Monterey Bay MABL Rules
RULES AND REGULATIONS
This league was created to provide for men and women 18 and over 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 at the responsibility of the individual league President and his officers and anyone who abuses the league’s code can be suspended or expelled from the league. These rules were established to serve as guidelines for all local league affiliates.
Any rules and/or regulations that are not explicitly stated in the “League Bylaws” revert to the MABL National Rulebook (https://msblnational.com/msbl-mabl-national-tournament-rules/). Any rules and/or regulations not explicitly stated in the League Bylaws and MABL National Rule Book revert to the MLB Rulebook.
INDEX
1. Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs and Other Equipment
2. Game Length, Run Rule and Rain-Outs
3. Teams, Players and Line-Ups
4. Player 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
RULES
1. UNIFORMS, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS
1.a 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 teammates uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsors name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt.
a.1. No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent. A player is deemed out of uniform if: He does not have a team jersey. Although teams are encouraged to have matching hats, pants and socks; these are not grounds for being “out of uniform.”
a.2. All teams should have their uniforms by their third game. A grace period should be extended for newly activated players (1 game).
1.b All batters and runners must wear helmets with at least one ear flap facing the pitcher 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 helmet underneath their mask. The same rule will apply for all national tournament play.
1.c Each team should bring a minimum of 3 balls to each game. Only balls provided by the local league will be permitted.
1.d Only wood bats are allowed. The maximum bat differential established by the National organization is a minus 3 for any type of metal or aluminum bat. If a player uses a bat exceeding this differential and a protest is made, the offending batter will be declared an out.
1.e Metal cleats are permitted.
2. GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE AND RAIN-OUTS
2.a All games are 9 innings – with no time limit and a 12-inning maximum
Exceptions to this rule:
1st game of a 2x header at any field (no new inning after 3 Hrs)
Playoff games (no inning limit, mercy rule or time limit)
Re: darkness - 7 innings complete – umpires discretion
Re: rain - 5 innings complete.
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.
2.b If there is a 12-run discrepancy at the end of 5 innings or 10 runs after 7 innings the game will be ruled final at this point. This rule will not pertain to playoff games.
2.c Any games rained out will not be re-scheduled by the league but may be made up at any time not conflicting with previously scheduled games. All make-up games must be agreed to by both managers and league notification must take place. Rain out games must be made up in order of cancellations. Games that are not played to completion per league standards will resume where they left off if and when they are made up. Final league standings will be determined by win/loss percentage. Ties will be decided by runs differential 1st, & head-to-head 2nd head-to-head competition first. If a team has had 2 forfeited games during the regular season they will automatically be eliminated from playoff eligibility.
2.d In the event of rain, it is the responsibility of the scheduled “home team” to notify the league president of field conditions and possible cancellation of game, at least 2 hours before scheduled game time. In the event such notification does not take place, the home team solely will be responsible for any travel fees imposed by the umpiring organization ($40 per ump)
2.e If a team must forfeit a game; they are responsible for paying each umpire $40 to cover travel costs unless they notify the president at least 3 hours prior to game time.
3. TEAMS, PLAYERS AND LINEUPS
3.a As of 2020 players that have "signed a waiver" for any team in the league may play on other teams. Must be agreed upon by both team manager's. Player is to be placed at bottom of lineup, and cannot replace players currently on team (if present). They may also play the game to completion regardless if temporary filling in.
3.b A player is eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game on the date of their 18th birthday.
3.c 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 season (Fall and Summer are considered separate seasons) shall be regarded as a new player. A new player acquired by a team through that team’s own recruiting efforts shall be subject to the control of the team and not the league. Players added once the season has started must be announced to the President by phone 24 hours prior to game time. If not notified, the offending team will forfeit any game the new player participates in.
3.d Team rosters must be submitted to the league and all managers by midnight before the day before the game is to be played.
