2002 Pre-Season Rule Changes and Other Business
Tree rule unchanged from
prior version (see below)
A proposal to make a ball over
the fence in Dobbs Ferry a double (unless it goes into the street in right field
or hits the sign in left on the fly) was rejected.
It was agreed that on days we
play at Dobbs Ferry, Jeffrey Appell will check out earlier in the morning whether
the larger field in town is available. No matter what, we will still meet
at the traditional field.
It was agreed that for 2003 we
would try to get split permits allowing us to play at Riverside Park part of the
season. For 2002 we only have Central Park.
It was agreed that we would
allow all those who have played with us before and who show up on a given day to
get in the game, regardless of the size of the teams, through the first four
innings. Anyone arriving after the fourth inning is complete will not be allowed
to play if there is already more than 12-on-12.
Given that we only officially
have the field until 11:00 a.m., it was agreed that games will start at 8:30
a.m. with batting practice from 8:00-8:30 a.m. Batting practice will be limited
to 5 swings. If after that we still lack adequate players for a game, we will go
around again.
It was agreed that, where a
successful batter needs a runner, the defensive team will pick same (I would
assume that the on-deck hitter after the next batter would be excluded for
expediency).
2000 Pre-Season Rule Changes and Other Business
Modification of "Tree Rule": Although the
"Tree Rule" generally is affirmed, it is modified such that any
ball which is hit which crosses the plane over an outfield fence in fair
territory, unless it is caught by a fielder without it first striking any
other object, is a home run. Thus, if a ball is hit over an outfield
fence in fair territory, and then strikes a tree after it crosses the plane
of the fence, and then bounces back onto the field of play, it is a home
run. Regarding trees whose trunks are located beyond the outfield
fence but some of whose branches and/or leaves extend forward across the
plane of the fence above the field of play, and where a batted ball strikes
such branches and/or leaves, it shall be the judgment of the umpire as to
whether, had such branches and/or leaves not been so present, the ball would
have continued across the plane of the outfield fence. If the umpire
determines that it would have, it is a home run; it the umpire determines
that it would not have, the ball is in play.
Clarification of Overthrow Rule: When a ball is overthrown by
any fielder such that it leaves the field of play, the runners are awarded
the next base ahead of them plus one more base. Thus, if a runner is
between first and second at the time of the overthrow (even if he or she is
retreating back to first), he or she will be awarded second base and third
base. If a runner is standing on a base at the time of the overthrow,
the runner is only awarded a single additional base.
Dealing with Latecomers: One of the League's major goals is
increasing turnout and participation. To further that goal, while also
encouraging promptness, when latecomers arrive at a game in progress in
which his or her team already has 10 or more players, the latecomer will be
added to such team but will not be able to bat until the completion of the
current run through that team's batting order.
Appointment of Czars: Bobby Naranjo is Permanent
Umpire. Rich Inserro will computerize and process statistics.
Dobbs Ferry Fields: Games in Dobbs Ferry will be played at
the larger field, not at the Little League field near the train station
where home runs are too easy.
Participants at Meeting: Please let me know if I have misstated any of
these matters, or omitted anything.
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