ABL Baseball, Inc. Rules and Regulations

Executive Board:

President: Chris Soriano

Vice President: Mike Trombetta; (718) 619-5825

Treasurer: Ryan Soriano; (347) 216-1078

Scheduling: Matt Dascoli; (917) 715-9811

Human Resources: Nick Portera

Secretary: Dan Tompkins

Director: Rob Breazzano

Board of Directors:

Director: Ray Irizarry

Director: Joe Macklin

Director: Matt Martino

Director: Robert Muccio

League Email: registration@ablny.com

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Table of Contents
ABL Baseball, Inc. Ocial Rules and Regulations

Section 1. Team Fees
Subsection 1. Payment Due Date

Section 2. Schedule & Blackout Dates

Subsection

Subsection Section 3. Forfeits Subsection

Subsection

Subsection Section 4. Rosters Subsection

Subsection Subsection Subsection Subsection

1. Finalizing Blackout Dates 2. All-League Blackout Dates

1. What is a “Forfeit”
2. Forfeits Allowed & Covering Umpires 3. Finding a Possible Replacement

& Playo Eligibility
1. Roster Size
2. Submitting an Ocial Roster 3. Playing in Multiple Divisions 4. Age Requirement
5. Qualifying for Playos

Section 5. In-Game & On-Field Rules/Misconduct
Subsection 1. Time Limit and Mercy Rule
Subsection 2. Alcohol and Drug Use
Subsection 3. Ejections and Suspensions
Subsection 4. Proper On-FieldAttire
Subsection 5. Coaching Sta and Eligible Persons On-Field Subsection 6. Derogatory Language

Subsection 7. On Field Play
Section 6. Team Stats/Lineup Cards/Courtesy Runners

Subsection 1. Uploading Team and Player Stats Subsection 2. Writing an Acceptable Lineup Card Subsection 3. Courtesy Runners

Section 7. Additional Rules & Regulations Subsection 1. Amendments

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Section 1. Team Fees
Subsection 1. Payment Due Date

• ❖  Each team MUST be paid in full BEFORE their first scheduled game, otherwise they will not receive their season schedule.

• ❖  Spring/Summer and Fall season fees are subject to change the following year and may not be the same as the prior season.

• ❖  Once teams are paid in full, they will receive their full schedule.

• ❖  Team league fees and any deposit given to the league before the

  season are NON REFUNDABLE

  Section 2. Schedule/Blackout Dates Subsection 1. Finalizing Blackout Dates

  ❖ Each team must supply blackout dates prior to the schedule being made.

  • ➢  If teams do not supply blackout dates prior to scheduling, they will not

    be able to request any rescheduling during the season, that is unless

    there is a personal emergency. NO EXCEPTIONS!

  • ➢  Once the schedule is released, teams will only have

    maximum of three days to look it over and check that the league blacked out the dates that they submitted. After the three days, there will be no more changes to any teams’ schedules.

    Subsection 2. All-League Blackout Dates

• ❖  July 3-5 will be blacked out from entire league play. There will be no games played during the July 4th weekend.

• ❖  There will also be no games scheduled for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Memorial Day, unless teams request to play.

  Section 3. Forfeits
  Subsection 1. What is a “Forfeit”

  ❖ A forfeit, under league rule, is when a team cannot field at least 8 players for their game, thus resulting in a forfeit.

  ➢ Teams must let the league know at least ONE WEEK in advance if they cannot play. Any notice under a week will not be accommodated, and the team will be given a forfeit.

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Subsection 2. Forfeits Allowed & Covering Umpires
❖ THREE (3) forfeits will result in automatic termination from the

league for the remainder of the current season, no matter how late in the season the second forfeit occurs. The team will be allowed to reenter the league next season.

Subsection 3. Finding a Possible Replacement

❖ The league will look to find an available replacement for a team if they can’t play, however, if a replacement cannot be found the game will be marked as a forfeit. If the league is able to find a replacement, the original team will be given a proper make-up game later in the year.

Section 4. Rosters/Playoff Eligibility Subsection 1. Roster Size

❖ Each team will be required to carry a minimum of 15 players, with a maximum of 30 per roster.

