The official rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) shall be followed, where conditions permit, for all Leagues except the Pony League (where noted). No rules can be used (i.e. MHSAA additional rules) that are not listed in any of O.R.B.A.'s rules and/or NFHS rules.
Exceptions to the above rules are either obvious due to the Oxford Recreational Baseball Association Structural Organizations and By-Laws, or are stated or clarified in this list of supplemental rules (General Rules and each Divisions Rules).
Board Member removal can be followed by the Disciplinary Committee process or by a board vote all O.R.B.A. Board Members (regardless if they are present or not, the Board Member in question is allowed a vote in the removal process). In order for a Board Member to be removed a rule or ethics violation must occur which includes: league rule violation, guilty of a felony or misdemeanor, or by-law violation (no other violations can result in a removal from the board). If a crime has been committed by a Board member they must be proven guilty in a court of law. A board member can only be suspended during the trail if the crime is directly related to O.R.B.A. Baseball only (has to involve O.R.B.A. property or assets, unless the charges are a class 1 or 2 felony). If the crime is not tied to O.R.B.A. then the Board Member can not be suspended until a verdict is reached.
Any protest must be filed in accordance with the procedure given in the By-Laws. The Manager who wish to file a protest must attempt to contact the Head Umpire during the game if contact can not be made, the protest must be given to the leagues Head Umpire by midnight of the day the game took place, the fee must also be turned in with the official complaint. The Umpire must also be notified at the time when they are officially protesting a game. The Head Umpire will then decide to approve or deny the protest(s). If protest is allowed, the game will be resumed from the exact point at which the infraction occurred. Protest fees of $25.00 at time of protest (paid to the Head Umpire) and the fee is not returnable.
If any rule needs to be discussed or explained in greater detail please contact the leagues Head Umpire, Frankie Roller, at Frankie@ORBABaseball.com.
The following rules apply to all Leagues (except where noted). Additional rules for the individual Leagues are given on the pages with their respective heading.
1. Games shall start as scheduled unless a change is by the rules committee or Head Umpire and the umpire is notified of the change. Forfeit time is fifteen (15) minutes past game time.
2. The Rules Committee (Head Umpire, League President and Appropriate Division Director) has the authority of the board to change, remove or modify any of the league rules. Only the appropriate division director will vote for each division’s rule change (except for the general rules where all league director’s vote). The Board of the Directors does not have the power to veto a rule from the Rules Committee and can not vote on a rule change.
3. Players can not be moved from one team to another team or division after the draft night or the uniform order is submitted (which ever comes first) unless for medical reasons (injury status must be approved by Head Umpire).
4. No inning shall start after 9:00pm. This rule may not be waived, even with both managers' consent. In the event of a playoff game the game will be suspended and will start the next inning with the score set at the same as the suspended game. The pitching rules will still apply that were in place at the start of the game. Games may be called before 9:00pm in the event of darkness.
5. Both team managers are responsible for setting up the field (bases, chalking lines, etc) prior to game time, unless notified by Head Umpire of other arrangements.
6. Make-up games should be played within one week. This is due in part to pitcher eligibility. No team can play 4 games in one week during the regular season regardless of make-up games.
7. A playing team shall consist of no less the seven (7) players. Inability will result in automatic forfeiture. In T-Ball the teams will balance players and will still play a game, in all other leagues teams are still allowed to scrimmage each other but the game will still count as a forfeit.
8. Each player must play at least six outs in the field and have at least one time at bat in each game, assuming the game lasts the full number of inning. Players must also play at least in two different positions (if a player plays a full game they must play at least two innings in the second position). Coaches must get approval from the Head Umpire if they wish to play a player less then the amount above.
9. In any one inning a team's time at bat will be considered complete after play has been completed in which the tenth or more run has been scored. Example: With one out and nine (9) runs previously scored in the inning, and bases loaded, the batter hits a double scoring all three (3) base runners, twelve (12) runs have scored, one is out, but the inning is considered complete. This rule does not apply to the pony division.
10. A mercy rule is to be established by each league.
11. Teams may have a batboy. Batboys must not enter the field of play during a play and must be at least 8 years old (exceptions can be approved by the Head Umpire).
12. Players must wear uniforms and hats. Jackets and sunglasses may be worn.
13. Batters will not be called out if they step into the batter's box without wearing a batting helmet. Time will be called and a helmet will be put on the player.
14. Players must wear helmets while running the bases. Any runner, who, in the umpire's judgment, intentionally removes his helmet while the ball is in play, shall be called out and could be removed from the game.
15. Players must wear a helmet when in the "on deck" circle. If a player enters the "on deck" circle without a helmet, time will be called and a helmet will be put on the player.
