Table of Contents

1.League History, Purpose and Members
2.Commissioners and Board Member Duties
3.Current Commissioners
4.By-Laws and Probation
5.Expulsion
6.Rosters
7.Rules and Regulations
8.Team Responsibilities and Protests
9.Playing Rules and Pitching Rules
10.Conduct
11.Playoffs
12.League Champions

1.League History and Purpose
The East Suburban Baseball League was formed in 2010. The members include Chalfant, East Allegheny, Pitcairn, Trafford Level Green, Turtle Creek, and White Oak. The league sponsors boys baseball and promotes a friendly, fair and competitive atmosphere for our children. The league also provides an organizational frame work that provides each participating athletic association with an equal representation in league matters.

Charter Members
Chalfant
East Allegheny
Pitcairn
Trafford Level Green
Turtle Creek
White Oak

2.Commissioners & Board Members Duties
Each organization that participates in the “League” shall nominate one primary commissioner to the League Board. Each organization shall also provide a back up commissioner if the primary cannot attend the league board meetings. The Board’s purpose is to:

1.Participate and vote at monthly league meetings.
2.Vote on any amendment to rules, regulations and by-laws.
3.May be called on (special meetings) to resolve any disputes that may arise.
4.Record minutes of each meeting
5.Notify organizations of upcoming events such as meetings by phone, mail or email.
6.Maintain the league checkbook/funds. Collect and disburse all payments as directed by the board of commissioners. (i.e. umpire association fees, meeting room fees, other expenses).
7.Call and preside over league meetings.
8.Topics will be approved or rejected by a simple majority of voting commissioners present at the meeting. A quorum of the Board is required for any vote to be valid. (A quorum is currently defined as 4 (N-1)
9.The board will assign a league coordinator for each age group. The league coordinator will be responsible for scheduling games, collecting scores and publishing standings. (rain outs must be scheduled within 7 days)
10.All protests will be heard and ruled on by the board in a timely fashion. (protest will first be send to league coordinator; if the coordinator cannot be resolved, it will be sent to the board for review.



3.East Suburban Baseball League Current Commissioners
Commissioners (primary/backup)
CAA Jim Murray/Joleen Chiaverini
EAAA Dave Bell / Ryan Kieffer

WOAA Calley Matthews

FHCBA J Black

WAA Tony Moquin

LBAA Jim Knapton/Jon Champ

PVAA Rick Nesky

MBA Dan Haywood/Joe Donato
 
 
4.By-Laws and Probation
1.Each full member organization has one (1) vote in ‘League’ matters.
2.Board members, full or probated, are required to report to their own organization all rules, regulations, and by-laws. This will not be a ‘League’ responsibility.
3.Probation: A.) Any organization wishing to join the East Suburban Baseball League shall be placed on probation for one complete baseball season, including playoffs. B.) Any organization placed on probation shall remain on probation for the following baseball season, (one season only). This includes playoffs.
4.Any and all teams that are on probation shall be voted on, at the end of their probated season, to become full time members of the league. A majority vote shall carry. Each probated team shall be voted on separately.
5.Any team that is on probation has no voting rights at league meetings; however, they are encouraged to attend any and all league meetings. Their comments and suggestions are also encouraged at such meetings.
6.Any member of an organization that is on probation may not be a board member or committee member.
7.Under no circumstances will an organization be placed on probation for two (2) or more consecutive years.
8.A majority vote is required to place an organization on probation.
9.Violation of any By-Laws, rules or regulations are grounds to be voted for probation.


5.Expulsions
1.Expulsions from the league, whether involving an individual(s), or whole organizations can only occur through a unanimous vote by the board.
2.Individual(s) or whole organizations that are on probation have no vote in this matter.
3.Board members who represent individuals up for expulsion may not vote in this matter.
4.In most cases, the individual(s) and/or organizations in question will have been on probation for one season prior to an expulsion vote. However, serious offenses shall be dealt with swiftly and may result in immediate expulsion. Example: Physical abuse by one person or more toward another person/people.



6.Rosters
1.All teams must provide to the league a complete roster prior to the beginning of each season. Rosters must show child’s name, address and birth date.
2.Each coach, when requested, must provide a copy of birth certificates for each rostered player and reserves. A child will be listed as a reserve player if: A.) He (she) is a 9 or 10 year old playing in an 11-12 year old game. B.) He (she) is a 7 or 8 year old playing in a 9-10 year old game.
3.If a non-resolvable request arises concerning a birth certificate, then the league may request the original.
4.A child (family) may not play for a team from another BORO within the league. For example: A Pitcairn player may not play on an East Allegheny team. Exception: A child (family) who is already participating for another organization may complete his/her eligibility for that organization. Exception: If both organizations agree, child (family) may play for another organization.
5.A child may participate in another Little League organization while playing in the East Suburban Baseball League. (This type of extra play should be monitored closely by the “home” organization, and reported to the East Suburban Baseball League prior to season’s start.)



