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EAST METRO BASEBALL LEAGUE
2010 RULES AND REGULATIONS
PHILOSOPHY
The East Metro Baseball League, Inc. (hereinafter called the “EMBL”)
was founded to provide men 18 and older in the MABL and 35 years and older in
the MSBL the opportunity to once again play the game of baseball. While the
EMBL encourages good clean play and the spirit of competition, a “win at all
cost” attitude shall serve not benefit to the EMBL, its teams or players.
Sportsmanship and respect for the tradition of the game shall at all times be
the cornerstone and fundamental premise of the EMBL.
A.
Player
Eligibility
1.
To be eligible to play, one must be a male who shall attain
the age of at least 18 by December 31st of the year the player enters
the MABL division or 35 years by December 31st of the year the player
enter the MSBL. Any violation herein may result in forfeiture of games,
suspension or expulsion of the offending player/manager/team, or any other
sanctions deemed appropriate by the EMBL Commissioner.
EXCEPTION:
In the 35+ league each team is allowed up to five players who shall attain the
age of 29 by December 31st of the year the player enters the EMBL.
2.
PLAYOFFS:
in order to be eligible for the playoffs, a player must play in at least one
third of it’s’ games. First year teams that add players late in the season to
fill their rosters and prevent forfeits will be eligible for the playoffs
provided, if in the Rules committee’s judgment these players were added to keep
their teams intact, not to “stack” their team with playoff players. A player
ineligible because of lack of games played due to a physical injury or
disability can be exempted from the requirements of the rule in writing by the
player committee.
B.
Divisions;
Team Rosters; Contracts and Fees
1.
The EMBL shall consist of two divisions: an over 18 and over
35 division.
2.
Each team is required to have a minimum of fifteen active
players on its roster.
3.
No player shall be allowed to play in EMBL games until he has
signed and EMBL player contract/waiver form.
4.
No player shall be allowed to participate in EMBL games until
his EMBL fee is paid in full.
5.
It shall be the responsibility of each manager to submit a
final roster with all player contracts/ waivers and. All player fees to the EMBL
on the date designated by the EMBL. Failure to do so may result in sanctions,
including expulsion of the player of team from the EMBL for that year.
6.
Players may be added to a roster at any time during the year
up to and including July 31st. Players added must pay a prorated
fee, to be determined by the Commissioner. The new player’s fee and
contract/waiver must be received and approved by the EMBL Commissioner prior to
playing in any EMBL game.
7.
Any player who must involuntarily withdraw from the EMBL due
to injury, job transfer or circumstances beyond the player’s control before his
team’s first game of the season may receive a full refund from the EMBL if
application and proof is submitted by his manager and approved by the EMBL
Commissioner. Any player who voluntarily leaves his team for any reason before
the first game of the season shall not be eligible for a refund until his team
has secured another player as a substitute. In such case, the new player’s fee
shall be used by the team to reimburse the player who has left. Once the season
starts, no player, FOR ANY REASON shall be entitled to
reimbursement of his EMBL fee, in whole or in part.
8.
In addition to the EMBL fee, a player may not be charged for
anything other than the actual cost of his uniform (jersey, pants, cap, belt,
socks, etc.) and a proportionate share of any reasonable team equipment and
supplies expenses. No manager shall profit from any EMBL team or player-related
activity or expenditure, nor shall any manager require a player to participate
in any instructional or educational activity in which the manager receives
ANY compensation.
C.
Player
Movement; Restrictions; New Teams
1.
Player movement shall be as follows:
a.
During the season:
At no time during the season may a player leave one team to
play for another team in the EMBL without the consent of both team managers and
approval by the player committee. If the proposed player movement is not
approved, the player involved must either remain on the roster of the team with
which he began the season or withdraw as a player for the remainder of the
current season.
b.
Conclusion of the season:
At the conclusion of the season, each player shall
become a free agent and may play for any team in the EMBL subject to the
following restrictions:
(1)
One free agent per season may be added to the roster of any
existing team finishing the previous regular season in the top one-third of the
standings, based on winning percentage;
(2)
Two free agents per season may be added to the roster of any
existing team finishing the previous regular season in the middle one-third of
the standings, based on winning percentage; and
(3)
Unlimited free agents per season may be added to the roster
of any existing team fishing the previous regular season in the bottom one-third
of the standings, based on winning percentage.
Any
variation to this rule must be approved by the player committee.
c.
The provisions of this player movement rule shall apply
solely to EMBL players, defined for purposes of this rule as any player who
appeared on a team roster and played in at least one game for the preceding
season.
2.
