Print
Share page with AddThis

AAA Division League Rules

All managers and coaches must be Certified via Borough of Oakland requirements; and wear their Lanyard whenever they’re on the field in a coaching capacity.

2013 Overview

  • 4 Oakland teams will form the "Oakland" Division. 4 Mahwah teams will form the "Mahwah" Division.
  • Each team will play 2 regular season games against each of the remaining 7 teams, for a total of 14 regular season games.
  • Each Division will hold its own playoff, with each Division's playoff winner facing the other in a one-game World Series.
  • Division Tie-Breakers (for playoff seeding) will be:
    1. Head-to-head record, and then
    2. Lowest Runs Allowed, and then
    3. Coin Flip
  • For the Divisional Playoff Tournament, teams will be seeded 1 through 4. 1 will play 4 and 2 will play 3 (home team is higher seed). The winners play each other for the Division Championship. That winner plays Mahwah’s Division Champion for the World Series Championship.
  • The first regular season game will be played on April 15th.
  • The Championship game will be played on June 12th.

Coaches Responsibilities

  • Coaches of BOTH teams must notify the League Coordinator of the score, pitchers and number of pitches thrown by email by the next day to ensure team records are kept current.
  • At the end of the season, managers are required to fill out player evaluation forms to be used the following year.
  • All managers and coaches must be certified. A certified coach must be in attendance before the game can begin.
  • Each game shall be run in a relaxed environment. The intent of this program is to teach and have fun. Coaches must set an example of good sportsmanship, and ensure that their players show good sportsmanship. Players should be encouraged to cheer for THEIR team, but not AGAINST the other team. Winning and losing are part of the game, but it should never be the focus.
  • Players cheering against opposing team causing them to drop a fly ball will cause the batter to be automatically called out.
  • No one (including coaches from either team) is permitted around the backstop during a game in order to avoid creating a distraction to the batter or the pitcher. Coaches must enforce this rule and umpires will be instructed to stop the game until the situation is corrected.
  • Players must remain on their respective benches when their team is at bat, except for the on-deck batter (with a helmet on).  Coaches should assign a "safety coach" to enforce this rule to avoid injury. Coaches are not allowed on the field during play except for a coach serving as a first or third base coach. Coaches MUST stay in the coach’s box and in no way interfere with the play of the game.
  • Umpires are in charge of the game once it begins. Coaches must provide a good sportsmanship example for players and parents by not arguing judgment calls with the umpire. If a rule clarification is requested, coaches must not charge the umpire but approach in a calm manner. If coaches are ejected from a game, they will be suspended from the next scheduled game; and are subject to disciplinary action outlined by any applicable Oakland Recreation rules, regulations and bylaws.
  • If a player is ejected from a game, he will be suspended from playing in the next scheduled game.
  • Coaches are expected to inform the parents of their players about proper behavior before, during and after the games. Parents should not linger around the dugout and are not allowed on the field during the games. Most importantly, coaches and parents should never argue with umpires for any reason. Infractions such as these may lead to the umpire halting the game until the coach has corrected the situation. Failure to comply may lead to a forfeit of the game and disciplinary action as noted above.
  • If the umpire issues a warning to a team for an infraction, the coach must communicate the warning to the players with an explanation. Throwing equipment, inappropriate language and any form of unsportsmanlike behavior is not allowed by either players or coaches. Umpires are given the authority to appropriately punish those that break the rules.
  • The Home Team is to supply baseballs to the umpire.
  • Coaches should inform the League Coordinator when first aid kits need to be replenished (i.e. cold packs, bandages, etc.).
  • If after the schedule is set, a coach becomes aware of a conflict that will cause a forfeit, it is the responsibility of the coaches of the two teams affected to inform the League Coordinator to agree on a mutual date so that umpires and fields can be assigned.
  • Please keep in mind that the # 1 priority of Rec Baseball is to be safe and have fun while hopefully improving skills on the field as well as in the dugout. Getting along with each other and exhibiting good sportsmanship are an integral part of our program. Each player will play at least 1 inning in the infield during the course of the game. Managers are encouraged to play kids in different positions throughout the games.

The Players

  • A single, continuous lineup of all roster players will be used. Each player must bat in their normal rotation, whether or not they play in the field. Players arriving after the exchange of batting lineups must be added to the end of the lineup.
  • If a player is unable to finish a game, that player's spot in the batting order is skipped over without an out being recorded.
  • All players must wear a protective supporter/cup. This applies during play, warm-ups and in the bullpen.
  • Batters must wear protective helmets while batting, on-deck, or as base runners.
  • No metal spikes are allowed.
  • There will be free substitution rule for all players except pitchers. Pitchers, once removed from the game, cannot be reinserted as pitchers later in the same game.
  • Any player starting the game on the bench must be placed in the field for the second inning.
  • No player will sit for a second time in a game unless every player has sat once.
  • It is strongly suggested that no player start consecutive games on the bench.
  • Exceptions: Players arriving late, injury and disciplinary reasons.

Batting

  • Bat diameters in the AAA division can be up to 2 5/8 inches. This the max diameter allowed in high school, so it is allowed in this division. Use of an illegal bat results in an automatic out and players must return to their original bases.
  • Only Wood, Alloy Barrel and BBCOR Certified bats as described in Little League's "Senior / Big League" bat rules (click here) are permitted. Each Manager will be responsible for ensuring only legal bats will be used. If a player is determined to have used an illegal bat – to be appealed prior to the next batter being thrown a pitch – that play will be an automatic out, the players will return to their prior base(s) and the bat will be removed from the game.
  • Dropped third strikes are in play. Batters can advance to first base unless they are tagged out or put out at first base.

