MILE HIGH LITTLE LEAGUE BYLAWS - 2024 

The Mile High Little League Bylaws are process-related rules used by the League to ensure consistent operation. 

DRAFT METHOD 

If sufficient numbers of players are registered in the Minor Level or above, player assessments will be conducted and teams will be drafted per the Little League Operations Manual. Mile High will use Draft Method “A” as described in the Little League Operations Manual in the official rulebook for Major, Intermediate, Junior and Senior Divisions, as necessary. If an insufficient number of players are registered, player assessments will be conducted, but the player agent, in-consultation with the President and other Board members, will assign kids to teams with the goal of having balanced teams. 

MAXIMUM WEEKLY EVENTS 

- Tee Ball, Rookie and Minor divisions are limited to a maximum of four (4) baseball or softball events per calendar week. A baseball or softball event is either: a game, a scrimmage, a practice, or any similar activity. This includes any such event held off-site. [Examples: a team with no games scheduled for the week may have no more than four practices in that same week; a team with two games scheduled during the week, may have no more than two practices that same week; a team with one scheduled game and one scrimmage, during the week, may have no more than two practices that same week, etc.]. 

- Practices and scrimmages shall not exceed two hours each for the Rookie and Minor Divisions. - Tee Ball events are limited to one hour each. 

GROUND RULES 

- Home team will occupy the 3rd base dugout. Visitor team will occupy the first base dugout. - Home team will be responsible for field set-up, including but not limited to: applying chalk lines, installing bases, and applying water for dust control. 

- Visitor team will be responsible for field take-down, including but not limited to: dragging the field, storing and securing all equipment. 

- Each team is responsible for emptying the trash in their respective dugout and spectator area. - Rookie division will also follow the Rookie Division Special Rules published separately. - Any ball that strikes a tree branch that hangs over a boundary fence, above the field of play, is 

live and in play unless judged foul after landing on the ground in foul territory. A ball striking a part of a tree that is not over the field of play is out of play. 

ON-FIELD ACCESS DURING GAMES 

- No adult or child shall be on the field or in the dugout during games or practices if he or she is not a rostered member of the scheduled teams, or a volunteer displaying a current year badge issued by the Safety Officer. 

- For Tee Ball, the League allows all badged parents to be on the field with their children, in order to keep them involved in the game, and help them understand how to play the game. The dugout for the batting team should have at least one ‘bench coach’ to maintain order and keep the game moving.

- For Rookies Division, the Rookie rules shall apply. In addition to the on-field coaches when the team is batting, there should be at least one ‘bench coach’ in the dugout to maintain order and prepare the next batter, in order to keep the game moving. 

- For Minors, Majors, Juniors and Seniors, only one (1) manager and not more than two (2) coaches shall occupy the bench or dugout during the game. See Little League Rule 3.17. - 

TIME LIMITS – SUNSET/CURFEW 

- All games played at Mile High Little League fields are subject to a time limit. All games must end at whichever time limit listed below occurs. Game time limits shall be whichever occurs first of the following: 

- Tee Ball has a time limit of 75 minutes, with a target game length of 60 minutes. - Rookies, Minors, and Majors have a two (2) hour time limit, except during designated tournaments 

- If multiple games are scheduled on the same field in a given day, the earlier game shall end thirty (30) minutes prior to the posted start time of the next scheduled game on the same field, to allow for field cleanup and warm up time for the next teams. 

- For evening games without lights, games shall end no later than the posted ‘sunset time.’ Sunset time will be defined by the google search result for "sunset Albuquerque.” Umpires should announce sunset time to both teams at the start of each game. 

- For evening games under the lights, games shall end no later than 9:45 PM, to allow for field cleanup time. No new batter shall be allowed after the time limit has been reached. No exceptions to these time limit rules will be permitted for any reason, to include a late start to the game or the desire to complete an inning. Lights must be off on Strandberg field at 10:00 PM per city ordinance. 

- If, under unusual circumstances, a game is scheduled to start on the same field within 30 minutes of when your game ends, no post-game on-field meetings are permitted. Please promptly vacate your dugout so that the next game can begin on-time. 

- Practices shall end at the earliest of either sunset time, or the scheduled end time as posted by the board of directors on the master calendar. 

- Report any violations of these rules to the Board of Directors immediately. 

CODE OF CONDUCT 

- All participants and spectators are responsible for following the Mile High Little League Code of Conduct. The code of conduct is posted on the league website, and a copy is available in the Board Room. 

- Managers are responsible for helping to communicate the expectations of the code of conduct to the family members and other spectators. If you have an issue that you are unable to resolve with the guests, contact the field monitor or any member of the Mile High Board of Directors to resolve the situation. 

