Table of Contents

I. TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Administrative tasks
2. Naming teams
3. Roster building

1. Roster size and composition requirements
2. Player eligibility

• Age eligibility
• Professional eligibility
• Challenging eligibility

3. Adding players
4. Player transfers

4. Uniform and Equipment standards
5. Respecting fields and field maintenance
6. Code of conduct

1. Prohibitions
2. Penalties
3. Grievances, protests, and appeals

II. GAME RULES

1. Rainout policies, cancelled games, and suspended games
2. Game length
3. Mercy rule
4. Eight man start rule
5. Forfeits
6. Lineup cards
7. Roster batting rules
8. Offensive substitutions
9. Defensive lineups and substitutions
10. Pitching changes
11. Courtesy runners and pinch runners
12. Hits batsmen safety rule
13. No collision rule
14. Intentional walks

III. PLAYOFFS, ALL-STAR GAMES, AND FREE AGENT PROTOCOL

1. Playoffs

1. Seeding
2. Eligibility

2. All-Star Games
3. Free Agent Protocol

 

 

 

I.              TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

A.             ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS

 

The Twin City Men’s Adult Baseball League (TCMABL) was founded in 1997 as a Minnesota non-profit corporation dedicated to providing a quality amateur baseball experience to its participants.  The league has no paid employees and requires member teams to assist in league administration. While affiliated with the Men’s Senior Baseball League/Men’s Adult Baseball League (MSBL/MABL), the TCMABL is independent and free to establish its own rules and organizational structure. This section highlights important administrative tasks required of all teams.

New team application process

 

All new teams must complete an application process that includes submitting a new team application and attending an interview before the league’s Board of Directors.  A majority of the directors present must vote in favor to admit a new team before a new team will be allowed in the league.

Mandatory league meetings

 

All existing teams must send a representative (that has authority to make decisions for that team) to the league’s annual meeting held each January, February, March, and April and to any other special mandatory league meetings called by the league’s Board of Directors from time to time. A team’s failure to send representation to a mandatory league meeting may result in that team’s expulsion from the league. In order to be reinstated, an expelled team must submit a new team application and complete the application process, including attending an interview before the league’s Board of Directors.

Securing a home field

 

Teams must secure a field for their home games. The league will cover the rental cost and other expenses of the field up to a stipend amount established for each division annually by the league’s Board of Directors. Teams may not play on a field whose cost exceeds the field stipend without approval from the league’s President. Teams approved to play on a field whose cost exceeds the annual field stipend will be required to pay the difference (overage) between the annual field stipend and the actual field cost. 

Communicating with umpires and umpire payment

 

If a game is cancelled before the scheduled game time, it is the home manager’s responsibility to notify the umpire of the cancellation at least one (1) hour prior to the scheduled game time. If the home team fails to notify the umpire, the home team will be responsible for any umpire fees and/or travel costs charged by the umpiring organization.

Teams must pay the umpiring fees for all regular season games as follows:

·       In the 18+ Division, each team pays the umpire fees for one (1) game of the doubleheader.

·       In the 28+ and 35+ Divisions, the teams split (50%) of the umpire fees for their single game. 

·       Teams must pay the umpire fee at or before the pre-game home plate meeting.

·       Teams that fail to pay an umpire, purposefully delay payment, or harass an umpire while paying (e.g., verbally, writing derogatory comments about performance on a check, etc.) are subject to league discipline.

·       In addition to the potential penalties described above, teams that fail to pay an umpire fee or reimburse the league for paying an umpire fee within seven (7) days of a game being played will not be eligible for that season’s playoffs.   

The league pays the umpire organization for all playoff and all-star games and for any umpire administrator fees for the season.

Field maintenance

See “Respecting the Field and Field Maintenance” for the field maintenance responsibilities and expectations of all teams.

Roster, scores, and umpire evaluation submission

Each team must submit rosters, scores, statistics and umpire evaluations during the regular season using the reporting forms on the league’s website (www.tcmabl.com).  Submissions must meet the following guidelines and timelines:

·       Rosters must be entered on each team’s TCMABL home page and be submitted to the league using a reporting form on the league’s website. Failure by teams to timely provide required roster information may result in penalties at the discretion of the league’s Board of Directors.

