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Thursday, February 26
2009 Rules and Regulations
QUAD-CITY METRO SANDY KOUFAX LEAGUE
2009 OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS This league was created to provide a baseball alternative for youth age 14 and under. Adult attitudes by players, coaches, managers and parents must always prevail. The responsibility that this ethic sustains will remain at the responsibility of the league President and officers and anyone who abuses the league's code can be suspended or expelled from the league. The official baseball rules as used by the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs shall govern play. Specific league rules and exceptions to American League rules are as follows. When a conflict arises between a league rule and the American League rule, the league rule shall take precedent. 1. All teams must have full baseball uniforms to include hats and socks. No player, coach or manager will take the field unless in a complete uniform to include a hat. 2. All batters, runners and on-deck hitters must have helmets. There is no option to this rule. Full earflap helmets are mandatory for batting and running. 3. The official league baseball shall be the Quad-City Metro Rawlings R100HS ball. The home team and the visiting team will each furnish two baseballs to the umpire-in-chief prior to the start of the game. Any additional balls needed during the game shall be supplied by the home team. The additional balls do not need to be new baseballs. However, they must be acceptable by the umpire-in-chief. 4. There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted at league games. Coaches, manager, and/or spectators who fail to adhere to this rule are subject to expulsion and/or forfeiture of the game. 5. There shall be no smoking allowed in uniform during a game by any players, managers or coaches of that game. If this situation arises and the person notified refuses to adhere, he is subject to expulsion. 6. The only persons allowed in a team's dugout should be uniformed players, managers, coaches and bat boys. The only exception to this rule shall be that bat boys do not need to be in uniform. 7. The league will absolutely not tolerate the presence of illegal drugs. If an accusation of illegal drug use or presence is substantiated, the player or players involved in the incident shall be expelled from the league and proper action shall be taken with legal authorities. 8. The home team manager will notify the visiting team manager and umpires as soon as possible in the case of the postponement of a game, regardless of the reason. 9. The umpires for league games shall be scheduled by the home team. Two umpires shall be scheduled for each game. It is the responsibility of each team to pay for the umpires. The umpire's fee shall be $30.00 per umpire for a seven-inning game and $60.00 per umpire for a double header (two seven-inning games). These costs shall be split between the teams playing. 10. Wood and metal bats are allowed. The legality of a bat shall be at the discretion of the umpires. Their action shall be reviewed by the league office and a decision of the league office is final. Any bats thought to be illegal, in the opinion of the umpires, shall be removed from the game and reviewed by the league office. There is no bat length/weight differential. 11. Metal cleats are not permitted, for both the 13 year old and 14 year old divisions. 12. League standings will be determined by percentage points. A 13-year-old team must play at least 2 games less than they are scheduled for the season. For example, if a team is scheduled to play 22 league games, they must play at least 20 league games to be eligible to qualify for the league tournament. Also, a 14-year-old team must play at least 2 games less than they are scheduled for the season. For example, if a team is scheduled to play 22 league games, they must play at least 20 league games to be eligible to qualify for the league tournament. In both divisions, you must play each team at least once to be eligible for the league tournament. Ties are to be determined by: a. Head to head competition: b. Fewest runs allowed against such tied opponents only; c. Most runs scored against such tied opponents only; d. One game play-off - site determined by coin flip. If three or more teams tie, a coin flip will be used to determine bye(s). 13. A league tournament for both the 13-year-old division and 14-year-old division consisting of the final top 4 teams from the regular season shall take place at the end of the season. The tournament shall be seeded with the top finishing team by percentage points from the regular season playing the 4th place finisher from the regular season. Also, the 2nd place team by percentage points from the regular season will play the 3rd place finisher from the regular season. The winners shall advance to the tournament championship game. In all games, the highest seeded team from the regular season shall be home team and the game shall be played on their home field, if possible. If not, a neutral field shall be used, if available. Otherwise the game can be played on the visiting teams’ field. The 14-year-old division league champion and the 13-year-old division league champion shall go to the AABC respective post-season tournaments. If the division champion chooses not to go, the 2nd place team shall go to the AABC Tournament. 14. Failure to appear for a scheduled game with fewer than eight (8) players will result in a forfeit. The game will be entered in league standings as such and a $25 fine will result to the forfeiting team. In addition, the forfeiting team shall be responsible for any field maintenance and/or rental costs incurred by the league and also the umpire's fee for both umpires for that game. This full payment shall be sent to the league President at once. A team will not be eligible to compete in any league games until this fine is paid. Any scheduled games will be forfeited until the money is sent to the President. (The postmark will determine the time at which the fine is paid.) If the teams decide to play anyway, the forfeit stands for league results and the statistics of the game will not count toward league statistics other than win and loss records. A team will be allowed no more than two forfeited game dates during the season. If more than two forfeited game dates occur, the team shall be expelled from the league and no refunds of player registration fees shall be made. A team shall have 15 minutes after the scheduled game time before the umpires declare a forfeit. If a team has eight players by game time, they must start the game. If a team gets its eighth player within the 15-minute grace period, it must start the game at that time. If a team plays with only eight players, an out shall be rendered each time in the ninth batting position. 