In the event any team withdraws of is expelled from the EMBL
during the season and does not complete its scheduled, players on the roster of
the withdrawn team shall be eligible to be drafted as follows: At the time a
team is deemed to be “withdrawn” from the EMBL, the standings, based on winning
percentage, shall be determined an players from the withdrawn team shall be
eligible to be drafted by teams in the reverse order of the standings (e.g., the
team in last place shall have the first draft pick, with the team in the next to
last position drafting second, and continuing in such reverse other thereafter).
3.
Any team with less than seven of the same EMBL players on it
team roster from the preceding season shall be considered a new team and shall
submit to the EMBL Commissioner for review its intent to join the EMBL. Unless
otherwise determined by the EMBL Commissioner, any such new team shall be
treated as finishing last in the EMBL standings for the previous regular season
for purposes of the player movement rule. New teams shall draft last after all
existing teams have made a selection or passed.
4.
Any team (existing or new) may at any time recruit and add
new player(s) to the team’s roster who is not an EMBL player. All other new
players who contact the EMBL directly will be subject to draft rules and player
placement procedures established by the EMBL Commissioner.
5.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, responsibility for
the application, enforcement and interpretation of the rules set forth herein
shall be vested to the EMBL Commissioner. In the event any team or EMBL player
desires to seek exemption from the application of any rules stated herein, the
team or player must submit a written application to the EMBL Commissioner for
review.
D.
Equipment
1.
All teams must have matching professional quality and style
uniforms with player numbers. Player names are optional at a team’s discretion,
but must be consistent throughout. T-shirts, visors, and non-baseball pants are
specifically forbidden. If for any reason a player cannot be properly uniformed
for a game, he must receive permission from the opposing manager, and if
granted, the umpire’s approval is not required.
2.
Wood or wood composite bats only may be used in the 35+
division. Metal bats (-3 regulation) may be used in the 18+ league. Players in
the 18+ league may also have the option of hitting wood.
3.
Metal cleats are permitted.
4.
MSLB-approved baseballs are required. The EMBL will provide
baseballs for each game.
5.
All batter and runners must wear ear flap helmets. Single
ear helmets are permitted, but must be worn with the ear flap facing the
pitcher. Half helmets are required for catchers at a minimum.
6.
Each team must have a First Aid kit available at all
games.
E.
Rules on the
Playing Field
1.
Games shall be played without time limit; provided, however,
that no inning may be started after t2:45 from the official start of the game.
Any inning in progress after three hours of play (including an extra inning)
shall be played to completion, regardless of time. Should the score be tied
after completion of that inning, the game shall be considered a tie with no
replay or later continuation. In case of rain, five complete innings shall
constitute a complete game. Notwithstanding the above, the umpires, in their
discretion, may suspend, or call a game if the safety of the players is
compromised for any reason. In such event, five complete innings shall
constitute a complete game. If the game is cancelled prior to five innings or
four and a half innings if the home team is ahead, the game shall be replayed
from the beginning, if possible.
2.
The home plate umpire shall inform both managers of the start
time of the game for the purpose of determining the ‘2:45 rule’.
3.
Lineups must have each player’s first initial or name, last
name, and jersey number at a minimum, and be exchanged at the pregame plate
meeting. A/B batting slots and courtesy runner must be identified prior to the
start of the game. One copy of each team’s lineup shall be given to the
opposing team manager, and to the scorekeeper/announcer (when available). In
the 35+ league any players under 35 years of age shall be designated on the
official lineup.
4.
A team may bat as many players as it wishes in its starting
lineup, with a minimum of nine, except as otherwise provided in paragraph five
below. A team may also declare (at the time lineups are exchanges prior to the
start of play) that its batting order positions from #10 or below are occupied
by two players in each such batting position (designated as 10A/10B, 11A/11B,
etc. and herein referred to as a “split” batting position), with each of the
designated players alternating at bats. Player “A” bats in the first plate
appearance for that position in the order, and Player “B” bats in the second
plate appearance, alternating each at bat thereafter. Once declared, this
lineup must continue for the remainder of the game for those batting position
designated as a “split” batting position. At any time during the game,
additional players may be inserted at the bottom of the lineup, occupying a
single batting position. However, any player not in the starting lineup may
also be inserted to pinch-hit or pinch-run for a player already in the lineup,
regardless of whether that player is occupying a single batting position or a
“split” batting position as set forth above. In such event, the player
pinch-hit or pinch-run for may not return to the game on offense, but may return
on defense.
5.
A team must have at least six of its own rostered players,
but must have at least eight players to start a game. If a team plays with only
eight players the ninth batting slot will be an OUT each time.
However, if a manager recognized before the game he cannot field a fully
rostered team, he may acquire up to three (3) fill-in players provided from the
“Commissioners player pool” or a shorthanded team may borrow a player, first
from the opposing team with the opposing manager’s consent, and second, from
another EMBL team with the opposing manager’s consent. A team that has invited
a replacement player must use that player in the game, at least four (4) innings
on defense and at least two (2) plate appearances even if enough regular team
players show up for the game. The manager of the team with the replacement
player MUST receive permission from the opposing manager to be able to use
replacement player(s) not provided from the ‘Commissioners Pool’ prior to the
start of the game. Replacement players may not pitch or catch without approval
from the opposing manager.
