2005 RULE AMENDMENTS
I.
Stan Musial, Connie Mack, & Mickey Mantle
Divisions:
1.
It is optional
to Team Coaches, in the local league play, to use Special Participation Rules
as stated on page 11 of the Roy Hobbs Section & page 12 of the Fall Wood
Bat Section.
II Mickey Mantle Division:
1. AABC Rule
24(a) – in 2005, Players born on or after August 1,
1986 shall be
eligible for the Mickey Mantle Division AABC competition, if otherwise eligible
under these rules.
2.
No pitching
restrictions for innings pitched in league play.
3.
High School Balk
Rule will be in effect during league.
High School Re-Entry Rule is permitted in league play.
II.
Connie Mack Division:
1.
AABC Rule 20 (a)
– in 2005 players born on or after August 1,
1984 shall be eligible for the Connie Mack Division
AABC competition, if otherwise eligible under these rules.
2.
No pitching
restrictions for innings pitched in league play.
3.
High School Balk
Rule will be in effect during league play.
High School Re-Entry
Rule is permitted in league play.
III.
Roy Hobbs Division:
1.
Players who are
28 years of age by Jan. 1, 2006 are eligible to
Play in the 2005 Season.
IV. Stan Musial Division: Wood Bats ONLY!
1. Wood, Composite Wood, and
Metal-Wood Bats permitted in
League Play.
RULES AND POLICIES
1.
Florida Space
Coast Baseball League is traditionally sanctioned under the American Amateur
Baseball Congress (A.A.B.C.) and Roy Hobbs Baseball. Stan Musial Wood Bat
(unlimited age), Connie Mack (18-under), Mickey Mantle (16-under) Divisions
will be governed by American League Official Baseball Rules of Major League
Baseball with the following local FSCBL Rules and Policies.
2.
Single games and
Doubleheaders are 7 innings.
3. Mercy
Rule: If the visiting team is ahead
by 10 runs or more at the end of the
5th inning, they shall be declared the winner. If the home
team
is ahead by 10 runs or more at the end of 4 ½ innings they
shall be declared the winner. A game can be terminated at any time with the
unanimous agreement of both managers and the chief umpire. A terminated game will count as an official
game regardless of the number of innings played.
3.
Discipline of
players, coaches, and fans is mandatory on and off the
field. The umpires are the game officers and they are to ensure
that
the conduct of everyone
is in the realm of sportsmanship and fair
play for any game to be
played. All managers are responsible
for
their players’, coaches’,
and fans’ conduct. Penalty: forfeit,
suspension, or both.
5.
Equipment abuse
and displays of unsportsmanlike conduct will not
be tolerated. Penalty: ejection from the game(s) and/or
the park. No warning is necessary
for bad conduct; however, it’s the umpire’s discretion and judgment. The umpire’s decision is to be upheld by both
managers. The Managers are responsible
to ensure order is taken.
6.
All
conversations on disputed calls between coaches and umpires should be conducted
in a well-modulated tone of voice outside the earshot of fans and players. If an ejection occurs, the umpire’s decision
must be followed within 2 minutes at the discretion of the umpire or the
umpire may declare a forfeit.
7.
Umpires can use
“speed up” rules at their discretion. To
prevent long games, hustle is required on and off the field.
8.
Rainout
Policies (A) Rainouts will be rescheduled when necessary. (B)
The home field manager will update Umpires Coordinator about the bad weather
possibilities. If umpires arrive at the
field, they will be paid if a pitch is thrown.
(C) The umpires get full pay
if a rainout occurs during a game.
9.
A “No Protest
Philosophy” will be the standard policy.
No protests on judgment calls.
The Chief (Plate) Umpire will handle any protests on rule interpretation
at the time of the protest. He will make
a decision, note the time, and game situation in the official scorebook and
continue the game to its end. If the
protest has a reversing possible outcome, a “Protest Review Board” consisting
of managers and umpires will be appointed by the League Director and a decision
will be made as soon as possible.
10.
All Teams must be Insured! All players are required to sign a Player Contract
that includes a waiver of financial liability responsibility before any player
is eligible to play. All players are
responsible for their own medical insurance coverage. Roy Hobbs and the A.A.B.C. do have insurance
plans available. Call the League Director if you need team insurance
information for your team.
11.
The League Fee
is $1680.00 per Team. Fee pays for Game Baseballs, paying Umpires,
paying all sanction fees, field expenses, administrative costs, award costs,
etc.
12.
