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President, SDABL |
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858.618.1972 |
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President, SDABL |
|
619.890.0949 |
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Bob Allison |
Vice President, SDABL |
Commissioner Sun 28AA, 28A,
Sun 18AAA |
858.587.7005 |
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Commissioner Sun 38AAA, 38AA,
38A |
619.667.0155 |
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Ming Tom |
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Commissioner Sun 18AA, 18A |
619.889.4685 |
|
Benn Bruff |
|
Commissioner Sat 18AAA,
18AA |
619.379.9782 |
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Kevin Balinger |
|
Commissioner Sat 18A &
Spring Woodbat |
619.459.1412 |
|
Mark Strauch |
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Scheduling Commissioner |
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Player Pool and SDABL
Newsletter |
619.420.7652 |
|
|
League Administrator |
|
858.292.7510 |
|
John Marabeas |
SDABL Chief Umpire |
|
619.920.5332 |
|
Eric Johnson & Fred Hays |
Webmaster |
SDABL Website |
|
BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING THIS RULBEBOOK
Refer to the Highlights of 2006 Rule Changes below
to get a quick overview of the new rules starting this spring season.
REGISTERED PLAYER (Being Eligible to
Participate):
INELIGIBLE SUBSTITUTE (Lineup):
OFFENSIVE LINEUP (Being Officially
“Placed” Into):
ELIGIBLE OFFENSIVE PLAYER (Lineup):
CONTACT POLICY (Preventing No-Show
Forfeits):
FORMER PROFESSIONAL PLAYER STATUS:
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2006 RULE CHANGES
1.5.2 Behavior
Towards Umpires:
SECTION 2 --- ORGANIZING YOUR TEAM & INDIVIDUAL
PLAYERS
2.2 PLAYER ADDS/DROPS/TRANSFERS:
SECTION 3 --- ELIGIBILITY POLICIES
3.1 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
(Contracts/Identity):
3.3 LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY (Skill
Level):
3.3.1 College
Players (Current/Former):
3.3.2 Professional Players
(Current/Former):
3.4 ROSTER ELIGIBILITY (Multiple
Team Participation/Signed Contracts):
3.6 INELIGIBLE PLAYERS
(Consequences/Challenging/Protesting):
3.6.1 Consequences
(Also refer to Section 6.3):
3.6.2 Challenging/Protesting
Ineligible Players:
3.7 PLAYER REGISTRATION POLICY
3.7.1 Individual
Player Registration for Regular Season Participation:
3.7.2 Individual
Player Registration for Play-Off Participation:
SECTION 4 --- PROTESTS (Procedures/Grievances/Appeals)
4.1.2 Grievances
and Appeals (of a protest decision):
SECTION 5 --- FINES/PENALTIES/SUSPENSIONS
6.1.3 League
Sanctioned “Practice Games”:
6.2 CONTACT POLICY (Preventing
No-Show Forfeits):
6.3.1 Call
In Forfeit Fine Policy:
6.4 FORFEIT POLICY RESULTING IN
TEAM REMOVAL:
6.5 FORFEITS INVOLVING INELIGIBLE
PLAYERS:
SECTION 7 --- FEES/PAYMENTS (on the field)
SECTION 8 --- ALL-STAR GAMES/LEAGUE PLAYOFFS/TOURNAMENTS
8.1 ALL-STAR GAMES (Spring Leagues
Only):
8.2.2 Playoff
Eligibility for Individual Players:
SECTION 11 --- SDABL LOCAL PLAYING RULES
11.2 EIGHT (8) PLAYER START RULE:
11.2.1 Scoring
Runs when there is a “Hole” in the Batting Order:
11.6 OFFENSIVE
SUBSTITUTES/SUBSTITUTIONS (Normal Circumstances):
11.6.1 INJURED
RUNNER SUBSTITUTION RULE:
11.6.2 “COURTESY” RUNNERS: Not allowed for
any reason.
