Fall Youth Baseball League Rules and Guidelines
Instructions
Thank you for being a part of the Silver Sluggers Academy Fall League. Below, you will find some basic information about the league, its mission, and how it is structured with the purpose of providing the best learning experience for our players. If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you again and have a great season.
--- Brad Woodall
Sluggers Fall League Field Maintenance Policy
FALL YOUTH LEAGUE RULES AND GUIDELINES
Games will be played under USSSA Baseball Rules, with the following exceptions:
- Innings: Each game is 5 innings.
- Time Limit: No full inning can start after 1:20. Second game of each double header will start 15 minutes after the first. Games must be played to either the time limit or 5 innings. Any team that stops the game short of the time limit or 5 innings due to any reason other than a weather delay (or other unforeseen circumstance) will forfeit the game.
- Pitcher Inning Limit: Pitchers may only pitch 5 innings per week.
- Extra Hitter Rule: Teams must use 10 hitters in the lineup at all times, but may at the team discretion hit every player on the roster.
- Substitutions: Teams may use defensive substitutions freely. Players may re-enter the game at any time.
- Home vs. Away: In each double header, the designated home team on the schedule will be the home team in the first game, then visitors in the second game.
- Courtesy Runners: Courtesy Runner may be used for the Pitcher or Catcher with 2 outs in the inning. A bench player may be used, or the last player to hit and not reach base may be used for the pinch runner.
FIELD SIZES
- 5th grade - 50/70
- 6th grade - 50/70
- 7th grade - 54/80 or 60/90*
** 7th grade division will either play 54/80 or 60/90, depending on the field. If both distances are available, we prefer 54/80 but both coaches can discuss and agree to move to 60/90.
BAT RESTRICTIONS
Any USA or USSSA certified bat is accepted in this league. No size restrictions.
MUTUALLY AGREED UPON RULE CHANGES
If agreed upon by both teams (coaches), and umpires, a rule can be "bent" if it is in the best interest of the players and their development for that game.
SCHEDULE
Each team will have 10 scheduled regular season games. We have room in the schedule for one make up week at the end of the season. If more than one weekend is rained out, we will likely not make up any games past weekend number 6 (rain makeup weekend) which could shorten the season to 8 total games, or 4 Sundays of baseball.
REPORTING SCORES AFTER GAMES (WINNING TEAM)
The winning team of each game is responsible to update the final score of the game on Crossbar.
More details and instructions to come.
BASEBALL ATTIRE AND UNIFORMS
Each player will be provided a team shirt. Players must wear their team shirt with baseball pants and a cap of their choosing. If a team has a specific uniform for all of the players, the team can wear their team uniform as long as all players have access to wear the uniform. Typically, players will wear grey baseball pants, but the team can decide differently during the season.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Players should bring a glove, bat, helmet, or any other personal equipment with which they may feel comfortable. The league will provide baseballs, helmets and/or catcher's equipment if needed by the team. Most importantly…bring a good attitude and be ready to learn every week. The quickest way to improve your game is to learn and practice as much as possible.
RAIN POLICY
In the case of rain delays or cancellations, we will post updated weather cancellation information on the home page of the League Website. We will also post updates often on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SilverSluggers .
We encourage you to “Friend” (Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/silversluggersWI/ ) and or “Follow” us to get the latest updates on Silver Sluggers Academy and our programs.
Immediately prior to or during games, the weather cancellation decisions will be made by the umpires and coaches on the field.
TEAM ROSTERS
Each team may have a minimum of 10 players on the roster but if a team does not have 9 players to play on any Sunday, we are still playing. Teams may borrow defensive players from the opposing team to fill out their defense to keep the game going.
FIELD LOCATIONS
Field location and directions are found on the Crossbar app on your team schedule.
COMMUNICATION
Always feel free to contact us via email or phone at any point during season with questions and inquiries or anything else regarding our programs. I encourage parents to get involved and stay involved with our programs and their son’s baseball progress. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Rain Cancellation/Delay Notification Process
In the event of rain on Sundays, we will follow the process below:
- We will notifiy the league of any rainouts in this order:
- Twitter -- https://twitter.com/silversluggers
- Announcements Page
- Email Notification to specific teams/players
- We will try to update Twitter and the website with any rainouts/delays as soon as possible in the morning by 7:30am.
- In the event of rain during games, the umpires/coaches or field maintenance team will make the final decision on field conditions.
Check Game Schedule Every Week
Please check the schedule for your games prior to going to the games every week. We will not change the games and locations often. Just in case you missed an email or notification, the online schedule should be the latest version of the schedule for your team.
Questions on Game Day
If questions arise on Game Day and you need answers or information quickly, do not hesitate to call, text or email. If texting or emailing, please be sure to include your name, player's name, and team.
League President: Brad Woodall
brad@silversluggers.com 608-213-6261
We are available to help make your experience fantastic every Sunday.
LEAGUE CHECKLIST AND FAQ
Rosters
Rosters can be found on the Teams page on our website. Players and families must download the Crossbar App to view rosters, schedules, and receive notifications from the fall league.
For those who registered as a full team- Team Managers/Coaches should have received instructions to add and manage rosters on the Crossbar platform. All players must be registered and rostered on the Crossbar app to play in this league. We will also send out a waiver form for all players (on full teams) to be completed before the beginning of the season.
League Game Schedule Timeline
League schedule for Weeks 1-2 are posted on the website (team pages) and Crossbar App for your team The remainder of the schedule will be posted after the first two weeks of games. We want to be able to create better matchups later in the season so we will wait for the game results to come back first. Our prospective game times each week are (All Double Headers) either 10am or 2pm Sundays at the following locations:
- Waunakee
- Kennedy Little League
- Fort Atkinson
Jerseys/Uniforms
Each player will receive a team shirt for the fall season. Teams may choose to wear their own uniforms for the season, but will still receive a shirt for all players. Players must supply their own hats and pants for game days. Teams should coordinate pants color prior to the season. Our league is relaxed so if you do not all have the same color pants and hats, we are perfectly fine with it.
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Crossbar- League App
- Download the Crossbar app and make sure that you see your team (once teams are posted).
- Add any additional emails on the player account
Crossbar is the platform we will be using for league home and team communication.
If you are not able to find your team, or you realize that you may not be on the correct team, email us immediately and we can help you. brad@silversluggers.com
Crossbar App Communication (Message and Chat Feature)
Coaches, players, and families should use the message and chat feature on your Crossbar app to communicate, ask questions, or make requests to your team and coaches. Crossbar makes it very easy to communicate with your teammates and coaches, and good communication helps everyone on your team.
If you need information or have a question pertaining to the league please email brad@silversluggers.com.
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Free Agent Team Players- Team and Coaches
Most of you will hear from your coach (on Crossbar) before your first game...but if you do not, no worries. Your team shirts will be at the field for your first game. Just be ready at the field one hour before your frist game of the double header (unless otherwise instructed by your coach).
Thank you for your patience as we create the league this week. We are looking forward to seeing everyone on the field this fall!!
Brad Woodall