RULES & REGULATIONS FOR THE WMWBL - REVISED March 21, 2021
The WMWBL was created to provide for players 25 years and over a
competitive and fun wood bat baseball league in the Springfield,
Massachusetts area. Adult attitudes must always prevail, no matter how
competitive any league. The responsibility that this ethic sustains will remain
with the league President and Board. Anyone who abuses the league's code
will be suspended or expelled from the league without refund of any fees paid.
To be eligible to play in the league, you must turn 25 years by December 31 in
the year of the current season (for the 2020 season, teams are allowed up to
two players who turn at least 21 in 2020, but with playing restrictions. See Rule 8f.).
INDEX
1.) General League Rules
2.) Teams, Players & Line-Ups
3.) Player Behavior and Team Responsibility
4.)Game Length, Curfew and Rain-outs
5.) Pitchers
6.) Courtesy Runners
7.) Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs, Wood Bats, and Other Equipment
8.) Official Standings, Player Attendance, Special Circumstances & Playoff
Eligibility
9.) Forfeits, Protests and Rain-outs
10.) Code of Conduct
1. General League Rules
1a.) Team roster forms, and team medical waiver forms, with completed
information, must be submitted by Opening Day. All league fees must be paid
in full by Opening Day. All players must sign a Player Waiver Form, which can
be downloaded off of wmwbl.com. Players cannot go on the field before they
sign a waiver. It is permissible for a player to play in a game before his
information is entered into his team’s roster on-line on Leaguelineup, as long
as information is entered before the next game.
1b.) Home team manager must notify the U-I-C, the opposing manager, and
the league office of any cancellation due to field conditions, a minimum of one
hour before game time.
1c.) Payment of umpires will be determined by the League president.
1d.)Either manager can and MUST report scores after each game on
Leaguelineup. If you are unable to enter your results, scores should be sent to
the league president by the following day. The winning team is responsible for
writing the game summary on Leaguelineup but if no summary is entered by the
winning team, then the losing team can enter a summary. Entering statistics
on Leaguelineup is optional. However, rosters and games played must be
entered in a timely manner.
1e.) If an all-star game is possible, the selection of all-stars will be discussed
by the coaches and a formula will be drafted.
1f.) Free defensive substitutions are allowed throughout the game. However,
if a pitcher is replaced, he must remain on the field defensively at another
position to be able to pitch again in that game.
1g.) The "hidden ball" trick is not allowed.
1h.) Third base fake pick-offs are not allowed
1i.) Base runners will abide by the NCAA College Slide Rule(See College Slide
Rule on the Handout Menu).
2.) Teams, Players & Line-Ups
2a.) Any new players to the League who have contacted it to join to play, will
be offered to teams in a reverse order of the previous year’s final standings. In
the event there is a new team, then they will be provided the opportunity first.
2b.) Each manager can bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of
nine, when at least nine players are in attendance. Lineup cards with full names
must be exchanged with the opposing manager prior to the game. Teams can
play an official game with 8 players and bat only 8 players if that is all they have
in uniform at the game. Opposing team must still bat a minimum of nine batters.
Games cannot be re-scheduled because a team does not have enough players.
If both teams agree, a borrowed player can be used, and then the game will count
as an official game regardless of which team wins.
2c.)Teams must bat and field a minimum of 9 players for all playoff games. Exceptions can be made
at the discretion of the league President.
2d.) If a manager starts a game with less than the full number of players they
have at the game, when they make a substitution into the batting order, the
player removed from the order cannot be reinserted into the batting order for
the duration of the current game. NOTE: Fielding substitutions may be made
freely and are not impacted by changes to the batting order. Teams may add
players to the bottom of the line-up at any time before the beginning of the
fourth inning. Once a pitch has been thrown in the fourth inning the line-ups
are frozen and you must have the same number of hitters at the end of the
game as you did at the beginning of the fourth inning.
2e.) If a player cannot play the entire game and knows this ahead of time he is
to inform his coach. If the coach wants to bat his entire line-up then he must
bat the player that will be leaving early last in the line-up. The coach must
inform the opposing manager of this situation. When that player leaves and
his turn in the order comes up he will not be charged an out for the at bat
instead he will be skipped over and the game shall continue with the next
scheduled batter. If he does not notify the coach and the coach does not notify
the opposing manager before the start of the game then an out shall be
recorded when that player’s turn comes in the batting order.
