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MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Revised 06-08-11)
NOTE: The rules for the Kenosha Chapter of the MSBL are founded on the "National" rules and regulations. They have been revised and amended by Kenosha MSBL except as listed below; all other baseball issues will be governed by Major League Baseball American League rules.
1. Uniforms, helmets, baseballs and other equipment.
2. Game length, cancellations and suspensions.
3. Teams, players, and line-ups.
4. Player behavior and team responsibility.
5. Courtesy runners.
6. Pitchers.
7. Fielders and runners - decoys and collisions.
8. Batters.
9. General league rules.
10. Code of conduct.
1. UNIFORMS, HELMETS & BASEBALLS
1(a)
baseball pants. Any team wearing sleeveless jerseys must wear a sleeved shirt
beneath the jersey. Any players without a shirt will not be allowed to play. Each
player's uniform must be of similar design to his teammates' uniforms. Teams that
have a sponsor will be allowed to have the sponsor's name on their uniform via patch
or uniform shirt. However, there shall be no wording indicating alcohol or tobacco,
such as bar, cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco.
All teams must have full uniforms consisting of caps, numbered jerseys,
1(b)
opposing manager's consent, except as listed in l(c).
No player out of uniform will be allowed to play unless that player has the
1(c)
period to be defined by the League President will be extended for newly
activated players or for new teams to complete their uniform purchase.
All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace
1(d)
exception to this rule. Full, double ear-flapped helmets are encouraged for batters
and runners: but as a minimum, the batter’s helmet must have an earflap facing the
pitcher.
All batters, runners, and catchers must wear helmets. There is no
1(e)
approved by MSBL Kenosha will be permitted.
Each team shall provide three (3) baseballs for each game. Only balls
1(f)
any bat is a –3, i.e. a 33” bat can not weigh less the 30 oz. If a player uses a bat
exceeding this differential, and a protest is made, the offending batter will be
declared an out.
Wood bats and wood composite bats are allowed. The maximum differential for
1(g)
bats from play.
The league board may rule on any bat deemed a “Hot Bat” and outlaw specific
1(h)
Metal cleats are permitted.
2. GAME LENGTH, CANCELLATIONS, AND SUSPENSIONS
2(a)
minute time limit. No players may be on the playing field while the umpires are
giving “ground rules.”
All regularly scheduled games shall be nine innings or have a 2-hour and 30-
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(Revised 06-08-11)
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2(b)
30 minute time limit. However, the remainder of the inning that is in progress shall
be completed.
No new inning shall start with less than 15 minutes remaining in the 2 hour and
2(c)
"as defined in 2(a) above", the tie will be played until broken. If the tied game
extends beyond 3 extra innings or 45 minutes the game will be continued at a later
date. Players not in the original lineup may not play in the continuation of the tied
game.
In the event of a regular season game tied at the expiration of the time limit,
2(d)
round of the playoff games have been played and one of the teams is up by at least
10 runs, at that point the team shall bat only 9 batters that inning and then proceed
to take the field and let the losing team have their regular turn at bat. This shall
continue until the difference in the score is less than 10 runs or the time limit has
expired.
If, after 3 full innings of a regularly scheduled game and the first
2(e)
when agreed upon by both managers.
All games may be deemed completed prior to the two hour and 30 minute time
2(f)
Time limit shall not include Playoff games.
2(g)
opinion; the safety of the players is compromised due to weather or darkness. In the
event of inclement weather, unless the field is deemed unplayable or the umpire and
both managers agree to end the game sooner, the umpire shall wait a minimum of
30 minutes before canceling all further play.
An umpire may, at his discretion, suspend, cancel, or call a game if, in his
2(h)
the home team is ahead). A game that is stopped by inclement weather before being
deemed a complete game shall be considered never to have been played in any part
and must, if replayed, begin as a new game.
Re: rain, a game shall be deemed complete after 5 full innings (4 1/2 innings if
2(i)
innings if the home team is ahead) or 2 hours. A game called on darkness will have
the score fall back to the last completed inning. A game that is stopped due to
darkness before being deemed a complete game shall be considered suspended and
shall be resumed at the point of suspension. The length of time played at the point of
suspension shall be noted and the remainder of the game shall be played within the
limits under rule 2(a). Players not in the original lineup may not play in the continued
game.
