RULES
All rules for the ALL AMERICAN AMATEUR BASEBALL LEAGUE are in accordance with the Official Rules of Major League Baseball
and the current AAABL Rule Book except as modified herein. In case of rule overlap, the rule set forth here will be the rule in effect. The Managerial Directors Board of AAABL has ratified these rules.
PART 1 UNIFORMS, HELMETS, BASEBALLS, BATS, AND CLEATS
1.1 Uniforms - A teams players must have matching jerseys with individual numbers and matching hats. Pants must be baseball style, but need not match. Softball pants, jeans, cutoffs, and shorts are not acceptable. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed to have the sponsor's name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt.
(a) Out of Uniform - A player out of uniform will not be allowed to play without consent of the opposing manager unless rules 1.1(b) and 1.1(c) are in force.
(b) Team Uniform Deadline - All teams should have their uniforms by the third week of the season.
(c) Grace Period for Uniforms - Additional grace periods for teams not in compliance at the end of deadline (Rule 1.1(b)) will be at the discretion of league's Managerial Directors Board. It is the responsibility of each teams manager to make requests of the league for extension of deadlines and for written documentation of approved extensions. Without written documentation of league approval of deadline extensions, the opposing manager may impose Rule 1.1(a).
i. If there are problems meeting the deadline, the teams manager must obtain any additional grace period granted by the league in writing and present it to the opposing teams manager; otherwise, Rule 1.1(a) is in effect.
ii. If requested by the manager, properly registered, newly activated players obtained during the course of the season are granted a grace period for obtaining a proper uniform. In this case, league board members will issue a note to the affected teams manager indicating the expiration of the grace period. The note must be presented to the opposing manager to avoid penalty from Rule 1.1(a).
1.2 Helmets - All batters and runners must wear helmets during all at-bats, while in the on-deck circle, and while on the bases or base-paths. Full double earflap helmets are encouraged. Catchers must wear a helmet underneath their mask.
(a) Helmets During Batting Practice - The AAABL strongly recommends the use of protective helmets during batting practice and for pitchers while throwing in the batting cages so as to avoid serious injury.
1.3 Baseballs - Each team shall remit two baseballs to the umpire at the beginning of each game. Each team shall receive 2 dozen baseballs and must buy all additional baseballs from the league offices at a cost of $42/dozen.
(b) Failure to Provide Baseballs - A manager who fails to provide baseballs will be fined $10 payable to opposing teams manager. Baseballs will be provided by the opposing teams manager for that game.
1.4 Bats - Wood bats which meet MLB standards will be allowed for play. Metal bats will not be allowed for play in the THIS LEAGUE!
1.5 Cleats - Metal/Rubber cleats are permitted. Any player found to be wearing deliberately sharpened cleats would be subject to ejection and possible suspension from the league.
PART 2
GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE, DARKNESS, SUSPENDED GAMES, AND RAINOUTS
2.1 Game Length - All games are 9 innings no 3 hours time rule or 10 run rule unless managers agree to terms at the field. Extra innings are played to break the tie. In the event that game has to be played another day the League will set a date and time asap to complete the game. The time is considered to start according to the scheduled time for that game.
(a) Doubleheaders - In the event that a doubleheader needs to be scheduled both games will be 7 innings. The second game of a doubleheader starts 30 minutes after the first game has ended.
2.2 Abbreviated Games - 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.
(a) Darkness - If the game is judged by the umpire to be unplayable due to darkness:
* The standard 9-inning game will be considered complete at the end of 7- innings and 6-innings when the home team is ahead. If the game is called prior to completion the game is considered suspended, and when rescheduled, the game shall pick up precisely where it was left off (including the time expired on the clock). The game time limit of 3 hours (Rule 2.1) is in force and only the time remaining in the game shall be played. If they are present, each team must use players in the same place in the line-up. Substitutions can only be made for absent players. Players previously removed from the game can only re-enter under the re-entry rules.
