LA PORTE BOYS BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
BY LAWS AND RULES
ADMINISTRATIVE
PURPOSE
LPBBA is organized and dedicated to install in the youth of this community ideals of good
sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and reverence so that they may be finer, stronger, and happier
youth, whom will grow up to be good, healthy adults.
SANCTIONING BODY/SOVEREIGNTY
LPBBA sanctions itself in accordance to our By-Laws and/or clear precedence. We are sovereign to
LPBBA league playing rules.
LEAGUE RULES
The official rules of MLB will be followed which are superseded by our local rules (by-laws).
Bat regulations:
We will follow the USSSA bat regulations
Metal cleats will not be permitted in our league.
Exception: They will be allowed in Pony
AGE DETERMINATION
Age determination will be May 1st Clydesdale 4, Shetland 5 & 6, Pinto 7 & 8, Mustang 9 & 10, Bronco 11
& 12, Pony 13 & 14, Colt 16 &17
No one is allowed to play up to the next age group.
BADGES
ID badges will issued by LPBBA. ID badges shall be worn by approved coaches and volunteers in
accordance with the procedures mandated by the board of directors.
REGISTRATION
A registered player is defined as one that has completed their registration form and has their financial
responsibilities taken care of and completed tryout obligations. These players will be guaranteed a place
on a team. No player will be placed to a team until their financial responsibilities are paid in full unless
other arrangements have been made through the President and/or designee. All hardships will be
subject to approval through the president and/or designee.
Registration will be held in the month of January. The dates of the registration will be advertised.
Late registration will be held before the first tryout date and conclude at the end of tryouts. Any player
registering during this will be charged a $20.00 late fee. (Late fee subject to be dismissed by Board of
Directors)
Late registration ends after the close of perspective league tryout. Any player registering after the close
of tryouts will be charged a $30.00 late fee. These players will be placed on a waiting list and placed on a
team as openings in their league become available. (Late Fee subject to be dismissed by Board of
Directors)
Registration will close after midway point of season unless team falls below minimum playing positions.
No Player can be added after completion of regular season. If a play off team falls below minimum
playing positions a player from a non-play-off team will be placed on the affected team by a hat
drawing.
WAITING LIST
Players will be placed on the waiting list in order they signed up. The player agents will maintain list and
a copy will be given to the president, vice president and head commissioner. Any teams that have
openings not consistent with the rest of the league after the draft will have their team name put into
the process to determine which team each player will be placed on.
Drawing will take place with at least 1 player agent and the Head Commissioner/or their designee
REFUND POLICY
Refunds will be issued on a case-by-case basis, final decision being made by the president or designee.
TRYOUTS
The player agents and the commissioners will be responsible for organizing and conducting tryouts.
There will be two (2) consecutive Saturday tryout periods scheduled after the 2nd Saturday registration
day. Make-ups for rainouts will be held on a weeknight of the following week.
All players new to the league or returning to the draft will field, throw, bat, and run at the tryouts.
Tryouts are mandatory. Exception: If player has injury or illness, which prevents them from
participation in any of the two scheduled tryouts then decision will be made by commissioner and player
agent on proper course of action.
DRAFT
The purpose of the draft is to distribute players as fairly as possible. The President, Vice President, and
Head Commissioner will interpret any situations not specifically covered by these rules.
PRESIDING
The President, Vice President, Head Commissioner, and Player Agents will preside over the draft.
Additional personnel will be determined by player agents and head commissioner.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance at the draft will consist of only 2 representatives per team. The managers must notify the
commissioners if they are unable to attend and who will represent their team. The representatives must
have a player returning to that team, a player frozen to that team, or not have a player in that league.
DRAFTING ORDER
Drafting order will be determined at the draft table. This will signify the start of the draft. No changes in
the draft order will be allowed.
ROSTER SIZE
Team roster will be limited to no more than 12 players and no less than 9 under no circumstance. At no
time shall a team have on its roster more than 8 players of any age group except in Clydesdale.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Each team will retain previous season players that have registered by the end of tryouts.
Returning players have the option to re-enter the draft, but must tryout and cannot be frozen to
another team unless their parent is the manager of that team. The decision to return to the draft or
return with previous team must be made before the conclusion of the final tryout in their league. Any
returning player that goes thru the tryout will not be allowed to return to the same team, unless they
are drafted by that team. A player will return to their previous team unless they tryout. No Exceptions.
MECHANICS OF THE DRAFT
The drafting order will follow from top to bottom then bottom to top in the same sequence for the
remainder of the draft. Players in the older age group will be drafted first until not enough to complete
another round, then the younger and older players will be drafted until not enough to complete another
round, then remaining players will be placed on teams to be determined at draft. All teams will have a
second round pick unless they are at or above the magic number. Players that do not tryout will be
drafted in the same manner as above but cannot be traded.
