Baltimore County Major League Baseball, Inc.
2008 Season
Rules and Procedures (last revised 1/08)
A. ROSTERS
Each manager must complete, sign and submit a Roster that will be used to verify the team’s size and composition. The 15-19 BCML Commissioner must approve all Rosters and Roster transactions.
A. 01 Minimum Roster Size Requirement - Each Roster must be composed of at least twelve (12) verified players.
A. 02 Maximum Roster Size - Each Roster must NOT be composed of more than twenty (20) verified players.
A. 03 Roster due date
(1) The initial Roster, comprising at least twelve (12) players, must be turned in to the 15-19 BCML Commissioner by 8 p.m. on May 11, 2008. The Roster must be accompanied by the Player Agreement, and verification documents (as indicated below) for “new players”. If player is a “returning player”, the only document necessary is the Player Agreement. If the Roster is not in the hands of the 15-19 BCML Commissioner by this due date, then the delinquent team at the discretion of the 15-19 BCML Commissioner will forfeit their first game of the season.
(2) The delinquent team will forfeit all subsequent games until the appropriate paperwork is in the hands of the 15-19 BCML Commissioner. The number of games forfeited will be at the discretion of the 15-19 BCML Commissioner.
(3) The FINAL Roster must be turned in to the 15-19 BCML Commissioner by 8 p.m. on June 22, 2008. No changes in the Roster can be made after this date unless deemed necessary by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner. Said decision will be in the discretion of the 15-19 BCML Commissioner and Vice Commissioner.
B. PLAYERS
B. 01 Definitions
B. 02 Verified Player - A player who has turned in for approval the signed Player Agreement, proof of area/affiliation and proof of age, and has been approved by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner.
B. 03 Returning Player - Any player who was rostered the previous spring/summer season for the same 15-19 team. A player on any Fall Ball team is NOT a returning player and for our purposes is considered a NEW Player.
B. 04 New Player - Any player who was NOT rostered the previous spring/summer season for the same 15-19 team. For example: If a player played on any Fall Ball team, but not the spring/summer team, he is considered a NEW player. For example: If a player played for that recreation council in prior years, but not the previous season, he is considered a NEW player. For example: If a player played for that recreation council in 13-14 or other age group in the prior year, he is considered a NEW player. Note: a NEW player is any one who did NOT play in this 15-19 League in the spring/summer of 2006.
B. 05 Varsity Player - Any player who played at least one (1) partial or full inning of high school varsity or college level baseball over the course of his ENTIRE baseball career.
B. 06 Ineligible Player - Any player, who plays on a team and is NOT listed on that team’s Roster, nor has been previously approved by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner prior to the game, is deemed an ineligible player. As a result of an ineligible player playing in the game, that team will forfeit that game to the opposing team. If it is discovered that you have an ineligible player, the 15-19 BCML Commissioner may assess a $100.00 ineligible player FINE per player.
B. 10 Player Agreement - Each player must complete, sign and submit a Player Agreement and verification of area/affiliation and verification of age. Following the 15-19 BCML Commissioner’s approval, the player will be added to the 15-19 team Roster. The parent of the minor player must also sign the Player Agreement. If the player is 18 or older, his parent’s signature would be appreciated but is not mandatory. No player may play in ANY game at ANY time unless he has been approved by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner in writing (via the Roster or email). It is the Team Manager’s responsibility to confirm and certify that each player on the Roster meets the age and registration requirement. The Team Manager’s signature on the Roster confirms the adherence to this Rule.
B. 11 Age - A player’s age is defined to be how old the player would be according to their verified date of birth at exactly 11:59:59 PM EST on April 30th of the current season.
B. 13 15-19 Age Bracket - A player must not turn twenty (20) years old or older prior to May 1st of the current season.
B. 14 Proof of Age - A player’s verified date of birth shall be determined through submission of a legible copy of one of the following official federal and/or state documents:
(1) A valid (unexpired) State driver’s license (or Lerner’s permit) or
Identification card. If these items are not available then:
(2) A copy of the birth certificate. If neither (1) or (2) is available, then
the 15-19 BCML Commissioner may determine additional types of
acceptable documents in order to obtain verification of age (date of birth).
