1. Players
1.1 - All teams are required to begin the MSBL/MABL season with an active roster
of 16 players.
1.2 - All players must be 18 years of age by the date of their first game of the
season. Players 18 through 27 years of age will be registered in MABL and
eligible to play in MABL tournaments. Players 28 years and older will be
registered in MSBL and eligible to play in MSBL sponsored tournaments.
1.3 - Players that will turn 18 years of age during the course of the season may
be put on the roster at the beginning of the season while still 17. They are not
eligible to play until the day they turn 18.
1.4 - Pro ball players are eligible to participate in MSBL Jacksonville.
1.5 – For a player to be eligible and considered a part of the Jacksonville
MABL/MSBL, all required league forms must be completed, submitted and accepted
no less than 48 hours prior to the player’s first game. The player must be listed on the
team’s website roster to be considered eligible.
This roster will be managed by the Board of Directors throughout the
season and will be kept up to date. A team using an ineligible player will risk
forfeiture of all games the illegal player participated in.
1.6 - All team rosters must be final by the time appointed by the board. After
this date, a player may only be added by Board of Director approval. Any player
added after the specified date will pay the full individual league registration
fee. ($50.00)
1.7 - All appropriate league funds due by both individual player and team are
due by the date(s) established by the league President’s concurrence. Absolutely
no further games will be scheduled for teams in arrears beyond one week of
scheduled payment.
1.8 - All team switching must occur before the deadline of June 15th.
1.9 - No player may switch teams without the consent of both managers and the
local league President (according to Player Movement rules). If one of the
managers is the League President and is involved with the trade then another
Board member may act in his/her place. If all three parties agree the player may
switch teams and be eligible for the next game.
1.10 - Players MUST play a minimum of 6 league games to be eligible for
tournament play.
2. Uniforms
2.1 - All players will have full uniforms by their third game. Wearing of caps,
baseball pants, and shirtsleeves are mandatory. Jerseys MUST match and hats must
match colors. Shirts will be tucked into pants, and hats worn straight while on
the field. Teams violating this rule will not be allowed to play until outfitted
properly.
2.2 - Either metal or rubber cleats are permitted.
2.3 - All batters will wear at least one earflap on their helmet. Base runners
will be required to wear helmets while running the bases. These helmets may or
may not have earflaps.
2.4 - Catchers must wear a helmet. Throat protection is also strongly advised.
3. Equipment
3.1 - Any major league baseball will be permitted, provided the ball meets major
league specifications such as a Wilson A1010, NCAA certified, or Wilson A1001,
Diamond D1 Pro, Rawlings MSBL balls.
3.2 – The home team is required to provide 4 new baseballs for each game. If those balls are lost, both teams
will throw in the best balls available for the remainder of the game. NOTE: The order for submitting
additional baseballs after the initial 4 is as follows: the visiting team
submits 2 balls, the home team submits 2 balls, etc.
3.3 - (-3) or less Wooden, metal-wood and wood composite bats will be allowed.
3.4 - Umpires will disallow bats not deemed playable.
3.5 - Modified helmets and baseballs are not allowed
4. Games
4.1 – If a game must be cancelled due to inclement weather or an unplayable
field, notice must be given to the league President or the league’s designated
umpire contact at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled game time.
4.2 - All games rained out, postponed, or called because of darkness, or for
whatever reason, should be rescheduled by agreement of the managers within two
(2) weeks, and must be rescheduled prior to official end-date of the season. The
Home Team Manager is responsible for field acquisition of rain canceled games,
and must coordinate with the Field Umpire Director for provision of umpires.
Either team unable to make up the game shall forfeit the game to the other team.
All teams are responsible for completing their entire schedule.
4.3 - If for some reason both umpires do not show up, the game shall be canceled
and rescheduled. If only one umpire shows up, the game will be played. The Home
Team Manager must contact the Field and Umpire Director immediately after the
game.
4.4 - There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted before, during or
after the games on park grounds. If this problem should arise, the player or
players will not be allowed to play in that game and will be warned the first
time and expelled for NO LESS THAN ONE FULL YEAR on the second offense.
