Farm Rules

Farm Guild Lines and Rules

Farms Sportsmanship Rule 1.0 Regular Season

Sportsmanship Rule 1.0 Farms Division

Farms Division:

To keep the game moving along at an even pace we have the bat around rule 4 run rule and the 4-walk rule. During the regular season depending on the score, you as the team leading in the game may use the sportsmanship rule to end the inning at any point you feel shows sportsmanship to the other team. Please let your fellow farms manager know that you will be ending the inning after so and so bats or after a final run comes in. Again, any point during an inning just let them know you will be doing this prior to making that decision. Please understand you can teach your team what sportsmanship is when they ask why you are ending an inning early and that even if the other team comes back, it is not the end of the world as a competitive game is better than a blowout. You as an opposing manager should welcome a comeback as it will help improve your team when playing defense and how to stop them in the future. In this regard the team making the comeback is still regulated to the max batting around in an inning so it should help with evening out the score when necessary.

We are going this year to a complete game of 5 innings during the regular season, not the playoffs. The 5th inning will be bat around equal at bats ends the inning or 3 outs. Must change pitcher after 4 walks which would include hbp as a walk.

Equal at bats mean if one team has 12 players and 1 team only has 10 then the team with 10 can bat up to 12 times.

Stealing bases when leading by many runs can be considered unsportsmanlike and thus is under the discretion of each individual manager. A coach’s decision on the field will reflect on the team manager so please instruct them accordingly when you feel it is not necessary to steal bases. You may send a runner back to a previous base if you deem it necessary just let the other coach and umpire know what you are doing prior to doing it.

Scoring extra runs falls into this same category when leading by enough runs during the game. Managers are responsible to teach sportsmanship and cannot blame the runner or coach when they disregard this, it will and does reflect badly on each manager.

LSW FARMS DIVISION RULES

Before the game, one representative per team will discuss ground rules with the umpire, including, dead balls and age-specific rules.
Each team will supply one new baseball to the umpire.
An umpire’s decision is final. There is a ZERO tolerance rule for disagreement. Under no circumstances will a verbal or physical confrontation between players, coaches, umpires, and/or spectators be tolerated. Anyone doing so will be asked to leave the field of play and will do so before the game can resume. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. All incidents will be reported to the Division Director who will deal with possible repercussions.
Scorebooks must be kept with the players’ last name included.
ALL participants should receive EQUAL playing time.
Regular season positional play: 5 inning regular season game:
1. All players must play outfield at least 1 time
2. All players must play infield at least 2x
3. Players may not pitch more than 2 innings a game
4. Players should not catch more than 2 innings a game
5. Players who plan on catching 2 innings are only allowed to pitch 1 inning.
6. 5th inning no run rule or walk rule ends the inning.
7. 5th inning: teams can bat around with equal at bats and then the inning ends.
8. Or team gets 3 outs before that.
Playoffs only: Every player must play 2 innings in the infield, 1 during the 1st 3 innings, and 1 during the 2nd 3 innings. A complete game is 6 innings with a 2-hour time limit. No inning starts after 1:50 min. The home team does not bat if they lead in the bottom of the last inning. Four innings will be an official game if called for weather or darkness. No regular season game will extend beyond 2:10 min. Extra innings are permissible if time limit allows.
Only umpires can grant time.
