MSM Sports Inc
Baseball Rules & Regulations
This league was created to provide baseball players 18 years and older an alternative to softball. Games are played primarily on Sunday, but Saturday and weeknight games may be required. Adult attitudes must always prevail no matter how competitive any league is. The responsibility that this ethic is sustained will remain with the league president and his officers. Anyone who abuses the league's code can be suspended or expelled from the league. Major League Baseball rules are used in the MSM Baseball League of New Jersey, with the following exceptions, modifications and additions:
1. Each team is required to pay one (1) umpire each prior to start of game. In the case of a forfeit, the forfeiting team is responsible for both umpire fees. If the umpires are not paid in full by the forfeiting team, and the league does not receive the umpire fee within 5 days, all subsequent games for the team will be suspended until payment is made.
2. All teams must be fully uniformed. Uniform subject to league approval.
A. Spring - Matching baseball pants, shirt, cap.
B. Summer/Fall - Baseball pants, shirt, cap. Not required to match.
3. All players required to be in league approved uniform by:
A. Spring - Date to be announced each season. Varies depending on opening day date.
B. Summer/Fall - Date to be announced each season. Varies depending on opening day date.
C. If a player participates in a game without the proper uniform, the umpire and or opposing manager will report the infraction to the league office. The team manager of the player(s) in violation of this rule will be subject to the following:
1. First offense - league warning
2. Second, and all subsequent offenses - 1 game suspension for the team manager per offense
4. Baseball caps must be worn on the field.
5. All batters and base runners must wear helmets (base coaches are not required to wear helmets), there is no exception to this rule.
A. Single ear helmet, plate side, is minimum requirement for batters.
B. No ear helmet is minimum requirement for base runners.
C. No ear helmet is minimum requirement for catchers.
D. Plastic "Major League" helmets that have safety disclaimers are strictly prohibited.
6. Official league baseball, equivalent or superior is permitted for use in league sanctioned games. Each team is required to provide three (3) baseballs per game.
7. There will be no alcoholic beverages permitted before, during or after the game on park or field premises. No player is permitted to participate in game if under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance. If this situation arises and the player(s) notified refuses to adhere, this player(s) is subject to expulsion and the player's team will forfeit the game.
8. Players are not permitted to engage in any verbal exchanges concerning personal matters with other players or umpires. If such a situation arises, the umpire shall issue one warning to the responsible player(s) manager. If such a situation arises again, the responsible player(s) team will forfeit said game. This is known as the "rag rule".
9. Two (2) forfeits (any scheduled game that one or both teams do not have enough players (9 minimum) to begin. This includes games in which a team or teams notifies the league and their opponent prior to the start of the game) by any team will result in their ineligibility for post season play. Three (3) forfeits by any team will result in their immediate banishment from the league. Doubleheader forfeits count as one (1). This rule is intended to remove teams from the league who repeatedly forfeit games and waste the opposing teams time. The only forfeits that count towards this rule are forfeits that occur before the game starts, because a team cannot field 9 players for the game. A forfeit that occurs after the game starts does not count towards this rule. The only exception to this part of the rule is if a game is terminated by an umpire due to the improper behavior of a team/player or if the ejection of a player(s) causes a team to have less than 9 players (which is an automatic forfeit), these will count towards post season ineligibility. The player or players involved in the termination of the game will face disciplinary action by the rules committee. If the game is terminated due to the behavior of BOTH teams, a double forfeit will be declared and will count towards BOTH teams post season ineligibility. Once a forfeit is incurred, the league will not allow the game to be made up, regardless of the team's wishes. Any unscheduled make up games that are more than two weeks old will not be entered in the records as a forfeit win if a team drops out of the league. In order to be eligible for a forfeit win, you must have all your make ups games against the team that forfeits out already scheduled. Any future games or scheduled but un-played make ups will be recorded as wins for all remaining teams should a team drop out of the league.
