STANDING
RULES
Adopted
August 27, 2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
I. AUTHORIZATON
& EXPANSION OF THE BYLAWS RULES:
1.
Power given to the Board of Directors
2.
Authorize eighteen (18) and above
players
3.
Adding additional Board Positions
4.
Right to vote
5.
Adding additional Divisions
6.
Adding Spring League with nine (9)
inning games
7.
Tie game procedure
8.
Cancelled games
61.
Refunds
62.
No refunds
II. GAME RULES:
9.
Spring League time limits
10. Summer League time limits
11. Umpire to enforce time limits
49.
Minus (-) five (5) bats
50.
No infield practice
66.
No contact rule
67.
No fake tag
68.
Running/Fielding rules first base
69.
Running/Fielding rules second base
70.
Running/Fielding rules third base
71.
Running/Fielding rules home plate
III. SMSBL / MABL PLAYER RULES:
12. Player as a Member in Good Standing
13. Player requirements for Good Standing
14. Player Pay to Play
15. Player paper requirements
25.
Player National MSBL/MABL dues
26.
Player one time per year National fee
27.
Players payment responsibility
29. Player Spring League fee
31. Player full fee rule
32. Player NCAA rule exception
33. Player Spring League half fee
34. Player Spring League half fee restrictions
35. Player Summer League fee
36. Player Summer League half fee
37. Player Summer League half fee restrictions
44. Illegal player
45. Other illegal action by player
46. Violation of Club Rules by player
48. Forfeit
IV. CODE OF CONDUCT RULES:
16. Action by the Board of Directors
17. Penalties
18. All actions in writing and recorded with the
Secretary
19. Grievances
20. Grievances by or against a Board Member
21. Appeal
63. Striking, hitting member
64. Ejection from game
65. Violation of state prohibitions
V. TEAM RULES:
22. Minimum of fourteen (14) players
23. All money due by due date – no exception!
24. Payment from team or manager
30. Minimum Spring League Team fee
38. Minimum Summer League Team fee
39. Team fee deadline
40. Team paper requirement deadline
41. Roster exception
48. Forfeit
VI. MANAGER RULES:
28.
Submit team fee less adjustments
42.
Short roster restrictions
43.
Roster addition requirements
44.
Illegal players by manager
45.
Other illegal action by manager
46.
Violation of Club Rules by manager
47.
Age range violation by manager
48.
Forfeit
VII. LEAGUE TEAM & MANGER MEETINGS:
51.
First Spring League meeting
52.
Minimum Spring League deposit
53.
Final Spring League meeting
54.
Spring League game days
55.
Spring League Divisions
56.
First Summer League meeting
57.
Minimum Summer League deposit
58.
Summer League meeting if needed
59.
Final Summer League meeting
60.
Summer League Divisions
VIII. FOR THE GOOD OF THE CLUB:
72.
Fun & family
73.
Respect
74.
Act your age
75.
Have a good season
STANDING
RULES
Adopted
August 27, 2007
1.
The following Standing Rules will
supersede the rules promulgated by the National Baseball League as well as expand,
correct, explain, and support the enforcement of such rules of the corporation
as herein stated within the corporate Bylaws pursuant to Article II - Purpose,
Sections 1 – General Purpose, Section 2 - Powers, Section 3 – Applicable Law;
Article VI – Board of Directors, Section 8 – Powers of the Board of Directors,
subsection A.
2.
Expand Article II - Purpose,
Section 1 – General Purpose:
To allow and include player’s age eighteen (18) years of age and older
to play within and under the definition of the general purpose of the
corporation.
3.
Expand Article VII, Section 1 –
Authorized Officers:
To create, expand or include the following additional officers: President Pro-Tem, Second Vice-President,
Commissioners, and Player Agents.
4.
Expand Article IX, Section 2 –
Qualifications: Change to:
All Members shall be of good moral
character and shall attain the age of 18 years during the calendar year in
which they apply for membership. A
member shall have the right to vote at any corporation meeting, either in
person, or by proxy, and shall be eligible to hold any corporation office. There shall be but one vote for each member.
5.