3.e All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed waiver forms. These must be submitted to the League President. Teams have a 1 game grace period for submitting these to the League President. If a player competes in a 2nd game and the president does not have his waiver on file the offending team will forfeit the game.
3.f A team manager may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 10 (subject to the number of players available, if less than 10). Batters may exit the lineup with no out assessed if they have a previous engagement, an injury or an illness. If a player must leave the game and a reserve player is available, the reserve player must take his spot in the batting order. If a player is ejected from a game an out will be assessed his next time through the lineup (if a reserve player is not available to take his spot in the batting order) then his spot will be skipped. If a team has only 9 (nine) players and therefore bats only 9, the opposing team will have the option of batting 9 as well.
3.g A manager may add batters to the bottom of the lineup at any time but if a batter is pinch hit or run for (except under courtesy runners as outlined in section 5), the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter or runner but may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher. Added players to the bottom of the lineup may be added as individual hitters or as A/B. Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both.
3.h 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 except in the case of a player leaving early for a previous engagement, an illness or injury and no reserve player is available to take his spot in the batting order. Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit for, just as any other player.
3.i All teams must announce offensive additions, substitutions, and/or changes to opposing team manager and/or scorekeeper prior to the at bat. Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a legal substitution.
If a team fails to announce an offensive addition/change, the player will be called out as soon as he occupies the batter’s box and the lineup will revert back to the lineup in effect prior to the player entering the game. The unannounced player will not have officially entered the offensive lineup and is therefore still available offensively even though an out has been assessed. Teams have 3 outs to catch any batting order errors. If 3 outs have passed since the infraction, the batting order will remain as is. If a player is skipped he/she will no longer be able to bat if the error is discovered after 3 outs but before his next at bat ends. If the error is caught before 3 outs have passed then the game will revert back to the skipped player’s at bat. The skipped player will bat then the player who hit out of order will be called out and the next batter in the lineup will bat.
Example: Team A is batting 12 players and wishes to add a player to the bottom of the lineup (Player 13). Player 13 walks to the plate and is not announced to the opposing team or umpire. Once this player occupies his position in the batter’s box, the umpire will immediately call him out for an illegal substitution and it will then go back to the number 1 position in the lineup. Player 13 is still available to be added to the lineup legally. A team has 3 outs after the infraction to catch the error if the umpire does not catch it.
3.i If a player is forced to leave a game due to ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the ejected hitter’s place. If there are no reserves who 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. If a player must leave the game due to injury or prior commitment and there is no one to take his spot in the batting order, his spot is skipped over with no penalty of an out. If a player has recently been added to the bottom of the lineup or in another player’s spot in the batting order and a player hitting before him must leave the game prior to the added player having an at bat. The player added must hit in the recently vacated spot (This does not apply to ejections). Ejected players may no longer participate in the game as a batter, coach or fielder. Ejected players must leave the field of play. Ejected players / coaches may not sit in the stands.
3.j A team must have 8 players for an official game and may borrow a player 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.
3.k All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the players offensive status in the line-up. If the pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the course of the game, but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position after being removed or no position at all.
3.l No player may switch teams during or after a season without the consent of both managers and the league president. If this does not meet with approval, the player must sit out one season from competition. Fall and summer are considered separate seasons. After sitting out one season, the player can play for any team he wishes. Alternatively a player may submit a free agent request to the league president and continue to play for his current team for the remainder of the season. A free agent request must be submitted no later than 3 games into the season and must be signed by the player’s current manager and the player seeking free agency. In the event a team disbands during the season or at season’s conclusion, all players will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team. If a player is not invited back by his manager, he must be given his release so that he may go to the team of his choosing or re-enter the draft. If a player owes team fees to his previous manager and wishes to switch teams, he/she must pay the fees in full before switching teams.
3.m In the event 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.
3.n Final team playoff rosters must have no less than 12 players. Final team playoff rosters are due 48 hours prior to a teams first playoff game.