10. All players must abide by the "over 18" rule. A player is eligible to compete in league play on the date of his 18th birthday. This rule must be abided above all others. The manager must recognize his responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as not to cross the line where winning is more important than fair play. Games that said ineligible player is involved (see rule 12 for protest procedure) will result in forfeits for the team involved (see rule 6). Acceptable proof of age:
A. Driver's license
B. Birth certificate
C. Passport
D. County ID
11. Wood, aluminum (metal) and ceramic bats are permitted for all games and tournaments.
12. Metal spikes are permitted, except on Astro Turf fields..
13. Protested games:
A. All protests to be lodged to league president.
B. There are (2) grounds for protest:
1 ineligible player
2. incorrect rule interpretation by an umpire
C. Protests must be lodged within (5) days of game in question
D. Circumstances should be noted at time of protest:
1. Pitcher
2. Batter
3. Count
4. Outs
5. Bases occupied, and by whom
6. Score
7. Home plate umpire is to initial both team score books at the point in question.
E. $ 100.00 protest fee required.
14. Teams must have nine (9) fully uniformed team roster or team affiliate players to start and complete an official game. The ‘borrowing’ of players from the opposing team will result in a forfeit for both teams. A team may use "call ups". These are players borrowed by any team in one level above your league or any level below. You can not use any players from your own level of play. See rule # 20. "Call ups" may be used when you have 11 or less players at your game. You must have at least 7 of your own players uniformed and ready to play or a forfeit will be declared. Call ups must be from a league below your level or a maximum of one level above. "Call ups" may not be used during the post season. Roy Campanella-A may call up from the Tommie Agee League. The Tommie Agee League may call down from the Roy Campanella A or AA.
15. There will be a thirty (30) minute grace period for the start of all games. Including doubleheaders - 30 minutes per game. This is only for situations where a team does not have 9 uniformed players. This is the time period before a forfeit is declared. This does not mean there is a 30 minute start time between doubleheaders.
16. There will be no courtesy runners for injured players. If a player is injured, he either participates at his own risk or is removed from the game.
17. If a player is forced to leave a game due to an injury or commitment, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the injured/committed players spot. If no reserve is present or available, a player who has previously been in the line up, may be used. If no player is available an out will be declared the first time this position in the batting order comes up. After the automatic out has occurred, the line up continues without another automatic out for the remainder of the game. In the case of an A/B line up spot, the remaining player (either A or B) would now solely occupy that spot in the batting order AFTER the first time through the order where the automatic out is taken. Batting order may not go below nine (9) hitters. If you have more than 9 players at the game, but all have been inserted into the line up using the A/B system and an injury/ejection occurs and you do not have 9 LINE UP SPOTS filled, the game will be declared a forfeit. If a team goes below nine (9) fielders or hitters, said team must immediately forfeit game.
18. Each manager will use his prerogative to bat as many players as he desires in his initial lineup (minimum of nine (9) ). If the manager wishes to add players to the bottom of the lineup, he may do so at any time. If a player is pinch hit for, he may not reenter the game as a hitter (exception - see rule 16), but may stay in game defensively. You may also use the A/B batting order rule. A team MAY declare at the time line ups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order can be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 3A/3B, 10, 11A/11B, 12, etc. The first time position 9 gets an at bat, 9A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 9B would bat. (A would hit the 3rd time this sot comes up, an s on, alternating between these two players throughout the game. Once a team declares the use of this A/B system, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit or pinch run for, but not for each other, just as any other player. If one of the A/B batters is ejected or has to leave the game due to an injury, rule 16 applies. THE LINE UP HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEFENSIVE POSITIONS IN THE FIELD.
19. All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, except for the pitcher. If a pitcher is removed, he may not re-enter the game as a pitcher.
20. All rosters must be current at game time and entered in full on the team's web site (Scorebook.com). Full names must be used on the web site and line up cards.
21. Open roster (once team fee is paid in full, any additional fees collected are property of the team). Players may participate in more than one league. These players may not participate in any league more than one level below their higher level team. Once a pitcher has pitched 10 or more innings pitched in a particular league, he will be considered a member of that team in that league and may not pitch in any games more than one level below the league he amassed the 10+ innings pitched. If he pitches 10 or more innings in more than one league, the highest level of play will be considered his league and he can't pitch in more than one level below this league. Once a batter has had 15 or more plate appearances in a particular league, he will be considered a member of that team in that league and may not bat in any games more than one level below the league he amassed the 15+ plate appearances. If he has 15 or more plate appearances in more than one league, the highest level of play will be considered his league and he can't bat in more than one level below this league. This rule does not apply to managers. Managers are eligible for post season play regardless (see rule # 31).
