Fall River Federal Baseball League
2009 By-Laws
The Fall River Federal Baseball League is an Independent League. The league uses Little League Baseball Rules as a basis for our operation. The following modifications have been adopted by our membership. In all situations, league rules shall supercede rules listed in the Little League Rulebook
Please note: The Board of Directors and membership have put in countless hours of volunteer work writing and discussing these by-laws, The Board Of Directors shall have final authority in the enforcement and interpretation of the rules and by-laws.
** = NEW BYLAW * = CLARIFIED BYLAW
General Administration
Article I
Membership
Section 1: Any individuals interested in volunteering for any position within the league may volunteer. All volunteers must fill out a volunteer application on a yearly basis. The signing of the application gives the leagues CORI ( Criminal Offender Record Information ) Officer permission to submit your name to the state’s CHSB ( Criminal History Systems Board ). Any criminal information that the CORI Officer deems a risk to the children of our league will make you ineligible as a volunteer. For more information go to: www.mass.gov/chsb.
*Section 2: Openings for managers will be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. Teams should be filled as soon as possible. No manager can change teams within the same division. If a manager quits, they are not eligible for a new team for one year from the date of vacancy. If a team loses their manager during the season, and the next person in line for the manager’s position is not able to take over until the following season, for whatever reason, then a coach on that team will take over on an interim basis, for the remainder of the season.
**Section 3: All Managers and coaches must sign and agree to abide by a list of coaches responsibilities which will be assembled by the Board of Directors before appointments are made. Anyone failing to fulfill their coaching responsibilities shall be subject to disciplinary action as set forth in the agreement.
**Section 4: The league shall consist of 4 divisions: Senior Division 13-16 yrs old.
Major Division, 9 to 12 yrs old. Minor Division, 8 to 11 yrs old. Tee Ball 5 to 7 yrs old.
Exception : 7 yr old players with 2 years Tee-Ball experience may try out for minor league.
League age is determined as the players age as of May 1st.
Section 5: Any votes on amending, adding or deleting these bylaws must remain for one full year before it can be eliminated by a vote of the active volunteers of the league. When a rule change is proposed, voted on and defeated, the same proposal cannot be proposed again for one year.
Article II
Administration
*Section 1: The Board of Directors will consist of the eight (8) volunteers who will meet throughout the season to discuss league issues and finances. The Financial Auditor is responsible for tracking funds received and paid out by the Treasurer and President. Monthly treasurers reports will be given to the Board of Directors and will be reconciled with monthly statements from the league’s financial institution. Any discrepancies will be presented to the Board Of Directors. The board is also responsible for meeting whenever a player, coach or manager is ejected from a game or there is a forfeited or protested game. The board will discuss the incident and impose a penalty based on the rule book or use their discretion and vary the penalty based on the severity of the individual situation. The board will meet as soon as possible and all parties involved will be able to address the board ( ex. Managers, coaches, umpires, player ejected and his/her parents ). The president will inform the board of his recommendation but will only get a vote in case of a tie, majority vote will rule. Any board member with direct involvement in the incident or a child in the division the incident occurred will not be involved in the decision. A decision from the board will be given within 24 hours of the board meeting and any additional suspension time will be served immediately after a decision is reached. The additional game/games of the suspension will be served is at the discretion of the board based on when all parties were notified. The board’s decision is final. Playing rules and any other general decisions will be made by all active volunteers present at the meeting, but can be overruled by the Board of Directors with a two thirds vote of the Board members present at the time of the vote. The 2009 Board of Directors is as follows:
President – Armand Berube
Vice-President - Jim Silvia
Umpire in Chief – Lenny Concepecion
Treasurer – Mike Sardinha
Minor Division Director – Wayne Dupre
Major Division Director – David Mello
Senior Division Director – Albert Duggins
Financial Auditor – Lisa Arpa
Section 2 : A quorum of ten (10) volunteers will be needed at any meeting in order to conduct league business. General information can be shared, but nothing requiring a decision or vote may be acted upon.
