CONSTITUTION

SECTION 1. Name

Article  1.1 The name of the League shall be the National Capital Baseball League.

SECTION 2. Purpose

Article 2.1 (a)  The League shall organize baseball for adults in the National Capital Region which will be both competitive and recreational in nature.

 (b)  The League shall operate separate entities as player demand warrants; for  purposes of this Constitution and By-Laws, we shall use the term “Tier” to refer  to any or all of them.

(c) Where necessary, provisions will be made in this Constitution and the League By-Laws for differences in the operation of the different Tiers.

SECTION 3. League Membership

Article 3.1 The League shall comprise teams in good standing that are located in the National Capital Region and whose applications have been approved by the league

3.2 Each team shall designate one representative (team rep) who shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the League in accordance with this Constitution.

3.3   A new team shall not be entitled to exercise a vote during its first year of  membership in the League.

3.4   All eligible teams may vote on all matters except, where it is determined that the matter in question concerns only a part of the League, only eligible teams of that part or parts may vote.

3.5   “New” teams shall be reviewed after one season of play.  The review is to take place at the annual “winter meeting”.  “Permanent” status and voting privileges shall be granted at the “winter meeting” by majority vote of permanent teams in the League.

3.6   A team shall retain its status as a League member in good standing so long as it conforms with the Constitution, By-Laws, and lawful decisions of the League and discharges its playing and financial obligations to the satisfaction of the League.

3.7   The age limit for players in the League shall be a minimum of sixteen years of  age but where the player’s age is less than eighteen years of age, parental consent  is a mandatory  condition of membership.

3.8   (a)  In accordance with Article 2.1 (a), all players shall be a resident in the  National Capital region, or shall live in such a region that the baseball at the level of the League is not available to them.  No team shall use out-of-town visitors for games, nor shall any team allow a player from outside the National Capital region to take the roster spot of a player from the National Capital region.

(a) Players and/or teams belonging to age groups different than O.B.A. Senior (21 and up) (such as Big League), and players/teams who live in a area governed by another league or governing body (such as the Quebec Federation of Baseball), shall be ineligible for participation unless the following stipulations are met:

1. There is no league or team available to them, or if one exists, they are  indeed registered with them

2. They have the written permission of the league or governing body to leave said or governing body, or written permission to play concurrently in the National Capital Baseball League.  NOTE:  The purpose of this rule is to foster cooperation between the League and Baseball Canada, O.B.A., Q.F.B., and Little League.  Specifically, we do not wish to be seen as “raiding” Big League (16-18) for younger players or teams.  We do not want a team to leave a Big League or Q.F.B. league to play in the NCBL.  This does not affect the NCBL National Capital Crusaders since they are registered with Big League and they play in the NCBL with the permission of Big League.  It might affect an NCBL team if a league is started in Hull/Aylmer/Gatineau

Article 3.9 As a condition of membership in the league, a team implicitly endorses the Constitution and By-Laws of the League, and shall satisfy the League that all players on its roster are eligible under the requirements of Articles 3.7 and 3.8.

3.10   The League itself shall be affiliated with the Ontario Baseball Association (and  therefore also to Baseball Canada) in a manner that is advantageous to the  League.  Member teams are free to increase their own level of affiliation with  O.B.A. on a team-by-team basis.

3.11   As a condition of membership in the League, each team agrees to purchase a  minimum of 10 tickets to the year-end banquet, unless specifically allowed less by majority vote of the League.

SECTION 4. League Administration

Article 4.1 The  Officers of the League shall be the Commissioner, Tier President(s) (one per Tier), Registrar, Treasurer, Secretary, and Discipline Committee Chair.

Article 4.2 The Officers of the League shall hold office for a period of two years on election by a simple majority of a quorum of the League at the winter meeting. 4.2.1  The Commissioner may appoint a replacement for any Officer who is temporarily unable to perform his/her duties.

Article 4.3 Officers may be members of a team but no team may have more than one elected officer position and no team may have more than one vote.

Article 4.4 A quorum of the League and of a Tier shall be a majority of the representatives of the League or Tier respectively.

Article 4.5 (a)  Except as otherwise provided, decisions of the League or a Tier shall be made by a simple majority of the applicable quorum

(b)  In the event of a Tie, the Commissioner shall cast the deciding vote, notwithstanding 4.3.

Article 4.6 As a conditions of membership in the League, each team may be asked to  assume responsibility for an officer position or other function listed in the By-Laws or established by the League, or shall pay to the League a fee in lieu of    accepting  such responsibility as provided in the By-Laws.

Article 4.7 All payment made from League funds shall be by cheque signed by two of the following three officers:  the Commissioner, the Treasurer, and the Secretary.     Only these officers shall have cheque signing authority

Article 4.8 While the League may choose to maintain only one bank account, the treasurer shall provide for separate financial statements for each Tier.

Article 4.9 The financial year of the League shall be November 1 to October 31.

SECTION 5. Powers of the League

Article 5.1 The League is empowered to:
a) amend and enforce the Constitution
b) amend and enforce the By-Laws
c) accept or reject applications for membership
d) suspend or revoke membership in the League and
e) enter into agreements or associations for the benefit of the League.

