CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE

CONCORD SUNSET LEAGUE, 1908

REVISIONS: 1936-1966, 1971-1975, 1984-1999

 

1.    1. OFFICERS OF THE LEAGUE

The Officers of the League shall consist of a:

a.      President

b.      Vice-president

c.       Secretary

d.      Treasurer

and a Board of Directors, the number of which must be a minimum of eight (8). The Officers are also members of the Board of Directors. Directors are elected annually for a one year term by public meeting and vacancies will be filled by the Board. Officers are elected by the Board of Directors.

2.    2. LEAGUE OFFICIALS

 

Officials of the League shall include a director in charge of umpires, a scorer (if possible), both to be appointed by the Board of Directors. The director in charge of umpires may name another director to assist him. The President shall appoint a Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee shall have the power of settling all disputes during the season and the decision reached shall be final. The Grievance Committee shall be the President, Umpire in Chief and another member of the board.

 

3.    3.  SUITS AND EQUIPMENT

 

The Officers and Directors will have full charge of any equipment purchased by the Sunset League and such equipment will be owned by the League. Each manager will be responsible for the uniforms and equipment of his team. Uniforms and equipment will be furnished by individual clubs and will be the property of that club.

 

4.    4.  FINANCES

 

All money collected shall be turned over to the Treasurer, who shall pay all the bills contracted after they have been approved by the President. All League checks must be signed by both the President and Treasurer.

 

5.    5. ACCIDENT INSURANCE

 

The Concord Sunset League has a sports liability policy of insurance which does not include athletic accident insurance. Any player injured would need to use their personal insurance policy.

 

6.   6. TEAMS OF THE LEAGUE

 

The number of teams in the League and the approved sponsors shall be a decision of the Directors.

Each team is given the right to reserve all players reported on the roster of the previous regular season.

Players of a disbanded team shall be re-assigned, as the officials of the League may order. If a new team has to take the place of a club in the League, all players of the out-going club will be property of the in-coming club, regardless of any claim of other clubs in the Sunset League.

 

7.    7.  NAMING OF MANAGERS

 

Each team organization represented in the League may choose its own manager subject to approval of the Directors of the League.

 

8.   8.   PLAYING SEASON

 

The number of games to be played and the League schedule shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

9.    9.  PLAY-OFF SEASON

 

The format of the play-off series will be determined by League Board of Directors and until further notice will be as follows when the League has four (4) teams:

a.      First place teams will draw a bye

b.      #2 and #3 teams will play the best two out of three series

c.       First game, #2 will be the “home team” then “home team” will be alternated

                  d.       If the board of directors agree at the beginning of the year format can allow all 4 teams to     participate in the play offs (see format for more than four teams)

Teams involved in a tie for order of finish will use a tie breaker as follows

d.      record against each other

e.      runs scored

f.        runs given up

g.      and if both teams are still tied a one game playoff

 

Home team to be determined by “toss of coin”

The format for more than four  teams:

a.      #1 and #4 will play best of two out of three series

b.      #2 and #3 will play best two out of three series

            Team with the best record will be the “home team” in games 1 and 3

There will be a night off between the regular season and the first round play-off series unless both managers agree to pass on an open date.

 

10.  CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

 

The Championship of the League shall be determined by the best of five game series between the winners with the team with the best record during the regular season as the home team for game #1, #3 & #5

 

There will be a night off between the play-off series and the Championship Series unless both managers agree to pass an open date.

 

The League Champion will play a two of three series with the Manchester Sunset League Champions. Home team to be alternated (if applicable)

 

11. 10. PLAYING OF POSTPONED OR TIE GAMES

 

All postponed games will be rescheduled before the playoffs at a time convenient to both teams; tie games will not be completed.

 

12111. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

 

No active professional players will be allowed to play on any team.

 

1312.  PLAYERS TO RECEIVE NO PAY

 

No player shall receive pay for his services under penalty of suspension from the League. Team sponsors, managers and coaches are responsible that this rule be strictly enforced. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of all games and dismissal from the Sunset League.

