2017 Empire State Baseball League Inc. 13u -15u Divisions
- STANDING RULES ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. League and Team Registration
REGISTRATION: 2017 Empire State Travel Baseball League fee is $275.00 per team.
FALL REGISTRATION: 2017 Empire State Travel Baseball League fee is $150.00 per team for Fall Baseball only.
FINE DEPOSIT: All teams must submit a separate check for $100.00 for fines that will be returned if not used. ($100 for individual teams/$300 for small league of 5 teams or less/$500 for large leagues of 6 teams or more)
FALL FINE DEPOSIT: Any returning team can apply their Spring season deposit to Fall.
TEAM INSURANCE: Each team must submit a copy of their insurance form and list Empire State Baseball League as an additional insured.
ROSTER: Each team will submit an Official ESBL from the website and is subject to approval per Section 2.
FALL ROSTER: Each team will submit an Official ESBL from the website and is subject to approval per Section 2.
SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:
American Division: Each team will register for the tournament(s) of their choice, before the scheduling of the regular travel season and will mark these tournament dates as no play dates on the team schedule form on the website.
The Babe Ruth Area Tournaments will be scheduled at the end of the schedule and will be for a full week (Sun – Sat).
National Division: Each team will submit schedule information on the website.
League field schedulers will submit a master home field availability sheet to the ESBL scheduler.
Fall: Each team will submit schedule information on the website and league field schedulers will submit a master field availability sheet to the ESBL scheduler for Fall baseball.
Section 2. Requirement for Play
Unless exempted by vote of the League Officers, all players shall have fulfilled the following requirements prior to playing in a League game:
Player Eligibility- must be on an ESBL approved roster. To add a player, an updated roster must be emailed to the ESBL scheduler before the player can play.
FALL - Player Eligibility- must be on a league approved ESBL Roster and play using 2018 ages for Fall baseball only.
Rosters- League Executive Board will have roster rejection rights. An example is a roster with unbalanced ages- mainly 14 yr olds playing as 15 yr olds.A manager must—in the best interest of the league and his players—play with a minimum of ten (10)players. If found that a manager violates the ten-man team roster, the League President will be notified. TheLeague President will talk to the manager and if he deems necessary, assess the following penalties:
First offense - 2 game suspensions
Second - 3 game suspensions
After the second violation, Article VII of the Empire State Baseball League Bylaws will apply.
Fields- Each team must have a home field and submit openings for that team for at least 2/3 the expected schedule of games to the scheduler.
Teams- League officials will have team rejection rights. Independent teams will be allowed on a case-by-case basis, to protect the community based programs.
Managers and coaches- Teams will be allowed to have one (1) manager and two (2) coaches on the field provided that they have been properly listed on the team roster. Coaches are permitted to warm up the pitcher between innings or in bullpen. A scorekeeper may be in the dugout but may not engage in coaching at any time, including warming up of players or instructing them during the game. Violation of this rule will constitute removal of the scorekeeper for the duration of the ESBL season.
Section 3.GameLineups - Thefollowingare legal at 13u -15u
In order to start a game on time, the batting order of each team shall be submitted as close as possible to 15 minutes prior to the start of the game. All players must be on the list and accounted for.
American Division: Only an All Star - 9 man lineup with designated substitutes. A tenth hitter can be added to the batting order during regular season league games. This is called the “EH” and is optional. This player will be indicated in the line-up as the "EH" (extra hitter) as described in Section 10.
National Division: The batting order of each team shall be submitted as close as possible to 15 minutes prior to the start of the game. All players must be on the list and accounted for and at this time, the Manager needs to announce his Roster Strategy:
1)Continuous – everyone bats and free substitution is allowed. If a player is injured when using a continuous batting order, the batting order will skip that batter without penalty. If a player is ejected when using a continuous batting order, the defense will be awarded an out each time the ejected player's turn at bat occurs.
2)All Star - 9 man batting lineup with designated substitutes. A tenth hitter can be added to the batting order during regular season league games. This is called the “EH” and is optional. This player will be indicated in the line-up as the "EH" (extra hitter) as described in Section 10. Late arrivals may be placed in the bottom of the lineup in case a team is using a continuous batting order
FALL: All teams can use Continuous or All Star lineup as above for Fall baseball only.
Section 4. Team Responsibilities
The Home Team is responsible for all preparation and cleanup of field.
Each team will provide one umpire fee per game at game time and the home field- note home team will schedule two certified umpires per game.
