Autumn Baseball League
Website: AutumnBaseballLeague.com
Established
2000
c/o
Herman Bomback
283 Linden St., Fall
River, MA 02720
telephone: 508-676-6110 (Headquarters) / 508 496 7371 (Cell)
email: hrbomback@hotmail.com
Table of Contents
Page 1
Entrance
fee
Responsibilities
Reporting
a Win or Tie email address: AutumnBaseballLeague@live.com
2009 Bylaws
Rules and
Regulations
Innings to be played
Delayed, Postponed and Suspended Games
Page 2
Rain out
games
Grace Period
Umpire Qualifications
Player Eligibility
Misconduct Rule
Protests
Extra Hitters and Batting Line-up Rule
Page 3
Extra Hitters and Batting Line-up
Example
Substitution Rule (offense and
defense)
Trips to the mound
Slash bunting
Sliding (AMENDED ON August 19, 2007) see pages
6 & 7 for details
Amount
of innings a pitcher is allowed to pitch
Page 4
Pre-Game
Playoff
Eligibility
Pinch Runner
Rule
Game Times
and Schedule
Postponement
of Game because of the weather
Bat Sizes
Tournament
Page 5 &
6
General Rules 1 – 19
Page 7
NCAA Slide Rule
Note: The only major
rule change for 2009…see General Rule 17 on page 6
Autumn
Baseball League 2009
Page 1 of 7
The Rules & Protest Committee: Attorneys Patrick Reagan, Arthur Frank, James H. Barrett, George Phelan and Somerset Park Commission
Ray Frizado.
Deadline for registration – September 1st, 2009.
Entrance fee is $285 per team
and required to be paid to the League on or before the deadline date.
If paid before August 20th,
then “early bird” fee is: $250
Registration closes September
2nd, 2009
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: Autumn Baseball League
Returned checks will be charged
$25.00
BY SIGNING THE APPLICATION YOU
ARE ACCEPTING ALL LIABILITY RESPONSIBILITY.
Team managers, coaches,
and parents willingly and voluntarily accept and assume all medical and liability risks of participation. Each independent team, manager(s), coaches and parents or combination, shall be responsible for any
and all liability. The ABL shall share no responsibility.
Reporting a WIN OR TIE: ALL GAME RESULTS MUST BE REPORTED TO COMMISSIONER.
File
your report at AutumnBaseballLeague@live.com WITHIN A 72 HOURS OF THE END OF GAME.
2009 Bylaws
Rules and Regulations: The Autumn Baseball League (the ABL) shall be played in accordance with the rules
adopted by the Rules Committee of the ABL. With only a few exceptions, the Minor
(U14), Major (U16) and the High School (18) Divisions will follow the Official Baseball Rules as authorized by the Commissioner
of Major League Baseball and published by The Sporting News. The Junior
(U10) and the Minor (U12) Divisions, with only a few exceptions, will follow the Little League Rules. Also see General Rule 1 on page 5 concerning Pony League rules.
Rules to govern play will be
from the Sporting News Major League Rule Book for the Minors (U14), Majors (U16) and High School Divisions (U18) and rules
to govern play will be from the Official Little League Rule Book, for the Juniors (10) & Seniors (12) with the exceptions
of those variations listed below…
Innings to be played:
Junior U10
and Senior U12 Divisions:
All single
games shall be 7 innings. A complete game shall be a minimum of 5 innings.
All doubleheaders
shall be 6 innings each game. A complete game shall be a min. of 4 innings.
Minor U14, Major U16 & High School U18
Divisions
All games shall
be 7 innings however if both teams agree then 9 innings may be played.
Extra Innings:
In the event of a tied game,
extra innings must be played to break the tie. If game is being played in the
extra innings and cannot be continued because of inclement weather or darkness, then the score shall stand after the last
completed inning. It’s the umpire(s) decision and not the coaches. The umpire is in charge once the game begins.
If the game is tied, then each team is awarded one point.
