CNCMSBL League Rules & Regulations

Estimated reading time: 34 minutes

League’s Purpose

The league was created to provide men ages 18 and over, an alternative to softball, and enable them to play the game they grew up playing.

Appropriate adult attitudes and behavior must prevail, no matter how competitive our league becomes.

The responsibility to enforce appropriate attitudes and behavior will fall upon the League President. Any player or manager who abuses the league rules or code of conduct can be suspended or expelled from the league.

The following listing of rules and conduct will govern our 18+ division, our 40+ division, and our 50+ division. Throughout this document the term “League” is to be considered synonymous with the League President, League Commissioners or the League Board of Directors as a whole, as applicable.

Index

1.0      League Fees:  Team and Individual
2.0      Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs and other equipment
3.0      Game length, make-ups and rainouts
4.0      Teams, players, line-ups and general game rules
5.0      Guest Players
6.0      Player’s behavior and team responsibility
7.0      Courtesy runners
8.0      Pitchers
9.0      Fielders
10.0    General League Rules
11.0    League Playoffs
12.0    Code of Conduct
13.0    Hierarchy of Rules

1.0 League Fees: Team and Individual

1.a All teams must submit a $700 deposit to the local League and/or league treasurer no later than the day designated by the League (sometime in January), prior to the season. The deposit will be applied to each team’s total fee and allows ordering balls and insurance for the season. 

Failure to pay deposit by day designated may jeopardize team’s placement in the league.

1.b All teams must submit the balance of fees due to the League and/or treasurer no later than the day designated by the League (around the end of March/beginning of April), prior to the season. No team will be allowed to participate in any games without all fees being paid in full. Failure to make payment by the established date for that season may result in team not being scheduled, or forfeiting scheduled games.

1.c No refunds of any kind will be made to any team or individual, once the league fees have been received by the League. It is each manager’s responsibility to make sure they have collected all fees due from each of their players, prior to paying them to the league. Do not expect a refund of dues the team or manager paid on behalf of a player they hoped would join their team, but who never paid. This is not the league’s responsibility. Also, do not expect any fees paid on behalf of one player, to be transferred to another player, if the first player quits without playing, or plays in a minimal number of games.

1.d Each team will be responsible for paying the league, in advance, for the following fees:

1.d.1 New Team Fee ($200 per season) refundable at end of year if no forfeits or other cost incurred by the league on behalf of the new team.

1.d.2 Liability Insurance (as negotiated by the league each year)

1.d.3 Umpire Booking Fee ($85 per team)

1.d.4 Baseballs (6 brand new balls X number of home games +
potential playoff games, ~$52 per dozen). Additional balls may be needed for possible playoff games. Cost of balls TBD by second managers meeting of the current year.

1.d.5 Individual Player Fees for each player on the roster ($75 per player)

1.d.6 Team and League Website TBD by second managers meeting).

1.e All new players who join a team after the team’s roster has been submitted must still pay the $75 player fee to the League regardless of what point during the season the player joins the team.

1.f Players who play in two or more age divisions will need to pay a $75 player fee for their primary team, and a $50 player fee for each additional team on which they play. Which team pays $75 and which team pays $50 to be determined by the managers of the teams involved.

2.0 Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs, and Other Equipment

2.a All teams must wear full baseball uniforms, consisting of matching caps, matching numbered jerseys, baseball pants and socks. Each player’s uniform must be of the same design as those worn by his team or another official uniform of that team. This is a league standard, not a rule. It is expected that all teams will follow it, and failure to do so could result in disciplinary action being taken against the team and/or team manager, by the League.

Such action could include – the cancellation of the team’s remaining schedule, and/or forfeiture of games played. As this is a standard, and not a rule, no game may be protested because a player(s) is not in complete uniform.

2.b All teams must be in complete uniform, no later than 30 days after the player’s first game. Some flexibility may be granted to teams having new uniforms made or teams who are new to the league.

2.c All new players must be in complete uniform no later than 30 days after the player’s first game as a registered league player. Some flexibility may be granted in extreme situations.

2.d The Minimum standard for matching uniforms is an identical shirt and cap.

2.e Managers are expected to keep a supply of extra shirts and caps on hand in the event that they add a player after the start of the season, or use a guest player in any game (see section 5.0 Guest Players).

2.f Players must wear pants that are made for baseball. No jogging or sweatpants, and no shorts will be allowed.

2.g All players must be in full uniform, while on the field, from the start of a game to the final out.