Article 5.2 The League may elect to discipline any team, player, coach manager, or other  team official for any on-field or off-field activities which, in the opinion of the League, are contrary  to the League interests.

Article 5.3 The use of the name of the League (Article 1.1) is reserved solely for the Officers of the League (Article 4.1) and any misuse of the name of the League  shall be considered contrary  to the League’s interests (Article 5..2) and the person or people responsible for misuse of the name of the League shall be subject to discipline procedures established in the By-Laws of the League.

SECTION 6 Meetings

Article 6.1 The League shall meet not less than twice each year and at locations convenient  to the majority of the representatives.

Article 6.2 The annual “winter meeting” shall be called by the Commissioner not earlier than November 15 and not  later than December 31st, with two week’s notice to  all representatives.  The agenda of the annual “Winter  meeting” shall: include :
· financial statement
· election of officers
· Commissioner’s report
· placement of current teams in Tiers

 Article 6.3 The annual “spring meeting” shall be called by the Commissioner not earlier  than February 15 and not later than March 31, with one week’s notice to all  representatives.  The agenda of the annual “spring” meeting shall include:
· financial update
· propose League budget
· proposed membership fees
· amendments to the Constitution
· revisions of the By-Laws
· assignment of organizational duties
· League composition i.e. membership, applications and revocations, Tier structure and composition

Article 6.4 The Commissioner may call such other meetings as he/she may decide with a minimum of 48 hours notice to the representatives

Article 6.5 The Commissioner shall call a special meeting at the request of three or more representatives within 48 hours notice of the receipt of such request.

SECTION 7. League Officers and Functions

Article 7.1 The officers of the League are:

(a) The Commissioner, who shall have overall responsibility for the operation of the League , and in particular shall:
· call meetings, as required by the Constitution, and other meetings at his/her discretion
· obtain and allocate playing fields and times to Tier Presidents
· obtain umpiring service and represent the League’s interests with the umpiring service
· establish committees or special functions as required and appoint persons to perform such assigned tasks
· act on behalf of the League, subject to appeal, to uphold League discipline as defined in Article 5.2 of the Constitution

 (b)  The Treasurer, who shall receive, hold, and disburse the funds of the League in accordance with the By-Laws and directions of the League.  He/she shall compile statements of the financial status of all Tiers, and do such other things that will ensure the sound financial operation of the League.

 (c) The Secretary, who shall record, distribute and maintain a file of the  minutes of all League meetings.

 (d)  The Tier President(s), who shall be responsible for the baseball operations, including scheduling, re-scheduling, umpire liaison, and communications among the teams of their Tiers.

 (e)  The Registrar, who shall record regular season and playoff rosters for each team in the League, and distribute copies to each team.  The Registrar shall also arrange for mandatory purchase of insurance for each active player, and shall collect waivers of liability in accordance with Article 8.1 of the Constitution.  The Registrar shall settle disputes regarding questions of play eligibility under SECTION 3 of the By-Laws.

 (f)The Discipline Committee Chair, who shall convene and preside over disciplinary proceedings

 SECTION 8 League Liability

 Article 8.1 As a condition of their participation in the League, each player, coach, manager or other official of a team shall indemnify and save harmless the League, it’s executive, and team representatives for any liability arising out of their participation in the League, and if required by the League, shall execute waiver of  liability to that effect.

 Article 8.2 As a consideration of its membership, each team shall indemnify and save harmless the League for any liability arising out of their membership in the League.

 Article 8.3 Where the League provides for the purchase of insurance on a per-player basis, based on team rosters submitted by each team, if a team has not handed in its roster by the agreed-upon deadline, the team, and in particular the team manager  and not the League, shall be held responsible for any liability arising out of that team’s participation in the League.

 SECTION 9 Disbandment

 Article 9.1 To participate  in the current playing year, a team shall deposit with the League a  PERFORMANCE BOND in such amount as the League determines from time to time.

 Article 9.2 The League shall maintain each teams PERFORMANCE BOND as security from which a team`s fines, financial penalties or other financial obligations shall be paid.

 Article  9.3 The PERFORMANCE BOND  is payable in it`s full amount not later than the Annual Spring  Meeting.  If, during the current playing year, a team`s BOND becomes depleted, that team must restore its PERFORMANCE BOND in  full before that team may participate in any future League activity.

 Article  9.4 The  League shall credit each  team in a Tier with that Tier`s financial surplus (as reported in the League`s financial statement, at the Annual Winter Meeting) on a pro rata basis of teams in the Tier, less any financial obligation outstanding on October 31.

 Article 9.5 If a team`s PERFORMANCE BOND has been debited by fines, penalties, etc. the League shall credit the pro rata surplus first against any outstanding financial obligations and then to the team`s PERFORMANCE BOND until the full amount of the PERFORMANCE BOND is restored.

 Article 9.6 Any portion of the Tier surplus remaining to a team after the full amount of the PERFORMANCE BOND has been restored  shall be credited to the team to be applied against fees for the following year, unless the team requests immediate payment.

 Article 9.7  Notwithstanding 9.4, if a team informs the league before the Annual Spring    Meeting that it is disbanding, the League shall pay back the team`s  PERFORMANCE BOND and any other team funds deposited with the League,    less any outstanding financial obligation.