The League will
distribute game baseballs to teams prior to scheduled games. Each team is required to supply 2 League
approved baseballs for each game. Each
team is responsible for retrieving foul balls down their respective foul
line. If more baseballs are needed, the
teams must supply useable baseballs for play, alternating turns starting with
the home team.
13.
The Home Team is
the Official Scorekeeper. Lineup cards
must include complete information with jersey numbers, player’s first and last
name, and positions. The League will
provide line up cards. Both teams should
keep scorebook results of each game. It
is the responsibility of the official scorekeeper to report the results to the
League Director and the Media.
14.
Teams are not
required to have a home field, but may secure a home field with the proper
approval in writing. Any facility use
fees and field maintenance is the home field team’s responsibility. All teams are required to clean up their
dugouts, fan areas, etc. Do not litter
the ballparks that our league uses.
15.
The Palm Bay
Parks & Recreation will have a designated Umpire Assignment Coordinator for
scheduling umpires for all games. All
complaints are to be made in writing to the Umpire Assignment Coordinator or
League Director.
16.
A game forfeit
due to lack of a player(s) at the start of a game is a $50.00 fine. The fine must be paid to the league within 48 hours or before your next game or
your next game will be declared a forfeit and the same process will continue up
to 3 forfeits. 3 forfeits by a
team will result in league expulsion and forfeiture of that team’s league
fees. League Director has discretion of
enforcing this rule depending on the circumstances of the forfeit(s).
17.
The League pays
all Sanction fees.
18.
Team Uniform
Dress Code: All Teams must have
matching uniforms with designated numbers clearly on the back of your team’s
uniform jersey or t-shirt. Minimum
requirements are
19.
Metal spiked
baseball shoes are not recommended by the League, however they are legal. Intentional Spiking is not tolerated and will
be dealt with harshly by the umpires and the League.
20.
All Teams must
have their own equipment. Batting
helmets and Catcher’s Helmet are required.
Batters, Runners, On-Deck Batters, and Catchers will wear helmets in the
playing area. All equipment must be
safety approved according to American League Rules.
21.
All Ex-Pros must
be reinstated as amateurs with the League, the Roy Hobbs and the A.A.B.C
National Office. Deadline is July 1st.
There is a reinstatement fee of $ 25.00 per “Ex-Pro” player.
Reinstatement forms are available from the League. The “Ex-Pro” player is
responsible to pay the fee and submit the Reinstatement Form with a check prior
to the reinstatement deadline to the League Director for submittal to the
National Office.
22.
Team Rosters are
limited to 25 players in league play.
The minimum roster requirement is 15 players.
23.
All Minors must
have written permission from their parents or guardians, by filling out a FSCBL
Player Contract, signing a waiver of financial liability responsibility. All Players must have proof of Medical
Coverage and a birth certificate when requested.
24.
The League does
conduct a tryout for Free Agents prior to the Season starting. A Tryout is held and all Team Coaches are
invited to attend. The Free Agents pay a
fee to tryout. The League and the teams
evaluate them, and interested teams will properly draft some of the free
agents. If a free agent is not drafted,
he will be given manager names and phone numbers for a possible team tryout on
their own terms.
25.
A suggested Team
Guideline for any team that requires a player fee is to charge at least $100.00
per player, the cost of their uniform, and a percentage of any other team cost.
26.
All Players must
be registered with the League before they can play. All players must “Pay before they play”. All rosters must have any player changes that
are made over the course of the season.
Any non-rostered player is ineligible.
All games require 9 rostered players on each team to be a legally
played game.
27.
Approved
aluminum, wood, and composite wood baseball bats are legal. “Minus 3” aluminum bats are now the standard
and required in all Divisions that permit aluminum bats.
28.
The DH is allowed for pitchers only. DH
rule is explained on page 9. There is
“No Re-Entry Rule” in Stan Musial.
However, Roy Hobbs, Connie Mack, and Mickey Mantle Divisions are
permitted to use the “Re-Entry Rule”.
29.
30.
All Uniforms
must be returned to the sponsor or team manager if requested or the player(s)
will be declared ineligible for play. If
the player bought the uniform as part of team fees, it belongs to that player.
31.
Sanctioned
patches are desired for league play and required for sanctioned tournaments.
The League has patches available for sale to teams and umpires.
32.
All team
managers must keep a scorebook and carry it to all sanctioned league games and
tournaments. Team stats should be kept
for league awards, the media, scouts, and better evaluation of your team’s
talent and performance.