11.7 INJURY SUBSTITUTIONS FOR
PREVENTING FORFEITS:
11.8 EJECTIONS (Risk of Forfeits):
11.9 OFFENSIVE STARTER RE-ENTRY
RULE/BATTING ORDER (All Leagues):
11.11 DEFENSIVE LINEUP and PITCHERS:
11.11.1 Defensive
Substitutions:
11.11.2 Pitcher
Re-Entry Rule:
11.12 RUN RULE (“MERCY” RULE):
11.13.1 SPLIT
TEAM DOUBLEHEADERS:
11.17.3 Consequences
for violating this rule:
APPENDIX 1 --- NO COLLISION RULE PHOTO PLAYS
APPENDIX 2: DISCUSSION OF NO COLLISION RULE
RUNNER GUIDELINES (To Avoid Violating the No Collision
Rule):
DEFENSE PLAYER GUIDELINES (To Avoid Violating the No
Collision Rule):
HOW TO DEAL WITH UMPIRE JUDGMENT:
Working with Your League Commissioner:
APPENDIX 4--- “TEAM MOVEMENT” POLICY
1.
Any contracted player at least 18 years of age at the time of
participation who is playing on any team in the 18+ Division.
2.
Any contracted player at least 28 years of
age any time during the calendar year who is playing on any team in the 28+
Division, or any younger age Division.
3.
Any contracted player at least 38 years of
age any time during the calendar year who is playing on any team in the 38+
Division, or any younger age Division.
4.
Any contracted player at least 48 years of
age any time during the calendar year who is playing on any team in the 48+
Division, or any younger age Division.
The above definitions are subject to change
on a year-to-year bases, depending on the age requirement as defined by the
SDABL.
·
Any player who
has not reached his/her 18th birthday when participating on any
team.
·
Any player who
does not have a signed/dated contract with the SDABL and who does not fulfill
the requirements established under Legal Player above.
*Any games played by the team in which an Ineligible Player had
participated are subject to forfeit.
Being a registered player is
defined as (1) being listed on the team’s web site roster and (2) having a
signed waiver card on file with the league that has been postmarked on or
before the game in which the player begins to participate.
Any player listed on the lineup card who has not yet been officially
“placed” into the Offensive lineup.
Any substitute player (i.e., an offensive non-starter) who has been
officially “placed” into the Offensive lineup (for instance, as a pinch
runner), then removed from the Offensive lineup (regardless of
whether or not he actually has batted).
Any player who:
1) If a batter, he takes his
place in the batter’s box (Official Baseball Rule 3.08(a)(2).
2) If a runner (“pinch), he
takes the place of the runner he has replaced (Official Baseball Rule
3.08(a)(4).
Any player who is authorized to be placed into the Offensive Lineup in
accordance with the above, including the details provided in Sections 11.5,
11.6, and 11.7.
Any game in which a team is made to take a loss for the following reasons:
· Use of an Illegal player.
· Use of an Ineligible player.
· Not having the minimum number of eight (8) players required to start a game at the scheduled game time. (See No-Show Forfeit immediately below). (Rules governing the removal of a team from participating in the league after a 4th forfeit (or 3 consecutive forfeits) during the spring season and a 3rd forfeit during the fall season apply here. See Section 6.4).
· Not being able to continue a game because the number of Eligible Offensive players available falls below the eight (8) required to continue playing.
· Any game that cannot be rescheduled for any reason by the League due to any team’s inability to play the originally scheduled game for any reason. (The league reserves the right to make exceptions). (Rules governing the removal of a team from participating in the league after a 4th forfeit (or 3 consecutive forfeits) during the spring season and a 3rd forfeit during the fall season apply here. See Section 6.4).
· Any team that allows a team member to participate in a game while the said player is under suspension.
· A forfeit whereby any team fails to have the minimum of eight (8) players present at the scheduled game time.
· A forfeit whereby any team fails to provide adequate notice of an inability to field a team in accordance with the “Contact Policy” definition below. (See Section 6.1 for details).
(See Section 3.3.2
for details).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are five (10) significant changes for 2006 as follows:
NOTE: This fine does not apply to No-Show Forfeits as
defined within these rules or any forfeit that may result once the game has
started. Bottom line: Either type of forfeit --- “Call In” or
No-Show --- will now cost a minimum of $50.00.
6.
If only one
umpire shows to work a game each team is required to pay that umpire $40.00. (Section
7).
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The San Diego Adult Baseball League has become one
of the world’s largest single city adult baseball programs, with roots dating
back to 1986. The SDABL will always
strive to provide a quality “stage” for all to act out their “Field of Dreams”.
The SDABL is a team committed to working at maximum
consciousness and integrity in order to provide our customers, both internal
and external, the best available product and service. This will be accomplished by using the most
current technologies available and performing our job with a positive,
enthusiastic, and consistent effort.
