Effective 9/27/2020
NOLA ADULT BASEBALL LEAGUE
RULES AND REGULATIONS
September 27,2020
This league was created to provide for adults ages 18 and over an alternative to softball and enable adults to play the game we all love and grew up playing. Adult attitudes must always prevail, no matter how competitive any league is. The responsibility that this ethic sustains will remain at the responsibility of the individual league President and his officers and anyone who abuses the league’s code can be suspended or expelled from the league.
INDEX
1. Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs and Other Equipment
2. Game Length, Run Rule and Rain-Outs
3. Teams, Players and Line-Ups
4. Player Behavior and Team Responsibility
5. Courtesy Runners
6. Pitchers
7. Ex-Pro Status and Regulations
8. General League Rules
9. Code of Conduct
10. Fines
RULES
1. UNIFORMS, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS
1.a all teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt and socks. Each player’s uniform must be of similar design to his teammate’s uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsor’s name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt.
a.1. No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent. For fall ball matching or like uniforms are recommended but not required due to teams having players from other teams.
a.2. all teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace period should be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.
1.b All batters and runners must wear helmets with at least one ear flap facing the pitcher for both at bats and on base. There is no option to this rule. Full double-ear flap helmets are encouraged for at bats and are encouraged for the bases. Catchers must wear a helmet underneath their mask. ALL BASE COACHES ARE RECOMMENDED TO WEAR A PROTECTIVE HELMET WHEN COACHING THE BASES, IF A HELMET ISNT WORN YOU COACH AT YOUR OWN RISK.
1.c ALL BATS MUST BE BBCOR OR WOOD/WOOD COMPOSITE, NON WOOD BATS MUST HAVE THE BBCOR STAMP OR IT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED! FOR FALL BALL WOOD OR WOOD COMPOSITES ONLY WITH NO MORE THAN A DROP 3 RATIO.
1.d Wood and metal bats are allowed and both will be permitted for all league games. Bats can not be less than a minus 3 drop for any type of metal or aluminum bat( 34/31, 33/30, 32/29, 31/28). No metal bats exceeding 36” in length and/or a 2 5/8” diameter are permitted. If a player uses a bat exceeding this differential and is caught the at bat will be constituted as an out and the player will be ejected from the game.
1.e Metal cleats are permitted.
2. GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE AND RAIN-OUTS
2.a All games are 9 innings or 2 hours and 30 minutes a new inning will not start once there is 5 mins left in the game, double headers can be 7 innings or 2 hours if both teams agree to it before the start of the game.
Fall ball will be 7 innings or 2 hour time limit with no new inning with 5 minutes left in the game.
Re: darkness - 5 innings complete umpires discretion
Re: rain - 5 innings complete.
All league playoff games will have a 2 hour and 30 minute time limit(2 hours for fall ball)and must have a winner, games are under normal league rules in regards to darkness, rain and mercy rule. Championship game will have a 3 hour time limit and will have the mercy rule, rain and darkness stipulations. All playoff games must have a winner so if games are tied as time limit expires it will continue on an inning by inning basis till a team wins.
2.b If there is a 10-run discrepancy at the end of 5 innings the game will be declared over.
2.c Any games rained out will be re-schedule by the league at the earliest date available, in some cases double headers may be played. Some rain outs may not be made up if the league deems them unnecessary as far as playoff seeding is concerned. Any game suspended due to rain or darkness will picked up where it was stopped and concluded from that point.
3. TEAMS, PLAYERS AND LINEUPS
3.a A player is eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game on the dates of their 18th birthday. High School players that are 18 years old are allowed to play once they are finished with their prep season (legion if they play). College Players must be finished with their season before playing. PLAYERS COULD BE SUBJECT TO IDENTIFICATION CHECK, IF A PLAYER IS ASKED BY A LEAGUE OFFICIAL FOR I.D. AND CANNOT PROVIDE IT HE/SHE CANNOT PLAY. IF A PLAYER PLAYS UNDER ANOTHER PLAYERS NAME AND IS CAUGHT THE PLAYER AND THE MANAGER WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON AND WILL HAVE TO REAPPLY AND BE VOTED BACK IN BY LEAGUE OFFICALS AND MANAGERS FOR THE FOLLOWING SEASON.
3.b A player who has contacted the league about playing will be assigned to the player pool and can be picked up by any team in the league.
3.c Final league payment must be submitted to the league no later than the assigned date. Any team that does not have their roster and fees by the assigned dates could be kicked out of the league WITH OUT REFUND OF ANY MONEY PAID.
3.d ALL PLAYERS MUST HAVE THEIR WAIVER FORM AND CONTRACT FILLED OUT AND TURNED INTO THE LEAGUE BEFORE THEY STEP ONTO THE FIELD, ANY PLAYER THAT PLAYS WITHOUT A WAIVER WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE YEAR AND THE GAME WILL BE CONSIDERED A FORFEIT AND TEAM WILL BE SUBJECTED TO A $220 FINE TO BE PAID BEFORE THEIR NEXT GAME, IF FINE IS NOT PAID TEAM WILL BE KICKED OUT OF THE THE LEAGUE WITH NO MONEY REFUNDED, NO EXCEPTIONS.
