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High Desert Men's Baseball League Rules and Policies
SPORTSMANSHIP & STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR:
Managers:
As a team manager, you represent your team to other teams and the HDMBL. Be a responsible manager. If you have questions, about rules or other problems call you’re League President or a member of the HDABL Board. They are there to help you during the season.
Player Conduct:
Control yourself and your players. Make sure your players know the rules that affect them. Good sportsmanship is expected of every player. It is up to each player to make the game competitive and enjoyable for the other players, managers, and umpires that participate, as well as for friends, family and other spectators who come to watch. Fighting and/or physical abuse of players, umpires, or spectators, or abusive language directed at players, umpires, or spectators will not be tolerated by HDMBL.
Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco:
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND/OR DRUGS ARE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED ON HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES BY A VARIETY OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY AND STATE LAWS. IN ADDITION, THE HDMBL EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND/OR DRUGS IN THE VICINITY (INCLUDING PARKING LOTS) OF ANY FIELD USED BY THE HDMBL SO AS TO AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF VIOLATING THESE LAWS. THIS APPLIES TO ALL MANAGERS, PLAYERS, COACHES, AS WELL AS FANS, FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS OR SPECTATORS THAT COME TO GAMES. ANY MANAGER OR PLAYER FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THESE RULES MAYBE SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY.
BEHAVIOR TOWARD UMPIRES:
Umpires shall not to be physically or verbally abused. If you have a complaint about an umpire's call, explain it to him. If you are reasonable, they will be reasonable. If problems develops between you and an umpire, notify the League President and/or HDMBL Board and provide them with the umpire's name.
VERBAL ABUSE OR PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE PERSON OF AN UMPIRE OR THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY (i.e., automobile, equipment, etc.) IN ANY WAY IS FORBIDDEN BY HDMBL AND WILL BE DEALT WITH BY A MINIMUM 3 GAME SUSPENSIONS, SEASON EXPULSION, OR PERMANENT EXPULSION FROM THE HDMBL AS WELL A POLICE REPORT FILED IN THE JURISDICTION THE ASSAULT OCCURRED.
FORFEITED GAMES:
Teams forfeiting games at game time are responsible for paying both umpires. Failure to pay umpires may result in a one game suspension for the manager. The suspension may apply to the manager even if they are not in attendance.
After forfeiting a game, a team has until 5:00 p.m. three (3) days before its next scheduled game to submit payment to the League President for umpire's fee for a forfeited game. Failure to do so within the allotted time will result in the next game being declared a forfeit. Failure to submit payment before the next scheduled game will result in a 2nd forfeit, and possible suspension of the team from league play. Upon forfeiture of a third game, the team will forfeit its entire fee and be expelled from the league.
EQUIPMENT
BASEBALLS & BATS:
Each team is required to provide three brand new baseballs per game to the home plate umpire. The Official approved HDMABL baseball is the Diamond D1NABA Baseball, designed exclusively for the HDMBL AND NABA.
All wood and composite wood are allowed for league play. Any bat found to be corked and/or modified for a hitters advantage will not be tolerated and the player will be subject to suspension and/or EXPELLED from of the league.
UNIFORMS:
The required minimum uniform for a team consists of matching shirts with individual numbers. No shorts, cutoffs, sweat pants, workout pants, or jeans are allowed. Any player that does not have a matching uniform “jersey” will not be allowed to play. Pool players filling in for a team have the option to wear either their own team uniform or the matching uniform of the team they are playing for.
SHOES:
Metal spikes, plastic and rubber cleats are approved for HDMBL games. Any player found to be wearing deliberately sharpened spikes would be subject to ejection and possible suspension from the league.
HELMETS:
All batters must wear a protective helmet that has at least one earflap facing the pitcher. Players will not be allowed to run bases without a helmet.
All catchers must wear a protective helmet while playing their position. No catcher will be allowed to assume that position without protective headgear that is provided by his own team. The umpires will enforce this rule. There are no exceptions, waivers, or special circumstances.
Players not wearing a protective helmet will not be allowed to continue in the game until they have corrected the problem.
SCHEDULE:
The schedule issued by the League President is the official schedule. Managers may not cancel, postpone or otherwise reschedule games by themselves. The League President must make all adjustments to the schedule. The League President cannot possibly accommodate all special requests for particular times and play dates for every team but the schedule will be balanced so that every team has approximately the same number of "home" games as "visitor" games. HDMBL will do its best to accommodate teams the best we can.
Schedule changes, if necessary, will be made by phone calls, email and/or on the website. All schedule changes are official when published or updated. In most cases, these changes are listed at least five (5) days in advance so your players can be notified. Keep these updates for reference. If you feel you have missed, any updates be sure to contact your League President or the HDMBL Board immediately.
Canceled games are games taken off the schedule because a team has dropped out of the league or a team has declared it is unable to field a team for a game and is forfeiting it. These games are not rescheduled. Postponed games are games postponed due to rain and field conditions. The HDMBL makes every attempt to reschedule these games, however, rescheduling is not guaranteed.