7.Rules and Regulations
Rules and regulations as published by “Little League Baseball Inc.” will govern all play and conduct for the “East Suburban Baseball League”, except for the following:
1.For a Regulation 6 inning game, all players assigned to a team must play, barring injury or disciplinary action, this does not include reserves. Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings on defense and bat at least once.
2.A team must field a minimum of 8 players to begin a game or forfeit that game. A team will be allowed to finish a game with only 8(eight) players due to injury or some other unforeseen circumstances. (If a player gets ejected from a team fielding only the minimum 8 players, the game is immediately over and the opponent wins the game via forfeit.) In order to minimize forfeits, teams may use reserve players from their own community rosters in the younger age bracket no more than one step (year) below; (Example: An Instructional League 6 year old is not permitted to play in a Minor League 9-10 year old game, only a registered Coach Pitch 7-8 year old may be used.) Reserve players must have parental permission to “play up.” Example: A 9 or 10 year old may not “skip” his/her 9 and 10 year old game to play in an 11-12 game. Same with 7 and 8 year olds. (If the call up player arrives at the field’s parking lot, he or she MUST be used in the game.)
3.The Minor League Division (9-10) will have four outfielders. The outfielders must play the out field not rover.
4.A call up player from the younger age bracket is only permitted to play an outfield position and MUST be placed last in the batting order.
5.Coaches/Adults will umpire games for the 7/8 age group. One patched umpires, at least 17 years or older, will be assigned for each game for the 9/10 and 11/12 age groups. The BORO in which the game is being played is responsible to assign/pay umpires. (For the rules governing POST-SEASON officiating, refer to “Playoffs” section of this booklet.)


Rain Outs and Time Limits
1.The coaches and/or umpires will be responsible for deciding whether the playing field is in satisfactory condition. Prior to the arrival of the umpire, the game may be postponed by both coaches involved. (See “weeknight games” below for further details)
2.A courtesy call by the home team coach should be made to the opposing coach no later than one hour prior to the game (for a weekday game) in regards to a rain out. If you don’t get a call, then show up for your game.
3.A game is considered regulation if: A.) 3 ½ innings were completed and the home team is ahead. B.) 4 innings were completed and either team is ahead.
4.Weeknight games (Mon. thru Fri.) are to begin at 6:00 pm. After a 15-minute grace period, a team not able to field a team will forfeit the game. (In the event of a rain out or unplayable game, managers are to contact the Umpire Association’s Assigning Secretary-Mitch Adams before 4:30pm to avoid having to pay the “travel fee” of ½ regular game fee to the scheduled umpire. Mitch Adams cell phone number is: 412-759-5100 or his store number: 412-856-8846.)
5.Weekend games (Sat.) will begin when scheduled and also include a 15-minute grace period. (For weekend games, the “call off” to the Umpire Association’s Assigning Secretary MUST be made 2 hours prior to the start of the game. Only use the cell phone number on weekends.)
6.There is a 10 run rule for the 9-10 year old age bracket and there is a 10 run rule for the 11-12 year old age bracket, after 4 innings or more are completed or 3 ½ innings or more with the home team being ahead, by said amount of runs.


8.Team Responsibilities & Protests
1.The BORO in which the game is being played is responsible to line the field before the game.
2.The Home team must supply 2 new Wilson 1074 baseballs for each game. (1074 LL1’s or 1074 SST’s are permitted)
3.All ground rules shall be clearly defined and agreed upon prior to each game by the umpires and managers.
4.The head coaches involved in a particular game are the only persons allowed to question a rules interpretation with an umpire.
5.Both teams must keep score in an official scorebook. Both books are to be signed by the head umpire immediately upon completion of the game. (Scorekeepers should check with each other at the end of each inning to confirm line-up changes in batting order, score, & inning.)
6.The visiting team shall have the field for pre-game warm-ups 15 minutes prior to game time. Under normal circumstances, the visiting team will get the field at 5:45 pm for a 6:00 pm game. The home team shall have the field anytime prior to 5:45 pm. If circumstances dictate that both teams cannot get the field for a minimum of 15 minutes, then they must split equally any time that is available.
7.Adjacent fields may be used for warm-ups provided they are available and practice times will not conflict with the use of that practice field.
8.2 ¾ inch and 2 5/8 inch barrel diameter bats are NOT permitted. (only 2 ¼ inch barrel); must be an official Little League bat.
9.Winning Managers are required to call/email their results to the league coordinator within 24 hours after conclusion of game.


