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League Rules 2009
THE NEBRASKA ADULT BASEBALL LEAGUE
RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Revised 1-09)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1)UNIFORMS, HELMETS, and BASEBALLS
2)GAME LENGTHS, RUN RULE, AND RAIN-OUTS
3)TEAMS, PLAYERS, AND LINE-UPS
4)PLAYER'S BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
5)COURTESY RUNNERS
6)PITCHERS
7)FIELDERS
8)EX-PRO STATUS AND REGULATIONS
9)GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
10)CODE OF CONDUCT
MISSION STATEMENT
THE NEBRASKA ADULT BASEBALL LEAGUE was organized with the intent of providing members the opportunity to play baseball in a safe yet competitive environment.
The “CODE OF ETHICS” in Baseball demands that Honorable Behavior, and Respect for others be the normal Method of Operation at all times.
Adult attitudes must always prevail, no matter how competitive any team is. The responsibility that this ethic sustains will be that of the League President, Commissioner(s), and Board; and anyone who abuses the League's Code can be suspended or expelled from the League.
ORGANIZATION
THE LEAGUE GOVERNING BODY WILL BE COMPRISED of THE LEAGUE FOUNDER, LEAGUE PRESIDENT, LEAGUE COMMISSIONER(s), BOARD MEMBERS, and a MEDIATOR. The primary responsibility of this Body is to the players that comprise the League's Membership. The League Governing Body's aim is to provide the most safe, fair, well-organized, and enjoyable amateur Baseball program possible.
THE GOVERNING BODY in total, will herein be referred to as “The League” or League.
*MEDIATOR-this individual is completely independent of the NABL, but assists the League Board in ruling on Grievances, protests, and appeals.
RULES
I)UNIFORMS, HELMETS, and Baseballs
A) All teams must have players dressed in full baseball uniforms: caps, jerseys(Team/Town name on front; on back: player number(size-6 inch minimum), (Team sponsor below number), and baseball pants: Each player's uniform must be of the same design as their teammate's uniforms.
1) No player will be allowed to play out of uniform, cap, jersey, baseball pants, baseball shoes- if a player is without even one of these items he is considered “out of uniform”.
2) All teams will have their uniforms by the first game of the season. A grace period may be extended for new teams, and/or newly activated players needing more time to complete their uniforms. The League should be notified asap, in regards to this matter.
B) All batters and runners must have helmets on. Full double ear flap helmets for at bats, and base runners. Catchers will wear full protective gear including: mask and skullcap/helmet. There is no exception to this rule! ANYONE catching during pitcher's warm-ups must wear a catcher's mask. League penalties will be assessed for breaking this rule!!
C) ONLY N.A.B.A. League baseballs are to be used in sanctioned games. If new NABA game balls are exhausted then the best used NABA balls available will be used. Umpires will be instructed to confiscate any non-NABA ball they find and remove it from the game. The League has two options in how to distribute NABA balls to the games.
1) Each team will receive 2 dozen NABA game balls prior to the season starting, then each team is responsible for bringing to their game 3 new NABA game balls.
2) League officials will bring the new NABA game balls to the game and give them to the umpires themselves. Damaged game balls will be taken out of play and given to the teams evenly as practice balls.
D) Wood bats and aluminum bats are allowed for regular season games and tournaments.. The maximum differential for aluminum bats established by the N.A.B.A. is minus-5. If a player uses a bat exceeding this differential and a protest is made, the offending batter will be declared OUT.
E) Baseball shoes only permitted on the baseball field. Metal spikes are acceptable. (The League wants to see only BASEBALL SHOES used on a baseball field).
II) GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE AND RAINOUTS
A) All regular season games unless otherwise determined, shall be 9 innings, in double-headers second game will be 7 innings. Regarding darkness-5 innings will be considered a complete game in a 9-inning game. Discretion in a 7-inning game, 5-innings will be considered a complete game. All League tournament and play-off games are included. Regarding rain-5 innings constitutes a complete game, regardless if it was scheduled a 7 or 9 inning game. All League and tournament and play-off games are included. The League Tournament Semi-Final, and championship games “if necessary” will be played to completion without time limits. The umpires may suspend, cancel or call a game if, in their opinion; the safety of the players is compromised due to rain, lightning, darkness, or time limits.