- Umpires have the authority to stop the game until a field monitor or Board member removes the spectators who do not adhere to the warnings about the spectator code of conduct, or whose conduct is (in the judgement of the umpire) such a gross violation that a warning is not required.

UMPIRE POLICY 

All umpires and managers are responsible for following the league umpire policy. The Umpire Policy states the essential information that Umpires are in-charge of the game on the field. Only Managers of the team (NOT Coaches) may seek clarification of a call by an Umpire. They must do so calmly and respectfully. Umpires are volunteers, and will make judgement calls to the best of their knowledge and ability. Nevertheless, some errors will occur, and there will be some lack of knowledge of some of the subtle rules of baseball/softball. Harassment or abuse of any umpire will not be tolerated, as it violates the League Code of Conduct. Such behavior may result in suspension of the game, or even calling of law enforcement. The umpire policy is posted on the league website. 

VOLUNTEER SELECTION/ BACKGROUND CHECK/ BADGES 

- All volunteers, including managers, coaches, and anyone who regularly interacts with the players must pass a Little League approved background check pursuant to Regulation I(8) and (9); and complete abuse awareness training pursuant to Regulation I(10) before interacting with players on the field. 

- Little League approved background checks must be completed prior to a volunteer badge being issued to any volunteer. 

- All volunteers will also be required to complete the Adult Abuse Awareness training before a volunteer badge is issued. 

- The Safety Officer, Player Agent, and Secretary maintain a list of all approved League volunteers. - Background checks are conducted annually. A prior year background check is invalid for the current year. 

- At a minimum, Little League Inc. states that any person that has been convicted of or plead guilty to a crime involving or against a minor shall not be permitted to serve the local league. - All volunteers on the field or in the dugouts must have and display on their person the current year badge at all times, in practice or games; this includes base coaches, adult pitchers, dugout volunteers and umpires, no exceptions. Members of the Mile High Board of Directors and/or a designated Field Monitor will inspect badges before each game and are authorized to remove any volunteer from the field who does not display his/her badge. 

FUNDS COLLECTION POLICY 

- The League seeks sponsors and the Board does fundraising on behalf of the League for the benefit of the entire League. The Sponsorship Letter is available on the League website, and from any Board Member. All money raised is properly accounted for, and financial reports are available from the Board at any time. 

- Teams may raise funds for team-based purposes, but only with the permission of the Board of Directors. This is not meant to be restrictive, but is intended to avoid situations where money is raised, then not used for the purposes for which it is raised. The Board has dealt with many situations of this type over the history of the League. 

- Thus, funds raised anywhere in the name of Mile High Little League, hereinafter called the League must be properly accounted and appropriately spent. 

- Any fundraising activity on behalf of a team or the League must be approved by the Board of Directors, thus there will be a description of how the money raised is intended to be used.

Money raised must be turned over to the Treasurer (on behalf of the Board) for deposit into the Mile High bank account. The team representative (Manager and/or Team Parent) will also describe how the money raised is to be spent. A Board representative will then procure the desired item or items, within the limits of the funds raised. 

- The actions of anyone raising money on behalf of the League should always convey a feeling of trust and transparency. League members or Board members should not put themselves in a position in which others might question their actions or motives. If you feel that a particular action or nonaction may cast doubt on your integrity, others may also have similar feelings 

- For all events where money is being collected in excess of $200, at least two League members or Board members, appointed in advance by the Board, should be present during the collection period. After the event or at pre-determined intervals at least two previously assigned League members or Board members shall count and record the funds received. This would preferably be two different individuals from the members that collected the funds. This money shall then be given to the League’s Treasurer for another count and to deposit into the League’s general funds. A record or log shall be kept that will allow for a system of checks and balances. As an example, $1,000 was collected. The log book shows that 100 t-shirts were sold at a cost of $10 each. In this example, the log would reconcile with the amount of money collected. A single person shall not be left alone with the funds until they have been counted and recorded. Funds shall be deposited as soon as possible either in person at the bank or via the bank’s night drop. 

MILE HIGH TOURNAMENT TEAM (so-called ALL-STARS) MANAGER/PLAYER SELECTION PROCESS 

- When it comes to Tournament Teams (sometimes called All-Stars), it is the intent of the Mile High Little League Board to field a team that best represents the League in character and competitive skills. The League believes that it is important to include the players themselves in the selection process. The process must be transparent and fair to all kids. 

