2022 Northern Regional Baseball Association Rules
Bronco and Farm League
- Bronco and Farm League will start on April 11th 2022 and end on June 11th, 2022.
- All eligible teams will have the right to participate in the playoffs at the end of the season By June 11th, each organization will submit the number of teams that will participate in the play-offs. Teams may choose not to play at that time.
- If a team commits to be in the playoffs, there will be a $100 fine for any forfeited playoff game. Based on the number of teams that participate, there may be 2 divisions in each age group for the Playoffs.
- At the Farm and Bronco level, the top teams (number TBD by NRBA) will be in the National League and the remaining teams will be in the American League.
- Seeding will be determined by total points. In the case of a tie, head-to-head will be the first tiebreaker, then a coin toss.
- A scheduled set of playoff games will be predetermined by NRBA, with date and time being fixed.
- Teams will be placed in the appropriate spot based on seeding.
- The post-season meeting at which the playoff pairings will be announced is scheduled for JUNE 12th at Kiwanis Park (Date, Times, and Location are Subject to Change)
- BRONCO - 6:00 PM
- FARM LEAGUE - 7:00 PM
The Little League rulebook prevails in all cases except for those listed on the following pages.
General Rules:
- Bronco - Twelve (12) and under (age determined by child's age on April 30, 2022)
- Farm League - Ten (10) and under (age determined by child's age on April 30, 2022)
- Teams making roster changes by bringing up a player from lower division or signing a new player MUST notify the NRBA Chairman by phone or e-mail before the player plays a second game for the team (except for call-ups). Additional players may be added at any time during the regular season, but to be eligible for the play-offs, a player must have played in at least 8 regular season games for that team. If a player missed games due to injury and does not play in 8 games, NRBA will decide if that player is eligible.
- A player who is rostered during the season in the next league (i.e. Farm age but playing as Bronco cannot move back and play during post season to the lower age.
- If there are extra players present at a game, all regular/rostered players MUST play defense before call-up players (call-ups must sit the bench in 1st inning).
- Call up players CANNOT PITCH at higher levels, but may play any other position.
- Call up players may bat anywhere in the batting order.
- Both Leagues - Players cannot sit on the bench for two (2) consecutive innings.
- Pitching Distance and Base Distance
- Pitching Mound is 50 feet
- Distance between bases is 70 feet
- Pitching Mound is 46 feet
- Distance between bases is 60 feet
- Both Leagues -- Six (6) inning games. In case of weather or darkness four (4) innings, or three (3) and a half if the home team is ahead constitutes an official game.
- If a game goes beyond four (4) innings and is called because of weather or darkness before an inning can be completed, the official score will be that of the last full inning played, with the following exception: if the home team ties the score during their half of the inning, the game is officially a tie; if the home team goes ahead during their half of the inning, the home team is declared the winner. This rule applies for games stopped during the 5th inning or beyond.
- If an umpire calls a game before it is an official game, it is declared “No Game”. The pitchers however will be charged with the innings. During the regular season, a game stopped before it is official will be replayed from the beginning. There will be no continuation of games at a later date.
- Bronco -- No more than three (3) extra innings.
- Farm League -- No more than two (2) extra innings
- Game will go into the books as a tie, even if time and conditions permit additional innings.
- Fifteen (15) and Ten (10) Run Rule:
- Both leagues - The home team will get their fair ups.
- Both leagues - if a team leads by 15 after 4 full innings or 10 after 5 full innings
- Five (5) run rule per inning:
- Bronco - No run rule per inning
- Farm League - The inning will be stopped when 5 runs are scored by a team in any inning except the 6th inning. In the 6th inning a team will bat until 3 outs are recorded.
- We will use a continuous run rule for the first 5 innings.. Example: Bases loaded and 4 runs have scored if the next batter hits a grand slam all runs count.
- Both Leagues - The umpire will warn a player on first offense. A player can be ejected from the game if he deliberately throws his bat or helmet after an out.
- A player accidentally throwing his bat shall be warned the first time and called out on the second offense.
- The warning is against the player not the team.
- Any team found guilty of using an ineligible player, will NOT participate in the postseason playoffs.
- Batting Helmets and Catcher’s Gear:
- NRBA recommends that all farm and bronco teams use facemasks on batting helmets both at bat, on the bases and the base paths. Choosing to not wear facemasks is at the discretion of the organization. Any injuries resulting in not wearing a facemask are at risk to those individual organizations. Catchers must wear protective cups. Facemasks may not be altered in any manner that allows a baseball to pass through the mask.