B) All games will be played with a three (3) hour time limit. No new inning will start once two (2) hour and forty five (45) minutes, have been reached in each game. However, any inning already in progress will be allowed to be played to completion. In the event of a tie after three (3) hours one more inning may be played in an attempt to determine a winner. If there is still a tie and another game is to follow the tied game must be suspended. If no game is to follow then the game may be played till a winner is decided. If there is a 10 run discrepancy after 6-innings or 15 runs after 5 innings the game will be ruled final at that point. This rule will not pertain to national or regional play.
C) All postponed/suspended games will be rescheduled by the league if possible.
D) In all tournament games, the team with the better record will be the higher seed and will be the Home Team. If a 2 out of 3 series needs to be played, the higher seed will be Home for first game, and then the other team will be Home for the second game and if a third game is needed a coin flip will decide the Home team with the higher seed team making the call.
III) TEAMS, PLAYERS AND LINE-UPS
A) To be eligible to participate in an official League sanctioned game a player must have reached 18 prior to the start of the season, filled out and signed a Participant (Affiliated) Contract; and paid all League fees. If an unsanctioned player is discovered in a sanctioned game the team that the player was playing for will forfeit that game.
1) In the N.A.B.L. Team (15 player) minimum registration fee of $2250.00 and Player Participant Contracts (completed) must be turned into the League President by April 1st. *** If a team signs more than 16 players, the players will be charged $75.00 and submit it to the league.
1.5) A $100.00 forfeit fee shall be assessed to each team, based upon and subject to change due to change due to subsequent increases in umpire fees. If unused, this fee shall be fully refunded at the end of the season. Otherwise , forfeits shall be handled in the following manner:
1st Forfeit - forfeit fee = $50.00
2nd Forfeit - forfeit fee = $50.00 (all fines of $50.00 to be paid prior to team's next game OR
3rd Forfeit - League will pay umpire fees from fines collected. The team is then automatically expelled. The team can be re-organized under new management or be split up and individual players can be picked up by other teams.
2) Managers unable to field their team after previously submitting their fees shall have until May 5th, to get a refund, but not in full.
3) A Player Pool- the League will form and hold a list of “free” Sanctioned players that want to play, but have no team affiliation. They will pay a pro-rated fee, minimum $50.00 and completed the Player-Participation Contract, then their name(s) can be added to this list. If a player from that pool plays for any team in two (2) games, then that player becomes a member of that team. He then has to pay the remainder of his player contract fees, and get it paid before that player participates in the next scheduled game of this new team. If there is no players available in the League Pool, then managers can find their own players but they have to get new players sanctioned as per Section, A before they can participate in League games.
B) All players, prior to participating in a game, must have their player fees paid in full, and have completed and turned in a Participant (Affiliate) Contract, and having submitted a copy of a picture I.D., including date of birth. All team managers will have copies of their players contracts and team rosters with them at the field. All players will have picture I.D. with them to show the League officials/umpires or other officials requesting to see the I.D. FOR IDENTIFICATION purposes.
C) A team manager must bat all players, Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position, unless being removed due to injury or other commitments. Players/batters who are present and are skipped over will be called out.
D) A team manager must add late arriving players to the bottom of the batting line-up.
E) If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or commitment, that spot is skipped and all batters move up accordingly, with no penalty to the affected team, unless roster is reduced to 8 players. If a player is ejected and it leaves a team with 8 players, the 9th spot will be an out. If it leaves a team with 7 players, the team then forfeits the game.
F) A team must have 8 players for an official game and may borrow from an opposing team with the opposing manager's consent, or may borrow a player from another team, also with the opposing manager's consent. If the team's 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player reverts back to his team. If the borrowed player is from a different team he will be allowed to finish the game. A borrowed player must play outfield only. A team choosing or forced to play a game with 8 players due to unavailability of sanctioned players must take an out in the 9th batters position, the opposing manager can nullify this rule if he chooses to do so, then the team with 8 players will not have to take the out in the 9th batting position.
1) In the event a team has fewer than 8 players, a forfeit shall automatically be declared and a win awarded to the opposing team.
2) Forfeit time shall be the regularly scheduled game time plus fifteen (15) minutes.
3) Penalty for forfeit-see Sect. 9,A)
G) All players may be substituted for defensively at any time, between innings without affecting the player's offensive status in the line-up.
1)In the event a team disbands during the season, players can be acquired by another team if they wish. If any player wishes not to play further he may, at the discretion of the League Board, have the registration fee refunded on a prorated basis, up to ½ the registration fee. No refunds will be allowed after July 15 for summer league. No refunds will be allowed after October 1 for fall league.
2) In the event a player quits, or is suspended from play with an active team, during the season, all of that players' fees will be forfeited.
