BAMSBL Rules & Regulations

Fairness Doctrine
Authority for the BAMSBL Board and/or BAMSBL Commissioner
Personnel

1. Age Minimum -- +25 and +35 Divisions
2. Roster Size
3. Applicant Eligibility
4. Free Agent Eligibility
5. Draft Eligibility
6. Player Eligibility
7. Part Time Players
8. Pool Players
9. Trades
10. Trading Deadline
11. Veterans who choose not to return to their current team
12. Dissolution of Teams
13. Anti-merger Rule
14. Anti-raiding Rule
15. Anti-collusion Rule
16. Anti-tampering Rule

Equipment and Uniforms

17. Uniforms
18. Cleats/Spikes
19. Helmets
20. Bats
21. Baseballs
22. Pitcher's Uniform
23. Failure to Adhere

Tryouts and the Draft

24. Spring Tryouts
25. Failure to Extend Best Effort
26. The Draft

Game Requirements

27. Length of Game
28. Start of Game
29. Batting Line-Ups
30. Fielding Line-Ups
31. Courtesy Runners
32. Injured Baserunner
33. Catcher 2-Out Baserunner
34. Two (2) Minute Rule
35. Participation Requirements-Per Game
36. Last Weekend of Regular Season
37. Playoffs Participation Requirements
38. Failure to Adhere
39. Protesting Games

Conduct and Safety

40. Batter
41. Baserunner
42. Pitcher
43. Fielder
44. Sportsmanlike Conduct
45. Player Suspension
46. Suspension Appeal
47. Alcohol
48. Smoking
49. Pets

Playoffs and Tiebreakers

50. Tie-Breaker Formula
51. Home Team Designation (+35 World Series)

BAMSBL Rules & Regulations

Fairness Doctrine
The Board and Commissioner of the BAMSBL shall have the authority to oversee all player, team and coach transactions. The Board has a duty to ensure that fair competition will prevail for the player(s), team(s) and the League as a whole.

Appeal of any sanctions, suspensions or terminations as set forth by the BAMSBL Board and/or Commissioner.

As set forth in the aforementioned Bylaws, any party disciplined, sanctioned, suspended or had it's membership terminated shall have the right to an appeal. Said party may submit a written statement to the BAMSBL Board not less than five days before its effective date, showing cause as to why said disciplinary action should be overturned, lessened or modified. The Commissioner of the BAMSBL will rule on the appeal. Said Commissioner, at his choosing, may elect to defer his decision to a vote by the BASMBL Board, or form a grievance committee to make a recommendation as to the disposition of the appeal.

Authority for the BAMSBL Board and/or BAMSBL Commissioner
As set forth in the Bylaws of the Bay Area Men's Senior Baseball League, which are registered and on file as the By Laws of Bay Area Men's Senior Baseball League, Inc. with the State of California, the Commissioner and/or the Board shall have and exercise the authority to discipline any League members for any conduct or actions deemed "inimical to the best interests of the corporation". This shall include any actions, intentional or otherwise, to violate, circumvent or evade any League rules, reasonable intent of the League rules, proven intent of the League rules, historical League practices or League precedents. This shall also include direct or indirect violations of Board or Commissioner directives. Said disciplinary measures may include but are not limited to: suspension of League membership, termination of League membership or any League sanctions set forth as determined by the BAMSBL Board to apply to the specific case. The Board shall notify any affected member(s) of any disciplinary actions at least 15 days prior to the effective date said disciplinary actions are to take place.

Personnel

1. Age Minimum +25 and +35 Divisions

A. Players who turn 25 or 35 prior to 11:59 p.m. on December 31 are eligible to play in the BAMSBL. Any player that turns 25 or 35 during the calendar year is eligible to play the entire season.
B. Any game(s) played with player(s) underage shall be deemed immediately forfeited by that team. The player(s) involved will also be ineligible for the duration of the current season, regardless of when the player(s) officially turns 25 or 35 years old.
C. A manager has the right to demand to inspect the identification of any player on the field, before, during or after an official BAMSBL game. Until the player produces acceptable identification, said player in question will not be allowed to participate in said game or any future games. Acceptable identification is defined as: a valid driver's license, valid passport, valid Federal or State Government ID card or any identification which the umpire accepts as valid identification.
D. Should the requesting manager still not be satisfied or agree with the authenticity of the identification presented, said manager will immediately (within 24 hours) file a protest to the League Office for review. Protest may be called in and followed up in writing explaining why the manager feels that the ID presented is still in question. Commissioner will then investigate and report findings to the Board for review, decision and any sanctions, if warranted.
E. If any sanctions are applied, the normal appeal process will apply.

