RHMRBL Rules and Regulations - 2011

Rules for the RHMRBL have been defined in the following sections:

1. Schedules, the Playing Field and Equipment.
2. Game Preliminaries.
3. Starting and Ending The Game.
4. The Runner.
5. The Pitcher.
6. The League.
7. RHMRBL Code Of Conduct.

Revisions for 2011

• Added Helmet Rule 1.05(b)
• Added Maximum Bat Ratio Rule 1.06

Section 1.0: Schedules, the Playing Field and Equipment

1.01 - All games will be played as scheduled by the VP of Operations.

1.02 - Playoff doubleheaders will only be scheduled if absolutely necessary. The scheduler will confer with the president and the involved team representatives before scheduling a playoff doubleheader.

1.03 - The home team is responsible for preparing the field, including, bases, lines and field grooming if necessary.

1.04 - The umpire will determine unmarked lines at his discretion.

1.05 - RHMRBL shall adopt the following rule pertaining to the use of helmets:

1. All players shall use a single or double-ear flap protective helmet while at bat.
2. All players shall use a single or double-ear flap protective helmet while running the bases.
3. All catchers shall wear a catcher’s protective helmet, while fielding their position.

1.06 - Bats must not have a maximum weight to length ratio greater than -3.

Section 1.05 & 1.06 Comment: If the umpire observes any violation of these rules, he shall direct the violation to be corrected. If the violation is not corrected within a reasonable time, in the umpire’s judgment, the umpire shall call the offender out. If the player is a multiple offender, the umpire may eject the offender from the game, and disciplinary action, as appropriate, will be recommended.

1.07 - RHMRBL will use a double bag (white / orange) for first base.

1. A batted ball hitting the white portion is declared fair and a batted ball hitting the orange portion is declared foul.
2. Whenever a play is being made on the batter-runner, the defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the orange portion.
3. On extra base hits or balls hit to the outfield when there is no play being made at the double base, the runner may touch the white or orange portion.
4. On a dropped third strike, the batter-runner and the defensive player may use either the orange or the white portion.
5. The batter-runner must use the orange portion on the first attempt at first base; however, should he reach and go beyond first base, he must return to the white portion.
6. Should the batter-runner round the base on a hit to the infield or the outfield, he must return to the white portion.
7. When tagging up on a fly ball, the white portion must be used.
8. On an attempted pick-off play the runner must return to the white portion.

Section 1.07 Comment: We will enforce the OBA rules on running to first when there is a play at first. Upon reaching the 45 ft. line a batter-runner must run on the right side in a 3ft. running lane and touch the orange part of the bag regardless of how close the play is at 1^st. If the batter-runner does not comply with the rule he is declared out regardless if he is safe or out upon reaching 1^st. Play is dead and all runners must return to previously occupied base.

Section 2.0: Game Preliminaries

2.01 - Before the game begins the umpire shall:

1. Require strict observance of all rules governing implements of play and equipment of players;
2. Be sure that all playing lines are markedwith lime, chalk or other white material easily distinguishable from the ground or grass;
3. Receive from the home club a supply of at least four (4) regulation baseballs. The umpire shall inspect the baseballs and ensure they are regulation baseballs and that they are properly rubbed so that the gloss is removed. The umpire shall be the sole judge of the fitness of the balls to be used in the game;

2.02 - All teams will be ready to begin play within 15 minutes of the scheduled game time. Failure to field an eligible team will result in forfeit or default.

2.03 - An eligible team consists of:

1. Eight (8) players or more players to a maximum of (15).
2. You must have (8) players on the field to play.
3. You must field at least 7 of your own team players.
4. You may borrow 1 replacement player (section 2.04), or 2 replacement players to make 9.
5. Your 7 players must remain in the game for the entire game.
6. You may bat seven(7) players without penalty, but you must field eight(8).

Section 2.03 Comment: If your opponent will not lend you one(1) to play defense or you are unable to locate another currently registered league player you will not have an eligible team.

2.04 - Replacement Players shall:

1. be any registered RHMRBL league member.
2. play either 1st base or right field, and also bat at the bottom of the order.

The opposing manager must be notified prior to the start of the game that replacement player(s) will be used.

Any use of a replacement player (injury, illness, player must leave early, etc.) once the game has started, without notifying the opposing manager prior to the start of the game, shall be restricted to the following options as determined by the opposing manager:

1. allow replacement player to hit and field in the vacated spot.
2. allow replacement player to hit 9th and field (no penalty for the vacated spot).
3. allow replacement player to field only (no penalty for the vacated spot).

Replacement Player(s) shall not:

1. be used to replace an ejected player during the same game.
2. be used in a team's last five regular season games without opposing manager's consent.
3. be used in the playoffs.

2.05 - Forfeit / Default, a team will forfeit if they:

1. do not field an eligible team within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time,
2. and in the event of a continued game, delayed for any purpose, within the 15 minutes when the umpire states a game will begin or continue.

