Rules and Info

KNOTHOLE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL, INC. (KBS)

2023 – KNOTHOLE BASEBALL OFFICIAL RULES – 2023

AGE LIMIT FOR 2023

CLASS AA/18U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2004

CLASS A SR/15U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2007

CLASS A JR/14U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2008

CLASS B SR/13U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2009

CLASS B JR/12U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2010

CLASS C SR/11U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2011

CLASS C JR/10U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2012

CLASS D SR/9U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2013

CLASS D JR/8U -YOUTH BORN ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2014

In order to participate in the 2023 season, a player must attain the age of six on or before April 30, 2023. A certified record of birth date must accompany the agreement of any player whose birthday is not on record in Hamilton, Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Highland, or Warren Counties, Ohio. Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Pendleton, or Mason Counties, Kentucky. Dearborn or Ohio Counties, Indiana.

INDIVIDUAL AGREEMENTS:
Player agreements are for the 2023 playing season which starts when the player signs the agreement and ends when the player’s team finishes its regular season and is determined not to be eligible for the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament. Each player and the parent or guardian must have signed aKnothole Baseball Player/Parent Agreement before a player participates in a regular season game.
A player, while under a Knothole Baseball contract, may play on any other team in a league or tournament with the following exception: A player may not play on more than one Knothole team.
Coach Agreements – All Managers, Assistant Coaches and Parent Helpers interacting with any players in practice or official games must sign a Knothole Baseball Coach’s Agreement prior to such participation and such agreement must be in the hands of the District/Region Supervisor before commencing participation.
Umpire Agreements – all umpires (Adult and Youth), due to Senate Bill 534, must sign a Knothole Baseball Umpire’s Agreement prior to being an official in any practice or official Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc. games and such agreement must be in the hands of the District/Region Supervisor before commencing participation.
ALL PLAYERS:
Must have access to a birth certificate. It is recommended that all players have a physical examination and have a Doctor’s permission to participate in the baseball program. The player’s Manager or the District Supervisor/Regional Supervisor/Board may require the birth certificate or the Doctor’s permission, or both before placing any player on a team.
Must be able to play every phase of the game without on field assistance of any other person or device such as a crutch, cane or wheelchair, etc.

