COATESVILLE ADULT BASEBALL LEAGUE
RULES AND REGULATIONS


SECTIONS
1.0 Uniform, Helmets, Baseballs and Other Equipment.
2.0 Game Length, Run Rule and Rainouts.
3.0 Teams, Players and Line-Ups.
4.0 Player Behaviors and Team Responsibility.
5.0 Courtesy Runners.
6.0 Pitchers.
7.0 General League Rules.
8.0 Code of Conduct.
9.0 Penalties.
10.0 Grievances, Protests, and Appeals.



1.0 UNIFORM, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS
1.1 All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt, sanitary socks and stirrups - each player’s uniform must be of similar design to his teammate’s uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsors name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt.
1.1.1 No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent.
1.2 All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace period of two weeks after the first game of the season should be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.
1.3 All batters and runners must wear helmets for both at bats and on base. There is no option to this rule. Full double-ear flap helmets are encouraged for at bats and are encouraged for the bases. Catchers must wear a catcher’s mask, with or without a helmet.
1.4 Each team is responsible for supplying two game balls for each regular season and playoff game. Only balls provided by the league will be permitted.
1.5 Wood bats ONLY are allowed and will be used for all games (Bamboo bats are permitted but not composite bats).
1.6 Metal cleats are permitted.

2.0 GAME Lengths, RUN RULE AND RAINOUTS
2.1 All regular season and playoff games are 7 innings. Any All-Star or tournament play may be 7 or 9 innings depending on the league president.
2.1.1 Darkness– 4.5 innings must be played for a complete game during the regular season; darkness may be called by the umpire’s discretion only.
2.1.2 Rain –4.5 innings must be played for a complete game.
2.2 All semi finals and finals playoff games must be played to completion either by league standards, being a (7) inning game. The umpire may suspend, cancel or call a game if, in their opinion, the safety of the players is compromised due to rain, darkness or time limits, in this event the game will be played in continuation when rescheduled.  In Semi-Finals, the 1st seed team will play the lowest seeded team resulting from the first round of playoffs, and the 2nd seed team will play the higher seeded team resulting from the first round of playoffs.
2.3 Any games rained out will be re-scheduled by the league, or may be made up at any time not conflicting with previously scheduled games and pending leagues notice and approval. Both managers must agree to all make-up games and league notification must take place. Rain out games may or may not be made up in order of cancellations. Final league standings will be determined by a point system, 1 (one) point for a tie, and 3 (three) points for a win. League standing ties will be decided by points first, head-to-head second, and then by run differential if needed.  Head-to-head is understood to be the regular season game series.  If team A is tied with team B, and team B won 2 of 3 (greater than 50%) regular season games vs team A, then team B has claimed the league standing tie.  If team A has won 2 of 4, and team B has won 2 of 4, then the league standing tie will be decided from run differential.
2.4 In the event of rain, it is the responsibility of the scheduled home team to notify the umpires and opposing team of field conditions and possible cancellation of game, at least 1 hour before scheduled game time. In the event such notification does not take place, both teams will be responsible for any fees imposed by the umpiring organization. The home team is also responsible for contacting the daily local in the event a game is canceled.
2.5 In the event of regular season games/s deemed complete and resulting in a tie, there will be 1 point awarded to each team and the tie game/s may or may not be made up at the end of the regular season.

2.6 No regular season or playoff games will be scheduled on Sunday's.  Any Sunday games will require both team managers approval.