6.
A.) If a player is ejected from the game and there is no
reserve present, that batting position will be an out every time that
batting position comes up.
B.) any player that has to leave early, the first time
that batting slot comes up will be an out, and thereafter no penalty.
C.) Any players forced out of the lineup due to injury
only shall be no penalty, the batting slot is skipped and all batters move up
accordingly.
7.
Any pitcher may re-enter the game only one time, but not in
the same inning. All other position fielders may be substituted for at any
time.
8.
In the 35+ league, pitchers must be 35 in order to pitcher in
the 35+ league. Exception: Any player or players aged 29-34 may pitch a
total of two innings combined. Example: Two 33 year olds may pitch one inning
each, or one 33 year old can pitch two innings, etc. MABL pitchers must be 18.
Exception: During interleague play (18+ vs. 35+ teams) there is no
restriction on the number of inning any player may pitch.
9.
There is no restriction on how many innings a pitcher in the
game; provided, however, that a former major league pitcher shall not pitch
unless he has been out of the majors for three years.
10.
Each team shall have up to two players for whom they may have
a courtesy runner. Such player(s) must be identified before the game or
the player(s) shall not be entitled to use a courtesy runner once the game
begins. In addition, the catcher shall be allowed a courtesy runner. A player
injured during the game may have a courtesy runner if the team has not used all
of their allotted courtesy runners. If the team has used its allotment of three
courtesy runners, the injured player must be removed in favor of a pinch runner,
in accordance with item four above. If the team’s allotment of courtesy runners
has been used, and not substitute is available, the umpires may allow an
additional courtesy runner, if that player is no longer able to play in the
game. Should any player eligible to have a courtesy runner fail or decline to
sue a courtesy runner during the game, that player shall forfeit his right to a
courtesy runner for the remainder of the game. Until the first out of the game
is made, a courtesy runner shall be the last person in the batting order, unless
designated as a courtesy runner. Thereafter, the last batted out
shall be the courtesy runner. A courtesy runner or pinch runner shall not be
restricted to a definite amount of time to replace the current base runner,
provided that the amount of time used is not unreasonable under the playing
conditions at the time nor causes an unreasonable delay of the game.
11.
No player without the baseball shall feign a tag. As a
penalty for the first offense all base runners shall advance one base beyond the
base held when all play stops. Any additional violations shall result in
ejection. Hidden ball tricks, however, are allowed.
12.
Contact
A.)
IN ALL CASES
IT IS THE RUNNERS OBLIGATION TO AVOID CONTACT EVEN WHEN THE FIELDER IS ILLEGALLY
BLOCKING THE BASE PATH.
B.)
A fielder (including a catcher) may not block or obstruct a
runner’s patch to a base unless he is in the immediate process of making a play
on a batted or thrown ball in that area, nor may a fielder apply an excessively
forceful tag to a runner. Catchers, while setting up to receive a thrown ball,
must initially position themselves in such a manner so as not to block the plate
or the third base line.
C.)
A runner has the right to the base path, unless the fielder
is in the process of making a play on a batted or thrown ball, provided,
however, such runner shall not be penalized if he inadvertently obstructs a
fielder’s view while evading a batted or thrown ball. A runner whose path to
the base is illegally blocked shall be awarded the base. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this rule, a runner must, in all cases,
reasonably attempt to avoid contact, even if the fielder is illegally blocking
the base path. A runner who fails to make a reasonable attempt to avoid
contact with a defensive player shall be called out, may be ejected, and other
runner advancing on the play shall be required to return to the last base
occupied.
D.)
If in judgment of an umpire, a violation of this rule is
flagrant or intentional, the offending fielder or runner, or both, may be
ejected from the game.
E.)
In the event of an ejection, the umpire involved shall submit
a written report within 48 hours of the event to the EMBL Commissioner who shall
have the authority to impose such additional sanctions as it deems appropriate,
including suspension or expulsion of an offending player from the EMBL.
13.
A pitcher may go to his mouth while on the mound (but not on
the rubber) as long as he wipes his hand before contacting the ball. Failure to
do so results in an automatic “ball”. A second offense can result in an
ejection.
14.
Intentional walks are allowed. All four pitches must be
thrown.
15.
If after five innings of play, one team is leading its
opponent by 15 or more runs, the game shall end; provided, that if the visiting
team is 15 or more runs ahead through the top of an inning, the home team shall
bat in the bottom of the inning, and if the home team shall reduce the deficit
to less than 15 runs, the game shall continue subject to this rule. If after
seven innings of play, one team is leading its opponent by 10 or more runs, the
game shall end; provided, that if the visiting team is 10 or more runs ahead
through the top of an inning, the home team shall bat in the bottom of the
inning, and if the home team shall reduce the deficit to less than 10 runs, the
game shall continue subject to this rule.