3.e A team manager may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 9. Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game.
3.f 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 under courtesy runners as outlined in section 5), 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 .Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both.
3.g 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 as a line share. Either batter sharing said batting position may bat and/or run for the shared batting position. Example if player A is the batter and gets on base player B may run for him with out affecting the courtesy runner that are assigned to players.
3.h 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.
3.i 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.
3.j A team must have 7 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 8th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player reverts back to his team. If a team’s 8th player does not arrive by the time of the end of the line up an out will be taken for the first time in the batting order, if the team has 8 players no out will be taken.
For fall ball teams may pick up players from other teams without the consent of the opposing managers. The picked up players cannot pitch and must bat at the end of the line up. If a team picks up no league players the must fill out all waivers before stepping on the field.
3.k All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the player’s offensive status in the line-up. Only the starting pitcher may retake the mound after being removed and this can only happen once. After a pitcher is removed from the mound he may play an other position.
3.l No player may switch teams without the consent of both managers and the league president. If this does not meet with approval, the player must sit out one calendar year from competition, from the last date of his playing, or re-enter the league’s next draft, making himself available to any team for selection. In the event a team disbands during the season or at season’s conclusion all players are free to sign with another team after consulting and getting approval by the league president. If a player is invited back to play and he desires not to play for his former team and cannot be successfully traded, he must sit out one entire year or re-enter the draft, making himself available to all teams.
3.m 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.
3.n Rosters are unlimited, teams may have as many players on it as they wish, all players must be registered with the league with waivers signed before the step on the field.
3.o Only team manager may discuss any calls by the umpire.
3.p First and Last names and numbers must be used in the lineup to allow for player identification for follow up inquiries that relate to playoff ELIGIBILITY.
4. PLAYERS BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
4.a THERE WILL BE NO ALCOHOL OR SMOKING ALLOWED INSIDE THE DUGOUT, THE FIELD OF PLAY, STANDS OR INSIDE ANY STADIUM THAT IS USED.THIS INCLUDES THE PARKING LOT, INSURANCE RESTRICTION. IF A PLAYER IS CAUGHT HE/SHE WILL EJECTED FROM THE GAME AND WILL KICKED OUT OF THE LEAGUE, NO EXCEPTIONS. PLAYERS MAYBE EJECTED FROM A GAME IF AN UMPIRE OR LEAGUE OFFICIAL FEELS A PLAYER IS IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
4.b The league has the right to suspend or expel any team or player who abuses league rules, league officals or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.
4.c An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game. If the league President or member of the board is present at a game and is not playing in said game, they can have a player expelled from a game for a conduct related incident i.e fighting, foul language, throwing of equipment in anger, unsportsmanlike like behavior etc. IF A PLAYER IS EXPELLED FROM A GAME FOR FIGHTING, FOUL LANGUAGE, THROWING OF EQUIPMENT IN ANGER HE/SHE MAY BE EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE.
4.d Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated and players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to expulsion from the league.
4.e The rules committee is concerned about possible unnecessary and violent collisions that may occur with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all bases. The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions whenever possible.
4.f When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is 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.
PENALTY—If the runner, a) could have avoided the collision and reached the base, or b) attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.
(3) If the fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner may make contact or slide into, a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate.
(4) If the collision by the runner was flagrant, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest. The ball shall be declared dead.
4.g If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The runner is safe and an immediate dead ball shall be called.
(1) If the base runner collides flagrantly, the runner shall be declared safe on the obstruction, but will be ejected from the contest. The ball is dead.
4.h 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.
This is entirely an umpire judgment decision and not a rule that may be protested.
4.i 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.
a. 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 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.
(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.
(3) 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.
b. 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.
(4) When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (a) make contact with, or (b) 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;
(a) 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:
(1) 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.
(2) With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.
(3) If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest.
(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 their original bases.
4.g Failure to abide by age regulations - the managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at any time have the right to question a player’s age. If a manager ask for proof of age said player must provide proof of age on the spot (driver’s license or state/federal id) . If an underage player is detected, penalties whether to the individual or team will be decided by the league president. The penalties will be forfeiture of all games in which the under-age player participated in and a minimum two-year suspension for the player and if determined that the manager knew of the age violations the manager will be suspended indefinitely.
5. COURTESY RUNNERS
5.a A team is allowed 2 Courtesy Runners per game and the player who is getting the runner must be acknowledge on the lineup card before the start of the game. Both the pitcher and the catcher may get a runner once they reach base at any time no matter how many outs there is to help speed up the game. If a player is injured to where he/she can still play but not run the bases a courtesy runner may be granted if the opposing manger agrees to it, it is asked that mangers agree to this. All courtesy runners will be the last BATTED OUT , if no outs have been made THE LAST BATTED OUT OF THE PREVIOUS INNING WILL RUN UNLESS HE/SHE ID DESIGNATED FOR A RUNNER. If it is the first inning the last batter in the lineup is the runner
6. PITCHERS/BATTERS
6.a No player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.
