|
||
|
|
|
Omaha Men's Senior
Baseball League
League Rules and Regulations
revised 4/02
Table of Contents
MISSION STATEMENT
The Omaha Men's Senior Baseball League was organized with the intent of providing members the opportunity to play baseball in a safe yet competitive environment. Adult attitudes must always prevail, no matter how competitive any team is. The responsibility that this ethic sustains will be that of the league Commissioner, Executive Committee and Board, and anyone who abuses the league's code can be suspended or expelled from the league.
ORGANIZATION
The league governing body (See Chart) will be comprised of an Executive Committee, to be made up of a Commissioner and three other members; followed by the league Board, to be made up of one voting representative from each team. The ultimate responsibility of these bodies is to the individual players comprising the league membership. Representatives of these bodies do not necessarily have to be players within the league.
Team representatives will be determined by the individual team. It is each individual managers' responsibility to insure his team's representation on the league Board.
The four member Executive Committee will be elected by the league Board at such times as may be determined necessary by the Board. The league Commissioner will be elected by the Executive Committee from among their four members, subject to ratification of the league Board.
The league Commissioner may, at the discretion of the Board, be compensated. Said compensation shall be to a maximum of $750.00 payable as follows: $375.00 payable at the regularly scheduled Board meeting held in May of the applicable play year, and $375.00 payable at the first regularly scheduled Board meeting following the end of the league's post-season tournament. Either or both of these payments may be reduced, withheld, or eliminated, should the Board determine the Commissioner's performance has been unsatisfactory during the applicable period. Payment is also contingent upon league profitability. (As Amended 5/5/99)
Organizational Chart
Commissioner
Executive Committee
League Board (One Voting Representative From Each Team)
Individual Players
RULES
1. UNIFORMS, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS
1.a All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered jerseys and baseball pants---each player's uniform must be of similar design to his teammates uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsor's name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt.
1.a.1. No player out of uniform will be allowed to participate without opposing manager’s constent. If the protested player participates without opposing manager’s consent, his team will forfeit. (As amended 1/9/02)
1.a.2. All teams should have their uniforms by the first game. A grace period should be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.
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 are encouraged for the bases. Catchers must wear full protective gear---there is no option to this rule. (As amended 1/9/02)
1.c Teams are encouraged to use the highest quality baseball obtainable. All baseballs used in league sanctioned games are subject to approval of the league Board and should be submitted for approval no later than the March meeting. Each team should bring a minimum of 3 balls to each game.
1.d Wood and metal bats are allowed and both will be permitted for all tournaments. The maximum bat differential established by the national organization is a minus five (-5) for any metal or aluminum type bat. If a player uses a bat exceeding this differential and a protest is made, the offending batter will be declared an out. (As amended 2/6/02)
1.e Metal cleats are permitted.
2. GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE AND RAIN-OUTS
2.a (30) All games, unless otherwise determined, shall be 9 innings---re: darkness-7 innings complete-umpire's discretion, re: rain-5 innings complete. All weeknight games shall be 7 innings---re: darkness-5 innings complete-umpire's discretion, re:rain-5 innings complete. All league playoff games must be played to completion. 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.a (40) All games, unless otherwise determined, shall be 7 innings---re: darkness-5 innings complete-umpire's discretion, re: rain-5 innings complete. All league playoff games must be played to completion. 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 games will be played with a 3 hour time limit. No new inning will begin after this time limit has been reached, however, any inning already under way will be played to completion. In the event of a tie after the time limit has been reached, teams will be allowed to complete the game with respect to conditions cited in Rule 2.a. If there is a 10 run discrepancy at the end of 7 innings, the game will be ruled final at this point. This rule will not pertain in national and regional play.
2.c 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 competion first, followed by inter-division won-lost record.