2.h All batters and base runners must wear batting helmets at all times.
Double flap helmets are encouraged, but single flap helmets are allowed.
Catchers must wear approved catchers headgear.

2.i All teams are required to use league-approved baseballs for all games (MSBL approved baseballs). The home team is required to provide a minimum of 6 brand new, never used balls for each game.

2.j Only wood bats will be allowed in all divisions. No aluminum bats at any time. Composite bats may be used. None of the components of the bat may be made of metal.

2.k Both metal spikes and plastic cleats are permitted.

3.0 Game Length, Make-ups and Rained Out Games

3.a All single games will be 9 innings in length, or 3 hours, whichever comes first. If 3 hours arrive, the inning in progress is to be completed, and no new inning will be started. Games may end in a tie.

It is suggested that both team managers verify the start time with the home plate umpire, and write that time in their scorebook. This way, there will be no confusion at the end of the game, as to whether a new inning should start.

The league or the managers involved may decide to play 7 inning games before the start of a game. Seven inning games will have a 2.5 hour time limit applied.

3.b All doubleheader games (two games, back-to-back, between the same two teams) will be 7 innings in length, or 2.5 hours, whichever comes first. If 2.5 hours arrive, the inning in progress will be completed, but no new inning may be started. Games may end in a tie. Two games played back-to-back by one team, but against two different opponents, will not be considered a doubleheader, and both games will be 9 innings or 3 hours whichever comes first.

3.c During the regular season, a game can end in a tie, if:

3.c.1 The 3-hour time limit has been met and after the home team has completed their at-bat with the score tied.

3.c.2 If 9 innings have been played, and the game is tied, but the time limit has not been met, then the game continues until one team is ahead after a completed inning. If this does not happen prior to the time limit expiring, then the game ends in a tie.

3.c.3 In all cases, if a game is tied after 9 innings, play continues until the time limit expires, or one team wins.

3.c.4    In the result of a tie after the time expires if the managers agree along with the umpires the game can continue after an agreement has been accomplished.

3.d A game is considered complete, when:

3.d.1 9 innings are played complete with one team ahead (7 innings if the game is part of a doubleheader).

3.d.2 The 3-hour time limit has been reached for a 9 inning game or the 2.5 hour time limit for a 7 inning game.

3.d.3 The umpire calls the game due to darkness and at least 7 innings of a 9 inning game has been played or at least 5 innings of a 7 inning game has been played.

3.d.4 The umpire calls the game due to rain, lightning, or unsafe playing conditions and at least 4.5 innings have been played if the home team is winning or 5 innings if the visiting team is winning, for 9 inning games (3.5 innings and 4 innings for 7 inning games).

3.d.5 An unforeseen circumstance, not weather-related, causes play to cease (examples would include, but are not limited to: lights going out and unable to be turned back on in a reasonable amount of time, sprinkler system turning on and soaking the field), and at least 7 innings of the said game have been completed (6 1⁄2 innings if the home team is winning). Time limits are still in effect.

3.d.6 If one team is leading by 12 or more runs AND either 7 innings are complete or 2.5 hours then the game is considered complete. The 12 runs and either of the other conditions must be met for the game to be called. The home team is allowed their turn at-bat.

3.e The umpire may suspend or call a game if, in their opinion, after consultation with both managers, the safety of the players is compromised due to rain, darkness, or other acts of God (any suspended time is considered part of the game time limit).

3.f Incomplete games that do not fall under rule 3.d will be restarted from the point that play was suspended. The rescheduling of this incomplete game will be arranged by the two managers and coordinated through the League (see rule 3.g).

3.g Games that need to be rescheduled must be scheduled within 30 days of the originally scheduled date UNLESS RESCHEDULED LATER IN THE SEASON AS A DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST THE SAME TEAM. Teams that have their own home field may arrange for the reschedule with the agreement of the opposing manager. All games to be played on fields arranged by the league will be rescheduled by the League.

3.h Games that need to be rescheduled, but are not rescheduled within 30 days, may be forfeited by one or both teams at league discretion. Both teams must make serious attempts to reschedule to avoid being subject to forfeits. Documentation will be needed to show proof of attempts in making games up, a decision will be made once all information is provided

3.i In the event of rain PRIOR to a game, it is the HOME TEAM’S MANAGER’S RESPONSIBILITY to decide if the game will be played or not. If the game is to be canceled, the home team manager must contact the visiting team manager and the umpire booking agent at least 2 1⁄2 HOURS prior to the scheduled start of the game. In the event that this notice does not take place or is given late, and the game ends up not being played, the home team is solely responsible for the umpire fees for that game. If the game is canceled prior to starting, the umpires are to be paid half of their fee. If one pitch is thrown, and thus the game is started, then rained out, full umpire fees are due.