Subsection 2. Submitting an Official Roster
❖ Rosters must be handed in BEFORE the first scheduled game, with

no additions after the third week of the league season.
➢ Players’ birth dates must be listed next to the player so that the

league can verify their age at any given moment.

Subsection 3. “On Call List”

• ❖  All Cali-Rugg Division teams will be required to give the league a maximum

  of three (3) players that can be called upon if another team is short players.

  These three players can NOT be pitchers or catchers!

• ❖  Both divisions may call upon ny three (3) players from the list. You can not call

  any more than three!

• ❖  As league rule states, you can play a game with eight (8) players, so you are

  only allowed to pull any three players if it gives your team eight players. For example, if a team only has five (5) players showing up to a game, they may call down three players from the “On Call List.” If you have less than five players, you can NOT call any more than three players, thus resulting in a forfeit, unless your team can produce more players.

  Subsection 4. Age Requirement

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❖ Must be at least 17 years of age at the start of the season to be eligible to play in the league, no younger! NO EXCEPTIONS!

➢ Photo IDs must be available at all times during games if a certain player’s age is questioned. Team’s manager will be required to maintain up to date credentials.

• A) If the player in question fails or refuses to deliver a valid ID, said player must be removed from the game, which in this case would constitute the same as an ejection, and the player will be fined $25, which must be paid before their team’s next game.

• B) If the player in question complies with the request and produces an ID and the birth date on the photo ID does not match the birth date listed on the team’s roster, said player(s) must be removed from the game, which in this case would constitute the same as an ejection, and the player(s) will be fined $25, which must be paid before their team’s next game.

• C) If it is determined that the player(s) in question were underage at the time of play, action will then be taken by the league Board of Directors to determine whether the player is able to play in the league, with a decision being made within five (5) days.

  **Both the player and the team’s manager will be notified of the decision** Subsection 5. Qualifying for Playoffs

• ❖  To qualify for playoffs during the Spring/Summer season, a player must have either 13 innings pitched or 17 plate appearances. An acceptable plate appearance is defined as the batter seeing at least one (1) pitch.

  **(one or the other, does not need to have both)**

• ❖  To qualify for playoffs during the Fall Season, a player must have

  either 8 innings pitched or 12 plate appearances. An acceptable plate appearance is defined as the batter seeing at least one (1) pitch.

  **(one or the other, does not need to have both)**

  Section 5. In-Game/On-Field Rules/Misconduct Subsection 1. Time Limit and Mercy Rule

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• ❖  All games will follow a 2:15 (2 hrs + 15 min) time limit, with no new inning allowed to start after such time.

• ❖  Once the 2:15 time limit is up, the game is official, no matter what inning the game is in. A game is deemed official either once the 2:15 time limit hits or four innings have been played, whichever comes first.

  ➢ Playoffs will continue to follow a 2:15 time limit, with the Championship having no time limit.

• ❖  The league will follow a 10-run mercy rule after five innings.

➢ If the visiting team is leading by 10+ runs in the fifth inning or

later, the game will continue until the home team gets their chance on offense.

■ If the home team scores enough runs to cut the visiting team’s lead to nine (9) runs or fewer, the next inning will be played, barring a time limit.

➢ If the home team is leading by 10+ runs at any point in the game during the fifth inning or later, the game will be called as the mercy rule will be in effect.

■ If the home team is leading by nine (9) runs at any point in the fifth inning or later and the tenth (10) run crosses the plate, the game will end immediately and the home team will be the winners.

Subsection 2. Alcohol and Drug Use

❖ Any alcohol and/or drug use (vapes, marijuana, cigarettes, etc.) during games will result in either an immediate forfeit if multiple players (more than 3) are taking part, or an immediate ejection(s) if no more than three players are at fault, no matter the score or the inning. If a player feels the need to go smoke a cigarette or vape, the player must do so outside of the dugout. Marijuana will not be permitted in or around the dugout and the complex in general. The Board of Directors will hold a meeting in the coming days to determine any suspensions.

Subsection 3. Ejections and Suspensions
❖ If a player is ejected at any time during a game, that player must leave

the premises immediately.