3.o Last names must be used in the scorebook to allow for player identification for follow up inquiries that relate to playoff and national tournament participation requiring minimum playing requirements.
4. PLAYERS BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
4.a There will be no: alcoholic beverages, smoking, chewing tobacco audible profanity* permitted at the field before, during or after the game. The field refers to the general playing area and ancillary areas (In view of the school / city property) (Includes parking lots)
*Audible profanity definition: speaking of sexual acts, speaking of using drugs, speaking of drinking alcohol, curse words loud enough for fans or people living near the field of play can hear. Punishment will include warning then ejection and possible suspension.
4.b 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, fans, the field of play / school / city property or other players.
4.c An umpire/league president has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game.
4.d Fighting among players/umpire/fans or aggressive physical contact (including throwing at batters) with a player/umpire/fans will not be tolerated and players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league.
4.e The rules committee is concerned about possible unnecessary and violent collisions that may occur with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all bases. The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions whenever possible.
a. When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge:
(1) Whether the collision by the runner or fielder was avoidable (could the runner have reached the base without colliding) or unavoidable (the runner’s path to the base was blocked) or
(2) Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate) or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder.
PENALTY—If the runner, a) could have avoided the collision and reached the base, or b) attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.
(3) If the fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner may make contact or slide into, a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate.
(4) If the collision by the runner was flagrant, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest. The ball shall be declared dead.
b. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The runner is safe and an immediate dead ball shall be called.
(1) If the base runner collides flagrantly, the runner shall be declared safe on the obstruction, but will be ejected from the contest. The ball is dead.
c. Decoy Rule
Any fielder may use a decoy only if it serves a strategic purpose. For example, if a fielder, who sees a man attempting to steal second base during a hit and run, looks upward into the sky and says that he’s got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on ground is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing.
However, if a fielder fakes a tag, forcing a player to slide, the runner will be ruled safe and all runners will advance one base.
This is entirely an umpire judgment decision and not a rule that may be protested.
d. Force Play Slide Rule
The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs.
a. On any force play or play at a base, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.
Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder.
(1) “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.
(2) “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.
(3) If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
b. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:
(1) Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or
(2) Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play.
(3) Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.
(4) When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (a) make contact with, or (b) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
c. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:
(1) The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder;
(2) The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
(3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;
(4) The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder;
(a) Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.
(5) The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg;
(6) The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play.
PENALTY:
(1) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner (in a force play situation), shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.
(2) With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.
(3) If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest.
(4) If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.
4.f Each league 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.g 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 and residence must be mailed to the manager who lodged his protest by Friday of the following week. If an under age player is detected, penalties whether to the individual or team will be decided by the league president and board of directors. As a national precedent, the penalties will be forfeiture of all games in which the under-age player participated in and a minimum two-year suspension. If the manager had prior knowledge, he is subject to similar suspension.
5. COURTESY RUNNERS
5.a Players that will need courtesy runners, must have their manager notify the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed a maximum of 2 players per game who can be run for each time that they reach base. The individual who runs for these player(s) needing a courtesy runner is not determined ahead of time. It is always the last batted out who must run for the person needing the courtesy runner. Once the game begins and the full complement of 2 courtesy runners has not been used, if a player sustains an injury, an additional courtesy runner may be used. In the event a player becomes injured during the game and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) have already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed. If a batter (designated as needing a courtesy runner) opts to run, or forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game. The offensive team that is replacing the courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. If the runner is not replaced within this time period, the original runner must run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game. The 30 second time limit will begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow replacement for the runner. Catchers may have courtesy runners with 2 outs.
6. PITCHERS
6.a No player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.
6.b One intentional walk per game will be allowed.
6.c If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batsman.
6.d There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week.
7. EX-PRO STATUS AND REGULATIONS
7.a Current professional and ex-professional players may participate in league games, they do not have to sit out 3 years.
8. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
8.a Playoff tiebreaks - Head to head, then Runs for minus Runs allowed differential (entire regular season). A forfeit will eliminate a team from runs for minus runs allowed differential. Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team. Individual leagues should evaluate circumstances before rendering a decision.
8.b All protests should be lodged to the league protest committee/board within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made. The league board of directors and/or protest committee shall decide all protests. If a protest is upheld the game will be replayed from the point of protest. Both teams must pay each umpire an additional fee for showing up to the replayed game.
8.c Only MSBL and MABL leagues are eligible for all MSBL and MABL sanctioned regional and national tournaments, unless waived by national tournament committee.
8.d Determination of eligibility to participate in MSBL regional and national tournament competition will be based solely on the decision of MSBL National Tournament Rules Committee. In general, no player will be allowed to participate in a regional or national tournament unless the player has participated in at least 50% of his regular season MSBL/MABL games.
8.e Player playoff Qualification (must participate in # of regular season games)
Players must play 25% of regular season games
Example:
20 games: 5 games
19 games: 5 games
18 games: 5 games
17 games: 5 games
16 games: 4 games
15 games: 4 games
Games played will be monitored via league website. Players games played must be posted on the website within 48 hours after game played. If a player participates in a game as a fielder or pitcher and does not get an at bat in a regular season game; the team’s manager must make sure his appearance is noted in the opposing managers scorebook.
8.f. If a team has more than 14 players they must pay an additional $26 / player above 14 to the league. They have a one game grace period for this. If the league does not have the $26 dollar fee in hand by the 2nd game the charge will be $40. If the league does not have the $40 fee in hand by the 3rd game the offending team cannot allow the player to participate.
9. CODE OF CONDUCT
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 or strike, or threaten an official, manager or player. Players and 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 board of directors. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
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 his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
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. Repeat offenders will be suspended.
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.
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.
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 their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
7.Be guilty of verbal abusive attack 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 their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.
8.Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be upon the field of play, dugout or school / city grouds at any time in an intoxicated condition. 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. Includes fans.
9.Smoke or chew on the field of play, in the dugout, stands or school grounds. Players guilty of such conduct shall be issued a warning followed by immediate ejection from further participation in the game. Includes fans.
10. If players have been on another team's roster in previous seasons a manager cannot approach/recruit from other teams - this equals suspension.
If a player wants to leave their team, it requires managers approval, and all fees/equipment paid and returned.
Players have 4 weeks after championship game to give notice to leave a team by their own free will, anytime after requires manager approval.
1.The board of directors may, by vote of the majority of the directors, 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.
2.Except as otherwise provided, the commissioners shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and shall report their decision to the player, manager and the board of directors.
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.
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.
5.Fighting – Immediate ejection of aggressor + 2yr to life suspension (If a player is defending himself he is not subject to suspension. If a player instigates the aggressor (through verbal abuse, body language etc..) he is subject to penalty
6.Violent threats – Immediate ejection + suspension for remainder of current season (minimum 5 games). If less than 5 games left in current season will carry over to next season.
7.Chewing tobacco / Cigarettes – Warning then ejection. Anywhere on or with in view of school / field property, including parking lots
8.Alcohol / Illicit drugs – Ejection + 2yr suspension. Anywhere on or with in view of school / field property, including parking lots
9.Loud Music / Driving Fast – Warning then forfeit of game. Do not fraternize in parking lot after games.
10.Finding remnants after a game of (chew, illicit drugs, alcohol, cigarettes) anywhere on the school / field property will subject team(s) to forfeit of game and possible expulsion from the league
11.Fans in violation of any of the previously mentioned penalties (warning and/or removal from the premise then forfeit of game.
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 commissioner or appropriate board. The commissioner shall adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the board of directors.
2.An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the board of directors by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted. However, all decisions by the board of directors are final and not subject to appeal.
3.Teams have 3 outs from the time of a batting order / offensive substitution / pitching substitution error to report the infraction. Once reported the game will be replayed from the point of error.