III. LEGAL TEAM:

Not less than eleven or more than twenty players, including playing manager, shall constitute a legal Knothole team. B. If the team rosterfalls below eleven players due to releases, the legality of the team is not affected providing no other rule applies. C. Each team shall have an adult as head coach/manager as defined by the Age of Majority statutes in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana (all currently 18 years of age), whichever applies to the home State of the specific team.
District Supervisor/Regional Supervisor/Board may establish a standard number of players per team between 11 and 20 players. E. Teams may play in only one Knothole Division II league but may also play in a Knothole Global league if determined to be appropriate by Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc. and in other non-Knothole leagues and tournaments.
District Supervisors/Regional Supervisors/Boards have the authority to disallow teams from playing in leagues or tournaments outside of Knothole.
LEAGUE: Knothole Baseball is composed of the following Divisions: Division II, Knothole Global and AA. These rules apply to Division II. The rules for AA and Knothole Global are provided separately. Any situation not specifically covered by the rules for Knothole Global or AA shall be controlled by these rules.
Division II is made up of teams playing on a District/Region level.
When Districts/Regions combine to form a league; an Agreement must be reached on a League Supervisor. If no agreement can be reached on a League Supervisor, the Executive Board of Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc. will appoint the League Supervisor. C. During the regular season, a minimum of four (no maximum) teams in any one class will constitute a league. Where three or less teams exist in one class, they must be transferred to another contiguous District/Region whose supervisor will have jurisdiction, except for practice fields. When a District/Region has less than eight but more than three teams, the District/Region may, at the Supervisor’s/Region Board’s discretion, elect to transfer to another contiguous District/Region. No District/Region shall be allowed to combine with more than three other Districts/Regions for regular season play except with the express written consent of the Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc. Board of Directors.
KNOTHOLE DISTRICTS/REGIONS: Knothole districts/regions are composed of geographical areas depicted on maps kept on file by Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc. subject only to the exceptions listed below:
A player will play in the District/Region in which he resides.
If a player is a member and in good standing with a parish, church, or school which provides a Knothole team, the player will be permitted to play on the parish, church, or school team in spite of the fact that he may not reside in the District/Region in which the parish, church, or school is located. (This rule applies to any denomination of churches.)
A player may play in an adjoining District/Region providing both District Supervisors/Regional Supervisors/Boards agree in writing. D. If a player moves to a District/Region in which the player did not participate in the preceding year, the player shall be permitted to participate in the player’s former District/Region provided the player had a valid contract in the former District/Region for the preceding year and provided that the player secures the approval of both District/RegionalSupervisors.
If a player’s residence is such that it is unclear in which District/Region the player resides, the player shall be assigned to a District/Region by the President of Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc.
PENALTY – Forfeiture of game in which player participates.
NEW PLAYER(S) AND RELEASES:
New Player(s) – When a team roster declines below its standard number of player(s), new player(s) may be signed no later than June 1. Class AA – June 21, of the current season. A team may sign up to and including 5 new player(s), consisting of added player(s), and replacements for released player(s), providing the maximum is not exceeded at any time. New player Agreement(s) must be submitted to the District/Region Supervisor prior to the player participating in a regular season game. After June 1, a District/Region Supervisor may allow a team to add a player if required for the team to be able to finish its season, (e.g. a team’s roster falls below nine players). When this permission is granted, the team will not be eligible for participation in the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament.
Release(s) – Provide a procedure whereby players(s) are afforded the opportunity to participate on a Knothole Baseball team when: 1. Player(s) are relocated because of action by the court in a custody hearing, or
Player(s) are needed to complete a team roster when player(s) have quit or moved.
All other requested release(s) will be resolved by the District/Region Supervisor within 4 weeks prior to the start of the season, and within 2 weeks after the season opens. If no decision is made by said District/Region Supervisor in the time allotted, then said release shall be deemed approved. When a player is released, the official release must be completed and delivered to the District/Region Supervisor. D. Under no circumstance may a player have more than one (1) signed Knothole Baseball Player/Parent Agreement on file at the same time. E. PENALTY – Forfeiture of game in which player participates.

VII. REGULAR PLAYING SEASON:

Consists of a minimum of a twelve (12) game schedule that must be played during the season and prior to the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament. The official starting date for the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament will be determined by the Tournament Committee and approved by the Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc.Board.
A junior or senior team may play in a league that combines both junior and senior teams and still be eligible for their respective tournament if their District/Region does not have a least seven (7) teams at their respective level. For example, a District/Region has four (4) C Junior teams and five (5) C Senior teams. The teams could combine to form one league. The C Senior teams would be eligible for the C Senior Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament and the C Junior teams would be eligible for the C Junior Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament provided all other tournament player eligibility rules were met.

VIII. OFFICIAL GAME: Class AA=7 innings; Class A=7 innings; Class B=6 innings; Class C Senior = 6 innings; Class C Junior = 5 innings; Class D=5 innings. Official games may end by run rule as indicated below:

7 inning games – 8 runs after 5 innings are complete (4 ½ if home team is leading) – Classes AA & A

6 inning games – 10 runs after 4 innings are complete (3 ½ if home team is leading) – Classes B SR; B JR; C SR 5 inning games – 10 runs after 3 innings are complete (2 ½ if home team is leading) – Classes C JR; D SR; D JR

These run rules will be used in the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament. During the regular season and for District/Region based tournaments, a District/Regional Supervisor may choose to uniformly invoke a different set of run rules or use no run rules at all and not be in conflict with this Knothole rule.

