The goal of Junior Baseball Organization, Inc. is to provide each child, regardless of skill level, an ability to compete in baseball against other players of similar skill and age. As such, players are divided into separate divisions based on age and skill level. J.B.O. games are played according to the rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) with some modifications to tailor the rules to the age and skill level of the players. For example, J.B.O. base lengths and pitching distances are reduced from the High School level to accommodate younger players, but increase progressively with the age of the players. The intent is to provide all ages of players the opportunity to play the complete game of baseball (leading off, stealing, etc.) but to progressively increase playing distances as the age and skill of players increase.
We, in Junior Baseball of Oregon, Inc. (JBO), believe that athletic competition should be fun. We believe that those who coach athletes are, first and foremost, teachers who have a duty to assure that their sports programs promote important life skills and the development of good character. We believe that the essential elements of character-building are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. We believe, further, that the highest potential of sports is achieved when coaches consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model (T.E.A.M.) these values and are committed to the ideal of pursuing victory with honor. Finally, we believe that sincere and good-faith efforts to honor the words and spirit of this Code will improve the quality of our programs and the well being of our children. This Code of Conduct applies to all involved in the Junior Baseball of Oregon, Inc. program, including, but not limited to, administrators, coaches, assistants, parents and players.
I understand that as a representative of Junior Baseball of Oregon, Inc. I must act in accord with the following code:
CODE OF CONDUCT
First and foremost…Be positive and have fun!
Coaches have ultimate responsibility for their conduct, the conduct of their assistants, players, and spectators.
Accept the decisions of officials without exhibiting inappropriate behavior.
Place the emotional and physical well being of your players ahead of any personal desire to win. Want to win and strive to win, but don't "win at all costs". Seek to achieve excellence.
Ensure that you are knowledgeable in the rules of the sport that you coach, and teach these rules to your players. Develop the total individual not just the athlete.
Treat each player, coach, official, and parent with respect and dignity.
Treat each player as an individual; remember the large spread of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
Lead by example, in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all players. Remember that the team is a direct reflection of the coach.
Respect the game…do not violate any laws of society or otherwise compromise the integrity of the game.
Do your best to provide a safe playing situation for your players.
Be aware of the basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of your players.
Provide a sports environment for your team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and you will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
Remember that you are a role-model for children and the game is for them and not adults.
Be positive and have fun!
I acknowledge
that I have read and fully understand the requirements associated with
this Code of Conduct. I also understand that JBO, Inc. maintains the right
to deem certain actions as inappropriate whether listed here or not.
Further, I acknowledge that failure to act in accordance with the above
may result in sanctions imposed by my Association, my District, or JBO,
Inc.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
A youth may not play on more than one team in
Junior Baseball in any one year unless his family moves and becomes
bonafide residents of another Association.
A waiver is required for a player who elects to
play in another Association other than the one in which they reside.
Approval of the player waiver must be obtained
from the Association the player resides in, the requesting Association
and the District Commissioner. If the waiver request is denied, a
request can be filed with the State Vice President "in writing" for a
ruling. A fee of $25 must accompany the request. If the request is
granted the fee will be returned.
If a player is found to be playing outside of
the Association in which she/he resides and a completed waiver form is
not on file with the team roster, the player will be declared ineligible
and all games in which she/he has played in will be forfeited. The
player will be eligible as soon as the waiver form is signed by both
Associations, District Commissioner and is on file with the team
roster.
Any player not residing within the boundaries
of a current Junior Baseball Association must play in the Association
closest to their residence, unless waived by that Association.
If an Association does not field a Federal
team, players in that Association may play in the Association closest to
their residence and within the player's district of residence at the
Federal level without a waiver.
If a team has won a game using an ineligible
player, the game is to be forfeited to the opposing team except that
illegal substitution shall not be grounds for forfeiture.
When players are being "benched" for
disciplinary reasons, the opposing coach and the umpire must be notified
prior to the start of the game.
Any player on a team roster must have played in at least fifty percent (50%) of the team's League games in order to participate in the State Tournament. Submit excuses to the appropriate District Commissioner to have approved by the State Board at the State Tournament Meeting.