2. Roster Size
Each team must carry a minimum of 14 eligible players (inclusive of suspended or short-term players). If a team drops below 14 paid players, they can either pick up a free agent or draft from the draft pool. The maximum number of players a team may carry is 16; however, the Commissioner may waive the maximum number. The board maintains the discretion to aid teams who drop below 10 available players.

3. Applicant Eligibility
An applicant is eligible to participate in league sanctioned tryouts as long as they have met the following requirements:

A. Will be turning 25 years of age during the calendar year and has means to verify it.
B. Has paid an acceptable pre-determined league fee deposit.
C. Has completed the necessary league registration form(s).
D. Is available to play on any team that exists in the region and age bracket for which they qualify.

4. Free Agent Eligibility

A. Unlimited in number, however no BAMSBL members from the previous year are eligible.
B. Has completed the required registration form(s).
C. Has paid league fee in full! No exceptions.
D. Has provided the league with above B & C by designated deadline.
The Board of Directors will designate the yearly Free Agent signing period. Any team that has not submitted the required form(s) and player dues in full within this signing period, will forfeit their exclusive rights to that Free Agent. If the Free Agent still desires to play, they will be subjected to normal draft rules.
E. The free agent deadline is after the completion of the eighth (8th) scheduled game. No free agents can be added after this time.
F. The presiding league Board of Directors must approve any exceptions or deviations from the Free Agent Eligibility requirements.

5. Draft Eligibility

A player is eligible for the BAMSBL draft pool as long as they have met the following criteria:
A. Has attended and participated in one sanctioned Spring Workout for each division the candidate desires to play in (this can be waived by consent of all managers respective to their division), and followed the tryout program given by the Spring Workout Division Representative.
B. Has presented a valid photo ID indicating at least 25 or 35 years of age by the end of the year.
C. Has completed registration form.

6. Player Eligibility

A player is eligible to participate in league play as long as they have met the following requirements:
A. Has paid in full the current league membership fee.
B. Has been properly drafted, traded or selected as a free agent according to league rules & guidelines.
C. Has returned as a veteran player or was an eligible player on same team the previous year.
D. Is properly attired.
E. Is not currently serving a league suspension or game ejection.
F. Is a BAMSBL member in good standing as defined by the BAMSBL Articles of Incorporation.

7. Part Time Players
Part Time Players (also known as PTP) are those players whohave paid a registration feefor half a season (50% of a full seasonfee), and therefore can play in only 8 games of a 16 game guaranteedseason.  Part time players may split their playing time betweenthe 25+ League and the 35+ League.  Therefore playing 8 games ofthe regular season in each league.  A player may also choose toplay part time in only one league.

1. Any player who played for team XYZ the previousyear and wants to return to XYZ roster as a PTP, after the start of theseason.  If he is not registered for the new season, he mustregister by the deadline for adding PTP set by the Board of Directors(includes the same rules regarding waivers & fees).
2. Any present PTP who wants to change their status to full time (morethen 8 games), must declare by thedeadline set by the Board ofDirectors. Otherwise, they keep their PTP status through the rest ofthe season. They must also pay the balance of a full time players' feeby the deadline.
   1. Prior to the deadline, the team representativemust inform the league president that the player has declared himself afull time player.
3. No player, who hasfull time status and is presently on a team roster, can divide theirfee to part time status and then play out the rest of the season in theother (or both) league.   However, a player may join theother league as a FA and PTP with an additional fee paid for thatstatus prior to deadlines for both.
   1. Roster players with full time status may notdeclare themselves a PTP prior to the deadline, and then request arefund from the league for playing part time.
4. Any team or representative, who willfully allows a PTP to play morethen 8 games in a season, including game 16 (players are guaranteed 16games, and that constitutes a season), could lead to forfeits,suspensions, and/or fines levied on the team and/orrepresentative.  The decision of the Commissioner will be final.
5. Two part time players equal one roster spot for the minimum of 14 players on a roster.
6. The deadline for a player or team to declare a player's status change from part time to full time, or to part time in the other league, will follow the game in Week 8 of the season.

