Lehigh Valley Legion: Rules
The name of this association shall be the Lehigh Valley Legion Baseball League (herein sometimes referred to as LVLBL)
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
Section 1 - Health
To organize, develop, and direct an inter-community baseball program which will promote, protect and conserve the health and physical welfare of all participants
Section 2 - Education
To formulate and maintain policies that will safeguard the educational values of inter-community athletics and cultivate high ideals of good sportsmanship.
Section 3 - Competition
To promote uniformity of standards
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Members
All baseball teams which are accredited by the American Legion Baseball Program of Pennsylvania and are in the Lehigh Valley area are eligible for membership.
Section 2 - Application for Membership
Applications for membership in the L.V.L.B.L. shall be made in writing to the Secretary of the League by November 15th for the following year.
Each application for membership shall be made in writing by the executive officer of the sponsoring organization. The application shall be screened by the Board of Control and their recommendations presented to the League Membership. Final approval must be granted by two-thirds vote of the league membership.
(Announcement of the closing date for application of new membership shall be publicized in the newspaper two weeks prior to November 15th).
Section 3 - When Membership Becomes Effective
Membership in this League shall become effective when the teams application receives the final approval of the League membership, and the sponsoring organization has paid a current team share. A current team share must be paid by February 1st of the current year to validate the membership.
Section 4 - Withdrawal of Membership
Requests for withdrawal of membership from this League shall be made in writing by the executive officer of the sponsoring organization to the secretary of the League before the annual November meeting of the current year. The penalty for failing to notify the League of withdrawal will be forfeiture of team share.
Team requesting withdrawal shall be paid its team share immediately upon acceptance by the League, and its membership ceases, effective immediately.
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE IV: DUES
Section 1 - Amount of Dues
Dues in the L.V.L.B.L. shall be referred to as a team share or a portion of a team share. A team share in the L.V.L.B.L. shall be calculated as $100 (forfeit fee) plus the appropriate umpires game fee (for 2 umpires) for the current season.
Section 2 - When Dues Are Payable
All portions of a team share necessary to maintain a team share are payable on or before March 15th. A membership of the delinquent team shall lapse until such time as the portion of the team share has been fully satisfied. New team membership shall not take effect until its share has been paid.
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
Section 1 - Officers
A. The Officers of the League shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and shall be elected at the November meeting of the current year. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined into one office as Secretary-Treasurer with consent of the League Board of Directors.
B. Candidates shall be recommended by a nominating committee which shall be appointed by the President not later than the October meeting.
C. Election shall be by secret ballot with Plurality Vote sufficient.
D. All election results must be kept for one year from date of election. If any League officer should resign, die, or be incapacitated, the candidate with the next highest number of votes shall take his place. In the absence of a second nominee, a new election shall be held.
Section 2 - Duties of Officers
President shall preside at all League and Board of Control meetings. He shall have the right to appoint standing committees and all temporary committees. He shall have the right to execute all decisions of the Board of Control and to determine a vote in case of a tie. He shall have no right to act on an important matter of his own accord unless authorized by the Board of Control or League members. He shall be an ex-officio member on every committee. He shall sign with the Treasurer all legal papers and official documents in the name of the League. The President shall have no right while presiding, to make any motion or to confirm any motion before the decision of the members unless he relinquishes the chair to the Vice-President for the purpose of any motion.
Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall be entitled to all his prerogatives.
Secretary shall keep a correct record of all proceedings at all meetings of this League and keep a correct and full roll of all members names and addresses. He shall attend to all correspondence of the League including correspondence to the League members and Board of Control dealing with meetings, notices, etc. and any and all correspondence. He shall turn over to his successor in office all property of the League in his custody. (Each team will be assessed $5.00 annually for the Secretarys services.) The Secretary shall turn over to the Treasurer a list of teams absent at each meeting so the Treasurer can collect $20.00 fine.
Treasurer shall receive and collect all monies, dues, and funds due to the League; give receipts thereof; deposit all monies received in an interest-paying bank. He shall keep a careful and correct record of all monies received, deposited, and expended. He shall countersign all drafts or warrants drawn on the Treasury properly signed by the President. He shall report the financial condition of the League at each regular meeting of the League. His accounts and records shall be audited annually by an auditing committee appointed by the President.
