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Jersey Shore Baseball League Rules

JSBL Rules

 

BASEBALLS

Baseballs voted on and approved by league membership are acceptable.
 

B. DESIGNATED PINCH HITTER

All teams will follow Rule 6:10 of the official baseball rules.

 

Rule 6:10 – Our league has elected to use the Designated Hitter Rule, which provides as follows.

 

  • A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher or pitchers in the game.  A Designated hitter for the pitcher must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the umpire in chief.

 

  • It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a designated hitter for the game.

 

  • Pinch hitters for designated hitters may be used.  Any substitute hitter for a designated hitter becomes the designated hitter.  A replaced designated hitter shall not re-enter the game in any capacity.

 

  • The designated hitter may be used defensively, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made, the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order.

 

  • A runner may be substituted for the designated hitter and the runner assumes the role of designated hitter.  A designated hitter may not pinch run.

 

  • Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game.

 

  • A designated hitter is “locked” into the batting order.  No multiple substitution may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the designated hitter.

 

  • Once a pinch hitter bats for any player in the batting order and the then enters the game to pitch,  this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game
  • Once a game pitcher bats for the designated hitter this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game.  (The game pitcher may only pinch-hit for the designated hitter.)
  • Once a designated hitter assumes a defensive position this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game.  A substitute for the designated hitter need not be announced until it is the designated hitters turn to bat.

C.  DISCIPLINARY ACTION  (REPRIMAND, SUSPENSION OR EXPLUSION)

1.Any participant thrown out of a game will not be permitted to take part in at least the club’s next scheduled league game.

  1. A pitcher thrown out of a game while in the lineup as a pitcher will not be permitted to take the mound for his club’s next three scheduled league games.  Following a game suspension, he will be allowed to play another position.
  2. The President will determine what other disciplinary action, if any will be taken.
  3. A suspended team member is not to be permitted on the playing field, on the bench, in the stands, or in a practice area while on suspension.

D.   ENTRANCE FEE

1.Team fee will be determined by the President.

  1. The full fee must be paid no later than the May meeting.  One half of the fee must be  paid on or before May 1st of each year.
  2. Failure to comply with the above will result in team forfeiting all of it’s games until fee is paid.
  3. If fee is not paid in it’s entirety by the Friday preceding the league’s third weekend of play, the team will be dropped from the league.
  4. The President can alter the procedure by which entrance is handled.

E.   FORFEITS

1.     Forfeiting team will pay both umpires.  In the case of a double-header both umpires

will be paid for only 1 game.

 

  1. Teams will have 30 minutes from the scheduled game time to produce a 9th player.  When a double-header is scheduled game 1 will be declared a forfeit after 30 minutes and game 2, will be declared a forfeit after 60 minutes.

 

  1. All games will be played except if cancelled be the president.

 

  1. Teams that forfeit on two different occasions will not be eligible for post season play.

 

  1. Teams that forfeit on three different occasions will be terminated from the program, after the third forfeit.

 

  1. All new teams to the league will post a bond of $500.  If a new team, that has posted the $500 bond, forfeits on three different occasions, that team will forfeit the entire bond.

 

F.     GROUND RULES

 

  1. Ground rules shall be established by the home team and furnished by the manager or

coach at each game.

 

  1. Fields shall be freshly prepared and lined when possible.  The league does not

represent that any field will be in any particular condition for any game.  Each team is encouraged to either maintain it’s own field or make arrangements with the owner or lessor to maintain or prepare the field before each game. 

 

  1. All charges or fees to rent, prepare or maintain any field will be paid by the team.

 

G.   LENGTH OF GAME

 

1.All schedule games will be played a regulation seven (7) inning games.

 

  1. All scheduled  double-headers will be played as two (2) regulation seven (7) inning

games.

 

  1. If any team is scheduled to play more than one game in one day, both games will be

played as regulation seven (7) inning games.