(b) Rain - If a standard 9-inning game is judged by the umpire to be unplayable due to rain, the game will be considered complete at the end of 5-innings and 4-innings when the home team is ahead. If the game is called prior to completion of 5 innings, or 4 innings when the home team is ahead, the game is considered cancelled and will be made up in accordance with the rainout policy.
(c) Run-Rule - If a lead of 10 runs or more is in effect after the 6 innings of play, or 8 runs or more after 7 innings of play, the umpire shall invoke a mercy rule and end the game.
2.3 Exceptions to Abbreviated Games -
(a) Playoffs - All league playoff games must be played to completion.
(b) Playoff Games and Darkness - Playoff games affected by darkness shall be suspended and played to completion when the game is made up. The game shall pick up precisely where it was left off. If they are present, each team must use players in the same place in the line-up. Substitutions can only be made for absent players. Players previously removed from the game can only re-enter under the re-entry rules.
2.4 Makeup of Rainouts and Suspended Games - All rainout/suspended games will be made up ASAP and teams will be notified by the league when they have be scheduled.
PART 3
ELIGIBILITY, ROSTERS, THE DRAFT AND THE PLAYER POOL
3.1 Team Eligibility - Team rosters, league fees, AAABL affiliation fees, proof of date of birth of all players, and team medical forms (if needed) must be submitted to the league by the Monday before opening day.
3.2 Team Rosters - Managing team rosters is one of the most important duties of a manager. The following rules are designed to ensure that all teams have an equal opportunity to build their teams through the league-provided resources.
(a) Roster Change Deadline - Prior to participating in a game, all players must be added to the roster on the LEAGUE website and approved by the Board before 48hrs before they participate in.
(b) Roster Size Requirements - The minimum roster size at the change deadline is 12 players. Teams with fewer than 12 players should pick up players out of the player pool. Maximum size for a team roster is 20.
(c) Roster Reporting Requirements - Managers are required to report their rosters to the league for distribution two days before there games every week or 24 hrs if back to back games. This report will include the full names of all players. Rosters will be exchanged to the other team to prepare for the team playing against.
i. The Sunday before the draft. This roster will be used to determine draft status (see Section 3.6 for more information on the draft).
ii. The Friday before opening day. This roster will be included as part of the AAABL packets and will be the rosters considered as definitive once the season starts.
(d) Roster Violation Penalties - Managers found to have added players to their roster improperly or who have misreported their rosters will be forced to forfeit all games where the player(s) in question participated.
3.3 Playoff Rosters - Players added to the roster during the season with less than 50% of games remaining are not eligible for playoff and championship games except when a player(s) are added due to lost to injury, a player from the roster voluntarily quits for the remainder of the season, or approved by the league.
3.4 Player Eligibility - A player is eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game on the date of their 17th birthday. Players under the age of 17 years are not eligible. (Unless waiver signed and notarized by parents)
(a) Multiplicity - A player is eligible to play for only one team in the league and cannot have dual membership on teams of the league. These Players Will be contracted for one team ONLY.
(b) Changing Teams - No player may switch teams during a season without the consent of both managers and the leagues President or board members votes.
(c) Free Agency - All players are declared "free agents" at the end of each season and may play for any desired team. In the event a team disbands during the season, all players will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team. If a player is released by a team, that player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team.
(d) Players Forming New Teams - In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and manage a newly formed team, he may only do so between seasons.
3.5 The Player Pool - The AAABL player pool is a repository of new player information collected primarily through the league website. The primary use of the pool is for the league to build new expansion teams, but the players are made available to the teams at specific times during the year. Managers are encouraged to work outside the player pool for the majority of their roster needs, and there is no guarantee players will be available.
(a) Pre-Draft Access - From January 1st until the draft, managers will have no access to the player pool. All players who sign up during this time must be selected through the draft or signed a free agents after the draft.
(b) In-Season Access - From the draft until the end of the season managers will have full access to the player pool and will be notified via e-mail when new players sign up. Teams can sign players out of the player pool as needed, and will notify the league when that happens.
(c) Post-Season Access - From the end of the a season until Post start of the new season the managers who are not participating in the following season will have no access to the player pool. During this time any players needed for a season will be assigned to teams.