**Section 3: With the exception of Concession stand items, all purchases over $300 will have to be approved by the Board of Directors prior to the purchase. (limit revised 6/24/09)
**Section 4: Each team will have no more than, 1 manager and 3 coaches.
*Section 5: If a manager/coach finds themselves alone to coach their team, they may get a volunteer to help coach for that night only, provided the volunteer completes a volunteer application prior to going onto the field. If the same volunteer is going to be used on more than one occasion they must be added as a coach if that team has coaching space available. The manager/coach is responsible for the behavior of the volunteer who is coaching.
Section 6: Whenever possible no member will be allowed to hold more than one position as manager in same or different divisions, unless an extreme situation arises where there are no candidates from within the league or any candidates from outside the league who wish to become a manager. In this situation a member already holding a position as manager may be appointed on an interim basis until the circumstances can be resolved.
*Section 7: When a player is ejected from a game he/she shall serve an additional suspension of one game for his/her first offense. A second ejection of the same player will result in two additional games suspension, a third ejection will result in suspension for the remainder of the season. The Board of Directors will meet as soon as possible after every suspension to discuss whether or not the player will receive additional suspension time for the infraction. (See Article 2, Section 1 for Board of Directors Policy ) All ejections from games must be immediately reported to the League President. The Board of Directors reserves the right to take more severe action when the situation presents itself. The player must not return to the dugout after his original ejection from the game, for the remainder of the game. The player must attend the games they are suspended and sit on the bench without playing in the games regardless of the team’s ability to field nine (9) players. If the player does not attend their team’s next played game, the suspension will be served the first game that the player attends. A player ejected from a game must serve their suspension for the team’s next game played with no exceptions and then serve any additional games as determined by the Board of Directors
*Section 8: When a manager/coach is ejected from a game he/she must immediately leave the playing field and cease coaching their team for the remainder of that game and subsequent suspensions. The manager/coach will not remain within 50ft of the dugouts or backstop. The manager/coach will not continue to taunt the umpire, other managers, coaches, or league officials when asked to leave the field. If the above guidelines are not followed, the umpire of the game in question will reserve the right to suspend play of the game and report the situation to the President. First ejection will result in one additional game suspension, second in two additional games suspension, third will result in suspension from coaching for the remainder of the season. After an ejection The Board of Directors shall meet to decide whether any additional suspension or action is warranted.
It is recommended suspended staff not attend games while serving their suspension to avoid the incidence of further altercations. However, if the manager/coach does decide to attend the suspended game he/she shall observe the above guidelines of staying away from dugouts and backstops and will refrain from conversation with anyone participating in the game. Suspended staff may not enter the playing field or dugouts anytime before or during a game. Coaching is not allowed before or during games. The Board of Directors reserves the right to impose additional penalties if the suspension rules are violated.
**Section 9: Umpire’s will not be paid for forfeited games or rain outs if notified 1 hour or more before game time. Umpire’s shall receive ½ pay for forfeited games or rain outs with less than 1 hour prior notice
** Section 10: It is recommended that the League President discuss any procedural or organizational changes with the Board of Directors before taking action. Any procedural or organizational changes made by the League President may be reversed by a 70% majority of the Board members.
Article III
Draft System
*Section 1: Excluding the Minor Division, the drafting system will consist of a reverse order draft with the winner of the championship getting the last pick, the runner – up getting the second to last pick. The remaining order will be decided by regular season record with the last place team getting the first pick and continuing by next worse record and so on. A tie will be decided by head to head record and if there is still a tie a flip of a coin. Minor Division draft shall be determined by lottery.
*Section 2 : All Major and Senior Division players returning from the previous season who are still eligible to play in the same division will automatically go back to the same team and do not have to attend try-outs. Any Major or Senior Division player who was not eligible to pitch in 2008 becomes eligible for the 2009 season. All 2008 Minor Division players must try-out to be eligible to pitch in 2009, regardless of where they played the previous year. A Senior Division player who played in the Senior Division the previous year but does not sign up before the day of the draft will not go back to the same team . Instead that player will go to a team in need of a player or go onto a waiting list. These players will also not be able to pitch for there team at any time during the regular season or playoffs.
