Baseball

2019 Baseball FAQs

We’ve addressed many common questions that arose in the Fall 2018 Town Hall and have answered them here for your reference. If you have any concerns or questions, please email baseball@newprovidencepal.org.

My child is “young” for their grade, will they play down with a team from the grade below? PAL Baseball is shifting its team makeup in an attempt to accommodate children playing within their grade. In the past, a team was comprised based on baseball age requirements.
If your child is in the 4th grade or below, your child is playing on their grade appropriate team. If your child is currently in 5th grade or above, there will likely be no changes to where your child plays. There will be some instances (eg. to create an additional team) where it is necessary for children not to play with their grade, this will be discussed with the parents first before implementing.
Will PAL be offering a Spring teams? Yes the PAL will offer a Spring team. This team formation will be based on a tryout.
Will my child have to tryout? All 3rd graders and above will participate in the tryout held in February. Upon completion of the tryout, the “A” teams will be formed. We will then work to create additional “B” teams from the registered players. If you did not attend tryouts, your child will not play on an “A” team in the Spring or Summer. All 2nd grade players will be evaluated at a separate session.
Will my child be required to play on a REC and PAL team in the Spring? PAL wants to create a competitive baseball program in New Providence that is built upon a strong partnership between PAL and REC. If your child is a 3rd-grade player or above, and is selected to be part of the “A” team, we strongly encourage they play in both the REC (weekday league) and PAL (weekend league). If there are enough players registered at a grade level for a “B” team weekend league, PAL will form a team for them. We encourage any player who did not make an “A” team to sign up with the NP Recreation program. After the 2nd grade evaluation, the “A” team will be created, however, they are required to play REC, but may play in a weekend league.
Then what happens in the Summer? Rosters for the “A” team will roll over to the summer team but Summer “B” rosters are flexible for players with other commitments in the Spring. Both A and B teams will begin mid-June and run through end of July.
What is the deal with the Middle School team?
PAL will form a Middle School team comprised of both 7th and 8th graders to play in the Spring in a local Middle School League with non-parent head coaches. All other 7th and 8th grade players, not selected for the Middle School Team, are encouraged to participate with the NP REC teams that play in the Chatham Baseball league.
Tryout attendance is required as the Summer 7th and 8th grade teams will be created at the same time the middle school teams are created. Please remember that the New Providence High School Coach is scheduled to coordinate the coach of the 8th grade team.
Is there now a High School Summer team?
PAL will help facilitate the creation of a Summer team that will have paid coaches. These teams will not play in the Spring as they are potentially committed to NPHS. Registration for these teams will happen at a later date.
How many kids will be on an “A” team roster?
Ideally, 12 kids per team.
What is the cost? If your child plays in both the Spring and Summer cost is $475, billed in 2 installments (February & May). If your child plays only in the Summer, cost of $300. Since REC is not part of the PAL, fees are NOT included in this cost.

NPGL

New Providence baseball teams compete in the New Providence Green League (NPGL). Learn more about league rules, standings, past and upcoming seasons here …

Rules
Sportsmanship
Field Locations
Multimedia

Upcoming Baseball Changes 2019

Did you miss the Baseball Town Hall on Nov 1?

Here’s the presentation slide show.

League Rules / FAQ

Batting Lineup & Extra Hitters

All uniformed players in attendance of the game are required to be placed in the batting order (Roster Bat). A uniformed injured player in attendance of a game will not be required to bat, only unless the injured player enters the game into any position on the field. If a player is required to leave the game, his place in the order shall be skipped and no out shall be recorded so long as at least nine batters remain in the team’s batting order. Roster batting requirement is limited to the number of players the opponent has. For example, team A has 11 players, team B has 13 players. Team A is required to bat all 11. Team B is required to bat at least 11 but is encouraged to bat all 13. PLAYERS LEFT OFF OF THE ROSTER BATTING MUST PLAY ALL INNINGS AT A FEILDING POSITION. IN THE EVENT OF ROSTER BATTING TO THE OPPONENT’S NUMBER OF PLAYERS… THE MINIMUM PLAYING TIME RULE DOES NOT APPLY, AND IS PERMITTED TO HAVE PLAYERS LEFT OFF THE BATTING ORDER, ACHIEVE MAXIMUM PLAYING TIME IN THE FIELD.

Minimum Playing Time

The league has instituted a rule for minimum playing time. We suggest that the participating towns follow and abide by the minimum playing time rules. PLAYERS MUST PLAY A MINIMUM OF 3 INNINGS OUT OF 6 AND A MINIMUM OF 4 INNINGS OUT OF 7. IN THE EVENT OF ROSTER BATTING TO THE OPPONENT NUMBER OF PLAYERS… THE MINIMUM PLAYING TIME RULE DOES NOT APPLY, AND IS PERMITTED TO HAVE PLAYERS LEFT OFF THE BATTING ORDER ACHIEVE MAXIMUM PLAYING TIME IN THE FIELD.

Tagging Up

8u Official Rule Addendum 2013.8u1 Eight “U” players (8u) are not allowed to tag up from any base. “There is no tagging up from any base on a ball hit in the air.” The key at this age is to develop outfielders that can make basic plays. Catching a fly ball for an 8 year old is difficult enough, now we are asking them to hit a cutoff man and make a play at home. Once again, we want to stress development of the players. Having players tag up will only promote higher scoring and balls being thrown around the infield. The main objective is for the outfielder to catch the ball and have the infielders go out for the cutoff and get it back to the pitcher. If we can accomplish that; the days of throwing out a runner tagging up is right around the corner. This is only a rule for 8u baseball.

Home Field Mercy Rules

You must make the umpires aware of any Home Field Rules such as…

Time Limits
Physical Attributes of the Field
Any Rule that nay effect the outcome of the game.

