SECTION 1.            BASEBALL GUIDELINES 

The Forks Township baseball league is governed by the Greater Easton Area Baseball League (GEABL) and its’ by-laws.  Further information can be found by contacting the Forks Township Baseball Commissioner. Outline below is a guideline that will be followed by Forks Baseball independent of the GEABL to enhance the experience.

SECTION 2.            CODE OF CONDUCT, PARENT BEHAVIOR & EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM POLICY

Parents, coaches and participants are required to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.  For additional information please reference the FORKS TOWNSHIP BYLAWS

 

AGE BRACKETS - NO EXCEPTIONS TO BELOW

            AGE GROUP                                         MUST BE AGE                                              BEFORE

T-ball

6

May 1st

7/8’s (Coach Pitch)

7

May 1st

9/10’s (GEABL)

9

May 1st

11/12’s (GEABL)

11

May 1st

13 - 15’s (Youth Jr. Legion, Prep, Bushkill, Babe Ruth)

13

May 1st

 

SENIOR BABE RUTH ELIGIBILITY:

                                                              i.      Player must be born between January 1st, 1993 – April 30th, 1996

SECTION 3.            PRACTICE TIME –

a.       The intent for the leagues is to provide each child equal opportunity to be successful.  With that in mind, no children should be able to “practice up”.  Each child must stay with their designated teams.  This will ensure that proper attention is being provided to all children who are designated to their respective team.

SECTION 4.            “PLAYING UP” –

a.       If a coach is in need of a substitute player(s), that coach may request a player from one level down to play up.  Player must be a second year player from the level below.  For example – to be called up to play with the 9/10 age group, it must be a player who will be moving to the 9/10 level the following year.

b.      Commissioner will supply a call-up list which should be used at the various levels.  Players will be grouped by ability and there should be a rotation amongst the selections by each individual team.    The list will be broken out with a list of eligible active call-ups and a list of alternates (similar to All-Star selections listed below).  Coach should select from the active list first and select a different player from the list each time there is a need to call up.

c.       Player(s) being called up must bat last in the lineup and only participate in an Outfield (OF) position at the 9/10 level.  At the 11/12 level the player must bat last but can play any position except pitcher.  If more than one player is being called up by one team, then the rule still applies, must bat at the end of the lineup.

d.      Coaches must contact league delegate to request call-up.

 

SECTION 5.            “PLAYING DOWN” – This rule applies to T-Ball & Coach Pitch ONLY

a.       There may be instances where children may not have the necessary skill set or “alertness” for the Coach pitch level.  In the interest of developing the player, as well as enhancing the child’s experience, requests can be submitted to move a player down to the T-Ball level.  The process will be:

                                                               i.      Parent initiates the request to the Coach

                                                             ii.      Coach discusses the situation with the parent.  Coach must convey that this action may not occur.

                                                            iii.      Coach will alert the Commissioner of the request

                                                           iv.      Commissioner or designee will attend a minimum of one practice or two games to aid in the determination.

                                                             v.      Commissioner will make the decision

NOTE:  Playing down only applies when you are at the first year of the upper level.  For example, if the child is 9 and in the first year of “kid pitch” or 9/10 age group this request may be honored.  If the child is 10 (or the second year), it will not be considered.

SECTION 6.            T-BALL Rules

a.       Playing Time - Each child must play a minimum of every other inning.  No one should sit more than one inning. 

b.      Forming a Team – Teams will be formed by neighborhood or proximity/zone.

                                                               i.      All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is provided by the Forks Township Recreation Board

1.       The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Resident” section and bring to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the play should be considered to participate in Forks Township.  Eligibility for participation will be made during the Recreation Board meeting.

c.       Games –

                                                               i.      Each game is a maximum of 4 innings or 1.5 hours (whichever comes first).

                                                             ii.      10 players in the field, no catcher but 4 outfielders

                                                            iii.      All players should be given the opportunity to play various positions.  It is the coaches’ discretion for how this is performed during the season, however, each child should be given equal opportunity.

                                                           iv.      There is a running batting order – every player hits in every inning.  Batting team should notify their opponent when the last batter comes to the plate.  Once the play is dead all runners on base should continue around the bases before the fielding team comes in to hit in order to complete the inning.

                                                             v.      Coaches pitch.  If the batter has not hit the ball after 4 pitches, the ball will be placed on a tee for them to continue the at-bat.

                                                           vi.      No score is kept.  The league is meant to develop fundamentals, sportsmanship, rules of the game and have fun.

 

 

SECTION 7.            Coach Pitch Rules (Ages 7/8)

 

a.       Playing Time - Each child must play a minimum of every other inning.  No one should sit more than one inning. 

b.      Forming a Team – Teams will be formed by neighborhood or proximity/zone.  A player may request to be on a certain team for reasons such as transportation or other special needs, however, this is not a guarantee.

                                                               i.      All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is provided by the Forks Township Recreation Board

1.       The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Resident” section and bring to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the play should be considered to participate in Forks Township.  Eligibility for participation will be made during the Recreation Board meeting.

c.       Games –

                                                               i.      Each game is a maximum of 6 innings or 1.5 hours (whichever comes first).

                                                             ii.      10 players in the field, normal alignment, however, there are 4 outfielders

                                                            iii.      All players should be given the opportunity to play various positions.  It is the coaches’ discretion for how this is performed during the season, however, each child should be given equal opportunity.

                                                           iv.      There is a running batting order – a maximum of 10 batters per inning.  Batting team should notify their opponent when the last batter comes to the plate.  Once the play is dead all runners on base should continue around the bases before the fielding team comes in to hit in order to complete the inning.

