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President, SDABL |
|
858.618.1972 |
|
|
President, SDABL |
|
619.890.0949 |
|
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 |
|
Ming Tom |
|
Commissioner Sun 18AA, 18A |
619.889.4685 |
|
Benn Bruff |
|
Commissioner Sat 18AAA,
18AA |
619.379.9782 |
|
Kevin Balinger |
|
Commissioner Sat 18A &
Spring Woodbat |
619.459.1412 |
|
Mark Strauch |
|
Scheduling Commissioner |
|
|
|
|
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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
DEFINITION OF TERMS
LEGAL PLAYER (League):
- Any player who has reached his/her 18th birthday and who
has signed/dated an SDABL contract.
- Any player who fulfills one of the following additional
requirements:
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.
ILLEGAL PLAYER (League):
·
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.
ELIGIBLE PLAYER (League):
- Any Legal Player who has a signed/dated contract with the SDABL and
who is listed on a team roster for which the contract applies and in
accordance with any other applicable age and skill-level requirements
contained under Section 3 in these rules.
INELIGIBLE PLAYER (League) *:
- Any Illegal Player as
defined by the above.
- Any player who does not
meet the applicable age and skill-level requirements contained under Section 3 in these rules.
- Any player who has
signed an SDABL contract but who has provided misinformation pertaining to
his Identity and/or age.
- Any player who has
signed multiple SDABL contracts with two different teams in the same
league on the same day.
- Any player who has
signed multiple SDABL contracts with two different teams in two different
skill levels within the same age group on either day.
- Any player who has a
signed SDABL contract but who is found playing on a team for which his
contract does not apply.
- Any team member who
participates in any games while under suspension.
- Any player who
participates during the playoffs but who has not played the minimum number
of regular season games required to allow the player to participate. (Section 3.5).
*Any games played by the team in which an Ineligible Player had
participated are subject to forfeit.
REGISTERED PLAYER (Being Eligible to Participate):
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.
ELIGIBLE SUBSTITUTE (Lineup):
Any player listed on the lineup card who has not yet been officially
“placed” into the Offensive lineup.
INELIGIBLE SUBSTITUTE (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).
OFFENSIVE LINEUP (Being Officially “Placed” Into):
Any player who:
- Is listed as an
Offensive Starter on the lineup card (which becomes official once the
first pitch of the game has been thrown).
- Is listed as a
Substitute on the lineup card and is subsequently placed into the
Offensive Lineup once the game has started under the following conditions:
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).
ELIGIBLE OFFENSIVE PLAYER (Lineup):
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.
PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY:
- The proper documents
that must be provided by an individual player during any game when
challenged as to his Identity or Age.
(See Section 3 for details).
- The proper documents
that must be provided by a team manager (or appropriate team
representative) to the league upon request that proves a particular
individual is an official member of that team’s roster. (See Section 3 for details).
GAME FORFEIT:
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.
NO-SHOW
· 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).
CONTACT POLICY (Preventing No-Show Forfeits):
- A requirement whereby a
team manager (or team appointed representative) must notify the League in
the appropriate amount of time as set forth in Section 6.2 of an
inability to field a team in order to prevent a No-Show Forfeit and having
to pay both umpire fees for the scheduled game being cancelled.
FORMER PROFESSIONAL PLAYER STATUS:
- Any player who has been
released from a verifiable Minor or
Major League professional baseball contract within the past six months, which
subsequently requires him to play in highest level of ball offered by the
SDABL. (Currently 18AAA)
- Any player who has been
released under a verifiable Major League
(only) professional baseball contract at any point in time is required
to play in the highest level of play within his appropriate age
group. EXCEPTIONS: Players over the age of 48+.
(See Section 3.3.2
for details).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2006 RULE CHANGES
There are five (10) significant changes for 2006 as follows:
- Current/Former Minor
and Major League professional player restrictions reworded for
clarification. (See Section 3.3.2 and Former
Professional Player Status definition of terms above).
- PLAYER REGISTRATION
POLICY (Regular season and Play-Off Participation Requirements). See Section 3.7 below for
information pertaining to individual Player Registration Policy for being
eligible to participate in regular season play and/or Play Offs. (See “Definition of Terms” above for a
definition of a Registered Player).
- FORFEIT POLICY
RESULTING IN TEAM REMOVAL (Section 6.4). This rule defines the terms in which a
team will no longer be allowed to participate as a result of a 4th
forfeit (or after 3 consecutive forfeits) during the spring season and a 3rd
forfeit during the fall season.
Basically, if you are unable to field a team before the scheduled
game time for any reason (whether you have called ahead or not), this
forfeit will be counted towards the limits defined above. The league reserves the right to make
determinations for “special circumstances” on a case-by-case basis to
determine if a team’s inability to play a regularly scheduled game
warrants being counted against the forfeits allowed as defined above.
- CALL IN FORFEITS: 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.
- CALL IN FORFEIT FINE
POLICY: A team sited for a “Call
In” forfeit only will be fined
$50.00, payable to the league before the forfeiting team’s next regularly
scheduled game. The team that had
been scheduled to play against the forfeiting team will receive one dozen
baseballs from the league as compensation for having not been able to play. See Section 6.3.1 for
details.
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).
- INJURY RUNNER
SUBSTITUTION RULE allows for
the last recorded out to run for the injured player for that at-bat only to prevent an “out” from being recorded, but only if an Eligible Substitute
(as defined within these) is not available. If an Eligible Substitute is available,
he must replace the injured runner.
Once an injured runner is removed from the game he may not re-enter
the Offensive Lineup nor play
Defense for the remainder of that game. See Section 11.6.1 for
details.
- “COURTESY” RUNNERS are still not allowed for any reason.
- “FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE (See Section 11.16). Starting
in the spring 2006 SDABL season the NCAA “Force-Play Slide Rule” (which
NABA also uses) will go into effect.
The purpose of this rule, as with the SDABL No Collision Rule
below, is to prevent injury with respect to those plays that may encourage
the “taking out” of a defensive player during a force and/or double-play
situation. Basically, this rule
dictates that the runner must slide directly into any base for the just
mentioned situations. Simply being
able to get just a hand on the base while a “body’s length away” for the
purpose of breaking up a double-play will no longer be allowed.
- “TEAM MOVEMENT” Policy (See Appendix 4). This policy describes the system that
will be used to move teams to a higher division within their respective
age groups for the following decision based on their success within their
current division.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 1 --- INTRODUCTION
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”.
1.1 MISSION STATEMENT
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.
1.2 GOALS OF THE SDABL:
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
1.3 DESCRIPTION OF
LEAGUES:
Leagues are organized into different age groups with
levels of competitive play and ability.
- The 18 & Over
Leagues (Elite, 18AAA, 18AA, or 18A) are for players’ age 18 or older and
are organized into an 18 Elite or "AAA" League (advanced: the
most competitive), an "AA" League (intermediate league), and a
"A" League (recreational league).
- The 28 & Over, 38
& Over and 48 & Over leagues (hereafter referred to as
"28+", "38+" and "48+") are limited to
players who meet the minimum age requirement for those leagues (28, 38 and
48, respectively) and then, as the league grows in size and number of
teams, are organized by competitive play and ability into "AA"
and "A" leagues. Players that are over 29, 39 or 48 may
participate in an 18 & Over League.
1.4
RULES WE PLAY BY:
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
1.5 STANDARDS OF
BEHAVIOR:
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.
1.5.1 Player Conduct:
Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- This applies to all
managers, players, coaches, as well as friends, family members, or any
fans attending the game.
- Any manager or player
found to be in violation of these rules will be suspended immediately for
a minimum of two (2) games. Note: Managers, you are responsible for
your players and any spectators in the stands who “belong” to your
team. Additional sanctions may also
be applied against any offender(s).
- A second violation may
result in expulsion from the SDABL, either individually or as a team.
