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San Bernardino Baseball (SBABL)

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INLAND EMPIRE ADULT BASEBALL LEAGUE & MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL SUPPLEMENTAL LEAGUE RULES

All league games in the Inland Empire Adult Baseball League shall be played in accordance with the current Major League Baseball Rule Book as published by the Sporting News except as noted herein.


1.0 OBJECTIVE
To offer a wholesome competitive program that is primarily concerned with safety, fair play and sportsmanship and recognizes the various skill levels of participants.

2.0 ADMINISTRATION
1.The administrative duties and final authority involving the Inland Empire Adult Baseball League shall be vested in the City of Riverside and the City of San Bernardino and its representatives who will be responsible to set forth and maintain such rules and regulations as are necessary to govern competitive leagues.

3.0 LIABILITY
1. As participants in the Inland Empire Adult Baseball League, and in consideration of the value received as participants in the league, each participant agrees to exonerate, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Major League Softball and the City of Riverside/City of San Bernardino and their officers, agents, employees and game officials from all claims and actions, based upon or arising out of any damage or injury, to persons or property caused by or sustained in connection with their participation in the Adult Baseball League.

2. All participants understand and accept the fact that neither Major League Softball, the City of Riverside/City of San Bernardino or their respective agents, employees, contractors or insurers provide any form of medical or accident insurance for bodily injury or death sustained while participating in the Inland Empire Adult Baseball League. All participants should thoroughly investigate the terms and conditions of their personal health insurance policies to verify that they will receive coverage for any claims arising out of or connected with their participation in this program.

4. All players must sign an individual Hold Harmless agreement prior to participating in each Inland Empire Adult Baseball League game.

4.0 TEAM ROSTER
1. Each team shall be allowed to roster a maximum of 20 players. All players participating in the league must be at least 18 years of age.

2. No additions may be made to the roster after the tenth (10) game of the season. In the event that you desire to add a player after the roster addition deadline, you must gain approval in writing from the administrative office of MLS. To obtain this approval, please call 951‑358‑2800 ext. 2.

3. Roster additions may be made on the field. The League Director must approve all roster additions. MLS reserves the right to deny any roster addition in the interest of keeping the league(s) competitive.

5.0 PROTESTS
1. Any manager filing a protest must notify the umpire at the time of the dispute, before the next pitch is made. A protest form and a $40 protest fee must be submitted to an MLS League Director within 48 hours after the game. The protest fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld.

6.0 PLAYER EJECTIONS
1. The team manager must conduct all grievances. Any player who is ejected from a game will be automatically suspended for a minimum of one additional game (byes do not constitute a game). If a player is ejected twice during a season he/she will be suspended for the remainder of season, including playoff games. Ejected or suspended players will not be allowed at the park while serving his/her suspension.

2. In the event that a player is ejected anytime after the conclusion of a game, he/she will be automatically suspended for the next two (2) games, including playoff games.

3. Any player or manager who physically abuses an official, a player, a park supervisor or scorer will be subject to criminal prosecution as per the State of California Penal Code.

4. Immediately following player ejection, the umpire will be responsible for suspending play in order to notify the scorekeeper that the one-minute countdown has begun so it is clear that the offending team is in jeopardy of forfeiting the game. In the event that an ejected player chooses to use any or all of the countdown period to heap verbal abuse or profanity upon the umpire, opposing players and or spectators, MLS reserves the right to rule the game a forfeit and or suspend or expel such players from the league.

(a) It is MLS' expressed intent to provide ejected players with sufficient time to collect their personal belongings and leave the premises prior to ruling a game a forfeit. However, MLS will look to discipline severely any player who elects to use the one-minute countdown period as an opportunity to degrade or abuse anyone.

5. In cases of spectator harassment the umpire will use the following course of action:

(a) First Warning ‑ manager will be asked to take care of the problem spectator.

(b) Second Warning ‑ spectator will asked to leave the park. If the spectator refuses to heed the umpire's request, the manager will be subject to ejection from the game if the umpire determines that the spectator is associated with one of the two teams.

(c) Final Solution ‑ in the event that neither the spectator nor the manager leave the field within 60 seconds after the umpire's request the umpire will declare the game a forfeit.

7.0 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
1. Each player is required to personally sign the lineup card/hold harmless form before they are eligible to play.

2. A player may not play on more than one team in the Inland Empire Adult Baseball League.

3. In the event that a team changes its manager at any time during the season, the new manager must notify the MLS at (951) 358‑2800 ext 2 immediately.

8.0 GAME TIME AND LEAGUE RULES
1.  A game shall consist of nine (9) innings and no new inning shall begin after two (2) hours twenty (20) minutes. A game will drop dead @ 2:45 and unless the home team ties the score or takes the lead in the bottom half of the last inning the score will revert back to the last completed inning.