Only the Manager can DISCUSS a call.
A team may protest a game at which point both books should be clearly marked.
After lightning, the field will be cleared for a min of 15 min before play can resume, weather permitting.
There is a ten-run mercy rule after 4 innings and equal at bats.
SPORTSMANSHIP is strongly urged, DO NOT take advantage of less experienced players or run up the score.
Do not run-on overthrows. Can not advance when the ball is on the infield.
Stealing third is allowed after the ball crosses the plate.
3 steals Max per inning.
No leading until after the ball crosses the plate. One warning per player.
The Division Director must reschedule all games and then send it into the administrator to schedule umpires.
If the umpire does not show (10 minutes Grace) try to agree on a suitable volunteer.
Bases set at 60 feet, pitching distance set at 42 feet.
A player may pitch a max of 4 innings per week. One pitch equals 1 inning.
2 innings max per game. If they are also catching can only catch 1 additional inning.
If pitcher pitches 1 inning may catch up to 2 innings.
After 2nd visit to mound in an inning, pitcher must be removed and cannot return. An injury will not result in a charged visit, as determined by the umpire. Please be patient with the opposing team if visit is needed for the player.
Regular Season: 5 inning Game
Max of 4 walks/inning EXCEPT in last inning when pitcher must be changed. Hit batsmen count as walks. Pitchers may not pitch the next inning after they gave up 4 walks in the previous inning.
An inning also ends when you have gone through your entire lineup with equal at bats to the opponent.
A pitcher must be replaced after 2nd hit batsmen in an inning or 3rd in a game.
Injured batters may be replaced with the last batted out, at bat resumes as is. An injured player may return to line up next at bat. If they cannot continue the spot is skipped with no penalty. If a player leaves it is not an out in the order, the position is skipped.
Batting out of order is a mistake, scheduled batter should resume.
10 fielder’s min of 8 use players from opposing side to cover the outfield if needed.
If a team lacks the min number of players, they must refer to division director who will offer a list of eligible players to “call up”.
Call ups Rookies to Farms only. Call-ups should be spread from team to team. Comparable player skill wise should be called.
A call up cannot miss their game to play up.
ONLY coach, umpire, or suited player can warm up a pitcher.
Please use a runner for the catcher who is going to catch the next inning. Please designate someone to warm up the pitcher, needs only 7 pitches.
All runners MUST slide FEET first, except when returning to base. Headfirst slides are an OUT.
No Bunting.
No infield flies.
No tag ups.
Ball in Dead territory results in awarding the last base touched plus 1 additional.
Catcher can be removed from base path and replaced with the last batted out after 2 outs in the inning. Rule #35
NO REPOSITIONING of players once the inning has begun, except when due to an injury.
If you need to switch pitcher, that player goes to the position that the pitcher is coming from.
No player may sit MORE than 2 innings. REMEMBER EQUAL PLAYING TIME. Rule #5.
No dropped third strike.
Bat size: USA Standard 2 3/4 Max(most common size is 2 5/8: No USSA 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 no Wood or BB Cor Bats Allowed
ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR PROTECTIVE CUP. NO CUP NO PLAY.
3 Steals max per inning
All outfielders must be at least 20 feet back from the end of the infield dirt. This is a constant battle but necessary to start to teach them the correct position to play when playing the outfield. Remember they may not throw any runner out on a force play at 1st base from the outfield and we do not encourage them to run to 2nd base to get the runner out because they are positioned right behind 2nd base. They may throw a runner out on a force play at 2nd or 3rd base, that is why it is necessary to have them start 20 feet back from the infield

