PLAYERS

1. All players in CNMSBL are to receive a copy of the league’s rules. Coaches are required to distribute a copy of the league rules to team members. Being uninformed of league rules and policy will carry absolutely no weight in arbitrating disputes. The CNMSBL Executive Committee will be the sole determining authority for league disputes. It is the team manager’s responsibility to ensure this rule is followed.

2. Players become eligible to compete in CNMSBL as long as their 28th birthday falls within the current calendar year.

3. Each team must have a roster of at least thirteen (13) players. All players must sign a waiver form every year they participate in CNMSBL.

4. Final date for player roster change is that point in the season where there are 40% of the scheduled games remaining. The exact date to be determined each year as schedule is set and placed in the regular monthly meeting minutes. New players are not allowed to play until MSBL dues are paid, waiver form is signed, photo ID is given, and opposing managers are notified.

5. Players may not change teams during the current season unless they receive release from their current team and approval of the Executive Committee. Any player who leaves his team mid season must sit out for the next twelve (12) months before be allowed to play for an existing CNMSBL team. Players who owe their previous team money will not be allowed to play in the league until their account is reconciled.

6. Teams are subject to lose two (2) players per year to other CNMSBL teams, provided the movement is during the off-season. Players must notify the league and manager, in writing, of their intention to move; those who do so first will be the first allowed to move freely. After losing two players, teams have the right to refuse further players from transferring. Players not wishing to remain with their original team under this rule must sit out one year. Teams must not use this rule to invoke revenge on players who may wish to move on and players should use common courtesy and properly inform their original team and the league, as soon as possible, of their intentions to play elsewhere. Acceptable forms of notification are a letter and/or an email. It is advisable to confirm receipt so to avoid an question of a player’s intent to play elsewhere.

RULES

7. For definition purposes the word “game” will be defined to include: Batting practice and/or fielding warm-ups on the field of play which also includes benches, dugouts, and foul territory one-half hour prior to game time and until an individual player leaves the field of play at the end of the second game. The time between doubleheaders will be included as game time so long as the players are in the general vicinity to the field of play.

8. Games are to play as scheduled. Doubleheaders start no later than 1 PM. Starting times of games can be moved up three hours earlier, at the discretion of the home team. Any change in starting time must be made at least one week in advance of the scheduled date and the visiting team and league are to be notified by that time so players and umpires can be properly informed. All attempts should be made by all teams to avoid rainout games. Everyone’s cooperation will be greatly needed and appreciated. All postponed games must be rescheduled within two (2) weeks. (Not necessarily played, but scheduled) If teams cannot reach agreement in two weeks, the Executive Committee will schedule the game. The team unable to play will lose by forfeit.

9. Games called due to weather or inadequate field conditions are under the authority of the home team manager. Do not use this rule to get around a possible game forfeit. The visiting manager and umpires are to be notified as early as possible (minimum of 2 hours, i.e. – 8 am for a 10 am start) to eliminate wasted travel time and umpire fees.

10. Free defensive substitutions: Defensive players can come in and out of the line-up at the manager’s discretion. Pitchers removed from the mound can re-enter the game to pitch once, but only if they have remained in the game as a defensive player. A game cannot start with less than nine (9) players. However, during the course of a game, due to circumstances beyond control, a team may compete with only eight (8) players.

11. Courtesy runners: Players that will need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager before the start of the game. If not notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed a maximum of two (2) courtesy runners per game. The player to make the last batted out must be the courtesy runner (pitchers and catchers may be skipped as courtesy runners). The game catcher may have a runner with 2 outs in the inning as a way of quickening up play. Pitchers are not granted this same courtesy. Pitchers must run for themselves unless otherwise arranged as one of the two allowed a courtesy runner at the beginning of the game. A player who reaches base and has been named as a player needing a courtesy runner, must use that runner or lose it for the rest of the game and a manager cannot then name another player to use that courtesy runner in the future. When there are two outs and the catcher is on base he will then be asked one time if he wants a courtesy runner. If he refuses the runner, then he will continue on the bases until he scores or there are 3 outs. If in the first inning a courtesy runner is needed, and no outs have been recorded, then the last batter in the order shall be the courtesy runner. In the event a player becomes injured during a game, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed. However, in any situation, if there are no bench players and a runner is allowed, the new runner will be considered a courtesy runner and will be the last batted out.

12. Batting order: Can consist of an unlimited number of batters. Extra hitters can be used to bat for players who will only play defense. A and B hitters can also be used. If a player is unable to continue and no substitute is available, his place in the order will be an automatic out. Teams starting a game with the minimum of 9 batters, may add players during the game, but then cannot drop a batter during the course of the same game. Note: Teams starting with 10 cannot fall to 9. 9 cannot fall to 8. Players added to the batting order must be placed at the end of the order. A player, once removed from the batting order, cannot go back into the batting order but may (re-) enter the game defensively. A game cannot start with less than nine (9) players. However, during the course of a game, due to circumstances beyond control, a team may compete with only eight (8) players.