Re: darkness, a game shall be deemed complete after 5 full innings (4 1/2
2(j)
canceled games. Managers will be notified of all rescheduled games as soon as
possible.
The League Commissioner shall reschedule all suspended, tied or
3. TEAMS, PLAYERS & LINEUPS
3(a)
game on or after May 1 of their 18th birthday. Every player must include a copy of
their drivers’ license or photo ID with league paperwork. Underage players will be
suspended for the balance of the season plus two additional seasons, teams using
underage players will forfeit all games in which this player participated and will
forfeit the first round of the playoffs. Every team will have access to a roster of MSBL
Kenosha teams as posted on the league website.
MSBL Kenosha players are eligible to participate in an officially sanctioned
3(b)
registration and waiver forms must be submitted to the league as determined by the
Board. There is no limit to the number of players on a roster. Coaches are
Team rosters (a minimum of 12 players), league and player fees, and player
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Revised 06-08-11)
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encouraged to provide equal playing time for all players. Teams may add players to
their roster at any time.
3(c)
forms signed and fees paid and be approved by letter or email from the League
President prior to participation in a game.
After the regular season has started, all new players, must have all
3(d)
however, if fewer than ten (10) players are available, all players must be listed in the
batting order. If a team has only nine (9) players and therefore bats nine players,
the opposing team will have the option of batting nine as well. Batters cannot be
deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added
during the game, except as defined in 3(e) or 3(f).
A team may bat as many players as it wants, with a minimum of ten (10);
3(e)
replaced by a pinch hitter or pinch runner (except under the courtesy runner rule 5),
may not re-enter the lineup. All players must remain in the offensive lineup while
playing defensive positions. Defensive player changes affecting the batting order do
not go into effect until the player takes the field defensively. A team may bat all
players listed on their roster.
A manager may add a batter to the end of the lineup at any time, but a batter
3(f)
commitment, a reserve player must hit in the player's place. If no reserve is present,
that spot is skipped and all batters move up accordingly with no penalty to the
affected team. If a team maintains an offensive lineup using all players they do not
have a reserve player. The opposing coach and umpire must be notified of a player
leaving due to a "prior announced commitment" before the start of play. Failure to
notify the opposing coach and umpire will result in an out for that player’s next atbat
if no reserve player is present to fill his position. If a player is ejected from a
game, the ejected player’s next at bat will be listed as an out. If no reserve player is
present after the recorded out the batting position is skipped and all batters move up
accordingly with no future penalty to the team. The batting order positions from nine
and up may be occupied by two (2) players in each batting position provided rule 3e
regarding defensive players batting is maintained.
If a player is forced to leave a game because of injury or a prior-announced
3(g)
player from the opposing team or from any other team with the opposing manager's
consent. If the team's ninth player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed
player reverts back to his team. A borrowed player can play any position excluding
pitcher.
A team must have eight (8) players for an official game and may borrow a
3(h)
player's offensive status in the line up. If the pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to
pitch, one time during the course of the game, but not in the same inning. The
removed pitcher may play any other position.
All players may be substituted for defensively at any time without affecting the
3(i)
managers and the league President.
No player may switch teams during the season without the consent of both
3(j)
following:
After the playing season is over; any player in Kenosha MSBL may do one of the
1.
Remain with his existing team.
2.
Join any existing team for next year.
3.
Start or join any new team in the next season.
4.
Do not play in the league the next year.
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3(k)
umpire prior to the start of each game. All substitutions must be announced to the
umpire and opposing coach.
Each coach will be required to submit a lineup to the opposing coach and
3(L)
submitted to the League Secretary no later than seven (7) days prior to the end of
the season. All playoff eligible players will be posted on the league website. Use of
non-eligible players during playoffs will result in elimination from the playoffs.
teams must maintain accurate score books showing individual player stats, which
must be onsite at all playoff games. In the event of a dispute over player eligibility
failure to maintain accurate score books will result in the League President
determining a player’s eligibility.
based upon rule 10(b)(1).
