Rules and Regulations
(go to Tucson MSBL Constitution)Revisions: 2/98; 1/01; 6/03; 2/04; 3/04; 2/07; 5/07; >> 1/08, 3/08
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This league was created to provide for men 25 years old and over an alternative to softball and enable us to play the game we all grew up playing. Adult attitudes must always prevail, no matter how competitive any league is. The responsibility that this ethic sustains, will remain the responsibility of the league President and his officers and anyone who abuses the league's code can be suspended or expelled from the league. These rules were established to serve as guidelines for all local league affiliates.
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. Batters
>> 8. Ex-Pro Status and Regulations
>> 9. General League Rules
10. Code of Conduct
11. Tucson MSBL
World Series Participation
12. Umpire Guidelines
RULES
1. UNIFORMS, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
1.a All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered jerseys, baseball pants, and socks. Each player's uniform must be of similar design to his team uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsor's name on their uniform via patch or uniform shirt.
1.a.1 No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing
manager's consent.
1.a.2 All teams should have their uniforms by their first game.
1.a.3 Bandanas are not to be worn around the neck.
1.b All batters and runners must have helmets - there is no option to this rule. Full double ear flap helmets are encouraged for at bats and encouraged for the bases. Catchers are also encouraged to wear a helmet underneath their mask. The same rule will apply for all national tournament play.
1.c All leagues are encouraged to use the official Rawlings MSBL baseballs: RO-MSBL, RCC-MSBL, R-100 MSBL and RCC-MABL. Each team must bring a minimum of 2 balls to each game. Only balls provided by the local league will be permitted. The batting team is responsible for foul balls. Teams should help each other retrieve foul balls at all times.
1.d Wood or metal bats are allowed and both will be permitted for all tournaments. The maximum allowable length/weight differential for any type of metal bat is -5. If a player uses a bat exceeding this differential and a protest is made, the offending batter will be declared an out.
1.e Metal cleats are permitted.
2. GAME LENGTH,
RUN RULE AND RAIN-OUTS
2.a All games are 9 innings - re: darkness - 7 innings complete - umpire
discretion - re: rain - 5 innings complete. In the event a team has
a 15 run lead after seven (7) complete innings of play (6½ innings
if the Home team is ahead) the team that is behind can concede, but this is
not mandatory. Double-header games are 7 innings - re: darkness or rain 5 innings complete.
All league playoff games must be played to completion, however
a playoff game suspended will revert back to the score at
the end of the last complete inning if seven (7) or more innings have been completed,
or the score when the home team is batting and has taken the lead in which case the game
is completed and the home team wins. The umpire may suspend, cancel or call a
game if, in their opinion, the safety of the players is compromised due
to rain, darkness, or time limits.
2.b All National and American Division
games will have a three (3) hour time limit from the scheduled start
time. Mountain Division games will have a two and one-half (2 1/2) hour time
limit from the scheduled start time. Double-header games will have a two and one-half
(2 1/2) hour time limit from the scheduled start time.
No new inning will start after the time limit. In the event of a
tie game at the end of regulation play, the fee will be $5/umpire per inning
started after the time limit, with the agreement of both teams and umpires
needed in order to continue.
2.c Any games rained out may be re-scheduled by the league, but must not conflict with previously scheduled games. All make-up games must be agreed to by both managers and league notification must take place. Tie games can be played to completion at a later date, again with the agreement of both teams and league notification. Final league standings will be determined by won/lost percentage. Ties will be decided by head-to-head competition first, followed by inter-division won-lost record and then head to head run differential.
2.d In the event of rain, it is the responsibility of the league president to notify the umpires and teams of field conditions and possible cancellation of game at least 1 hour before scheduled game time. All teams are encouraged as a general policy to go to the field of play in case conditions change or are different from your part of town, unless you have been informed that the game has been canceled. Teams may NOT perform any field maintenance work on City of Tucson fields by orders of the City Parks and Recreation Department. No work is to be done at any time regardless of weather conditions.
