OFFICIAL OHIO MSBL LEAGUE RULES

June 13, 2024 Revision

Ohio MSBL uses the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Baseball Rules as it relates to on-field activity, as its foundation, with modifications as indicated in this document. Where an interpretation is required, but not listed herein, the OHSAA Baseball Rules will remain in effect, and will govern.

The purpose and mission statement of Ohio MSBL LLC is to expand the opportunities for adult recreational baseball and to promote comradery, sportsmanship, fellowship, and competition among adult amateur players. Our rules reflect this effort to provide competitive baseball without sacrificing sportsmanship.

1. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1.a A player is eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game if their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 65th birthday, respectively, occurs in the current calendar year. Each team will be allowed to have three players on their roster who are no more than two years younger than the division age limit. These players may play any position and are not restricted in any way. No other underage player may participate without the express written consent of the commissioner. In the 18+ division, a player is eligible if their 18th birthday occurs in the current calendar year, or if they have graduated from high school.

1.b New Players: The league shall control the assignment to teams of all new players who have contacted the league in response to advertising or who have been referred to the league by any means. A player who has not played in any league game in either the current or previous year shall be regarded as a new player. A new player acquired by a team through that team’s own recruiting efforts shall be subject to the control of the team and not the league.

1.c All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed waiver forms on file with the league, and have paid their league & player fees.

1.d Failure to abide by player registration regulations - the managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. Only Ohio MSBL registered players, on the team’s season roster, and of a legal age as defined by the division, may play in any game. It is the manager’s responsibility to obtain whatever documentation he requires to verify that his players meet the age restrictions of the league. An opposing manager may at any time have the right to question a player’s identity. If a manager wants to lodge a protest, proof of identity (copy of driver’s license and copy of team roster) must be mailed to the league office by Friday of the following week. If a non-registered or underage player is detected, penalties whether to the individual or team will be decided by the league commissioner and board of directors. As a national precedent, the minimum penalties will be forfeiture of all games in which the unregistered player participated in and a suspension of the players in question and of the manager for the balance of the season. No team or league refunds will be made to any player, manager or team involved in any such suspension.

2. LINEUPS

2.a A team manager may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 9 (subject to the number of players available, if less than 9). Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game. In order to assure participation and fairness to all players, the league has ruled that all players who attend a game should be given the opportunity to play. Each player should play at least 2 consecutive innings on defense and should have at least 1 at bat. If the player chooses not to participate in a game on either the defense or offense, he may do so. Playoff restrictions apply on what players may participate based on season game participation.

2.b A manager may add batters to the bottom of the lineup at any time but if a batter is pinch hit or run for (except under line share players as outlined in section 5), the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter but may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher. Added players to the bottom of the lineup may be added as individual hitters or as line shares. Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both.

2.c Each team must present a lineup card to the opposing manager and to the home plate umpire prior to the start of the game. Once presented, it becomes the official lineup for the game, and can only be changed according to the rules of substitution. On the lineup sheet, there is no need to list substitute players not in the starting lineup, since all players on the official team roster are eligible to play if in attendance. A team may declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play, or at any time during the game, that any batting order position can be occupied by two (2) or more players in each such batting position. This is referred to as line sharing. These two (or more) players are deemed to be a single player for that offensive position in the order. Either batter in the line share position may bat at their discretion. Either batter may also run for the other at their discretion. Once a team declares the batting slot as a line share, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the line share position may be pinch hit for, just as any other player, but the pinch-hitting player becomes part of the line share position.

2.d All teams must announce offensive additions, substitutions, and/or changes to the home plate umpire. Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a legal substitution. Defensive additions or substitutions need not be announced.

2.e If a team fails to announce an offensive addition/change, if challenged prior to the first pitch, play will be stopped and the batter who should have been at bat will be called out for illegal substitution, and the lineup will revert to the lineup in effect prior to the player entering the game. The unannounced player will not have officially entered the offensive lineup and is therefore still available offensively even though an out has been assessed. Should the unannounced batter receive a pitch prior to a challenge, he shall be deemed a legal substitution (either line share or added to the order) and the game shall proceed.

