RBI Baseball - New York City's Premier Adult Baseball League

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Rules - Last Updated: June 24, 2010

GAMEPLAY RULES: RBI Baseball adheres to all MLB gameplay rules unless otherwise stated in our RBI rules.
BATS: This is a wood bat league. Aluminum, bamboo and all non-wood bats including composite bats (i.e. DeMarini Brand) may not be used at any time. Please refer to Rule #7 - Games Lineups (below) concerning use of non-wood bats during game play. Use of non-wood bats during gameplay are not subject to protests and must be appealed at time of use.
AGE: All players must be 18 years of age or older. If under 18, parental consent form must be signed.
FEES: Team League fees must be paid before the start of the season. Once the season begins, league fees will be non-refundable. If circumstances arise before the start of the season, team managers must contact the league office for refund requests.
FORMS: All players must sign and submit to the league both a Waiver form and a Player Contract Form in order to be eligible to play. Players are not allowed to play without having a waiver form or contract on file with the league.
UNIFORMS: All players must wear matching team uniforms (jerseys or branded t-shirts) at all times. Players are not allowed to switch uniforms or have duplicate numbers. Teams may be granted a grace period upon season start to finalize uniform orders. However, upon League imposed deadline (TBD seasonally), players (batters) in violation of uniform rule will be penalized one (1) strike per at-bat (ab).
GAME LINEUPS: Each team must have nine players on the field at all times. All starting lineup rosters must be remitted to the umpire for review prior to game start (please refer to Rule #10 - Forfeits). If a player is not on the list of reserves submitted at the beginning of the game, he will not be eligible to play. Managers must notify the umpire and other team managers of any lineup changes during game play. League does not observe the use of courtesy runners (i.e. replacement runner for catcher)

In Game Lineups:
1. Batting out of rotation: If the opposing manager discovers a batter out of rotation (lineup), an appeal can be made to the home plate umpire during or after the at-bat. If made during the at-bat, the correct batter in the lineup is to resume his position and assume the current ball/strike count. If made after an at-bat in which the batter reaches base, the batter is ruled out. Note: Out of rotation batters must be presented to the home-plate umpire by the opposing manager, so be advised to manage your score books accordingly.
2. Composite bats: Appeal of a player found to have used an ineligible bat (please refer to Rule#1 - Bats), must be made prior to next lineup ab. If, upon appeal, a player is found to have used an ineligible bat, that player is automatically out. All appeals must be made during game play. Failure to do so will not result in the ability to protest the game.
DESIGNATED HITTER (DH): Teams may use a DH if they choose to. It is not required. For more clarification of the DH rule, see MLB Rules.
EXTRA HITTER (EH): League employs an EH (Extra Hitter) in game lineups (also known as tenth hitter), however EH may not take the field. Teams are not obligated to use the EH and may opt out, but must have the minimum nine. Once team lineup is submitted with EH, the EH cannot be removed. If EH is not available, that position in the lineup will result in an automatic out.
FORFEITS: If a team cannot field nine players 30 minutes after the scheduled game time, they will forfeit the game. Team who forfeits is responsible for BOTH umpires' fees ($140). The final score for the game will be recorded as 7-0. If a game must be forfeited after the start of a game (i.e.: lineup: injury / ejection / etc.), all stats from the game will be counted. As per League rules (#30 below), umps are to be paid prior to game start. The win and loss will go to the pitchers of record for the winning and losing team as a result of the forfeit (regardless of score). The league reserves the right to disqualify a team if they forfeit on too regular a basis.