22. Official games:
A. Single game
1. Saturday/Sunday
a. Saturday - 9 innings (scheduled start time 8 PM or earlier)
b. Saturday - 7 Innings (scheduled start time 8:01PM or later)
c. Sunday - 9 innings (scheduled start time 7 PM or earlier)
d. Sunday - 7 innings (scheduled start time 7:01 PM or later)
c. 7 innings - 10 run discrepancy (post season - 15 run discrepancy).
d. 5 innings in the event of rain or darkness (umpires discretion - post season games postponed).
e. No inning will start after 2:45 from game start on league assigned fields (9 inning game)
f. No inning will start after 2:15 from game start on league assigned fields (7 inning game).
2. Week night (any scheduled start time)
a. 7 innings
b. 5 innings - 10 run discrepancy
c. 5 innings in the event of rain or darkness (umpires discretion)
d. No inning will start after 2:15 from game start on League assigned fields.
B. Two games (doubleheader)
1. 7 innings
2. 5 innings
a. 10 run discrepancy
b. Rain or darkness (umpires discretion)
c. No inning will start after 2:15 from game start on League assigned fields.
d. The second game of a doubleheader will start approximately 20 minutes after the completion of game one.
23. If an umpire suspects that a pitcher is throwing at a hitter, the pitcher will be given one (1) warning. This warning will be given to both teams to prevent any retaliating measures. After initial warning, the umpire will eject the pitcher from the game upon a second occurrence. The pitcher(s) involved will be subject to disciplinary action from the rules committee.
24. If a fielder fakes a tag, all runners will be entitled to advance one (1) base. If same fielder fakes a tag twice in same game, said player will be ejected from game and subject to disciplinary action from the rules committee. This rule is designed to prevent injury due to unnecessary sliding by the base runner.
25. All players must avoid an intentional collision with a fielder. In the case of a collision, the runner will be automatically out. If ruled flagrant by the umpire, player will be ejected from the game and subject to disciplinary action from the rules committee.
26. Intentional walks are permitted. Pitches must be thrown.
27. Hidden ball tricks are permitted.
28. There is no limit to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game, week or season.
29. No WHITE pitching sleeves, batting gloves, wristbands or any other items of WHITE on hand or arm will be permitted for pitchers.
30. Scheduling games -
A. Regular season - During the scheduling work sheet phase of the pre-season a team may schedule any home game on a Sunday at any time (day or night) without the permission of the opposing manager. A team may schedule any home game on any weeknight as long as the game is on a field with lights and the game begins between 7 PM and 8:30 PM without the permission of the opposing manager (except Fridays that precede major holiday weekends). If a home team wants to schedule a home game on a Saturday, a weeknight on an unlit field (6 PM start), a holiday weekend, or the Friday preceding a major holiday weekend, they must secure the permission of the opposing manager. Both managers must submit their approval to the league office via e-mail before umpires will be assigned to the game. All weeknight games are 7 innings. If a home team does not have a home field the away team may schedule the game on their field according to the structure above. If both teams do not have a field the league will assign the game based on field availability. In this case Saturdays may be required and the league does not have to secure the permission of either team involved.
B. Play offs - the top seed teams will host all play off games on their home field. The top seed team will dictate the time and location of the game but the league will dictate the date of the game.
C. Championships - All championship games will be scheduled and fielded by the league. Teams, regardless of their seeding will have no say in when and where the games will be played. The standard format is 2 weekend games and 1 weeknight game.
31. Rain outs/league sanctioned postponed games:
A. Home team responsible to check field for playing condition. If not playable, the home team must report to umpire’s or league office and notify the opposing team and the umpires (their telephone numbers are provided to you prior to the game) 2 hrs. prior to game time. If such notification does not take place, the home team will be solely responsible for the travel fees of $25.00 per umpire. If the umpires are not paid in full by the home team, and the league does not receive the umpire fee within 5 days, all subsequent games for the team will be suspended until payment is made.
B. If field is playable, teams are to report to appropriate fields. The team not present and prepared to play will forfeit said game (see rule 8).
C. All regular season rained out/league sanctioned postponed games must be rescheduled :1. For the Spring Season – within 14 days 2. For the Summer/Fall Season – within 10 days
D. If rained out/league sanctioned postponed game occurs with 14 days or less in the season, games must be played under the following circumstances:
- The game has a bearing on a participating teams playoff eligibility or seeding.
- The game has a bearing on any other teams playoff eligibility or seeding.
- Either participating team ‘wants’ to play the game.