 

 

  1. If a team is losing by 12 or more runs in a single game that game will be declared over after the team that is behind has batted at least 5 times.  If a team is behind by 10 or more runs in either game of a double-header the game or games will declared over after the team that is behind has batted at least 5 times.

 

  1. The President can use his judgment and alter aforementioned rules in this section.

 

H.   LEAGUE MEETING

 

  1. Team representation at the league meeting is mandatory.  Meetings will begin at 7:30

PM.

 

  1. Each team at the first meeting of the new year will submit the name of a

representative and alternate.  In a situation when neither can attend a meeting, someone else connected with the team is to be present.

 

  1. The President, with the approval of the majority of the league’s members, will

schedule the next meeting before hearing a motion of adjournment at the meeting in session.

 

  1. Teams without representation at 3 or more league meetings over a six month period

will be asked to reapply for acceptance into the league at the first meeting of the new year.

 

I.      WOODEN BATS

 

1.The Jersey Shore Baseball League as of May 1, 1997 is a wood bat only program.

 

  1. Metal spikes are permitted for use in the program.

 

  1. NEWSPAPER & MEDIA COVERAGE.

 

  1. Game winners will call results into all newspapers and any other media deemed

appropriate by the league

K.  PLAYOFFS

 

  1. The league will use to following play-off format.  This format will be used until a

majority of the teams vote to change or alter this system.

 

Teams that finish 1 & 2, will receive a bye in round one.  The next best 4 records will

Play-off, with 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5.  Teams 3 & 4 will only have to win 1 game of a possible 2 game series to advance.  Teams 5 & 6, will have to win 2 games against the higher seeded team to advance.  Round 2 will be a best of three, with the lowest seeded surviving team playing the number 1 seeded team.  The highest surviving seeded team will play the number 2 seeded team.  Round 3, will again be a best of 3 series between the surviving teams from round 2.

 

Round 1, will be played at the home fields of team 3 & 4.  Teams 3 & 4, will be home team in game 1, while teams 5 & 6, will be home team in game 2.

 

Round 2, will be played at the home field of teams  1 & 2.  If this series is played as a double-header, both games will be at the fields of teams 1 & 2.  Game 3, if needed will be played at the home field of the opponent.  Teams 1 & 2 will be home team in games 1 & 3.   If this series begins as a single game, games 1 & 3 will be played at the home fields of teams 1& 2.

 

Round 3, will again be a best of 3 series.  This series will be begin at the home field of the highest remaining seeded team. The highest remaining seeded team will be home team in games 1 & 3.  If this series begins as a double-header games 1 & 2 will be played at the same site.  Game 3, will be scheduled at the opponent’s field with the higher seeded team being the home team.  If round 3 begins as a single game 1 and 3 will be played at the home field of the higher seeded team. 

 

The league reserves the option to change field sites due to availability and field conditions.

 

 

  1. When two teams finish with the same regular season record, the higher play-off spot

will be awarded to the team that has the better record based on the season series between the two tied teams.  When the season series is even the team that has given up the fewest amount runs in head to head competition, will be awarded the higher play-off position. 

 

  1. When a tie exists for the first or final play-off position, a one game play-off will take 

place.  The President will have the right to cancel this game and institute the tie breaking procedure as defined in # 2. When 3, teams finish the regular season with same record, the team that has the best head-to head record against the two other opponents will be awarded the higher play-off position. In the event that all teams have equal records against each other the team that has allowed the fewest amount of runs against the two other teams will be awarded the higher play-off position.  If needed it will go down to fewest runs allowed in all games played. Games played last will be eliminated until all teams have played the same number of games.

If play-off seeding can still not be determined after the all the above has been applied, the President will determine the seeding by a coin flip.

  1. The league will incur all play-off expenses within reason.  This policy will be

reviewed yearly and voted on by the league representatives.

