NTBA Umpire Bulletins

Pitching rule change: (Bantam and Midget only)

Rule 5 of the playing rules currently reads:
5. A pitcher or catcher may remain at his/her respective position for three consecutive innings, but must then take a turn to sit out if the player has not already done so. A pitcher or catcher may remain at his/her respective position for the last four innings of a seven inning game provided that the player has already taken a turn on the bench. A second or subsequent pitcher that starts prior to the 4th inning can only pitch three innings.

The change to rule 5:
The words as written above will not change. However, in the current rulebook, rule 5 only applies to Mosquito and Peewee due to later rules that over-ride rule 5 for Bantam and Midget. With the changes outlined below, rule 5 will also apply to Bantam and Midget.

Rule 6 of the playing rules currently reads:
6.In BANTAM and MIDGET, the coach has full discretion to place players at any position but should continue to attempt to place players using an equal rotation of positions. Over the course of the season, all players shall receive equal playing time regardless of their abilities, including pitchers and catchers. In BANTAM and MIDGET only, a pitcher may pitch for the entire game.

The change to rule 6:
The last sentence (i.e. "In BANTAM and MIDGET only, a pitcher may pitch for the entire game.") will be removed from rule 6.

Rule 8 of the playing rules currently reads:
8. No player may pitch in two consecutive games, no matter how much time there is between the games. A pitcher who has already pitched may not be brought back to pitch in a game. An All-Star game or a defaulted game will not count as a game for the purposes of this rule.

Rule 8 is re-written as follows:
8. In Mosquito and Peewee only, no player may pitch in two consecutive games, no matter how much time there is between the games. In Bantam and Midget only, no player may pitch on two consecutive days. In all divisions, a pitcher who has already pitched may not be brought back to pitch in a game. An All-Star game or a defaulted game will not count as a game for the purposes of this rule