Example: Team A is batting 12 players and wishes to add a player to the bottom of the lineup (Player 13). Player 13 walks to the plate and is not announced to either the opposing team or home plate umpire. Once this player occupies his position in the batter’s box, but prior to a pitch, he is challenged by the opposing manager. The umpire will immediately call Player 1 out for an illegal substitution. Player 13 returns to the bench, and it will then go to the number 2 position in the lineup. Player 13 is still available to be added to the lineup legally. Should player 13 receive a pitch prior to the challenge, he becomes a legal substitution and no out is called, and he becomes part of the official lineup.

2.f If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or ejection and is not already sharing a line with another hitter, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place. If there are no reserves who can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. The first time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed, after that one time, no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player. A player removed from the offensive lineup because of injury or ejection, may not re-enter the game, either on offense or on defense.

2.g A team must have at least 8 registered team players for an official game to begin and may borrow a 9th player from an opposing team with the opposing manager’s consent or may borrow a 9th player from another Ohio MSBL team, with the Ohio MSBL’s commissioner’s consent, prior to the start of the game. A team may never use a non-registered player at any time in a league game. A team may not borrow a player once the game starts should a player have to leave, and no substitute is available. If the team’s 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player reverts to his team if borrowed from the opposing team or must leave the game if borrowed from another team. Each team must have at least 8 players in uniform and on the field at the scheduled game start time, or at any time during the game, or they will be subject to a forfeit. There is no “grace time” for late arriving players and the umpire is not obligated to extend a team additional time to find or borrow players. If both managers agree to delay the start of the game in order to wait for a late arriving player, they may do so, but the game clock will start at the originally scheduled game time. The official game time is defined as the time of the first pitch, not the time the teams take the field. It is the team manager’s responsibility to insure he has enough players for each game. A team that forfeits a game will be given a loss in their standings and be required to pay a $200 forfeit fee to the league to compensate the league for the cost of rescheduling their opponent an additional game. A team that forfeits two games will be ineligible for the playoffs.

2.h All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the player’s offensive status in the line-up. If the pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the game, but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position after being removed or no position at all.

2.i No player may switch teams during the season without the consent of both managers and the league president. If this switch does not meet with approval of either manager, the player must sit out two scheduled games, and re-enter the league’s draft, or be assigned to a new team at the commissioner’s discretion. In the event a team disbands during the season or at season’s conclusion, all players will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team or may re-enter the draft. At the beginning of a new season, if a player is not invited back by his manager, he must be given his release so that he may go to the team of his choosing or re-enter the draft. If a player is invited back to play and he desires not to play for his former team and wants to play for a different team in the same age division, he must get written approval by both managers or re-enter the draft, making himself available to all teams. To avoid teams from recruiting players from other teams, no team may add a player from another team without league approval.

2.j In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team, he may do so. No other player can be taken from the existing team without the consent of the existing team’s manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without the respective team manager’s approval.

2.k The league encourage each team to have a roster of no less than 15 players and no more than 20. If a team requests additional players in excess of 20, must request with written approval from the commissioner or league president. The 20 player cap is intended to prevent hoarding of players.

2.l Last names must be used in the scorebook and on lineup sheets to allow for player identification for follow up inquiries that relate to playoff and national tournament participation requiring minimum playing requirements.

2.m Players may participate on multiple teams, if those teams are in separate age divisions or with the approval of the league. However, prior to the start of the season, each player must declare his priority team to avoid conflicts during the regular season. The player must play for his priority team in the case of a scheduling conflict, unless both managers involved agree otherwise.

3. UNIFORMS, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS

3.a All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt, sanitary socks or stirrups - each player’s uniform must be of identical design to his teammate’s uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsor’s name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt.

3.b No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent.

3.c All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace period may be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.

3.d All batters and runners must wear helmets with at least one ear flap facing the pitcher for both at bats and on base. There is no exception to this rule. Full double-ear flap helmets are encouraged for at bats and are encouraged for the bases. Catchers must wear a helmet underneath their mask. All base coaches must also wear helmets while on the field of play.

3.e Ohio MSBL uses Official MSBL/MABL baseballs. Each team will be provided with 2 balls per regular season game prior to the season. Each team must bring a minimum of 2 new balls and 1 used ball to each game. Only balls provided by the Ohio MSBL will be permitted.