*Section 3: Major division rosters shall consist of 12 players. The rule of every player must play 2 defensive innings and 1 at bat remains in effect.
*Section 4: A maximum of one manager and two coaches options are available per team, providing that the coaches had coached with the manager the previous season, was physically present for at least 50% of the games played the previous season and had a volunteer application on file with the league the previous season. If the team the manager took over already has players from two coach’s option then they would not be allowed to add anymore. Should the coach become eligible at the same time as the child, the child is not an option and must be chosen as a regular pick in the draft system.
Definition of Options : Option players are players that are placed on a team, without the use of that teams draft pick. There are two types of Option Players.
Manager/Coach option: The children/grandchildren (including adopted, step, and foster children) of a Manager/Coach
Sibling option: Any brother/sister, or step family member of player(s) already on a team
Section 5: If a Major Division team has an option coming up from the Minor Division who is nine, that option can be frozen on that player for that season, but that option must be exercised the following season.
*Section 6: Options must be declared before the draft begins.
**Section 7 : Any player who played in the Major or Senior division the previous year, must register to play before the draft in order to return to the same team. Any player who registers after the draft will be placed on a waiting list and be placed on a team when the need for a player arises.
*Section 8: Manager/coach with a child on another team may trade for the child with approval of the Board of Directors. This will only be allowed at the end of a season or before a draft. If the teams involved cannot agree on fair compensation the league Board of Directors will act as arbiter in settling the matter of the trade. The compensation of future players coming from younger divisions as options must be brought to the attention of the board when considering trade compensation.
Section 9: Once a child has been selected to play in the Major Division, and they refuse to play the child is ineligible to play for the rest of that season. The next season, if the child chooses to play, the team the child quits from has the first option on that child. If that team declines the option, the player goes back into the draft. The same applies in the Minor Division, unless the player gets selected in the Major Division draft.
*Section 10: Players league age 12 shall not be allowed to play in the Minor Division. Players league age 12 not drafted to a major division team will be placed on a team in that division. No player league age 12 will be allowed to register after the draft has been completed. Players league age 11 and under who are not drafted to either the major or minor division will be placed on a waiting list. If a major division team is in need of a player then that team can take the first player available on the waiting list who has attended tryouts or select a player from the minor division that attended try-outs. If a player is taken from the minor division, the first player on the waiting list will be placed into the minor division to fill the vacancy.
*Section 11: When any team is in need of a player the manager must notify the Division Director within 24 hours of the need. The Division Director will assign a player from the waiting list as soon as one becomes available. In the Major Division if there are no players on the waiting list, a player who is eligible and who has tried out shall be selected from the Minor Division or waiting list within one week.
Section 12: If a replacement player is needed by a major division team with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, the replacement player will be allowed to play for both his/her new team in the major division and his/her other team in the minor division. The major division would have priority unless the minor division team would not have enough players to field a team. If both his/her major and minor division team would not have enough players to field a team then the major division would get the priority. The replacement player would become the property of the major division team the following season.
Section 13: If a player is going to miss the rest of the season due to an injury, a replacement player will be given to that team if there are any players on the waiting list. If a replacement player is given, then the player that was replaced cannot return to the team for the rest of the season. A replacement player will not be given to any team unless the team roster drops to ten (10) players or less for any minor injuries or players not showing up for any reason, depending on the number of players on the minor division rosters. Any player on a team that did not attend at least 50% of try-outs will not be allowed to pitch at any time during that season.
Section 14: All – Star managers will be selected by the board of directors based on a list of volunteers. All – Star coaches must be approved by the board of directors after being selected by the All - Star manager.
Section 15: All – Star teams will consist of 12 players and all players must play at least two defensive innings and complete one at bat.
Section 16: The All-Star teams will be selected by all managers submitting their teams top four (4) selections. The managers will then select the top twelve players from the names submitted, including their own players, and the twelve players with the most votes will be on the All-Star team. If there is a tie, the manager of the All-Star team will choose from the tied players to complete the roster.
