Spirit

1. A regulation game has no maximum number of innings. On games called due to rain or lightning or curfew, 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.
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. There is a 15-minute grace period, after which, if the game cannot start, a default will be declared. (In August the start time is adjusted to 6:15pm.) Same grace period applies.
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 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 3 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 3 INNINGS PER GAME / PER DAY and the pitching 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.
   • Example 1 - Pitch 2 innings or Catch 3 innings in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2
   • Example 2 - Pitch 1 inning and catch 2 innings in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2
   • Example 3 – Pitch 2 innings and catch 1 inning in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2 
   • Example 4 – Pitch 1 inning and catch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to catch 1 inning in Game 2, not able to pitch as it has to be consecutive.
   • Example 5 - Pitch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to catch 2 innings in Game 2, not able to pitch as it has to be consecutive.
   • Example 6 – Catch 2 innings in Game 1 = Able to pitch or catch 1 inning in Game 2
   • Example 7 - Catch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to pitch 2 or catch 2 innings, or 1 and 1 in Game 2
   • Example 8 - No pitching or catching in Game 1 = Able to Pitch 2 or Catch 3 innings, or pitch 1 and catch 2, or less in Game 2.
9. Any pitcher who hits a batter with a pitched ball twice during the same game 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.
    • 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.
    • During the last inning, a coach can play any of his players in any fielding position he chooses. A pitcher who has already pitched two innings may not be brought back in the final inning as a pitcher but may field another position.
12. In any one inning you may not score more than five 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. Base stealing will be as baseball rules. 
15. If a runner comes home in any situation and does not make an attempt to slide when there is a play at the plate, he/she may be called out.  This will be at the Umpires discretion as to whether an attempt by the runner was made to slide.  As well, if there is no play at the plate, the catcher will not block the plate to the runner.
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 should 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 Vice President of House League. 
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 coach’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 team’s 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 may 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. 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 end of the games will clean up all garbage.  The coaching staff will enforce this.
25. 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.
26. All accidents, however minor, must be reported to the Convenor and/or a member of the EYBA executive.  There are emergency supplies available at the snack bar, as well as ice packs.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. The scorekeeper will inform the umpire when five runs have scored to end an inning (except the last inning). The final play must be completed and the ball in the pitcher’s hand before the scorekeeper announces that five runs have scored.
31. Should any pitched ball pass through or lodge in the screen, all runners may advance one base.
32. The dead ball line shall be in line with the screens on both first and third base.  Any ball that lands fair but rolls into the dead ball zone will be declared a ground rule double.
33. Any hit ball that rolls over the path on diamond 2, will be declared a ground rule triple.  Any ball that clears this path will be declared a home run.
34. A ball thrown into the dead ball area will allow runners to advance one base.
35. 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.
36. Both wood and metal bats with safety grips are legal but metal is preferred as they do not splinter or break.
37. In the event that both teams have more than 9 players, either or both teams may play an additional player in the outfield. The maximum number of players allowed to take up defensive positions is 10.  The tenth player must play in the outfield.