Franklin County Parks & Recreation
Dixie Youth, Dixie Boys & Dixie Majors
Supplement By Laws to the Rule BookThe following are local options and supplements to the Current Official Dixie Youth, Dixie Boys, Dixie Majors and the Official Rules of Baseball. These by laws over-ride the current rule in the rule book.
General Rules
A complete time at bat begins when a player takes position in the batter's box as a batter with a count of no balls and no strikes and ends when that player reaches base safely or is declared out.
A batter has (20) seconds to assume position in the batter's box. The pitcher has (20) seconds after receiving the ball to deliver a pitch to the batter or throw to a base.
Any player, whether a starter or substitute, who has been removed for the game may re-enter the game one time in Dixie Youth Major or Dixie Boys provided:
1. He occupies the same position in the batting order that he originally occupied.
2. A starting pitcher does not return to the mound as a pitcher in Dixie Youth Minor or Major Leagues.
3. A starting pitcher only may return to the mound in Dixie Boys.Dixie Youth Minor League will place all participants in the batting order and have free substitution on defense, provided all players play at least (3) outs of defense during a regulation game that has not been shortened by acts of God or Slaughter rule.
Illegal substitutes must be noticed by the opposing manager and called to the attention of the umpire immediately upon the illegal substitution entering the game before another pitch is thrown or before another play.
Players, managers and coaches of the participating teams shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands during a game in which they are engaged.
A game shall be considered regulation when a team is ahead by (10) runs after both teams have batted (4) times, or in the case of the home team leading after (3) at bats. Pitchers will be charged with only innings pitched.
In the Dixie Youth leagues a team failing to field at least (8) players within fifteen minutes after the scheduled game time shall forfeit the game. (Rule book requires (9) players.)
If a fair ball goes through or by an infielder and touches a runner immediately back of said infielder or touches a runner after being deflected by an infielder, the ball is in play and the umpire shall not declare the runner out. In making such decision, the umpire must be convinced that the ball passes through or by the infielder and that no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball; runners advance if forced.
If the batter refuses to take position in the batter's box during the time at bat, the umpire shall order the pitcher to pitch and shall call strike on each such pitch. The batter may take a proper position after any such pitch and the regular ball and strike count shall continue, but if the batter does not take proper position before three strikes are called, the batter shall be declared out.
*Dixie Youth Local Rule* Teams may use a courtesy runner for both the pitcher and the catcher at any point during the game and can choose that runner. Teams should take into account any player that may bat during that inning should be avoided and the use of a bench player is recommended.
A head coach may not have more that (2) assistant coaches which are to be reported to Franklin County Parks & Recreation on a team. A player will not be permitted to transfer to another team due to pre-arranged agreements between head coaches and assistant coaches. Assistant coaches may not be chosen prior to the beginning of the season. If you wish to be an assistant coach, please contact the head coach of the team that your child is assigned.
Dixie Youth players will play (3) defensive outs and get at least (1) complete turn at bat. In Dixie Youth Minor League, all players will be in the batting order and free substitutions will be allowed on defense, except for a pitcher returning to the mound. There are no exceptions other that a shortened game. (Re: Rainouts.) In the case of a shortened game, the coaches' integrity will allow those players to start the next game. It is also the hope of the Recreation Department that players will see as much playing time as possible during the season to keep these children interested in the program.
Equipment
Any bats or balls meeting Dixie Youth Baseball specifications shall be legal for local play. It is recommended that Dixie Youth approved bats be purchased whenever possible.
A pitcher shall not wear a shirt with white long sleeves. Shoes must be worn at all times.
Face guards are mandatory and provided on the helmets worn by batters, base runners and on deck hitters during local league play in age 14 and under. All batters and base runners in Dixie Youth must also wear chinstraps at all times. (Dixie Boys are not required to wear chinstraps.)
Catchers must wear a catcher's mask with a helmet made as part of the mask or a separate unit. Catchers should also wear a protective cup supporter in all games. It is also required of catcher's to wear a throat protector device securely attached to the mask. It is highly recommended that coaches get all players to wear a protective cup while participating in Dixie Baseball.
Cleats must be rubber. No metal spikes allowed. Interchangeable cleats are allowed only if rubber spikes are used.
Pitching Regulations
A pitcher may grant an intentional walk without throwing to the batter. To grant the intentional walk the pitcher tells the umpire of his intentions and the umpire directs the batter to first base. (This is a time saving measure.)
Minor League Only
If a pitcher change is to be made in the next inning then the declared substitute pitcher is allowed a courtesy runner provided the opposing coach and the umpire is notified of this change prior to the beginning of their at bat.
A batter is automatically out after (3) strikes regardless of whether the catcher catches or does not catch the ball.
Rule Change Regarding Batting Order
In the Dixie Youth Minor League (8-10 ages), all teams will be required to list and bat all players in the official batting order. All players will bat in this order and any (10) players are allowed to play defense. A minimum of (3) defensive outs must be played by each member of the team during a regulation game. **See Page 28, Rule 3.03 for the complete rule.