AUTOMATIC DRAFT SELECTIONS
A manager may exercise their right of automatic selection, limited to two, in either the older or younger
age group. Teams at or above the magic number (dividing the number of older age players by the
number of teams) at the draft may not freeze an older age player unless it is the managers child.
A freeze of an older player will go in the first available round of that age group a freeze of a second older
player will go into the next available round. A freeze of a younger player will go in the second round of
that age group. A freeze of a second younger player will go in the first round of that age group.
Siblings of returning players or siblings coming into the league for the first time must play on the same
team unless otherwise stipulated by the parents. A younger sibling will be placed in the ninth round.
Additional younger siblings will be placed in the tenth round. An older sibling will be placed in the first
available round. A younger age player coming into a league with an older sibling already in that league
can be frozen, but if the older sibling is on another team they will not be placed on the same team as the
younger player. (Siblings are defined as living under the same household or legal siblings.) Once draft is
complete a sibling will be placed on a team per the waiting list procedure.
A manager who wishes to freeze a player must have the freeze form filled out completely before the
start of the draft. A freeze cannot be traded. The manager must freeze their child.
TRADES
All trades will be conducted and finalized at the draft table. Trades will be limited to one player for one
player of the same age. Conformation requires the completion of the trade form with all necessary
signatures.
ABSENTEE DRAFTING
The head commissioner or player agent will determine which board member will draft for a team that
has no coaching staff. No trading will be allowed on these teams.
ROSTER VERIFICATION
League commissioners will check the rosters of their league teams upon notification by the head
commissioner. Players will be added to any team not having a consistent roster within their league.
PLAYER QUITS
A player who quits after being drafted or placed on their team will not be permitted to play on another
team during the current season. This player is not allowed to return to that team the next year. He must
go into the draft. Mangers must notify commissioner within 24 hours, failure to do so will result in being
brought up in front of the disciplinary committee. League commissioner will contact parents to confirm
information.
GAMES
SCHEDULING
Scheduling of games will be set by league commissioner and approved by the head commissioner.
Practice field signups will take place at the draft. ****LPBBA fields are not included****
SCHEDULE CONFLICTS
Any scheduled conflict with school activities must be submitted in writing with the respective league
commissioner at least 48 hours prior to the ball game in conflict. Manager must submit documentation.
Any team capable of fielding eight players must play that game.
TIME LIMITS
Time limits for regular season games are as follows:
PONY – 110 minutes or 6 innings
BRONCO – 100 minutes or 6 innings
MUSTANG – 90 minutes or 5 innings
PINTO – 75 minutes or 5 innings
SHETLAND – 75 minutes or 5 innings
CLYDESDALE – 45 minutes or 4 innings
In the event a game is tied at the end of regulation time (Pinto through Pony) one extra inning will be
played. After completion of extra inning and score is still tied then it will be considered a tie in the
standings.
Mercy Rule: Mustang 20 after 2, 15 after 3, 10 after 4. Bronco/Pony 15 after 3, 10 after 4.
The drop dead time for all games is 10:00pm. This is because LPBBA is regulated by the city on the lights.
If this occurs the game will pick up right where it left off the next day before any other game.
MAKE UP GAMES
Any regular scheduled season game called due to rain out or school function will be played at the
earliest possible date as determined by the head commissioner.
Games will be considered complete after 3 innings or 2.5 innings if home team is ahead.
DUGOUT OCCUPATION
Only the coaching staff and players are permitted in the dugout/field. The field scoreboard will
designate Home/Visitor team dugouts. Coaches need to be within arm’s length of the dugout during
play. Penalty ejection Teams are allowed 4 coaches on the playing field. Teams are responsible for
cleaning dugouts and trash picked up in their area. Any team not cleaning their area after their game will
have the manager of that team suspended for one game.
Note: Coaches will not be ejected for not being arm length of the dugout unless the opposing manager
complains, once a complaint is made the umpire will warn both sides and the next coach from either
team not arm length from the dugout will be ejected.
SCOREKEEPER AND SCOREBOARD OPERATOR
The home team will furnish an official scorekeeper. The visitors will furnish the scoreboard operator.
