BILL OF RIGHTS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

CODE OF ETHICS FOR YOUTH COACHES

CODE OF ETHICS FOR PARENTS

GOOD PRACTICE IN THE CARE OF CHILDREN

PRINCIPLES
The guidance is based on the following principles:

• The child's welfare is paramount
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

GOOD PRACTICE

• Always be publicly open when working with children. Avoid situations where a coach and individual child are completely unobserved.
• Where possible parents should take on the responsibility for their children in the changing rooms. If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure coaches work in pairs.
• Where there are mixed teams away from home, they should always be accompanied by a male and female member of staff.

IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO:

• Spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
• Take children alone on car journeys, however short.
• Take children to your home where they will be alone with you.

If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable, they should occur with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge of the organisation, or the child's parents.

YOU SHOULD NEVER

• Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
• Share a room with a child.
• Allow or engage any form of inappropriate touching.
• Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
• Allow allegations made by a child go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.
• Do things of a personal nature for a child they can do for themselves.
• Invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised.

It may sometimes be necessary for coaches to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are young or have disabilities. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of the parents and children involved. There is a need to be responsive to children's reactions. If a child is fully dependent upon you, talk with him/her about what you are doing and give choices where possible. This is particularly so if you are involved in any dressing or undressing of outer clothing, or where there is physical contact or lifting or assisting a child to carry out certain activities.

If you accidentally hurt a child, he/she seems distressed in any manner, appears to be sexually aroused by your actions, or misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done, report any such incident as soon as possible to another colleague and make a brief written note of it. Parents or carers should be informed of the incident.

Further information on BaseballSoftballUK Child Protection Procedures can be obtained from:
BaseballSoftballUK
Ariel House
74a Charlotte Street
London
W1P 1LR

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL RULES 2005

It is the intention of BaseballSoftballUK to encourage clubs offering youth programmes to play a number of different formats of the game, including baseball and softball, single sex and mixed.

Except where specified, the rules below apply to baseball, girls fastpitch softball and mixed modified pitch softball.

Rules & Regulations

All the rules and regulations pertaining to BSUK youth baseball competition are governed by the Official Baseball Rules, "The Sporting News" edition, unless superseded by the BBF Byelaws, or the specific rules for BSUK Youth baseball.

All the rules and regulations pertaining to BSUK youth softball competition are governed by the International Softball Federation Official Softball Rules, unless superseded by the BSF Byelaws, or the specific rules for BSUK Youth softball.

All clubs, players and officials participating in this programme must be affiliated and registered as directed by BaseballSoftballUK, and in accordance with BBF/BSF byelaws.

All clubs, coaches and administrators must ensure that players are provided with an environment free of alcohol and drugs.

No sponsorship shall be allowed for any youth team or group under the care of BSUK that involves the promotion of alcohol, tobacco products, drugs or other materials which can be considered injurious to health.

The BSUK Youth baseball and softball leagues are managed by BSUKs Baseball Steering Group. The main contact for any issues or problems is the Youth League Director.

Age Groups & Field Dimensions

Year 5 players can play Rookie or Bronco level.
Year 8 players can play either Pony or Bronco level.
Year 8 players are covered by Bronco pitching restrictions whether they pitch in a Pony or Bronco game.

Players may play in an older age group at the discretion of the Youth Leagues Director. Teams can apply for a player to play up by writing to the Youth Leagues Director and the letter must be supported by a letter from the parents/guardians.

In extra-ordinary circumstances a player may request to play down an age group. Such circumstances may involve a child with physical disabilities or learning difficulties, or any other such situation that the Youth League Director deems suitable. All requests must be made in writing and dispensations will be made at the discretion of the Youth League Director.

Eligibility for 2005 Shown by an Individuals Month of Birth

Equipment

Catchers are required to wear a mask with a throat protector, chest protector, a box/cup, leg guards and a catcher's helmet.

The batter, players in the on deck circle, base runners and players coaching in the coaching boxes must wear double ear batting helmets.

Managers and/or coaches should make every effort to encourage the wearing of a box/cup by all players.

Footwear should be of a moulded type. Metal cleats and studs are not allowed in BSUK Youth competitions.

No jewellery shall be worn by any player, except for medical identification.

Start Times

All BSUK Youth League baseball games are scheduled to be played on Saturdays. The following start times are for guidance:
Single games will start at 2.00pm. Double Headers will start at 12pm.
Bronco games to be played on the same day will start at 12 noon.
Rookie games can run alongside either of the above.

Team managers can liaise to alter the start times where convenient. However, if there is a dispute, then the start times listed shall prevail.

Any changes to the schedule must be agreed by the Youth League Director.

BSUK Youth League girls fastpitch softball games are scheduled to be played on Sundays, usually in the form of full-day tournament play.