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.
1.5.2 Behavior Towards Umpires:
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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 2 --- ORGANIZING
YOUR TEAM
2.1
TEAM
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.
2.1.1 Team Placement:
- The SDABL reserves the
right to determine which league/division each team is best suited to play
in.
- Team placement may be
based on, but not limited to, team ability, past performance, or the
number of teams in each league, which may be necessary to maintain an even
schedule in terms of the number of teams available.
- SDABL leagues are
designed for competition and recreation.
Teams considered too strong or too weak for their respective
leagues will be placed into the appropriate league.
- Typically, League
Champions must move up to the next highest level of play for the following
season. The SDABL reserves the
right to make a determination of what level of competition each team will
compete to ensure the competitive balance of the league.
- Teams finishing below .250
for two successive seasons may be moved to a lower level of play where
they may be more competitive.
- Teams finishing above
.850 for two successive seasons may be moved to a higher league that
offers more competition.
2.1.2 Team Roster:
- Each team must carry
one (1) manager and at least ten (10) contracted players on its roster at
all times to be eligible to compete in league games. There is no limit to the number of
players on a team's roster.
- Any individual
contracts that contain incomplete information will make the individual
player ineligible and any games in which he participates subject to
forfeit if protested by another manager.
- All managers should
have their copies of their players' contracts with them during games to
afford proof of player eligibility.
Managers who cannot produce a team member’s signed contract when
challenged by an opposing manager are subject to protest and subsequent
investigation of the team’s roster by the league.
2.1.3 Dropped Teams:
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:
- Teams dropped during
the season are subject to loss of player fees and forfeit bond.
- After notification to
the League President that a team has dropped from the league, the team
that is next scheduled to play the dropped team will receive a Forfeit
Win.
- The dropped team’s
remaining games will be cancelled and their record becomes frozen after
recording the forfeit loss.
- Repeat offenders are
subject to League sanctions.
- The SDABL will attempt
to reschedule games between those teams who were scheduled to play the
dropped team.
2.2 PLAYER
ADDS/DROPS/TRANSFERS:
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:
2.2.1 Player Adds:
- A player may be added
after the season has started.
- The added player's
contract must be submitted to the League President no later than the day
before the game in which the added player is to participate.
- The added player's
contact may be mailed to the League President. The envelope must be postmarked by
2.2.2 Player Drops:
- Managers must notify
the League President in writing if a player leaves the team.
- The submitted document
must specify the necessary information pertaining to the player and be
submitted to the League President within 14 days after the player has been
official dropped.
2.2.3 Player Transfers:
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3 --- ELIGIBILITY POLICIES
3.1 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY (Contracts/Identity):
3.2 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY (Age):
3.3
LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY (Skill Level):
3.3.1
College Players (Current/Former):
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.
3.3.2 Professional Players (Current/Former):
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.
3.4 ROSTER ELIGIBILITY (Multiple Team
Participation/Signed Contracts):
·
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).
3.5 PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY:
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:
- A signed and dated team
contract on file with the league.
- A team scorebook that
contains the name of each player who participated in each game and for the
minimum amount of games required to become eligible for playoffs. (Be sure to include those players
in the scorebook who may be defensive players only)! Weekly line up cards may be used as
additional proof of participation. Note: Be sure to include all eligible roster players
on the line up card, especially those who are used as substitutes and/or
defensive players only)!
3.6
INELIGIBLE PLAYERS (Consequences/Challenging/Protesting):
3.6.1 Consequences (Also refer to Section 6.3):
·
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.
3.6.2 Challenging/Protesting Ineligible
Players:
Procedures are as follows:
- The opposing manager
must inform the game’s plate umpire that he wishes to challenge a
player. (Or the manager must
contact the League Commissioner, League President, or League Office by
- The chief umpire is
then obligated to request some form of identification from the challenged
player, 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:
- If the challenged
player produces a valid ID that confirms he is the proper age for the division
in which he is playing and/or matches the name listed on his team’s lineup
card, then that player will be allowed to play or continue
playing---regardless of whether or not the opposing
manager/team still suspects the player as being ineligible for whatever reasons. Note: If the opposing team wishes to pursue
this, the League Commissioner, President, or League Office must be
contacted by
- If the challenged
player cannot or will not produce valid identification (and any additional
documents required to show proof of age, when applicable), then that
player will not be allowed to play or continue playing that
day. Note: Any player being substituted for the
removed player must abide by the guidelines set forth under Section
11.6 “Substitutions” below.
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.
3.7
PLAYER REGISTRATION POLICY
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 #.
3.7.1
Individual Player
Registration for Regular Season Participation:
- All Players must be registered on their
respective team’s web site roster.
That is, simply having just an assigned ID # does not qualify an
individual player as being registered without also being listed on the web
site roster.
- The Cut Off date for being registered will be
announced in a Newsletter for each specific season. (Typically by the end of March for the
spring season and by the end of September for the fall season).
- If an individual player fails to register by the
announced registration date then said player will be considered as an
Ineligible Player and any games he/she participates in after the cut off
date will be subject to forfeit.
- As long as a player has registered before the
actual game time he will be considered as an Eligible Player at that point
with the following stipulations:
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.
3.7.2
Individual Player Registration for Play-Off
Participation:
- All Players must be registered by the announced
Cut Off date to be eligible to participate in season Play Off games.
- This Cut Off date will allow for a minimum of
seven (7) games of participation by the individual player, which is
required for the spring season, and four (4) games of participation for
the fall season with the same stipulations as defined in (1) and (2) in Section 3.7.1 above.
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.
SECTION 4 --- PROTESTS (Procedures/Grievances/Appeals)
4.1 PROTESTS:
- For any protest (during
a game) to be considered by the SDABL Protest Board, the protest must have
been filed according to the Official Rules of Baseball, rule 4.19. (See rule and/or Item 3 below).
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
4.1.1
Protest Procedures:
(Following the below procedures will ensure
consideration):
- (During the game),
inform the plate umpire you are protesting and specify what you are
protesting. As described just
above, this must be done before the next pitch to a batter or before the
next attempted play in order for the protest to be considered.
- The SDABL recommends
you take copies of the Official Rules of Baseball and the SDABL
Rulebook and Managers Guide to your games. Upon protesting, try to find the exact
rule from the applicable book that applies to your protest. This is not required,
however, though it may help you to argue your case.
- For your own
“protection,” make the opposing manger and base umpire aware of your
protest.
- Be sure to make any and
all appropriate notations in your scorebook, and have the plate umpire
witness these notations, or make notations of his own.
- (After the game),
notify your League Commissioner, League President, or League Office by
phone---by
- Write down and submit
the details of your protest to the league.
This is absolutely necessary in order for your protest to be
considered. (Email is encouraged if
it is available to you).
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.
4.1.2
Grievances and Appeals (of a protest decision):
- If a manager wishes to
appeal any protest decisions handed down by the SDABL Protest Board, or
any other rulings the manager may disagree with, a formally written
request must be submitted.
- Only one (1) appeal is
allowed per incident.
- All decisions made by
the SDABL related to the appeal will be considered final.
SECTION 5 --- FINES/PENALTIES/SUSPENSIONS
5.1 FINES and PENALTIES:
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.
5.2 SUSPENSIONS*:
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.
SECTION 6 --- FORFEITS
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).
6.1 NO SHOW
(See
Contact Policy below, Section
6.2, for related information)
6.1.1 Defined:
- Any team that does not
have a minimum of eight (8) players at the scheduled game time. No
Grace Period.
- Any team unable to
field the minimum number of players that does not inform the League in
accordance with the Contact Policy,
Section 6.2 below.
