HBA General Rules – (Revised June 1, 2009)

1.    Head Coaches will be responsible for the actions and conduct of their spectators, players, and assistant coaches.  All players’ and coaches’ conduct will be above reproach at all times. Coaches are responsible for the administration of this rule and are responsible to the HBA board for not enforcing the rule.  There will be no arguing with umpires by any coach, player or spectators.  Only the head coach can address the umpire if there is a question on any ruling.  No protest will be permitted under any circumstances.  Any coach or player ejected from a game will be suspended at least from the next game and be subject to further disciplinary actions by the HBA Board.  Upon second incident (ejected from another game), that coach or player will be suspended for the rest of the season.  Ejection from games will be considered in selecting coaches for the next season.

2.    An umpire may, in his discretion, terminate a game due to unacceptable behavior of coaches, players, or fans.  If a game is terminated due to a behavior problem, the team responsible for the behavior will forfeit the game.

3.    Use of profanity is prohibited during any HBA activity.

4.    Use of tobacco or alcohol is prohibited by any coach or player during games or practices.  Use of tobacco or alcohol is not permitted on school property at any time.

5.    Any player who throws equipment in anger, on the playing field or on the sidelines, will receive on warning.  Upon second incident that player will sit out the remainder of the game.  They will be skipped in the lineup at no penalty (out) to the team.  Coaches are responsible for the administration of this rule and are responsible to the HBA board for not enforcing the rule.

6.    Metal cleats are not permitted, except in the Pony and Senior Pony Leagues.

7.    For 12 and under leagues, bat used during HBA play shall be a smooth, rounded stick made of wood or of material tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards.  A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material and must extend a minimum of 10 inches from the small end.  Slippery tape or similar material is prohibited.  The maximum diameter of a bat for all 10 and under leagues is 2 ¼ inches.  “Big Barrel” bats are prohibited in the 10 and under leagues and are permitted in the 11 and older leagues.  Administration of this rule is the responsibility of the coaches along with the players and parents.  If illegal equipment is found being used during a game, the batter will immediately be called out and the coach and player will be subject to further disciplinary actions by the HBA Board.

8.    The required HBA uniform will be worn during all intramural league games.  The uniform will consist of the HBA supplied hat and shirt, and plain (no stripes) white baseball pants NOT supplied by the HBA.  Any player showing up for a game, not in the proper uniform will not be permitted to play.  Athletic supporter and cup is recommended for all boys.

9.    Home team will occupy the third base bench, and the visiting team will take infield warm-ups first.  Warm-ups are limited to seven (7) minutes for each team.  Visiting Team must have their warm-ups completed in time to permit home team their seven (7) minute warm-up prior to the start of the game.  All games must start on time.

10.    Batting practice on or around the field prior to any game is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.  Hit sticks and whiffle ball practice is permitted as long as it is within the field of play during assigned warm up time.  Coaches are responsible for compliance with this rule.

11.    The winning team’s coach is responsible for reporting the score of the game to the respective commissioner.

12.    Both teams are responsible for cleaning up the field after the game.  Put all trash in the cans provided and empty the cans (whether they are full or not) in the dumpster.  Make sure all equipment is put away and all boxes or sheds are locked.  Conduct field maintenance i.e.: rake the dirt around the bases including the mound to fill in all holes created by sliding/pitching.

13.    Swinging of a bat will only be permitted in the on-deck circle.  Any team whose player sings a bat outside the on-deck circle will be given a team warning for first offense and an out for second offense.  If this is the third out, the inning is over and the player at bat will start the next inning.

14.    No inning shall be started after the 1 hour 45 minute time limit.  The 1 hour 45 minute time limit applies to all fields.  If an inning is in progress t the 1 hour 45 minute limit, inning should continue.  For example, games with a schedule start time of 5:45 pm and 7:45 pm can not start a new inning past 7:30 pm or 9:30 pm.  However, all games must be completed within two hours.  If game is not completed within two hours, game score must revert back to previously completed inning.  If score was tied at the end of the previous inning, then the game is suspended, to be completed at a later date, pending League Commissioner approval.  Please us you best judgment - if you are one out away from completion of inning, please complete the inning.  This rule will be enforced at the umpire’s discretion.

15.    If a game is called due to lightning, all players and parents must leave the filed.  Once a game is called for lightning it will not be restarted.  At locations where there is more than one ball field, such as Municipal, St. Brendan and J.W. Reason, cancellation due to lightning will be the decision of the Senior most Umpire currently at that park or HBA Board Member present, then all games in progress will be cancelled.  If 1st games of the night or earlier games on Saturday/Sunday are postponed due to weather, later games will start on time, weather permitting..  To determine if the game will be re-scheduled or not, please refer to the rule written for each league under “If a game is called due to weather”.  Pony league will follow high school rules and T-ball and Buddy Ball will be left up to the discretion of the commissioners.

16.    No HBA issue equipment shall be altered.  Coaches will be held financially responsible for any altered equipment.  Coaches will also be responsible to clean equipment and turn it in at the scheduled turn-in time.

17.    No HBA scheduled games may be canceled without prior approval by the HBA Board or Commissioners.  Any game cancelled without approval will count as a forfeit by both teams, and not re-scheduled.

18.    Coaches will be responsible to hold a team meeting at the first available opportunity.  At this meeting the coach will provide the parents with a copy of the rules (General and League), a copy of the practice and game schedule, and a copy of the team roster.

19.    For all leagues, T-Ball through Pony, the HBA Executive Board will conduct team assignments.  All team assignments will be done on a random basis.  Coaches for T-Ball and 7/8 will be permitted two (2) pre-selected assistant coaches and coaches for 9/10, 11/12 and Pony will be permitted one (1) pre-selected assistant coach.  No other request will be honored.  For the 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12 leagues, returning players will be assigned to the same team unless a written request is received from the parent requesting a new team.  Returning players must be signed up before the late fee date in order to be assigned to the same team.

20.    The following items will be determined annually by the current HBA Board and communicated to the respective commissioners:  Playoff Schedule; All Star selections; and Trophies.

21.    Teams are limited to three (3) practices a week regardless of site.

22.    Players must avoid contact at all cost.  A player making contact with a fielder while a play is being attempted will be ruled out.

23.    Lights at St. Brendan must be turned off by 10:30 pm.

24. When a player leaves during a game for any reason and it comes time for his/her turn at bat, it will NOT be considered an out. You are to just skip over the missing player. Also note that the player that left the game may not rejoin the game. Teams that play games with fewer than nine players are NOT required to take an out when the "missing" player should be at bat.