3.6 The Draft - The draft is held before each season and is meant as a way for teams to add players, and for the league to add teams.
(a) Draft Eligibility - Teams who have a full 15 player roster are not eligible to participate in the draft. Any team who reaches the 15 player limit during the draft is not eligible to participate any further. All teams who are not eligible to participate will be skipped in the draft order. If there are any players left after all teams have 15 players, all teams will be eligible to participant again until they have reach the team max of 20 players.
(b) Trading Draft Picks - Draft picks can be traded one-for-one for players at any time. Draft picks cannot be given away, and teams who have a full roster are not eligible to trade draft picks for future draft picks.
(c) "Buddy" Picks - New players may request that they be drafted as part of a group of people in order to ensure that friends who come into the league together get to play together. Any team that makes a "buddy" pick will be forced to give up their next selection regardless of the size of the group. No "buddy" pick will ever cost more than two draft picks.
(d) Free Agent Compensation - Teams who lose free agents will be compensated with one draft pick per player lost. These picks will be sandwiched between the first and second rounds, and will include all teams who lost free agents picking in their standard draft order. These picks are not awarded to teams who are at their roster limit. Once all free agent losses have been compensated, the second round of the draft will begin.
(e) Length of Draft - The draft will continue until all teams have reached their roster limit, or until teams choose to stop making selections.
(f) Disposition of Undrafted Players - Players who were eligible for the draft but not selected will become free agents and are able to join any team.
(g) Draft Order - Expansion teams always get first pick. If there are multiple expansion teams the order is determined by coin flip. Returning teams are ranked in reverse order of winning percentage based on the results of the preceding regular season. In the event of a tie, runs scored (total) is the first tie breaker and runs allowed (total) is the second. If a third tiebreaker is needed, run differential (head-to-head) is used and then a coin flip is used.
PART 4
LINE-UPS
4.1 Line-Up Cards - Each team is required to provide a lineup card to the home plate umpire and the opposing manager before the start of the game. As a minimum, the lineup card must list the players last name, jersey number and position.
(a) Failure to Submit Proper Lineup - A manager who fails to submit a proper lineup will be fined $10 (see Section 9.2 -Penalties for details on manager/team fines).
4.2 Notice of Line-up Substitutions - Offensive substitutions must be announced to the opposing manager and/or the umpire. Defensive substitutions do not need to be announced.
4.3 Minimum Line-up - A teams manager must bat a minimum of nine players, but he may bat as many as he desires. Additionally, hitters may not be added to the bottom of the lineup once the game has started.
4.4 Skipping Batters - Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game unless Rule 4.5 (a) is in force.
4.5 Hitting and Defensive Line-ups - Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both.
(a) Effect of Injuries on Line-up - If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury, a reserve player must hit in the batter's place. If no reserve is present, the vacated spot in the lineup is skipped and all batters move up accordingly, with no penalty to the affected team.
(b) Effect of Ejections on Line-up - If a player is ejected from the game, a reserve player, may enter as a hitter, must hit in the batter's place. If no reserve is present, the vacated spot in the lineup becomes an automatic out for the remainder of the game. This out will count as a three-pitch strikeout for purposes of score-keeping.
4.6 Minimum Number of Players - A team must have a minimum of 8 players for an official game. If a team plays with only 8 players, the 9th spot in the lineup will be an automatic out. This out will count as a three-pitch strikeout for purposes of score-keeping.
4.7 Defensive Substitution - All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the players offensive status in the line-up.
4.8 Pitcher Re-entry - If the pitcher is removed from the mound and becomes a position player during the inning in which he is removed, he may re-enter the game to pitch during the course of the game. However, if he is removed from the mound and does not go to a fielding position (i.e. goes to the bench) he will not be allowed to re-enter as a pitcher for the remainder of the game.
4.9 Re-entry Rule - A starter in the batting order may be removed and a substitute may bat in that players place at any point during a game, so long as the starter has had one plate appearance. The starter may return to bat again, but only in the original spot in the order that he vacated and only after his substitute has had at least one plate appearance. Once removed, a substitute may not bat again.
