The SDABL is governed by Major League Baseball rules with the exceptions found in this pamphlet. This document attempts to clarify and simplify as many rules as possible. The intent is to eliminate loopholes so that any one team does not receive an unfair advantage over another. In the event an issue, matter, or circumstance has not been addressed herein, the SDABL reserves the right to resolve said occurrence in the best interest of the League as a whole, in the spirit of the game of Baseball, and with impartiality to all the participants.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING THIS RULEBOOK

This rulebook contains Section and Sub-Section numbers. All information related to a specific topic has now been placed under the topic to which it applies. Photos associated with the No Collision Rule have also been included to help clarify this rule in Appendix 1, including a discussion of this rule in Appendix 2.

UMPIRES --- Section 11 contains the actual Playing Rules (click here)

DEFINITION OF TERMS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570030 \h 4

LEGAL PLAYER (League): PAGEREF _Toc63570031 \h 4

ILLEGAL PLAYER (League): PAGEREF _Toc63570032 \h 4

ELIGIBLE PLAYER (League): PAGEREF _Toc63570033 \h 4

INELIGIBLE PLAYER (League): PAGEREF _Toc63570034 \h 4

ELIGIBLE SUBSTITUTE (Lineup): PAGEREF _Toc63570035 \h 5

INELIGIBLE SUBSTITUTE (Lineup): PAGEREF _Toc63570036 \h 5

OFFICIALLY “PLACED” IN THE OFFENSIVE LINEUP: PAGEREF _Toc63570037 \h 5

ELIGIBLE OFFENSIVE PLAYER (Lineup): PAGEREF _Toc63570038 \h 5

PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY: PAGEREF _Toc63570039 \h 5

GAME FORFEIT: PAGEREF _Toc63570040 \h 5

NO-SHOW FORFEIT: PAGEREF _Toc63570041 \h 5

CONTACT POLICY: PAGEREF _Toc63570042 \h 5

FORMER PROFESSIONAL PLAYER STATUS: PAGEREF _Toc63570043 \h 5

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2004 RULE CHANGES_ PAGEREF _Toc63570044 \h 6

SECTION 1 --- INTRODUCTION_ PAGEREF _Toc63570045 \h 6

1.1 MISSION STATEMENT_ PAGEREF _Toc63570046 \h 6

1.2 GOALS OF THE SDABL: PAGEREF _Toc63570047 \h 6

1.3 DESCRIPTION OF LEAGUES: PAGEREF _Toc63570048 \h 7

1.4 RULES WE PLAY BY: PAGEREF _Toc63570049 \h 7

1.5 STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR: PAGEREF _Toc63570050 \h 7

1.5.1 Player Conduct: PAGEREF _Toc63570051 \h 7

1.5.2 Behavior Towards Umpires: PAGEREF _Toc63570052 \h 8

SECTION 2 --- ORGANIZING YOUR TEAM and INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570053 \h 8

2.1.1 Team Placement: PAGEREF _Toc63570055 \h 8

2.1.2 Team Roster: PAGEREF _Toc63570056 \h 8

2.1.3 Dropped Teams: PAGEREF _Toc63570057 \h 8

2.2 INDIVIDUAL PLAYER RELATED INFORMATION: PAGEREF _Toc63570058 \h 9

2.2.1 Player Adds: PAGEREF _Toc63570059 \h 9

2.2.2 Player Drops: PAGEREF _Toc63570060 \h 9

2.2.3 Player Transfers: PAGEREF _Toc63570061 \h 9

SECTION 3 --- ELIGIBILITY POLICIES_ PAGEREF _Toc63570062 \h 10

3.1 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY (Contracts/Identity): PAGEREF _Toc63570063 \h 10

3.2 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY (Age): PAGEREF _Toc63570064 \h 10