3.j If game time arrives and one team has not shown up or has less than the minimum number (8) needed to start a game, a 15 minute grace period will be allowed (this DOES count against the 3-hour time limit). Once this grace period has expired, if one team cannot field a team, the game will be forfeited to the other team.

3.k If a game is forfeited by one team at the field, the team forfeiting the game should pay the umpires 1⁄2 of their game fee at the field. If for some reason the team forfeiting is unable to pay at the time of the forfeit, they will be expected to make arrangements with the League to pay the umpire fees during the next week and prior to their next scheduled game. This team will not be allowed to play another game until the umpire’s fees are paid.

3.l For teams with their own field, if something occurs which requires a game to be rescheduled, said team’s manager must contact the League and opposing team manager IMMEDIATELY SO THAT ANOTHER GAME POTENTIALLY CAN BE SCHEDULED OR ANOTHER FIELD MAY BE LOCATED.
Rescheduling of the game will be coordinated between the two team managers and the League President.

3.m To avoid the possibility of forfeiting a game and having to pay the fees associated with such forfeiture, a team manager must notify the opposing team’s manager, the League, and the umpire booking agent, of any foreseeable game cancellation or postponement no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled start time. This will allow for the cancellation of the field and umpires.

3.n If only one (1) umpire shows up to officiate a game, managers are only responsible for one umpire fee. The one umpire does not receive the fee of two umpires.

4.0 Teams, Players and Line-ups

4.a Each manager must meet with the opposing manager prior to the beginning of the game to exchange lineup cards. Any player who could possibly be used as a substitute, including guest players, must be listed on the lineup card.

4.b All players must reach the appropriate age for their age division at some point in the calendar year. For example, you must turn 18, 40, or 50 at some point in the calendar year to be eligible to play. Even if your birth date is December 31, and you will not turn 18, 40, or 50 until then, you are eligible because your eligible birth date falls within the calendar year. (Note: age waivers might have been approved by the League, these are handled on a case-by-case basis and any request must be made to the League President, with a follow-up email from the manager to the League President regarding what waiver, if any, has been approved.

4.c Final team rosters must have a minimum of 13 players (15 players for any team that forfeited a game the previous season) listed and paid for and be given to the League no later than the day designated by the League (typically the first of April), prior to the season. All rosters are to be TYPED (not handwritten) and must include the following information: First and last name, mailing or physical address, birth year, cell number, and e-mail address.

4.d A signed Waiver/Code of Conduct Acknowledgement Form and the $75 player fee must be included for each player listed on the roster for the player to be eligible to participate in any games. For any player added to a roster after the original rosters have been submitted, both items listed above (Waiver/C of C and Fee) must be submitted to and received by the League for the player to be eligible to participate in any games, other than as a Guest Player (see Guest Player guidelines in section 5.0).

4.e Games in which unregistered or improperly registered players participate will be considered a forfeit for the violating team. To be considered registered, signed waivers, code of conduct, along with player fees, must have been RECEIVED BY THE LEAGUE PRIOR TO THE PLAYER PARTICIPATING IN ANY GAMES, OTHER THAN AS A GUEST PLAYER.

Protests regarding a possible ineligible player must be made to the League President within 24 hours of the conclusion of the game in question.

4.f Players may be added to your roster at any time before the end of the season, including right up until your last regularly scheduled game.

4.g

ALL MANAGERS MUST HAVE A COPY OF EACH PLAYER’S SIGNED WAIVER/CODE OF CONDUCT FORM ON FILE AND IN THEIR POSSESSION AT EVERY GAME PLAYED or verified that there is an electronic version of the waiver on file with the league (it is suggested the managers keep these in a binder with other papers, including a copy of these league rules, that they carry to every game).  ALL GUEST PLAYERS MUST SIGN WAIVERS PRIOR TO PLAYING A GAME AND THIS MUST BE IN THE MANAGER’S POSSESSION DURING ANY GAME THE GUEST PLAYER IS PARTICIPATING IN.