 Article  9.8  If a team decides to disband after the Annual Spring Meeting, or ceases operations during the playing year for any reason, the team
       (a)shall forfeit its PERFORMANCE BOND
       (b)shall not be liable to pay any fee instalment due after the date of disbandment or cessation of operations.

 SECTION 10 Amendment

 Article 10.1 Amendments to the Constitution may only be made at the “winter meeting”, on a  majority vote of the League quorum.

 Article 10.2 Amendments to the By-Laws may be made at any meetings required by the    Constitution, or called by the Commissioner, provided that a notice period of at  least forty-eight (48) hours is provided.

 BY-LAWS

 SECTION 1 League Functions

1.1   Pursuant to Article 7.1, the Commissioner may appoint persons to assume the following responsibilities:

(a) Publicity - report game results, standing and schedules to the media and develop and sustain beneficial contacts to publicize and promote the League

(b) League Statistics - collect, compute as required, compile and make summar reports of Tier standings and individual batting and pitching records.

(c)   Tier Statistics - collect the individual batting and pitching records of the  teams in the Tier and provide them to the League Statistician.

(d)  Awards - conduct the selections for the awards listed, arrange for their presentation, keep an inventory of League trophies and provide for their storage, repair and engraving.

(e)  Annual Banquet - develop agenda and budget and arrange catering, tickets,  permits and location.

(f)  Discipline Panel - comprising two members  from each team, from which the Discipline Committee Chair shall draw three members to act as a Discipline  Committee.

SECTION 2 Playing Rules

By-Law 2.1 Except as provided herein, the playing rules shall be those of Baseball Canada.

By-Law 2.2
(a)A regulation game shall consist of seven innings, and all other rules governing    the end of the game are as in Official Baseball Rules 4.10, with the following additions:  Extra innings are played  in a tie game if and only if time permits.     Should the game be called for reason of curfew, the game shall be considered to   be a  regulation game, regardless of the number of innings played.  Should the    game  be called because of light failure or bad weather before the scheduled end   of the game, it will be replayed if the game was not of regulation length (4 and a  half or 5 innings, depending on score), and will otherwise be considered a  regulation game.  If the umpire calls the game during an inning, the score reverts to the last complete inning.  A regulation game which is tied when the umpire calls the game shall remain tied and shall not be continued or re-scheduled.  NOTE:  Beginning in 2005, playoff games are required to be 7 innings (6 and a half if the home team is ahead) and thus games with a run differential of less than 7 runs, will be suspended and finished later if the game has been called earlier.  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).
(b) Mercy rule of 10 runs after 5 innings to be used in all tiers for all regular season games. (amended at 2007 kick-off meeting)

By-Law 2.3  The time limit for a game shall be as follows: No new inning may begin more than 2 hours and 15 minutes after the start of the game.

By-Law 2.4  (a)  Except for Tier I, a team may play a game with eight players.
(b)(i) When a team begins a game with only 8 players, the ninth spot in the batting order shall be an “automatic out”.  If a team starts a game with 9 players but subsequently drops to 8 due to injury or other circumstances, then the player who leaves the batting order shall be replaced by an “automatic out”.
(b) (ii) The “automatic out” shall be used as follows.  When that spot in the batting order is due to bat, the opposing pitcher shall be on the mound with the ball, and the umpire shall call for a batter..  Upon being informed that this batter is the “automatic out”, the umpire shall declare an “out” and indicate the new number of outs, ending the inning if it is the third out or proceeding to the next batter otherwise.  NOTE:  The way this is to be interpreted is that the “Automatic Out” is not an “out” until the umpire says so.  Say that the 9th spot in the order is an “automatic out”  In the case of the 8th batter making the second out, the ball is still “live” until the pitcher takes his position on the mound with the ball and the umpire declares the third out.  In the case of the 8th batter drawing a two-out walk, for example, teams are reminded that the ball is still in play; the batter is free to go past first base and other runners may try to advance at their own risk, until the umpire declares the “automatic out”, which he can’t do until the play is over (i.e. the batter has touched first base, and the pitcher is on the  mound with the ball.

By-Law 2.5 A team shall be granted fifteen minutes grace beyond the scheduled start time if it has insufficient players.  If after the period of grace, insufficient players remain for one team, the game shall be declared a forfeit.  Where both teams have insufficient players, each team shall be charged with a forfeit, the  game shall be cancelled and replayed only if it has a bearing on the final standings of the League.
(grace period for early games is 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes but there is no change in end times.)

By-Law  2.6 (a)  The score of a forfeited game shall be 7-0.
(b)  Each player on the roster of a team which wins a game by forfeit will each be credited with one game played towards his/her playoff eligibility.  No player on the roster of a team which loses a game by forfeit will be credited with a game played, regardless of whether or not the player was present at the forfeit.

By-Law 2.7 The home team shall for each game:
(a)  Decide the suitability of the field for play.  When conditions warrant cancellation of the game, the home team shall report such cancellation by League phone (226-9684) not less than one and a half ( 1 ½) hours before the scheduled starting time.
(b)  Supply a minimum of three new baseballs for the playing of the game.  Only baseballs approved by the League shall be allowed.
(c)  Supply the bases, and if possible, chalk the lines.
(d)  Prepare the infield for play, particularly the pitcher’s mound and the batter’s box.
(e)  Permit the visiting team first access to the playing field, ten minutes before the start of the game.
(f)  Report to the Commissioner, the absence of an assigned umpire.