Section 2.05 Comment: The team(s) will be considered in default and will lose the right to appeal.

2.06 - Player Substitution and Re-Entry:

1. Any of the nine (9) starting players may withdraw and re-enter provided the starter occupies their same batting position.
2. A substitute who is withdrawn may not re-enter the game.
3. A starting pitcher who is withdrawn may re-enter the game, but not as a pitcher.
4. Any available player may replace a player who withdraws due to injury, with preference given to a player who previously occupied the injured player’s spot in the batting order.

Section 2.06 Comment: Any obvious manipulation or abuse of this rule may result in a default and/or suspension of the manager/player. A protest may be lodged and the executive committee will determine what penalty will result.

2.07 - All players have the right to play a half game or minimum of three(3) full innings.

1. Regular Season: As a mercy rule is used and other factors affect the length of a game, a starter may be replaced after three(3) complete innings, but not before. Half game players must be inserted no later than the beginning of the fifth inning. A player may be substituted at any time due to illness or injury. No half game player will play more than four(4) complete innings in an eight(8) inning game, unless he replaced an ill or injured player. A starter removed without completing four(4) complete innings due to illness or injury may reenter the game but not before his replacement has played four(4) complete innings. As we cannot guarantee the length of a regular season game the second half players will not be guaranteed neither three(3) nor four(4) complete innings. The manager should make every effort to balance first and second half starts.
2. In the playoffs: all players have the right to play a minimum of three(3) full innings.

Section 2.07 Comment: An inning is defined as playing as a hitter and fielder. In a case where the player is either a Designated Hitter or Fielder, these count as half innings (1/2 inning). I.e. Six Innings (6) of Designated Hitter = 3 Full Innings.

2.08 - There will be a DH/DF used during the entire season.

1. A hitter may be designated to bat for any fielder. A Designated Hitter for a fielder, if any, must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire.
2. Pinch-hitters for a Designated Hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter for a Designated Hitter becomes the Designated Hitter. A replaced Designated Hitter shall not re-enter the game in any capacity.
3. The Designated Hitter may be used on defense, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the fielder must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made, and the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order.
4. A Designated Hitter is “locked” into the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the Designated Hitter.
5. Once the Designated Fielder bats for the Designated Hitter, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game. The Designated Fielder may pinch-hit only for the Designated Hitter.
6. Once a Designated Hitter assumes a position on defense, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game.

Section 2.08 Comment: Any obvious manipulation or abuse of this rule may result in a default and/or suspension of the manager/player. A protest may be lodged and the executive committee shall determine what penalty will result.

Section 3.0: Starting and Ending The Game

3.01 - All games shall be 8 innings in length.

3.02 - There will be no new inning after 2 hours 45 minutes from the scheduled start time regardless of the actual starting time.

3.03 - Umpires shall be instructed to strictly enforce start times. Only the umpire shall decide if it is safe to begin or continue play, every effort will be made to complete any scheduled game, On the same or next scheduled day depending on circumstances.

3.04 - A continued game of more than 3 innings shall be considered a full game to the scheduler, so that if another game were required it would be considered a doubleheader.

3.05 - Once a playoff game has begun it shall be completed regardless of the reason the game is delayed, and regardless of the inning when the delay occurs, on the same or next scheduled day depending on circumstances.

3.06 - A mercy rule shall be enforced:

1. For regular season games there will be a 15 run mercy rule.
2. There is no per inning run maximum.
3. The rule will be enforced after 5 ½ home innings or 6 full innings, the game will end if the difference is 15 or more runs.
4. There will be no mercy rule in the playoffs.

Section 3.06 Comment: As there is no mercy rule in a playoff game, the game may be considered complete if the losing team concedes. The manager of the losing team may notify the umpire at any time that they do not wish to continue.

Section 4.0: The Runner

4.01 - Each team is granted three(3) courtesy runners without requiring consent from the opposing team:

1. Additional courtesy runners may be allowed but only if the opposing team agrees.
2. Only one courtesy runner may be used per baserunner. (i.e. no double courtesy)

Section 4.01 Comment: Please keep track of courtesy runners in the scorebook to avoid any disagreements.

4.02 - When there are 2 outs a catcher is replaced by the last out if he is on base. There will be no charge of courtesy runner for this change. The catcher must catch in the next inning, if he doesn’t the team will be charged a courtesy runner.

Section 4.02 Comment: As this is done to speed up the game, this change will be mandatory, however only in the regular season.

4.03 - When a batter-runner is approaching a defender who is about to catch a thrown / hit ball or a base that is covered by a defender who has possession of the ball, the batter-runner must make every reasonable attempt to allow the defender to make a play on the ball and avoid contact with the defender. Failure to comply will result with obstruction / interference being called on the batter-runner and they will be called out, additionally any advancing runners will return to their previously occupied base.

4.04 - The runner is entitled to the access of a base or home plate until the defensive player has possession of the ball. Failure to comply will result with obstruction / interference being called on the defensive player and the base being granted to the runner.