PITCHING DISTANCE: Class AA=60 feet, 6 inches; Class A=60 feet, 6inches; Class B Senior=54 feet; Class B Junior=51 feet; Class C=48 feet; Class D=45 feet. Any leagues, schedules and/or games which involve both Class B Senior and Class B Junior teams will use the Class B Senior pitching distance.
BASE DISTANCE: Class AA=90 feet; Class A=90 feet; Class B Senior=80 feet; Class B Junior=75 feet; Class C=70 feet; Class D=60 feet. Any leagues, schedules and/or games which involve both Class B Senior and Class B Junior teams will use the Class B Senior base distance. A. Either 15 inch square or 18 inch square bases shall be acceptable for all Knothole games.
INCOMPLETE GAMES:
Any scheduled game stopped by inclement weather or darkness shall be considered an official game as follows: 7 inning games – after 5 innings are complete (4 ½ if home team is leading) – Classes AA & A

6 inning games – after 4 innings are complete (3 ½ if home team is leading)–Classes B SR; B JR; C SR

5 inning games – after 3 innings are complete (2 ½ if home team is leading)–Classes C JR; D SR; D JR

The above are the minimum number of innings for an official game; a game can become official at any point after the minimum number of innings have been played provided the home team has been allowed to bat (if necessary because the home team is not leading) in the bottom half of any inning played. Any games which are stopped and are not official are considered suspended and shall be played to completion at a later date. Suspended, non-official, games which are not completed by the end of the regular season shall be considered games not played. After the minimum innings are completed, or any inning thereafter, without a winning team, the following Major League rules may be necessary/useful to determine the completion of an official game: 7.01(d); 7.02(a)(1-6); 7.02(b)(1-4) and/or 7.02(c). If the teams are ordered, by the umpires, to restart a suspended but not called game, may be subject to forfeiture the game if Major League rule 7.03 (a) (1-7) or 7.03 (b) is violated.

A District/Regional Supervisor may uniformly invoke a suspended game rule and not be in conflict with this Knothole rule. (Does not apply to KnotholeBaseball World Series Tournament).
Inclement Weather Policy
When thunder is heard or lightning is seen:
Suspend play immediately and vacate field, dugouts and stands to a safer location.
Once play has been suspended, must wait thirty (30) minutes from the last sighting of lightning or hearing of thunder before play can resume.
Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the thirty (30) minute period shall reset the clock and a new thirty (303) minute waiting period shall start, and so on until the lightning and thunder have left the area and it is safe to resume play. 2. When a lightning detection device is available, its signaling of “all clear” may be used to restart play even if the thirty (30) minute waiting period has not yet ended.

XII. PERSONNEL ON PLAYING FIELD:

Only the official Manager or the designated coaches and the participating players shall be allowed on the players’ benches or on the playing field during the progress of an officially scheduled game. Failure to comply with this rule can result in forfeiture of the game by action of the plate umpire in consultation with any other umpires officiating said game.
During the regular season, every half-inning of extra innings will begin with a runner on second base. If that runner scores, the pitcher won’t be charged with an earned run. The runner placed on second base at the start of each half-inning will be the player in the batting order immediately preceding that half inning’s leadoff hitter, or a pinch runner. This rule WILL NOT be in place for any Knothole sponsored postseason tournaments.

XIII. DISPUTED PLAYS: Only the official manager or designated coach of any team participating in a scheduled game may address the umpire on any disputed play during the progress of the game.

