RULES AND REGULATIONS - Updated: February 17, 2019

Also, any bat that has been altered marked or in any way defaced in a manner that prevents the manufacturer identification of weight and length from being clearly and completely legible is considered an illegal bat.

(RULE DEFINITION: At bat refers to the moment the hitter steps into the batters box prior to the first pitch being made and ending when the next batter receives his first pitch)

• If the protest is made during the at bat, the batter is out no matter what the count and is ejected from the game.

   

• If the protest is made after the batters at bat and before another pitch is made, any advancing runners resulting from the at bat must return to their original bases and the batter is declared out and ejected from the game.

   

Any batter that is ejected from the game as a result of this rule must prove to the league that the bat was not intentionally altered. If it is determined that the bat WAS intentionally altered, rule eight (8) under Articles of Conduct will apply.

7. SCHEDULED START TIME/DUGOUT SELECTION: The scheduled start time shall be the official starting time of the game, providing the umpires are present at least five (5) minutes before the scheduled start time. In the event that the umpires are not present at game time, the official starting time shall occur at the moment the first pitch is thrown. HOME team will have choice of dugout for all games.

8. LENGTH OF GAMES: All games normally shall consist of nine (9) innings. Extra innings will be played in the event of a tie provided the time limit has not expired (see 8b).
(A) In the event that a game is stopped on account of rain, darkness, or any other uncontrollable occurrence, Major League rules shall apply in determining how the game is counted. A game is official when five innings have been completed, or if the home team is ahead after 4 ½ innings. If a game is postponed in the middle of an inning (other than the bottom of the fifth with the home team ahead), the score of the game reverts back to the last completed inning. If a postponed game is determined to be a tie one point will be awarded to each team. Postponed games that do not reach the above criteria may be rescheduled at the discretion of the League President and/or Board of Directors.
(B) No innings shall be started after 3 hours has elapsed from the official starting time of the game. If the game is tied, the game shall be considered a tie and one point will be awarded to each team.
(C) Double headers involving the same two teams will consist of One (9) inning and one seven (7) inning game. Both games will have a standard time limit of 3:00. The break between games is determined by the managers and umpires.
(D) Double headers involving One team that has to play two different teams that are playing only that one game on that day, the games will both be seven (7) inning games. Both games will have a standard time limit of 3:00.

9. CHANGE OVERS: Teams will have two (2) minutes for change-over between innings. The umpire will call a strike if the batter is not ready and a ball if the pitcher is not ready.

10. MANDATORY MERCY RULE: A game will be declared over if there is at least a ten (10) run difference in the score at the end of seven (7) complete innings of a nine (9) inning game. In seven (7) inning games, the rule will apply when there is a ten (10) run difference after five (5) complete innings.

11. HITTERS & BATTING ORDER: (A)If a team has exactly nine (9) players available at game time, it may designate a batting rotation of nine players without penalty. In this event, the opposing team may also choose to bat nine (9) players. Once a team has ten (10) or more players available to play, it must immediately add the tenth player to the bottom of the batting order, and the opposing team must also add a tenth hitter. Once a batting position is added, it may not be deleted or skipped, except as noted in rule thirteen (13). A manager may use a pinch hitter for any player in the batting order. The player for whom the pinch hitter has been substituted may remain in the game for defensive purposes, but may not appear again as a hitter.
(B) Starting in the number nine (9) spot of the batting order, each subsequent position can be declared an A/B position. Players designated as A/B will alternate plate appearances for that position in the batting order. An A/B position must be declared when added and two (2) eligible players must be named. If for any reason one of the A/B position players leaves the game, a new player must be added. If no new player is available, the spot reverts back to a single player spot, with no penalty.

12. INJURED PLAYER: If a player is declared injured at the start of a game, he may not take part in that game as a batter or defensive player. He may, however, take part in any other aspect of that game (i.e.. base coach).
Additionally, if a player is removed from the batting order and can not be replaced because there are no other players available, that player is also removed totally from the game and can not play on the defensive either.