BSUK modified pitch softball is organised as a series of stand-alone tournaments.

Registration & Transfers

All players must be on a teams official roster.

Clubs may register new players (i.e. previously unregistered that season) throughout the year. They must be registered before they play. A player will be eligible to play as soon as their name appears on the web-site roster.

Players registered after July 1st will not be eligible to play in the post season playoffs. However they will be eligible to play in all other games or tournaments.

To qualify to play in the play-offs and Final Four a player must play in a minimum of 20% of the regular season games that were scheduled for his team. Special dispensation can be requested in extenuating circumstances (i.e. injury or game cancellations) in writing to the Youth League Director.

The closing date for the transfer of a player is July 1st each year. The transfer process is described in the BBF By-laws.

If a team uses an ineligible player then the game in which that player played will be forfeit to the other team on completion of a successful appeal. An ineligible player is one who:
1. Is not registered on that teams roster. Which includes not falling within the specified age group without permission
2. Has not met the eligibility criteria for the play-offs

A formal protest must be lodged with the Youth League Director as per the rules of baseball and BBF Rules and By-Laws. The playing of an ineligible player is considered to be a game-ending play.

The league will request evidence from the players team proving the eligibility of the player. If it cannot or does not then the protest will be upheld.

The league reserves the right to take further action against the coach and club concerned. It is entirely incumbent on coaches to ensure they follow the rules and identify and report rule infractions to the league following the procedures for protesting games contained in the rules of baseball and the BBF by-laws.

Any protest must be submitted in accordance with BBF by-law 2.19. The fee which must accompany a protest is 20.

Playing Rules

Rookie League

The Rookie league focuses on the instruction of beginners, and the teaching of the fundamentals of baseball and softball. Teeball will form the main part of this programme. However different options have been included to allow coach pitch and player pitch (e.g. modified pitch) to be included.

This programme is to be run on a local basis, with no formalised league structure. Practice, friendly matches and tournaments will form the core of this programme.

Bronco League

This stage begins the players' training in the complete game of baseball or softball.

The programme is designed for the purposes of instruction. The rules are intended to be as simplistic as possible, therefore enabling both children and coaches/parents etc, to understand, play and enjoy the game. The emphasis is on safety, fun and instruction.

This programme will be run in regional and local leagues, with the respective winners eligible to participate in the national playoffs.

Pony League

At this level, the players are essentially playing the full game of baseball or softball. This programme will be run in regional leagues with the respective winners participating in national playoffs.

There will also be a separate competition for regional/league all-star teams run on a national basis.

Rookie League Rules

a) Games will consist of 3 innings.
b) The whole team bats each inning.
c) Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit.
d) Stealing is not allowed, runners can only advance on a ball hit into fair territory.
e) The pitcher must be the nearest fielder in front of the batter. (nb: the player fields the pitcher position, they do not pitch, unless you play the pitcher option).
f) The ball must travel at least 10 feet from the tee into fair territory. If it does not a foul ball is called.
g) Batters and runners must wear batting helmets.
h) When the last batter is at bat, the fielding team must return the ball to home plate. As soon as the ball reaches home plate in the possession of a fielder the inning is over. Any runners that cross home plate before the ball arrives score. Any runners left on base are out.
i) One coach is allowed on the field during the game.
j) There is no striking out in teeball. In coach pitch and player pitch options, normal balls and strikes apply.
k) Incrediballs are to be used at this level.

Options are available to allow both coach pitch, and player pitch.
In coach pitch the coach pitches to their own team.
In player pitch, the third inning of the game players can pitch. In these instances full catching equipment, MUST be worn

General Rules

a) Any player in the starting line up who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game one time.
i. Players shall return to the line up in their original place in the batting order. No substitutions shall be made that alters the original batting rotation of any of the starting or substitute players. i.e., when a starter re-enters the game, the player who initially substituted for him/her must be removed.
ii. Once removed from the line up, a pitcher may return to the line up, but shall not pitch again in the same game.

b) Double Headers will consist of 2 six (6) inning games.

c) Must Slide Rule: If there is a play at any base (except first base) a base-runner must slide into the base. If the runner does not slide and contact occurs the runner will be called out. It is incumbent on both umpires and coaches to apply common sense to the enforcement of this rule. It is there to avoid injury and to encourage good technique.

d) In all half-innings except the last the batting team can score a maximum of 5 runs. Once a team has scored five runs, it is automatically side out. Each teams last half-inning is completed only when three outs are made.

e) The following slaughter rule will be applied in both single games and double headers:

Note: This will mean that all but the most one-sided of games (ie 20-0 after four innings) will go to at least five (or possibly 4 ) innings.
Suggestions:

• That the losing team be given the option to continue or not
• That Coaches discuss options and perhaps field a developing pitcher against weaker teams
• That Coaches make adjustments if they take a big lead and it become obvious they would win easily

Bronco & Pony (Baseball and Fastpitch)

f) For the purposes of pitching restrictions if a pitcher throws one pitch in an inning they will be considered to have thrown an inning. The intent of pitching restrictions is to protect young pitchers from overuse. Explanation: This is for pitch restriction purposes. Please note that this rule cannot be used to circumvent rule H, that British players must complete three complete innings in a game.

g) Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound and line up, or a pitcher who is withdrawn from the mound and stays in the game at another position, shall not be permitted to pitch again in the same game.