XIV. FORMAL PROTEST:

Any formal protest on a field play must be made to the umpire-in-chief who shall be the plate umpire and the opposing manager must be notified before the next legal pitch is made. Both score books must be noted and signed by both umpires and managers. B. A written (preferably typewritten) statement of fact, setting forth the date, time, and all matters covering the formal protest must be submitted by the official team manager in person to the District/Region Supervisor (or his designated representative) prior to Noon of the next day. Include a full statement of facts such as number of outs, men on base, ball and strike count and rule number violated.
BATS: Approved baseball bats are any unaltered commercially manufactured bats available for retail purchase with the following exceptions: A. Classes D Junior(8U) through Class B Senior(13U):
The maximum bat diameter is 2 and ¾ inches.
Softball bats are not allowed to be used.
All bats are prohibited unless they are “bpf”, BBCOR or BESR rated. Ratings may be printed on the bat or received from the manufacturer in some written or electronic (email) manner for each bat model.Bats with the “new” USA Bat Standards stamp will be allowed.
Any legal bat in Class A Junior(14U) and up may be used in Class D Junior(8U)through Class B Senior(13U) teams. B. For Class AJunior(14U), A senior (15U) and AA (16-18U):
Bats must have BBCOR or BESR certification. Ratings may be printed on the bat or received from the manufacturer in some written or electronic (email) manner for each bat model.
The maximum difference between bat length and bat weight shall be:
Class A Junior (14U) teams – minus 5 (-5)
Class A Senior (14U/15U) combined teams – minus 3 (-3)
Class A Senior (15U) and AA (16U-18U) teams – minus 3 (-3)

Note: An all Class A Junior (14U) team may always use minus 5 (-5) bats, even when playing a combined Class A Senior (14U/15U) team or an all Class A Senior (15U) team.

Wood bats are allowed in all classes without any ratings; all other restrictions apply.
PENALTY: Player is out and the ball is dead immediately and the bat is immediately removed from the game and the bench area. Additionally, the manager of the offending team is automatically ejected from the game.

XVI. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR & EQUIPMENT:

The batter and the base runner must wear a double ear helmet while at the plate and while running the bases. Penalty for not wearing a helmet shall be that the player will be declared “OUT” if the player refuses to wear a helmet after being reminded by the umpire that the player is not wearing the proper headgear.
Catchers are required to wear a chest protector, a mask (with throat protector), shin guards, and a protective headgear covering on top of the head while catching behind the plate. All male catchers must wear a cup. It is the coach’s responsibility to make sure that he does. C. Any player warming the pitcher before the game and between innings shall wear a catcher’s mask (with throat protector). D. PENALTY: Refusal to abide by the above conditions after being reminded by the umpire shall result in the ejection of the offender from the game.

XVII.THE KNOTHOLE PITCHER:

Rest Between Pitching Assignments:
Any player who pitches in any portion of a game (including practice games) shall not be permitted to pitch again without two complete nights’ rest between pitching assignments.
In any one day a pitcher cannot pitch more innings than the length of a normal game in his class in his district. Note: A single pitch in any inning counts as an inning pitched.
Not withstanding any of the published pitching limits in KBS Rule #XVII, a pitcher who has thrown twenty (20) or fewer pitches in a game(s) on a given day and has not exceeded his inning limit may come back and pitch the next day up to the current published pitching limits for pitch count and innings; the pitch count and innings pitched on day one count toward the limitations on consecutive day two. After two consecutive days pitching, the pitcher MUST have two nights rest before pitching again. Under NO circumstances may a pitcher pitch three (3) days in a row. (Example 1: Pitcher in Class B has a pitch count and innings limit of 80 and 6 respectively. Day one, pitcher throws 19 pitches and 2 innings; on consecutive day two, the same pitcher may throw up to 61 pitches or four innings, whichever comes first; then the pitcher MUST have two (2) nights rest before pitching again. Example 2: Any Class – pitcher throws 21 pitches on day one; the same pitcher can’t return to pitching on consecutive day two and MUST have two (2) nights rest before pitching again.) B. Pitch Count Limit:
On the day the player pitches, a pitcher shall be limited to the maximum number of pitches as follows: Class A – 90 pitches; Class B – 80 pitches; Class C – 70 pitches and Class D – 60 pitches provided the pitcher has not exceeded the innings limit in Rule XVII A(2). 2. A “pitch” is recorded each time the pitcher addresses and throws a “pitch” towards home plate after the umpire has called “play ball” and the ball is live. Throws during a “timeout” (including warm-up pitches) shall not be counted in the pitch count. Pitches shall include strikes, balls, batted foul balls, batted fair balls, dead balls (such as hit by pitch) and any other “pitch” as defined by the Major League Baseball Rules.
When the pitcher reaches the pitch count limit, the team manager, if he so chooses, may allow the pitcher to finish pitching to the current batter, but not be allowed to pitch to any other subsequent batter of that game or any other game during that same day which might be allowed under other sections of this rule.
Each manager shall have theirteam scorekeeper keep pitch counts for both the home and away teams’ pitchers. At the end of each half inning, each team’s scorekeeper shall verify and reconcile the recorded pitch count. The pitch count recorded in the home team’s scorebook for all pitchers shall govern in any disputes involving this rule and the umpire shall rely on the pitch count recorded in the home team’s

