River Park Little League

Parent, Player and Coach Handbook

2018 Season

For the latest information: www.riverparkll.com

Updated November 2018

2018 Schedule

Online Registration – November 15, 2017, to February 2018

Walk Up Registration at Dick’s Sporting Goods River Park Location – Dec 2, 2017

Big Al’s Coaching Clinic – February 18, 2018

Tryouts – February 3 or February 10 (each player ages 8 to 12 attends only one)

Draft Day Majors – February 13, 2018

Draft Day AAA – February 15, 2018

Draft Day Rookies – TBA

Establish T-Ball, AA teams – Week of February 12, 2018

Coaches Clinic and Work Day – February 17, 2018

Little League

Pledge

I TRUST IN GOD I LOVE MY COUNTRY

AND WILL RESPECT ITS LAWS I WILL PLAY FAIR

AND STRIVE TO WIN BUT WIN OR LOSE

I WILL ALWAYS DO MY BEST

From the ranks of youngsters who

stand now on the morning side of the hill will come the leader, the future

strength and character of the nation.

Opening Day and Team Pictures

Saturday, March 17, 2018 Opening Day attendance mandatory for all players and coaches

Reg. Season Play Begins – March 18, 2018 (Approximate, depends upon team schedule)

Spring Break – March 26 – April 2, 2018

Memorial Weekend Tournament – May 26 - 28, 2018

End of Season – End of May 2018

Tournament of Champions – June 2018*

All Star Play Begins – June 2018

*Subject to Change

Check http://www.riverparkll.com/ for latest updates

Dear Parent,

Welcome to River Park Little League’s 2018 baseball season. Please take a little time to review this handbook and hopefully we will be able to impart our vision for the league and answer some of the more commonly asked questions.

Our Mission:

River Park Little League exists to provide a supervised program of competitive baseball to be played under the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Inc. Our primary aim is to firmly implant in the children of the League the ideas of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority so that they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children who will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens.

A Little History:

River Park Little League was created in late 1993 by local community leaders who had a desire to bring sanctioned Little League to North Fresno. The League was incorporated as a non-profit public benefit corporation on May 19, 1994. River Park Little League was chartered in 1994 by Little League Baseball, Inc.

River Park Little League is affiliated with Little League Baseball, Inc., which has its headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Little League is the oldest and largest youth sports program in the world, and is the only youth sports program to be voted a Federal Incorporation by the Congress of the United States. Little League baseball is played in ninety-one countries by over three million boys and girls, ages five through eighteen. Little League conducts a world-wide program of tournament play at the Minor, Major, Junior, Senior and Big League level of play that culminates in a true World Series held at various locations in the USA. The best known is the Little League World Series held in Williamsport and televised by ABC sports.

Even though River Park Little League is chartered by and affiliated with Little League Baseball, Inc., the League is controlled locally. The operations of the League are conducted by a duly elected Board of Directors voted on by the membership of the League.

In May 1994, by a vote of its duly elected Board of Directors, the League committed to its vision to build a baseball complex consisting of four baseball fields. The wagon wheel shaped arrangement includes for each field: a grass infield, an electronic scoreboard, lighting, dugouts and fencing. A two-story building allows for concessions on the bottom floor and the top floor is used for game announcers and official score keepers. Also to be located on the North West corner is a clubhouse with a multi-purpose meeting room, storage room and permanent restrooms.

During 2000 a new relationship was developed between River Park Little League and the Harry Goorabian Baseball Foundation. The Foundation has provided the League with the necessary funds to complete the League’s vision of a World Class Baseball Complex. In appreciation, the River Park Little League Board of Directors and the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District have elected to rename the ballpark the “Harry Goorabian Park” in honor of the Goorabian family.

With the completion of this project, the league is attracting regional tournaments such as District, Sectional, and Divisional Little League All Star games.

How Do I Get Involved Managers and Coaches:

During registration any parent wishing to manage their player’s team or assist in coaching should be sure to fill out a Manager/Coaches application. All applications are reviewed by the Managers selection committee. A recommendation is made to the President and League’s Board of Directors for their final approval.

Team Parent:

Every team must have a Team Mom/Dad. A Team Mom or Dad is invaluable to the team’s manager and all the parents and players of the team. A Team Mom or Dad organizes all tam functions such as snack schedules, parties and team volunteer responsibilities as well as assisting the manager/coach in the planning of practices and contacting all the players when necessary. The Team Mom or Dad is responsible to make sure that the concession stand is manned by their team parents when it is that teams turn to do so. Consider being your team’s Official Team Parent. Little League of America requires that all volunteers interacting with the players submit to a background check. Any information received will be confidential.

Concession Stand:

The concession stand is a great opportunity for the league to raise much needed revenue to keep up our great facility. As you can imagine a lot of volunteers are needed to staff the concession stand. Please volunteer as much time as possible during games. Every team is provided a schedule and assigned a time when that team is responsible to work in the stand.

Announcers & Scorers:

Some games are announced from the announcers/scores booth. Each player will get to hear their name announced as they come up to bat. The League also needs official scorers to keep statistics and official score books. Every AAA and Major team is required to provide a volunteer to record the official score and pitch count log when they are the home team. The official scorer must maintain the official score book and operate the scoreboard in the AAA and Major divisions.

Tournament Volunteers:

Each year River Park will have the opportunity to host several baseball tournaments at the end of our regular season and throughout the summer. Teams from all over the Valley compete in our tournaments. Successful field preparation and management of tournament affairs requires dependable personnel willing to help with duties required to make our tournaments successful.

Division Coordinators:

River Park Little League has five separate divisions consisting of: T-Ball, AA, Rookie, AAA, and Majors. Each division demands one individual as a Division Coordinator. Coordinators are responsible to communicate all activities between the League and the Managers. Also, the Coordinators have limited authority to observe conduct of Managers, Parents and Players and communicate any potential problems to the League’s Board of Directors.

Field Maintenance:

Field Maintenance is the primary responsibility of the League’s appointed Facilities Coordinator. However there is a lot of volunteer time required to prepare and keep the fields in good playing condition. The Facilities Coordinator organizes work parties and must have volunteers to assist. Please sign-up for field maintenance and be available to the Coordinator when the need arises. In addition, parents and coaches are expected to prepare the fields for the next game immediately following their game, regardless of whether there is a game immediately following or not.

Opening Day:

Opening Day is an exciting and busy day for everyone. Lots of volunteers are needed to cause all the festivities to come together and make the day special for the players and spectators. It is one full day so if your time is normally limited please consider volunteering for this event.

Managers and Coaches Selection Process

River Park Little League annually forms a Managers Committee. The primary function of the committee is to interview and investigate prospective managers and coaches, and recommend acceptable candidates to the President, for appointment and subsequent approval by the Board of Directors.

If you want to coach:

During registration any parent wishing to manage their player’s team or assist in coaching should be sure to fill out a Manager/Coaches application. All applications are reviewed by the committee. The managers committee is looking for managers and coaches with experience in baseball and teaching skills. You must be able to teach good character and baseball skills to the players. Little League of America requires that all volunteers interacting with the players submit to a background check. Any information received will be confidential.

Coaching educational clinics are mandatory for all managers and coaches in River Park Little League. Clinics are conducted prior to the beginning of each season.

Those applying to be managers and assistant coaches are not guaranteed positions. No manager or coach has tenure, regardless of the years of service with the league.

League Age Determination

In 2014, Little League District Administrators initially voted to move the age determination date from April 30 to December 31, effective with the 2018 season. That was amended by District Administrators and the Little League International Board of Directors in August 2015, moving the date from December 31 to August 31. Effective November 2015, the implementation plan has been amended, grandfathering the four-months of children born between May 1 and August 31, 2005 as 12-year-olds for the 2018 season.

As of 2018 no players with an actual age of 13 will be playing in Little League regular or post season games.