PART 5
PLAYERS BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
5.1 Alcohol and Drugs - Alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs are not permitted at the field before, during, or after the game. The field refers to the general playing area and ancillary areas.
5.2 League Suspensions and Expulsions - The league has the right to suspend or expel any team member who:
* Abuses league rules
* Does not exhibit an acceptable sense of sportsmanship
* Plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.
5.3 Game Expulsions - An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game. Any player expelled by an umpire will receive an automatic minimum one-game suspension which cannot be appealed and must be served immediately. The umpire who expelled the player can request the removal of the suspension based on extenuating circumstances. All expulsions require a written explanation by the umpire to the League President within 24 hours.
5.4 Fighting and Physical Contact - Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated. Players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league.
5.5 Collision Rule - 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 umpires discretion, be expelled from the game. All base runners must either slide or give up their right to a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving a base path) when the defensive player is in the following situations:
* Is in possession of the ball,
* Is in the act of receiving the ball, or
* Is about to immediately receive the ball and will be able to make an apparent play on the base runner.
If a defensive player is not in 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 (apparent play...at any base), he cannot do the following:
* Block the base
* Be in the base path so as to impede (obstruct) 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 will be ejected from the game if the umpire judges the action intentional. The offending defensive player will be suspended from league play if the obstruction is judged to be flagrant.
5.6 Adherence to 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 has the right to question a player's age. If a manager wants to lodge protest, proof of age and residence must be given to the manager who lodged his protest by Friday of the following week. If an under age player is detected, penalties whether to the individual or team will be decided by the leagues Managerial Directors Board. The penalties will be forfeiture of all games in which the under-age player participated in and a minimum two-year suspension. If the manager had prior knowledge, he is subject to similar suspension.
5.7 Inactive Players - An opposing manager has the right to question if a player is on an active roster. If a manager wants to lodge protest, proof of the players identity and age must be given to the manager who lodged the protest by Friday of the following week. If an inactive player is found to have been used, the penalty will be forfeiture of all games in which the player participated. The teams manager is subject to suspension.
PART 6
SPECIAL RULES: COURTESY RUNNERS, PITCHERS, AND FIELDERS
6.1 Courtesy Runners - Players that will need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager before game time and BOTH managers must agree to allow courtesy runners . This is done by way of the line-up card. Whether in the starting line-up or not, players requiring a courtesy runner must be designated on the lineup card as non-runners (NR) at the time the line-up card is submitted. Players that are not in the starting line-up, but require the courtesy runner must be listed as a reserve (i.e. substitute) on the line-up card and designated as a non-runner (NR) prior to the start of the game. If the non-runner is not designated on the line-up card, no runner will be given. Each team will be allowed the maximum of 2 courtesy runners per game. The player to make the last batted out will be the courtesy runner, unless if he is a non-runner also. In that event, the last batted out in sequential order shall be used. Once the game begins, and the full complement of two courtesy runners has not been used, only by obvious injury can an additional courtesy runner be used. 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 remainder of the game.
(a) Automatic Courtesy Runners - With two outs, an automatic courtesy runner is required for the catcher. Pitchers and Catchers may opt for a courtesy runner regardless of the number of out.
6.2 Pitchers Clothing - While pitching, a pitcher may not wear the following:
* White or gray sleeves
* Batting gloves, or
* Wristbands.
Elbow supports worn for medicinal reasons must be black or flesh colored. The elbow support cannot be white, gray, or any other color that can be confused with the baseball.
6.3 Pitchers Wildness and Player Safety - For the safety of the players, if a pitcher hits four batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed after the fourth hit batsman. That pitcher can go out of the game or to any other playing position, but he may not re-enter as pitcher under Rules 4.9
(a) Pitcher Ejection - If in the umpires judgment a pitcher hits a batter intentionally, he may eject the pitcher from the game. The offending pitcher is subject to further disciplinary action by the league.
PART 7
EX-PRO STATUS AND REGULATIONS
7.1 Pros and Ex-Pros - All players, regardless of professional status are eligible to play in the AAABL. There is no differentiation between major, minor or independent league players.