Article IV - Playing Rules
Section 1: Opening Days that occur on Saturdays will be considered as a Sunday for the purpose of innings pitched in a week.
**Section 2: Two dated copies of the line-ups, including jersey numbers and substitutions, shall be presented to the plate umpire by both managers no later than 5 minutes before every game. Line up cards must contain the names of coaches present at the game. Players not able to play due to injury or sickness must be clearly shown on the line-up card as sick or injured. Players that are listed as sick or injured on the line up card will not be eligible to play in that game. One copy will be given to the opposing manager and one copy retained by the umpire. Any subs, changes or late arrivals must be reported to the plate umpire and the opposing manager. The umpire copy will be submitted to a league official to be reviewed at a later date by the division director.
Section 3: In all divisions a team that is unable to play a regularly scheduled game due to a lack of players will not be able to reschedule the game and the game will be forfeited to the opposing team. A game not played due to weather or another predetermined factor will be rescheduled for a later date that is agreed upon by both managers and approved by the President or Vice – President.
**Section 4: All divisions will play an 18 game schedule. The winner of the regular season will be ranked first in a playoff style championship with the first and second place teams receiving trophies. All playoffs series will be best out of three. There will be no trophies given to the regular season champion and there will be no round robin tournament.
Section 5: On all schedules, the home team will be listed last and will use the first base dugout
*Section 6: In all divisions, no player will be a substitute in consecutive games unless that player is late for the game. Managers in violation of this rule will be suspended one game for the first offense, two games for the second offense and removed from the team on the third offense. Division Directors shall be responsible for reviewing line up cards and enforcing this rule.
**Section 7: The Minor/Major Division regular season and playoffs will use a continuous batting order consisting of all players present at the game. If a player has to leave early or be removed due to injury or illness their spot in the batting order would simply be skipped without an out being recorded. An ill or injured player may return to the game at any time and must be placed into the batting order in the same spot they were in to start the game. Once the lineup is turned into the umpire no player can change positions in the batting order for any reason. All players must play at least two defensive innings and can be freely substituted in and out of the game, at the manager’s discretion. The two defensive innings do not have to be consecutive.
**Section 8: In a League Playoff game, Little League rule book tournament pitching rules will be observed in all divisions.
Section 9: All managers and coaches are responsible for their team’s fans. A possible suspension of the game or forfeit may result if the manager/coach does not make a reasonable effort to calm the situation. Forfeits will be decided on by the Board of Directors at a meeting to be held as soon as possible.
*Section 10: No team will be allowed to hold more than two practices in a seven day period once the season begins. Managers in violation of this rule will be suspended for one game for the first offense, two games for the second offense and removed from the team for the third offense. Managers are encouraged to hold at least one practice per week
Section 11: No player will be benched or disciplined in any way for not attending a single practice. If a player continues to miss practice then the manager will bring this to the attention of a board member who will present the issue to the board of directors at the next scheduled meeting where a decision will be made on the issue.
Section 12: Managers/Coaches will be allowed to warm-up pitchers in all divisions.
Section 13: In All Divisions, Any drafted player, option player or player added to a team who did not attend try-outs will not be allowed to pitch at any time during the season, regardless of when they were placed on the team.
Section 14: All players that are not on the field playing in the game should be in their dugouts on the bench. No player should have a bat or ball in their hands in the dugout. The playing field and the dugouts are to be occupied only by players, managers, coaches and league officials during the game
**Section 15: Maintenance of fields in all divisions will be as follows:
Pre-Season - Two volunteers from each team will be required to show up and help with field work on a designated day prior to the start of the season.
Pre-Game - Home team will groom home plate and first base area including lining the field. Away teams will groom pitchers mound and third base areas. Both teams will share second base area.
Post Game – Both teams shall be responsible filling holes and performing basic upkeep as listed in the pre-game section of this bylaw.
. Each team will be responsible for cleaning out their respective dugouts and surrounding areas, including the bleacher areas.
