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 Rules |
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Thursday, February 16
League Rules
Bryan/College Station Men’s Senior Baseball League
Revised 1-20-04
This league was formed in 1988 to provide men a recreational alternative to softball. League age is 25 and over. Mature attitudes and good sportsmanship must always prevail no matter how competitive league play becomes. The responsibility to sustain this ethic will belong to the league President and the Board of Directors. Anyone who abuses the league’s ethics code can be suspended or expelled from the league.
INDEX
1. Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs and Other Equipment
2. Game Length, Run Rule and Rain-Outs
3. Teams, Players and Line-Ups
4. Courtesy Runners
5. Pitchers
6. Fielders
7. Ex-Pro Status and Regulations
8. Player Behavior and Team Responsibility
9. General League Rules
RULES
1. Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs, and Other Equipment
1.a. All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of adjustable and/or fitted baseball caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt and socks. If a player does not comply and have at least a team matching jersey and cap by his third game with the team, the opposing manager may deny his eligibility to play in that game.
1.b. All batters must wear a helmet with at least an earflap that protects the ear exposed to the pitcher. Base runners must also wear a helmet. Catchers, while playing defense, must wear a protective helmet.
1.c. The league will use official MSBL baseballs for all games. If unavailable, suitable balls as approved by the umpire will be used.
1.d. Only wood and metal bats of –5 or lower “approved for baseball” are allowed.
1.e. Metal cleats are permitted.
2. Game Length, Run Rule, Weather and Darkness
2.a. League and playoff games are 7 innings, however no inning will start after 2 hrs & 30 min. Official time will be the league clock (a clock large enough to see from home plate) on ballpark premises; if none, the watch so designated by the head umpire. Official game time will be announced by the head umpire to both team Managers, but not before the grounds crew has completed field prep nor before the league’s scheduled time. Innings started will be completed unless the home team is ahead. (The tournament championship game(s) will be 9 innings complete.)
2.b. League games ending in a tie, at the end of regulation play, shall extend up to two extra complete innings as follows: (1) When each team bats, their last batted out will be placed as a runner at second base and the inning(s) played. (2) Should the score remain tied at the end of two extra innings, the game will be recorded as a tie. All playoff games will use the procedure in (1) above until a winner is declared.
2.c. League games called due to weather or darkness will be considered complete after 5 innings but re-scheduled by the league if called prior to 5 innings. Playoff games cannot be called due to weather or darkness so must be re-scheduled by the league.
2.d. Upon re-scheduling, league and playoff games called due to weather or darkness will be restarted from the beginning of the game.
3. Teams, Players and Lineups
3.a. A team manager may bat as many in his lineup as he desires, with a minimum of 9, if available. Batters can be added to the bottom of the lineup as the game is played. Batters cannot be skipped over regardless of their position or when they were added to the lineup. Any batter who is pinch hit or run for (except under courtesy runners as outlined in rule 4.a.) may not re-enter the game as a batter. But he may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher. The batting and defensive lineups are independent of each other. Players may play in either or both lineups. Every eligible roster player who shows up for a game has the right to participate in the game in some form.
3.b. If a player leaves a game due to injury, commitment or ejection, and no roster reserve is available, the exiting player’s spot in the batting order is skipped over for the remainder of the game.
3.b.1. If the exit of the player causes his team to bat only eight players, his spot in the batting order will become a ghost out. However, if the 3rd out of the inning was supposed to be a ghost out the inning will continue until a 3rd true out is made. The next inning, if any, will start with a ghost out.
3.b.2. If a player temporarily exits a game due to commitment, his manager may elect to take a ghost out when that players turn(s) at bat comes up. Upon return to the game the player may resume his spot in the batting order. However if his spot in the batting order is skipped over or if a reserve is inserted, upon return to the game he may play defense only.
3.c. All changes to the batting order must be reported to the opposing manager and the league scorekeeper prior to the affected spot in the batting order being pitched to.
3.d. Each team must have at least 7 players for an official game to count in team league standings. (Ghost out s will be charged in the batting order for the missing 8th and 9th players.) At least 7 players must be roster players and a team may borrow a player(s) from the opposing team or another league team(s) with the opposing managers consent. Borrowed players must bat at the bottom of the order and may not pitch. If a roster player(s) arrives late, first priority will be to replace a borrowed opposing team player(s). Second priority will be to replace a borrowed league team player(s) unless both managers agree for same to continue to play until game conclusion. In such case, a roster player(s) arriving late must be added to the bottom of the batting order to the extent that at least 9 roster players bat. Each/any team not in compliance by 15 minutes after official game time, will be charged with a forfeit by the umpire (see rule 9.d.). A forfeit counts as a loss for an/each offending team and a win for the team in compliance. (NOTE: If a forfeit is declared, an official league game that will not count in team league standings is to be played provided each team gets nine official league players at the ballpark by 30 minutes after the scheduled game time. Game playing time will be 1 hour and forty five minutes with umpires. Game is to be played by league offensive and defensive rules except all players are eligible to pitch unlimited innings.)