5. Game Length
5.1 - All regular season single games will be 9 innings, or as many innings as
can be played in two hours and forty-five minutes (2:45) of the first pitch.
5.2 - All regular season double-header games will be (2) 7 inning games, or as
many innings as can be played in two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) of the
first pitch of each game.
5.3 - There will be a fifteen (15) minute grace period, from the scheduled start
time for the required number of players to be available, once the fifteen (15)
minute grace period is over, the game is either declared a forfeit or played
(SEE RULE 6).
5.4 - In the event a doubleheader is to be played, once the fifteen (15) minute
grace period is over and the first game is declared a forfeit, the second game
will start thirty (30) minutes later. There is no grace period for the second
game.
6. Players needed to begin a game
6.1 - Each team shall have, at a minimum, nine registered MABL players to begin
a league game. Players may be borrowed from either the opposing team (with
permission from the opposing manager) or from other MABL teams (registered
players only). These players may not pitch or catch. There is a limit of 3
borrowed players that can be used at one time.
6.2 - If a player is forced to leave a game due to an injury, a reserve player
not previously entered into the line up, as a hitter, must hit in that batter’s spot. If no
reserve is present, the team may continue with 8 players, but an out is recorded
each time the injured player’s spot comes to bat.
6.3 - If a player is forced to leave a game and there are only seven (7)
players, that game is automatically forfeited.
6.4 - If a player is forced to leave the game for any other reason than an
injury, resulting in 8 players or less, the game is automatically
forfeited.
7. A/B Slot Batting order
7.1 - The slot batting order or tournament style batting can be used to help get
more players involved. Each team has the option to alternate different players
in their batting lineup, giving more players an opportunity to participate in
the game. The conditions for the Slot A/B batting style are as follows:
7.2 - The team using this style of batting order must declare this before the
game starts and the player’s names need to show up on the lineup card. The slot
batting order, if started, must also finish in the same fashion. Players can be
substituted in the A/B slot. For example: If Tom and John are sharing the #10
batting slot and for some reason Tom is no longer able to play (injury, ejection
or has to leave) and there is nobody else available, Tom’s spot would be an automatic out.
If there is another player available to fill that spot, that player bats in the
slot. A of A/B slot bats first time around and B of A/B slot bats next time that
spot comes to bat, alternate the same way, until game is finished.
7.3 - A/B slot batting can be used anywhere in the batting order.
8. Courtesy Runners
8.1 - Players that require a courtesy runner must have their Manager notify the
Umpire and the Opposing Manager before the start of the game. The manager can
ask for courtesy runner privileges for a maximum of two (2) players before the
game. The last batted out will be the courtesy runner. If a player designated at
the beginning of the game to
need a courtesy runner stays on the field, as a runner, that player will forfeit
his right to a courtesy runner for the remainder of the game. It is the
responsibility of the coaches to monitor the use of the courtesy
runners.
8.2 - If less than 2 courtesy runners are declared at the beginning of the game,
and a subsequent obvious injury occurs during the game that precludes a player
from running the bases, the last batted out may be used, as a courtesy runner
and it will not count as a permanent offensive substitution. The original batter
must still run to first base.
9. Speed Up Rule
9.1 - The Pitcher and Catcher may have a courtesy runner while on the bases;
before two (2) outs it is optional, it is mandatory with two outs. The last
batted out will be the courtesy runner. This rule shall also be enforced in the
ninth inning. The pitcher or catcher of record is that one listed on the
starting line up (if it is the first inning) or the pitcher or catcher of record
from the previous defensive inning. It is the responsibility of the coaches to
monitor the use of the courtesy runners.
10. Run Rule
10.1 - If a team has a twelve run lead, at any time after 5 innings have been
completed, it shall be the option of the losing team manager, to continue play.
10.2 - If a team has a twelve (12) run lead after 7 innings have been completed
the game will be ruled complete. ** Note** The 12 run rule does not effect games
played involving the 45+ team(s). It is up to the managers to determine if the
game should continue.