- All baseball and softball players have an opportunity to be selected to a Tournament Team regardless of popularity, school affiliation, parental influence, or manager prejudice. For those that are not selected for the team, the details regarding their candidacy shall be held in the strictest of confidence and remain private. All selection decisions regarding Tournament teams will be made with these Board ideals in mind. Characteristics that permeate the League selection process for players and managers for the Tournament team include the following: o Baseball/ Softball knowledge 

o Organizational skills – Primarily applies to Managers and Coaches 

o Skill level and ability to compete, attitude, hustle, team spirit, team leadership o Overall character, integrity, and sportsmanship 

- Manager/Coach Selection: Managers and Coaches interested in managing a Tournament team will submit written notice to the Board of Directors All-Star Selection Committee (if such a committee is established) per a date determined by the committee. Prospective manager must be members in good standing of the League and meet the following eligibility guidelines to be considered: 

o Rookies Division: must be a Manager or Coach that coached or managed in the regular season Rookies Division; or an experienced manager or coach familiar to the Board.

o Minor Division: - 9/10 and 10/11 Teams Managers must be a Manager or Coach that coached or managed in the regular season in either the Majors or Minors Division; or an experienced manager or coach familiar to the Board. 

o Major Division- must be Manager or Coach that coached or managed in the regular season major division; or an experienced manager or coach familiar to the Board.

o Intermediate 50/70 Division- must be a Manager or Coach that coached or managed in the regular season in either Majors, Intermediate 50/70, or Junior division; or an experienced manager or coach familiar to the Board. 

o Junior/ Senior Division- must be a Manager or Coach that coached or managed in the regular season Juniors/ Senior division; or an experienced manager or coach familiar to the Board. 

All Managers and Coaches will be selected by the Board of Directors, in consultation with the All-Star Selection Committee, if such a committee is appointed. 

Player Selection: Any player interested in being considered for a Tournament Team must have a parent fill-out and submit a ‘commitment form’ indicating their desire and commitment to the post-season practice and game schedule. Parents may also be asked to contribute to costs of Tournament teams, and/or fundraise for such teams, as determined by the Board of Directors. 

If a sufficient number of players express interest in playing on a Tournament team, the Board may choose to conduct an ‘assessment’ or tryout. The Manager and Coaches will then consult with the Board to select the kids to represent the League on a Tournament team.

LEAGUE TOURNAMENT RULES 

If the League chooses to hold a post-season tournament for the teams of the League (not for all-stars or district tournaments) the following rules will apply: Seeding will be determined by the division VP or other individual appointed by the Board. Home and visitor team will be decided by coin-flip. Continuous batting order is required. Mandatory play rules still apply, except as limited below for pool players. Pool players may be used if necessary to allow a team to have ten (10) available players. - Pool players must be assigned by the Player Agent - Pool players may not play more than three consecutive outs at an infield position, and must bat at the end of the lineup Games will have no time limit, but sunset/curfew rules still apply. If tied after 6 innings, teams will play one (1) additional inning with regular rules. If tied after 7 innings, (or late innings) teams will begin each offensive half-inning with a runner on second base.
o Such runner will be the player who was the last to complete an at-bat during the previous inning. 

POOL PLAYERS 

(Note: this rule does not apply to the Tee Ball division) Pool players may be utilized during the regular season games if necessary to allow a team to have ten (10) available players. Players (or parents on behalf of players) in any other division may notify the Player Agent of their intent to volunteer to be selected as a pool player. A player may only be a Pool Player in the Division which he/she plays. The Player Agent is the only person authorized to assign pool players to a game. Pool players should be requested at least 48 hours prior to the game, unless circumstances do not allow for 48-hour notice. The player agent will communicate to managers the preferred method for requesting a pool player be assigned to a team. The Player Agent will utilize a rolling volunteer roster, whereby any player who is assigned to a game as a pool player will be moved to the bottom of the roster. This process is to ensure equal distribution of games for pool players, and to prevent coaches and managers from “drafting” or requesting individual pool players for their team. Managers may not use pool players unless specifically assigned by the player agent. Managers may not use pool players as pitchers or catchers. Pool Players must play nine (9) defensive outs and one (1) at bat. Any manager (or acting manager) who violates the pool player rules will be subject to sanctions by the Board of Directors. 

UNIFORM MODIFICATIONS AND ALTERNATE UNIFORMS 

The Board of Directors will select team names for all teams in all divisions and will provide players a uniform in a style and color as deemed appropriate by the Board. Teams may not select or acquire their own uniforms without board approval. Teams who wish to add player names to the back of the jerseys may do so at their own expense, but only as a whole team. Individual players shall not modify the uniform in any way. All other requests for uniform modification must be approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. 

PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER SAFE PRACTICES 

All players, volunteers, and spectators shall follow any active public health order and associated regulations. Such orders may change without notice and the board of directors will make every effort to update the league’s website to include the current active public health order, if any. All players, volunteers and spectators are required to follow all instructions of any league official with respect to the compliance with applicable public health order or regulations and are subject to immediate removal from league activities (including spectators) for failing to comply. Any violations must be reported to the Board of Directors for action.