Section 5.0: The Pitcher

5.01 - Pitchers are required to pitch a minimum of fifteen(15) regular season innings to be eligible to pitch in the first four innings of a playoff game.

Section 6.0: The League

6.01 - Team Managers / Representatives will notify the league executive before June 30th for any needed player replacement. The replacement player will be determined by the league executive from the waiting list as provided by the competition committee. No player will be added after June 30th regardless of when they were requested.

Section 6.01 Comment: Once a team has requested a replacement player, the resulting player will be final. The requesting team cannot appeal this ruling.

6.02 - Ties in the league standings will be determined as follows:

1. Most Wins
2. Head to Head(total points earned in games played between tied teams)
3. Run differential in games played between tied teams
4. Run differential in all games played
5. Total runs scored divided by total runs given up

Section 7.0: RHMRBL Player Rules of Conduct

7.01 - The fundamental purpose of the league is to provide a place for friends to play good baseball, in a spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play, with respect for each other, for the families and friends of the players, and with a love of and respect for the game of baseball.

7.02 - Zero Tolerance of Profanity, Any player using loud or undue profane language may be ejected. If the umpire decides that a player has used inappropriate language he/she will issue a warning to the bench of the player. In the event of a second offence or if the profanity continues the player will be ejected.

7.03 - Ejections, How Can It Be Earned? Normal rules of baseball would continue to apply - thus, one can question an Umpire about a call, provided it is done in a civil manner with proper respect and manners, and provided that, in the case of a judgment call, that the only question is “what did you see? Why did you call it that way?” it being understood that there is no disputing a judgment call, one can only ask, once, for an explanation, and then no further dispute or discussion is permitted. In all other cases, one can ask, or ‘Argue’, again in a respectful and mannerly way, about a rule interpretation, and, if not satisfied that the rule has been properly applied or interpreted, one can advise the umpire that a protest is lodged, explaining what the objection or protest is. One cannot dispute, especially in a loud and disrespectful manner, any judgment calls and - when warned to stop, if the dispute continues, ejection is called for. By the same token, attempting to make a non-verbal dispute of a call, such as delaying the game, throwing a bat/ball/glove/short stop or “showing up” an umpire etc. can result in an ejection.

Section 7.03 Comment: In other words, it is not only through verbal means that one can earn an ejection.

7.04 - Leaving the Game and Diamond upon Ejection: If at any time during a game, a player is ejected by the umpire, play will stop and the player must leave the diamond and the ballpark area - he cannot continue to sit in the dugout, or in the stands, or anywhere within reasonable proximity to the diamond, but must leave for the parking lot or go home or whatever. If he has not done so in a reasonable time, the umpire will issue a warning to him and the team’s manager that he must leave immediately or else the game will be called and a forfeit will be declared against his team.

7.05 - Suspensions:

1. On a player’s 1^st ejection during the current season, he is not only out of the remainder of that game but must serve a further one (1) game suspension, the following game or a subsequent game, in full uniform, on his team’s bench, before being eligible to resume playing.
2. On a player’s 2^nd ejection during the same season, he is not only out of the remainder of that game but must serve a further two (2) game suspension, the following and subsequent games, in full uniform, on his team’s bench, before being eligible to resume playing.
3. On a player’s 3^rd ejection during the same season, he is not only out of the remainder of that game, but is suspended from further play indefinitely until the executive can meet and decide on a suitable suspension. Be aware that a third suspension may extend to the end of the season playoffs included.
4. On any ejection resulting from or involving physical abuse and/or contact with an umpire, the player will be immediately suspended for an indefinite length of time until such time as the executive can meet and determine the length of suspension. Any contact with an umpire will be deemed as unacceptable and the penalty will be harsh and may involve the loss of the rest of the season for the player 5. Reports; Investigation: When an ejection occurs, both managers and the umpire for the game are to report the ejection to the Umpire in Chief and to the President, by email or by phone, detailing the date, the teams involved, the score at the time, the name and jersey number (and if possible the telephone number or other contact info) of the player ejected, the name of the umpire, and a brief report of what happened.
5. The Umpire in Chief and the President shall each contact those involved to investigate the incident and shall each report to Executive their findings and recommendation (i.e. whether the automatic suspension(s) are sufficient penalty or whether some additional sanction is called for. 6. Additional Penalties or Suspensions - At Discretion of the Executive: If the Executive is considering imposing any additional discretionary penalty, before doing so, the Executive shall call on the player to state his views and make any comments in his own defence, and shall call on the Umpire in Chief to also state his views and make any comments he wishes to make, and shall then decide whether to impose additional penalties or suspensions or to impose any terms of resumption of play on the player. If the Executive does apply any additional penalties or set terms of resumption of play to the player, this decision, and a brief explanation of the reasons, shall be given to the offending player and all managers of the league.

7.06 - Beverage consumption while around the diamonds MUST be done out of uniform, and with drinking cups.

Section 7.06 Comment: Uniform includes cap and undershirt.