NCBL CONSTITUTION
THE NATIONAL
CAPITAL BASEBALL LEAGUE
CONSTITUTION
AND BY-LAWS
as revised May 13, 2011
including all additions made at the 2011 Kick-off Meeting
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
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
3.11 As a condition of membership in
the League, each team agrees to purchase a minimum of 4 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 (unless approved by the
League) 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 Unless
otherwise indicated, decisions of the League or a Tier shall be made by a
simple majority of the applicable quorum. 4.5.1 In the event of a Tie, the
Commissioner shall cast the deciding vote, notwithstanding 4.3.
Article 4.6 As a condition
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 payments
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 February 15 of the following year (modified sometime prior to 2007),
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
· prepare tier schedules, rainout schedules, and playoff schedules for
all tiers to optimize field usage and thereby minimize payments for unused
field permits (modified for the 2007 season)
· obtain umpiring service
and represent the League’s interests with the umpiring
· 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 decisions regarding
postponement of scheduled games, umpire liaison, and communications among the
teams of their Tiers (modified for the 2007 season). See By-law 6.2
for potential costs to teams when scheduled games are postponed within 10
business days of the originally scheduled date (amended at the 2011 kick-off
meeting).
(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 player 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
team’s 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 its 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 summary 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
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. Mercy Rule DOES NOT apply to playoff games (originally
amended at 2007 kick-off meeting and clarified at the 2010 Spring 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 first pitch regardless of
scheduled start of game (amended at the 2011 spring meeting). For early evening games, no new inning
may begin after 8:15 pm regardless of when the first pitch was thrown, unless
no team(s) shows up for the field in the late slot at that field. Stadium games also have a limit of 2
hours from the scheduled start of the game rather than first pitch due to the
fact that field contracts are only for a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes per
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) A
forfeit is declared when a team is unable to start a game with the minimum
number of players within the grace period as stated in by-law 2.5. The score of a forfeited game
shall be 7-0. (amended at the 2010 spring meeting)
(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. The
team which wins by forfeit will designate one pitcher as having pitched in the
game towards his/her playoff eligibility (amended sometime prior to
2010). 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 after the start of a
game, a team is unable to field the minimum number of players, that team
shall be declared the loser due to insufficient players. However, this is not a
forfeit as defined in by-law 2.6 a) and therefore provisions of any by-laws for
forfeits do not apply (eg. 2.6 a) regarding score or
6.3 regarding fines). If the
winning team is ahead at the time of default, that score shall be the final
score but if the defaulting team is ahead at the time of default, the score
will be amended to be one less than the winning teams score at the time of
default. If there was no score,
then the score shall be recorded as 1-0 for the winning team. (amended at the 2010 Spring Meeting).
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 use 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
player’s status in the game. A DH for the player must be selected
prior to the game and be included in the line-up cards presented to the Umpire
in Chief.
(d) The DH named in the starting line-up 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 may 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 while 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. Notwithstanding
By-law 2.11 h), if the team at bat loses a player due to injury or ejection,
the player being DH’d for may bat or run for
the lost player if no other players are available on the bench for substitution
or re-insertion. (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings and further clarified at
the 2010 Spring Meeting).
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 whether or not he is listed on the line-up card or
when that player arrives at the game (highlighted
segment amended by executive committee vote on May 14, 2011).
By-Law 2.13 The League
heartily endorses strict enforcement of Official Baseball Rules 4.06, 4.07,
4.08, 9.01 and 9.02(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 within time limits (modified to reflect amendment to by-law
2.3 at the 2011 spring meeting). 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. However,
addition of players who are not, and have not been, on any roster in the league
in the current year may be added at any time after the deadline. (amended at the 2010 Spring Meeting).
By-Law 3.4 Deleted at the 2010 Spring Meeting.
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 Unless prior
approval is obtained from the League (amended sometime prior to 2007), 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 25 players on its roster. (amended at the 2009 Kick-off Meeting).