11. Rules
11.1 - Offensive changes to the line up must be reported to the Umpire and the
opposing Manager.
11.2 - Free defensive substitutions will be allowed, at any time. Defensive
players do not have to report and do not have to be in the offensive line up.
11.3 - Each team must bat at least nine (9) or more players to start the game.
The manager may add more batters to the bottom of the batting order. If a player
fails to bat in his turn (unless substituted for), he will be counted as an out.
This is in accordance with the batting out of order rule.
11.4 - The pinch hitter rule shall follow the substitution rules laid out by the
MLB Official Rulebook:
3.03
A player, or
players, may be substituted during a game at any time the ball is dead.
A substitute
player shall bat in the replaced player’s position in the team’s batting order. A
player once
removed from a game shall not re-enter
that game. If a player who
has been
substituted for
attempts to re-enter, or re-enters, the game in any capacity, the umpire-in-
chief shall
direct the player’s manager to remove such player from the game immediately
upon noticing
the player’s presence or upon being informed of the player’s improper
presence by
another umpire or by either manager.
If such direction to remove the
substituted-for
player occurs before play commences with the substituted-for player
improperly in
the game, then the substitute player may enter the game. If such direction to
remove the
substituted-for player occurs after play has commenced with the substituted-for
player in the
game, then the substitute player shall be deemed to have been removed from
the game (in
addition to the removal of the substituted-for player) and shall not enter the
game. If a
substitute enters the game in place of a player-manager, the manager may
thereafter go to
the coaching lines at his discretion.
When two or more substitute players of
the defensive
team enter the game at the same time, the manager shall, immediately before
they take their
positions as fielders, designate to the umpire-in-chief such players’ positions
in the team’s
batting order and the umpire-in-chief shall so notify the official scorer. If this
information is
not immediately given to the umpire-in-chief, he shall have authority to
designate the
substitutes’ places in the batting order.
11.5 - There is no requirement on how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game
or week. No white or gray sleeves are permitted for pitchers (past the elbow).
No batting gloves or wristbands will be allowed for pitchers while pitching. The
MLB Official Rulebook shall dictate the color of the pitcher’s baseball glove. This rule is as follows:
1.15
(a) The pitcher’s glove may not, exclusive of
piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any
manner.
(b) No pitcher shall attach to his glove any
foreign material of a color different from the glove.
(c) The umpire-in-chief shall cause a glove that
violates Rules 1.15(a) or 1.15(b) to be removed from the game, either on his own
initiative, at the recommendation of another umpire or upon complaint of the
opposing manager that the umpire-in-chief agrees has merit.
11.6 - Intentionally pitching at the batter will not be tolerated. The pitcher
or team may be warned one time. The Pitcher may be ejected if in the judgment of
the umpire the act was intentional. In
the judgment of the umpire a warning may be issued to each bench and manager. A
second case of intentionally pitching at the batter of the same game will result
in an ejection and consequent suspension. The second occurrence of an ejection
for intentionally pitching at a batter in the same season will result in a
one-year suspension from the date of that second occurrence.
11.7 -A pitcher may return to pitch
after he has been defensively re-aligned in the field or if he has been taken
out of the game defensively.
11.8 - Charging the pitchers mound will result in a two game suspension for the
first offense, a five game suspension for the second offense and a one-year
suspension for any other occurrence.
11.9 - A pitcher will be removed from the mound after he has unintentionally hit
three (3) batters, this is not an ejection, he will not be eligible to pitch for
the remainder of the game.
11.10 - All players must avoid an intentional collision with the fielder. In
this case, the player will be out and ejected from the game and receive a two
game suspension immediately. The NCAA rule applies and is as follows:
RULE 8 Base Running
NCAA Collision Rule
SECTION 7. The rules committee is concerned about unnecessary and violent
collisions 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.
a. 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);
(2) Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate)
or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder; or
(3) Whether the runner was using flagrant contact to maliciously dislodge the
ball.
PENALTY—If the runner 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.
A.R. 1—If
the fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner
may make contact, slide into, or collide with a fielder as long as the runner is
making a legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate.