Each team will provide the home plate umpire with 3 new baseballs per game and the home team will provide any others if necessary. A fine of $25 will be enforced for any team not bringing 3 NEW BASEBALLS to each game.
Home team will enter game results (including pitchers and counts) within 24hours at . If the game results are not updated the home team in the time allotted, they will be given one warning. Any home team that continues not to update their scores will be fined $10 for each infraction. Any team that has been warned and fined could face other disciplinary actions enforced by the President.
Each Manager is responsible for cleanup of their respective dugout.
Section 5. League Game Rules
All Empire State Baseball League games will be played under the Official Major League Baseball (National League)andBabe Ruth Baseball Rules and Regulations. All managers and coaches are responsible to be familiar with these rules and regulations.
Section 6. Season
American Division: The ESBL season will run from Memorial weekend until the start (week) of the Babe Ruth Area tournaments (around 7/5).
All Teams must be available to play on Wed and Sun at 6pm from the dates listed on schedule sheet, the only exception will be teams outside of the Capital District and those approved by the league president. These teams that are out of the area, will then be scheduled double headers on Sun.
Babe Ruth teams must provide 3 additional dates on Sat at 6pm or Fri at 6pm.
Independent teams can play Sun, Wed, Fri and Sat.
All teamsmust declare date availability on their schedule sheet. Please expect that you will play at least half of your games away and travel outside of the Capital district area.
American Division Tournaments will be posted with registration cutoffs.
National Division: All Teams must be available to play on Wed and Sun at 6pm from the dates listed on schedule sheet, the only exception will be teams outside of the Capital District and those approved by the league president. These teams that are out of the area, will then be scheduled double headers on Sun.
Babe Ruth teams must provide 3 additional dates on Sat at 6pm or Fri at 6pm.
Independent teams can play Sun, Wed, Fri and Sat.
All teamsmust declare date availability on their schedule sheet. Please expect that you will play at least half of your games away and travel outside of the Capital district area.
FALL: All teams can play either Saturdays and/or Sundays starting 9/10 and ending 10/29. All teamsmust declare date availability for scheduling by 8/31/2017 for Fall baseball only. There is no post season during Fall baseball.
Game time may be changed with the mutual consent of the opponent. Where there is not agreement, the original game time starts will be official. Each team will make every reasonable effort to comply with schedule changes. Changes in starting time should be communicated to your opponents as far in advance as possible.
Confirm Games - Managers are REQUIRED to confirm game times and locations with each other on MONDAY of each week. The HOME TEAM manager shall initiate the confirming phone call.
Section 7. Duration of Games & Ten or Twelve Run Rule
7 innings in a regulation game
10 run rule applies after 5 complete innings.
No new inning shall start after 2 ½ hours from the 1st pitch.
FALL : 13u only- 5 run per inning limit for Fall baseball only.
Section 8. Replacement of an Injured Player or Ejected Player
A player may be removed from the game for reason of injury at any time. Your team insurance injury report must be filled out asap and submitted to your insurance company. A player removed from the game for an injury MAY NOT reenter the game. No exceptions! If a player is injured during game one of a double header, he may play in game two if he is deemed healthy enough by the manager. Ejections- A player ejected please see Section 27. The replacement for the injured or ejected player shall be designated, by the manager, in the following order of eligibility: (a) a player who has not yet entered the game, (b) a starting player who has been removed once from the game.If there are no legal subs left; see Starter Re-entry rule. A game can be finished with 8 players, but each time the removed player’s name comes up in the lineup, it counts as an out for the team.
Section 9. Starter Re-entry
Player re-entry is governed by the official re-entry rule as stated in the Official Babe Ruth or Cal Ripken Rule Book. Any of the ten starting players may withdraw and re-enter once provided such player occupies the same batting order position whenever he is in the lineup. A substitute, once withdrawn may not re-enter.
All pitchers are governed by the provisions of Official Baseball Rule 3.05 if withdrawn while on the mound pitching. The pitcher withdrawn while a batter or a base runner may return immediately. If the pitcher is removed because of a second trip in the same inning he may reenter the game in any position with the exception of pitcher.
Re-entry of a player otherwise ineligible to return will be permitted if all substitutes have been used and an injury or ejection occurs which prohibits the injured player from continuing the game. The opposing manager selects the substitute. When this event occurs, the injured player may not be reinserted.
Section 10.EP
An Extra Playeris optional but must be announced at home plate before the game begins.
If utilized, the extra player is considered to be a part of the legal lineup and as such can exchange defensive positions with other players just the same as any player in the lineup. A player that begins the game as an EP, or becomes an EP at any time thereafter is not required to remain solely as the EP.