ALL QUESTIONS RELATED TO TIME REMAINING OR TIME ELAPSED SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE OFFICIAL SCORER.  Only if a scorekeeper is not present should you address the Umpire.

2. No new inning will begin after the time limit has elapsed. Games tied after nine (9) innings will only be continued if time remains on the computer clock.

3. A team that does not submit its line up card to the official scorer at least ten (10) minutes before game time may be subject to forfeiting the game.

4. There will be a fifteen minute (15) grace period for all games. Any time used for the grace period will be taken off the official game clock.

5. Any team that is unable to start a game with a minimum of eight (8) legally rostered players will forfeit the game. A team may start and finish a game with eight (8) legally rostered players. UMPIRES AND SCORERS WILL NOT WORK FORFEITED GAMES.

6. Teams may use a "continuous" batting order such that they may bat more than nine (9) players. If a batter fails to take his turn at bat for any reason, he shall be declared "out" the first time and will be dropped from the batting order thereafter.

7. All players who are in the batting order may be substituted in and out of the game defensively at will. Pitchers who are relieved may only return to the pitch if they remain in the game defensively for the duration of their relief.

8. Offensive teams may have three (3) courtesy runners per inning. Any legally rostered player may be used as a courtesy runner, but if a player is on base when it is his turn to bat he will be declared "out" as a batter.

9. Offensive teams may insert a pinch runner for the catcher with two (2) outs. The pinch-runner will not count as a courtesy runner unless a team runs for its catcher with less than two (2) outs.

10. Each team is required to pay the $95.00 officials' fee prior to the first pitch of every game. This officials' fee covers 2 umpires, scorekeeper and roving league director.  If only 1 umpire is present, the fee will be $80.

11. FORFEITSA team will be responsible for paying both team's official's fees every time they forfeit, due before the team's next scheduled game. If the forfeit fee is not paid your $190 Forfeit Bond will be used to pay the officials and the team will then be suspended from the league until the replacement $190 Forfeit Bond is paid in full  to MLS.  If you don't have a Forfeit Bond on file, your team will be suspended from the league until both the forfeit fee is paid AND a $190 Forfeit Bond has been placed on file.

12. No infield practice or batting practice will be allowed prior to game time.

13. The mercy rule will be 15 runs after 6 innings and 10 runs after 7 innings.

14. This league is a "no contact" league. Base runners must observe the "slide or avoid" rule at all times.

15. All players must be able to produce some form of positive picture identification at each game. In the event a manager wants to protest a game because he believes the opposing team is fielding a player or players that are not legally rostered, he may request an Identification Check as follows:

(a) Either before or during a player's first time at bat, a manager must notify the umpire that he/she wants an I.D. Check.

(b) The manager must clearly specify to the umpire which player's I.D. he/she would like to have checked. A manager may request to have any number of I.D.'s checked.

(c) The umpire only will conduct the I.D. check by requesting positive picture I.D. from each player specified by the protesting manager. The umpire only will verify that the picture I.D. matches the specified player or players and then the umpire will consult the official scorer to determine if the player or players are on the roster. The umpire only will disqualify players who cannot produce a positive picture I.D., or whose names are not on the computer roster, from play.

(d) In the event that a player or players arrive after the start of a game, the official scorer will announce the arrival of such players and the opposing manager may request an I.D. Check prior to the conclusion of such players' first time at bat. Once a late arriving player has completed his/her first turn at bat there can be no I.D. Check request.

(e) The umpire and/or scorekeeper/league director may request ID at any point in the game if either official believes that a player(s) is/are not who they represent themselves to be.

Failure to follow the above procedures will make any protests related to a player's roster status null and void. The purpose and intent of this procedure is to ensure that all protests involving player eligibility are resolved on the field. No protests related to player eligibility will be accepted after a game is played.

16. There will be NO ENTRY FEE REFUNDS after the first scheduled league game.

17. All league fees will be paid prior to the first pitch of the first league game, failure to do so may result in a team being dropped from the league.

18. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY PARK.In the event that any program participant (or any spectator who is associated with a team) is discovered to be in possession of an alcoholic beverage(s) either on or around the park facilities, the follow action will result:

a) The team whose players(s) and/or spectator(s) is/are found to be in violation of this rule will automatically forfeit the game that is scheduled on the day of the infraction.

b) The team whose player(s) and/or spectator(s) is/are found to be in violation of this rule will automatically forfeit its next scheduled game as well.

Be aware that violations may be discovered by either City staff or MLS game officials (including the score keepers and league director). There will be no exceptions granted for any failure to comply with this rule.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE MLS ALCOHOL POLICY    

9.0 BAT POLICIES

NOTE:  BESR COMPOSITE BATS WILL BANNED STARTING WITH THE FALL/WINTER 2022-2023 SEASON.



 10.0 REGISTRATION POLICIES 

Failure to follow the Registration Fee Payment Policies may result in being dropped from your league.