Expand Article XII, Section 2 –
Special Rules: Change to: A. The league shall be divided into as many
divisions as is necessary to properly categorize each group of players within such
certain age range as the Board of Directors may from time to time
designate. One division shall be
established for players 18 years of age and older and shall be known as the 18 -
Plus Division. One division shall be
established for players 25 years of age and older and shall be known as the 25 -
Plus Division. One division shall be
established for players 35 years of age and older and shall be known as the 35 -
Plus Division. One division shall be
established for players 45 years of age and older and shall be known as the 45 -
Plus Division. One division shall be
established for players 55 years of age and older and shall be known as the 55 -
Plus Division. One division shall be established in a like manner for players
60 years of age and older and shall be known as the 60 - Plus Division. Players 25 – 35 – 45 – 55 – 60 years of age
and older, may be selected by and placed on the rosters of the established
teams in their respective division or in any division that is of a lower age
category. Players aged 18 to 24 years,
inclusively, may be selected by and placed on the rosters of the teams
established only in the 18 - Plus Division.
The player’s age shall be the age he will attain during the calendar
year of the season in progress.
Exceptions to this restriction may be allowed on an individual basis,
subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The above ages and divisions are the intended
goals of the Club, may not obtain the brackets until later. The objective for 2008 is that the age and
division will be set at 18+, 28+, 38+, 48+, and 58+. It is suggested that as teams that you should
recruit as close to those ages as soon as possible or your team will play in
the bracket of your youngest player. A
word to the wise!
6.
Expand Article XII, Section 2 –
Special Rules: Change to:
G. Nine innings shall constitute a
complete game in the Spring league and seven innings shall constitute a
complete game in the Summer league; however, five (5) innings or more shall
constitute a complete game in both leagues in which the game is discontinued on
account of rain or other restrictions including injury when time has expired.
7.
Expand Article XII, Section 2 –
Special Rules: Change to: H. A game ending in a tie score after seven
or nine completed 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 then the recorded score will be
the score as time expires. The game will
not be completed at a later date unless under special circumstances, that being
very limited in scope, at the discretion of the Board of Directors may be completed
at a later date.
8.
Expand Article XII, Section 2 –
Special Rules: Change to:
9.
All games in the Spring League are nine
(9) innings with a three (3) hour time limit.
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 three (3) hour 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.
Whatever the umpire decides is his decision and not for discussion!
10. All games in the Summer League are seven (7)
innings with a two and one half (2 1/2) hour time limit. 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 two and one
half (2 1/2) hour 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. Whatever the umpire
decides is his decision and not for discussion!
11. We generally have games following games so the
time limits will be strictly enforced by the umpires in order that the
following games will also play their full time.
Therefore, if you want to complete your game then play at a pace that
will allow your team to finish the necessary inning within the time frames allowed
under the Club’s rules! No
exceptions!
12. To be a member (player- manager- coach-
officer- board member) of this Club you must be a member in good standing. Any references to members, players, managers,
coaches, officers and board members throughout these Standing Rules will
incorporate the entire group even though only one may be stated.
13. A member in good standing requires the
following:
a. All
fees and any other financial obligations are to be paid in full.
b. Be
on a current roster and filed with the proper League officials.
c. Have
all required information and forms filed with the League.
d. Not
in violation of any of the Club’s Code of Conduct.
e. Not
in violation of any of the Club’s By-Laws.
f.
Not in violation of any of the Club’s Standing
Rules.
g. Not
in violation of any other matter concerning the Club.
14. All players must pay to play. If you play and have not paid the full amount
that is required you will be immediately ejected from the game, suspended from
three (3) to five (5) games, placed on probation for the remainder of the
season or expelled from the Club. If you
are part of a team fee payment it is your responsibility to insure that you are
listed as paid for that particular league.
No one will be excused from this responsibility! Let everyone be fore warned in this matter
concerning playing without paying!!
15. All players must also fill out and sign a
participation form (from the team manager) in order to be
cover under our insurance coverage.
Failure to do so may or will invalidate any and all coverage that is
available to you as a player. If you play and have not completed all the
necessary paper requirements you will be immediately ejected from the game, suspended
from three (3) to five (5) games, placed on probation for the remainder of the
season or expelled from the Club. Again,
if you are part of a team fee payment it is your responsibility to insure that
you are listed as paid and that your participation form has been submitted for
that particular league. No one will
be excused from this responsibility! Let
everyone be fore warned in this matter concerning the participation form!!
16. Disciplinary action may be taken against a
Club member who violates the Club’s Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Code of
Ethics, Code of Conduct, Standing Rules, Playing Rules or any and all other
Rules so added or deemed to be in effect by the Club’s Board of Directors.