Fear and greed will not keep us from succeeding and we will look upon
any failures as stepping stones to achieving our goal. Profitability will be fair and revenues will
be shared within our community through contributions. We want for nothing more than the respect of
our peers.
The SDABL plays under a common set of rules designed
to organize amateur adult baseball into consistent, fairly run, and responsible
adult baseball leagues. SDABL baseball
is family oriented though competitive. The
goal of the SDABL is to provide adults over the age of 18 with a fair, well
organized and enjoyable amateur baseball program within the community. No arbitrary distinction or discrimination
due to a potential player’s gender, race, color, religion, national origin, or
disability shall be inferred or permitted.
Provide a well-organized and well-run League that is
administered in a fair and impartial manner that keeps the player in mind and
provides a forum for adults of all ages to play baseball, not softball; and
Provide leagues that are designed to accommodate different ages and abilities
to eliminate the fear of intimidation; and Create an organized and fun amateur
baseball league for adults ages 18 and over.
The SDABL prides itself on its responsiveness to its
players, managers and coaches and on its openness and availability to any adult
who wishes to play baseball. If you feel it necessary to comment, ask a
question, or bring a potential problem to either entities attention please feel
free to do so at the following address, phone number, or email:
Telephone:
(858) 292-7510
Leagueadmin@sdabl.com
Leagues are organized into different age groups with
levels of competitive play and ability.
All games are played under the rules of baseball as
stated in the most recent Official Rules of Baseball published by the
National Baseball Congress, Inc. with the exceptions, additions, or notations
contained in this booklet. The SDABL
Rules Committee also has access to, and frequently consults, The Case Book of
the Official Playing Rules Committee of Major League Baseball, and the
Handbooks of both the American and National League Umpires. For those managers and players who wish to
become familiar with the Official Rules of Baseball, the SDABL recommends
obtaining a copy of Make the Right Call, published by Triumph Books,
Inc. 644
As a team manager you represent your team to other
teams and the SDABL. Be a responsible manager. If you have questions about rules, field
locations, or other problems call your League President or Commissioner. They are there to help you during the
season. Bring your Rulebook and
Guidelines to games for reference before or during the game.
Read your Participant Contract, the SDABL Rulebook
and Guidelines and any other material given to you. Become informed about how the SDABL works and
keep updated so that you stay informed.
The best way to help your team and have fun is to review all of the
SDABL and Baseball rules and policies and be informed.
Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Each manager must recognize their responsibility to the league and the
perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than
playing.
Be Responsible.
Please
notify all participants and spectators of this rule. Teams/managers are to police their fans,
friends, family members or spectators for violations of league rules.
Both team managers should attempt to persuade any person or persons
participating in or watching the game and who are in violation of this section
to leave the premises. Please note: Umpires have the authority from the SDABL to
stop or forfeit games if there is a problem with drinking or drug use at any
game or facility.
Be Aware. All school districts, city
or county ordinances prohibit all or some forms of tobacco use (cigarettes,
dip, chew, etc.) at a facility. It is very important to observe these
rules wherever and whenever they may be in force. In those instances
where tobacco use is not prohibited, please use courtesy, common sense,
fire-safety awareness and sanitation in both the use and disposal of all
tobacco products. No coach or incoming team wants to see cigarette butts
and chew-spit tarnishing the field and dugouts. League Presidents may
enforce penalties or prohibit use for repeated offenses.
Umpires shall not to be
physically or verbally abused. If you have a complaint about an umpire's
call, explain it to him. If you are
reasonable, he will be reasonable. If
problems develop between you and an umpire, notify the League President and/or
the SDABL Chief Umpire to provide with the umpire's name and number.
You should ask the plate umpire for his and his partner’s
name before your game during the pre-game meeting. All umpires have been instructed to provide
you with their names, per the SDABL Chief Umpire. If any umpire refuses to give his name,
contact the Chief Umpire after your game, or any other league official.
PHYSICAL
CONTACT WITH THE PERSON OF AN UMPIRE OR THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY (i.e.,
automobile, equipment, etc.) IN ANY WAY IS FORBIDDEN BY BOTH SDABL
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Team managers are required to submit their team
packets to the league by the 3rd game of the season. Failure to do so will result in the 3rd
game (and any subsequent games until packets are submitted) being cancelled and
considered as a forfeit loss.
On occasion a team may have to be dropped from
league play, due to either league suspension or the inability to field a
team. The following policy will apply:
A separate transaction is required for each player
who is added, dropped or transferred.