* Farms Division reminder - We use Umpires who are 14 - 15 years old. They are kids and should be treated with respect. We will not tolerate Parents/Players/Coaches yelling, tormenting, or confronting them. There is a Zero-Tolerance rule.

The Player Positioning Sheets and Score book must always be kept up to date during the game. Executive Board Members and Division Directors can ask to see this at any time during the game. If it is not kept up to date the Manager will be given a first warning. Second time could result in losing your team. This is a record, so every child receives fair playing time.

Farms Division Director

LSW website is www.lswsports.org

LSW Rules for Farms, Minors, Majors

*LSW RULES*
Note: These rules supersede previously written versions.
Website: www.lswsports.org
Farms Division	Minors Division	Majors Division
Director	Director	Director
Phone	Phone	Phone
Before the game, one representative per team will discuss ground rules with the umpire
including dead balls and age-specific league rules.
Each team will supply one new baseball to the umpire.
An umpire's decision is final. There is a zero-tolerance rule for disagreement.
Under no circumstance will a verbal or physical confrontation between players, coaches, umpires
and/or spectators be tolerated. Anyone doing so will be asked to leave the field of play,
and will do so before the game can resume. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. All incidents
will be reported to the Division Director who will handle the situation according to our code of conduct.
Scorebooks must be kept with the players last name included
	Position sheets must be filled out and kept every game
All participants should receive equal playing time
Every player must play 2 innings in the infield, 1 during the 1st 3 innings, and 1 during the 2nd 3. Regular season farms: 5 inning games players must play outfield at least 1x, infield at least 2x and cannot sit more than 2 innings.
No player can play the outfield more than 3 consecutive innings
A complete game is 6 innings with a two-hour time limit. No inning will start after 1:50 Minutes. Farms regular season is 5 innings
The home team does not bat if leading in the bottom of the last inning. Four innings will be an official
game if called for weather or darkness. No regular season game will extend beyond 2:10 minutes.
Extra innings are permissible if the time limit allows.
Only the umpire can grant time
Only the Manager can discuss a call
A team may protest a game at which point both books should be clearly marked.
After lightning, the field will be cleared for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Ten (10) run mercy rule after 4 innings and equal at bats.
Sportsmanship is expected, do not take advantage of less experienced players or run up the score.
Do not run on overthrows. Can not	Do not run on overthrows. Can not	Advance at own risk
advance when ball is in infield.	advance when ball is in infield.
Steal third 3 steals max per inning	Steal 2nd and 3rd one at a time 3 steals max per inning	Advance at own risk. Home plate must be earned
No leading until after ball crosses	No leading until after ball crosses	May lead; Balks given 1 warning
plate; 1 warning per player.	plate; 1 warning per player.	before awarding a stolen base
Division Director must reschedule all games.
If umpire does not show (10 Min Grace) try to agree on a suitable volunteer.
Bases set at 60 feet	bases set at 65 feet	bases set at 75 feet
Pitching distance-42 feet	pitching distance-46 feet	pitching distance-51 feet
Pitch max 4 innings per week	Pitch max of 6 Innings per week including travel
One pitch equals one inning
2 innings max per game	3 innings max per game	4 innings max per game
	Spring Travel pitching rules will be enforced
	Once a pitcher is taken out, they cannot be put back in
An injury will not result in a charged visit, as determined by the umpire.
Regular season Max of 4 walks/inning		N/A
must be changed. Hit batsmen count as walks. Pitchers may not re-enter once they have given up 4 walks in any one inning
An inning also ends when you have gone through your entire
lineup with equal at bats to the opponent. (Does not apply to the 6th inning.)
A pitcher must be replaced after 2nd hit batsmen in an inning, or		One (1) 11-Year-old must pitch
3rd in a game. Minors- one (1) 9-Year-old must pitch at least 1 complete inning		at least 1 complete inning
Injured batters may be replaced with the last batted out; at bat resumes as is. Injured player may return
to line up next at bat. If they cannot continue, the spot is skipped with no penalty.
If a player leaves it is not an out in the order, the position is skipped.
Batting out of order is a mistake;	Batting out of order can be challenged before the next pitch;
scheduled batter should resume	if determined to be right, the incorrect batter is out, and runners return to
	correct places and correct batter are up. If a pitch is thrown
	then the play stands and next scheduled batter is due.
10 Fielders min of 8 use opposing team players to fill outfield	10 Fielders, min of 8	9 Fielders, min of 8
If a team lacks the minimum number of players, they must refer to Division Director who will offer
a list of eligible players to "call up". However, the decision will remain with the director to call up the player.
Call Ups: Rookies to Farms, Farms to Minors, Minors to Majors. Call ups should be spread team to
team. Players of comparable should be called. Only 10 Yr olds can be called up to Majors.
A call up can not miss their own game to play up
Only a coach, umpire, or suited catcher can warm up a pitcher.
All runners must slide feet 1st, except when returning to base. Head 1st slides are an out.
No bunting	Bunting allowed	Bunting allowed
No infield fly	Infield fly in effect	Infield fly in effect
no tag ups	no tag ups	tag ups
Ball in dead territory results in awarding the last base touched plus 1 additional at the discretion of the umpire.		Ball in dead Territory results in awarding a base +1 at the discretion of the Ump

Catcher can be removed from base path and replaced with last batted out when there are 2 outs in the inning.
No repositioning players once the inning has begun except when due to an injury.
No player may sit more than two innings
No dropped third strike
USA Standards 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 Max No USSA Standards 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 No Wood/Bamboo or BB Core Bats	USA Standards 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 Max USSA Standards 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 Max No Wood/Bamboo or BB Core Bats	USA Standards 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 Max USSA Standards 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 Max BPF1.15 2 3/4 Max 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 bats must be -10 or heavier No Wood/Bamboo or BB Core Bats
*All players must wear protective cup, NO CUP-NO PLAY!!!!!*
LSWAA's Code of Conduct will be enforced. (available online)
You are responsible for your Players and Parents conduct
* Farms Division reminder - We use Umpires who are 14 - 15 years old. They are kids and should be treated with respect. We will not tolerate Parents/Players/Coaches yelling, tormenting or confronting them. There is a Zero-Tolerance rule. The Player Positioning Sheets and Scorebook must always be kept up to date during the game. Executive Board Members and Division Directors can ask to see this at any time during the game. If it is not kept up to date the Manager will be given a firs warning. Second time could result in losing your team. This is a record, so every child receives fair playing time.

Farm Rules

Farm Guild Lines and Rules

LSW Rules for Farms, Minors, Majors

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