Western Piedmont Baseball Rule 3 Substituting, Coaching, Bench and Field Conduct, Charged Conferences

Rule 3 Substituting Player listed as pitcher must pitch until the first opposing batter has been put out or has reached first. Penalty: If pitcher does not face one batter, he may play another position, but not return to pitch. UIC keeps record of substitutes and announces to opposing team. If no announcement is made, subs become players when ball is live and 1) runner takes place; 2) pitcher toes rubber; 3) fielder reaches positions; 4) batter in box.

Rule 3 Substituting Discovery of illegal player on offense by umpire or either team results in player being out and restricted to dugout for remainder of game. If restricted player re-enters, he is out and ejected. If illegal player should score, advance or cause a play that allows another runner to advance, discovery must be made before next pitch. All outs made stand. Runners return to bases occupied at time of pitch. In a game ending situation, discovery must be made before infielders cross the foul lines. Discovery of illegal player on defense by umpire or either team results in player being restricted to dugout for remainder of game. If restricted player re-enters, he is ejected. If illegal player is involved in a play and discovery is made before next pitch, the offense has the option to let play stand or to allow batter to bat again. Penalty for illegal substitution supersedes penalty for batting out of order. Re-entry for illegal player applies if eligible.

Rule 3 Substituting Pitcher replaced while on defense: Substitute pitcher must pitch to batter, or substitute batter until batter is put out or reaches first or until a third out is made. UIC will deny conference until provision is met. If pitcher becomes ill, injured, or is guilty of flagrant UC, rule is ignored. Pitcher may be removed as pitcher and return to pitch only once per inning, provided return does not violate pitching, substitution or charged conference rule. If pitcher is replaced because of illness or injury and rule is not satisfied, or replacement requires more warm-up pitches that allowed in exception, he cannot return as pitcher.

Rule 3 Substituting Re-entry: Any starting player may be replaced and re- entered once provided he occupies same place in batting order. Pitcher is governed by pitching rules. A substitute may not re-enter. DH: A hitter may be designated for any one of the starting players and all subsequent subs for that player prior to the start of the game. If the DH is pinch-hit or pinch-run for, that player becomes the DH. DH may re- enter. DH terminated: Defensive player or any subs for that player subsequently bats, pinch-hits or pinch-runs for the DH or the DH or any previous DH assumes a defensive position.

Rule 3 Substituting Concussion: Player who exhibits signs of concussion must be removed and not allowed to return until cleared by MD. Blood: Player must get treatment. If done in timely manner, he does not have to be replaced. Timely manner is umpire judgment. Re-entry rule would apply. Excessive amount on uniform requires changing the uniform.

Rule 3 Coaching One player, coach or team member (except restricted or ejected) of team at bat may occupy coach’s box. Players must wear helmet. Coaches not in uniform are restricted to dugout but may address players. Can attend to ill or injured players. May wear prostheses and use mobility devices. Coach may not physically assist runner during play. Penalty: Delayed dead ball. Involved runner is out. Other outs stand. Runners not put out return to base occupied at time of infraction.

Rule 3 Coaching Other than the base coach, no offensive team personnel may be near a base, on or near a baseline that would confuse the defense or draw a throw. Offensive players and coaches must allow defense area to attempt put out of batter or runner. If thrown ball unintentionally touches base coach in foul territory, or a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is in play. If the coach is judged to have interfered intentionally with a thrown ball, or is touched in fair territory, it is interference. Penalty: Dead ball, runner is out. Other runners return. Head coach must attend pre-game conference. Penalty: Restricted to dugout for remainder of game.

Rule 3 Bench and Field Conduct Coach, player, sub, or other bench personnel shall not: leave dugout during live ball for unauthorized reason, fake a tag without the ball (obstruction), throw a bat carelessly, wear jewelry (except medical or religious), wear bandanas, hit fungos after the game has started, use TV monitoring or replay for coaching purposes. Penalty: Warning to coach. Next offender ejected. Coach, player, sub, or other bench personnel shall not: commit unsportsmanlike act, enter the area behind the catcher while the opposing pitcher and catcher are in positions, have object in possession in coach’s box other than allowed objects (stopwatch, rule book (hard copy), scorebook (hard copy), be outside the dugout, charge an umpire, use amplifiers for coaching purposes. Penalty: Warning. Restricted to dugout. Or Ejection. Umpire’s discretion. Coach, player, sub, or other bench personnel shall not: deliberately throw a bat or helmet, initiate malicious contact, cause a balk, use tobacco, leave positions or bench to engage in fight. Penalty: Ejection.

Rule 3 Bench and Field Conduct Ejected coach shall leave the vicinity of the playing field and further contact, direct or indirect, is prohibited for remainder of game. While pitcher is warming up, on-deck batter shall remain in on-deck circle. Penalty: Warning to coach. Next offender ejected. Unprotected bullpens require team member with glove positioned to protect players. Must not interfere with LIVE ball.

Rule 3 Charged Conferences Defense: 3 per game. 1 per each extra inning. Not cumulative. Does not apply to illness, injury, or if pitcher is removed. Conference ends when coach crosses foul line or starts to return to dugout. Penalty: After expended, the pitcher shall be removed for remainder of game. Offense: 1 per inning. UIC will deny further requests. Conference ends when coach starts return to coach’s box or dugout or if coach is restricted, when player starts return to position. Time of conference is umpire discretion. When either team has a charged conference, the other team may have a non-charged conference provided it ends when the opposing team’s conference ends and does not delay game.