3.f Only wood and wood composite bats are allowed. If a player uses a bat not permitted by the rules and a protest is made, the offending batter will be declared an out, and the bat will be removed from the game. We allow any all-wood bats.

3.g We do not allow any bats that have ANY metal in them, either in the barrel or the handle.

3.h We do allow composite bats, with the following restrictions:

The bat shape must comply with MLB description of a bat…

MLB Bat rules and Reg. (a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length.

The composite bat may not have a large oversized barrel with a thin handle attached. It must have the appearance of a smooth one-piece round stick, with no abrupt change in dimension from the handle to the barrel.

If a composite, it must have a BBCOR certified label attached with a .5 certification.

If a composite it must have a maximum -3 length to weight ratio.

Examples of bats that comply are DeMarini Pro DX110, Rawlings Maple/Bamboo, Baum Composite.

Examples of bats that DON’T comply are DeMarini S243 Composite, Metalwood #363 composite.

3.i Cleats - All players and teams must comply with local field regulations. Metal cleats are not permitted at the Munson Stadium complex. Players found to be wearing metal cleats at Munson, or other turf fields where prohibited, will immediately be ejected from the game.

4. GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE AND RAIN-OUTS

4.a All single games are 9 innings, except for 70+ division games which are 7 innings. Doubleheaders between the same teams will consist of 7 inning games. The umpire may suspend, cancel or call a game complete if, in his sole opinion the safety of the players is compromised due to rain or darkness. It is the umpire’s sole authority to wait or not during a rain delay. He may suspend or end a game if in his sole opinion the delay would be excessive.

4.b In the case of darkness, a game can be called complete after 7 innings at umpire’s discretion. Games called for darkness with less than 7 innings complete will be suspended.

4.c In the case of rain, a game will be called complete after 5 innings if one team is ahead. Games called for rain with less than 5 innings, or in a tie at the end of the last complete inning, will be suspended.

4.d A suspended game will resume at a later date and will resume at the point of suspension. See Appendix A for rules on suspended games.

4.e An inning game is complete at the end of 9 (or 7) innings or when the time limit is reached. No new inning may begin after 2 hours and 45 minutes for 9 inning games or after 2 hours and 15 minutes for 7 inning games. See 9 inning game examples below:

Example 1: Visiting team is at bat when 2:45 time limit is reached. Result: Visiting team completes it’s at bat and if ahead, the Home team will get to bat, after which the game is complete. If the Visiting team is behind after its at bat, the game is complete, and the Home team does not bat.

Example 2: Home team is at bat when 2:45 time limit is reached. Result: The Home team completes it’s at bat after which the game is complete.

4.f A game may not end in a tie. If a game is tied after the innings limit (9 or 7), and there is time remaining, extra innings will be played as normal innings until the time limit is reached. When the time limit is reached, the next inning will be conducted with a shootout format. See shootout rules in Appendix B.

4.g In 9 inning scheduled games, there is a 10-run mercy rule after 7 innings, the game will be ruled final at this point. There is no mercy rule in effect for the 70+ division.

4.h In 7 or 9 inning scheduled games, a team that is behind by 10 runs or more, after the end of the 5th or 6th complete inning, may decide to end the game if they so choose. This decision is not a forfeit and may not be protested by the leading team. This decision must be made at the end of the complete inning, prior to the start of a new inning. This rule applies to all divisions.

4.i Any game rained out will be considered complete and final if 5 complete innings have been played (or if the home team is ahead in the bottom of the fifth inning). If a game is suspended after 5 innings but in the middle of an incomplete inning, the score shall revert to the last complete inning and be judged final. If the last complete inning ended in a tie, the game will be resumed from that point at a later date as scheduled by the league.

4.j In the event of rain, until 2 hours prior to game time, it is the responsibility of the league commissioner to determine if the game is to be played or canceled. Once a decision by the commissioner has been made to play the game, it is the sole responsibility of the scheduled home team manager (in conjunction with the field superintendent) to determine if the field is playable. If he or the field superintendent determines that the field is unplayable, the manager shall notify the umpires and opposing team of field conditions and possible cancellation of game, at least 1 hour before scheduled game time if possible. Once the game begins, it shall be the umpire’s decision to continue or suspend the game.

5. SAFTY RULES

The League is concerned about player safety and has constructed our rules to allow competitive play, but not at the expense of potential injuries. At all times the umpires shall rule in favor of safety.