·       Regular season and playoff scores must be reported within 24 hours of a completed game. 

·       Game statistics (player hitting, pitching, defensive and base running appearances) and new players for regular season games must be reported within 7 days of a completed game. 

·       All (100%) of game statistics for the regular season must be reported on the Thursday prior to the beginning of playoffs in order for teams and/or individual players to be eligible to participate in playoff games. 

·       Umpire evaluations - If an issue with an umpire arises, managers should reach out to tcmablnew.com and the Board of Directors will assess the situation and determine if action is necessary.  

·       Teams experiencing technical difficulties submitting rosters, scores, and statistics must send an e-mail notification to the league’s President or website administrator immediately (for scores) and within 7 days of a completed game (for roster, and stats). The league will e-mail a response confirming receipt. Managers are responsible for following up with the league if their e-mail notification is not acknowledged by the league. Failure to notify the league of technical issues within the prescribed deadlines may result in the forfeiture of any rebates associated with the timely submission of rosters, and/or scores.

 

Prior to the beginning of the playoffs, the league will circulate lists of players determined eligible to participate in playoff games.  Teams are responsible for reviewing these lists and alerting the league of any players they believe should be considered eligible for playoffs and of any players listed incorrectly who are not playoff eligible.

B.             NAMING TEAMS

All new teams joining the league, as well as existing teams opting to change their name, should contact the league President before committing to the expense of new uniforms. The intent is to eliminate the possibility of two or more teams with the same name.

The TCMABL reserves the right to refuse a team name on the grounds that it may offend community standards. Traditional baseball names or names reflecting team sponsorship are preferred, but non-traditional and creative names are also welcome subject to approval by the league’s Board of Directors.

 

C.             ROSTER BUILDING

Roster size and composition requirements

Each team must carry one (1) manager and at least eleven (11) players on its roster at all times to remain eligible to compete in league games. There is no limit to the number of players a team may carry on its roster. A team may be refused admittance to the league if the Board of Directors decides that a team does not have enough players on its roster.

Player Eligibility

All TCMABL players, coaches and managers must have a signed liability waiver form on file with their teams in order to be allowed on the field or in the dugouts. In addition, all TCMABL players must meet all age and professional eligibility requirements.

Age Eligibility:

·       Managers are required to check the picture IDs of their players to confirm age eligibility prior to allowing player participation in the TCMABL. 

·       Players are eligible to play in the TCMABL’s 18+ division on or after their 18^th birthday. Under no circumstances may a player play in the TCMABL before his 18^th birthday.

·       Players are eligible to play in the TCMABL’s 28+ division if they turn 28 or older during the same calendar year of the season he desires to play. (Example: A player who turns 28 on 12/31/2024 would be eligible to play in 28+ in the summer of 2024).

·       Players are eligible to play in the TCMABL’s 35+ division if they turn 35 or older during the same calendar year of the season he desires to play. (Example: A player who turns 35 on 12/31/2024 would be eligible to play in 35+ in the summer of 2024).

·       Special age exemptions may be granted by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

Professional eligibility:

·       A player must be out of professional baseball (major leagues, A, AA, AAA) for 3 complete seasons before becoming eligible to participate in the TCMABL.  

·       A player who played in a rookie league, independent league, foreign league or who was invited to a Major League Spring Training and then released without playing for a minor league affiliate is eligible to play in the TCMABL.

 

Challenging player eligibility:

Teams that suspect an opposing team is using an ineligible player should notify the league President immediately. The League’s Board of Directors will determine whether an eligibility status challenge is warranted.

If a player’s age eligibility status (18+, 28+ or 35+) is challenged by the league, the opposing team will have 24 hours after the game to produce a valid picture ID of that player to the league. 

·       If the team fails to comply within 24 hours, the scores of validly protested-games will be overturned and the Board of Directors may impose additional penalties at their discretion. 

·       If a team is discovered to have used an under-aged player, teams will forfeit all games in which the under-age player participated in, the player will be suspended for a minimum of two years, and the player and team may be subject to additional disciplinary action from the league.