- The game is required for a team or teams playoff eligibility
E. Home team is required to provide up to two (2) make up dates to the opposing team.
F. If home teams dates are unacceptable to opposing team, opposing team is required to provide one (1) date to the home team.
G. If away teams date is unacceptable to home team, the game site, date and time will be assigned by the league office and can not be challenged.
H. If no attempt is made by either team, a double forfeit shall be declared. This will count towards post season ineligibility.
I. If one team proposes date(s) according to the above, and the opposing team does not respond, the league will assign a date, time and location for the game.
J. All communications between teams must be copied to the league via e-mail. If you require league assistance, please contact the league immediately.
32. Postponed games:
No team is required to grant a postponement of a scheduled game. If a team wishes to grant a postponement to their opponent, the following guideline must be followed to reschedule the game - the team that requests the postponement will be solely responsible to schedule the game within A. spring - 2 weeks, B. summer - 1 week, C. fall - 1 week. The league will not be responsible to provide a field for the make up game. If the game is not rescheduled within the allotted time, a forfeit will be automatically incurred by the team that postponed the game. These forfeits will count towards post season ineligibility (see rule # 8). If a team is granted a postponement by their opponent, the opponent must accept any date provided by the team who postponed the game as long as the make up date/time falls within the leagues scheduling format (anywhere and anytime on a Sunday, any weeknight as long as the game begins between 7 PM and 8:30 PM on a lit field). If the team that granted the postponement can not or will not play on the proposed acceptable date/time, a forfeit will be declared against them.
33. Home team is required to insure all fields are left in condition they were in before start of game. If a field is lost to league due to abuse of ANY nature (alcohol, fighting, verbal abuse, etc.), the team responsible is subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the league. The rules committee will decide what is appropriate.
34. Players may not switch teams without receiving a release from their teams manager. Once the player receives permission from his manager, the player will be subject to a draft system in the league he desires to participate in. The team with the worst record that claims him will be the only team, other than his original team, that he may play for that season. If the player chooses not to join the team that drafts him, he must either stay on his original team or sit out the remainder of the season. The player will not be entitled to a refund from his original team or the league. If the player agrees to play on the team that drafted him, the original team will be responsible to transfer the balance of the players team and umpire fees to the new club. This will be based on a pro rated formula. In the off season, a player is entitled to join any team in any of our leagues.
35. In order to be eligible for post season play, a player must make the following appearances in regular season games and entered in the teams box scores :
A. Spring - 20 plate appearances and/or 15 innings pitched
B. Summer/Fall - 10 plate appearances and/or 8 innings pitched
Players will only be eligible for post season play in their league or 1 level above or below. Once a player becomes play off eligible (regardless of whether his team qualifies for the post season or not), he will be eligible for the highest level and/or the one level below that in which he meets playoff requirements only. In order to be play off eligible in 2 levels of play (a one level separation only), he must meet post season eligibility on both teams in both leagues.
If the player changes teams during the season, his plate appearances and/or innings pitched, up to that point will not count towards his post season eligibility. He must meet these minimums with his new team. Forfeit credit (see below) will only be applied for games that were forfeited after the player joins his new team.
If a team wins by forfeit, each player on the active roster (must have played a game - appeared at least once at the plate and/or pitched a minimum of 1/3 inning with the team prior to or one game after the forfeit) will be credited with 3 plate appearances and 3 innings pitched unless the forfeit occurs after the game becomes official (5 innings or 4 1/2 inning if home team is winning). In the case of a game that is forfeited after it becomes official, all statistics count.
These minimum appearances/innings pitched do not apply to managers (one per team - determined in the pre-season). Often, managers sacrifice their playing time in order to satisfy their players. If a manager does not meet play off eligibility minimums in the level he manages and plays on another team two or more levels below the level he manages, he may participate in the lower level play offs if he reaches the minimum plate appearances and/or innings pitched required in that level.
Scorebook.com is the statistical web site for the league. All stats posted on Scorebook will be used to determine a player's post season eligibility. If statistics are not entered when the site is closed (we close the access to stats just prior to the start of post season play) the player(s) will not receive credit for these plate appearances and/or innings pitched. If a team is found to purposely enter false stats, even if they are subsequently deleted, the team manager and the player(s) involved will be suspended for the entire post season. The game in which this illegal action occurs will be declared a forfeit for the offending team and count towards post season ineligibility. If both teams are involved in this situation a double forfeit will be declared. No players on the team(s) participating in this type of forfeit will get credit for any plate appearances and/or innings pitched in the forfeited game. The statistics must be accurate and any illegal use of these statistics will not be tolerated.
