Constitution & Bylaws [click here]

2007 BVB Rules & Regulations

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Last update March 19th, 2007

Objective of the Game:

1. No alcoholic beverages are permitted at the playing facilities or parking areas. Any problem incurred by disobeying this rule is solely the responsibility of the teams or individuals involved.
2. All participating teams will be responsible to:
   1. Pay an annual entry fee to the BURLINGTON VINTAGE BASEBALL (Hereinafter BVB)
   2. Abide by all league rules and regulations.
   3. Support and promote the league in all fund raising, ventures, social events or other programs that will benefit all participants.
3. Players must be 30 years of age or over as of December 31 st of this playing season to be eligible to play. No players under the age of 30 years will be permitted to play in the league. Should a player’s age be challenged by another team, the player must produce 2 pieces of ID of which one piece must be accompanied by a photo.
4. All teams competing in BVB must adhere to League Fee Schedule and payment installments as mandated by the Directors. Payments are due in three installments in a date assigned by the Board for March, April, and May of the playing year. Failure to meet the assigned dates, the team will be fined $50.00 per week until all fees and fines are paid. Failure to comply will eliminate the team from play for that season. Teams that back out prior to April 1 st of the coming season will have their deposits returned.
   1. Each team will pay a performance bond as part of their fee structure. The team will be receiving all or part of the bond back at the conclusion of the baseball season providing there have been no violations.
   2. A game forfeiture is a Performance Bond violation ($100.00). The team who forfeits will be charged $100.00 and a $100.00 credit will be applied to the other team’s performance bond account.
   3. Other Performance bond violation will include but not limited to the following; teams not having a representative at mandatory Coaches meetings ($50.00), missing the league payment schedule ($50.00), not having a spare player sign a waiver ($50.00), uniform violations ($25.00), to the player who is ejected ($50.00), missing the date to submit playoff rosters and if a team is involved in a fight. The fine for fighting will be determined by the VP of Operations as part of a disciplinary hearing.
   4. Once a team’s Performance Bond balance declines to $0, the team will be required to deposit the original Performance Bond amount back to the League. Teams will not be allowed to play any games until this transaction occurs.
5. The league will take care of umpires, park costs, insurance, trophies, and other incidental operating costs.
6. It is mandatory for all roster and spare players to complete the Player’s Waiver and Consent Form for the playing year.
   1. These forms must be submitted to the VP of Operations prior to the first regular season game.
   2. All team coaches must keep one set of Signed waivers.
   3. Each coach is to have blank waiver forms at the park in case a spare player is used. This spare player must complete the waiver prior to taking the field.
   4. Failure to have a spare player sign the waiver form may result in a $50.00 fine to the team and the suspension of the coach.
   5. Failure to comply will be an automatic forfeiture of the games played until the forms are submitted.
7. All team rosters must be established and submitted to the Registrar in an electronic format (MS Word or Excel, and Email) not later than one week prior to the start of the season. The maximum size of the roster will be 20. The minimum roster size will be 12.
8. Teams will be allowed one player per roster who is signed to play with a competitive senior team during the current season. Additional players who are on the roster or have signed with one of these teams are not eligible to participate in BVB during that season. If you have a question prior to signing a player please see the VP of Operations. All rosters will be subject to audit by the BVB VP of Operations. Players who participated in the league in 2006 are not included in this designation. If a team is short for a game, a team may field additional players under the call up rule as outlined in Rule #21.
9. Playoff rosters will be frozen on July 1 st of each playing year.
   1. To be eligible for the playoffs a player must have played a minimum of 5 regular season games by the July 1 st deadline. Games cancelled as the result of weather will count towards the eligible game count.
   2. Playoff rosters must be submitted to the VP of Operations no later then 24 hours after the deadline. Failure to do so will result in a $50.00 fine to the team.
   3. The VP of Operations has the right to perform audits on a teams’ official scorebook at any time during the season.
   4. No player trades will occur without the consent of the VP of Operations. Players traded after the July 1 st deadline will not be eligible to participate in the new team’s playoffs.
   5. This will not apply to players who have been injured. Teams seeking an injury exemption must discuss with the VP of Operations.
   6. The eligibility of injured players will be decided on an individual basis by the VP and Director of Operations. They can request a medical certificate or a note from a doctor.
10. BVB Team and Player uniform guidelines:
    1. All uniform colours for new teams or changes in existing teams must be declared through the BVB Directors Meeting before the team proceeds with uniform implementation.
    2. All teams will be responsible for and supply their own matching uniforms.
    3. All players must be in full, matching baseball uniform consisting of matching (separately) numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, and hats.
    4. No shorts or sweat pants can be worn.
    5. Uniform rules will be strictly enforced. Rostered players out of uniform will be ejected from the game. A uniform consists of matching (separately) numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, and hats.
    6. Teams have until June 1 st of the playing year to ensure that they are in full compliance with the uniform guidelines. Teams are encouraged to keep the VP of Operations apprised of their uniform situation. Teams not in uniform as per the guideline after this date will be fined $25.00 per game until they meet the approved uniform rules.
11. Pitchers will not be allowed to wear white sleeves underneath their uniforms, have a white hat, have a batting glove or wristband or have a white or gray fielding glove.
12. Teams are required to use washroom and change room facilities. Changing on the bench or in the parking lot is prohibited.
13. Footwear, whether steel, rubber or plastic are optional for the players. When playing out of town or interlocking league games in other areas, rules against steel spikes may be enforced.
14. All teams must have a Medical First Aid Kit at all games.