3.e. All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the players’ offensive status in the lineup. If any pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the course of the same game, but cannot re-enter in the same inning. A removed pitcher may play any other position.
3.f. Each manager must provide a written lineup to the opposing manager before the game begins including the last name and jersey number of all roster players present at game time (if a roster player(s) arrives after game time the opposing manager and league scorekeeper are to be informed prior to inserting same in the game). The name of any borrowed player(s) must be circled.
4. Courtesy Runners
4.a. With two outs, the catcher who will catch the start of the next inning is required to be courtesy run for by the last eligible batted out.
4.b. Batters that will need courtesy runners, must have their manager so notify the opposing manager before game time. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed the maximum of 2 batters per game to be courtesy run for. The last eligible batted out must be the courtesy runner, however, with two outs this excludes the catcher who will catch the start of the next inning and reverts to the previous batted out. Should an additional batter become injured during a game which already has 2 players designated to be courtesy run for, any pinch runner appointed by the manager may be used instead of a courtesy runner. Once the game begins, if the full component of 2 batters designated to have courtesy runners has not been used, only by obvious injury in the judgement of the chief umpire can a batter be courtesy run for. If a batter designated to be courtesy run opts at anytime to run for himself, he forfeits his right to have a courtesy runner for the remainder of the game. The courtesy runner has 30 seconds to occupy the base after the umpire calls time out. Failure to comply will void the request.
5. Pitchers
5.a. No player may wear white or gray sleeves or a batting glove or a wristband or jewelry or non-prescription sun glasses while pitching.
5.b. Intentional walks are not allowed.
5.c. If a pitcher hits 4 batters in one game, he must be removed on the fourth hit batsman.
5.d. There is no limit as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch for his team in a game or week (see 3.e. to understand the terms required for any pitcher to re-enter as a pitcher in the same game).
5.e. A pitcher may not pitch for another team in our league if used as a borrowed player (except as noted in 3.d.).
6. Fielders
6.a. Infielders are not allowed to decoy a catch and/or tag at any base. Decoying is referred to as a false catch and/or tag done to get a runner to slide unnecessarily. If a decoy catch and/or tag is detected, all runners shall be allowed to advance one base beyond the base held after all play stops. If the same fielder decoys twice in the same game, the fielder shall be ejected from the game.
6.b. If a runner attempting to break up a double play at second base, or any other base, does not make a legitimate attempt to slide within reach of the base or stands up in the way of the pivot man or raises his hands in an attempt to deflect the ball or distract the pivot man, an automatic double play will be called, regardless of how close the play would have been for the second out.
6.c. A player shall not intentionally collide with any other player.
6.c.1. In the case of a runner intentionally colliding with a fielder, the runner will be called out and may, at the umpire’s discretion, be ejected from the game. All base runners must either slide or give up their right to a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving a base path) if the defensive player (e.g. catcher or infielder) has possession of the ball, is in the act of receiving the ball, or is obviously about to immediately receive the ball and will be able to make an apparent play on the base runner.
6.c.2. If a defensive player is not in possession of the ball, is not in the act of receiving the ball, or is not about to immediately receive the ball so that he is able to record an out (apparent play at any base), he cannot block the base (e.g. home plate) or be in a base path so as to impede (obstruct) the base runner’s right to that base. Under such circumstances, the defensive player shall be responsible to avoid a collision. If a collision occurs, the runner will always be considered safe and the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be ejected from the game (if the action is intentional, he must be ejected), and will be suspended if the obstruction is judged to be flagrant.
7. Ex-Pro Status and Regulations
7.a. Though our league has no restrictions on professional baseball players (A, AA, AAA, Major League or Foreign Professional Leagues), any player(s) so accepted must be informed by their manager that they will not be eligible for MSBL National Tournament or World Series Play in the fall of the same year, unless they have been out of professional baseball for three (3) complete MSBL seasons.
8. Player Behavior and Team Responsibility
8.a. No alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted inside the ballpark. No consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs permitted before or after a game in the ballpark, parking lot or adjacent ballpark facility real estate. Smoking on the field of play or in the dugout is not permitted. Any player in violation can be expelled from the league.
8.b. The league has a right to suspend or expel any team member who abuses league rules or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship or who plays without regard for the safety of other players or umpires.
8.c. An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from a game. Expelled person must promptly vacate the ballpark facility for the remainder of that game and avoid all appearance of any continued umpire confrontation. Any player in violation can face an additional fine or be expelled from the league.
8.d. Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated and players ejected from a game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league.
