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NWCAA Baseball Rule Book - 2008

NWCAA GOVERNING BODY

The NWCAA Board of Directors is comprised of two members from each of the five member associations: Athletic Boys Club (ABC), Bridgeton Athletic Association (BAA), Ferguson Boys Club (FBC), Maryland Heights Athletic Association (MHAA), and Surrey Lane Athletic Association (SLAA).

The NWCAA Board of Directors will be the governing body over the NWCAA and ALL DECISIONS ARE FINAL. There will be no appeal. Although each member association has two representatives, only one vote per member association will be allowed. In case of a tie vote, the elected officers will determine the outcome of a decision.

Upon registration with any park in the NWCAA, managers, coaches, players, and player's parents agree to abide by all rules and decision of the NWCAA Board of Directors and their home park.

SPORTSMANSHIP CODE

To encourage and promote good sportsmanship, the NWCAA will support the following code:

“Sportsmanship” is that quality of honorable behavior which because of its courtesy, dignity, respect, cooperation and trustworthiness, habitually wins the esteem of one’s fellow man, be he opponent or ally.

Sportsmanship comes to all of us at times, but real possession of this virtue comes to those who so exemplify the Golden Rule that they consistently hold the respect and loyalty of the community. For them there are no alibis, no unnecessary abusive remarks, no scheming to win at any cost; rather a genuine love of fair play which makes them modest winners and gracious losers. Acts of sportsmanship on the field of play have in them the seeds of high character and lifelong friendship. If for any reason a team is pulled off the field (unless by an umpire or league official) or refuses to shake hands with the opposing team for any reason will result in an automatic Manager Ejection.

======= NWCAA RULES =======

TO ALL MANAGERS AND COACHES:

Please read and study the following Northwest County Athletic Association (NWCAA) Baseball Rules to ensure their compliance and have rules available at all NWCAA Baseball Games.

Any questions concerning the league or league games should be directed to your park officials or Baseball Commissioner.

REMEMBER:
No NWCAA member association allows spectators, players, or other visitors to bring beer, soda, or food into their parks. The only other exception to this rule is water for players. Teams in violation of this rule will be subject to a forfeit. Remember, Rule Books are not allowed on the field of play.

RULE 1 - BLOOD RULE

A player, coach or umpire who is bleeding or who has blood on his uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered. If medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time, the individual will not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is left to the umpire’s judgment. Uniform rule violations will not be enforced if a uniform change is required. The umpire shall:

Stop the game and allow treatment if the injured player would affect the continuation of the game.
Immediately call a coach, trainer or other authorized person to the injured player.
Apply the rules of the game regarding substitution, short-handed player and re-entry if necessary.

RULE 2 - AGE DIVISIONS

The NWCAA shall consist of regularly organized leagues composed of not less than four teams, classified as follows:

Divisions	To include players who have not attained this age before August 1
Atom 1	nine
Atom 2	ten
Bantam 1	eleven
Bantam 2	twelve
Midget 1	thirteen
Midget 2	fourteen
Juvenile 1	fifteen
Juvenile 2	sixteen
Junior	nineteen

Any player born between July 1, and July 31 and listed on an approved 1997 NWCAA roster shall remain on that roster. If a player born July 1, and July 31 changes teams after the 1997 season, that player’s division will be determined based on the August 1 cut off date.

RULE 3 - TEAM REGISTRATION

Teams desiring to play during the current season must make written application on the NWCAA Official Team Applica-tion. No new teams may be submitted after schedules are compiled.
Teams will be divisionalized according to final team record. This placement shall be conducted by, at the sole discretion of, the NWCAA Board of Directors.
Any team/manager which did not play in the NWCAA the previous year, applying to play and represent a member association must be approved by the NWCAA Board of Directors. Any team, man¬ager or coach changing member associations must be approved by the NWCAA Board of Directors. All new teams coming into the NWCAA will play their first year in a division assigned at the discretion of the NWCAA Board of Directors and thereafter follow normal placement procedures. This rule will not include teams formed from pooled players randomly placed on teams by area commissioners.