4.h All managers must bat a minimum of 10 players in his batting order at all times. He may bat more if he desires. He may only bat less than 10 if the opposing manager is batting less due to not having 10 players in attendance at the game. No batter may be deleted or skipped in the order. Players can be added to the bottom of the order at any time in the game, but they must then remain in the batting order for the rest of the game, and must not have previously been in the batting order as a starter or a substitute.

4i. A team MAY declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order position can be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 3A/3B, 10, 11A/11B, 12, etc. The first time that position 9 gets an at-bat, 9A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 9B would be up. Then 9A hits the third time this spot in the order comes up, and so on, alternating between these two players throughout the game. Once a team declares the use of this A/B system, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit for, just like any other player.

4.j If a player is forced to leave the game due to injury or other commitment, then his team must either (1) put a reserve player in his spot in the batting order if available, (2) if no reserve is available, then the spot in the order will be skipped, with the team receiving no penalty for having to do so. If no reserve is available and if by losing this player from the lineup, it would reduce his team to only 7 players, his team can (1) borrow a player from the opposing team, with the opposing manager’s consent, or (2) if no consent is given, then the team with only 7 players remaining, must forfeit the game regardless of the score or inning in the game.

4.k If a player is pinch-hit for or pinch-run for, this is considered an offensive substitution; with the exception of Courtesy Runners (see section 7.o). A starter, who is substituted for, may re-enter the batting order, in the same position, at any time. Once the starter re-enters the batting order, the substitute he replaces may not re-enter the batting order at any time, but still may continue to play defense.

4.l Offensive and defensive lineups are completely independent of each other and any player can be in one or the other, or both. Offensive lineups are guided by the rules already discussed. Defensive lineups have free substitution and any player may change position at any time, with the exception of pitchers (see section 8.0 Pitchers).

4.m A team must have 8 players to start a game. A minimum of 7 of these players must be registered players of the team. The 8th player may be a Guest Player that was previously arranged or one taken from the spectators at the game. There will be no borrowing of players from the opposing team to meet the minimum player guideline.

4.n No player may switch teams during the season without the approval of both managers involved and the League President. If this approval is not granted and the player does not wish to continue playing for his current team, then he must sit out the rest of the season and can play for a different team the following season, based upon his seniority. If he has 3 full years of seniority in the league, he can play for any team of his choosing with the approval of the League. If he has less than 3 years, then the League will place him on a team that needs him.

4.o If a team disbands during the season, the League will attempt to find the individual remaining players other teams to play for.  There is no guarantee that these players will be able to continue playing together.  If a team disbands after a season, then the remaining players may play for a team of their choosing, if they have 3 full years seniority in the league.  Otherwise, the League will place them on a team with needs.

4.p If a player is released by his manager during the season or is not invited back by his team after a season, then he can move to a team of his choosing if he has 3 full years seniority in the league. Otherwise, the League will place him on a team that needs him.

4.q If after the completion of a season, a player wishes to leave his current team and start a team of his own, he may do so with the following limitations:
(1) He may not take any other players from his current team to join his new team without the consent of his current manager and the League,
(2) He may not take players from other teams in the league unless they have seniority or he has the consent of the player’s manager and the League.

5.0 Guest Players

5.a A guest player is a person of league age (18+/40+/50+), who is interested in playing baseball for a team in the league and who is not currently on any team’s roster in the league. It could be a player who the manager has asked to play for his team during a game, but after the official roster has been submitted, so that this player can try out for the team or give the team enough players to play a particular game.

5.b Each team may use only ONE GUEST PLAYER PER GAME.

5.c All guest players must have signed a waiver/code of conduct and these must be in the manager’s possession before he can play.

5.d A guest player may ONLY play in two games for a team (or a combination of two teams) before he must be added to the roster.

5.e BEFORE a guest player can participate in his third game, the manager of his team must have added him to the team’s roster and the player’s signed waiver/code of conduct and player fees must have been RECEIVED by the League. Once this occurs, he is no longer considered a guest player and is now a roster member of the team.

5.f Guest players must wear, at a minimum, the correct jersey of the team that he is playing for. The opposing team manager has the right to refuse a guest player to play in a game if he does not have a jersey and if the season is at least 30 days old. It is each manager’s responsibility to keep extra jerseys available to his team.

5.g Guest players may be used in any regular season game.

