L.I. MIDWEEK BASEBALL ORGANIZATION
RULES and REGULATIONS (Revised August 2022)
[THESE RULES SUPERCEDE ANY CONFLICTING MSBL RULES]
PREFACE - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
These leagues were created to provide people with an alternative to softball and enable us to play the game we all grew up playing. Adult attitudes must always prevail no matter how competitive any league is. The responsibility that this ethic sustains, will remain as the responsibility of the league Commissioner and his officers and anyone who abuses the league's code can be suspended or expelled from the league.
SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY; AGE; FORMER PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYERS
1. (a) A player must be out of pro-ball for three years before becoming eligible to participate in the league. Pro-Ball refers to major and minor leagues. The independent professional baseball leagues will not constitute professional status.
(b) A player must have passed his 18th birthday (MABL); for 25+, 35+ AND 45+or 48+ division a player must turn the age by the end of the calendar year.
(c) Each manager is responsible for verifying eligibility of players on the team. A team found to have used an ineligible player shall be charged with a forfeit for any game in which the ineligible player participated. This shall apply whether or not the manager knew the player was ineligible.
2. Age and Eligibility Challenges. To facilitate any challenge as to age eligibility managers should instruct their players to have picture i.d., preferably their driver's license with them at all games. When an age eligibility or any other roster related challenge is made it is the burden of the manager of the player(s) being challenged to produce the required proof of eligibility within forty-eight (48) hours of notice of challenge. All eligibility challenges must be raised and will be resolved BEFORE playoffs.
Method of Challenge. A manager who believes that an opposing team is using an ineligible player due to age, or any other reason must notify the opposing manager and umpires immediately upon becoming aware that such a challenge may exist. Wherever and whenever possible, age and other eligibility challenges should be resolved immediately on the field, e.g., by having the challenged player produce a driver's license or other picture identification showing his age, or by the manager producing a copy of his team's roster.
SECTION 2 - BEHAVIOR
1. There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted during the game or on the field or its surrounding parking areas and grounds before or after a game. Players, managers and all people associated with teams are to conduct themselves in a gentlemanly fashion on the grounds of all fields and in and around the surrounding areas of the fields. Courtesy to spectators and any others present in and around the fields prior to, during and after games is mandatory. Anyone failing to adhere to these rules of conduct jeopardizes our ability for continued usage of fields and will be subject to immediate suspension and possible expulsion from the league.
2. Abuse of umpires will not be tolerated nor permitted under any circumstances. If a player is found to have violated this rule it shall be cause for immediate suspension for a minimum of three (3) games upon a first offense. A second offense in the same season shall be cause for suspension for the balance of the season, including playoffs. In addition there shall be assessed a team penalty of probation for the remainder of the season, including playoffs upon a finding that the team or its manager failed to make all reasonable efforts to restrain, deter or otherwise discourage his player from the prohibited conduct described herein. This prohibited conduct for which penalties may be imposed includes but is not limited to verbal, physical or otherwise or threats thereof, by word, gesture or otherwise, either before, during or after a game, whether on or off the field or in any area surrounding, adjacent to or in the area of the field, including but not limited to parking lots or other areas.
3. In all areas involving team behavior, the team's manager shall be held responsible for any breaches of these rules for which he has failed to exercise all necessary effort to exact compliance with same from his team and individual players.
SECTION 3 - GAME TIME; SCHEDULE; STANDINGS
1. Starting Times. All Spring/Summer season games start at 6:30 P.M. or later.
Fall League weekday game times are 7:30 pm. or later. Fall League weekend game times are subject to the permit times at the specific field.
2. Forfeits. Forfeit is one half hour after scheduled starting time.
a. Consequence of Forfeit. A team committing a forfeit at the field shall immediately pay both umpires' fees to the umpires present. If a team fails to pay both umpires' fees at the field that team's next games shall also be declared forfeits unless and until the required two (2) umpire fees are delivered to the league office. A team which is charged with two (2) on field forfeits shall be subject to expulsion from the league without refund of any fees paid.
3. Rainouts. Rainouts will be declared no later than 1.5 hours before a game’s scheduled start times. Team managers can call (516) 487-4137 for decision on rainouts. Whenever possible notice of rainouts will be sent by text message and/or emails to team managers.