By-Law 2.8 If at any time during a game, a team is unable to field the minimum number of  players, a forfeit shall be declared.

By-Law 2.9 When a team loses a player through injury or ejection and no other player remains who has not played in the game, the team may return a player to the line-up except a player who has been ejected from the game.

By-Law 2.10 A player who has returned to the line-up shall take the place in the batting order of the player removed.

By-Law 2.11
(a)  Each team shall be permitted one Designated Hitter (DH) position in the batting order, as in Official Baseball Rules 6.10, except that the League shall  permit the used of a DH for any player in the starting line-up, rather than just for the pitcher.
  (b)  Teams are limited to one DH per game.  That is, a team may elect to use a  DH for (at most) one player.  Failure to elect to use a DH prior to the game precludes the use of a DH for that game.
  (c) A DH may be designated to bat for any one starting player and his/her  subsequent replacements  without otherwise affecting that  players status in the game.  A DH for the player must be selected prior to the game and be  included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire in Chief.
  (d)  The DH named in the starting lineup must come to bat at least one time unless the opposing club changes pitchers.
(e) Pinch hitters and pinch runner may be used for the DH.  Any substitute hitter or runner for the DH becomes the new DH.  A DH may not pinch run.  A replaced DH shall not re-enter the game in any capacity except under conditions of injury or ejection as in By-Law 2.10.
(f) The DH may be used defensively.  He/she would continue to bat in the same position in the batting order, and the player being DH’d for would then bat in place of the substituted defensive player.  (If more than one defensive substitution is made when the DH takes the field, the manager shall immediately  designate their spots in the order).  A DH is locked into the batting order.  No multiple substitutions can be made that will alter the batting rotation of the DH. And once a DH becomes a defensive player, the DH role shall be terminated for the rest of the game.
(g)  A player being DH’d for only pinch hit or pinch run for the DH.  Once the  player who was originally DH’d for comes to bat, the DH role shall be  terminated for the rest of the game, and the player who was performing the DH  role is removed  from the game and shall not re-enter the game in any capacity except under conditions of injury or ejection as in Bay-Law 2.10.
(h) There is one possible conflict with the (f) and (g) above.  Under (f), it could be argued that wile a team is at-bat, the manager could claim to be moving the  DH into the field next inning and thus the player being DH’d for would become a
pinch hitter for the replaced defensive player.  However under (g), the player being DH’d for may not be a pinch hitter or pinch runner for any player except the DH.  It is decided that (g) will take priority  and that player being DH’d for  may not bat for someone besides the DH unless the DH has already played in the field.  Therefore, no manager shall attempt to use the players originally being DH’d for as a pinch hitter or pinch runner for any player except the DH.
(i) NOTE:  Rule clarification at the beginning of the 2005 season, if a team is using a DH, and one of their players leaves the game due to injury or ejection, the DH may be inserted into the field of play if no other players are available on the bench.  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).
 
 

By-Law  2.12      .Before the start of a game, each team shall submit the starting line-up list of players to the opposing manager and to the umpire. The list shall include player uniform numbers and positions. In addition, each team shall identify to the umpires and to the other team, the captain and the field manager who shall be responsible for the conduct of the team and they shall be the sole persons permitted to question an umpire's application of the rules. Any player on the team's roster can be used as a substitute regardless of when that player arrives at the game.

By-Law 2.13 The League heartily endorses strict enforcement  of Official Baseball Rules 4.06,4.07,4.08,9.01and9.02(a)  In particular,the flagrant use of profane or obscene language,and physical contact with an umpire or participant shall be cause for immediate ejection and possible further suspension.

By-Law 2.14 (a)  Further to Official Baseball Rules 8.06 and 3.03:  On a coach or manager’s first mound visit to a pitcher in an inning, he/she may elect to move  the pitcher to another defensive position.  In that case, the player may not return to the mound until the next inning or later.  On a coach or manager’s second mound visit to the  same pitcher in the same inning, he/she must remove the pitcher from the mound. The pitcher may take another defensive position but may not return to the mound  for the remainder of the game.

(b)  In the case of player-managers, such people shall identify themselves to the umpires, and the umpires shall charge a mound visit to the manager whenever he/she leave his/her defensive position to converse with the pitcher.  Attempts to circumvent this rule by having other players talk to the pitcher shall also be charged with a mound visit.

By-Law 2.15 The League recognizes the difficulty in completing 7 innings of play in 2:15 or    2:30.  The following guidelines shall be followed:
  -Games shall start at the scheduled game time, subject to By-Law 2.6, regardless of whether both teams have had a pre-game infield  practice.
  -A home team which does not have the infield ready 20 minutes prior to game time (By-Law 2.8) shall forego their pre-game infield practice.  Given that the  infield is ready, a visiting team which is not  ready 10 minutes prior to game time shall forego their pre-game infield practice.
  -Teams in a game starting at 8:30 should be prepared to forego their pre-game infield practices if the previous game finishes too close to 8:30.
  -Pitchers shall be limited to 5 pitches between innings, unless weather and the umpire’s discretion dictate more.  Pitches thrown to a warm-up catcher count.