B. 15 Area/Affiliation - The player’s area/affiliation is defined to be the recreation council where, according to the recreation council verified registration and/or participation disclosure records, the player played baseball during the spring/summer (not Fall ball) of the previous season OR a player must reside in one of the immediate or bordering areas (communities) served directly by the recreation council for whom he chooses to play.
(1) If a proposed player’s area recreation council program is NOT fielding a 15-19 team
in the current year, or the player is cut from his area’s 15-19 team, that player will be
allowed to play for any program fielding a 15-19 team.
(2) If a proposed player wishes to change area/affiliation, he is subject to
the Rules entitled “C. Releases”.
B. 16 Proof of Area/Affiliation - A player’s area/affiliation shall be determined through submission of a legible copy of one of the following documents. Please note that the document verifying proof of area/affiliation may be the same document verifying age, i.e. driver’s license. Any personal information such as grades, social security number, etc., may be blacked out. We are looking for their “address” on an official document.
(1) A valid (unexpired) State driver’s license (or Lerner’s permit) or
Identification card. If these items are not available then:
(2) A copy of the current high school report card or college transcript - please note that not all high school reports have the player’s address on it, or
(3) Passport; or
(4) If none of these are available, then the 15-19 BCML Commissioner may determine additional types of acceptable documents in order to obtain verification of area/affiliation.
C. RELEASES
If a returning player no longer wishes to play for his affiliated recreation council team, he must obtain an approved Release from the 15-19 BCML Commissioner.
C. 01 Purpose - The purpose of this Rule is to prevent teams from soliciting good players from other teams to play for them. Therefore, a reason for the change in teams will be required from the player and a suspension may or may not be assessed by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner at his/her discretion. The 15-19 BCML Commissioner will have the right to investigate the reason for the change by contacting the coaches, managers, parents, players, etc. as he/she may deem necessary.
C. 02 Suspension - If the reason for the move from one team to another is because the player was cut from the team or the player resides in the new area, there will be no game suspension. The standard practice is a one (1) game suspension for moving affiliation. Additional suspensions could be rendered under the following situations:
(1) If the player who wishes to be released does NOT turn in his Release documents PRIOR to 8 p.m. the night before the first game of the season, there will be an automatic one (1) game suspension (on top of any suspension that was assessed as a result of C.02 Suspension above). Further, the player will be suspended and unable to play until the proper Release documents are turned into the 15-19 BCML Commissioner, subject to the suspensions already assessed. (For example, if the player is assessed a one game suspension as a result of C.02, and then fails to turn in their paperwork until 8 p.m. prior to Game 2–then that player would not be able to play until Game 4 (Game 2 would be a suspended game due To C.02 and Game 3 would be a suspended game due to
C.02 (1).)
(2) If the player is already verified and approved to play for a team and then decides to switch teams (for whatever reason), there will be an automatic two (2) consecutive game suspension (on top of any other suspensions that may have been assessed as a result of C.02 or C.02 (1) above). The suspensions will start with the next game after the Release paperwork is approved by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner.
(3) The 15-19 BCML Commissioner, in his/her discretion, may postpone any game suspension if the team is endanger of forfeiting a game due to the suspension. More specifically, this means that if a team has less than 10 players for a game, the suspension, at the discretion of the 15-19 BCML Commissioner, may be postponed to a later date.
C. 04 Failure to disclose - If it is discovered that the player failed to disclose that he played for another team and the Release documents were not submitted, there is a non-disclosure FINE of $100.00 per player due the BCML, plus any game suspensions that the 15-19 BCML Commissioner and Vice Commissioner deem appropriate.
C. 05 Release Procedures - The following procedure is to be followed by any and all Recreation Council and/or club teams and/or managers who are approached by a player(s) seeking a release to play for another team entered in Baltimore County Major League.
(1) Player must disclose name, date of birth, zip code, and any previous affiliation
with Recreation Council entered in Baltimore County Major League during the spring / summer session of the previous season.
(2) The Team Manager must report the above information to the 15-19 BCML Commissioner in a timely fashion so that the player can be added to the Roster prior to the seasons’s first game.
(3) The Team Manager and/or the player (preferably both) must immediately contact the player’s prior team (via the current [incoming] manager) and request his signature on this Release.