Note: A No Show Forfeit does not apply to forfeits that occur once the game has started
6.1.2 Consequences:
- The forfeiting team
will be required to pay full umpires fees to both umpires. If this cannot be accomplished out on
the field, the League will compensate the umpires. The forfeiting team is then expected to
reimburse the League by
- Spring Season: Upon being charged with a 4th
No Show Forfeit (or 3 consecutive forfeits), the team will be suspended
for the remainder of the Spring Season.
- Fall Season: Upon being charged with a 3rd
No Show Forfeit, the team will be suspended for the remainder of the Fall
Season.
6.1.3 League Sanctioned “Practice Games”:
Umpire payment is not required on the field to play a “practice” game.
6.2 CONTACT POLICY (Preventing No-Show Forfeits):
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
6.3 CALL IN FORFEITS:
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.
6.3.1 Call In
Forfeit Fine Policy:
6.4 FORFEIT POLICY RESULTING IN
TEAM REMOVAL:
- A team will be removed from participating in the league after a 4th forfeit (or 3 consecutive forfeits) during the spring season and after a 3rd forfeit during the fall season as a result of a team being unable to field enough players (8 minimum) before any scheduled game. This applies to either a No-Show Forfeit as defined within these rules AND/OR any forfeit called in ahead of time regardless of whether or not it results in a No-Show Forfeit. NOTE: This does not apply to any games forfeited for any reason once a game has started (after the first pitch). The league reserves the right to make determinations for “special circumstances” on a case-by-case basis to determine if a team’s inability to play a regularly scheduled game warrants being counted against the forfeits allowed as defined above.
6.5 FORFEITS INVOLVING
INELIGIBLE PLAYERS:
- If a game has started and a (proven) ineligible
player is participating, the game will be immediately forfeit upon
discovery by the umpire. See
“Definition of Terms” above for a definition of an Ineligible Player.
SECTION 7 --- FEES/PAYMENTS (on the field)
The following procedures will be followed out on the
field:
SECTION 8 --- ALL STAR
8.1 ALL STAR
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:
- Equipment for the games
is to be provided by each manager and coach. The SDABL league Office
provides baseballs and umpires.
- All players and
managers on the All-Star rosters are to be in full team uniform for the
game.
- Attendance by
non-All-Star players and managers is strongly encouraged to show league
support. Additionally, all family members of the All-Stars will be
encouraged to attend. This is a family-oriented league, and their
attendance is important for the league's cohesiveness.
8.2 LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:
8.2.1 Playoff Policy:
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.
8.2.2 Playoff Eligibility for Individual
Players:
- Spring Season: A minimum of seven (7) games must have
been played.
- Fall Season: A minimum of four (4) games must have
been played.
- Regional and National
tournament competition will be based solely on the decisions of the NABA
National Tournament Rules Committee.
------------------------------------
SECTION 9 --- FIELDS
9.1 RESPECT FOR FIELDS:
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:
- IMPORTANT: IF A FIELD IS WET, DO NOT HAUL DIRT OR ANY
OTHER MATERIAL ON OR OFF A FIELD TO MAKE IT PLAYABLE. LOSS OF A FIELD’S
USE TO THE LEAGUE DUE TO THE IMPROPER ACTIONS OF A
- If the field cannot be
made ready by light raking, do not play on it.
- Do not subject a wet
field to footprints or heavy raking.
- Accountability for
Fields: Umpires are not
accountable to the schools for the condition of the field. The SDABL, however, is
accountable. Therefore,
consideration should be given to the condition of the field after the game
has been completed. Will it be
possible to restore the field to its original condition before the next
game?
- Teams and umpires are
subject to suspension for playing on a field that effectively makes the field
unplayable after the game. Any
abuse by teams and/or players is subject to fines and suspensions without
refund. Decisions on playability of
a field are made for the sake of the field and the league, not for the
convenience of teams or umpires. Fields are a very important part of
a league. It does no good to ruin a field and lose it for the
season just to play one game that could be postponed and rescheduled.
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:
- All players and
managers are reminded that pre-game stretching and throwing should be done
on the outfield grass not on the infield or in front of the dugouts.
- Hitting drills against
any fence are prohibited because it damages chain link fences and
jeopardizes player safety.
- Do not pitch batting
practice from in front of the mound
- No climbing or jumping
over fences to gain access to a field. If a field is locked and a
team does not have the key, stay off the field.
- Cutting locks or
removing gates to get on a field or obtain field equipment is expressly
prohibited. Any such actions shall result in a fine and subject that
player/team to league suspension.
- Stay off dugout roofs
and back stops.
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.
9.2 BASES and KEYS
In
------------------------------------
SECTION 10 --- EQUIPMENT
10.1 BASEBALLS
·
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:
- Diamond: D1 (all
models), DHS, DOLA
- Rawlings RO, RO-A,
RO-N, R-100
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.
10.2 BATS
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.
- Aluminum, graphite and
ceramic bats must have some time of grip attached. It does not have to be the original
grip, but it must be one that is, in the umpire’s judgment, safe for
use. Pine tar alone on any metal
composite bats is not acceptable.
WOOD BATS do not require any type of grip, and pine tar alone is
acceptable.
- Bats that have a “5”
differential in weight vs. length are currently eligible. For example, a bat with a 32” length
must weigh at least 27 ounces.
- Bats with a
"pebbled" or "golf-ball" finish on the barrel are
prohibited.
- The discovery of any
unauthorized bats will result in a recorded out and ejection of the
offending player.
10.3 UNIFORMS:
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:
- Baseball pants only.
- A baseball cap (open-top visors are not
acceptable)
- A baseball-type T-Shirt or jersey that
contains the player’s number.
10.4 SHOES:
10.5 HELMETS:
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.
------------------------------------
SECTION 11 --- SDABL LOCAL
PLAYING RULES
11.1 GAME TIME/TIME LIMITS:
11.2 EIGHT (8) PLAYER START
RULE:
- Teams (one or both) may
start and complete any game with only 8 players without penalty of
forfeit.
- All 8 players must be
available at the scheduled game time to prevent a forfeit. NO GRACE PERIOD.
- All games played and
completed with only 8 members on a team will be considered legal.
- The 9th spot
in the batting order must be established as the “batting hole.” This
“hole” will count as an out until
filled by an eligible player.
- An “out” must be
recorded throughout the game each time this “batting hole” comes up.
- The team with only 8
players must always be able to bat all 8 players. If the batting order drops below 8
players, the game will become forfeit.
- If the 9th
player does show up at any point during the game, he may be immediately
inserted into the 9th spot of the batting order if his team is
at bat. If he shows up when his
team is on defense, he may take the field only after the current
opposing batter has completed his at-bat.
- If only one team has 8
players present at game time, both teams are required to pay the umpires.
11.2.1 Scoring Runs when there is a “Hole” in the
Batting Order:
This situation applies when
the Batter just previous to the “Hole” comes up with 1 Out already
recorded.
Whenever there is a “hole” in the batting order, that “hole” is counted
as an automatic “out.” That “out,”
however, will not take place until all play associated with the batter
just previous to the “hole” has stopped.
Therefore, this situation should be treated as if no “hole” actually existed.
Subsequently, all runs should be scored as appropriate.
EXAMPLE 1: R3 (runner on 3rd), 1 out. The batter previous to the “hole” comes to
the plate and hits a ground ball to the shortstop. R3 runs home, but the shortstop throws to 1st
to retire the batter-runner. Since that
is only the second out, R3 scores. And
now that all play has stopped, the “hole” in the batting order is declared as
the 3rd out.
Therefore, there are only two ways to prevent R3 from scoring in the
above situation. First, the shortstop
would need to throw the ball home to have R3 put out before scoring. Two, the 1st baseman, having
put-out the batter at first as a result of the shortstop’s throw there, would
have to subsequently throw home to put-out R3 before he scores.
The only other way to prevent a run from scoring for this type of
situation would be to acquire a 3rd out before a run scores, such as
a legitimate double-play.
