home plate or any other base. Regardless of whether the runner slides or not, the runner must attempt to avoid contact with the fielder(s) taking the throw. No player will deliberately, nor maliciously run into another player. Contact will be considered malicious if it involves:

a) Intentional excessive force.

b) Intent to injure.

c) Deliberate attempt by a runner to dislodge the ball.

d) A runner making no legitimate effort to reach the base.

e) A runner who could’ve reasonably slid or otherwise avoided contact and still reached the base.

Penalty: Player is ejected from the game and declared out.

i) Malicious contact is to be penalized whether committed by an offensive or defensive player. In the case of a defensive player being ejected for malicious contact, the runner will be called safe according to the result of the play at the discretion of the umpire.

ii) The ball is dead and all other runners will return to their last legally occupied base at the time of the contact.

iii) A runner guilty of malicious contact is out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball.

iv) A runner guilty of malicious contact after scoring a run will not be declared out but is still ejected.

v) This rule applies at home plate and all other bases.

vi) A runner may make incidental contact with a fielder as long it is not "malicious" as defined above. The rule does not prohibit contact. It simply requires the player to make a reasonable attempt to avoid contact, and to ensure that any incidental contact is not malicious in nature.

vii) If contact occurs where a defensive player blocked the base path clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction will be called according to the specified age-related playing rules. If this obstructed runner uses this opportunity to collide maliciously with the fielder, he would be declared safe due to the obstruction but still ejected from the game.