Home-Ground Rules

Crystal River Little League

Ground Rules/Bylaws

Charter ID 3090505

Updated 1-20-2026


 

Basic Ground Rules 


All parents are to follow a proper chain of command for all issues. We are all adults and need to take responsibility for ourselves and others. The chain of command will begin with addressing any issues directly with your coaching staff and head coach. If issue is not resolved, next in command would be the commissioner. Next in command is the VP, and finally if needed the President. Our goal is to eliminate the process of having all items go directly to the board as a first step in resolving issues and follow a proper chain of command. We have chosen our coaches to lead their teams as they see fit and as long as they are within the rules of the league and LL principles, we will back up our coaches and umpires decisions. 

  1. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR HARASSMENT OF UMPIRES!!!!Umpires are VOLUNTEERS, these people should have the utmost respect as they allow YOUR children to play games. Without umpires we could not play games. IF YOU DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE VOLUNTEER!!! Parents are expected to help either concessions or umpire (unless opt out fee is paid). 
  2. No use of alcohol allowed at any time on little league property. Smoking (including vapes) is in designated smoking areas ONLY. The parking lot away from the children and dugouts. 
  3. Profanity from spectators ,players/umpires or /coaches   directed towards players, board of directors, umpires, coaches, managers or volunteers WILL result in disciplinary actions. Remember this is for the children! Dependant upon situation offense can escalate a-d steps as 1 offense 
    1. 1st step verbal or written warning 
    2. 2nd step removal from park/game 
    3. 3rd step suspended from reminder of game and next game 
    4. Continued problems ban/trespassed from little league events 
  4. Only managers/coaches that have been approved and cleared are allowed on the field or in the dugouts. Parents (unless managers/coaches) are NOT allowed on field unless an emergency situation occurs. 
  5. Helmets are to worn at ALL times when players are batting including all forms of practice. Catchers equipment must be worn when in position and when warming up pitchers must have helmets with throat guard. 
  6. All volunteers are subject to background checks 
  7. A player who continually misses practice will be subject to removal from team. Players who continually miss without explanation approved by board are subject to minimal/mandatory play or removal. 
  8. Crystal river little league is structured at (co-ed) tee ball, 7-8 division, 9-10 division, 11-12 division, junior and senior division. Dependant upon child’s league age and skill assessment as appropriate 
  9. The Rookie teams will have a MANDATORY meeting with a board member  to go over rules.
  10. We allow Jr umpires in rookies, minor and major divisions
  11. We cap our teams to a roster of 12 except tee ball until season is closed for uniform order. Tee ball small teams FALL season could result in smaller teams if teams are even with 9 or more once uniforms are ordered. 
  12. No refunds given after uniforms are ordered (around…Jan 25 spring, Sept 1 fall )
  13. A late fee WILL be charged if a late registration is accepted. All late registration are subject to board approval 
  14. Rule clinic is MANDATORY for 9/10-up in-house or district meeting can meet this requirement. 
  15. Ejection due to usage of an illegal bat or equipment will not be considered disciplanry in nature, however both the player and Head coach will be ejected for the remainder of the game and must leave the dugout. There is no penalty beyond the current game removal. A second offense by the same player will be reviewed by the board for further actions. Tournament rules will take precendent over this rule ias these are home game ground rules. 

 

Managers/ Coaches

 

  1. All managers will be selected by the board of directors.
  2. All coaches MUST be approved by the board of directors and MUST have training completed prior to being on field.
  3. Managers (9/10 and up) are responsible for covering up to five umpire shifts during the season.  It can be them or they can make arrangements with someone else, but must cover requirements. 
  4. All managers and coaches are required to go through a abuse training (yearly), and a diamond leader training (good for lifetime) and the certificate sent to Crystalriverlittleleague@gmail.com or uploaded to your sports stack account.
  5. A manager/coach who fails to attend mandatory meeting or doesn’t fulfill umpire duties could be subjected to loss of all star eligibility, discipline action, losing practice space or not being considered next season 
  6. It is the responsibility for the manager and coaches to control and conduct the team/parents/and themselves. You are to set the example for the team. When it comes to discipline of a child we empower the coaches to handle the situation as they deem fit based on our Athlete behavior contract rules and within our ground rules. This means if they need to discipline a child for bad behavior, bad language, or any other discipline matters, they are empowered to do so within the rules. Coaches have the discretion to make the decision on what punishment best fits the situation. If needed the coach can come to the board for direction. 
  7. For home games (CR vsCR ) 
    1. The home team will be responsible for keeping the official score, pitch count (if applicable) and score board, lining the field and covering the mound. 
  8. During Inter-league games held at Crystal River fields (Cr vs another league) 
    1. The home team (CR) will be responsible for official score, score board, pitch count (if applicable), lining field and covering mound. 