16. Catchers must wear protective headgear, mask, body and leg gear, and a cup. No cup will be required for T-Ball. Any catcher not wearing a cup must stand off to the side of the plate.
17. Any defective equipment such as a cracked helmet or bat must be removed from the game.
18. The intentional throwing of helmets, bats, or other equipment will not be tolerated. Any playing violating this rule may be ejected from the game.
19. Pitcher eligibility (number of innings any one individual may pitch) is to be established by each League, and must be limited by calendar days - not by games played. No individual player may pitch more than six (6) innings in any one calendar week, and only three (3) innings per game.
20. Once a pitcher has been removed from that position, he may not return as a pitcher during the course of the game.
21. All rule questions and interpretations are to be directed to the Head Umpire. The Head Umpire has final interpretations on all rules.
22. Due to limited leadoff regulations, the balk rule does not apply to any League except Babe Ruth (last 1/2 of the season), Pony and Senior Leagues. Batters do not have to make any attempt to avoid getting hit by a pitched ball.
23. Players will not be encouraged to call other player's names, other than their proper first name or their position title. Example: Pitcher, catcher, batter, etc. Chanting towards an opposing batter is not allowed (i.e. no hey batter, batter chant).
24. Umpires must be at least sixteen (16) years old. The Head Umpire must approve exceptions.
25. Managers and coaches cannot umpire in any game in which their team is involved, unless mutually agreed by both managers.
26. Umpires may call games because of bad weather, lightning, or other bad conditions, either prior to start of or during the game. The Head Umpire has the final say in calling off games. Calling off games before the scheduled start time will be decided by the Head Umpire and the President. All weather delays will be 15 minutes from sight of lighting, heavy rain or sever weather conditions. Games that are cancelled during a game will resume at the point where they were stopped for the weather (All pitcher and missing players will remain the same).
27. Parents and fans will not be permitted to remain behind the backstop (except for coach pitch). Umpires are to use their judgment on interference as a result of this violation. Anyone violating this rule may be ejected from the game and removed from the playing location.
28. The umpire may, in the event of excessive and continuous abusiveness, give warning to the manager of the offending team that the game may be forfeited if the abuse does not cease. If the abuse continues, the game will be forfeited to the opposing team by a score of 6-0. The umpire must then submit a written report to the Head Umpires within 48 hours. The report must then be forwarded to the League President.
29. No alcoholic beverage or smoking will be permitted near the playing field. After warning, the umpire may temporarily suspend play, or call or forfeit the game, depending on his judgment and assessment of the situation. A written report must be submitted to the Head Umpire within 48 hours if the game is called or forfeited. The report must then be forwarded to the League President.
30. If anyone, player, manager, or coach, is ejected from the game, the umpire must report the circumstances to the Head Umpire. The Head Umpire will keep a record of the person, date, and the cause of the ejection, and the can eject the offender from the next game.
31. The Disciplinary Committee may suspend any Board Member, manager, coach, or player, for a period of up to fourteen (14) days for flagrant violation of League Rules, in which a rule has been broken (some violations may result in a life time ban). If the appropriate director is involved in the conflict they will be replaced in the committee by the League Vice President. Second violations must be at least a 14 day suspension and can range up to a life time ban. If a third infraction occurs the offender will receive a life-time ban if found guilty by the rules committee. The Head Umpire has the right to suspend the offender until a hearing is complete and also can suspend a player, coach or parent for up to 48 hours (Head Umpire can choose the suspension method, and it could be longer then 48 hours)..
32. The rules (Head Umpire, League President and Appropriate Director) committee has control over the rules and is placed in charge of creating, voting and enforcing the rules of the league. Only the rules committee shall vote on the rules, as rules can not be a board vote and the board has no power to modify the rule book or overrule the rules committee. No rule can be created, modified or re-worded after the season begins.
32. If the umpire fails to show up for a game, a parent will volunteer to step in and, "play ball"!
33. No smoking on the playing field or in the bench areas. A person violating this rule will be given a warning and any later infraction will result in the person being ejected from the field.
34. A Regulation Game consists of six innings. Exceptions: Mercy forfeit, weather, or darkness where 5 innings (4 1/2 if home team is ahead) constitutes a complete game. Coach Pitch and First Year Pitch can not play extra innings. This rule does not apply to pony.
35. A Called Game where 5 innings (4 1/2 if home team is ahead) are not completed shall be recorded and played from point where game was called. (Coach Pitch a complete game is 3 completed innings). Exception: if any time limit is reached then the game will become official.
36. No noisemakers allowed on field or bleachers (whistles, air horns, megaphone, etc.).
37. Legal Bat Size (wooden bats may be used in all divisions)
A. Diameter - 2 3/4" or less
B. Length - 36" or less
C. No Weight Restrictions
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