15. Protests - Any team making a protest must do so in writing. It must be sent to the league President and must be postmarked within 24 hours after the game is completed. A protest based on a play, which involves an umpire’s judgment, is not permitted. a. There will be a $25 protest fee made payable to the league which will be returned if the protest is allowed. b. The written protest must state the rule in question and give specific details of the incident or call in question. c. The umpires shall also submit a written report to the league President stating the rule in question and giving specific details of the incident or call in question. d. When a protest is made based on an interpretation of the rules, the objecting manager must, at the time the play occurs, notify the umpire-in-chief, the opposing manager and official score that the game is being played under protest. e. Any team manager who withdraws a team from the playing field under any circumstances prior to the official completion of the game shall forfeit all rights to protests as prescribed in this section. 16. Blatant decoys that result in injury or potential danger or injury to the offensive player are enforceable at the sole discretion of the umpire. All runners may be advanced one base. A second violation in a game may result in suspension for the remainder of that game. 17. All players must attempt to avoid an intentional collision with a fielder at a base. In this case, the runner will be automatically out and if ruled deliberate and excessive by the umpire, may result in the player's expulsion. The ball becomes dead. The only exception to this rule is when the fielder moves up the base line to make a tag or to field a ball. The base runner cannot be expected to slide into a base several feet up the line, but must avoid contact, if possible. 18. Force-Play-Slide-Rule - The intent of the force-play-slide-rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs. a. On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases. Exception -- A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. (1) “On the ground” means either a headfirst slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground. (2) “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, truck and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.A.R. 1 If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.A.R. 2 If the runner goes into a base standing up and is safe or out, but makes contact with or alters the play of the defensive player, interference shall be called. b. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner: (1) Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or (2) Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play. (3) Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base. c. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if: (1) The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder; (2) The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder; (3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position; (4) The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder; A.R. “Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base. (5) The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg; (6) The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play. PENALTY for 1-6 -- (1) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. (2) With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. (3) If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner may be ejected from the contest at the umpire’s discretion. 19. In a seven-inning game, a 10-run rule shall be in effect at the end five innings; four and a half innings, if home team is ahead. 20. No players may switch teams during the season without the consent of both managers involved and a league officer. If this does not meet their unanimous approval, the player must sit out the balance of the season. A player may change teams from one season to the next with no limitations. 21. Team Rosters - Team rosters shall consist of a minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 18 players. Additions or deletions to the active roster may take place only until June 1, 2009. Any player added to the roster must be fully registered. A player must be on a team's active roster for a minimum of 48 hours to be eligible for league games. (The postmark determines this eligibility requirement.) a. Any team that plays an ineligible player will forfeit the game. b. Copies of each team's original roster will be sent to the president’s office. c. A team will not be allowed to play league games unless a roster is filed with the President. Games, which are scheduled, will be forfeited until the roster is filed with the President. The postmark determines the date at which a roster is filed. 22. Player Eligibility a. There is a maximum age eligibility of age 14 as of April 30, 2009. b. A player must be fully registered with the league in order to be eligible. c. A player must have proof of age on file with the league office. Acceptable proof is a photocopy of his birth certificate. 23. Protest of Player Eligibility a. Any QCMSKL affiliated team may protest the eligibility of any player or team in the league. Any team protesting a player's eligibility must post a $25 bond made payable to the league at the time of the protest. If the protest is allowed, this bond will be promptly returned. The protest must be made in writing to the Quad-City Metro Sandy Koufax League. The officers of the league shall make all decisions regarding the protest. 