For players born on or before April 30, 2005: The new age determination date of August 31 will be effective starting with the 2018 Little League Baseball Season. For the 2018 season these players will use the April 30 age determination date.

For players born between May 1, 2005 and August 31, 2005: The new age determination date of August 31 will be effective starting with the 2019 Little League Baseball Season. For the 2016, 2017, 2018 season, these players will use the April 30 age determination date.

Draft Method To establish an equitable distribution of player talent at the Minor and Major levels, Little League has devised a draft selection system, which has proved very successful. The purpose of this plan is to provide balance in player talent between teams and for protection of players assigned to individual teams at the Major division level.

After the completion of try-outs, all Minor and Major managers will meet to determine how to place each player on a team. The draft process is used only to ensure parity amongst each of the teams. River Park Little League adheres to Little League’s recommended draft procedures and all drafts are approved by the Player Agent and the Board of Directors.

Draft order for Majors will begin with the team with the lowest prior regular season finish order, then progress through all teams, unless a pick is not available for a particular team, then begin over at the lowest ranked team for the second round.

Draft order for AAA and Rookies is determined at random. Draft order is serpentine, moving up the list of teams and then back down for the next round.

All players league age 9-12, except those who were on a Majors team the prior year, must try out. A 12 year old who fails to try out will not be permitted to play. An 11 year old who fails to try out may be selected at random for a Majors or AAA team, or not be permitted to play, as the Board may determine.

“Frozen” Players

A maximum of two players may be "frozen" on each Majors team. A player may be frozen if the player's parent is an approved coach for a team. Once a player is frozen, the player remains one of the two frozen players on that team until the player is no longer playing at River Park Little League, regardless of whether the parent continues to coach. An opening for another frozen player arises only when an existing frozen player leaves the league. A player who was first drafted (not frozen) to a Majors team is not considered frozen if the player's parent becomes a coach of the team. AAA teams may freeze 2 players and Rookies may freeze 3 players, but in both circumstances it is for one season only. All frozen players, except those already having played on a Majors team, must still participate in try outs.

Trading Players

Immediately following the draft, managers may, if they desire, trade players acquired in the draft in the draft room. No trades can take place after that, except in extraordinary circumstances for good cause. All trades shall be made through and with the approval of the Player Agent. Minor League players may not be traded for Major team players. The Player Agent will monitor any attempts by managers and parents to manipulate the system and thus create an imbalance in the league. All trades must be for justifiable reasons and be approved by the Board of Directors.

Releasing Players

Players repeatedly absent from practices and games may be released from the team’s roster. Managers are required to inform the Player Agent if a player is repeatedly absent. Players are sometimes released from the team due to injury, illness or relocation.

Calling Up A Player From The Minors

LOCAL RULE - Call Up Procedure

A Major team requesting to call up a AAA player must complete the transaction prior to the start of the Major team’s 14th game of the season. The Major Coach has seven (7) days from the date of player loss to provide a list of five AAA players in order of rank to both the Major Coordinator and the Player Agent. If all five players deny the request to be pulled up the Major Coach has the option to submit additional players or to play the remaining season without replacement. In the event the Major Team loses a player prior to the 9th game of the season, that team is obligated to find a replacement otherwise a player will be appointed by the board. Note: Frozen players, opt outs, coaches’ kids, and kids who did not try out, are not eligible to be called up.

The Player Agent will make contact to the parents of the AAA player informing them of the call up request. The AAA Player now has 24 hours to accept or reject the call up request. If this offer is rejected the AAA player is no longer eligible for call up that season and the Player Agent begins this process with the second choice provided by the Major Coach. If this offer is accepted the AAA player is moved to the Major roster immediately.

The Board is responsible to approve all call ups once a player has been selected and accepted. The Board has the authority to approve or disapprove of any act if the majority of the board believes the Major Call Up Procedure is being manipulated.

The same rules hold true for Rookies being called up to AAA so long as the roster falls below 11 players. The Rookie team roster cannot fall below 10 as a result of a call up. *This Local Rule must take into account the maximum numbers for ages on each team (Majors teams can carry a maximum of 8 players league age 12, 7 players league age 11, and 6 players league age 10). **If the Player Agent has a conflict the Major Coordinator or AAA Coordinator can facilitate the parent contact. ***Coaches are not to make contact with any of the players or their families identified to be called up.

T-Ball & AA Placement Policies

League ages 4-6 are placed on a T-ball team. T-ball teams hit the ball off of a batting tee. League ages 7/8 are placed on a AA team. AA players hit from a pitching machine set at 35 mph. League age 6 players who have completed 2 years of T-ball and have sufficient maturity and physical development may be permitted to play AA. League age 5 players may not play AA. League age 8 players who try out may be drafted by a Rookies team. League age 7 players may be permitted to play Rookies only if they are granted an exception by the Rookies coordinator, attend a try-out, and are then drafted by a Rookies team.

It is impossible to honor all requests for players to be placed on specific teams or with a particular Manager/Coach, therefore River Park Little League will no longer attempt to do so. All players will get the best instruction from Managers that have all been approved by the River Park Board of Directors.

Schedules

The League plays a schedule that is produced by a computer program. There are no established days for teams or divisions to play, except for T-ball which plays on Saturday mornings. The computer will generate a team schedule. The League cannot and will not accommodate requests to play on specific days.

Parking Parking for all baseball games at Harry Goorabian Park will be at Kaiser Park. Vehicles are allowed to park no earlier than 5:00 p.m. weekdays in this lot. Please drive slowly and carefully and refrain from leaving any trash in the parking lot. The River Park Board of Directors reserves the right to eject players from the League, without refund, if the player, player’s parents, guardians, or other family members do anything that may impair the relationship with the private property owners, City of Fresno, or the FMFCD! Therefore, any actions, such as speeding, entering early, parking inappropriately, dumping trash,

causing property damage, or any negative verbal interactions with the private property owners, their tenants, or patrons will be dealt with very seriously. Vehicles parked on Alluvial Street, or in the residential complex east of the fields will most likely be towed.

Opening Day Ceremonies

All Managers, Coaches and Players are required to attend Opening Day Ceremonies. This has proven to be a very exciting day for the players. All players fully dressed in their uniforms line up with their teams and participate in a large parade starting at the entrance to Harry Goorabian Park and proceed around the long walkway down to the diamonds where their teams are all introduced. A short ceremony will take place with various dignitaries throwing out the first pitches. Then, a full day of baseball activities including team pictures will occur. Parents should plan on bringing cameras and video recorders because this is something that shouldn’t be missed!

Post Season Play

Tournament play, sometimes called "travel ball," has been judged to be desirable and a beneficial phase of Little League activity. It makes possible a normal climax to regular season play and gives youngsters a chance to experience travel and association with players from other leagues. River Park Little League provides many opportunities for post season play in addition to All-Star and Tournament of Champions post season play. Players league ages 8-12 may continue to play baseball throughout the summer as desired and as teams are successful. If you are interested in this additional post season play, you may contact a team manager or a member of the Board of Directors.

Tournament of Champions (TOC)

At both the Minor and Major divisions River Park Little League participates in the Little League District 10 Tournament of Champions, (TOC). District 10 is made up of Little League organizations throughout Central California http://www.cadistrict10.com/ . Each participating team has a chance to play in a format that allows the advancement to a final game which determines which local league wins the District Championship.

The tournament is played at several ballparks around the valley and River Park will act as host for some of the games. The tournament begins in June after our regular season and spans approximately one week. River Park will send one representative team at each level (AAA and Major) to the TOC. At the tournament our players represent River Park Little League. It is a great honor for the players and they all have a great time.

See the playing rules for each division to see how the TOC playoff teams are determined and the format.

All – Stars

The League’s All-Star tournament teams are selected on the basis of individual player ability from among all of the teams in our Minor and Major Divisions. River Park Little League forms three teams, a 10 year old and under team, an 11 year old team and a 12 year old (and under, if applicable) team. Play begins after TOC and is initially concentrated around Central California. If teams advance through district, section, state, division and regional play to establish the field for the WORLD SERIES. Note: 11 and 10 year old divisions may advance to state level only.