Exception: Illness or injury excused in writing by
the player's doctor. Submit to and approved by the appropriate District
Commissioner on the appropriate "Player/Team Waiver Form".
In an open enrollment High School district, a child may play for an Association of their choice upon parental written intent of the High School they will attend. The written intent (letter) must accompany the team roster.
TEAM ELIGIBILITY
Any Association intending to participate in the
Junior Baseball program must submit a completed "Application for
Membership Form" to the State Secretary no later than the first State
Board meeting in March of each calendar year. Applications received
after this date must be accompanied by a $200 fee.
Minimum number of players on each team roster
must be twelve (12). In addition, teams entering State Tournament play
must bring a roster with 12 eligible players or provide the appropriate
"Player/Team Waiver Form" (see Section I and V for additional
information).
Each team accepted for participation in Junior
Baseball must file a team roster and any waivers required, to their
District Commissioner no later than their first league game. The
Commissioner will then submit those rosters to the State Vice President
no later than the first State Board meeting in June.
Additions to team rosters after their first
league game will only be allowed prior to completing fifty percent (50%)
of the team's League games. Players may not move between team rosters
without a waiver of the District Commissioner on the appropriate
"Player/Team Waiver Form" (see Section I and V for additional
information). All players are still subject to the "player eligibility"
requirements in order to participate in the State Tournament (see
Section V.G. for additional information). Players added after fifty
percent (50%) of the team's league games, require a waiver of the
District Commissioner on the appropriate "Player/Team Waiver Form",
Player will be considered an eligible player for the remainder of the
season; however, the team is no longer eligible for any post-season
play. Not subject to Appeal. A revised Team Roster with any appropriate
waivers must be submitted to the State Vice President before additions
are eligible to participate.
The entry fee will be $18 per team and must be
submitted to the District Commissioner by June 1st of each calendar
year.
The penalty for a team's failure to meet the
above registration requirements shall be forfeiture of all games won
prior to the time of filing.
LEAGUES
Leagues are to be made up of teams of somewhat
equal strength and ability. The teams divisions will be known as
Federal, American and National in descending order of skill. The
District Commissioners have the authority to reclassify any team
determined to be in an incorrect skill level by no later than the
midpoint of the team's league schedule.
If a team is moved from one skill level to
another, their eligibility for District or State Tournament play will be
determined by the win/loss percentage from the time they were moved, to
the last game of the league schedule.
To determine a team's skill level of play in a
League, each Association will hold a skill evaluation prior to forming
teams. Based on the evaluation, a youth will be placed on a team with
players of equal skill and age.
For the purposes of determining Team
requirements, use the following matrix for all Divisions (any waivers
regarding this matrix will be made by the District Commissioner and approved by the State Board)
Midget Division:
Number of Teams
Federal
American
National
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
4
2
2
5
1
1
3
6
1
2
3
7
1
2
4
8
1
3
4
9
1
3
5
10
2
3
5
Junior and Senior Divisions:
Number of Teams
Federal
American
National
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
4
1
1
2
5
1
1
3
6
1
2
3
7
1
2
4
8
2
2
4
9
2
2
5
10
2
3
5
PLAYING
REGULATIONS BY AGE DIVISION
Midget Division
Any youth whose birth date is on or after August 1, 1997 is eligible for participation in Junior Baseball for the 2008 season. Players in the 4th grade can play as long as they are still eleven (11) years old by August 1, 2008.
Bases are to be sixty (60) feet apart.
Pitching distance is forty-five (45) feet.
Two adult coaches may coach on the bases
providing an adult is on the bench for supervision.
Games are officially terminated after five
innings, except ties. Three innings constitute a legal game.
Type of shoe is optional as far as rubber
cleats are concerned. Steel cleats are not allowed.
Batting and running helmets should be worn
while on the playing field. If the ball is live, players may not
remove their helmets while on the playing field. Upon the first
offense, both teams are warned; upon the second, an out is declared.
Enforcement of this rule never results in an ejection.
Pitching regulations for league play: A youth
must not pitch more than six innings in one week (seven days,
consecutively, constitutes one week.). In addition, a National level
youth is limited to three innings per game. One pitch constitutes an
inning. Example: If a youth pitches three innings on Tuesday, she/he
may pitch only three more innings before the next Tuesday.