13. COMPRESSION RULE: If a player in the batting order leaves the game or becomes unavailable to his team by any reason (ejection, illness, injury, emergency, prior commitment, etc.) a reserve player who has not yet entered the batting order MUST be assigned to the spot vacated by the departing player. If no reserve is present that spot is skipped with the following penalty. Providing at least nine (9) players who are still eligible to hit remain in the batting order then an out will be recorded the first time ONLY that the vacated position is reached in the batting order. If fewer than nine (9) eligible players remain in the batting order, the position in the batting order that was vacated shall be charged with an automatic out each time that position comes up through the remainder of the game. This vacant position shall not be skipped without the appropriate out being charged.

14. DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Free substitution, including exiting and re-entering, shall apply to all positions except that of the pitcher. Pitchers may re-enter the game to pitch only one time during the game. A pitcher may not return to pitch in the same inning.

15. EIGHT PLAYER RULE: If a team has eight (8) or more players available at the official start time of the game, the game shall commence immediately. In the event that at any time during the game a team has exactly eight (8) players, the opposing team MUST provide a ninth player for defensive purposes (known as a courtesy fielder) if requested to do so. Any member of the opposing team may take turns filling the ninth defensive position. The courtesy fielder is not allowed to fill the position of catcher or pitcher. For offensive purposes, the team with eight (8) players at the beginning of the game shall be required to take an automatic out in the ninth position in its batting order until a ninth player arrives. In the event that a team has eight (8) players at the start of the game, the opposing team will be allowed to designate a batting order of nine (9) players in accordance with rule #11.

16. COURTESY RUNNER: Each team may designate a maximum of two (2) players to be run for prior to the start of the game. The players number(s) must be provided to the umpires and opposing manager. During the game, the courtesy runner used must be the last out recorded, either at the plate or on the base paths. If an out has not been recorded, the courtesy runner will be the last batter in the order. The team may skip the catcher ONLY as the courtesy runner. If there are two (2) outs and the catcher is on base a courtesy runner may be used to help speed up the game. Once a courtesy runner is used for a batter, the batter must be ran for throughout the remainder of the game. If the batter chooses to run at any time during the game, he forfeits his right to the courtesy runner for the remainder of the game.

17. UNSAFE HURLER: It in the opinion of the umpire, a pitcher is endangering the safety of the opposing batters, that pitcher shall be removed from the mound immediately. If a pitcher hits four (4) batters during the course of the game, the pitcher MUST be removed from the mound immediately after the fourth hit batter.

18. FAKE TAGS: No player may fake a tag under any circumstances that is intended to cause a base runner to unnecessarily slide into a base. A warning will be issued on the first incident. Any further incidents will result in a mandatory ejection, regardless of whether it is the same player or not. All base runners will advance one base for each occurrence.

19. COLLISION AVOIDANCE:

We all have to get up the next day and go to work, school or whatever so, Simply put, it is the responsibility of the base runner to either slide or avoid physical contact with a defender at all times. Some physical contact is not avoidable however on some plays however if in the judgment of the umpire the contact was aggressive in nature or flagrant penalties will apply along with possible suspension.

(A) When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who is clearly in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge:

1. Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable (could the runner have reached the base without colliding) or unavoidable (the runner's path to the base was blocked) OR

2. Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate) or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder.

(B) If in the umpire's judgment, the collision by the runner was flagrant, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the game. The ball shall be declared dead. Any base runners ahead of the play shall be entitled to any base they are moving to at the time of the ball being declared dead. Any base runner behind the play must return to his original base.

C) If in the option of the umpire the defensive player was in the process of attempting a double play, the double play will be called weather or not it was actually made.

(D) If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without possession of the ball, or is not in the immediate act of catching the ball, obstruction shall be called. If the runner makes a flagrant collision, he shall be declared safe on the obstruction call, but will be subject to ejection. The ball shall be declared dead.

This rule is a judgment call by the umpire and cannot be protested.

