Conway Station Baseball Complex

Rules for Conway Station Complex apply to all players, coaches, and spectators.

1. We will not tolerate foul language or abusive behavior towards the players, coaches, umpires, scorekeepers, or Parks staff. The first offense will result in immediate ejection from the Complex.
2. All City of Conway parks are tobacco-free facilities.
3. No alcohol or illicit drugs are allowed in the park.
4. Skates, bikes, scooters, or any other recreational wheeled equipment are not permitted inside the Complex.
5. No dogs allowed.
6. No gum or sunflower seeds will be allowed on the fields. First offense will result in a warning, second will be removal from the complex.
7. No soft toss allowed into the fence.

Sportsmanship & Safety

1. USSSA rules will be followed unless otherwise stated. www.arkansasusssa.com
2. All bats must have a USSSA, USA or a BBCORE stamp on the bat.
3. We want to encourage sportsmanship in every game. Teach players the correct way to play the game and do not purposely run up the score on another team. Make sure players and coaches shake hands after each game.
4. Players are only allowed to warm up in the warm-up area. They do not need to warm up on the sides of the dugouts or along the sidewalks.
5. Only the batter and the on-deck batter are allowed outside the dugout. The on-deck batter should use the warm-up circle behind the batter: 3rd base side if a right-handed batter is up and 1st base side if a left-handed batter is up.
6. Slinging the Bat – (A bat slung in a harmful manner whether intentional or accidental): It will be the umpire’s discretion to issue one warning per game or call the batter will be out. If a batter is called out for sliding the bat, it will be a dead ball, and no runners advance.
7. Ejection from a game for a player, coach, or fan means that person must exit to the parking lot.
8. The slide rule is in effect. Umpire has the discretion to call someone out for not sliding. This is a judgment call and will be final. This does not mean they have to slide. This means in an attempt to avoid a tag they can slide within reason to avoid contact.

Buddy League Game Play

Rules in this section are specific to our Minor League (8u).

1. Games will last for 60 minutes or six innings. At the end of time, the remainder of the inning will be played out for home and visitor teams. No extra innings except in tournament play. For ties in tournament play, the last batter will start the inning on second base.
2. Players will get 5 pitches or 3 swings to put the ball in fair play. A batter cannot be called out on fouls unless it is on the 5^th pitch.
3. There will be a 20 foot arc drawn from the 1st baseline to the 3rd baseline in front of home plate.  Any ball that does not cross the first arc is a foul ball.  The second arch is where the pitcher must pitch from.
4. Only 2 coaches are allowed outside the dugout during the game. All others must be inside the dugout. Coaches must stay in the general area of the dugout when the team is in the field and in coaching boxes when the team is batting
5. 10 players will play defense. 4 players must be positioned in the outfield grass. There is only (1) pitcher in Buddy League.  Pitchers must have at least one foot in the dirt upon the pitch. Doesn’t matter how far up or back, as long as one foot is in the dirt.  21. A Catcher must be behind the plate, inside the catcher’s box, in catching position.
6. We will be installing a line halfway between first and second, second and third, and third and home. This line will help enable the  umpire to make a more consistent call while taking a lot of judgment out of the way.
7. Run Rule – After 4 completed innings, if a team is up by 13 or more runs the game will be called.
8. There is a 6 run maximum or 3 outs per inning.

18. There is no Infeld Rule.
19. There shall be a 20-foot dash drawn from the 1st baseline to the 3rd baseline in front of home plate. Anyball that does not reach the fair ball arc will be called foul.

Pitching & Catching

1. This is a coach pitch league
2. Players will get 5 pitches or three swinging strikes to put the ball in fair play.  A batter cannot be called out on fouls unless it is on the 5th pitch.
3. Pitcher’s Line:  There shall be a line drawn at 30ft and 42ft. The coach can pitch anywhere in between those lines.
4. The pitching coach’s body cannot go past the line. The pitcher must pitch overhand.
5. The pitching coach shall position himself/herself so as not to obstruct the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit.  If a batted ball hits the pitching coach, it is a foul ball. The players in the pitching position may not line up in front of the coach pitching the ball.
6. Once the ball reaches the pitcher in the infield, it is then the judgment of the umpire to whether the pitcher is making an attempt or the play is to be called dead. Umpire reserves the right to call any play dead if no play is being attempted.
7. A base runner will only be allowed 1 extra base on an overthrow to any base. The runner is still advancing to the next base at his own risk.  If the fielder then attempts to get the runner out, the runner has the right to as many bases as allowed by the defensive team.
8. Catchers must wear a protective cup.
9. If the catcher who caught in the previous inning is on base AND there are 2 outs, a pinch runner may be substituted so the catcher can put on his gear. The catcher will retain his spot in the line-up.
10. Leading off will not be allowed. Leading off or stealing is not allowed.

Lineups & Substitutions

1. Line-up must be turned in 10 minutes before scheduled game time.
2. Home and visitor will be determined by a coin flip.
3. No player can sit on the bench on defense for more than 1 inning per game unless a physical or emotional problem occurs.
4. All players will bat in rotation.
5. No out will be recorded if a player leaves the game due to injury or illness. Once the player is out he cannot return to the lineup.
6. A team will be permitted to play regardless of how many players they have available. If a team has only 8 players, they will be required to take an OUT in the 9th batting position. If a team has fewer than 8 players, the game will be played. However, it will be listed as a loss for the team with fewer than 8 players.

Coaches & Officials

1. Coaches: need to be positioned in the dugout area unless coaching first or third base. Only 2 coaches are allowed outside the dugout during the game. Coaches must stay in the general area of the dugout when the team is in the field and in coaching boxes when the team is batting.
2. Only the head coach can approach the umpire about a call in a respectful manner. The coach that does the coin toss is considered the head coach. Absolutely no one else is allowed to approach the umpires on the field. If a fan or assistant coach approaches the umpire, they will be removed from the complex and will receive a suspension for multiple games with possible ban.
3. If at any time there is a ruling call that is questioned, the head coach should respectfully ask the umpire to see if the UIC is available to resolve this issue.
4. At no point should anyone but the head coach or umpire approach the scorekeeper about the score. Parents, spectators, or other coaches do not need to be at the score stand. If there is an issue, the head coach needs to take it to the umpire.
5. Each team will provide a volunteer to keep the clock and book. The home team keeps the scorebook; the visitor keeps the scoreboard.

Eligibility & Uniforms

1. Buddy League is for 7 and 8 year olds only.
2. If a player’s age is in question, the parent or legal guardian must submit the birth certificate to the Conway Parks and Recreation Department. The player is not allowed to play until this requirement is met. If found that the player is playing in the wrong league, the player will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
3. Shirts will be tucked in and hats must be facing forward.
4. No jewelry unless health-related and then it must be taped down.
5. No metal cleats will be allowed.

Conway Parks and Recreation reserves the right to change rules as needed.