MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Revised 08-03-10)
NOTE: The rules for the Kenosha Chapter of the MSBL are founded on the "National"
rules and regulations. They have been revised and amended by Kenosha MSBL
except as listed below; all other baseball issues will be governed by Major League
Baseball American League rules.
1. Uniforms, helmets, baseballs and other equipment.
2. Game length, cancellations and suspensions.
3. Teams, players, and line-ups.
4. Player behavior and team responsibility.
5. Courtesy runners.
6. Pitchers.
7. Fielders and runners - decoys and collisions.
8. Batters.
9. General league rules.
10. Code of conduct.
1. UNIFORMS, HELMETS & BASEBALLS
1(a) All teams must have full uniforms consisting of caps, numbered jerseys,
baseball pants. Any team wearing sleeveless jerseys must wear a sleeved shirt
beneath the jersey. Any players without a shirt will not be allowed to play. Each
player's uniform must be of similar design to his teammates' uniforms. Teams that
have a sponsor will be allowed to have the sponsor's name on their uniform via patch
or uniform shirt. However, there shall be no wording indicating alcohol or tobacco,
such as bar, cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco.
1(b) No player out of uniform will be allowed to play unless that player has the
opposing manager's consent, except as listed in l(c).
1(c) All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace
period to be defined by the League President will be extended for newly
activated players or for new teams to complete their uniform purchase.
1(d) All batters, runners, and catchers must wear helmets. There is no
exception to this rule. Full, double ear-flapped helmets are encouraged for batters
and runners: but as a minimum, the batter’s helmet must have an earflap facing the
pitcher.
1(e) Each team shall provide two (2) baseballs for each game. Only balls
approved by MSBL Kenosha will be permitted.
1(f) Wood bats and metal bats are allowed. The maximum differential for any type
of metal or aluminum bat is a –3, i.e. a 33” bat can not weigh less the 30 oz. If a
player uses a bat exceeding this differential, and a protest is made, the offending
batter will be declared an out.
1(g) Composite bats are allowed. The maximum differential for any type of
composite bat is –3, i.e. a 33” bat can not weigh less the 30 oz. If a
player uses a bat exceeding this differential, and a protest is made, the
offending batter will be declared an out.
1(h) The league board may rule on any bat deemed a “Hot Bat” and outlaw specific
bats from play.
1(i) Metal cleats are permitted.
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Revised 08-03-10)
2. GAME LENGTH, CANCELLATIONS, AND SUSPENSIONS
2(a) All regularly scheduled games shall be nine innings or have a 2-hour and 30-
minute time limit. No players may be on the playing field while the umpires are
giving “ground rules.”
2(b) No new inning shall start with less than 15 minutes remaining in the 2 hour and
30 minute time limit. However, the remainder of the inning that is in progress shall
be completed.
2(c) In the event of a tie at the expiration of the time limit, "as defined
in 2(a) above", one and only one additional inning shall be played.
2(d) If, after 3 full innings of a regularly scheduled game and the first
round of the playoff games have been played and one of the teams is up by at least
10 runs, at that point the team shall bat only 9 batters that inning and then proceed
to take the field and let the losing team have their regular turn at bat. This shall
continue until the difference in the score is less than 10 runs or the time limit has
expired.
2(e) All games may be deemed completed prior to the two hour and 30 minute time
when agreed upon by both managers.
2(f) Time limit shall not include Playoff games.
2(g) An umpire may, at his discretion, suspend, cancel, or call a game if,
in his opinion; the safety of the players is compromised due to weather or darkness.
In the event of inclement weather, unless the field is deemed unplayable or the
umpire and both managers agree to end the game sooner, the umpire shall wait a
minimum of 30 minutes before canceling all further play.
2(h) Re: rain, a game shall be deemed complete after 5 full innings (4 1/2 innings if
the home team is ahead). A game that is stopped by inclement weather before being
deemed a complete game shall be considered never to have been played in any part
and must, if replayed, begin as a new game.
