Separate High School Rules – 2011

H.W.C.A.A. PLAYING REGULATION 2.0
(revised April 2010)

BASEBALL

1. AGES: Competitors must meet the age requirement as per H.W.C.A.A. Constitution By-Law 1. a). under 20, as of September 1 of the school year.

2. EVENTS: There will be competition for a H.W.C.A.A. champion after teams have competed in a league with the H.I.A.C.

3. ELIGIBILITY: Competitors must meet the eligibility requirements as per H.W.C.A.A. Constitution By-Law 1.

4. ENTRIES: Each of the H.W.C.A.A. members schools may enter one team per division. No limit to the number of players dressed for the game.

5. RULE BOOK: The official Baseball Rule Book will apply , O.B.A. Rules with some exceptions as outlined in the Playing Regulations.

6. OFFICIALS: The officials will be certified, Category 2 O.B.A. Umpires, who are members of the Hamilton Baseball Umpires Association.

7. UNIFORMS:
A) If possible, all players should be in complete baseball uniform with corresponding tops and caps. Any team entering the Prentice Cup (Blue Jay ) Playoffs, must be completely and uniformly outfitted, including the coaching staff.
B) All batters, base runners and base coaches must wear a helmet. Metal cleats are allowed. Catchers must wear a mask with throat protector, helmet, chest protector, shin guards, cup and cup type athletic supporter. Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a mask with throat protector.

8. STARTING TIME: As per playing schedule (see H.W.C.A.A. constitution By-Law II.)

9. AWARDS: H.W.C.A.A. Championship
A) A trophy- for the winning team
B) Gold medals- for each member of the winning team
C) Silver medals – for each member of the finalist team.

10. G.H.A.C. REPRESENTATION: Not applicable.

11. GENERAL REGULATIONS:
A) LEAGUE PROCEDURE 1. League schedule will be determined by the athletic convenor.
2. Standings based on 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 for a loss.
B) PLAYOFF PROCEDURE
1. All teams make the playoffs.
- 1
- 2 versus 7 and 3 versus 6 and 4 versus 5 in the quarter
finals
- 1 versus the lowest ranked winner in the semi finals
C) CHAMPIONSHIP PROCEDURE
The winner of the H.W.C.A.A. Championship will advance to the Prentice Cup ( Blue Jay ) Playoffs.
D) TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE (As per H.W.C.A.A. Constitution
By-Law II.)
In the event of a tie after league play, the following procedure in sequence shall be implemented to determine final standings.
1. Record in games against each other.
2. Total number of wins during league play.
3. Least runs given up during league play.
4. Coin flip.
E) A player ejected from a league or playoff game will be automatically prohibited from dressing and participating in the next scheduled game.
F) SCORES: The winning team must report results to the Convenor by 10 am the day after the scheduled game.
G) HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide and set out bases.
2. Provide two game balls. Visiting team to provide one.
H) GAMES
1. All games are seven innings in duration, barring curfew or weather. Extra innings in tied games can occur if time permits. No new inning may begin after 5:00pm.
2. Tied games will stand in curfewed games.
3. Mercy Rule if a team is ten runs or more ahead after five complete innings.
I) PLAYERS
1. PITCHERS may not pitch more than 12 outs in a single game. Outs do not have to be consecutive.
2. A DESIGNATED HITTER may be used only for a pitcher. The D.H. must be named in the starting lineup, if you choose to use one. Once the game has begun, you may not institute a D.H. If a D.H. enters the game as a position player, his team forfeits the D.H. for the remainder of the game.
3.A DESIGNATED RUNNER must be used for the catcher with two out. The D.R. will be a player not in the game. 4. A BASE RUNNER must always try to avoid contact. Head first slides are permitted.
J) RE-ENTRY RULE FOR HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Any starting player may be substituted for and may re-enter the game, subject to the following provisions:
1) The re-entered player must return to their original spot in the batting order.
2) Only players listed on the original starting batting line-up are eligible for re-entry. A Starting Player’s right to re-enter is not affected by any intervening substitutions.
3) Starting players may only re-enter once in a game.
4) When a player is injured and all available players have been used in the game, the opposing manager shall designate any remaining player to occupy the injured player’s spot.
5) When a player is ejected and all available players have been used in the game, that team would forfeit the game under the provisions of the Official Rules of Baseball.
6) If an offensive player re-enters the game illegally, it shall be treated as Batting Out of Order and shall be governed by the provisions of Rule 6:07. If a defensive player re-enters illegally, the proper player shall replace him with no further penalty.
Pitching and the Re-Entry Rule
7) A Substituted starting pitcher (other than the starting pitcher may pitch upon re-entering the game, provided they did not previously pitch in that game.
8.) When a team elects to use a Designated Hitter, a substitute starting pitcher may
not re-enter the game in any capacity because the pitcher is not listed in the starting batting order.
9) When a team elects not to use a Designated Hitter, a removed pitcher may re-enter to play another defensive position.