Public High School Rules – 2011

HWIAC Playing Regulations Boys Baseball

SECTION 1 – TEAM ADMINISTRATION
1.1 CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
Copies of the H.W.I.A.C. Code of Behaviour are to be distributed to each player and member of the coaching staff with instructions to carefully read through the document. Only when the player or coach has read the document and agrees to the conditions outlined should the appropriate portion be detached, signed and returned to the coach. When the signed portion has been collected from all team personnel, the coach is required to submit the forms to the Principal for signature and filing
Following is a summary of H.W.I.A.C. eligibility requirements for teams and individual athletes. Additional information can be found in the H.W.I.A.C. constitution available on the Athletics website.
Senior age the individual’s birth certificate indicates that he/she has not reached his/her 19th birthday by January 1st prior to the start of the school year in which the competition is held (1991 or later – maximum 5 years of eligibility)
Junior age – students in grade 9 and 10 and under 16 as of September 1, 2010.
students must be enrolled in at least 3 full time, day school courses in each semester. Students having achieved 22 credits remain eligible if enrolled in 2 full time, day school courses in each semester. In both cases, eligibility is subject to Principal approval.
students are eligible for 5 years of participation from entry into grade 9. Therefore, students who entered grade 9 prior to September 2006 are not eligible. Students that finished grade 12 last year and have returned to the same school for a 5th year are eligible to play provided age and course requirements are met.
To be eligible for competition, all players must be appear on an eligibility list. An eligibility list can be created by logging onto the Athletic Eligibility List System (A.E.L.S.) through the O.F.S.A.A. website. A completed list must be signed by the Principal and the Phys-Ed Head, and submitted to the Athletics Office by the date specified in the current year playing regulations. Teams that do not file an eligibility list by the due date will be ineligible for competition and subject to a $25.00 fine.
Eligibility lists must be complete with all sections of the form filled in. Incomplete lists will be returned and the team will be ineligible to compete until the completed form is received by Athletics. A copy must also be on file with the school principal.
New players may be added to an eligibility list up to the deadline noted on the current year playing regulations. Teams wishing to add a player to an eligibility list prior to the deadline must file a revised eligibility list with Athletics. Only students included on a team eligibility list at the deadline for additions will be eligible for playoffs.
Deadline for Eligibility List submission: Thursday, April 21st – 4:00 p.m.
Deadline Eligibility List additions: Friday, May 13th – 4:00 p.m.
along with the team eligibility list. The Code of Behaviour is printed on the reverse of the H.W.I.A.C. Athlete Information and Permission Form (HWDSB #2709(s) ). Unless the signed portion of the Code of Behaviour has in fact been signed and is on file with the Principal, the player or coach is ineligible to participate with the team.

1.2 COACHING
Non-teacher coaches must have achieved, as a minimum, “Trained” status in the Community Sport stream of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) or have successfully completed the Coaching In Ontario Schools program offered by OFSAA. A non-teacher coach must be registered as such with Athletics (for insurance reasons). An NCCP registration number will be required.

1.3 COMMUNICATION
The primary method of communication throughout the season and playoffs will be email. Game changes, playoff details and any other relevant information will be sent directly to coaches this way. Please be sure all individuals that are to receive this information are registered with the Athletics Office. Standings and playoff information will also be available on the Athletics website.

1.4 PROVINCIAL BASEBALL SAFETY GUIDELINES
Non-teacher coaches must have achieved, as a minimum, “Trained” status in the Community Sport stream of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) or have successfully completed the Coaching In Ontario Schools program offered by OFSAA. A non-teacher coach must be registered as such with Athletics (for insurance reasons). An NCCP registration number will be required.

1.5 WATER BOTTLES
Teams are prohibited from providing shared containers for fluid replacement in H.W.I.A.C. sanctioned activities. This restriction is in accordance with provincial safety guidelines which require schools to inform participants that they should provide their own containers and not share them with other participants.

