Babe Ruth League Home Page

Largest Dixie League in North Carolina

Davidson County Dixie Youth League

Est. 2003

Arcadia, Brier Creek, Churchland, Davis-Townsend, Fair Grove, Friendship, Hasty, Midway, Pilot, Reeds, South Davidson, Southwood-Southmont, Wallburg, Welcome

Davidson County Babe Ruth League after twenty-two years affiliated with Babe Ruth League has decided to charter with Dixie Baseball and Softball starting in the 2025 spring season. The ongoing cost affliated with Babe Ruth League has gotten to expensive along with their lack of commitment to softball. The name change will have no affect on the play of the game as we transition over to Dixie Baseball and Softball.

We will be in the process in the months ahead of going through the website and changing the Babe Ruth name to Dixie.

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BOTH TEAMS MUST REPORT SCORES

******Please Include the Following Information******

(remember - 1 pitch thrown equals an entire inning)

LIST IN THIS ORDER

1 - Team Name

2 - Players Jersey Number

3 - Players First and Last Name

4 - Innings Pitched by Player(s)

Post-Season Tournament will begin May 27th - June 5th (weather permitting)

Gate Admission $3.00. 12 & under free admission.

ROOKIE GIRLS 6U

ROOKIE GIRLS 8U - GOLD

ROOKIE GIRLS 8U - SILVER

RULE OF THE DAY

Obstruction (BASEBALL & SOFTBALL) - is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes (with contact or without) the progress of any runner. You don't get obstruction before obstruction occurs you get it after. This is a judgement call by the umpire not by a coach. Obstruction Rule does not change due to what division is being played.

Case in point: A fielder running to tag a base trying to beat the runner and having a fielder standing on a base with no intention of the fielder throwing the ball to make a play is OBSTRUCTION!

You can change up this scenario in a dozens of ways, move it to any base, and you get the same result. The point is, a fielder without possession of the ball cannot deny access to a base to a runner advancing or retreating.

Softball - Leaving the base early. When a base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball crosses the plate, the penalty is an immediate dead ball, no pitch, and the runner is out.

Base Stealing Minor Girls Softball - Base stealing is allowed after the ball crosses the plate.

The Cal Ripken Contact Rule - C ontact rule

Rookie Girls 6U Softball - "TIME" will be called once the ball comes inside the baseline. The coach does not need possesion of the ball for time to be called. Pitching coach will need to go out to retrieve the ball. Judgement call by the umpires.

Rookie Girls 6U Softball - 22. [Excessive Running by Defense]: Players are not allowed to run the offensive runner around the bases to make the out. The umpire will warn the team(s) if he/she feels like it is excessive running. If it continues the offensive runner will be called safe if tagged out. In attempting to get the runner out at 1st base the pitcher must throw the ball if she fields it in or near the circle (umpires discretion). The pitcher can tag a runner going to first base ONLY if the play draws them towards the 1st base line and the batter/runner hasn't passed the pitcher fielding the ball. If the runner has passed the pitcher, the pitcher MUST throw the ball. They cannot chase the batter turned base runner down the baseline towards first base (excessive running). Plays at home: Pitchers will be allowed to make plays at the plate. If the runner turns around and heads back towards third base, then the pitcher can chase the runner heading back to the base. (Rule is in place to get the player(s) to throw the ball to make the out.)

Can you turn left on first - The runner has the ability to turn in either direction, towards second base, or towards foul territory. Whether or not he has made an attempt to go to second or not is at the discretion of the umpire. NOT A COACH

A thrown ball hits a runner - If it is thrown by a fielder, nothing happens (unless the runner purposely goes out of their way to block the ball with their hand or body) - One exception is if the batter runs to first outside of the running lane and is hit by a throw from the catcher to the first baseman, that is generally going to be ruled running lane interference. Discretion of the umpire.

Head First Slide - There is no rule that a runner cannot slide head first into home base or any other base.

Batted Ball Hits Runner - Example: With a runner on first base, the batter hits a ground ball toward the second baseman. The batted ball strikes the runner from first base before it reaches the second baseman. Ruling: This is interference, the ball is immediately declared “dead,” the runner is declared out and the batter is awarded first base. If there had been other runners on base, they would return to the base they occupied at the time of the pitch, unless they are forced to advance by the batter being awarded first base.