The World Series

In the World Series the regional winners from around the world gather in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for a week-long round of education activities and competition. Taking part in “The World Series” is an unforgettable adventure. The opportunity to meet and make friends with other youngsters from all over the world, to enjoy the educational benefits of travel and to take part in the varied program of events is a rare experience. Media coverage of the World Series and the tournaments leading up to them is the most extensive of any youth sports championship. Games are televised.

Fall Baseball

River Park Little League provides a fall baseball program. Play is primarily instructional and consists of organized clinics and games. Practice is limited. Players play on Sundays for eight weeks. The season starts in September and generally runs through the end of October.

Insurance

WARNING: Protective equipment cannot prevent all injuries a player might receive while participating in baseball.

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LITTLE LEAGUE INSURANCE:

The CNA Little League Insurance program is designed to afford protection to participants at the most economical cost to the local League. It can be used to supplement other insurance carried under a family policy or insurance provided through the participant or family’s employer(s). If there is no other coverage, CAN Little League insurance-which is purchased by the league, not the parent – takes over and provides benefits, after a $50 deductible per claim, for all covered injury treatment costs up to the maximum stated benefits.

This plan makes it possible to offer exceptional, low-cost protection. Parents may wish to read the insurance brochure, which is provided to the league, to obtain more information on the insurance coverage. If your child sustains a covered injury while taking part in Little League Baseball, here is how the insurance works: A. File claim initially under insurance carried by the family: Blue Cross, Blue Shield, HMO or any other

insurance protection available. B. Should your family insurance plan not fully cover the injury treatment, the Little League CNA

insurance policy will help pay the difference, after a $50 deductible per claim, up to the maximum stated benefits. This includes any deductibles, co-pays or exclusions in your insurance.

C. If your child is not covered by any family insurance, the Little League Insurance Policy becomes primary and will provide benefits for all covered injury treatment costs, after a $50 deductible per claim, up to the maximum benefits of the policy.

D. Treatment of dental injuries can extend beyond the normal 52 week period if dental work must be delayed due to physiological changes of a growing child. Benefits will be paid at time treatment is given, even though it may be some years later. Maximum dollar benefit is $500 for eligible dental treatment after the normal 52 week period subject to the $50 per claim deductible.

We hope this brief summary is helpful in better understanding the important aspects of the operation of the Little League endorsed insurance program.

Helpful Hints for Parents

• Make every effort to attend your child’s game. • Understand that the game is very difficult to learn and play, and should look for opportunities to work

with your child on the skills of the game. • Understand that progress and growth often come one small step at a time, and that players improve

at different rates. • Conduct yourself at games/practices in a responsible manner. Treat coaches and League officials with

respect and courtesy. • Exercise good judgment and care around the players, and encourage good safety measures to protect

the players. • Do not question a manager’s or coach’s decision in front of the players or communicate with the

manager or coach in inappropriate ways. • Ensure that children will arrive at games and practices on time. • All players may only wear the uniform issued by the league, and it must be worn properly (shirts

tucked in and hats the right direction). • Do not remove your child from a game because you disagree with a coach’s decision. • Encourage your child to exhibit good sportsmanship, good teamwork and exercise good discipline. • Instill a sense of responsibility in children concerning obligations to the team, teammates, coaches

and the League. • DO NOT permit a child to leave the designated player area to sit with you during a game. • Support children in both successes and failures.

• Do not question or voice disapproval of an umpire’s decision. • Participation trophies are not supplied by the League. If you desire to provide trophies, they can be

purchased locally.

Helpful Hints for Managers

• Create a safe and caring environment for players to learn, practice, and play. • Be kind, approachable, courteous and polite. • Set clear and reasonable expectations. • Be knowledgeable of the rules of the game and teach the fundamentals. • Use good judgment as to when and how to discipline. • Be positive in situations where there seems to be failure. • Be fair to all players. • Demonstrate poise, self-control and self-confidence. • Warm up the players before every practice and every game. • Ensure all players are instructed on safety. • Support the work of the league organizers and volunteers. • Model good sportsmanship. • Understand that progress and growth often come on small step at a time. • Understand that players improve at different rates. • Communicate appropriately with players and parents. • Be a good role model. • Demonstrate a high level of respect for volunteers and umpires. • Remember that the game is for the players.

Harry Goorabian Baseball Foundation

The partnership between the Harry Goorabian Baseball Foundation and River Park Little League has provided the League with the necessary funds to complete construction of our baseball complex. The Foundation is also providing continued support for specific programs the foundation and League are planning together.

Harry Goorabian Baseball Foundation Mission Statement:

The Harry Goorabian Baseball Foundation continues Harry and Zabelle Goorabian’s desire to serve our communities youth, in the hope that as children are nurtured in a positive, supportive environment, they will grow to adulthood with the desire to return that same commitment to our city.

Foundation History:

The Harry Goorabian Baseball Foundation was created by Mrs. Zabelle Goorabian in tribute to and in memory of her husband Harry E. Goorabian. Harry and Zabelle Goorabian have for many years been active supporters of Fresno’s youth. The Harry and Zabelle Goorabian Family Life Center at Pilgrim Armenian

congregational Church, providing basketball programs for the community, as well as Kuppajoe coffee house providing a positive alternative coffeehouse/nightclub for Fresno’s youth continue to be examples of their vision.

The Foundation was created by Mrs. Goorabian after viewing the commitment of the Little League of America and other organizations to children, baseball, and the ideals of sportsmanship, team play, and personal character. Assisting these organizations, together with helping youth that might otherwise not have opportunity to develop their skills and character, was and is an essential part of the Goorabian’s life goals.

Foundation Goals:

The foundations goals are to partner with many local, regional, and national individuals, businesses, and organizations to:

• Provide assistance to youth baseball organizations. • Promote events consistent with baseball’s team and person values. • Provide assistance and equipment to areas and teams in need. • Providing post baseball assistance for educational opportunities of deserving individuals.

Biography of Harry Goorabian:

Harry Goorabian spent his youth in the Fresno community, demonstrating a unique blend of athletic talent and communicative skill. He delighted in serving as student body president of his high school (Roosevelt), and playing baseball at the highest local levels (twilight league). At the end of his high school career, Harry contracted with the Saint Louis Organization of Major League Baseball and began his journey to the Majors.

By 1942, Harry had advanced to the AAA San Francisco Seals playing under the management of Lefty O’Doul and was readying himself for the move to a Major League team that would utilize his third baseman’s skills and his powerful bat. Unfortunately, fate in the form of WWII stepped in and as did so many of his peers, Harry enlisted in the US Armed services. He served as a recruit physical.

After his discharge in 1946, harry returned to the Seals, but realized that his age would probably hinder his chances for a major league career. He was pursued, and signed on as a player/manager of the Stockton Ports for the 1946 season during which he lead and homered the team to the league pennant.

By the end of the 1946 season, Harry felt he had accomplished his goals within baseball, so he retired, and together with his young bride Zabelle, returned to their home of Fresno to embark on a business career. Harry soon founded and developed Mid Valley Distributors, the largest fastener wholesaler between Los Angeles and San Francisco, guiding its success until his death in 1997.

Harry Goorabian was a man of strength and action, but also one of humor and compassion. Together with Zabell, the Goorabian’s have quite a legacy of assisting Fresno’s youth, consistent with his love of sports and the belief that cultivating team concepts and personal responsibility will serve our youth in their adult lives.

Fund Raising

River Park Little League provides a supervised program of competitive baseball for 700 plus boys and girls ages four through twelve. From 1993 until 1998 the League did not have a permanent place to call home. Our children played baseball on fields considered unsafe due to lack of dug-outs and adequate backstops to protect players from line drives or thrown bats.