 

14.13. FINAL ROSTER

 

By June 30^th, each team manager shall submit his final team roster of twenty (20) players, plus up to two (2) managers. Minimum players per team is 15.

 

The players on this roster will remain the title of each team for the following season.

 

1514.  RELEASE OF PLAYERS

 

The board must be notified in writing on all transfers of players and all communications must be signed by the managers of the teams involved.

 

At no time shall players listed as belonging to one team in the League play for another League team.

 

Any team using an ineligible player shall forfeit the game in which he played.

 

16.15. PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR PLAY-OFFS, CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, PRIZES

 

Only players who participate in a minimum of five (5) regular season games shall be eligible for play-offs, Championship Series or prizes.

 

A game is defined as one which is considered complete and becomes part of the League standings.

 

1716. STARTING OF GAMES

 

All games will begin at 6:00pm but not later than 6:15pm and seven innings shall constitute a game; unless at the end of that number of innings there is a tie, then the game will continue if, in the opinion of the Home Plate Umpire, daylight conditions will permit another full inning.

 

Any team not able to field nine (9) players of their roster by 6:15pm shall forfeit the game.

 

Five (5) innings shall be considered a full game when it is halted because of darkness or inclement weather by the Plate Umpire.

 

18.17. GAMES CALLED OFF

 

Radio station W.K.X.L will make periodic announcements when weather conditions make it necessary to cancel games. Game changes can also be found on the website: www.leaguelineupcom/concordsunset

 

19.18. UMPIRE AUTHORITY

 

The Home Plate Umpire shall be the umpire in charge for each game.

 

The Home Plate Umpire shall decide the fitness of the grounds.

 

After the game starts, the Home Plate Umpire shall have full charge of the game.

 

20.  WHO REPRESENTS TEAM ON THE FIELD

 

The manager is to represent the team on the field. After the games tarts the managers of the playing teams will speak for their teams and other players must remain in their positions, under penalty of being benched by the umpire.

 

2119. THE PLAYERS BENCHES

 

The players’ benches will be reserved for players in uniform, the team players and bat boy. Umpires will be allowed and expected to clear the benches of all unauthorized personnel.

 

22.20. CONDUCT AND DECORUM

 

Any manager, coach, or player who is ejected from a game must leave the playing field and the surrounding area. All ejections are subject to review by the Board.

 

Any manager, coach or player who physically abuses or threatens physical abuse upon an umpire is automatically ejected and suspended from the League for the remainder of the season.

 

Application for reinstatement must be made during the off season to the President and the Board.

 

Only the manager or designated representative may confer with the umpire regarding any game related issues during the game.

            Ejection 1: one (1) game suspension

            Ejection 2: two (2) game suspensions

            Ejection 3: season and playoff suspension

 

Any abusive language by any player or manager directed at or to any opposing player, manager or umpire done with the intent to intimidate, shall not be tolerated at any time before, during or after the game. Any player or manager who refuses to comply with this rule, after receiving a warning by the umpire, shall be ejected from the game. If the incident occurs after the game has been completed, the offending player or manager shall be suspended from the following game.

 

23.  PROTESTING GAMES

 

When a manager feels the justification for protesting a game, he shall tell the Home Plate Umpire he is playing the game under protest. Within twenty four hours he must present his protest in writing to a League Officer or Director.

 

Written protests will be submitted to the Official Grievance Committee to be acted on promptly.

 

No protest shall be allowed on judgment decisions of an umpire.

 

24.  PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THE RULES

 

In all cases of violation of this constitution by either player or manager the penalty will be prompt removal of the offender from the game, followed by a period of such suspension as the Board of Directors may decide. In the event of removal of player or manager by either of the umpires he shall leave the playing field immediately; and failure to do so will warrant a forfeiture of the game by the umpire in charge.