Section 11. DH
Designated Hitters are not allowed
Section 12. Courtesy Runne r & On Deck Batter
A courtesy runner is not allowed.
An on deck batter is allowed unless prohibited by home field rules.
Section 13.Sliding Rule
There is no must slide rule. Head first sliding is only allowed at 9u – 15u. No head first for 8u unless returning to a base.
Section 14.Electronics
Cell phones, IPods and other electronic devices are not allowed in the dugouts by players. Adults on the playing field or in dugouts must have their devices turned off during all games. Umpires will be made clear on this!
Section 15.Playing Field
All players and coaches must remain in the dugout area. No player is allowed outside the dugout for any reason other than specific game related activities. Coaches may stand behind the dugout fence or in with in the dugout dimensions.
Section 16. Fake Bunt Rule
There are no rules prohibiting Fake Bunts
Section 17.Intentional Walks
Intentional walks are not automatic. The pitcher is required to throw four balls to the catcher.
Section 18.Appeals
The appeal of a missed base or a runner leaving the base early is not automatic. The umpire will not rule until the team on the field makes the proper appeal.
Section 20. Batting Order
No Free Substitutions are allowed
Section 21. Playing Time
There is no minimum playing time required. Managers are encouraged to make every effort to find reasonable playing time for each playerwhenever possible and when it is not possible, please communicate with the player regarding your ability to insert the player into this and future games.
Section 22. Pitching
Pitchers are limited to the published Babe Ruth Pitch / Rest Rules.
TOURNAMENT PITCHING REST REQUIREMENTSAGE / DAILY MAX (PITCHES IN A DAY) / REST PERIOD
0 Days / 1 Day / 2 Days
13-15 / 95 / 1-45 / 46-75 / 76+
Each game in which a pitcher pitches is considered one (1) "assignment". Therefore, a pitcher in the same game may start out as pitcher, play another position and return to the mound and this would still be considered as one (1) assignment.
Section 23. Trips to the Mound
Trips to the mound by a manager, coach or player from the dugout are limited to one per inning per pitcher. The second trip in the same inning to the same pitcher will result in his removal from the game as pitcher. He may assume any other position. Any attempt to circumvent this rule will result in a trip being charged by the umpire.
Section 24. Double headers
If two teams play a double header the home team position will switch for the 2nd game. For Travel/ All Star Games, the first game will count towards your standings. Second game will never count unless it is a makeup with a different team.
Section 25.Infield Fly Rule
Infield fly rule applies.
Section 26. Bats & Equipment
Equipment is not permitted to be stored outside the dugout at any time except when in use by the on deck batter or in game plays.
UNIFORMS: All players’ uniforms should be baseball pants, matching shirts and hats.
Managers and coaches should wear matching shirts and hats that represent their team.
BATS: 15u division teams are not required to use wooden bats unless participating in wood bat tournaments.
13u- 15u - The bat may not exceed 34” in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 5/8” in diameter. All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed. Only composite barrel bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 will be allowed.
At the 13u division there is no restriction of differential between length and weight of the bat.
At 14u & 15 the differential between the length and weight of the bat may not exceed a -3.
CLEATS: Metal spikes are allowed.
Section 27. Non-regulation Games and Tied Regulation Games
Once a game begins and the 1st pitch is thrown the game will be completed in full with the following exceptions:
If play is stopped for any reason, weather, darkness, etc. the game must have reached 5 complete innings to be an official game. The final score will be the score of the last complete inning.
If play is stopped for any reasonand the proper number of innings are not complete, as stated above, the game will be resumed from the exact point it was stopped. The scheduler must be notified within 24hrs and will reschedule the game only if needed for post season berths. If not needed for a berth the final score is the last compete inning.
Section 28. Protests & Game Disputes
Questioning an umpire’s call- is allowed during the game by the manager ONLY and heshall maintain at all times a professional manner while addressing the umpire. Coaches or scorekeepers that violate this rule will be subject to immediate ejection. Judgment calls cannot be protested.
Protests and game disputes should be resolved by referencing the Rule Book and through mutual discussion with the umpire in chief. Please carry a copy of the rulebook and ESBL rules. Only a team manager or acting manager can declare a protest and must identify the rule or regulation that has not been properly applied, the moment it occurs. Play will stop until the umpire acknowledges the protest and signs the team scorebook. The game will resume and complete to conclusion. There is a $50 protest fee that will be returned to the manager if the protest is upheld. The manager will email a written description of the situation, including the rule to the ESBL president within 24 hours to be considered.