·       If a manager is discovered to have knowingly used an under-aged player, he is subject to suspension and additional disciplinary action from the league.

 

If a player’s professional eligibility status is challenged by the league and a player is discovered to have violated the professional eligibility rules, penalties, whether to the team, the manager or that individual player, will be decided by the league’s Board of Directors.  

Roster Additions
 

The TCMABL wants to make it as easy as possible for a manager to field a team.  Subject to the player eligibility restrictions above and the player transfer restrictions outlined below, teams may add a new player (a player not already on a TCMABL roster in their age division) at any point during the regular season. However, teams must add that player to their team website within seven (7) days of his first played game in order to remain compliant with roster and statistic submission guidelines (see “Team Responsibilities”).

Player Transfers

While the league would like to place few restrictions on player movement, the TCMABL is committed to protecting existing teams that may have a financial or other stake in a player.  Towards that end:

Tampering with players rostered on another team may subject teams, managers and/or individual players to discipline by the league, including loss/exchange of draft picks and other penalties as determined by the Board.

A rostered player may not move to another team or form a new team (with or without one or more teammates), unless he has received:

·       His manager’s release; or

·       Approval from the league’s Board of Directors.

A player wishing to change teams or form a new team without the permission of his current team must bring his request to the league President who will bring the matter to the league’s Board of Directors. The request requires the approval of a majority of directors present at a meeting of the Board of Directors.

A rostered player who does not achieve his release from his manager or the league’s Board of Directors may sit out one (1) year and re-enter the league as an unrestricted free agent (i.e. free to join any team they wish).

In all cases, league’s Board of Directors may refuse re-admittance to the league if the player owes an existing team outstanding fees, equipment, and/or uniforms or engaged in misconduct or rules violations with respect to his former team or the league.

A rostered player who is not invited to return to a team is “released” by that team and is free to join any team they wish so long as the player has paid any outstanding team fees and returned any team-owned equipment and uniforms.

In the event a team voluntarily disbands at season’s conclusion (for reasons other than potential disciplinary action by the league), all players on such team will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team.  If any team is expelled from the league or a team facing disciplinary action disbands, all players on such team will become free agents before joining a new team unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise.

 

D.            UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

Uniform Standards

All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered jerseys, baseball pants, belt, and sanitary socks.

Players must wear matching uniforms.

No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent.

No pitcher may pitch while wearing white or gray sleeves, or a batting glove or wrist band.

Metal cleats are permitted. Any player found to be wearing deliberately sharpened spikes will be subject to ejection and possible suspension from the league.

Equipment Standards

All batters and runners must wear helmets at the plate and on base. There are no exceptions to this rule.

All helmets must have at least one earflap facing the pitcher. Double-ear helmets are strongly encouraged. 

All base coaches must wear helmets while on the field of play.

All catchers must wear a protective helmet, chest protector and shin guards while playing their position, including during bullpen and warm-up pitches.

Only wood bats are allowed. “Wood” means plain solid wood, composite or laminated wood or wood that is covered with a plastic coating to prevent breakage. 

Baseballs approved for use by the TCMABL are issued by MSBL/MABL National Office, unless another baseball of similar grade or quality is agreed to by both teams’ managers and the umpire.  Each team should supply a minimum of 3 new baseballs each game.  The league will supply 6 new baseballs for each playoff and all-star game.

 

E.             RESPECTING THE FIELD AND FIELD MAINTENENCE

 

The TCMABL has access to a limited number of fields. That makes them an extremely valuable resource to the league. If you know of a field you would like to use, or that you feel the league could use, please contact the league President. If you are instrumental in bringing a field to the league you may be assigned to that field.

Failure to properly respect and/or maintain a field before or after use can result in the loss of that field to a team and potentially to the league. Teams are subject to league suspension, reimbursement for repairs, penalties or expulsion for failure to properly respect and maintain a field. 

Respecting the field
 

In addition to any and all prohibitions posted at the field and/or mentioned in field contracts, remember:

No climbing or jumping over fences to gain access to a field. Cutting locks or removing gates to get onto a field or to obtain equipment is expressly prohibited.

Stay off dugout roofs and backstops.