3.0 TEAMS, PLAYERS AND LINEUPS
3.1 Player Eligibility: A player is eligible to participate in the league on the day of their 18th birthday, a maximum of 2 players under the age of 18 may be allowed per team on the FINAL roster (no limit on the 25-man roster). The manager carrying any such player/s under the age of 18 is solely responsible for any and all actions of the player/s.
3.2 New Players: The league shall control the assignment to teams of all new players who have contacted the league in response to advertising or who have been referred to the league by any means. A player who has not played in any league game in either the current or previous year shall be regarded as a new player. A new player acquired by a team through that team’s own recruiting efforts should be subject to the control of the team and not the league.
3.3 Rosters: A 25-man maximum team roster must be submitted to the league president by the first game of the season by each team. Any additions to the 25-man roster will result in dropping a player to maintain a maximum of 25 players on the roster. A 25-man final roster will be submitted to the league president by the start of their 11th regular season game, and also at the end of the regular season (playoff roster). A final roster may not be changed unless:
3.3.1 Players are lost to injuries.
3.3.2 A player from their roster voluntarily quits for the remainder of the season.
3.3.3 The league decides to extend dates for final rosters.
3.4 A team must start 9 players for an official game. If a team cannot start 9 players, it shall forfeit the game and is responsible for any umpire costs for that game.
3.5 A team manager must bat 9 players; batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game.
3.6 If a batter is pinch hit or run for (except under courtesy runners as outlined in section 5), the player may re-enter the game only once during regular season play.  There is NO re-entry during playoff games.
3.7 Any player substituted for defensively, may re-enter the game only once during regular season play.  There is NO re-entry during playoff games.
3.8 All teams must announce additions, substitutions, and/or changes to the opposing team manager and/or scorekeeper. Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a legal substitution.
3.8.1 If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place. If there are no reserves that can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. The first time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed, after that one time; no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player.
3.9 A player may only switch teams during the off season, and may not switch teams after May 31st. A player may only switch teams as long as both managers share agreement and any team uniform must be returned.
3.10 Last names must be used in the scorebook to allow for player identification for follow up inquiries that relate to regular season and playoff participation requiring minimum playing requirements.
3.11 The winning team of every regular season and playoff game is responsible for supplying the local newspaper (Daily Local News) with the rosters and box score of the game. In the event of a tie game, the Home team is responsible for supplying the local newspaper (Daily Local News) with the rosters and box score of the game.
3.12 The DH rule may or may not be used in regular season or playoff games.  You can DH for anyone but BOTH the DH and the player being DH'd for are locked into that spot in the lineup (see High School PIAA DH rules).

 
4.0 PLAYERS BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
4.1 The league has the right to suspend or expel any team member who abuses league rules or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.
4.2 An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game. If a player/s is ejected from a game, that player/s will be suspended from the next scheduled game (regular season or playoff).
4.3 Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated and players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league.
4.4 Players shall not intentionally collide with any other players. In the case of a runner intentionally colliding with a fielder, the runner will be called out and may, at the umpire’s discretion, be expelled from the game. All base runners must either slide or give up their right to a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving a base path) if the defensive player (e.g. catcher) has possession of the ball, is in the act of receiving the ball, or is about to immediately receive the ball and will be able to make an apparent play on the base runner. If a defensive player is not in possession of the ball, is not in the act of receiving the ball, or is not about to immediately receive the ball so that he is able to record an out (apparent play. at any base), he cannot block the base (e.g. home plate) or be in the base path so as to impede (obstruct) the base runner’s right to that base. Under such circumstances, the defensive player shall be responsible to avoid collision. If a collision does occur under these circumstances, the runner will always be considered safe and the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be ejected from the game (if the action is intentional, he must be ejected), and will be suspended from league play if the obstruction is judged to be flagrant.
4.5 Each team must set its own standards of player/team sportsmanship, but must encourage suspensions for infractions unbefitting to the image and policies of the league.
4.6 Failure to abide by age regulations - the managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at anytime have the right to question a player’s age. If a manager wants to lodge a protest, proof of age must be submitted to the league president within one week of the protest. If an under age player is detected (see 3.1), penalties to the individual or team will be decided by the league president and team managers.

5.0 COURTESY RUNNERS
5.1 The catcher AND pitcher are the only players that may use a courtesy runner, and may only use a courtesy runner if he is on base and there are two outs in the inning. The individual who runs for this player must be the last batted out player in the lineup or someone who is not in the game. If a player sustains an injury, an additional courtesy runner may be used. In the event a player becomes injured during the game, a pinch runner must be used.

