18U Rules

The following basic rules and regulations will govern play in the Metro Baseball League for 2013.  The list of rules and regulations is NOT intended to cover all of the playing rules, but rather highlight those areas that are referenced most often by the coaches and participants.  In general, the MBL Board of Directors has adopted the National Federation High School League rules.  Except where modified below.

I.    PLAYER REGISTRATION/ELIGIBILITY

A.           Players in their respective age groups must not reach the age of 19 before May 1, 2013.  It is permissible for a player to play up from their designated age division, but they may not play down.  For example, a 15 year old may play in the 18 year old division, but a 18 year old may NOT play in the 15 year old division.

B.           Rosters are due before the first game and must be done on-line. A player may only be rostered on one team.  There is a maximum of 20 players per team.  Roster changes may be made through June 1, 2013.  Any player(s) added after June 1, 2013, must be accompanied by the association's travel directors signature and approved by the MBL Board of Directors.

II.   RESIDENCY

A.              The Metro Baseball League is a community based program.  Players are eligible to participate on teams from the community in which they live with their parent(s) or legal guardian, or their school attendance area.  In some cases a "natural baseball community" exists which may be a combination of nearby communities based on high school attendance area or other demographics.  However, this is NOT intended to allow all-star or recruited teams to be formed.  The MBL Board of Directors reserve the right to rule on any questionable situations.

III.   LEVELS OF PLAY

A.              It shall be the responsibility of each association to maintain the integrity of each level within their own association and to properly classify their teams.

“AA”- The intermediate level, primarily intended to provide a uniform competitive experience for communities that are not able to compete at the AAA League level or communities that already have teams at the AAA League level.

IV.   FIELD DIMENSIONS

A.           The following base lengths shall apply:

18 year olds - 90 feet

B.             The following pitching distances shall apply:

18 year olds - 60 feet 6 inches

V.   EQUIPMENT

A.            Shoes
            18 year olds will be allowed to use metal spikes.

B.            Bats - The following pertains to the legality of bats in the MBL

18 year olds      Maximum diameter at the thickest part:       2 5/8”  With minus 3 weight differential and be BBCOR approved.

In length:……………………..36” or less

VI.   COACH/PLAYER CONDUCT

A.           All players, coaches and spectators are to behave in a manner that reflects the positive fun associated with the game of baseball.  Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated including:

- Verbal abuse                                    - Arguing judgment calls

- Physical aggression                        - Profanity

- Tantrum-like acts

B.           Any player, coach or spectator ejected from a game will also be suspended from their teams next game.  Further sanctions may be warranted depending upon the behavior.  A second game disqualification will result in suspension from the remainder of the team's regular season and playoff games.

C.           Anyone ejected for the season is entitled to an appeal.  They should submit their appeal in writing to the MBL Board of Directors.  A hearing will be scheduled to include the party involved, their coach, the umpire, the travel director, and the MBL Board of Directors.

VII.   UMPIRES

A.           18 year old "AA" teams       will assign and pay their own umpires.

B.            No judgment call may be protested.  Only rule interpretations are allowed.  Protested games will be completed only when the outcome has significant bearing on the final standings.

C.        While the MBL hopes to eliminate all "no-shows", we must also have a policy in the event that you do have a "no-show".

            If an umpire is not at the field at game time, both managers must agree to one of the following options:

1)      Wait for the umpire to show.

2)      Start the game with an agreed upon substitute umpire.  To avoid conflict between both teams have one person from each team umpire the game.

3)      Do not play the game and attempt to reschedule.

D.             In any event, call the MBL to report problems that arose and what solution was agreed upon.  

VIII.   GENERAL RULES

A.         Each team must supply 1 new game ball for each game.

B.         Home team shall keep the official scorebook.

C.         Line markings and bases are the responsibility of the home team.

D.         All players must be in matching uniforms.

E.         Courtesy runners
            18 year olds    A courtesy runner will be allowed for the current catcher anytime. The player that is run for must catch the next inning. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners until all players have participated. If all players have participated, then the courtesy runner will be the last player that made an out.

IX.   CONTINUOUS BATTING

A.         18 year olds        Teams will play 9-man baseball with the option of a DH. There will be no option of playing with continuous batting.