RULE 4 - TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

The membership of a team may be terminated by:
1. Resignation
2. Action of the member athletic association
3. Action of the NWCAA Board of Directors
A team which has previously resigned, or has been suspended by the NWCAA may appeal at any time to the Board of Directors for reinstatement.
A team, after forfeiting two regularly scheduled league games of the current season, shall be automatically eliminated from further competion for the remainder of said season and its membership in the NWCAA terminated.

RULE 5 - REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS, MANAGERS, AND COACHES

No team shall have at any one time over fifteen players on the official roster or on the players’ bench during a regularly scheduled game or tournament game. Juvenile II and Junior teams may carry up to 18 players on their rosters. A team must have a minimum of 11 players on the roster.
All rosters must be filled out in ink. Managers are responsible for the authenticity of their rosters.
In order to be eligible to participate in a NWCAA game, players, managers, and coaches must be properly registered on the Official Roster and have an ID card. Only official NWCAA ID cards will be considered valid proof of age. The Board of Directors shall be empowered to prevent any team without a league approved roster on file from playing in the NWCAA.
Managers are responsible for ensuring the approved ros¬ters and ID’s are present at each game. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit.
Official Roster:
1. The players, managers and coaches of each team must be registered on the official roster and said roster must be filed by the team’s manager with the NWCAA and home association of which the team is a member within the time limits prescribed by the NWCAA. Additional coaches can be listed on the reverse of their roster.
2. A player may not be registered with more than one NWCAA team, in any one age division, during the season. A team may not have more than two multi-rostered players.
3. Multi-rostered players must have NWCAA multi-roster forms filled out in full and signed by both managers. This form must be attached to the official roster and ID cards must be available for both teams.
4. Roster registration of players, managers and coaches are to be carried forward year to year, with the exception of teams folding, new players, termination of teams by action of the NWCAA, age changes or other uncontrollable circumstances.
5. The NWCAA Board of Directors reserves the right to reject the roster registration of a prospective player, manager or coach.
6. Changes in a team’s official roster must be filed with the NWCAA and the home association, at least 72 hours prior to the regularly scheduled league game in which the change is to become effective, and no change shall be recognized if filed later than the time specified.
7. No player roster changes may be made after seven NWCAA games have been played.
8. In the event of an emergency as determined by the NWCAA Board of Directors, a manager desiring to make a player addition to his roster after the time limit set forth must petition the NWCAA Board of Directors. At least three voting member associations must approve the addition.
The registration of a player on an official roster does not exempt him from protest at a later date.
The NWCAA Board of Directors has the right to declare any player a “free agent” at any time for just cause.

RULE 6 - VERIFICATION OF AGE

Managers of teams in all age division shall be held accountable for statements of their players in regard to age.
A birth certificate or any other legal evidence acceptable to the NWCAA must accompany each player’s application for a NWCAA ID card.
Teams fielding players contrary to the age limits prescribed for the various age divisions will be subject to disciplinary action by the NWCAA Board of Directors.
A manager may challenge the eligibility of up to two (2) players at any league or league tournament game. Player eligibility checks will be handled on the field, game clock will continue while the player identification is checked. Player eligibility check MUST be requested after the completion of ground mles and completed within the first inning of play or when notified of a late arriving player. Only the late arriving player may have their identification checked. If found with an illegal player; that team will forfeit that game; manager and player will be subject to NWCAA board of disciplinary actions; games will end and no appeal will be heard regarding that games results.
Properly ID NWCAA Officials may perform a roster check at/during any league game and must be performed by two separate park officials. No other roster checks can be performed.