                                                             v.      No score is kept.  The league is meant to develop fundamentals, sportsmanship, rules of the game and have fun.

d.      Tournament and/or All-Star Selection Process –

                                                               i.      Currently there are no all-star games at the 7/8 year old level.  In the event that there is, selections will be based upon the skill set of the players and determined by the coaches and the commissioner following similar guidelines as outlined in the 9/10 Selection Process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.            9/10 Year Olds

 

a.       Playing Time – Playing time is governed by the rules of the league.

                                                               i.      League rule states that each child must play a minimum of 2 innings in the field or the team will forfeit the game. 

b.      Forming a Team –

                                                               i.      All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is provided by the Forks Township Recreation Board

1.       The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Resident” section and bring to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the play should be considered to participate in Forks Township.  Eligibility for participation will be made during the Recreation Board meeting.

                                                             ii.      Each player is rated by the coaching staff at the end of the year from the previous level.

1.       Ratings should be done discretely and each child is to be given a rating from 1-5, 5 being the highest.  These ratings are to be turned into the commissioner.  These ratings may be used to aid in the drafting to ensure a balanced league.

                                                            iii.      If a coach has a son that is going to be part of the draft, that child automatically will be their 1st round selection.  However, discussion and consensus with the coaches at the draft may lead to a different outcome

                                                           iv.      All new players are encouraged to attend an evaluation.  New player is defined as someone who has never played in Forks Township or has skipped a season and is returning.

c.       Tournament and/or All-Star Selection Process –

                                                               i.      One team of All-Stars will be formed at each age group.

                                                             ii.      All-Star selection process:

1.       Coaches will submit a list of players that have been selected to the commissioner at the selection meeting.  Commissioner will review the list and may accept the list as submitted or request additional dialogue to ensure that there is a consensus on the selection.

2.       Coaches will bring their Statistic (Stat) books to the meeting to aid the support of participants selected.

3.       The commissioner will attend the meeting and, after discussion, provide final decision on the participants

4.       Each team will consist of a maximum of 12 players plus 3 alternates for a total of 15 for a full roster.  Alternates will only be called to participate when 12 players can not commit to playing in the tournaments.

5.       Baseball Commissioner will select the head coach for the All-Star teams.

6.       “Playing Up” will not be permitted on any All-Star or Tournament team.  For instance, a player from the Coach Pitch level cannot participate with the 9 or 10 year old All-Star or Tournament team.

 

7.       If a child is selected to participate, one parent/guardian will be required to attend a mandatory meeting and complete additional hours of volunteer time working a snack bar for a minimum of 3 hours.  This is in addition to volunteer time required during the regular season.

8.       If a full team cannot be fielded, then no team shall be entered into a tournament. 

9.       No tryouts will be necessary for All-Star or tournament teams.

 

SECTION 9.            11/12 Year Olds

a.       Playing Time – Playing time is governed by the rules of the league.

                                                               i.      League rule states that each child must play a minimum of 2 innings in the field or the team will forfeit the game. 

b.      Forming a Team –

                                                               i.      All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is provided by the Forks Township Recreation Board

1.       The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Resident” section and bring to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the play should be considered to participate in Forks Township.  Eligibility for participation will be made during the Recreation Board meeting.

                                                             ii.      Each player is rated by the coaching staff at the end of the year from the previous level.

1.       Ratings should be done discretely and each child is to be given a rating from 1-5, 5 being the highest.  These ratings are to be turned into the commissioner.  These ratings may be used to aid in the drafting to ensure a balanced league.

                                                            iii.      If a coach has a son that is going to be part of the draft, that child automatically will be their 1st round selection.   However, discussion and consensus with the coaches at the draft may lead to a different outcome

 

c.       Tournament and/or All-Star Selection Process –

                                                               i.      One team of All-Stars will be formed at each age group.

                                                             ii.      All-Star selection process:

1.       Coaches will submit a list of players that have been selected to the commissioner at the selection meeting.  Commissioner will review the list and may accept the list as submitted or request additional dialogue to ensure that there is a consensus on the selection.

2.       Coaches will bring their Statistic (Stat) books to the meeting to aid the support of participants selected.

3.       The commissioner will attend the meeting and, after discussion, provide final decision on the participants

4.       Each team will consist of a maximum of 12 players plus 3 alternates for a total of 15 for a full roster.  Alternates will only be called to participate when 12 players can not commit to playing in the tournaments.

5.       Baseball Commissioner will select the head coach for the All-Star teams.

6.       “Playing Up” will not be permitted on any All-Star team.  For instance, a player from the Coach Pitch level cannot participate with the 9 or 10 year old All-Star or Tournament team.

7.       If a child is selected to participate, one parent/guardian will be required to attend a mandatory meeting and complete additional hours of volunteer time working a snack bar for a minimum of 3 hours.  This is in addition to volunteer time required during the regular season.

8.       If a full team cannot be fielded, then no team shall be entered into a tournament. 

9.       No tryouts will be necessary for All-Star or tournament teams.

 

SECTION 10.            FORMING A TEAM – 13-15 YEAR OLD (JR. LEGION)

a.       Evaluations shall be held for kids moving up to the Jr. Legion.  These evaluations should take place at the end of the baseball season and not wait until the following year. 

b.      At least 2 evaluation dates shall be held to accurately evaluate the kids.

c.       Evaluations are to be done by an independent, qualified group of at least 5 people.  The Commissioner will have final say over the selection of these evaluators.