Game Preliminaries:

15. In case of rain days, the home team will be responsible to contact the VP of Operations. A phone number will be supplied to each team as part of the coaches’ packages. Players must show up to the field and be prepared to play. In the case that inclement weather prevailed all day prior to the game, the home team will still verify with the VP of Operations prior to any cancellation taking effect. Team managers will not be permitted to arbitrarily call a game.
16. The home team will take the third base dugout.
17. Teams must supply all their own baseball equipment.
    1. Each team must have one set of base bags and spikes. The home team is responsible for supplying and installing the base bags. When the first game is over, the next home team playing will have the same responsibility.
    2. The home team will provide 2 new game baseballs, and one good used baseball for all home games. BVB will purchase the new balls and distribute them to all teams. Teams that lose or misplace any new baseballs will be assessed the cost of replacement.
18. For insurance purposes and safety of BVB players and spectators, the following must be adhered to:
    1. Catchers or players warming up pitchers must wear a facemask anywhere in the park.
    2. All bats and equipment must be kept behind the fence and off the playing field.
    3. No children (except batboy / girl) are allowed in the dugout area. If a batboy / girl is used, a waiver form must be signed by the batboy / girl. (ADD PARENT OR GUARDIAN)
    4. All batters and base runners must wear batting helmet with a minimum or one (1) earflap.
19. All playing equipment must comply with the BVB 2007 guidelines for minimum standard of equipment. The VP of Operations or the Director of Operations will inspect each team’s compliment of equipment. Teams that fail to meet the minimum standard will not be allowed to play until they comply.
20. Unlimited defensive substitutions in the field are allowed.
21. Call-up Rule & Regulations
    1. Teams are allowed to call up players throughout the season on an emergency basis only.
    2. The maximum games per player are four (4) and the player can only play with the same team a total of 2 games.
    3. No call-up player at any time is eligible to pitch. Call-up players can only play in the outfield and will be placed in the bottom of the batting order after the entire existing team members bat.
    4. All call up players for each and every game must be reported to the VP of operation. Failure to do so will result in default of the game in which the call-ups participated in.
    5. Call ups are not to play more innings then players on the regular roster.
22. Teams must have at least eight (8) players to start a game and a 9 th player must be available either when that slot in the batting order is reached or the top of the third inning.
    1. If the 9 th player is not in place the game will be forfeited to the other team, registering a 6 – 0 win. If a team does not have the 9 th player as outlined, the team is fined $100.00.
    2. If a team starts with nine (9) and as the result of an injury has only eight (8) players, the game will result in a default. The team will not be subject to a fine.
23. All players must be entered into the game no later then the start of the third inning. Once the first pitch in the third inning is thrown, there will be no further insertions. Any player, who arrives late and prior to the start of the third inning, may be inserted in the lineup. No players may be inserted after the first pitch of the top of the third inning. Players inserted prior to this time must be inserted at the bottom of the lineup and the full lineup bats. If a player is deleted from the lineup at that time, the conditions as outlined in Rule #37 apply.
24. Teams must bat their whole order in consecutive order. If a player arrives to the field after the game has started; he is inserted at the bottom of the batting order. No insertions may be made after the top of the third inning.
25. Each team will be responsible to keep score for both teams. The league will provide scorebooks for each team that must be completed in full. In addition to the scoring of teams, the game starting time and convening umpires are to be noted. The game records must be kept and available for audit as outlined in Rule #9.2.
    1. Either the coaches or a team designate are required to email the score of the game as well as game stats to scores@bvbbaseball.com. We are requesting the information from both coaches in order to ensure accuracy and integrity of the game score and to keep the information on the league website accurate.