Hitting drills against any fences are prohibited because it damages chain link fences and jeopardizes player safety.

All players and managers are reminded that pre-game stretching and throwing should be done on the outfield grass, not on the infield apron or in front of the dugouts.

Do not pitch batting practice from in front of the mound or against backstops.

Alcoholic beverages are specifically prohibited on school campuses and city parks by a variety of municipal, county and state codes. This includes parking lots and ancillary areas. No beer or alcoholic beverages are permitted at the field before, during or after the game.

Many school districts, city or county ordinances may prohibit all forms of tobacco use (cigarettes, dip, chew, etc.). It is important to observe these rules whenever and wherever they may be in force.

Teams are to police their players, fans, friends, family members or spectators for violations of any alcohol or tobacco codes. Both team managers should attempt to persuade any person persons participating in or watching the game and who are violating any alcohol and tobacco codes to leave the premises.

Field Maintenance

Managers should supply rakes and other field maintenance equipment when it is not supplied by the field.

If a field is wet and the field cannot be made playable, do not play on it.  Use reasonable discretion and caution in removing or importing any dirt, clay or other material on or off the field.  Never use any drying agent (Diamond Dry) on clay pitching mounds.  Spreading dirt and/or water mixtures on the grass portions of the field is expressly prohibited.  Avoid setting tarps, tires and other field equipment on grass areas as it may burn the sod.    

Post game field maintenance duties are assigned as follows:

• The "Home" team rakes and tarps the mound and home plate, drags the infield and rakes the base paths, cleans up litter on the fields, in the stands and in its own dugout.
• The "Visiting" team cleans its own dugout.

F.             CODE OF CONDUCT

Prohibitions

Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:

Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately ejected by the umpire from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the league’s Board of Directors 

Refuse to abide by an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately ejected by the umpire from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the league’s Board of Directors.

Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct may be subject to ejection by the umpire of further participation in that game.

Discuss with an official or officials the decisions reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee, who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct may be subject to ejection by the umpire from further participation in the game.

Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct may be subject to ejection by the umpire from participation in that game and may be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately ejected by the umpire from further participation in that game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the league’s Board of Directors.

Be guilty of verbal abusive attack on any player, manager, official or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately ejected by the umpire from participation in that game and shall remain suspended until their conduct has been reviewed by the league’s Board of Directors.

Violate the alcohol or tobacco codes of schools or municipalities, consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game, or be upon the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition. Players guilty of such conduct may be immediately ejected by the umpire from further participation in that game and be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season as determined by the league’s Board of Directors.  

Penalties

The Board of Directors, may by vote of the majority of its members or directors present, suspend or expel any manager or player for such a period and upon such terms as it may propose, for the conduct which in its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.

Unless the the Board of Directors impose a longer suspension, player and manager ejections will result in an automatic one-game suspension that must be served during the team’s next regular season or playoff game.  If a player or manager is ejected from the first game of a doubleheader, the player or manager must serve his automatic one-game suspension during the second game of the doubleheader.  If the player or manager is ejected during the team’s final game of the season, the player or manager must serve his suspension at the beginning of the next season.  No umpire or opposing manager can agree to modify, delay or waive the automatic one-game suspension requirement. 

 

Additionally, unpaid league fees/field fees may result in dicisplaniary action determined by Board of Directors.  

Grievances, Protests, and Appeals

Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team.

All protests or grievances should be lodged to the league President within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made.  The President will direct issues to the league’s Board of Directors.

The league’s President will collect such evidence as they deem appropriate, and obtain written statements from both teams involved in a dispute, as well as from any league officers, players, umpires, spectators or other witnesses who may have been involved.

An appeal of a Grievance Committee decision may be filed by the league’s President with the Board of Directors during the season, if the league’s President determines that the Grievance Committee’s decision was made on unreasonable grounds.  All other appeals of a Grievance Committee decision by an individual or a manager will be decided by the league’s Board of Directors during the offseason.  The Board may give as much deference to the Grievance Committee as it deems appropriate when reviewing the appeal of a Grievance Committee decision. All decisions by the Board of Directors are final and not subject to appeal.

