6.3.1  

KNOCKOUT COMPETITION - W.J. PROUD SHIELD AND GIRLS KNOCKOUT COMPETITION

Refer 'Knockout Competitions' - Section 5.2.

(a) 

DURATION OF GAMES

All games to be of seven innings duration with no new innings to start after:

• Proud Shield: 1 hour 50 minutes progress,
• Girls Knockout: 1 hour 30 minutes progress
• Once started the innings must be completed. Should the score be tied at completion, further even innings shall be played until a result is obtained.

(b)

PLAYING FIELD

The playing field shall be laid out according to the following dimensions:

• Base Paths Pitching distance
• Proud Shield 90 feet 60 feet 6 inches
• Girls Knockout 80 feet 54 feet

(c)

ONE SIDED GAME (Mercy Rule)

The game will be over when one team is leading by ten (10) runs or more after 1 hour of play, and equal innings have been played. Note: If the team batting second is ten or more runs in front when the one hour of play is up, then the innings need not be finished and the game will be called.

(d)

PITCHING RESTRICTIONS

(i)

No pitcher may pitch more than 110 pitches in a game. He may complete the hitter in which the 110^thpitch will be obtained.

(ii)

Once a Pitcher has pitched 40 or more pitches in a game and is relieved from Pitching, he may not catch or return to pitch in the game.

(iii)

Players who have pitched in a competition match under the auspicies of the ABF within three (3) days of the knockout match must advise team officials of their official pitch count and adhere to the appropriate rest period for that match.

(e)

SCORE SHEET

(i)

A baseball score sheet shall be kept by each team, listing players names, the method by which the batter is out or gets on base and the way in which the batter/runner progresses from first base to second, third and home and the number of pitches a pitcher has pitched. A sub-total of all runs scored shall be kept and compared by both scorers at the end of each even innings.

(ii)

Schools are to provide scorers for each game who shall inform the managers and the umpire when a pitcher has thrown 100 pitches, that is, ten (10) pitches to go to the end of his restriction.

(f)

PROTESTS

Refer Handbook Section 5.2.8 Disputes

(g)

COMPLETION OF ROUNDS:

All games are to be completed by the due date, if extension is required due to weather, the Combined High Schools Convener must be notified by the due date or face disqualification.

(h)

RESULTS

Refer Handbook Section 5.2.9 Results

(i)

DRAW

The draw will be done on a State-wide basis with schools grouped in Areas. In semi-finals, the team higher most on the draw shall be the home team except where a country school is participating, when they shall be the home team. The final shall be played at Northmead Reserve, Northmead (Sydney)

(j)

EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE

(i)

Balls used must be of a standard type approved by the New South Wales Baseball League.

(ii)

It is compulsory for double earflap batting helmets to be worn by both batters and base runners. Each school is to supply four helmets.

(iii)

Catchers mask must have a throat-guard attachment.

(iv)

Uniforms of a standard colour should be worn if at all possible

(k)

BLOOD BIN RULE

(i)

Should injury to a player during a game produce blood, that player must immediately be removed from play until the wound is dressed and the flow of blood stopped, soiled clothing must be replaced or covered. Such a player shall be replaced by another runner or fielder and may re enter the game in the same position in the line up following treatment.

(ii)

Where no fresh reserve is available a player from the bench may be re entered.

6.3.2 STATE CARNIVAL:

Refer 'Start Carnivals' - Section 5.3.

(a)

TIME OF STATE CARNIVAL

The State Carnival should be held in the first or second week after the Grand Final of the NSW Baseball Major League Competition.

(b)

LOCATION OF STATE CARNIVAL
The Combined High Schools Championships be played at the central venue, Blacktown Olympic Baseball Complex, except for the year that North Coast are designated to host the Tournament.
Billeting of students be equally shared between the four Sydney based regions and the organisation of the each carnival still remain the responsibility of the metropolitan host region.

(c)

TEAM SIZE

A regional teams shall consist of no more than fifteen players.

(d)

SELECTION

(i)

The carnival will act as selection trials for the New South Wales Combined High Schools team.

(ii)

In the event of a Region not being able to provide a team. but having individual players seeking selection in the New South Wales Combined High Schools team, the names of these players must be forwarded to the Convener by the Regional Sports Organiser at least three weeks prior to the carnival. These players will then attend the Carnival and be trialled.

(iii)

Eligible students unable to attend the Carnival may be selected in the Combined High School team at the Convener's and selectors' discretion.

