Philosophies          

• The philosophy of the Senior League is to provide a baseball experience that is fun, safe, and challenging.
• Every player is to be taught the fundamentals of the game and the value of teamwork.
• Since each team will be involved in the league play-offs, winning should not be the highest priority, though coaches should be aware of the competitive instincts of most players at the Senior League level.
• It is in the best interest of all involved that coaches pay particular attention to the physical and emotional development of ten year-old players, and allow sufficient, quality playing time to foster their advancement.
• Coaches, players, and parents are to be held to a high standard of behavior in which they support their teammates and respect their opponents.
  
  

Rosters

• Rosters must consist of no fewer than eleven (11) players. Rosters of 11 players may not contain more than six players that are 12 years old.  Team composition will be determined by actual signups on a yearly basis. All eligible 12 year olds will be drafted to senior league teams, so actual maximum number per team may change yearly. No team may have more than five 11 year olds. Teams must contain one but no more than two 10 year olds.
• If a team loses a player during the first half of the season and that team’s roster drops below 11 players, that team may choose a player from Junior League to bring the roster back to 11.  If the team loses a player during the second half of the season, it may pick up player/players from the Junior League on a game-by-game basis. When players are drafted up from the Junior League, the above roster limitations apply.
  
• Temporary roster shortages (when a team has fewer than ten players) may be filled by first notifying the Senior League Commissioner, then notifying the Junior League Commissioner who will assist the Senior League manager in his selection.  Junior League players will not be available if they have a game scheduled the same day as the Senior League game.  Players will be available to Senior League on a first come first serve basis.  No nine-year-old may be used as a substitute in the Senior League.  Games may be played with as few as 8 players, however all attempts should be made to compete with a full roster and batting order. Replacement players must be put at the bottom of the batting order and play in the field but cannot pitch. 

Drafting Rules

• Teams will draft in the reverse order of the prior year’s finish with the exception of league reorganization. In the case of reorganization, the Board of Directors will establish an order of draft for that season.
• All ten, eleven, and twelve-year-olds, not currently on a roster, must attend at least one of the scheduled tryouts to be eligible for the Senior League draft. The Board may grant medical exceptions.
• All 12 year olds that sign up will be drafted to a senior league team; unless it is determined that ability is limited by parents, with request to the board. All teams will draft until they have eight players and then they will discontinue drafting until all other teams have filled to eight players. Teams will then resuming drafting until all teams fill their rosters.
• Children and grandchildren of managers (only) are automatically placed on the manager’s team (at the manager’s option), before the start of the draft.
• Eligible brothers/sisters of players on a team will automatically be placed on that team’s roster at the option of the coach before the draft starts. If the manager does not use this option before the draft, the player will be eligible to be drafted by any other team. However, it is strongly recommended that managers make every effort to keep qualified siblings on the same team.
• If a player drafted has an eligible brother/sister in the draft, the siblings may be added to the roster immediately at the option of the coach.
• Teams may not draft a player that did not attend at least one of the scheduled tryouts except for the following situation: Players that move within league boundaries after the scheduled tryouts Dates may be drafted to a Senior League team (before the team’s eighth game) should a roster opening occur. Each manager with a roster opening must be made aware of the player and a tryout will be scheduled so the player can be evaluated. Player selection will be determined by order of the draft.
• Requests to be Re-drafted- If a player requests to be re-drafted, for the purpose of being reassigned to another team, that player’s parents, at the discretion of the League Commissioner and President, may be required to meet with the Board personally, to explain the specific reason to remove their child from the team. The Board will review all the circumstances and render a decision based on what is best for the player and the league.
• Head coaches only may be present at the draft.
  
  