SECTION 3 Team Rosters and Registration

By-Law 3.1 (a)  No player may play in any League game unless the player’s name is on a  team’s roster.
(b)  Each team must supply a written roster of its players to the Registrar, 24 hours prior to its first scheduled League game.
(c)  A team that does not comply with (b) shall forfeit all scheduled games until  it does comply.
(d)  Teams may appeal player eligibility and team roster decisions to the League, in extraordinary circumstances.
(e) Teams shall be allowed to add players to the team roster no later than 1 hour before game time

By-Law  3.2 The Registrar shall keep a complete list of all teams’ roster and shall distribute copies to the other teams on request.

By-Law 3.3 Each team shall be permitted to makes changes to the roster in writing to the Registrar,  until 11:59 P.M. on June 30.

By-Law 3.4 A team’s roster on file with the Registrar at 24:00, June 30, is the team’s final roster and no additions may be made to it after June 30.

By-Law 3.5 A player who has been removed from a team’s roster shall not be restored to that roster for the current year.

By-Law 3.6 A player who has been entered on a team’s roster in a season shall remain a  member of that team for the remainder of the playing season unless he/she is  released from his/her team and notification is received by the Registrar.

By-Law 3.7 A player who is denied his/her release from a team may appeal to the  Commissioner.  No player or other member of a team shall engage in the activity of inducing a player to seek his/her release from his/her current team.

By-Law 3.8 No person shall attempt to have playing and/or non-playing roles concurrently  with two or more teams in the League.  For example, no player shall play for two or more teams, no coach/manager shall coach/manage for two or more
teams, and no person shall play for one team and coach/manage for another.The penalty shall be expulsion from the League  for the balance of the season.

By-Law 3.9 Unless otherwise decided by the League, no team shall be permitted to have more than 20 players on its roster.  Teams are permitted to make any number of  roster changes up until 11:59 p.m. on June 30.

By-Law 3.10   A player is eligible for the playoffs in Tier I & II  if
a) the player has at least one plate appearance in at least 33% of  regular season games or
b) the player has faced at least one batter as a pitcher in at least 20% of regular season games.
A player is eligible for the playoffs in Tier III & IV if
a) the player has at least one plate appearance in at least 40% of regular season games or
b) the player has faced at least one batter as a pitcher in at least 20% of regular season games.
NOTE: Beginning in 2005, both sections a) above were amended to include as an official  appearance, any player who has played defensively for at least one out in an inning.  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).

In the event that the number of regular season games multiplied by the percentage required for eligibility does not result in a whole number of games, the result is rounded up, for example 20% of a 22 game regular season is 4.4 games and this is rounded up to 5 games required for eligibility.  **

By-Law 3.11   A player who owes money or other assets to the team with which he/she was last registered is ineligible to play in the League.  If there is a dispute about the existence or extent of indebtedness, the issue shall be referred to the discipline committee for a ruling on the penalty.  **
 

SECTION 4 Standings and Statistics

By-Law 4.1 Each Tier may decide, by majority vote of teams in the Tier, to be divided into Divisions provided that a Division shall comprise of not less than three teams
  Division names by Tier are:
  Tier I  Wallace and Jordan
  Tier II  Nicholas and Yanus
  Tier III  Robertson and Darwin
  Tier IV  Jim Dean and Gio Leo

By-Law 4.3 League standings shall be determined according to total number of points, with two points credited for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss.

By-Law 4.4 When at the completion of the regular season:
(a) two teams are tied, the tie shall be broken according to the following  sequence:
(i)  the won-lost record between the tied teams
(ii)  the won-lost record of the tied teams against team in the same division
(iii)  net runs for and against in the games between the tied teams
(iv)  net runs for and against for the total games played by the tied teams
(v)  a sudden death play-off game

(b)  three or more teams tied, the tie shall be broken according to the following sequence:
(i)  the won-lost record among the tied teams
(ii)  the won-lost record of the tied teams against teams in the same division
(iii)  net runs for and against in the games between the tied teams
(iv)  net runs for and against for the total games played by the tied teams

2007 addition
(c) if two teams are tied for the last playoff spot :
(i) an additional game will be played between the 2 tied teams to decide which team will make the playoffs. (this game is to be played under playoff rules but with no tie)

(d) if three or more teams are tied for the last playoff spot :
(i) The tie-breaking sequence in 4.4 (b) shall apply until only two teams remain  tied, then 4.4 (c) shall be applied.

By-Law 4.5 The tie-breaking sequence in 4.4 (b) shall apply until only two teams remain  tied, then 4.4 (a) shall be applied.

By-Law 4.6 At the end of the regular schedule:
 (a)  for Tiers with Divisions, the team with the highest point total shall be declared Division Champions.
(b)  for Tiers without Division, the team with the highest point total  shall be declared Tier Champions.

By-Law 4.7 The team that wins the final playoff series in a Tier shall be declared Tier Playoff Champion.

By-Law 4.8 The batting champion for each Tier shall be the player with the highest batting average for the regular season, calculated as follows:
  - divide the number of hits by official at bats, times 1000.  To qualify, a player must have at least two plate appearances times the number of games played by the team.  Official at bats is the total of hits, out and errors.