In the event that a player should leave early and a player who has showed up
late has been placed in the order behind him the player leaving early will be
skipped over and the game shall resume with the next scheduled batter. This
rule will only apply for one batter per game.
2f.) A team MAY declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the
start of play that any batting order position (i.e. 9, 10, 11, etc.) can be occupied
by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 9A/9B, 10, 11A/11B,
12, etc. The first time that position 9 gets an at bat, 9A would hit and the next
time this slot hits, 9B would be up. Then 9A hits the third time this spot in the
order comes up, and so on, alternating between these two players throughout
the game. Once a team declares the use of this A/B system, it must continue
using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the A/B position may be
pinch hit for, just as any other player.
2g.) If a player is forced to leave a game for any reason, a reserve
player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the
replaced hitter's place. If there are no reserves who can replace the individual,
the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. The first time
this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed; after
that one time no out will be recorded for skipping the spot.
2h.) No player may switch teams during a season, without the consent of both
managers and the league president.
2i.) All teams must announce all offensive additions, substitutions, and/or
changes to the home plate umpire AND opposing team manager and/or
scorekeeper. Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a
legal substitution.
3.) Player Behavior and Team Responsibility
3a.) The visiting team will have use of the playing field for the final 10 minutes
prior to game time for warm-ups.
3b.) Infielders are not allowed to decoy a throw or catch. If a decoy throw or
catch is detected, all runners shall be allowed to advance one base beyond the
base held after all play stops. If the same fielder decoys twice in the same
game, the fielder shall be expelled from the game. Decoying is referred to a
false catch or throw done in an attempt to get the player to slide
unnecessarily, where no strategic value is gained. An example of a legal
"strategic" decoy is with a runner on first stealing, an infielder yells, "I got it,"
on a single to the outfield in order to make the runner stop or go back to first
base. An example of an illegal decoy is with a runner stealing second and no
throw is made by the catcher, the infielder cannot fake a tag on the runner
resulting in the runner sliding unnecessarily.
3c.) Players shall not intentionally collide with any other players. In the case
of a runner intentionally colliding with a fielder, the runner will be called out
and may, at the umpire's discretion, be expelled from the game. If a defensive
player is not in the possession of the ball, is not in the act of receiving the ball,
or is not about to immediately receive the ball so that he is able to record an
out, he cannot block the base or be in the base path so as to impede the base
runner's right to that base. Under such circumstances, the defensive player
shall be responsible to avoid collision. If a collision does occur under these
circumstances, the runner will always be considered safe and the obstruction
rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be ejected from the game (if
the action is intentional, he must be ejected), and will be suspended from
league play if the obstruction is judged to be flagrant.
3d.) Each team must set its own standards of player/team sportsmanship, and
must encourage behavior befitting to the image and policies of the league.
3e.) Failure to abide by age regulations - the managers must all recognize their
responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line
where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at
anytime have the right to question a player’s age. If a manager wants to lodge
a protest, proof of age and residence must be presented to the manager who
lodged the inquiry. If that player does not have proof upon him, it must be
provided to the League president within 24 hours. If an under age player is
detected, the penalties will be forfeiture of all games in which the under-age
player participated in, and team forfeits for all those games as well. If the
manager had prior knowledge, he is subject to suspension.
4.) Game Length, Curfew and Rain-outs
4a.) All games are 9 innings, except doubleheaders and night games at fields
in which no lights are turned on, which are scheduled for 7 innings each. Any
game that is tied at the end of its scheduled length will be played until there
is a winner, so long as conditions allow. Any game that has been played to the
length of an official game, but must end because of daylight, weather or otherwise
at umpire's discretion, will be considered complete from the last full inning played,
even if the score is tied. A team may concede after completing 7 innings. It is not considered a forfeit
and is counted as completed game. Any extra innings played will begin with a runner on second base. The runner at second base must be the last batted out. Courtesy runner rules are still allowed
If the last batted out is unavailable then standard batting line-up substitution rules apply.