17. The Board of Directors may impose any or all
of the following penalties:
a.
A STATEMENT of violation(s) and a warning that future violations
can result in stricter penalties.
b.
A REPRIMAND with PROBATION stating the violation(s) and a warning
that a future violation(s) can result in stricter penalties.
c.
A SUSPENSION from all Club activities for a period to be determined by
the Board of Directors, with a statement of reason for the suspension and a warning
that future violations can result in expulsion from the Club.
d.
An EXPULSION from the Club.
18. All actions taken by the Board of Directors
shall be in writing and a record thereof maintained in the Club files by the
Club Secretary.
19. A Club member who has a grievance against
another Club member may submit it in writing to the Board of Directors for
adjudication. The Board shall reply in
writing to the member who files a grievance within fourteen (14) days of its
receipt. A grievance deemed frivolous or
vindictive by the Board shall not be acted upon and the member filing such
grievance notified accordingly.
20. A member of the Board of Directors who files a
grievance, or against whom a grievance is filed, shall be automatically
disqualified from the adjudication process.
21. A Club member may appeal any action taken by
the Board of Directors pursuant to any paragraph in the Standing Rules and
particularly paragraphs 5,6,7,8 and 9 above.
The appeal must be in writing and must be received by the Board of
Directors within seven (7) days of the action by the Board. The Board of Directors must reply in writing
to an appeal within fourteen (14) days of its receipt. A member who has been expelled under
paragraph 6 may request that his appeal be handled under the same terms as
stated in Article XIV, Section 1, 2, and or 3 of the By-Laws.
22. All teams are required to maintain and pay for
a minimum of fourteen (14) players on their roster. 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! (See paragraph # 41 below.) The
penalty for such infraction is immediate ejection from the game of both the
manager and player with a three (3) to five (5) game suspension and probation
for the remainder of the season. Farther
infractions will result in two (2) to three (3) years suspension or expulsion
from the league for life. See paragraphs # 16 & 17.
23. 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 from the
Club and must re-apply for league play the following league or year.
24. All managers will pay a total league team fee
plus the National fee, preferably in one or two checks from the manager or from
the team’s checking account.
25. Each player is obligated to pay an extra
$26.00 fee to the Club which is then sent to the National MABL/ MSBL.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. It is the manager 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.
29. The Spring League fees are $200.00 per player,
plus $26.00 National fee.
30. The minimum team fee for the Spring League is
$3164.00 [(14 X ($200.00 + 26.00)].
31. All players that pay a full fee for either
the Spring League or Summer League may play any amount of games they wish and
still be eligible to play in the play-offs.
32. There are no half fees allowed until the
second half of the season unless this will cause a NCAA eligibility
violation for that player. The manager shall
provide evidence of such NCAA eligibility problems for each player to receive
this special exception.
33. The Spring League allows half fees @ $100.00 per
player plus the $26.00 National fee (if not previously paid) in the second half
of the season.
34. When a player is added in the second half of
the spring season he will be required to play at least one third (5) of the
total (season) games (14) in the remaining maximum available games of seven (7)
to be eligible to play in the play-off. No
player will be added with only two (2) games left in the season unless for
special circumstances and then only with the approval of the League
Commissioner or the Club’s Board of Directors.
35. The
Summer League fees are $300.00 per player, plus $26.00 National fee.
36. The Summer League allows half fees @ $150.00
per player plus the $26.00 National fee (if not previously paid) in the second
half of the season.
37. If a player is added in the second half of the
season he will be required to play at least one third (7) of the total (season)
games (21) in the remaining maximum available games of eleven (11) to be
eligible to play in the play-off. No
player will be added with only four (4) games left in the season unless for
special circumstances and then only with the approval of the League
Commissioner and the Club’s Board of Directors.
38. The minimum team fee for the Summer League is
$4564.00 [(14 X ($300.00 + 26.00)].
39. All team fees (total payment for all official
players but not less than the minimum of fourteen (14) players) will be
accompanied with a complete roster with all the information that is required by
the Club no later than the final deadline set for that league by the
Board for that Directors. There shall be
absolutely no exception for the minimum team payment and its deadline! See paragraph number 41 for a slight
exception for minimum roster players.