33.
No alcoholic
beverages are allowed in any ballparks unless approved by permit. Violators are to be reported to the League
and they will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the League. Any player or manager/coach who is guilty of
being under the influence of intoxicants shall be immediately removed from the
game and the park. That person(s) is
also subject to a one-year league suspension or permanent expulsion.
34.
No smoking
allowed in the dugout or playing areas.
35.
No gambling
allowed at any time.
36.
No abusive
profanity, language, or behavior will be tolerated by players, managers,
coaches, umpires, or fans.
37.
No uniformed
players in the stands when their team is playing.
38.
In the event a
player is found ineligible, all games in
which that player participated will be declared losses.
39.
No threatening
or physical contact with an umpire or player is tolerated. No fighting of any kind is tolerated. No threatening or physical contact with a
league official or a caretaker of a ballpark will be tolerated. Penalty:
Suspension from league play.
40.
The League
Director reserves the right to suspend or expel any player or manager or umpire
when their conduct warrants it.
41.
Any player or
manager/coach who is ejected from a game is required to leave the entire
ballpark immediately if directed by the umpire.
Anyone ejected from a game a 2nd time in a season for
unsportsmanlike conduct is subject to suspension for the remainder of the
season.
42.
Sportsmanship
will be observed before, during and after the game(s). Unsportsmanlike conduct can result in
suspension for the remainder of the season.
43.
All runners must attempt to slide into bases to
prevent serious injuries. Deliberate collisions into players will be declared
outs and the runner will be ejected from the game. Any player intentionally trying to injure a
player will be suspended from the league.
This is an umpire judgment call.
44.
No player trades
or team transfers unless approved by the League Director.
45.
All complaints
are to be made in writing to the League Director for proper review and response
within 24 hours of the event.
46.
League
competition consists of several rounds of play to determine seeding in the
League Playoffs for the League Championship.
In case of a tie, the Team Records will be compared first overall,
second “head to head”, third (if necessary) a single elimination playoff to
determined seeding. Exception: the League Director may decide go to Regular
Season Overall Records if a Playoff Tourney is not possible due to time
constraints, deadlines, bad weather, etc.
47.
The League
Director will call league meetings when deemed necessary. Team managers or team representatives must
attend and will be responsible for whatever business is conducted.
48.
Team Managers
are responsible for reading all rules and policies to their respective team
players before the season starts. It is
very important everyone knows the RULES and POLICIES. No excuses for not knowing the required Rules
of Play.
49.
Forfeit time is 15
minutes after the scheduled time. If
a double header, the 2nd game must start within 1 hour after a
forfeit has been called or another forfeit will be declared. If a rain delay occurs, an umpire’s decision
on play continuing will be made the first time within 30 minutes. A second delay will result in a final
decision within 15 minutes.
50.
The League
Director can appoint a Disciplinary and Protest Review Board consisting of team
managers and umpires when deemed necessary. A Committee Chairman will be
appointed by the League Director. The
League Director will act as an advisor and has “veto” power on decisions that
are in direct conflict with rules and policies of the league, the City of
51.
The League
reserves the right to suspend or expel anyone or team from league play or
tournament play for violation of any league rule or policy. Always use common sense when keeping with the
philosophy of good baseball and fair play.
52.
The League
reserves the right to restrict membership and suspend members to maintain a
high quality of league competition and integrity.
53.
The League
reserves the right to amend these rules and policies when deemed
necessary. Proper notification of
members will be considered.
54.
Anything not
covered in these rules and policies will be governed by the “American League
Rules of Major League Baseball”.
55.
Rule Amendment #1: Rule clarification on balk call on a “hidden ball trick”
Refer to rule 8.05 (i) of the Major League Rule Book.
Add to rule:
if the pitcher is standing within the clay circle or elevated part of the
pitching mound during a potential or actual “Hidden Ball Trick” without the
baseball, a balk will be called.
56.
Rule Amendment #2: the “Purpose Pitch” is not permitted.
All pitchers must throw to the plate with no malice intended. Deliberate
beaning will result in ejection from the game and possible suspension or
expulsion from the league. This is an
umpire’s judgment call.
57.
Rule Amendment #3:
League teams from outside
READ CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY
THE
DESIGNATED HITTER (DH) RULE
Clarification from the Official Baseball Rules of
Major League Baseball, Rule 6.10.
The DH rule
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(s) 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.
The designated hitter named in the starting lineup
must come to bat at least one time, unless the opposing club changes pitchers.