Delayed, Postponed and Suspended
Games:
THE GAME MUST CONTINUE UNLESS AN ACT OF GOD PREVENTS IT FROM CONTINUING.
i.e. LIGHTNING, EARTHQUAKE, RAIN, SUNSET AND SO FORTH. IF THE GAME IS ENDED BECAUSE OF THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER 4 INNINGS IN A 6 INNING GAME, 5 INNINGS IN A
7 INNING GAME OR 7 INNINGS IN A 9 INNING GAME, THEN THE SCORE STANDS.
IF A GAME IS CALLED BECAUSE OF THE ACT OF GOD, AND THE GAME HAS NOT MET THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF INNINGS TO MAKE IT
A COMPLETE GAME, THEN THE GAME MUST START OVER.
IF A GAME IS PREVENTED FROM CONTINUING BECAUSE OF MAN MADE CONDITIONS, (EXAMPLES: THE ENTIRE UMPIRE CREW GETS SICK AND CANNOT CONTINUE OR THE MAYOR DECIDES HE NEEDS THE FIELD FOR A POLITICAL
RALLY) THEN THE GAME IS SUSPENDED AND MUST BE CONTINUED FROM THAT POINT AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. A suspended game must be completed as soon as possible to earn points.
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Rain out games:
If game(s) are rained out, then the
two teams must agree on a make up date within a week. If an agreement cannot
be made then the Commissioner may have to decide on the makeup date.
Grace Period:
If a team does not have enough players
by game time, the team shall have a 15 minute grace period. The second game shall
start 30 minutes after the 15 minute grace period of the first game. If the team(s)
doesn’t (don’t) have
enough players at the time of the
second game, then the second game is forfeited also. Call the Commissioner
if this event occurs.
Umpire qualifications: Coaching staff cannot umpire games within their team’s Division.
Juniors U10 and Seniors U12 only: All home teams are responsible for qualified adult umpires, baseballs
and field preparations. Min. of 2 umpires are recommended. PATCHED UMPIRES MAY BE OF RESPONSIBLE AGE. A MINIMUM OF ONE PATCHED UMPIRE IS REQUIRED AT EACH GAME. A
MINIMUM OF 2 PATCHED UMPIRES ARE RECOMMENDED. Proper dress required.
Minors U14, Majors U16, High School
U18: Adult and mature umpires must be used during the game. Two umpires are required. Proper dress required. It is recommended NOT to use a close friend or relative of a player. All umpires must have earned an umpire’s certificate as credentials.
Player Eligibility:
Junior Division (U10)
- if player is 11 on or after April 1st of 2009 then he/she is eligible
Senior Division (U12) - if player is 13 on or after April 1st of 2009 then he/she is eligible
Minor Division (U14) - if player is 15 on or after April 1st of 2009 then he/she is eligible
Major Division (U16) - if player is 17 on or after April 1st of
2009 then he/she is eligible
High School Division (U18) - if player is 19 on or after April 1st of 2009 then he/she is eligible
Misconduct Rule:
Only one person is designated
to confront the umpire on disputes. This person shall be named prior to the game. If there is a violation then that person may be warned and may be ejected for the
second violation. The umpire has the option of either or both. Disagreeing with the umpire is allowed but acting disrespectfully is not allowed. All team personnel shall be civil and respectful. The maximum
penalty shall be ejection from the league. The rules/protest committee shall
make the final decision.
IF A PLAYER, COACH OR MANAGER IS EJECTED
FROM A GAME, THEN HE/SHE SHALL LEAVE THE BASEBALL PARK PREMISES FOR THE REST OF THE GAME AS WELL AS THE NEXT.
Protests: There is a $50 protest fee.
Refundable if decision is in the plaintiff’s favor.
All protests shall be reported to
the umpire in charge and must be presented to the Commissioner in print (hardcopy) with a $50 check made out to the Autumn
Baseball League within 24 hours of the game. Any protest upheld by the committee
shall be replayed at exact point of protest of the game.
Extra Hitters and Batting Line-up
Rule:
***The minimum number of players
in the batting lineup shall be 9. The maximum, your entire team. Any player(s) in the lineup over 9 shall be considered Extra Hitters (EH). Once you choose one
of the above and the game commences, you cannot change.
***Exception…If a team can
only field 8 players at game time, then the 9th position shall be recorded as an out. If later in the game the ninth player arrives, then the player shall be inserted in the ninth position
to rectify the problem. Extra Hitters: If you elect to use all of your players
in your line up there may be consequences.