20. FORFEITS: If a team has fewer than eight (8) players at the official start of the game and after fifteen (15) minutes grace period has expired, it shall be required to forfeit the game. If, after the start of the game enough players become unavailable to a team causing the batting order to be reduced below eight (8), then the team shall also forfeit. Officially, the score of a forfeited game shall be 9-0. Individual statistics shall be recorded only for games that are forfeited after five (5) completed innings of play (4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead). If a team forfeits two or more games during a season, it shall be subject to being fined, suspended, and/or expelled from participating in the activities of the league. Refer to Rule #7 for the official start time of the game. All forfeit’s become official 15 min after the official start time of the game in question unless the manager “surrendered” the game prior to the start. (See 20a.)

20a. Surrendering a game:  If a manager knows he will not be able to field a team for a specific game the manager may “surrender” that scheduled game at any time. By surrendering a game at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled start, the manager can avoid paying the umpire fees for both teams and any forfeit fine if the team has less then two previous forfeits that season. The game will be scored as a forfeit at the time of surrender. Once a game has been surrendered it may not be un-surrendered for any reason.

21. FORFEIT FINES: The fine for forfeiting a game is $160 per occurrence. The manager is responsible for collecting and remitting the fine to the league office. The team will not be permitted to participate in any league sponsored activity, including games, until the fine is received by the league office. Also if a team forfeits a game for whatever reason the team is responsible to pay BOTH umpires in full. If the forfeit is prior to the start of a game then they must pay both umpires at the field. If they cancel a game within 24 hours of the scheduled start then the fee for both umpires must be submitted to the league office.

22. PROTEST NOTICE: Notice that a game has been protested must be lodged with the League President or a member of the Board of Directors within 24 hours after completion of the game. Protests shall be ruled upon by a committee appointed by the League President and/or Board of Directors. Written notification of the protest must be received by the League office within 72 hours after completion of the game.

23. RAIN OUTS: Games called due to rain shall be rescheduled at times and dates that do not conflict with previously scheduled games at the discretion of the League President.

24. ROSTERS: A team must submit its Opening Day roster for the upcoming season at least one week prior to the date of the first game of the regular season. Teams must notify the league of any upcoming changes to its roster within 48 hours of making such changes. A team may declare a maximum of 25 players on its roster, and subject to this limit may add or delete players at any time. Once a player has been removed from a team's roster, he is considered released from the team, and may not play for that team for the remainder of the season. No player may play in a game unless the league office has received completed and signed copies of the appropriate player contract, waiver form, proof of age and other required documentation, along with a payment covering the applicable player fees. Rosters may be expanded beyond the 25 player limit upon approval of the Board of Directors.

24A. Playing For Two Teams.
A player may play for two different team in different age brackets by notifying the league office in advance. Said player MUST select his Primary and Secondary teams. If no clear selection is made by said player his primary team will be the team he has been playing with prior to joining the second team for that season. Every new season the player must re-designate the secondary team. The player may NOT switch or change his primary and secondary team once it is set. Once the current season has ended then he may change is team affiliations.

Said player MUST always play with his primary team whenever they are playing with no exceptions when both teams are scheduled to play on the same date. If said player does not play with his primary team from First Pitch to Last Pitch, he may NOT play with his secondary team under any condition.

The players manager/managers may NOT agree in advance on dates or games in which they will allow said player to play with the secondary team and not the primary. If said player plays with his secondary team and is not present for his primary team from the first pitch to the last, the following penalties will be incurred and NO appeal will be allowed.

(a) The Secondary team will forfeit any and all games said player played in when he did not play for his primary team when both where scheduled to play during the same time frame.

(B) A player MAY play for two different teams in the same age bracket only if the league president and/or board of directors along with both involved team managers approve in advance. In this case, the player MUST designate his primary team and play with said primary team as described in 24A. In regards to playoffs; If only four teams make the play-offs, the player can only play for the primary team through the entire course of the play-offs. If more than four teams make the playoffs, said player MUST play ONLY for primary team in round one. Player may not play for secondary team in round one. If the primary team wins and moved to round two, player may no longer play with secondary team. If players primary team loses in round one, player may move to secondary team for remainder of playoffs.

