The Managers voted Rob Blomberg as Manager Representative for the 2008 season. The Manager Representative is responsible for scheduling Managers meetings, providing minutes of those meeting to the HHBR Board of Directors and communicating with the Managers regarding any issues that may arise during the season.
Elliot Sherman will send out a summary of the late registrants and which team they've been assigned to. Blomberg's and Peloquin's teams each have one roster spot open which will be filled with any other late registrants. Once those spots are filled, any other late registrants will have to be placed on a waiting list.
The season starts 4/29/08.
The game schedule will be posted on the website by Thursday morning.
Managers are asked to schedule 2 teams at a time on a field for practice in order to maximize available field time.
It was recommended that the managers keep scheduling their own practice times. Managers should be careful about scheduling practices on the Freshman field due to soccer conflicts. The High School teams are generally finished with their games by 5:30 - 5:45 p.m. The High School game schedules will be posted on the HHBR website for cross reference.
Managers are encouraged to use their team page to post their rosters and practices and to communicate with their players and families.
Game write-ups are the responsibility of the winning manager and must include the innings pitched for each pitcher for both teams. There will be an effort this year to provide short game summaries to the Hingham Journal.
Game write-ups must also include the name of any 13 year old player borrowed for the game. There is no limit on which 13 year old you can borrow nor on how many times a 13 year old can be borrowed. Borrowed 13 year old players cannot pitch. It is also permissible to borrow a player from the opposing team if you have less than 9 players at game time.
Rule Highlights
Pitchers coming in can only come from the field not the bench.
There is free substitution. Every player has to play a minimum of 3 innings in the field. If the game is shortened, a player has to play a minimum of 2 innings. For this reason, managers are encouraged to get their players in early in the game.
Slide rule - Runner must slide or avoid. Clarify the Umpire's interpretation of this rule when going over ground rules prior to the game. Incidental contact is permissible.
Shirts must be tucked in.
One foot must remain in the batter's box at all times. Players are not permitted to step out of the box between pitches.
No metal cleats are permitted during the regular season. Metal cleats are permitted during the Summer District season.
All players coaching a base must wear a batting helmet.
Each team must contribute 1 game ball per game.
The hidden ball is not allowed during the regular season but is permitted during the Summer District season.
Pitching Rules
No pitcher may pitch more than 7 innings in 2 consecutive games (even if they are not 2 days in a row)
The starting pitcher can move to another position and return as a pitcher in the same inning as long as he stays in the field. A starting pitcher may also reenter the game as a pitcher at the beginning of an inning.
HHBR will provide a letter to the Hingham and Hull High School Freshman and Junior Varsity coaches for their signature granting permission for players to pitch in Babe Ruth games. Any player attending a private high school will be responsible for getting those letters to their coach for his signature and for returning those letters to HHBR.
There will be 2 umpires per game at the weekend games and 1 umpire per game at the weeknight games. For those games with 2 umpires, each Manager will contribute $45 to the cost of the umpire, For those games with 1 umpire, each Manager will contribute $34 to the cost of the umpire. Any issues regarding umpires shoud be addressed with Rich Magner who is the Umpire Coordinator.
Fields
Rake the mound and around home plate and replace the tarps after practice/games at Cronin. Replace any available tarps at the other fields after practice/games.
Do not use the batting cage for practice at Cronin while a game is in progess there.
Playoffs
Everybody makes the playoffs. It is the best of 3 games with single elimination.
Bud Thorne Classic
To be played on May 24th, 25th. and 26th. which is Memorial Day weekend. Players are placed on teams within their individual age groups ie: 15s.,14s., and 13s. and will play 3 games. Managers are urged to let their players' families know about this event well in advance and to find out who will be available. This tournament is useful to the Managers as an assessment of players for the Summer District team.
Summer District Teams
These teams are formed in the three indvidual age groups ie: 15s, 14s and 13s and will be selected by vote of the Board of Directors, Managers and the Managers. Managers are encouraged to keep an eye out during the season for potential Summer District players.
In order to be eligible for the Summer District team, a player must have played in 50% of the Spring season games. Play in the Bud Thorne Classic and the playoffs count toward this total. Playing in only 1 inning in any given game counts as having played in that game. When a player arrives later in the game, they must be added to the bottom of the roster. Managers cannot put a player on a roster anticipating their late arrival.
League rules cannot be changed during the season but changes can be submitted for consideration for the following season.
Managers
Managers must be 21 years old and coaches must be 18 years old. If a high school senior wants to coach for their community service an age waiver can be granted by the Board if necessary. All managers and coaches must be CORI'd. Each manager must submit the name of at least one coach for consideration by the Board.
The Board has the power to dismiss managers/coaches after a hearing in front of the Board. Absences detrimental to the team can be grounds for dismissal. Managers are encouraged to communicate with the Manager Representative if events arise that prohibit them from fufilling their duty as a manager.
The managers must comport with the Code of Conduct. All managers are insured through HHBR. Managers should notify Elliot Sherman if there are any prolonged injuries to any of their players which would prevent them from participating in baseball for an extended period of time.
Rule books will be distributed when received by the Board.
Suspended players may sit on the bench in uniform but are not required to.