SMSBL PLAYING RULES
1. Membership, Rosters, Fees, and Playoff Eligibility
2. Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs, Bats, Cleats, and Pregame Infield
3. Game Length, Run Rule, Ties, Rain-outs, & Point Standings
4. Lineups, Additions, Changes, and Substitutions
5. Player Behavior, Responsibility, Collisions, Decoy, & Force
Slide
7. Pitchers
10.
Manager’s Meetings and Refunds
1.
Membership,
Rosters, Fees, and Playoff Eligibility
1.A. To be a
member (player- manager- coach- officer- board member) of this Club you must be
a member in good standing per our Bylaws and Standing Rules (SR:12).
1.B. A member in
good standing requires: all fees and any other financial obligations be paid in
full; be (listed) on a current roster; have all required information and forms
filed with the League; and not in violation of any of the Club's Code of
Conduct (XIII), By-Laws, Standing Rules, and any other matter concerning the
Club (SR:13).
1.C. All
players must pay to play (SR:14).
1.D. All
players must fill out and sign a League Participation Contract
(SR:15).
1.E. Any team
that does not pay the required amount or has not submitted the required
information on or before the final date set by the Board of Directors for that
league/season will be dropped (SR: 23).
1.F. Team fees
(for no less than a minimum of fourteen (14) players) and a complete roster
with all the required paperwork is due no later than the final deadline set by
the Board of Directors. There shall be absolutely no exception for the minimum
team payment and its deadline! See 1.H for a slight exception for minimum
roster players (SR:39).
1.G. Final team rosters must have no less
than 12 players. All teams are
required to maintain and pay for a minimum of fourteen (14) players on their
roster (SR:22). It is not recommend, but allowed that a team can pay the
minimum fee for fourteen (14) players and maintain only twelve (12) players
very early in the season, but must obtain the minimum of fourteen (14) players
by the end of the third week of play. Under this scenario there will be no
swapping, trading or changing of any players until that team has reached the
minimum player requirement of fourteen (14) players per section 1.H (SR 41)
1.H. If the
roster has less than the required minimum fourteen (14) players, but full
payment and all the required forms have been received for at least twelve (12)
players, the money will be deposited. Those vacant roster spots are required to
be filled ASAP. Those players listed on the roster will become a permanently
filled roster spots until the final two spots are filled. There will be absolutely
no exchanging of names and/or other players for those filled roster spots until
the minimum roster requirement of fourteen (14) players has been met. The
penalty for such infraction is immediate ejection from the game (SR:41).
1.I.
A manager will only be allowed to fill roster
spots up to the minimum if the minimum team fee has been paid. All other
additions are covered under section 1.N.
The penalty for such infraction is immediate ejection from the game
(SR:42).
1.J. A manager
may add to his roster only if his team is in full compliance. Waiver form and
money are required before a player is allowed to play (SR:43).
1.K. If a
manager or a player knowingly or unknowingly allows an illegal player (i.e. any
player not in compliances with the Standing Rules) to participate in a game,
the player shall be ejected (SR:44).
1.L. If a
manager or a player knowingly or unknowingly changes, manipulates, swaps,
trades (legally or illegally), adds, or removes players, or any other illegal
action not allowed, the manager/player shall be ejected from the game (SR:45).
1.M. If a
manager adds a new player that is not within a reasonable age range for that
league, the player shall be ejected from the game (SR:47).
1.N. All
managers will pay a total league team fee (based on a 14-player roster) plus
the National fee, preferably in one or two checks from the manager or from the
team's checking account. League fees are as follows (SR:24):
1.N.1.
Spring League fees are $200.00 per player,
plus $26.00 National fee (SR:29). The
minimum team fee for the Spring League is $3164.00 [(14 players X ($200.00 per
player + $26.00)]. For each roster spot over 14, the team fee increases by
$226.00 ($200.00 + $26.00) (SR:30).
1.N.2.