5.h When using a Guest Player in a game, the manager should (1) verbally inform the opposing manager and the umpires that he is using a guest player, (2) make a notation on his lineup card regarding the guest player, (3) physically point out to the opposing manager who the guest player is. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in it being ruled that an illegal player was used and the game could be subject to forfeit.

5.i A Guest Player may pitch in both games he plays in, but may not pitch more than 3 innings in any one game.

5.j A Guest player must bat in the last spot on the starting lineup card (if starting offensively). Other batters may be added behind the guest player once the lineup cards are exchanged in the event that managers choose to add batters to the bottom of the order. A guest player may bat for any player anywhere in the lineup that has already batted once in the game, become injured during the game, ejected, or for anyone who has left the game early.

6.0 Player Behavior and Team Responsibility

6.a There will be no beer, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs permitted at the field, before, during or after any game. The field refers to the general playing area.

6.b The League has the right to suspend or permanently expel any player or manager who abuses league rules, does not exhibit good sportsmanship, does not follow the guidelines of the Code of Conduct, or plays without regard to the safety of other players or the umpires.

6.c The umpires have the sole authority during games to eject any player or manager for any violations set forth under the Code of Conduct. Any player or manager ejected from a game for any reason will be suspended for a MINIMUM OF ONE GAME and maybe more at the discretion of the League President.

6.d No player, offensive or defensive, shall ever intentionally collide with any other player.

6.d.1 If a runner intentionally collides with a defensive player (as determined by the umpire), the runner will be called out and at the umpire’s discretion, he may be ejected from the game. If the umpire deems the act to be flagrant, expulsion from the league is possible under the code of conduct.

6.d.2 If a defensive player intentionally collides with a runner (as determined by the umpire), the runner will be called safe and at the umpire’s discretion, the defensive player may be ejected from the game.
Further, if the umpire deems the act to be flagrant, expulsion from the league is possible under the code of conduct.

6.d.3 A base runner must always slide or avoid contact with the defensive player by leaving the baseline if (1) the defensive player is in possession of the ball, (2) is currently in the act of receiving the ball, or (3)
is about to receive the ball and will make a reasonable play on the runner without having to go out of the general base area to do so.

6.d.4 A base runner does not have to slide on a pick-off attempt at a base he currently occupies. On such pick off attempts, it is the defensive player’s responsibility to avoid contact by not blocking the base or going into the baseline to catch the throw. If the umpire deems that the defensive player caused unnecessary contact with the runner by either blocking the base or colliding with the runner in an attempt to catch a pick-off throw, the umpire may award the next base to the runner. Further, if he deems the contact to be flagrant and unnecessary in nature, the defensive player may be ejected from the game.

6.d.5 A defensive player may never block the baseline unless one of the three conditions listed in 6.d.3 are met.

6.d.6 Lead base runners may not ever attempt to “take out” or “break up” a potential double play by using physical contact either through standing or sliding. Base runners must always slide directly at the bag with either their feet or hands touching the base. They may slide hard when sliding directly at the base and it is the defensive player’s responsibility to not be standing on the base or in the baseline to avoid contact. A base runner may never slide out of the baseline to break up a play. They may leave the baseline to avoid a tag.

6.d.7 IT IS EXPECTED THAT BOTH BASE RUNNERS AND DEFENSIVE PLAYERS WILL USE INTELLIGENCE AND COMMON SENSE IN AVOIDING PLAYS THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY.

6.e All managers must adhere to the age requirements for their league. No underage players are allowed in any league without League approval.

6.f If a manager believes that another team is using an illegal underage player, then he should (1) ask the opposing manager what the age of the player is, (2) ask the player’s manager to provide proof (drivers license) of the player’s age, (3) if the player is unable to provide proof at the time, then the questioning manager may play the game under protest following the procedures outlined in rules 4.e and 10.c.1. If requested by the League, the opposing manager must provide a notarized copy of the player’s driver’s license or birth certificate to the League within 30 days of the game in question or the game will be forfeited.

6.g Any player not meeting age requirements for the league he is playing in (if an age waiver has not been provided by the League), will be expelled from the league immediately and his team will forfeit all games he participated in. Further, if it is determined that his team manager had knowledge of or encouraged this illegal participation, the manager will also be subject to expulsion from the league.

7.0 Courtesy Runners

7.a A Courtesy Runner is classified as a player who runs the bases for another player under certain circumstances and guidelines.

7.b In all cases, the courtesy runner will be the LAST BATTED OUT. If a courtesy runner is used prior to any outs being recorded in the first inning, then the courtesy runner will be the last listed person in the active batting order.

