+38 Montgomery Division Rules

Boston Amateur Baseball League

Rules for the 2025 Season

We play by Official Baseball League rules, with the following exceptions:

1. Rule Intent Enforcement

   • When written rules conflict with their intent, the intent will be enforced.

2. Official League Baseballs

   • Home team provides the first six balls.

   • Additional balls shared equally by both teams.

3. Team Uniforms

   • All teams must wear reasonable uniforms with unique numbers.

   • Uniforms must meet Official Baseball Rules standards.

   • Team names must be approved by the league and not duplicated within the same division.

4. Mandatory Helmets

   • All batters, on-deck batters, base runners, and base coaches must wear helmets.

5. Cleats

   • Metal cleats are permitted.

6. Bats

   • Only wood bats, including composites, are allowed (no metal bats).  See below for more info if needed. 

   • NOTE: BABL Wood bat league rule [Wood or Wood Composite Bats only are alowed]
      
         *Allowed wood bat types: Only wooden bats are permitted in BABL games.
             1. Maple
             2. Ash
             3. Birch
             4. Bamboo
             5. Hickory 

         * NOT allowed bat types:

     1. Metal Bats  

     2. Laminated or Experimental Bats:

     3. Bats made from laminated wood or experimental designs are prohibited unless they have received approval from the BABL Advisors

     4. Bats with Excessive Pine Tar: [ Pine tar can only be applied up to 18 inches from the bottom of the handle. If it extends beyond this limit, the bat is not allowed in the game]

     5. Bats Exceeding Size Limits: [Bats must be no more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches in length]

7. Game Player Requirements

   • Teams need a minimum of eight players to start a game.

   • A 15-minute grace period is allowed if a team has fewer than eight players.

   • If the eighth player does not arrive in 15 minutes, the game is a forfeit.

8. Batting Order Flexibility

   • Managers can bat as many players as they want, with a minimum of nine.

   • Batters can be added at any time but cannot be skipped or removed from the lineup.

9. A/B Alternating Line-up Option

   • Managers may use an alternating A/B lineup.

   • Players 70+ cannot be thrown out at first on a batted ball reaching the outfield grass.

9A. A/B Runners Rules - Runners can steal, advance on passed balls/wild pitches, and play like any other base occupant.

9B. Courtesy Runners - Teams are allowed two courtesy runners identified before the game. - Courtesy runners must be the last batted out and cannot steal or advance on passed balls/wild pitches.

10. Player Substitution for Injury/Commitment

    • Reserve players not previously hitting must substitute injured or committed players.

    • If no reserve is available, the vacated spot is skipped without penalty.

    • If a player is ejected, and no eligible replacement is available, an out is recorded each time their spot is up in the batting order.

11. Pitcher Re-entry Rules

    • A pitcher who changes defensive positions can pitch again but not in the same inning.

12. Collision Avoidance

    • Base runners must avoid collisions with fielders.

    • Umpires can rule runners out and may eject players for deliberate collisions.

13. Fake Bunting

    • No fake bunting allowed. Batters must either bunt or take the pitch.

14. Decoy Throws/Catches

    • Decoying throws/catches is prohibited.

    • Runners advance one base for each decoy. Repeat offenders will be ejected.

15. Pitcher Hit-By-Pitch Limit

    • Pitchers must be removed after hitting four batters in a game.

16. No Hidden Ball Trick

    • Hidden ball trick is not allowed.

17. Game Duration

    • Games are 7 innings with a three-hour limit.

    • An official game is called after 4 innings (or 3 1/2 if the home team is leading).

18. Game Rescheduling

    • Games can only be rescheduled with league president’s permission.

    • Managers must notify the league 72 hours before if rescheduling is needed.

19. Forfeit Rules

    • Three forfeits can lead to expulsion from the league.

    • Forfeiting teams must pay umpires before their next game.

20. League Standings

    • Determined by a point system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.

21. Roster Deadlines

    • Preliminary rosters due at the April manager's meeting.

    • Final rosters due by July 15, 2025.

22. Updated Rule Statements for +38 Leagues Rules (2026)

    1. Playoff Eligibility Requirement (Updated for 2026)

    Players must participate in at least half of the regular‑season games to qualify for playoff eligibility (e.g., 10 games in a 20‑game season). If the total number of scheduled games changes, the eligibility threshold will adjust proportionally. League officials and coaches are responsible for maintaining clear, accurate participation records to prevent disputes over player eligibility.

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    2. Attendance Tracking Policy (Updated for 2026)

    Attendance credit will be granted only to players who are present at the game in uniform and available to play. Players in street clothes or otherwise unavailable are not to be marked as attending. Coaches must accurately record attendance for their teams; tracking opposing team attendance is not required.

    ---

    3. Exceptions and Eligibility Disputes (Updated for 2026)

    Medical or personal exceptions to playoff eligibility requirements are not permitted, per rule changes approved at the in‑person league meeting. Any disputes regarding playoff eligibility will be resolved by a panel of division advisors, whose decision will be final.

23. Post-Season Eligibility

    • Players must be registered by August 1, 2025, and have played in 8 games.

24. Age Eligibility

    • Players must be 38 or older by December 31, 2025.

    • Two underage players (37+) allowed per team, but they cannot pitch.

25. Post-Game Lineup Posting

    • Managers must post lineups immediately after games to the website.

    • Roster updates must happen within a week of the final game result.

26. Designated Hitter (DH) Rules

    • One DH allowed, used only for a pitcher.

    • Pitchers do not have to bat regardless of when they enter the game.

27. Alcohol Prohibition

    • No beer or alcoholic beverages allowed at the field.

28. Player Transfers

    • Players cannot switch teams without consent from both managers and league approval.

29. Previous Year’s Debts

    • Players must pay previous year's debts before joining a new team.

30. Dugout and Field Upkeep

    • Home team chooses dugout. Visiting team starts infield practice 35 minutes before game time.

    • Teams are responsible for field upkeep and must leave the field cleaner than they found it.

31. Fighting

    • Fighting before, during, or after a game results in a six-game suspension.

32. Umpire Striking

    • Striking an umpire results in a one-year suspension or expulsion from the league.

33. League Officers

    • Officers responsible for protests, rules interpretations, or grievances are Greg Davis, Paul Harrington, Moe Gomez.

NOTE: COVID season: Additional Rules for 2021 Season

33. Waiver Requirement

    • All players, managers, coaches, and umpires must sign a waiver.

34. Face Masks

    • Face masks must be worn by all players, managers, coaches, and umpires before, during, and after the game.

35. Social Distancing

    • All participants must practice social distancing to the best of their ability.

36. Mound Meetings

    • Meetings at the pitcher's mound limited to manager, pitcher, and catcher, maintaining safe distance.

37. No Spitting

    • No spitting on the field or on the ball.

38. No Post-Game Handshakes

    • No handshakes after the game.