3.3 LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY (Skill Level): PAGEREF _Toc63570065 \h 10

3.3.1 College Players (Current/Former): PAGEREF _Toc63570066 \h 10

3.3.2 Professional Players (Current/Former): PAGEREF _Toc63570067 \h 10

3.4 ROSTER ELIGIBILITY (Participating on Multiple Teams/Signed Contracts: PAGEREF _Toc63570068 \h 10

3.5 PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY: PAGEREF _Toc63570069 \h 11

3.6 INELIGIBLE PLAYERS (Consequences, Challenging/Protesting): PAGEREF _Toc63570070 \h 11

3.6.1 Consequences (Also refer to Section 6.3): PAGEREF _Toc63570071 \h 11

3.6.2 Challenging/Protesting Ineligible Players: PAGEREF _Toc63570072 \h 11

SECTION 4 --- PROTESTS (Procedures, Grievances and Appeals) PAGEREF _Toc63570073 \h 12

4.1 PROTESTS: PAGEREF _Toc63570074 \h 12

4.1.1 Protest Procedures: PAGEREF _Toc63570075 \h 12

4.1.2 Grievances and Appeals (of a protest decision): PAGEREF _Toc63570076 \h 13

SECTION 5 --- FINES and PENALTIES/SUSPENSIONS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570077 \h 13

5.1 FINES and PENALTIES: PAGEREF _Toc63570078 \h 13

5.2 SUSPENSIONS*: PAGEREF _Toc63570079 \h 13

SECTION 6 --- FORFEITS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570080 \h 14

6.1 NO SHOW FORFEITS (See Contact Policy below, Section 6.2, for related information) PAGEREF _Toc63570081 \h 14

6.1.1 Defined: PAGEREF _Toc63570082 \h 14

6.1.2 Consequences: PAGEREF _Toc63570083 \h 14

6.1.3 League Sanctioned “Practice Games”: PAGEREF _Toc63570084 \h 14

6.2 CONTACT POLICY (Preventing a No-Show Forfeit violation): PAGEREF _Toc63570085 \h 14

6.3 Forfeits Involving Ineligible Players: PAGEREF _Toc63570086 \h 15

SECTION 7 --- FEES and PAYMENTS (on the field) PAGEREF _Toc63570087 \h 15

SECTION 8 --- ALL-STAR GAMES/LEAGUE PLAYOFFS, TOURNAMENTS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570088 \h 15

8.1 ALL-STAR GAMES (Spring Leagues Only): PAGEREF _Toc63570089 \h 15

8.2 LEAGUE PLAYOFFS: PAGEREF _Toc63570090 \h 16

8.2.1 Playoff Policy: PAGEREF _Toc63570091 \h 16

8.2.2 Playoff Eligibility for Individual Players: PAGEREF _Toc63570092 \h 17

SECTION 9 --- FIELDS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570093 \h 17

9.1 RESPECT FOR FIELDS: PAGEREF _Toc63570094 \h 17

9.2 BASES and KEYS: PAGEREF _Toc63570095 \h 18

SECTION 10 --- EQUIPMENT_ PAGEREF _Toc63570096 \h 18

10.1 BASEBALLS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570097 \h 18

10.2 BATS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570098 \h 18

10.3 UNIFORMS: PAGEREF _Toc63570099 \h 19

10.4 SHOES: PAGEREF _Toc63570100 \h 19

10.5 HELMETS: PAGEREF _Toc63570101 \h 19

SECTION 11 --- PLAYING THE GAME (SDABL Local Playing Rules) PAGEREF _Toc63570102 \h 20

11.1 GAME TIME and TIME LIMITS: PAGEREF _Toc63570103 \h 20

11.2 EIGHT (8) PLAYER START RULE: PAGEREF _Toc63570104 \h 20

11.2.1 Scoring Runs when there is a “Hole” in the Batting Order: PAGEREF _Toc63570105 \h 21

11.3 NINE (9) PLAYER STARTS: PAGEREF _Toc63570106 \h 21

11.4 LINEUP CARDS: PAGEREF _Toc63570107 \h 21

11.5 OFFENSIVE LINEUP: PAGEREF _Toc63570108 \h 22

11.6 OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTES/SUBSTITUTIONS (Normal Circumstances): PAGEREF _Toc63570109 \h 22