24. The designated hitter rule as allowed in the American League of Professional Baseball under Section 6.10 of the official playing rules shall be in effect. This designated hitter rule shall apply to any position player. The designated hitter for the player, if used, may be placed anywhere in the line-up. The designated hitter must be declared at the beginning of the game. If the designated hitter is terminated from the line-up, there shall be no designated hitter allowed for the balance of the game. An extra hitter may also be used in the line-up. This extra hitter need not be playing in the field. The extra hitter must bat in the 10th position of the batting order unless there is no designated hitter being used. Then, the extra hitter may be placed anywhere in the line-up. The extra hitter may assume a defensive position during the game and shall keep the same position in the batting order. The extra hitter must be declared at the beginning of the game. If you begin the game with an extra hitter, you must finish the game with an extra hitter. The extra hitter player may be inserted and removed from the game with any of the other position players in the field, but must stay in the same batting order. If a player, not already in the game, enters into the extra hitter position, he is subject to the normal re-entry rules. 25. Re-entry - All players may be substituted for defensively at anytime, except for pitchers. If a pitcher is removed from the field, he may not pitch again in the same game. However, if a pitcher is removed from the mound, but not the field and plays another position, he may re-enter as a pitcher one time only, but only if he was not removed from the mound because of trips to the mound. a. If a starting player is removed from the game, he may re-enter, but he must re-enter in the same offensive position in the batting line-up. The exception to this is that a pitcher may not re-enter as a pitcher, but may re-enter as a position player. 26. If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or commitment, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the removed player's place. If no reserve player is present who is not already in the batting line-up, the removed player's spot is skipped and all batters move up accordingly. However, the skipped position shall count as an out. 27. If a player, manager or coach is ejected from a game, he shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in the game. If the umpire-in-chief or a league officer directs him to leave the playing facility, he shall do so immediately. Failure to do so could result in a forfeit or in a fine/suspension as determined by league officials. If a manager is ejected, he shall designate a person as manager-in-charge. The umpires shall notify the league office in writing of any ejections. Any manager, coach or player who is ejected from a game shall incur an automatic $25.00 fine payable to the League and a two-game suspension. That person is not eligible to play in further league competition until the fine is paid. If that same player, manager or coach is ejected more than once during the season, that person is expelled from the league for the balance of the season. 28. There will be a catcher courtesy rule, which is optional for any catcher with only 2 outs on any base. A courtesy runner not presently in the game shall be the designated runner. If there is no such person on the bench, the last previous out shall be the designated runner. 29. Any threats on umpires, managers, coaches, other players, or league officials are subject to suspension/expulsion from the league as determined by the league. The bumping, pushing, grabbing and/or fighting with an umpire by a player, coach, manager or parent results in an automatic ejection from the game and expulsion from the league. a. A player involved in a fight is subject to automatic ejection from the game at the discretion of the umpires. The player or players are subject to further league action. 30. No player may pitch more than a total of ten (10) innings within a period of two (2) consecutive days, unless he is pitching at a time when the game goes into extra innings; in which case, he may pitch until the conclusion of the game or until relieved. Note - Three (3) outs shall constitute an inning; two (2) outs, two-thirds (2/3) inning; one (1) out, one-third (1/3) inning. (However, when a pitcher throws one (1) pitch to a batter beyond the pitching limitation, he is guilty of a violation and penalty shall be forfeiture of the game. When a pitcher "appears" on two consecutive days as a pitcher, he may not pitch on the third consecutive day. (Note - The throwing of one pitch constitutes an appearance.) Penalty shall be forfeiture of game in which violation occurs. (Penalty will not be imposed if a pitcher's allowance is exceeded because of a double play or a triple play).
31. The regulation distance between the bases shall be 80 feet. However, a distance of 90 feet between the bases is acceptable. The regulation pitching distance shall be 54 feet. There is no option to this pitching distance. If outfield fences are utilized, they must be not less than 250 feet down each foul line. A distance of at least 280 feet is recommended for all fields. Note: For post season state, regional and National AABC tournaments, the pitching distance for the 14year old division shall be 60 feet 6 inches and the base distance shall be 90 feet. For the 13 year old division the pitching distance will remain at 54 feet and the base distance shall remain at 80 feet.
32. Each manager shall report the results of their games from the preceding week to the league office on every Monday. 33. Suspended games shall be completed at the end of the season, if considered necessary for league standings, and shall be resumed from the point of suspension. If the game is not completed, results at point of suspension will stand. All player statistics shall stand whether the game is completed or not. A game called because of darkness or weather (i.e. rain, etc.) shall be treated as a suspension. If both managers agree to let the results at that time stand and call it a completed game, then the results are final. 34. The Quad-City Metro Sandy Koufax League shall be affiliated with the American Amateur Baseball Congress. The QCMSKL shall adhere to all rules published by the AABC. If any QCMSKL rules conflict with AABC rules, the AABC rules shall take precedence.
1/21/2009
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