 

  1. The president will have the final say on the scheduling of all play-off games.

 

  1. All regular season rules will be enforced.

 

 

L.    POSTPONEMENTS

 

  1. In the case of an obvious postponement, the home team manager is to notify the

visiting team manager, umpire assignor and president at least 1 hour prior to the schedule game time.

 

  1. The team managers involved in the postponement, will make arrangements to

reschedule the postponed game within 48 hours of the game cancellation.  In the event, both teams can not agree the league President will select the date, time and location of the rescheduled game.

 

  1. The home team in the rescheduled game will notify the league President and Umpire

Assignor of the new date and time and location of this game. Games must be rescheduled within one week of the cancellation.

 

  1. Games scheduled at the meeting must be played at the time and date  that the game

has been assigned.  If a the home does not have access to a field the game will be moved to the opponents field.  If neither team has a field the league president will assign a  location

 

M.  PRE-GAME PROCEDURES

 

1.Games will begin at the time printed on the league schedule.

 

  1. A team arriving between the designated starting time and the forfeit time will not be

allowed any practice time.  The plate umpire will determine when the tardy pitcher is ready to pitch.

 

  1. Teams will share the field equally for any pre-game procedures.  Batters from both

Will alternate in any bating practice drills.

PROTESTS

1. For the purpose of attempting to eliminate protested games, umpires and managers are requested to have rulebooks and league rules in their possession during games. If a decision is arrived at during games that might result in a protest, the umpires are responsible for taking the time to check the rule book and or the league rules and show disputing managers evidence supporting his decision. If a rule has been misinterpreted by an umpire, the mistake is to be rectified and the game resumed. Only managers and game umpires are to be involved in protest discussions. 2. If for some reason procedure one fails, a 2, man committee consisting of the President and one person selected by him, will make up the protest committee. The protesting manager and umpire or umpires involved are to contact the President Immediately following the day’s play. A protest to be resolved by the Protest Committee will not be accepted unless it is written, accompanied by ten ($10) dollars, and postmarked within forty eight (48) hours of the completion of the protested game The involved umpire or umpires also will be requested to turn in a report within forty eight (48) hours of the completion of the protested game. If the protest is upheld, the ten ($10) dollars will be returned.
 

ROSTERS

All players become free agents following last league play-off game or tournament contest depending upon which occurs last. Tentative team roster (unlimited number of players) is due by the May meeting. A player whose name appears on two or more tentative rosters is committed to the club that they suit up for first in a league game. Any player changing teams will not be eligible to play for his new team until all equipment assigned to him by the team he is leaving has been returned and all financial obligations have been met. A player not meeting his obligations to his former team will not be allowed to participate in any league game or event. Unreasonable requests by the player or team, will be decided by the President. A player’s release to play for another team is subject to the President’s approval. Final rosters consisting of a maximum of twenty-five (25) players are to be in the hands of the President on or before June 1st. No player may change teams after that point in time. Teams whose rosters drop to twenty-four (24) or less players may add to their rosters so that the maximum amount of twenty-five (25) is reached. Managers must submit the names of those players being dropped before being allowed to add. Players being dropped and players being added must be reported to the President before they will be allowed to participate. Changes in roster must be made at twenty-four (24) hours before the first game that new players will participate in. In order for a player to be eligible for Jersey Shore Baseball League Play-offs he must appear 1/3 or more of the team’s regular scheduled league games. If he has been replaced on the roster by another player he is no longer eligible. Pitchers must appear in 6 games or have pitched a total of 16 innings. Players switching teams after June 22 will not be eligible for play-offs. Players changing teams before June 22 must requalify for play-offs.
 

RULE BOOK

The official Baseball Rules as published by Major League Baseball will govern all games except for League-initiated rules variations.
 

SCHEDULE

The president will submit a schedule for the League’s approval at or before the May meeting.
 

SMOKING

No League participant will be permitted to smoke on the field, on the bench, or in a practice area from the start of practice to the completion of the day’s play. If reported to the President, the guilty party or parties face possible suspensions.
 