 

25.  OFFICIAL SCORE BOOK

 

The home team score book is the official score book. Both score books (visitor and home) must be verified at the time of any change in the line-up (i.e. substitutions), to maintain the integrity of the batting order and pitching rules. All changes must also be reported to the umpire.

 

26.  SLIDING RULE

 

A player must slide or avoid contact when a defensive player has the ball and attempts to tag the runner or the base. All judgments shall be made by the umpire. Violation will result in an out for the play and possible ejection from the game.

 

If in the judgment of the umpire, the base runner intentionally runs into a fielder to dislodge the ball or injure the fielder, the base runner will be automatically out and immediately ejected from the game. This is a violation of the slide rule. There is no appeal. At the time of the infraction the ball is dead.

 

27.  UNIFORMS

 

All registered players must wear like, numbered shirts as a minimum identification.

 

No shorts are allowed. Normal baseball style pants should be worn.

 

Caps are required. Please reference Major League Rules for proper attire.

 

28.  EQUIPMENT

 

Baseballs are to be standardized throughout the League.

 

Metal spikes are allowed.

 

29.  RULES GOVERNING GAMES

 

“Official Baseball Rules” published by the Sporting News, will be the basis for governing play in the Sunset League plus the following ground and special rules:

 

The League follows the American League Official Rules with the exception of the intentional walk. The batter automatically goes to first, no pitches need be thrown.

 

30.  SELECTION OF AMERICAN LEGION AND BABE RUTH GRADUATES

All players graduating from the American Legion and Babe Ruth team shall be selected by the team managers at the annual meeting of the League.

 

Selections by the team managers will be in reverse order of their team at the finish of the previous regular season (team finishing last has first selection, etc). Players selected shall remain the property of the selecting team until such time as they are released.

 

Amendments may be made to this constitution at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

1.)    Legion and Babe Ruth graduates will be subject to the draft at the completion of their legion career even if they have previously played for the League team.

2.)    A player on the roster for one team who leaves that team cannot play for another team for one (1) year, the anniversary date to be determined by the score book.

 

The above amendments voted by

two-thirds majority of Officers and

Directors- April 24, 1984.

 

R.E. Sulivan, Leauge Secretary

 

 

GROUND RULES FOR SUNSEST LEAGUE GAMES AT WHITES PARK

A.      BACKSTOP AREA

1.      Pitched or thrown ball by fielder- ball hitting backstop is in play

2.      Ball going under fence- ball is dead

3.      Pitched ball- runners get one base from point of origin

4.      Fielders throw- runners get two bases from point of origin

5.      Ball sticking in backstop- ball is dead

 

B.      DEAD BALL AREA

1.      Third base side- white line from the backstop to the woods

2.      First base side- line from backstop to iron fence in outfield

 

C.      OUTFIELD IN ALL AREAS

1.      Ball through fence- home run if fielder cannot stay in the ball park and keep ball in play. Reaching through fence is permissible.

2.      Right fielder may not climb bank and keep ball in play

3.      Any ball hit on the right field bank is a home run. A ball that bounces up onto the right field bank is a double.

4.      Outfielders may reach through the fence and keep ball in play as long as they remain inside the ball park

5.      Ball through opening in fence in left center field- home run

 

D.     PITCHERS PICK OFF AT FIRST BASE THAT GETS BY FIRST BASEMAN

1.      If throw goes beyond chalk line runners get one base automatically. If the ball remains inside the chalk line  and the playing area, runners advance at their own risk

 

E.      CATCHERS THROW TO ANY BASE

1.      Ball remains in play, unless ball goes into dead area and players advance at their own risk. If ball goes into dead area two bases from point of origin when throw was made

 

F.       BALL HIT INTO TREES IN LEFT FIELD ON THE FLY

1.      Automatic double the ball is dead, runners advance two bases

 

G.     BALL HIT ON GROUND BEYOND THIRD BASE FAIR

1.      Which rolls into foul territory after going by the bag is in play and the runners advance at their own risk. The same is true on the first base side. Fair ball that goes into or over wall bordering third base side of diamond will be a ground rule double.