It is not mandatory that a club designates a hitter
for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a
designated hitter for that game.
Pinch hitters for a designated hitter 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, and 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.
A designated hitter is “locked” into the batting
order. No multiple substitutions may be
made that will alter the batting rotation of the designated hitter.
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.
DH RULE (continued)
Once a pinch hitter bats for any player in the
batting order and then enters the game to pitch, this move shall terminate the
designated hitter role for the remainder of the game.
Once the 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 hitter’s turn to bat.
FIELD RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1.
All warming up
before infield practice is to be done in the outfield.
2.
The maintenance
of the field is responsibility of the home team.
3.
No batting
practice is to be taken up against the fences.
4.
No alcoholic
beverages are allowed in any ballpark dugouts, stands, etc.
5.
Uniformed
ballplayers are never to be in possession of any alcoholic beverage before or
during a game or doubleheader.
6.
Rubber cleats
are strongly desired for play.
7.
Please clean the
dugouts after any game. Use trash
receptacles. Do not litter any park or
parking lot. We are guests on these
fields, so leave a good impression not your trash and bottles. We cannot afford to lose our privileges with
these ballparks.
8.
All teams are
responsible for their spectators conduct and any litter
they leave at the ballpark. Clean up their act or trash when necessary!
9.
Do not abuse the
facility in any manner. Don’t throw
equipment and don’t abuse anyone verbally.
Class goes a long way. No class
means No Baseball!
10.
Report any field
violations to the League Director.
11.
Whenever there
is a field nighttime curfew at a designated time, all teams will adhere to the
ordinance. Proper notification must be
given. Any game not completed will be
considered a suspended game.
LOCAL RULES AND POLICIES
1. Florida Space Coast Baseball League is sanctioned
under the Roy Hobbs Baseball Association for its “Over 28” Baseball
Division. The Roy Hobbs Division will be
governed by the F.S.C.B.L. League Rules and Policies with the following Roy
Hobbs Division Rule & Policy Amendments.
2.
A Player is eligible if he is 28 by January 1, 2006 IN THE 2005 SEASON
3.
Metal Spikes (F.S.C.B.L.rule
#19), Exception: NO Metal Spikes
allowed
at
4.
Special Participation Rules: (Optional to Team Manager)
A. Each team must bat a minimum of 9 players. Each team may bat
more than 9 players if they desired.
B All players playing in the field do not
have to be in the batting order.
Designated hitters may be used for all
defensive positions if desired.
C. If a batter is replaced by a pinch hitter,
the original player may return . to the game in the same spot in the
batting order.
D. You may alternate players in a batting slot
to platoon or run for the
other
player if desired, but those players are locked in that batting position once entered in the lineup. You are not limited to the number of players
you can put in that slot.
E. Batters cannot be deleted from the
lineup. If a batter is deleted from
the lineup due to injury or any other reason,
and there is no other
player available to substitute in the batting
order, there will be an
automatic out declared each time that batting
spot is scheduled up.
F. Free
substitution is allowed on defense, except for the pitcher.
Pitching is “Book Rule”. Defensive Players do not have to bat.
G. You may add
hitters at the end of a lineup after the start of a game,
but you cannot delete hitters from the lineup
other than substitutes.
The batting order positions can never be moved
once a player has
been entered into the batting order.
5.
Teams must have 9 players on the field at all times during a game.
All players must meet all other
league eligibility requirements-see
F.S.C.B.L. Rule #26.
6.
Courtesy runners are only allowed for the catcher and the pitcher.
The runner will be the player who made the last out.
7.
Roy Hobbs Baseball offers a Team insurance program. Contact
League Office for Team Insurance
INFO & forms.
8.
Ex-Pros (F.S.C.B.L.
rule #21). In Roy Hobbs Baseball, all
Ex-Pros must reinstate, but there is no
fee.
FALL WOOD BAT DIVISION BASEBALL RULES
1.
Wood and
Composite Wood Bats only. You may order bats through the League or each team
may purchase directly from vendors list enclosed.
2.
Games are 7
innings
3.
Special
Participation Rules as follows:
A. Each team must bat a minimum of 9 batters and may bat
as many batters as available on game day. **Free agent teams will bat every
eligible player that wants to bat.
B. Free substitution is allowed on defense except for
the pitching position. Major league pitching rules apply.
C. All players playing in the field do not have to be in
the batting order. DH may be used for all positions.