GAME TIMES & TIME LIMITS:
The HDMBL games will consists of 9 innings or 3 hours, whichever comes first. No new inning may begin after the 3-hour point of a 9-inning game. If 3 hours have elapsed before a regulation game then the game shall be considered a regulation game. Any inning started before 3 hours must be completed. Extra innings may be played to break ties within the 3-hour time limit, with no new inning to begin after the 3-hour mark. The umpires will announce the official time. IT IS THE MANAGER’S RESPONSIBILITY AT THE HOME PLATE MEETING TO DETERMINE OFFICIAL START TIME FROM THE UMPIRES, AND TO AGREE ON WHO IS HOLDING THE OFFICIAL CLOCK. Any game ending in a tie after 3 hours will remain a tie in the standings. A game suspended for any other reason will be completed at a later date if it has a bearing on the final standings.
A forfeited game occurs when one team is unable to field enough players (8) at game time. There is a 15-minute grace period with a run being accessed at game time. The forfeiting team is responsible for paying both umpires and must pay at least one umpire at forfeit time or the manager faces a one game suspension.
EIGHT PLAYER START RULE:
Teams may START AND COMPLETE any game with only 8 players and do so without penalty of a forfeit. The team with 8 players must record an out in the ninth spot (it must be the ninth spot only) one time for that game. No additional outs for the 9th player will be held throughout the game.
Given the fact that everyone has come to play ball, eight players will be enough to start a game. Because both teams are playing, both teams are still responsible for paying their share of the umpire's fees. The team starting with 8 players is not liable for payment of all umpire fees. THE GAME SHALL BE CONSIDERED AN OFFICIAL GAME AND THEREFORE PAYMENT OF THE UMPIRES IS TO BE MADE BY BOTH TEAMS AS IF THEY EACH HAD 9 OR MORE PLAYERS TO START THE GAME. IF NINE PLAYERS ARE AVAILABLE, THE TEAM MUST START WITH ALL NINE PLAYERS AND ARE NOT PERMITTED TO "HOLD ONE BACK." Games started with both teams having eight players will be played as defined by the Eight Man Start Rule and both teams will pay the umpires the full fee at the start of the game.
EJECTIONS:
Any game that a player gets ejected a team has 5 minutes to put a substitute from the bench in the game. If the team is able to use a substitute player who has not been in the hitting line up there is no penalty for the team. If a team has no substitutes to take the ejected players spot in the batting order an out will be recorded in the ejected players spot in the lineup (only once). Teams must finish the game with a minimum of 8 players. Failure to do so will result as a forfeit. If a player is ejected the manager must notify the League President or HDMBL Board.
LINEUP CARDS:
Each team is required to provide a lineup card to the home plate umpire and to the opposing manager before the start of the game. The lineup card must list the player's first initial and last names and their number. Any player arriving late and not listed on the lineup card must be added to the lineup car in order to play in that game. A player in the game who is not listed on the lineup card will be removed from the game per HDMBL rules. As a precaution, it is best to list all eligible players on your lineup card including those players that are expected to arrive late or not at all.
Managers must notify the umpires and the opposing team of all offensive substitutions and pitching changes when they are made. If a change is not announced, the game will be stopped upon question and both benches notified of the change.
OFFENSIVE LINEUP:
A team may elect, for the entire game, to bat a minimum of 10 players. If a team only has 9 players show up they will not be penalized for the 10th batter. All managers have the option to hit their whole lineup or add players to the bottom of the lineup at any time during the game if desired. The manager is not allowed to remove any player from the lineup during the game if that player is in the batting lineup.
COURTESY RUNNER:
Three players per team per game may have another player run for them in the event they reach base. Those that require the courtesy runners are called non-runners ("NR"). The courtesy runner will always be a player NOT in the batting order first. That player is only allowed to run one time per inning. If there are no bench runners then the last recorded out is the runner. The last out may run multiple times in one inning. The three players who will not run must be designated as such before the game begins on the lineup card with the "NR" symbol next to their name. There is a speed-up rule allowing runners for the pitcher or catcher with 2 outs to have a courtesy runner if elected but the same rules apply as stated above. This is not up to the managers to agree on. This rule will be strictly enforced. On cold days a player may wear a jacket while running the bases. Defensive players and batters cannot wear a jacket, pullover, or any kind of sweatshirt over there jersey. However, it is acceptable to wear under the jersey. Play will not continue until this issue is resolved.
NO COLLISION/SLIDE RULE:
The HDMBL has a No Collision/Slide Rule. The intent of this rule is to ensure the safety of the all players. 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. A runner must slide and be able to touch the base with at least one part of his body or peel off in order to allow the defensive player the opportunity to complete the play. Plays at the plate, the runner must slide into home plate or attempt to avoid contact with the catcher or any other defensive player trying to make a play. Failure to do so will be an automatic ejection from the game.