Official scorebook will be kept in ink. Penalty: Team without representative forfeits game. The home
team is responsible for picking up and returning the scorebook and scoreboard controller to the
designated area. Penalty: manger will be suspended for one game. Both teams’ representatives WILL sit
at the table behind Home Plate regardless if the scoreboard is working to ensure fairness in the official
scorebook. NO EXCEPTIONS
MININUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS
A team may begin and play the game with eight players. Teams not fielding eight players within ten
minutes of scheduled game time will forfeit that game. Any player arriving before that start of the third
inning will be inserted at the bottom of the lineup and allowed to play.
INTENTIONAL WALKS
Bronco and Pony must pitch to the batter they choose to walk
Mustang the manager may point the batter to 1st base. (A player can only be pointed for a walk once per
a game, they must pitch to the batter in their next bat if they choose to walk the player)
BUNTING
Mustang league batters are not allowed to wiggle bat while bunting or fake bunting at any time. If batter
wiggles bat automatic dead ball and strike will be called.
SLASHING
Slashing is not allowed in any league. Slashing is when batter shows bunt and then pulls bat back and
then swings bat. Penalty: Batter is automatically out and 3rd base coach is ejected from game.
BASE STEALING
Mustang league will play closed bases in Fall and Spring.
Closed Bases: All runners must be in contact with their base when the pitcher is ready to pitch the ball
and must remain in contact with their base until the ball reaches the front of home plate.
Penalty: runner will be called out.
PLAYING REQUIREMENTS
All leagues must substitute players every other inning and bat entire roster.
MINIMUM PLAY RULE VIOLATIONS
First Offense – any player not playing required amount must play the remainder of that game and play
double the minimum playing time during the next game.
Second Offense – same as above and the manager will be suspended their next game.
Third Offense – same as above and the manager will be fired and loses that year of seniority.
ILLEGAL PITCHER
Any manager who uses an illegal pitcher must come before the league commissioner to discuss the
violation. Manager is ejected at the point of violation and ejected for team’s next game. Any subsequent
violation constitutes grounds for immediate dismissal.
PITCHING RULES
Maximum pitches per pitcher per day. Mustang 75, Bronco 85, Pony 95.
0-20 pitches equals zero days’ rest.
21-40 pitches equal one days rest.
41-60 pitches equal two days’ rest.
61-Max pitches equal three days’ rest.
Pitcher is allowed to exceed maximum pitch count per day to complete current at bat. Managers are
responsible for notating reason for exceeding pitch count.
The official scorekeeper of the official score book will keep the official pitch count and record it at the
bottom of the book each half inning.
If a pitcher is removed from the pitching mound he may not return to pitch for the remainder of the
game.
Example: If a player pitches on Monday and requires 1 day rest he cannot pitch until Wednesday,
If a player pitches on Monday and requires 2 days rest he cannot pitch until Thursday, If a player
pitches on Monday and requires 3 days rest he cannot pitch until Friday
BENCHING FOR DISCIPLINE
Any manager who plans on disciplining a player or has been notified that a parent plans to discipline a
player must verbally contact the parent and league commissioner or board member on duty before the
game. This will be noted on the line-up card. The player being disciplined must show up in uniform and
watch the game from the dugout or the suspension will carry over to the next game and so on.
WRITTEN PROTEST PROCEDURES
A protest will be considered valid only if it is done before the next pitch, play or attempted play. A
protest arising on a game-ending play must be filed before leaving the field. All protests will be noted in
the scorebook. Protests should be submitted to the protest committee within 48 hours and shall be in
legible print or type citing the exact violation or complaint and the specific referenced rule and source.
A filing fee, payable to LPBBA, of $100.00, will accompany protests. If the protest is upheld, the fee will
be refunded.
The protest committee will consist of Head Commissioner, Both Player Agents, President/or designee,
Vice President/or designee. A minimum of three members of the protest committee must be present
before a decision can be rendered. Any of the above having direct conflict of interest in any protest
must abstain from the ruling.
MANAGERS AND COACHES
A manager, coach, or assistant coach may be only listed in one league.
Each Manager/coach will sign a Code of Ethics form and any violation will result in immediate
suspension for the rest of the year.
All umpires will issue a letter and turn into the umpire in chief explaining why an ejection was needed.
Anyone denied a coaching position by the Board will not be permitted within the confines of the playing
field for the time dismissed. Failures to comply with suspension will double the original suspension.
PRACTICE GATHERING
Neither gatherings nor practice will be held on Sunday unless necessary to complete the season prior to
the City Championship. Neither gatherings nor practice will exceed two hours (excluding games).
Gatherings and practices are restricted to team members with no more than 5 gatherings per week
except Clydesdale and Shetland which is 4 gatherings per week. A gathering is defined as one or more
coaches and more than three players meeting on a given day. Penalty, the manager will be suspended
for his next 2 scheduled games. A second occurrence and the manager will be suspended for his next 2
scheduled games and be brought before the discipline committee for further action. Must a have
minimum of 2 Gatherings a week, Weather permitting.