Playing Rules

• The Official Cal Ripken Division of Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations will apply, except as noted by the Senior League Playing Rules detailed below:
• A set batting order will be used with all available players at the game included in the batting order.
• Free substitutions in the field can occur. All players must play a minimum of 3 (Three) complete innings in the field, unless the game is shortened due to time or mercy rule. Any team that violates this rule will forfeit the game. Coaches will agree on the approach to be taken with players arriving after the start of the game.
• Games may be played with as few as 8 players, however all attempts should be made to compete with a full roster and batting order. Replacement players must be put at the bottom of the batting order and cannot pitch. 
• Pitching rules should abide by Rule 0.06
• Balks will be called only after the first instance for each team, and the umpire shall try and explain to the pitcher his violation. After the second Monday in May, No warnings will be issued prior to the first called balk. 
• No new inning shall start after 1:45 of gameplay when darkness is a factor. Determine the watch to be used as official time before the start of the game.  The last out of the previous inning is the start time for the next inning. Weekend games should follow the same 2 hour rule. Games called because of the time limit will be considered regulation games regardless of the number of innings played. Every attempt should be made to finish the game in the time allowed. If games are tied the Umpire has the final call.
• Tie games will be resumed (provided there is a need in the standings) from the point at which the game was stopped, with all appropriate pitching limitations (both game and current week) continuing for the game being resumed.
• There is a 12 run mercy rule in effect after 3-1/2 (if home team is leading) or after 4 innings. Games in which the home team is leading prior to time limit, but passes beyond the two hour time limit, will revert back to the score at the start of the half inning, and games will end when time passes the limit. Teams will not finish out the inning if home teams are leading and game is beyond time.
• Players may NOT serve as base coaches. If a base coach is needed an adult (18 years or older) can be brought in from the stands or from the other team but will not be allowed in the dugout.
• No Slash Bunt Rule: Bunting is allowed, but “Slash bunting" is prohibited--Batter is out, no warning. Any batter who executes a slash bunt (square to bunt, pull the bat back, then swing away attempting to put the ball in play) shall be ruled out, the ball is dead, and all base runners return to the last safely occupied base at the time of the pitch.
• Any player ejected from a game shall face suspension from the next scheduled game, in addition to the ejection from the subject game. Player must be dressed and in attendance at next game. If a player is ejected twice in a season, the player will be suspended for the remainder of season and playoffs. In addition, any player ejected twice in a season will not be allowed participation in any All Star team but will be allowed on a Summer League team.
• In instances where the umpire feels that a serious injury has occurred, play will stop immediately until after the injured player is attended to.
  
  

Senior League Playoffs

All teams will compete in a double elimination playoff format.  No pitcher shall be allowed to pitch in more than six innings in two successive playoff games. If a pitcher delivers one pitch in an inning they will be charged for one inning pitched.  Any pitcher can reenter to pitch unless they were removed for a second trip to mound in same inning. Games may be played with as few as 8 players, however all attempts should be made to compete with a full roster and batting order. Replacement players must be put at bottom of batting order and cannot pitch. 

Seeding/ standings

Play-off seeding will be according to the regular season final standings.

Tie breakers will be decided as follows:

• Head to head record with tied team(s).
• Head to head versus teams finishing ahead in the standings.
• Runs allowed versus tied teams.
• Runs allowed entire season.
• Coin toss will be used to determine playoff position if required.

Home team will be determined by highest seeded position for all games. All playoff games must be played to completion (unless meeting 12 run mercy rule). Trophies will be awarded to the top 2 teams. First Place (Winner of Championship game) and Second Place (Runner Up).

Umpires

Senior League will use umpires as assigned by GSUA.  Deviations from this format will be at the discretion of the Senior League Commissioner.

Safety

In case of injury that prevents a child from participation in a game, a letter from the child’s parents will be required for the child to return to league activity. Children with a cast on an arm or hand that prevents them from gripping the bat properly will not be allowed to participate in games or practices. Players should not return to play without a note of clearance from Doctors or parents.

Managers

• Anyone wishing to become a manager in any league must fill out the application for manager/coach position and return it to the league commissioner. The KCRBA Board will review the applications annually. The Board of Directors will approve all managers. All Coaches will be subject to a national background check.
• All Coaches must have completed Babe Ruth League/Ripken Baseball Coaching Certification Program. Coaches who successfully pass the Babe Ruth League Coaching Education and Certification Program will receive a certification that is valid for their entire coaching career with Babe Ruth League, Inc. This also applies to any coach who has already taken and successfully passed the Babe Ruth Coaching Education and Certification Program.
• All managers will be subject to a performance review by the Board of Directors.
• Managers must return all equipment and uniforms at the end of the season as directed by the equipment manager.
  
• Any Manager or Coach who is ejected from the game will result in banishment from that game plus the following two games. Coaches may not attend games from which they are suspended. If a player or coach is ejected twice in a season, the minimum penalty shall be suspension for the remainder of the season, including playoffs.