8. Pool Players
From time to time we hear from players who have heard aboutour league, but never played in the BAMSBL.  Sometimes they willcontact league presidents or the commissioner about playing in ourleague after the season has started.  Also, some of these playersmay have been in the Tryouts and not Drafted.  League presidentswill put all of them into a “Players Pool” for future consideration byteam representatives.  A Pool Player may be added to a team inorder to adjust the roster so as not to forfeit for lack of players.

1. League presidents will keep a list of Pool Players as the season progresses.
2. Occasionally, the league presidents will offer Pool Players to all teamrepresentatives. Representatives may also ask to see the Pool Playerslist.
3. The league president will control who is called and when, so as to follow up and see if the player actually gets on a team.
4. Representatives, who add a Pool Player(s) to their roster after theseason starts, must keep that player for the rest of the season.
5. Pool Players fees: The leagues will either, 1. Pro-rate the players'fee for the rest of the season, or 2. They can still be considered apart time player (8 games only, plus playoffs), but only if there areeight or more games to be played in the season.  Pool Playerscannot replace a player or the player's fee on the roster.
6. Any team or representatives who willfully takes a Pool Player for onegame only, or moves them off the roster after several games, mayforfeit those games.  A team and its representatives may not use aregular scheduled game to evaluate the Pool Player's talent.  Thedecision of the Commissioner will be final.
7. A Pool Player may be released at the end of the season in which they were picked up.

9. Trades
The BAMSBL sanctions the following types of trades:

A. Interdivisional – Between teams within own division

1. Player for player
2. Player for current draft pick
3. Current draft pick for current draft pick
4. Trading for future draft picks is not allowed

No outside compensation will be allowed for consummating a trade. Example: A player cannot be traded for baseball equipment or other fungible goods.

B. Trades between +25 and +35
If players are traded between +25 and +35 teams, said players would be eligible only if the requisite minimum number of games are met by the players with their respective new teams, and they meet +35 age requirements. The established trading deadline will still apply.

C. All trades must be approved by:

1. Any and all involved parties
2. Both managers
3. League President

10. Trading Deadline

The trade deadline is after the completion of the eighth (8th) scheduled game. No trades can be made after this time.

11. Veterans who choose not to return to their current team
At the end of each season, a player may choose not to return to their current team. The player has three (3) options:

A. Re-enter the draft. Player must notify team manager and attend 1 sanctioned spring tryout.
B. Request a trade (see rule #7). Request must be made through current team manager.
C. If a player sits out a full season, they have the option to become a free agent. A current player is not eligible to join another team via free agency. Once a current player has stepped on the tryout field, they are no longer eligible to return to their former team, unless they choose to draft him. If another team drafts him, no compensation is due the former team.

12. Dissolution of Teams
Teams shall be declared dissolved only after the following steps have been taken: Coach or voted representative of affected BAMSBL team informs either their BAMSBL Division Representative, BAMSBL League President or BAMSBL Commissioner that said team has no one on roster willing to take over the responsibilities of a coach for the upcoming season. Said affected Division Representative shall make an effort and explore all options available to find a coach for the affected team. If no coach can be found, then said Board may declare the team as a dissolved team. Coach of dissolving team is prohibited from coaching another team for that year without the express approval of said Board. If such actions can be proved or has the reasonable appearance of a violation of the above procedures or rules as determined by said Board, than teams, coaches and the player(s) involved may be subject to disciplinary measures including (but not limited to) censure and/or suspension.

13. Anti-Merger Rule [Adopted March 2001]
No teams may be allowed to merge with other teams without the express approval of the BAMSBL Board. Said Board must approve of such a merger via simple majority vote.

14. Anti-Raiding Rule [Adopted March 2001]
Teams and/or their coaches of the BAMSBL are prohibited from conspiring, colluding, or attempting (intentionally or unintentionally), to raid other team rosters, or cause teams (including their own) to dissolve for the purpose of forming new teams.