If the Home Field Team does not submit these Home Field Rules Prior to the game to the visiting team and Umpire…we will Rule that the game must continue at a later date. “Rescheduling Games” Please be aware the schedule is flexible. The coaches in our league have always been very accommodating and they understand the importance of playing games. Last year we experienced issues with the ability to play all games due to amount of rain we received. There are plenty of days built into the season to reschedule games due to conflicts with inclement weather. We strongly urge you to reschedule your games early to middle of the season… in order to avoid missed games at the end of the season. We prefer all the games to be played.

Playoff Mercy Rule

The NPGL mercy rule is STILL IN EFFECT for NPGL Playoff tournament games. It is the following: Mercy rule. The league uses a 12 run mercy rule after the losing team has at least completed its turn at bat in the 4th inning of a 6 inning game, or the 5th inning of a 7 inning game, or in any later inning in a regulation game.

Playoff Official Game

A game is an official game when: 1) 4 innings have been completed of a 6 inning game, or 5 innings are completed of a 7 inning game.

Who pays the umpire fee during playoffs?

Teams split the fee

Suspended Games / Roster Additions

If your game is suspended and you must continue next day, you must use same players as previous day. You may not add players to your roster.

Age Chart

For questions about age divisions and eligibility, download the 2016 Age Chart …

Fostering sportsmanship is at the center of our mission, and to that end we ask that all athletes, coaches, officials and attendees observe the following pledge:

Sportsmanship Pledge

I pledge to take ownership for my behavior both verbal and physical while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a any sporting event and shall adhere to the following code of conduct:

I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
I will encourage my player, or any other person, to engage in good sportsmanlike conduct with all coaches, parents, players, participants, and officials.
I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, and official.
I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
I as a coach, player, parent, official will not use drugs or alcohol while at a youth sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Penalty: League Ejection (Adults), (Players) League Ejection.
I will not permit my child, or encourage any other person, to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not permit my child, or encourage any other person, to attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
I will not engage in the use of profanity both verbal and jestures. Penalty: Game Ejection + 1 Game Suspension (Adults), (Players) Game Ejection .
I will not encourage my player or any other person, to engage in the use of profanity.Penalty: Game Ejection + 1 Game Suspension (Adults), (Players)Game Ejection .
I will be respectful to all coaches, parents, players, participants, officials or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
I will encourage everyone to act with respect towards all coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability. Penalty: League Ejection (Adults), (Players) League Ejection.
I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee. Penalty: League Ejection (Adults), (Players) League Ejection.
I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.Penalty: League Ejection (Adults), (Players) League Ejection.
I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee. Penalty: League Ejection (Adults), 4 Game Suspension Player first offense, 2nd offense League Ejection.
I will not encourage my child, or any other person, to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

The NPGL will enforce the penalties. The NPGL has the right to impose season suspension or multiple seasons suspension if the extent of the infraction warrants.

Field Location # 1

Field #2

Field #3

Field #4

Latest Updates

2018 PAL Summer Travel Baseball Evaluations and Uniforms

PAL Summer Travel Baseball Evaluations & Uniforms

T R Y O U T S

WHO: U8 and U12
WHAT: ONLY these 2 groups will be required to attend player evaluations for the 2018 New Providence Summer Travel program.
WHERE: Oakwood Park
WHEN: Saturday April 28th.
–> 8 Year Old – CURRENT 8U Eligible Third Graders (2017-2018 School Year) Only; and, should have received email on 4/6/18: 8:00 am to 9:30 am
–> 12 Year Olds: 9:30 am to 11:00 am

NOTES: All players must have previously registered for the program and must attend the evaluation date/time in order to be eligible for “Gold” team consideration. Players should arrive 15 minutes early from their scheduled time with glove, bat and batting helmet, as well as personal protective equipment. Metal cleats are not permitted on Oakwood fields. Please review bat regulations on the newprovidencepal.org web site.

U N I F O R M S

Please note that ALL TRAVEL players, regardless of tryout status, must attend uniform jersey sizing and ordering at Oakwood Park on Saturday April 28th from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Players will be responsible for their own solid white, belted baseball pants.

New Bat Regulations for Travel Baseball, Tee Ball & Coach Pitch Summer PAL

Effective January 1, 2018, the following new bat regulations go into effect for PAL programs Tee Ball, Coach Pitch and Travel Baseball.

These new bat regulations will be strictly enforced at Travel Baseball Tryouts.

—> For our 13 and 14 year old ball players:

Any -3 BBCOR stamp is fine.
Otherwise, no drop greater than -5 for 14U (bat must have new “USA” stamp)
Otherwise, no drop greater than -8 for 13U (bat must have new “USA” stamp)

—> For our Tee Ball thru 12U ball players, ALL bats must have new “USA” stamp

Please visit the following website for further clarification and guidance: https://www.baberuthleague.org/bat-rules.aspx

The following is a pretty good note from Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister….

If you talk to your child while they’re competing — even from a distance, even in a whisper — that’s all they can hear. And it’s the last thing they need to hear. When you are on the field as an athlete, especially as a young athlete, the people you do not want to disappoint the most are your parents. And when a child hears a parent’s voice, especially one telling them what “they’ve done incorrectly or need to do more of”, it adds to the tension and the anxiety. When you’re there and you’re cheering and you’re clapping and lending support, their feeling is so much greater. They’re going to compete harder. They’re going to focus. … When they hear the clapping they know they did something good.

When my son started playing ball, I used to shout things from the stands. I used to think it was being “helpful” and “supportive.” That glower should have told me otherwise. Now I shut up during games. Don’t say a word — just cheer and clap, that’s it. And now the boy plays with a smile — even after a strike-out. I’m not his coach. I’m his dad. His cheerleader. His biggest fan.