 

 

 

II.            PLAYING THE GAME

A.             RAINOUT POLICY, CANCELLED GAMES, AND SUSPENDED GAMES

If a game is cancelled for any reason before the scheduled game time, it is the home manager’s responsibility to notify the umpire of the cancellation at least 1 hour prior to scheduled game time. If the home team fails to notify the umpire or is late in notifying, the home team will be responsible for any umpire fees and/or travel costs charged by the umpiring organization.

Cancelled games will not be rescheduled by the league but must be made up on or before the Wednesday prior to the beginning of the playoffs and at a mutually agreed upon date and location. The league’s President may schedule mandatory makeup games if he deems teams have not made a good faith effort to reschedule and the results of the makeup games have playoff implications.  In all cases, teams that do not make up games will be assessed forfeit losses for playoff eligibility and victories for draft order purposes and may be subject to additional penalties by the Board of Directors (see “Forfeits”).

The managers of both teams may agree to postpone starting a game or completing a game because of potential damage to the playing field. 

The umpire may suspend, cancel or call a game if he believes the safety of the players is compromised due to rain, darkness or time limits. The umpire may charge a full fee for partially played games or games that are cancelled within one hour of the scheduled game time, except there will be no additional fee for the second game of a doubleheader if the game is cancelled before its start.

Any suspended games will resume at the end of the last completed inning, except regular season games in which 5 innings (4 1/2 innings if the home team is leading) have been completed will count as an officially completed game.  All playoff games must be completed to their full scheduled length.

B.             GAME LENGTH

All regular season 28+ and 35+ Division games are 9 innings.

Regular season 18+ Division games are 7 innings. If the first game of a scheduled double header is forfeited and the second game is played, the second game is 9 innings. (See “Forfeits”)

If a regular season game is tied at the end of the last scheduled inning, the teams may continue playing for as long as the umpire agrees to continue play. 

All playoff games in the 18+, 28+ and 35+ Divisions are 9 innings.

C.             MERCY RULES

In a 9-inning game, a 10-run mercy rule takes effect at the completion of the 7th or any ensuing inning. If the home team is ahead by 10 runs after 6 1/2 innings, the game is complete.

In a 7-inning game, a 10-run mercy rule takes effect at the completion of the 5th or any ensuing inning. If the home team is ahead by 10 runs after 4 1/2 innings, the game is complete.

In a playoff game, a 15-run mercy rule takes effect at the completion of the 7th or any ensuing inning.

D.            EIGHT MAN START RULE

A team may play a game with 8 players.

A late-arriving player may not take their defensive position in the field, pitch or take an at-bat or pinch run until the full inning then being played is completed. (Example: A player arrives in the top of the first inning. He may not join the game until the start of the second inning). 

A team may not play with less than 8 players. If a team with eight (8) players loses a player for any reason (injury, ejection, etc) the game becomes a forfeit loss but the team will not incur a penalty for the forfeit loss.

E.             FORFEITS

A forfeited game occurs when one team is unable to field at least eight (8) players for any reason (injury, ejection, etc).

The grace period for forfeiture of a game is 15 minutes after the regularly scheduled start time.

When the first game of a scheduled doubleheader is forfeited, the forfeiting team will be responsible for the full umpire fees for the forfeited game and be given an additional one (1) hour grace period to produce additional players for the second game. This second game shall be 9 innings and the umpire fees of the second game shall be split between the teams. If the forfeiting team does not have at least 8 players within the grace period, than a second forfeit is declared and the teams are encouraged to play a scrimmage game.  

Forfeiting teams will be assessed a per game penalty, the amount determined annually by the league’s Board of Directors, but commensurate with the average field rental cost and payable to the league with the following year’s team deposit.

Two (2) forfeited games in a season by any team could mean probation or immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team. Any and all sanctions will be decided by the league’s Board of Directors.

Teams canceling games due to lack of players is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by the league. Teams may not cancel games because their best player is unavailable that week. Teams canceling games will be charged with a forfeit loss and are subject to league action. 

F.             LINEUP CARDS

Each team must supply the opposing manager before the start of the game a lineup card listing:

·       All players/coaches/managers eligible to play in that game (including starters AND substitutes). This includes players who may be arriving after the game begins.

