Newletter - February 26,2003

[SDABL-Admin]

In memory of Jerry Ward (1950-2003)


Hello SDABL Managers and Players;
Welcome to the 2003 Spring Season of the San Diego Adult Baseball League. With 144 team, we are the largest adult baseball league in the country. For all of the new managers, we would like to send out a special welcome to you. We in the league understand what it takes to run a team and want you to feel comfortable in asking the league officials for any help that you may need. Let's have another great season of baseball!!!

Rain this Weekend?
There is a probability of rain this weekend. It is possible that many, if not all, fields will be unplayable. Be sure to call the Game Day phone at 619-851-6225 the night before your game by 8:00pm to see if there are any cancelled games. If you do not get cancelled ahead of time, it is your responsibility to show up to the field ready to play. It will be the umpire's responsibility to determine if the field is playable at game time. Don't get on a wet field and cause the league to lose it for the season. Any rained out games will be made up.

Schedule
The schedule for this weekend is included with this newsletter if you are receiving it through the mail. Otherwise check the website.

Balls and Umpires
As a reminder to all, each team is to supply 3 new balls and pay for 1 umpire at $60 per game.

New Rules
1) Forfeits---If a team forfeits three (3) times as a result of not having enough players at game time, the team will be suspended for the remainder of the season. (Please keep in mind that this does not include any forfeits that result once a game has started---for instance, as a result of ejection, injuries, etc.).
2) Player Ids---all players are required to show proof of identity and/or age upon request. FOR IDENTITY, a photo ID is preferable, but two pieces of non-photo ID will work (e.g., check book and credit card) if a photo ID is not available. FOR AGE, a photo ID is required, and one that has the player's DOB. If the photo ID does not contain a DOB, then a second official document is required that contains a DOB. PENALY: If it is proven on the field that a player is ineligible for reasons of false identity or improper age situations, the game will be immediately forfeit.

Letter from John Marabeas
Included with this newsletter is a letter written by our Chief Umpire. He originally posted this on the Bullpen of the league website. We thought it might be useful for those without Internet access or haven't joined the Bullpen section.

Saturday to play on Sunday
Due to difficulty of acquiring enough times slots for all teams to play 17 games on Saturdays, we are asking each team to agree to play 1 or 2 games this season on a Sunday. Unless this is done, we will have to extend the season into August. Please notify your commissioner if your team is will to do this.

Passing
Last Sunday, on opening day, Jerry ward, a player and manager in the NABA/SDABL since 1989 died of a massive heart attack at Grossmont High School after coming off the mound into the dugout. He was also an assistant coach at Grossmont. Jerry, 53, is survived by his son Chris and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.. Baseball was always his passion. We will dedicate this season to him.


John's Letter:
Hey, Guys,

The umpires are getting as excited as I'm sure you all are about getting the season underway. To enhance this positive feeling and to help keep it this way (well, you know what I mean ), I would like to ask you all a favor. I would like to also point out a couple of important things that the umpires have been instructed to do so there's no "surpises" on your part. (The latter are issues that, even though they've been in effective for many years, still seem to cause "surprise" on a continual basis and usually result in the umpire being accused of being an a!!%&%! for enforcing what the league wants enforced).

FAVORS:

1. At your pre-game meetings with the umpires, please ask them for their last names (and umpires association) and write them down in your scorebook. This way, if you need to contact me about any issues, you'll be able to give me a name. The umpires have themselves been instructed to provide you with this information, even if you forget to ask.

2. I would like you to start using my umpire's website to fill out umpire evaluations. I realize some of you may only do this when you have problems. That's fine. But I would also like to encourage the "glowing" evauations. If you had an umpire who you thought was very good, this information is important. It will also help when it comes to playoff time.

Here's the link to use: http://www.sdabu.com/Umpire_Evaluation.htm


In terms of any "constructive criticism" you want to offer, again, that's fine. But please try to refrain from simply telling me that "This guy sucked!' That doesn't help at all because, generally speaking, you might be basing this "big picture" synopsis on just one call, especially one that happened at a crucial time. So, if you have a "this guy sucked!" complaint, be specific. I will look into your concerns. Keep in mind, however, that some umpires do have "bad days," or, more realistically, "bad moments." That shouldn't stop you from saying your piece, particularly if it concerns rule interpretation or positioning, etc. While "bad calls" are a concern, my main focus is "attitude" issues. If you have an umpire who has made a "bad" call, but he himself handles it professionally by not only remaining calm "under fire," but by providing you with a "reasonable" explanation when asked as to how and why he came about the call, then there really isn't a serious issue. (That is, let's not put him in the "This guy sucked!" category). If on the other hand you have an umpire who (right or wrong with reference to a call) over-reacts to your own over-raction by becoming somewhat "nasty," that becomes an issue that I take a bit more seriously. Again, you know what I'm talking about.

IMPORTANT ISSUES:

The information below is to prevent any "surprises" on your part. Keep in mind that the umpires are simply enforcing the rules of the SDABL. So, in most case, the approach should be --- "Don't shoot the messenger."