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• ❖  There will be a $25 fine after a player’s first violation of in-game behavior (umpire ejection, drug/alcohol use, etc.). The fine must be paid before the player’s next game. If the player is ejected during the first game of a doubleheader, the player must pay the fine before the second game or he will NOT be permitted to play.

• ❖  A two-game suspension will be handed out after a second violation, on top of another $25 fine, which must be paid prior to the next game.

• ❖  If there is to be a third violation, the player(s) will be thrown out of the league, with the Board of Directors holding a meeting within five (5) days to determine if the player(s) will be allowed back in the league. There are absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS!

  Subsection 4. Proper On-Field Attire

❖ Teams are REQUIRED to wear a proper uniform (jersey top, baseball

hat, and baseball pants), however, if a player does not have a jersey top, they must wear a t-shirt representing the team’s color or a plain black t-shirt. If the player(s) are not wearing a plain black t-shirt or a t-shirt representing their team’s color, said player(s) will not be permitted to play until they do so.

• ➢  Baseball pants are required in order to play, and if a player does not have baseball pants, they will not be permitted to play.
  NO EXCEPTIONS!

• ➢  Under no circumstance is a player allowed to wear another player’s jersey!

  Subsection 5. Coaching Staff and Eligible Persons On-Field

❖ Only one manager, two coaches, and one bookkeeper who must be

listed as so on the roster, are permitted in the dugout. Anybody else who is in the dugout and is not a manager or a coach will result in the game being held up until said person(s) exit the dugout.

➢ All teams will be given a copy of these rules upon the start of the season, so if any team has unlisted people continuously in their dugout even after it being brought to their attention, it will be a $25 fine each time thereafter.

Subsection 6. Derogatory Language/Behavior

❖ Any use of racial and/or homophobic language, as well as derogatory behavior toward one’s religion or ethnic background, will be

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immediately removed from the game and the complex and will be suspended for the remainder of the year, with a Board of Directors meeting being held within five (5) days to determine if said person(s) will be allowed back in the league.

➢ If at any time a player yells any racial and/or homophobic slur during a game, whether it be across the field to their teammates, at an opposing player, or even the umpire, said player(s) will be ejected IMMEDIATELY (either by the umpires or the Director on Duty, whichever personnel hears the slur being used first), resulting in a $25 fine. The Board of Directors will hold a meeting within five (5) days to look at and discuss the incident to determine if any suspensions will be added on top of the player’s $25 fine.

Subsection 7. On Field Play

❖ We will follow the MLB collision and interference rules. There can be NO interference or malicious contact. According to MLB rules:

• ➢  Malicious Contact: “An act that involves excessive force with an opponent.” The penalty is ejection for the offender. A sign that excessive force might be involved is when the fielder holding the ball ends up on the ground.

• ➢  Interference: Fielders have a right to occupy any space needed to catch or field a batted ball and also must not be hindered while attempting to field a thrown ball. If any member of the batting team (including the coaches) interferes with a fielder’s right of way to field a batted ball, the batter shall be declared out.

• ➢  MLB Slide Rule: The slide rule prohibits runners from using a “roll block” or attempting to initiate contact with the fielder by elevating and kicking his leg above the fielder’s knee, throwing his arm or his upper body or grabbing the fielder.

  ❖ NO offensive conferences will be allowed! NO EXCEPTIONS!
  ➢ A conference is a meeting involving the coach or any non-playing

  representative. Such offensive conferences are prohibited. ❖ Batter’s Box Rule: The batter must remain in the batter’s box

  between pitches unless he is granted time from the umpire.

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• ❖  There is a NO “must slide rule.”

• ❖  Obstruction is NOT allowed!

➢ Obstruction is an act (intentional or unintentional, as well as physical or verbal) by a fielder, any member of the defensive team or its team personnel that hinders a runner or changes the pattern of play or when a catcher or fielder hinders a batter. When obstruction occurs, the ball becomes dead at the end of playing action and the umpire has authority to determine which base or bases shall be awarded the runners according to the rule violated.

❖ Fake tags are NOT allowed! A fake tag is an act by a defensive player without the ball that simulates a tag. A fake tag is considered obstruction. A fake tag violation also occurs when the fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base the runner he is attempting to achieve.