Registration fees must be paid IN FULL no later than the 3rd week of the season via PayPal, CASH, MONEY ORDER, CASHIER'S CHECK, or PERSONAL CHECK.  If fees are not received you will be assessed a $50.00 late-fee and your team may be dropped from the league.  LATE PAYMENTS will only be accepted via CASH or MONEY ORDER.

  • Teams that do not have a valid $300 DEPOSIT on record by the Registration Deadline will not be allowed to play!
  • Teams that do not have a valid $190 FORFEIT BOND on record by the Registration Deadline will not be allowed to play!
  • Returned Checks will be subject to a $50 Returned Check Fee and no further personal checks will be accepted!
  • PayPal payments can be made at anytime ? just LOGIN and select the MAKE PAYMENT option. PayPal allows you to pay with any bank or checking account and all major credit cards.
  • Acceptance into the league is not automatic.  Teams must be in good standing with no unpaid dues or previous unacceptable on-field incidents or altercations on record.

11.0 PLAYOFF AND AWARDS POLICIES
1.Generally, playoff games will be scheduled the week following the conclusion of the regular league games. All teams involved in playoffs must be ready at the time and location decided by MLS. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE GRANTED.

2. Due to constraints on field usage, playoffs/championships will only be played if time/field space allows.

5 - 6 TEAM LEAGUES  TOP 3 TEAMS MAKE PLAYOFFS
#2 seed vs #3 seed
#1 seed vs winner

7 - 8 TEAM LEAGUES  TOP 4 TEAMS MAKE PLAYOFFS
#2 seed vs #3 seed
  #1 seed vs #4 seed
(winner) vs (winner)

9 TEAM LEAGUES - TBD

3. A player must have a minimum of thirty (30) plate appearances to participate in the playoffs/championship. Plate appearances are the sum of at bats, walks, sacrifices and hit by pitch.

***LEAGUE CHAMPIONS WILL RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AWARDS AND ONE TEAM AWARD.
SECOND PLACE FINISHERS WILL RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AWARDS ***

12.0 MAKE-UP GAMES
1. It is our intention to play all scheduled games. Every effort will be made to reschedule games that are missed due to inclement weather, field unavailability, or any other issues that arise. Major League Softball reserves the right to reschedule games in any order that we determine optimal.

2. Any game that ends before the time or inning limit that is called because of light failure or malfunction of equipment or a mechanical field device under control of hosting agency shall be a Regulation Game in accordance of S.C.M.A.F. rule 1, sections 7, 8, 9 and 10.  

FIELD CONDITION HOTLINE:  951-358-2800 x.725

13.0 PLAYER'S CODE OF CONDUCT

The Official's jurisdiction to enforce the Player's Code of Conduct shall extend prior to, during, and after the ballgame.  Said jurisdiction exists from the Official's arrival at the game site to his/her departure from the game site.

Sec. 1. NO PLAYER SHALL: At any time lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or threaten to strike an official.

Sec. 2. NO PLAYER SHALL: Refuse to abide by official's decision.

Sec. 3. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations by throwing gloves, bats, or any other forceful action.

Sec. 4. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of heaping personal, verbal abuse upon any official for any real or imaginary wrong decision or judgment.

Sec. 5. NO PLAYER SHALL: Discuss with an official in any manner the decision reached by such official except the manager or captain.

Sec. 6. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of using unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body and person of any opposing player.

Sec. 7. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor, upon any player, official, or spectator.

Sec. 8. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of abusive verbal attack upon any player, official, or spectator.

Sec. 9. NO PLAYER SHALL: Use profane, obscene, or vulgar language in any manner, or at any time.

Sec. 10. NO PLAYER SHALL: Appear on the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition.

Sec. 11. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of gambling upon any play or the outcome of the game with any spectator, player or opponent.

Sec. 12. NO PLAYER SHALL: Smoke while going on or coming off the field of play, or while on the field of play.

Sec. 13. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of discussing publicly with the spectators in a derogatory or abusive manner any play, decision, or personal opinion of other players, during the game.  Players shall not mingle of fraternize with spectators during the course of the game, but shall remain on the player's bench or on the field of play.

Sec. 14. NO PLAYER SHALL: Permit anyone to remain in the dugout or on the player's bench during the game who is not a playing member of the team.

Sec. 15. NO PLAYER SHALL: Permit the use of any equipment or device which, in the sole judgment of the umpire, compromises the safety of the participants.  This includes the use of radios or similar devices on the person of a player, in the dugout, or in the spectator viewing area, which might inhibit the ability of players to hear verbal calls and/or instructions by the umpire.

Sec. 16. NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of using a bat that has been altered in any way. Altering includes, but is not limited to: sanding, filing, shaving, lengthening, shortening, weight-altering, heating and cooling.

NOTE: The term PLAYER as used in Rule 9 shall apply to all team personnel, such as manager, coaches, batkeeper, scorekeepers, sponsors, etc.