RULES & BYLAWS

RULES

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 not wearing full coverage “hockey style” masks are encouraged to wear a helmet underneath their mask. It is recommended that base coaches wear a helmet, but is not a requirement.

>> 1.c Umpires will provide authorized league baseballs for each game. The batting team is responsible for foul balls. Teams should help each other retrieve foul balls at all times.

>> 1.d Only solid wood or wood composite bats are allowed. If a player uses an illegal bat 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 automatically loses. In a regular season game, if time expires and a team has a 15 run lead, the game is ended.

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 completed 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, darness, or time limits.

2.b All divisions (National, American, Mountain, Cactus) have a three (3) hour time limit from the scheduled start time. A game that is tied at the end of nine (9) innings with time remaining to play is not ended, but must be continued until the tie is broken or time expires. No new inning starts after the time limit in the regular season. Regular season games can end in ties.

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.

Standings ties are broken by applying the following criteria in the order given:

Team with fewer or no forfeits advances
Head-to-head W/L record
Head-to-head run scoring differential
Overall run scoring differential

**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.

2.e – FIELD PLAYABILITY – To protect the safety of players and officials, and to avoid damage to fields with financial liability to the league, the following rules apply:

2.e.1 – In any game where field playability is in question, the decision to start the game rests with the managers of the opposing teams. Both managers must agree to start the game.

2.e.2 – Once the game begins and a pitch is thrown, the home plate umpire may suspend the game if in their judgement field playability is considered such that a reasonable risk exists a) to player or umpire safety, and/or b) damage to the field is likely if the game were allowed to continue. The decision of the umpire is final.

2.e.3 – A game suspended due to unplayable field conditions may not be moved to any other field without permission of a league board member, which must be confirmed in person or by phone by the home plate umpire in charge of the game.

2.e.4 – No maintenance work should be done on a field in order to address conditions affecting playability without the permission of a board member. Anyone who works on a field without permission from the league assumes full responsibility for any charge to the league for field damage.

2.e.5 – Financial liability in the event of a charge to the league for field damage:
i. Umpires are not liable for any costs if in compliance with these rules.
ii. Financial liability of umpires in a non-compliance situation will be limited to the fees paid by the league for the umpires for the game(s) in question.
iii. The amount of financial liability of involved teams and/or individual league members will be decided by the board.

2.f RAIN DELAYS. In the event of a rain delay, the original end of game time will be extended by any amount of time exceeding 30 minutes from the time that play was suspended. For example, a rain delay of 30 minutes or less will not change the original end of game time. A rain delay of 45 minutes would have the affect of adding 15 minutes to the original end of game time. If play must be suspended a second time after one rain delay has occurred, the game will not be resumed and will be resolved according to rule 2a/b/c.

2.g REQUEST TO RESCHEDULE GAME. In general there is no rescheduling of games once the schedule has been published, except to reschedule games cancelled due to rain, no lights, etc. A team that feels it has a situation that warrants an exception may submit a request to reschedule a game to the Board, but only under the following guidelines:
i. the team manager must get agreement to reschedule from the opposing team manager
ii. the request, with an explanation of the reason for the request, must be submitted to the Board a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) prior to the original game date
The Board will review the request and provide a response. The decision of the Board is final and not subject to appeal.

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:

National Division – all players must be age 18 or older.
American Division – all players must be age 25 or older (5 players can be age of 23 but cannot pitch)
Mountain Division – all players must be age 35 or older. (5 players can be age of 33 but cannot pitch)
Cactus Division – all players must be age 45 or older. (5 players can be age of 43 but cannot pitch)

In case of interleauge play the older division is considered to be moving into the younger division for that game. Therefore, players on the older team not eligible to pitch normally, can pitch. For example a 43 year old on a 45+ team can pitch against a 35+ team in an interleague game.

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.

3.b.1 Teams may not add or replace players after June 30th unless the number of players on the roster falls below the league minimum. The roster freeze date is June 30th of the current season’s year.