All transactions must be in writing and received by the League
Commissioner or League Office to be valid.
That is, no transactions will be considered official with a mere phone
call. The following policy will apply
for each case:
The following policy
explains the allowable player transfers between teams during an active
season. This policy will be adhered to
without exception:
·
Transfers within the same league: Player may
move from one team to another but must sit out one game for each transfer. NOTE:
He must sit out the game that follows immediately after
the date he officially declares a transfer/drop. If this “after” game becomes forfeit or
rained out, the transfer player’s obligations to sit will have been fulfilled.
·
Transfers from one league to another:
a)
Higher league to a lower league (in terms of level of play): Player must sit out one game before
playing. The Transferred Player may
not play at a higher level for the remainder of the season.
b)
Lower league to a higher league (in terms of level of play): Player may play immediately after the
transfer. Player may return to the lower
league later that season, but must sit out one game and must remain in
the lower league the rest of the season.
Note 1: Players transferring from a
team that has folded to a potential playoff team are immediately eligible to
play the next scheduled regular season game with that new team. Player eligibility for the playoffs shall
remain applicable as set forth in Section 3.5 below.
Note
1: The
first game of a doubleheader satisfies the one (1) game requirement for the
cases noted above. A game won by forfeit
also satisfies this one (1) game requirement.
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Players who are currently active in university,
collegiate, or JC baseball programs must play in the highest skill level
available for their age group in the San Diego Adult Baseball Association.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO MANAGERS: Managers should be aware that NCAA Division I
baseball rules. "NCAA Division I baseball rules," prohibit
more than 3 Division I players from playing on the same off-season team. These players may be subject to losing
their collegiate eligibility. So,
please be aware of who your players are and their backgrounds. The National
NABA office has the complete NCAA Compliance Regulations on file. If you
are unsure or have any doubt, contact the SDABL President.
Minor or Major League players
who have been under verifiable professional baseball contracts within the last
six months are only eligible to play in the Highest League being offered by
the SDABL. (Currently 18AAA). Teams violating this rule will forfeit all
games in which that player (or players) played even if the existence of a
contract is discovered after the fact.
Final resolution in such a situation is at the discretion of the SDABL
Rules Committee.
Former Major
League (only) players who were released from a verifiable professional
baseball contract beyond the six month time period sited above are restricted
to the highest level of play offered within their appropriate age group. A Major
League player is one who may be found in the Baseball Encyclopedia. EXCEPTION:
Players who are 48+ years old.
·
No player may play for two different teams in the same age group on
the same day.
·
A player may play in two different skill levels provided they are
played on two different days and within
one skill level of each other. For
example, Sat 18A and Sun 18AA is acceptable.
Sat 18A and Sun 18AAA is not
acceptable, etc. Also, Sun 18A and Sun
18AA is not acceptable.
Requirements are as follows:
·
A player must have a valid contract---signed and dated---on file
with the SDABL for each league in which he plays and for each team in which he
is a member.
·
All players should be prepared with a valid picture ID, or two pieces
of non-photo ID such as a personal checkbook and a credit card, in the event a player's
identity is questioned.
·
If a player’s age is in question, he must provide some form of
identification that establishes his age.
If the identification presented does not contain this information, the
player in question will not be allowed to play, or if he/she has been playing,
must be immediately removed from the game.
(See Section 3.6.1 “Consequences” below for related information).
We
will require a player to participate in at least 7 games in the Spring Season to
be eligible to participate in Spring Playoffs.
We
will require a player to participate in at least 4 games in the Fall Season to
be eligible for Fall Playoffs.
See
Section 3.7 below for
additional requirements pertaining to playoff eligibility.
Proof of Participation requires the following:
·
The minimum consequence for a team who uses an Illegal or Ineligible player is
a forfeit for that game in which the player participated. GENERALLY, the use of an Illegal player will most likely result in more serious
consequences.
·
The minimum consequence for the player who is Illegal or Ineligible is a one game suspension
for any and all teams in which he may
be a member. GENERALLY, the use
of an Illegal player will most likely
result in more serious consequences.
·
The SDABL Protest Committee will determine whether any additional
consequences should be imposed on the offending team and/or offending player. Each situation will be considered on a
case-by-case basis.
Procedures are as follows:
1) If eligibility pertains to
Age only, a
photo ID (at a minimum) must be produced.