PART 8
GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
8.1 Team Forfeits - A forfeited game occurs when one team is unable to field enough players at game time. A wait time of 15 minutes should be applied.
(a) Games cancelled for any reason other than weather will forfeit by the cancelling team.
(b) Forfeiting Teams Responsibility - The forfeiting team is responsible for paying the umpires their full fees if they do not notify the league by Saturday 9pm the night before the game.
(c) Forfeit Limit - Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team. The Managerial Directors Board will make the decision on expulsion and monetary refund after hearing the affected teams appeal.
(d) Forfeit Stats - A forfeit will count as a 10 - 0 win for the purposes of scorekeeping.
8.2 Protests
(a) Managers (or acting managers) must file their "game-specific" protest (initially with the umpire) at the time of the incident, or at the time the incident becomes known to the manager (or acting manager), but before completion of the game. Game specific protests may not be made after the game is completed unless it involves the last play of the game.
(b) Game specific protests should be subsequently lodged with the Managerial Directors Board within 48-hours after the game for which the protest is made. The league president shall render a ruling on all protests.
(c) All other protests should be subsequently lodged with the league within 48-hours after the game for which the protest is made. The Managerial Directors Board shall render a ruling on all player conduct issues and the league president shall render a ruling on all game and rule based issues.
8.3 Fields - Participating teams are responsible for all pre-game and post-game maintenance. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action by the league.
(a) Dugout Cleanliness - Teams are responsible for cleaning the dugouts after the game. All trash should be properly disposed of and all paper should be removed from the dugout walls. Any team who does not clean up the dugout will be fined $20 (see Section 9.2 Penalties for details on manager/team fines).
8.4 League Officer Responsibilities- Members of the Managerial Directors Board work together to manage the day-to-day operation of the league, but the two entities have different responsibilities.
(a) Managers Responsibilities
i. Voting on and enacting all rules and regulations.
ii. Hearing and ruling on all player/manager conduct issues and appeals
iii. Approving league expansion.
iv. Interviewing and approving all new managers.
v. Attending board meetings and participating in a meaningful and productive manner.
(b) League President Responsibilities
i. Enforcing all rules and regulations.
ii. Hearing all game and rules related appeals.
iii. Managing all finances
iv. Managing all contact with the national AAABL offices.
v. Acting in the best interest of the league.
PART 9
CODE OF CONDUCT AND PENALTIES
9.1 Code of Conduct - Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:
(a) Forcefully lay a hand upon, shove, 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 the Managerial Directors Board reviews his conduct. 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.
(b) 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 the Managerial Directors Board reviews his conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
(c) Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations or objectionable dissent at an official's decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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 the Managerial Directors Board reviews their conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
(g) Be guilty of an abusive, verbal 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 the Managerial Directors Board reviews their conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.
(h) 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.
(i) 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.
9.2 Penalties
(a) The Managerial Directors Board 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 within its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.
(b) Except as otherwise provided, the Managerial Directors Board, or their commission, shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and shall report their decision to the player and manager.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) All manager/team fines will be communicated to the offending party via e-mail from the league president. Fines will accrue over the course of the season and will be deducted from the offending team?s field reimbursement. All fine money will go toward general league expenses.
PART 10
GRIEVANCES, PROTESTS, AND APPEALS
10.1 Grievances and Protests - Grievances or protests may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the Managerial Directors Board. The Managerial Directors Board shall adjudicate all such grievances.
10.2 Appeals - An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the league president by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted. However, all decisions by the league president are final and not subject to a re-appeal.
10.3 Recognition of League Authority and Autonomy - NO APPEALS, REGARDLESS OF THE SUBJECT OR SCOPE WILL BE MADE OUTSIDE OF THE TAMPA BAY AAABL ORGANIZATION UNLESS THEY PERTAIN TO TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN NATIONAL OR REGIONAL AAABL TOURNAMENTS. All league business stays league business. There is no appeal structure that is recognized by the league that does not involve the league president or the Managerial Directors Board