8.e. All players must submit proof of age before playing in any games. Any team may protest the age of any player at any time. If a player is found to be illegal, then the player’s team will forfeit all games in which he participated. This could mean immediate expulsion of the offending team (see rule 9.d.). Any player who lies about his age in order to play, and is later found out to have been illegal for any part of the season will be required to sit out one season of actual eligibility before being allowed to register and play.
9. General League Rules
9.a. A player is eligible to participate in the league provided he has reached his 25th birthday (D.O.B.) on or before August 31st of the current year.
9.b. Each player, prior to participating in a league game, must have signed a waiver form, league registration form and submitted both to his manager along with league fees.
9.c. To comply with league registration guidelines, team fees, player registration forms and player waiver forms for at least 12 players must be submitted to the league on the date announced by the President each season. For financial and league liability reasons, no team can play until all registration guidelines have been complied with and insurance has been obtained. If these forms are not submitted promptly the team can not participate. The final deadline a team has to comply with registration guidelines is 14 days from the original announced due date. Should any regular season games be missed in the interim, they will be rescheduled. Roster addition(s), prior to the mid-point of the season, require that a completed registration form, player waiver form and $25 for MSBL Dues be submitted to the league. After mid-point of the season any roster addition(s) require the same procedure and approval by the League’s Board of Directors.
9.d. Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team or manager.
9.e. All protests must be submitted in writing to the league President within 72 hours.
9.f. The Board of Directors will rule on all protests.
9.g. All games must be played as scheduled.
9.h. Final league standings will be determined by win/loss percentage. Ties will be decided by head-to-head win/loss record, then, if needed, by head-to-head total runs scored comparison, and finally, if needed, by coin flip. The league scorekeeper’s book is official.
9.i. No player may switch teams without the consent of both managers and the league President. If a player wishes to change teams, and a trade cannot be successfully completed, he may re-enter the next draft and make himself available to all teams. Or he may sit out for a year after which time he is eligible to be picked by any team that wants him.
9.j. Physical or verbal abuse of an umpire, by a player or manager, will be grounds for ejection from a game, and, if serious enough, expulsion from the league by the Board of Directors.
9.k. The league reserves the right to reprimand, fine, or expel any player for lost or abused equipment.
9.l. It is the duty of the umpire to notify the league President within 24 hours of the name of any ejected player(s). It is the duty of the league President, within 48 hours of being informed by the umpire, to mail a certified letter to the ejected player(s) and to mail a non-certified copy of the same letter to each manager. The letter must state the league’s awareness of the ejection and that league rule 9.l. requires that a $25.00 fine must be paid to the league Treasurer for reinstatement of eligibility to play in any game(s). It is the managers responsibility to keep any ejected player(s) out of the lineup until he has seen a valid receipt signed by the league Treasurer.
9.m. An ejected player may submit a valid written appeal (see 10.k.) to the league if he can show that a league rule was violated by an umpire and that the players reaction to same led to being ejected. Being ejected for conflict with an umpire regarding his judgement (e.g. calling balls and strikes or put out plays) or his enforcing league rules is not grounds for an appeal since umpires are empowered and compensated by the league to exercise judgement and enforce the rules. Three ejections of any player in a season will result in suspension from the league.
9.n. The league reserves the right to collect an additional fee from each player if a situation arises in which funds will not meet expenses.
9.o. No playoff game(s) may be scheduled or played beyond the third week end in October without majority consent of the Board of Directors.
9.p. All League fees paid are non-refundable.
9.q. Amendments and changes to the rules and regulations of the league shall only be made at called Board meetings. The proposed change must be presented, discussion from the floor called for, during which time any league member in good standing may present his views, followed by a majority rules vote of the Board of Directors. Tie votes may be decided by the league President.
9.r. Passage of amendments and changes shall require a majority (over 50%) of elected Board members who are present during the reading of any proposal. A proxy (one Board member of each team empowered to vote for the absent Board member of the same team) shall be allowed if cleared with the President before the meeting.
9.s. It is the duty of the President to inform, or make a reasonable attempt to inform all board members of called meetings.
9.t. It is the privilege of the President to provoke parliamentary procedure to control any Board of Directors meeting. It is also the privilege of the President to excuse players from any meeting when discussing personal matters.
9.u. It is the duty of Board members as representatives of their teammates, to inform them of Board meetings and the result of those meetings.
9.v. Any player added to any team roster after the first regular season game has been played, but prior to mid season (see rule 9.c.), is entitled to a pro-rata fee adjustment. Such adjustment is to be determined by subtracting the National MSBL players dues from the official B/CS MSBL league fee then dividing by the number of team games on the league schedule to determine the per game cost and finally multiplying by the remaining number of scheduled team games.
9.w. The league player draft order is determined by each returning team’s previous end of season win/loss percent (excluding tournament play). The order proceeds from the lowest to the highest percent. Any team new to the league in any given season will be placed first in the draft order. Should more than one new team join, the top spots in the draft order will be determined by drawing numbers from a hat. Returning teams will draft in following order as previously defined.
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