RULE 7 - MANAGING, COACHING, AND UMPIRING

Only the officially registered player, manager and coaches of the team shall be eligible to coach during an official game. All coaches and managers shall pass the written certification test to receive an official NWCAA ID card. No fee can be paid to receive such ID card.
A manager or coach which participates in any league outside of the NWCAA shall not manage or coach any team in the same division within the NWCAA.
Each NWCAA team must have at least one NWCAA certified manager or coach present at each league game and present at ground rules. Only the manager or coach participating at ground rules may address an umpire during a game or protest procedures. Any violation is subject to umpire verbal warning, disregard of the warning at the discretion of the umpire, subject to Rule 9.
A player, manager or coach or immediate family thereof is prohibited from umpiring in any official game in the division in which the team participates.
All league games will have certified NWCAA umpires officiating the game. Certification is granted to umpires attending an NWCAA sponsored training camp and/or taking the league test and passing with an 80% or above, all test records will be retained by administrating park for that season. All first year umpires must attend the NWCAA training camp.
Umpires must be at least one year older than the division they are officiating.

RULE 8 - GAME SCHEDULING AND START TIME

Official schedules shall be made available prior to the beginning of the league season, showing the dates, starting times, location and opposing team for all league games. The earliest regularly scheduled game shall not be prior to the 3rd Saturday in April and the last regularly scheduled game shall be before July 31st. Atom 1 teams shall not be scheduled for any game after 8 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday prior to the end of the current school year.
All games must start promptly as scheduled. Teams capable of fielding 8 players must start their games at the scheduled time.
Should either team not be ready to start the game within 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time, the Home Plate Umpire shall forfeit the game to the opposing team. Should both teams violate this section, each team will be charged a forfeit.
The time as ruled by the Home Plate Umpire shall be the official time governing the game. Games begin upon completion of ground rules and the time will be announced by the Home Plate Umpire when this occurs.
The new inning starts immediately following the 3rd out of the preceding inning, providing game time has not expired. Except for Atom: See Rule 15 Playing Rules - Sec. 10 - Atom Division Games
No inning shall start after the stated 1 hour 45 minute time limit. At the end of the 1 hour 45 minute time limit, the in-fling in progress shall be completed and the game shall be counted as a legal game regardless of innings played or regardless if the game is tied.
Regulation games in all divisions shall be seven innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes. An official game shall be the completion of 3 1/2 innings if the home team is winning or at the completion of 4 innings if the visiting team is winning.
All games stopped; “before 7 innings or 1 hour and 45 minute (1 hour and 15 minute) time limit or not meeting the criteria of an official game (3 1/2 or 4 innings depending on who is winning)” due to field curfew, darkness, inclement weather, or any other “acts of god” shall be considered unofficial and rescheduled. Rain shortened games that exceed 1 hour 45 minutes will be considered a regulation game and NOT rescheduled. If this game is not stopped at the end of a full inning then it will be reverted back to the last complete inning to award a winning team. It does not matter if the last full inning did not fall after the 1 hour and 15 minute time frame, it is still considered a regulation game.
All scheduled games take preference over rainout or unofficial games. Each manager is responsible for calling the park he is playing at to determine rainout conditions.
All rescheduled games must be rescheduled on or before July 31st, with a minimum of three days notice by scheduling park prior to the rescheduled date.
Only games that have been rained-out and games declared unofficial games will be rescheduled. All other rescheduled games will need to be approved by both managers and then by the Home Park Commissioner. Refer to Rule 8 section 8.
If a preceding game does not end more than ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of a game, the game shall start within ten minutes after the end of the preceding game. Under all other circumstances, all games will start on time, even if infield practice must be denied. Between innings, a pitcher will have no more than 8 preparatory pitches.
If two or more teams are tied for a league championship at the close of the regular league schedule, all these teams will be declared league champions.
Any game that has been ignored by the opposing manager and no reasonable attempt has been made to play the game by July 31st, one or both teams will be credited with a forfeit loss. All teams will have a final record reflecting the same number of games. Any team without a final record will be given a 14-0 record for placement for the following year.