5.a Games will always be stopped, and the field cleared if lightning is visible. The umpire may choose to stop play without visible lightning if the sky conditions indicate a safety concern. Once lightning is observed, the game will be delayed no less than 30 minutes from the last observed lightning strike.

5.b Batters, runners, and base coaches must wear helmets while on the field. Any non-player (batboy, spectator, etc.) sitting in the team dugout must ALWAYS wear a helmet.

5.c The rules committee is concerned about possible unnecessary and violent collisions that may occur with the catcher at home plate, and with an infielder at any base. The intent of these rules is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions whenever possible. All runners must either slide directly into the base or avoid contact with the defensive player whenever possible.

5.d The catcher may not block access to the plate. On a play at the plate the catcher may not straddle the base path while waiting for a throw. Instead, he shall attempt to field the ball off to the side of the base path. If the throw forces him unintentionally to move into the base path, the runner may at his option run or slide to the side of the catcher and avoid contact. The umpire will not in this case rule the runner out if in doing so he misses tagging the plate but beats the tag. If the umpire decides that the catcher intentionally placed himself in a position that blocked access to the plate, he may declare the runner safe regardless of the timing of the tag.

5.e If the catcher or fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner may legally make contact or slide into the catcher or fielder if the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate, and not trying to intentionally dislodge the ball by a collision.

5.f No fielder at any base may block access to the base while waiting for a throw. The umpire may rule the runner safe regardless of the timing of the play if in his opinion the fielder intentionally blocked the runner from access to the base.

Collisions

5.g If the runner, a) could have avoided the collision and reached the base, or b) attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead, and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

5.h If the collision by the runner was flagrant in the umpire’s opinion, the runner shall be declared out and ejected from the contest. The ball shall be declared dead.

5.i When there is a collision or contact between a runner and a fielder who is clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The runner is safe, and an immediate dead ball shall be called.

5.j Decoy Rule

Any fielder may use a decoy only if it serves a strategic purpose. For example, if a fielder, who sees a man attempting to steal second base during a hit and run, looks upward into the sky and says that he’s got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on ground is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing.

However, if a fielder fakes a tag, forcing a player to slide, when there is no strategic purpose or apparent play, the runner will be ruled safe and all runners will advance one base. The fielder shall be ejected from the game.

This is entirely an umpire judgment decision and not a rule that may be protested.

5.k 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.

On any force play, the runner must either give up and avoid interfering with the play or slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.

Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base if the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder.

“On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.

“Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.

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.

Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:

Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or
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.
Makes a legal slide and contacts a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.
When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (a) make contact with, or (b) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.

Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:

The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder;
The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;
The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder;
1. Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body contacts or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.
The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg;
The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play;
The runner does not slide but goes into the bag standing with the intention of blocking the line of sight or throw from the fielder.

PENALTY:

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.

With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest.

If the bases are loaded with no outs, regardless of whether a double-play attempt is made or not, and interference is called, the interfering runner is ruled out, the batter-runner is ruled out, and all other runners must return to their original bases.

6. COURTESY RUNNERS

6.a There will be NO courtesy runners in the 18+, 25+, 40+, or 50+ age divisions. All players in the offensive lineup are expected to run for themselves or have a line share partner run for them. There is NO 2-out, run for the catcher rule in the 18+ through 50+ divisions; however, a 2-out runner for the catcher may be used in the 60+, 65+, and 70+ divisions. The runner for the catcher shall be the last player to make an out (either at bat or on the bases).

Additionally, in the 60+, 65+, and 70+ divisions, managers and umpires may agree prior to the game to allow courtesy runners for the catcher regardless of outs. This should be considered during games played in high temperatures. In the 1st inning, the courtesy runner cannot be used until an out has been recorded.

6.b In the 65+ and 70+ divisions one courtesy runner will be allowed, only if at least 12 players are in the line-up, or if all players are in the line-up if there are less than 12. This courtesy runner is attached to a single player for the duration of the game.