6.b There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week.
6.c THE FAKE TO THIRD THROW TO FRIST PICK OFF AND THE HIDDEN BALL TRICK ARE LEGAL.
6.D If the umpire feels that a pitcher at anytime is stalling or taking too long between pitches he may penialize the pitcher by awarding balls.
6.E The batter needs to stay in the box, constant stepping out to adjust equipment, show up the pitcher or activites the umpire deems to be slowing the game down will result in the umpire awarding the pithcer a strike.
7. Ex- pro Status
7.a Any player who has had previous Major League Baseball (MLB) or Minor League Baseball (MiLB) experience is allowed to play in the league as long as they were not on any MLB or MiLB roster as of the January 1, 2019 Independent league or foreign league players are eligible . This rule may be bypassed by the league president under certain circumstances.
COLLEGE PLAYERS- Are allowed to play once thier season is finished, this is an amateur league so it will not affect their eligibility. For the 2020 Spring/Summer/Fall leagues D1 players are not allowed to play for competitive reasons. Lower college levels are allowed, exceptions can be made but will have to be approved by the league office.
8. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
8.a Any team that does not inform the league president with in 24 hours of thier schedule game that they are forfeiting are responsible for both teams umpire fees, scorekeepers fees( if scorekeepers are scheduled) $220 plus the field rental fee which could range for $100 to $300 depending on the facility, NO EXCEPTIONS. Two forfeits by any team or failure to pay all fee's from a resulting forfeit could mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team. Determined by league president
For fall ball ANY FORFEIT THE FORFEITING TEAM MUST PAY $150 FOR THE UMPIRES NO EXCEPTIONS THESE UMPIRES ARE BOOKED IN ADVANCED AND MUST BE PAID!
8.b All protests should be lodged to the league President within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made, protest must be filled with the umpire and scorekeeper of the protest at the time of the incident and the game will be played under the protest in most incidents . All protests shall be decided by the league President ASAP.
8.c In order for a player to qualify and participate in his team’s playoff games he/she must play in 50% of their teams games. Pitchers must complete one inning to qualify as a game played and hitters must have at least one plate appearance to qualify as a game. If you have a player that strictly plays the field and does not hit he/she must be notified to the score keeper so he/she may gain eligibility. Eligibility for playoffs can be approved by the president under some circumstances.
9. CODE OF CONDUCT
Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:
1.Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, berbally abuse or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the league president. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
2.Refusing to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the league president. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
3.Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
4.Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
5.Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
6.Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the league president. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
7.Be guilty of verbal abusive attack upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the league president. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.
8.Consume or Possess alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be upon the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and suspended for the remainder of the season.
9.Smoke on the field of play or in the dugout. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game.
10. Fines
a. Fines and suspension are subject to review by the League President, the Game Day coordinator and Darren or Cary from the umpires assoc. If you are ejected by a league offical there will be no review.
b. Player ejection:
#1. Minor infrections i.e Cursing, arguing calls with an umpire etc.
-1st offense: 1 game suspension
-2nd offense: 2 game suspension plus a $50 fine
-3rd offense: expulsion form the league for 1 year and a $100 reinstatement fee
#2. Major infractions i.e boulding over, rough play, throwing or breaking equipmet etc
-1st offense: 1 game suspension and $50 fine
-2nd offense: expulsion from the league for 1 year and a $100 reinstatement fee.
#3. FIGHTING, THREATS, DAMAGING PROPERTY, ETC
- LIFETIME BAN FROM THE LEAGUE AND ANY MSBL/MABL EVENTS AND LEAGUES!
c. All fines paid to the league fund will be dispersed to the teams at the end of the year, only teams whom didn't have a forfeit or a player ejected will be eligible to receive any money at years end.
d. These fines are to encourage teams to not forfeit and to display sportsman ship, as usual all infractions will be reviewed to determine if a fine needs to be assessed.
f. All fine must be paid before the next game or a forfeit will be issued for a team fine and further fines and or expulsion from the league may occur. Player fines must be paid before player will be allowed back to play.
Grievances, protests, and appeals
1.Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the league President. The league president shall adjudicate all such grievances.
2.An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the league president by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted and will be reviewed by the league president.
3. All rulings are solely decided by the league president and will the based on the best interest of the league not the individual or the individual’s team.
ANY RULES NOT INCLUDE ABOVE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT OR THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RULE BOOK
ALL MANGERS AND PLAYERS PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS A GAME AND GAMES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUN, PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR EMOTIONS RUIN A GOOD TIME. ALSO REMEMBER MOST OF YOUR FELLOW PLAYERS HAVE TO WORK THE NEXT DAY OR SAME DAY AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES
