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Hillsboro R3 Little League

Bylaws (Local Rules)

Little League Bylaws (Local Rules)

Hillsboro R3 Little League

Hillsboro, MO 63050

League ID: 0125-0304

The following are the bylaws for Hillsboro R3 Little League. Our league vows to follow the Little League Official Rules and Guidelines when applicable. These bylaws are strictly for the instances that Little League gives us discretion to choose our own guidelines.

For complete rules and regulations please download the Little League Rulebook App

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

*Any player being physically or mentally challenged shall be allowed to play down a division down with approval from the Charter Committee.

*Catchers in all divisions of baseball (except Tee Ball) MUST wear a protective cup. Catcher’s mask must also be equipped with “dangling” throat guard (baseball and softball).

*During the regular season, the Tee Ball, Machine Pitch and Minor Divisions will use the “Continuous Batting Order”, which requires all players on the team roster who are present for the game a spot in the batting order. (Rule 4.04) The older divisions (Major, Intermediate, Junior and Senior) may choose between the Continuous Batting Order or Substitutions.

*The plate umpire may stand behind the pitcher.

*A game may be played with eight (8) players, with no penalty for batting without a 9^th player.

*There is no “MUST SLIDE RULE”. It is slide or avoid.

*MANDATORY PLAY RULE (All divisions) – Every rostered player present at the start of the game will participate in each game for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time.

ARTICLE I - DIVISIONS OF PLAY

Tee Ball – Players 4-6 years old Intermediate 50/70 – Players 12-13 years old

Mini (Machine Pitch) – Players 6-8 years old Junior – Players 13-14 years old

Minor (Kid Pitch) – Players 8-10 years old Senior – Players 15-16 years old

Major – Players 10-12 years old

Tee Ball:

Coaching styles vary. The manager has two options: 1. No pitching, use tee. Or 2. The coach shall deliver five (5) pitches and then utilize the tee if necessary.
Participants 5 and 6 years old are permitted to advance to the Mini Division after participation in Tee Ball for one year.
There are no minimum/maximum number of players on a team (recommended 8-10 players)
Teams must be dissolved at the end of each season, with all players returning to the player pool
A regulation game is three (3) innings or sixty (60) minutes maximum, whichever comes first
Once a team has batted the line-up their offensive half is complete
Runners can only advance one (1) base per batted ball until the last batter of the line-up, then the bases can be cleared.
There are no walks or strikeouts in Tee Ball
No player may be on the bench for more than one inning in a row. Mandatory play rules must be followed.
Players may not participate in more than one division
No score will be kept in this division
No Infield Fly Rule in this division
Not eligible for after-season Tournament play

Mini (Machine Pitch): (see separate rules for more in-depth guidelines)

There are no minimum/maximum number of players on a team (recommended 8-10 players)
The coach shall deliver 6 pitches or 3 strikes (if the batter fouls or tips on the 3^rd strike or 6^th pitch then the batter shall continue to see another pitch until they either swing and miss or put a ball into fair play)
The pitching machine will be set at 46’-0” from back of home plate. Teams may use a “progressive approach” with the speed of the pitching machine during practices, which means they would start at 38 miles per hour and work their way up. By Opening Day the pitching machine will be set at approximately 40 miles per hour. (Softball is 35’ and 32mph)
There will be a limit of 5 runs scored each half inning unless the games reaches the 6^th inning, in which case as many runs will be allowed to score before reaching 3 outs.
No stealing or lead-offs are allowed in this division
A regulation game is six (6) innings, but a game is complete after four (4) innings or one hour and thirty minutes maximum, whichever comes first
There are no walks in this division
No more than ten (10) players on the field at one time (6 infielders and 4 outfielders may be played)
No player may be on the bench for more than one (1) inning in a row. Mandatory play rules must be followed.
Players may not participate in more than one division
Teams must be dissolved at the end of each season, with all players returning to the player pool
Score can be kept in this division
Not eligible for after-season Tournament play

Minor League:

There are no minimum/maximum number of players on a team (recommended 8-10 players)
A regulation game is six (6) innings, but a game is complete after four (4) innings or one hour and forty-five minutes maximum, whichever comes first
Stealing bases is allowed in this division. Runners may not leave the base until the ball crosses the plate.
No more than nine (9) players on the field at one time (6 infielders and 3 outfielders)
This division will follow the “Mandatory Play” rule stated in the Little League Rulebook
This division will follow the “Pitching Limit and Rest Requirements” set forth by Little League stated in the rulebook. If a manager is found to be guilty of not following these guidelines he/she will be subject to immediate removal, to be voted on by the Board of Directors.
Players may not participate in more than one division
Teams may play one (1) double-header in a week
There are no penalties for “balking”. Advise them of what they are doing wrong and continue play.
There is no “bunting” in this division
Intentional walks are allowed in this division – see Rule 6.08 (a2)
Pinch Runner – see Rule 7.14 (a) – Only applies if you are not using a Continuous Batting Order
Courtesy Runner – see Rule 7.14 (b)
The “dropped third strike” rule does not apply in this division
In the case of an overthrown ball FROM THE CATCHER to a base after a pitched ball, all runners can advance only to the base they were going to. This rule is in effect because we are trying to teach our catchers to “throw down”, if they are afraid of runs scoring they may be less likely to do so.
The fifteen (15) and ten (10) and eight (8 )run rule applies in this division. See Rule 4.10(e)
Little League International puts a 5-run rule on this division.
Eligible for after-season Tournament play – see Article VIII - All-Stars