4. Point System; Makeups. Any games rained out will not be rescheduled, but may be made up at any time not conflicting with previously scheduled games. Final league standings will be determined by point totals using the "hockey" system, i.e., a team receives 4 points for a win, 2 points for a tie and no points for a loss. Rained out games that are not made up will count as 1 point. In the event that two teams end the season with the same point total the tie breaker priority shall be:
(1) head-to-head competition; or, if not determinative, (2) most wins; or, if not determinative (3) coin toss.
5. Double Headers. Double headers may be scheduled in post-season play-offs. Forfeit time for a double header is one-half hour after scheduled start for the first game and one hour after scheduled start of the first game for the second game.
6. Length of Game. All games are scheduled for 7 innings.
7. Home Team. The home team for regular season games is determined by a coin toss prior to the first game between any 2 teams. Thereafter, the teams shall alternate home and away in any subsequent meeting during the regular season.
8. Home Team in Playoffs. Home team during playoffs is the team with the higher regular season final standing or point total.
9. Reporting Results. Teams must use Pointstreak.com to report game results.
10. Game Cancellation. Teams do not have the right to cancel, adjourn or reschedule games. A team that is unable to field a team for a particular game shall be charged with a forfeit. If a manager knows that it cannot field a team on a particular day, it must notify the league office and its opposing team manager as soon as possible to avoid being charged umpire forfeit fees of a double umpire's fee in addition to being charged with the forfeit on its record.
SECTION 4 - EQUIPMENT; UNIFORMS
1. Bases. All teams are responsible for having on hand at all times spike down or other fixed in place bases.
2. Bats, Helmets, Catching Equipment. Each team is responsible for supplying its own batting helmets, bats and catcher's equipment.
3. Bats. Wood bats are allowed. Composite bats are allowed.
4. Cleats. Metal cleats are permitted except on turf fields which prohibit their use.
5. Uniforms. All players on a team must wear the same full uniform shirt.
a. No un-uniformed player will be allowed to play without the opposing managers consent.
b. All teams must have their uniform shirts by their first game.
c. In the Fall season only, this rule shall be modified to allow that teams must all be in a baseball uniform, including, baseball shirt, pants and hat.
d. No player shall be allowed to participate in a game wearing shorts.
6. Helmets. All batters and runners must have helmets - there is no option to this rule. Full ear flap helmets are mandatory for at bats and are required for the bases. Single ear flap helmets are permitted. Catchers are also required to wear a helmet underneath their mask. The waiver, which must be signed by all players, includes detailed information about the helmet rule. Base coaches are not required to wear helmets.
7. Baseballs. MSBL branded raised seam baseballs, or equivalent (subject to league approval).. Fall: MSBL branded raised seam baseballs or equivalent; Rawlings R-100, Diamond D-1; Wilson 1010. Each team must provide two (2) new balls to the umpire at the start of each game and must have two (2) extra new balls available for each game.
SECTION 5 - FEES
1. Umpiring Fees. Teams must pay umpires their fee prior to the start of game. Each team pays one-half (1/2).
a. Penalty Fee for Forfeit. In the event a team forfeits by failing to have the minimum number of players to start a game by the required starting time plus any grace period, the forfeiting team shall be required to pay both umpires their full game fees at the field. In the event a team forfeits and fails to immediately pay the penal double umpiring fee at the field, THAT TEAM'S NEXT GAME(S) WILL BE CANCELLED AND THEY WILL BE CHARGED WITH FORFEITS FOR SAME UNLESS AND UNTIL THE REQUIRED FORFEIT FEES ARE DELIVERED TO THE LEAGUE OFFICE.
2. League Fees. Teams must pay all league and/or per capita fees prior to the start of the season.
3. Expulsion; Dissolution. If a team is expelled from the league, dissolved or disbanded at any time before the schedule has been prepared and before the season has commenced it shall receive a refund of fees paid to the league. A team expelled, disbanded, or dissolved after the schedule is prepared but before the league's opening game shall receive a refund of fees paid to the league less a penalty of $500.00. A team expelled, disbanded or dissolved after the start of the league's opening game shall not receive nor be entitled to any refund of fees paid to the league.