By-Law 4.9 The pitching champion for each Tier shall be the pitcher who has the lowest    earned run average for the regular season, calculated as follows:
- divide the number of earned runs allowed by the innings pitched, times seven (7).  To qualify, the player must have pitched at least one quarter (1/4) of the innings played by the team or be the team’s leader in innings pitched.

By-Law 4.10 Each team is responsible for notifying the League’s Publicity Official for each game’s results.

By-Law 4.11 Each team shall provide game and individual statistics in such form and by deadlines established by the League.  Such statistics shall be filed with the Tier Statistician and failure to comply will cause the League to impose a fine in accordance with By-Law 6.2(d). NOTE:  Beginning in 2005, the home team is deemed to be the offical scorer for the game and is responsible for emailing the list of official participants (as per by-law 3.10) from both teams to the internet address deemed by the League (lineup@rogers.com for 2005) within 10 days of the game.  A fine of $25 will automatically be applied if the list is not sent on time. (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).

By-Law 4.12 In recognition of team and individual achievements, the League may make awards, including those listed in Appendix A to these By-Laws.
By-Law 4.13 Should a team become inactive in mid-season, all remaining games are cancelled except:
(i)  if the team has only 5 or fewer games left, all remaining games are awarded to opposing teams and appropriate fines are levied against the team’s performance bond.
(ii)  if the team has played 5 games or fewer games, all games for that team are cancelled, games it previously played are removed from the standings, and the performance bond is forfeited to the League.

By-Law 4.14 Teams that finish in last place, in the regular season, in Tiers I, II, and III shall move to Tiers II, III and IV respectively, in the following season.

By-Law 4.15 Teams that finish in first place, in the regular season, in Tiers II, III, and IV shall move to Tiers I, II, and III respectively in the following season.

By-Law 4.16 Notwithstanding By-Laws 4.14 and 4.15, a team may request to remain in or move to a Tier.  Permission shall be granted if the teams in each Tier affected by  such request agree by majority vote.

By-Law 4.17 A new team shall be placed in a Tier by a majority vote of a quorum of the League at the annual “spring meeting”.

By-Law 4.18 In order to potentially speed up the games, beginning in 2005, a “catcher hurry up rule” may be used at any time the catcher is on base when 2 are out, at the option of the team that is at bat. When 2 are out, the catcher who is on base may be replaced by the player who made the last out. The catcher is still in the game and this is not considered a pinch runner as the last out is already in the game.  If the catcher is replaced by a pinch runner who is not already in the game, this is a substituiton and the catcher is out of the game. The option may be used selectively for a particular occurrence or for the whole game.  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).
 
By-Law 4.19 (amended at 2007 Kick-off meeting)
(a) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 1 starting June 1, 2007
(b) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 2 starting June 1, 2008
(c) In tiers 3 and 4, metal bats are restricted to "-3" maximum beginning in 2008

SECTION 5 Schedules

By-Law 5.1 The home team is responsible for determining  the suitability of field and  weather conditions for play and reporting its decision to cancel a game to the    League Publicity Official via the League HOT LINE (226-9684) not later than 1 ½ hours before the scheduled starting time for the game.

By-Law 5.2 The Tier President is responsible for rescheduling suspended or cancelled games and informing the umpiring service.

By-Law 5.3 The Tier President may try to accommodate both teams on rescheduled games but has the authority to require the teams to play a specified date and time.

By-Law 5.4 At the request of both teams, the Tier President may postpone a scheduled game

SECTION 6 Deposits, Fines, Discipline and Protests

By-Law 6.1
(a)  Each member shall deposit with the League such  fees and Performance  Bond as the League establishes.  Fees shall be applied to field, umpire, baseballs, administration and miscellaneous expenses.  The Performance Bond shall be used for payment of fines and other financial penalties.

 (b)When the League provides for payments in instalments, a team shall not participate in a scheduled game after an instalment date, until the team has paid its instalment.

  .
By-Law 6.2 The League shall impose a fine and a team’s performance bond will be debited in the amount of the fine in accordance with the following schedule.
(a)  $50. Plus the other team’s share of the umpiring charge against a team on each occasion that a team forfeits a game.  On the third forfeit in a season, the team shall be expelled from the League for the remainder of the season.
(b)  $50. against a team on each occasion that the team fails to send a representative to a League meeting..
(c)  $20 against a team on each occasion the team or one of its players has a cheque returned to the League for any reason.
(d)  $50 against a team that fails to provide team statistics in accordance with League instructions.
(e)  $50 against a team that fails to provide final statistics or any other information that the League requires.
(f) Beginning in 2005, $25 against a home team that fails to send the official scorers line-up participation list to the designated League email address (lineup@rogers.com for 2005) within 10 days.  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).
 

By-Law 6.3 The League, on a two-thirds majority vote of its representatives., may impose a  fine against a team for any other reason, including failure to provide timely and accurate scoring summaries or failure to attend a protest or disciplinary hearing.

By-Law 6.4 When, in the opinion of a majority of the representatives of the League, a team  or its representative is not discharging its functions to the satisfaction of the  League, the officer or function responsibility will be removed from that team
and the League may impose fines or other penalties which it feels appropriate.