Bronco & Pony (Baseball)

h) British pitchers must pitch at least 3 complete innings per game. However, dispensation may be granted to those teams without a British pitcher. Teams must apply in writing to the Youth Leagues Director to gain dispensation.

Pony (Baseball)

i) A scheduled Single Game will consist of 7 innings. A scheduled Double Header shall consist of two six inning games.

j) A pitcher is allowed to pitch a maximum of 5 innings in a Single Game. In a Double Header a pitcher may pitch as many innings as he or she is capable in one game. Remember that the coach must be satisfied that the pitcher is not at risk by being over-used; this is a maximum allowance. The table below indicates how many innings a pitcher can pitch in game 2 having pitched a certain number of innings in game one; a break increases slightly the risk of injury and so a break reduces the amount of pitching allowed in game two. Again coaches must be mindful of their players individual capacities; these are maximum allowances. Year 8 players must adhere to the Bronco pitching restrictions whether they pitch in Bronco or Pony games.

k) The balk rule should be used to educate, not penalise. Balks generally will fall into two categories. The first is an obvious and deliberate attempt to deceive by a more experienced pitcher. The umpire should first warn the pitcher and coach that the pitcher is balking and only take further action if the balking is continued. The second category is a natural movement by an inexperienced pitcher. In this situation the umpire should advise the pitcher of his errors and work with the players coach to correct them. Under no circumstances should a hitting team be penalised if a pitcher balks, whether it is deliberate or unintentional. No outs shall be allowed to result from a balk but bases gained by runners should stand.

l) Baseball rule 8.06, Visits to the Mound, shall be implemented but a coach is entitled to go to the mound if an umpire calls time to explain something to a pitcher in order to assist the player to understand the umpires explanation.

Bronco (Baseball)

m) A Single Game will consist of 6 innings. A scheduled Double Header will consist of two six inning games.

n) Baseball Rule 8.06, Visits to the Mound, shall not be implemented. A coach can visit his pitcher more than twice an inning without needing to remove the pitcher. A coach should bear in mind however, that a pitcher requiring several visits is likely to be suffering from issues which may mean his well-being is better served by allowing him or her to play in another position. Additionally an umpire should not permit time-wasting through visits to the mound.

o) A base runner will be out if they fail to stay in contact with their occupied base until the ball crosses the plate.

p) Pitchers are permitted to pitch a maximum of 4 innings in a day. Remember that the coach must be satisfied that the pitcher is not at risk; this is a maximum allowance.

q) A third strike will count as a strike out even if dropped by the catcher and the batter will be out. Runners can advance at their own peril.

Bronco & Pony (Modified pitch)

r) The number of runs allowed per inning will be based on the gender difference of each team (defined as boys in line-up girls in line-up). Any number of extra batters are allowed in the line-up, but the number of female extra batters may not exceed the number of male extra batters. Male and female batters should alternate in the line-up (as far as possible).

Playoff Tournaments

Playoff tournaments will be organised by the Youth League Director to decide the teams which will participate in the Final Four. The format of the playoffs will be communicated at least a month before the playoffs.

Youth Final 4

A Youth Final 4 will be held at the end of the season to decide the national champions for Bronco and Pony age group in baseball and girls fastpitch softball. The Final 4 will be a two day tournament, the structure for baseball will be as follows for both Pony and Bronco:

All rules included in this handbook shall apply to the Youth Final Four unless otherwise modified here.

If inclement weather reduces the amount of time available then the League Director and Technical Commissioner shall decide on a course of action which might include reducing the length of games. If it proves impossible to play Game 1 and Game 2 as above then the Final will be played between the North and South #1 seeds.

Pitching Restrictions (baseball only)

For pitching purposes, the Final 4 will be classed as a double header.

Technical Commissioner

A Technical Commissioner will be appointed by Baseball Softball UK for the Final Four.

To protest an umpires decision at the Final Four the protest rules of baseball must be followed. The appropriate protest fee must be presented to the Technical Commissioner within ten minutes of the umpires ruling along with a written statement indicating the situation and the rule which has been misinterpreted. The Technical Commissioner will then take whatever action he deems necessary (including, perhaps, interviewing the umpires) to establish a ruling.