ALL TEAMS are responsible for cleaning their own dugouts and bleacher area. Locking the gates and garages before leaving. Closing windows and putting away extension cords if used. 

 

Players 

 

  1. Spring season ALL (including coaches children and returning) children (except tee ball- unless attempting to assess up)  MUST attend 1 assessment.  
  2. Assessments are MANDATORY for any child attempting to MOVE UP a division.
  3. Tee-ball will NOT have a draft and teams will be assigned by the board (attempting to break up ages as evenly as possible)
  4. All players league age 4-6 will play tee-ball 
    1. Exception: Regulation III C TEE-BALL 
  5. Based on skills assessments and with board approval players may move up 1 league age
    1. Exception: if a player has played 2 years in 7-8 or 9-10 division with skills assessment and board approval, the player could move to the next division.
    2. **** Players that are league age 5 in the 7-8 division must play 3 years before moving up unless a harm to others due to skill. 

 

Draft methods 

 

  1.  CRLL will use draft method A for retaining for both  baseball and softball(if applicable ) major division and above if applicable. Per rule rookie and minor will be redraft. 
  2. All trades MUST be made through the player agent and must be even trades.
  3. No players will be contacted or rosters posted for 24 hours after the draft to allow the player agent time to make any necessary changes.

 

Top team

 

  1. For all division except tee-ball the “top team” is the team with the best IN HOUSE record for the entire season via Win %
  2. In the event 2 teams have the same record we use H2H games to determine the winner. If needed we then look to runs allowed. Then runs scored. If needed we will have a 1 game play off. 

 

Allstars 

  1. Managers for Allstars will be voted on by the Board of Directors and must be without disciplinary actions. 
  2. Coaches must be approved by board of directors. 
  3. Allstar players(12) will be selected by the regular season managers/coaches/ and board from all eligible players within the age division. Players may be added to another group if age appropriate once their team is eliminated. If combining with another league MUST clear with president. 
    1. Any player, manager, or coach brought before the board for disciplinary action may be ineligible for all stars. Any issue founded will cause said person to be ineligible for all stars.

 

Disciplinary 

 

  1. The “behavior contract”  will be used to track all offenses. *Player could be placed on suspension until meeting can occur depending on behavior*
  2. A Meeting(via phone,zoom or in person) with the accused and at least 2 board  members will be used to assign disciplinary actions. 
  3. Any board member that misses more than 3 board meetings without just cause is subject to removal from the board. 

 

CRLL has opted to play by Interleague rules with the following exceptions:

 

  1. 7-8.   Baseball upon coaches agreement in CR VS CR games or in practices coaches can pitch to batters instead of using machines. However, they must use overhand throws to prepare for the next level of play and determine balls and strikes. MUST be agreed upon by both managers before starting game 
  2. We allow 15 y.o to play in the junior division and they are allowed to pitch. 
  3. FIRST, Tie breaker will be HTH (head to head) 
  4. Texas tie breakers will be used for all tie games.
    1. Example:  next inning : PLAYED AS USUAL. 
    2. Following inning…last out starts on 2nd base with 0 outs. Play until 3 outs are made then other team given same opportunity. If score still tie then runner starts at 3rd and play until 3 out for each team. 

 

Board of directors 


 

  • Any member in good standing (without disciplinary actions, disciplanry ejections, and ACTIVELY participating regularly within league ie: scorekeeping, continues concession help, team mom. Coaching, regularly helping with field prep) can send a letter of intent to join the board to crystalriverlittleleague@gmail.com
  • A new member (unless voted on by general membership) will have no voting rights for 6 months. Those voted in on general membership will only be considered a Junior member. 
  • Spouses or family members within same household will have only 1 vote.
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