Every eligible player must play a minimum of
six (6) defensive outs in all games. Bottom half of unplayed final
innings do not count towards this requirement.
There will be a five (5) run rule per inning
with the final inning open. The umpire must declare, prior to the
start of any inning, that this is the final inning, based on the
following conditions: time restriction, field condition, darkness or
the fifth inning (For ties, see rule D.).
For National skill level, no new inning will
start after two hours playing time.
For National and American skill level the
batter is out regardless of whether the third strike is caught or
not.
Catching helmets with full ear coverage are
required.
For the National skill level, a runner may
not steal home and may only advance to home as a result of a hit ball,
walk or penalty. A base runner will be called out if he reaches home
plate except as specified above. Examples are as follows:
Play 1: Batter hits baseball and advances all
the way to home plate while the ball is still alive, even though some
bases are advanced as a result of misplays by fielders. Ruling: Batter
and all preceding runners may advance at their own risk as long as the
hit ball is in play.
Play 2: Runner on second base steals third
base and an overthrow is made out of play. Ruling: Ball is dead and
the runner advances according to the standard penalty.
Play 3: Pitcher attempts to pick runner off
third base and overthrows the baseman out of play. Ruling: Ball is
dead and the runner advances according to the standard penalty.
Play 4: Runner on third base is caught off
the base in a rundown and is either (a) tagged out (b) returns to
third base without being tagged or (c) advances to home plate without
being tagged. Ruling: (a) Runner is out, (b) Runner is safe and (c)
Runner is out.
Any youth whose birth date is on or after August 1, 1995 is eligible for participation in Junior Baseball for the 2008 season. Players in the 6th grade can play as long as they are still thirteen (13) years old by August 1, 2008.
Bases are to be seventy (70) feet apart.
Pitching distance is fifty (50) feet.
Two adult coaches may coach on the bases
providing an adult is on the bench for supervision.
Games are officially terminated after six
innings, except ties. Four innings constitute a legal game.
Type of shoe is optional as far as rubber
cleats are concerned. Steel cleats are not allowed.
Batting and running helmets should be worn
while on the playing field. If the ball is live, players may not
remove their helmets while on the playing field. Upon the first
offense, both teams are warned; upon the second, an out is declared.
Enforcement of this rule never results in an ejection.
Pitching regulations for league play: A youth
must not pitch more than seven innings in one week (seven days,
consecutively, constitutes one week.). In addition, a National level
youth is limited to four innings per game. One pitch constitutes an
inning. Example: If a youth pitches four innings on Tuesday, she/he
may pitch only three more innings before the next Tuesday.
Every eligible player must play a minimum of
six (6) defensive outs in all games. Bottom half of unplayed final
innings does not count towards this requirement.
For National skill level, there will be a
five run rule per inning with the final inning open. The umpire must
declare, prior to the start of any inning, that this is the final
inning, based on the following conditions: time restriction, field
condition, darkness or the sixth inning (for ties, see rule D).
For National skill level, no new inning will start after two hours playing time.
Any youth whose birth date is on or after August 1, 1993 is eligible for participation in Junior Baseball for the 2008 season. Players in the 8th grade can play as long as they are still fifteen (15) years old by August 1, 2008.
Bases are to be eighty (80) feet apart for
National and American skill levels. Federal skill level bases are
ninety (90) feet apart.
Pitching distance is fifty-five (55) feet for
National and American skill levels. Federal skill level pitching
distance is sixty (60) feet six (6) inches.
Two adult coaches may coach on the bases
providing an adult is on the bench for supervision.
Games are officially terminated after seven
innings, except ties. Five innings constitute a legal game.
Steel cleats are allowed for Senior Division
play.
Batting and running helmets should be worn
while on the playing field. If the ball is live, players may not
remove their helmets while on the playing field. Upon the first
offense, both teams are warned; upon the second, an out is declared.
Enforcement of this rule never results in an ejection.
Pitching regulations for league play: A youth
must not pitch more than eight innings in one week (seven days,
consecutively, constitutes one week.). In addition, a National level
youth is limited to four innings per game. One pitch constitutes an
inning. Example: If a youth pitches four innings on Tuesday, she/he
may pitch only four more innings before the next Tuesday.