40. If the roster information for those players
listed is incomplete and / or the required amount of money is not received, the
money received will be deposited and the team will be put on hold until all
information and / or money needed for those players has been received. If said information and / or money is not
received by the final deadline all money will be returned and that team will
not be included in that League for the year.
41. 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 has been met of
fourteen (14) players. The penalty
for such infraction is immediate ejection from the game with a three (3) to
five (5) game suspension and probation for the remainder of the season. Farther infractions will result in two (2) to
three (3) years suspension or expulsion from the league for life. See
paragraphs # 16 & 17.
42. 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 will be paid at the full
league rate or the half rate if in the second half of the season plus the
National fee if not already paid. The
penalty for such infraction is immediate ejection from the game with a three
(3) to five (5) game suspension and probation for the remainder of the
season. Farther infractions will result
in two (2) to three (3) years suspension or expulsion from the league for life.
See paragraphs # 16 & 17.
43. If a team is in full compliance (current
roster with the proper matching dollars for that team) the manager may added to
his roster by submitting a completed, “Player Participation,” form with
the required amount of money before that player is allowed to play. If the player is allowed to play before this
these terms are met, the penalty for such infraction is immediate ejection from
the game with a three (3) to five (5) game suspension and probation for the
remainder of the season. Farther
infractions will result in two (2) to three (3) years suspension or expulsion
from the league for life. See paragraphs # 16 & 17.
44. If a manager or a player knowingly or
unknowingly allows an illegal player (any player not in compliances with
Club Rules) to participate in a game will be subject to Club disciplinary
action. The penalty for such infraction
is immediate ejection from the game with a three (3) to five (5) game
suspension and probation for the remainder of the season. Farther infractions will result in two (2) to
three (3) years suspension or expulsion from the league for life. See
paragraphs # 16 & 17.
45. If a manager or a player knowingly or
unknowingly changes, manipulate, swaps, trades players legal or illegal,
adds or removes players or any other illegal action not allowed by Club Rule
he will be subject to Club disciplinary action.
The penalty for such infraction is immediate ejection from the game with
a three (3) to five (5) game suspension and probation for the remainder of the
season. Farther infractions will result
in two (2) to three (3) years suspension or expulsion from the league for life.
See paragraphs # 16 & 17.
46. If a manager and / or players knowing or
unknowing violate any rules of the Club they will be subject to Club
disciplinary action. See paragraphs # 16
& 17.
47. If a manager adds a new player that is not
within a reasonable age range for that league he will be subject to
disciplinary action as deemed by the Board of Directors and / or the
disciplinary rules here by set by the Club’s, “Standing Rules.” The penalty for such infraction is immediate
ejection from the game with a three (3) to five (5) game suspension and
probation for the remainder of the season.
Farther infractions will result in two (2) to three (3) years suspension
or expulsion from the league for life. See paragraphs # 16 &17.
48. Any violation by the manager or player that
has a direct effect upon the game shall subject the team to a forfeit or more
at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
49. All minus (-) 5 rated bats are disallowed in
our leagues. Only minus (-) 3 bats are
allowed. The penalty for such infraction
is immediate ejection from the game with a three (3) to five (5) game
suspension and probation for the remainder of the season. Farther infractions will result in two (2) to
three (3) years suspension or expulsion from the league for life. See
paragraphs # 16 &17.
50. Infield practice prior to any league games is
not allowed. This is a non practice
facility.
51. 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.
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
53. 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.
54. The
Spring League is a weekend (Saturday & Sunday) league with games also on
Wednesday night depending on the number of teams in the leagues.
55. The Spring League will consist of four
divisions. They will be bracketed
according age to be determined prior to the start of the league.
56. 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.
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.
58. A manager’s meeting, if needed, may be held
for the Summer League 60 days prior to the state of the Summer League.
59. 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.
60. The Summer League will consist of five to six
divisions. They will be bracketed
according the National MSBL / MABL age brackets.
61. All refunds will be handled under the same
terms as stated in Article XIV, Section 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 consider if at all
after completion of the current season.
62. No refunds shall be made to a player who has
been suspended or expelled from the Club.
63. If a member, player, official or any other
individual associated via membership or contract with this Club lays a hand
upon, shoves or strikes, or threatens another member, player, official or
any other individual associated via membership, contract or not associated with
this Club shall be immediately suspended and shall remain suspended until their
conduct is reviewed by the Board if Directors.
The Board may impose a penalty congruous with the violation committed from
one to two year(s) suspension or expulsion for the league for life.
