Apple Valley Baseball League
Rules for 2014
-American League rules will be used
Exceptions:
-Aluminum bats are permitted
-Courtesy runners are allowed for the pitcher and catcher only. The same player may not run for both, and may not have already played in the game. Courtesy runners may be substituted for by another player meeting eligibility. Being a courtesy runner does not give a player credit for participating in the game (It does count toward game played for playoff eligibility). A courtesy runner cannot pinch hit in the same inning (Exception: if a player in the lineup is injured and no other substitute is available; if the injured player was a substitute, the player he replaced shall re-enter if the courtesy runner was used earlier in the inning).
-Teams may play with 8 players. A ninth player can join the lineup when the team is at bat, and the umpire and opposing team are notified. The player may also take the field at the start of an inning when his team is on defense. A player may not take the field in the middle of an inning.
-A grace period of 30 minutes from first pitch will be allowed for a team to field 8 players. After that a forfeit will be declared. The forfeiting team will have to pay for both umpires fees.
-Base coaches are not required to wear batting helmets
-Visiting team gets the field for warmups 50 minutes before first pitch
-Each team will be responsible for paying one umpire.
-Single games will be 9 innings, doubleheaders will be 7 innings; exceptions can be agreed to.
-For doubleheaders, the host team will be the home team for both games, unless the doubleheader includes a make-up game.
-Home team will supply the baseballs. Baseballs must be at least High School specifications.
-Mercy Rule: Single game 12 runs after 7 innings; doubleheader 10 runs after 5 innings
-Schedule changes: Both teams must agree to any time or site changes, and must notify the league commissioner (335-2704) as soon as possible.
-Cancellations: Home team must notify the league commissioner (335-2704) or umpire chief (578-2478) at least 90 minutes before the first pitch. If rain comes within 90 minutes of first pitch, the umpire association chief needs to be contacted as soon as possible.
-Ejections: the first ejection results in a suspension of the next game. A second ejection results in suspension for the remainder of the season. The ejected player must leave the field and dugout.
-Fighting can result in expulsion from the league for those involved and $200 team fine. The action is pending a league hearing. The fine must be paid before remainder of the team can play again.
-Playoff eligibility: Each team will be allowed a roster of 20 players for the postseason. A player must appear in at least 2 games. Exceptions can be made for an injured player.
-Standings: Playoff standings determined by
1. Win percentage
2. Head-to-head (2 teams); head-to-head combined records for 3 or more teams
3. Head-to-head run differential
4. Tied teams records vs. highest remaining teams in descending order
5. Total run differential
6. Total runs scored
7. Coin flip