- Spring and Fall Recreational Season USA Stamped bats up to 2-5/8” dia. Only
- NRBA affiliated tournaments are permitted to use USSA bpf 1.15 up to 2-1/4” dia. or USA up to 2-5/8” dia. at the discretion of the hosting tournament director.
- Substitution to speed play:
- Both Leagues -- When there are two outs and the pitcher and/or catcher is on base, a pinch runner may be used for the pitcher and/or catcher. The player who made the second out will be the pinch runner.
- Both Leagues -- Managers are responsible for the conduct of the parents of their players and can risk forfeiture of the game due to the unruly actions of the parents
- Catchers are not permitted to talk to the batters (swing batter - etc). They can encourage their pitcher, but are not to make any reference to the batter to interfere with him.
- Managers and coaches must be seated on or stand behind their respective bench while the ball is in play.
- Any manager who is ejected from a game will not be permitted to manage his team for the next two (2) scheduled games.
- Any coach who is ejected from a game will not be permitted to coach or manage his team for the next three (3) scheduled games.
- If a manager or coach is ejected a second time during the season, he will be subject to a MANDATORY 6 GAME SUSPENSION (WITHOUT A RIGHT TO APPEAL). This suspension is to take effect over the next 6 scheduled games and DOES INCLUDE any and all playoff games.
- ONLY FIRST OFFENSE SUSPENSIONS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN APPEAL. IF THE OUTCOME FROM THE APPEAL IS TO OVERTURN THE SUSPENSION THE MANAGER/COACH’S RECORD WILL BE CLEARED.
- The NRBA Chairman must be notified within 24 hours before any game is forfeited. Any possible forfeit must be approved by NRBA.
- Both Leagues - The following points will be awarded and points will determine postseason play:
- WINNING TEAM: Two (2) points
- TIE GAME: Both teams One (1) point
- LOSING TEAM: Zero (0) points
- GAME NOT PLAYED: Negative One (-1) point (NRBA Discretion)
- If a game is postponed, both managers share the responsibility to get the game rescheduled.
- The Home manager should check for available field time that is mutually acceptable to each team,
- Inform the visiting manager
- Notify the NRBA Scoring Rep,
- Umpire Scheduler
- Games should be rescheduled within 7 days after the postponement.
- If the visiting manager has not heard from the home manager within 7 days,
- the visiting manager should contact the home manager and ask for a reschedule date.
- After 2 weeks, if either manager has not been able to agree on a make-up date, the NRBA Chairman should be contacted (call or email).
- If a date cannot be agreed upon between the managers,
- NRBA Chairman will schedule the game
- Forfeits will be awarded at the sole discretion of NRBA
- Bronco - Nine (9)
- You can start with 8 players in Bronco, and finish with 8. If you cannot finish with 8, the game will be forfeited at that point
- Farm - 10 with 4 outfielders. NO ROVERS
- You can start with 9 players in Farm and finish with 8. If you cannot finish with 8, the game will be forfeited at that point
- Infield Fly Rule/Dropped 3rd Strike Rule:
- Bronco - In effect for the infield fly rule and the dropped 3rd strike rule.
- Farm League - No infield fly rule or dropped 3rd strike rule.
- Bronco -- Week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.
- Bronco – Three (3) innings per game, Six (6) innings per week.
- Farm League - Two (2) innings per game
- Pitch Counts/Innings Pitched
- While pitch counts are not enforced in either league, it is strongly encouraged that pitch counts are monitored for the safety of the players.
- One (1) pitch to a batter constitutes an inning pitched.
- Farm League - Will not be called.
- Bronco - One (1) warning per pitcher
- Both Leagues - Once a pitcher has been removed, he/she cannot return to pitch.
- Manager or coach is permitted one (1) trip to the mound; he must replace the pitcher on the second (2nd) trip to the mound in the same inning. If a pitcher is injured, the trip to the mound will not count as an official trip. A coach may visit the mound during warm-ups prior to an inning and this will not count as an official trip.
- For all pitching rules, any violation will come under the review of NRBA and penalties will be imposed.
- Both Leagues - Any pitcher hitting TWO (2) batters in one (1) inning or THREE (3) batters in one (1) game, must be replaced upon hitting the second batter in the inning or third batter in the game.
- All players in attendance must bat in continuous order.
- A late arriving player, not in the original lineup, goes to the bottom of the batting order.
- Any player who misses their turn in the continuous batting order for any reason will be recorded as an out for that at bat.