Can a Fielder Obstruct a Runner - There does not need to be physical contact for obstruction to be called; rather, if a fielder causes the runner to alter his or hers normal running path, intentually or unintentionally blocks his view of the plate, he or she can be guilty of obstruction. In the Rookie division you will see alot of this. Players standing on the bag.

Starting a game with eight (8) players - If a team only has eight (8) players to start a game a out will be recorded for the ninth (9) batter. It's not the umpires responsibility to ask the other team if they would allow the other team to not have to take an out. Some umpires will stick with the rule on taking the out others may look over it.

ZERO TOLERANCE

Take note: It will be enforced to the fullest starting in 2019 Fall Season.

UPDATE: Any Coach, Parent, Fan thats puts their hands on a game official will be banned for life from ALL youth sporting events in Davidson County that are operated by the local Booster Clubs.

1. ZERO TOLERANCE will be enforced for all parents, managers or coaches action(s) before, during or after a game.

a. Managers and coaches are not allowed to charge an umpire. In baseball or softball, it is against the rules for any coach, manager, or player to question the umpire's judgement on a call on the field, or on balls and strikes. If a coach, manager, or player begins to walk toward the umpire with the intent to argue a call or balls and strikes, he/she will be warned to return to his/her bench or position. If he/she continues to advance, he/she will be ejected. First violation is a two (2) game suspension. Must leave the vicinity of the playing area immediately. (Out of sight). Second violation gone for the season. Refusing to leave immediately and peacefully will result in an automatic rest of the season suspension including any post-season tournament games and the game will be a forfeit. ONLY THE MANAGER is allowed to call time after the ball is declared dead by the umpire and ask to approach the umpire.

b. TOUCHING UMPIRES – GONE FOR THE SEASON (could include further suspension beyond the rest of the current season) Any physical contact. North Carolina General Stat. 14-33(b)(9)

c. Breaking playing rules – First violation is a two (2) game suspension and loss of game. Second violation gone for the season and loss of game.

d. Managers who refuse to play a game – First violation two (2) games suspension and loss of game. Second violation gone for the season and loss of a game.

e. Coaches, Parents, Players or Spectators may not badger, mock, intimidate, taunt the umpire or the players, coaches, or parents of the opposing team in any manner during the course of the game or after. Parents, coaches, and players who are disruptive to the progress and/or purpose of the game (or games will forfeit the privilege of participation in the game (or future games). At the discretion of the umpire and/or Board. Under no circumstances are the coaches, players and/or parents to argue with umpires, coaches or parents of the opposing team. Any one doing so shall be reported to the Board and will be subject to forfeiture of the privilege of participation in future games. ADD; under Zero Tolerance
f. Managers and Coaches are responsible for their players and fans. If a player or fan is asked to leave and they refuse to do so, the manager or coach has the opportunity to get the player or fan to leave. Thereafter, If the player or fan refuses to leave then the game will end in a forfeit for the team violating the conduct code.

g. The Manager is the only person allowed to approach the umpire. If the manager has been removed from the game for whatever reason, then a coach will be named temporary manager. Only after a Coach is named temporary Manager may they approach the umpire.

h. Managers and coaches are not allowed to question judgment calls (Ex. Balls/strikes or outs) only RULES.

i. A manager only may appeal a rule. He must call time and ask if he can approach the umpire. He has 5 minutes to state his case. Umpires have final decision. If the manager doesn’t agree, then the manager has the opportunity to appeal the decision. Further suspension beyond the rest of the season will be reviewed by the DCBRL Executive Committee and handled on a case-by-case basis.

The league can make any adjustments to any rule or policy not in writing at the time of offense.

Umpires,
We can’t tolerate the poison and trash of parents who can’t contain their emotions

Eradicate the poison
Eliminate the problem
Don’t sacrifice “thick skin” mindset - it takes away from the enjoyment and development of atmosphere.

We are the front lines - set the tone early and often. Eventually the parents will figure it out.

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Rules Changes & Additions

Forfeits

Booster Clubs will be charged for any games that is forfeited. Clubs must contact (Jimmy) within 48 hours if a team will not be able to play so we can get the information out to the teams.

Example: Jimmy schedules umpires to umpire a game and a team doesn't show or didn't cancel within the 48 hour time frame the umpire will still get paid "onsite" if umpire arrives at the field and team(s) don't show. The affected Club must let the forfeiting Club know so they can bill that Club for reimbursement. We don't want coaches calling us or the web scheduler on changes ot forfiets. We want the Directors to let us know.