By-Law 6.5 A team may protest a game because of
(a) an incident that may have influenced the game’s outcome
(b) an umpire’s interpretation of a baseball rule,or
(c) a question about the elegibility of a player.
  Such protests shall be made in accordance with Official Baseball Rule 4.19 and delivered in writing with a $25 fee to the Commissioner within 48 hours of the start of the protested game.

By-Law 6.6 When a player is ejected,the representatives of  both teams playing the game shall report the incident to the Commissioner,providing the player’s name, reason for ejection and the circumstances applying to the incident.  NOTE:  Beginning in 2005, a player may be ejected from a game even after the play of the game has ended. This is treated as a 7th inning ejection.  Examples inclue during cleanup or post game handshakes. .  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).

By-Law 6.7 The following suspensions shall apply automatically over a season without leave to appeal
(a) First ejection : one game if ejection occurs in the last two innings
(b) Second ejection: one game, the next scheduled game
(c) Third ejection::three games, the next three scheduled games.

By-Law 6.8 When a team has been assessed five ejections in a season, the Commissioner shall impose a $50 fine and suspend that team pending review by the  Discipline Committee.

[NOTE : By-Law 6.9 amended at the 2007 Spring League meeting]
By-Law 6.9 Ejections and/or conduct, on or off the playing field, before, during or after the ejections, for the following reasons shall require the Commissioner to impose the following minimum suspensions, and to refer the issue to the Discipline Committee Chair :
(a) indefinite - behaviour detrimental to the interests of the League
(b) 10 games - direct physical abuse of an umpire including but not limited to : pushing, punching, slapping, spitting at, throwing objects at, or any other intentional contact with an umpire in order to intimidate.
(c) 5 games - indirect physical abuse of an umpire including but not limited to : threats of physical abuse, kicking dirt towards or on an umpire, persistent aggressive swearing at an umpire, intentional contact with any umpire's equipment or possessions not on his person.
(d) 3 games - unintentional incidental contact with an umpire during a discussion of a call or a rule interpretation, or during an argument with someone other than the umpire. NOTE : contact is to be interpreted as intentional contact governed by that would normally be considered verbal abuse of the umpire who was contacted.
(e) 3 games - verbal abuse of an umpire including but not limited to aggressive swearing or cursing at or about an umpire. If this verbal abuse becomes persistent, this section will be superseded by by-law 6.9c in order to determine the length of suspension.
(f) 3 games - verbal abouse and/or threats of an umpire off the playing field.
(g) 1 game - fighting
(h) 1 game - instigating a fight
(i) 1 game - persisting in a fight
( For example, a person who starts and persists in a fight shall receive a minimum 3 game suspension)"
(j) 1 game - failing to leave the playing field, players bench or spectators area immediately following ejection.
(k) 5 games – grossly offensive racial comments or sexual orientation insensitive comments;
(l) 1 game – outside of the normal play of the game, throwing a ball or other piece of equipment out of the field of play;
(m) 3 games – outside the normal play of the game, throwing a ball or other piece of equipment at another player (with the intention of  hitting that player)

By-Law 6.10 A person who has served  his/her minimum suspension may resume participation pending a Discipline Committee decision.

By-Law  6.11 When there is
(a) a protest
(b) an alleged infraction of Article 5.3,or
(c) a suspension pursuant to By-Laws 6.8 or 6.9 the Commissioner shall refer the matter to the Discipline Committee Chair.

By-Law 6.12 Pursuant to 6.11,the Discipline Committee Chair shall choose a Discipline Committee comprising three persons from the Discipline Panel who are not  members of teams in the same Tier as the suspended person or team.

By-Law 6.13 The Committee has the power to set its own process to determine the issue but must allow suspended persons or teams the opportunity to present their  case in person if they so wish.

By-Law 6.14 The Committee shall decide by majority vote within five days of the date the Commissioner referred the issue to the Committee Chair.The Committee’s decision shall be made in writing and copied to the Commissioner and the affected parties.

By-Law 6.15 Notwithstanding 6.14, a person or team may, on payment of a $50 fee,appeal the decision of a Discipline Committee to an Appeal Board comprising the Commissioner,the Discipline Committee Chair and a Tier President
appointed by the Commissioner,other than the President of the Tier of which the team or person is a part.

By-Law 6.16 A team or person who loses a protest, or appeal pursuant to 6.15 shall  forfeit the protest or appeal fee.

By-Law 6.17 A team which fails to accept an officer position or function listed in By-Law 1.2   shall pay to the League a sum of $50.

By-Law 6.18 Any application by a new team for membership in the League shall be    accompanied by a $100 deposit.The deposit shall be refunded to the  team if the application is denied,otherwise it shall be applied to the team’s League fees for the upcoming season.Should the team withdraw after having been accepted but before the season starts,the deposit shall be
forfeited to the League.

By-Law 6.19 A player, coach, manager, or other team official shall not wear a uniform, sit on the players’ bench ,coach bases,or particpate in any way  (for example scorekeeping,or managing from the stands) following an ejection, or during
a game for which he/she has been suspended.

By-Law 6.17 If a team uses an ineligible player (where ineligibility is due to any reason,such as roster ineligibility or suspension),the team shall automatically forfeit the game and the team’s coach/manager shall be suspended  for one game.