11.6.1 “COURTESY” RUNNERS: PAGEREF _Toc63570110 \h 22

11.7 INJURY SUBSTITUTIONS FOR PREVENTING FORFEITS: PAGEREF _Toc63570111 \h 22

11.8 EJECTIONS (Risk of Forfeits): PAGEREF _Toc63570112 \h 23

11.9 OFFENSIVE STARTER RE-ENTRY RULE/BATTING ORDER (All Leagues): PAGEREF _Toc63570113 \h 23

11.10 NON-RUNNER (NR): PAGEREF _Toc63570114 \h 23

11.11 DEFENSIVE LINEUP and PITCHERS: PAGEREF _Toc63570115 \h 24

11.11.1 Defensive Substitutions: PAGEREF _Toc63570116 \h 24

11.11.2 Pitcher Re-Entry Rule: PAGEREF _Toc63570117 \h 24

11.12 RUN RULE (“MERCY” RULE): PAGEREF _Toc63570118 \h 24

11.13 DOUBLEHEADERS: PAGEREF _Toc63570119 \h 24

11.13.1 SPLIT TEAM DOUBLEHEADERS: PAGEREF _Toc63570120 \h 25

11.14 KEEPING SCORE: PAGEREF _Toc63570121 \h 25

11.15 RAIN-OUT POLICY: PAGEREF _Toc63570122 \h 25

11.16 NO COLLISION RULE_ PAGEREF _Toc63570123 \h 25

11.16.1 Definition: PAGEREF _Toc63570124 \h 25

11.16.2 Intent Of Rule: PAGEREF _Toc63570125 \h 26

11.16.3 Consequences for violating this rule: PAGEREF _Toc63570126 \h 26

APPENDIX 1 --- NO COLLISION RULE PHOTO PLAYS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570127 \h 26

APPENDIX 2: DISCUSSION OF NO COLLISION RULE_ PAGEREF _Toc63570128 \h 30

INTRODUCTION: PAGEREF _Toc63570129 \h 30

CLARIFICATION OF RULE: PAGEREF _Toc63570130 \h 30

“REAL” BASEBALL: PAGEREF _Toc63570131 \h 31

GRAY AFFECTS THE BLUE: PAGEREF _Toc63570132 \h 31

RUNNER GUIDELINES (To Avoid Violating the No Collision Rule): PAGEREF _Toc63570133 \h 31

DEFENSE PLAYER GUIDELINES (To Avoid Violating the No Collision Rule): PAGEREF _Toc63570134 \h 32

INCIDENTAL CONTACT: PAGEREF _Toc63570135 \h 32

HOW TO DEAL WITH UMPIRE JUDGMENT: PAGEREF _Toc63570136 \h 32

APPENDIX 3 --- MANAGING TIPS_ PAGEREF _Toc63570137 \h 33

ORGANIZING: PAGEREF _Toc63570138 \h 33

Working with Your League Commissioner: PAGEREF _Toc63570139 \h 33

Managing Your Team: PAGEREF _Toc63570140 \h 33

Practicing: PAGEREF _Toc63570141 \h 33

DEFINITION OF TERMS

LEGAL PLAYER (League):

Any player who has reached his/her 18^th birthday and who has signed/dated an SDABL contract.
Any player who fulfills one of the following additional requirements:

1. Any contracted player at least 18 years of age at the time of participation who is playing on any team in the 18+ Division.

2. Any contracted player at least 28 years of age any time during the calendar year who is playing on any team in the 28+ Division, or any younger age Division.

3. Any contracted player at least 38 years of age any time during the calendar year who is playing on any team in the 38+ Division, or any younger age Division.

4. Any contracted player at least 48 years of age any time during the calendar year who is playing on any team in the 48+ Division, or any younger age Division.

The above definitions are subject to change on a year-to-year bases, depending on the age requirement as defined by the SDABL.

ILLEGAL PLAYER (League):

· Any player who has not reached his/her 18^th birthday when participating on any team.

· Any player who does not have a signed/dated contract with the SDABL and who does not fulfill the requirements established under Legal Player above.

ELIGIBLE PLAYER (League):

Any Legal Player who has a signed/dated contract with the SDABL and who is listed on a team roster for which the contract applies and in accordance with any other applicable age and skill-level requirements contained under Section 3 in these rules.

INELIGIBLE PLAYER (League):

Any Illegal Player as defined by the above.
Any player who does not meet the applicable age and skill-level requirements contained under Section 3 in these rules.
Any player who has signed an SDABL contract but who has provided misinformation pertaining to his Identity and/or age.
Any player who has signed multiple SDABL contracts with two different teams in the same league on the same day.
Any player who has signed multiple SDABL contracts with two different teams in two different skill levels within the same age group on either day.
Any player who has a signed SDABL contract but who is found playing on a team for which his contract does not apply.
Any team member who participates in any games while under suspension.
Any player who participates during the playoffs but who has not played the minimum number of regular season games required to allow the player to participate. (Section 3.5).

*Any games played by the team in which an Ineligible Player had participated are subject to forfeit.

ELIGIBLE SUBSTITUTE (Lineup):

Any player listed on the lineup card who has not yet been officially “placed” into the Offensive lineup.

INELIGIBLE SUBSTITUTE (Lineup):

Any substitute player (i.e., an offensive non-starter) who has been officially “placed” into the Offensive lineup (for instance, as a pinch runner), then removed from the Offensive lineup (regardless of whether or not he actually has batted).

OFFICIALLY “PLACED” IN THE OFFENSIVE LINEUP:

Any player who:

Is listed as an Offensive Starter on the lineup card (which becomes official once the first pitch of the game has been thrown).
Is listed as a Substitute on the lineup card and is subsequently placed into the Offensive Lineup once the game has started under the following conditions:

1) If a batter, he takes his place in the batter’s box (Official Baseball Rule 3.08(a)(2).

2) If a runner (“pinch), he takes the place of the runner he has replaced (Official Baseball Rule 3.08(a)(4).

ELIGIBLE OFFENSIVE PLAYER (Lineup):

Any player who is authorized to be placed into the Offensive Lineup in accordance with the above, including the details provided in Sections 11.5, 11.6, and 11.7.

PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY:

The proper documents that must be provided by an individual player during any game when challenged as to his Identity or Age. (See Section 3 for details).
The proper documents that must be provided by a team manager (or appropriate team representative) to the league upon request that proves a particular individual is an official member of that team’s roster. (See Section 3 for details).

GAME FORFEIT:

Any game in which a team is made to take a loss for the following reasons:

· Use of an Illegal player.

· Use of an Ineligible player.

· Not having the minimum number of eight (8) players required to start a game at the scheduled game time. (See No-Show Forfeit immediately below).

· Not being able to continue a game because the number of Eligible Offensive players available falls below the eight (8) required to continue playing.

· Any game that cannot be rescheduled for any reason by the League due to any team’s inability to play the originally scheduled game for any reason. (The league reserves the right to make exceptions).

· Any team that allows a team member to participate in a game while the said player is under suspension.

NO-SHOW FORFEIT:

· A forfeit whereby any team fails to have the minimum of eight (8) players present at the scheduled game time.

· A forfeit whereby any team fails to provide adequate notice of an inability to field a team in accordance with the “Contact Policy” definition below. (See Section 6.1 for details).

CONTACT POLICY:

A requirement whereby a team manager (or team appointed representative) must notify the League in the appropriate amount of time as set forth in Section 6.2 of an inability to field a team in order to prevent a No-Show Forfeit and having to pay both umpire fees for the scheduled game being cancelled.

FORMER PROFESSIONAL PLAYER STATUS:

Any player who has been released from a verifiable professional baseball contract for the past six months, which subsequently requires him to play in highest level of ball offered by the SDABL.
Any player who has been released under a verifiable professional baseball contract for more than six months is required to play in the highest level of play within his appropriate age group. EXCEPTIONS: Players over the age of 40.

Exception: Those players over the age of 48. (See Section 3.3.2 for details).

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HIGHLIGHTS OF 2004 RULE CHANGES

There are five (5) significant changes for 2004 as follows:

Children under the age of 18 are allowed to be in the dugout (and/or serve as a bat-boy/girl) provided the child’s parent(s) and the affected team’s manager takes full responsibility for the child’s safety. And all children 15 years of age and younger must wear a protective helmet. (See Section 10.5).
If any team is unable to field a team for either the morning game or the afternoon game for which it is scheduled, that team’s manager (or other team representative) must make notification of such by 7:30pm of the previous evening, and pursuant to the Contact Policy detailed in Section 6.2. Failure to do so will result in a No Show Forfeit.

3. A player may play in two different skill levels provided they are played on two different days and within one skill level of each other. For example, Sat 18A and Sun 18AA is acceptable. Sat 18A and Sun 18AAA is not acceptable, etc. Also, Sun 18A and Sun 18AA is not acceptable. (Section 3.4).

NON-RUNNER/LAST-RECORDED-OUT SUBSTITUTIONS: When a Non-Runner has been replaced by the player who is the last-recorded-out and the Offensive Manager decides to make an immediate substitution, the manager may declare that he is substituting for the last-recorded-out player as opposed to the Non-Runner himself. This allows the manager to keep the Non-Runner in the Offensive Lineup. At the same time, it must be understood this substitution places the pinch-runner into the batting lineup and removes the last-recorded-out player being substituted for. All applicable Re-entry rules will apply to the removed player. (Section 11.10).
While not a rule change, Section 8.2 PLAYOFFS clarifies the process with reference to qualifying for a playoff spot.

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SECTION 1 --- INTRODUCTION

The San Diego Adult Baseball League has become one of the world’s largest single city adult baseball programs, with roots dating back to 1986. The SDABL will always strive to provide a quality “stage” for all to act out their “Field of Dreams”.

1.1 MISSION STATEMENT

The SDABL is a team committed to working at maximum consciousness and integrity in order to provide our customers, both internal and external, the best available product and service. This will be accomplished by using the most current technologies available and performing our job with a positive, enthusiastic, and consistent effort. Fear and greed will not keep us from succeeding and we will look upon any failures as stepping stones to achieving our goal. Profitability will be fair and revenues will be shared within our community through contributions. We want for nothing more than the respect of our peers.

The SDABL plays under a common set of rules designed to organize amateur adult baseball into consistent, fairly run, and responsible adult baseball leagues. SDABL baseball is family oriented though competitive. The goal of the SDABL is to provide adults over the age of 18 with a fair, well organized and enjoyable amateur baseball program within the community. No arbitrary distinction or discrimination due to a potential player’s gender, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability shall be inferred or permitted.

1.2 GOALS OF THE SDABL:

Provide a well-organized and well-run League that is administered in a fair and impartial manner that keeps the player in mind and provides a forum for adults of all ages to play baseball, not softball; and Provide leagues that are designed to accommodate different ages and abilities to eliminate the fear of intimidation; and Create an organized and fun amateur baseball league for adults ages 18 and over.

The SDABL prides itself on its responsiveness to its players, managers and coaches and on its openness and availability to any adult who wishes to play baseball. If you feel it necessary to comment, ask a question, or bring a potential problem to either entities attention please feel free to do so at the following address, phone number, or email:

SAN DIEGO ADULT BASEBALL LEAGUE (SDABL)

4878 Ronson Court Suite L

San Diego, CA

Telephone: (858) 668-3225

Info@sdabl.com

1.3 DESCRIPTION OF LEAGUES:

Leagues are organized into different age groups with levels of competitive play and ability.

The 18 & Over Leagues (Elite, 18AAA, 18AA, or 18A) are for players’ age 18 or older and are organized into an 18 Elite or "AAA" League (advanced: the most competitive), an "AA" League (intermediate league), and a "A" League (recreational league).
The 28 & Over, 38 & Over and 48 & Over leagues (hereafter referred to as "28+", "38+" and "48+") are limited to players who meet the minimum age requirement for those leagues (28, 38 and 48, respectively) and then, as the league grows in size and number of teams, are organized by competitive play and ability into "AA" and "A" leagues. Players that are over 29, 39 or 48 may participate in an 18 & Over League.

1.4 RULES WE PLAY BY:

All games are played under the rules of baseball as stated in the most recent Official Rules of Baseball published by the National Baseball Congress, Inc. with the exceptions, additions, or notations contained in this booklet. The SDABL Rules Committee also has access to, and frequently consults, The Case Book of the Official Playing Rules Committee of Major League Baseball, and the Handbooks of both the American and National League Umpires. For those managers and players who wish to become familiar with the Official Rules of Baseball, the SDABL recommends obtaining a copy of Make the Right Call, published by Triumph Books, Inc. 644 South Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60605. If unavailable, any publication of the Official Rules of Baseball as sanctioned by MLB will be sufficient.

1.5 STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR:

As a team manager you represent your team to other teams and the SDABL. Be a responsible manager. If you have questions about rules, field locations, or other problems call your League President or Commissioner. They are there to help you during the season. Bring your Rulebook and Guidelines to games for reference before or during the game.

Read your Participant Contract, the SDABL Rulebook and Guidelines and any other material given to you. Become informed about how the SDABL works and keep updated so that you stay informed. The best way to help your team and have fun is to review all of the SDABL and Baseball rules and policies and be informed.

1.5.1 Player Conduct:

Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND/OR DRUGS ARE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED ON HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES BY A VARIETY OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY AND STATE LAWS. IN ADDITION, THE SDABL EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND/OR DRUGS IN THE VICINITY (INCLUDING PARKING LOTS) OF ANY FIELD USED BY THE SDABL SO AS TO AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF VIOLATING THESE LAWS.

This applies to all managers, players, coaches, as well as friends, family members, or any fans attending the game.
Any manager or player found to be in violation of these rules will be suspended immediately for a minimum of two (2) games. Note: Managers, you are responsible for your players and any spectators in the stands who “belong” to your team. Additional sanctions may also be applied against any offender(s).
A second violation may result in expulsion from the SDABL, either individually or as a team.

Each manager must recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing.

Be Responsible. Please notify all participants and spectators of this rule. Teams/managers are to police their fans, friends, family members or spectators for violations of league rules. Both team managers should attempt to persuade any person or persons participating in or watching the game and who are in violation of this section to leave the premises. Please note: Umpires have the authority from the SDABL to stop or forfeit games if there is a problem with drinking or drug use at any game or facility.

Be Aware. All school districts, city or county ordinances prohibit all or some forms of tobacco use (cigarettes, dip, chew, etc.) at a facility. It is very important to observe these rules wherever and whenever they may be in force. In those instances where tobacco use is not prohibited, please use courtesy, common sense, fire-safety awareness and sanitation in both the use and disposal of all tobacco products. No coach or incoming team wants to see cigarette butts and chew-spit tarnishing the field and dugouts. League Presidents may enforce penalties or prohibit use for repeated offenses.

1.5.2 Behavior Towards Umpires:

Umpires shall not to be physically or verbally abused. If you have a complaint about an umpire's call, explain it to him. If you are reasonable, he will be reasonable. If problems develop between you and an umpire, notify the League President and/or the SDABL Chief Umpire to provide with the umpire's name and number.

You should ask the plate umpire for his and his partner’s name before your game during the pre-game meeting. All umpires have been instructed to provide you with their names, per the SDABL Chief Umpire. If any umpire refuses to give his name, contact the Chief Umpire after your game, or any other league official.

PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE PERSON OF AN UMPIRE OR THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY (i.e., automobile, equipment, etc.) IN ANY WAY IS FORBIDDEN BY BOTH SDABL AND OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES AND WILL BE DEALT WITH BY A MINIMUM 3-GAME SUSPENSION, SEASON OR PERMANENT EXPULSION FROM THE SDABL.

Discussions with umpires concerning any aspect of the game are limited to the playing field. If any player or manager follows an umpire off the field he will be subject to suspension and expulsion from the SDABL. Remember that, as with players, no umpire is perfect. Some are better than others. It is your place as manager to deal with the umpires; keep your players away from them. If anybody is ejected, it should be you, not your players. Don’t, however, make a habit of being ejected. A manager ejected 3 times in a season may be subject to League sanctions.

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SECTION 2 --- ORGANIZING YOUR TEAM and INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS

2.1 TEAM RELATED INFORMATION:

Team managers are required to submit their team packets to the league by the 3^rd game of the season. Failure to do so will result in the 3^rd game (and any subsequent games until packets are submitted) being cancelled and considered as a forfeit loss.

2.1.1 Team Placement:

The SDABL reserves the right to determine which league/division each team is best suited to play in.
Team placement may be based on, but not limited to, team ability, past performance, or the number of teams in each league, which may be necessary to maintain an even schedule in terms of the number of teams available.
SDABL leagues are designed for competition and recreation. Teams considered too strong or too weak for their respective leagues will be placed into the appropriate league.
Typically, League Champions must move up to the next highest level of play for the following season. The SDABL reserves the right to make a determination of what level of competition each team will compete to ensure the competitive balance of the league.
Teams finishing below .250 for two successive seasons may be moved to a lower level of play where they may be more competitive.
Teams finishing above .850 for two successive seasons may be moved to a higher league that offers more competition.

2.1.2 Team Roster:

Each team must carry one (1) manager and at least ten (10) contracted players on its roster at all times to be eligible to compete in league games. There is no limit to the number of players on a team's roster.
Any individual contracts that contain incomplete information will make the individual player ineligible and any games in which he participates subject to forfeit if protested by another manager.
All managers should have their copies of their players' contracts with them during games to afford proof of player eligibility. Managers who cannot produce a team member’s signed contract when challenged by an opposing manager are subject to protest and subsequent investigation of the team’s roster by the league.

2.1.3 Dropped Teams:

On occasion a team may have to be dropped from league play, due to either league suspension or the inability to field a team. The following policy will apply:

Teams dropped during the season are subject to loss of player fees and forfeit bond.
After notification to the League President that a team has dropped from the league, the team that is next scheduled to play the dropped team will receive a Forfeit Win.
The dropped team’s remaining games will be cancelled and their record becomes frozen after recording the forfeit loss.
Repeat offenders are subject to League sanctions.
The SDABL will attempt to reschedule games between those teams who were scheduled to play the dropped team.

2.2 INDIVIDUAL PLAYER RELATED INFORMATION:

A separate transaction is required for each player who is added, dropped or transferred. All transactions must be in writing and received by the League Commissioner or League Office to be valid. That is, no transactions will be considered official with a mere phone call. The following policy will apply for each case:

2.2.1 Player Adds:

A player may be added after the season has started.
The added player's contract must be submitted to the League President no later than the day before the game in which the added player is to participate.
The added player's contact may be mailed to the League President. The envelope must be postmarked by midnight the night before a game for that player to be eligible.

2.2.2 Player Drops:

Managers must notify the League President in writing if a player leaves the team.
The submitted document must specify the necessary information pertaining to the player and be submitted to the League President within 14 days after the player has been official dropped.

2.2.3 Player Transfers:

The following policy explains the allowable player transfers between teams during an active season. This policy will be adhered to without exception:

· Transfers within the same league: Player may move from one team to another but must sit out one game for each transfer. NOTE: He must sit out the game that follows immediately after the date he officially declares a transfer/drop. If this “after” game becomes forfeit or rained out, the transfer player’s obligations to sit will have been fulfilled.

· Transfers from one league to another:

a) Higher league to a lower league (in terms of level of play): Player must sit out one game before playing. The Transferred Player may not play at a higher level for the remainder of the season.

b) Lower league to a higher league (in terms of level of play): Player may play immediately after the transfer. Player may return to the lower league later that season, but must sit out one game and must remain in the lower league the rest of the season.