1.6 REPORTING GAME RESULTS/TEAM STANDINGS
To maintain accurate team records and allow coaches to stay current with league standings, it is important that game scores be reported as soon as possible after the completion of a game.
H.W.I.A.C. policy requires the WINNING TEAM to report the score of a game as soon as possible after the game concludes. In the event of a tie game, the responsibility falls to both teams. Scores are be reported by email to athletics@hwdsb.on.ca or to the Sportsline – 527-5092 – EXTENSION 2900 (24 hour voice mail).
The timeline for reporting game results are as follows:
1. for all regular season games except the last: 12:00 noon the first Monday after a league game is played.
2. for the final regular season league game and playoff games: 10:00 a.m. the day after the game is played.
If the result of a regular season game is unreported at the deadline, the game will be recorded as a loss for both teams. If the result of a playoff game is unreported at the deadline the team responsible for reporting is subject to a $100 fine.
Daily game results and weekly team standings will be available throughout the season on the Athletics web-site (www.hwdsb.on.ca/athletics).

SECTION 2 – PLAYING REGULATIONS

2.1 RULES
Metal bats are no longer permitted for use in high school baseball. Solid wood, composite wood or bamboo constructed bats only will be allowed. All bats used must conform to the Ontario Baseball Association rule that a bat cannot weigh more than three ounces less than the length of the bat. (For example, a 33-inch long bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces.) The bat cannot have a diameter at its thickest part of more than 2 5/8 inches.
For all H.W.I.A.C. play, Ontario Baseball Association rules will be used with the following exceptions:
a) only baseballs approved by Ontario Baseball Association for use by midget age and up (16 and over) can be used in high school competition.
b) first pitch for all regular season games will be 3:00 p.m
c) no inning is to begin after 5:00 p.m.
d) schools are allowed an unlimited size roster.
e) metal spikes are permitted.
d) each team is to provide 1 new ball and 1 back-up ball for each game.
f) teams are responsible for supplying their own equipment and the home team must provide bases.
g) designated hitter rule will be in effect for pitchers only.
h) teams have one minute between innings before play is to resume.
i) a pinch runner must be used to relieve a catcher when there are 2 out in an inning and the catcher is on base. The player must come from the bench (a player not currently in the game) and the substituted for catcher may remain in the game. The pinch runner does not jeopardize his eligibility for the remainder of the game under these conditions. Use of pinch runners at any other time must be in accordance with baseball rules.
j) pitchers are limited to 12 outs per game.
k) there is to be NO USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS by any team member. Individuals or teams found in violation of this rule will face immediate and indefinite league suspension.

2.2 DIVISION ALIGNMENT
A total of 13 teams will compete in the 2011 season. There will be two Conferences, East with 6 teams and West with 7 teams. Teams will play within their conference only, and play a total of 6 games. Teams are aligned in Conferences as follows:
East West
Barton Ancaster
Delta Highland
Orchard Park Parkside
Hill Park Waterdown
Sherwood Westdale
Sir W, Churchill Westmount
Sir Allan MacNab

2.3 PLAYOFFS
At the conclusion of the regular season, the top 4 teams from each Conference shall advance to playoffs. Teams will be paired 4 vs. 1 and 3 vs. 2 in a cross-over quarter-final (East #4 vs. West #1, etc.). Semi-final pairings will be based on the H.W.I.A.C. playoff format:
teams from each Conference: four teams from same Confernce:
East West East West
1 1 1
2 2 2
3
4
three teams from one Conference and one from the other:
East West
1 1
2
3

2.4 UNIFORMS
On opening day, it is expected that teams will be in full baseball uniform. All players on the bench must be in uniform and coaches must have at least a current year team hat. Base coaches must wear a batting helmet.

2.5 RAIN OUTS
If it appears that a rain out is possible, look for an email message that will announce any cancellations or check the Athletics website for games that have been cancelled. The Athletic Office will stay in contact with the umpires association and a decision to cancel games will be made in consultation with the umpires and the league convenor. When a game is cancelled in progress, the home team is to contact the visiting team and select a date to reschedule the game. Once a date is agreed to, inform the Athletic Office and arrangements will be made for umpires. When a full schedule of games has been cancelled on any given day, the Athletic Office will reschedule all games and make the necessary umpiring arrangements.

2.6 UMPIRES
There will be two umpires provided for each regular season game, three umpires for playoff games, scheduled and paid for by the Athletic Office. In the event only 1 umpire shows, the game is to be played. Should all umpires fail to show, the game is to be rescheduled on a date that is mutually agreeable and the notification procedure outlined above under “rain outs” is to be followed.

2.7 HEAD FIRST SLIDE RULE — CLARIFICATION
Provincial Safety Guidelines state that there must be no head first sliding into a base other than returning to a base. A player contravening this rule will be called out on the play.