The Summer League fees are $300.00 per
player, plus $26.00 National fee (SR:35). The minimum team fee for the Summer
League is $4564.00 [(14 players X ($300.00 per player + $26.00)]. For each
roster spot over 14, the team fee increases by $326.00 ($300.00 + $26.00) (SR:38).
1.N.3.
Each player is obligated to pay an extra
$26.00 fee to the Club which is then sent to the National MABL/MSBL (SR:25).
The National fee ($26.00) is paid by each member only one time per year.
Therefore, if the player has paid the National fee ($26.00) in our Spring
League or any other MABL/MSBL League then they are only required to pay the
SMSBL Spring League fee of $200.00 and/or the Summer League fee of $300.00. It
is the responsibility of the players to produce evidence that they have already
paid their National Dues so that the manager can properly submit the team
roster so annotated with the correct adjusted team fee (SR:26).
1.N.4.
If a team has paid the minimum team fee, a
player may be added during the first half of the season (Spring or Summer) by
paying a prorated fee based on the number of games remaining on the team’s
schedule plus the $26.00 National fee, if applicable. This prorated fee is $20 per game, not to
exceed the total per player fee.
1.N.5.
If a team has paid the minimum team fee, a
player may be added during the second half by paying half the League fees plus
the $26.00 National Fee, if applicable.
1.N.6.
There are no half fees allowed until the
second half of the season unless this will cause NCAA eligibility violation for
that player. The manager shall provide evidence of such NCAA eligibility
problems for each player to receive this special exception (SR:32).
1.O. It is the
manager’s responsibility to submit the correct adjusted team fee verified and
supported by a roster so annotated with evidence from each player that has
already paid their National Dues (SR:28).
1.P. In order
for a player to be eligible for the playoffs, he must play in a minimum of 1/3
of the season’s games (5 for the Spring and 7 for the Summer). In order for a player to qualify as
a pitcher-only he must make two plate appearances in one half of his team’s
regular season games played, or pitch in 25% of his team’s regular season total
innings, or pitch in 75% of his team’s games. If such a player fails to meet
the requirements due to injury, a letter should be submitted to the league
president explaining non-compliance.
2. UNIFORMS, HELMETS, BASEBALLS,
BATS, CLEATS, PREGAME INFIELD
2.A. All teams must have full baseball
uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt,
sanitary socks and stirrups (XII.3.A).
2.B. All uniforms on a team shall be
identical. All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A player not in complete uniform
shall not participate in the game; however, a grace period shall be allowed
for a newly activated player or team to complete their uniforms (XII.3.D).
2.C. All batters, runners, base coaches,
and catchers must wear helmets (XII.2.F).
2.D. Each team shall bring at least 3 league
balls to each game and provide 2 each to the umpire pregame.
2.E. Wood and wood-composite
bats only. The handle can be metal or metal composite, but the barrel must be
wood or non-metal. All minus (-) 5 rated bats are disallowed
(SR:49).
2.F. Metal cleats are permitted (XII.3.A).
2.G. Pregame infield practice is not
allowed (SR:50).
3. GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE, TIES,
RAIN-OUTS, & POINT STANDINGS
3.A. All games
in the Spring League are nine (9) innings with a three (3) hour time limit (SR:9).
All games in the Summer League are seven (7) innings with a
two and one half (2 1/2) hour time limit (SR:10). No inning
shall be started with only fifteen (15) minutes or less to play within the time
limit. There is a drop dead rule at the time limit, but may be continued for
one last batter if it would possibility make a difference in the game and only
then at the discretion of the umpire.
3.B. Five (5)
innings or more shall constitute a complete game in which the game is
discontinued on account of rain or other restrictions including injury when
time has expired (SR:6). All
league playoff games must be played to completion either by league standards,
being a (7) inning or (9) inning game. The umpire may suspend, cancel or call a
game if, in their opinion, the safety of the players is compromised due to
rain, darkness, field conditions, or time limits.
3.C. If there is a 15-run discrepancy at
the end of 5 innings and the game has gone 2 hours and 30 minutes, the game
will be ruled final at this point.
