ROOKIE INTERLOCKING PLAY RULES

GAMES

1. SIX INNINGS - no extra innings during the regular season
2. Begin at 6:00 PM. Players and coaches should arrive at 5:45 to allow for a proper warm-up, line-up setting and line-up exchange with the other team. Note that a 15 minute grace period is usually given for a team who does not have all their players at 6:00 PM. Coaches should ensure that this is not abused
3. Wins/losses/ties will be recorded for standings
4. RAINOUTS are considered ties if not made up
5. WINS will result in two points and TIES will result in one point
6. Forfeit Games will be scored as a 5-0 loss with 2 points awarded to the opposing team.
7. Final standings will determine playoff format
8. Teams tied at the end of the regular season will be determined by:
   
   • total wins
   • if still tied: total games won against each other
   • if still tied: total runs scored
   • if still tied: total runs against

**** IMPORTANT **** If HRM declares that the field(s) are not playable then all coaches must adhere to their decision. Coaches who decide to play and/or practice after HRM has declared the fields unplayable will result in the coach be given an immediate suspension.

ROOKIE PLAYING RULES

The following rules are those that govern Rookie play in the Halifax Minor Baseball House League.

1. No lead offs - runners cannot leave the base(s) until the batter hits the ball
2. No Bunting
3. All players bat in order. Once the batting order is set, the batting order cannot be changed Note: batting out of order will result in an out
4. Coaches exchange their line-ups with each other before the start of the game. Scorekeepers on both teams should keep track of runs both for and against
5. Batters are given up to a maximum of six (6) pitches
6. A batter/base runner will be declared out:
   • if they strike out on fewer than six pitches
   • if they fly out
   • if they ground out
   • if they hit into a force out
   • if they wait for the full six (6) pitches
   • if they are called out or tagged out on the bases

   Note: A foul ball on the 6'th or subsequent pitch will allow the batter to receive another pitch

7. A batted ball that hits the pitching machine is considered a "dead ball" - the batter advances safely to first base. Base runners advance only if there is a force play.
8. Catchers cannot block home plate unless they are attempting to field the ball thrown directly to home plate - safety reasons
9. Fielders must not block the path of a runner(s) - called for interference
10. Runners must not interfere with the fielders attempt at fielding the ball - interference
11. Runners are instructed to slide or attempt to avoid making contact with a fielder - safety reasons
12. Coaches are required to coach from the bench or coaches boxes by mid June
13. FIVE RUN MERCY RULE AFTER EACH INNING - LAST INNING OPEN
14. TEN RUN MERCY RULE AFTER FIVE INNINGS (four and a half innings if the home team is leading). The game is officially over at this point and this is the final score that must be reported to the league statistician.
15. All players must wear a ball cap - Baseball Nova Scotia rule
16. All players in full uniform - players will not be permitted to play if they show up in shorts
17. All players must have a number on their shirt (no two numbers are to be the same)
18. Batting helmets and chin straps are mandatory while at bat, in the on-deck circle and on the base-paths
19. It is recommended that all players wear a protector cup (or Jill straps for females)
20. The only player who will be allowed to swing/hold a bat is the batter. There is no on-deck circle for safety reasons

IMPORTANT: Over the years, a number of players and spectators have been hit with a bat by young players, who in their eagerness to swing a bat, do not look around to see if anyone is near where/when they are swinging.


21. Coaches must ensure that all players be given equal playing time throughout the season, including the playoffs - Fair Play Policy
22. Teams not fielding a minimum of seven players forfeit the game, as the catching position must be filled
23. The winning coach is responsible for calling in or emailing the scores and highlights to the Halifax Chronicle Herald/Mail Star Sports Dept. and the league statistician within 24 hours of the game
24. Coaches are required to co-operate and give their team's highlights to the winning coach after the game
25. Only second year rookie players may be called up to Mosquito. Coaches should evenly distribute call-up opportunities amongst their eligible players. Call-ups are not eligible to pitch or catch in Mosquito.

PLAYER PLAYING POLICY

Coaches are required to have all players play a minimum of three innings each game

The overall intent is:

• THROUGHOUT THE SEASON/YEAR ALL PLAYERS PLAY AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF TIME as all players have paid the same amount to play baseball
• To prevent some players from playing every inning of every game while other players are splitting games
• Coaches will rotate the batting order during the regular season so that the same players are not hitting at the bottom of the order all year. However, once a batting order is set for a game it must remain unchanged for that game.