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The objective of the
Ken Berry League is to promote, develop and conduct safe, constructive,
competitive baseball and softball; to teach discipline, fair play, good
sportsmanship, cooperation and friendly rivalry. To accomplish the
objective for all, everybody must participate in the support of the
objective.
It is with this in
mind that league officials have set forth specific rules and
regulations. They are not intended to create a hardship on any
individual, but are to be guidelines for all.
NO ONE HAS THE
AUTHORITY TO OVERRIDE ANY RULE IN THIS BOOK WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING A
MAJORITY VOTE AT A MEETING OF THE S.Y.A.A. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Highlighted
portions indicate a change in the rules.
1. ADMISSION
Admission shall be
$1.00 at all league and post season tournament games for each individual
16 years of age and older or a league pass may be purchased for
$15.00
per person 16 and older.
Instructional League Only
pass may be purchased for $5.00. The Instructional League Only pass may
only be used on days when Instructional games are being played.
All Ken Berry League
players are admitted free when in uniform.
There will be a
different admission charged for Pre-Season, Memorial Weekend and
Invitational Tournaments. Passes are not valid during these
tournaments.
2. BOARD
APPROVALS
a. Entries of
managers, coaches, sponsors and their teams for participation in the Ken
Berry League will be subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The
Board may reject any person as a manager, assistant coach, scorekeeper
or any sponsor for any reason the Board, in its sole discretion, deems
practicable and in the best interests of the League and the youth
participating in League activities.
b. A member of the
Southwest Youth Athletic Association Board of Directors will be on duty
at all times. This person has the authority to enforce any or all
rules.
3. MANAGERS
a. Any person
desiring to manage any team must submit a written request to the proper
Division Representative no later than November 1st of the
year prior to that in which said person would like to manage. Those
persons approved by the Board as managers shall submit a written request
for any person desiring to be an assistant coach for that team no later
than March 1 of the year in which said person would like to be an
assistant coach. The Board shall make the final approvals for all
managers, assistant coaches and scorekeepers.
b. In order to
assist in providing a safe environment in the Ken Berry League, all
managers and assistant coaches are required to agree to a background
check performed at the Board's discretion. All managers/coaches will be required to provide all personal
information requested on both a request to manage and/or a Release
Waiver, before being considered to manage/coach a team. Any person
failing or refusing to so agree shall not be approved to manage or act
as an assistant coach for that season.
c. Each manager (or
a representative) shall help with various fund raising projects
throughout the year. Only through all members of the League working
together will it be possible to provide youth with a facility to play
baseball and softball.
d. Managers must have a
medical release form for all players at all practices and games.
e. No beer or other alcoholic beverages are
allowed on property of the Southwest Youth Athletic Association.
f. Managers will
inform coaches, players and spectators that the success of our program
heavily depends upon revenue generated by concession sales; therefore,
the Board of Directors ask that no food or drink be brought to the
complex. Exception: Players are allowed to bring their own water or
sports drink for consumption by them in the dugout during their game.
Violators should be reported to Board. PENALTY: You will be asked to
remove the food/drink from the complex.
g. A manager has the
right to discipline any player for a maximum of one game per
infraction. Any manager or coach disciplining a player during the
season, must submit a written explanation to the Division Representative,
who, along with any other Board member, must approve the suspension prior to any
disciplinary action. Line-up cards should show the player's name and
the word "disciplined." Missing practices, attitude, behavior or
missing scheduled games are justification for disciplining.
h. Managers, coaches
and scorekeepers will be expected to uphold the standards and
qualifications adopted by the Board of Directors. Any infraction of
these standards may result in ejection as listed in GENERAL RULES, rule
5. Standards and qualifications for managers, coaches and scorekeepers
are as follows:
1.
Sportsmanship demonstrated on and off the field.
2. Respect demonstrated for
players (own team and others), umpires, other coaches, board
members/staff and parents/fans.
3. Knowledge of
game and rules--Read the rule book, don't just assume you know the
rules. Rules can be amended from year to year as well as different
based on the age division.
4. Incidents and
write-ups: number and severity.
5. Responsible:
manager duties (packets, games, etc.) and coaches and team behavior.
i.. Managers are in
complete charge of and will be held accountable for actions of all
personnel connected with their teams during the course of play.
4.
SCOREKEEPERS
Each team shall
furnish a scorekeeper stationed at the scorekeepers' table. Exception:
Instructional does not keep score.
