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Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley Panhandle
Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley Panhandle
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LEAGUE RULES

COMMON RULES

  • The following information is the same for all divisions of the Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley Panhandle
  • Have fun!!!!!
  • All games are played on the Miracle Field at the Margherita Lotti Miracle Park in Steubenville.
  • The Miracle League Field has a rubberized, all weather surface that is wheelchair accessible.
  • The Miracle League season consists of a spring session and fall session.
  • The spring session consists of 8 weeks from mid-May to early-July.
  • The fall session consists of 6 weeks from mid-September to late-October.
  • Every effort will be made to makeup cancelled games due to weather.

MADE UP OF THREE DIVISIONS

  • Miracle Division (youth and adult).
  • Competitive Division (youth and adult).
  • Senior Division.

ADDITIONAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

  • All players and volunteers must register to participate.
  •  Every effort will be made to meet requests by players and volunteers.
  • All equipment (bats, balls, tee, etc.) are provided by the Miracle League.
  • Players are encouraged to bring their own glove. 
  • Each team’s coaching staff will have a Manager, Coach(es), Buddy Team Leader(s), and Team Parent(s).
  • Players receive a team uniform shirt and hat for the year to be used for the spring and fall sessions.
  • Managers and Coaches receive a team uniform shirt and hat for the season.
  • Buddy Team Leaders and Buddies receive a Buddy T-shirt.
  • Players receive a trophy at the end of e session.
  • Players and volunteers have the option to participate in Photo Day during the spring session.
  • Buddies are involved in the game for these three reasons:
  • Protect the players.
  • Assist the player, but only as needed allowing the player the opportunity to play as much as possible.
  • Encouragement and friendship.

MIRACLE DIVISION

  • Players must be 5 years old before May 1st for the spring session and September 1st for the fall session.
  • Teams are divided between adults and youth with adult teams having players 18 years of age and older.
  • This is a non-competitive division.
  • Each player has an assigned Buddy for all games.
  • Three innings per game.
  • All players bat each inning.
  • Batting helmets are required.
  • Batters may hit off of a tee or from a pitcher. There are no strikeouts or walks.
  • All players get to circle the bases to score a run each inning.
  • Players are never called “Out”.
  • Game time is between 60 to 75 minutes.
  • Teams consist of no more than 14 players.
  • An umpire covers each game to call players safe on 1st base and Home.
  • The score is tied after each inning no matter how many players are on each team.
  • See the rules that are the same for all Miracle League Divisions.

COMPETITIVE DIVISION

  • The following rules are for the Competitive Youth Division:
  • Players must be 5 years old before May 1st for the spring session and September 1st for the fall session.
  • This is a competitive division. Players can be called out and a team can lose a game.
  • Buddies are optional for a player. This is a Parent/Guardian decision.
  • An umpire covers each game to call balls/strike, fair/foul, out/safe and has the final call on all plays.
  • The score will be kept. A team can win, lose, or tie.
  • Teams consist of no more than 13 players. 
  •  See the rules that are the same for all Miracle League Divisions 

COMPETITIVE GAME AND PLAYING RULES

GAME AND INNING LENGTH

  • All rules apply as in Little League unless otherwise listed.
  • Game is played for 5 innings.
  • A half inning is completed when either 3 outs are reached, or 5 runs cross the plate.
  • Only 5 runs may be scored in a half inning, with the exception of the final (5th) inning
  • In the final inning, each team will be permitted to have every player bat one time permitted 3 outs have not occurred
  • If a home run or extra base hit results in more than 5 runs:
  • Play will continue until its end
  • Only up to 5 runs will count


FIELDING RULES 

  • Fielding gloves are optional for fielders, though highly advised
  • The following positions will be filled in the infield:
  • Pitcher (must be in the pitcher’s circle as the ball is pitched) 
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS
  • Rover (directly on 2nd base)
  • The remaining players will be spread throughout the outfield
  • Fielders are not permitted to block the bases.
  • If the umpire deems that the base has been blocked, the runner will be awarded the base.
  • Fielders may use a Buddy.
  • A coach or other designated person will pitch to their team.
  • A fielder may not advance towards home past the pitcher’s mound until the ball is hit.
  • If the umpire determines a violation, the batter is awarded the base.
  • Outfielders may not encroach to the infield.
  • Fielders must tag a runner, not their Buddy, to tag them out.


BATTING RULES 

  • A batter may choose to be pitched to, or use a tee
  • A batter may choose either option at each at bat
  • A batter may not change their choice in the middle of an at-bat
  • A batter being pitched to will have 5 swings. After 5 swings, a tee will be used.
  • A tipped ball foul follows foul rules.
  • A ball must be hit off of the tee to be considered in play.
  • A batter cannot foul out.
  • Batters must wear helmets.
  • A Buddy may not hit for a batter. 


BASE RUNNING RULES 

  • Runners may not steal bases.
  • Runners may not advance a base on overthrown balls.
  • Runners may not lead off.
  • Runners cannot be picked off.
  • Runners must wear helmets.
  • Runners may use a Buddy to help them run the bases.
  • Buddies must make every effort to avoid balls hit into play.
  • If the Buddy is deemed to have purposefully interfered, the runner is out, and a warning is given.
  • A hit ball that hits a runner is considered a dead ball.
  • On a dead ball, the batter is given first, and every forced runner is given one base.
  • Since the bases are not raised (flat), if a base runner is close to the bag while running the bases, the umpire may accept that as a “touched” base. The same argument can be made about the fielders.


CONTACT US


The Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley Panhandle
621 Market Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Email : info@miracleleaguenovp.com 

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