RULE 9 - CONDUCT

All that is dishonorable, unsportsmanlike and unbecoming a gentleman is condemned. The use of intoxicants, profane or vulgar language by players, coaches or managers, game or league officials is prohibited. This applies to the field of play, the players’ bench, fan seating area or anywhere in the NWCAA park. The manager of a team is responsible for the proper conduct of his players, coaches and followers of his team.
Any player, manager, coach or team guilty of conduct such as described shall be removed from the game, and from the area surrounding the field, at the discretion of the Home Plate Umpire, and such person will be subject to probation and/or suspension by the NWCAA Board of Directors. The Home Plate Umpire will submit a written report of the incident to the NWCAA Board.
Players, coaches, managers, and/or spectators shall be prohibited from making any physical contact with an umpire and any such action will be cause for immediate ejection from the game and/or park and may be subject to further disciplinary actions by the NWCAA.
Any person affiliated with the NWCAA who directly or indirectly approaches a player for the purpose of inducing him to leave his team shall be liable to such penalties as is deemed proper by the NWCAA Board of Directors.
A manager, coach or team may not advertise for players or hold organized practices where players compete for a place on the roster.
A manager, coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not:
1. Deliberately throwing a bat or helmet * possible penalty ejection from the game.
2. Call "time" or use any command or commit any act for the purpose of trying to cause the opposing pitcher to balk * possible penalty ejection.
3. Use word or act to incite or try to incite spectators to demonstrate, or use profanity or remarks which reflect upon opposing players, umpires or spectators * possible penalty ejection.
4. Enter the area behind the catcher while opposing pitcher and catcher are in their positions * possible penalty ejection.
5. Use amplifiers or bullhorns during the course of the game * possible ejection.
6. As a baseman, fake a tag upon a base runner without having the ball * possible penalty obstruction will be called and the necessary awards given to base runners. Repeated violation of this rule will result in ejection.
7. Have an object in his possession in the coach’s box other than a scorebook or counting device.
8. Be outside the vicinity of the designated dugout or the bullpen area if not a batter, runner, on deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on defense * possible ejection.
9. May not use tobacco products or consume alcoholic beverages in dugout or in the field of play during a game * possible penalty ejection.
10. Rule books are prohibited ih the field of play during a game, automatic ejection.
  
  If the offense is judged minor in nature by the umpire, he may issue a warning to an individual or bench - if the offense is flagrant in nature he may eject without warning.
  
  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN FORFEIT OF THE GAME.
No-Collision Rule - In the event that a defensive player is in possession of the ball and is waiting for the base runner, the base runner, having time to react, must:
1. Slide into the base - this applies to all bases.
2. Give himself up to be tagged.
3. Attempt to return to the last base achieved.
4. Obstruction/interference penalties will apply as ruled in the MLB rulebook.
  
  Coaches need to remind their players of the rule pertaining to obstruction/interference and the proper method of making a tag during putouts. Note: Obstruction and interference are umpire judgment calls.
If at any time a manager or coach needs to discuss something with an umpire, the following procedure should be followed:
1. Call time out and wait for acknowledgement from the umpire.
2. The participating ground rule manager or coach must walk, not run, to the umpire who’s call you are questioning and discuss the call in a calm, rational and intelligent manager with the umpire.
3. If a rule interpretation is involved, a protest procedure has been set up. If a judgment call is made you disagree with, discuss your view and then resume the game.
4. Any behavior which varies from this procedure will not be tolerated and ejection from the game can result. An ejected manager or coach will have two minutes to vacate the area around the field on which his team’s game is being played. Failure to do so will result in an AUTOMATIC FORFEIT for his team, plus an AUTOMATIC two game suspension in addition to penalties covered in Sec. 9.
When a player is ejected from any game, each time the player’s turn at bat comes up, it will be considered an out.
Any manager or coach ejected from any NWCAA league or tournament game shall be automatically placed on probation for a period of one calendar year from the date of the ejection, subject to the discretion of the NWCAA Board of Directors. Automatic 1 game suspension for coach or manager ejection.
Any manager or coach ejected from any NWCAA league or tournament game while on probation shall be automatically suspended from any involvement in the NWCAA for three years. A person facing suspension may appeal by:
1. Submitting a written letter requesting an appeal to their area representative within 72 hours of the incident.
2. The appeal board will meet within 1 week of written notification.
3. A final decision will be made within 1 week of the board's meeting.
  
