NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association Handbook
Amended 2021.
4.3 Baseball
4.3.1 Baseball State-wide competitions– W.J. Proud Shield and Girls State-wide Competition
Refer to NSWCHSSA Handbook "state-wide competitions" -
(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 State-wide: 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:
Proud Shield – Base Path - 90 feet / Pitching - 60 feet 6 inches
Girls State-wide- Base Path - 80 feet / Pitching - 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
Pitching places huge stresses on the arm structures and overuse through pitching can cause major long term injuries. Coaches must ask pitchers and be aware the number of pitches previously made by players in community and school games in the four (4) days before pitching again.
(i) The Baseball NSW ‘Pitch Smart Guidelines’ will be observed in all school games and provide number of rest days needed by pitchers following certain pitch counts:
| Age | Daily maximum | 0 days rest | 1 days rest | 2 days rest | 3 days rest | 4 days rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 95 | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
| 15/16 | 95 | 1-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76+ |
| 17+/18 | 105 | 1-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-80 | 80+ |
(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.
(ii) If a player is under 14 (13) as of 31 December of that year they cannot pitch or catch in a state-wide competition games.
(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 90 pitches, that is, ten (10) pitches to go to the maximum daily restriction.
(f) Disputes and protests
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "Disputes and protests"
(g) Completion of rounds:
All games are to be completed by the due date, if extension is required due to weather, the state convener must be notified by the due date or face disqualification.
(h) Results
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "Results" -
(i) Draw
The draw will be done on a state-wide basis with schools grouped in schools sports associations. 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 will be played at a venue indicated by the state convener.
(j) Equipment and attire
(i) Balls used must be of a standard type approved by Baseball NSW.
(ii) It is compulsory for "double ear flap" batting helmets to be worn by both batters and base runners. Each school is to supply four helmets.
(iii) Catchers masks 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.
(l) Team size/forfeited game
A team size shall be in line with the rules of baseball. In the event of a team not being able to field nine (9) players a team must have a minimum of seven (7) players to constitute a game. The automatic two (2) out rule with seven (7) players can be used at the opposition coach’s discretion. If an opposing team wishes to supply fill in player’s they do so at their own discretion and the game result will stand with the team that scores the most runs.
4.3.2 Baseball State Championships
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "State Championships” – .
(a) Timing of state championships
State championships should be held in the first or second week after the Grand Final of the Baseball NSW State League Competition.
(b) Team size
An association team shall consist of no more than fifteen players.
(c) Championship rules
(i) The championship will act as the selection trial for the NSWCHSSA team.
(ii) In the event of an association not being able to provide a team, but having individual players seeking selection in the NSWCHSSA team, the names of these players must be forwarded to the state convener and the NSWCHSSA executive officer by the sports coordination officer at least three weeks prior to the championship. These players will be given priority in being placed into the Conveners team to attend the championships and be trialled.
(iii) For all other players, to be eligible for selection in the Conveners team, a player must trial for their association. If they are not selected in a association team from their respective trial then they will be placed on an eligibility list. From this list a player may be considered for selection based on the association conveners recommendation to the state convener. If all players from the list of have a position in the Conveners team but the team is not complete then other players that are known to the association or state convener (whether they trialled or not ) may be considered for a place in the Conveners team.
If a player is unavailable for an association trial or state championship, they must provide a letter to the association convener, 1 week prior to the trials or championship if they wish to be selected. If the player is to be considered, the reason for missing a trial/championship needs to be deemed by the association or state convener at their discretion to be on higher duties. Higher duties may be seen as playing or training at a higher level than school level e.g. NSW Representative training, certified overseas training camp, national team representation. (if a player had registered and was sick on the day of trial they must inform association convener on that day to be eligible for selection in association and Conveners team)
(iv) Eligible students unable to attend the championships may be selected in the NSWCHSSA team at the convener's and selectors' discretion.
(v) Players will be considered for the appropriate age group pitching and fielding restrictions according to their age at December 31st of the year of the tournament.
(vi) If a player is under 14 (13) as of December 31st of that year he cannot pitch or catch in a game during the championships and during Proud Shield games.