2(i) Re: darkness, a game shall be deemed complete after 7 full innings (6 1/2
innings if the home team is ahead). A game that is stopped due to
darkness before being deemed a complete game shall be considered suspended and
shall be resumed at the point of suspension. The length of time played at the point of
suspension shall be noted and the remainder of the game shall be played within the
limits under rule 2(a).
2(j) The League Commissioner shall reschedule all suspended, tied or
canceled games. Managers will be notified of all rescheduled games as soon as
possible.
3. TEAMS, PLAYERS & LINEUPS
3(a) MSBL Kenosha players are eligible to participate in an officially sanctioned
game on or after May 1 of their 18th birthday. Every player must include a copy of
their drivers’ license or photo ID with league paperwork. Underage players will be
suspended for the balance of the season plus two additional seasons, teams using
underage players will forfeit all games in which this player participated and will
forfeit the first round of the playoffs. Every team will have access to a roster of MSBL
Kenosha teams as posted on the league website.
3(b) Team rosters (a minimum of 12 players), league and player fees, and player
registration and waiver forms must be submitted to the league as determined by the
Board.
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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There is no limit to the number of players on a roster. Coaches are
encouraged to provide equal playing time for all players. Teams may add players to
their roster at any time.
3(c) After the regular season has started, all new players, must have all
forms signed and fees paid and be approved by letter or email from the League
President prior to participation in a game.
3(d) A team may bat as many players as it wants, with a minimum of ten (10);
however, if fewer than ten (10) players are available, all players must be listed in the
batting order. If a team has only nine (9) players and therefore bats nine players,
the opposing team will have the option of batting nine as well. Batters cannot be
deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added
during the game, except as defined in 3(e) or 3(f).
3(e) A manager may add a batter to the end of the lineup at any time, but a batter
replaced by a pinch hitter or pinch runner (except under the courtesy runner rule 5),
may not re-enter the lineup. All players must remain in the offensive lineup while
playing defensive positions. Defensive player changes affecting the batting order do
not go into effect until the player takes the field defensively. A team may bat all
players listed on their roster.
3(f) If a player is forced to leave a game because of injury or a prior-announced
commitment, a reserve player must hit in the player's place. If no reserve is present,
that spot is skipped and all batters move up accordingly with no penalty to the
affected team. If a team maintains an offensive lineup using all players they do not
have a reserve player. The opposing coach and umpire must be notified of a player
leaving due to a "prior announced commitment" before the start of play. Failure to
notify the opposing coach and umpire will result in an out for that player’s next atbat
if no reserve player is present to fill his position. If a player is ejected from a
game, the ejected player’s next at bat will be listed as an out. If no reserve player is
present after the recorded out the batting position is skipped and all batters move up
accordingly with no future penalty to the team. The batting order positions from nine
and up may be occupied by two (2) players in each batting position provided rule 3e
regarding defensive players batting is maintained.
3(g) A team must have eight (8) players for an official game and may borrow a
player from the opposing team or from any other team with the opposing manager's
consent. If the team's ninth player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed
player reverts back to his team. A borrowed player can play any position excluding
pitcher.
3(h) All players may be substituted for defensively at any time without
affecting the player's offensive status in the line up. If the pitcher is
removed, he may re-enter to pitch, one time during the course of the game, but not
in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position.
3(i) No player may switch teams during the season without the consent of both
managers and the league President.
3(j) After the playing season is over; any player in Kenosha MSBL may do one of the
following:
1. Remain with his existing team.
2. Join any existing team for next year.
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Revised 08-03-10)
3. Start or join any new team in the next season.
4. Do not play in the league the next year.
3(k) Each coach will be required to submit a lineup to the opposing coach and
umpire prior to the start of each game. All substitutions must be announced to the
umpire and opposing coach.
3(L) A player’s playoff eligibility is based upon rule 9(c). Playoff lineups must be
submitted to the League Secretary no later than seven (7) days prior to the end of
the season. All playoff eligible players will be posted on the league website. Use of
non-eligible players during playoffs will result in elimination from the playoffs. All
teams must maintain accurate score books showing individual player stats, which
must be onsite at all playoff games. In the event of a dispute over player eligibility
failure to maintain accurate score books will result in the League President
determining a player’s eligibility. Possible additional disciplinary action may be taken
based upon rule 10(b)(1).