  NOTE: THE APPEAL BOARD WILL CONSIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NWCAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THEY WILL MEET IN CLOSED SESSION. THEY WILL HEAR ONLY FROM THE PERSON FACING THE SUSPENSION AND ANY OTHER PERSONS THEY WISH TO CALL IN ORDER TO GATHER THE NECESSARY INFORMATION. THEIR VOTE WILL BE BY SECRET BALLOT EXCLUDING VOTE(S) FROM OFFENDING AND/OR HOST REPRESENTATIVES, IF THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. THE REPRESENTS THE TIE BREAKING VOTE. DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
Any player ejected from an NWCAA league or tournament game shall be placed on probation for 1 year from the date of ejection. Next home game this player must be in full uniform and on the bench until game completion. Umpire must be notified of the player status of one game suspension. Any player ejected from a game while on probation shall be suspended for 1 calendar year, starting from the date of ejection, subject to the discretion of the NWCAA Board of Directors.

RULE 10 - PROTEST PROCEDURE

The NWCAA Board of Directors shall act on all protests and their rulings are final. It is the protesting manager’s responsibility to contact his area representative for final NWCAA rulings.
Each protest must be submitted in writing to the area commissioner, signed by the person making the protest on the field within 72 hours after the end of the protested game.
A protest can be made only on a rule violation or player eligibility. No protest will be accepted when it involves a question of judgment and/or uniform or equipment as per Rule 13 Sec. 1.
Whenever an alleged violation of a playing rule occurs during an official rescheduled or scheduled game, the manager or coach of the protesting team must call the “time” and immediately notify the Home Plate Umpire and the manager of the opposing team at the time of the infraction that the game is being played under protest. Protesting managers will post a $25 cash fee to the Home Plate Umpire and a protest statement will be noted in the scorebook of both managers. Scorebooks will be signed by both managers and the umpires.
In the event, the protest referred to herein is withdrawn at the end of the game, the Home Plate Umpire must be informed by the manager or coach making the protest and the $25 fee will be refunded. This action will render void any further protest regarding the alleged violation of rules referred to herein.
If however, the protest is not withdrawn, it shall become the obligation of ALL umpires working the game to file a written report of the incident causing the protest with the area commissioner prior to leaving the park that day.
Failure to comply by protesting manager with any of the protest procedures will render the protest invalid with no refund.
In the event the protest is disallowed, the protest fee will not be refunded. If the protest is upheld, the fee will be refunded.
The NWCAA Board, upon receiving the protest and the written reports shall render its decision at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
All teams must be represented by coach or rostered manager at the NWCAA Rules Meeting as designated by the NWCAA Board. Any team not represented will not be allowed to protest any scheduled, rescheduled or tournament game.

RULE 11 - RULES VIOLATIONS

A team manager shall be obligated to secure a copy of the Official Major League Baseball Rules and the Official Rules of the NWCAA. He is obligated to make his players and coaches aware of these rules.
An umpire has the right to expel or suspend a player, manager, coach or team for the remainder of the current game only, when in his judgment, such parties have committed an offense against the rules. Further, whenever an umpire believes that these parties have committed a serious offense against the rules he can by written notice to the NWCAA board, recommend that further disciplinary action be taken.

RULE 12 - RULE CHANGES

These rules may be amended, altered or repealed only by action of the NWCAA Board of Directors.
ALL MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS SHALL ABIDE BY THESE RULES WITHOUT CHANGE OR ALTERATION.
Any matter not expressly covered by these rules shall be left to the discretion of the NWCAA Board of Directors. The NWCAA Board of Directors shall be the final authority on the Official Rules of the NWCAA.