3) In the event a player is asked to leave a team at the request of the manager and/or the rest of the team, any refund of player's fees will be made by the team, at the discretion of the team's manager.
H) In the event that, during the season, a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team, he may do so. No other player can be taken from the existing team without the consent of the existing team's manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without the respective team manager's approval and also the approval of the League Board.
I) Final team rosters must have no less the fifteen (15) players-this rule reduces the incidence of forfeits due to insufficient number of sanctioned players.
IV) PLAYERS' BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
A)The league has the right to suspend or expel any team member who abuses League rules or who does not exhibit GOOD sportsmanship or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.
B) ZERO TOLERANCE for BEER AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ILLEGAL DRUGS: use of these will not be permitted either on the field or in the vicinity around the field. This rule is directed toward players, umpires, spectators, family members, League Officials, and others. Players that use alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs prior to, or during, or after their game (while in the vicinity of the field, parking lot, park grounds, bleachers) WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE LEAGUE IMMEDIATELY FOR THE SEASON. CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBIT THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ILLEGAL DRUGS ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND CITY PROPERTIES, THE NABL AND THE NABA WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS ACTIVITY. Players, managers, umpires, and others that are allowed on the field are prohibited from using tobacco products, in any form, within five hundred (500) feet of home plate in any direction. Penalty for players and managers who break this rule will be: 1st offense-2 game suspension, 2nd offense-immediate seasonal expulsion with forfeiture of League fees. All spectators and others who are found to be using tobacco products will be asked to refrain. Local laws prohibit use of tobacco products on School properties and in certain city parks.
C)Any manager/player that throws a bat from batters box area in reaction to an umpires call will be ejected with possible suspension.
D) An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game.
E) Use of profane language is prohibited, players/managers can be removed from the field for violating this rule.
F) Players must not intentionally collide with any other player.
1) 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 slide or give up their right to a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving the base line) 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.
2) The base runner need not slide if he is sure that he can legally and safely reach base. If the runner decides not to slide and collides with the fielder, the runner will be called out. If the runner chooses not to slide and reaches the base without colliding with the fielder, but disrupts a throw in any way, from that fielder to an additional base (that throw being an attempt to record an out at that additional base) the runner will be called out for interference. The runner attempting to reach or having reached that base the throw was directed will also be call out due to the interference call against the first runner.
3) 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 impeed (obstruct) the base runner's right to the base. Under such circumstances, the defensive player shall be responsible to avoid any 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)Use of unnecessary rough tactics in the play of the game against the body of a person of the opposing player: players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended for a minimum of three (3) games (INCLUDING the present game)up to the whole season, with forfeit of all league fees.
F) All Team Managers must recognize their responsibility to the League and to the Perpetuity of is so as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager has the right at any time to question a player's eligibility to play. If a manager wants to question the eligibility of a player, he must do so thru the Home Plate Umpire. The umpire will request proof of the player(s) in question. If proof can not be made the player(s) in question must sit down and not participate in that game. All managers will have a roster of their team (the manager's copy of the player's PARTICIPANT (AFFILIATE) CONTRACT is meant for this use) along with an available ID, AT THE GAME, a picture ID is preferred, e.g. driver's license. If an under age player is detected, that player will be considered an ineligible participant and be removed from the field immediately.
PENALTY: An ineligible player's name will be entered on a “suspended” list and not be allowed to play in the League for two (2) years. A manager judged to have foreknowledge of a player's ineligibility shall be suspended for two (2) years. It is the managers responsibility to prove his innocence to the League Board.
In all cases above the manager/player will forfeit the League fee, except in the case of an under-age player. An under age player will forfeit $15.00 per game he played in up to the total amount he paid, the League will return the remainder if any.
G) Team managers will present a legible line-up sheet, with all players listed, at the plate meeting before each game. Managers can trade lists at this time. Players first name or initial then last name, player's jersey number, and player's position number, are the items to be listed on the line-up sheet.
H) Team managers will present a legible line-up sheet, with all present players listed, to the official score-keeper. The game will not start until this is done. Managers must report to the score-keeper the change of a pitcher and the pitcher's name, prior to the first pitch that pitcher throws. Items to be listed on the line-up sheet are: player's first name (or initial), player's last name, jersey number, player's position number.
V) COURTESY RUNNERS: for pitcher and catcher positions only
A) Teams must use the player that made the last batter out as a courtesy runner, unless the last batter out was the pitcher or catcher, then select next prior batter out. Courtesy runners must be used after the pitcher/catcher has reached the farthest base available to him and before the opposing pitcher makes the first pitch to the next batter. Otherwise the courtesy runner privilege is forfeited.