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF CONTROL
Section 1 - Board of Control
The executive and administrative body of this League shall be known as the Board of Control and shall consist of the elected League officers and one elected board member and one alternate board member. (Two elected board members if offices if Secretary and Treasurer are combined.) The Board of Control shall be elected at the November meeting of the current year.
Section 2 - Term of Office
The members of the Board of Control shall serve for a period of one year beginning January 1 next following their election.
Section 3 - Meetings
The newly elected Board of Control shall meet annually for organizational purposes only and at such other times thereafter as the President or a majority of the members of the League may request.
Section 4 - Powers and Duties of
A. To have general control over all League relations and League athletic contests in which a member team participates.
B. To interpret the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws of this League and such other rules and regulations as it may, from time to time, adopt.
C. To apply necessary penalties and forfeits for the control of all umpires.
D. To decide matters in dispute between member teams, except officially protested games.
E. To fix and enforce penalties for any violation of the Constitution and By-Law of this League within the limits prescribed by the By-Laws.
F. To authorize the return of membership dues and to exclude from membership or to suspend from membership in this League any team whose executive officer does not enforce the rules of this League.
G. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Board of Control.
H. All decisions by the Board of Control arising out of power given to it in Article V1, Section 4, shall be subject to final approval by the league membership.
Wednesday, April 30
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section 1 - Annual Meeting An annual meeting shall be held not later than November 30th for the purpose of election of officers and reorganization.
Section 2 - Other Meetings All other meetings shall be called by the President as required, generally one per month. Head coaches or a member of the coaching staff must be present at one mandatory meeting to be designated by the Board of Control. Failure of coach to attend will result in an additional $20 fine.
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE VIII: VOTING
Section 1
Each member team in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. Name of voting member must be declared at roll call. A member team in good standing will be one that is current in its financial obligation to the league or team share.
Section 2
At voting roll call a member may either vote or abstain from voting. Abstaining is defined as giving up your voting privilege.
Section 3
No player under contract shall be a voting member.
Wednesday, April 30
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE I: PENALTIES
Section 1 - Suspension
A. A team shall be suspended for the remainder of season, and shall be fined $100.00, which has to be paid before January 15th of the following year in order for said team to be reinstated as a member of the League. Any one team which is suspended in two consecutive years, shall be dismissed from the League and lose its team share. The following are reasons for suspension:
1) for using an ineligible player
2) for flagrant violation of the Constitution or By-Laws of this League
3) when the conduct of a team is unsportsmanlike and results in actions which are detrimental to individual and public welfare and which are prejudicial to the purpose of this League
4) for not completing its schedule of games for the season
5) for forfeiting two games in a season for any reason other than items 1 and 3 above
B. Suspension of Manager, Coach, or Player. Any manager, player, or coach ejected from a game for fighting, cursing, making obscene gestures, malicious contact with another player, making contact with an umpire, or charging the mound after being hit with a pitch (regardless of contact) shall be automatically suspended for one (1) game or more at the discretion of the League.
A pitcher who has been properly warned for throwing at a batter and is ejected shall serve a 1 game suspension
A second occurrence of the above mentioned offenses shall result in automatic 2 game suspension. A third occurrence of the above mentioned offenses will be subject to Board of Control action which may result in suspension for the remainder of the year.
C. A player, manager, or coach leaving his position, the dugout, or the bullpen for the purpose of participating in a fight shall have a minimum suspension of 2 games.
D. Ejection for any other unsportsmanlike actions (throwing equipment, wearing jewelry, etc.) shall carry an automatic 1 game suspension.
E. E. The home plate umpire shall notify the Umpire Assignor immediately after the game of any ejections and shall submit a written report within 48 hours. Both managers must notify the League President and Secretary-Treasurer immediately after the game of any ejections.