2.d In the event of rain, it is the responsibility of the scheduled teams to notify the umpire liason(s) of field conditions and possible cancellation of game at least 2 hours before scheduled game time. Play at the following fields is determined by city officials:
Plattsmouth Legion Field---Contact League Line (339-6778)
LaVista Sports Complex---Call 492-9955, Ext. 6111
Council Bluffs Recreation Complex---Call 328-4680
Kingswood---Call 895-9001
Bellevue West High School - Contact League Line (339-6778)
3. TEAMS, PLAYERS AND LINE-UPS
3.A (30) To be eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game in the over-30
division, a player must have reached their 30th birthday by December 31st of the given play
year. Each team will be allowed 4 players who turn 28 by September 1st of the given play
year.
3.A (40) To be eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game in the over-40
division, a player must have reached their 40th birthday by December 31st of the given play
year. (As amended 2/6/02)
3.b For a team participating in the over-30 division, a $250.00 team deposit must be submitted
to the league by the February Board meeting. Remaining player fees @125.00/player shall be
submitted to the league according to the schedule shown in 3.b.2. For a team participating
in the over-40 division, a $200.00 team deposit must be submitted to the league by the February
Board meeting. Remaining player fees @ $100.00/per player shall be submitted to the league
according to the schedule shown in 3.b.2. A player participating in both divisions shall only
be required to pay one MSBL National registration fee. (Note: $20.00 per player registration
will be specifically set aside in the OMSBL Development Fund. These funds may be used to pay
any league expenses deemed necessary and approved by the league Board. If regular league funds
are remaining at the end of the season, these monies shall be placed in the Development Fund.)
(As amended 12/5/94, 1/15/96, 1/14/98, & 11/15/00)
3.b.1. In the over-30 division, The 12 player minimum registration fee (re: Section 3.1) of $1,500.00, player waiver forms and team rosters are due by the April manager's meeting. In the over-40 division, the 12 player minimum registration fee (re: Section 3.1) of $1,200.00, player waiver forms and team rostersare due by the April manager's meeting. (As amended 1/15/96 & 11/15/00)
3.b.2. If not paid by April 1, player registration fees will increase as follows:
After April manager's meeting --- (Over-30) $130.00 per
late player, (Over-40) $110.00 per late player
After April 22 --- (Over-30) $145.00 per late player,
(Over-40) $120.00 per late player.
After May 6 (and thereafter) --- (Over-30) $150.00
per late player, (Over-40) $130.00 per late player.
(As amended 1/15/96 & 11/15/00)
3.b.3. Managers unable to field a team after previously submitting the $250.00 team deposit shall have until the April Manager's meeting to notify the league in order to receive a refund. Subsequent to this date, no refund shall be granted and the entire deposit shall be considered forfeit. (As amended 1/15/96)
3.c Rosters may not be changed after the first league game unless:
3.c.1. Players are lost to injuries.
3.c.2. A player from their roster voluntarily quits for the remainder of the season.
3.c.3. The league decides to extend dates for the final rosters.
3.d All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed waiver forms on file with the league.
3.e 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.
3.f A 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.g 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 no penalty to the affected team.
3.h A team must have 8 players 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 team's 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player reverts back to his team.
3.h.1. In the event a team has fewer than 8 players, a forfeit shall automatically be declared and a win awarded to the opposing team. (As amended 1/15/96)
3h.2. Forfeit time shall be the regularly scheduled game time plus 15 minutes. (As amended 1/15/96)
3.i 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.j No players may switch teams without the consent of both managers and the league Commissioner. If this does not meet with approval, the player must sit out one calendar year from competition, from the last date of his playing, or re-enter the league's draft, making himself available to any team for selection. In the event a team disbands during the season or at season's conclusion, all players with 3 years seniority in the league will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team. Players not having three years in the league will re-enter the next draft. 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 re-enter the draft. 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 re-enter the draft, making himself available to all teams.
3.j.1. In the event a team disbands during the season, players not drafted by another team will, at the discretion of the league Board, be refunded their player fees on a prorated basis.
3.j.2. In the event a player quits, is injured or suspended from play during the season, all player fees will be forfeited. (As Amended 2/7/95)
3.j.3. In the event a player is asked to leave a team during the season, any refund of player fees will be made by the team, at the discretion of the team Manager.
3.k In the event that, during the season, 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 without 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.l Final team rosters must have no less than 12 players.