(4) If the player’s prior Team Manager agrees to release the player, the Team Manager must obtain this Player Release form, complete it as indicated and present same to the 15-19 BCML Commissioner for review. Upon approval by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner, the player is considered released and any appropriate suspensions will be placed. (NOTE: If the player’s prior Team Manager agrees verbally to release the player, the player may begin practicing with the new team immediately, but the paperwork must still be completed and processed).
(5) If the player’s prior Team Manager chooses not to release the player, the player may appeal the decision to the 15-19 BCML Commissioner for further review. Except in very unusual circumstances, the 15-19 BCML Commissioner will allow the player to be released to play for the new Team BUT sanctions or suspensions may be placed on the player pursuant to these Rules.
(6) All 15-19 BCML Commissioner’s decisions regarding player releases will be handled on a case-by-case basis and are final.
(7) Releases do NOT apply to Fall Ball players unless they played in our League in the spring/summer of 2007.
(8) If the player’s prior team is not putting a team in the League this year, there will be no Release necessary (See Rule B. 15 (1)).
D. GAME RULES
D. 01 Slaughter Rule - There is a 12 run slaughter rule in the regulation season. There are no time limits or slaughter rule for the tournament.
D. 02 13-15 Players - Each team must turn in their 2007 -13/14-15 Roster for their in-house program. In order to prevent forfeited games, our League will allow a 13-14 year old player, who is rostered in their recreation baseball program, to play without being a verified player. Such 13-14 year old is not required to comply with the uniform requirement of Rule 1.11. Such 13-14 year old must be approved by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner prior to the 13-14 year old playing in any game. Due to insurance reasons, it is requested that each manager have said player and his parent sign the back of a Player Agreement and this Player Agreement must be sent to the 15-19 BCML Commissioner prior to the game. The purpose of the Player Agreement signing is to protect the County from liability. If a team will have less than 10 players, they will be allowed to use a 13-14 year old non-verified player as defined herein. The manager of the opposing team and the 15-19 BCML Commissioner must be notified in writing via e-mail 24 hours prior to the game that such player will be playing on their team. If there appears to be an abuse of this Rule, then the 15-19 BCML Commissioner will have the right to refuse to allow such 13-14 year old to play. It is important that this Rule not be abused.
D. 03 Game/Batting Rules -
Option 1: No DH. Start nine (9) (or eight) ball players in the field and bat the same nine (or eight). Re-entry rule below applies. EH applies.
Option 2: A DH may be used for any of the nine (9) (or eight) fielders. The DH and the fielder, for whom the DH is batting, are locked into the same batting position. If the DH goes into a fielding position, the DH is lost for the remainder of the game. Re-entry rule below applies. No EH allowed.
Option 3: Bat nine (9) (or eight) with free substitution in the field. No re-entry rule. You can add a fielder into the batting lineup. DH and EH do not apply.
Note: Under all three options the team must have eight (8) players available to continue the game.
(Designated Hitter and Extra Hitter Rule) A team may elect (optional) to designate a hitter for any one defensive player (including but not limited to the pitcher) and all subsequent substitutes for that defensive player in the game OR bat a ten (10) position batting order with exactly one of the ten batting positions assigned the role of extra hitter. The designated hitter and the defensive player for whom he is batting are considered STARTING PLAYERs and are locked into the same position in the batting order. The extra hitter is considered a STARTING PLAYER and shall never play a defensive position (Refer to injury exception). No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the designated or extra hitter. If a pinch hitter or pinch runner for the designated or extra hitter is used, that player immediately becomes the new designated or extra hitter respectively.
The role of designated hitter is immediately terminated for the remainder of the game in any of the following situations:
(a) The defensive player, or any previous defensive player for whom the designated hitter batted, subsequently bats, pinch hits, or pinch runs for the designated hitter.
(b) The designated hitter or any previous designated hitter assumes a defensive position.
The role of extra hitter is immediately terminated for the remainder of the game only when the extra hitter is allowed to play a defensive position under the injury exception outlined in Rule 3.04.
It is not mandatory that a team elect to use a designated or extra hitter, but a team’s failure to do so prior to the start of the game precludes the use of a designated or extra hitter for the remainder of that game.
A team shall not be allowed to use both a designated hitter and an extra hitter.
(Substitution & Re-Entry Rule) A player, or players, may be substituted during a game at any time the ball is dead. A substitute player shall bat in the replaced player's position in the team's batting order. A substitute player once removed from a game shall not re-enter that game.