13. If a fielder decoys a throw or blocks a runner’s path to the base, without the ball in his possession, all runners will be entitled to the base and advance one base. If a fielder is guilty twice in the same game, they will be expelled from the game.

All runners must avoid an intentional collision with a fielder. In this case the runner will be called out and if ruled malicious by an umpire, will result in expulsion from the game and possible suspension. This rule is to be interpreted as a NONCONTACT RULE!!! Mandatory sliding is NOT required.

14. All efforts should be made by both teams to maintain a quick pace to the game. Warm-up pitches should be limited to eight (8) for a new pitcher and six (6) pitches between innings.

15. If a pitcher hits three (3) batters in one game, he must be removed as a pitcher.

16. It is understood that incidental contact is a part of the game and that men being men may engage in a slight altercation from time to time in the spirit of competition. However, the knowledgeable and purposeful intent to do bodily harm to a player during a game (as defined) will result in an automatic suspension pending a decision by the Executive Committee on their next scheduled meeting (held once monthly). The appropriate procedure for filing a complaint must be followed.

17. A game shall be called official and complete if a team is leading by ten (10) runs after five (5) complete innings. A game shall be called official and complete if a team is leading by fifteen (15) runs after four (4) complete innings.

18. A full double ear flapped or single ear flapped helmet facing the pitcher must be worn while batting and by base runners at all times. A skullcap or full catcher’s helmet must be worn by all catchers in the league, for protection. Violation of this rule may result in suspension from league play.

19. The home team is responsible for providing a minimum of five (5) new baseballs per regular season game. In the playoffs participating teams will equally share the baseball expense, with each team providing a minimum of four (4) new baseballs.

20. Wood bats and wood composite bats are allowed.

21. All players must be in full baseball uniform with a team uniform on order in order to participate in league play. NO EXCEPTIONS – NO SHORTS!!!

UMPIRES

22. Umpiring costs are to be shared equally each week and in the playoffs, as well, by both teams.

23. If a rainout is declared, with teams and umpires present, before the first pitch is thrown, a travel fee will be paid to each umpire.

24. In the event of a forfeit or a rainout, after a game is started, umpires are due one game fee unless a second game is started then they are to be paid for both games.

25. Do not verbally or physically abuse any umpire. We need umpires to develop a good attitude about our league. No umpire shall be verbally or physically assaulted before, during, or after a game. This includes safe refuge from the field of play to the parking area, which includes exiting the parking area. Verbal assault is considered a minor infraction and is subject to the penalties of minor infractions. Physical assault on an umpire will be considered a major infraction and is subject to the penalties governing major infractions. (See section infraction/penalties)

PLAYOFFS

26. In order for a player to qualify to participate in CNMSBL postseason playoffs, they must participate in 40% of their team’s regular season games and accumulate twenty (20) qualification points. A player accumulates Qualification Points as follows: 1 point per plate appearance, 1 point per complete inning pitched (e.g. 3 outs), 1 point per two defensive innings.

27. In the event a playoff game is stopped due to weather conditions, darkness, etc., the game will be continued at the point it was stopped.

28. Postseason seedings and format will be determined at our monthly meeting and placed in the monthly minutes before the season’s start. The tiebreakers will also be set at the same meeting and announced at the same time. The idea here is to have everything set before we begin play so we have no questions at playoff time.

INFRACTIONS/PENALTIES

29. A minor infraction is the breaking of a CNMSBL rule and is subject to verbal/written warning and/or game(s) suspension.

30. A major infraction will minimally result in the suspension of a player from the league for the rest of the current season to a maximum penalty of a lifetime expulsion from CNMSBL.

31. Any player ejected from a game will be in violation of a minor infraction and will be suspended from his team’s next game. A second ejection is a major infraction and is subject to the applicable penalty as a major infraction.

32. It is important that the full schedule is played. Every game played carries importance for postseason play. In the event a team is forced to forfeit a game due to lack of players, etc., the team will be required to:

A. Pay a non-refundable forfeit fee to the league.

· First forfeit is a $100.00 forfeit fee.

· Second forfeit is a $150.00 forfeit fee and an executive board decision for the teams’ eligibility.

B. Pay all umpiring fees. If the forfeiting team does not have money enough to cover both umpires then the other team will cover the remaining fee and shall be reimbursed by the forfeiting team. Remember, teams are splitting the costs for umpires each week.

33. Forfeiting teams will not be allowed to continue to play games until all fees are paid. Any games missed because fees are not paid will be considered a forfeit and subject to the rules governing forfeits. If the team disbands or is expelled from the league, any player who wishes to continue playing for another team must pay 8% of all fees owed to the league before they are allowed to play for another team via a dispersal draft.

34. All protests/complaints must be lodged to the league office by phone to 651-3113, or email at ajclarke22@comcast.net, within 24 hours (leave message on answering machine) and followed by written statement within 5 days. Failure to follow the above stated procedures will result in a dismissal of the protest or complaint.

35. The executive committee will settle all disputes. In most cases, the spirit of the law, not necessarily the letter of the law, will be interpreted. The executive committee’s decision is the final decision.