4. Team Fees. Team fees charged by each team to its players shall be the sole province of the team and/or its manager. Under no circumstances shall the league be responsible for returning, refunding or repaying either team or league fees directly to players. In such circumstance where a team is due a refund for a player fee or for any other reason same shall be paid to the team's manager provided that the team is otherwise not indebted to the league.
SECTION 6 - RECORD KEEPING; SCORE BOOKS; ROSTERS
1. Score Book. (a) Each team is responsible for maintaining its own score book. Last names and uniform numbers must be kept in the team's score book for each game. THE POINTSTREAK.COM ROSTER IS THE TEAM’S OFFICIAL ROSTER. Individual statistics will be maintained by each team on its POINTSTREAK.com team web site. Game results must also be posted using POINTSTREAK.com. The League’s website address is www.limidweek.com.
Teams must exchange line-ups before the game. Each team's manager, or his designee, is responsible for notifying the opposing manager and the umpires of all line-up changes in advance. Failure to give notice of a line-up change or addition can be is protested.
2. Reserve Clause. No player 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 year from competition or re-enter the league's next draft, making himself available to any team for selection. It is specifically understood that, due to the geographic problems with midweek baseball that the draft order of teams shall be determined solely by the league Commissioner or his designee, considering such factors as, geographic location of the teams involved, the player involved and the teams eligible to draft players. The Commissioner shall also use factors such as a team's entry date into the league and the affected teams' divisions in determining draft position. The exception to this rule is for players who leave a team to manage another team. Teams may agree upon alternate methods of compensation for a player departing one team to play for another in order to avoid application of the draft re-entry rule. In the event that, during the playing season, a player's team is disbanded or is ejected from the league, or if a team releases a player during the season, such player may join another team only with the advance approval and consent of the league office. This rule does not apply to Spring/Summer League players who play in the Fall League.
3. Roster Size. Teams must carry a minimum of fourteen (14) players on their roster. No team may carry more than twenty-five (25) players on their roster.
4. Playoff Eligibility. In order to be eligible for playoffs in the spring/summer season a player must have played in 40% of the team’s games played in either season. Games that are rained out, canceled or forfeited do not count as games played. A player who misses game(s) played due to verifiable illness or injury shall be credited with each missed game during the period of illness or injury. A pitcher shall be deemed eligible provided that he has pitched at least the same number of innings during the regular season as games played by his team.
5. Roster Additions. No additions may be made to a team's roster after June 8 in the Spring/Summer season and September 20 in the Fall season. Roster additions must be made in writing to the league office with the per capita fee remitted before the player is deemed eligible. Rosters are to be posted on each teams Pointstreak.com web site to include at least the LAST name of each player on roster. The Pointstreak.com roster is a team’s official roster.
SECTION 7 - LINEUP; SUBSTITUTIONS; COURTESY RUNNERS; MINIMUMS
1. Minimum Number of Players. Teams must have eight (8) players for an official game, and may borrow a player from an opposing team with the opposing managers consent. If the team's 9th player arrives after the start, the borrowed player reverts back to his original team. The borrowed player may be used defensively only and is not required to bat in the borrowing team's batting order, at the borrowing manager's option.
2. Courtesy Runners. Players that will need courtesy runners due to injury factor only, must have their manager notify the opposing manager before the game time. If not so notified, the opposing manager may 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 pinch runner. In the event a player becomes injured during the game, a manager may add to the number of courtesy runners ,but the opposing manager must consent to same if the number of courtesy runners will then exceed the two allowed under this rule.
(a) There is no automatic courtesy runner for the pitcher. If the pitcher requires a courtesy runner it is counted as one of the two allowed per team. Catchers must have a courtesy runner if there are two outs.
(b) The courtesy runner for the catcher does not count as one of the two courtesy runners when used with two outs. If a courtesy runner is used for the catcher with less than two outs it is counted as one of the two allowed courtesy runners.
3. Batting Order. (a) Each manager will have his own prerogative to bat as many players as he so desires in his initial lineup, with a minimum of ten (10). If the manager wants to add players at the bottom of the lineup he may do so at any time after proper notice to the opposing manager. If a player is pinch-hit for, he may not re-enter the game as a hitter, but may stay in the game defensively. Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game.
