BROWARD BASEBALL LEAGUE
RULE BOOK
AMENDED FALL 2013
Sliding and Collision Rules
All base runners and fielders must avoid intentional collisions with opposing players. In the event of a non-intentional collision resulting from the fielder’s blocking of the base or plate, the runner will be awarded the base or run, whichever is applicable. In the event a non-intentional collision is caused by the runner, and the fielder did not attempt to block the base or plate, the runner will be ruled out. A mandatory slide rule is in effect for all League sanctioned events. This rule requires that runners must slide at all bases in the event there is a potential play at said base or plate. Head first slides are permitted. Any player not sliding appropriately when required to do so may be ruled out by the umpire, with the exception of situations in which a runner is clearly out and veers out of the base line to avoid blocking a throw (i.e. double plays). Any runner determined to have caused an intentional collision with a fielder, particularly with reference to “barreling into” a catcher, shall be ejected from the game and, at the sole discretion of the League Office, be subject to a suspension or expulsion from the League.
Fielders may not block said base or plate with or without the ball and must allow access via:
a. a clear path between the fielders legs;
b. a clear path to the left or right of the fielder’s position;
c. a direct path with the fielder positioned behind the base or plate.
In the event a fielder is determined by the umpire to be blocking said base or plate, or is found to be blocking the base path, the runner shall be automatically awarded said base or plate. This rule is particularly directed at catcher’s blocking the plate and will be strictly enforced.
Dugout Privileges
Only roster players, managers, a scorekeeper, and one ball/bat boy are permitted in the dugout area. Violation of this rule may result in forfeit of said game. League insurance does not allow for family members, friends or pets to be present in the dugout area. Please avoid this practice at all times. Additionally, for insurance purposes smoking is not permitted in the dugout area.
Batting and Offensive Subs
Each manager must bat a minimum of 9(nine) batters in his line-up, but may choose to bat as many players as listed in his official roster. Both a DH (Designated Hitter) and one or more EH (Extra Hitter) may be included in the line-up. A DH need not be used to bat for the pitcher, while an EH represents an extra hitter. Batting line-ups are rigid. The following guidelines have been established when dealing with the batting line-up:
a. Players may not move their position within the batting line-up.
b. If a pinch hitter or a pinch runner is substituted for a player, the player that has been substituted for may not come back into the batting line-up.
c. Batters may not be deleted or skipped over, with the notable exception of those conditions outlined in Rules
any person substituting for a batter in the line-up must bat at that batter’s position in the line-up, regardless of the defensive position the new batter may be occupying on the field.
d. A team may choose to bat more than ten (9) batters. However, the size of a batting line-up may not be reduced. For example, if a team chooses to bat 12 (twelve) players, it must maintain a batting line-up throughout the game of not less than 12 batters. The only exception to this rule is in the event of a legitimate injury or ejection. If the batting line-up is decreased and said decrease is not the result of an injury or ejection, or approved by the opposing manager, the missing batter shall be declared an automatic out by the Home Plate umpire.
e. A team may add batters to the end of its line-up at any time throughout the game, providing these players have not yet been part of the batting line-up. However, as stated in Rule D above, once the size of a batting line-up is increased, it may not be decreased.
f. A re-entry rule is available in which a player is allowed to come back in the lineup for the player that originally replaced him after the replacement player had one at bat. This rule can happen at any time during the game after the original hitter had his initial at bat.
Time-outs
A manager is entitled to one (1) free trip to the mound each inning. If a second trip is made during the same inning the current pitcher must be removed from the mound. Each manager/coach is entitled to 1 defensive and 1 offensive “time-out” during each inning.
Refunds
Any roster players wishing to drop out of the League may do so up to and including the date on which the second regular season game has been scheduled by contacting the League Office directly and making said request in writing. In this case, providing the player has already paid the full registration fee, he shall be entitled to a 50% refund. If the player has not paid his registration fee in full, he will not be entitled to any refund. Players wishing to resign from a team after the completion of the second regularly scheduled game of the season are not entitled to any refund. Players dropping from teams due to injury or relocation prior to the completion of the second regularly scheduled game are subject to the terms outlined above. If the injury or relocation occurs after the second game, the League is under no obligation to issue any refund.