(d) The draw
(i) The seedings for the championships shall be determined from the results of the previous year as follows:
6 Team Championship
| Day 1 | Ground 1 | Ground 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Time 1 | 3 v 4 | 1 v 2 |
| Time 2 | 5 v 6 | 4 v 2 |
| Time 3 | 1 v 5 | 3 v 6 |
| Day 2 | Ground 1 | Ground 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Time 1 | 3 v 1 | 4 v 6 |
| Time 2 | 5 v 2 | 6 v 1 |
| Time 3 | 2 v 3 | 4 v 5 |
| Day 3 | Ground 1 | Ground 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Time 1 | 6 v 2 | 3 v 5 |
| Time 2 | 1 v 4 | - |
|
Re Rank Teams from previous results based on results from Day 1/2/3/ Time 3 |
3 v 1 | 6 v 4 |
| Day 4 | Ground 1 | Ground 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Time 1 | 2 v 3 | 5 v 6 |
| Time 2 | 1 v 2 | 4 v 5 |
7 Team Championship
State convener to supply draw to host sports coordination officer, 4 weeks prior to state championship.
(ii) Note: The host association may alter time slots and grounds, but not the day a particular game is played. North Coast / Conveners shall always be drawn to play in Day 4, Time 1 slot.
(iii) If two teams finish on equal points at the end of the championship, placings will be determined by head to head results. If the head to head result was a draw then placings will be determined by total runs scored against each respective team. If that remains equal then placings will be determined by runs scored for.
(e) Duration of games
(i) Games shall be played for 2 hours and this reflected in the official program. There is no 10 minute rule, a new inning can be started as long as the game time of 2 hours has not expired. However, once started, an innings must be completed unless the home team is already leading. Games are a maximum of seven innings.
(ii) Tied games play for result within game time limits where time permits.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
If three teams or more are tied, head to head will establish the order of placings if not applicable then runs will be used.
(h) 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.
(i) 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.
(j) Playing conditions
The host association 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 1st in their pool
(v) If a final is washed out, the two teams will be declared joint winners.
(k) 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.
(l) Pitching restrictions
Pitching places huge stresses on the arm structures and overuse through pitching can cause major long term injuries. Coaches must ask pitchers and be aware the number of pitches previously made by players in community and school games in the four (4) days before pitching again.
The Baseball NSW ‘Pitch Smart Guidelines’ will be observed in all school games and provide number of rest days needed by pitchers following certain pitch counts:
| Age | Daily Maximum |
Short - 0 Days Rest |
Moderate - 1 Day Rest |
Substantial - 2 Days Rest |
Major - 3 Days Rest |
Maximum - 4 Days Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 95 | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
| 15/16 | 95 | 1-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76+ |
| 17+/18 | 105 | 1-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-80 | 80+ |
(i) A pitcher's game contribution will be classified as: – short – moderate – substantial - major – maximum according to the Pitch Smart Guidelines. A pitcher may complete the batter in which the pitch limits occur, and still be considered as throwing the lower assignment, and will only be required to observe the calendars day(s) rest of the threshold they reached during that at bat.
(ii) A pitcher reaching his maximum number of daily pitches is to be removed from the game once he has completed the batter up to a maximum of 105 pitches (or as per age) or has been moved to Designated Hitter. However, if the pitcher retires that batter as the 3rd out of an inning, then that pitcher is entitled to take their place as a batter should they be due to hit in the next half inning.
(iii) For a maximum assignment, four (4) days rest is required before the next pitching assignment and one (1) days rest from any defensive role. This pitcher can only be used as pinch hitter, runner, designated hitter on their first day of rest, or in the second game of a double header.
(iv)For a major assignment, three (3) days rest is required before the next pitching assignment and one (1) days rest from catching. If a pitcher is removed from the mound after pitching a major assignment he is not permitted to play in another defensive position on that day and can only participate in the second game of a double header as a designated hitter, pinch hitter or runner.
(v) For a substantial assignment, two (2) days rest is required before the next pitching assignment and one (1) days rest from catching. If a pitcher is removed from the mound after pitching a substantial assignment he is not permitted to play in another defensive position on that day and can only participate in the second game of a double header as a designated hitter, pinch hitter or runner.
