Spirit
The basic philosophy of the 11U Division is to increase every player's knowledge and skill level of the game. This is the first age where players will play with live pitching by their peers. While win-loss records and league standings are maintained, batting averages and fielding stats are not. The end of the season round robin play playoffs will be used to determine which teams will meet in the consolation games, semi-finals and finals to be played on the Closing Day. All teams will play on Opening and Closing Day. Coaches and parents should employ a positive, teaching approach toward their own team, and should refrain from negative commentary toward or regarding the opposing team.
The objective is for the players to have fun while they build on the basics they learned in Rookie Ball, as well as begin to develop pitching skills if they choose. It is not the intention of the League to subject the children to fierce competition or intense pressure to perform. It is intended to provide instruction in the fundamentals of baseball and stress sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play. Having fun is of the utmost importance and should be stressed by coaches and parents always.

Game Composition
A 11U game will have live pitching by the players. A regulation game has no maximum number of innings. No new inning shall commence after 8:15 P.M. with an 8:30 P.M. curfew. Ties are permitted, with the exception of playoffs, semi-finals and finals. In games called due to rain or lightning three (3) full innings is the minimum number of innings required to constitute an official game. 
In August, due to loss of daylight and safety, games will begin at 6:15pm. At 15 grace period can be granted and the official start time should be noted. No new inning shall commence after 1hr and 45 min from the start time, with a curfew at 2 hours.

Expectations
Some children will learn the game and acquire the skills more quickly than others. This may be a child's first exposure not only to baseball but also to any organized team sport. This is okay. By the time they are 13U age most children will be able to:
•    Catch and throw the ball with proficiency and accuracy
•    Field ground and fly balls and know the play to make once the ball is caught
•    Hit with consistency
•    Run the bases with skill and understanding
•    Play every position, including pitcher if they choose.
•    Set up defensively in each position based on runners, outs, batters and count
•    Know what to do and where to be when the play is not to them

Rain Policy
The City of Toronto dictates when we can and when we cannot play games. We will make EVERY effort to update the Website & Twitter account in a timely manner. Each team is also encouraged to have a team communicator/manager who will pass on pertinent information.
If you have not heard from the league, your team’s coach and there is nothing posted on the website or Twitter, the assumption should always be that the game is on. Just because it is raining in one part of the city, doesn’t always assume it is raining at the park.

General Rules
As this level of play moves to live pitching by the players, the game continues to move closer to “real” baseball rules. Some local league rules are implemented for safety and sportsmanship.