RETURNING STAFF PREROGATIVE
Managers, coaches, and board members will accumulate 1 year of seniority for each year of service for
spring and/or fall. No one may accumulate more than 1 year of seniority per year.
Any respective returning manager or coach from the previous playing season having been formally
recognized by the league commissioner will have the first chance at coaching staff openings for their last
year’s team. A maximum of four names will be listed in the league directory for seniority purposes. If a
coach’s name is not listed in the league directory, they will not automatically get rights to take the team
the following season/year. (Exception: if a coach or manger quits during the season and a replacement is
named, the league commissioner and the head commissioner will be informed. If the league recognizes
the replacement, they will have the right to the team the following season.)
Any returning coach can lose rights to his previous team if not registered as a coach by the last late
registration date.
If a parent wants to manage the team that their child is on and there is no returning coach taking the
team, they will get that team, provided they have the seniority to do so.
TEAM DRAWING
If there are more than 1 team with returning players and no manager, all available team names will be
placed in a hat and drawn by the perspective managers according to seniority in the league.
TIE BREAKING PROCEDURES
When teams have identical overall win/loss records the tie breaking procedures will be as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Best win/loss record in head to head competition
Fewest runs allowed between the teams involved in the tiebreaker.
Most runs scored between teams involved in tiebreaker.
If tied after the above formula there will be a one game playoff to determine tiebreak.
DETERMINATION OF CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
Playoffs will consist of 5 teams in leagues with less than 9 teams, 7 teams in leagues with 10 to 14
teams, 9 teams in leagues with more than 15 teams. See website for brackets.
Teams will be seeded by their winning percentages. The higher seeded team will have the option of
being home or visitor.
Tournament games will be played as followed: All games will be played by time limit or innings
whichever comes first. Championship games for Shetland, Pinto and Mustang will be 5 innings. Bronco
and Pony will be 6 innings. (No Time Limit)
Teams will follow league pitching rules thru out city championship.
ALLSTAR TEAMS
The All Star Committee will decide what each League will do for All Stars
The names of those selected for the all-star team will be contacted. All leagues will announce the all-star
teams on closing day.
If a player or manager quits or is not available to participate in any scheduled event will be ineligible for
all-star team selection for the next year.
PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES
The use of drugs and alcohol are not permitted inside the gates of the facility at any time. The use of
tobacco products is permitted in designated areas as marked by the City of La Porte.
Penalty: 1st offense – warning; 2nd offense – ejection from park.
FALL BALL
Spring rules apply for all leagues. Any changes will be announced prior to the start of the fall ball season.
SPECIAL EVENTS
LPBBA will protect the holidays by not scheduling games of a holiday weekend. Holidays are Easter,
Labor Day, Memorial Day and Spring Break. Late games affected by TAKS testing period will not be
scheduled. Every effort will be made to finish other special events, but no guarantee can be made due to
time constraints of the season.
CLYDESDALE LEAGUE PLAYING RULES
PLAYING RULES – GENERAL
All games are strictly instructional, no score shall be kept.
Players that turn four between May 1st and April 30th of each season are eligible to participate.
Players will be placed on teams as fairly as possible.
Innings started before 40 minutes shall be completed.
There will not be any umpires.
PLAYING RULES – OFFENSE
Each team will bat the entire roster each inning, regardless of outs. Any player getting out will continue
to run the bases.
The batting order will be changed every inning.
The ball shall be hit off a batting tee located on home plate. When defensive players are in position and
ready, the manager/coach will place the ball on the tee and say “Ball on Tee”.
A batter will be granted first base after failing to hit a fair ball after five swings.
The batter’s adult may stand by 1st base and coach the batter to the base and accompany him or her
around the bases, one at a time. Starting the fourth week, the base runners will run the bases on their
own.
The base runners will advance one base at a time, except for the last batter, who will attempt running all
the bases.
The inning will end, when all players have batted, regardless of outs.
PLAYING RULES – DEFENSE
All players must be rotated defensively each inning and may not play the same position more than once
per game.
All defensive players will attempt to throw the batter out at 1st base.
This league does not have a set pitching position.
SHETLAND LEAGUE PLAYING RULES
PLAYING RULES – GENERAL
A team can score a maximum of 5 runs per inning or 3 outs.
The Game is over when mathematical elimination occurs.
No intentional walks.