3.D. A game
ending in a tie score after the completed (7 or 9 depending on Summer or
Spring) innings with the time being expired shall be recorded as a tie. If the
time limit does not permit the completion of a full inning as time expires, and
the home team is trailing in the score, the final score will be the score
recorded at the end of the previously completed inning. If the home team is
batting as time expires and they are leading, the recorded score will be the
score as time expires (SR:7).
3.E. In the
event of rain, the League will notify the managers of both teams and the
umpires.
3.F. Final
League standings will be decided using a cumulative point system with a win
equal to 2 (two) points, a tie equal to 1 (one) point, a loss equal to 0 (zero)
points, and a forfeit equal to -1 (negative one) point. Forfeit games shall be scored (RA/RF) as: 0-9 for a nine-inning game or
0-7 for a seven-inning game. Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from
the league with no money refunded to the team. A tie in points will be decided in order by: head-to-head records, head-to-head
runs against, head-to-head runs scored, and a coin flip.
4. LINEUP, ADDITIONS, CHANGES &
SUBSTITUTIONS
4.A. Last name, first initial, and jersey number must be used in the scorebook/lineup to allow for player
identification and/or follow up inquiries.
4.B. Free
substitutions shall be permitted on defense, but NOT permitted on offence
(XI.2.C,D)
4.C. A team manager may bat as many
players as he desires, with a minimum of 10 (subject to the number of players
available, if less than 10). Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over,
regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game.
If a team has only 9 (nine) players and therefore bats only 9, the opposing
team will have the option of batting 9 as well. Please recognize the distinction between a player
and a batting position in the lineup. This means no forfeit shall
occur if 9 or more individual players bat in less than 10
positions in the batting lineup,
so long as the lineup/scorebook at the end of the game shows that the
required number of players have batted.
4.D. A manager may add batters to the
bottom of the lineup at any time but if a batter is pinch hit or run for
(except as outlined in section 6), the player may not re-enter the game as a
hitter but may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher. Added players to the
bottom of the lineup may be added as individual hitters or as A/B. Each team
has an offensive and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other.
Players may play in either lineup or both.
4.E. A team MAY declare at the time that
lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order
position can be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position.
That is, 3A/3B, 10, 11A/11B, 12, etc. The first time that position 9 gets an at
bat, 9A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 9B would be up. Then 9A
hits the third time this spot in the order comes up, and so on, alternating
between these two players throughout the game. Once a team declares the use of
this A/B system, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game.
Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit for just as any other player.
4.F. All teams must announce offensive
additions, substitutions, and/or changes to the home plate umpire AND opposing
team manager and/or scorekeeper. Only after this has been done will the added
player be deemed a legal substitution. If a team fails to announce an offensive
addition/change, the player will be called out as soon as he occupies the
batter’s box and the lineup will revert back to the lineup in effect prior to
the player entering the game. The unannounced player will not have officially
entered the offensive lineup and is therefore still available offensively even
though an out has been assessed. Example: Team A is batting 12 players and
wishes to add a player to the bottom of the lineup (Player 13). Player 13 walks
to the plate and is not announced to either the opposing team or home plate umpire.
Once this player occupies his position in the batter’s box, the umpire will
immediately call him out for an illegal substitution and it will then go back
to the number 1 position in the lineup. Player 13 is still available to be
added to the lineup legally.
4.G. If a player is forced to leave a
game due to injury or ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into
the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place. If there are no
reserves who can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters
below that position move up. The first
time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed,
after that one time, no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by
the displaced player.
4.H. A team that is unable to field 8
players on offense and defense shall automatically forfeit the game
(XII.2.C,D). A team must have 8 players for an official game and may borrow a
player from an opposing team with the opposing manager’s consent or may borrow
a player from another team, also with the opposing manager’s consent. If the
team’s 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player
reverts back to his team.
4.I.
All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without
affecting the player’s offensive status in the line-up. If the pitcher is
removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the course of the game,
but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position
after being removed or no position at all.