7.c A MAXIMUM OF 2 COURTESY RUNNERS MAY BE USED IN ANY ONE GAME BY EACH TEAM IN THE 18+/40+ LEAGUES. A MAXIMUM OF 3 COURTESY RUNNERS MAY BE USED IN ANY ONE GAME BY EACH TEAM IN THE 50+ LEAGUE.

7.d The courtesy runners may be used for anyone in the batting order.

7.e THE PITCHER AND CATCHER DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY HAVE COURTESY RUNNERS. It is at the manager’s discretion who he runs for. He can still run for his pitcher and catcher, but those will be the two players he must have runners for the entire game, even if they leave those positions.

7.f If a team starts the game with 0 or 1 courtesy runners, they may add runners at any time during the game, up to a maximum of 2 (3 in 50+).

7.g If a team is already using both courtesy runners and another player becomes injured and cannot run for himself, then (1) the team may use a third courtesy runner for him if the opposing team agrees (they are under no obligation to do so), or (2) they must substitute for the player in the batting order by pinch-running for him. If neither option can be used, then the injured player must run for himself or be removed from the game and an out recorded. Subsequent times that his spot in the batting order were to come up, it would be skipped at no penalty to his team.

7.h If a team fails to run for a player that has been designated to have a courtesy runner, the player must run for himself for the remainder of the game and the courtesy runner is lost.

8.0 Pitchers

8.a No player may pitch in any age division without having reached the minimum age for that division. He reaches the minimum age for the division if his birthday falls within the calendar year. The League may grant age waivers on a case-by-case basis, with the application needing to follow the same directions as described in 4.b.

8.b There is no limit to the number of innings a pitcher may pitch in any one game or any week.

8.c No pitcher may wear (1) white or gray sleeves which extend more than 3” below the sleeve of his team’s jersey, (2) batting gloves of any kind, (3) wrist bands of any kind, and (4) any other kind of wrap or adornment upon his pitching arm or hand.

8.d Any pitcher, including the starter or subsequent relievers, may re-enter the game one time as a pitcher after being removed from it. He may not return in the same inning that he was removed. He must wait until the start of the following inning.

8.e A maximum of 1 INTENTIONAL WALK, PER TEAM, PER GAME will be permitted. All pitches must be thrown to achieve the intentional walk. Per the national MSBL rule, any request for a second INTENTIONAL WALK will result in a balk and all base runners will advance one base.

8.f If a single pitcher hits 4 batters with pitched balls in any one game, he must be immediately removed from that game. This must be done even if the team in question has no more available pitchers.

8.g The CNCMSBL has adopted the MLB rule regarding the fake-throw-to-third play. MLB rule 6.02 reads in full:

If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—
(a) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery;
Rule 8.05(a) Comment: If a lefthanded or righthanded pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher’s rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick-off play.
(b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw;
(c) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;
Rule 8.05(c) Comment: Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.

A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base and is required to throw (except to second base) because he steps. It is a balk if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher steps toward third and does not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first starts for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. It is legal for a pitcher to feint a throw to second base.

9.0 Fielders

9.a Defensive players MAY NOT decoy or “deke” a throw, catch, or tag where there is no clear strategic value to be gained by doing so. Examples of such actions include (1) faking a catch and a tag when a runner is coming to your base just to get him to slide unnecessarily, (2) faking a throw directly at a runner with the intention of getting him to slide, jump, or dive out of the way unnecessarily.

9.b Defensive players MAY decoy or “deke” a throw, catch, or tag when it is done purely for strategic purposes and not with the intent of putting the offensive player in jeopardy of injury. Examples of such actions include (1) pretending to lose a pop fly or fly ball with the intention of catching it and doubling a runner up, (2) pretending to see and be under a pop fly or fly ball when really you have lost it or it was hit somewhere else with the hope of keeping the runner from running, (3) pretending a throw has gotten past you at a base with the hope the runner will leave the base, (4) the catcher pretending a pitch has gotten past him or he has lost it in an effort to get the base runner to make an ill-advised steal attempt.

9.c Catchers Interference. The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out when the catcher or any fielder interferes with him. If a play follows the interference, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference.

10.0 General League Rules

10.a If a team, manager, or player quits the league for any reason, they will not be entitled to, nor receive any refunds of local or national dues, or any other monies that have been paid to the league on the team, manager’s, or player’s behalf.