Major Division:

A player may participate in more than one division
Recommended - No team may have more than fifteen (15) players nor less than twelve (12)
There are no penalties for “balking”. Advise them of what they are doing wrong and continue play.
A regulation game is six (6) innings, but a game is complete after four (4) innings or one hour and forty-five minutes maximum, whichever comes first
This division may play two (2) double-headers per week
This division will follow the “Mandatory Play” rule stated in the Little League Rulebook
This division will follow the “Pitching Limit and Rest Requirements” set forth by Little League stated in the rulebook. If a manager is found to be guilty of not following these guidelines he/she will be subject to immediate removal, to be voted on by the Board of Directors
The fifteen (15) and ten (10) and eight (8) run rule applies in this division. See Rule 4.10(e)
Stealing bases is allowed in this division. Runners may not leave the base until the ball crosses the plate.
Teams may agree on a “run rule” per inning in front of the umpire at the Home Plate Meeting.
Intentional walks are allowed in this division – see Rule 6.08 (a2)
Pinch Runner – see Rule 7.14 (a) – Only applies if you are not using a Continuous Batting Order
Courtesy Runner – see Rule 7.14 (b)
Eligible for after-season Tournament play – see Article VIII - All-Stars

Intermediate/Junior/Senior Divisions:

A player may participate in more than one division
Recommended - No team may have more than fifteen (15) players nor less than twelve (12)
A regulation game is seven (7) innings, but a game is complete after five (5) innings or two hours maximum, whichever comes first
This division will follow the “Mandatory Play” rule stated in the Little League Rulebook
This division will follow the “Pitching Limit and Rest Requirements” set forth by Little League stated in the rulebook. If a manager is found to be guilty of not following these guidelines he/she will be subject to immediate removal, to be voted on by the Board of Directors
The fifteen (15) and ten (10) and eight (8) run rule applies in this division. See Rule 4.10(e)
You may have “on-deck” batters in these divisions.
Teams may agree on a “run rule” per inning. Should be agreed upon at manager’s meeting in front of the umpire prior to game start.
Intentional walks are allowed in this division – see Rule 6.08 (a2)
Pinch Runner – see Rule 7.14 (a) – Only applies if you are not using a Continuous Batting Order
Courtesy Runner – see Rule 7.14 (b)
SENIOR DIVISION ONLY – Designated Hitter Rule 3.03
Eligible for after-season Tournament play – see Article VIII - All-Stars

ARTICLE II – REGISTRATION AND FEES

Hillsboro Little League will offer both Online Registration and In-Person Registrations for each season.
HLL has the right to accept registrations until the time of player selection and thereafter, registration may be closed.
Registration Fees will be assessed to parents as an obligation continuity of the local league. The fee will be voted on each year by the Board of Directors.
There will be a $100.00 fee per family for duties in the concession stand or other volunteer positions that will be refunded once the family has completed four (4) hours of volunteer service to the league. If volunteering is not an option, we offer the “buyout” of their duties for $100.00.
Late Registration – If all rosters are full the potential participants’ name will be placed on a standby/pool list.
A late registration fee will be applied the day after online registration closes.
The player’s jersey/hat will be held until registration and concession dues have been taken care of.

ARTICLE III – SKILLS ASSESSMENT AND DRAFT/PLAYER SELECTION

Skills Assessment:

In order to maintain a health-conscious environment, HLL will no longer be participating in the Skills Assessment prior to the start of the Spring season.

Draft/Player Selection:

HLL will utilize a “pre-existing” draft method. A manager who has managed a team in the prior season is eligible to maintain eight (8) players on their roster.
HLL will honor the following when making team rosters:

Brothers/Sisters /Family Members
Sons/Daughters of Managers/Coaches
Ridesharing of Players

The remaining players will then be sorted via computer software based on their age.