The photo ID must contain a date of birth (DOB). If it does not, then a second official
document must be produced (such as a copy of a birth certificate, etc.) that
provides the DOB.
2) If eligibility pertains to
Identity only,
a photo ID should be produced. If a
photo ID is not available, two non-photo pieces of identification
(such as a bank book and credit card) will be acceptable so long as it proves
the identity of the player.
Results:
Even if a protest is filed with the plate umpire on
the field, the protesting manager/team must contact the League Commissioner,
President, or League Office by
Ineligibility protests that
are upheld will apply only to the game
being protested. Any previous games in
which the ineligible player may have participated are not subject to automatic
forfeit. Additional consequences, if
any, will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Registration is defined as
having a signed waiver card on file with the league AND being listed on a team’s
web site roster, which should include the individual player’s ID #.
1.
He has been
listed on the web site roster
2.
He has mailed in
a signed waiver that is postmarked on the day of, or before, the game in which
he participates.
NOTE: If it is discovered that neither the above two stipulations have been
met then any games in which the player participated is subject to forfeit.
NOTE: Rainouts and forfeits will
count towards the 7 games (spring) and 4 games (fall) required for play off
participation so long as the player has registered prior to the particular
rainout and/or forfeit --- unless the said rainout and/or forfeit game is
subsequently played after the player has registered.
Example 1: John Smith
was registered on March 12th.
On Saturday March 11th his team’s game was rained out (or
forfeited). John Smith will not receive credit for his having
participated in that game --- unless that game does in fact get played sometime
after March 12th. (See
following example).
Example 2: John Smith
was registered on March 12th.
On Saturday March 11th his team’s game was rained out (or
forfeited). The game is rescheduled on
played on March 19th (and/or the rescheduled game was either rained
out or forfeited yet again), John will
receive credit for his having participated in this makeup game if he does in fact participate.
1) Judgment calls by umpires
may not be protested.
2) Only specific rule
violations, such as (suspected) rule misinterpretations or misapplication of
the “consequences” as defined by a specific rule, may be protested.
3) The protest must be brought
to the attention of the plate umpire before the next pitch to a batter, or
before the next play (such as a pick-off attempt) in order to be
considered. Exception: A manager/team has until
(Following the below procedures will ensure
consideration):
Posting a Bond: A
$25.00 protest bond must be paid to the league at the time the protest is
filed. In the event that the protest
is upheld, the $25.00 bond will be refunded to the protesting
manager/team. If the protest is
denied, however, the manager/team will forfeit the protest bond. Exception: The bond requirement does not apply to any
protest involving an Ineligible Player due to Age.
Expectations: When
notifying your League Commissioner of a protest, do not expect him to handle
and subsequently resolve the issue on Sunday night. Since the main concern of the SDABL is to
ensure a fair and impartial hearing, time must be allowed to investigate the
facts and to talk with all the principles involved, especially the umpires.
No Assurances:
For
any and all protests, the decision of the SDABL President, based on the
findings of the SDABL Protest Board, are final. Even if it is held that the
protest was valid with reference to a violation of either general baseball
rules or an SDABL specific rule, this will not automatically result in the
replaying of the protested game, or its continuation at the point it was
protested, unless the SDABL President and Protest Board are convinced that the
violation adversely affected the game and/or the protesting team’s chances of
winning the game. Each situation will be
determined on a case-by-case basis.
Scorebooks and line up cards from both teams may be required to make a
decision, so make sure you save all relevant material.
Fines and/or penalties may
be levied against teams, managers, or players that have committed rules
infractions.
·
All fines (and penalties) are to be paid by 5:00 p.m. two (2) days
before the next scheduled game.
·
If a fine is not received, the manager or player involved is
immediately ineligible to play the next game.
·
If a team fine is in effect, the game is forfeited.
·
If fines are not paid by 5:00 p.m. two (2) days before the game of the
following week, managers, players and/or teams are subject to further league
action.
·
All penalties will begin with the next scheduled game.
·
Rainouts and canceled games are not counted towards fulfillment of the
penalty (i.e., if the next scheduled game results in a rain-out, cancellation,
or postponement, the penalty carries forward to the next game and so on until
it has been fully served).
The following list, which is
neither an exclusive nor all-inclusive list, shall govern fine infractions not
already covered:
1)
Field neglect: $25.00 fine minimum plus the
assessment of any and all costs associated with the neglect (also see:
"Rain-out Policy" Rule above).