EXAMPLE 2: R1, R3, 1 out. The batter previous to the “hole” comes to
the plate and hits a ground ball to the shortstop. R3 runs home.
Meantime, the shortstop throws to 2nd to retire R1, the 2nd
baseman throws to 1st to retire the batter-runner. Double-play, R3 does not score. Since the 3rd out was a “real”
out, then the “hole” will become the first out in the following inning.
11.3 NINE (9) PLAYER STARTS:
- “Holding back” players
is not allowed.
- The batting order must
consist of all 9 players (or a minimum of 9 if there are more than 9
players present).
- A team must always bat
a minimum of 9 players throughout the course of the game if there are 9
(or more) eligible batters present.
- All 9 players must play
on defense.
- If any player is lost
for any reason---ejection, injury, or leaving of the premises for any
reason, and the “hole” created in the batting spot must be counted as an
“out” each time it comes up. Eliminating
the “hole” in the batting order by “squeezing down” the order to the number
of actual batters present is not
allowed.
- If only 9 players are
present and at least 2 players are lost for the same reasons as above,
putting the batting order below 8, this will be cause for immediate
forfeit.
11.4 LINEUP CARDS:
- Lineup cards are to be
clear and complete. Any exceptions
must be corrected prior to the first pitch of the game.
The umpires have been instructed to check for the following information
on each lineup card before the game can be started. It is
the responsibility of each manager, however, not the umpire, to ensure this
information is not only provided, but that it is correct. No corrections may be made once the first
pitch of the game has been thrown.
- Each team is required
to provide a lineup card to both the plate umpire and the opposing
team before the start of each game.
No game will start until this is accomplished, and no names may be
added once the game has started.
- The lineup cards must
list each player’s last names in full (minimum), his first initial, and
his jersey number.
- It should also contain
the names of any Eligible Substitutes who are members of the team,
regardless of whether or not they are present. It should also identify all Non-Runners
affected.
- Lineup cards should
identify all Non-Runners.
- Lineup cards should
identify the player who is pitching.
- Any player who arrives
after the start of the game and who is not listed on the lineup card will
not be allowed to play.
- Any player who is
participating in a game and is discovered to not have his name listed on
the lineup card will be immediately removed from that game, regardless of
whether or not he is a valid team member.
- While managers are
obviously eligible to play, the manager’s name must also be listed
on the lineup card just like any other player.
- Managers must notify
the plate umpire and the opposing team of all offensive substitutions and
pitching changes when they are made.
NOTE: See Section
11.6 below for what to do about unannounced substitutions.
The
umpires have been instructed to allow no exceptions to any of the
above. That is, if a manager has
forgotten to include a particular player or to designate his Non-Runners on his
lineup card, this cannot be corrected once the first pitch has been thrown. In particular, the umpires have been
instructed to not allow any “deals” between managers for allowing corrections
to be made. In addition, no manager will
be allowed to request from the umpire that he ask the opposing manager for
“permission” to make corrections. ANY
UMPIRE WHO ALLOWS THIS TO HAPPEN SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE SDABL CHIEF UMPIRE
AT THE EARLIEST
11.5 OFFENSIVE LINEUP:
- A team may bat any
number of players.
- Batters may be added to
the lineup at any time. The added
batters must be placed at the bottom of the lineup.
- If a team loses an
offensive player for any reason and there is no eligible substitute to replace
the lost player, yet there are still eight (8) or more eligible batters in
the order, then an “out” will be recorded each time the “batting hole”
comes up.
- If a team falls below
the minimum of eight (8) Eligible Offensive players required to continue,
the game will become forfeit.
11.6 OFFENSIVE
SUBSTITUTES/SUBSTITUTIONS (Normal Circumstances):
- An eligible Substitute
is defined as any player who has not yet been officially “placed” into the
offensive lineup. (See Definition
of Terms for details relating to officially being “placed”).
- All substitutes should
be announced by the manager or by the substitute himself when being
entered into the game. NOTE: Unannounced substitutes will not
be grounds for either a protest or an “out” being awarded. Rather, the substitution will become
legal in accordance with the Official Baseball Rules, 3.08(a)(b).
- Once a substitute has
been placed into the offensive lineup and subsequently removed, he is no
longer an eligible offensive substitute---except as a replacement for an injured player in order to
prevent a forfeit. (See 11.7
Injury Substitution below for details and guidelines). NOTE: It is not a requirement that the
substitute actually bat in order to consider him as having been placed
into the offensive lineup. For
example, any substitute put into the game as a “pinch” runner is
considered to have been placed (immediately) into the offensive lineup---regardless
of whether or not he actually bats when his spot comes up again in the
order. (That is, he could be
replaced at this point by yet another eligible substitute. See the “Offensive Starter Re-Entry
Rule” below for additional details).
- An eligible substitute
must be available to replace any player who is removed for any reason such
as ejection, leaving the premises for personal reasons, injury---unless removal of the injured
player creates a forfeit situation.
(See 11.7 Injury Substitutions below for details and
guidelines).
- An unannounced
Eligible Substitute who comes up to bat immediately after the last batter
listed in the Offensive lineup will be considered as having been placed at
the bottom of the lineup, as opposed to being considered a
Substitute for the lead off batter.
An unannounced Eligible Substitute who comes up to bat in the “middle”
of the batting order will be considered as having “replaced” the batter who was
to follow the previous batter. (For
example, if the “2-hole” hitter just batted and is followed to the plate by the
unannounced substitute, then this substitute will be considered as having
replaced the “3-hole” batter).
11.6.1 INJURED RUNNER SUBSTITUTION RULE:
- Any runner who becomes injured enough to require removal from the game must be replaced at that time in the Offensive Lineup by an Eligible Substitute. If an Eligible Substitute is not available then the last recorded out may run for the injured player for that at-bat only to prevent an out from being recorded.
Example: Player reaches base and pulls his hamstring
in the process and must be replaced. If
there is no Eligible Substitute then the last recorded out may run to prevent
that base-runner from being lost and result in having to take an out. THIS REQUIRES the injured player to be
removed from the game permanently on
Offense and Defense.
11.6.2 “COURTESY” RUNNERS: Not allowed for any reason.
11.7 INJURY SUBSTITUTIONS
FOR PREVENTING FORFEITS:
·
If a player must be removed from the Offensive Lineup due to INJURY,
and this removal brings the batting order to less than 8 with no eligible
substitutes available, then any player available (other than another
injured player) may replace the injured player to prevent a forfeit.
1) An eligible
substitute must be used before all others if one is available.
2) If not, and
there are two or more players available and each is otherwise ineligible to
enter or re-enter, the opposing manager may choose which of these players will
be entered into the offensive lineup.
11.8 EJECTIONS (Risk of
Forfeits):
·
If an ejected player puts the Offensive Lineup below the minimum of
eight (8) players required to continue play, and there is no Eligible
Substitute available to replace him, the game will become forfeit.
·
The ejected player’s manager/team will have five (5) minutes to replace
the ejected player with an eligible substitute.
·
If an ejected player cannot be replaced by an eligible substitute, and
there are eight (8) or more players still available to continue play, then the
“hole” created by the ejected player will be counted as an “Out” each time it
comes up.
11.9
OFFENSIVE STARTER RE-ENTRY RULE/BATTING ORDER (All Leagues):
·
An Offensive Starter may be removed from the batting lineup and
re-entered as many times as desired.
·
He must be re-entered into his original batting spot.
·
He may not be re-entered until his immediate substitute, or a
subsequent substitute, has actually batted at least once. NOTE:
Merely having placed a substitute into the batting order “by name” alone
(for example, as a “pinch” runner who ends up not batting) will not be grounds
for starter re-entry.
·
Any pinch runner who replaces either the starter or a substitute will
be considered “in the batting order” the moment he steps onto the base
currently occupied by the player whom he is replacing.