15. Anti-Collusion Rule [Adopted March 2001]
Teams and/or their coaches of the BAMSBL are prohibited from conspiring, colluding or attempting (intentionally or unintentionally) to circumvent rules (written or unwritten), practices (written or unwritten) or precedents (written or unwritten). The BAMSBL Board and the Commissioner shall have sole discretion of determining if the teams, or coaches of said teams have violated any of the aforementioned either in the present or future.
If such actions can be proved or has the reasonable appearance of a violation of the above as determined by said Board, than teams, coaches and any player(s) involved may be subject to disciplinary measures including (but not limited to) censure and/or suspension.

16. Anti-Tampering Rule [Adopted March 2001]
BAMSBL teams and/or their coaches are prohibited from conspiring, colluding, or attempting (intentionally or unintentionally), to raid other BAMSBL team rosters for the purpose of filling their own roster or another team roster.

This includes (but is not limited to) suggesting or encouraging (intentionally or otherwise) players to quit their teams for the purpose of going into the draft so that they may be selected up by a the team or it's coach encouraged said player move. If such tampering can be proved or has the reasonable appearance of tampering as determined by said Board, than teams, coaches and the player(s) involved may be subject to disciplinary measures including (but not limited to) censure and/or suspension.

Equipment and Uniforms

17. Uniforms
All teams participating in BAMSBL sanctioned games must meet league uniform requirements. Each and every player must have matching caps, pants & jerseys in presentable condition for each regular season and playoff game. Each team has until the 4th league game to get all their players (drafted or traded) properly attired.

18. Cleats/Spikes
Players may wear metal, plastic or rubber baseball or softball cleats/spikes. No other sport shoes can be used.

19. Helmets

A. All batters must wear a helmet with at least one (1) earflap (facing the pitcher) when batting. If a player wishes to wear a non-flap shell helmet, he must sign the required league waiver prior to any league participation.
B. All baserunners must wear a helmet. Earflaps are optional.

1. Catchers must wear either a catcher's helmet or protective skullcap when catching. If a catcher wishes not to wear a helmet, he must sign the required league waiver prior to any league participation.

20. Bats
Approved aluminum (not to exceed a -3 differential), graphite, wooden or composite bats may be used during league play.

21. Baseballs

A. Only league-approved baseballs may be used during league play. These baseballs are designated “game” balls and handed out to manager by the league prior to the start of the season.
B. Each team is required to supply 4 balls per game. The umpires will return unused balls.
C. If the supply of balls becomes exhausted during play, both managers or presiding umpires may use a previously used approved ball upon consent.

22. Pitcher's Uniform
Pitcher's cannot wear white or gray sleeves, batting gloves, sweat bands, jewelry or other distracting items while on the mound.

23. Failure to Adhere
Failure to adhere to the requirements listed in this section could lead to player and/or manager ejection and/or suspension, and/or team forfeiture of games in which infractions occur.

Tryouts and The Draft

24. Spring Tryouts
One of the primary goals of the BAMSBL, Inc. is to provide an opportunity to interested individuals to play amateur baseball. We make this opportunity available through annual spring tryouts. Whether by league expansion, replacement of retired/non-returning players, or other means, the league attempts to leave no applicants behind. Teams in need of new players will be represented by managers or coaches who will observe and evaluate the skill level, hustle and attitude of each applicant at the tryout. The spring tryouts are usually held beginning in mid-February, over the course of 2-3 non-holiday weekends, weather permitting, in the below listed areas:

• San Francisco
• East Bay
• Peninsula
• Marin

All eligible applicants must put forth their reasonable best efforts during the official spring tryout. The eligible applicant must also declare and perform all components of the positions they plan on playing during the season. They include:

• Batting
• Fielding (infield & out)
• Running
• Pitching
• Catching

If a pitcher or catcher fails to declare & perform for the managers/coaches, they will NOT be permitted to pitch or catch during the regular season or playoffs.

25. Failure to Extend Best Efforts
A. All eligible applicants are required to put forth all reasonable best efforts during the sanctioned spring tryout. If an applicant is judged by at least 3 managers/coaches to have not expended, in their view, a best effort, then that applicant will not be eligible for the draft.
B. If during the course of the season (regular or post), it becomes apparent to at least 3 managers in the player's division that they did not expend reasonable best efforts during the spring tryout, said player may be subjected to suspension or expulsion, and the player's team may suffer forfeiture of any games in which the player participated in.