6.c If a player sustains an injury while batting or running the bases, and it is determined that the injured player is unable to continue to play, the manager has the following options:

Any player not already in the offensive line up can be used as a line share for this injured base runner. The injured player then may remain in the game as an eligible player for later use in his line share position.
If there are no extra players available to line share (i.e. all players are already in the batting line up), a courtesy runner can run for the injured base runner (last batted out) and the injured player is removed from the field and becomes ineligible (offensively and defensively) for the remainder of the game. The next time the injured player must come to bat, he will be declared an out. After that the lineup is compressed and no out is called from that point on.

Exception (65+ & 70+ divisions): If the is the only use of the courtesy runner by this team and the injured player is able to return to action by his next at bat, he may do so. The courtesy runner label will then be attached to him only.

6.d The definition of last batted out will mean the most recent previous batter in the lineup who is sitting on the bench. This player may be there as a result of a fielders’ choice, caught stealing, etc.

7. PITCHERS

7.a No player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.

7.b If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batsman.

7.c There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week.

7.d If the pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the game, but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position after being removed or no position at all.

8. SPEED OF THE GAME

8.a Games will begin exactly on time if the field is ready. Teams are expected to arrive early enough to warm up, throw, have infield practice if allowed by the grounds crew, etc. and be ready to start on that time. If allowed by the grounds crew, the home team may if they choose, have 15 minutes of infield practice beginning 30 minutes prior to scheduled start time. The visiting team may, if they choose, have 15 minutes of infield practice beginning 15 minutes prior to scheduled start time.

8.b Intentional Walks- Either the pitcher or the team manager may elect at any time during an at bat, to intentionally walk a batter by so indicating to the umpire. The pitcher does not need to throw any pitches.

8.c Time between innings (18+ and 25+ divisions)- The umpire will allow the teams 2 minutes (120 sec.) between innings. There is no minimum number of warm up pitches that must be given to the pitcher. At the 2- minute point the umpire will ask the batter to enter the box and tell the pitcher to play. If any warmup pitches are thrown after that, they shall be called balls.

8.d Once at bat, the batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box between pitches and while play is active. He may only leave the box if time is called or play forces him out. Failure to do so may result in a strike(s) being called without a pitch thrown.

9. BASE RUNNING/STEALING

9.a There are no restrictions on base stealing in the 18+, 25+, 40+, 50+, and 60+ divisions. In the 65+ division, runners may not steal second base. In the 70+ division, there is no stealing.

Rule Variations For the 60+, 65+, and 70+ Divisions

9.b A batter may not be thrown out at first base from a ball hit to the outfield. Exception: An infielder may range in into the outfield grass to make a “routine play” to throw out the batter. The determination of a “routine play” shall be at the umpires discretion.

9.c In the 65+ division, runners may not steal second base. They may advance from first base to second base under the following conditions:

The batter hits the ball.
If the pitcher throws from the windup, the runner at first may attempt to steal second without tagging up.
If a pickoff is made on them by the pitcher or catcher, the runner MUST retreat to first base. If the runner fails to retreat promptly, he will be called out if the throw beats him to the bag. If the throw gets by the fielder, the runner may attempt to reach second only after re-tagging first base.
If a play is made on any other base runner by the pitcher or catcher, the runner on first may not attempt to reach second. Should the runner advance in this situation he will be called out if the fielders throw to first beats him to the bag (force).
If a pitch to the plate gets past the catcher, and leaves the clay surface (or brown turf area), the runner may attempt to reach second without first tagging up.

9.d In the 70+ division, runners may not steal. They may advance to the next base under the following conditions:

The batter hits the ball.
If the pitcher throws from the windup, the runner may attempt to steal without tagging up.
If a pickoff is made on them by the pitcher or catcher, the runner MUST retreat to the base. If the runner fails to retreat promptly, he will be called out if the throw beats him to the bag. If the throw gets by the fielder, the runner may attempt to reach the next base only after re-tagging the base.
If a play is made on any other base runner by the pitcher
or catcher, the runner may not attempt to advance. If the runner does
make the attempt he will be called out if the ball beats him back to
the bag. If a play is made on another runner and the throw gets by the
fielder, any runner may attempt to advance only after retagging.
If a pitch to the plate gets past the catcher, and leaves the clay surface (or brown turf area), the runner may attempt to reach second without first tagging up.

9.e If a pitch gets past the catcher, the catcher may elect not to chase the ball, in which case any base runners will be limited to advance one base uncontested. Should the catcher elect to chase the ball he may do so, and the runners are at risk, but are still limited to one base.

10. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

10.a If a team forfeits a game, it will be required to pay a $200 forfeit fee as compensation for the rescheduling of an additional game for their opponents. This fee must be paid prior to their next scheduled game or they will be removed from the league schedule with no refund for missed games. This fee may be waived by the league president if the forfeiting team provides enough notice for the league to cancel umpires and field reservations and not incur any costs. Two forfeits by any team in the course of the season will result in the team being ineligible for the playoffs.

10.b All protests should be lodged to the league protest committee/board within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made. A protest fee of $50 must accompany the protest in order to be considered. Should the protest be upheld, the fee will be refunded. If not, the fee is forfeited. All protests shall be decided by the league board of directors and/or protest committee. Protests may only involve violations of league rules or policies (ineligible players, etc.), not baseball decisions. All play calls or umpire decisions are made on the field and are final.

10.c The home team scorebook is the official scorebook of the game. If there is any disagreement about runs scored, or final game score, the league will attempt to reconcile the difference.

11. PLAYERS BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY

11.a Players should refrain from using tobacco of any kind, or beer or alcoholic beverages at the field before, during or after the game. The field refers to the general playing area and ancillary areas. Since we play on City and High School owned fields, be aware that it may be a criminal act to bring tobacco or alcoholic beverages onto school or city property.

11.b The league has the 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 to the safety of the umpires or other players. Any suspended or expelled player shall not be refunded any portion of paid fees.

11.c An umpire has sole discretion to eject any player or manager from the game.

11.d Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated and players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league.

CODE OF CONDUCT

PROHIBITIONS

Managers and players shall always conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. No manager or player shall commit the following:

12.a Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.

12.b Refusal to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

12.c Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game. Such demonstrations will include the throwing of bats, helmets, or other equipment on the field, dugouts, or near any players, umpires or spectators. Hitting or injuring anyone by such demonstrations will result in immediate ejection from the game and shall be subject to further suspensions or expulsions from the league.

12.d Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.

12.e Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

12.f Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.

12.g Be guilty of verbal abusive attack upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.

12.h Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be upon the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

12.i Smoke on the field of play or in the dugout. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game.

12.j Players ejected or suspended from the game must leave the field and the dugout and have no further contact with the team or players. Players ejected who refuse to leave the area will be suspended for the balance of the season, and the game in progress will be forfeited by their team.

PENALTIES

12.k The board of directors (BOD) is composed of the commissioners of each division, the President of the League, and the CEO of the League. The BOD may, by vote of the majority of the directors, suspend any player or manager for such a period and upon such terms as it may propose, for the conduct which in its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.

12.l Except as otherwise provided, the commissioner of the division shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and shall report their decision to the player, manager and the board of directors.

12.m A player found in violation of any provision delineated in the codes of conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season for a previous violation, shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.

GRIEVANCES, PROTESTS, AND APPEALS

13.a Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the commissioner or appropriate board. The commissioner shall adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the board of directors.

13.b An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the board of directors by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted. However, all decisions by the board of directors are final and not subject to appeal.

APPENDIX “A”

SUSPENDED GAMES

In the case of rain, a game will be called complete after 5 innings if one team is ahead. Games called for rain with less than 5 innings, or in a tie at the end of the last complete inning, will be suspended.

Suspended games are re-scheduled and resumed at the exact point they left off when the game was suspended. The offensive lineup must stay the same. Any runners on base must resume their positions, the strike/ball count on the batter stays as it was when the game was stopped, and the game time clock is restarted from where it was stopped at the time of suspension.

If any players in the original lineup are not present, then the team must replace them with a player on the bench, not on the original lineup (line-share). If there are multiple players missing, each one must be replaced in this manner.

Should the team have more missing players than they have replacements, all missing players not replaced, will be called an out the first time that players position comes up in the order. After that, the lineup is compressed, and no further out is given for that missing player.

The defensive lineup, including pitcher, does not have to stay the same, and the teams are free to substitute as they choose.

APPENDIX “B”

SHOOTOUT RULES

The player who made the last out the previous inning (on the bases or at the plate) is placed at 2^nd base to start the inning. That player may be replaced via line share if another player is available per league rules. Each batter starts with a 2-2 count.