1. Lineup Cards, Part 1 --- No umpire will accept a lineup card unless it contains the following minimum information: Last names and jersey numbers of each player, as well as the 9 batters listed in the offensive lineup if 9 or more players are present. The game will not start until this information is provided.

2. Lineup Cards, Part 2 --- Any and all players must be listed on the lineup card in order to partcipate in that game. If a player is not listed, he will not be allowed to play, or will be removed upon discovery, once the first pitch of the game has been thrown. No Exceptions. (So, make sure you list everyone on your team, even if you "know without a doubt" a certain player won't be there that day. Surprise!---he may just show up. )

IMPORTANT: The umpires have been instructed to not allow any "deals" between managers. That is, if a manager has forgotten to list a player who, say, is planning to show up late, then brings this to the attention of the umpire when he does show up, the umpires will not allow you to ask the other manager for permission to add him. Same goes for any player who has not been listed as a Non-Runner before the game starts. IF ANY UMPIRE ALLOWS THIS, I DEFINITELY WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.

3. Uniforms --- No player will be allowed on the field unless the following minimum dress code is fulfilled: baseball pants only must be worn; a baseball jersey or jersey-typ T-Shirt with a number; a baseball cap (visors or any "open-topped" hats are not allowed).
Note 1: If the player does not have a number on his jersey, a number can be taped on or applied with some sort of marker. Either way, a jersey number must be present. (Keep in mind that these are only temporary "fixes." A legitimate jersey/T-Shirt with a permanent number is in order).
Note 2: "Uniformity" of team colors is not an umpire issue. That is, if a manager wishes to challenge a team with reference to this, it must be taken up with the league. This is not a "game stopper" for the umpires, whose only concern are the minimum requirements mentioned above.

4. Baseballs --- Each team is required to provide 3 new baseballs each game. If, however, a team can only provide used balls this, again, will not be a "game stopper." If a manager takes exception to his opponent providing used balls (f new balls are not available), this must be taken up with the league, not the umpires.

5. Scheduled Game Time is Forfeit Time (No "Grace" Period) --- The umpires have been instructed to enforce this without exception. If you don't have enough (minimum of present at game time, it's over. Definition of "present": being able to actually see the player, whether he's freaking out in the parking lot trying to get dressed and falling all over himself , or whether he's tumbling down some hill somewhere behind centerfield. That is, a phone call from a player who is now just exiting Balboa Ave. and is only 3 minutes away from the field is not a "present" player. Again, please inform me of any infraction of this policy on the part of the umpire.

Reminder 1: Even though the posted scheduled start times may be 9 and 1 for double-headers between the same two teams, this is not the policy. The offical scheduled start time for the second game of a double-header between the same two teams is 45 minutes after the completion of the first game. Be sure to check with the umpires and the opposing manager as to the start time before you leave the field for lunch, or whatever.

Reminder 2: The official start time for the second game of a double-header between the same two teams for those situations in which the first game is forfeited by a team is 2 hours from the scheduled start time of the first game. For example, assuming the first game was at 9:00 AM, the official start time for the second game will be 11:00 AM. Again, make sure this is clarified with the umpires and opposing manager before leaving the field.

Important Note: If you know that you will not be able to field a team or play the second game of a double-header (against the same or another team), be sure to inform the umpires of this before leaving the field upon completion of your first game. If you do so, you will not be on the hook to pay the umpire fees for that second game. If you do not inform the umpires, and they return to the field after lunch expecting a second game, you will be obligated to pay the forfeit fees.

6. Challenging a Player's Identity and/or Age --- The umpires have been instructed to ask any challenged player to produce proof of identity and/or age upon request by the opposing manager. Keep the following in mind:

a. Identity Issues: A photo ID, or two forms of non-photo pieces of identification (such as a bank book and a credit card) are required.
b. Age Issues: A photo ID (at a minimum) must be produced that contains the player's DOB. If this photo ID does not contain the DOB, a second document (such as a copy of a birth certificate, etc.) that contains a DOB must accompany the photo ID.

Consequences/Policy:

If identification is not produced for either case, the player in question will not be allowed to play, or will me removed from the game immediately upon discovery. The umpires will then have the necessary information noted in each scorebook and the league will investigate.

If identification is produced and the player's name/age matches the name on the lineup card (or proves he's the proper age for that division), the player will be allowed to play or continue playing. If the opposing manager still has eligibility questions, he must file a protest on the spot with the plate umpire, or file a protest with the league by 6:00 PM of the following day. The league will then investigate.

If the identification is produced and the player's name/age does not match the name he is playing under and listed on the lineup card (or if he is too young to be playing at all, or too young for that division)---THEN THE GAME WILL BE IMMEDIATELY FORFEIT. (Note: This is a new rule for 2003).

Special Note: Managers who blatantly attempt to abuse their right to challenge eligibility will not be looked upone favorably and could result in consequences. That is, challenging a known rostered/proper aged player in the hopes that the guy simply forgot to bring identification to the field goes totally against the spirit of what the league is trying to accomplish. (Anyway, you know what I mean).

Okay, those are the "big" ones. If you have any questions, then ask away. Thanks for your cooperation.