Construction began in 1997 on our new baseball complex with the dream of a World Class Baseball Complex for the children of our league and the community. It is only due to the League’s persistent fund raising activities and the gift from the Harry Goorabian Baseball Foundation that enough money had been raised to complete all major construction of our facility. However, the need to continue to upgrade and improve the ballpark is necessary. The vision of a World Class Baseball Complex for children playing Little League baseball continues. To continue to keep players of River Park Little League playing in the best facility, having all of them using the safest and best equipment and have the same quality uniforms they have become accustomed to, we must continue our fund-raising efforts. The League raises funds through registration fees, sponsorships, outfield sign sales, “Family Day”, and an annual Dinner/Dance. Without ongoing fund raising activities the vision for World Class Little League Baseball Complex would not be realized.

Concessions

The concession stand is a great opportunity for the league to raise much needed revenue to complete the vision. Team snack packages are available for after the games as well as many other individual snacks and beverages. Please support your concession stand.

League Boundaries

At map is available at the River Park website, but generally the boundaries are as follows: The southwest boundary line shall begin at the centerline of Herndon Ave and N. Fresno Street. The western boundary line shall then proceed north along N. Fresno Street until it reaches N. Friant Rd. The boundary shall then proceed north along N. Friant Road to a point of intersection at E. Copper Ave. The northern boundary line shall proceed easterly along E. Copper Ave to N. Minnewawa Ave. The boundary line shall then proceed southerly along Minnewawa Ave. to Shepard Ave. The boundary line shall then proceed east along Shepard Ave. to its intersection with State Highway 168. The southeast boundary line shall then proceed southwesterly along State Highway 168 to W. Herndon Ave. The southern boundary line shall then proceed west to the centerline of Herndon Ave and N. Fresno Street.

All players must either reside in or attend a regular school within the River Park boundaries. Certain waivers may be available. Players must provide documentation of their residence or school attendance to be eligible for post season play.

Challenger Division

River Park Little League is excited to add the Little League Challenger Division. Challenger is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for boys and girls with physical and developmental challenges. Flexibility and adaptability are key during Challenger games. Typically games are 2 innings long and last about an hour. The game format is similar to T-Ball or coach underhand pitch. All players play defensively and bat every inning. “Buddies” accompany each player. Buddies are individuals who assist Challenger athletes in batting, base running and defense, but only as needed. Often buddies are peer athletes who are participating in the Little League Baseball or Softball program. Rules for Challenger games are set forth below in this Handbook.

Games are typically played on Sunday afternoons at the River Park fields. Practices are up to each team.

Twenty-five or more volunteers are required for a Challenger game, including 2 to 4 umpires in uniform, an announcer, 3 or more coaches for each team, and 20 or more Buddies to assist the players. Volunteering is extremely rewarding, as the Challenger game experience may be the first and most important sporting event for many of the players, now able to participate rather than merely spectate.

Registration fees for Challenger are on a voluntary donation basis. Players are not required to reside or attend school within the River Park boundaries. Please contact the League for more information and registration for Challenger.

More Challenger information can be found at: http://www.littleleague.org/media/challenger/about.htm

RPLL Ground Rules & Local League Rules

ARTICLE I OBJECTIVES

Local Rules establish the league’s policies in certain areas where leeway is allowed by Little League Baseball Rules, Regulations, and Policies. No league’s Local Rules can conflict with the published Rules, Regulations, Policies, or Principles of Little League Baseball without expressed written permission from the Charter Committee in Williamsport.

Local Rules are not considered part of the Constitution. They are two separate documents. The Local Rules are annually reviewed, revised (if necessary) and adopted annually by the Board of Directors. The constitution governs the Local League operation from year to year and can only be amended by the Membership at a duly organized meeting as provided in article XIII of the Constitution.

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP

Regular Members wishing to maintain their “Good Standing Status” with the League must:

A. Be active in at least one of the League’s committees or Manage, Coach or act as a Team Mom or Dad.

B. Attend at least a majority of the General Membership meetings called by the League’s Board of Directors.

C. Understand the fundamentals of the Little League program. Know how the local League is organized and operated, its policies and objectives, and must be familiar with methods by which these objectives are attained.

D. Maintain proper attitudes. In association with a program which aims to teach children discipline, good sportsmanship, loyalty and values of team work, members must bring these same attributes to their efforts on behalf of the league.

ARTICLE III LOCAL AUTHORITY

SECTION 1 General

River Park Little League board members have absolute authority at all local Little League games, practices and activities. Board Members, Umpires, Managers and Coaches operate under Little League Baseball Rules and Regulations except where local ground rules are permitted as established by River Park Little League and approved by Little League Baseball.

SECTION 2 Practice Fields

No team practices at Harry Goorabian Park or any other practice facility in which the League is in control without specific (day/time) permission from the League President or Facilities Coordinator. Any team practicing at the facility has full responsibility for field and equipment maintenance as they would following a game, as set forth below. No team is to practice at any Clovis Unified School District facility without authorization from the League’s Practice Field Coordinator, and no team shall arrive at a School practice field prior to the designated time on a school day.

ARTICLE IV TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS (TOC) SELECTION

The Tournament of Champions teams are determined by the teams with the best records at the AAA and Major levels respectively. A playoff method may be implemented at the discretion of the board of directors. If not and there is a tie in the regular season standings and time permits there will be a tie breaker. If there is not time for playoffs or a tie breaker the division champions will be determined on a head to head basis. See the respective Divisions (AAA and Major) for determination of TOC teams and the format of play. ARTICLE V ALL-STAR SELECTION

(see also ARTICLE XVI AND XVII LEAGUE DIVISION AND POST SEASON RULES)

SECTION 1 Major Team and 11-12 Year Old All-Star Team

All players league age 11 and 12 who are playing in the Major division are eligible for the Major All-Star teams.

Each Major Manager provides the League with a list of All-Star candidates from their team. The Major Managers are then assembled typically on the last Saturday of the season, and each player’s ability and eligibility is reviewed. After discussion and all Managers are fully familiar with each player, the Managers are provided with a secret ballot and asked to pick 12 players for the Major All-Star team. The names are kept confidential until such date that Little League allows their release, typically two weeks before All-Star Tournament play.

SECTION 2 10 Year Old and Under All-Star Team

First, the 10 years old and under team All-Star Managers are selected from the remaining Major division Managers, and the top four Minor division Managers based on regular season win/loss records.

Major League and Minor League (AAA) 9 and 10 year old players are eligible for the 10 and under All-Star team. All players league age 10 playing in the Major League division with Manager recommendation and two players from each Minor League division team are eligible to attend tryouts for the 10 and under team. Minor Managers may request permission only in extreme conditions from the Coordinator to send additional players to tryouts.

Tryouts are typically run by the selected Manager and two or more Major division coaches who have minimal conflict with the selection (sons not trying out), and at the Manager’s choice. The Manager generally observes tryouts while the other selected coaches run drills. Following tryouts, the previously selected Manager and two Major coaches determine the team.

The Manager, his Assistant Coaches and all players must be approved by the League’s Board of Directors.

The 10 and under team All-Star Manager and Assistant Coaches must have attended all applicable mandatory Coaches’ clinics.

ARTICLE VI MANAGERS AND COACHES

SECTION 1 Manager Selection

All Managers and Coaches are selected by River Park Little League’s Managers committee. The committee will interview and investigate prospective managers and coaches, including those of the T-Ball, AA, Rookie, AAA, and Major teams and recommend acceptable candidates to the President, for appointment and subsequent approval by the Board of Directors.

All Managers and Coaches applying to manage or coach in the League must fill out a Managers/Coaches application (online). No Manager or Coach has tenure, regardless of the number of years managing or coaching in the league. In addition, all Managers and Coaches must complete and sign a Volunteer Application.

SECTION 2 Certification

All Managers must complete the league’s certification process in their respective divisions or provide other satisfactory evidence of coaching competency. An exception to this rule is to receive a waiver from the league’s Board of Directors which is only available in extreme or special situations.