The MLB Official Rules of
baseball, Rule 6.07, applies to all substitutions and the batting order. That is, it is the manager’s
responsibility, not the umpire’s, to ensure the proper batter is coming to
the plate. The umpire is only
responsible for “fixing/punishing” any violations pertaining to this when
brought to his attention by the opposing manager. If an Ineligible Substitute, or any
out-of-order batter, “slips through the cracks” for any particular at-bat
because it has not been brought to the umpire’s attention by the opposing
manager before the next pitch or play, then that player is “legal” for that
particular at-bat.
REMINDER (Scorekeepers): Managers, if you have a scorekeeper for your
team other than yourself or a team member---for instance, wife, girlfriend,
mother, whomever --- and your scorekeeper becomes aware that the opposing team
is either batting out of order, or is re-entering an ineligible substitute, the
scorekeeper must inform you, the manager, that this is happening
so that you may bring it to the umpire’s attention. According to the official rules of baseball,
the umpire can only officially address the issue if either the manager or a
member of his team (i.e., a player) brings such situations to his
attention. (Although some umpires will
in fact address the issue with any scorekeeper who alone brings these
situations to his attention, the umpire is not obligated to do so. In fact, in doing so, the umpire runs the
risk of having the opposing manager file a (justifiable) protest. SUGGESTION: Get directly involved in your role as a
manager to prevent being “victimized” by these situations).
11.10 NON-RUNNER (NR):
- Any player may have
another player run for him in the event they reach base.
- Those players who
require a runner are designated as non-runners (“NR”).
- Non-runner status for
any player must be designated on the lineup card before the first pitch of
the game. No player may be
designated as a non-runner once the game has started.
- The replacement runner
will be the last recorded out, and must replace the non-runner before
the next pitch to the next batter.
- If the non-runner
reaches base in the first (1st) inning before there has been
any recorded outs and he wishes to be replaced, then the runner who
replaces him must be the last batter listed on the Offensive
Lineup card.
- There is no “Use it or
Lose it” requirement pertaining to non-runners. That is, if a non-runner chooses to run
for himself during a specific at bat in which he reaches base safely (and
once committed he may not be change his mind), he does not lose his
non-runner status for any subsequent at-bats in which he may desire a
runner.
The
number of Non-Runners allowed for each team in each division is as follows:
- 18+ --- 2 non-runners.
- 28+ --- 3 non-runners
- 38+ and 48+ --- 4 non-runners
In the event
that an incorrect runner is put into run for the Non-Runner---either inadvertently or
purposely---this will not be ground for anything other than
replacing the incorrect runner with the correct runner. (An “incorrect” runner for this situation is
defined as any player who is currently in the Offensive Lineup,
but who was not the last recorded out). This holds true even if the incorrect runner
has advanced to a base beyond the base he originally acquired for the
Non-Runner. That is, if the Non-Runner had gotten a single and was replaced at
1st by the incorrect runner, who has now advanced to 3rd by whatever means, the
correct runner will simply replace the incorrect runner if the opposing manager
brings it to the attention of the umpire. If an incorrect runner does end up
scoring before an opposing manager has brought the issue up to the umpire, the
run will still count.
REMINDER: If a non-runner is replaced
by a pinch-runner ---either inadvertently or purposely---then the non-runner
will be considered out of the Offensive Lineup and the pinch-runner will be
considered in the Offensive Lineup pursuant to the Substitution Rule in Section
11.6 above.
NON-RUNNER/LAST-RECORDED-OUT
SUBSTITUTIONS: When a Non-Runner has been replaced by the
player who is the last-recorded-out and the Offensive Manager decides to make
an immediate substitution, the manager may declare that he is substituting for
the last-recorded-out player as opposed to the Non-Runner himself. This allows the manager to keep the
Non-Runner in the Offensive Lineup. At
the same time, it must be understood this substitution places the pinch-runner
into the batting lineup and removes the last-recorded-out player being
substituted for. All applicable Re-entry
rules will apply to the removed player.
11.11 DEFENSIVE LINEUP and
PITCHERS:
11.11.1 Defensive Substitutions:
- A team may substitute
freely and as many times as desired for all defensive positions except
the pitcher. (See below).
- Defensive players
and/or positions are not required to be listed on the lineup card.
11.11.2 Pitcher Re-Entry Rule:
(Not
related to the Offensive Re-Entry rule above).
- Any pitcher, once removed
as pitcher, may be re-entered to pitch during the same inning or in a
subsequent inning only once
per game.
Reminder: Regardless
of the situation, all pitchers must comply with Rule 3.05(b) of the Official
Baseball Rules. That is, any pitcher
must pitch to a batter until that batter completes his at-bat before he may be
removed as pitcher. The only exception
is if the pitcher becomes injured.
- If any pitcher is
removed as pitcher with the intention of having him return as pitcher, he
is not required to stay on the field to play another defensive position in
order to return as pitcher.
NOTE: Any
violation of this pitcher’s rule does not create a forfeit situation. The only consequence upon discovering that a
player is pitching illegally will be to remove that player from the mound. He may, however, remain in the game and play
another position.
11.12 RUN
- In a nine (9) inning
game, if there is a 12 run differential
at the end of seven (7) innings (6 ½ if the home team is ahead), the game
will be ruled final at this point.
- In a seven (7) inning game, if there is a 12 run differential at
the end of five (5) innings (4 ½ if the home team is ahead), the game will
be ruled final at this point.
11.13 DOUBLEHEADERS:
Doubleheaders in all leagues can either be 9 or 7 innings. Typically, the first game is 9 innings and
the second game 7.
The official start time of the second game
will be 45 minutes after the completion of the first.
- If only the first game
of a doubleheader can be completed before conditions dictate discontinuing
the game, umpires should only be paid for that one game.
- If a manager/team knows
that they won’t be able to play the second game of the doubleheader, the
umpires must be informed during the first game or immediately
after the first game in order to prevent having to pay the umpires for the
second game. If the umpires are not
informed and return to the field after lunch expecting a game, payment will
be required.
- If the first game
of a doubleheader is forfeited, the official start time for the
second game will begin 2 hours from the scheduled start of the
first game. (For example,
- If the 1st game of a doubleheader is forfeited and the 2nd game is
to be played as scheduled, the 1st game forfeit becomes the 7-inning game
and the 2nd game will be 9 innings.
11.13.1 SPLIT TEAM
Both games of a Split Team
doubleheader will be nine (9) innings.
11.14 KEEPING SCORE:
- The Home Team’s
scorebook will be considered the official book during any specific game.
- The Visiting Team
scorebook should be compared with the Home Team scorebook after each half
inning to avoid discrepancies over the score. Recommendation: Since the plate umpire is also
responsible for keeping track of the score, both teams should check with
the plate umpire after each half inning to verify the number of runs
scored.
SPECIAL NOTE: Both the
Home and Visiting Team’s scorebooks (or copies) must be presented to the SDABL
Protest Board upon request, if applicable.
If there are any conflicts between the two books, as well as with the
plate umpire’s own version of the score, the Home Team’s scorebook will be
considered official. (The SDABL Protest
Board, however, still retains the right to make a final decision based on the
evidence presented).
·
Scores appearing in paper are unofficial due to potential
misprints. The official scores and standings come from your League
President and newsletter.
·
Umpires will report game scores by
11.15 RAIN
11.16 FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE:
Starting in the Spring 2006
SDABL season the NCAA “Force-Play Slide Rule” will go into effect. The purpose of this rule, as with the SDABL
No Collision Rule below, is to prevent injury with respect to those plays that
may encourage the “taking out” of a defensive player during a force and/or
double-play situation. Basically, this
rule dictates that the runner must slide directly into any base for the just
mentioned situations. Simply being able
to get just a hand on the base while a “body’s length away” for the purpose of
breaking up a double-play will no longer be allowed. The rule in its entirety is as follows:
- On any force play, the runner must slide on the
ground and in a direct line between the two bases.