Rule Change Regarding A (6) Runs Per Half Inning Rule
In the Dixie Youth Minor League (8-10 ages), teams will be limited to scoring (6) runs per half inning. Once the 6th run is scored, the offensive half inning is complete unless (3) outs occurred prior to the (6) runs. Players that score after the 6th run will not be scored. (Ex. A team has (4) runs and there is a runner on 2nd & 3rd base, and a player hits an out of the park homerun, only (6) runs will be scored and the half inning is complete.)
In the last inning or announced last inning, there will NOT be a limit on the runs scored.
Infield fly does not apply to the Minor League.
Dixie Boys, Dixie Pre-Majors and Majors
The Dixie Boys, Pre-Majors and Majors leagues have decided that the rule book covers all situations with expertise and had only a couple of local league suggestions.
Due to travel and participation situations, teams with a minimum of (6) players should be allowed to compete in a regulation game. No forfeiture will result. This rule applies to Dixie Boys Only and was amended in May of 1997 form (8) to (6) players for legal play.
Any starter or substitute player may be re-entered into the game (1) time. Keep in mind that all players must get in the minimum playing time as per the rulebook. (Rule 3.04-Local option: Every boy present shall play (6) outs and complete a turn at bat.)
Due to the Pre-Majors and Majors Leagues playing out of town teams and each other, All Star coaches will be chosen based on head to head competition with other Franklin County teams only.
Time Limits and Curfews
Time Limits & Curfews for Dixie Youth Baseball. The Parks & Recreation Department shall impose a (2) hour time limit and a 10:00 PM curfew on all games on lit ball fields where children league age 12 and under are participating. The opening game of the evening shall begin promptly at 6:00 PM, normally with the second game scheduled at 8:00 PM. Lights will be turned off at 10:00 PM, if at this time the second game has not announced or reached the final inning. All official games will fall under Rule 4.10 of the Dixie Youth Baseball Inc. regulations. It will be held that an inning starts the second that the 3rd out is made, completing the preceding inning.
Time Limits & Curfews for Dixie Boys Baseball. The Parks & Recreation Department shall impose a 2 1/2 hour time limit and an 11:00PM curfew on all games on lit ball fields where children league age 13 and 14 are participating. The opening game of the evening shall begin promptly at 6:00 PM, normally with a second game scheduled at 8:00 PM. Lights will be turned off at 11:00 PM, if at this time the second game has not announced or reached the final inning. All official games will fall under rule 4.10 of the Dixie Boys Inc. regulations. It will be held that an inning starts the second that the 3rd out is made, completing the preceding inning.
NOTE: **On lit ball fields with only a single game there will not be a time limit!
NOTE: **On unlit ball fields there will not be a time limit!
NOTE: **On Saturday games there is a (2) hour time limit in Dixie Youth and a 2 1/2 hour time limit in Dixie Boys League.2 HOUR TIME LIMIT GAMES ONLY
Dixie Youth Minor & Major League. Prior to the start of the game the umpire should record the actual start time of the game on the official scorecard. In games that the (2) hour time limit is utilized, the umpire will announce at 1 hour and 45 minutes into the game that the next complete inning will be the last inning. At this point, the last inning has been announced and teams are not subject to run rule limits. (Dixie Youth Minor League)
Dixie Youth Minor & Major League. On fields with (2) games scheduled a curfew time of 10:00 PM is mandated. If an umpire at 1 hour and 45 minute time limit is on or after 10:00 PM, the game will be suspended and finished at a later date, and the curfew time is in effect.
Dixie Boys League. Prior to the start of the game the umpire should record the actual start time of the game on the official scorecard. In games that the 2 1/2 hour limit is utilized, the umpire will announce at 2 hours and 15 minutes into the game that the next complete inning will be the last inning.
Dixie Boys League. On fields with (2) games scheduled a curfew time of 11:00 PM is mandated. If an umpire at 2 hours and 15 minutes into the 2nd game announces the final inning prior to 11:00 PM, the game should be completed, even though the curfew time has expired. If the 2 hour 15 minute time limit is in or after 11:00 PM, the game will be suspended and finished at a later date, and the curfew time is in effect.
Weather
The umpire-in-chief shall be the sole judge as to whether and when play shall be suspended during a game because of unsuitable weather conditions or the unfit playing conditions of a playing field; as to whether and when play shall resume after such suspension. Said umpire shall not call the game until at least (30) minutes after play has been suspended. (The umpire may continue suspension as long as there is any chance to resume play.) *Note: Only one umpire is needed to play any scheduled game. The absence of the second umpire does not constitute game cancellation. If there is one umpire present, be it bases or plate, the game will be played. Failure to comply with rule will be forfeiture of the game.
Games called by rain, darkness or other reason before they become regulation games shall be resumed from the point of termination. If, however, a team is (10) runs ahead after three complete innings of play and the game is called because of darkness, rain or any other cause, it shall be a legal game and the team ahead shall be declared the winner. (*Umpires should take time to have official scorer get information pertaining to persons on base and the count on the batter, if the game must be continued at a later date.)
Games shortened by reason of curfew, time-limit, rain or other acts of God shall be regulation games provided both teams have batted (4) times, or in the case of the home team when it is leading after (3) times in the Dixie Youth League. For Dixie Boys both teams should have batted (5) times, or in case of the home team leading after (4) times shall be considered a regulation game.
Franklin County Parks & Recreation - 2150 Sontag Road - Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151 - (540) 483-9293