Team Dropout(s)
1. If a team drops from the League during mid-season, remaining games will repatriated amongst remaining scheduled opponents.
2. If dropped team's remaining games are uneven, next game opponent will be awarded a forfeit win with remaining games thereby repatriated amongst remaining scheduled opponents.
REGULAR SEASON ROSTERS: Maximum roster size permitted is twenty-five (25) players. Teams must submit a roster prior to the season. Teams can add a player at any time during the season. Signed contracts must be submitted at managers' meetings for someone to be eligible to play. Contracts will not be accepted on the field.
POSTSEASON SEASON ROSTERS: For a player to be eligible for the postseason roster, they must be added to the roster upon completion of their sixteenth (16) game (deadline is league imposed and subject to change seasonally). A roster not to exceed twenty-five (25) players must then be submitted (electronically) to League officials. Roster must include player photo and name.
JEWELRY: No excessive jewelry will be permitted during game play. An umpire may ask a player to remove jewelry if he deems it excessive.
PROTECTIVE GEAR: Players are allowed to wear protective gear during an at bat (shin-guard, elbow-guard, etc.) but it must not be excessive. This determination will be made by the umpire.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: In the event that a game must be cancelled due to inclement weather prior to the start of the game or before 5 innings are complete, game will be rescheduled (please see Rule #31 concerning ump fees). If game is called on account of inclement weather after 5 full innings, game is official. Managers should check the Web site or call league officials two hours prior to game time to find out if a game has been cancelled due to weather conditions. It is the responsibility of the manager to alert their players.
EXTRA INNINGS: The number of extra innings for a game will be determined by (1) the time left on the reservation of the field and (2) visibility. If a game that has playoff ramifications is stopped in extra innings, the game will be continued from the inning in which it ended at a later date.
FIELD TREATMENT: Teams must always leave the field in good condition. Teams must clean up after themselves and put all trash in the park's trash bins for the benefit of the other teams and the league. No teams/players may deface or destroy park facilities in any way. This will lead to disqualification from the league.
MERCY RULE: If a team has a lead of 10 runs or more after 5 full innings, they will be awarded the win. If the HOME team achieves a 10-run lead during or after the 5th inning, the game is over whenever they score the 10th run. The AWAY team does not get another at bat. If the AWAY team achieves a 10-run lead the HOME team MUST hit in the bottom of the inning to complete the inning (Please see Rule #15 - Inclement weather and Rule #27 - Lights).
CONDUCT: It is at the sole discretion of the umpires to manage game play conduct. Umpires may issue warnings at their own discretion in order to maintain a professional level of conduct, but are not mandated to do so. In the event a player is thrown out of a game, umpires/managers must inform the league and describe actions occurred. The use of profanity, vulgarity, taunting or the verbal abuse of umpires and officials will not be tolerated at any time. Players found violating these guidelines will be thrown out of the game. Pending severity, commissioner may suspend player(s) in violation. Fighting will not be tolerated at any time during the league. Fighting will result in an automatic 3-game suspension.
PROTESTS:

(a) No protests shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire(s).

(b) In all protested games, the decision of the League President shall be final.

(c) When a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication of the rules, the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next pitch is made or a runner is retired. If a pitch is thrown or a play made thereafter, the team forfeits their right to protest.

(d) Protest must be submitted to League officials within 48 hours after the protested game or at the next Managers' Meeting. Protesting manager must detail inning/score/etc.

(e) Protesting manager must detail how possible violation of rules adversely affected the protesting team? chances of winning the game. No replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of League officials violation of rules adversely affected the protesting team? chances of winning the game.