SPEED-UP RULES

Teams will have the option to use speed rules for twilight games. The pitcher will be permitted five (5) warm up pitches from the mound before each inning. A new pitcher coming into the game will be allowed up to eight (8) warm up pitches. Courtesy runner for the catcher if he is on base with two outs. If a substitute is available, he must be used. A regular will pinch run only if a substitute is not available, this runner will be the last batted out. Courtesy runner for pitcher (substitute if available) if manager desires one. The ball must be thrown to the pitcher immediately after play has been completed. Manager will be allowed to confer with pitcher two (2) times during the course of the ball game. The third time on the field, the pitcher will be removed. The catcher will be allowed to confer with the pitcher once an inning. No other player will have this privilege.
 

SPEED-UP RULES FOR NIGHT GAMES

Only the following rule may be used for night games: Pitchers and catchers will be allowed to have courtesy runners with two outs.
 

TEAMS APPLYING FOR LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP

Teams applying for entrance to the Jersey Shore Baseball League will present their credentials at the February meeting. Acceptance to the program will be offered only after a majority vote by the member teams present at the membership meeting.

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TOURNAMENTS

The league, by a majority vote of member teams, will become a member of A.A.B.C. Stan Musial Division. Fees due and owing upon agreement to enter the A.A.B.C. will be paid by the league from funds collected for league fees. The team that finishes the regular season with the best record will represent the League in any tournament sanctioned by the A.A.B.C. In the event that a team or individual form the Jersey Shore Baseball League is hosting the tournament the hosting team will have an automatic bid into the tournament. If the hosting teams has the best regular season record a second bid will be offered to the team with the second best regular season record. In the event the hosting team does not have the best record they will be offered a tournament bid plus a separate bid to the team with the best regular season record. When a team that finishes with the best regular season record declines the tournament bid, the bid will be offered to the team with the second Best record and continuing in order of record. When two or more teams finish the regular season with the same record, the tie breaking formula as defined in Rule J. will be instituted. Participating teams in tournament play will pay their own expenses. The league by a majority vote of the membership will have the option to sponsor the team representing the Jersey Shore Baseball League. The amount and method of payment will be determined by the President. Any prizes or prize money will be the property of the participating team. Tournament teams may not approach players from non-tournament teams to Participate in tournament play while the players rostered team is still involved in the Jersey Shore League Play-offs. Exception will be allowed only in cases where the non-tournament team’s manager grants permission to participate.
 

UMPIRES

Two umpires supplied by the league will officiate each game at a set fee. Each team will pay one of the umpires. Umpires will be paid before the game for single games. And before the second game of a double-header. Except in the case of emergency each umpire will be dressed in standard umpire attire. Each umpire is to come prepared to work behind the plate. Umpires shall have the authority to recommend censoring or suspension of any participant to the President. All umpires are to report to their fields a minimum of thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled game. Umpires will be paid when the following takes place: Single game: Full inning game, 2 umpires working Total fee Each ump. Single game: full inning game, 1 umpire working. Total fee + ½ Single game or DH. Rainout, umpire notification at least 1 ½ Hours prior to start. No fee Single Game: Rain out- no start of game no umpire notification; ½ fee each Umpire. Single Game: Rain out- after game start but before complete game.. ¾ Fee Each umpire. Single Game: Rain out after game start and after complete game: Total fee Each umpire. Double-header: Full inning games, 2 umpires working. Total fee x 2 Each umpire. Double-header: Full inning games 1 umpire working. 1 ½ fees for Each game. Double-header: Total rain out: no notice. 5/8 fee Each umpire. Double-header: Second game rained out. Total fee for 1 game only. Suspended Game Continuation: e.g. Fog lights $7 per Continuation Inning up to Full fee. Double-header first game is not official: 1 game fee. Double-header second game is partial ¾ Fee for Second game. Double-header: first game completed and second game Suspended. Total fee 1 Game. ½ Fee second Game + $7 Per inning Total fee not More than 1 Game total Fee.
 