(vi) For a moderate assignment, one (1) days rest is required before the next pitching assignment and one (1) days rest from catching.
(vii) No day’s rest is required after a short assignment. However, consecutive short assignments require one (1) days rest from pitching and catching.
(viii) The scorer is to 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 maximum assignment.
(ix) If a pitcher throws in both games of a double header, then his total pitches for the day will be added up to fall into one of the above categories, and the same restrictions will be enforced. If a player is removed from pitching after completing a second short assignment on the same day, they shall leave the game and may not participate any further on that day, except as a designated hitter.
(x) Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
(xi) A player once removed as a pitcher may not pitch again in the same game.
(xii) No pitcher/catcher interchange in the same game.
(xiii) A Balk Pitch delivered to the plate whether it is hit safely or not shall be considered to be valid for the purpose of recording the ‘number of pitches’.
(xiv) A ‘no pitch’, e.g. batter steps out of the batter’s box and the pitcher delivers the pitch, shall not be included in the pitch count.
(xv) The scorers shall indicate in the scorebook for each pitcher the assignment and when the pitcher may next pitch / play
(xvi) No player may come straight from the field in a defensive inning to pitch. They must come from the bullpen.
(m) 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.
(n) 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.
(o) Speed up rules
(i) A courtesy runner for catchers is allowed at any time, but a courtesy runner is mandatory with two (2) out (or optional with one (1) out) and double play situations, The runner may be any member of the playing squad not currently in the starting line-up..
(ii) Sixty (60) seconds between innings. Minimum of five (5) warm up pitches.
(p) Designated hitter
The designated hitter rule may be used in the NSWCHSSA Baseball Championships.
(q) 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 NSWCHSSA Baseball convener, the championship manager and another member nominated by the manager's meeting.
(r) Selection panel
(i)
The panel to select the Combined High Schools representative team, and any other playing awards, will consist of:
NSWCHSSA Coach
NSWCHSSA Manager
Two other members to be elected at the sub-committee meeting immediately prior to the state championships.
(s) Meetings
(i) Managers of competing association will hold a meeting prior to the commencement of the championships.
(ii) The state 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 association 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 association and signed by the chairperson of the meeting. Copies of these minutes are to be submitted to all association conveners and the NSWCHSSA executive officer.
(t) NSW All schools information
(i) Nominations for NSW All Schools coach and manager
The NSWCHSSA coach and manager shall be our nominations for the NSW All Schools coach and manager positions. Should either of these not wish to be nominated then additional nominations will be considered.
(ii) Nominations for NSW All Schools Baseball committee
The state convener, coach and manager shall be the NSWCHSSA nominations for the NSW All Schools Baseball committee. Should any of these not wish to be nominated then additional nominations will be considered.
(u) Coaches uniform
Base coaches must wear a skull cap as per ABF rules.
(v) Equipment and attire
(i) Balls must be a standard type approved by the NSW Baseball League.
(ii) It is compulsory for "double ear flap" batting helmets to be worn by both batters and base runners. Each association is to supply four helmets.
(iii) Catchers masks must have a throat guard attachment.
(iv) Each team shall be attired in association uniform.
(v) Wood or wood composite bats only to be used by players in the state championships.
(w) 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.
(x) Anti collision rule. As per Major League rule 7.13
(i) A runner may not run out of the direct line to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher, or any player, covering the plate. If he does, the umpire can call him out even if the player taking the throw loses possession of the ball.
(ii) The catcher may not block the pathway of a runner attempting to score unless he has possession of the ball. If the catcher blocks the runner before he has the ball, the umpire may call the runner safe.
(iii) All calls will be based on the umpire's judgement. The umpire will consider such factors as whether the runner made an effort to touch the pate and whether he lowered his shoulder or used his hands, elbows or arms when approaching the catcher.
(iv) Runners are not required to slide, and catchers in possession of the ball are allowed to block the plate. However, runners who do slide and catchers who provide the runner with a lane will never be found in violation of the rule.