CRVBL home page

1.0 ROSTERS

1.1 Pitchers and catchers must be of the age of 30 or older in the calendar year of the current season.

1.2 There shall be a minimum of 13 players on each team roster.

1.3 There will be a maximum of 20 players per team roster.

1.4 In order to be eligible to participate in the Playoffs, each player on the roster must appear, i.e., enter the game at least once, during 1/3 of the teams regular season games. This 1/3 of the game is calculated by dividing the number of games played by 3, and rounding up to the next whole number.

2.0 TRADES

2.1 Trades or Transfers must be approved in writing by the following:

A.) The player.

B.) The current team manager.

C.) The new team manager.

If there is not agreement, a grievance must be filed with the Board for a ruling, which may be that the player is placed on either of the teams in question or any other team as is seen fair for the well being of the player and the league. If there is not a reasonable explanation from the current team manager, the transfer will be allowed. This procedure must be followed both during the season and in the "off-season". During the "off-season", players are still considered on the roster of the team they finished with.

3.0 BATTING ORDER

3.1 A minimum of 9 registered players must start each game.

3.2 A team may finish a game with 8 players due to injury or emergency. At any point in the game

should a team not be able to field 8 players, they shall forfeit the game.

3.3 Any player that is removed and not replaced with a substitute shall constitute an out when his

vacated spot comes due in the batting order.

3.4 The maximum number of batters shall be determined by the team manager prior to the start of each game. This shall be the batting order.

3.5 A substitute is any registered player not in the original batting order.

3.6 An Extra Hitter (EH) is any player in the original batting order who is not starting at a fielding position.

4.0 SUBSTITUTIONS

4.1 All players may leave and re-enter the game one time provided the batting order remains the same, i.e., he must re-enter the game in the same position in the batting order.

4.2 The pitcher may leave his position and return as pitcher one time, providing he remains in the game in another fielding position.

NOTES: A.) There are only 9 fielders and X amount of EHs, there is no DH.

B.) Leaving the game is when a substitute is put in. A substitute can be a pinch hitter or

pinch runner and is different than exchanging fielding positions with an EH, which is allowed with no limit.

5.0 CONDUCT AND DECORUM

5.1 Any manager, coach, or player who is ejected from a game shall be removed from the playing field area, and is subject to review by the Board.

5.2 Any manager, coach, or player who physically abuses or threatens physical abuse upon any umpire is automatically ejected and suspended from the league for the remainder of the season.

5.3 Application for reinstatement must be made during the off season to the President and the

Board.

5.4 Only the manager or designated representative may confer with the umpire regarding any game related issues during the game.

5.5 Any abusive language by any player or manager directed at or to any opposing player or manager, done with the intent to intimidate, shall not be tolerated at any time before, during, or after the game. Any player or manager who refuses to comply with this rule, after receiving a warning by any umpire, shall be ejected from the game. If the incident occurs after the game has been completed, the offending player or manager shall be suspend from the following game.

6.0 PROTESTS

6.1 Protests must be made to the umpire during the game in accordance to the Rules or Major League Baseball.

6.2 All formal protests must be delivered in writing (faxing is admissible) to the League President within 72 hours of the incident. Telephone calls are acceptable notification if followed in writing.

6.3 Protests will be reviewed by the Board. In the event of a Board member being involved in the protest, an alternate committee member will be appointed by the President.

7.0 OFFICIAL SCOREBOOK

7.1 The home team scorebook is the official scorebook. Both scorebooks, (visitor and home), must be verified at the time of any change in the line-up (eg. substitutions), to maintain the integrity of the batting order and pitching rules. All changes must also be reported to the umpire.

8.0 SLIDING RULE

8.1 A player must slide or avoid contact when a defensive player has the ball and attempts to tag the runner or the base. All judgments shall be made by the umpire.

8.2 Violation will result in an out for the play and possible ejection from the game.

9.0 10 RUN RULE

9.1 After seven full innings of play, and after the completion (both visitor and home at bats) of any subsequent innings, if the difference is 10 runs or more after the completion of any inning from the 7^th onward, the game is automatically over.

10.0 UNIFORMS

10.1 All registered players must wear like, numbered shirts as a minimum identification.

10.2 No shorts are allowed. Normal baseball style pants should be worn.

10.3 Caps are required. Please reference Major League Rules for proper attire.

11.0 COURTESY RUNNERS

11.1 There is a maximum of two (2) players who may receive a courtesy runner for each batting order.

11.2 Players who will receive a courtesy runner must be identified prior to the start of each game and noted in the official scorebook.