The manager of each team will ultimately be held responsible for ensuring that the task is carried out. Locking the Port-a-John is the responsibility of the visiting team that is at the field at the end of the day. It is suggested that both teams help each other whenever possible.
During the season each minor and major division team will be responsible for field work one week throughout the season (Senior Division 2 weeks) on a day set up by the manager. On that day the field will be dragged and dirt added as needed. The bleacher areas are to be swept to remove all the trash and dirt that accumulates under them (minor/major). If the field is not done by the team that is scheduled for that week, the board of directors will meet and the team could forfeit their next scheduled game or the manager could face a suspension. Each team after every game and practice must be sure that the dugouts and surrounding areas are devoid of trash and holes are filled.
Section 16: In all divisions, an intentional base on balls will require that the pitcher throws four consecutive balls out of the strike zone. The catcher must remain in the catcher’s box until the pitcher releases the ball.
Section 17: There will be no restrictions to the weight to length ratio of bats in any division (negative rating of the bat ). Bats are required to meet little league rules for maximum length and diameter.
Section 18 : Batters must keep one foot in the batters box in between pitches while getting signals from a coach, unless there is an attempted play at the plate. If there is an attempted play at the plate then the batter must exit the batters box and avoid interfering in the play. The normal rule for offensive interference will still be enforced
Section 19: For all games/ all divisions pre-game warm-up time will be designated 1/2 hour before each game. The away team will have the first 15 minute block and the home team will have the second 15 minute block. Each team is allowed only their 15 minute block, if a team gets on the field late they will only be allowed the remaining time block. Ex: Game time 5:30 visiting team 5:00 to 5:15, home team 5:15 to 5:30. Ex: If the visiting team gets on the field at 5:10, they will only have 5 minutes to warm-up.
Section 20: On the Kennedy Park Major Division field, the area between the dugout and the bullpen/on-deck cage is a dead ball area.
Section 21: Minor/Major Division games will be called when, in the umpire’s judgment, it is too dark to continue play. The game will be considered official regardless of how many innings were completed. If the score is tied after the last complete inning, the game will be continued at a later date
Section 22: Slash Bunting will not be allowed in the Major/Minor Divisions. Slash bunting is defined as squaring your body and/or bat into a bunting stance, then pulling the bat back at anytime while the pitcher is in contact with the rubber and then taking a full swing or check swing at the pitch. The pitch does not have to be hit for this to be illegal. Note: While in the bunting stance, pushing the bat forward is not an illegal play. Penalty for slash bunting is a) The batter is called out b) The ball is dead c) Any runner(s) must return to the base they occupied prior to the illegal play.
Section 23: Minor / Major Division pitchers- If a player pitches in less than four (4) innings one calendar day of rest is mandatory. If a player pitches in four (4) or more innings, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. A player may pitch in a maximum of six (6) innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
**Section 24 : In the Minor/Major Divisions, curve balls will not be allowed to be thrown by the pitcher. The umpire’s judgment on deciding a curveball is final and cannot be protested. A warning will be given for the first offense and the pitcher must be removed from the mound on a second offense.
Any offense will result in an illegal pitch being called by the umpire. A ball will be charged to the batter’s count.
Should the illegal pitch be hit by the batter and all runners are safe, the play will stand.
Should the illegal pitch be hit by the batter resulting in an out. All runners will be returned to their bases and a ball will be charged to the batter’s count. The offensive team may refuse illegal pitch ruling allowing a play to stand
Section 25 : Any player in any division can pitch and become a catcher in the same game and also be a catcher and become a pitcher in the same game.
Section 26: Minor Division will utilize player pitch the entire season. A three (3) run rule per inning will be observed except for the sixth inning when there will be no limits. The sixth inning will continue until there are three outs made by the defense. Innings one thru five will end as soon as the third run crosses the plate or there are three outs made by the defense
26-1 For the remainder of the 2009 season minor league games will have a 5 inning limit.
