2019 local league rules (Aquid. Isl. B/R)
UpdatedSunday March 29, 2020 by wbb.
**2019 Regular Season local rules for all Babe Ruth teams in Aquidneck Island League Babe Ruth play **
-- League-age 16 yr-olds may continue to participate in the 13-15 Division (as of 2016) as authorized by the RI State B/R Commissioner and as part of the Babe Ruth Inc. National Pilot Program.
-- *revised Apr 2018* Metal Bats: *ONLY* BBCOR (-3) -or- any USABat marked bats (including those USABats with length to weight ratio greater than -3) are authorized for use in Babe Ruth play. Within local Aquidneck Island B/R competitive play BBCOR (-3) bats are now ENCOURAGED (but not required) for use by our older players -- league-age 14, 15 and 16 yr-olds. [The BBCOR-standard bat is the same bat in use in RI middle school games and is currently required in all RI high school sanctioned games]. Older players, league-age 14 and up, includes all players with birthdays on or before April 30, 2005 (considered Babe Ruth "league-age" 14 and up)***. Note: Solid one piece wood bats are permitted for use in all divisions and must conform to Rule 1.10. No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a game.
-- *updated* Any league-age 16 yr-old may pitch. Teams are restricted to a maximum of 3 innings total per game for any combination of 16 yr-old pitchers (i.e. one single pitcher -or- two or more 16 y/o pitchers on a team, in a single game).
-- The traditional Babe Ruth calendar week pitching rule will continue to be utilized for all regular season games: any pitcher may pitch a maximum of 7 innings total per calendar week (calculated from Monday thru Sunday only); any pitcher throwing more than 3 innings in a single game is required to rest two subsequent calendar days before again pitching; "one pitch = one inning" rule applies per B/R rulebook.
-- Use of the continuous batting order (allowing all players on a team present at a game to hit in the line-up) is again authorized and is strongly encouraged to be used.
-- **Revised in 2018** Minimum mandatory play (defensive play as a fielder AND minimum one at-bat) in effect for all players who are available for entire game.
-- "Borrowed" players from another team (preferred from within that team's specific town league) shall continue to be authorized to prevent forfeited games from occuring.
-- Time limit: ONLY applies when a game has another scheduled game immediately following it (such as early Sunday games held at Cardines or Seveney Field, or weekend/weeknight games followed by a Men's League game). Such games are subject to a 2-hour time limit, *with no new inning to begin once the time limit is met* (but allowing completion of the current inning in progress). Game start time/use of time limit should be confirmed by both coaches and umpire prior to start. Such a time limit is necessary to ensure that multiple games scheduled at a single field on the same day are completed.