SECTION 3 Conduct

Managers or Coaches deemed by the President or Board of Directors to conduct themselves in a manner that is considered to be unacceptable will be removed from their team’s rosters. Following are only some of the league’s Managers and Coaches Conduct Policies.

A. MANAGERS AND COACHES MUST READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES OF THE GAME AND THE CONTENTS OF THIS HANDBOOK, INCLUDING LOCAL RULES!

B. No tobacco, alcohol or drugs are allowed on any Clovis Unified, Fresno Unified, any other practice field or within Harry Goorabian Park.

C. Managers must be fair and include every player on the team in all team activities. D. Managers and Coaches must model good sportsmanship. E. Managers and Coaches must be good role models.

F. Managers and Coaches must demonstrate respect for umpires, other managers, coaches, and especially players from opposing teams.

G. For the T-ball, AA, and Rookie divisions, Managers and Coaches should generally not have a player sitting out more than one inning consecutively, and should move players to a variety of positions, infield and outfield, subject to safety concerns and the ability to play the specialty positions of pitcher and catcher. Managers and Coaches should not “play favorites” and have certain players always placed in desirable positions or having more play time. Teaching, developing players, and instilling a love for the game are the goals, not winning (as score is not kept). Managers and Coaches failing to comply with the spirit of these guidelines may be removed or denied coaching positions in the future.

SECTION 4 Participation

All Managers and Coaches must support the work of the league by participating in the following activities. Failure to do so may cause the Manager or Coach to be removed from their team’s roster and that Manager or Coach may not be allowed to manage or coach in the league for the remainder of the season.

A. Managers and Coaches must participate in Opening Day activities. B. Managers and Coaches must, within reason, participate in any mandatory “Field Work Parties”

that are called by the League’s Facilities Coordinator or Board of Directors. C. Managers and Coaches (both home and visitor teams) are responsible for field and equipment

maintenance before and after games and practices. ARTICLE VII FIELD AND EQUIPMENT PROCEDURES, MANAGERS AND COACHES

Please review the document “Field Care Guide” on the River Park “Documents and Downloads” web page.

SECTION 1 Dugouts

The home team occupies the third base dugout.

SECTION 2 Before The Game

A. Both teams must roll up and remove the tarps, set out the bases, paint the foul lines and batter’s boxes.

B. Both teams must drag, rake, and wet the infield prior to each game -- do not pull the drag mats across the grass!

C. Both teams must set up the pitching machine (AA only) and outfield cones (AA, Rookie only). D. Both teams must set up the pitching mound (at 40’) and pick it up after the game (Rookie only). E. Both teams are to make sure all gates along the foul ball lines are closed.

SECTION 3 After The Game

A. Both teams must rake the pitching mound and home plate area; at the end of the day, tarps should be placed over these areas if there is any chance of rain before the next games. Make it ready for the next game or the next day’s game.

B. Both teams must make sure all league equipment such as bases, water hoses, rakes, etc., are put away in their proper places and the fields are clean. Bases, small tools, shovels, and paint are placed in the blue bins near the bullpens. Pitching machines, batting T's, cords, and pitching machine balls are placed in the blue bin by the snack bar. Other items, such as portable mounds, stripers, hoses, batter’s box templates, rakes, and drags, are left out in their proper places.

C. Please ensure all paint cans are locked up in the bins! Paint left out has been used by vandals to graffiti the facility.

D. Both teams must wet the infield. E. Both teams must take down and put away the pitching machine and outfield cones, if present. F. Both teams are responsible to make sure the dugouts are cleaned out, and trash picked up. G. All Managers or Coaches are responsible to make sure all exit gates and equipment boxes are

locked. H. Managers and Coaches playing at Kaiser Field are to make sure that Kaiser gates are locked.

ARTICLE VIII TEAM MOM OR DAD

A. Every team must have a designated Team Mom or Dad. The Team Mom or Dad is appointed by the Team Manager. Every Team Mom or Dad must complete a volunteer application for background check as mandated by Little League Baseball.

B. The Team Mom or Dad is to assist the Manager in the day to day non coaching activities of the team.

C. The Team Mom or Dad is to receive the concession stand work schedule, attend a mandatory meeting on team parent duties regarding the concession stand, then schedule members of their respective team to work in the concession stand when it is the team’s scheduled time.

D. The Team Mom or Dad is to make sure there is always an official scorer available when they are the home team (AAA and Majors only).

E. The Team Manager always has final say within the team as to the duties of the Team Mom or Dad. ARTICLE IX SPECTATORS' CODE OF CONDUCT

A. No loud music will be allowed by team fans or coaches between innings for motivational purposes. No music allowed in the dugouts.

B. No throwing rocks or sticks. C. No climbing fences. D. No heckling Umpires, Managers, Coaches, or Players on the opposing team. E. No children under the age of 9 are to be permitted to work in the Snack Bar. F. No dogs, alcohol, and tobacco of any type are allowed in Harry Goorabian Park or any other

playing or practice facility at any time. All Managers, Coaches, Board Members, and volunteers are to enforce this policy any time they see a violation.

G. No bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, and scooters are to be ridden at any time in Harry Goorabian Park.

H. Players and Rostered Coaches are the only ones allowed in the dugout. No food is allowed in the dugout.

I. Observe all posted signs. Players and spectators should be alert at all time for foul balls, home runs, and errant throws.

J. Do not allow children to play on the practice pitching mounds (bullpens). K. Do not allow children to play between the outfields, especially behind the catchers when they are

warming up pitchers on the practice mounds. L. Spectators are not to address the umpire or loudly comment on the umpire’s calls during games.

Any concerns should be addressed to the team’s Manager, who has the sole authority to address the umpire. The official scorer may address the umpire about scoring concerns, as necessary.

M. Failure to comply with the above may result in expulsion from the Harry Goorabian Park. N. Disruptive parents will be barred from future league activities. Disruptive coaches will be

removed from team rosters. Disruptive parents and spectators must leave the facility immediately upon request from an umpire or a member of the league’s board of directors. As a lesser alternative to ejection from the park or penalizing a manager or team, the umpire or a member of the league’s board of directors has the authority to require any spectator violating the above rules to go sit beyond the outfield fence, rather than in the regular spectator areas. A spectator failing to immediately comply without discussion shall leave the facility and may be prohibited from future attendance.

ARTICLE X SAFETY

These safety rules apply to all baseball activities at Harry Goorabian Park, including regular season games, post season games, fall ball, tournaments, travel leagues, and practices.

SECTION 1 General

A. Managers and Coaches are to always have their First Aid Kit and ice packs in possession at all practices and games.

B. Only players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted on the playing field during play and practice sessions.

C. During warm-up drills players should be positioned so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches.

D. During practice and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch. E. All pregame warm ups should be performed within the confines of the playing field and not within

areas that are frequented by, and thus endanger spectators (i.e., playing catch, pepper, swinging bats, etc.) No warming up on infields, except “in and out” in the Majors division.

F. Coaches are not allowed to sit on buckets outside the dugout. A bucket may be positioned in the dugout opening, subject to the direction of the umpire.

G. NO ON FIELD ON DECK BATTER AND NO HOLDING OR SWINGING BATS IN THE DUGOUT! Players waiting to bat must remain fully inside the dugout.

H. No swinging bats at any time within the walkways and common areas of the Harry Goorabian Park. Players may play catch to warm up in areas beyond the outfield fence, but only under the direct supervision of a coach.

I. No throwing or hitting baseballs against dugouts, backstops, or any fences. Use plastic balls for soft toss drills against the fence.

J. No games or practices are to be held when weather or field conditions are not good, particularly when lighting is inadequate.

K. Managers and coaches are to inspect the play area before every game and practice for holes, damage, stones, glass, and other foreign objects.

L. No one is allowed to climb up or over fences or gates. M. Batters must wear Little League approved protective helmets during batting practice and games;

no stickers or paint may be applied to helmets that were not supplied by the helmet manufacturer.