Exception --- A runner need not slide directly into a base as
along as the runner slides or runs (while standing) in a direction away from
the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play/throw of the fielder.
1) “On the ground” means either a
head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.
2) “Directly into a base” means the
runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line
between the bases.
NOTE 1: 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:
1) Makes a legal slide directly to the
base, or
2) 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.
3) Makes a legal slide and makes contact
with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.
NOTE 2: When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (1) make
contact with or (2) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall
not be called.
c.
Actions
by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:
1) The runner slides or runs out of the
base line in the direction of the fielder;
2) The runner uses a rolling, cross-body
or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact
higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;
4) The runner goes beyond the base and
either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder;
NOTE 3: ‘Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes
contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.
5) The runner slashes or kicks the
fielder with either leg;
6) The runner illegally slides toward or
contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete
a play.
PENALTY for 1 -6 in (c) above:
1) With less than two outs, the
batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no
other runners are allowed to advance or score.
(Ball becomes dead).
2) With two outs, the interfering runner
shall be declared out and no other runner(s) allowed to advance or score.
3) If the runner’s slide or collision is
flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the game.
NOTE 4: If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play
attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to
the bases the occupied at the time of the pitch.
NOTE 5: On a force play, with a two-man umpiring system, if
the plate umpire does not have a potential play at the plate, he should move
toward the base to observe the runner going into second or third base. In this situation, the base umpire must
follow the throw and may not see the true effect of the lead runner’s actions.
11.17
NO COLLISION RULE
11.17.1 Definition:
A runner attempting to acquire a base/home MUST AVOID ANY DELIBERATE
STAND-UP COLLISIONS WITH THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER FOR THE PURPOSE OF “JARRING” THE
BALL LOOSE IF THAT PLAYER
Note: Since no
umpire can read a player’s mind in order to determine actual intent,
“deliberate” must also be based on umpire judgment. And while any arguments presented to the
umpire may in fact be sincere and well-intended, any aggressive “Q & A”
directed towards the umpire may be met with a bit of skepticism. This is not an easy call to make, as
history has shown.
11.17.2 Intent Of Rule:
To prevent “stand up” collisions between a runner
and defensive player for the purpose of preventing injury. While it does apply to any plays at any
base, its main focus has been to address plays at home between the runner
and catcher. Basically, the intent of
this rule is to eliminate the “Pete Rose/Ray Fosse” type of baseball played by
professionals---who can obviously “afford” in the real sense of the word to play
it this way. Recreational players,
however, need to remain healthy so they can go to work on Monday morning.
11.17.3 Consequences
for violating this rule:
1) The ball will become
immediately dead.
2) No other runners on base
will be allowed to advance any further than their present positions when the
collision occurs. (Umpire judgment).
3) The violating runner will be
called “Out” and, if the play happens at home, not be allowed to score if he
has in fact succeeded in doing so.
APPENDIX 1 --- NO
COLLISION RULE PHOTO PLAYS
The
below photo-play examples are provided as a basis to help the umpire interpret
violations of the SDABL No Collision Rule. The first two examples are the
"no-brainer" plays which definitely require
"punishment." The third example is a bit more problematic and
falls under the "marginal" category, which requires the umpire to
really think about his decision in order to achieve what is in the best
interests of the players involved, as well as the game itself. The fourth
figure is an example of the way the game should be played. A
detailed discussion follows these photo-plays.
Not
a whole lot of interpretation involved with Figure 1. The catcher
clearly is in full possession of the ball and the runner's intent is pretty
obvious. Although this is "good, hard professional baseball,"
it is definitely a violation of the SDABL No Collision Rule. If you ever
witness this play, and regardless of whether the catcher (or any defensive
player) was able to hold onto the ball, the runner should be called out and, in
this case, ejected from the ball game. A "no-brainer" for any
umpire.
Note: Even though this photo is obviously from a
professional game, it serves as a good example of what a runner can't do
in Adult Recreational baseball.
The
runner in Figure 2 is a victim of watching too many ESPN highlights (or
replays of the Rose/Fosse incident). Although difficult to see in Frame
1, the ball, having just been thrown by the 3rd baseman, has reached the grass
cut-out just in front of the catcher. Notice his excellent
positioning. He's put himself out of harm's way, yet has set himself up
to be able to block the plate once he gets the ball. At the same time,
the runner does have access to the plate without the worry of being obstructed
by the catcher. What should also be noted here is that the runner (and I
think this is a fair assumption, despite the time factor) is well aware of
where the ball is and what is taking place. That is, a close play, one
that requires a slide. (Even if the runner could argue that he didn't
actually see the ball in front of him in Frame 1, he certainly was aware of a
potential play for two reasons: one, the ground ball had been fielded by
the 3rd baseman, near enough for the runner to have seen it happening.
Two, the catcher, by his body language alone, is indicating that the throw is
indeed headed in his direction. So, no excuses by the runner here).
Unfortunately,
as seen in Frame 1, the runner has (obviously) made a bad decision. He
has moved "inside," putting him on a collision course with the
catcher. That wouldn't be so bad---if he was intending to slide. In
fact, a good hard slide here---even into the catcher, and maybe especially
into the catcher---would certainly be to his advantage. Intimidating, to
be sure---in a fair way---thereby increasing his chances of scoring. And
certainly removing his being cited for violating the No Collision Rule.
(Keep in mind that the "collision" part of this rule only involves
stand-up collisions, not those collisions that result from a good, hard
slide).
But
it becomes obvious in the following frames what his real intention is---to
"take out" the catcher in the hopes of knocking the ball free.
Again, a "no-brainer" call for the umpire. The runner is out
(regardless of whether or not the catcher was able to hold only the ball), the
ball becomes "dead," and the runner (should be) ejected.
The
play shown in Figure 3 is an excellent example of good baseball gone,
unfortunately, "bad" with reference to the No Collision Rule.
That is, this is one of those "marginal" cases that require some
thought on the part of the umpire.
An
important part missing from this example is the frame that precedes Frame 1
(where the collision actually occurs). That is, it would show that the
ball, the runner, and the catcher all came together at the same
time---complicating the decision by the umpire as to whether or not he should
cite the runner for violating the No Collision Rule. Complicating it even
further is the fact that the play takes place a good few feet up the line,
making it arguable as to whether or not the runner should have been sliding at
the point of impact in Frame 1. (And consider this. Had this play
happened at 1st base as a result of an errant throw by, say, the shortstop,
which pulls the 1st baseman up the line towards home and in the path of the
batter-runner, the resulting collision would have most likely been ruled---and
rightly so---as "incidental contact" by the umpire. That is,
neither the defensive player nor runner would have been in violation of any
rule, general baseball or league specific. Incidental contact is
discussed in more detail below).
Because
of the way the play developed, including the positioning of both players,
coupled with no "obvious" intent on the part of the runner (as seen
in Figures 1 and 2 above) a tough decision has to be made by the umpire.
(Actually, two decisions are always involved with these types of plays.
First, to decide whether or not the runner would be allowed to score if he did
in fact do so. Second, whether or not the runner should be ejected,
regardless of the first decision).
To
make it a bit easier, let's discuss the results of this actual play and the
subsequent decisions by the umpires.
The
catcher did in fact hold onto the ball, making the tagged runner out.
This alleviated the problem of having the umpire decide whether or not the
contact was "incidental," thereby ruling the runner safe if he
acquired home as a result of the ball being knocked loose. At the same
time (and assuming the ball had been knocked loose) this alleviated the problem
of having the umpire determine that the runner was in violation of the No
Collision Rule---a tough call, considering the aspects mentioned earlier
(distance from the plate, etc.)---which would require the runner to be called
out even though the ball was knocked loose. Subsequently, this particular
call would have "forced" the ejection issue. That is, the SDABL
No Collision Rule does not call for an automatic ejection for a violation.