- The player may return to the game pursuant to rule#4.
- If a player is unable to return to the game, each missed at bat thereafter will be recorded as an out.
- Both Leagues - Bunting is permitted.
- No slash bunting. If a batter squares around to bunt he CANNOT pull back and take a full swing. The batter will be automatically called out.
- Both Leagues -- Players are encouraged to slide into bases when there is a play being made on the runner. Players must slide feet first unless returning to a base on a pick-off attempt or a run-down. . If returning to a base you may slide head first.
- If a player slides head first for any other reason, the team will be given one warning and subsequent occurrences will result in the runner being called out.
- NRBA does not have a mandatory slide rule, however runners must avoid contact with a defensive player. A runner may not leap over a defensive player to avoid contact. If a runner does not slide and initiates contact with a defensive player, then the runner may be called out in the judgment of the umpire.
- If the contact is considered intentional and malicious, the runner will be called out and will be ejected from the game. NRBA does have a mandatory “avoid contact” rule.
- Stealing and Leaving Base Early:
- Bronco - Runners can lead off base and attempt to steal any base at any time..
- Farm League - Runners can attempt to steal second or third after the ball has passed the batter. Runners are not allowed to steal home.
- Runners can advance to home only when they are forced home by a bases-loaded walk, hit batsman, a base hit, or a continuation of an errant play that started with a batted ball.
- Runners cannot advance from third on overthrow of attempted steal or pickoff.
- If a runner steals second and the ball is overthrown; he can advance to third at his own risk; but cannot advance home on an overthrow at third, even if the ball is thrown out of play. If a runner mistakenly advances home on an overthrow, he is live and may be tagged out before he returns safely to the base. If he leaves the playing area into dead ball territory, he is automatically out.
- Farm League - If any runner leaves a base early, the team will receive a warning (One warning per team) and the runner must return on a steal, but the pitch counts. After the warning, if a runner from that team is caught leaving early again, he/she will be declared “out”. The pitched ball on that play will not count.
- All Umpires will be scheduled through the Pittsburgh Umpire Association. One patch umpire per game will be assigned.
- PUA Contact: Dave Gregory: 412-401-0643, davegregory90@gmail.com
- Scheduling fee per game: $3.00 Umpire Costs: Farm: $45.00 and Bronco: $50.00
- Umpire agreements with the PUA are to be signed and submitted per participating organization. Payment requirements are outlined in those agreements. Further details can be requested via the NRBA Chairman.
- Managers may protest games on rule interpretation disputes only, not on umpire or judgment calls (ball, strike, safe, etc.).
- Coaches are not permitted to discuss calls with the umpire and neither manager nor coach should carry on to the point where he must be ejected from the game. You are there to teach baseball and sportsmanship, not to show your knowledge, or lack of such arguing with umpires. Try and remember these young umpires may become exceptional umpires with experience.
Team Manager Responsibilities
- Home team managers have the following responsibilities before and after each game:
- Home manager is responsible for deciding if a field is playable following inclement weather. If you plan to postpone a game due to weather or poor field conditions, please call the opposing manager and your umpire coordinator at least two (2) hours before scheduled game time. Please try to avoid having teams travel to your field and then postponing a game at the last minute. The earlier you decide to postpone, the easier it is for all parties.
- Have the field in game ready shape with bases tied down, the field lined, and the batter’s box ready at least 15 minutes before game time. Managers should also have two (2) new game balls and as many good spares as needed at the start of the game.
- Home teams are permitted to use the field up to fifteen (15) minutes before game time before the visiting team can use the field for warm-up. There will not be a first-at-field provision. The home team has the field. It is at the discretion of the home team if prepared infield can be used for warm-up by either team.
- Home team manager is responsible for paying the umpire(s) prior to the game.
- The manager of the WINNING team is responsible for reporting the RESULTS of each game. If the game is a TIE the HOME team must report the result of the game. If a game is postponed the HOME team must notify NRBA. This should be done via email. Please email the NRBA account.
- Reporting game results should be done via game changer, all teams will be added into their respective divisions prior to the season and scores can be entered directly into the app by the Winning manager.
NRBA SCORING REP
EMAIL ADDRESS: northernregionalba@gmail.com
Updated Scoring and Standings can be found at https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/northern1234
**NRBA rules not specifically outlined in this document are in compliance with the Little League International Rule Guide. Any issues of concern, confusion, or suggestion, can be addressed with the NRBA Chairman, and/or entire organization during scheduled quarterly NRBA meetings**