Section 2 - Fines
A. A team not properly represented at any League meeting automatically carries a $20 fine.
B. Any suspended team must pay the umpire forfeit fee for all remaining games.
Section 3 - Forfeit of Games
A. For using an ineligible player
B. For other violations of the Constitution or By-Laws of this League
C. Any team forfeiting a regular scheduled game shall be fined $100.00 per game plus the appropriate umpires fees for the forfeited game. This fine shall be paid to the opposing home team. Fine shall be paid from team share. If the home team forfeits, the fine shall be paid to the LVLBL.
Wednesday, April 4
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE II: UMPIRES
Section 1 - Umpire Assignor
A. An Umpire Assignor shall be appointed by the Board of Control. He shall receive an annual fee equal to the current season game fee multiplied by the number of teams in the League. The Umpire Assignor shall absorb all normal expenses within the limits of his duties.
B. The Umpire Assignor shall attend league meetings as requested by the President.
Section 2 - Approval
All umpires must be approved and certified by the Department of American Legion of Harrisburg.
Section 3 - Method of Selection
Umpire Assignor shall select and assign all umpires for League and inter-district playoffs.
Section 4 - Umpire Responsibilities
A. Umpires shall be bound to officiate at agreed to scheduled dates.
B. Umpires shall report ten minutes before game time, and be at home plate ready to discuss ground rules at least 5 minutes before game time.
Section 5 - Suspension and Fine
A. The Board of Control can suspend any umpire for one year for the following reasons:
1) the umpire's conduct on or off the field is unfitting of an umpire.
2) two violations of the current umpire's contract or agreement
B. The initial violation of the contract shall result in a fine equal to 1 game compensation; a second violation shall result in a fine equal to 1 game compensation plus the one-year suspension.
C. Should an umpire fail to submit a written report of an ejection within 48 hours, he will be suspended from umpiring any league games until the written report is received by the League President.
Section 6 - Number of Umpires
Two umpires shall be used for each League game; one behind the plate and the other on the bases. The umpire behind the plate shall be designated the Umpire in Chief. When an umpire fails to report for a game, the game must be played with one umpire.
Section 7 - Umpire Fees
Umpire fees shall be in accordance with the agreement between L.V.L.B.L. and the Umpire Assignor or by contract with the local Umpire's Association. Show-up fee is $13.
Section 8 - Umpire Evaluation
Each team shall be required to submit an umpire evaluation for every league game. Failure to submit at least 75% of the umpire evaluations shall result in that team not being able to determine umpires for the playoffs.
Wednesday, April 30
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE III: PLAYERS
Section 1
A. At least five days before the State requires certification forms on Roster Night, each team shall turn in to the League Secretary the original State roster, a copy of that roster for League records, and copies for each of the other teams in the League. All information requested on this roster must be answered in its entirety. This list is not to exceed 18 players. All players who participate in League games prior to this date must be counted as part of the 18 players listed. Any player whose name shall be found on two lists shall be disqualified for the entire season.
B. Teams have 72 hours to contest a players eligibility once the roster form has been turned over to the State. The team making the protest must file a written report to the League President with the necessary documentation to support its case.
C. Players may be double-rostered, provided the team completes the appropriate form and includes it with its roster submittal. Teams must provide a copy for the League Secretary and the other teams in the League as well.
D. Teams may protest the use of an ineligible player, provided they file a written report to the League President with supporting documentation within 24 hours of the alleged violation.
The President shall appoint a committee to review the protest of an ineligible player. The protesting team must supply all the information to the committee and the reason for the protest of an ineligible player. The committee will review all the information, and if the committee feels there is enough documentation to question the eligibility of that player, that player must supply to the committee their personal information to verify their eligibility. If the player is ruled ineligible by the committee, they should not be allowed to play in LVLBL for that season.
E. There will be no wearing of jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.) by players. Players with medical alert tags will be allowed to wear the medical alert tags, but they must be taped to the body and placed in a manner that they can be easily read and not a safety hazard. Penalty will be ejection from the game. Umpires are to give a warning prior to the start of the game, and enforce this rule to the letter.
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE IV: PROTESTS
Section 1
Either team may protest a game by serving notice to both umpires and to the manager of the opposing team at the time of the dispute that this game is being played under protest.
