Safety Policies

All rule additions and or changes for 2012 are highlighted in red text for your convenience

Safety is the number one goal of the Hickory Fountain Green Baseball Program.  Following these rules as they are intended will enhance our children’s baseball experience and keep them safe.

Rule Book

We are using rules out of the Official Baseball Rules published by Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken, Jr. Division.  Anything not addressed in these rules will be taken out of the aforementioned rulebook.  Any questions should be addressed to the age group commissioner.

Umpires

Home team supplies the umpire unless done so by Hickory Fountain Green Baseball.   If the umpire fails to appear by the forfeit time, both managers MUST select a game umpire. If the managers cannot agree on the selection, the visiting manager shall select an umpire for the first half of the game, and the home team manager shall select an umpire for the second half. The game must be played.

Safety Requirements (Responsibility Of Team Managers)

·PLAYERS MAY NOT WEAR watches, rings, pins, jewelry (metallic or non-metallic) or other metallic items. Coaches are reminded to enforce this policy prior to the game. Phiten style necklaces are allowed.

·NO CASTS made of plaster or other material may be worn during the game.

 ALL catchers must wear the proper equipment including throat guards and protective cups for the males. It is strongly encouraged that ALL players wear protective cups regardless of their position.

Sunglasses may be worn (except when pitching/unless prescription or for medical purposes) but may be requested to be removed at the request of the umpire.

Only one (1) player shall be ON DECK BATTER at any time and be positioned AWAY from the field of play (i.e.: behind the fence).  On deck batters are vulnerable to foul balls, wild throws and generally do not pay attention.  On deck batters should be aware of their surroundings, teammates and spectators when swinging the bat. Rules governing age groups detail the number of on-deck batters allowed.

 HELMETS MUST BE WORN by batters, base runners, on deck batters and any players acting as base coaches.

Catcher’s masks must be worn by any player (<16 years old) warming up a pitcher on the field or sideline

·FIRST AID KITS are provided in the field boxes and with each Coach in 5-6 and include: latex gloves, (2) cold packs, adhesive bandages, antiseptic/anesthetic, sterile saline (i.e.: eye wash) and a compression bandage (e.g., ‘Ace’ bandage).   Administration of aid shall be provided by, or only with the approval of, the parent or designated guardian.  Any serious injury should be reported to the League Director and Age Group Commissioner.  Please notify your Age Group Commissioner or Field Manager when supplies are to be replenished (i.e.: cold packs).

Collisions

All players, whether on offense or defense, shall make a good faith effort to avoid collisions at all times. This means that the player must slide or take other appropriate action to avoid collisions. Jumping over the defensive player is not allowed. Failure to observe this rule shall result in appropriate action by the umpire, including ejection where necessary.

Headfirst Slide

Headfirst slides, except when runner is returning to a base, are not permitted in any age groups. The umpire will call out any player sliding headfirst.

Playing Field

The playing field is defined as the area contained within the backstop fences, including the area contained within imaginary straight lines extended from those fences and parallel to the foul lines.  Any balls traveling outside of the playing area are considered out of play.  Catch and carry rules may apply.

Distances between bases and to the pitcher’s mound are listed in each age group. The distance to the pitcher’s plate is measured from the point at the rear of home plate to the front edge of the pitcher’s plate. Distances to the bases are measured from the point at the rear of home plate to the back edge of the base (or in the case of second base, to the point of the base pointing toward the outfield). All bases, including home plate, are contained within a square whose sides are the length of the designated distance from home plate to first base.  This square defines the foul lines and the infield for purposes of ball control. 

Field Conditions

Before the start of the game, the field (including the entire playing area in fair and foul territory, the backstop and fence, and the team bench areas) must be checked to ensure it is safe to play. The managers of the two teams are responsible for field safety.

There must be no sharp objects, large rocks, trash, ruts or holes in the field that could cause injury to a player. All bases must be checked to ensure that base spikes are pounded in level with the ground, and the bases are reasonably secured in place. Home plate must either be loose; allowing it to slide if hit from the side, or if secured it should be dug into the ground such that its top surface is level with the ground.  No edges of the home plate should be sticking up, to avoid possible injury to a player sliding in. The pitcher’s plate must be dug into the ground so the top surface is level with the ground. It is permissible to dig away some of the dirt on the side of the pitcher’s plate facing home plate, so the pitcher can get a toe-hold to push off.

If the field is muddy, it should be raked and moisture absorbent additive applied, to prevent areas where players could slip and be injured. In the absence of an officially scheduled umpire, both managers must agree that the field is safe for the game to be played. Rainouts should be reported to the age group commissioner.

Team Responsibilities

The home team is listed 2^nd on the schedule.  The home team shall be responsible for setup and take down of the field including pitchers plate, bases and home plate and liming the 1^st and 3^rd base lines and batters boxes.  Both teams shall be responsible for providing a new game ball (home) and a new back-up ball (visitors) and for cleaning debris from the field after the game.  Teams will also be responsible for any infield repair due to ruts or standing water.