scorebook if the umpire is requested to verify a pitcher’s pitch count prior to removing the pitcherfrom the game to comply with this rule. If the umpire determines the pitcher exceeded the pitch count under this rule and should have not started pitching to the current batter, the umpire shall remove said pitcher from the game immediately. The replacement pitcher shall be given an adequate number of warm-up pitches before the pitcher begins to pitch to the batter.

Pitching In Multiple Games On The Same Day: A pitcher may pitch in more than one game on the same day provided that: 1. The pitcher has had two complete nights rest prior to the day of the games.
The pitcher pitches no more innings than the length of a normal game in the pitcher’s class in the pitcher’s District/Region. KBS Rule XVIIA (2). Note: A single pitch in any inning counts as an inning pitched.
The pitcher has not exceeded the pitcher’s pitch count for a single day in the pitcher’s class. KBS Rule XVII B(1). D. Trips To The Mound – Removing The Pitcher:
In Classes AA, A and B, after the second trip to the mound by the manager or coach in the same inning, the pitcher shall be removed from the pitcher’s pitching assignment but may otherwise stay in the game. Once removed due to trips to the mound, said pitcher may not resume pitching until the following inning.
In Classes C and D, after the third trip to the mound by the manager or coach in the same inning, the pitcher shall be removed from the pitcher’s pitching assignment but may otherwise stay in the game. Once removed due to trips to the mound, said pitcher may not resume pitching until the following inning.
Taking Signals: The Major League Baseball rule that requires the pitcher to take signals while in contact with the pitching rubber shall only be enforced in Classes AA and A.
Pitcher Accommodations: A pitcher may wear a medical alert bracelet on the pitcher’s non-pitching arm as long as the bracelet is secured and covered by flesh colored tape.
Knothole District/RegionSupervisor Restriction and Penalties:
This rule cannot be changed by any Knothole District/RegionSupervisor except that any Knothole District/RegionSupervisor may implement a pitch count rule for District/Region play which allows fewer pitches but otherwise follows all other aspects of this rule. 2. Penalty for first violation – The team manager of the violating team will be suspended for two games and forfeit the game in which the violation occurred.
Penalty for second and/or subsequent violation – Not governed by KBS– Can be established by each District/Region Supervisor at their discretion for their District/Region. Penalties under this section can be appealed to and or reviewed by the KBS, Inc.Board. H. No pitch intentional walks are allowed. No pitches count toward the pitcher’s pitch count (except for #3 below) when a no pitch intentional walk is declared by the manager of the defensive team in the field. The manager wishing to declare the use of a no pitch intentional walk shall direct such declaration to the home plate umpire. The home plate umpire shall take the following action: 1. Determine if a substitute batter is being entered into the game; if so, such batter should be officially entered into the game prior to the umpire addressing the defensive manager’s request for a no pitch intentional walk. The “no pitch intentional walk” does count as a pitch/play for purposes of appeals and protests.
If the manager’s request is prior to the at-bat beginning, the umpire shall call “time” as the batter is approaching home plate, the ball is dead and the umpire shall award the batter first base and advance any other runner(s) forced to advance by the batter being walked. The runners are not in jeopardy of being put out until the umpire puts the ball in play and the game resumes. 3. If the manager’s request is during an at-bat, the umpire shall call “time”, the ball is dead, and the umpire shall award the batter first base and advance any other runner(s) forced to advance by the batter being walked. The runners are not in jeopardy of being put out until the umpire puts the ball in play and the game resumes. The pitches thrown to the batter before the no pitch intentional walk count toward the pitcher’s pitch count.