3. TEAMS, PLAYERS AND LINE-UPS
3.a Eligibility for membership in the league is based on the age of the player as of 12/31 in the calendar year of the current season. The age requirements depend on the division in which the player participates:
3.b Team rosters must be submitted to the league including league and player fees, proof of date of birth and player waiver forms by the date determined by the Board of Directors. Rosters may not be changed after June 30th unless:
3.b.1 Players are lost to injuries.
3.b.2 A player from their roster voluntarily quits for the remainder
of the season.
3.b.3 The local league decides to extend dates for final rosters.
3.b.4 Additions will be made through the player pool only in sequential
order by positions (i.e. outfield, infield, pitcher, catcher). The player
pool will be administered by the league Secretary and a Manager Representative.
Player pool allotments are final.
3.c All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed liability waiver forms on file with the league.
>> 3.d A team manager may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 10 (subject to the number of players available if less than 10). Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game. MSBL National A/B hitting format may be used in any division.
3.d.1 Lineup cards must be turned in to the Home Plate Umpire
five (5) minutes before the scheduled start time. A qualifying lineup card
must have at least eight (8) of the teams own roster players. Any team not
turning in a qualifying lineup card at this time will begin their first
offensive half inning with one (1) out and an additional out for each five
(5) minutes thereafter. Lineup cards must include player's first and
last names and jersey number. The lineup card turned in to the umpire will
be the official lineup. If a team does not have the required 8 team members
present and in the dugout at lineup time, they must turn in a lineup with
the players that they have. Late arriving players may only be added to the
end of the lineup, and managers must update the lineup card given to the
umpires (subject to the 15 minute grace period rule, after which a forfeit
will be assessed).
3.e A team 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. Each team has a hitting
and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may
play in either lineup, or both.
3.f If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or commitment
or if a player is ejected from a game, a reserve player, not previously
entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the batter's place. If no
reserve is present, that spot is skipped and all batters move up accordingly,
with a penalty of one (1) out the first time only.
3.g A team must have 8 roster players in the dugout
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 teams 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed
player reverts back to his original team. A team must always maintain eight (8)
of its own roster players to proceed with the game or a forfeit will be called.
A team batting only 8 players will have a penalty of one (1) out each time the
9th scheduled spot is due at bat. (Does not apply to 3.f.)
3.h All players may be substituted for defensively at any time, without
affecting the player's offensive status in the lineup. If the
pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the course
of the game, but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any
other position.
3.i No player may switch teams without the consent of the former manager by
submitting a player release form to the league President.
If this does not meet with approval of the former manager, 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 the season's conclusion, all players
will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play
for any desired team.
If a player is not invited back by his manager,
he must be given his release so that he may go to the team of his choosing
or enter the player pool. 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 enter the player pool, making himself available
to all teams.
3.j 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 with out 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.j.a If a manager is NOT inviting a player back to his team he must
inform the player and the Board of Directors
one month prior to the beginning
of the season. Players may not be released for competitive reasons
alone. Managers must explain player options and should give players reasonable
expectations for team participation so they can make appropriate choices.
3.k Final team rosters must have no less than 14 paid players or the
team will not be allowed to participate in a TMSBL game.
3.l Tucson MSBL managers must have one year of regular season play before
becoming eligible to manage. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved by the
Board.
3.m Players may be added to a team's roster through June 30th.
Teams must have a minimum of 14 players to
begin the season and should maintain 14 during the season.
After June 30th, players required to fill vacated roster positions
will be selected from the league player pool according to 3.b.4.
The Board has a list available to teams.
3.n If a player is absent from three or more games without notifying
his team manager, that player is INACTIVE. The manager must notify the
Board that the player is inactive. If the player later returns and wishes
to continue to play for his team, there will be $25 RE-ACTIVATION fee charged
to that player. Team managers may drop INACTIVE players and pick up a player
from the player pool as soon as a player becomes inactive. INACTIVE players
who are dropped may not play for another team.
3.o Removed 3/9/98
4. PLAYER
BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
4.a There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted at the field
before, during or after the game. The field refers to the general playing
area.
4.b The league has the right to suspend or expel any team member who
abuses league rules 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.
All ejections will be reviewed by the Board to determine the
severity of the infraction and the length of any suspension. The Board should
have a final decision within 48 hours of completion of the game. The league
President or designee will notify the player and his team manager immediately
after a decision has been rendered. The ejected player has the right to appeal
the decision in writing to the Board within 24 hours of notification of the
decision.
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 suspension or expulsion from the league.
4.e Players shall not intentionally collide with any other player. In
the case of a runner intentionally colliding with a fielder, the runner
will be called out and may, at the umpire's discretion, be expelled from
the game. All base runners must either slide or give up their right to
a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving a base path) if the defensive
player (e.g. catcher) has possession of the ball, is in the act of receiving
the ball, or is about to immediately receive the ball and will be able
to make an apparent play on the base runner.
Players must slide directly into the base on ALL force play ground balls. If
a player slides out of the direction of the base so as to intentionally take
out the fielder, the umpire will call an automatic double play. Players can
use hook or evasive slides to avoid being tagged out. On any slide, a player
sliding with spikes up high will be ejected.
If a defensive player is not
in possession of the ball, is not in the act of receiving the ball, or
is not about to immediately receive the ball so that he is able to record
an out (apparent play... at any base), he cannot block the base (e.g. home
plate) or be in the base path so as to impede (obstruct) the base runner's
right to that base. Under such circumstances, the defensive player shall
be responsible to avoid any collision. If a collision does occur
under these circumstances the runner will always be considered safe and
the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be ejected
from the game (if the action is intentional, he must be ejected), and will
be suspended from league play if the obstruction is judged to be flagrant.
4.f Infielders are not allowed to decoy a throw or catch. If a decoy
throw or catch is detected, all runners shall be allowed to advance one base
beyond the base held after play stops. If the same fielder decoys twice in
the same game, the fielder shall be expelled from the game. Decoying is
referred to as a false catch or throw done in an attempt to get the player
to slide unnecessarily, where no strategic value is gained.
4.g Each league must set its own standard of player/team sportsmanship,
but must encourage suspensions for infractions unbefitting to the image
and policies of the league.
4.h Failure to abide by age regulations - The managers must all recognize
their responsibility to the league and its integrity, and 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
wants to lodge a protest, proof of age must be supplied to the Board by
Friday of the following week. If an underage player is detected, penalties
will be forfeiture of all games in which the under-age player participated
and a minimum two year suspension. If the manager had prior knowledge,
he is subject to similar suspension. World Series participation rules in
section 9.d apply for this player.
>> 5.a Players that will need courtesy runners must have their manager
indicate this on the lineup card when submitted to the Umpire and opposing manager
prior to game time. If not so notified, no courtesy runner can be used.
Each team will be allowed the maximum of two (2) courtesy runners per game.
The player to make the last recorded out must
be the courtesy runner, unless
6.a No pitcher while pitching may wear white sleeves, nor may
a pitcher wear a batting glove or wrist band while pitching.
6.b There will be one intentional walk allowed per team per game.
If a catcher signals for a second
intentional walk, the umpire shall call a catcher's balk with all runners
advancing one base.
6.c A pitcher may be removed from the game at any time if, in the Umpire's
judgement there is a legitimate concern for a player's safety. The pitcher may
move to another position. If a pitcher, in the Umpire's judgement intentionally
hits or attempts to hit a batter, the pitcher shall be immediately ejected from
the game.
6.d There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch
in a game or week.
>> 6.e A pitcher must deliver the pitch within 20 seconds of the last pitch
unless timeout is called. Failure to do so will result in the umpire issuing
a warning, and calling a ball for repeat offenses.
>> 6.f After the third out is recorded, the opposing pitcher has 90
seconds to deliver his first pitch. Failure to do so will result in the
umpire issuing a warning, and calling a ball for repeat offenses.
The pitcher will be allowed 5 warm-up pitches at the start of each inning.
>> 7.a After the third out is recorded, the opposing leadoff batter has
90 seconds to be in the batter's box and ready to hit. Failure to do so
will result in the umpire issuing a warning, and calling a strike for repeat
offenses.
7.b Base coaches are allowed only one timeout per inning to come down
and talk to a batter out of the batter's box. The second time in the inning,
the umpire will call a strike on the batter.