N. All catchers must wear a catcher’s helmet, mask, dangling throat protector, shin guards, long model chest protector and protective cup with an athletic supporter at all times (male) for all

practices and games. NO EXCEPTIONS! No stickers or paint may be applied to helmets that were not supplied by the helmet manufacturer.

O. Players in the position of catcher must wear a catcher’s helmet and mask with a dangling throat protector when warming up pitchers on field, in bull pen, and infield drills.

P. In all divisions, managers and coaches may not warm up pitchers, either on field or in the bullpen; have a bench player with a catcher’s helmet and cup ready to warm up pitchers.

Q. Managers should encourage all male players to wear protective cups and supporters for practices and games.

R. Except when a runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not permitted; runners will be called out for prohibited head first slides.

S. At no time is “horse play” permitted on the playing field, dugouts, or common areas. T. Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide “safety glasses”. U. Players must not wear jewelry of any kind or material, including watches, necklaces, bracelets,

rings, pins, or metallic items during games and practices. V. Only equipment issued by the league may be in the dugout. Exception: Little League approved

bats, helmets, and personal items. W. Managers are to have your players’ Medical Clearance Forms, if provided by the League, with you

at all games and practices. X. Managers and coaches may not administer any medications. Y. Managers are not to leave an unattended child at a practice or game. Parents should always arrive

at practices before they are over. Z. Managers and Coaches must report any present or potential safety hazard to the Safety Officer

immediately. AA. Managers and Coaches are responsible for keeping foul ball and bull pen fence gates closed at all

times on the fields they are playing on.

SECTION 2 Lightning Evacuation Procedure

A. Stop Game/Practice immediately. B. Stay away from metal fencing (including dugouts)! C. Do not hold a metal bat. D. Walk, do not run to a car and wait for a decision on whether or not to continue the game or

practice.

SECTION 3 Communicable Disease Procedures

A. Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered, and the uniform changed if there is blood on it before the player may continue.

B. Routinely use gloves to prevent mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated, (provided in first-aid-kit).

C. Immediately wash hands and other skin surface if contaminated with blood. D. Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment. E. Managers, coaches, and volunteers with open wounds should refrain from all direct contact until

the condition is resolved.

F. Follow accepted guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and disposal when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards, and other articles containing body fluids.

ARTICLE XI T-BALL PLAYING RULES

A. The T-Ball division is to be made up mostly of players league ages, 4, 5, and 6, with exceptions for some league age 7 years old to play.

B. The time limit for all games is 4 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes, whichever comes first. NO EXCEPTIONS.

C. There are to be a maximum of one rostered Manager and two rostered assistant Coaches in the dugout or anywhere on the field at any time. One rostered Practice Assistant may help only if a regular Coach or Manager is absent.

D. One T-Ball parent such as an Official Team Mom or Dad may be in the dugout to sit with the players.

E. Managers are to de-emphasize the score and encourage the players to learn and have fun. ANY MANAGER OR COACH DEEMED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO BE PUTTING TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE SCORE AND WINNING WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TEAM ROSTER.

F. Only two defensive coaches are permitted in fair territory for instructional purposes. Managers and Coaches are not permitted to interfere with the ball or touch offensive players, except to prevent an injury from occurring. An offensive coach may assist the batter with his stance but offensive coaches are not permitted in fair territory, and cannot help “Push” the runners to the next base. Coaches are not to delay the game.

G. Managers and coaches will serve as impartial umpires. H. Adults only are allowed in the coaching box. If a rostered team coach is available, parents are not

allowed to be in the coaching box. I. All players on the roster are placed in the batting order. Every player hits every inning. Teams

change sides only after every player has had his at-bat. K. All players will hit off the tee. L. Each batter will get five swings. A 6th swing will be allowed if the 5th swing is hit foul. The batter

is out if the batter fails to put the ball in play after the fifth/sixth swing. M. When all the defensive players are in position and ready, the umpire (offensive manager) will

place the ball on the batting tee. The plate umpire must remove the Batting Tee from home plate as soon as the ball is put into play.

N. Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. If a base runner leaves the base before the ball is hit, the base runner and batter will only be allowed to advance one base if the ball is hit safely for a hit.

O. Runners must avoid running into the catcher or fielder who is waiting to make a tag on the runner. The runner must avoid the collision by either sliding or running around the player with the ball waiting to make the putout. The runner will be called out if he does not make an effort to avoid the fielder waiting to make the tag.

P. No stealing of bases allowed, or sliding into first base by the batter-runner. The batter-runner will be called out for any sliding into first base.

Q. FOUL BALLS - The same as regular baseball with two exceptions: (1) The ball is foul if it does not travel beyond the 10-foot circle in fair territory from home plate. (2) The ball is foul if the batter hits the tee with the bat causing the ball to fall from the tee.

R. Bunting is not permitted. S. A maximum of 10 defensive players are allowed on the field, and the rover must play an outfield

position, not directly behind and up close to 2nd base. Outfielders are to play their positions back on outfield grass, not on infield dirt.

T. A defensive player must be placed in the pitcher’s position. U. Free substitutions are allowed with the condition that every player must play a minimum of two

defensive innings. V. PLAY MUST BE STOPPED WHEN A PLAYER IS INJURED ON A PLAY, AND RUNNERS WILL NOT BE

ALLOWED TO ADVANCE MORE THAN TO THE NEXT BASE. W. Player chatter must be directed to encourage teammates, and not to intimidate the opposing

team’s players.

ARTICLE XII AA PLAYING RULES

A. The AA division is to be made up mostly of players league ages 7 - 8 with some exceptions as may be permitted by the AA Coordinator. B. Games will be 6 innings maximum, unless time expires earlier. At the expiration of 90 minutes from the first pitch of the game, only that inning may be completed. If any time remains on the clock as of the 3rd out made by the home team, then another inning may be played. As score is not being kept, the bottom of the last inning will be played even if the home team leads following the visiting team’s turn at bat. In any event, no play shall continue after 1 hour and 45 minutes of a game. C. There are to be a maximum of one rostered Manager and two rostered assistant Coaches in the dugout or anywhere on the field at any time. One rostered Practice Assistant may help only if a regular Coach or Manager is absent. D. One AA parent such as an Official Team Mom or Dad may be in the dugout to sit with the players. Managers are to de-emphasize the score and encourage the players to learn and have fun. ANY MANAGER OR COACH DEEMED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO BE PLACING UNDO OR EXCESSIVE EMPHASIS ON THE SCORE AND WINNING WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE POSITION. E. FIVE-RUN RULE: if the offense scores five runs before the defense gets three outs, the inning is over immediately. Only five-runs per inning score. There is no mercy rule. F. Only 10 defensive players on the field in the LF, LC, RC, and RF positions, not directly behind and up close to 2nd base. G. A defensive player must be placed in the pitcher’s position to the left or right of the pitching machine. H. All players on the roster will be placed on batting order, and will bat during their turn at bat. I. Home Runs / Ground Rule Doubles. Cones will placed in the outfield lined up with the outfield light poles and concentric with the outfield fence (150’ from home plate). Balls hit over the cones in the air are home runs. Batted balls that pass through the cones after touching the ground are ground rule doubles, with base runners also advancing 2 bases. Balls thrown past the cones are live balls. J. Runners are not to advance extra bases on errors and overthrows. Unless the batted ball passes the cones, all hits are singles and runners advance one base. K. No stealing of bases allowed or sliding into first base by the batter-runner. The batter-runner will be called out for any sliding into first base. L. Free substitutions are allowed with the condition that every player must play a minimum of three innings. M. A ball that hits the pitching machine or feeder/umpire, and remains in fair territory is a live ball, and the batter and runner or runners can advance. The feeder/umpire must get out of the way of all throws. The feeder/umpire may assist players to avoid running into the pitching machine. N. Runners must avoid running into the catcher or fielder who is waiting to make a tag on the runner. The runner must avoid the collision by either sliding or running around the player waiting to make the putout. The runner will be called out if he does not make an effort to avoid the fielder waiting to make the tag. The defensive players shall not block a base without possession of the ball.

O. Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. If a base runner leaves the base before the ball is hit, the base runner and batter will only be allowed to advance one base if the ball is hit safely. P. Each batter will be allowed seven pitches, five by machine and two by coach pitching from as close as the coach desires. The coach at his option may use the pitching machine for all seven pitches. A batter failing to put the ball in play after the 7th pitch is out. The pitching machines will be positioned at 46' and set at 35 MPH for all players, and will not be changed. Batters are not to walk if hit by pitch. Q. PLAY MUST BE STOPPED WHEN A PLAYER IS INJURED ON A PLAY, AND RUNNERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ADVANCE MORE THAN TO THE NEXT BASE. R. The manager or his assistant feeding the pitching machine will be the umpire during his team’s at bat. S. The offensive team will be allowed two base coaches to be positioned in the coaching boxes. Base coaches may assist the feeder/umpire in making calls at their respective bases. No offensive coaches are allowed in fair territory, other than the feeder/umpire, or a coach checking on an injured player. NON-ROSTERED COACHES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD, OR AS FEEDER/UMPIRE. An exception to this rule is if there is only one rostered coach available, in which case a parent may be recruited to temporarily help. T. The defensive team will be allowed one rostered coach in fair territory to assist/coach the outfielders. U. The feeder/umpire is the final judge as to whether the runner is safe or out. Base coaches may make safe and out calls at their respective bases and may make foul ball calls but the umpire may override the call. V. Adults only are allowed in the coaching box. If a rostered team coach is available, parents are not allowed to be in the coaching box. W. Player chatter must be directed to encourage teammates, and not to intimidate the opposing team’s players.

ARTICLE XIII ROOKIE PLAYING RULES

A. The Rookie Division targets primarily 8 and 9 year olds, with some exceptions as may be allowed by the Rookies coordinator. B. There will be no score kept. The goal is to de-emphasize winning and focus on learning the game to be prepared for AAA and travel ball levels of play. C. Games will be 6 innings maximum, unless time expires earlier. At the expiration of 90 minutes from the first pitch of the game, only that inning may be completed. If any time remains on the clock as of the 3rd out made by the home team, then another inning may be played. As score is not being kept, the bottom of the last inning will be played even if the home team leads following the visiting team’s turn at bat. In any event, no play shall continue after 1 hour and 45 minutes of a game. D. All players on the roster will bat in order. Upon the 5th run scored by a team during an inning, that half inning is immediately over. There is no mercy rule. E. The distance to the mound will be set at 40 feet. Portable mounds may be used. F. Players may pitch a maximum of two innings per game (need not be consecutive). Throwing at least one pitch counts as having pitched an inning. No pitch count is necessary. G. The strike zone shall be the area between the batter’s knees and arm pits in a normal batting position and within 3 inches inside and outside of the plate. H. Players may walk if 4 balls are called. Any batter hit by pitch will be awarded base. If a pitcher hits 2 batters in the same inning, or 3 batters in 1 game, the pitcher may be replaced in the discretion of the umpire or defensive manager as to whether the pitcher is not in control. I. A pitcher must be replaced upon the second visit to the mound by a manager during an inning. J. Cones will placed in the outfield lined up with the outfield light poles and concentric with the outfield fence (150’ from home plate). Balls hit over the cones in the air are home runs. Batted balls that pass through the cones after touching the ground are ground rule doubles, with base runners also advancing 2 bases. Balls thrown past the cones are live balls. L. Bunting is allowed. K. There is no “infield fly rule.” L. Runners cannot leave their bases until the ball crosses the front of the plate or is hit. Feet first sliding is required for close plays at bases. Head first sliding is prohibited, except to return to a base, and a runner will be called out for prohibited head first sliding. A runner is out if hit by a batted ball in fair territory before the ball touches a defensive player. Runners should make every effort to avoid a collision with a defensive player, but defensive players should avoid positioning themselves in the base path with runners on base, if they are not attempting a play. With a runner approaching home, the catcher should be positioned in front of home plate, not standing on the plate or blocking it when not attempting a play. Runners are never allowed to intentionally collide with the catcher, other than by sliding. M. Once a pitched ball reaches the front of the plate, runners on base may attempt to steal one base on pitches that are called or swung at strikes. If runners attempt to steal when not permitted, they shall return to the previous base without risk of being put out. Runners may not advance on overthrows while stealing. Stealing home shall be permitted, but only once safely per team per inning. The batter/runner may not turn and attempt to steal second on a walk. N. On overthrows (other than during a steal attempt), the runners are at their own risk to advance one base per overthrow. Play will be halted once the ball is thrown anywhere within a 20 foot radius of the pitcher, whether caught by the pitcher or not. Runners not more than half way between bases must return to the previous base.

O. One or more coaches may remain in the outfield to help position and coach players.

P. Ten defensive players are allowed. Teams are allowed to have 4 outfielders in a LF, LC, RC, RF formation. No “rovers” behind 2nd base are allowed. Q. If an umpire is not available, an adult offensive coach shall umpire from a position behind the pitcher. The offensive coach shall not interfere with play, and a batter/runner shall be called out if a batted ball touches the offensive coach/umpire. The offensive coach/umpire is the final judge as to whether a runner is safe or out. Base coaches may make safe and out calls at their respective bases and may make foul ball calls but the umpire may override the call.

ARTICLE XIV AAA PLAYING RULES

A. Players league age 9 - 11 who have attended the required league tryout(s) and were not drafted by a Majors team are eligible to be drafted by an AAA division team. Players league age 9 who do not make a AAA division team will be placed on a Rookie division team. Team draft order will be determined by random draw. B. Games will be 6 innings maximum, unless time expires earlier. At the expiration of 90 minutes from the first pitch of the game, only that inning may be completed. If any time remains on the clock as of the 3rd out made by the home team, then another inning may be played. Mercy rules, per the Little League Rule Book, apply. Post season games have no time limits. Field lights absolutely go off at 10:00 p.m. Games that are not started on time that must be called because of local curfew will be determined to be incomplete and will be completed at a later date. There are to be a maximum of one rostered Manager and 3 rostered assistant Coaches in the dugout or anywhere on the field at any time. One rostered Practice Assistant may help only if a regular Coach or Manager is absent. C. Teams must exchange lineup cards, and give a copy to the Official Scorer and Home Plate Umpire. Free defensive substitutions are allowed, without alteration of the batting order. D. FIVE-RUN RULE: During the first 4 innings, if the offense scores five runs before the defense gets three outs, the inning is over immediately, and only five runs per inning score. Starting in the 5th inning, the five run rule is automatically lifted. There is no requirement to make a declaration with the umpire or opposing coach. There is no five-run rule in post season play. The strike zone shall be the area between the batter’s knees and arm pits in a normal G. batting position and within 3 inches inside and outside of the plate. E. All players on the roster will be placed on batting order and will bat during their turn at bat. F. Runners will advance under the Rules in Section 7.05 (G). G. Only rostered players and coaches will be allowed on the field or dugouts. I. Players must ask for permission from the umpire to leave the playing areas to go to the

rest room. A player can be ejected for leaving without permission. If a player fails to return as of his turn at bat, an out will be recorded for his at bat, but he may return to the game, batting at his position in the lineup. Only one offensive time-out per inning is allowed. A manager meeting a pitcher is a defensive time-out. Upon the third Manager/Pitcher visit, the Manager must pull the pitcher. The team is then afforded the same with the second pitcher. Upon the fourth visit in the game with the same pitcher this pitcher shall be removed. If the Manager abuses this or calls more than on time-out per inning, the umpire may call “Delay of Game”, which could result in a forfeit.