A. Umpires will make public announcement of protested game.
B. The team making the protest and the umpires shall file a written report with the League President within 24 hours after the completion of the game involved.
Tuesday, March 31
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE V: SCHEDULING
Section 1
A. All regular season League games shall be scheduled for seven (7) innings.
Section 2
A. The schedule for the L.V.L.B.L. will be drawn up by the Board of Control or an appointed Scheduling Committee in January. All League members shall bring to League meetings no later than the April meeting, the dates of all school functions which might conflict with game scheduling (exception - District XI Playoffs).
B. The schedule will go to the printer immediately after the April meeting. The dates of scheduled games can only be changed by the consent of both teams and the League President after the April meeting and prior to May 15th.
C. If dates for specific high school baseball events (All-Star game, 1st game of Carpenter Cup, etc.) are known prior to the April meeting, the schedule may be changed at that time to accommodate these.
D. No team with at least 2 players on the Carpenter Cup team will be required to play on the date of the first Carpenter Cup game. However, should two teams agree to play on that date, and the umpire assignor is notified, the game will be scheduled and the teams will have no recourse but to play on that date.
Section 3
No schedule changes may take place after May 15th. The exception to this may be District and State Playoffs and any rescheduled school activity.
Section 4
A. Postponed games must be rescheduled within 72 hours in accordance with Paragraph C below, and both teams must notify the League Secretary within that time frame. Failure to do so will result in the League Secretary re-scheduling the game in accordance with Paragraph C.
B. Tie games must be picked up from where they were left off and re-scheduled in accordance with Paragraphs A and C of this Section if agreement cannot be reached to play the next time the 2 teams are scheduled.
C. If the next common open date is more than seven days, the teams must play the game on the Saturday or Sunday immediately following the date of the tied or postponed game, provided 2 umpires have been confirmed for the game. Otherwise, the game will be played when 2 umpires have been confirmed. However, no team shall be forced to play more than one doubleheader per weekend. Exception to this rule will be during the last 10 days of regular season when Board of Control shall have authority to reschedule games.
D. The League Secretary will notify the Umpire Assignor of any re-scheduled game and shall update the schedule on the Web site. Once this has been done, should either team fail to show up on that date, the result will be a forfeit in according to Article I, Section 3, Paragraph C.
PENALTY - FAILURE TO ADHERE TO SECTION 4 WILL RESULT IN A $25 FINE AND MAY RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF GAME BY OFFENDING TEAM AS DETERMINED BY BOARD.
Section 5
If a game is postponed because of inclement weather or wet grounds, home team must notify visitors and umpires at least two (2) hours prior to game time.
Section 6
If game is stopped, at least 60 minutes must elapse before the game can be called. By agreement of both managers and umpire, this time may be less.
Section 7
A. Should a team not show within 15 minutes after the designated starting time, they will forfeit the game in accordance with Article I, Section 3, Paragraph C.
B. Should both umpires fail to show within 15 minutes after the designated starting time, the teams should report this to the League President and Umpire Assignor immediately. The game must be re-scheduled according to Article V, Section 4, although the League President may grant an exception in this case.
C. Starting time of games may be changed by mutual consent of teams involved. League President and Umpire Assignor must be duly notified.
Weekday - 6:00 PM
Weekends- 5:30 PM
Nights - 8:00 PM (Weekdays or Weekends)
D. In the event of a doubleheader involving more than two teams on a lighted field, the first game shall be considered a day game only. Lights may not be turned on to complete game.
E. No night game in the L.V.L.B.L. may start after 8:30 PM. No inning may start after 10:30 PM. If at least five (5) innings have been played, the team which is ahead will be declared the winner and the game recorded as an official game. Should the teams be tied when the game is called, the game must be replayed in accordance with Section 4.
F. The 10:30 PM curfew may not be waived, either in the regular season or playoffs.
Section 8
A. Teams are required to submit the batting and pitching stats within 72 hours of the completion of the game. Failure to do so will result their teamâs players not being eligible for Player of the Week awards.
B. The winning team is responsible for calling in the scores to the Morning Call at 610-820-6558.
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE VI: POLICING
Section 1
Each home team is required to police all games.