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
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
The following sections c) and d) were added at the
2007 Spring Meeting:
(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 not
already in the game, this is a substitution 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
(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) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 3 starting May 1, 2010 (amended 2010
Spring Meeting)
(d) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 4
starting May 1, 2011 (amended 2011 Spring Meeting).
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
Commissioner is responsible for rescheduling suspended or cancelled games and
informing the umpiring service. (amended for the 2007
season)
By-Law 5.3 The Commissioner may try to accommodate
both teams on rescheduled games but has the authority to require the teams to
play a specified date and time. (amended for the 2007
season)
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) $200 on each occasion that a team forfeits a
game (i.e. is unable to start a game with sufficient players). On the
third forfeit in a season, the team shall be expelled from the League for the
remainder of the season. (modified at the 2010 Spring Meeting);
(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);
(g) Beginning in 2011, if a team obtains approval from
the Tier President to postpone a scheduled game within 10 business days of the
scheduled game, that team will be charged the actual cost of the field
(approximately $100 to $200 depending on the field and lighting requirements)
for that game (amended at the 2011 spring meeting).
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 eligibility 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 include 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.
NOTE: Standard to Assess Suspensions
for 6.9 e) Verbal Abuse of an Umpire After Ejection
decided at the 2010 special Presidents' meeting on discipline
(Commissioner's email of August 16, 2010 to all team reps)
This standard is as follows: after being ejected, if a player
or manager repeatedly swears at/insults an umpire AND confronts him
directly (ie. gets in his face), a 3 game
suspension will be assessed; if a player or
manager repeately swears at/insults an umpire while
leaving the field, a 2 game suspension will be assessed; and if a
player or manager swears at/insults an umpire while leaving the field, a 1 game
suspension will be assessed. Of course, higher suspensions of 5
games are also possible under by-laws 6.9C when verbal abuse is
"persistent" or more serious than the above. The best
advice for avoiding these suspensions is for players or managers to not
say another word once they have been ejected.
(f) 3 games - verbal abuse 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.
NOTE:
the following new subsection k) was added at the 2010 Kick-off Meeting
and subsequent subsections renumbered accordingly.
k) 1 game - re-enters the playing field after
having the left the playing field following an ejection. (added
during the 2010 Kick-off Meeting).
(l) 5 games – grossly offensive racial
comments or sexual orientation insensitive comments;
(m) 1 game – outside of the normal play of the game, throwing a ball or
other piece of equipment out of the field of play;
(n) 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) A person who has served his/her minimum suspension may resume participation
pending a Discipline Committee decision.
b) A
person who is suspended must be on an active roster for their suspension to be
in effect. If the person is not on
a roster, then he is not serving his suspension. (added
at the 2010 Kick-off Meeting).
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. The appeal must be made within 48 hours after the results of
the Discipline Committee have been sent by email to the affected parties
(amended at the 2011 Kick-off meeting).
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 $400
deposit (amended prior to the 2010 season). The
deposit shall be refunded to the team if the application is denied.
Otherwise it shall serve as the team’s Performance Bond 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 participate 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 6.20 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 (except the catcher).
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 the sliding area is defined to be the
area on the base paths 6 to 8 feet from the base. Within the sliding area,
the base runner must slide OR avoid a collision by going over, under, or around
the defending player. If the base
runner is not sliding and a collision occurs, the base runner will be declared
out. He
will also be ejected from the game, unless the
collision was unintentional in which case the umpire has the discretion to not
eject the player (amended at the 2011 spring meeting). If the catcher
blocks the plate without the ball, interference is to be called and the runs
scores. (amended
at the 2010 Spring Meeting).
(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 play, 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 6.20.
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 in colour.
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 Greg MacKay Trophy for Tier I Best Batter,
to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.
5) The Most Improved Player of the Regular Season,
to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.
6) The Kevin Levya Award,
to the player selected as “best pitcher” by majority vote of the
teams in the Tier.
7) The Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs, to the
player selected as such by majority vote of the umpires.
8) The Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season,
to the player selected as such by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.
9) The Ron Quesnel
Trophy, to the player judged as showing the best combination of sportsmanship
and playing ability.
10) 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.
11) 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 Rodney Walsh 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.