(C) If it is shown that the primary teams manager know that the player would be playing with the secondary team and not the primary team on overlapping schedules, the manager will be suspended for two games and/or receive a $50.00 fine for failure to enforce league rules, notify league officials of the potential rule violation and not notifying the secondary team manager of a potential rule violation

25. PLAY-OFF ROSTERS: In order to be eligible to appear in play-off games, a player must participated in no fewer than four (4) of his team's games, the Board of Directors reserves the right to declare that player ineligible to appear in the play-offs. Game participation shall be in accordance with League Policy #13.

26. TIE BREAKER: To determine standings, the following will apply. If it has not been a balanced schedule, the league office will determine the best tie breaker:

• 1. Points
• 2. Head to head
• 3. Runs against (RA)

27. FORMER PROFESSIONALS: Teams may include former professionals on their rosters, subject to the policies and conditions set forth by the Board of Directors.

28. PRO-PLAYERS (any level): Former professional team players must have been out of professional baseball for a minimum of three (3) complete MSBL/MABL seasons to be eligible to play in MSBL/MABL league games. Participation in any foreign or domestic league in which you received compensation constitutes professional baseball. Participation in Independent Leagues is excluded. Verification is by best available information.

29. TRADING: No player involved in a trade is eligible to participate in any league game until compensation has been made in accordance with the trade agreement. ALL trades must be approved by the managers, player and the League President before the trade is legal. If anyone does not approve, the trade is considered null and void.

30. SWITCHING TEAMS: No player shall switch teams without the permission of the Board of Directors. If a players team refuses to grant him his unconditional release, the Board of Directors shall supervise the players reassignment and shall determine the compensation that must be paid by the player’s new team to the former team (refer to League Policy #10).

31. PLAYER MOVEMENT:
A. One (1) manager and two (2) additional player's can leave a team to form a new team.
B. Two (2) additional players may also leave to form a new team, but fee of $100 per player must be paid to the originating team. This applies to three (3) year fee agents only. Compensation rules already in existence apply to players with less than three (3) years with the same team.
C. A maximum movement of five (5) players is allowed.
D. A new team will lose one draft pick for each free agent obtained.
E. No team can make a net gain of more than two (2) players from free agents.
F. No more then three players from an existing team may move to another existing team without approval from the Board of Directors. This applies to all players even free agents and even if the players are moving up in the age brackets.

32. AGE REQUIREMENT: Without exception, a player must be at least twenty five (25) years of age to play in an official MSBL game in the twenty five(25) division and must be Thirty-five (35) for the Thirty-five (35) Division. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to play in an official MABL game. Any manager may challenge any player to provide proof of age at any time. If at any time it is determined that a player appeared in a game prior to attaining correct age for the division participating in, his team shall be required to forfeit that game. In addition, the player shall be subject to being fined, suspended, and/or expelled from participating in the activities of the league.

33. MEMBERSHIP: The league recognizes membership in the league on a team basis. The manager is only the point of communication. The manager IS NOT the team, the players are. All managers must he approved by the Board of Directors. All players must renew membership on a season to season basis.

34. NEW TEAM RESTRICTIONS: No new team entering the league may have on its roster more than five (5) current league players without the approval of the Board of Directors.

35. TEAM NAMES: Team names are open to all that are approved by the Board of Directors.

36. UNGENTLEMANLY BEHAVIOR: The Board of Directors shall establish disciplinary committees, policies and procedures for the purpose of reviewing and punishing ungentlemanly behavior.

37. ALCOHOL / DRUGS: Players, officials and guests are required to adhere to the rules of each field that govern the use of alcoholic beverages and drugs. Further, under no circumstances are players, officials or guests permitted to have or consume beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages or drugs on or near the field of play, during a period of two hours before the scheduled start of any game and continuing until the completion of the day’s games on that field. Any player or official found in violation of this rule shall be subject to being fined and/or suspended or expelled from participating in the activities of the league. Minimum suspension for violation will be six (6) games.