16.
Any rule not specified herein shall be governed by the
National MSBL Rules or, in the absence of such, by the Official Playing Rules of
Major League Baseball.
F.
Code of
Conduct
1.
In the event
of an ejection, the player will be ejected both from the game he got ejected
from and also from the following game as well. The umpire shall submit a
written report to the EMBL Commissioner.
Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all
times. No manager or player shall commit the followings:
a.
Intentionally touch, shove, strike or threaten an umpire,
manager, player, or spectator.
b.
Refuse to abide by an umpire’s decision.
c.
Exhibit flagrant demonstrations of dissent at an umpire’s
decision.
d.
Except through the manager, discuss an umpire’s decision with
that umpire.
e.
Physically or verbally attack any player, manager, umpire, or
spectator before, during, or after a game.
f.
Through word or action, openly criticize, embarrass,
disparage or in any way demean the performance, abilities or efforts of any
player during the course of the game.
g.
Any manager or player found in violation of the Code of
Conduct rules shall be subject to ejection from the game by the umpire and any
further sanctions deemed appropriate by the EMBL Commissioner.
2.
The EMBL is authorized to impose a sanction not to exceed a
four game suspension against any EMBL player for misconduct or a violation of
EMBL rules. Any sanction greater than a four game suspension may only be
imposed by the EMBL Commissioner after providing the involved player with notice
an opportunity to be heard. Notwithstanding anything above, all suspensions,
regardless of duration, shall begin immediately and run continuously until
satisfied.
G.
Responsibilities of the Team Manager
1.
Assemble team roster and submit to EMBL on the designated
date.
2.
Assure that each player meets the age requirement and has
signed a player contract/ waiver.
3.
Handle team finances, including collection of player fees.
4.
Submit EMBL fees on the designated date.
5.
Insure that
players understand and abide by all EMBL rules.
6.
Assure that the team has a field manager.
7.
Assure that the team is properly equipped and in uniform.
8.
Have a team representative at all EMBL meetings.
9.
Participate in EMBL committees, if requested.
10.
Insure that players understand their financial responsibility
to the EMBL and to their team.
11.
Insure that each player conducts himself properly on the
playing field.
12.
Fax and call in score sheets to the EMBL.
H.
Award
Recognition
1.
Each team shall be responsible for selecting its own most
valuable player.
2.
There shall be only one MVP per team.
3.
Each member of the EMBL Championship team shall be given an
individual award.
I.
Schedule
1.
The regular season schedule, including the number of games,
dates, times, location, and designation of home team, shall be set by the EMBL
Commissioner before the start of the season.
2.
Playoffs shall be held in accordance with the format approved
by the EMBL Commissioner.
3.
All rainouts or suspended games will be rescheduled, if
possible, by the EMBL commissioner, subject to field and date availability.
J.
Fines
1.
Any manager failing to attend or send a player of that team
to attend a regularly scheduled manager’s meeting will result in an automatic
fine of $50.00 for the first offense and $100.00 for the second offense. For
the third offense within a calendar year, a manager shall be suspended from
managing. All fines must be paid before the next regularly scheduled game (or
EMBL meeting, whichever occurs first) to remain in good standing with the EMBL.
A team with an outstanding fine shall be deemed to forfeit any games played
following written notification of the fine. Managers who do not comply may be
subject to further disciplinary action as determined by the EMBL Commissioner.
2.
Any team forfeiting a game shall be fined $100.00 for the
first occurrence and $200.00 for the second occurrence. A third forfeiture
within a season shall result in mandatory expulsion from the EMBL for the
remainder of the season along with any additional future sanctions deemed
appropriate by the EMBL Commissioner. All fines herein must be paid prior to
the start of the forfeiting team’s next regularly scheduled game to remain in
good standing with the EMBL and to avoid any subsequent game being recorded as a
forfeit.
K.
Protests
1.
Protesting games in general is discouraged. It is strongly
recommended that the managers and umpires work out a solution ON THE FIELD. A
short schedule does not permit the replaying of protested games.
2.
All protests must be submitted in writing to the EMBL
Commissioner within three days following the game in question.
3.
NO PROTESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED ON ANY JUDGMENT CALLS
MADE BY THE UMPIRES.
If grievances are nonetheless unresolved, the EMBL Commissioner and two
uninvolved managers will rule on the dispute of the Georgia Regional MSBL
Commissioner will rule with the two uninvolved manager if the EMBL
Commissioner’s team is involved. Rulings on protests shall thereafter be
decided by the EMBL Commissioner whose decision shall be final.
As adopted 2009 |