ARTICLE IV – POOL PLAYERS

A pool of players from existing regular season teams can be created with players that are willing to participate in extra games during the regular season when teams face a shortage of rostered players for a regular season game. The guidelines of which are as follows:

The league’s player agent will create and run the pool. The league’s player agent will use the pool to assign players to teams that are short of players on a rotating basis.
Managers and/or coaches will not have the right to randomly pick and choose players from the pool.
Players used from the pool will NOT be allowed to pitch or catch, except during the player’s own regular season scheduled game.
Pool players that are called and show up at the game site MUST play at least nine consecutive defensive outs and bat once. Regulation V(c)

ARTICLE V – PROTESTS

The process of protesting is addressed in the Little League Rulebook (Rule 4.19)
The HLL Protest Committee will consist of the President, Player Agent of said division,
Umpire in Chief, and one other Board Member. If the vote should end in a tie, the President will be the deciding vote.
The two (2) coaches involved in the protest will be present at the meeting along with the umpire of the game.
The committee will meet within forty-eight (48) hours after the protest has been filed in writing in accordance with Little League regulations.

ARTICLE VI – DECORUM and EJECTIONS

Field Decorum:

Any player, manager, coach, umpire, or league official who is involved in a verbal or physical altercation, or an incident of unsportsmanlike conduct, at the game site or any other Little League activity, including online or social media, is subject to disciplinary action by the local league Board of Directors.

Police Calls:

Anyone on a Little League roster that the Little League must call the police on will be off the team for the rest of that season.
Anyone not on a Little League roster that the Little League must call the police on will be asked to stay away from the fields or stay under control and their name will be put on an ongoing list to be kept in the HLL files.
An appeal may be made to the Board of Directors

Ejections:

When the manager, coach, or player is ejected from a game, they shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game. They may not sit in the stands and may not be recalled. Any manager, coach, or player ejected from a game is suspended for his or her team’s next physically played game (Rule 4.07)
Any coach or manager ejected a second time in the same season will no longer be a member of the team.
Any player ejected a second time in a season will be off the team for the rest of that season.
Any ejection must be reported to the D.A. within 24 hours of the ejection.

ARTICLE VII – FALL BALL

Hillsboro Little League offers an instructional season called “Fall Ball” to help further the skills and confidence of players.
Registration will be available online and in-person
There will be a registration fee due upon registration
Fall Ball Rules will follow the same guidelines as the regular season

ARTICLE VIII – ALL STARS

Entering All-Star teams in the All-Star tournament is an option of the local League. The tournament has its own set of rules and guidelines that must be strictly adhered to. Once tournament season starts, authority is vested solely in the Tournament Committee in Williamsport.

POSSIBLE CHARTERED TEAMS:

9 year old BB - Minor SB (8-10 years old)
10 year old BB - Major SB (10-12 years old)
11 year old BB - Junior SB (12-14 years old)
12 year old BB - Senior SB (13-16 years old)
50/70 BB
Junior BB
Senior BB

Eligibility for these teams requires the players to have participated in at least 60% of their regular season games prior to the beginning of tournament play in their respective division.

All-Star teams will roster twelve (12) to fourteen (14) players. Senior division can have up to sixteen (16). Each team is allowed one (1) manager and two (2) coaches.

PLAYER SELECTION:

Each eligible player in the division will vote for six (6) roster positions. The top (6) vote getters will be put on their respective teams. The manager/coaches will fill in the rest of the team in order to make sure they have enough pitchers/catchers.

COACHES/MANAGERS:

The All-Star manager is typically the manager with the first place team in their division. This does NOT guarantee their selection. The manager position will still be voted on by the Board of Directors to ensure that we have the best respresentative for Hillsboro Little League. The two (2) coaches can be chosen by the Manager.

ARTICLE IX – MISC. BOARD STUFF

Recurring Bills: Recurring bills (such as Ameren, AT&T, etc) will be set up on auto payments.
Spending Limits: Anything over $50 must be voted on. $50-$200 can be voted on electronically (via Facebook Messenger or text), anything over $200 must be voted on during a regular board meeting.
Registration Fees: Current (and active) Board members are required to pay only a $50.00 registration fee per child.
Term Limits:

The term limits of the Board Members are one (1) year.
If you hold a “title” on the Board, your term limit in that position is one (1) year.
We will review the term limits annually in September and hold elections in October.

Leave of Absence: Board members are allowed to take a “leave of absence”, not to exceed six (6) months. At the end of the six months they will be required to rejoin the board or submit a letter of resignation.
Absenteeism and Mandatory Volunteer Hours : These items are addressed in the HLL Constitution (Article VI, Section 1c)
Voting –

Voting may also be done electronically via an app, Facebook, Messenger, or text
President’s are also allowed to vote. In the case of a tie, the President will be the deciding factor.

Board Meetings –

Monthly Board Meetings may be held electronically via Skype, Zoom, etc.
Board Meetings are open to the public, except for annual elections and anything of a sensitive nature. Those meetings will be held in a “closed” session.

These Bylaws were discussed, edited, voted on, and passed

by the Local League Board of Directors and shall remain in effect until amended or replaced.

Date: March 1, 2023

Printed Name: Michele Largent

Title: President