Overview of the 2021 SPRING League Rules

Playing Rules

1. USSSA rules will be the rules foundation for the league program – If a rule isn’t covered there refer to MLB rules.
2. Maximum of 90 seconds, once a pitcher has the proper shoes on (if applicable), allowed between innings to warm up pitchers with a max of 5 warm up pitches.  Please Hustle!!!
3. The 9u/10u league will play 6 innings and have a “No New Inning Rule” after 1hr and 45 minutes and a “Game Stop” rule at 2 hours, but the individuals at bat, when the game stop time is reached, will be completed.
4. The 11u, 12u, 13u, 14u leagues will play 7 innings and have a “No New Inning Rule” after 2 hours and a “Game Stop” rule at 2 hours and 15 minutes, but the individuals at bat, when the game stop time is reached, will be completed.
5. If the game is called on time, prior to the completion of an inning the score will revert back to the previous complete inning.  If, in the last inning with the home team behind, the home team is able to tie the game before the game is called on time the game will end in a tie and not revert back to the previous complete inning.
6. 9u – 12u are not allowed to wear metal spikes.  13u No Metal or Hard plastic spikes on Synthetic turf mounds – All ARSC Fields, RRSC#7, ERMS#4, NVLL#4
7. Bats – The current national USSSA rules relating to bats will be enforce.  
   1.  8u/9u, 10u, 11u and 12u leagues have no weight to length bat restrictions
   2.  13u has a minus 8 limit
   3.  14u and older must follow the NMAA rule on bats - http://www.nmact.org/files/Memo-NMAAWoodBatRegulations(13-14).pdf
8. Pitching limits will be applied as the USSSA Rule book addresses single day pitching limits per age division.  6 innings max 9-12u and 7 innings max in 13-18u.
9. No infield practice before games – warm up (if time allows) must be done in the grass.
10. Conduct post-game meetings outside the field, after games.
11. One coach will be allowed to be outside the dugout while on defense and only to call pitches.  When on offense a 1^st and 3^rd base coach is allowed – this is still subject to conduct related restrictions.  All other coaches, are restricted to the dugout.  Parents / spectators are prohibited from being in the dugout or on the field at any time.
12. Run Rule – 15 after 3, 12 after 4, 10 after 5 and 8 after 6 (except 9u?10u of course – they play 6 innings)
13. Teams can start a game with 8 players but there will be an out recorded in the 9^th spot until it is filled.  Teams can have multiple EH’s (any number) or hit their entire line up if they choose but if a player leaves (due to an injury or ejection) once the line ups have been exchanged an out will be recorded in that spot when the players comes to bat.
14. No DH but multiple EH’s are allowed – see rule above
15. Courtesy Runners allowed for the pitcher and catcher, at any time, by any player not currently in the offensive line up.  If you have no substitutes the last recorded out can courtesy run. 
16. Cheering or chanting in a way that, in the Officials interpretation, is meant to distract the opposing team or incite balks is prohibited.  Music (walk up or inspirational) is restricted to dead ball periods and must not contain explicit lyrics. 

Park Rules

1.  NO ALCOHOL AT ANY FIELD OR IN THE PARKING LOT OF ANY FACILITY!
2. Tobacco is restricted at several of the parks – please follow their rules.
3. Please leave the dugout and stands clean after your games.  We are guests at each facility and if your team leave’s the park trashed any fee assessed the program for clean up will be passed on to your team and must be paid before your next game.
4. No sunflower seeds or spitting at any complex!  This is a zero-tolerance policy and any team violating this rule can be removed from the league program. 
5. No metal spikes at the ARSC and no hard-molded plastic spikes on the synthetic mounds at the ARSC - Turf or tennis shoes only.

2021 reminders Specific to COVID 19 for the AAD/USSSA League and Tournament programs

Listed below are the State of NM Covid Safe Practices (CSP’s) that we must abide by to play, PLEASE COMPLY with the requirements mandated by the State of New Mexico.