4.J. All players are free agents between
seasons. No player may switch teams during the season without the consent of
both managers and the League.
4.K. In the event a player wishes to
leave his existing team and form a new team, he may do so. No other player can
be taken from the existing team without the consent of the existing team’s
manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without the
respective team manager’s approval.
5. PLAYER CONDUCT, COLLISSIONS, DECOY,
FORCE SLIDE
5.A. Managers and players shall conduct
themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times as per the Code of Conduct in
our Bylaws (XIII.1).
5.B. The league has the right to suspend
or expel any team member who abuses league rules or who does not exhibit a
sense of sportsmanship or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires
or other players.
5.C. An umpire has sole discretion to
expel any player or manager from the game.
5.D. Base runners and defensive
players shall cause no harm and avoid unnecessary, violent collisions or harmful contact whenever possible.
5.E. When there is a collision between a
runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall
judge. All of the rules for the bases
will also apply at home plate. As a runner you are to slide or give up and at
no time are you allowed to bowl over or take out the catcher. Runners may slide
into home plate, but any rough tactics by the runner will result in immediate
ejection.
5.F. Decoy Rule: Any fielder may use a
decoy only if it serves a strategic purpose. For example, if a fielder,
who sees a man attempting to steal second base during a hit and run, looks
upward into the sky and says that he’s got the pop-up when in fact the ball has
been hit on ground is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat
to first base and prevent him from advancing. However, if a fielder fakes
a tag, forcing a player to slide, when there is no strategic purpose or
apparent play, the runner will be ruled safe and all runners will advance one
base. If a fake tag or illegal decoy
causes unnecessary harm/injury, the result shall be immediate ejection from the
game (SR:67).
5.G. Force Play Slide Rule: The intent of
the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This
is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have
completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule.
This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the
number of outs. The Sacramento MSBL/MABL
Club is a non-violent, non-contact league! You must avoid harmful, unnecessary
contact at all times (SR:66).
5.G.1. On any force play, the runner must
slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases. A runner
need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in
a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the
play of the fielder. On the ground means either a head-first slide or a slide
with one leg and buttock on the ground. Directly into a base means the runner’s
entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in line between the bases, within reach of the base by either a hand or
a foot. 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.
5.G.2. Contact between fielder and runner
is legal and interference shall not be called if:
5.G.2.a. The runner
makes a legal slide directly to the base or is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder
moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play.
5.G.2.b.
The runner makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player
who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.
5.G.2.c.
When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (a) make
contact with, or (b) alter the play of the defensive player.
5.G.3.
Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:
5.G.3.a. The runner slides or runs out of the
base line in the direction of the fielder.
5.G.3.b. The runner uses a rolling,
cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of
a fielder.
5.G.3.c. The runner’s raised leg makes
contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position.
5.G.3.d. The runner goes beyond the base and
either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder - means any part of
the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the
fielder beyond the base.
5.G.3.e. The runner slashes or kicks the
fielder with either leg.
5.G.3.f.
The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the
fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play.
5.G.3.g. Penalty:
5.G.3.g.1.a.
With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering
runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.
5.G.3.g.1.b.
With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other
runner(s) shall advance
5.G.3.g.1.c.
If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be
ejected from the contest
5.G.3.g.1.d.
If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play
attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to
their original bases.
5.H. Failure to abide by age regulations:
An opposing manager may at anytime have the right to question a player’s age.
If a manager wants to lodge a protest, proof of age and residence must be provided
to the manager who lodged his protest. Any
violation by the manager or player that has a direct effect upon the game shall
subject the team to a forfeit (SR:48).
6.A. Players that will need courtesy
runners, must have their manager notify the opposing manager prior to the start
of the game. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request.