SECTION 7 Miscellaneous

By-Law 7.1 A team shall outfit its players with complete uniforms of similar color  and    design, with appropriate numbers.  Hats shall be worn at all times by defensive    players (catcher excepted).

By-Law 7.2 No player shall be permitted to bat or be a runner on the base paths without an approved protective helmet with double ear flaps.

By-Law 7.3 There shall be no attempt to injure another player at any time. (NOTE : By-Law 7.3 amended at Spring Meeting 2007)
(a)  In all Tiers, a defensive player shall block a base outside the sliding area at his/her own peril, where sliding area is defined to be the area on the base paths 6 to 8 feet from the base.  Collisions may be unavoidable in the sliding area but must be done without intent to injure.
(b)  If in the judgment of the umpire, player A has performed recklessly or premeditated actions without regard to the safety of player B such that player B is injured, then the umpire shall eject player A from the game; if player A is a base runner when this occurs, player A will be called out regardless of the outcome of the player  NOTE:  In base-running collisions , double-forearm knock downs and the like will be considered to be an attempt to injure.

By-Law 7.4 Members of the teams shall not drink alcohol or consume drugs on the playing field, including the players: and spectators” benches, at any time in the course of a game.

By-Law 7.5 Each team’s on-field manager shall be held completely responsible for knowing,and applying and abiding by the League Constitution and By-Laws.  In the event of his/her absence he/she shall appoint a replacement manager who shall have the same requirement to know the Constitution and By-Laws.  In the event of  automatic suspensions under By-Law 6.7, the League shall not be required to tell the manager or the person involved of the automatic suspension.  The manager must ensure that the person serves the suspension, or be subject to penalties under By-Lay 6.17.

By-Law 7.6 (Metal cleat prohibition) Deleted at the 2001 Winter meeting.

By-Law 7.7 Players may wear batting gloves under their baseball gloves while at their fielding  positions.  In the case of pitchers, the batting glove must be one solid  dark color either black or brown or matching the color of the pitcher’s baseball
glove. The pitcher’s batting glove can be dyed or otherwise colored to make the glove into that one solid colour.  The pitcher’s batting glove must not be white or light incolour.

APPENDIX “A”

ANNUAL AWARDS

TIER I:

1) The Tier Championship Trophy, to the Tier Playoff Champions as defined in By-Law 4.7.

2) The Wallace Division Trophy, to the Wallace Division Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.6.

3) The Jordan Division Trophy, to the Jordan Division Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.6.

4) The Pitching Champion Trophy, to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

5) The Greg MacKay Trophy for Tier I Batting Championship,  to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

6) The Most Improved Player of the Regular Season,  to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

7) The Kevin Levya Award, to the player selected as “best pitcher” by majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

8) The Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs, to the player selected as such by majority vote of the umpires.

9) The Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season for the Jordan Division,  to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

10) The Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season for the Wallace Division, to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

11) The Ron Quesnel Trophy, to the player judged as showing the best combination of sportsmanship and playing ability.

12) Rookie of the Year, to the best first year player,  to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

13) The Ross W. Potter, Manager of the Year, as selected by the League Commissioner with input from all managers in the Tier.

 TIER II:

14) The (unnamed as yet) Trophy, to the Tier Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.7.

15) The Nicholas Division Trophy, to the Nicholas Division Champions as defined in By-Law 4.6.

16) The Yanus Division Trophy, to the Yanus Division Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.6.

17) The Pitching Champion Trophy,,  to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

18) The Batting Champion Trophy,  to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

19) The Blair MacKenzie Trophy for the Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season for the Nicholas Division, to the player selected as such by majority vote of the teams in the Nicholas Division.

20) The Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season for the Yanus Division, to the player selected as such by majority vote of the teams in the Yanus Division.

21) The Most Improved Player of the Regular Season, to the player selected as such by majority vote of the teams in Tier II.

22) The (unnamed as yet) Trophy, to the player in Tier II demonstrating the highest levels of good sportsmanship, as selected by majority vote of the teams in Tier II.

 TIER III:
23) The John Robertson Trophy, to the Tier Playoff Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.7.

24) The Robertson Division Trophy, to the Robertson Division Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.6.

25) The Darwin Division Trophy, to the Darwin Division Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.6.

26) The Pitching Champion Trophy,  to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

27) The Batting Champion trophy, to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

28) The Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season or the Robertson Division, to the player selected as such by majority vote of the teams in the Robertson Division.

29) The Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season for the Darwin Division, to the player selected as such by majority vote of the teams in the Darwin Division.

30) The Giovanni Leo Most Improved Player of the Regular Season to the player selected as such by majority vote of the teams in Tier III.

31) The Commissioners Trophy, to the player in Tier III demonstrating the highest levels of good sportsmanship, as selected by majority vote of the umpires.

 ANY  TIER:

32) The John Robertson Award, to the player demonstrating great service to the League without necessarily having great athletic talent, as selected by former commissioner John Robertson.

33) The President’s Award, to the deserving player or team as selected by the Commissioner, for any reason whatsoever.

In cases where the vote is to be made by each player in the Tier or Division, the team reps shall poll their team and submit three names on a 1st-2nd-3rd basis, where final tabulation will be made on points; 5 points for first, 3 for second, and 1 for third.  Teams shall not submit names of candidates from their own team.