A STARTING PLAYER may be re-entered into the game exactly once and must re-occupy his original position in the batting order. A STARTING PLAYER may re-enter to any defensive position, including pitcher, provided he has not pitched previously in the game. A STARTING PLAYER may re-enter as designated or extra hitter provided that he appeared in the original batting order in that role. A STARTING PLAYER twice removed from a game shall not re-enter that game. If a substitute enters the game in place of a player-manager, the manager may thereafter go to the coaching lines at his discretion. When two or more substitute players of the defensive team enter the game at the same time, the manager shall, designate to the opposing team such player's positions in the team's batting order.
A pitcher may change to another position only once during the same inning; e.g. the pitcher will not be allowed to assume a position other than a pitcher more that once in the same inning. A starting pitcher once removed from the mound on the first visit (per inning) may pitch again in the same game provided he has not been taken out of the game. A starting pitcher who is switched from the mound to a non-pitching defensive position after exactly one visit per inning may return to the mound at any later time provided that he has remained in the game (e.g. has not been once-removed and then re-entered).
Any player other than a pitcher substituted for an injured player shall be allowed five warm-up throws.
D. 04 Scoring - The winners of the divisions will be determined by win/loss/ties against all teams that they play during the season. The scoring will be:
3 points for a win
1 point for a tie
0 point for a loss
-1 (minus one) for a forfeited game
D. 05 Ties - If there is a tie within the Division, the tie will be determined as follows:
Head to head
Least runs scored against the team
Most runs scored by the team
Coin flip
D. 06 Awards - No awards such as trophies or plaques will be awarded for League/Division play. A tournament will be held at the end of the year. Tournament play will be detailed later. There are 1st and 2nd place trophies only in each Division.
D. 07 Home field advantage - Home field advantage means that the team with the best record going into the tournament games will be able to play 2 out of the 3 games at their home field. Due to the fact that we have several teams using the same home field, it will be the 15-19 BCML Commissioner’s decision as to who will play on which field for each game as may be expedient to the League. This decision is non-appealable. Home team advantage will be determined as follows:
Winner of the Division
Head to head
As the 15-19 BCML Commissioner may decide is appropriate.
D. 08 Tournament Play - Tournament playoffs will start on July 14 or July 21, 2008, depending on tournament format which is decided.. Winning team must win 2 out of 3 games. If the game on Monday does not finish, it will continue on the next day, Tuesday, from the point that it was terminated. For a 15-19 Division, additional umpire fees will have to be paid ($36.00 show up fee and $10.00 per inning not to exceed $96.00). If the 2nd game on Wednesday does not finish, it will continue the next day, Thursday, from the point that it was terminated; and if the 3rd game on Friday does not finish, it will finish on Saturday, from the point that it was terminated. Same rules for the following week of playoffs. If there is a problem with field availability, then we will find a neutral field for the game to finish on. All games must consist of 7 completed innings. No slaughter rule. (Note: Tournament Games stopped will always continue from whence they stopped and are NOT started over from the beginning no matter how many innings got completed.). Any change in this format is at the discretion of the 15-19 Commissioner and Vice Commissioner.
D. 09 Senior Week - Each player must now complete on their Player Agreement whether or not they are available to play during Senior Week. When the schedule is prepared, it will be attempted to have teams not affected by Senior Week play each other during that week. This hopefully will eliminate the need for an abundance of postponed games due to Senior Week. Games in Divisions B, C or D cannot be postponed due to Senior Week. Those teams in Divisions B, C or D are allowed to use their in-house Roster to bring up players in an attempt to keep them from forfeiting (See Rule D. 02 ). Games in Division A (and possibly Division B) can be postponed due to Senior Week. This will be discussed at a future meeting if deemed necessary. Please note that these games can be rescheduled prior to the date they are actually scheduled for as there will be several makeup dates the week before Senior Week(s). Please see new Rule D. 09 below regarding “make-up” games.