8. EX-PRO STATUS AND
REGULATIONS
8.a,b,c,d,e - Obsolete - Removed March 2008.
8.f Ex-professional players may play in Tucson MSBL provided that they
are not signed to a player contract with any professional team. This supercedes
rule 8.a.
8.g Ex-professional players who have pitched professionally may not
pitch for three (3) years from the date that they left professional baseball.
8.h No team shall be allowed to add more than five (5) ex-professional
players to their roster within any three (3) year period.
9. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
9.a Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from the
league with no money refunded to the team. Any team that forfeits a game
will have a win taken away in addition to the forfeit loss. If the forfeiting
team has no wins, they will receive no win for their next won game.
If a team knows in advance
that they will forfeit a game, and notifies the league in writing at least 48 hours
before the scheduled game, they will not have a win taken away for the forfeit. This
provision may be used ONLY ONE TIME by a team during the season. Any additional
forfeit carries with it the loss of win penalty.
Tie-breaks for playoff positions will also consider forfeits as the first criterion.
>> 9.b All protests should be lodged to the League Board of Directors within
24 hours of the game for which the protest is made.
A protest occurs when a manager claims that an umpire's decision is in violation
of league rules. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment
decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision of the
League Board of Directors shall be final.
Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no
replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the League
Board of Directors the violation adversely affected the protesting team's
chances of winning the game.
Whenever a manager protests a game because of
alleged misapplication of the rules the protest will not be recognized
unless the umpires are notified at the time the play under protest
occurs and before the next pitch, play or attempted play.
9.c Only MSBL and MABL leagues are eligible for MSBL and MABL sanctioned
regional and national tournaments.
9.d Determination of eligibility to participate in MSBL regional and
national tournament competition will be based solely on the decision of
MSBL National Tournament Rules Committee. In general, no player will be
allowed to participate in a regional or national tournament unless the
player has participated in at least 6 regular season MSBL/MABL games.
9.e Removed 3/9/98
9.f Removed 2/5/04
9.g Removed 2/5/04
PROHIBITIONS
Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsman-like
manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:
1. Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten anyone. Players and
managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further
participation in the game and shall be suspended until his conduct is reviewed
by Board of Directors.
2. Refuse 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 Board
of Directors. 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 unnecessary rough tactics in the play of the game against the
person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately
suspended from further participation in the game and shall 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 his conduct is reviewed by
the Board of Directors. 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 on 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 his conduct is reviewed by the Board of Directors.
Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder
of the season.
8. Consume 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 shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder
of the season.
9. Smoke on the field of play or in the dugout. Smoking on the field
of play is prohibited. Smoking is discouraged and is handled at the team
discretion.
PENALTIES
1. The Board of Directors may, by vote of the majority of the directors,
suspend any player or manager for such a period and upon such terms as
it may propose, for the conduct which in its opinion is prejudicial to
the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.
2. Except as otherwise provided, the league Board shall determine the
appropriate action required for violations of the code of conduct, and
shall report their decision to the player, manager, and Board of Directors.
3. A player found in violation of any provision delineated in the codes
of conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season
shall be suspended for the remainder of the season and may be subject to
further penalty.
4. Any player found in violation of any provision delineated in the
codes of conduct, after being ejected from a game shall be subject to suspension
or further penalty.
5. Ejections and Penalties (added 2/5/2004)
The purpose of this section is to:
Specific examples of infractions are not intended to cover all cases. The
Tucson MSBL Board of Directors is expected to use good judgement and common
sense in the application of these guidelines and penalties.
Expulsion - Players who are expelled from Tucson MSBL may not
participate in any Tucson MSBL game(s) for the remainder of the season,
including post-season games.
Lifetime Ban - Players who are banned for life may never again
participate in Tucson MSBL as a player, manager, coach, or any other capacity.
GRIEVANCES, PROTESTS AND APPEALS
1. Grievances may be filed by an individual player through his manager
or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted
to the league Board. The Board shall adjudicate all such grievances and
the President shall report any action taken to the Board and appropriate
parties.