·       Players’ last names, first initial or full first names, and uniform numbers.

·       The starting batting lineup.

·       Players designated as “non-runners” (see “Courtesy Runners and Pinch Runners”).

·       Defensive positions need not be listed on the lineup card.

Players not on a lineup card may not play in that game without the consent of the opposing manager.

Accidental misprints (i.e. misspelled names, incorrect jersey numbers, etc.) on lineup cards are not cause for forfeiture of a game or making a player ineligible. Managers may correct misprints at any time by notifying the umpire and the opposing manager.

Failing to designate a player as a non-runner shall be treated as an omission and not a misprint. If non-runners are not designated on the lineup card, courtesy runners may not be used without the consent of the opposing manager (see “Courtesy Runners and Pinch Runners”).

G.             ROSTER BATTING RULES

A team may bat as many players as they would like. If a team decides to bat every player on their lineup card and a player leaves the game due to an injury (where continuing to play per the umpire's discretion, would further affect the injury), the injured players spot in the order will be skipped and the team will not be penalized (i.e. they will not have to “take an out” for the injured player), provided they still have at least 9 players in their lineup.  If a player batting its entire lineup must leave the game for any reason other than an injury, that spot is recorded as an automatic out.

If a team does not bat every player on their lineup card and a player in the batting order must leave the game for any reason, a reserve player, not previously in the game as a batter, must hit in the vacated position in the lineup.

A team playing with eight (8) players will receive an automatic out for the ninth batter in the order. If an in-game injury reduces a team to fewer than eight (8) available players, the team forfeits the game but will not incur a penalty for the forfeit loss (see “Forfeits”).

Players may be added to the bottom of the batting order at any time in the game (provided that the other team is notified).

H.            OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTIONS

Managers must notify the umpire and opposing team when a change is made to the batting order (i.e. pinch hitter, pinch runner, batters added to end of the batting order, etc).

A starter in the batting order may be removed and a substitute may bat in that player's place at any point during a game provided that the starter has had one plate appearance. The starter may return to bat again, but only in the original spot in the batting order, and only after the replacement has had at least one plate appearance. The substitute may not bat again once removed from the batting order. Only the starter may reenter the game offensively.

The starter and substitutes are locked into the same spot in the order and cannot bat anywhere else. An automatic out will be recorded if a player bats out of order.

The starter and substitutes are considered "in the game," and may not be used as pinch runners as they are already in a spot in the lineup.

A starter (not designated as a non-runner) who is replaced by a pinch runner while on base is removed from the batting order. Once that runner (or another pinch hitter) has one plate appearance that starter may reenter. A starter reentering the batting order unannounced will be treated as batting out of order.

Each manager has the prerogative to bat as many players in his initial lineup as long as there are at least ten (9) hitters. If the manager wishes to add players to the bottom of the lineup (i.e. hitting positions 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, etc.), he may do so at any time. Added players to the bottom of the line-up may be added as individual hitters or as A/B.  A/B is defined as 

I.              DEFENSIVE LINEUP AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Position players (i.e. non-pitchers) may be moved into and out of defensive positions, at any time, without affecting the player’s offensive status in the lineup.

Managers do not have to notify the opposing team or umpire of a defensive (position player) substitution.

However, a player’s defensive appearance will NOT count towards his “games played” for playoff purposes unless that defensive appearance is clearly marked in the opposing team’s scorebook (See “Playoffs”). If a manager intends that a player’s defensive appearance will be that player’s only appearance in a game, it is the manager’s responsibility to notify the opposing team of the defensive appearance and verify that the defensive appearance is noted in their scorebook.

J.               PITCHING CHANGES

Managers must notify the umpire and opposing team when a pitching change is made.

If a pitcher is removed, he may reenter to pitch only one time in the course of the game. A removed pitcher may be freely substituted into and out of all other defensive positions like any other defensive player (See “Defensive Lineups and Substitutions”).

K.            COURTESY RUNNERS AND PINCH RUNNERS

Courtesy Runners

Two (2) players per team per game may have another player run for them in the event they reach base. Those that require courtesy runners are called “non-runners.”