VI) PITCHERS
A) No pitcher while pitching may wear white or gray long sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.
B) A pitcher is allowed to hit only four (4) batters in any 9 inning game, three (3) batters in any 7 inning game. He then must be removed from the mound immediately after the fourth (4th) batter (third 3rd batter in 7 innings) is hit with a pitch. If in the event it is determined by an umpire that a pitcher intentionally hit a batter, the pitcher shall automatically be removed from the game, and a minimum one (1) game suspension shall follow the game in which the event occurred. If the batter was hit in the head, neck or shoulder area, the suspension shall be for three (3) games subject to review by the League which may impose a shorter suspension. If the pitcher is determined to have violated this rule a second time, he shall be suspended from the League for the remainder of the season.
C)If a pitcher is removed by the manager or decides on his own not to continue to pitch due to injury or fatigue etc. that pitcher CAN NOT re-enter as a pitcher later in the game, but may re-enter to play any other position.
VII) FIELDERS
A) Infielders are not allowed to decoy a throw or catch. If a decoy throw or catch is detected, all runners shall be allowed to advance one (1) base beyond the base held after all play stops. If the same fielder decoys twice in the same game, the fielder shall be expelled from the game. Decoying is referred to as a false catch or throw done in an attempt to get the runner to slide unnecessarily, where no strategic value is gained, and no close play was apparent at the base or plate. This call is the umpire's discretion.
VIII) EX-PRO STATUS AND REGULATIONS
A) Ex-pro players must make NABL aware of their past professional career.
B) A player must be out of Professional Baseball for three (3) complete seasons before becoming eligible to participate in the NABL. Professional Baseball refers to the Minor and Major Leagues. Players please remit pro team(s) played for during career and release dates. Players not reporting this information may cause their teams to forfeit games that the ex-pro has played in.
IX) GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
A) PROTESTS-All protests should be made to the League within twenty four (24) hours of the game the protested incident occurred. All protests shall be decided by the League Board.
B) Only registered NABL players are eligible for all NABL sanctioned games and NABA Regional and National Tournaments.
C) In order for a player to quality and participate in his team's Tournament/Playoff games in July or August, the player must be under Contract, listed on the roster of this team, and have his League fees paid in full by June 30th of the season.
X) CODE OF CONDUCT
A) PROHIBITIONS- Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:
1) Lay a hand upon, shove, strike, or threaten an official (umpire, board member or anyone under our jurisdiction). Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately expelled from the field and suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the League Board. Players and managers found guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the season, with forfeiture of the League fees, or expulsion for life.
2)Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager or spectator; before, during, or after a game. Players/Managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game, and expulsion from the league. Forfeit of all league fees.
3) Be guilty of verbal, abusive language toward any player, manager, official, board member (or anyone under our jurisdiction) or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Penalty: first offense: player/manager may be ejected from the game. Second offense: minimum 3 game suspension. Third offense: suspended for the rest of the season with loss of league fees.
4) Refuse to abide by an official's decision: Players/managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the League Board. Players and managers guilty of this violation will be suspended from one (1) game to the entire season. League fees will be forfeited for each game suspension and in case of seasonal suspension, all his League fees will be forfeited.
5) Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official's decision: Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be suspended from further play in that game.
6) ONLY a manager / manager designate are authorized to discuss a call by a game official. Players guilty of this conduct may be ejected from the game.
7) Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs before or during a game; or being upon the field of play at any time, in an alcohol or drug intoxicated condition are grounds for seasonal expulsion with forfeiture of League fees paid.
WARNING: Some of the situations mentioned above can be prosecuted in courts of law as felonies. Calls to 911 and/or to State Highway Patrol Office are encouraged by the NABL in situations where serious law violations have or are about to happen. The NABL Board strives at all time to bring to the public a well organized baseball program that is recreational yet competitive, with safety and the player's welfare uppermost in the design and implementation of this Baseball League.
B) GRIEVANCES, PROTESTS AND APPEALS
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 in writing. The League shall adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken.
2) An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the Board by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted in writing. However, all decisions by the Board are final.
DISCLAIMER
This document attempts to clarify and simplify as many rules as possible. The intent is to eliminate loopholes so that any one team does not receive an unfair advantage over another. IN THE EVENT, AN ISSUE, matter, or circumstance has not been addressed here-in, the NABL reserves the right to resolve said occurrence in the best interest of the League as a whole, in the spirit of the game of Baseball and with impartiality to all participants.
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