Umpire Discipline and Player Conduct:

26. The umpire will have full control of the game. Abusive attitude or language will not be tolerated. Players involved in such actions will be ejected. All ejections will result in the player missing the balance of the game and face subsequent suspension. If the ejection occurs while the player is at the plate or on base, the batter will be considered an out and he will be immediately removed from the batting order. If the player is ejected while in the field or not as an offensive player, he will be considered an out the next time his spot in the order comes up. If the ejected player is the 9 th player a forfeit will result and all of the rules pertaining to a forfeit will apply. If an umpire feels a player has consumed alcohol prior to playing, the player will not be allowed to play. Umpires must notify either the VP of Operations or the Director of Operations of any ejections within 24 hours of games end.
27. The suspension for players will be for the balance of the game and an automatic suspension for the next game. A second suspension during the year will result in a suspension for the balance of the game and a minimum of 2 games. The VP of Operations will review the incident to determine if any further action will be required. A third ejection in the same season will result in the player being suspended until a Disciplinary Hearing can take place. Any problems with player or umpires during a game must be reported to the VP of Operations.
28. Any player throwing a bat or helmet may be ejected from the game.
29. Fighting or physical contact with a player or an umpire will not be tolerated. Conduct of this kind will result in an automatic ejection and the player will be suspended until a hearing can take place with the VP of Operations. The league Secretary will be present and the decision will be reviewed in conjunction with the Board. Contact with an umpire may result in further suspension.
30. 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 umpire’s 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 the base path) if the defensive player has possession of the ball, is in the act of receiving 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, he cannot block the base or the base path 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 be considered safe and the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be ejected from the game and will be suspended from league play if the obstruction is judged to be flagrant.
31. Protests must be filed with the Umpires prior to the end of the game. Within 48 hours of the conclusion of the game, a written protest along with a cheque for $50.00 must be submitted to the VP of Operations. A formal hearing will follow. No protests for judgment calls will be allowed, only for rule infractions. If the protest is denied the $50.00 is forfeited.
32. Any disciplinary issues that may require further review will be through the Discipline Tribunal. The VP and Director of Operations (unless a conflict of interest is declared) will head this up. The VP will appoint one or more members at his discretion, of which one will be a carded league umpire and a member of the league executive.