26. The Draft

A. All managers within their respective divisions meet to select eligible applicants.
B. At the draft meeting, each team, in order to fill its roster requirements (minimum 14 players per team), selects a pre-determined number of applicants in a pre-determined order. Usually the order is determined by the final standings from the previous season. In reverse order of finish, the teams select applicants round-by-round, until all rosters are full or all applicants have been exhausted.
C. All teams must supplement their rosters until the league minimum is met – 14 paid eligible full-time players.
D. The presiding league Board of Directors must approve any exceptions or deviations from the draft requirements.
E. Forfeits & Won – Loss records – For the purpose of determining draft positions between teams with identical won-loss records, a team cannot count as a loss any forfeits they incur the previous season. Any team in this situation will have the drafting position immediately after the team it was tied with.
F. Tiebreaker Rule: If the total wins of two or more teams are the same, the tiebreakers will be:

a. Head to Head Competition
b. Division Record (if not in the same division)
c. Inter-Division Record
d. Difficulty of Schedule

Game Requirements

27. Length of Game

A. Nine (9) innings or 3 hours. No new inning is allowed to start after 3 hours.
B. Mercy Rule: There is no mercy rule. All games shall be played until completion or the end of 3 hours.

28. Start of Game

A. Game time begins with the scheduled time. If a game is supposed to start at 10 a.m. but does not begin on time due to reasons other than field conditions, weather conditions (or other act of God) or late umpires, then the 3 hour time limit starts at 10 a.m. regardless of when the game actually starts.
B. Each team must have a minimum of 8 eligible players present, in full uniform and ready to play, by no less than 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time, or a forfeit will be declared. In the batting lineup, when batting position #9 comes up, an automatic out will be recorded. The #1 batter then will bat. If a legal player arrives to the game, they will be inserted into the #9 slot and it will no longer be recorded as an automatic out.
C. A team may reduce its lineup to 7 (offense & defense) only as a result of injury incurred during the course of a game. The injured player & manager must report such injury to the Home Plate Umpire before leaving the playing field. The umpire shall determine if the injury is legitimate and warrants leaving the game. In the event of such an occurrence, the batting order remains the same, but an OUT is recorded each time the injured player is due to bat.

29. Batting Line-up

A. Batting and fielding line-ups operate independently of each other. Each team may bat as many as it chooses provided there are a minimum of 8 in the line-up. If 10 or more players are present for a game, then a minimum of 10 players must be in the line-up at all times. Professional Baseball rules governing "Batting out of order & Illegal Substitution" still apply.
B. Managers shall, prior to each game, supply the opposing manager with a batting order that includes batters that will be provided with courtesy runners. (see rule #29)
C. Any batting change must be announced to the opposing manager, coach/assistant or official scorekeeper prior to the change being made. Umpires need not be notified. The batting line-up may only be changed in the following manners:

1. PINCH HITTER – A player, who has yet to have been placed in the batting line-up, bats in the line-up in place of a batter who is already in the hitting line-up and has met the batting participation requirements.
2. ADDITIONAL HITTERS – A player who has not yet been placed in the hitting line-up, may be added to the hitting line-up, but only at the end of the batting order.
3. REMOVED HITTER – A player who has already been placed in the batting line-up and has met the batting participation requirements, may be removed from the batting line-up provided the line-up still contains the minimum number of hitters required (see rule #29A). Once a player has been removed from the hitting line-up, they may not bat again during the game.
4. A/B- ALTERNATING HITTERS – Managers may select an A/B hitting order for players. Using this system, 2 hitters are placed in a batting slot, and when this spot appears, alternate batting turns. Same rules apply concerning adding, changing or removing hitters from the batting order.

30. Fielding Line-up

A. Fielding and batting line-ups operate independently of each other. All substitutions made on defense are unrestricted, except for the pitcher. Any player who departs or is removed from the position of pitcher may return to pitch only once, but not until, at the very earliest, the next new inning, following his initial departure from the mound.

31. Courtesy Runners

A. Prior to the start of each game, managers have the option to designate up to 2 hitters in the batting order who require "courtesy substitute baserunners", after reaching base.
B. Each respective "courtesy baserunner" will be the player who has made the last batted out. If no last batted out hitter is available to run (1st inning), then the duty goes to the last batter listed in the line-up.
C. A "courtesy baserunner" must be inserted immediately, and before play resumes. If the "courtesy baserunner" is not inserted immediately, (by the next pitch), then the designated player loses his "courtesy baserunner" privilege until their next plate appearance.