A player’s playoff eligibility is based upon rule 9(c). Playoff lineups must beAllPossible additional disciplinary action may be taken
4. PLAYER'S BEHAVIOR & TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
4(a)
during, or after any game. The field refers to the general playing area and the
immediate bleacher area.
There will be no beer or alcoholic beverage permitted at the field before,
4(b)
league rules, or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship, or who plays without
regard to the safety of him-self, umpires, or other players.
The league has the right to suspend or expel any league member who abuses
4(c)
game at any time.
An umpire has the sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the
4(d)
be tolerated and players ejected from a game for either violation shall be suspended
from the next 5 games their team plays. A second fighting offense in one season will
result in a mandatory ejection from the league. This decision is subject to league
board review.
Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not
4(e)
enforce suspensions for infractions contrary to the image and policies of the league.
Our league has set its own standards of player/team sportsmanship and will
4(f)
responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as not to cross the line where
winning is more important than playing. An opposing manger may at any time have
the right to question a player's age. If a manager wants to lodge a protest, proof of
age must be mailed to the manager, who lodged the protest, by Friday of the
following week. If an underage player is detected, the penalties will be forfeiture of
all games in which the underage player participated and a minimum two-year
suspension for both the player and the manager.
Failure to abide by age regulations: The managers must all recognize their
5. COURTESY RUNNERS
5(a)
opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If not so notified, the opposing
manger may deny the request. Once a player is designated as a courtesy runner that
player will remain as that status for the complete game. The offensive team that is
putting in a courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. The 30-
second time limit shall begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow
replacement for the runner. If the umpire feels the offensive team is intentionally
delaying the game by taking longer than 30 seconds to replace the runner he may at
his discretion call the runner out for delay of game.
Players who need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the
5(b)
Each team will be allowed a maximum of two (2) courtesy runners at the
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beginning of the game. If a defensive team refuses a courtesy runner for an injured
player the offensive team may appeal to the umpire for a decision.
5(c)
runner be used.
Once the game begins, only by an obvious injury, can an additional courtesy
5(d)
forgets to use a courtesy runner and subsequently remains on base as a runner for
one (1) pitch, he will lose his courtesy runner status for the remainder of the game,
the runner will also be called out.
If a player for whom a courtesy runner has been designated opts to run, or
5(e)
catcher in the next inning will have the option to be removed for a courtesy runner
(as described in Rule 5(f) before the next pitch can be made. This rule is not to be
enforced during the semifinal and final playoff games.
When two (2) outs are recorded, the base runner that will be the
5(f)
out of the previous inning if no outs have been recorded in the current inning, must
be the courtesy runner. In the event that first batter of the game has been
designated to have a courtesy runner, then the courtesy runner shall be the last
player in the offensive lineup. Any player requiring a courtesy runner forfeits his
position as a base runner for the balance of that game. The player may bat but after
reaching a base (i.e. first on a single, second on a double…) must be replaced by a
courtesy runner based upon rule 5(f).
The player to make the last batted out in the current inning, or the last batted
6. PITCHERS
6(a)
wear a white or gray batting glove or a white or gray wristband. No wristband or
batting glove of any color may be worn on the pitching hand.
No player, while pitching, may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher
6(b)
after the fourth hit batsman.
If a pitcher hits four (4) batters in any game, the pitcher must be removed
6(c)
first called infraction during a game is a verbal warning with the second call resulting
in the removal of the pitcher from the game. Two or more game removal violations
during a season will result in a five-game suspension. This decision is subject to
league board review.
The umpire has the sole discretion to call an intentional brush back pitch. The
6(d)
a week.
There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or
6(e)
of meetings with his manager per inning as follows: “If the manager is not playing in
the field, the pitcher must be removed on the manager's second trip to the mound in
any one inning or if the manager is playing in the infield, the pitcher must be
removed on the manager's third trip to the mound in any one inning.”
A pitcher must be removed from the game (as a pitcher) after a limited number
6(f)
other Major league rules apply regarding number of pitches.