10.b Potential new players who contact the League about joining a team in the league will be referred to those managers who make it known to the League that they are in need of additional players for their team. The League will use his discretion in making these referrals, but consideration will be given to which teams need the most help and also which teams make an effort on their own to fulfill their own needs.

10.c PROTESTS – a manager may protest a game for the following reasons (1) he believes an umpire has made an incorrect rules interpretation (this does not include any calls that could be considered JUDGMENT), (2) he believes a team is employing an illegal player who is either underage or has not been properly registered with the League.

10.c.1 In regards to reason #1 in rule 10.c, the protesting manager must notify the home plate umpire and the opposing team manager that he is protesting the game AT THE TIME THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURS (i.e. before the next pitch). The game shall be stopped and the two managers should work together to get to the correct ruling prior to game continuation. See section 13 for the hierarchy of ruling. IF unable to get to a resolution THEN contact a CNCMSBL Board Member or League President for clarification. Note: umpires may not be familiar with particular CNCMSBL specific rules.

10.c.2 In regards to reason #1 in rule 10.c, the protesting manager must record the time, date, and briefly describe the event that led to the protest in his scorebook. The protesting manager should get the opposing manager to sign his scorebook. He should also get the names and phone numbers of umpires working the game so they may be contacted by the League President if further investigation is necessary.

10.c.3 IF FOR SOME UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCE THE GAME IS CONTINUED UNDER PROTEST THEN the protesting manager must contact the League within 24 hours of the incident that he is protesting the game. He must file the official protest in writing to the League within 7 days of the completion of the protested game. The written protest must include (1) a photocopy of both pages of the protesting manager’s scorebook, (2) a written account by the protesting manager of what happened leading to the protest, (3) names and phone numbers of the umpires working game (not required for reason #2 described in rule 10.c).

10.c.4 The League President and two league managers or long time, respected league members will consider the protest and make a ruling within 30 days of the receipt of the official protest. In the event the League President is involved in the protest, a third manager or respected league member will be assigned to rule on the protest.

10.c.5 All decisions made by the 3 person protest committee will be considered binding and final and are not subject to appeal.

11.0 League Playoffs

11.a To be eligible to participate in the league playoffs, all players must have participated in a minimum of 6 games for his team.  If he joins the team at a time in the season when less than 6 games remain to be played, he may not participate in the playoffs.  If a player plays in less than 6 games due to injury, he is still not eligible to participate in the playoff.  As an exception, the team’s manager is not required to play in the full 6 games in order to be eligible for the playoffs. For playoff eligibility purposes the following criteria is applicable:

  • Two plate appearances in a single game -or-
  • Three innings pitched in a single game

NOTE: if a pitcher pitches a 9 inning game this does NOT count as three games.

If a player has 4 plate appearances in a game this does NOT count as two games. Both previous examples count as a single game towards playoff eligibility. We will rely on managers keeping the scorebook accurate and could ask for opposing mangers scorebook if this comes into question.

11.b In divisions with more than 8 teams, the League decides how many teams are eligible for the playoffs (e.g. top 8 are eligible). The League communicates the playoff eligibility rule prior to the start of the season. In divisions with less than 8 teams, all teams may participate. Any team forfeiting 2 or more dates, for any reason, during the season, will not be eligible to participate in the playoffs. The rule is dates, rather than games, so that a team that forfeits a DH would be charged only one forfeit date.

11.c Teams will be seeded once prior to the start of the playoffs. There will be no reseeding after each round.

11.d Seeding is based on final regular-season standings. All games played count towards your seed, including non-conference games. A team will receive 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The team with the most points will be the #1 seed, the team with the least points will be the last seed, and the other teams falling in between.

11.e Each division will play a best 2 out of 3 Championship Series to determine the Champion. In all likelihood, weather permitting, two games of the Championship Series will be played on the first day with the third game, if necessary, being played within a few days.

11.f Home team in each playoff game will always be the team with the better season record. If both teams have an identical record, then the home team will be decided by a coin toss. In the Championship Series, the team with the better record is home the first game, the other team is home the second game, and if a third game is necessary, the team with the better record will be the home team.

11.g Home team (higher seeded team) will have the option of hosting playoff games, except for the Championship series. The League President will work with the Home team manager to schedule games at the Home team’s field.