Every eligible player must play a minimum of
nine (9) defensive outs by the completion of the 7th inning. The
bottom half of the unplayed final inning does not count towards this
requirement. Every eligible player must play in a minimum of six (6)
defensive outs in all other legal games.
For National skill level, there will be a
five run rule per inning with the final inning open. The umpire must
declare, prior to the start of any inning, that this is the final
inning, based on the following conditions: time restriction, field
condition, darkness or the seventh inning (For ties, see rule D).
For National skill level, no new inning will
start after two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes playing time.
Any youth whose birth date is on or after August 1, 1991 is eligible for participation in Junior Baseball for the 2008 season. Players in the 10th grade can play as long as they are still seventeen (17) years old by August 1, 2008.
Bases are to be ninety (90) feet apart.
Pitching distance is sixty (60) feet six (6)
inches.
Two adult coaches may coach on the bases
providing an adult is on the bench for supervision.
Games are officially terminated after seven
innings, except ties. Five innings constitute a legal game.
Steel cleats are allowed for Cub Division
play.
Batting and running helmets should be worn
while on the playing field. If the ball is live, players may not
remove their helmets while on the playing field. Upon the first
offense, both teams are warned; upon the second, an out is declared.
Enforcement of this rule never results in an ejection.
Pitching regulations for league play: A youth
must not pitch more than eight innings in one week (seven days,
consecutively, constitutes one week.). One pitch constitutes an
inning. Example: If a youth pitches four in innings on Tuesday, she/he
may pitch only four more innings prior to the next Tuesday.
Every eligible player must play a minimum of
nine (9) defensive outs by the completion of the 7th inning. The
bottom half of the unplayed final inning does not count towards this
requirement. Every eligible player must play in a minimum of six (6)
defensive outs in all other legal games.
All games are to be played on dates and times
as specified in the league schedules, unless a mutually agreed upon
change is made 24 hours prior to the scheduled time and date. Teams will
be allowed 15 minutes to field a team of nine players prior to the
declaration of a forfeit.
The home team is required to furnish two new,
good quality leather baseballs for each game.
Each team is permitted 15 minutes infield prior
to the start of the game, as long as it can start on time.
Junior Baseball of Oregon, Inc. has adopted the
ten (10) run rule for all leagues, with the exception of the State
Tournament championship games. The ten (10) run rule provides that a
game will end after five (5) innings for Cubs and Seniors, four (4)
innings for Juniors and Midgets, or any inning thereafter, when a team
is ten or more runs behind and has completed its turn at bat. Games
called as a result of this rule DOES NOT waive the six (6) defensive out
rule.
Each team will bat its entire roster.
There shall be free defensive substitution,
including pitchers. Each player must play a minimum of six (6) defensive
outs. If a player arrives late and is unable to complete his/her
defensive outs, they must be inserted immediately and play until the
game is completed or they have played their required six (6) defensive
outs, should the game go into extra innings.
A player arriving after the game has started
will be inserted at the end of the batting lineup.
If a player is injured, is removed from the
game and misses a turn at bat, she/he cannot return to the lineup in
that game. The injured player's name will be removed from the batting
order and all other players continue to bat in the same order.
If a player is injured while running the bases,
she/he must be replaced by the player furthest from batting that is not
on base. This substitute runner returns to their place in the batting
order ceasing the pinch running duties. The injured player is removed
from the lineup.
The only time a player removed from the lineup
becomes an out each time up, is if the removal leaves the team with
eight players. If the lineup drops below eight, then the game will be a
forfeit.
Uniform shirts will be numbered, with no two
alike.
NOCSAE batting helmets are to be worn by all
batters and runners in all leagues. All catchers must wear catcher's
head and face protection, throat protector and protector cup during
warm-ups and during games in all leagues.
The High School rule requiring an 18 inch
circle on the bat is waived.
Any High School restriction on
weight-to-length-of-bat and maximum bat diameter will be disregarded.
The winning coaches will notify the appropriate
league official of the game scores and pitcher innings within ninety-six
(96) hours (four days) of the game times. How this information is
reported will be left up to the District. Failure to report will result
in no contest for the winning team. The losing team will still show the
loss.