RULE 13 - UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

Uniform is defined as proper baseball attire, consisting of corresponding Baseball Hat, Shirt, Pants, and Socks. Any player not on proper baseball attire will not be allowed to play.
1. A 2 week grace period will be allowed on having complete uniforms for Atom I thru Juvenile 1 from the start of league Opening Day.
2. A 2 week grace period will be allowed on having complete uniforms for Juvenile 2 and Juniors starting July 1.
An identifying number must be worn on the uniform. This number is to correspond with the number marked next to the name of the player in the scorebook. Two players from the same team can not have the same number.
Other than an official uniform shirt, a pitcher can not wear any kind of white sleeve while on the mound. Sweatbands and or batting gloves are also prohibited for pitchers.
Shoes with metal spikes/cleats are strictly prohibited in Atom I through Juvenile 1 divisions.
IT IS MANDATORY that all Players must wear helmets with ear flaps, metal cage and chin strap while batting and running. Players must wear helmets while running bases. If a player accidentally loses his helmet while running the bases, he need not retrieve the helmet until the play is complete. If a runner intentionally removes his helmet while running the bases, he is automatically out. This does not remove the force out on a preceding runner.
Catchers in all age divisions MUST wear helmets, face masks, strap on throat protectors, body protectors and shin guards. Atom, Bantam and Midget catchers must wear baseball style catcher’s helmets. No Skull Cap or Softball Catchers helmet may be used in Atom 1 through Juvenile 1 divisions. Throat protectors are highly recommended for all catchers.
Any player warming a pitcher must wear a protective helmet and a mask.
All bats, except ceramic bats, are permitted. All bats must have protective wrapping on handles.
No jewelry allowed to be worn during a game except for medical purposes.
1st thrown bat is a TEAM warning. Every other thrown bat by the same team will be considered an out. No player will be ejected from throwing a bat unless thrown on purpose which will be judged by the umpire.
No grace period on required equipment will be allowed.

RULE 14 - PLAYER PARTICIPATION

The following shall apply in all divisions:

All teams shall be required to bat their entire roster of eligible players. The batting order shall not be changed during the game except injured players will be removed without penalty.
Free substitution of all players will be used except for rules pertaining to pitchers.
A late arriving player will be entered to the bottom of the lineup and the home plate umpire and opposing team manager notified of the addition.
An injured offensive player will be substituted by a courtesy player who made the last out.
Any player leaving the game for any reason will be omitted from the lineup upon notification of the Home Plate Umpire and the opposing manager without penalty, with the exception of an ejected player who is counted as an out each time that player is to come to bat.
A player after having an injury and missing his turn at bat will not be considered an out unless he re-enters the game defensively, is injured again, and missing a 2nd turn at bat. From that turn at bat and then forward will be considered and recorded as an out.
A pitcher may not return to the mound in the same inning once removed from the playing field, however, may return to the mound in a later inning provided it is not a violation of any other rule.
Game must be played by fielding a team of 8 players minimum at all times. To be an official game, the game must end with 8 players, with players receiving their official number of mandatory defensive outs within the first 5 innings of the game.

The following rules apply in Atom, Bantam and Midget:

Each registered player, except for late arriving players, must be permitted to play 6 outs on defense within the first 5 innings of the game. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a forfeit.
1. If a game is terminated for any reason before 5 innings have elapsed, failure of either team to use all its players shall not be in violation of this rule.
2. An eligible player must be available, able and willing to play and the manager does not have just cause for withholding the player from the game. If a player is present at the game, in uniform, but not playing, the Home Plate Umpire must be notified in writing prior to the start of the game.
3. Pitchers will be allowed 12 outs per calendar day. If a pitcher is found to be in violation then the manager of the violating team will be ejected and the violating pitcher will be removed from the pitching position.

The following apply in juvenile and Junior Divisions:

Pitchers will be allowed to pitch entire games.
Each player must be permitted to play a minimum of 6 outs on defense within the first 5 innings of the game.