Pitchers shall only get 5 warm up pitches prior to starting a new inning. All
6(g)
There may be intentional walks per Major League Rules.
7. FIELDERS & RUNNERS - DECOYS & COLLISIONS
7(a)
player. In the case of a runner intentionally colliding with or attempting to hurdle a
fielder, the runner will be called out and may, at the umpire's discretion, be ejected
from the game. All base runners must either slide, or stop and give themselves up,
or run around a defensive player (however runners may not avoid a tag by running
Players shall not intentionally collide with nor attempt to hurdle any other
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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more than 3 feet out of the baseline) if the defensive player: has possession of the
ball or is in the act of receiving the ball, and will be able to make an apparent play
on the base runner. Note! (A person may have incidental contact with out being
called out and ejected from the game by the umpire. The determination of flagrant
and incidental contact is at the sole discretion of the umpire and is not subject to
appeal.
7(b)
the act of receiving the ball, he cannot block the base or be in the base
path so as to impede or obstruct the base runners right to that base. Under such
circumstances the defensive player shall be responsible to avoid any collision. If a
collision does occur under these circumstances, the runner shall always be safe and
the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be expelled from
the game if the umpire deems the action intentional and that decision is not subject
to appeal.
If a defensive player is not in possession of the ball, or is not in
7(c)
no play on the runner, all men on base will advance one base. If the same player
makes an illegal decoy twice in the game, he will be expelled from the game and
suspended from league play. (This is not to be confused with smart baseball. For
example, a fair decoy is when a shortstop who sees a man attempting to steal
second base during a hit and run, looks upward and says that he has the pop up
when in fact the ball has been hit on the ground to the second baseman. This play
might cause the base runner to stop and retreat to first base, but did not cause the
base runner to slide unnecessarily.)
If a defensive player forces a runner to slide because of a decoy when there is
7(d)
legitimate attempt to slide within reach of the base, or stands up in the
way of a pivot man, or raises his hands in an attempt to deflect the ball or distract
the fielder, an automatic double play will be called, regardless of how close the play
might have been.
If a runner attempting to break a double play does not make a
8. BATTERS
8(a)
promptly in the batter's box within 20 seconds.
A batter shall not delay the game by failing to take his position
8(b)
at bat except that the batter may leave the batter's box under any of the following
conditions:
The batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout the time
1.
The batter swings at a pitch.
2.
The batter is forced out of the box by the pitch.
3.
The batter attempts a drag bunt.
4.
The defensive team feints or attempts a play at any base.
5.
more than 5 feet from the pitcher's plate after receiving the ball.
The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position
6.
A member of either team requests and is granted, "Time."
7.
The catcher leaves the catcher's box.
8.
The catcher does not catch the pitched ball.
8(c)
returned to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike. If the batter leaves the batter's
box and none of the exceptions in 8(b) apply, the plate umpire shall charge a strike
Failure of the batter to be ready within 20 seconds after the ball has been
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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to the batter. The pitcher need not pitch, and the ball remains "alive."
9. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
9(a)
single round elimination games. Each division will host a playoff championship series
with the winner moving on to the league championship. Divisional playoff positioning
is determined by overall win-loss percentages. Ties will be decided first by (in order):
1. Head -to-head competition.
2. Complete season runs scored.
3. Complete season runs against.
4. Coin toss.
All teams participate in the divisional playoff series. All playoffs are based upon
9(b)
must reach agreement with opposing team “B” and then both teams must notify the
Commissioner 48 hours prior to game time or team “A” will face a forfeit. Five
forfeits by any team shall mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money
refunded to the team. All teams must submit a deposit of $100 before start of
season for a forfeit fee. If a team forfeits a game it must submit an additional fee of
$150, 48 hours prior to their next game or that game will be deemed a forfeit. Each
additional forfeit fee will require $50 more than the previous forfeit fee.
If team “A” is not able to field a team for any given day, they first
9(c)
league playoffs, tournaments and post-season events, he must have a least one
plate appearance in each of 50 percent of his team's regular season games played. If
such player fails to meet the requirement because of injury, a letter explaining the
non-compliance must be submitted to the league President for review.