The “no pitch intentional walk” does count as a play for purposes of appeals and protests.

District/Region Supervisors are permitted to eliminate the use of the “no pitch intentional walk” in leagues below D Senior (9U) and not be in violation of Section G (1) of this rule.

Knothole Baseball shall not have a pitch timer (clock) for pitchers between pitches.
Knothole Baseball shall not limit pitcher disengagements from the pitching rubber when runners are on base.

XVIII. KNOTHOLE MODIFICATION TO RE-ENTRY: A team must start a game with nine players but may finish with eight players. The vacant batting spot will be declared out.

Any of the starting and substitute players may be withdrawn and re-entered once, providing such player occupies the same batting position whenever he is in the lineup. Penalty for violation of this section shall be ejection of the manager and player involved. B. If Player is injured or ejected and cannot be replaced because all substitutes have played, then the opposing manager will choose any player from the bench to replace the injured or ejected player.

XIX. BATTING ORDER OPTIONS:

A tenth batter may be added to the batting order at the start of the game. Any nine (9) of the ten (10) batters may play on defense. If a team using the AH drops from ten (10) to nine (9) players available, the spot in the lineup is left open and is not an out. B. A team also has the option of using a continuous batting order. The definition of the continuous batting order is as follows: 1. Team must declare at the start of the game that they are using the Continuous Batting Order;
All players present at the beginning of the game must be placed in the batting order;
Players who arrive late after the game has started are placed at the bottom of the batting order;
There are free substitutions for the defensive positions;
A player who is injured or ill or who has to leave the park may leave the game, but may NOT return. That spot in the batting orderis skipped and does not count as an out. Injuries and illnesses may not be feigned, doing so may result in the forfeiture of the game; and 6. A player who leaves the game while on base or at bat is replaced by the most recent batter not currently occupying a base. Note: Teams using the AH or continuous batting order must refer to Rule XVIII if their batting order falls below nine (9) players.
SLIDING BASE RULE:
When a runner goes into a base standing up and the runner and base move more than the width of the base in any fashion whatsoever, and the runner is tagged, the runner is out.
If the runner gets back to the spot where the base was before being tagged, the runner is safe.
When sliding, the runner shall remain on the ground until the umpire calls time. If the player gets up and moves before the umpire calls time, the runner will be called OUT if tagged and not standing on the original spot of the base. If the player moves the base and gets up and makes the next base, the future runner will go to the original spot of the base.
If the base is tied down the runner must stay with the base.
If a tied down base becomes loose or broken because of a slide and the base moves away, the runner is not in jeopardy. F. Pegged or weighted bases may be used.

XXI. CONDUCT:

Each manager is responsible for the conduct of the team’s players, coaches and fans sixty (60) minutes before, during and thirty (30) minutes after the game.
Taunting by players, coaches or fans shall not be condoned and shall be governed by Major League Rule 6.04 and shall be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
The use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products (including e-cigs, vaping, chew, etc.), profane language, or improper conduct will not be permitted by players, coaches and/or fans on or in the vicinity of any baseball field sixty (60) minutes before, during and thirty (30) minutes after a Knothole game or practice is in process.
No weapons of any kind guns, knives, etc.) are allowed in or around the playing area of a Knothole game or practice. E. For sections a-d of this rule, the Knothole playing field and vicinity shall include the field of play, any foul territory around the field of play and the dugouts.
Violation of sections a-d of this rule could result in ejection from the game.
No game shall continue until the offender or offenders have left, or all persons shall be cleared from the field and the game will continue with the spectators removed.
Any player, manager, coach, team official, parent/guardian ejected from a game under section a-d of this rule shall serve an automatic one (1) game suspension which shall be served during the team’s next regularly scheduled game. This suspension may be increased by the team‘s District/Region and or the KBS Board upon review of the facts and circumstances of the ejection. The game umpires have control over the application and implementation of this rule and may suspend a game for non-compliance of their directions by any offender (s).