PRE-GAME PROCEDURES

Games will begin at the time printed on the league schedule. A team arriving between the designated starting time and the forfeit time will not be allowed any practice time. The plate umpire will determine when the tardy pitcher is ready to pitch. Teams will share the field equally for any pre-game procedures. Batters from both will alternate in any bating practice drills.
 

POSTPONEMENTS

In the case of an obvious postponement, the home team manager is to notify the visiting team manager, umpire assignor and president at least 1 hour prior to the schedule game time. The team managers involved in the postponement, will make arrangements to reschedule the postponed game within 48 hours of the game cancellation. In the event both teams can not agree the league President will select the date, time and location of the rescheduled game. The home team in the rescheduled game will notify the league President and Umpire Assignor of the new date and time and location of this game.
 

DESIGNATED PINCH HITTER

All teams will follow Rule 6:10 of the official baseball rules. Rule 6:10 – Our league has elected to use the Designated Hitter Rule, which provides as follows. A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher or pitchers in the game. A Designated hitter for the pitcher must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the umpire in chief. It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a designated hitter for the game. Pinch hitters for designated hitters may be used. Any substitute hitter for a designated hitter becomes the designated hitter. A replaced designated hitter shall not re-enter the game in any capacity. The designated hitter may be used defensively, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made, the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order. A runner may be substituted for the designated hitter and the runner assumes the role of designated hitter. A designated hitter may not pinch run. Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game. A designated hitter is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitution may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the designated hitter. Once a pinch hitter bats for any player in the batting order and the then enters the game to pitch, this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game Once a game pitcher bats for the designated hitter this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game. (The game pitcher may only pinch-hit for the designated hitter.) Once a designated hitter assumes a defensive position this move shall terminate the designated hitter role for the remainder of the game. A substitute for the designated hitter need not be announced until it is the designated hitters turn to bat.
 

DISCIPLINARY ACTION (REPRIMAND, SUSPENSION OR EXPLUSION)

Any participant thrown out of a game will not be permitted to take part in at least the club’s next scheduled league game. A pitcher thrown out of a game while in the lineup as a pitcher will not be permitted to take the mound for his club’s next three scheduled league games. Following a game suspension, he will be allowed to play another position. The President will determine what other disciplinary action, if any will be taken. A suspended team member is not to be permitted on the playing field, on the bench, in the stands, or in a practice area while on suspension.
 

ENTRANCE FEE

Team fee will be determined by the President. The full fee must be paid no later than the May meeting. One half of the fee must be Paid on or before May 1st of each year. Failure to comply with the above will result in team forfeiting all of it’s games until fee is paid. If fee is not paid in it’s entirety by the Friday preceding the league’s third weekend of play, the team will be dropped from the league. The President can alter the procedure by which entrance is handled.
 

FORFEITS

Forfeiting team will pay both umpires. In the case of a double-header both umpires will be paid for only 1 game. Teams will have 30 minutes from the scheduled game time to produce a 9th player. When a double-header is scheduled game 1 will be declared a forfeit after 30 minutes and game 2, will be declared a forfeit after 60 minutes. All games will be played except if cancelled by the president. Teams that forfeit on two different occasions will not be eligible for post season play. Teams that forfeit on three different occasions will be terminated from the program.
 

GROUND RULES

Ground rules shall be established by the home team and furnished by the manager or coach at each game. Fields shall be freshly prepared and lined when possible. The league does not represent that any field will be in any particular condition for any game. Each team is encouraged to either maintain it’s own field or make arrangements with the owner or lessor to maintain or prepare the field before each game. All charges or fees to rent, prepare or maintain any field will be paid by the team.
 