1. A regulation game has no maximum number of innings. No new inning shall commence after 8:15 P.M. with an 8:30 P.M. curfew. Should the inning not be completed by this time, the score will revert to the last complete inning. On games called due to rain or lightning, three (3) full innings is the minimum number of innings required to constitute an official game.
2. The minimum number of players required to play a game is eight (8). If this number cannot be fielded at game time, the game will be forfeited. In such a situation, it is recommended that the other team lend some of their players to the opposing team for an exhibition game. If this is not possible, parents, coaches or siblings may be used. The game is ultimately for the kids. Let them play.
3. Forfeits: If a team forfeits, the forfeit will be recorded as a 5-0 win for the non-forfeiting team. If both teams forfeit, it will be recorded as a 0-0. Games will be recorded as having 1 defensive inning.
4. The umpire will ensure that the game starts on time. Games are to start at 6:30pm (expect in August where there is a 6:15pm start time). There is a 15 minute grace period, after which, if the game cannot start, a default will declared.
5. After the first inning, a pitcher is allowed 5 (five) warm up throws. If a new pitcher comes into the game he or she is allowed 6 (six) warm up throws.
6.  A pitcher may only pitch 2 innings per game and these innings must be consecutive.  Pitching any part of an inning constitutes 1 inning.
7. A catcher may only catch a maximum of 2 innings per game; they do not have to be consecutive. Catching any part of an inning constitutes 1 inning.
8. In Addition to rules 6 & 7, no player may PITCH OR CATCH MORE THAN A COMBINED 2 INNINGS / PER GAME /  PER DAY and the innings must be consecutive. This rule is meant for safety and to ensure that kids do not end up with serious elbow injuries as a result of too many throws and multiple warming and cooling sessions. If more than one game is played in a day, here are examples:
   • Example 1 - Pitch 2 innings or Catch 2 innings in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2
   • Example 2 - Pitch 1 inning and catch 1 inning in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2 
   • Example 3 - Pitch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to catch 1 inning in Game 2, not able to pitch as it has to be consecutive.
   • Example 4 - Catch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to pitch or catch 1 inning in Game 2
   • Example 5 - No pitching or catching in Game 1 = Able to Pitch 2 or Catch 2 innings or 1 and 1 in Game 2.
9. Any pitcher who hits a batter with a pitched ball twice will be removed from the mound. The player may still play in the field, but may not be placed in the pitcher position for the remainder of the game.
10. All players must bat in turn for the entire game. (One batting order).
11. The playing positions and number of innings shall be as follows:
    • All players must play at least two (2) infield positions and at least one (1) outfield position per five (5) inning game.
    • Which positions each player plays is at the discretion of the coach provided players are given an opportunity at all positions throughout the season. No player will sit out two innings in a row.
    • No players will sit twice before all other players on the team have sat once.
12. In any one inning you may not score more than four runs except possibly the last inning. 
13. If the "no new inning" time is reached in the top half of the inning, then the inning will be declared an open inning. If the "no new inning" time is reached in the bottom of the inning, then the inning will not be an open inning.
14. There are no lead-offs allowed. Runners may not leave the base until the ball has crossed the plate. Base stealing is allowed for second and third base. Stealing home is not allowed on an overthrow to 3rd base.
15. No run may be scored on a passed ball at the plate. If a runner comes home in this situation, he/she will be sent back to 3rd base.
16. If a player has to leave the game because of injury, sickness or ejection and the roster falls below the numbers required to start a game, the game will be defaulted. Rather than terminate the game, the other team should “loan” the team a player so that that the game can be completed. At no time can an ejected player be re-inserted into the game.
17. If you know ahead of time that you will be short players, you may call up an approved player from next lower division. This player must possess enough ability that he/she will not get hurt, or slow the game down. All players called up from a lower division will be played under the same rules and regulations as the regular players. All call-ups should be co-ordinated through the convenor of both divisions, or if necessary, the VP of House League. Players called up from the next lower division are NOT permitted to pitch.
18. If player(s) are brought up for a game from lower division, they must be played and under the same rules and regulations as the team’s regular players. If it turns out that the coach already has a full team of regular players, the above statement still holds true.
19. Players and coaches of both teams must be in the dugout five minutes prior to the start of the game. The umpire will advise the time.
20. Rosters for both teams should be exchanged 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. The home team’s score sheet will be considered the official sheet. It is the visiting teams’ responsibility to verify the score prior to the score sheet being handed in to the umpires. It is the responsibility of both teams to email or text the score to eybascores@gmail.com.
21. If a batted ball touches a player on another diamond or a spectator the ball is ruled dead. The umpire will then judge what base the batter is entitled to reach.
22. If there are two out with the catcher on base, a runner should be substituted for the catcher. The runner will be the previous out.
23. Protests must be lodged at the game with the plate umpire at the moment of the presumed infraction. A period of forty-eight hours will be allowed to give written protest. A $25.00 fee must be accompanied with the written protest. Written protests are to be filed with the Vice-President of house league.
24. Collisions at the plate are to be avoided at all times. It is the responsibility of the base runners to avoid collisions. If a collision occurs at home plate without the base runner attempting a slide, the runner will be called out. It is up to the umpire to determine whether a slide was attempted. If there is no play at a base, the defensive player must allow the base runner(s) the base path.
25. There is no food allowed in the dugouts. Drinks (water and sport drinks) are allowed. All food must be consumed off the field of play. It is expected that the teams, at the conclusion of the games will clean up all garbage. The coaching staff will enforce this.
26. All players on both teams not participating in actual play must remain in the dugouts with the following exceptions:
    • Relief pitchers and catchers may warm up behind their own screen. Catchers MUST wear a catching mask even in warm-up. This is mandatory for Players and Coaches.
    • The batter on deck may take his or her proper position.
    • Player has asked permission from the coach to leave dugout.
27. All accidents, however minor, must be reported to the convenor and/or a member of the EYBA executive. Umpires should supply first-aid kits for each game, but if not, there are supplies at the snack bar. Ice packs are also available at the snack bar.
28. Umpires will be in total control of the game and will have the final say on any interpretation of the rules. No Player, coach or spectator will put pressure on the umpire to influence any judgement call.
29. Abuse, verbal or physical of umpires by players or coaches will not be tolerated. The umpires will remove said violator(s) from the game. Violators may be subject to further disciplinary action.
30. Parents or spectators will not be allowed to verbally or physically abuse any player, coach or umpire. The convenor and/or the VP of House League will intervene.
31. The scorekeeper will inform the umpire when four runs have scored to end an inning (except the last inning). The final play must be completed and the ball in the pitchers hand before the scorekeeper announces that four runs have scored.
32. The batter cannot become a runner on a catcher’s miss of a third strike. The third strike, either called or swinging, does not have to be caught by the catcher. The batter is automatically retired, however the ball is still alive and in play.
33. Should any pitched ball pass through or lodge in the screen, all runners may advance one base. However the runner on third base will not be allowed to score on such a play.
34. The dead ball line shall be in line with the screens on both first and third base. Any ball that lands fair, but roll into the dead ball zone will be declared a ground rule double.
35. Any hit ball that rolls over the path on the diamond 2, will be declared a ground rule triple. Any ball that clears this path will be declared a home run.
36. A ball thrown into the dead ball area will allow runners to advance one base. However, a runner on third base will not be allowed to score on an overthrow to the dead ball area.
37. All batters and base runners must wear batting helmets with straps attached (this includes the on-deck batter). If a player, while in play removes the batting helmet or undoes the strap the umpire will call the player who was in the wrong out.
38. Both wood and metal bats with safety grips are legal but metal is preferred as they do not splinter or break.
39. In the event that both teams have more than 9 players, either or both teams may play an additional player in the outfield.