Field, date, and time of all playoff games remains at the sole discretion of the League President. CHANGES TO THE FIELD, DATE. AND TIME OF ALL PLAYOFF GAMES CAN BE CHANGED BY THE LEAGUE UP TO 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED START TIME. All teams know well in advance when playoff weekends are. They are expected to be able to field a team at any time on any day previously indicated.

11.h The league will try to pay for the field rental for all playoff games. The league reserves the right to seek more inexpensive fields if the charge at a particular field is deemed to be too much. Each team will provide 3 brand new balls for each playoff game they appear in.

11.i All playoff games, other than the Championship Series games, have the normal 3 hour time limit. However, no playoff game may end in a tie. If a game is tied and has reached the time limit, the game will continue until one team wins.

11.i The “run rules’ as described in section 3.d.6 are applicable to playoff games.

12.0 Code of Conduct

Managers and players shall conduct themselves at all times in a sportsmanlike manner.

No manager or player shall commit the following:

12.a Lay a hand upon, shove, strike, or threaten an umpire. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended from further league play until his conduct has been reviewed by the League. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season and possibly expulsion from the league for life.

12.b Refuse to abide by an umpire’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended from further league play until his conduct has been reviewed by the League. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be placed on probation for the rest of the season and may be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.

12.c Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an umpire’s decision. Players and managers found to be guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game and will receive a minimum of a one game suspension (the next scheduled game) and be placed on probation for the rest of the season.

12.d No player shall argue with an umpire regarding the decision reached by said umpire, with the exception of the player’s manager or his prior designee.

Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to ejection from the game (at the umpire’s discretion). If ejected, the player will receive a one game suspension (the next scheduled game).

12.e No player shall use unnecessarily rough or physical tactics, in the play of the game, against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately ejected from further participation in the game and will receive a minimum of a one game suspension (the next scheduled game) and will be placed on probation for the rest of the season.

12.f No player or manager shall be guilty of a physical attack, as an aggressor upon any player, manager, umpire, or spectator; before, during, or after a game.

“Physical attack” shall be defined as intentionally causing any part of your body to come into contact with any part of another’s body. Players or managers found to be guilty of such conduct shall be immediately ejected from further participation in the game and shall be suspended from further league play until their conduct is reviewed by the League. Players or managers found guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from the league for the rest of the season and possibly expulsion from the league for life.

12.g No player or manager shall be guilty of a verbal attack, to include but not limited to: cursing, slander, or downgrading another player, manager, umpire, or spectator; before, during, or after a game. Players or managers found guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game, suspended from his team’s next two games, and be placed on probation for the remainder of the season.

12.h No player or manager shall consume alcoholic beverages, nor illegal drugs during the game, or upon the field; or appear on the field or in it’s the general area, in an intoxicated state. Players or managers found guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game, suspended from his team’s next two games, and be placed on probation for the remainder of the season.

12.i No player or manager may smoke on the field of play. Players or managers found guilty of such conduct shall be ejected from the game after receiving one warning from the umpire.

EJECTION RULE: Any player or manager ejected from a game shall immediately leave the field, the general playing area, and the spectator area; and shall remain outside said areas, without causing any disturbance to the game, the other players, the opposing manager, the umpires, or the spectators. He must leave said areas within 5 minutes of his ejection. If the ejected player fails to leave said area within 5 minutes or if he continues to cause a disruption to the game, the other players, the opposing manager, the umpires, or the spectators, the umpire will call the end of the game with the game being forfeited by the ejected player’s team.

Penalties

12.j Penalties listed in previous sections 12.c, 12.d, 12.g, 12.h and 12.i, are immediately imposed and will be enforced by the League President.

12.k The League President, at his sole discretion, or upon consultation with other league managers, may suspend or expel any player or manager for any period of time he deems appropriate. These actions will be taken for conduct that he views to be harmful to the welfare, interest, reputation, or character of the league.

12.l Any player or manager found to be in violation of any part of the code of conduct AFTER having previously been placed on probation for previous violations, shall be suspended from play, for the remainder of the season.

12.m Any player or manager found to be in violation of any part of the code of conduct, after having already been ejected from the game (i.e. said player continues to violate the code of conduct, AFTER having already been ejected), shall be subject to suspension from play for the remainder of the season.

13.0 Hierarchy of Rules

In the event that there is a question regarding rules or a situation is not specifically addressed by CNCMSBL rules then the order of priority will be:

  1. Local CNCMSBL Rules
  2. National MSBL Rules
  3. MLB Rules