2)
Preparedness (not having batting helmets or catcher's gear, etc.): $10.00
fine.
3)
Game balls: Teams not having 3
league-approved baseballs for each game will be fined $10.00 per missing ball.
4)
Losing league equipment (bases, rakes, or drags): $25.00 fine plus replacement cost of lost
equipment.
5)
Failure by a manager to post or distribute League Newsletter and
Official SDABL literature to team members who may not otherwise have access to
this information (Tournament info, rules updates,
etc.): Manager fined $5.00 for the first
occurrence, $10 each additional occurrence.
The following list, which is
neither an exclusive nor all-inclusive list, shall govern suspension
infractions not already covered:
1)
Alcohol/Tobacco/Drugs: Any player
violating league rules concerning these substances will be subject to a three
game suspension; a second violation will result in that player's expulsion from
league for that season.
2)
Fighting: Any player involved in
fighting, physical or verbal abuse, including but not limited to physical
threats, racial epithets, foul or abusive language, toward another player or
manager, will receive a least a one game suspension. Possible season expulsion and/or other
penalties may apply.
3)
Physical contact with an umpire: Minimum three
(3) game suspension. Season expulsion or
permanent expulsion from the SDABL is possible.
4)
Player Ejection: Any player ejected from a game
twice during the season will receive an immediate one game suspension effective
the next scheduled game. A player
ejected a third time is subject to suspension or expulsion from the league.
5)
Manager Ejections: Any managers ejected three
times from SDABL games during the season is subject to suspension; additionally
they may not be allowed to continue that season or the next as a manager.
6)
Managers may also be suspended and/or fined for ordering pitchers to throw at
opposing batters.
7) Throwing equipment to
express displeasure with an umpire's call (or displeasure with personal performance) may
result in a warning or an immediate ejection from the umpire. It may also result in a fine or other
penalty, such as suspension, depending on how serious the infraction. (In particular, if someone gets hurt as a
result of thrown equipment).
*The SDABL reserves the right
to impose additional penalties, including but not limited to, fines,
suspensions or expulsion of players, managers, and/or teams based upon the
seriousness of any violation.
Forfeits affect everyone involved,
especially the opposing team who has showed up expecting a game, not to mention
the umpires. Therefore, the league
highly encourages every manager to make every effort to field a team each
week. If a manager knows ahead of time
that he will not be able to field a team, he should make every effort to
provide the league with plenty of notice so as to prevent the opposing team and
umpires from having to make an unnecessary trip to a field. (See Section 6.2 Contact Policy
below for details as well as Section 6.3).
(See
Contact Policy below, Section
6.2, for related information)
Note: A No Show Forfeit does not apply to forfeits that occur once the game has started
Umpire payment is not required on the field to play a “practice” game.
The purpose here is to give the League, the umpires,
and especially the opposing team advance
notice of a team’s inability to attend its scheduled game. Please keep in mind that a team’s inability
to attend also adversely affects its opponents, since that team loses a game as
well. So, every effort should be made to
field a team, even if it’s with a minimum number of players.
If the below procedure is not followed, the violating
team will be charged with a No Show
Forfeit. Keep in mind that after 4
such forfeits during the Spring Season and 3 during the Fall Season, the violating
team will be suspended for the remainder of that particular season. Each No
Show Forfeit also results in the violating team having to pay full umpire
fees to both umpires.
The below procedures apply to either game (i.e., morning
or afternoon) whereby a team knows it will not be able to field a
minimum of eight (8) players:
1) The manager (or any team
representative) must actually speak with his/her League Commissioner in person
(simply leaving a phone message will not
suffice) by
2) If you are unable to contact
your League Commissioner in person, then you must call the Emergency Game Day Phone (619.851.6225)
by
A
“Call In” forfeit is defined as any team that notifies the league previous to
any regularly scheduled game of its inability to field enough players to play
the regularly scheduled game. If the
forfeiting team notifies the league in accordance with the stipulations listed
in Section 6.2 to prevent having to pay the umpires, the forfeiting team will
still be charged with a forfeit in terms of possible removal from the league as
defined in Section 6.4 below. Additional
consequences for a “Call In” forfeit is defined immediately below.
The following procedures will be followed out on the
field:
We
will schedule All-Star games for all of our leagues based on the number of
teams in each league in any given season.