5th inning will not have a run limit (6-2009)
Section 27: In the Minor Division when a player receives a base on balls, the ball is dead and the player must stop at first base. Runners on base cannot advance unless forced to advance by the batter.
27-1 For the remainder of the 2009 season stealing bases or advancing on passed balls in minor league will not be allowed.(6-2009)
Section 28: Minor Division pitchers who hit a fourth batter in a game will be removed from the mound. The player may be moved to another position and can return to the mound in following games based on pitching eligibility. Throwing a single pitch in an inning constitutes an inning pitched. A pitcher will not be charged with a hit batter if in the umpire’s judgment the batter was in the strike zone at the time he/she was hit by the pitch.
*Section 29: No Minor Division player shall be allowed to advance to home on a passed ball or wild pitch. Runners on 1st or 2nd may advance on passed ball.(Exception: Ball 4 ball is dead) Runners on 3rd base may advance only if the return throw back to the pitcher is dropped. The runner must be in contact with 3rd base or must tag up when ball is dropped. Runners leaving early or not tagging up will be returned to 3rd base. Catcher must remain in the dirt area of home plate. Pitcher must remain within 10 ft of pitchers plate to receive ball. Any pitcher or catcher who violates this rule will be given two warnings and then must be removed from that position on a third offense.
*Section 30: The ten run rule (sec 4.10) is the option of the manager that is trailing in the game. A 15 run mercy rule will mandatory after 4 innings (Minor/Major Division) and after 5 innings (Senior Division).
Section 31: It is mandatory that all managers turn into the Division Director a list of all players who miss more than two consecutive games. The Division Director shall then take action to solve the absence
Section 32: Senior Division games will start at 6:00pm unless otherwise stated on the schedule and continue until the full seven (7) innings are complete, unless the home team is in the lead after six and a half innings. Games shortened due to weather or any other uncontrollable reason will be considered complete if 41/2 innings are complete when the home team is in the lead and five innings are complete when the away team is in the lead. Tie games halted for any reason will be completed at a later date. A game that is tied after seven innings will continue until the game is decided unless there is another game scheduled to start, then the game will be completed at a later date.
**Section 33: In the Senior Division one balk warning per pitcher per game will be given in the first half. In the 2nd half of season balks will be called in the Senior Division.
In the Major Division one balk warning will be issued per pitcher per game. ( “no pitch” will be called by umpire and warning issued) Subsequent balks will result in illegal pitch being called and a ball being charged to the batters count. There will be no illegal pitches called in the Minor Division.
*Section 34: In the Senior Division, an Extra Hitter (EH) will be allowed only if the team has more than eleven players present at game time. The EH will bat only and not play defense. The same player must remain EH for the entire game. If that player leaves the game for any reason his at bat will be skipped without an out being recorded. No player shall be an EH in consecutive games.
Section 35: The Senior Division will use the Big League Designated Hitter rule (DH) which is located in section 3.03 of the rule book. The same player cannot DH in consecutive games
Section 36: On deck batters in the Senior Division will be allowed outside the dugout, playing field side, at a spot even with the south edge of the dugout. Each on deck batter shall wear a helmet and face the playing field. No more than one on deck batter shall be allowed out of the dugout at one time. In the Major Division and Minor Division using the Kennedy Park Major Division field the on deck batter is allowed only in the on deck cage, only one is allowed at a time and must wear a helmet and the cage gate must be closed
Section 37: Senior Division pitchers – If a player pitches in less than five (5) innings one calendar day of rest is mandatory. If a player pitches in five (5) innings or more, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. A player may pitch in a maximum of nine (9) innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning. Pitchers may pitch in consecutive games as long as they have the required rest and do not exceed the limit for innings pitched in a week.
Section 38: On the Kennedy Park Senior Division field, when there are tents set up in the park any ball hitting the canvas of the tent on the fly will be ruled a homerun. Any ball hitting the canvas on a bounce or any other part of the tent will be ruled a ground rule double.
Section 39: On the Kennedy Park Senior Division field, the wires extending across the left field area near the softball fence are in play and any ball hitting them will be ruled a homerun.