11.3 The player who made the last batted out for the batting team is the runner to be used as the courtesy runner, unless that person is also a courtesy runner recipient in which case you continue to the next previous out. If it is the start of the game the courtesy runner is the last player in the lineup.

11.4 The courtesy runner must enter the field at the base where the batter stands at the end of play during his at bat, and prior to the first pitch to the next batter. Notification to the umpire is required to stop play during the substitution.

11.5 Players injured during their at bat will not be eligible for a courtesy runner unless they are previously designated so. They can only be replaced by a substitution. If no substitution is available, you may use a "special" courtesy runner, only for the current at bat, if mutually

agreed to by both managers. The opposing manager will select the person to be the runner.

12.0 EQUIPMENT

12.1 Baseballs will be standardized throughout the league.

12.2 Metal bats are allowed.

12.3 Metal spikes are allowed.

12.4 Helmets are required for both batter and base runners.

13.0 PRECEDENCE OF RULES

13.1 The rules contained herein are the official league rules. In addition to league rules, Major League Rules (National League) apply. The order of precedence shall be; League Rules,

Major League Rules (National League).

14.0 LEAGUE RULE CHANGES

14.1 No rule modifications are permitted without a majority vote by the Board.

15.0 EJECTION AND SUSPENSION

15.1 If, in the judgment of the umpire, the base runner intentionally runs into the fielder to dislodge the ball or injure the fielder, the base runner will be automatically out and immediately ejected from the game. This is a violation of the slide rule. There is no appeal. At the time of the infraction the ball is dead.

15.2 If a fielder, including the catcher, does not have possession of the ball, he cannot block or obstruct any base to which the runner is attempting to advance. The runner will be awarded the base, the fielder will be ejected from the game, and the ball is dead at the point of infraction.

15.3 Any league player(s) who is responsible for damage or vandalism to the facilities and/or property used by the League will be immediately suspended from further league play, pending review of his actions by the Board.

15.4 Any player who is ejected from a game is subject to a one game suspension from League Play.

There is no option to appeal. A player has the right to appeal a multiple game suspension to the Board. The primary Managers are exempt from the automatic suspension and will be disciplined accordingly by the Board. All appeals of suspension shall be filed in writing to the President within seven days of the Boards decision or waiver shall result. The President shall have sole discretion on whether extension for appeal will be granted. Any appeal of a suspension of 9 games or more must be heard in front of the entire Board of Directors at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

15.0 EJECTION AND SUSPENSION cont.

15.5 The Board the right to suspend or discipline any player or manager as they see fit for misconduct or violation of the League Rules and Regulations. This may include abolishment from the league.

15.6 Minor & Major infractions

Minor Infractions (1-2 games) - Players may be suspended for the following: Throwing of equipment, harassment or abusive language directed towards an umpire, manager, player or spectator. Violation of CRVBL league rules or National League Rules which warrants ejection. Alcohol consumption on the field before or during games.

Major Infractions

1st level - Verbal harassment, confrontation or abusive language, before or after a game on an umpire, manager, player, or spectator. Failure to leave the playing field in a timely manner after being ejected from a game (an additional un-sportsman like conduct). 8 game minimum

2nd level - Verbally threatening physical harm to an Umpire, Manager, Player or spectator before, during or after a game. 9 game minimum

3rd level - Intentionally or recklessly destroying property (personal, team, league, school, City or State) belonging to an umpire, manager, player or spectator. Physical assault on an Umpire, Manager, Player, or spectator before, during or after a game. 1 year minimum

16.0 FORFEITS

16.1 Forfeit time for all games is official at 15 minutes past the scheduled game time.

16.2 Forfeiting teams shall be responsible to pay all associated game fees, including but not limited to, umpires, fields, lights and/or security.

16.3 The second forfeit in the same season will eliminate a team from participating in the Playoff games. The team will also be subject to review by the Board.

16.4 The third forfeit in the same season will result in expulsion from the league by Board vote.

16.5 No official game may take place without umpire participation.

16.6 In cases of Rain or Darkness, a scheduled 9 inning game is official after 41/2 innings, a scheduled 7 inning game is official after 3/12 innings. All double headers are to be scheduled for 2, 7 inning games.

17.0 DECOY RULE

17.1 If, in the umpire’s judgement, a defensive player attempts to decoy the runner(s) into sliding, with the intention of convincing the runner(s) a play is being made at the base, the defensive player shall be ejected from the game.