In order for a player to qualify and participate in his team's local
9(d)
playing. If a player participates in a game without paying league fees and (or) signed
waivers the game will be forfeited to the opposing team.
All players must have league fees paid and waivers signed prior to
10. CODE OF CONDUCT
A. PROHIBITIONS
Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all
times. No manager or player shall commit any of the following:
10(a)(l)
after a game. Players or managers guilty of such conduct shall be suspended for the
next 5 games their team plays and be subject to possible suspension for the
remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
Lay a hand upon, shove, strike, or threaten an official before, during, and
10(a)(2)
any game and then exercises further misconduct that causes an official to remove
them from the park, that player or manager shall be automatically suspended for the
next 3 games their team plays. If he does not remove himself from the entire park
within 10 minutes of being ordered to, then that team shall forfeit that game to the
opposing team.
If a player or manager has been suspended from further participation in
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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10(a)(3)
decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be suspended from
further participation in the game and the next game that their team plays.
Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official's
10(a)(4)
continue to discuss with an official or officials the decision by them, except for the
manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions.
Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further
participation in the game and the next game their team plays.
After being told by an official to end a discussion, a player shall not
10(a)(5)
body of an opposing player is forbidden. Players guilty of such conduct shall be
immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be
suspended from the next game their team plays.
Use of unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the
10(a)(6)
official, or spectator before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct
shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be
suspended for the next 5 games their team plays and possible suspension for the
remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager,
10(a)(7)
manager, official, or spectator before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such
conduct shall be immediately suspended for the next three (3) games their team
plays and be subject to possible suspension for the remainder of the season.
Be guilty of escalated verbal attacks (trash talk) upon any player,
10(a)(8)
result in mandatory ejection from the game, followed by suspension for the balance
of the season with possible expulsion for life from MSBL Kenosha.
Use of any item as a weapon to threaten or strike another individual will
10(a)(9)
the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition. Players guilty of such
conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and
shall be suspended for the next game their team plays.
Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be on
10(a)(10)
of such conduct shall be suspended from further participation in the game and the
next game their team plays. I0(a)(I0). Any acts of conducts such as specified above
in sections 10a(l) through
Smoking on the field of play or in the dugout is forbidden. Players guilty
10(a)(11)
days by either a player, manager, or an official for any action to be taken. The
Commissioner shall make a ruling within seven calendar days of receiving said
report.
shall be submitted to the Commissioner, in writing, within seven calendar
B. PENALTIES
10(b)(1)
suspend any player or manager for such a period of time and upon such terms as it
may propose, for the conduct which in its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare,
interest, reputation, or charter of the league.
The Board of Directors may, by vote of the majority of the directors
10(b)(2)
appropriate action required for the violations of the Code of Conduct, and shall report
his decision to the player, manager, and the Board of Directors.
Except as otherwise provided, the Commissioner shall determine the
10(b)(3)
immediately suspended for the next game their team plays and placed on probation
for the remainder of the season including the playoffs.
Any player or manager that has been ejected from any game shall be
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10(b)(4)
Conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season shall be
suspended for the remainder of the season.
A player found in violation of any provisions delineated in the Code of
10(b)(5)
following policy shall be understood as being part of that suspension:” A manager
may sit in the bleachers outside of the playing field as these are public parks.
However, he is not to approach the screen or any of his players during the course of
the game. If the manager of the opposing team feels that in his opinion, the
suspended manager is in any way managing the team, he can seek out the head or
plate umpire for his interpretation and if the umpire agrees, than the umpire shall
immediately call the game and award the opposing team a forfeit victory.”
Any manager who has been suspended for any amount of games, the
C. GRIEVANCES, PROTEST & APPEALS
10(c)(1)
team provided that a grievance is formally submitted, in writing and within 7 days of
the event leading to the grievance to the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall
adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the Board of
Directors.
Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a
10(c)(2)
of the Code of Conduct may be appealed to the Board of Directors, in writing
within seven calendar days of the Commissioner’s decision. If an appeal is submitted,
penalties issued shall be suspended until the Board hears the appeal and makes their
decision.
All decisions made by the Commissioner regarding Sections 10 a and 10b |
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