The
SDABL will attempt to schedule the All-Star Games as mid-week night games,
usually Wednesdays or Thursdays, played under the lights. Being chosen to
the All-Star game is an honor and the players will be made to feel as
such. Individual All-Star commemorative awards will be given to each
player selected to be on the team. An MVP award will be given to the Most
Valuable Player for each game. The SDABL
Official Announcer and Scorekeeper will determine MVP awards.
Players and managers are chosen for the game based
on their place in the standings as of the end of play two Sundays before the
event -- the All-Star "cut-off" date. Managers of the first
place teams in their division (National or American) will be the managers of
their respective teams They may choose one (1) additional manager in their
division to be their coach. Players are allotted based on a weighted
scale. Teams higher up in the standing get more players than those
farther down (see: All-Star Allotment Guidelines). Players from each team
should be voted onto the All-Star team using the ballot similar to the example
provided at the end of this booklet.
Manager
Eligibility: Managers may play only if
selected by the members of his team to play.
Reminders:
Teams are responsible for paying
the umpires and providing the baseballs for all Playoff Games.
The League will pay the umpires and
provide baseballs for all Championship
Games.
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Please keep in mind that the use of all high school
fields is a privilege, not a right. That is, even though the SDABL pays for the
use of high school fields, no high school administration or individual high
school coach is obligated to allow us to use their fields. Therefore, in order to continue our privileges
we must ensure that no field is abused or left in an unplayable condition after
its use.
Keep
the following in mind:
Note: Requirements
for field maintenance may vary from city to city depending on requirements from
high school coaches and/or athletic directors, or the administrative policies
of each particular high school.
Reminders:
Special Note:
Both
managers of each team are responsible for verifying the field’s playing conditions. If one manager determines a field is not
playable, but the opposing manager disagrees, the final decision
will be left to the umpires present. If
the umpires deem the field playable, but one or both managers do not, then the
Emergency Game Day line should be called (619.851.6225) for advice. A league representative will be contacted to
make the final decision.
All unplayable field conditions for any given day should be immediately
reported to the league office by means of the Emergency Game day line. For those fields that may be unplayable in
the future because of unsafe conditions of a perpetual nature, the league
should be informed so corrective action may be taken.
Special Reminder:
Players, managers and team are liable for the cost of damages to a field
in addition to being subject to fines and suspension without refund.
In
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·
Each team is required to provide three brand new baseballs per game to
the home plate umpire. The Official approved SDABL baseball is the
NABA/Wilson A-1036, designed exclusively for the NABA. Teams may obtain
additional Official NABA baseballs at a substantial discount from retail cost
by contacting your league president.
In
addition to the NABA/Wilson A-1036, the following balls are just a few of those
currently approved for use:
No
rubber coated, plastic, youth league or obviously defective baseballs are
allowed. Use of unapproved baseballs shall cause the ball(s) to be
removed from the game and a $10.00 per ball fine imposed. Repeated use
may result in further disciplinary action including, but not limited to, a fine
and/or suspension of the manager or team.
All
wood, aluminum, graphite, and ceramic bats are allowed for league play provided
they conform to specifications described in rule 1.10(a) of the OFFICIAL
BASEBALL RULES.
The required minimum uniform for a team consists of
matching shirts with individual numbers, and matching hats. Additionally,
all players must wear some type of baseball pants and shoes. No shorts,
cutoffs, sweat pants, workout pants, or jeans are allowed. Any team not
in the minimum uniform is subject to a $15.00 fine the first time. The
second time the fine will be $30.00, and will be increased by $15.00 each time
thereafter. Repeat offenders may also be subject to suspension or
expulsion.
An average grace period
(which must be approved by the League President) of 3 weeks from Opening Day is
allowed for teams with uniforms on order that have not been received. The
grace period shall also apply to new players joining the team during the
season.
Uniforms: All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps,
numbered jerseys, baseball pants, sanitary socks and stirrups. Each
player’s uniform must be of similar design to his teammates uniforms. New
teams will have until the 4th week of the season to obtain uniforms.
All umpires have been
instructed
to enforce the following minimum dress code before any player may participate:
All batters must wear a
protective helmet that has at least one earflap facing the pitcher.
Players will not be allowed to run bases without a helmet.
All catchers must wear a protective helmet while
playing their position. No catcher will be allowed to assume that
position without protective headgear that is provided by his own team.
The umpires will enforce this rule. There are no exceptions, waivers, or
special circumstances.