Home team will be
the official scorekeeper and shall keep the official time under the
direction of the umpire. The league will furnish the official scorebook
for each game.
Visiting team shall
run the scoreboard.
No coaching shall be
done from the score table. The only persons to be at the score table
should be the scorers and the manger/coaches of the teams playing.
The
official scorebook must be signed by a representative from each team.
The official score sheet shall be the official record
of the game. If there is a discrepancy between the official score
sheet and the office score book, these errors may be corrected by the
league representative for that division at any time.
5.
FEES
a. All player fees
and
completed registrations must be submitted before a team
member may participate in a practice or league game.
b. Refund requests
must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors for
consideration. An administrative fee of $25.00 (Instructional
$15.00) will be assessed on all refund requests after the drafts have
taken place.
c. No sponsor,
manager, coach or any other person associated with a team will be
allowed to pay the registration fee for any player or induce a player to
play on a particular team by offering awards of any kind, e.g. money,
free trips, free meals or free tickets to any event except those
approved by the Southwest Youth Athletic Association, Inc.
d. All teams within
sanctioned leagues are required to pay their own sanctioning fees.
6.
TEAM EQUIPMENT
Managers
should maintain the team's equipment to meet rules of safety. Manager
are REQUIRED to have a first aid kit. All Uniforms and equipment shall be purchased by the team
through sponsors, fundraisers or donations.
7.
UNIFORMS
Baseball-- All players shall be fully uniformed, which includes cap, pants,
shirts and socks. Shirttails must be uniformly worn.
Softball-- All
players shall wear matching shirts and shorts/pants. Shirttails must be
uniformly worn.
All uniforms shall
have numbers on the front or back. Players not in compliance may be
penalized. PENALTY: When a player is in violation of this rule, the
opposing manager may protest the player's eligibility subsequent to the
first pitch after the player is entered into the official lineup and
prior to the first pitch to the next succeeding batter. If the player
is determined to be ineligible by the Home Plate Umpire, the player may
not participate.
8.
ROSTERS
a. The official
roster shall be the only eligibility list of personnel for the team.
The final roster shall include name, address and phone number of the
manager, coaches and scorekeeper. For all baseball and softball
divisions a team shall have a minimum of 10 players and a maximum of 14
players. Approval of Division Representative and VP of Baseball or
Softball is necessary to carry more than 14 players. PENALTY:
Forfeiture of all games during non-compliance.
b. No player shall
play in a division below that specified for their age group without
approval of the Board of Directors. A player may petition the Board for
permission to play one age group up from that to which they would
normally be assigned. Such petition shall be submitted in writing no
later than December 1st.
Softball (girls):
Age as of January 1st
Baseball (boys): Age as of April 30
c. Baseball
players (boys) have the option to request to play with their grade as
opposed to age. To do so, you must pre-register and notify your division
representative by the pre-registration deadline. All requests must be
approved by the Board of Directors. This option does not apply to the
National League. The following table will be used:
Division Age Grade
Instructional 4-6 Pre-K & K
Mini
7 7 1st
Mini
8 8 2nd
Midget
9 9 3rd
Midget
10 10 4th
Minor
11-12 5th & 6th
Major
13-14 7th & 8th
Metro
15-18
d.
Softball players (girls) have the option to request to play with their
grade as opposed to age. To do so, you must pre-register and
notify your division representative by the pre-registration deadline.
All requests must be approved by the Board of Directors. The
following table will be used:
Division
Age Grade
Instructional
4-6 Pre-K &
K
Novice
7-8
1st, 2nd, 3rd
Miniette
9-10 3rd, 4th, 5th
Minorette
11-12 5th, 6th, 7th
Majorette
13-14 7th, 8th, 9th
Metroette
15-18
Power League
15-18
e. Players may only sign a roster for, and play
on, one team per season.
9.
INSURANCE
Southwest
Youth Athletic Association, Inc. insurance is considered as a secondary
carrier.
10.
TEAM AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
a.
No team is eligible for play until all qualifications established in
these rules are met except by expressed permission of the Board of
Directors.
b. If a player is
no longer participating prior to June 10, the manager must request a
replacement from the player waiting list if players are available and
the roster is below minimum level. If a player is assigned by the
Division Representative and all fees are paid, they will be immediately
eligible to play. If there is no waiting list of players available, a
team may participate below the minimum roster limit with Board approval.
c. After June 10,
players being added will be required to pay full league fees. They will
be excluded from the League fundraiser for that year only.
d. By April 1st,
all managers shall have players along with their parents sign a team
roster. A player cannot quit one team and play for another in the
Division once they have been drafted to a team. A player/parent who
refuses to play for the team to which they are drafted/assigned, will
not be allowed to be included in the draft the following year's season.