Each team will be allowed a maximum of 2 players per game who can be run
for each time that they reach base. The individual who runs for these
player(s) needing a courtesy runner is not determined ahead of time. It
is always the last batted out who must run for the person needing the
courtesy runner. Once the game begins and the full complement of 2 courtesy
runners has not been used, if a player sustains an injury, an
additional courtesy runner may be used. In the event a player becomes injured
during the game and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) have already
been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be
allowed. If a batter (designated as needing a courtesy runner) opts to run, or
forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he will NOT lose his
courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game. The offensive team that
is replacing the courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. If
the runner is not replaced within this time period, the original runner must
run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be
forfeited for the balance of the game. The 30 second time limit will begin at
the time the umpire calls for time to allow replacement for the runner.
6.B. With two
(2) outs, a courtesy runner will be allowed for the catcher at the option of
the batting team. If the catcher is the last batted out and there are two (2)
outs, the previous batted out may be used instead.
7.A. No pitcher may wear white or gray
sleeves, batting glove, or wristband while pitching.
7.B. One intentional walk per game will
be allowed
7.C. If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any
one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batsman.
7.D. If a pitcher is removed from the
mound, he may only re-enter as a pitcher until the next inning or later.
7.E. There is no regulation as to how
many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week.
8. EX-PRO STATUS: SMSBL allows any player, regardless of time away
from professional or independent ball.
9.A. In the
point standings, a forfeit is equal to -1 (negative one) point. Forfeit games shall be scored (RA/RF) as: 0-9
for a nine inning game or 0-7 for a seven inning game. Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from
the league with no money refunded to the team.
9.B. A team that is unable to field 8
players on offense and defense shall automatically forfeit the game (XII.2.C,D)
9.C. All protests shall be lodged to the
league commissioner within 48 hours of the event. The commissioner shall rule
on all such protests and shall report any rulings to the Board of Directors
(XII.3.B).
10.
MANAGER’S MEETINGS AND REFUNDS
10.A. The first
Spring League manager's meeting will be held in November the previous year no
less than 90 days prior to the start of the Spring League (SR:52) A minimum
team deposit of $1050.00 ($75.00 X 14 players) will be required and received by
the Club at a manager's meeting held 60 days prior to the start of the Spring League
(SR:51).
10.B. The final
Spring League manager's meeting with the balance of all the money due, a
complete minimum roster of 14 players, and all other necessary paper
requirements for the Club shall be received no later than 30 days prior to the
start of the Spring League. There will be no exception or extension of time to
complete the above requirements! Failure to meet these requirements will
forfeit your right to participate in the Spring League (SR:53).
10.C.
The Spring League is a weekend (Saturday &
Sunday) league with games also on other nights depending on the number of teams
in the leagues and field availability. The Spring League will consist of four
divisions. They will be bracketed according age to be determined prior to the
start of the league (SR:54).
10.D.
The first Summer League manager's meeting will be
held In March of that year no less than 120 days prior to the start of the
Summer League. SR 57: A minimum team deposit of $1050.00 ($75.00 X 14 players)
will be required and received by the Club at a manager's meeting held 90 days
prior to the start of the Summer League (SR:56).
10.E.
A manager's meeting, if needed, may be held for the
Summer League 60 days prior to the start of the Summer League (SR:58).
10.F.
The final Summer League manager's meeting with the
balance of all the money due, a complete minimum roster of 14 players, and all
other necessary paper requirements for the Club shall be received no later than
30 days prior to the start of the Summer League. There will be no exception or
extension of time to complete the above requirements! Failure to meet these
requirements will forfeit your right to participate in the Summer League
(SR:59).
10.G.
The Summer League will consist of five to six
divisions. They will be bracketed according the National MSBL/MABL age brackets
(SR:60).
10.H.
All refunds will be handled under the same terms as
stated in Article XIV.3 of the By-Laws. It states that no refunds are allowed
after the commencement of the season. Therefore, only special circumstances
will be permitted and they will be very limited in scope and must be approved
by seven (7) of the nine (9) Board Members. Generally, any consideration of any
refund after commencement of the season can only be considered, if at all,
after completion of the current season (SR:61).
10.I.
No refunds shall be made to a player who has been
suspended or expelled from the Club (SR:62).