ROSE CAPITAL EAST AMERICAN/NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE
CHALLENGER DIVISION LOCAL RULES
I PURPOSE
The Challenger
Division is a league to enable boys and girls with physical and mental
challenges to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation and the
game of baseball in an environment structured to their abilities. The value of the Challenger Division is found
in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in
sports, the strengthening of the participants’ self-esteem, and the disciplines
of teamwork, citizenship and fair play which are hallmarks of the Little League
program. Except as stated herein, the
rules and regulations of the Challenger Division of Little League Incorporated
as stated in the Challenger Division Official Regulations and Playing Rules
shall apply.
II. LEAGUE DESCRIPTION
The
Rose Capital East American/National Little League’s Challenger Division
(hereinafter referred to as “RCELL Challenger Division” or “Challenger
Division”) is an extension of the Rose Capital East American/National Little
League (hereinafter referred to as “RCELL”, “RCEALL”, “RCENLL”, or the
“League”) and shall consist of players ages 5 through 18, or up to age 22 if
the player is still enrolled in school. Challenger Division will consist of at least one league and may consist
of more than one league when participation numbers allow. In the event participation numbers allow for
the formation of more than one league, factors to considering in structuring
the leagues are the players’ abilities, skill levels, sizes, and ages. Challenger Division games may be played as
coach pitch, T-Ball, player pitch, or a combination of these three depending
upon the players’ abilities, skill levels and ages.
III. ROSTERS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES, PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND INSURANCE
A. Team rosters will be verified by the
Challenger Division Player Agent, President (hereinafter “President”) of the
RCELL Board of Directors (hereinafter “Board”), or the Challenger Division
Vice-President. Each player must provide
a copy of a certified birth certificate (not a hospital certificate) to the
Challenge Division before the player participates in any practices or
games. In the event a birth certificate
is unavailable, an original proof of age document issued by federal, state or
provincial registrars of vital statistics is acceptable proof of age provided
the document was filed, recorded, registered or issued with one (1) year of the
birth of the child. Each player must
present proof of residency within the RCELL boundaries at the time the player
registers. Proof of residency may be
established and supported by driver’s license, voter’s registration, school
records, state records, utility bills, or other approved Little League Baseball
Incorporated proof of residency documents.
B. Managers or coaches of each team shall
notify the President, Challenger Division Vice-President, or RCELL Challenger
Division Board of Directors (hereinafter “Challenger Board”) of any and all
injuries to any player while participating in sanctioned practices, games, or
scrimmages which require medical attention. Pursuant to insurance policy coverage, baseball uniform pants or other long
pants must be worn by all players during all practices, scrimmages and
games. Players wearing short pants will
be considered to have waived the RCELL Challenger Division insurance coverage
for the practice, scrimmage or game in which the player is wearing short pants.
IV. TEAMS
A. Depending upon the number of players
participating in Challenger Division, teams will consist of a maximum of twelve
(12) players and their buddies.
B. Assignment of players to the various
Challenger Division teams shall be conducted by the President, Challenger
Division Vice-President, Challenger Division Player Agent, and the Challenger Board. Players shall be assigned to the various
teams in an effort to make sure each team possesses as closely as possible the
same number of players and that the various teams within the Challenger
Division are as evenly matched as possible based upon the players’ abilities
and skill levels.
V. MANAGERS AND COACHES
A. All managers and coaches must annually
complete and submit an official “Little League Volunteer Application” to the
President or Challenger Division Vice-President. All managers and coaches shall be reviewed by
the President and the Challenger Board.
B. The actions of managers and coaches must
be above reproach. Managers and coaches
are not to argue with other managers, coaches, spectators, umpires (if any), or
RCELL officials prior to, during or after a game. If a problem arises, a
manager or coach should notify the
President, Challenger Division Vice-President, Challenger Board member or a
RCELL Board member.
C. Any manager, coach or player removed
from a game for disciplinary reasons shall leave the playing field, dugouts,
stands, and area in close proximity to the playing field immediately and shall
be barred from participation in the next physically played game and must not
appear at the playing field, dugouts, stands, or area in close proximity to the
playing field.
VI. SANCTIONS, SUSPENSIONS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
A. RCELL shall not tolerate fighting,
physical aggression, continued arguing, or the threat of violence by any parent,
player, manager, coach, or spectator under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES at any Challenger
Division sanctioned practice, scrimmage, game or event. Any person involved in
such behavior shall be subject to the following:
1. SUSPENSION for the next two (2) physically played games of the team
with which said person is associated,
2. PROHIBITION FROM APPEARING at the entire RCELL complex during any
game by the team with which said person is associated for the term of the
suspension, and
3. APPEARANCE before the President, Challenger Division Board and RCELL
Board with the manager of the team with which said person is associated prior
to the expiration of the automatic two (2) physically played game suspension.
The Challenger Division Board and/or RCELL Board reserve the right to impose
more severe penalties if, in the opinion of such Boards, the incident warrants
such action.
VII GAMES
A. Games will be played in accordance with
the RCELL Challenger Division Local Rules as stated herein and the most current
Little League Challenger Division Official Regulations and Playing Rules.
B. Games will consist of either two (2)
innings or three (3) innings, as agreed upon by the managers of the opposing
teams.
C. Score shall not be kept during
Challenger Division games and a winner and loser shall not be declared for any
game played in Challenger Division.
D. During each half inning, all players of
the team at bat shall bat during such half inning. The side will be retired and the half inning
will be over when every player has batted.
E. Batters may hit the ball off of a
batting tee, from a pitch thrown by a coach, or from a pitch thrown by a
player, depending upon the abilities and skill level of the batter. The pitched ball and batting tee may be used
interchangeably throughout the game. Each
player will be permitted to hit the ball. After hitting the ball, the batter will proceed to run the bases,
without risk of being put out at any base.
F. Each batter-runner and runner shall be
permitted to score a run during each half inning.
G. Each player shall be assigned a position
in the field during each half inning when the player’s team is not
batting.
VIII. BUDDIES
A. A buddy is a volunteer permitted on the
field to assist a Challenger Division player with playing skills.
B. Each Challenger Division player shall
have a buddy to assist the Challenger Division player, where necessary, in
batting, fielding, and running the bases.
C. The buddies shall encourage the Challenger
Division players to bat, run the bases, and make plays themselves. Where necessary, the buddies shall assist the
Challenger Division players.