4. PLAYER'S BEHAVIOR & TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
4(a) There will be no beer or alcoholic beverage permitted at the field
before, during, or after any game. The field refers to the general playing
area and the immediate bleacher area.
4(b) The league has the right to suspend or expel any league member who abuses
league rules, or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship, or who plays without
regard to the safety of him-self, umpires, or other players.
4(c) An umpire has the sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the
game at any time.
4(d) Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not
be tolerated and players ejected from a game for either violation shall be suspended
from the next 5 games their team plays. A second fighting offense in one season will
result in a mandatory ejection from the league. This decision is subject to league
board review.
4(e) Our league has set its own standards of player/team sportsmanship and will
enforce suspensions for infractions contrary to the image and policies of the league.
4(f) Failure to abide by age regulations: The managers must all recognize their
responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as not to cross the line where
winning is more important than playing. An opposing manger may at any time have
the right to question a player's age. If a manager wants to lodge a protest, proof of
age must be mailed to the manager, who lodged the protest, by Friday of the
following week. If an underage player is detected, the penalties will be forfeiture of
all games in which the underage player participated and a minimum two-year
suspension for both the player and the manager.
5. COURTESY RUNNERS
5(a) Players who need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the
opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If not so notified, the opposing
manger may deny the request. Once a player is designated as a courtesy runner that
player will remain as that status for the complete game. The offensive team that is
putting in a courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. The 30-
second time limit shall begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow
replacement for the runner. If the umpire feels the offensive team is intentionally
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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delaying the game by taking longer than 30 seconds to replace the runner he may at
his discretion call the runner out for delay of game.
5(b) Each team will be allowed a maximum of two (2) courtesy runners at the
beginning of the game. If a defensive team refuses a courtesy runner for an injured
player the offensive team may appeal to the umpire for a decision.
5(c) Once the game begins, only by an obvious injury, can an additional
courtesy runner be used.
5(d) If a player for whom a courtesy runner has been designated opts to run, or
forgets to use a courtesy runner and subsequently remains on base as a runner for
one (1) pitch, he will lose his courtesy runner status for the remainder of the game,
the runner will also be called out.
5(e) When two (2) outs are recorded, the base runner that will be the
catcher in the next inning will have the option to be removed for a courtesy runner
(as described in Rule 5(f) before the next pitch can be made. This rule is not to be
enforced during the semifinal and final playoff games.
5(f) The player to make the last batted out in the current inning, or the last batted
out of the previous inning if no outs have been recorded in the current inning, must
be the courtesy runner. In the event that first batter of the game has been
designated to have a courtesy runner, then the courtesy runner shall be the last
player in the offensive lineup. Any player requiring a courtesy runner forfeits his
position as a base runner for the balance of that game. The player may bat but after
reaching a base (i.e. first on a single, second on a double…) must be replaced by a
courtesy runner based upon rule 5(f).
6. PITCHERS
6(a) No player, while pitching, may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher
wear a white or gray batting glove or a white or gray wristband. No wristband or
batting glove of any color may be worn on the pitching hand.
6(b) If a pitcher hits four (4) batters in any game, the pitcher must be
removed after the fourth hit batsman.
6(c) The umpire has the sole discretion to call an intentional brush back
pitch. The first called infraction during a game is a verbal warning with
the second call resulting in the removal of the pitcher from the game. Two or more
game removal violations during a season will result in a five-game suspension. This
decision is subject to league board review.
6(d) There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or
a week.
6(e) A pitcher must be removed from the game (as a pitcher) after a limited number
of meetings with his manager per inning as follows: “If the manager is not playing in
the field, the pitcher must be removed on the manager's second trip to the mound in
any one inning or if the manager is playing in the infield, the pitcher must be
removed on the manager's third trip to the mound in any one inning.”
6(f) Pitchers shall only get 5 warm up pitches prior to starting a new
inning. All other Major league rules apply regarding number of pitches.