All league playoff games must be played to completion by league
standards, being a 9 inning game. The umpire may suspend, cancel or call a
game if, in their opinion, the safety of the players is compromised due to rain,
darkness or time limits.
4b.) Before a regular season game starts, if the home team chooses, it will
have the ability to propose a curfew after which no new inning can begin, which
must be communicated to the opposing manager and umpires prior to first pitch.
4c.) A game can be ended earlier than its scheduled length if both managers
agree to end it.
4d.) Any game that is postponed should be rescheduled by those teams' managers.
If, after a reasonable amount of time, it hasn't been rescheduled, the league will
help facilitate a new date. If an agreement still can't be reached, the league has
the ability to reschedule as it sees fit.
In the event of rain, it is the responsibility of the scheduled home team to
notify the umpires and opposing team of field conditions and possible
cancellation of game, at least 1 hour before scheduled game time. In the event
such notification does not take place, the home team solely will be responsible
for any travel fees imposed by the umpiring organization.
There are two exceptions to this rule. (1)At the umpires discretion he may
shorten the game due to darkness or rain. (2)During the first game of a
doubleheader an inning may not be started after 3 hours of the scheduled
start time.
4e.) Any extra innings will be played as a normal continuation of the game.
5.) Pitchers
5a.) No Player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a
pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.
5b.) If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any game, the pitcher will not be allowed to
pitch for the remainder of the game.
5c.) A pitcher is not required to face a minimum number of batters or throw a
minimum number of pitches when appearing in a game.
6.) Courtesy Runners
6.a) Players that will need courtesy runners, must have their manager notify
the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If not so notified, the
opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed a
maximum of 2 players per game who can be run for each time that they reach
base. The individual who runs for these player(s) needing a courtesy runner is
not determined ahead of time. It is always the last batted out who must run
for the person needing the courtesy runner. Once the game begins and the full
complement of 2 courtesy runners has not been used, if a player sustains an
injury, an additional courtesy runner may be used. In the event a player
becomes injured during the game and the maximum number of courtesy
runners (2) have already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and
no courtesy runner will be allowed. If a batter (designated as needing a
courtesy runner) opts to run, or forgets to get a courtesy runner and
subsequently runs, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion
of the game.
6b.) Each team is allowed to designate two courtesy runners. Players needing
courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager
before game time. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the
request. The player to make the last batted out must be the courtesy runner.
Pitchers and catchers may be skipped over as courtesy runners (override to
rule 6a). If a player is legitimately hurt during the game and his team has
already used two courtesy runners, then the team will allow a third courtesy
runner.
7.) Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs, Wood Bats and Other Equipment
7a.) All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered
baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt, sanitary socks and stirrups - each
player’s uniform must be of similar design to his teammates uniforms. Teams
having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsor's name on their uniforms via
patch or uniform shirt. No player out of uniform will be allowed to play
without the opposing manager’s consent.
7b.) Teams will use the official league approved baseballs: The home team
provides four game balls. If more balls are needed in the course of the game,
then both teams provide additional balls equally.
7c.) Batters must wear a helmet with at least one ear flap. Runners are
required to wear helmets at all times.
7d.) League is wood bat only. Wood bats are required (no dipped bats, multi-
piece, metal handle/wood barrel bats, or any other combination other than a
single piece of 100% natural wood (override to national rule 1.d). Radial Bats
are allowed. Composites made of only wood or wood and fiberglass are
allowed.
7e.) Metal cleats are permitted.
8.) Official Standings, Player Attendance, Special Circumstances and
Playoff Eligibility
8a.) Final league standings will be determined by regular season record. All
teams make the playoffs. Tie-breakers go in this order:
* Head to head.
* Runs allowed (all games) - if teams have played an uneven amount of games,
then average runs allowed will be used.
* Runs scored (all games) - if teams have played an uneven amount of games,
then average runs scored will be used.
* Coin toss
8b.) To be eligible to play in the playoffs, players must be registered on their
team's roster on Leaguelineup in the WMWBL page. A player must have 10
documented game appearances (appearing in both teams' scorebooks and
being present for at least three innings, whether he/she appears in the game
or not) in a regular season game, in order to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
*For the 2020 season, playoff eligibility will be seven games.