Protests
1.Protests will be heard by the coordinator only if the protest cannot be resolved on the field by the umpires and opposing coaches.
2.The board shall hear the protest by the opposing coaches and the umpire(s) if possible, at the earliest date possible only if the protest cannot be resolved by the coordinator.


9.Playing Rules & Pitching Rules
1.All players must wear the uniform of the team to which they are rostered. Reserve players may wear their own uniforms from their lower league which they are rostered on or an extra jersey for the team they are playing up for that game.
2.Catchers must always wear a protective cup.
3.No metal spikes are to be worn during a game.
4.All batters and base runners must wear approved protective headgear.
5.No jewelry may be worn during the game.
6.A base runner cannot leave a base until a pitched ball passes home plate. If he (she) does so, and the ball is put into play, the ball shall be ruled dead and no pitch is called. Any other runner who may have advanced must also return to their original positions. A warning will be given to the violator at that time. One each subsequent offense, by the same player, that player will be called out.
7.The Little League slide rule will be enforced. Runners must avoid contact with defensive players at all times. Calls on close plays involving contact are strictly a judgment call by the umpire.
8.No head first sliding will be permitted when advancing to a base. First offense: Player will be called out and warned. Second offense by the same player: Player will be called out and ejected from the game.
9.Head first sliding is only permitted when returning to the base that the runner has occupied.
10.Runners may advance on live balls thrown back to the pitcher.
11.Stealing home on pass balls is permitted only in the 11-12 year old age bracket. (In the 9/10 division: A runner is “LOCKed at Third” until the Ball is hit) In the 11/12 division: A runner is permitted to steal home.)
12.A continuous style batting order will be used for ALL games (regular season and playoffs) for the 9/10 and 11/12 division where the entire roster present for that game will bat. Defensive “free-substitution” is permitted throughout the game. (Minimum playing rules still apply dictating that every player must see 2 defensive innings and bat a minimum of one time per regulation game).


Pitchers
1.Pitchers are only permitted to pitch 2 innings per game for 9/10 and 3 innings for per game for 11/12.
2.Pitchers should NOT pitch on consecutive days. A pitcher will only be permitted to pitch on consecutive days if needed, but may only throw a total of 4 innings, between the two games/days. Example: If there is a double-header the pitcher could pitch 2 innings in each game or 3 innings in the first game, but only 1 inning in the second game. Same with consecutive days…they could throw 2 innings the first night and come back and throw 2 innings the next night or 1 inning and 3 innings the next night. The 4 inning maximum total for consecutive days must be followed by all teams.


10.Conduct
1.Any person throwing or kicking equipment at any time in anger shall be removed from the game. Umpires shall rule on this with discretion.
2.Managers, coaches and players will refrain from name calling, or making derogatory remarks to umpires, coaches or members of the opposing team.
3.Any managers, coaches, players or fans taking or threatening to take physical action against another manager, coach, player, fan or umpire; before, during or after a game; at a field complex, will be suspended for the remainder of that season and playoffs. This will be treated as a serious offense and it will be dealt with severely. Example: People or persons involved or whole organizations may be immediately expelled from the league. (see expulsion section)

4.No player shall leave his position on the field or bench for the purpose of arguing with an umpire. Penalty: Removal of that player (from the field and possible suspension).
5.Head coaches, or acting head coaches, will be held directly responsible for the conduct of his/her personnel.
6.Head coaches should make every possible attempt to control unruly fans.


11.Playoffs
1.Playoffs will begin at the earliest possible date following the completion of the season.
2.The season will normally begin at the first week of May or the last weekend of April. A six to eight week period will be used as the time frame to allow for playoffs and preparation for all-star teams.
3.Board will determine the regular season number of games according to the number of teams that are in the league.
4.A team’s regular season record will determine playoff seeding. In case of a tie, head to head results will apply.
5.All teams will compete in the playoffs.
6.Highest seed will face the lowest seed in all rounds. Example:
i. #1 vs. #4 #2 vs. #3
7.Highest seed in any pairing will be the home team.
8.Pitching rules will not change from the regular season unless special circumstances are encountered. The board will deal with special circumstances. Example: Regular season ends on a Monday and the playoffs begin on Wednesday of that week.
9.PAID and NEUTRAL UMPIRES MUST be used in ALL PLAYOFF GAMES. For 7/8, an umpire will be used only in championship game. These umpires may either be from an umpire association or NEUTRAL umpires (from another town in the league) whose names may be drawn may be drawn from a list of umpires that will be provided by the East Suburban Baseball League.


12.League Champions