ABL –
2009
page 3 of 7
Extra Hitters and Batting
Line-up Example: If you place all
of your players in the lineup you’re at risk. If a player or players gets
injured and cannot play because of an injury, then that vacant spot(s) shall be recorded as an out(s). A minimum of 8 players is allowed in line-up. No game is to
be played with less than 8. The team with less than 8 players in lineup shall
forfeit the game.
Substitution Rule (offense
and defense):
ALL DIVISIONS: There is no mandatory or minimum amount of playing time for the players. The manager is not obligated to play everyone. Free substitution
is allowed. When a batter is taken out of a game and later re-entered, the batter
must re-enter in his or her original position in the batting line up.
Trips to the mound:
After two trips to the mound
(per pitcher) in one inning the pitcher has to be removed.
After one trip to the mound: If the pitcher is removed from his pitching position and goes to the bench then he cannot return to the
mound. He can return to another position any time during the game.
If the pitcher is removed from the mound (after the first visit) and is placed in another defensive position
then he is entitled to return to the mound. (This move will be allowed only once per game per pitcher) However, if at any time that player is benched after his removal from pitching status, then from that point
on he cannot return to the pitchers position. This player can return in any subsequent inning as a pitcher but return as
a pitcher ONCE.
If the player returns to his pitchers position in the same inning he was removed, he cannot have any warm-up pitches. Moreover, if the coach visits the pitcher again in the same inning then the pitcher
is removed permanently from the pitcher’s status for that game.
Slash bunting:
No slash bunting in Junior and Senior
Leagues
Slash bunting is allowed in Minor,
Major League and High School Divisions but not recommended.
Sliding:
>>>Juniors and Seniors: Slide or avoid contact. If
there is a collision without sliding and the defensive player has the ball and or getting ready to make the play, the runner
is out. NOTE: If
defensive player is blocking the plate without the ball or not attempting to make a play then the runner has a right to advance
to the base even it a collision occurs. No head first slides. All calls are: Umpires judgment. If the Umpire
calls a rnner out for a head first slide, the ball is still live.
>>>Minor, Major Leagues
and High School: See 2007 NCAA rules on page 6. Head first sliding is permitted but not recommended.
Amount of innings a pitcher
is allowed to pitch (more importantly Managers should keep a pitch count):
Juniors: A pitcher cannot pitch more than 6 innings in one given day.
A pitcher cannot pitch more than 8 innings in any 3 consecutive days and cannot make more than 3 appearances during
the 3 consecutive day period.
Seniors: A pitcher cannot pitch more than 7 innings in one given day.
A pitcher cannot pitch more than 10 innings in any 3 consecutive days and cannot make more than 3 appearances during
the 3 consecutive day period.
Minor Division: A pitcher cannot pitch more than 9 innings in one given day.
A pitcher cannot pitch more than 12 innings in any 3 consecutive days and cannot make more than 4 appearances during
the 3 consecutive days.
Major Division: A pitcher cannot pitch more than 9 innings in one given day.
A pitcher cannot pitch more than 14 innings in any 3 consecutive days and cannot make more than 4 appearances during
the 3 consecutive days.
High School: A pitcher cannot pitch more than 10 innings in one given day.
A pitcher cannot pitch more than 16 innings in any 3 consecutive days and cannot make more than 4 appearances during
the 3 consecutive days.
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Pre Game:
If time permits, each team shall
be allowed to have pre-game infield/outfield warm-up. Visitors first.
Just prior to the game, both team managers
shall meet at home plate to review the park rules and should but not necessary give the umpire their line-ups. If lineups
are given to the umpires then all changes should be conveyed to them.
PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY:
>>>PLAYER MUST PLAY IN HALF
OR MORE OF SCHEDULED INTRA-LEAGUE GAMES TO QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFF PARTICIPATION.
ALL TEAMS MUST SAVE AND RECORD
ALL SCOREBOOK DOCUMENTATION DURING THE SEASON. THE SCOREBOOKS MAY BE NEEDED TO
PROVE PLAYER (POST GAME) QUALIFICATION.