8c.) INJURY / MILITARY EXCEPTION:
Where extenuating circumstance of injuries or military service arises, the
League President shall have jurisdiction to make exceptions either on a short
term, or long-term basis regarding adding players to a roster and/or playoff
eligibility. For example, if a player gets injured in May and cannot come back
until August, and who may not have enough games played to be playoff
eligible, the League President may allow that player to be playoff eligible.
A player is not eligible for the injured list if he or she is playing in another sports
league while on the list.
When requesting a player be added/removed from the injured list, the player's
manager should inform the League President, as well as all other team managers.
If the injured player's health situation is a sensitive issue that may not be
appropriate to widely share, that player's manager may report it to just the League
President, who then will inform the other managers of necessary details.
The spirit of this rule is to prevent late season ringers that have not played
most of the year in our league and also to eliminate end of season forfeits as a
determiner of playoff eligibility. If a team forfeits a game, none of their players
get credit for a game played/pitched and all of the opposing team's players get
credit for a game played/pitched. If a game is canceled and cannot be made
up, all players for both teams will receive credit for a game played/pitched.
8d.) Any person who appears on a team's roster, whether he/she appears in
a game, shall not be eligible to umpire any League game that season.
8e.) A player must be out of professional baseball for three complete seasons
before becoming eligible to participate in the WMWBL. Players who played in
the WMWBL prior to the 2020 season will remain eligible regardless if their
professional status changes.
8f.) A team may have a maximum of four players younger than 25, but who will
turn at least 21 during that season's calendar year, on their roster per game. Players
who will not be at least 25 during that season's calendar year will not be allowed to pitch.
9. Forfeits, Protests, and Rain-outs
9a.) Forfeits: Each team will be allowed a maximum of two (2) forfeits. If a
team forfeits three (3) times during the season (regular season and/or
playoffs) that team will be expelled from the league for the remainder of the
season. If the offending team wishes to return to the league the following
season they must get approval from the league board.
If a game is forfeited and the umpires have not been notified in a timely
manner of the cancellation of the game the team that forfeited the game is
responsible for the payment of the umpires.
9b.) Following MLB rules, games may no longer be protested.
10.) CODE OF CONDUCT
10a.) Fighting before, during or after a game earns a two (2) game
suspension. A second offense results in immediate expulsion from the league.
10b.) Striking an umpire earns a one-year suspension and forfeiture of any
moneys paid to the league. In addition, verbal abuse of an umpire or failure to
leave the field after an ejection is also subject to suspension.
10c.) Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike
manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:
1. Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and
managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from
further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his
conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players and managers
guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder
of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
2. Refuse to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct
shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game
and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board
of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation
or suspension for the remainder of the season.
3. Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s
decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to
suspension from further participation in the game.
4. Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official
or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized
to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be
subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
5. Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body
or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be
immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall
be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
6. Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager,
official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of
such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation
in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed
by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject
to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the
league for life.
7. Be guilty of verbal abusive attack upon any player, manager, official, or
spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct
shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game
and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the board
of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to
suspension for the remainder of the season.
8. Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be
upon the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition. Players
guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further
participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or
suspension for the remainder of the season.
9. Smoke on the field of play or in the dugout. Players guilty of such
conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in
the game.
10d.) Penalties
1. The board of directors may, by vote of the majority of the directors,
suspend any player or manager for such a period and upon such terms
as it may propose, for the conduct with in its opinion is prejudicial to the
welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.
2. Except as otherwise provided, the commissioners shall determine the
appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and
shall report their decision to the player, manager and the board of
directors.
3. A player found in violation of any provision delineated in the codes of
conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season
shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.
4. Any player found in violation of any provisions delineated in the codes
of conduct, after being suspended from further participation in a game
shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.
10e.) Grievances, protests, and appeals
1. Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a
team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the
commissioner or appropriate board. The commissioner shall adjudicate
all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the board of
directors.
2. An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the board of
directors by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided
that the appeal is formally submitted. However, all decisions by the
board of directors are final and not subject to appeal.