6(g) There may be intentional walks per Major League Rules.
7. FIELDERS & RUNNERS - DECOYS & COLLISIONS
7(a) Players shall not intentionally collide with nor attempt to hurdle any
other player. In the case of a runner intentionally colliding with or
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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attempting to hurdle a fielder, the runner will be called out and may, at
the umpire's discretion, be ejected from the game. All base runners must
either slide, or stop and give themselves up, or run around a defensive
player (however runners may not avoid a tag by running more than 3 feet out of the
baseline) if the defensive player: has possession of the ball or is in the act of
receiving the ball, and will be able to make an apparent play on the base runner.
Note! (A person may have incidental contact with out being called out and ejected
from the game by the umpire. The determination of flagrant and incidental contact is
at the sole discretion of the umpire and is not subject to appeal.
7(b) If a defensive player is not in possession of the ball, or is not in
the act of receiving the ball, he cannot block the base or be in the base
path so as to impede or obstruct the base runners right to that base. Under such
circumstances the defensive player shall be responsible to avoid any collision. If a
collision does occur under these circumstances, the runner shall always be safe and
the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be expelled from
the game if the umpire deems the action intentional and that decision is not subject
to appeal.
7(c) If a defensive player forces a runner to slide because of a decoy when there is
no play on the runner, all men on base will advance one base. If the same player
makes an illegal decoy twice in the game, he will be expelled from the game and
suspended from league play. (This is not to be confused with smart baseball. For
example, a fair decoy is when a shortstop who sees a man attempting to steal
second base during a hit and run, looks upward and says that he has the pop up
when in fact the ball has been hit on the ground to the second baseman. This play
might cause the base runner to stop and retreat to first base, but did not cause the
base runner to slide unnecessarily.)
7(d) If a runner attempting to break a double play does not make a
legitimate attempt to slide within reach of the base, or stands up in the
way of a pivot man, or raises his hands in an attempt to deflect the ball or distract
the fielder, an automatic double play will be called, regardless of how close the play
might have been.
8. BATTERS
8(a) A batter shall not delay the game by failing to take his position
promptly in the batter's box within 20 seconds.
8(b) The batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout the time
at bat except that the batter may leave the batter's box under any of the following
conditions:
1. The batter swings at a pitch.
2. The batter is forced out of the box by the pitch.
3. The batter attempts a drag bunt.
4. The defensive team feints or attempts a play at any base.
5. The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position
more than 5 feet from the pitcher's plate after receiving the ball.
6. A member of either team requests and is granted, "Time."
7. The catcher leaves the catcher's box.
8. The catcher does not catch the pitched ball.
8(c) Failure of the batter to be ready within 20 seconds after the ball has been
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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returned to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike. If the batter leaves the batter's
box and none of the exceptions in 8(b) apply, the plate umpire shall charge a strike
to the batter. The pitcher need not pitch, and the ball remains "alive."
9. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
9(a) All teams participate in the divisional playoff series. All playoffs are based upon
single round elimination games. Each division will host a playoff championship series
with the winner moving on to the league championship. Divisional playoff positioning
is determined by overall win-loss percentages. Ties will be decided first by (in order):
1. Head -to-head competition.
2. Complete season runs scored.
3. Complete season runs against.
4. Coin toss.
9(b) If team “A” is not able to field a team for any given day, they first
must reach agreement with opposing team “B” and then both teams must notify the
Commissioner 48 hours prior to game time or team “A” will face a forfeit. Five
forfeits by any team shall mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money
refunded to the team. All teams must submit a deposit of $100 before start of
season for a forfeit fee. If a team forfeits a game it must submit an additional fee of
$150, 48 hours prior to their next game or that game will be deemed a forfeit. Each
additional forfeit fee will require $50 more than the previous forfeit fee.
9(c) In order for a player to qualify and participate in his team's local
league playoffs, tournaments and post-season events, he must have a least one
plate appearance in each of 50 percent of his team's regular season games played. If
such player fails to meet the requirement because of injury, a letter explaining the
non-compliance must be submitted to the league President for review.