Free Agency
Each player’s playing rights belong to the team on which he plays (or was drafted by). Players may not move between teams during the season with the exception of bona-fide trades or changes made by the League Office. Any player requesting a release from his present team at the end of the season with the intent of moving to another team may do so by filing for free agency, i.e. notifying his team manager and the League Office of his intentions within 24 hours of completion of the final game of the season, including make-up games and post season games. Failure to notify both the team manager and the League Office will void player’s request for free agency, and the player’s playing rights remain the property of his present team. Consequently, the player is restricted from playing with any other team and may gain his release only by: a) sitting out one complete season: b) re-entering the draft for the new season: c) being assigned to the league Player Pool with the League Office: d) paying to the present team a transfer fee equal to the player registration fee: e) a manager’s consent may at any time release a player from the previously mentioned. Restrictions: In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team at the start of a new season, he may do so without obtaining an official release from his previous manager. No other player may be taken from the existing team without the consent of the team’s manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without the respective team manager’s approval.
Mercy Rule
If there is a 15 run margin at the end of 5 innings or any inning thereafter, or if there is a 10 run margin after 7 innings or any inning thereafter, the game will be ruled final at that point. The Mercy Rule applies to all regular season and playoff games, including championship games
Courtesy Runners
Managers may designate up to two (2) courtesy runners per game. Managers must notify both the Home Plate umpire and the opposing manager prior to the first pitch as to the name and number of any player that will be using a courtesy runner during the game. Once a player is designated as having a courtesy runner, it's optional throughout the game to use it, If notification is not given prior to the start of the game, the opposing manager may deny the request.
The one exception to this rule is if a manager designates one or less courtesy runners prior to the start of the game, he may use one courtesy runner to run for a player that reaches base and is injured in the process of doing so. In so doing the manager has now declared this player as having a courtesy runner for the remainder of the game. The purpose of this rule is to allow players with minor injuries to continue hitting in the batting line up, and it may only be used once during a game providing the manager has not declared his maximum two courtesy runners prior to the start of the game.
The player to make the last out must act as the courtesy runner. If there is no last out to act as a courtesy runner (i.e. first inning rally), the manager shall use the last batter in his lineup.
Catcher Speed-Up Rule
A catcher on base, it is optional that he be replaced by a courtesy runner, which in all cases is the lastout.
Rosters
Complete team rosters are due by the deadline set by the League Office at the beginning of each season. Once established, absolutely no new players may be added to a team’s roster without first notifying the League Office prior to a game and waiver is filled out. All changes must be cleared through and approved by the League Office. In order to be eligible to compete in the playoffs a player must have played in at least three (3) regular season games with the same team. Each season all new players listed in the Player Pool, the League’s waiting list, will be invited to participate in a League sponsored tryouts to be followed by a live draft. The draft will be conducted in a manner to allow parity in the League by having the previous season teams with the lowest winning percentage drafting first.
Time Limit
All games are 9 innings. In the event of darkness, 7 innings constitute a complete game. In the event of rain, 5 innings constitute a complete game.
With the exception of playoff and championship games, all games shall be subject to a time limit in which no new inning shall be started after 3 hours have elapsed. Ties are permitted for regular season games only – all playoff games must have a result. Playoff and championship games have a three and a half hour time limit. The only exception to this rule is the Mercy Rule as detailed
Forfeits
Teams are allowed to play with a minimum of 8 players if 8 players are not met team will have 20 minutes before game is forfeitedand teams are still responsible to pay ump fees. All games canceled By team will result in a forfeit and if league office is not notified by Fri 5pm two days prior to game team is responsible to pay both teams ump fees.NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!!!!!
MISCELLANEOUS Added Fall 2013
All rosters are locked after 10th game.
All players must be in uniform after third game or ineligible.
Game clock will start 15 min after official time, you will have a additional 20 minutes to field 8th player or game will be FORFEITED.
If a game is tied one more inning will be played to break tie. If not broken it will remain a tie.
If a batter is removed from a lineup not due to injury or being substituted, it is an automatic out every time that batter comes up.