32. Injured Baserunner

If a player is deemed injured by the home plate umpire and is unable to fulfill their duties as a baserunner, a "courtesy baserunner" (last batted out) will be permitted. The injured player is then permanently removed for the duration of the game.

33. Catcher 2-out baserunner
When 2 outs exist in any inning and the catcher is on base, a "courtesy baserunner" will be immediately inserted (last batted out). This will allow each team to adhere to the 2-minute rule. (see rule #28)

34. Two (2) minute rule

Each team has 2-minutes from the recording of the last out in the previous half inning to get ready for the next half inning. This time includes pitcher, infielder & outfielder warm-ups.

35. Participation Requirements – Per Game

A. League requires 2 plate appearance and 1 full inning in the field, but only according to the number of players present on the team with the fewest players present. Example: Indians play Tigers, Indians have 14 eligible players present at game time, Tigers have 11. Indians only required to play 11 players during the game.
B. Failure to properly adhere to the PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS will result in an automatic forfeiture of game and possible suspension of presiding manager.

36. Last Weekend of Regular Season

Games played in the last week (Week 16) of the“regular season schedule” are guaranteed for all players who qualify byleague rules.  It will be an elimination game, and not part of theregular playoff series.  All rules for the regular season willapply.  Playoff series do not begin until all teams in bothleagues have played a “regular season schedule” (16 games), or a“regular season schedule” as determined by the Board

37. Playoff Participation Requirements

A. For a player to be eligible for post season play, said player must meet the playoff participation requirement of a minimum of 5 games. If said player is injured, than said player shall have been assumed to have been able to play the required number of games, and thus qualify to participate in any playoff games. If a player has their season interrupted due to family or work considerations, then once acceptable documentation has been provided to the BAMSBL Commissioner, the player may be eligible to participate in the playoffs. In any or all cases, the Commissioner will determine playoff eligibility. Commissioner decision is Final.

38. Failure to adhere

Failure to adhere to the requirements in this section could lead to player and/or manager ejection, suspension and/or team forfeiture of games in which the infractions occur.

39. Protesting Games

The League shall adopt rules governing procedure for protesting a game, when a manager claims that an umpire's decision is in violation of these rules. Rules of the game when not posted in the BAMSBL Handbook will be the standards followed by Major League Baseball. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgement decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision of the League President shall be final. However, a manager may appeal the decision of the League President to the League Commissioner and/or League Board of Directors.

Whenever 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. A protest arising on a game-ending play may be filed until noon the following day with the League President.
Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the League President the violation adversely affected the protesting team's chance of winning the game.

Conduct & Safety

40. Batter

A batter is to control his bat at all times. Under no circumstances is he to threaten, wield or throw his bat at another player. Furthermore, he is not to charge another player on or off the field. If, in the judgement of the presiding umpires, a batter intentionally attempts to injure another player, said batter will be immediately ejected from the game and subject to further league action. (see rule #35)

41. Baserunner

A. A baserunner is to stay in the base paths at all times. No baserunner may collide carelessly, intentionally or maliciously with any fielder to allow himself to reach base. INTERFERENCE shall be called and baserunners may be ejected at the discretion of the umpiring crew. An "OUT" shall be declared any time a collision not involving a legitimate slide prevents an out from being recorded.
B. Falling, diving or crashing on or through a base does not constitute a "slide", nor does sliding beyond the back edge of either second or third base.
C. No baserunner will intentionally alter his course from the base paths with the sole intention of injuring a fielder. Rolling blocks are not allowed regardless of whether the baserunner and/or fielder are in the base path or not. Hard, legitimate slides will be allowed as long as the fielder is in the base path. If, in the judgement of the presiding umpires, a baserunner intentionally attempts to injure another player, said baserunner will be immediately ejected from the game and an out recorded.
D. A baserunner is required to wear a helmet (see rule #17B) at all times. If, in the opinion of the presiding umpires, the baserunner intentionally removes his helmet during the course of play, the baserunner will be issued a warning. If this player commits a second offense, they will immediately be ejected from the game.