(e)

THE DRAW

(i)

The seedings for the carnival shall be determined from the results of the previous year as follows:

• 8 Team Competition which is to be in a Round Robin format based upon seedings from the previous year.
• 9 Team Competition
• POOL A 1st, 4th and 7th
• POOL B 2nd, 5th and 8th
• POOL C 3rd, 6th and 9th
• 10 Team Competition
• POOL A 1st, 4th 5th, 8th and 9th
• POOL B 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 10th

Note: If a Convener's Team competes at the Carnival, they shall always be seeded last.

Draw for 8 Team Competition

Note: The host area may alter time slots and grounds, but not the day a particular game is played.
North Coast shall always be drawn to play in Day 4, Time 1 slot.

(ii)

When a playoff game is not played the team finishing higher in their pool will take the higher place. If their pool positions are the same, then the ratio of for and against will decide the positions.

(iii)

When a wild card is used , the wild card is determined by:

• the better win loss ratio
• where this is equal then the better ratio of runs for and against, against the top placed team in their respective pools
• where this is equal, then the better ratio of runs for and against in all games

(f)

DURATION OF GAMES

Games shall be played for 1 hour 45 minutes and this reflected in the official program. No new innings is to commence with less than ten minutes to go before the final finishing time. However, once started, an innings must be completed unless the home team is already leading. Games are a maximum of seven innings.

(g)

REGULATION GAME

If a game is terminated by the Umpire. on account of the, weather, darkness or any other cause then it will be a regulation game only if at least five innings have been played, or at least one hour of play has taken place.

If the Home team is behind at the time the game is terminated, then the game score will revert back to the end of the last completed innings. If the Home team is ahead when the game is terminated, then the score at that time will be the final score.

(h)

TIED GAMES

If a game is tied at the end of the completed time, or at the completion of seven innings, then no further play will take place and both teams will be awarded half a win.

If a semi-final or final is tied, then the game is continued with even innings until a result is obtained.

(i)

ABANDONED GAMES

It is an abandoned game when the umpire terminates play on account of darkness, weather or any other cause which makes it impossible for further play in the game, and where less than five innings have been completed by each team or less than one hour of play has been completed.

Abandoned games are not taken into consideration in determining a team's final percentage when deciding positions.

(j)

WEATHER INTERFERENCE

(i)

The number of games scheduled to be played may be reduced where weather or other conditions prevent the completion of the program within the time available.

(ii)

When a number of games are abandoned during a championship, then the game shall be re-scheduled (if possible) so that each team plays as near as possible an equal number of games.

(iii)

Any such alterations to the original program of games will be decided at an extraordinary Manager's meeting, provided at least 60% of all Managers present agree.

(iv)

A quorum of 80% of managers shall be required for any such extraordinary meeting.

(k)

PLAYING CONDITIONS

The Host Area will be responsible for the arrangements of the program of games subject to the following conditions:

(i)

at the conclusion of the preliminary pool games, positions will be decided on a percentage basis of games:

• (games won)
• games played

(ii)

where two teams are equal on percentages, then the positions will be decided on the result of the game between those teams. If this game was a tie/ draw, then runs for and against will decide the position

• runs against

(iii)

where more than two teams are equal on percentages, then runs for and against will decide the positions

• runs against

(iv)

if a semi-final is washed out then the team(s) proceeding to the final will be those placed 1^st in their pool

(v)

if a final is washed out, the two teams will be declared joint winners.

(l)

ORDER OF BENCHES AND BATTING

The FIRST NAMED team, in the official schedule, of, games will be regarded as the HOME TEAM, FIELD FIRST and occupy the THIRD BASE dug-out or bench.

For the final this will be decided by a toss of the coin between the respective team managers at least one hour prior to the commencement of the final.

(m)

PITCHING RESTRICTIONS

(i)

A pitcher's game contribution will be classified as: - major - substantial OR - minor according to the rules below.
Players who have pitched in a competition match under the auspicies of the ABF within three (3) days of the first day of the state carnival must advise team officials of their official pitch count and adhere to the appropriate rest period for that competition.

(ii)

The word assignment means that each game in which a player pitches is considered one (1) assignment.

• Major Assignment - More than 75 pitches - and not exceeding 110
• Substantial Assignment - 40 - 75 pitches
• Minor Assignment - Less than 40 pitches

A pitcher may complete the batter in which the pitch limits occur, and still be considered as throwing the lower assignment.

(iii)

For a major assignment, three (3) days, rest is required before a pitchers next assignment.

(iv)

Any pitcher who has pitched a major assignment may only be used as a designated hitter, pinch hitter or pinch runner on his first rest day or on the day of that assignment.

(v)

For a substantial assignment, two (2) days rest is required before a pitcher's next assignment.