Rather, that is left up to the umpire to decide whether or not the collision
was flagrant enough to warrant an ejection. And if an umpire does
cite a runner for violating the No Collision Rule, it becomes a bit more
difficult for him to justify not ejecting the runner as a result.
That is, the umpire may feel that, because of all the factors involved, coupled
with the fact that, thankfully, nobody was hurt on the play, that the runner
himself was a "victim" of bad luck during an otherwise good play.
For
the above play, the umpire decided that no ejection was warranted, which
resulted in the discussion with the defensive manager seen in the last
frame. Despite the fact that the runner had been called out (due to the
tag by his catcher), the manager felt like the runner should have been
ejected. The umpires disagreed, instead deciding to give a warning to the
runner---essentially putting all the players present "on
notice."
Was
this a good decision? Probably. Would they have been justified in
ejecting the runner? Again, probably. That is, there would have
been nothing wrong with "setting the bar low" with reference to the
safety issue. Maybe not the best decision in terms of the game
itself. But then, safety should take a priority, and anything the umpire
can do to ensure this, the better off everybody becomes. In either case, a tough decision.
FIGURE 4:
The way the game should be played
Steve
Devan (00) of the San Diego Sting in possession of the ball (located in heal of
glove) and tagging out an unknown
runner. Good baseball on the part of both players. (Of course, the real question is this: Did he make the tag before the runner’s foot touched the plate? Ooh, baby---close play, tough call!)
APPENDIX 2: DISCUSSION OF NO COLLISION RULE
INTRODUCTION:
The
following discussion may be considered as “overkill.” Perhaps.
But those who have been around adult baseball for a long time know how
controversial this rule has been since the beginning of adult baseball. Therefore, the detail below is an attempt to
help clarify the rule, or at least present it in the way that umpires are
taught to interpret/enforce it. And as
we all know, any rule is only as good as those who enforce it, not on how well
or even “badly” it was written by the authors.
Much
of the discussion is a result of legitimate questions asked by managers and
players about the No Collision Rule with respect to how it works, or rather,
how it is “different” from the regular baseball rules having to do with
Obstruction, Interference, and even “Incidental” contact. Hopefully, the below will clarify some of
these issues.
CLARIFICATION
OF RULE:
This
is not a “must slide” rule. That
is, any (“legal”) means used by the runner to avoid a “stand up” collision,
such as running around a player, is encouraged.
At the same time, if a player chooses to remain standing and a collision
occurs, that player runs the risk of being cited for violating the No Collision
rule even though there may not have been any “malicious intent.” Umpire
Judgment will always prevail. And
since the umpires can’t be inside the mind of a player, and because the umpires
have been instructed to enforce this rule for safety purposes, they have total
discretion in determining if the “spirit” of this rule has been violated.
“REAL
The
SDABL does understand the desire to “play hard” and is certainly aware of the
dangers of doing so that are inherent in playing the game itself. Still, while professional ball players can
afford to play under the concept of “win at all costs,” winning at “all costs”
with reference to recreational ball approaches the absurd, since what’s usually
at stake is simply a trophy or a T-shirt.
GRAY AFFECTS THE BLUE
Unfortunately, there is a lot of “gray” area
involved for umpires when attempting to enforce this rule according to the
league’s wishes, since it is a kind of “aberration” specific to recreational
ball. In particular, Official Baseball
Rules come into play in terms of Obstruction and Interference. “Incidental Contact,” though not an explicit
Official Baseball Rule, must be considered as well. (See “Incidental Contact” below).
For
instance, the official Obstruction Rule states that no defensive player may
block a runner’s base path without either “having possession of” or is “about
to receive” a thrown ball for the purpose of making a play. Simple enough. Though not explicitly stated, this wording
certainly “implies” that a runner has the “right” to take out any defensive
player who is blocking the base path illegally (i.e., obstructing). But the trouble starts with the
following: What exactly does the
rule mean by “about to receive?”
Unfortunately, (for the player, anyway) the definition is subject to any
given umpire’s interpretation on any given day.
And since the rule itself states that “umpire judgment” will prevail then no judgment either way can
be considered “wrong.” (Player
opinion notwithstanding, of course).
RUNNER GUIDELINES (To Avoid Violating the No
Collision Rule):
- Plays at a base --- If the play is
developing right at a base or home, the runner should make every attempt
to slide.
Generally speaking, no runner will ever be
cited for violating the No Collision Rule if he slides---so long as the
following doesn’t occur:
1) Spikes-up, “kicking out”
with the obvious intent of inflicting injury and/or breaking up a double play.
2) Any “roll-block” or “pop-up”
slides with the obvious intent of inflicting injury and/or breaking up a double
play.
3) Any slide by a leading
runner who has already been put out which results in no obvious attempt
whatsoever to acquire the base in which he was “heading to.”
4) Any slide that shows no
obvious attempt to acquire the base being attempted. (That is, the runner better be able to touch
the base with some part of his body).
These four situations
put the runner at risk of unsportsmanlike conduct and possible ejection, not to
mention being cited for Interference.
- Plays up the line from
a base
--- If the play is developing up the line (too far away from a base or
home to warrant a slide), the runner should make every attempt to “go
around” the defensive player or head back towards the previous base. If neither is possible and his being put
out is “imminent,” the runner is encouraged to “give himself up.”
Keep in mind that
in accordance with the Official Baseball Rules, the defensive player has every
right to be in the baseline so long as he has possession of, or is “about to
receive,” the ball. It is conceivable,
of course, that Incidental Contact
might come into play under these kinds of circumstances, particularly out on
the bases as opposed to home. But,
again, umpire judgment will prevail.
Also keep in mind
that the defensive player is not without responsibility here. That is, if he is blocking the baseline
illegally he is most definitely guilty of Obstruction---which means the runner
will be awarded (at a minimum) the base he is attempting to acquire, regardless
of whether or not he is put out. Not
only that, but the defensive player runs the risk of being cited for violating
the No Collision Rule if, in the umpire’s judgment, he caused any
collision that may occur.
The runner should
understand that actual contact with
the defensive player is not required to cite the defensive player for
Obstruction. As such, if the runner
chooses to make deliberate contact
with the offending defensive player for the purpose of “proving” his case, that
runner is at risk of being ejected for violating the No Collision
Rule---despite the fact that the runner will in fact be allowed to advance as a
result of the Obstruction. It’s just
that his substitute will now be the one running in his place.
RUNNER AT A DISADVANTAGE: It’s true that many runners are at a disadvantage
when the ball is “somewhere” behind them.
Therefore, a runner can’t be expected to know if a throw is “about to be
received.” For the most part, and aside
from any vocal help he may be receiving from his teammates, the runner has to
base his judgment on the “body language” of the defensive player at the base he
is heading towards. This should not
be an excuse, however, for “taking out” the defensive player. By the time a runner reaches the base/home,
he should be somewhat “aware” of whether or not there is going to be a close
play. If not, there’s no need to “take
out” the defensive player who may be blocking his way. If the runner does sense the ball is about to
arrive, however, he should be sliding---not only to ensure there
is no stand-up collision, but also because that’s just good baseball.
DEFENSE PLAYER GUIDELINES (To Avoid Violating the No
Collision Rule):
- Whether right at the
base or home, or if you are up the line from any base or home---stay
out of the runner’s way if you do not have possession of the ball
or if you are not (obviously) about to receive it. If you are in the way, you will be
guilty of Obstruction if there is contact with the runner or if the runner
has to go around you to avoid a collision.
As a defensive player, you do not have a “right” to half the base or half of home plate without
possession of, or are not about to receive, the ball. That is, you can’t allow “limited” access to
a base or home in anticipation of the play eventually developing there. If there is no play taking place, or a play
is not imminent, the runner must have full
access (or rather, all the access he
desires) to the base and/or home.