D. 10 Make-up Games - Games can only be postponed by teams for the following reasons: Senior Week for Divisions A and possibly Division B; or tournament play. The 15-19 BCML Commissioner must be notified in writing via email of all rainouts, terminated or postponed games within 24 hours of the terminated, postponed or rained out game AND the 15-19 BCML Commissioner must be notified in writing via email of the NEW GAME DATE within 72 hours of the terminated, postponed or rained out game. (In other words, you have 72 hours to pick a new date and notify me.) The new game must be played within fourteen (14) days of the cancelled game. (For example, if the Monday June 16th game is postponed/cancelled/rained out, the make-up game MUST be played PRIOR to Monday, June 30th.) If the 15-19 BCML Commissioner does not receive the NEW GAME DATE within 72 hours, then the 15-19 BCML Commissioner will reschedule the game for the following Sunday at 6 p.m. (For example, if the cancelled game is Monday, June 13th, and no one provides me with a new date, the game will automatically be set by me for Sunday, June 19th at 6 p.m.) If the teams do not show up, then both teams will be given a “minus one”, as the game will be considered a forfeit by both teams. There are available makeup dates on the schedule that can be used and will be the only allowable exception to the 14 day rule set out above. Only under extreme circumstances (or if a game is rained out/postponed/cancelled during the last two weeks of the season) will the 15-19 BCML Commissioner allow deviations from this 14 day Rule. The 15-19 BCML Commissioner’s decision will be final and non-appealable. Further, if the home team is having a problem with using their home field for the make-up game, then the teams can use ANY available field. If you are unable to locate a field on your own, you are to notify the 15-19 BCML Commissioner and a field will be found for your game.
All games must be completed by the Saturday prior to the tournament at 8 p.m. and the 15-19 BCML Commissioner must be notified of all scores by 9 p.m. on the Saturday before the tournament begins. If the 15-19 BCML Commissioner does not receive the score by 9 p.m., both teams will be given a “minus one”. Any scheduled makeup game set for the Saturday before the tournament begins MUST BE SET FOR A START TIME BEFORE 6 P.M.
D. 11 Other Makeup Games - If a team is playing in a tournament, they must submit proof of the tournament to the Commissioner at least one week prior to the tournament game. Upon sufficient proof, that team will be allowed to reschedule the conflicting game. Rescheduling of the game is subject to these Rules.
D. 12 Terminated Games - If a game is terminated by the umpires for any reason before five (5) complete innings (both teams having batted), then the game must be REPLAYED from the beginning on another date to be agreed upon by the managers and subject to these Rules.
D. 13 Forfeited Games - Due to the fact that a forfeited game (especially late in the season) could place another team higher or lower in the standings which could be deemed unfair, there will now be a MINUS ONE deducted from the points of any team who is forfeiting, regardless of the reason for the forfeit. The only exception would be if during the game, a team must forfeit due to not having enough players after the game has already started or due to ejections. The team getting the forfeit will still get 3 points for the win but the forfeiting team will get a zero not a minus one.
If a team forfeits at the field, the forfeiting team will pay the entire umpire fee ($92 for 2 umpires and $70 for 1 umpire). Obviously, if a game is forfeited prior to the umpires showing up at the field (24 hours notice), there is no forfeiture fee due the umpires. If during a game, one of the teams forfeits for whatever reason, no additional fees are required and the forfeiting team does not reimburse the opposing team. Dale Franke and the 15-19 BCML Commissioner must be contacted immediately when a team is intends to forfeit a game prior to the date of the game. Do not just leave a message. Get confirmation that both Dale Franke and the 15-19 BCML Commissioner is aware of the cancellation/forfeit.
In rare cases when teams demonstrate a propensity to forfeit or cancel games, the 15-19 BCML Commissioner has the discretion to assess the team a FINE payable to the BCML and said team may also be required to pay a Security bond. There is a mandatory forfeiture FINE for the third game forfeited in the amount of $100.00 and $25.00 for all games thereafter. When the FINE is assessed, the 15-19 BCML Commissioner will make arrangements to collect the FINE. A team failing to “show up” and/or forfeits three (3) games will also be suspended from playing in BCML for whatever time period the 15-19 BCML Commissioner deems appropriate.
D. 14 Fines/Fees - All fines/forfeiture fees must be paid before the next regulation game unless an extension is granted by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner. If fines/forfeiture fees are not timely paid, then at the discretion of the 15-19 BCML Commissioner, they may not be allowed into the League the following season.
D. 15 Umpire Contact - Only managers are allowed on the field to talk to an umpire regarding any controversy. Other coaches and parents are not allowed on the field. All managers must notify the umpires prior to the game that they are the manager and the appropriate party to discuss controversies with the umpires.