>> 3.b.2 Players may be added to a team’s roster through the roster freeze date. Teams must pay for a minimum of 14 players to begin the season.

3.b.3 Players to fill vacated roster positions may be selected from the league player pool.

3.c All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed liability waiver forms on file with the league. The waiver is available and sent to new players once the manager adds them to their roster.

3.d 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).

Clarification (using a 9:00am start time as example):
8:55 – 1 out charged if QUALIFYING lineup card not turned in
9:00 – 2 outs charged
9:05 – 3 outs charged
9:10 – if home team, visiting team bats first and becomes home team; if visiting team, home team bats first and is still the home team
9:15 – FORFEIT

3.d.1 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. If a team has only 9 (nine) players and therefore bats only 9, the opposing team will have the option of batting 9 as well.

3.d.2 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. That is, 3A/3B, 10, 11A/11B, 12, etc. The first time that position 9 gets an at bat, 9A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 9B would be up. Then 9A hits the third time this spot in the order comes up, and so 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 for, just as any other player.

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, 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. If this situation arises as a result of a player ejection and no reserve is present, an out will be assessed each time the ejected player’s spot is due to bat.

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.

Clarification: there is no requirement that a replacement pitcher record 3 or any outs before a removed pitcher returns. The only requirement is that the pitcher may not return in the same inning. The number of outs recorded, batters faced, or pitches thrown by the replacement pitcher has no bearing on the eligibility to return of the pitcher that was replaced.

3.i All players are considered to be free agents at the end of the season, and may play for any team the following season.

3.j If a player on an official team roster is released from the team for any reason (excluding 3.i) they may not return to that team after the roster freeze date. They may return to the team for the next season. A player who is released may join any other team in the league subject to league rules for adding players.

3.k All players must have a valid government issued ID available at every game. All new players must present their ID at the first game in which they play.

3.l Players in Sunday divisions (18+, 25+) must participate in nine (9) of their team’s regular season games from the time that they register in order to be eligible for playoffs. Players in Weeknight divisions (35+, 45+) must participate in seven (7) of their team’s regular season games from the time that they register in order to be eligible for playoffs. A player is considered to have played in a game if they have at least one at bat and/or pitch at least one inning.

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. Umpires must file ejection reports with the league within 24 hours. All ejections will be reviewed by the Board to determine the severity of the infraction and the length of any suspension. The Board board will have a final decision on suspension as soon as possible and until then, the player is eligible to play. The league President or active board member 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 to the Board within 24 hours of notification of the decision. The appeal must be in writing via email or written letter to an executive board member.

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 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. COURTESY RUNNERS

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.

National and American divisions will be allowed the maximum of two (2) courtesy runners per game. Mountain and Cactus divisions are allowed three (3) courtesy runners per game.

The player to make the last recorded out must be the courtesy runner, unless

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 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.

6. PITCHERS

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 is no limit on intentional walks. Intentional walks no longer require pitcher to throw 4 pitches.

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.

6.g A pitcher will be able to step off the mound for a pickoff or any other reason a maximum of twice per plate appearance. The limit resets if the runner advances via steal, wild pitch or passed ball. A pitcher can attempt a third pickoff but if it doesn’t result in an out, it is an automatic balk.

7. BATTERS

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 Ex-professional players may play in Tucson MSBL provided that they are not currently signed to a player contract with any professional team. An ex-professional is defined to be a player who was signed to a player contract with any team affiliated with a Major League Baseball team.

8.b 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 Forfeits have 3 levels of severity. When a team reaches 3 strikes the team is out for the season unless a fine is paid to allow them reinstatement. The levels are broken down as such:

Giving 72+ hours notice of a forfeit = 1 Strike
Giving 24-72 hours notice of forfeit = 2 Strikes
No call / no Show / Less than 24 hours notice = 3 Strikes

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.

10. CODE OF CONDUCT

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. Cigarette smoking on the field of play is prohibited. Smoking is discouraged and is handled at the team discretion.