 
Playoffs.

Format:  Playoffs will be held in a round robin format.  The outcome of the round robin determines the semi-final, final and consolation games to be played on the Closing Weekend. All teams will play on Closing Weekend.
Official Score:  The score sheet of the home team will considered the official score.  It is the responsibility of both teams to email the score to: .

Tie Games:  If the game cannot be decided in extra innings (curfew has been reached, or darkness makes playing dangerous), the game will revert back to the last completed inning where the score was not tied. 

Twelve Team Round Robin Format: Regular Season Standings will determine position. 
Group A – 1, 8, 9           Group B – 2, 7, 10          Group C - 3, 6, 11      Group D - 4, 5, 12

Each team will play 2 games round robin games in their pool. Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win. The top team in each pool will advance to play the semi-finals on Closing Day.

Semi-Final 1 - Winner Group A vs. Winner Group C
Semi-Final 2 - Winner Group B vs. Winner Group D

The winners of the semi-finals will then play in the finals on Closing Day.

The remaining 8 teams consolation games. All teams will receive a year end item. 

Tie Breakers in the Playoffs 
In the event of a tie within the pool, the following tie- breaking formulas will be used: 
 i) The winner of the head to head game between the two (2) teams will advance.
ii) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
iii) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in all games.
iv) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
v) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in all games.
vi) Coin Toss.
In all other circumstances (3 or more), the following will be utilized:
i) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
ii) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in all games.
iii) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
iv) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in all games.
v) Coin Toss.

And Please Remember …
Coaches Coach …
Players Play  …
Parents Cheer …
And the UMPS are in charge!