LENGTH OF GAME

All schedule games will be played a regulation seven (7) inning games. All scheduled double-headers will be played as two (2) regulation seven (7) inning games. If any team is scheduled to play more than one game in one day, both games will be played as regulation seven (7) inning games. All twilight games will be seven innings in duration and speed-up rules will be in effect. If a team is losing by 12 or more runs in a single game that game will be declared over after the team that is behind has batted at least 5 times. If a team is behind by 10 or more runs in either game of a double-header the game or games will declared over after the team that is behind has batted at least 5 times. The President can use his judgment and alter aforementioned rules in this section.

LEAGUE MEETING

Team representation at the league meeting is mandatory. Meetings will begin at 7:30PM. Each team at the first meeting of the new year will submit the name of a representative and alternate. In a situation when neither can attend a meeting, someone else connected with the team is to be present. The President, with the approval of the majority of the league’s members, will schedule the next meeting before hearing a motion of adjournment at the meeting in session. Teams without representation at 3 or more league meetings over a six month period will be asked to reapply for acceptance into the league at the first meeting of the new year.
 

WOODEN BATS

The Jersey Shore Baseball League as of May 1, 1997 is a wood bat only program. Metal spikes are permitted for use in the program.
 

NEWSPAPER & MEDIA COVERAGE

Game winners will call results into all newspapers and any other media deemed appropriate by the league In the case of a double-header, the team that wins the second game will call in all results to the media.
 

PLAYOFFS

The league will use to following play-off format. This format will be used until a majority of the teams vote to change or alter this system. Teams that finish 1 & 2, will receive a bye in round one. The next best 4 records will Play-off, with 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5. Teams 3 & 4 will only have to win 1 game of a possible 2 game series to advance. Teams 5 & 6, will have to win 2 games against the higher seeded team to advance. Round 2 will be a best of three, with the lowest seeded surviving team playing the number 1 seeded team. The highest surviving seeded team will play the number 2 seeded team. Round 3, will again be a best of 3 series between the surviving teams from round 2. Round 1, will be played at the home fields of team 3 & 4. Teams 3 & 4, will be home team in game 1, while teams 5 & 6, will be home team in game 2. Round 2, will be played at the home field of teams 1 & 2. If this series is played as a double-header, both games will be at the fields of teams 1 & 2. Game 3, if needed will be played at the home field of the opponent. Teams 1 & 2 will be home team in games 1 & 3. If this series begins as a single game, games 1 & 3 will be played at the home fields of teams 1& 2. Round 3, will again be a best of 3 series. This series will be begin at the home field of the highest remaining seeded team. The highest remaining seeded team will be home team in games 1 & 3. If this series begins as a double-header games 1 & 2 will be played at the same site. Game 3, will be scheduled at the opponent’s field with the higher seeded team being the home team. If round 3 begins as a single game 1 and 3 will be played at the home field of the higher seeded team. The league reserves the option to change field sites due to availability and field conditions. When two teams finish with the same regular season record, the higher play-off spot will be awarded to the team that has the better record based on the season series between the two tied teams. When the season series is even the team that has given up the fewest amount runs in head to head competition, will be awarded the higher play-off position. When a tie exists for the first or final play-off position, a one game play-off will take place. The President will have the right to cancel this game and institute the tie breaking procedure as defined in # 2. When 3, teams finish the regular season with same record, the team that has the best head-to head record against the two other opponents will be awarded the higher play-off position. In the event that all teams have equal records against each other the team that has allowed the fewest amount of runs against the two other teams will be awarded the higher play-off position. If play-off seeding can still not be determined after the all the above has been applied, the President will determine the seeding by a coin flip. The league will incur all play-off expenses within reason. This policy will be reviewed yearly and voted on by the league representatives. The president will have the final say on the scheduling of all play-off games. All regular season rules will be enforced.
 

UNIFORMS

Teams will be completely uniformed. Players’, managers’, coaches’ uniform will include matching shirts, pants, stockings and hats. Players, managers and coaches are to be completely uniformed from the beginning of practice through the completion of the day’s play. 3. Batting helmets can be worn by any defensive player other than the pitcher.