XXII.MANAGER’S AGREEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: The official team manager will be held responsible for the legality and correctness of his team’s roster and player agreements as follows:

On the player’s agreement, a correct birth date, a correct permanent address, a correct phone number, the player’s signature, a parent/guardian’s signature and the manager’s acceptance signature and acceptance date must be shown. A completed player agreement will be turned in for each player listed on his team’s roster.
The manager is responsible for ensuring that each player listed on his team’s roster resides within the District/Region in which his team is playing. Exception: Proper release(s) were obtained under Rule Vand/or VI; said release(s) is attached to the completed player agreement. C. Copies of each player agreement along with a copy of the team roster will be delivered to the manager’s District/Region Supervisor as soon as the team is formed, but in no case later than the official District/Region opening game. Fully executed electronic copies are allowed. D. PENALTY: The use of any illegal players will result in the forfeiture of all games in which an illegal player was used. The team manager will receive a three (3) game suspension automatically and will come under Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc. Board review which could lead to further disciplinary action up to and including a lifetime ban on managing a Knothole team.

XXIII. INELIGIBLE PLAYER:

An ineligible player is defined as any player who has:
Not signed or whose parent or guardian has not signed the player’s agreement, or whose player’s agreement has not been accepted by the player’s team manager prior to the player’s participation in any regularly scheduled game;
A player who is playing on a Knothole team contrary to KBS Rule #Vor #VI of the “Official Rules” or contrary to the Local Rules of the Knothole District/Region in which the player resides;
A player whose age exceeds the permissible age limitation of the Class in which the player is participating. 4. A player who has played in a non-approved event.
Manager and/or teams using an ineligible player will be penalized by forfeiture of each game in which an ineligible player participated.

XXIV.APPROVED BASEBALL PROGRAM:

During the regular playing season, no player/team agreement signed by a player, parent, guardian, manager, or other authorized person with Knothole Baseball, Inc., shall be valid in any tournament play of any kind outside their District/Region from the first official game in the District/Region the contract represents to the last official game within the same District/Region unless:
Except as provided below, the player plays for the team his contract represents.
Player/Team does not violate any Knothole rules.
Team fulfills all obligations to their District/Region.
A team can play in a tournament during the regular season with the written approval from their District/RegionSupervisor prior to the event. It cannot affect regular scheduled games.
A team that qualifies for the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament cannot play in any other tournament until eliminated from the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament. Exception: This rule does not apply to a team playing in their Knothole District/Region Tournament and the Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament. KnotholeBaseball World Series Tournament scheduling shall take priority. B. If a player/team violates any of the conditions above, the player/team will be disciplined by the District/Region Supervisor or the Knothole Baseball Tournament Directorin accordance with Knothole rules.

XXV. SUPERVISION:

During the regular season, each District Supervisor and/or Region Supervisor is authorized within his District/Region to schedule games, regulate activities, decide protests and render all necessary decisions.
Major League Baseball Official Playing Rules are the standard of theKnothole Baseball program of Knothole Baseball and Softball, Inc., and will govern in all baseball activities except wherein rules of Knothole Baseball take precedence.
An individual District/Region Supervisor may alter, modify, or add to these rules providing the rules are not in direct conflict with Knothole rules and are written and deposited at Knothole headquarters and sanctioned by the Rules Committee before the season starts.

XXVI. INTENTIONAL FIGHTING by participants including players, managers, coaches and other team personnel may result in a one year “Calendar” suspension of said participant. Any striking or other offensive touch not in the normal course of a baseball game by a player, coach, or manager of an umpire before, during or after a baseball game shall result in a one year “Calendar” automatic suspension.