A.R. 2—If
the flagrant or malicious contact by the runner was before the runner’s touching
the plate, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest.
The ball shall be declared dead immediately. All other base runners shall return
to the bases they occupied at the time of the pitch.
A.R. 3—If
the contact was after a preceding runner had touched home plate, the preceding
runner will be ruled safe, the ball becomes dead immediately and all other base
runners will return to the base they had last touched before the contact.
A.R. 4—If
the runner is safe and the collision is malicious, the runner shall be ruled
safe and ejected from the game. If this occurs at any base other than home, the
offending team may replace the runner.
b. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without
possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The umpire shall point and
call, “That’s obstruction.” The umpire shall let the play continue until
all play has ceased, call time and award any bases that are justified in Rule 2.
The obstructed runner is awarded at least one base beyond the base last touched
legally before the obstruction.
A.R. 5—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.
11.11 - If an infielder fake tags, all runners will be entitled to advance one
base beyond the base they had legally obtained prior to the fake tag and a
warning will be given. If a preceding runner is forced to advance because of the
award of base(s) that runner shall advance without liability to be put out. If
any infielder fakes a tag again, in the same game, he will be ejected from the
game. The fake-tag referred to is where a player on base slides unnecessarily
due to a fake tag.
12. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
12.1 - Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. If the umpire ejects a
player from a game for ANY reason, the following will apply: First offense – two
(2) additional game suspensions. Any subsequent ejection will result with the
player being suspended for the balance of the current season. The Board of
Directors will determine all issues surrounding season-long or greater
suspensions. The Board of Directors is tasked with providing greater weight in
favor of the umpires, and the burden to prove otherwise is solely on the
shoulders of the individual player concerned. Rules of Administrative Procedure
will apply at these hearings.
12.2 - Physical aggression will be treated as a criminal offense and will be
reported to the city officials. Any player in this category will not be allowed
to play in the MABL for life.
13. Protests
13.1 - All protests should be lodged with the Rules Committee within forty-eight
(48) hours from the end of a ball game with a $25.00 protest fee. The $25.00
will be refunded to the protesting manager if his/her protest prevails at the
Rules Committee hearing. If the protest is lost, the money will be deposited
into the league account. The manager wishing to protest a game must inform the
umpires immediately and inform the Rules Committee in writing within forty-eight
hours after the game. In the event a protest involves the Chairman or a member
of the Rules Committee, or they are a member of one of the two teams involved in
the protest, that member or members will excuse themselves from the discussion
and voting on that particular protest. The Chairman of the Rules Committee will
be also a Member of the Board of Directors and selected annually by the league
President.
14. Forfeits
14.1 - Two forfeits by any team would result in a $100 fine and will double for
each subsequent forfeit, so on and so on. These fines MUST be paid before the
next scheduled game or the team would incur another forfeit and fine. If for any
reason a team is expelled from the league there will be no money refunded to the
team.
15. Spectators
15.1 - The (2) Team Managers will be responsible for the conduct of their
respective players fans in the ballpark. No beer or alcohol will be allowed in
the stands. No abusive language will be tolerated.
15.2 - Non-registered MABL participants will not be allowed in the dugouts.
16. Team Stats
16.1 - The coach of each team is responsible for
updating or appointing someone to update their team’s statistics. This is an
extremely important tool that sets us apart and as such we need to ensure across
the board utilization. The teams are encouraged to update the statistics as soon
as possible.
16.2 - If a team falls behind on maintaining
their team’s statistics, they will be allotted 2 games to update them. If they
remain out of compliance, they will receive a warning by the 3rd game. If they
are not completely up to date by the 4th game there will be a fine of
$50 added to the team’s balance sheet. The league will add $50 to this fine
until the statistics are updated or the fine reaches a total of $150. If the
fine reaches the maximum of $150 or if the statistics are not up to date by the
end of the season, the team will not be eligible for the playoffs.
Rules adopted by the Board of Directors on
February 16, 2006
Rules amended on March 1, 2011.