The player will be allowed to play in the age appropriate division the
following year, only if included on a signed protection list and
registered before December 31st of the prior year.
Player/parent may appeal application of this rule by providing a
thorough written explanation of the reason for not playing to the Board
of Directors.
11.
USE OF DIAMONDS
PRE-SEASON
Pre-season use of
diamonds will be handled through the Division Representatives. Only
those teams which participated in the workday and have turned in a
completed packet to the division representative will be allowed the
pre-season use of diamonds. Use of the field
lights for the pre-season games and practice is not permitted.
PENALTY: May include automatic forfeiture of game (s) and/or
suspension from the Ken Berry league as well as a monetary fine equal to
the "demand charge" fee from the electric company which could be more
than $200.
REGULAR
SEASON
Use of the diamonds
for practice and/or practice games will not be permitted once the
regular season has started. Exception: teams receiving a forfeit may
use the diamond provided the diamond has not been previously rescheduled
for a make-up game.
12.
BENCH AND FIELD PERSONNEL
When
a team is on defense, players not in the game, coaches and the manager
must stay in the dugout area, unless players are warming up in the
bullpen area. On offense, only base coaches, the batter, on-deck-batter
and base runners are allowed on the field. Only one coach is allowed in
each coaching box at one time. Only the following personnel shall be
allowed to be on or near the players' bench or in the vicinity of the
area reserved for team members:
a. registered team
players
b. registered team
manger
c. a maximum of four
registered coaches. Exception: if no registered coach is available, a
fan or parent may be used.
d. one scorekeeper
e. two bat persons
13.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Anytime
a conflict in scheduling exists between school activities during the
school year or dance recitals (Softball only) of three or more players
and the Ken Berry League schedule, the school activities or dance
recitals (Softball only) take precedence and the Ken Berry activity will
be rescheduled.
The appropriate
Division Representative must be notified at least 14 days prior
to scheduled game time. No punitive action will be taken against any
boy or girl involved in such schedule conflicts.
14.
UMPIRES
No League game shall
be played without the attendance of at least one official umpire.
EXCEPTION: There will be no umpire for instructional division games.
If only one official umpire is in attendance, a substitute umpire may be
appointed by a League Official (any member of the Board of Directors or
the Chief Umpire). Once the game is started, the substitute umpire
shall have the same standing authority as an official umpire until such
time as the official umpire arrives. The absence or tardiness of any
umpire must be reported by a manager of one of the teams involved in the
game to the Chief Umpire.
15.
MANAGERS, COACHES OR PLAYERS UMPIRING
Managers
and coaches may not umpire the division in which their team
participates. Players may not umpire in a division which is higher than
two divisions below the division in which they participate or would be
eligible to participate. EXCEPTION: 17 & 18 year olds may umpire in
the Major and Majorette Divisions.
16.
WEATHER POLICY
On
week nights games will be canceled if there is a tornado WARNING
issued for all or a part of Shawnee County on or after 5:45 pm. This
rule will not apply to weekend games due to the varying start times.
Check our website at
www.kenberryleague.com. for play/no play information or call the Ken
Berry Hotline at 862-3929.
17.
CALLING GAMES DUE TO WEATHER
a.
In the case of severe weather conditions (i.e. lightning, fast
approaching thunderstorms, etc.) arising during play, the on duty
Board Members will determine when play is to be called. This will
be accomplished by an announcement over the PA system.
b. In the case of
inclement weather (i.e. rainy weather, no lightning, etc.) playing
conditions on individual fields will be assed by board members on duty
to determine whether that field is playable.
c. See respective
division for guidelines on time and/or innings played.
d. Tournament games
that have been in progress long enough to be considered a complete game,
but are interrupted by inclement weather, will be suspended and resumed
at the point of stoppage at the next playable time.
18.
TOURNAMENT SEEDINGS
Individual
team won/loss records will determine tournament seed. In the event of a
tie the following shall be used:
a. First tiebreaker
is head-to-head competition.
b. Second tiebreaker
is total runs scored in head-to-head competition.
c. Third tiebreaker
is a coin flip, attended by affected managers and Division
Representative.
19.
TOURNAMENTS
a.
All tournament arrangements and schedules are to be under the direct
supervision of the Tournament Director, Board of Directors and the Chief
Umpire.
b. For purposes of
any rules or penalties, the beginning of tournament play shall be
considered as a continuation of League season play, i.e., no rules will
be suspended or penalties prematurely terminated as a result of
completion of the League season unless otherwise noted.
c. BASEBALL:
The higher seeded team will be the home team for all games except the
championship game (s). The loser's bracket finalist shall be the home
team for the first championship game and the winners bracket finalist
shall be home team for the "If Needed" game.
SOFTBALL:
All tournament games, including
the championship game, will flip a coin to decide who will be
home/visiting team. Teams will go to their respective dugouts.
20.
AWARDS
Awards will be given
to teams according to the final league and tournament standings. In
leagues of more than 10, first, second, third and fourth place
league/tournament awards will be given. In leagues of 6 to 10 teams,
first, second and third place league/tournament awards will be given.
In leagues of 5 or less teams, first and second place league/tournament
awards will be given.
21.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
The
following procedures will determine the winners of the Sportsmanship
Award in each division. In divisions where there is both an American and
National League, a Sportsmanship Award shall be presented in both.
Each team manager,
three (3) registered coaches and the team scorekeeper in each division
shall receive a ballot furnished by the league. When completing these
ballots these individuals should give strong consideration to team
members, managers, coaches and the spectators. At Ken Berry good
sportsmanship applies to everyone.
In addition to the
persons listed above who are eligible to vote for the Sportsmanship Award, any
umpire that has umpired in at least eight regular season games in any
division shall be entitled to vote for the Sportsmanship Award in that
division. Any umpire that has umpired in more than one division shall
be entitled to vote for the Sportsmanship Award in every division that
they have umpired, if they have umpired at least eight regular season
games in the division in which they are voting. An umpire's vote shall
be counted equally with all other votes.
In the event of a
tie, the team receiving the most first place votes shall be judged the
winner. If a tie still exists, three board members (one from Baseball,
one from Softball and one at-large Board member) will vote to decide the
winner.
It shall be the
responsibility of each team manager to ensure that the team's ballots are
placed in the ballot box designated by the League, on or before the date
indicated on the ballots. Failure to comply with these procedures, by
any team, can result in team ineligibility for the Sportsmanship Award.
The Awards Committee
will not hesitate to recommend to the Board of Directors the
disqualification of any team earning the Sportsmanship Award in the
regular season that is involved in unsportsmanlike conduct in tournament
play.
Winning the
Sportsmanship Award is a goal we hope all teams will pursue throughout
the entire season.
22.
COACHING
Coaching
of players will be allowed from the dugout or on the field of play.
There can be no instructions to batters or calling of pitches from
outside these areas
23.
WEB SITE
Be
sure to watch the Ken Berry League web site,
www.kenberryleague.com, throughout the season for updated schedules,
game results and announcements. Look for "Play Ball" or "No Play" each
day if the weather is questionable. You can also call the Ken Berry
League Hotline 862-3929 for each day's playing status.
24.
CONCESSION STAND
The
concession stand will open at 5:45 pm and close at 8:30 pm on nights
with one game scheduled on each field and 11:00 pm on nights with two
games scheduled on each field. On Sunday it will open 1 hour before the
first scheduled game and close 2 hours after the last scheduled game
begins. A Scheduled game is any game schedule at least one week in
advance.
No food or drink may
be brought into the complex. Exception: Players are allowed to bring
their own water or sports drink for consumption by them in the dugout
during their game.
25. RECRUITING OF PLAYERS
Once a players has signed a
protection form to play with a designated team, been drafted by a team,
or has been assigned to a team by the Division Representative, that
player shall not be recruited for any future seasons (summer or fall)
for the Ken Berry League until after the player's regular- and
post-season tournament games are complete for the current season.
This rule applies to all managers, coaches, prospective managers,
prospective coaches, parents, players, relatives, friends, and any other
person.
The intent of this rule is to
ensure a fun and stress-free experience for all children during the
course of the year. Additionally, this is intended to ensure that
dividing lines are not created within a team during the course of the
season.
PENALTY: Upon receipt of an
official complaint to the SYAA Board President and the SYAA Executive
Committee, it will be determined by majority vote after meeting with all
involved parties if the complaint is valid. If the complaint is
ruled valid, the Executive Committee will enforce appropriate sanctions
based upon the frequency and severity of the infraction.
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