Playing Rules:

33. Due to time allotted, to maintain the pace of the games:
    1. On-deck batters will retrieve foul balls that go back to the screen where no play is involved.
    2. Players will hustle on and off the field between innings and be ready to promptly step into the batters box.
    3. Pitchers will be allowed 8 warm-up pitches in the first inning and 5 in the second appearance. Based on weather conditions, the umpire may adjust this.
    4. Umpires will be encouraged to assist in keeping the flow of the game going in order to complete 7 innings.
34. The catcher must leave for a pinch runner after 2 outs if he is on bases. The catcher must leave to put on their equipment. No pitching change involving the catcher or a secondary substitution involving the catcher can be made in the 7 th inning.
35. Pitchers may throw a maximum of 6 consecutive outs for the first four innings only. Any Pitcher who enters the game after the 4 th inning is allowed to pitch 9 consecutive outs. One (1) Pitcher who enters the game after 4 complete innings is eligible to pitch up to 9 consecutive outs. This Pitcher can enter the game anytime after the 4 th inning provided that only 1 Pitcher pitches the 9 consecutive outs. There are to be no exceptions to this rule.
36. Any time during the game, the team manager will be allowed a maximum of 2 pinch runners by using his last out as a replacement. The coach will not have to declare which player may require the pinch runner. Once the coach has exercised his option to provide a pinch runner, the runner who is replaced must have a pinch runner for each following base running situation. The same goes for the second and final substitution. There will be no injury declarations allowed during the game after the team has already used their two pinch runners. The batting line up rule will take effect if a player cannot play due to injury.
37. If a player is injured or ejected and cannot make his at bat, he will be considered out at his next at bat. His 2 nd time at bat, he will struck out of the lineup and no further out will be counted. If a player leaves the game, prior to the completion of the game, he will be considered out at his next cheduled at bat and not permitted to return to the game. Players planning to leave the game early must declare it to the umpire prior to the starting the game.

Starting and Ending the Game:

38. All games are to start promptly at the scheduled starting times. Games that are schedule to begin at 6:00PM will have a maximum time of 2 hours and 25 minutes or 8:25PM . No inning will begin after 2 hours and 15 minutes or 8:15PM . Games that start at 8:30PM will have the same maximum time and conclude no later then 10:55PM and no inning will start after 10:45PM .
    1. For record keeping purposes the umpire is to declare the official game start time and both teams are to mark down the start time on the official score sheets.
    2. The Umpire Time piece will be designated as the official time monitoring the game.
39. If time permits a regulation game will consist of seven innings, unless extended because of playoff tie breaking innings, or shortened because of:
    1. The home team needs none of its half of the seventh inning or only a fraction of it, or
    2. The umpire calls the game.
40. If a game is called, it is a regulation game:
    1. If four innings have been completed;
    2. If the home team has scored more runs in three or three and a fraction half innings than the visiting team has scored in four completed half innings;
    3. If the home team scores one or more runs in its half of the fourth inning to tie the score.
    4. If each team has the same number of runs when the game ends, the umpire shall declare it a "Tie Game."
    5. If a game is called before it has become a regulation game, the umpire shall declare it "No Game."
    6. If curfew is invoked in the middle of an inning, the score will revert back to the last complete full inning of play.
41. There will be a 6 run mercy rule per inning. With 2 outs or less, the inning will conclude once the team reaches 6 runs unless a home run is hit. All runs that score based on the home run will count. (Maximum 9 on a continuous play) If a team is up by 15 runs or more at the conclusion of the 5 th inning or 2 hours, the game will be declared over and the score at the time will stand.
42. Mercy rule is waived in the 7 th inning. In case of a tie game, each team will receive one (1) point in the standings.

Team Standings:

43. The playoff format will be announced prior to the start of the season. It will be dependent on the number of teams and the alignment of BVB for the year. It is our intention to involve all teams.
44. Regular Season Tie breaker: If teams are tied at the end of the regular season, the tie breaking methods to decide the final standings will be based on the following (in this order):

1. Head-to-Head competition during the year
2. Number of Wins
3. Coin Toss.

 The Governance of League Rules:

45. Any further league rules or clarifications are to be directed to the VP of Operations.
46. In all other cases, baseball rules apply.

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