RULE 15 - PLAYING RULES

All games of the NWCAA are to be governed by the Official Major League Baseball Rules as compiled by the Commissioner of Baseball, except where such rules are at variance with rules of the NWCAA.
The baseballs used in NWCAA games will be those approved by tne NWCAA Board prior to the start of the season.
Two new baseballs are required at the start of every game. They will be furnished by the home team. If additional balls are needed, they will be furnished by the home team but need not be new.
The home team will occupy the third base dugout.
The pitching and base distances shall be:

Division	Pitching	Base
Atom 1	36 feet	60 feet
Atom 2	39 feet	60 feet
Bantam 1	42 feet	60 feet
Bantam 2	45 feet	60 feet
Midget 1	48 feet	70 feet
Midget 2	51 feet	70 feet
Juvenile 1	54 feet	80 feet
Juvenile 2	60 ft 6 in	90 feet
Junior	60 ft 6 in	90 feet

Whenever a game is played on a diamond with distances between bases less than 90 feet, the coaches box at first and third shall be moved toward home plate relative to the actual bag.
If during the process of any game in the NWCAA:
1. The home team, after three and one-half innings is leading by 15 or more runs or after four and one-half innings is leading by ten runs or more: or
2. The visiting team, after four innings is leading by 15 or more runs or after five innings or more is leading by ten or more, the umpire shall terminate the game in favor of the leading team.
Each team when on offense may be granted not more than two charged conferences per inning to permit managers or any other team personnel to confer with base runners and or batters. The umpire may deny any subsequent offensive team’s request for charged conferences.
With two outs, the declared Catcher and/or Pitcher may be replaced with a courtesy runner (the player making the last out), if they are to assume those defensive positions in the next defensive half inning.
IN ALL ATOM DIVISION GAMES THE FOLLOWING APPLY:
1. A team may only score five runs in one inning. As soon as the fifth run crosses the plate, there are automatically three outs and the team on the field comes to bat. The pitcher will be charged with all automatic outs as a result of the fifth run crossing the plate.
2. Base runners may not steal any base. Base runners must hold the base until the ball is hit or the runner is forced to advance. Penalty for violation of this rule is that the runner is called out.
3. Whether a third strike is caught or not by the catcher, batters are out.
4. There are no balks, but umpires may indicate to offenders errors made for the purpose of helping the pitcher achieve the correct delivery methods.
5. No infield fly rule in any Atom division game.
6. Atom baseball coaches will be allowed to retrieve pass balls to speed the play of the games. Coaches must be offset from behind home plate and the on deck circle which will help eliminate coaches obstruction and interfering with the play of the game. Remember: you are only there to increase the speed of play not to coach!
7. No bunting will be allowed in the Atom I division only. The penalty of a strike will be awarded to the batter no matter the outcome of the bunt or attempted bunt and the ball will be dead at this time.
8. After the completion of an entire inning with less than 5 minutes of game time remaining, no additional inning shall be started.
9. The 8.5 inch and 5 oz. Hard ball must be used during all Official Atom games.
IN ALL BANTAM GAMES THE FOLLOWING WILL APPLY:
1. A team may only score seven runs in one inning. As soon as the seventh run crosses the plate, there are automatically three outs and the team on the field comes to bat. The pitcher will be charged with all automatic outs as a result of the seventh run crossing the plate.
2. Base runners may not steal home on a straight steal, delayed steal, or suicide squeeze.
3. Each pitcher shall be given one warning, without penalty, per game prior to being called for a balk.

RULE 16 - GROUND RULES

Before the start of every NWCAA game, umpires will announce ground rules pertaining to a particular field of play. It is the obligation of the ground rules participants to ask questions before the start of game about any ground rules they may not understand.
The official ground rules representative must present their NWCAA certification card at ground rules. If that coach is ejected or leaves the game for any reason he/she must present their NWCAA certification card before the game continues. Failure to have a certified coach to continue the game will result in forfeit (refer to Rule 5 Section 3).