Procedures for protesting a game:
1. Scorecards must be signed by the head umpire
2. A letter of explanation detailing the protest
3. Contact league officials within 48 hours
4. Protests can only be submitted by team managers
CONTENTION OF UMPIRE CALLS: Players/Coaches may not argue balls and strike calls made by the umpire. Players may not show up the umpires in any way (Please see #19 - Conduct). Only coaches/managers may argue calls made on the field. Only managers may contact the league office to express their complaints regarding official umpiring/game play. Managers are required to use the League umpire evaluation form in order to express concerns. Forms/Reports will be discussed with respective umpire crew chief(s).
STATISTICS: All teams are responsible for recording stats during each game. They will also be responsible for inputting their stats in the League's stat-tracking system. League officials will grant all teams access to the stat-tracking system at the start of the season.
SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUESTS: Teams will be granted an opportunity to request changes to the schedule once it is released PRIOR to season start. Once the schedule is finalized, teams will not be allowed to request alterations to the schedule. If a team does not show up to a game, they will lose by forfeit and a score of 7-0 will be the official result. In addition, forfeiting team will be responsible to pay forfeit fee ($140 - Please see Rule# 10 - Forfeits). League officials reserve the right to make schedule changes.
INJURIES: In the event a player suffers a serious injury during a game, players must alert park officials or call 911 for immediate help. In the event a pitcher is injured, a new pitcher has unlimited time to warm-up and take over pitching duties. A DH can take the field to replace an injured player ONLY if there are no players on the bench available. If a team cannot produce a ninth player after the injury, they forfeit the game.
GROUND RULES: Teams must discuss ground rules with umpires prior to game start.
PUNCTUALITY: Players are encouraged to arrive 1 hour prior to game time. Due to time constraints, teams must be ready to take the field at game time. If a team does not have the required minimum of 9 players by game time, the umpire will allow an additional 30 minutes of extended warm-ups. After 30 minutes, the team that is unable to field 9 players forfeit. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
LIGHTS: When playing night games on fields where the lights automatically shut down (128th, St. Mary's, DeWitt, etc.) at a certain time, the game will be stopped and treated as if the game was stopped due to inclement weather. For example, if a game is stopped AFTER 5 innings due to the lights shutting down, the game will be considered official. Game must complete five (5) innings to be considered official (Please see Rule #15 - Inclement Weather and Rule# 31 - Umpire Fees)
EQUIPMENT: Teams are responsible for supplying their own equipment.
BASES: Both teams are required to bring bases to every game. Games should be played with the home team's bases. If the home team fails to bring bases, the visiting team's bases will be used and the visiting team will become the home team for that game. If both teams fail to bring bases, both teams will receive a forfeit loss.
UMPIRES: Umpires must respect ballplayers at all times. In event of team/player misconduct, umpires are required to inform League officials of date, field, and team/player by utilizing the Umpire Evaluation form on League website. Each umpire form will be evaluated and discussed between League officials. Player/Team/Umpire misconduct will not be tolerated on any level and suspension and/or removal from League may ensue.
UMPIRE FEES: Umpire fees are to be paid by the teams before the start of a game.

In the event of rainouts:
1. Prior to game start: Travel fees of $30 will be paid by League officials if umpires arrive at field, but game is called on account of inclement weather.
2. Both managers must consult with umpire prior to game start in the event of pending inclement weather.
3. During Game: If inclement weather prevents game from resuming prior to completing fifth (5th) inning, umpire fees are not refundable. Game will be rescheduled (from start) same crew will be assigned at which time travel fee of $30 will be paid by each team prior to commencing game.
BASEBALLS: Teams are required to provide baseballs for each game. League regulation baseball is Wilson 1010 Pro. However equivalent baseball (specification) may be used upon consent from League officials. Both managers are required to submit two (2) baseballs to home plate umpire prior to game start and alternate one-for-one on each side (fouls, scuffed baseball, etc.)
CHANGES TO RULES: League officials reserve the right to alter rules during the season. Managers will be notified of any rule changes.
PLAYOFFS: Top eight (8) teams qualify for players. Top teams of each division automatically qualify and next six (6) best records will qualify for playoffs (more playoff teams may come from either division). Playoff format is best of three (3) series for each round including championship

Tiebreaks. In the event of tied records at end of season, the following tiebreakers will be observed (in order):
1. Head to Head records during season. If Teams A & B are tied at end of season, but Team A beat Team B during the season, Team A advances.
2. If Team A & B are tied at end of season and split their games during the season, League will evaluate Run Differential (RS: Runs Scored - RA Runs: Allowed). Team with the higher Run Differential advances.
3. If at this stage Run Differential is evenly matched, in division records will be reviewed. Best in-division record advances.
4. If in-division record is evenly matched, a one-game playoff will determine who advances.
GAME SCORES: Managers are required to manage game scores during game play. Winning team is required to provide final score. Any discrepancies in final scores must be resolved by presenting team score books. In the event discrepancy is not resolved, League officials will revert towards winning team.