1. Anyone that is sick or not feeling well, please do not enter the facilities or play in any event.
2. Concessions – Concessions, at some complexes may be closed, please bring your own drinks and snacks with you but do not share among other people.   Concessions at the ARSC will be open and the ARSC restricts outside food and beverages for non-participants. See their website.
3. The bleachers will be closed to spectators at all complexes except the ARSC, please bring your own chairs and everyone must space out in and around the park.  Bleachers may be used as expanded dugout areas in the event the existing dugouts don’t allow for 6’ separation for participants.
4. Spectators – There will be 2 adult spectators allowed for each uniformed present participant.  Minor siblings of participants are allowed but must stay with their parents.  Spectators must sit in their family groups with a minimum of 6’ distance between other family groups. 
   1. At the conclusion of your team’s games, you are required to leave the complex.  Spectators will not be allowed to watch other team’s games.
5. Coaches Covid Statement – All coaches are required to submit the State required Covid statement prior to participating.  This document can be found on the local and national website specific to each event.  This must be turned in, via the manager, prior to each event.
6. Covid Code of Conduct – All participants and their families must sign the State of NM Covid Code of Conduct.  This document can be found on the local and national website specific to each event.  This must be turned in, via the manager, prior to each event.
7. Mask Requirements for Youth Sports – Per the State of New Mexico - All participants, spectators, coaches, umpires and staff members MUST wear a face covering at all times.
   1. Face coverings that tie to the head or loop around the ears are required.  No neck gaiters.
   2. Pitchers cannot wear white, gray, or other face coverings that may be considered as distracting by the umpires
8. Physical Contact – There will no physical contact between participants beyond the brief normal interaction during the play of the game.  No High Fives. No post-game handshakes. 
9. Pre-Game – There will be no handshakes between the managers and game officials during the pre-game meeting and only one coach from each team shall attend the pre-game meeting.  Spectators should stay outside of the complex until the previous team has left the complex and participants should warm up in their pods outside of the complex until the teams leave their fields.  Teams are  
10. Seeds/Spitting – All seeds are banned and no spitting is permitted.
11. Baseballs - Each team will be required to provide their own USSSA approved baseballs while on defense; it is recommended that each team have a minimum of 4 baseballs available for use during a contest.  Umpires shall not handle baseballs at any time.  The team that is on offense shall not handle the defensive team’s baseballs at any time.  Baseballs should be sanitized between innings and after each game.
12. Equipment - Batting Helmets – it is recommended that batting helmets should not be shared; if a team’s inventory does not allow for each athlete to have their own, then the helmet must be sanitized between each player’s use.  Baseball Bats – it is recommended that bats should not be shared; if a team’s inventory does not allow for each athlete to have their own, then the bat must be sanitized between each player’s use.  Catcher’s Equipment – it is strongly recommended that catcher’s equipment should not be shared; if a team’s inventory does not allow for each athlete to have their own, then the catcher’s equipment must be sanitized between each player’s use.  Team personnel shall not share uniforms, towels, water bottles, and other apparel.
13. Coach and Player Conduct –
    1. Coaches are limited to 4 adults with one of these coaches tasked with CSP oversight for his/her team (players and spectators).
    2. Pitchers are not allowed to put their hands to their mouths or blow into their hands prior to pitching the ball. This will be a “no pitch." Any umpire is permitted to make this call. The ball should be called dead immediately and it will be a "no pitch." Ball goes to the dugout for sanitizing & pitcher sanitizes hands before play continues.
    3. Players are not permitted to leave the dugout area to congratulate players when scoring or after home runs.
    4. Coaches shall maintain social distancing of 6-feet during the verbal exchange of substitutions to the umpire, opposing team, and/or scorekeeper.
    5. Coaches shall maintain social distancing of 6-feet when discussing a ruling on the field with umpires.
    6. Base coaches shall maintain social distancing of 6-feet from baserunners and opposing players at all times after the suspension of play.
    7. Defensive conferences should be limited to the coach, pitcher, catcher, and no more than two other players; social distancing must be maintained by all individuals taking part in the conference.