64. Any member ejected before, during or after a
game depending on the violation shall be suspension for at least one game. An immediate appeal in writing to the League
Commissioner with an acute justification that would dissuade the implementation
of this penalty is at his discretion. Any
serious violation in nature is beyond the scope of the Commissioner’s authority
and shall be referred to the Board of Directors.
65. Any member that violates any other
prohibitions as stated in Article XIII – Code of Conduct, Section 1 –
Prohibitions: Shall be penalized as stated:
Immediate ejection from the game, probation, suspension, immediate
suspension until reviewed by the Board of Directors or expulsion from the
league for life. These are minimum
enforced penalties which may also be increased by the Board of Directors if the
circumstances of the violation warrant additional punishment.
66. The
67. Making fake tags causing a player to do
something that may cause an injury will result in an immediate ejection from
the game. Any player ejected for such
violation shall be suspension for at least one game.
68. Running rules to first base: As a runner you are entitled to the ground
outside of the foul line and the outside half of the first base bag. Do not cross over the line after forty-five
(45) feet from home plate at all times unless to avoid contact. Fielders, first baseman, second baseman and
pitcher you are entitled to the ground inside the foul line and the inside half
of the first base bag. Do no cross over
the line if a play is being made at first base.
You should run inside parallel to the first base foul line and make
contact with the inside half of the first base bag at all times unless to avoid
contact. If a throw is off line go up or
down inside the foul line to make the catch and then tag the runner if
possible, Do not cross over into the
runner’s path to the bag causing contact.
This will be ruled as obstruction to the runner and he will be award the
base.
69. Running rules to second base: As a runner you are allowed to slide into the
bag or give it up by getting out of the way.
By sliding it does not mean coming in to take out the fielder. Once the fielder has the ball and is in
position to tag you out you are not to try and kick, strike or make any contact
with the fielder so as to dislodge the ball.
You may still slide into the bag, but only make contact with the bag and
not the fielder. By giving up means that you turn out of the area of the field
in play and not stand up with your arms trying to block a throw or any other
play. As a runner, sliding or giving up,
you must go to the opposite direction of the fielder covering the bag. In other words if the second baseman is
covering the bag by crossing over it to receive the throw from the shortstop,
then you would slide or give up to your right and visa versa if the shortstop
was covering. There are cases where the
fielder does not cross over the bag, but stays on his side of the bag, then you
will slide or give up to the opposite side.
As fielders you must declare your position early enough so that the
runner has time to decide how and where to go.
As fielders you must not block, obstruct or impede the runner at any
time without the ball or make a fake tag causing the runner to slide. The term breaking up double plays does exist
in our league, but not in the same since as defined in the Major Leagues. Both the runner and the fielder must make
every effort to avoid contact. There is
two halves to a bag, so one take one half and the other take the other half and
no body will get hurt or complain!
70. Running rules to third base: Same as at second base. Do not try and invent ways that are not
included or covered in the running rule to second base. Bottom line is to avoid contact at all cost.
71. Running rules to home plate: 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 the catcher,
therefore any rough tactics by the runner will be an immediate ejection. You may slide into home plate, but under no
situation are to you take out the catcher.
As a catcher you can not block the plate if you do not have the ball. If you have the ball or are about to instantly
receive the ball then you can block the inside half of the plate and no more if
the ball is coming from inside the foul lines.
If the ball is coming from outside the foul lines then you can block
half the plate if you have the ball or are about to instantly receive the ball. Upon receiving the ball as a catcher you can
touch or swipe tag. But, at no time can
you bull tag the runner. You have the
gear, the runner doesn’t, and therefore any rough tactics by the catcher will
be an immediate ejection. Again
there are two halves to the plate and each player is entitled to the half that
is made available for safe play. Again
this is not the Major Leagues, college, Simi-pro or any other mucho
organization that allows players collide with each other with so little at
stake!
72. Don’t forget to have fun and bring your
family!
73. Respect others and don’t embarrass
yourself with your attitude!
74. At all times act your age!
75. Have a good season!
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
All of the preceding Standing Rules are authorized,
supported and enforced by and within the authority of the Sacramento Men’s
Senior Baseball League Bylaws pursuant to Article II, Section 3 – Applicable
Law, Article XV, Section 6 – Validity of Action, Article XX – Construction of
Bylaws and the State of