D. 16 Manager/Coach attire - It must be apparent during the game who are managers and coaches. Some of the parents stand with the managers (this is prohibited) and could be thought to be a manager or coach. All managers and base coaches are to be dressed in uniform. If they are not dressed accordingly, they will be imposed a one game suspension from managing for each game that they are not properly attired.
D. 17 All-star game - Each team must provide ONE ball. It is mandatory that a manager or one of the coaches from each team attend the All-star game. Each team will send one coach and 2 or 3 players (the number of players being sent depends on the participation each year). Players picked for the All-star game will wear their team uniform. Names, phone numbers, positions, and batting averages of these players picked must be submitted to the 15-19 BCML Commissioner (via email) no later than 2 weeks prior to the game date. If the teams fails to submit this information prior to 2 weeks before the game date, then their team will not be allowed to participate in the All-star game, unless waived by the 15-19 BCML Commissioner. It is anticipated that this year we will have an Allstar Game for EACH Division. The 15-19 BCML Commissioner and Vice Commissioner will appoint the Managers of each team for the Allstar game. An attempt will be made to use the winning division managers from the prior season (some managers may be in a different division this year) and/or current managers with the best records.
D. 18 Divisions - It is strongly recommended that no recreation council put two teams in the same Division and that the same team be in any one division no more than 2 years in a row.
D. 19 Ejections - The 15-19 Commissioner must be notified in writing (via email) within 48 hours of the jection, by BOTH Managers of any and all EJECTIONS, the nature of the ejection, the parties involved. Failure to notify the Commissioner may result in further suspensions.
D. 20 Suspended Players - Suspended players must attend the game and sit on the bench.
D. 21 Starting/Ending Players: You can start with 8 players and finish with 8 players (even if there is an ejection that takes you down to 8 players).
D. 22 Conduct and Violations - Action taken for violations of these Rules and Regulations may result in game forfeiture, game suspension, season suspension or removal from the League. Verbal or physical threats of personal/physical assault to any umpire will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. Unsportsmanlike conduct by players, managers, coaches, parents, or spectators will not be tolerated. Managers are responsible for their team, their conduct, and the conduct of the team’s parents, and spectators. Failure to control any of the above may result in a game forfeiture being issued by the home plate umpire, if in his judgment, he has issued the appropriate warning with no positive results. Razzing of players is not allowed. The use of profanity and/or fighting among players will result in the removal of the players involved. The throwing of equipment and/or uniform parts (gloves, hats, etc.) will result in a warning being issued to the Team for the first offense. The second offense will result in the player(s) being removed from the game. No smoking allowed on the field or bench area. No alcoholic beverages allowed at any fields by coaches, parents or fans. If not removed immediately, forfeiture will be assessed.
All players, coaches, and managers shall occupy the bench when not actively engaged on the
playing field. At no time are players or spectators allowed in the area immediately behind and/or along the backstop and/or out-of-bounds marker. If, in the judgment of the umpire, any person is in flagrant violation of the above rule, that shall constitute grounds for warning, ejection, and/or forfeiture of the game by the offending team..
D. 23 Professional Courtesy - Although we use Major League Rules, this is not a Major League. Safety comes first in this League. Our players are from ages 15 to 18 or 19. They are not adults. This is a reminder that as a manager/coach, our League expects all managers, coaches and parents to act with the utmost of professional courtesy to other managers/coaches. I also expect managers and coaches to set a good example of true sportsmanship to the players, spectators, and other managers/coaches. By signing the Team Agreement, each manager and coach agrees to abide by all rules set forth in this League. Players sign Player Agreements to agree to have fun and improve their skills and to never act in an unsportsmanlike conduct. Parents sign the Parent Agreement to agree to provide positive support and encouragement for their child and to encourage good sportsmanlike conduct. In order for parents and players to encourage good sportsmanlike conduct, it starts with you, the managers and coaches.
When we do not have a slaughter rule, I expect every manager/coach to not run up a score to embarrass or humiliate the other team even if it means explaining to your players that you are taking someone out of the batting order, no longer stealing bases, or some other similar act in order to keep from humiliating another team. Again, we are dealing with young impressionable boys. We need to teach them that at this level it is wonderful to win but not at the expense of humiliating another team.