Call ups are not eligible to be used during the post season.
No player will be post season eligible unless a signed waiver is in possession of the league office.
36. Game changes and/or cancellations. Once the schedule is finalized, all game changes must be submitted in writing (via e-mail) to the league office by BOTH teams. The league will not recognize any changes unless both teams agree in writing to the league. If a game is rained out, the home team is responsible to notify both umpires (home teams are given the umpires telephone numbers prior to all games). DO NOT leave a message with the league office to cancel the umpires. Unless the home team cancels the umpires they have not been notified. If the umpires are not notified and show up for the game the umpires will be paid and the home team will be responsible. If a field is not playable due to rain the previous night, the umpire requires two (2) hours notification by the home team manager. If the home team manager does not notify the umpires two (2) hours prior to the game the home team manager will be responsible for travel pay for both umpires. If a team is scheduled to play on a league assigned field, the home team is responsible for the field conditions and all umpires.
37. Complaints
A. Team managers to file complaints regarding umpires with league office.
B. Umpires to file complaints with umpires office.
38. Rules Committee
A. One (1) representative per division, the league president, and the Umpire in Chief.
B. The league representative is entitled to be involved in all meetings and discussions but will not have voting rights in issues that pertain to his league.
C. Player(s) or team(s) involved in the infraction has the right to representation at hearing.
D. Rules committee to present judgment in complete unity.
E. Hearing dates to be determined by league office.
39. Player ejection's.
A. Two (2) ejection's - Automatic two (2) game suspension.
B. Three (3) ejection's - Minimum 5 game suspension, possible longer depending on the circumstances and the infraction.
C. If a player is ejected from a game and refuses to leave the field premises promptly, the player will be subject to a possible 1 game suspension. If the umpire needs to terminate the game due to the player or players refusing to leave the premises, the player's team will incur a forfeit and this forfeit will count towards the play off ineligibility rule (see rule # 8).
D. All suspensions will carry over to the following season if they were not fully served the season they were imposed. This would be the case if not enough games were left to fulfill the suspension. A player must be a member of the league (registered) in order for the suspension to be served. This means a player must be a paid member of the league.
E. Any player or manager who threatens an umpire is subject to a minimum 2 game suspension, and any player or manager who actually has a physical confrontation with an umpire will be subject to a minimum 5 game suspension, and of course, in the case of a physical attack, the penalties will be a much worse (possible banishment from league and the filing of criminal charges). It is a felony in the state of New Jersey to assault a sports official.
40. Standings are determined by point system. Win = two (2) points, Tie = one (1) point.
41. Tie breakers:
TWO TEAMS
1 - head to head won/loss record
2 - head to head run differential
3 - run differential for the entire season
THREE OR MORE TEAMS
1 - winning pct. against the other teams involved
2 - run differential against the other teams involved
3 - run differential for the entire season
If there's a tie between three or more teams and one step of the three team (or more) tie breaker gets it down to where just two teams are left, still tied, then you revert to a two team tie breaker to break that tie. In other words, if team A is 2-0 against team B and Team C, and team B and Team C are both 1-2 against the other two teams, then Team A is ranked first. You then revert to a two team tie breaker with Team B and Team C.
42. Open roster policy - any player who is not on the Scorebook team roster prior to participating in a game relinquishes his or her right to the coverage offered in the league's secondary medical policy. All medical costs will be the players own responsibility.
43. Smoking is prohibited within the confines of the playing field (field, coaches box, dugout) either before, during, or after the game. If any player is caught smoking within the confines of the field, there will be a warning issued to the team manager. Any subsequent violation of this rule by any member of this team will result in the immediate ejection of the guilty player or players.
44. The league reserves the right to suspend or banish any player, players, team, or team that in the leagues view is detrimental to the league. The said player and/or team will not be entitled to any financial reimbursement from the league or his team.
45. All registration fees are non-refundable once the season begins.
46. Managers, or who ever enters a team in the league is responsible for all fees due the league. This includes, but is not limited to, team fees, umpire fees, etc.
47. All league rules are subject to interpretation by the league itself and/or the rules committee.