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE VII: PLAYOFFS
Section 1
A. In all playoffs, the odd or deciding game shall be played on the field of the higher seeded team unless teams involved shall decide by mutual agreement otherwise.. The aforementioned game will be a 50-50 share basis on expenses and receipts.
B. Should a team not be able to play at its home field on the scheduled date, the Board of Control shall decide on a neutral field, unless other arrangements have been made and mutually agreed to by both teams.
C. For purposes of seeding in the event of ties among teams which have qualified for the playoffs, the ties will first be broken by head-to-head competition among the teams, then by division record (if applicable), and then by coin flip. Ties for first place or ties among teams qualifying for the last playoff spot must be decided by virtue of a playoff game or games.
D. The League Playoff format for each season to determine the League Champion will be approved by the League membership prior to the official start date and can be found in Appendix 1.
E. Should the situation arise where a League Champion is not determined prior to the State-mandated deadline, the regular season champion shall be selected to represent the League in the Region 2 tournament.
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE VIII: RULES
Section 1
The L.V.L.B.L. shall be governed by:
A. Official playing rules of baseball
B. Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball guide pertaining to official baseball rules
C. The Constitution and By-Laws of the L.V.L.B.L.
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE IX: FIELD TIME ALLOTMENT
Section 1 - Warm-up Time Allotment
A. The visiting team shall have use of the field as they wish for a period of 30 minutes, 50 minutes before game time.
B. If the home team takes batting practice on the field, the visiting team will also take batting practice on the field. If the home team hits in a batting cage, the visiting team will also hit in the cage, unless the home team grants permission for them to hit on the field.
C. During batting practice, all batters must wear a helmet, and pitchers shall use a protective screen.
D. The home team shall have use of the field 10 minutes, 20 minutes before game time.
E. Five (5) minutes will be allowed for reading of the Legion Code and ground rules of field, ten minutes before game time.
Tuesday, April 18
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE X: SCORING
Section 1 - Batting Order Cards
A. A. Each team to fill in two (2) lineup cards, one (1) for Umpire in Chief and the other for opposing manager.
B. If a team chooses to use a designated hitter, both the DHs name and the player who is being DHs for must appear in the line-up at the position in the order where the DH will be batting.
Section 2 - Other Rules
A. Catch-and-Carry Rule - a fielder must have both feet in bounds for a catch to be good and may throw from the out-of-play area. Runners may advance at their own discretion. Should the fielder fall or drop to one knee while out of bounds, all baserunners will be automatically awarded one base.
B. Play may be stopped after 5 innings should one team be ahead by 10 runs. Should the home team go ahead by 10 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning, the game will be stopped at that point. Should the visiting team go ahead by 10 or more runs in the 6th or 7th innings, the home team will be given the opportunity to bat in the bottom of the inning.
C. Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher and catcher only after two outs in an inning. This applies to the pitcher and catcher in the game at that time, not who will be in those positions in the next inning. The courtesy runner need not be the same player each time, but cannot be a player who is already in the game or who has already been removed from the game.
D. A player removed from the game because of injury may be replaced with a player who has already been officially removed from the game provided there are no other players eligible to enter the game at that time.
E. The home team shall provide foul line markers (flag or cones) or denote the foul line in the outfield with paint or lime. Natural occurring landmarks are not an option. Failure to do so will be grounds for the visiting team to play the game under protest.
F. Should the PIAA adopt the use of wooden bats, then the LVLBL will follow suit in the same season.
Tuesday, March 31
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE XI: ALL-STAR GAMES
Section 1 League-Sponsored Game
A. In years when the LVLBL chooses to hold its own league All-Star game, the manager or head coach from the 1st place team in each division as of June 15th shall be responsible to provide the manager/coach of their respective squad. Should that team fail to provide a manager or coach, they will be assessed a $50 fine.
B. Coaches will nominate pitchers and players at each position, including a DH. Two players at each position will be selected by vote of coaches (50%) and fans (50%) through web page. Two (2) pitchers from each team will be selected in similar fashion. Pitchers will not play the field nor hit in the game. Managers shall use at least one pitcher from each team. No pitcher may pitch more than one inning.