All rainouts or cancellations must be
rescheduled within 7 days. The home team must offer three possible dates
and the visiting team must accept one or forfeit the game.
All games ending in a tie will be recorded as a
half game won and half game loss for both teams.
Umpire certification for league play, uniforms
and pay scales will be determined by the district.
Cross-District League play will count in League
standings.
The speed-up rule in the high school rulebook
is waived. There will not be a speed-up rule in JBO.
Designated pinch hitter rule will not be
allowed in any Division or League.
Three (3) defensive charged conferences per
regular game. An additional charged conference per extra inning will be
allowed. There is a limit of one offensive charged conference per
inning.
For the purposes of time limit, a new inning
starts once the third out is made at the end of the previous inning.
The High School rule regarding remaining in
their on deck circle is waived. Coaches may direct individual players or
their entire team to use whichever on deck circle they believe is
safest.
Base Running Appeal: For failure to touch a
base (advancing or returning), or failure to tag up as the ball is
touched on a caught fly ball, the runner is out. This is a delayed
penalty if not played upon by the defense during the same playing action
(live ball). After all playing action has ended; the umpire will
indicate time-out to call the runner(s) out. During playing action, the
runner is out if, before returning to each untouched base, the runner is
touched by the ball in the hand of a fielder, or the ball is held by a
fielder on that missed base (including home plate). In this instance,
the out would be called immediately before time is called.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
If a player/coach is ejected by an official for
unsportsmanlike conduct the incident must be reported to the District
Commissioner prior to the player's/coach's next contest.
Ejected coaches must leave the contest
immediately and shall not be allowed further contact with team members
for the duration of the contest. Ejected players must remain on the
bench for the duration of that contest.
It is the responsibility of the Association to
insure the District Commissioner is notified and ejected player/coach is
disallowed from participating in the next contest. Players must attend
the contest to serve the penalty. If the player does not attend the next
applicable contest, the suspension will continue to apply until the
player has attended, and been benched for the entire contest. Should an
ejected player/coach participate at the next scheduled contest, that
action shall be considered use of an ineligible participant and result
in forfeiture of that contest. A second ejection for an unsportsmanlike
act will result in a two (2) game suspension. A third ejection for an
unsportsmanlike act will result in disqualification from further
participation in Junior Baseball of Oregon, Inc.
Physical contact between a player/coach and an
official is a gross act of unsportsmanlike conduct. The offending
player/coach is immediately ejected and is suspended for a minimum of
two (2) contests. Both associations shall notify the District
Commissioner and State Board within 48 hours of the end of the
contest.
A player/coach who has been ejected because of
unsportsmanlike conduct may be subject to further disciplinary action by
the Association, Commissioner and/or State Board.
Any coach who is ejected from two (2) games at
any point during a season will be ineligible to participate in the
District, Pre-State or State Tournament games. This includes, but is not
limited to pre-season; league: tournament: and non-JBO sanctioned games,
or any other game not listed herein. If the Association of the ejected
player/coach agrees that an ejection is unjustified, the Association may
appeal in writing to the District Commissioner within 48 hours (2 days)
of the end of the contest to have the ejection removed from the
player's/coach's record for determining eligibility to participate in
the State Tournament only.
The player/coach must always serve the
suspension required.
Hopefully everyone realizes that we adults are
supposed to set good examples for the kids. Unfortunately that is not
always the reality and a dispute arises from a game. Judgment calls by an
umpire are ALWAYS final, but there is a process for issues not involving
calls by the umpire. Disputes need to be filed with the appropriate
District Commissioner.
It shall be the responsibility of the District
to act on all protests and render a decision on purported violations of
the J.B.O. rule book.
The decision of the District shall be final.
In all cases of protest, a minimum filing fee
of $25 shall be submitted to the District. If the protest is upheld, the
fee shall be refunded, otherwise it is to be retained by the
District.
A protest on a ruling interpretation must be
filed with the District Commissioner, in writing, within forty-eight
(48) hours (2 days) of the end of the game. No protests shall be allowed
on a judgment call.
Ineligible teams shall forfeit all games in
violation of the J.B.O. rule book.
