Riverdogs

After watching a few games from the sidelines, there are a couple of game administrative things we need to take more control of.

1) During warm-ups, only players are to be warming each other up. I'm
talking about throwing and catching. Coaches can hit balls and toss
pitches to hitters, but when players are throwing to one another, it's
players only. This includes the bullpen.

2) When a team takes infield practice just before a game, limit the
teams to no more than 5 minutes each. Be sure that the visiting team
takes the field about 12 minutes before game time so that the home team
can have the field 5 minutes before game time. I know this can be tough
on Saturdays when there are multiple games, so you might have to cut it
back to 3 minutes each.

3) During infield/outfield warm ups, only a player may catch for the
coach hitting the balls. Another coach is not allowed. The player must
wear a catcher's helmet with a dangling throat guard. They do not need a
catcher's mitt. A batting helmet is not allowed. Be hard-nosed about it
and send them back to the dugout for the proper gear.

4) When a team warms up a pitcher in the bullpen before and during a
game, a) the catcher must be a player, and b) the catcher must wear a
catcher's helmet with a dangling throat guard, and c) ONE OF THE THREE
COACHES FOR THE GAME MUST BE PRESENT IN THE BULLPEN.
A dad just trying to "help out" does not count. (Almost every team,
Minor A and up, is abusing this rule.) It's not so bad before a game
gets started, but once underway, a team is allowed only three (3)
coaches on the field. So if a team is at bat and they have a pitcher
in the bullpen, one coach must remain in the dugout and one must be
with the pitcher/catcher. That leaves only one coach to be a base
coach. He can be at 1st or 3rd. A player (with a batting helmet on)
can occupy the other coach's box.

5) Managers and coaches are to remain in the dugouts at all times.
(Except when base coaching or permitted to come out by the umpire.) As a
policy, we have permitted the manager to stand immediately in front of
the dugout entrance in order to instruct his players. The other two
coaches, however, are to remain in the dugout.

6) Only the manager is to approach an umpire to question a ruling or
call. Prior to the game, a manager may designate one of his coaches to
be "acting manager" for the game, and then only that coach may approach
the umpire, come out to visit the pitcher, make the lineup changes, etc.


Plate umpires: In your pre-game meeting, remind your base umpires to
help you police these rules and their respective dugouts.

Managers: These are Little League's rules. Please make every effort to
abide by these rules. The umpires do not want to be the bad guys and
have to make you comply, however, they have been instructed to do so if
they must.

Thanks,

Chuck