2. An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed
with the Board of Directors by an individual player or by the manager of
a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted. The appeal must
be filed within 24 hours of the incident. All decisions by the Board of
Directors are final and not subject to appeal.
11. Tucson
MSBL World Series Participation
11.1 The Tucson MSBL encourages full participation in the MSBL National
World Series and MSBL National Sponsored tournaments. As such, there will
be no specific methodology which the Tucson MSBL oversees on a yearly basis.
Tucson MSBL teams will be made as competitive as possible.
11.2 The Tucson MSBL Board of Directors will discuss the World Series
with managers, coaches and assistants and provide timely information to
players so they are aware of the event schedules.
11.3 Each team representing Tucson will be assigned a manager,
a coach, and assistants as needed by the Tucson MSBL Board.
11.4 Removed 3/30/99
12.1 Communicate with your partner.
12.2 Arrival at the field:
12.2.1 Plate Umpire should arrive 30 minutes prior to game time.
12.2.2 Base Umpire should arrive 20 minutes prior to game time.
12.2.3 Both Umpires should arrive on the field no later than ten (10) minutes
before game time.
12.2.4 Umpires will be penalized$10 per occurrance for not adhering to this
guideline.
12.3 Lineups must be collected from both teams five (5) minutes before game
time. Lineups must include player first and last names and jersey number and
must have batters needing a courtesy runner clearly identified. (see 3.d.1)
12.4 Ejections - Accurate reports must be filled out, no excuses, since the
lineups will identify the offending player(s). These reports will be due within
24 hours. Write the report immediately after the game. Penalty for a late or no
report will be $10 subtracted from your next game and result in an evaluation of
your schedule.
12.5 Collapse of lineup - (see rule 3.f)
12.6 Game forfeit time: (see rule 3.g) The game will be forfeited if a team
cannot field at least eight (8) of its own players from its roster within 15
minutes after the scheduled start time. The 8 players must be visibly noticeable
in the dugout before the 15-minute grace period ends. No manager will have the
right to waive this rule just to play a game. The game time will not be affected
by the late start (i.e., scheduled game time is the start time). If at any time
a team drops to less than 8 of its own players, the game will be forfeited.
12.7 Courtesy runners - (see rule 5.a)
i. that player is the catcher and there are two (2) outs
ii. the player to make the last recorded out is also a declared non-runner
In these situations the player to make the next to last recorded out must be the runner.
If no out has been recorded, the player furthest away in the batting order who is not
currently a base runner must be the courtesy runner.
Once the game begins and the full complement of
2 courtesy runners have NOT been used, only by obvious injury can an additional
courtesy runner be used. In the event a player becomes injured during the
game and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) have already been designated,
a courtesy runner will be allowed by reassigning from one of the players
previously being run for and that player will have to run for himself for the
rest of the game. Player being run for must wait for the umpire to call time out
before leaving the base for a courtesy runner. If an incorrect player enters the
game as a courtesy runner, there will be no penalty except to put in the correct
runner. A courtesy runner may always be used for the catcher when there are
two (2) outs.
SECTION 1 - INFRACTIONS
LEVEL 1
A level 1 infraction is one that results in a player being ejected from
the ball game for a minor offense, including but not limited to:
After ejection, the player leaves the ball park without further comment or
incident.
LEVEL 2
A level 2 infraction occurs when a level 1 infraction escalates
to include one or more of:
LEVEL 3
A level 3 infraction occurs when a level 1 or level 2 infraction
escalates to include one or more of:
LEVEL 4
A level 4 infraction is any incident involving:
SECTION 2 - PENALTIES
Suspension - Suspension involves the loss of playing privileges
for one or more games. Players who are suspended may not attend Tucson MSBL
games as a player or spectator until the suspension has been served.
Managers or their designee are responsible to ensure that the player
does not come out to the park during scheduled Tucson MSBL games
until they are again eligible to play.
LEVEL 1
No suspension or additional penalty.
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
Expulsion from the league and life-time ban from participation in Tucson MSBL.
SECTION 3 - PLAYERS RIGHTS
SECTION 4 - BOARD REVIEW