Period. You run the risk of an
Obstruction call at the very least, and at most possible ejection for violating
the No Collision Rule if a collision occurs.
Like just about everything else when it comes
to most rules, “about to receive a throw” is (once again) based on umpire judgment. There is no specific rule in any baseball
rulebook that defines “about to receive.”
There are, however, plenty of Casebook cases and other (subjective)
guidelines offered. The below is the
best than can be offered, despite the fact that both scenarios are arguable.
1) A throw from an infielder: Once an infielder has fielded the ball and
has readied himself to throw, the defensive player (for instance, the catcher)
may consider the throw “as about to be received” and block the plate---so long
as the runner has not already arrived at the plate and the ball has not yet
left the infielder’s hand. (Applies to
plays at any base).
2) A throw from an outfielder: Once the ball has been thrown and has
“crossed the infield plane” the defensive player (for instance, the catcher)
may consider the throw “as about to be received” and therefore block the
plate---so long as the runner has not already arrived at the plate and so long
as the throw is “online” and coming at fairly “high velocity”. (That is, if a weak throw has caused the ball
to just “trickle” into the infield, this would not justify a throw as “about to
be received.” Umpire judgment). As above,
this applies to plays at any base, not just home. Keep in mind, however, that the “infield
plane” reference used above for plays at home will be “moved” accordingly by
the umpire for plays at the bases.
Obviously, it’s a “distance” thing.
- If any Defensive
Player, while not in possession of the ball or not about to receive it, purposely
puts himself in the way of any runner at the last moment for the
purpose of not only stopping the runner’s progress, but also in the
“hopes” of having the umpire “blame” the runner for any stand-up collision
that occurs, will be cited for violation of the No Collision Rule. The Defensive Player will be
immediately ejected and may be subject to suspension upon investigation.
INCIDENTAL
CONTACT:
First of all, there is no explicit rule in
any rulebook that defines Incidental Contact.
It is merely a guideline offered, usually in casebooks, to umpires when
dealing with that gray area during those situations in which neither an
Obstruction or Interference should be called for the following reason When
the location of a thrown ball has caused the defensive player attempting to
catch it and the runner attempting to acquire a base draws both players
together at the same point in space and time --- the proverbial “bang-bang”
play. The point being that each player
has the “right” to be where he is in his attempt to perform his job, so neither
should be cited for any violation.
(Umpire judgment, of course).
Example:
A
play we’ve all seen---batter hits a grounder to the shortstop, who fields but
whose throw to 1st is up the line towards home (and in the base
path) of the on-coming batter-runner.
Suddenly the ball, the 1st baseman, and the batter-runner all
meet at the same time---bang!---a collision occurs. Sometimes the runner recovers and acquires 1st
safely, sometimes not. In either case,
there is no Obstruction or Interference violation on either player, since both
were where they were supposed to be with reference to performing their
jobs. Therefore, the collision is
considered “incidental” to the play and whatever happens, happens.
Caution: Most plays adjudged as being “incidental contact”
take place at 1st base, as in the above example. This doesn’t mean that they don’t occur at
any other base/home. They do. But, because most “bang-bang” plays at
bases other than 1st usually result in a slide by the runner (or at
least it “should”), as opposed to his being able to “run through” 1st
base, which sets up the “acceptable” risk that a collision could occur with no
violation on either player’s part.
Therefore, any stand-up collisions that result at bases other than 1st
have an “excellent” chance of being ruled as a violation of the No Collision
Rule, since sliding is not only an “option,” but also because sliding just
makes perfect sense.. Those situations,
however, where there is stand-up contact between the bases (say,
halfway or so) will most likely be treated as an Obstruction on
the part of the defensive player.
Basically/justifiably/historically, the runner will (“always”)be given
the benefit of the doubt out on the base path for obvious reasons --- unless,
of course, it is obvious that the runner has made some kind of
intentional/blatant move to cause the collision. (Most commonly seen during “run-downs”). Again, umpire judgment.
HOW
TO DEAL WITH UMPIRE JUDGMENT:
Simply
this---eliminate it. That
is, if the situation calls for a slide---then slide. If sliding is not an option---then go
around. (Or, admittedly a “weak”
option, “give yourself up” if being tagged out is imminent). Remember, the umpires have been asked to
enforce this rule based on safety considerations---not on whether it is
“good,” baseball.
------------------------------------
APPENDIX 3 --- MANAGING TIPS
ORGANIZING:
Working
with Your League Commissioner:
Managing
Your Team:
·
Keep in touch with your players. Use your coach and another
player on the team to help with making phone calls during the week (similar to
a calling tree in Little League). This helps alleviate some of the time
commitment involved.
·
Use a 3-ring binder to keep all player contracts, newsletters, line-up
cards, schedules, rules, and player addresses/phone numbers. Also keep a
master list of everyone's uniform number and positions (depth chart) for use in
altering field assignments on the defensive line-up. Use the binder to
keep everything centrally located for easy recall/use.
·
After each game and after your players have cleaned up the field and
policed for trash, let them know the time of next week's game and the field
location. This will minimize phone calls and alert you to absences that
might occur.
·
Read, or let your players read, pertinent items in the weekly
newsletter - especially if their name appears in it from a previous week's
exploits. This will help make them feel more a part of the league and
keep them informed. You may want to consider putting together a team
newsletter.
·
Try to keep all players "in the game" at all times.
When players are not in the batting order and/or the defensive alignment, their
edge tends to wear off. Don't let players sit down too long before
getting them back into the game, either offensively or defensively.
·
Collect all team fees up front, with or without a sponsor. Try to
avoid "installment plans" or "pay-as you-go" methods.
This is risky and causes you administrative hassles that you don't need.
We strongly suggest that even if you have a sponsor, that you charge your
players a team fee. Experience has shown that when a player is relieved
of a financial commitment, their participation and commitment to the team
becomes suspect. If your sponsor is willing and able to cover all the
team's regular season costs, we suggest you save some of the money for
tournament travel costs or other expenses.
·
Get all players to help with cleaning up. If you consistently let
certain players leave without lending a hand, you'll soon have all players
"slipping away" and you'll be left with all the field maintenance
clean up. If everyone pitches in, the job will be easier and faster.
Practicing:
The SDABL suggests you hold your practices at junior
high schools or other facilities if permission can be arranged. (NOTE:
Contact your League Commissioner for information about getting
permission to use any high school field for practice. DO NOT USE ANY SCHOOL WITHOUT PERMISSION). At any facility though, rules governing soft
toss (hitting against the fence) and throwing on the grass in front of dugouts,
are not waived. Further, we suggest taking only infield/outfield practice
between games. Yes, we realize that batting practice is what most players
want to do, however, that activity is the hardest on a field. It tears up
the mound and the batter's box and creates an indirect soft toss action on the
backstop (since use of a catcher during batting practice is rare). If you
really must take batting practice, please don't do it on a varsity field.
------------------------------------
APPENDIX 4--- “TEAM
MOVEMENT” POLICY
Starting in the 2006 SDABL Spring season teams will be required to move up to the next level of play within their age group based on their “Final Power Ranking” (FPR). A team’s FPR will determine whether the team will move up. Below is the formula used to determine the FPR.
- The team’s final regular season winning percentage converted to points
- 60 points for any team receiving a first round bye in the playoffs
- 60 more points earned for a quarter-final win
- 120 points for a semi-final win
- 180 points for a Championship win
This calculation is based on a 17-game schedule where each win is worth approximately 60 percentage points. For each playoff victory the same percentage points will be assigned on an escalating basis.
HAVE A GREAT SEASON! --- PLAY
BALL!
Casey Stengel
“All
I ask is that you bust your heiny on that field
--------------------------------
Satchel Paige
“Age is a
case of mind over matter. If you don’t
mind, it don’t matter.”
--------------------------------
Yogi Berra
“Baseball
is ninety percent mental. The other half
is physical.”