X.   PITCHING RESTRICTIONS

A.           18 year olds    A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 14 innings within a 72-hour period.

B.        Definition - A week consists of Sunday through Saturday.

            One pitch in an inning constitutes an inning pitched.

XI.   LEADING OFF

A.        The following rules shall apply:

            18 year olds - A player may lead off and steal at any time.

XII.   RE-ENTRY RULES

A.         Starting Players:  Any of the starting players may withdraw and re-enter once, including a player who was the designated hitter, provided that player occupies the same batting position whenever they are in the lineup.  A substitute who is withdrawn may not re-enter.

B.        Exception:  Replacement of injured players and/or courtesy runners.  If an active player sustains an injury that requires them to leave the game and their team has used all of its available substitute players, the coach may substitute for the injured player with the first player on the bench who had previously lost their eligibility via the re-entry rule. A courtesy runner (the last player to be put out if there are no other legal substitutes) will be allowed for the catcher.

XIII.   GAME LENGTH

A.         18 year olds    Completed games re FINAL after 7 innings. Extra innings will be allowed based on weather conditions and sunlight.

B.        Ties will stand after curfew or darkness.  Do not risk injury due to darkness.  To insure the playing of the full seven innings, hustle between half innings and retrieve all foul balls in a timely manner.

C.         The 10 run rule will take effect after 4 1/2 innings.

D.         Games called for any reason in mid-inning will revert to the score at the end of the last completed inning.

XIV.   STANDINGS

A.        The MBL shall keep current standings and they will be available to the respective coaches on both the Metro Baseball League website: www.mbl.bz.

B.         Both coaches must report their completed game score to the MBL score reporting system on the MBL Web Site by 10:00am the day after the game was completed.  Teams will be contacted if scores are not reported and will be assessed a penalty if it occurs more than one time.

C.        The Metro Baseball League standings are computed by a point system.  Each team will receive 3 points for a win, 2 points for a tie and 1 point for a loss.  Ties will be broken down by the followings procedure:

1)      Head to Head competition

2)      Best winning percentage (games won divided by games played)

3)      Best positive run differential in games between the tied teams

4)      Best positive run differential in all games played

5)      If still tied, a one game playoff will determine the winner

XV.   RAIN-OUT PROCEDURES

A.         In the event that a field is unplayable due to weather, the home team coach must:

1)      Notify the other coach as soon as the decision is made.  This should be done no later than 3:45pm.

2)      Report the weather cancellation via the score reporting system.

3)      Complete a rain reschedule form and submit the form to the MBL within 3 days of the cancelled game.

·         Games cancelled because of weather will be listed on the MBL web page each day by 4:15pm.

B.         If the MBL does not hear from a coach or the coach does not report the cancellation via the score reporting system, it will be assumed that the game is on as scheduled.  It is then up to the umpire to decide if the field conditions are playable.

C.        18 year olds    Games started but stopped due to weather conditions are official after 4 1/2 or 5 innings.  

D.        Unofficial games will be made up from the exact point of interruption.  When both coaches agree on a specific date for the completion of the game please notify the umpire association and the MBL via the rain reschedule form.

XVI.   SCHEDULE CHANGES

A.        Schedule changes, once the schedule has been distributed are discouraged. A MBL Game Rescheduling Form must be completed for any game that is to be rescheduled. Be sure to carefully follow all procedures spelled out on this form

B.        Games that are not properly cancelled or rescheduled results in umpires arriving at the fields and deserving to be paid for their time.  Please check with the umpire association for umpire availability before rescheduling games. 

C.        All "AA" Teams    All teams supply their own umpires. In case of a game cancellation it will be their responsibility to schedule and pay their own umpires.

XVII.   PLAYOFFS

A.        All teams will make the playoffs. For all "AA"  Teams, the playoffs will start the week of TBD.

B.        For all "AA" Teams, seedings for the MBL playoffs will be determined based on the league standings as of TBD.  Any games played after this date will not count toward the playoff standings.

C.        Games will be played at the home field of the high seed. The coach of the high seed will be responsible for scheduling the field, contacting the other coach and supplying all pertinent information, and scheduling the umpire.