Rules/Bylaws
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BABL 20 and 33 League Rules and Bylaws.
Berkshire Adult Baseball League 2025
OBJECTIVE:
This League was established in 2011 to provide Berkshire County Residents 20 and over and 33 and over an opportunity to play baseball. We believe in fair play, adult attitudes and behavior. The responsibility that these ethics is sustained remains with the President, officers, umpires, board of Directors and team Managers. Anyone who abuses the leagues code may be suspended or expelled from the league. Major League baseball rules are in effect with the following exceptions and modifications. The Board sets all rules.
1. ELIGIBILITY: All players, Managers and Coaches must sign a league player agreement, medical waiver contract and pay all league fees at least one day prior to participation in a league sanctioned game or activity.All players must turn in player agreement. New players must also supply proof of Date of Birth.
(20) Must be 20 in calendar year. (2 collegiate players per team that played college ball in this year. . They may not pitch till year after leaving college .) 1 Ex-Pro player and 1 (19) year olds with Legion release . They may not pitch.
(33) Must be 33 in calendar year.1 Ex-Pro player per team
2. ROSTERS: All rosters must be turned into the League office May 1. The roster will be 15-20 players. Players may be added until July 1 when all rosters will be frozen. Anyone can add a free agent until May 1 , but must not exceed the 20 regular players Max. During the season. If a player is released the player will free agent draft.. Free agent draft (For players that go thru the League will be Feb, April and June) A player refusal to sign with team he’s draft by, will not play in that season.. Draft position determined by last year’s standing and drop to the bottom after each pick., until June 1. End of season all players become free Agents.. Loaner may play during regular season and post season provided the team is at 7 or 8 and may be pick thru a loaner list ONLY (On Website). May not pitch.
3. NEW PLAYERS: A new player acquired by a team through that team’s recruiting efforts shall be subject to the control of that team and not the league. First time players that sign a player agreement with a BABL are bound to stay with the team for 2 seasons Unless officially released by that team. This only applies to players that have not previously signed with any BABL team.
4 . BATS: Wood only, no aluminum
5. LIABILITY INSURANCE: The League will purchase each team’s Liability insurance.
6. TEAMS: Teams Fee ($1000) . Money must be paid in full on final payment date (April 1). $500 due at First meeting.
7. FIELD: Home Team is responsible for securing and readying a field for play. If the field is unplayable because the home team’s refusal to prepare it they will forfeit the game. Leave the field in better shape than you found it. The manager is responsible for the conduct and action of his team, having baseballs (4 new ones) and his team attendance. Managers are also responsible for checking the field if home team and calling the game off, informing Umpire in chief and contacting opposing manager.
8. UNIFORMS: All teams must be in uniform (matching Baseball shirts-baseball cap & baseball pants) . New players have two games to be in uniforms. Players not in uniform after 2nd game are ineligible to play.
9. EQUIPMENT: Bats, balls, catching Gear and helmets are the Teams responsibility.
10. PROTEST: All protest to be lodged must be done to the President (Jared Martin) within 48 hours of the game in writing. Protest must be filed with the umpire, opposing team Manager and scorekeeper at the time with the situation noted at the time of the protest. All protest must contain the $50 protest fee which is returnable if you win the protest.
11. FORFEITS: 2 forfeits and a team losses all fees and is banished from the league for that season.. Forfeiting team responsible for paying umpires and/or home team if they already paid.
12. RAINOUTS: Games cancelled because of weather will be made up as follows.
(a) All rainouts will be reschedule by the two managers within 48 hours. They must agree to a time and place to play. After 48 hours the League scheduler will reschedule the game. If a team or teams refuses to play they will forfeit.. Makeup days will be on Wednesday unless other team agrees.
13. PLAYERS REQUIREMENTS: All players should have proof of identity. Player’s ages are based on the Calendar year. Games in which an ineligible player competes will be forfeited.
(20)Each team may have two active college players (per NCAA rules three players on same team is a violation),that are on roster in that season. College players may not pitch. No EXCEPTION. They may also have 1 players 19 years old..May not pitch
14. POST SEASON AND GAME CREDIT
50% of games for all players in league. Games played in 33 do count towards the 50% game minimum in 20 League. Injured players may be put on DL min 21 days to get credit for (3) games and must be present in uniform top and not play during this period. A 2nd stint to DL must be reviewed by league board. DL eligible players must have played 4 games. If the opposing team forfeits, all player present of the other team will get credit for a game played and counts towards their % of games played...
15.. SCOREKEEPING: When no scorekeeper is available, Teams must fax, or Email both teams scorebook within 24 hours of game to league statistician for. If not done no statistics will be entered for that team and players will not be credited with a game.
16.. COURTESY RUNNERS: (20) No courtesy runners. Speed up rules for catcher only with 2 outs.(Last batted out)
(33) Each team is allowed 2 courtesy runners for injured players only, The Offensive team picks a runner of their choosing.. . Any courtesy runner that attempts to steal will be declared out. In addition teams are allowed to use the speed up rule (catchers only) with two outs. Once refused that person loses his privilege the rest of the game. If a team does not have 2 courtesy runners they may declare one if a player get injured. If you have 2 then a pinch runner must be used or drop one of the 2 courtesy runners.. Already have 2 then the injured player must be removed from Game.