Non-runners must be designated on the lineup card before the game (see “Lineup Card”).

If non-runners are not designated on the lineup card, courtesy runners may not be used.

The last player to make a batted out (who is not a non-runner) must be the courtesy runner.

If a non-runner is needed before there has been a batted out in the game, then the courtesy runner must be the last player in the batting order (unless he is a non-runner, in which case the courtesy runner must be the second to last player in the batting order).

If a player suffers an obvious injury and two non-runners haven’t been designated, a manager may designate the injured player a non-runner.

If a player suffers an injury and two non-runners have already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner is allowed. If the team elected to bat its entire roster, then a courtesy runner may be used, except that if the team has fewer than eight (8) available players (because the injured player is unable to continue hitting and playing in the field), then the team forfeits the game but will not incur a penalty for the forfeit loss (see “Forfeits”).

If a non-runner declines his courtesy runner and opts to run, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remainder of the game.

Non-runner status is attached to a player and not to his spot in the batting order.

There is no “speed up” rule allowing extra courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers.

Any improper use of the courtesy runner shall result in the non-runner being scored as an out.

Pinch Runners

A pinch runner (as opposed to a courtesy runner) must be someone who has not been in the batting order and will be treated under the offensive lineup rule, i.e., that player (or another pinch hitter) must have at least one plate appearance before the starter reenters.  A starter reentering the batting order unannounced will be treated as batting out of order.

L.             HIT BATSMEN SAFETY RULE

If a pitcher hits four (4) batters in one game, the opposing team may require that he be replaced and not be allowed to return to the game as a pitcher. The replaced pitcher may continue to play at a different position.  If the opposing team does not require removal at the time of the fourth hit batsman, then the right to have that pitcher removed is waived for the remainder of the game.

The umpire has the right to eject any pitcher at any time if he decides that the pitcher is intentionally throwing at a batter. The pitcher may also be subject to discipline from the league according to the rules and penalties listed in the Code of Conduct.

M.           NO COLLISION RULE

Players shall not intentionally collide with other players.

A runner making contact with a defensive player in an intentional attempt to jar the ball loose will be called out, may be ejected from the game, and may be subject to additional discipline from the league.

A runner trying to advance to a base must either slide or attempt to go around a fielder if the fielder has the ball or (in the umpire’s judgment) is about to receive the ball. A player sliding into a base must try to go to the base and avoid collision with the fielder.

A defensive player may not block the base path or a base without possession of the ball. For example, a catcher may not block the plate without the ball. Under these circumstances the defensive player shall be responsible for avoiding a collision. Defensive players whose obstruction of a base is judged to be flagrant may be ejected from the game and may be subject to additional discipline from the league.

It is the judgment of the umpire whether a collision intentionally violates this rule. This is not a "must slide" but a No Collision rule.

N.            INTENTIONAL WALKS

The TCMABL observes the MLB rule for intentional walks – all four pitches must be thrown.

 

III.         PLAYOFFS, All STAR GAMES, AND LEAGUE TRYOUT/DRAFT

A.             PLAYOFFS

At the conclusion of the regular season, the TCMABL will conduct playoffs to determine the overall league champion of each of its 18+, 28+ and 35+ Divisions. All regular season rules apply, except all games will be 9 innings in length and cannot end in a tie.

Seeding

The regular season won/loss record of each qualifying team will determine seeding in the playoff tournament. The team with the best overall record will play the qualifying team with the worst overall record. All playoff positions will be decided on winning percentage. The winning percentage is decided by dividing a team's total wins by their total games played (less any tie games). If teams have the same winning percentages, then the following tie-breaker rules apply:

1. Head to head. Who beat whom when they played each other.

2. Fewest runs allowed, head to head.  In the event of a tie between three or more teams, the fewest runs allowed in head to head games among such teams, on a per game average.

3. Winning percentage within the division.

4. Fewest runs allowed league-wide, on a per game average. 

5. Most runs scored league-wide, on a per game average.

For the purposes of a tie breaker, forfeit losses are recorded as a 9 to 0 score in the 28+ and 35+ Divisions and 7 to 0 score in the 18+ Division.