9(d) All players must have league fees paid and waivers signed prior to
playing. If a player participates in a game without paying league fees and (or) signed
waivers the game will be forfeited to the opposing team.
10. CODE OF CONDUCT
A. PROHIBITIONS
Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all
times. No manager or player shall commit any of the following:
10(a)(l) Lay a hand upon, shove, strike, or threaten an official before, during, and
after a game. Players or managers guilty of such conduct shall be suspended for the
next 5 games their team plays and be subject to suspension for the remainder of the
season or expulsion from the league for life.
10(a)(2) If a player or manager has been suspended from further participation in
any game and then exercises further misconduct that causes an official to remove
them from the park itself, that player or manager shall be automatically suspended
for the next 3 games their team plays. If he does not remove himself from the entire
park within 10 minutes of being ordered to, then that team shall forfeit that game to
the opposing team.
10(a)(3) Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official's
decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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suspended from further participation in the game and the next game that their team
plays.
10(a)(4) After being told by an official to end a discussion, a player shall not
continue to discuss with an official or officials the decision by them, except for the
manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions.
Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further
participation in the game and the next game their team plays.
10(a)(5) Use of unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the
body of an opposing player is forbidden. Players guilty of such conduct shall be
immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be
suspended from the next game their team plays.
10(a)(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 be
suspended for the next 5 games their team plays and possible suspension for the
remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
10(a)(7) Be guilty of verbal abusive attacks upon any player, manager, official, or
spectator before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be
immediately suspended for the next game their team plays and be subject to
possible suspension for the remainder of the season.
10(a)(8) Use of any item as a weapon to threaten or strike another individual will
result in mandatory ejection from the game, followed by suspension for the balance
of the season with possible expulsion for life from MSBL Kenosha.
10(a)(9) Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be on
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 suspended for the next game their team plays.
10(a)(10) Smoking on the field of play or in the dugout is forbidden. Players guilty
of such conduct shall be suspended from further participation in the game and the
next game their team plays. I0(a)(I0). Any acts of conducts such as specified above
in sections 10a(l) through
10(a)(11) shall be submitted to the Commissioner, in writing, within seven calendar
days by either a player, manager, or an official for any action to be taken. The
Commissioner shall make a ruling within seven calendar days of receiving said
report.
B. PENALTIES
10(b)(1) The Board of Directors may, by vote of the majority of the
directors suspend any player or manager for such a period of time and upon such
terms as it may propose, for the conduct which in its opinion is prejudicial to the
welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.
10(b)(2) Except as otherwise provided, the Commissioner shall determine the
appropriate action required for the violations of the Code of Conduct, and shall report
his decision to the player, manager, and the Board of Directors.
10(b)(3) Any player or manager that has been ejected from any game shall be
immediately suspended for the next game their team plays and placed on probation
for the remainder of the season including the playoffs.
10(b)(4) A player found in violation of any provisions delineated in the
Code of Conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season
MSBL KENOSHA RULES AND REGULATIONS
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shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.
10(b)(5) Any manager who has been suspended for any amount of games, the
following policy shall be understood as being part of that suspension:” A manager
may sit in the bleachers outside of the playing field as these are public parks.
However, he is not to approach the screen or any of his players during the course of
the game. If the manager of the opposing team feels that in his opinion, the
suspended manager is in any way managing the team, he can seek out the head or
plate umpire for his interpretation and if the umpire agrees, than the umpire shall
immediately call the game and award the opposing team a forfeit victory.”
C. GRIEVANCES, PROTEST & APPEALS
10(c)(1) Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a
team provided that a grievance is formally submitted, in writing and within 7 days of
the event leading to the grievance to the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall
adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the Board of
Directors.
10(c)(2) All decisions made by the Commissioner regarding Sections 10 a and 10b
of the Code of Conduct may be appealed to the Board of Directors, in writing
within seven calendar days of the Commissioner’s decision. If an appeal is submitted,
penalties issued shall be suspended until the Board hears the appeal and makes their
decision