Pitching

  • Pitchers may throw no more than 3 innings or maximum pitch count – whichever comes first – in one game.
  • A pitcher cannot throw more than 6 rec baseball innings in one week.
  • The balk rule will not be in effect. However, violations should be brought to the attention of the pitcher and manager for instructional purposes.
  • If a pitcher picks off a runner while committing a balk (as ruled by the umpire) the ball will be called dead and runner will return to original base.
  • The “hidden ball” trick is prohibited. This applies to all defensive positions.
  • A player cannot return to the game as a pitcher after having been removed from pitching. He may return in another position.
  • A coach is allowed two visits per pitcher per game (not two visits per pitcher per inning – the goal is to minimize delays). The second visit must result in the pitcher being replaced with another pitcher.
  • Please click here to view complete pitching limits, required rest time and approved pitches per Rec Division. Each manager is expected to adhere to these rules or risk forfeiture and possibly further penalties.
  • Note that Mahwah does NOT prevent its pitchers from throwing curve balls in Rec Baseball at this level. So in an effort to balance parity (with Mahwah teams) and competitive balance (with Oakland teams), Commissioner Marty O'Brien will permit only approved pitchers (see pitching rules for details – under 13U & 14U Travel) to throw curve balls against Mahwah teams. Standard rules apply (no breaking balls) when playing against Oakland teams.

Base Running

  • Leading is allowed.
  • No head first slides are allowed unless the runner is returning to an occupied base. Otherwise, the runner will be called out.
  • Unlimited steals are allowed, but only 1 successful steal of Home Plate is permitted per game. If a 2nd attempt is made to steal Home Plate and the runner is caught, it will be called an out.
  • Caught stealing does not count as a steal. A steal is considered to be any non-batted advancement including wild pitches and passed balls.
  • All players will observe the "slide or avoid" rule. If there is the possibility of a play at any base, including home plate, the base runner must SLIDE or ATTEMPT TO AVOID contact with the defensive player. A base runner may not attempt to run into or knock over an opposing player. Failure to SLIDE or AVOID will result in the runner being called out. If a runner intentionally or maliciously runs into or knocks down an opposing player, he will be called out, and ejected from the game.
  • On a wild throw, or an error where the ball goes out-of-play, the base runner will be entitled to the base he was running to plus 1 (one) additional base.
  • Pinch runners are allowed in two (2) cases: Injury to original runner, or if on base with two outs, the catcher may be pinch run for.  In either case the pinch runner shall be the batter that made the last out. 

The Game

  • NJ High School Rules shall be followed except for rules specified in the document. In cases where contradictions exist between these two sets of rules, the rules specified in this document shall supersede the NJ High School Rules.
  • A complete game is 6 innings (due to inclusion of Mahwah and travel required).
  • When the home team is ahead, 3 ½ innings shall constitute an official game. When the home team is behind, four innings constitutes an official game.
  • The pitcher’s mound is 60 feet from home plate and the base paths are 90 feet long on Field 8 at the Oakland Recreation Complex.
  • When the home team is ahead, 4 ½ innings shall constitute an official game. When the home team is behind, 5 innings constitutes an official game.
  • A team must have a minimum of eight (8) players throughout the game in order to play a game. A team with less than eight (8) players, even if starting the game with 8, must forfeit. If one team only has eight players to play in the field, the other team will still play nine (9) players in the field.
  • The team having more than 8 players shall lend 1 (or 2) players for an outfield position to the other team.
  • Make-up games will be rescheduled upon agreement of the Managers and the League Coordinator.
  • The Infield Fly Rule will be in effect.
  • Intentional walks are not allowed.
  • Each team is allowed 2 successful bunts per game (sacrifice OR bunt-for-a-hit) – that is a bunt that results in a completed play (out or safe). If a 3rd bunt is attempted and results in a completed play, it will result in an out and the runners return to their previous bases. If that out is the 3rd out of the inning, then the inning is over.
  • Prior to the start of the game the visiting team shall have 10-15 minutes to warm up followed by the home team for the same duration.
  • Weeknight games in Oakland are scheduled to begin promptly at 6:30pm or earlier, if possible and mutually agreed to by both teams. It is possible these games will start later if IHHS Games continue past that time.
  • Weeknight games played in Mahwah will begin promptly at 6:00pm.
  • Saturday games will begin at 9:30am and 12:30pm.
  • No inning is to begin after 2 hours from the 1st pitch – weekday or weekend.
  • Umpires reserve the right to call the game at any time when conditions warrant.
  • Umpires also reserve the right to call the last inning to be played before the 6th inning. That inning then becomes the "unlimited run" inning. If the "unlimited run" inning is not competed due to darkness (e.g. when played in Mahwah) or curfew, then the score reverts back to the previous complete inning; and becomes the final score.
  • Tie games are permitted.

Scoring

  • Maximum of four (4) runs in innings one (1) through five (5).
  • Unlimited runs in the sixth (6) inning and extra innings (if applicable due to 2-hour new inning rule above).
  • There is no "mercy" rule.
  • If a home run is hit over the fence and puts the runs scored over the limit, those runs will stand. 

Uniforms

  • A player will not be permitted to play if they are not in full uniform (hat; recreation baseball pants & shirt; and socks).