6.0 PITCHERS
6.1 No player while pitching may wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.
6.2 If a pitcher hits 5 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the 5th hit batsman.
6.3 There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week.

7.0 GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
7.1 Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion for the season, with no money refunded to the team. The forfeiting team is responsible for BOTH umpire costs for the forfeited game. All players on the non-forfeiting teams roster recieve 1 game eligibility. Individual teams should evaluate circumstances before rendering a decision to join the league. An expelled team may re-apply to the league the next season.
7.2 All protests should be lodged to the league president within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made. The league president and managers shall decide all protests.
7.3 Player Eligibility - In order for a player to qualify and participate in his team's league playoffs, he must play in at least 8 games during an 18-24 game regular season schedule, or 9 games during an 25-29 regular season, and 10 games during a 30 or higher regular season schedule.  A player may be eligible to only pitch (or DH) in playoffs if they have pitched 20 or more innings during the regular season and have less than the required games needed for playoff eligibility.  Participation must include a minimum of one plate appearance or a half inning (three outs) defensively, or as a pinch runner in a game (half innings played after a complete game is determined to be final, on the account of rain or darkness, will also count for player participation). Non made-up rained out games, and forfeits may count as participation for all players on the team roster. The team, which initiates the forfeit, will not be able to use the game as participation for all players on their roster.
7.3.1 Games that are rained out can either be made up, or not made up. If the game is made up (and was not originally started), then the players that appear in the made up game get an appearance. Those who do not play in the game are not given an appearance (this is treated as a normal game). If the game is not made up because it has been decided by the league that it is not necessary, then EVERY player on BOTH rosters are given an appearance to count towards the 8 they need.
7.3.2 If a game had originally started, and was called because of Rain or darkness, BEFORE IT BECAME OFFICIAL, then the players that participated in that game is given an appearance. When that game is made up at the end of the season, it is another opportunity to get an appearance for any player that plays in the make up game. However, if the league determines it is not necessary to play that game, then ONLY THE PLAYERS THAT PLAYED IN THE ORIGINAL, SHORTENED GAME will be granted an appearance.
7.4 All managers, prior to participating in a game, must sign the waiver form at the end of this document, and take full responsibility for their players adhering to the rules and regulations within this document.
7.5 League fees will be due approximately 1 to 2 months before the first game of the season (the final date is determined by the league president).

7.6 Playoff Umpire assignments may or may not be determined by team manager voting, deadline for voting suggestions is due on or before July 4th.  Votes may be submitted to assigned umpire scheduler or league president.

8.0 CODE OF CONDUCT
8.1 Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until the league president and team managers review his conduct. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension and/or probation for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
8.2 Refuse to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until the league president and team managers review his conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
8.3 Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
8.4 Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
8.5 Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
8.6 Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until the league president and team managers review their conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension and/or probation for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
8.7 Be guilty of verbal abusive attack, or use of inappropriate language upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until the league president and team managers review their conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.
8.8 Use illegal drugs during the game, or any CABL related event. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season. Any use of alcoholic beverages should be the sole responsibility of the team manager. Any team caught abusing Township/Park policies regarding the use of alcoholic beverages will face immediate expulsion from the league for one full year, and permanent expulsion for a second offense.
8.9 Adhere to the Zero Profanity Tolerance before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall serve an additional one game suspension.

9.0 PENALTIES
9.1 The league president may, by vote of the majority of the team managers, may suspend any player or manager for such a period and upon such terms as it may propose, for the conduct with in its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.
9.2 Except as otherwise provided, the league president shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and shall report his decision to the player, manager and the team managers.
9.3 A player found in violation of any provision delineated in the codes of conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.
9.4 Any player found in violation of any provisions delineated in the codes of conduct, after being suspended from further participation in a game shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.

10.0 GRIEVANCES, PROTESTS, and APPEALS
10.1 Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the league president. The league president shall adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the team managers.
10.2 An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the league president by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted.