Rules

1.     Managers

1.1.  Each team is an independent franchise, owned by a declared manager of record.  As such the Manager has a duty and must perform certain tasks for the league in regards to their team.

1.2.  All appropriate league funds due by both individual player and team are due by the date(s) established by the league President’s concurrence. Absolutely no further games will be scheduled for teams in arrears beyond one week of scheduled payment.

1.3.  Collect all monies and deliver them to the League Office or President by the following dates:

1.3.1.     Pay the deposit before the team may select players from the New Player Draft.

1.3.2.     Pay the initial team league fee by the Jamboree

1.3.3.     Pay the final team league fee by June 1st

1.3.4.     Pay all additional fees, player roster fees for players above 16 on the roster at $50 per player, extra game baseball fees, and a $250 fine after two forfeits for non-payment.

1.4.  All teams are required to begin the MSBL/MABL season with an active roster of 16 players.

1.5.  For a player to be eligible and considered a part of the Jacksonville MABL/MSBL, all required league forms must be completed, submitted and accepted no less than 48 hours prior to the player’s first game.  The player must be listed on the team’s website roster to be considered eligible.  This roster will be managed by the Board of Directors throughout the season and will be kept up to date. A team using an ineligible player will risk forfeiture of all games the illegal player participated in, a season long ban of the manager, and a $250 reinstatement fee for the manager if it is found that they intentionally cheated by playing an illegal player.

1.6.  All team rosters must be final by the time appointed by the board. After this date, a player may only be added by Board of Director approval. Any player added after the specified date will pay the full individual league registration fee. ($50.00)

1.7.  All Player Waiver and Liability forms must be completed online before a player is eligible to participate in games.

1.8.  The electronic copy of the final roster must be submitted to the League Office or President by June 1st.

1.9.  Failure to adhere to any of the deadlines will lead to game forfeits (with fines) until the

situation has been resolved. (Please review Rule 14. Forfeits).

1.10.  Any player who cancels their initial $50 fee that will be paid online (initiates a bank call back) will be permanently ineligible to participate in future contests and the team manager will be liable for any and all fees incurred by such an action.

2. Players

2.1.  All players must be 18 years of age by the date of their first game of the season. Players 18 through 27 years of age will be registered in MABL and eligible to play in MABL tournaments.

Players 28 years and older will be registered in MSBL and eligible to play in MSBL sponsored tournaments.

2.2.  Players that will turn 18 years of age during the course of the season may be put on the roster at the beginning of the season while still 17. They are not eligible to play until the day they turn 18.

2.3.  Players that will turn 30 years of age during the course of the season are eligible to play for a designated MSBL team at any time during that season.

2.4.  Pro ball players are eligible to participate in MSBL Jacksonville.

2.5.  All team switching must occur before the deadline of June 1st.

2.6.  No player may switch teams without the consent of both managers and the local league President (according to Player Movement rules). If one of the managers is the League President and is involved with the trade, then another Board member may act in his/her place. If all three parties agree the player may switch teams and be eligible for the next game.

2.7.  Players MUST play a minimum of 6 league games to be eligible for tournament play.

3. Uniforms

3.1 – All players will have full uniforms by their third game. Wearing of caps, baseball pants, and shirtsleeves are mandatory. Jerseys MUST match and hats must match colors. Shirts will be tucked into pants, and hats worn straight while on the field. Teams violating this rule will not be allowed to play until outfitted properly.

3.2 – Either metal or rubber cleats are permitted.

3.3 – All batters will wear at least one earflap on their helmet. Base runners will be required to wear helmets while running the bases. These helmets may or may not have earflaps.

3.4 – Catchers must wear a helmet. Throat protection is also strongly advised.

4. Equipment

4.1 – Diamond D1 Pro low seam baseballs are the official ball of the Jacksonville MABL.

4.2 – The home team is required to provide 4 new baseballs for each game.  If those balls are lost, both teams will throw in the best balls available for the remainder of the game.  NOTE: The order for submitting additional baseballs after the initial 4 is as follows: the visiting team submits 2 balls, the home team submits 2 balls, etc.

4.3 – (-3) or less Wooden, metal-wood and wood composite bats will be allowed.

4.4 – Umpires will disallow bats not deemed playable.

4.5 – Modified helmets and baseballs are not allowed

5. Games

5.1 – If a game must be cancelled due to inclement weather or an unplayable field, notice must be given to the league President or the league’s designated umpire contact at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled game time.

5.2 – All games rained out, postponed, or called because of darkness, or for whatever reason, should be rescheduled by agreement of the managers within two (2) weeks, and must be rescheduled prior to official end-date of the season. The Home Team Manager is responsible for field acquisition of rain canceled games, and must coordinate with the Field Umpire Director for provision of umpires. Either team unable to make up the game shall forfeit the game to the other team. All teams are responsible for completing their entire schedule.

5.3 – If for some reason both umpires do not show up, the game shall be canceled and rescheduled. If only one umpire shows up, the game will be played. The Home Team Manager must contact the Field and Umpire Director immediately after the game.

5.4 – There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted before, during or after the games on park grounds. If this problem should arise, the player or players will not be allowed to play in that game and will be warned the first time and expelled for NO LESS THAN ONE FULL YEAR on the second offense.

6. Game Length

6.1 – All regular season single games will be 9 innings, or as many innings as can be played in two hours and forty-five minutes (2:45) of the first pitch.

6.2 – All regular season double-header games will be (2) 7 inning games, or as many innings as can be played in two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) of the first pitch of each game.

6.3 – There will be a fifteen (15) minute grace period, from the scheduled start time for the required number of players to be available, once the fifteen (15) minute grace period is over, the game is either declared a forfeit or played (SEE RULE 7).

6.4 – In the event a doubleheader is to be played, once the fifteen (15) minute grace period is over and the first game is declared a forfeit, the second game will start thirty (30) minutes later. There is no grace period for the second game.

7. Players needed to begin a game

7.1 – Each team shall have, at a minimum, nine registered MABL players to begin a league game. Players may be borrowed from either the opposing team (with permission from the opposing manager) or from other MABL teams (registered players only). These players may not pitch or catch. There is a limit of 3 borrowed players that can be used at one time.

7.2 – If a player is forced to leave a game due to an injury, a reserve player not previously entered into the line-up, as a hitter, must hit in that batter’s spot. If no reserve is present, the team may continue with 8 players, but an out is recorded each time the injured player’s spot comes to bat.

7.3 – If a player is forced to leave a game and there are only seven (7) players, that game is automatically forfeited.

7.4 – If a player is forced to leave the game for any other reason than an injury, resulting in 8 players or less, the game is automatically forfeited.

7.5 – If a team elects to bat MORE than 9 players, at any time during the game, and a player has to leave the line-up for ANY reason, and there is no available substitute, that spot in the order will be recorded as an out each time that player’s position in the batting order comes up.

8. A/B Slot Batting Order

8.1 – A/B slot batting can be used anywhere in the batting order.

8.2 – The slot batting order or tournament style batting can be used to help get more players involved. Each team has the option to alternate different players in their batting lineup, giving more players an opportunity to participate in the game.

8.3 -The conditions for the Slot A/B batting style are as follows:

The team using this style of batting order must declare this before the game starts and the player’s names need to show up on the lineup card. The slot batting order, if started, must also finish in the same fashion. Players can be substituted in the A/B slot. For example: If Tom and John are sharing the #10 batting slot and for some reason Tom is no longer able to play (injury, ejection or has to leave) and there is nobody else available, Tom’s spot would be an automatic out. If there is another player available to fill that spot, that player bats in the slot. A of A/B slot bats first time around and B of A/B slot bats next time that spot comes to bat, alternate the same way, until game is finished.

9. Courtesy Runners

9.1 – Players that require a courtesy runner must have their Manager notify the Umpire and the Opposing Manager before the start of the game. The manager can ask for courtesy runner privileges for a maximum of two (2) players before the game. The last batted out will be the courtesy runner. If a player designated at the beginning of the game to need a courtesy runner stays on the field, as a runner, that player will forfeit his right to a courtesy runner for the remainder of the game. It is the responsibility of the coaches to monitor the use of the courtesy runners.

9.2 – If less than 2 courtesy runners are declared at the beginning of the game, and a subsequent obvious injury occurs during the game that precludes a player from running the bases, the last batted out may be used, as a courtesy runner and it will not count as a permanent offensive substitution. The original batter must still run to first base.

10. Speed Up Rule

10.1 – The Pitcher and Catcher may have a courtesy runner while on the bases; before two (2) outs it is optional, it is mandatory with two outs. The last batted out will be the courtesy runner. This rule shall also be enforced in the ninth inning. The pitcher or catcher of record is that one listed on the starting line up (if it is the first inning) or the pitcher or catcher of record from the previous defensive inning. It is the responsibility of the coaches to monitor the use of the courtesy runners.

11. Run Rule

11.1 – If a team has a twelve (12) run lead, at any time after 5 innings or the home team has scored its 12th run in the bottom of the 5th, the game is completed.  If a team has a ten (10) run lead, at any time after 7 innings or the home team has scored its 10th run in the bottom of the 7th, the game is completed.

12. Gameplay Rules

12.1 – Offensive changes to the line-up must be reported to the Umpire and the opposing Manager.

12.2 – Free defensive substitutions will be allowed, at any time. Defensive players do not have to report and do not have to be in the offensive line up.

12.3 – Each team must bat at least nine (9) or more players to start the game. The manager may add more batters to the bottom of the batting order. If a player fails to bat in his turn (unless substituted for), he will be counted as an out. This is in accordance with the batting out of order rule.

12.4 – The pinch hitter rule shall follow the substitution rules laid out by the MLB Official Rulebook:

3.03

A player, or players, may be substituted during a game at any time the ball is dead.

A substitute player shall bat in the replaced player’s position in the team’s batting order.  A player once removed from a game shall not re-enter that game.  If a player who has been substituted for attempts to re-enter, or re-enters, the game in any capacity, the umpire-in-chief shall direct the player’s manager to remove such player from the game immediately upon noticing the player’s presence or upon being informed of the player’s improper presence by another umpire or by either manager.  If such direction to remove the substituted-for player occurs before play commences with the substituted-for player improperly in the game, then the substitute player may enter the game.  If such direction to remove the substituted-for player occurs after play has commenced with the substituted-for player in the game, then the substitute player shall be deemed to have been removed from the game (in addition to the removal of the substituted-for player) and shall not enter the game. If a substitute enters the game in place of a player-manager, the manager may thereafter go to the coaching lines at his discretion.  When two or more substitute players of the defensive team enter the game at the same time, the manager shall, immediately before they take their positions as fielders, designate to the umpire-in-chief such players’ positions in the team’s batting order and the umpire-in-chief shall so notify the official scorer.  If this information is not immediately given to the umpire-in-chief, he shall have authority to designate the substitutes’ places in the batting order.

12.5 – There is no requirement on how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or week. No white or gray sleeves are permitted for pitchers (past the elbow). No batting gloves or wristbands will be allowed for pitchers while pitching. The MLB Official Rulebook shall dictate the color of the pitcher’s baseball glove.  This rule is as follows:

1.15
(a) The pitcher’s glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner.
(b) No pitcher shall attach to his glove any foreign material of a color different from the glove.
(c) The umpire-in-chief shall cause a glove that violates Rules 1.15(a) or 1.15(b) to be removed from the game, either on his own initiative, at the recommendation of another umpire or upon complaint of the opposing manager that the umpire-in-chief agrees has merit.

12.6 – Intentionally pitching at the batter will not be tolerated. The pitcher or team may be warned one time. The Pitcher may be ejected if in the judgment of the umpire the act was intentional. In the judgment of the umpire a warning may be issued to each bench and manager. A second case of intentionally pitching at the batter of the same game will result in an ejection and consequent suspension. The second occurrence of an ejection for intentionally pitching at a batter in the same season will result in a one-year suspension from the date of that second occurrence.

12.7 -A pitcher may return to pitch after he has been defensively re-aligned in the field or if he has been taken out of the game defensively.

12.8 – Charging the pitcher’s mound will result in a two game suspension for the first offense, a five game suspension for the second offense and a one-year suspension for any other occurrence.

12.9 – A pitcher will be removed from the mound after he has unintentionally hit three (3) batters, this is not an ejection, he will not be eligible to pitch for the remainder of the game.

12.10 – All players must avoid an intentional collision with the fielder. In this case, the player will be out and ejected from the game and receive a two game suspension immediately. The NCAA rule applies and is as follows:

RULE 8 Base Running

NCAA Collision Rule

SECTION 7. The rules committee is concerned about unnecessary and violent collisions with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all bases. The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions whenever possible.

a. When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge:

(1)  Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable (could the runner have reached the base without colliding) or unavoidable (the runner’s path to the base was blocked);

(2)  Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate) or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder; or 

(3) Whether the runner was using flagrant contact to maliciously dislodge the ball.

PENALTY—If the runner attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

A.R. 1—If the fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner may make contact, slide into, or collide with a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate.

A.R. 2—If the flagrant or malicious contact by the runner was before the runner’s touching the plate, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest. The ball shall be declared dead immediately. All other base runners shall return to the bases they occupied at the time of the pitch.

A.R. 3—If the contact was after a preceding runner had touched home plate, the preceding runner will be ruled safe, the ball becomes dead immediately and all other base runners will return to the base they had last touched before the contact.

A.R. 4—If the runner is safe and the collision is malicious, the runner shall be ruled safe and ejected from the game. If this occurs at any base other than home, the offending team may replace the runner.

b. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The umpire shall point and call, “That’s obstruction.”  The umpire shall let the play continue until all play has ceased, call time and award any bases that are justified in Rule 2.  The obstructed runner is awarded at least one base beyond the base last touched legally before the obstruction.

A.R. 5—If the base runner collides flagrantly, the runner shall be declared safe on the obstruction, but will be ejected from the contest. The ball is dead.

12.11 – If an infielder fake tags, all runners will be entitled to advance one base beyond the base they had legally obtained prior to the fake tag and a warning will be given. If a preceding runner is forced to advance because of the award of base(s) that runner shall advance without liability to be put out. If any infielder fakes a tag again, in the same game, he will be ejected from the game. The fake-tag referred to is where a player on base slides unnecessarily due to a fake tag.

13. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

13.1 – Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. If the umpire ejects a player from a game for ANY reason, the following will apply: First offense – two (2) additional game suspensions. Any subsequent ejection will result with the player being suspended for the balance of the current season. The Board of Directors will determine all issues surrounding season-long or greater suspensions. The Board of Directors is tasked with providing greater weight in favor of the umpires, and the burden to prove otherwise is solely on the shoulders of the individual player concerned. Rules of Administrative Procedure will apply at these hearings.

13.2 – Any suspension of more than two (2) games will be automatically reviewed by the league Board of Directors.

13.3 – Physical aggression will be treated as a criminal offense and will be reported to the city officials. Any player in this category will not be allowed to play in the MABL for life.

14. Protests

14.1 – All protests should be lodged with the Rules Committee within forty-eight (48) hours from the end of a ball game with a $25.00 protest fee. The $25.00 will be refunded to the protesting manager if his/her protest prevails at the Rules Committee hearing. If the protest is lost, the money will be deposited into the league account. The manager wishing to protest a game must inform the umpires immediately and inform the Rules Committee in writing within forty-eight hours after the game. In the event a protest involves the Chairman or a member of the Rules Committee, or they are a member of one of the two teams involved in the protest, that member or members will excuse themselves from the discussion and voting on that particular protest. The Chairman of the Rules Committee will be also a Member of the Board of Directors and selected annually by the league President.

15. Forfeits

15.1 – Two forfeits by any team would result in a $100 fine and will double for each subsequent forfeit, so on and so on. These fines MUST be paid before the next scheduled game or the team would incur another forfeit and fine. If for any reason a team is expelled from the league there will be no money refunded to the team.

16. Spectators

16.1 – The (2) Team Managers will be responsible for the conduct of their respective players’ fans in the ballpark. No beer or alcohol will be allowed in the stands. No abusive language will be tolerated.

16.2 – Non-registered MABL participants will not be allowed in the dugouts.

17. Team Stats

17.1 – The coach of each team is responsible for updating or appointing someone to update their team’s statistics. This is an extremely important tool that sets us apart and as such we need to ensure across the board utilization. The teams are encouraged to update the statistics as soon as possible.

17.2 – If a team falls behind on maintaining their team’s statistics, they will be allotted 2 games to update them. If they remain out of compliance, they will receive a warning by the 3rd game. If they are not completely up to date by the 4th game, there will be a fine of $50 added to the team’s balance sheet. The league will add $50 to this fine until the statistics are updated or the fine reaches a total of $150. If the fine reaches the maximum of $150 or if the statistics are not up to date by the end of the season, the team will not be eligible for the playoffs.