42. Pitcher

No pitcher shall intentionally throw at a batter in either the batter's box or in the batter's on-deck circle. If, in the judgement of the presiding umpires, the pitcher intentionally throws at the batter, said pitcher will be immediately ejected from the game and will be subject to further league action. (see rule #35)

43. Fielder

A. No fielder, catcher or pitcher has the right to block any base unless the ball is in their possession before the baserunner involved can begin a legitimate slide. If a baserunner must alter their course to avoid a collision or is blocked from reaching a base as the result of a legitimate slide where such baserunner would have reached base safely if given a clear path and no ball is in evident possession, OBSTRUCTION shall be called.
B. Fielders are not allowed to decoy baserunners in the base path into unnecessary sliding in order to slow them down or keep them from scoring.

44. Sportsmanlike Conduct

Anything not constituting SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT will not be tolerated. Examples include, but not limited to:

A. Fake tags & deaking runners.
B. Throwing equipment in any careless, dangerous or malicious manner.
C. Swearing at anyone in attendance: Players, Umpires or Fans/Spectators.
D. Taunting or any other displays of disrespect for person, property or the game of baseball itself.
E. In the case of A & C, a warning shall be issued at the very least.
F. In the case of B & D, offending player(s) shall be ejected with the possibility of suspension upon umpires recommendation.

45. Player Suspension

A. A player who is ejected will receive an automatic suspension from the next official game. All-Star or tournament games will not be considered official games for purposes of serving out the suspension. Only games that effect league records/standings or playoff games will be used to serve out the suspension. Suspension may be carried over to next season if necessary (a player is ejected from final regular season game and his team is not in the playoffs).
B. A suspended player will have his case reviewed by their respective League President and Commissioner, who may decide upon further review that additional disciplinary action is warranted.
C. Manager of the offending player is required to submit a report with 24 hours regarding the incident. The manager will face a suspension of at least 1 game for not reporting an incident.

46. Suspension Appeal

Any disciplinary action taken by the league may be appealed by the suspended individual. This appeal must be made in writing, and submitted to their respective League President. Once notified, the League President has 48 hours to review the appeal and render a decision. If the individual, upon receiving this decision still disagree, they may appeal the decision to the Commissioner. A decision will be made within 24 hours of receiving the appeal. The Commissioner's decision is final.

47. Alcohol

Possession or consumption of Alcoholic Beverages is strictly forbidden at any high school, college, university or park & recreation location used by the BAMSBL. Furthermore, it is AGAINST THE LAW! The only beverages other than water permitted at any location are milk, juice, sport or soft drinks. Any offender of this policy will:

A. Be suspended for the baseball season. If offender(s) are caught after the 14th league game, said offender(s) will be suspended through the next season.
B. Offender(s) subject to revocation of local and national MSBL membership and possible criminal action.Teams that fail to comply and/or fail to properly identify any conspicuous offenses will also be subject to:
A. Forfeiture of game on date of the offense.
B. Suspension of presiding manager.
C. Team permanently banned from using field where offense occurred.The BAMSBL is fortunate to be permitted the use of these facilities. Our agreements require us to follow their rules, as we are guests on their property. Failure to do so may cause them to cancel our agreements.

48. Smoking
Smoking of cigarettes, cigars or any other substance is strictly forbidden on any playing field or dugout.

49. Pets
Pets are forbidden on any playing area and dugout. Pets are permitted in the spectator area, but must be confined to a leash, with a responsible person controlling the animal. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to suspension, revocation of league membership, criminal citation and/or civil damage claim.

Playoffs and Tiebreakers

50. Playoff Tie-Breaker Formula
The following formula shall be used by the BAMSBL when determining tie-breakers for teams eligible for annual league playoffs:

A. Head to head match-ups: record against team tied with.
B. Final record against division teams.
C. Run differential against team tied with.
D. Runs allowed: Team giving up least amount of runs against division opponents.
E. * Coin flip*
The coin flip procedure will be conducted by the Commissioner. The Commissioner will attempt to have all concerned parties present, either physically or by electronic means. This includes but is not limited to both Managers, Division Representative, League President and Commissioner. If one or both of the managers are not present, then either the Division Representative or League President will represent the teams. The Commissioner will flip the coin. The results are NOT appealable.

51. Home Team Designation (+35 World Series)
Home team designation will alternate each year between the North and South divisions. In the even year season the South division will be home team, and in odd year season the North division will have home team designation.