Player Eligibility

A player must play in at least eight (8) regular season games to be eligible for playoffs in the 18+ Division.

A player must play in at least five (5) regular season games to be eligible for playoffs in the 28+ and 35+ Divisions. 

 A “game played” is defined as appearing defensively in the field for at least one recorded out, pitching to one batter, making a plate appearance or pinch running during the game. All appearances (whether defensive, pitching, hitting or running) must be reported and clearly recorded in the opposing team’s scorebook in order to be valid.   Last names and jersey numbers must be used in the scorebook to allow for player identification for follow-up inquiries that relate to eligibility requirements for playoffs and otherwise.

B.             All Star Game

The league will attempt to hold all star games each season for its 18+, 28+ and 35+ Divisions or a combination of Divisions as determined by the Board of Directors.

Managers for the all star games will be the managers of the teams’ leading in the standings before the all star games, except if the all star games are held at the end of the season before the championship games and the leading teams are playing in the championship, then the managers of the teams with the second best records during the regular season will manage the all star games.   

Each team may send one or two representatives to the all star games as established by the Board of Directors or the league’s President.  If the all star games are held at the end of the season prior to or after the championship games, then players from teams in the championship do not have to participate. Each team can determine their own method of deciding who should represent their team in the all star game, but it is encouraged that each team take a vote.

For all-star games held midseason, the winning teams of the all-star games will be awarded home field for the championship games of their respective divisions.  If the all star games are held at the end of the season or cancelled for any reason, then the home field for the championship game will be decided by the playoff tiebreaker rules (See “Playoff Games; Tiebreaker Rules” above).

All players and managers on the all star team are to be in full uniform for the game. League players and managers who are not in the game are encouraged to attend to show league support. Additionally, all family members of the all star players will be encouraged to attend. This is a family-oriented league and their attendance is important.

C.             LEAGUE TRYOUT AND DRAFT

Anyone interested in playing in the TCMABL shall be invited to attend the league’s tryout and draft. Although managers are not required to draft players, the league encourages teams to carry large rosters so as to avoid game forfeits. Teams that do draft players are making a commitment to give that player an opportunity to make their teams and participate in games.

Tryout Process

All managers should attend and help conduct the tryout even if they are not planning to draft players. Managers not helping to conduct the tryout (i.e. by hitting grounders, taking throws, etc) are required to stay in foul territory and off of the playing field during the tryout period. No manager is allowed to speak with players before or during tryouts. Any manager doing so may lose his team’s first round draft pick and is subject to additional discipline by the league.

All new players must sign a liability waiver form before they will be allowed to tryout.

The tryout will begin with some introductory remarks from the league President.  Players will then take the field. Players will receive four fly balls (throws to second and third), four groundballs at his preferred infield position (throws to first), and 8-10 pitches to hit. Pitchers will throw 8-10 pitches of their choice. Catchers will receive those pitches and throw the last two pitches down to second.

Draft Process

Existing teams will draft in reverse order of the standings from the previous year (i.e. last place team drafts first).

• First tiebreaker: fewest runs allowed league-wide, as a per-game average.
• Second tiebreaker: runs scored league-wide on a per-game average basis.
• Except for games forfeited by one team, games not played will be counted as wins for both teams for draft order purposes. An example of this is rainouts, which are not rescheduled.
• Forfeited games will be scored as a win for the forfeiting team and a loss for the non-forfeiting team for draft order purposes.

The Board may also elect to hold a draft lottery for the non-playoff teams from the previous year, with the team having the worst record receiving the most chances for the first pick, the team having the second worst record receiving the second most chances and so on (all based on the tiebreaker rules for draft order set forth above).

New teams will draft last, after existing teams and with the draft positions of multiple new teams vis-à-vis each other being determined by random drawing or coin toss.

Assembled managers will conduct the draft immediately after the tryout is complete, with the league President recording the draft results. Tryout players may leave before the draft is complete but they are encouraged to stay so they can find out what team drafted them. When the draft is complete the league President will call out to the players the numbers of the players who have been drafted. Managers must wait until the draft is complete before introducing themselves to their draftees and conducting any team business.

Tryout players who are not drafted will be placed in a player pool by the league President and are free to join any team.