PINCH RUNNER RULE:
THE
RUNNER WHO IS REPLACED CANNOT RE-ENTER THE SAME GAME, ALTHOUGH, IN THE EVENT OF AN INJURY AND WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE OPPOSING
MANAGER AND HEAD UMPIRE, THAT INJURED PLAYER MAY BE AVAILABLE TO RE-ENTER
IF THE TEAM NEEDS THAT PLAYER TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM OF EIGHT PLAYER LINEUP. THE UMPIRE AND OPPOSING MANAGER SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE INJURED PLAYER IS HEALTHY ENOUGH TO
PLAY, HOWEVER, THE UMPIRE SHALL HAVE THE FINAL DECISION. THIS RULE IS PARTIALLY
CREATED TO PREVENT A FORFEIT. THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD SHALL BE
THE MAIN CONCERN. COACHES: TO PREVENT
THIS SITUATION, MAINTAIN ENOUGH PERSONEL ON YOUR ROSTER.
Game Times & Schedule: all games are initially scheduled for Saturdays at 10 am.
1. If you wish to change the
original scheduled time and place, then you must notify your opponent, umpires and Commissioner at least 24 ahead of
scheduled game time. The opposing team must agree with the change. If no mutual agreement of the change of time then the original scheduled time and place shall stand. If a team doesn’t show then that team shall forfeit.
2. Night games. No inning shall start after 8:15 pm for Juniors and Seniors - 10 pm for Minor - 11 pm for the
Major Division and High School Divisions.
3. Host team shall be home
team for both games of double headers, supply the baseballs and responsible
for the hiring and paying umpires.
The second game of the double header shall begin a minimum of 20 minutes and
a maximum of 30 minutes from the end of the first game.
Postponement of Game because
of the weather:
The home team must notify their opponent at least 1½
hours before game time concerning a postponed game because of rain or any other reason. Because teams are traveling, this would prevent a team from needlessly making a trip. No game can be called off more than 24 hours prior to game.
Bat sizes:
Bat diameter: Maximum barrel size – 2 1/4 inches for the Jr. and Sr.
Divisions
Big Barrel bats may be used in the Minor, Major and High School Divisions
Tournament:
The team with the most points
shall host the first 2 games and shall be home team for those games. The third
game shall be hosted by the opponent involved and shall be the home team.
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General Rules:
1. ABL’s Jr. and Sr. teams shall use Little League Rules except for ABL modifications however,
if two Pony League teams agree to use Pony League rules it is acceptable. The
Minor, Major, and High School Divisions use Sporting News Professional Baseball rules except for ABL modifications. See page 1 under 2009 Bylaws.
2.
The ABL uses the point system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie
and 0 for a loss. A team that forfeits gets 0 points and their opponent shall
receive 2. If both teams cannot field enough players or cannot play for any reason,
then each team receives 0 points.
3. The winning team must report the result of the game to get credit (points). If the game ends in a tie then both teams must report. If
both teams forfeit, then the home team must call the commissioner with an explanation.
YOU HAVE 72 HOURS TO REPORT THE SCORES…IF THE REPORT IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN THE 72 HOURS THEN THE WINNING
TEAM WILL NOT RECEIVE THE POINTS. Send the results to AutumnBaseballLeague@live.com
4.
One win gets 2 points only. No exceptions. A complete game must be played to earn points.
5. Once the game begins, then
the home plate umpire is in charge and controls the game.
6.
Home team scorebook is final.
7. Hidden ball trick is allowed. Pitchers can be on the mound but cannot straddle or appear to be on
or near the rubber creating an illusion or deception to the runner or batter. It’s
the umpire’s call concerning level of the deception. The umpires call shall
be indisputable.
8. Playing on multi-teams: No player is allowed to play for
more than one team in each Division. However, a player is allowed to play on
more than one Division concurrently. Example:
A 10 year old may play for a Junior team and a Senior team during the season.
The player cannot play on two Junior teams.
9. Trades: If a player desires to be traded, then the manager from which that person currently plays for
must release that player in writing or both agree and confirmed with the Commissioner, otherwise if there is a dispute, and
the teams cannot agree, then the rules committee shall review the case.