DEFENSIVE LINEUP:
All teams have the option to substitute freely on the field in any defensive position except for the pitcher. A pitcher may leave the mound for another position on the field or on the bench but may return only once to their position as pitcher. Violating this pitcher's rule does not constitute a forfeit, although the pitcher must leave the mound immediately. Free substitution on the field does not affect the batting order. Defensive positions need not be listed on the line-up card except for the pitcher.
RUN RULE (Mercy Rule):
There is a 10-run rule that takes effect at the completion of the 5th or any ensuing inning of a 9-inning game. If the home team is ahead by 10 runs after 5th innings, the game is complete. No exceptions!!! If a game is called due to darkness (umpires discretion), the score will revert to the last official scored inning. If the game has completed 5 innings or the bottom of the 5th with the home team ahead it will be deemed an official game.
REPORTING SCORES:
Home team keeps the “official book.” The scorekeeper on the visiting team should compare books after each inning to avoid disputes on the score later in the game. BOTH TEAMS are required to report the score and a text message with a photo of the score book for that game to the League President no later than 5:00 p.m. on the following Monday. Game results may appear in the local newspaper. Since we are keeping stats, it is important that all scores be reported. If a game is postponed, the Home team is to report this to the Score line. Failure to call in the game scores will result in a team not being credited with a game played. Do not call the local newspaper with your score; call the League President or their Score line. If the line is busy, try again. It is always best to text your scores in before you leave the field.
PROTEST AND SUSPENSIONS
"NO PROTEST SHALL BE PERMITTED ON JUDGMENT DECISIONS BY THE UMPIRE. IN ALL PROTESTED GAMES, THE DECISION OF THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT IS FINAL. EVEN IF IT IS HELD THAT THE PROTESTED DECISION VIOLATED THE RULES, NO REPLAY OF THE GAME SHALL BE ORDERED UNLESS, IN THE OPINION OF THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT, THE VIOLATION ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE PROTESTING TEAM’S CHANCES OF WINNING THE GAME."
1. Alcohol/Drugs: Any player violating league rules concerning alcohol may receive a three game suspension; a second violation may result in that player's expulsion from league for that season.
2. Fighting: Any player involved in fighting, physical or verbal abuse, including but not limited to physical threats, racial epithets, foul or abusive language, toward another player or manager, may receive up to a three game suspension, possible season expulsion and/or other penalties that may apply.
3. Verbal abuse or physical contact with an umpire: minimum of a three game suspension, season expulsion, and/or permanent expulsion from the HDMBL.
4. Managers may also be suspended for pitchers throwing at opposing batters.
5. Throwing equipment to express displeasure at an umpire's call may result in a warning or an immediate ejection from the umpire.
6. If a pitcher hits 5 batters in a game or 3 batters in an inning with a fastball that pitcher shall be removed from the pitching position.
DROPPED TEAMS:
On occasion, a team may have to be dropped from league play, due to either league suspension or the inability to field a team. Teams dropped during the season are subject to loss of player fees. After notification to the League President that a team has dropped from the league, that team's next scheduled game is a forfeit loss. All their remaining games are canceled and their record becomes frozen after recording the forfeit loss. The HDMBL will attempt to reschedule games between those teams who lose games due to cancellation by the dropping team
LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:
The top 8 teams in the HDMBL will have a single elimination post-season playoff to determine an overall league champion. The Championship series will consist of a single nine inning game and double header (both games 9 innings) if necessary. All HDMBL rules apply with the exception that games cannot end in a tie. The Mercy Rule is in effect for all league playoff games except for the championship games. In order for a player to be eligible for playoffs, that player must be on his team’s roster (checked by HDMBL Board) by the designated date set by the HDMBL.
AGE REQUIREMENTS:
HDMBL is a 18 and over league. A manager may challenge an opposing players age at any given point of the game. If a player is does not show the proper documents (drivers license, passport, or state issued ID) that player will not be allowed to participate. If a player under the age limit is proven under age that team will forfeit all games played buy that player. Players can be 17 as long as that player turns 18 before or on December 31st during that calendar year. No exceptions. Once a player is rostered with a team you are on that team. The League President and the Board are the only personnel allowed to move a player to a different team due to conflict with the player and the manager of that team.
HDMBL Rights:
The HDMBL President and/or Board has the right to refuse any team, player, or manager the opportunity to play in the High Desert Adult Baseball League without providing a warning or reason. The HDMBL hopes that this doesn’t happen. But necessary actions will be taken to ensure the credibility and safety of the league. If a person or team is discharged from the league, they will forfeit their entry fees and will not be refunded. No player will be allowed to step foot on any HDMBL field without filling out the HDMBL-NABA insurance and liability form. This is the manager’s responsibility to make sure this done. If a player plays without filling out the proper documents, that team will forfeit that game, and any game that player has played in. The League President and HDMBL Board will monitor this closely.