If the batter slings the bat outside the 10’ circle (dirt) they will be called out. (The out is a dead ball
out)
PLAYING RULES – DEFENSE
The pitcher is not allowed to leave the infield. If the pitcher fields the ball outside of the infield,
then they cannot make a play (tag a runner or touch a base) in the infield.
Teams will field ten defensive players. Four outfielders will be used with two players on each
side of second base.
There will be no infield fly rule
The Pitcher must remain in contact with the pitching rubber until the batter makes
contact with the ball. Penalty is a balk or choice of play offensive manager gets to
decide.
The Umpire shall call time when an Overthrow occurs.
An overthrow will be defined as any thrown ball, which goes outside the foul lines by either an
outfielder or infielder. Exception if ball is in the dirt it’s a live ball
Any ball intentionally thrown across the foul line in order to stop play will not be considered an
overthrow and play will continue.
There will be an overthrow at any base provided the ball is thrown by an infielder. Exception if
the ball is in the dirt it’s a live ball
When the ball is hit into the outfield, the outfielder must throw the ball to an infielder.
Outfielders cannot tag runners or make infield force plays.
An attempt must be made to throw the ball by all players. The ball cannot be rolled to make a
play.
A player cannot field a ball hit to the 3rd base side of the pitching rubber and make a running
play in an attempt to tag the runner from home plate to 1st base. The runner will be safe. A
throw to 1st is required to obtain that out. This does not apply to a player fielding a ball to the 1st
base side of the pitching rubber.
A player cannot field a ball hit to the 1st base side of the pitching rubber and make a running
play in an attempt to tag the runner from 2nd base to 3rd base. The runner will be safe. A throw
to 3rd is required to obtain that out. This does not apply to a player fielding a ball to the 3rd base
side of the pitching rubber.
If a team only has 8 or 9 players, the first position dropped will be an outfield position. The
second position dropped will be up to the manager’s discretion.
Catcher will field his position on plays at home. Catcher must have both feet in the circle by
home plate until the ball is put into play. Other players will only serve as back up. PENALTY –
runner scores. Exception: if the catcher position is dropped due to missing players. Catchers
must wear protective gear approved by LPBBA.
When Time is called the Umpire will place each runner on the base they are closest to in the
Umpire’s judgement. Unless the base is occupied by a runner, in this case the umpire shall place
the runner on the previously reached base.
Offense
Each batter will get 3 swings to hit a fair ball if he fails to hit a fair ball after 3 swings the
batter will be out.
The batter will be allowed to measure up 1 time with the ball on the tee any further
measure will be called a strike.
If a batted ball doesn’t go past the dirt circle at home plate it will be a foul ball.
Time will be called when the lead runner is stopped and an infielder possess the ball. Any
trail runners will be sent to the base they are closest to in the umpire’s judgement. Unless
the base is occupied by a runner, in this case the umpire shall place the runner on the previously
Runners must remain in contact with the base until contact is made. If the runner is off the
base and a fair ball is hit the Umpire shall call Dead Ball the runner off the base is out and
the batter is awarded first base no runner will advance unless forced to.
Batters will hit off of a tee, the tee must be placed on top of Home Plate
Batters are not permitted to swing easy or stop their swing, if this occurs the penalty will be
a dead ball strike, NO runners can adavnce
Last Updated: August 26th, 2015
PINTO LEAGUE PLAYING RULES
PLAYING RULES
Pitchers are required to wear a batting helmet with cage or board approved.
A team can score a maximum of 7 runs per inning or 3 outs.
No intentional walks.
If a team only has 8 or 9 players, the first position dropped will be an outfield position. The second
position dropped will be up to the manager’s discretion except the catcher.
The catcher will play in the catcher’s position in the catcher’s box and will return all pitches to the
player/pitcher. Catcher will field his position on plays at home. Other players will only serve as back
up. PENALTY - runner scores.
Batter shall be declared out after failing to hit a fair ball after 6 pitches or 3 swings, unless the 6th
pitch is a foul ball. They will then be allowed to continue to foul the ball off or until they strike out or
put the ball in play.
If a batted ball hits the pitcher coach it will be a called a foul ball.
The umpire shall call time when in his judgement ALL runners have stopped trying to advance to
unoccupied bases.
Runners must remain in contact with the base until contact is made. If the runner is off the
base and a fair ball is hit the Umpire shall call Dead Ball the runner off the base is out and
the batter is awarded first base no runner will advance unless forced to.
There will be no infield fly rule
The pitcher player must position themselves with at least 1 foot in the dirt pitching mound
even with or behind the pitching rubber.
The pitching coach must have at least 1 foot in contact with the pitching rubber when he
delivers the pitch.
Bunting is not allowed
Game is over when mathematical elimination occurs.