XXVII. “FAKE TAG” – No defensive player may make a tag attempt on a base runner if that defensive player does not have the ball in their possession. This is to ensure the safety of the base runners by eliminating unnecessary slides that may result in injuries to the base runner. The penalty for infraction of this rule is that the base runner shall be declared “Safe” and offender may be ejected from the game.

XXVIII.NOMETAL SPIKES WILLBE PERMITTED IN KNOTHOLE EXCEPT IN CLASSES AA AND A (A Senior& A Junior). A player wearing metal spikes improperly will be given the opportunity by the umpire to change into the appropriate shoes and continue playing in the game. If the player does not have the appropriate non-metal spike baseball shoes, then the player shall not be permitted to play in the game. If any situation arises with a player and/or manager/coach/parent about the improper wearing of metal spikes, the umpire may declare unsportsmanlike conduct and impose the penalties to the offending individual(s)as the umpire seesfit up to and including ejection from the game and playing field.

XXIX.HURDLING OR PLOWING OVER THE CATCHER OR OTHER FIELDERS:

Thisisa judgment call and could result in unsportsmanlikeconduct.
Runners may not intentionally run into or hurdle defensive players. Runners who do this are out and ejected from the game. They must attempt to avoid contactwith the defensive players. This is a judgment call by the umpire. However, also understand the following:

1.Defensive players without the ball mayNOT block the baseline, even if they are in the act of receiving a thrown ball. They must provide therunner with some access to the base/baseline. Once a defensive player has possession of the ball, they may block the baseline. 2. The runner may NOTintentionally run into the defensive player, evenif the defensive player is blocking the baseline without the ball. 3. If the runner has to move from theirnormal path in orderto avoid a defensive player without the ball, this isObstruction on the defensive player. 4. Just because there is contact does not necessarily mean aviolation has occurred.

XXX.KNOTHOLEBASEBALLDIVIDION II WORLD SERIESTOURNAMENTS:

Division II Athletic World Series:
The top threeteams in ClassesA, B Senior, B Junior, C Senior,C Junior and D Senior in each region (North, South, Central, East, West) are eligible to play. The region with the most teams at each age group shall be able send a 4th teamin that age group.
Teams may be added to fill open bracket slots with theapproval of the Tournament Committee. These teams may come from any region. 3. Maximum 16 teams per Class.
Division II Recreational World Series:
The top one team in Classes B Senior, B Junior, C Senior, C Junior and D Seniorin each region(North, South, Central, East, West) are eligible to playexcept that each region will NOT send a team to one of the age groups. A lottery will determine the age group to which each region will NOT send a team.
Teams may beaddedto fill open bracket slots with the approval ofthe Tournament Committee. These teams may come from any region. 3. Maximum 4 teams per Class.
Thepitching plate will be used in all Knothole Baseball World SeriesTournament games for Classes “AA”,“A”,“BSR”, “B JR”,“CSR”,:C JR”and“D”. D. In the event a team entered in a Knothole Baseball World Series Tournament is given incorrect instructions, as to the time or place to report for a tournament game, by a District/RegionSupervisor, the team shall not lose the game by forfeit, provided the facts are reported to the Tournament Director by the District/Region Supervisor the same day the game was scheduled. The Tournament Director shall schedule the game for play no later than the next playable day.
Umpire pay for Knothole Baseball World Series DivisionII Tournaments:
7 inninggames -$120 pergame for two (2) umpires ($60 each); $90per game for one (1) umpire
6 inning games -$110 per game for two (2) umpires ($55 each); $85 per game for one (1) umpire
5 inninggames -$100 per game fortwo (2) umpires ($50 each); $75per game for one (1) umpire

ADAPTED BASEBALL

Organized youth baseball programs are available for children with disabilities. For information on the Adapted Baseball Program, call the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Division of Therapeutic Recreation, at 352-4945.

Serving all of Campbell County

Serving all of Campbell County