J. The home team is responsible for keeping the official book and pitch count which will remain in the scorers booth for the respective field played. They will also complete the pitch count binder which will be attested by both coaches and remain in the scorers booth for full access. If a player is skipped in the batting order, the manager may be suspended.

ARTICLE XV MAJOR PLAYING RULES

A. Play will be pursuant to the current Little League Rule Book and the River Park Ground Rules and Local Rules, with the following exceptions and clarifications.

B. All players league age 10 - 12 who have attended the required league tryout(s) are eligible to be drafted by a major division team. Team draft order will be determined by the reverse of the regular season finish order of the prior year.

C. Field lights absolutely go out at 10:00 p.m. Games incomplete will be resumed at a later date. Refer to the “Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules” handbook for ruling.

D. There are to be a maximum of one rostered Manager and 3 rostered assistant Coaches in the dugout or anywhere on the field at any time. One rostered Practice Assistant may help only if a regular Coach or Manager is absent.

E. Teams must exchange lineup cards, and give a copy to the Official Scorer and Home Plate Umpire. F. Only rostered players and coaches will be allowed on the field or dugouts. Players must ask for

permission from the umpire to leave the playing areas to go to the rest room. A player can be ejected for leaving without permission.

G. The home team is responsible for keeping the official book and pitch count which will remain in the scorers booth for the respective field played. They will also complete the pitch count binder which will be attested by both coaches and remain in the scorers booth for full access.

H. If a player is skipped in the batting order the manager will be suspended.

ARTICLE XVI CHALLENGER PLAYING RULES [New for 2016]

A. Play will be pursuant to the current Little League Challenger Rule Book and the River Park Ground Rules and Local Rules, with the following exceptions and clarifications.

B. The Challenger division is to be made up mostly of players league ages 5-16. C. Games are 2 complete innings, and are generally played on Sundays. D. There should be 2 to 4 umpires in uniform. E. There should be an announcer. F. Catchers must wear a minimum of a catcher’s helmet and chest protector. Full catcher’s gear is

encouraged. G. Teams should consist of 9 to 15 players. All defensive players are allowed on the field, and should

be spread out over the infield and outfield. No players should be positioned in front of the pitcher’s mound. If team player numbers are not balanced, players may play for the other team. H. All batters and runners must wear a batting helmet at all times.

I. There is no “on deck” batter. A batters waiting to bat shall remain in the dugout. J. There are no outs, even if a defensive play is made. Umpires shall call batters/runners safe when

they reach a base. K. All players on the roster are placed in the batting order. Every player hits once every inning. Teams

change sides only after every player has had his or her at-bat. L. All players will hit off the tee or may have an adult underhand pitch. M. Generally, the base runner and batter will only be allowed to advance one base if the ball is hit

safely. N. Players may “steal” if there is an open base. O. All runners continue to home plate after the last batter bats each inning. P. There are to be a minimum of one Manager and two assistant Coaches in the dugout or on the

field. Additional adults may be in the dugout to sit with the players. Q. Score is not kept and everyone shall de-emphasize the score and encourage the players to learn,

have fun, but enjoy a “real life” baseball experience. R. A minimum of two defensive coaches shall be positioned in fair territory for instructional

purposes. Managers and Coaches are not permitted to interfere with the ball or touch offensive players, except to prevent an injury from occurring.

S. A “buddy” shall be assigned to each player, who shall accompany the player on offense and defense. Buddies should help direct players and watch out for their safety, but not directly participate in the play. Generally buddies are adults, high school players, or Little League players 11 or older.

T. PLAY MUST BE STOPPED WHEN A PLAYER IS INJURED ON A PLAY.

ARTICLE XVII – MAJORS AND AAA

A. There will be one All-Star teams representing each age division, 10, 11, and 12. B. There will be one Tournament of Champions (TOC) teams from both Majors and AAA (two teams

total). C. TOC teams will be the winner of a two game play-off between the four highest ranked teams

following regular season play in each division. All regular season games are included in ranking. D. Majors teams losing a player may call up a AAA player from that team's same division, but not

necessarily the same team affiliation (see call up rules, above). E. AAA teams losing a player, resulting in fewer than 11 players on the team, may call up a Rookies

player from any Rookies team, without regard to division or team affiliation (see call up rules, above).

ARTICLE XVIII POST SEASON PLAY – MAJORS AND AAA

A. Ranking and seeding are based on overall regular season record. In the event of a tie, the tiebreakers are:

a. Head to head record with the team in question b. Head to head with top ranked team in descending order to bottom c. Least runs scored against d. Coin flip

B. The top seeded team is always the home team. C. All playoff and championship games are a full six (6) innings. There is no time limit nor 5 run rule,

but mercy rules apply, per the Little League Rule Book. D. For all levels, pitch count per section ARTICLE XIX below resets following a player’s last regular

season game. Example: A player throws 75 pitches on Saturday, May 31, which is the last regular season game; the player may then pitch in a playoff or TOC game on Monday, June 2, two days later, and the pitch count starts over as of the beginning of that game. Beginning with TOC or All Star Tournament play, pitch count is regulated solely by the Little League Rule Book.

ARTICLE XIX REGULAR SEASON -- PITCHER AND CATCHER LIMITATIONS

A. Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.) These rules shall not apply to the Rookie division. B. Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers. C. The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her league age group,

but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position: 11-12: 85 pitches per day; 9-10: 75 pitches per day; 7-8: 50 pitches per day.

Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

Note 2: Any player who has played the position of catcher in 4 or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day (e.g., a catcher who catches in 3 innings and catches one ball in a 4th inning cannot pitch that calendar day).

D. Pitchers league age 12 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:

• If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. (example: If a player pitches 66 pitches on Saturday, he may not pitch again until Thursday)

• If a player pitches 51 - 65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. (example: If a player pitches 51 pitches on Saturday, he may not pitch again until Wednesday)

• If a player pitches 36 - 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. (example: If a player pitches 36 pitches on Saturday, he may not pitch again until Tuesday)

• If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed. (example: If a player pitches 21 pitches on Saturday, he may not pitch again until Monday)

• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed. (example: If a player pitches up to 20 pitches on Monday, he may pitch again on Tuesday)

Exception: If a pitcher reaches a daily limit or day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; or 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. Also, the pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar days(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided the pitcher is removed or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. It is recommended that the pitcher’s Manager inform the umpire and scorekeeper that a pitcher intends to finish a batter; however, should the pitcher not reach the threshold while facing that batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch.

E. The home team must provide the scorekeeper and the official pitch count recorder. F. The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either

manager or any umpire. Managers shall be entitled to rely upon pitch count displayed on the scoreboard, unless they have actual knowledge that it is incorrect. The manager is responsible for knowing when the pitcher must be removed.

G. The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation VI (c). The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Regulation VI (c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in-chief to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.

H. Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. I. A player may not pitch in more than one game in a calendar day. J. River Park players who also play 7th grade baseball in the Clovis Unified School District are not allowed to

either pitch or catch in River Park games or scrimmages until the 7th grade baseball season is over. Junior Varsity players may pitch or catch the day following their final 7th grade game. Varsity players may not pitch or catch until the CUSD 7th grade baseball season is complete; the Majors coordinator will provide the eligibility dates for the Majors managers.

Season Boosters and Sponsors

The Board of Directors and Officers wish to express appreciation to the 2018 boosters and sponsors. We appreciate all of those who give time, energy and resources to complete the vision of a World Class Baseball Facility.

Again, thank you!

DISCLAIMER Any and all information including but not limited to the statements, policies, procedures and dates announced in this “Parent, Player & Coach Handbook” are subject to change by a majority vote of River Park Little League’s duly appointed Board of Directors.

This Handbook is intended for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a written legal document.

The Local Rules have been approved by Little League Baseball and may be further enhanced or changed by the league’s Board of Directors with approval of Little League Baseball. A copy of the League’s written Constitution or By-Laws is available upon request. Any further questions pertaining to the League’s policies and procedures should be directed to the League’s Board of Directors.