(vi)

No days rest is required after a minor assignment. However, for two successive minor assignments, or minor assignments on two successive days, one extra day's rest is required in addition to any other rest requirements.

(vii)

If a pitcher throws in excess of the maximum allowance then the pitches not be credited against the batter at the plate.

(viii)

No pitcher may play catcher during his rest period.

(ix)

Host Area is to provide scorers for each game who shall inform the managers when there are ten pitches to go at the end of each assignment and the umpire when there are ten pitches to go at the end of a major assignment.

(xi)

A pitcher who throws in two separate assignments and his total number of pitches add up to less than 40 pitches, this will be considered a minor. If a pitcher throws in three assignments in two days he will automatically credited with a substantial or major based upon the number of pitches thrown according to rule l (iii).

(n)

PITCHER RE-ENTRY

(i)

A fielder maybe replaced, during an innings in order to warm up to start pitching the next innings.

(ii)

The replacement player must not have already been used in the game, and will replace the current pitcher in the batting line up, if a designated hitter is not being used.

(iii)

The current pitcher may take his next at bat, provided it occurs before the next time his team is due to field.

(iv)

The fielder who was replaced must start pitching the next innings or he may not take any further part in the game.

(v)

The current pitcher may remain in the game as a fielder, depending upon his assignment, in this case both the replacement player and the designated hitter may take no further part in the game.

(iv)

If the pitcher is not replaced at the start of the next innings then the replacement is a normal substitution for the fielder, that is, he will take the fielders place in the batting line up.

(o)

ONE SIDED GAME (Mercy Rule):

Game shall be called when one team is leading by ten (10) or more runs after five (5) completed innings.

Note: the bottom half of the innings shall not be played if the Home team is already ten (10) or more runs ahead.

(p)

SPEED UP RULES

(i)

Courtesy runner for catchers and pitches may be provided at any time, but with two (2) out or one (1) out and double play situations, they must be provided. This runner may be any member of the playing squad.

(ii)

Sixty (60) seconds between innings. Minimum of five (5) warm up pitches.

(q)

DESIGNATED HITTER

The designated hitter rule may be used in the Combined High Schools State Carnivals.

(r)

REPORTED PLAYERS

Should any player or manager be ordered from the game by an umpire for any misdemeanour, the player or manager concerned will appear before a tribunal consisting of the CHS Convener, the Carnival Manager and another member nominated by the Manager's meeting.

(s)

SELECTION PANEL

(i)

The panel to select the Combined High Schools representative team, and any other playing awards, will consist of:

CHS Coach

CHS Manager

Two other members to be elected at the Sub Committee meeting immediately prior to the State Carnival.

These four selectors shall consist of at least one representative from each pool.

(ii)

If the pools are re drawn during the Carnival and there is a pool without a member of the selection panel, an additional selector may be added from that pool.

(t)

MEETINGS

(i)

Managers of competing Regions will hold a meeting prior to the commencement of the Carnival.

(ii)

The CHS Convener shall act as Chairperson. Other interested parties may be invited to attend the meeting and join in discussion subject to the Chairperson's approval, but only Regional Managers will have the power to vote on any matter requiring a decision. The Chairperson has a casting vote should an equal number of votes be received.

(iii)

Minutes from the Manager's meeting must be prepared by the Region Area and signed by the Chairperson of the meeting. Copies of these minutes are to be submitted to all Regional Conveners and the Executive Officer - NSWCHSSA.

(u)

ALL SCHOOLS SELECTIONS

(i)

Nominations for All Schools Coach and Manager

The CHS Coach and Manager shall be our nominations for the All Schools Coach and Manager. Should either of these not wish to be nominated then additional nominations will be considered.

(ii)

Nominations for All Schools Committee

The CHS Convener, Coach and Manager shall be our nominations for the All Schools Committee. Should any of these not wish to be nominated then additional nominations will be considered.

(v)

COACHES UNIFORM

Base coaches must be wearing an Area uniform.

(w)

EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE

(i)

Balls must be a standard type approved by the NSW Baseball League.

(ii)

It is compulsory for double earflap batting helmets to be worn by both batters and base runners. Each Area is to supply four helmets.

(iii)

Catchers mask must have a throat guard attachment.

(iv)

Each team shall be attired in Regional uniform.

(v)

Wood or wood composite bats only to be used by players in State Carnivals.

(x)

BLOOD BIN RULE

(i)

Should injury to a player during a game produce blood, that player must immediately be removed from play until the wound is dressed and the flow of blood stopped, soiled clothing must be replaced or covered. Such a player shall be replaced by another runner or fielder and may re enter the game in the same position in the line up following treatment.

(ii)

Where no fresh reserve is available a player from the bench may be re entered.