17. INJURY/EMERGENCY; if a player leaves a game and another player is not available, a player previously in the game may replace that player in the batting lineup. If no one is available. than an out will be recorded the next time that player’s turn comes up in the batting order. After that the order will be condensed
18. THE BATTING ORDER: Unlimited batting order. Batting order must never go below 8 .Loaner must play entire game.
19a GAME TIME: There will be a 15 minute grace period at the start of each game if a team does not have at least 8 players. Once the 8th player shows the game must start.an out will be declared if only 8 in the lineup first time the 9th spot come up. If the team does not have the minimum 8 players in the batting order it the 1st time only. Can use a Loaner & it will count towards the 8 player limit. In that case the game counts an all statistics will be entered. No Forfeit. The loaned player must remain in the batting order for the whole game. Using a player not involved but a loaner from another team is OK but he May not pitch a loaner. If a player arrives after the start of a game he may be substituted for someone already in lineup (if 9) or added to order. The 8 man rule the missing player's out can be put anywhere in the batting order.
19b. UMPIRE FEE: Umpire is $65 per game once the game starts. ½ pay for show up if not called off at least 1 ½ hours before schedule time. Umpire in chief must be called if game is postponed. It will be the home team’s responsibility to pay umpires and inform them if cancelled. In cases of forfeit the team forfeiting the game is responsible for umpires.
20. OFFICIAL GAME: The game is 7 innings or conclusion. It is an official game after the losing team has had its bats in 5 inning. Games ending in an official Game tie will be recorded as such. IF extra innings the league will waive the runner starting on 2nd rule. Games will be suspended if not official.
21. MERCY RULE:
If a team is leading by 10 runs after the losing team has batted at least 5 or 6 innings then the game is over.
22. PITCHING RULE:
Any pitcher pitching in more than 4 innings (throwing one pitch constitutes an inning pitched) in a game must not pitch in the next game.Violation a forfeit. Once a pitcher has been removed from the game as a pitcher, he may not return as a pitcher. Starter must go a least 4 innings to get the win. No minimum pitching to 3 batters rule.
(33) Ex-Pro players are eligible to pitch anytime in first 2 innings at the start of a game in the 33+ league. When a player reaches 45 their ex-Pro status is waived.
23. DEFENSIVE CHANGES : No limitation on defensive changes. Player who plays 3 defensive innings gets credit for a game. He must inform the scorekeeper or any innings before do not count.
24. SPORTSMANSHIP: The league/board has the right to suspend or expel any player who verbally or physically abuses league rules or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship or adult behavior or who plays without regard of safety to other players, umpires or League Officials.
25. MANAGERS VETO: The managers have veto powers over all rule changes. It must be unanimous to override the rule and send back to the board. In that case the old rule was still be in place. Rules only are set by board. Schedules, length of game , ect. will be voted by managers.
(26) CODE OF CONDUCT :
- A runner must avoid a collision with a fielder and should slide at home. In case of a collision the umpire will determine if the collision was accidental or intentional. If ruled intentional by the umpire then the player is ejected from the game and subject to a 5 game suspension from league play. He may also be subject to further disciplinary action or expulsion if multiple ejections exist. If unintentional the play stands.
b. Players are not permitted to engage in any verbal exchanges concerning personal matters with other players or umpires. If this occurs umpire will issue one warning. If it arises again player will be ejected.
c. Players are not permitted to engage in any physical exchanges, threat of physical harm or danger to other players, umpires, officials or spectators. If this occurs the player will be banishment from the league for 1 year.
d. No smoking or Alcohol is permitted on the premises before, during or after a game. No player under the influence will be allowed to play.
e.. The hidden ball trick is not permitted. If a player decoys a throw or tag all runners will be allowed 1 base from the end of the play.
f. COMPLAINTS: League manager must file a complaint to the League (President) in writing regarding umpires. Umpires also may file a complaint (in writing) about a player.
g. EJECTIONS
Per season: 1st Offense (1 Game suspension ), 2nd Offense (3 Game Suspension) , 3rd Offense (Suspended for season) Ejections are games for either league are accumulative until a clean year for ejections occur.. Player must show up for at games in uniformor or he will not be allowed back until he serves his suspension in person
h. PLAYOFFS:
Pitching rules start with tournament 1st Game and go through out entire tournament.
50% of games played by team are required. Games played in 33 league count towards 20 but player must play at least one game in 20s. Loaners may be used if needed without permission of opposing team. Games played as loaner count toward the minimum. League will assign loaner for playoffs based on games played by a non-playoff team Each series will be best 2 out of 3 with lower seed home the 1st game and higher seed games 2 and 3 (If nesseccary)
Addendum: In order to get credit for a game played all player must either bat once, pitch or play 3 full defensive innings.
COO Lou Orazio 413-663-0741 * Non Voting
President- Jared Martin 413-446-3071
Team Board Contacts
Board of Directors Pat Bassi 413-347-2393
open
Don Warfield 413-717-0344
Mike Evans 413-441-4123
Jeff Boyd 413-822-0087
Team Managers Tom Ingersoll 413-822-1602 GB Millers
Ben Snow 413-770-0203 Housatonic RM
Brandon Pettit 413-841-7358 B.Bandits
Josh North 413-446-8988 B.Devils
Ryan Dechaine 413-242-4703 Pittsfield Knights
Zach Lancia 413-281-6147 Kracken
Jared Blondin 413-441-0720 Greylock
Mike Burns 413-464-5539 B.Thunder (33)
Nick Lentine 413-652-2028 Tunnel City (33)
Jon Yetto 518-210-9149 Moneymakers (33)
Gremlins (33)
Steve Rotter 503-706-5275 P.Lake Monsters (33)
Matt Witek 413-441-0626 P.Pirates (33)
