WALLINGFORD TWILIGHT LEAGUE

RULES & REGULATIONS FOR 2018

LEAGUE OFFICIALS/OFFICERS

President- Tom Hanley

Umpire-In-Chief: ARNIE MANN 203-281-6730

                                                        203-535-8241

AFFILIATION

The League is affiliated with the Connecticut Amateur Baseball Congress (CABC), the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) 

Teams participate in the Stan Musial Division of the CABC and AABC 

. The AABC no longer requires forms and/or fees for former professional players

The League is NOT responsible for any expenses incurred by any team that participates in CABC, AABC

    3)       LEAGUE AND GAME RULES

A) The length of games is seven (7) innings. In the case of darkness and/or inclement         weather, the game will be considered official if the Home Team is ahead after 4 ½ innings or if the Visiting Team is ahead after 5 completed innings or if the game is tied after 5 completed innings.

In case of playoff game is necessary to determine the league’s regular season champions or determine post season tournament representation, the playoff game must complete in full (at least 7 innings). In the event of a stoppage of play at any point for any reason, the game will be suspended and then completed at the earliest date and time starting from the point of suspension.

To qualify for post season tournament play with the CABC, AABC,  (thus representing the league), a team must complete its full schedule of 20 regular season games for the 2018 season.

The batting order will consist of up to 10 batters. If the original lineup is 9, it is allowed to extend to 10 during the game.  It is permitted to use DH for any two position players. There is no re-entry in the order and the amount of batters in the lineup must stay the same throughout the game. There is free substitution in the field, with the exception of pitcher.

To also qualify for post season tournament play, a player must play a minimum of 4 regular season games.

Any team from the league that forfeits out of the  aabc tournament will not be eligible for either tournament for the next season. If any team advances in any post season level (For example: to the AABC Regional/World Series or NABF World Series) and does not attend that next level, that team will not be eligible for either tournament for the next season.

The Home Team’s score book is the official scorebook at all league games. Initial line-ups must be recorded in that book. Once the game has started, all line-up changes must be reported to the other team and recorded in the home team’s scorebook.

Lineups must consist of players last name and 

H) natural wood bats are the only bats allowed in league play. AABC and Rules for bats must be checked concerning post season tournament play.

Speed-Up and courtesy runner Rule: A runner may be used for a catcher on base at any time in order to speed up the progress of a game. Last batted out only for the catcher. Each team is allotted one non runner and same rule applies for the non runner. Last batted out. If a pinch runner (player not in lineup) is used then that player bats in that position for remainder of game.

Mercy Rule: IF the score reaches a 10 run lead after 4 ½ innings with the home team ahead of a full 5 innings with the visiting team ahead, the game will be terminated.

Protests: The following rules apply:

Any protest must be made by the Team Manager to the Home Plate Umpire before the next pitch or next play.

Double Flap protective NOC approved helmets must be worn at bat and on the bases.

The league has adopted the Rawlings baseball as our recognized official league baseball for the 2018 season. Each team is being given 5 dozen game balls, any need for any more balls will come from team, cost is $50 per dozen. If home team cannot supply adequate game balls, it will be umpires discretion to rule a forfeit.

Forfeit fee: In the event of a forfeited game, the offending team must reimburse the league a $150 forfeit fee before its next scheduled game.

Two forfeits will disqualify a team from further league play. All games scheduled after the disqualification will be recorded as forfeit wins. All league games played prior to the disqualification will stand as wins and losses.

Umpires will be paid $75 per game. In the even that one umpire works a game alone, that umpire will receive a fee of $100.

Any misrepresentation by a team results in an automatic removal of that team.

Any team that tampers with another team’s players will be eliminated from post season play and the manager can be disciplined up to and including suspension for the following season.

C) All teams must be uniformed in at least matching shirts and hats, baseball pants and stirrup hose and/or colored soccer styled socks. Umpires will strictly enforce this rule unless there is a threat of forfeit.

E) The league has obtained Liability and Medical Accident insurance coverage. Teams are responsible for providing league with any and all certificate holders, such as field permitees and sponsors. Frazier Insurance will be the insurance provider and cost was included in league fee.

F) All rosters are considered “open” during league regular season play.

G) No new inning may begin after 10:15 pm, and no new inning may begin after 8pm in the late Sunday games. Exception being if the early game was delayed or if the game hasn’t reached the 5th inning.

5) Conduct and Discipline

                    A) Sportsmanship: Managers, coaches, players, and sponsors are expected to conduct . Ejections are punishable by discipline up to and Including suspension. 

                     B) Teams are responsible for cleanliness of dugouts, please bring own garbage bag and

Remove all bottles, tape and other trash.

6) LEAGUE SCHEDULE AND STANDINGS

     A)League standings are based on the point system with each win counting for 2 points and each tie amounting to 1 point. 

B) Tie Breakers will be decided by head to head results.

C) Bids to Tournaments will be offered according to the final league standings (via total points) in order of total finish.

D) In the event of inclement weather, the determination or decision by the home manager must be made by the deadline of 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start-time of the game and also must be immediately communicated to the opposing manager and Umpire-in-Chief Arnie Mann.

E) Make-ups of postponed games are the scheduling responsibility of the opposing managers. Such postponed games should be rescheduled within 1 week.

F) Winning teams have the responsibility of reporting game results, scores and highlights to the Meriden Record Journal and any other newspaper in order to provide the league and the team sponsors with as much publicity as possible. Winning teams must text, call or email results to league President within one hour of completion in the following manner.

Winning team score

Losing team score

Pitchers of record, team records, brief highlights if applicable. 

7) Playing Fields

    A)The home team will supply the baseballs.

    B)The umpires will use judgment on any player wearing jewelry.

C) Games must start on time. In the event that a team does not have 9 players to start a game, a 15 minute grace period will be allowed for that team to have a chance to come up with another player for that game. In the same event when a double header is scheduled, additional 15 minutes will be provided following the time of the forfeiture of the first game. It is allowable to play with 8 players, after two such occurances, schedule will be altered.