C. Starters (by vote) will play 5 innings, reserves 4 innings. Should a reserve player get hurt, a starter will be allowed to re-enter.
D. Should a player or coach fail to dress for the game, he will not be allowed to participate in his teams next game.
E. Any team which does not send a representative to help in the All-Star game will be assessed a $50 fine.
Section 2 State-Sponsored Games
A. Coaches will nominate players through email. Prior to the selection meeting, the Secretary-Treasurer shall provide current League stats of the players nominated so that the League can provide the best available players for the game.
B. Nominations for infield positions, with the exception of first base, shall be done by seeking nominations for second base, third base, and shortstop as a group, and then selecting the required number of best infielders from that list.
C. Team with the best record as of a date determined by the League Board of Control will be responsible for providing two coaches to the State-sponsored Lehigh-Norco All-Star game. Failure to do so will result in a $50 fine.
D. Should a player fail to appear for the game, he will be suspended from League play for the next 3 games. If a player appears for the game, but does not participate because of a doctors excuse, he will not be allowed to participate in any manner in his teams games for the next 48 hours.
Tuesday, March 31
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE XII: AWARDS
Section 1 - League Awards
A. The League shall provide team trophies for both the regular season champion and the playoff champion.
Section 2 - Individual Awards
A. The League shall provide both Pitcher and Offensive Player of Week trophies as selected by the League Secretary with assistance from the Board of Control.other members of the Board. Trophies shall be presented before the start of the playoff championship game.
B. The League shall select a Pitcher and Offensive Player of the Year, voted on by all team managers. Players and Pitchers of the Week are automatically nominated, and coaches may nominate others from their team or opposing teams. Nominations will be reduced to 10 by vote of the Committee. Trophies shall be presented before the start of the playoff championship game.
C. The League shall provide individual awards for the winning team from the All-Star game, should one by played.
D. A trophy will be awarded for the most valuable player in the league playoffs. The player will be selected by members of the League Board of Control and a member of the media covering the playoffs. In the event of a tie, the President will determine the winner.
Tuesday, March 31
BY-LAWS, APPENDIX 1: LEAGUE PLAYOFFS - 2009
The top two teams in each division will automatically qualify for the league playoff tournament. They will be seeded #1 through #4 based on record and compete in a double elimination tournament for final seeding in the playoff tournament. The winner of this tournament will be the regular season champion and the #1 seed in the playoff tournament.
The remaining teams will be seeded according to their overall records. They will then participate in a best two out of three series to determine the final four spots in the playoff tournament.
The league playoff tournament will be conducted as a double elimination tournament. Winners and losers brackets will be established, and the date, time, and location of each game will be established prior to the start of the tournament. Specific rules for the playoff tournament include the following:
All games will be 9 innings, with the exception of doubleheaders that might need to be played on a week night, which will be 7 innings.
In general, the rules of the playoff tournament will follow the rules of the Regional Tournament, including:
> Pitching will be limited to four (4) appearances with a maximum of 12 innings over a three-day period.
> A designated hitter for the pitcher only will be allowed. The re-entry rule and courtesy runner rule will not be in effect.
> A 10-run rule (similar to Article X, Section 2, Paragraph B) will be in effect EXCEPT that play can only be stopped after 7 innings (for a 9-inning game).
> All games will go to completion (7 or 9 innings), unless the 10-run rule is invoked or the game is stopped due to inclement weather or curfew. Should a game be stopped because of rain or curfew and have completed at least 5 innings, the game will be considered complete with the team ahead declared the winner. Any tied or suspended game will be picked up from where it was stopped on the very next day prior to the start of the regularly scheduled game(s) for that day.
The winner of the playoff tournament will be the Leagues rep in the State Regional Tournament when only one spot is available.
In years when the League may send two teams to the Regionals, both the regular season and playoff champions will represent the League. The regular season champion will be the #1 seed to the Regionals, the playoff champion will be the #2 seed.
Should the same team win the regular season and the playoff championship, the playoff runner-up will be the #2 seed to the Regionals