4. PLAYERS 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.
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. 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 baserunner'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 Failure to abide by the age regulations---the managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to 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 and residence must be mailed to the manager who lodged his protest by Friday of the following week. If an under age player is detected, penalties, whether to the individual or team, will be decided by the league Commissioner and Board. As a national precedent, the 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.
5.a (30) Players that will need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager before game time. If not so notified, the opposing manager may subsequently deny the request. Each team will be allowed the maximum of 2 courtesy runners per game. The player to make the last batted out 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 pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed. If a batter (designated as needing a courtesy runner) opts to run, or forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game.
5.a (40) The over-40 division will use the same courtesy runner rule as stated above with the following exceptions: Teams may opt to use additional courtesy runner(s) for the pitcher and/or catcher. This option must be declared and exercised from the beginning of the game and the player making the last batted out must be the courtesy runner. Even if a team has used it's full complement of (2) courtesy runners, additional courtesy runners may be utilized in the event of an obvious injury or injuries.
6.a No pitcher while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wrist band while pitching.
6.b If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batsman. If in the event it is determined by an umpire that a pitcher intentionally hit a batter, the pitcher shall automatically be removed from the game, and a minimum three (3) game suspension shall follow the game in which the event occurred. If the batter was hit in the head, neck or shoulder area, the suspension shall be for the remainder of the league season and the post-season tournament, subject to review by the League Executive Committee, which may impose a shorter suspension, not less than the three (3) games. If the pitcher is determined to have violated this rule a second time, he shall be suspended from the league for life. (As Amended 12/2/98)
6.c There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or week.
7.a 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 all 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.
8. EX-PRO STATUS AND REGULATIONS
8.a A player must be out of pro-ball for 3 complete MSBL seasons before becoming eligible to participate in the OMSBL. Pro-ball refers to major and minor leagues.
9.a An $80.00 forfeit fee shall be assessed to each team, based upon and subject to change due to subsequent increases in umpire fees. If unused, this fee shall be fully refundable at the end of the season. Otherwise, forfeits shall be handled in the following manner:
1st forfeit - Forfeit fee shall be lost.
2nd forfeit - League pays umpire fees from budgeted funds.
3rd forfeit - League pays umpire fees from budgeted funds, and the team shall be
automatically subject to
expulsion from the league pending a review by the Commissioner
and Board and possible sanctions.
9.b All protests should be lodged to the league Commissioner and Executive Committee within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made. All protests shall be decided by the league Board and/or Executive Committee.
9.c Only OMSBL players are eligible for all MSBL 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 the 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 OMSBL games.
9.e In order for a player to qualify and participate in his team's OMSBL playoffs, tournaments and post-season events, he must participate in at least 50% of his team's regular season games. The OMSBL retains the right to their own qualifications for local tournaments only.
9.f Each year the OMSBL will compile a waiting list of prospective players. Teams needing players should contact the Executive Committee to obtain player names and numbers, which will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
9.g The Executive Committee shall have the authority to appropriate league funds for such expenditures as it may deem necessary, to a maximum of $250.00 for any one expenditure. Such expenditures require a unanimous vote of all Executive Committee members and those so authorized must be reported to the league Board at the next scheduled meeting.
PROHIBITIONS
Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:
1. Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers 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. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
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. 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 body or person of an opposing player. 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.
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 their conduct is reviewed by the Board. 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 their conduct is reviewed by the Board. 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.
PENALTIES
1. Any player or manager ejected from a game under any of the circumstances previously cited, shall be automatically suspended for one additional game. This suspension will be enforced in the next game played by the player or manager's team. Any suspension above and beyond this one game will be decided by the league Commissioner and Board as herein set forth.
2. The Board may, by vote of the majority of the members, suspend any player or manager for such 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.
3. Except as otherwise provided, the Executive Committee shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and shall report their decision to the player, manager and the Board.
4. 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.
5. Any player found in violation of any provisions delineated in the codes of conduct, after being suspended from further participation in a game shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.
GRIEVANCES, PROTESTS AND APPEALS
1. Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the league Commissioner or Executive Committee. The league Commissioner shall adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the Board.
2. An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the Board by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted. However, all decisions by the Board are final and not subject to appeal.