10. FIELD DIMENTIONS: ABL MINOR, MAJOR and HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION TEAMS PLAY ON MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SIZE FIELDS (90’ BETWEEN BASES)
11. IF A TEAM BECOMES INSOLVENT OR DISCONTINUES DURING A SEASON, NO PLAYER FROM THAT TEAM CAN PLAY FOR ANOTHER TEAM, WITHIN THAT
DIVISION, DURING THAT SEASON WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE RULES COMMITTEE AND A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MANAGERS WITHIN THEIR
DIVISION.
12. PLAYER IDENTIFICATION: MANAGERS
MUST KEEP BIRTH CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE DURING EACH GAME.
ALL TEAMS MUST SEND THE COMMISSIONER A COPY OF THEIR ROSTER.
13.
CORI AND MANAGEMENT CHECK: ALL TEAMS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR
INTERNAL PROBLEMS. THE LEAGUE (ABL) IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL PROBLEMS OR
SITUATIONS. TEAMS MUST SCREEN ALL MANAGERS AND PERSONAL AND APPROVE ALL PERSONS
ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR TEAM.
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- DELIQUENT LEAGUE FEES: IF
REGISTRATION FEE IS NOT PAID THEN THE TEAM(S) SHALL NOT
BE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY.
- All teams in each division must play by these rules.
- The mercy rule is used when required…(6 inning game – must complete 4 innings) (7 inn / 5) and
(9 inn / 7)
- HEAD TO HEAD:
This year 2009 we’ll start using the “Head to Head” method of breaking a tie to determine playoff
eligibility or playoff seeding. In previous years teams
that were tied at the end of the season would play a one game tie breaker. Because
time is a factor, the weather may be cold and the sun sets much earlier the “Head to Head” method shall be used. A playoff game will be played only if using the head to head method results in a tie. If both teams agree, a flip of a coin can be used.
- Keep these rules with you during games. Review them with the umpires.
- Bylaws may be modified for the betterment of the league and players.
=======================================================================
Force-Play-Slide Rule
SECTION 4. The intent of the force-play-slide
rule is to ensure the safety
of all players. This is a safety as well as
an interference rule. Whether
the defense could have completed the double
play has no bearing on the
applicability of this rule. This rule pertains
to a force-play situation at any
base, regardless of the number of outs.
a. On any force play, the runner must slide
on the ground before the
base and in a direct line between the two
bases. It is permissible for
the slider’s momentum to carry him through
the base in the baseline
extended (see diagram).
Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base
as long as the
runner slides or runs in a direction away
from the fielder to avoid making
contact or altering the play of the fielder.
Interference shall not be
called.
(1) “On the ground” means either
a head-first slide or a slide with one
leg and buttock on the ground before the base.
(2) “Directly into a base” means
the runner’s entire body (feet, legs,
trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line
between the bases.
b. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference
shall not be called if
the runner makes a legal slide directly to
the base and in the baseline
extended (see diagram).
A.R.—If contact occurs on top of the base as a result of a "pop-up"
slide, this contact
is legal.
c. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference
shall be called if:
(1) The runner slides or runs out of the base
line in the direction of the
fielder and alters the play of a fielder (with
or without contact);
(2) The runner uses a rolling or cross-body
slide and either makes
ABL 2009
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contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
(3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact
higher than the fielder’s knee
when in a standing position;
(4) The runner slashes or kicks the fielder
with either leg; or
(5) The runner illegally slides toward or
contacts the fielder even if the
fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete
a play.
PENALTY for 1-5—(1) With less
than two outs, the batter-runner, as well
as the interfering runner, shall
be declared out and no other
runner(s) shall advance.
(2) With two outs, the interfering
runner shall be declared out and
no other runner(s) shall advance.
(3) If the runner’s slide
or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be
ejected from the contest.
A.R.—If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is
made, and
interference is called, all other runners
must return to their original bases.
Note: On a force play, with
a two-man umpiring system, if the plate umpire
does not have a potential play
at the plate, he should move toward the base
to observe the runner going
into second or third base. In this situation, the
base
umpire must follow the throw and may not see the true effect of the lead
runner’s
action.