Note 1: Players transferring from a team that has folded to a potential playoff team are immediately eligible to play the next scheduled regular season game with that new team. Player eligibility for the playoffs shall remain applicable as set forth in Section 3.5 below.

Note 1: The first game of a doubleheader satisfies the one (1) game requirement for the cases noted above. A game won by forfeit also satisfies this one (1) game requirement.

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SECTION 3 --- ELIGIBILITY POLICIES

3.1 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY (Contracts/Identity):

· Every participating player must have a signed contract on file with the league that identifies the player by name and age.

· Each manager should have a copy of this signed contract as well as an official team roster that lists the eligible member of his/her team. The manager should be able to produce signed contracts upon request.

· Each eligible player must be playing in the league in which he qualifies with reference to age requirements and all other requirements as set form in each section below.

3.2 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY (Age):

A player is eligible to participate in an official League sanctioned game when they have reached the ages indicated for each League as follows:

· 18 & Over --- Must be 18 at the time of contract signing and participation. No exceptions will be allowed.

· 28 & Over --- Must be 28 by the end of the calendar year.

· 38 & Over --- Must be 38 by end of the calendar year.

· 48 & Over --- Must be 48 by the end of the calendar year.

An older player may play in a younger league. A younger player may not play in an older league.

All managers must abide by their respective Leagues age restrictions. Each manager must recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at anytime have the right to question a player’s age. Each player must have proof of age/identity at every game. Each player must be able to present proof of age if requested by the opposing manager or umpire. Failure to do so will result in his not being allowed to play and/or his immediate removal from the game. (See Section 3.6.1 “Consequences” below).

3.3 LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY (Skill Level):

3.3.1 College Players (Current/Former):

Players who are currently active in university, collegiate, or JC baseball programs must play in the highest skill level available for their age group in the San Diego Adult Baseball Association.

To be exempt from having to play in the highest level offered, the following requirements must be met by the individual player:

· Former Division I and II players --- must not have played for at last two (2) full seasons.

· Former Division III players --- must not have played for at least one (1) full season.

· Former JC or NAIA players --- must not have played for at least six (6) months.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO MANAGERS: Managers should be aware that NCAA Division I baseball rules. "NCAA Division I baseball rules," prohibit more than 3 Division I players from playing on the same off-season team. These players may be subject to losing their collegiate eligibility. So, please be aware of who your players are and their backgrounds. The National NABA office has the complete NCAA Compliance Regulations on file. If you are unsure or have any doubt, contact the SDABL President.

3.3.2 Professional Players (Current/Former):

Players who have been under verifiable professional baseball contracts in the last six months in either the Minor or Major leagues are only eligible to play in the Highest League being offered by the SDABL. Teams violating this rule will forfeit all games in which that player (or players) played even if the existence of a contract is discovered after the fact. Final resolution in such a situation is at the discretion of the SDABL Rules Committee.

Former Major League players (and assuming they have not been under a verifiable professional baseball contract in the last six months) are restricted to the highest level of play offered within their appropriate age group. A Major League player is one who may be found in the Baseball Encyclopedia. This restriction is removed if the player is 48+ years old.

3.4 ROSTER ELIGIBILITY (Participating on Multiple Teams/Signed Contracts:

· No player may play for two different teams in the same age group on the same day.

· A player may play in two different skill levels provided they are played on two different days and within one skill level of each other. For example, Sat 18A and Sun 18AA is acceptable. Sat 18A and Sun 18AAA is not acceptable, etc. Also, Sun 18A and Sun 18AA is not acceptable.

Requirements are as follows:

· A player must have a valid contract---signed and dated---on file with the SDABL for each league in which he plays and for each team in which he is a member.

· All players should be prepared with a valid picture ID, or two pieces of non-photo ID such as a personal checkbook and a credit card, in the event a player's identity is questioned.