Section 6. Team Stats/Lineup Cards/Baserunners Subsection 1. Team and Player Stats

❖ Each team is REQUIRED to input their team stats either after their game has concluded or before their next game is played. Team’s will be given the login to input their stats, however, they are NOT allowed to add or remove from their rosters, or else the team will be fined $50. Any roster changes must be given to a League Director, and they will input those changes.

➢ Teams must still send in a copy of their scorebooks after their games, so that the League’s Board of Directors can compare the stats that are put online to the stats that are in the scorebook.

Subsection 2. Writing an Acceptable Lineup Card

• ❖  A clear/proper lineup card must consist of each player’s first name and last name, along with their uniform number.

• ❖  Teams are allowed to bat as many players as they choose:
  ➢ A player who is labeled as a “DH” cannot play the field, but

  may be substituted for. The league will follow Major League Baseball’s “DH Rule”

■ The DH must be selected prior to the game, and that

selected hitter must come to bat at least one time -- unless

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• ➢  Any player(s) labeled as “EP” (extra player) are allowed to go in and out of the field as many times as possible throughout the game.

• ➢  Labeling your pitcher as a “P/DH” will allow that player to stay in the game as the “DH” even after they are done pitching. See the Shohei Ohtani Rule.

■ Shohei Ohtani Rule: A rule that allows the pitcher to be assigned to the designated hitter spot in the batting order and to remain as the designated hitter even if replaced on the mound by another pitcher.

❖ Each team is allowed ONE re-entry per player:

• ➢  If a team uses a line‐up that contains more than nine (9)

  players, all starting players may be removed and re‐enter the game once, but must re‐enter in their original position in the batting order.

• ➢  A team may only re-enter a player back into the same spot in the lineup that he was originally in.

■ Non‐starters are not allowed to re‐enter.
● When a starter re‐enters, the player that was

subbed into the starter’s batting position in the
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batting order must be removed from the game and

is ineligible for the remainder of the game.
■ In regards to an ejection, teams must IMMEDIATELY

replace that player with any bench player that has yet to get into the game at the time of the ejection.

● A team may not wait the entire game to insert a bench player after an ejection, as it will be too late to do so.

■ Once a re-entry is made, the previously substituted player will be finished for the remainder of the game.

❖ Once the game becomes an official game (after four (4) full innings), a team may not add to their lineup.

➢ If a team starts their game with eight (8) players and the ninth (9) player arrives with two outs in the fourth inning, that player may be added to the bottom of the lineup. If that player shows up after the fourth inning is over, they may not be added to the bottom of the lineup, but instead they can be substituted for any of the eight (8) players on the lineup card. The number nine spot in the batting order will still be an out.

**Each teams rosters will be made available to all teams, as well as umpires, for instances such as this**

Subsection 3. Courtesy Runners
❖ Teams are allowed to run for any two (2) players in their lineup

• ➢  When writing out the lineup cards, you must circle the player’s name you are running for when selecting a courtesy runner, not the batting number on the lineup card.

• ➢  The courtesy runner is married to the specific player that they run for the first time around.

• ➢  Courtesy runners only apply to starters in the lineup, not incoming bench players (unless they are a pitcher or catcher).

• ➢  Team’s may exercise their courtesy runners at any time during the inning.

• ➢  If a team chooses not to grant their catcher a courtesy runner, the catcher MUST be taken off the bases if there are two outs in the inning. This will be done to move the game along.

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❖ When granting a courtesy runner, a team must use their bench players first. If the team does not have any players on the bench then the courtesy runner becomes the last recorded out (not batted out).

Section 7. Additional Rules & Regulations Subsection 1. Amendments

❖ ABL will be following MLB rules with the following exceptions: ➢ Shifts are allowed

➢ Bases will be the same size as previous years ➢ Pitch clocks will NOT be used
➢ No “3 batter minimum” pitcher rule

**These Rules and Regulations shall be placed in full force and effect upon approval of the Board of Directors of ABL Baseball, Inc. and shall then supersede all previous Rules and Regulations.**

Rules Updated and Ratified March 1, 2024