10.Repeated use of profane language or gestures. -Players using profanity that may reasonably be assumed offensive to other players, officials, spectators, or other users of the park will be warned by umpires. The player is subject to ejection if the behavior continues after receiving a warning.

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:

provide for uniform enforcement of the rules set forth in the Tucson MSBL rules with regard to player conduct
establish guidelines for the Tucson MSBL Board of Directors to follow to resolve player discipline issues
categorize infractions by severity
set down clear disciplinary action(s) to be taken in each case

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, and may impose additional penalties if it determines they are warranted by the circumstances.

The infraction levels and penalties regarding suspensions for all levels of infractions are solely guidelines for the board of directors to consider. The board is expected to use their best judgement to determine the number of games suspended and/or other penalties.

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:

arguing balls and strikes
arguing a call made in the field
arguing over interpretation of the rules

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:

continuing comments, complaints or arguments directed at official(s) after ejection
throwing of equipment, which in the opinion of the official:
- is excessive
- endangers any person(s)
- results in damage to equipment or facilities
use of profanity that:
- is directed at official(s), and/or
- is persistent and repeated, and/or
- is flagrant (e.g., loud outbursts), causing offense to players, officials, or spectators

LEVEL 3

A level 3 infraction occurs when a level 1 or level 2 infraction escalates to include one or more of:

threatening remarks, actions, or gestures directed toward official(s), player(s), or spectator(s) (note: this includes waiting in the parking lot)
minor physical contact exclusive of self-defense involving official(s), other player(s), or spectator(s), including but not limited to:
- bumping
- touching or grabbing

LEVEL 4

A level 4 infraction is any incident involving:

physical violence exclusive of self-defense against any official(s), player(s), or spectator(s)
physical damage to personal property belonging to any official(s), player(s), or spectator(s)

SECTION 2 – PENALTIES

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.

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.

Board members / League officers – Any board member or league officer ejected for a second time in one season will serve double the normal suspension.

Multi-division players – Any player ejected from a game must serve their suspension on each team in all divisions in which they participate.

Example: A player plays on teams in two divisions. They are ejected from a game on one team and receive a 1 game suspension. The 1 game suspension must be served for BOTH teams in both divisions, which in this case is a total of 2 games.

LEVEL 1

One game suspension.

LEVEL 2

Minimum two-game suspension to be served the next two consecutive scheduled games for that player/team, not counting rain-outs or cancellations.
Written notification from the league that a repeat offense will be penalized as a LEVEL 3 offense.

LEVEL 3

Minimum three-game suspension to be served the next three consecutive scheduled games for that player/team not counting rain-outs or cancellations.
Written notification that a second offense will result in expulsion from the league for the season.

LEVEL 4

Expulsion from the league and life-time ban from participation in Tucson MSBL.

SECTION 3 – PLAYERS RIGHTS

>> Players have the right to appeal their ejection to the board, in writing, within 24 hours of the incident. Lack of appeal or an appeal submitted after the deadline will be considered a “no contest” response to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Players have the right to require that the board review a timely written incident report from league officials prior to rendering any decision.

SECTION 4 – BOARD REVIEW

All incidents requiring a board review and decision will be completed as soon as possible and can be given special consideration in regard to games that would be potentially affected.
Manager(s) of the affected team(s) and/or designee, and a representative of the Umpires and/or designee must be informed of the board decision. Player status will also be posted on the league ‘Ejections/Suspensions’ page.
Board members who are on team(s) involved in the incident, or feel for any reason that they cannot be objective must abstain from any vote on the matter.

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 (TMSBL) encourages full participation in the MSBL National World Series and MSBL National sponsored tournaments. There will be no specific methodology which the TMSBL will use to form tournament teams.

11.2 MSBL Tournament information including dates and registration information is published at the MSBL National web site at http://www.msblnational.com, and by request via email to info@msblnational.com.

11.3 Upon request, the TMSBL Board of Directors will provide to tournament team managers who are members of TMSBL access to registration information of eligible TMSBL league members to assist in recruiting players.

12. Umpire Guidelines

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

rev 03.06.2020