(b) Prior to the start of the game, each team shall be entitled to designate any three (3) positions in the batting order as A/B positions. That is, e.g., 1 A/B/, 3 A/B, 5 A/B. Batters designated A/B shall bat in alternate plate appearances as their spot in the line-up occurs. That is, the first time through the order the player in the A position bats, the next time through the order the B position bats. A/B players may be pinch hit for, but once removed cannot re-enter the line-up. If a disabling injury is suffered by an A/B player and no replacement is available, the remaining player in that position in the line-up bats. If the A/B option is not exercised before the start of the game the team loses the right to use it during the game. Teams may elect to designate one, two or three A/B positions in the order.
4. Substitutions. All players may be substituted for defensively. The defensive alignment has no bearing on the batting order. Players may play defense and not hit.
5. Injury; Departure. 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. No automatic out is charged in any such instance.
SECTION 8 - PITCHING
1. There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week. A pitcher may re-nter after being removed after 3 intervening outs are recorded.
2. Intentional walks are permitted but must be pitched.
3. If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batter.
4. No white or gray pitching sleeves, no batting gloves or wrist bands will be allowed for pitchers.
SECTION 9 - FORFEITS; PROTESTS
1. Forfeits. Two (2) forfeits by any team may mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team. In the event a team forfeits and fails to immediately pay the penal double umpiring fee at the field, THAT TEAM'S NEXT GAME(S) WILL BE CANCELLED AND THEY WILL BE CHARGED WITH FORFEITS FOR SAME UNLESS AND UNTIL THE REQUIRED FORFEIT FEES ARE DELIVERED TO THE LEAGUE OFFICE.
2. Protests. All protests of these rules or otherwise must be lodged with the league commissioner within 24 hours of the event. Protests relating to the Official Rules of Baseball shall be made in the manner required under Rule 4.16 of the Official Rules of Baseball, i.e., before the next pitch. In either case of protest, the team lodging the protest shall have the umpires sign both teams' score books. All protests shall be decided by the league commissioner. A fifty ($50.00) dollar fee must be paid at the same time a protest is filed. The fee will be refunded only if the protest is upheld.
SECTION 10 - OFFICIAL GAME; MERCY RULE
1. Official Game. In case of darkness, weather or any other factor where a full game cannot be completed, a seven (7) inning game is official if the home team is leading after the visiting team has batted in the top of the 4th inning and completed its turn at bat without tying or taking the lead. If a seven (7) inning game is tied or the home team is losing, then the game is official after the home team has completed its at bat in the bottom of the 4th inning. Nine (9) inning games use the major league rule. This rule applies to playoff games except for championship series.
2. Mercy Rule. If there is a 12-run discrepancy at the end of 5 innings the game will be ruled final at this point. After the 5th inning is completed the home need is not entitled to a final at bat if trailing by 12 or more runs.
3. Mercy Rule Waiver. The 12-run rule above may not be waived. The mercy rule is in effect for playoff games except for championship series games.
4. Lack of Umpires. In the event that no umpires appear for a scheduled game, the teams may play an official game that will count for all purposes using such umpires as may be agreed upon by both teams' managers. If both teams do not agree to conduct the game in this manner, then no game shall be played until assigned umpire(s) arrive or the teams' managers agree otherwise.
SECTION 11 - SAFETY
1. The "no crash" or Pete Rose rule shall be in effect for all games. This rule requires base runners to either slide or give themselves up at a base where there is a play being made on them. The umpire shall determine whether contact in excess of this rule has occurred. Violation of this rule shall result in the runner being called out and being ejected from the game.
2. Players shall otherwise conduct themselves at all times to avoid intentional injury to opposing players.
SECTION 12 - ORDER OF RULE PRIORITY
1. If not modified by these rules, standard rules of major league baseball prevail.
2. These Rules shall take precedence over the Rules as promulgated by MSBL in the official MSBL score book or as elsewhere printed where there is a conflicting rule.
3. All Rule Clarifications involving starting times are to be read using the starting times in these Rules.
4. Any prior Rule Clarifications issued by the league are incorporated as part of these rules. Additional Rule Clarifications as may issue during the course of the season shall become league rules when issued.
SECTION 13 - GENERAL POWERS OF LEAGUE OFFICE
1. League office, through the commissioner or his designee(s) shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of these rules and the enforcement thereof, including, but not limited to the determination of any penalties of any kind whatsoever for the violation thereof.