D. If a batter is replaced by a pinch hitter, the
original player may return to the game in the same spot in the batting order.
E. You may alternate players in a batting slot to
platoon or run for another player if desired, but those players are locked in
that batting position once entered into the lineup. You are not limited on the
number of substitute players.
F. Batters cannot be deleted from the line-up. If a
batter is deleted from the line up due to injury or any other reason, and there
is no other player available to fill that spot in the batting order, there will
be an automatic out each time that spot in the batting order is scheduled to
bat.
G. You may add batters at the end of the line-up after
the start of a game. You cannot delete hitters from the line-up other than by
legal substitution. The batting order positions can never be moved once a
player has been entered into the batting line-up.
4.
Teams must have
9 players on the field at all times during a game.
5.
No pitching restrictions as far as numbers of innings pitched by a pitcher.
6.
Courtesy runners
are only allowed for the catcher and the pitcher. The runner will be the player
who made the last out. If a runner is needed in the 1st inning with
no outs, then the last player in the line up is eligible to run.
7.
Mercy rule is 10
runs after 4 ½ or 5 innings.
8.
Team rosters are
final on November 1st. If you register as a team you must have a minimum of 12
players with no limit on the roster.
9.
All rainouts will
be rescheduled when deemed necessary. Rain out hotline is: 321-952-3445
10.
Home team is the
official scorekeeper.
11.
Uniform
requirements as follows:
A. Baseball jersey or T-shirt with a printed number
B. Baseball pants—Absolutely no shorts!
C. Baseball type rubber or metal cleats for shoes.
D. Baseball hats
E. Same color Jerseys/T-shirts
12.
These Wood Bat
Division Rules are supplemental to F.S.C.B.L. Local
Policies.
Anything not covered in these Rules & Policies will be governed by the
American League Rules of Major League Baseball.
League Hotline: 321- 952-3441
or 321-733-4807
Email: athletics@palmbayflorida.org or floridabaseball@cfl.rrcom
FSCBL
suggested WOOD BAT Vendors
1. Young Bat Company
Mark
Perin
Phone: 888-595-2287
Fax: 828-862-3842
Email:
youngbatco@citcom.net
2. D-Bat Inc
Cade
Grittis
Phone:
888-398-3393
Fax: 972-398-1001
Email: cade@dbatinc.com
3. Brett Brothers Bats-Riddell/All American
James
Brady
Phone: 440-366-8225
Fax: 440-366-0041
Email: jbrady@riddellsales.com
4. Barnstable Bat Inc.
40
Pleasant Pines AV
Phone: 888-549-8046
Fax: 508-362-3983
Website: www.barnstablebat.com
Email: woodbat@attbi.com
5. Big Bats Inc.
Romeo Filip
Phone: 480-215-7017
Fax: 480-984-0620
Website: www.bigbatsaz.com
(more INFO on the next page)
6. Roy Hobbs Baseball
Tom
Giffen
Phone: 330-923-3400
Fax: 330-923-1967
Website: www.royhobbs.com
Email: royhobbs@royhobbs.com
6. Zinger Bats
Phone: 800-488-9722
Fax: 801-796-8995
Website: www.zingerx.com
7. Tom Cat Bat Company
Phone: 613-273-2822
Fax: 613-273-2826
Website: www.tomcatbats.com
8. Sam Bat
202
Phone: 613-724-2421
Fax: 613-725-3299
Website: www.sambat.com
9. Mizuno
11.
Phone: 800-966-1211 PH:
304-586-3730
Fax: 770-448-3234 Fax:
304-586-3755
Website: www.mizunousa.com www.westvirginiabats.com
10. Good Sports
12. The Old Bat Company
Dale
Orr
Shawn Seely
Phone: 407-260-1609 E5N 8H2
Fax: 407-332-1456
Phone: 506-832-0467
Local Wood Bat Vendors on
the next Page
1. Play it Again Sports
Brett
Paul
2975
W.
Phone: 321-984-1313
2. All Pro Sports
Donna
Douglas
Phone: 321-254-4144
Fax: 321-259-3467
3. Scott’s Sporting Goods
Mike
Moffett
Phone: 321-431-3763
Fax: 772-778-0662
Email: mkmoffett@earthlink.net
4. Al’s Trophy & Sports
Randy
Gandolfi
Phone: 321-724-6973 Phone:
321-636-6188
Fax:
321-722-3878 Fax: 321-639-3449
5. Sports Authority
Rick
Weber
Phone: 321-722-0150