2010
BERGEN AMERICAN LEGION ORGANIZATION
BASEBALL LEAGUE
Rule #1 LEAGUE OFFICE
The Baseball Committee of the Bergen American Legion will have exclusive power on all BALBL dealings of suspensions, fines, conduct, sportsmanship of managers, players, and coaches etc.
The Baseball League Committee will consist of:
Chairman Frank Calandrillo Jr. (201)-818-9668 (H) 201-206-9806(C) 201-818-0904 fax
E-mail: FrankMCal@aol.com
Co-Chairman Harry Scheideler (201)-652-7104(H) E-mail: HJSBAS@Verizon.net
Secretary Debra Hunt (201) 408-5148 (H) E-mail: Tkai57@aol.com
Treasurer Mario Lembo (201)-337-4364(H) (201)-819-9152
E-mail lembo4364@optonline.net
State Rules Interpreter Frank Calandrillo
Each person will serve a one (1) year term. The Baseball Committee will be appointed by The Bergen County Commander Michael Lewis.
The Baseball Co-Chairman
Harold Scheideler is appointed by The Bergen County Commander.
Passaic County Baseball Chairman
Joe Ferraro (973)694-2795 PennsyJoe@yahoo.com
Hudson County Baseball Chairman
Walter Tomasheski (201)997-5073
New Jersey American Legion State Baseball Chairman
Bob Catullo (908)486-9057(H) (908)418-3979 (C)
MID-SEASON MEETING:
May conduct a Mid-Season meeting toward the middle of June, approximately June 15th, to clarify and redirect problem areas during the season if needed per the Baseball Committee.
Rule #2 Entry Fees
Breakdown $200 Refundable (minus fines or umpire fees for forfeited games)
$75 Five League Scholarship Dinner Tickets
$70 League Official Assignor
$70 League Organizational Fees
$100 State Fees & Dave Goodwin State Scholarship Fund
$515 Total cost is due no later than March League Meeting.
Rule #3 Membership
Membership in the BALBL is open to all American Legion Post sponsored teams who will abide by the National, State and the BALBL. Only Post Athletic Officer or his representative in good standard shall have a voice and a vote.
Rule #4 League Documents
The following are to be turned into the Baseball Committee before the season starts.
1. Entry fee of $515 by March Baseball Meeting.
2. Typed Original and 35 copies of the final Roster (Form #1) of 18 Players must be in on the last Wednesday before the start of the season.
3. Directions to the fields (25 copies) at Mays last Wednesday before the start of the season.
4. A copy of each player’s birth certificate on the Wednesday of May. (Teams must have original for the district Tournament).
5. Insurance policy certificates on the last Wednesday of May. 2 yellow certificates. Dated as of April 30th or prior – no exceptions.
6. Player Transfer Forms #76 on the last Wednesday of May. May dates are subject to change due to League Schedule.
7. Team Declaration Forms #77 on the last Wednesday in May. (Form #2) yellow copy.
8. Player Indemnification Agreement on the last Wednesday of May. (Form #2) yellow copy.
All games played without the above documents turned in will be sanctioned by the Baseball Committee.
Rule #5 Baseballs and Bats
The approved baseball for the BALBL will be the Wilson A1010. The BALBL will be a ALL WOOD BAT LEAGUE with the use of metal wood composite bats. Weighted homemade bats are not allowed.
Rule #6 Medical Information
It is mandatory that all teams provide a First Aid Kits for all their games. It is mandatory that all players competing in American Baseball have their parent/Legal guardian sign the medical consent form. The medical consent form will be distributed to each player by his manager. The manager or coach is to have the original Medical Consent Form in his possession at all games. In case of an emergency to a player, a player may refuse medical treatment Medical Consent Form.
RULE #7 PUBLICITY
The BALBL encourages each team to have a good, close working relationship with the American Legion. The “WINNING TEAM” must call the scores into the Baseball Committee Chairmen. In case of a tie game, the home team will call the score in. The “WINNING TEAM” must call the score into the BALBL after the game within a 12 hour period. A $25 fine for not calling in the scores. Please leave the score and teams competing right after the game. League standings will only be accurate if teams call the score in. Please cooperate. If your local press is different than your opponent, please discuss which team will call each paper. Co-Chairman Harry Scheideler 201-652-7104
RULE #8 UMPIRES, CHIEF UMPIRER JON LEVINSON 201-933-6862(H) 201-693-7705(C) E-MAILjonlevinson@verizon.net.
Bernie Elsinger 201-947-9185(H) 201-218-3549(C) E-MAIL bernieball@verizon.net.
The Bergen County Officals Association will preside over all Bergen American Legion games. The following fees have been agreed upon by the BALAL and the BCOA for this year. Each Umpire will be paid $67 per game. To Umpire in the BALBL, all Umpires must register with the BCOA. All Umpires will receive an American Legion Umpire Patch that must be affixed to the left sleeve or left chest on the uniform shirt. Two Umpires will be assigned to each game. Umpire fees are to be paid prior to the start of each game. Each team is responsible for the paying of one Umpire at each game. If both Umpires who are not paid before the start of a game, the game will be forfeited. If a game is started and not completed because of rain or wet field, etc. Umpires are to be paid in full. Teams will pay for the first make up with the league paying for their subsequent make-ups. The league will pay for, up to 20 make-up games. Umpire for the season. In case of a forfeit, the team that forfeits the game will pay for both Umpires, at a $25 fine to the BALAL and field costs determined at the beginning of the season. If one Umpire works alone, he shall be paid a fee of one and half fee of $103. Both teams will share in the cost of $51.50 each. If an Umpire fails to show up for an assigned game more that once they will be suspended and relieved of all further assignments. If a player, manager/ coach is ejected from the game. A written report must be submitted to the BALAL by the BCOA within 48 hours. All teams can request that certain Umpires do not work any of their games. This request must be in writing at the May meeting. The Umpires are to receive the lineup cards and umpire fees from both teams prior to going over the ground rules. Lineup cards are to include player’s name, number and position of starting team. White copy goes to the Umpire, yellow copy goes to the opponent and the pink copy for your team. If the Umpires show up for a game that has been postponed without being notified, they shall receive $25 traveling fee by the home team in the hope of playing a game. The home team may postpone late even in this case, the $10 fee for each Umpire is to be paid by the home team. If a scheduled game has been postponed, BCOA shall be notified at least two hours before the starting time of the game is delayed because of rain or lightning, etc. the Umpire are required to wait a minimum of 20 minutes before calling the game. The game is official if five innings have been completed or if the home team is ahead and four half innings has been completed. For fields that have light, games would be suspended for malfunction of the lights. The field with lights, games would be suspended and picked up at a later date. For fields with curfews the teams should be notified of curfews at the beginning of game. Then it is an official game. The results stand at that point and ending of play. For all game time changes, Umpires must be notified seventy-two hours in advance. If a problem arises contact the League chairman or Jon Levinson or Bernie Elsinger for extenuating circumstances.
RULE #9 SLIDING RULE
The high school slide rule will be used for league play. The runner should slide into a base or try to avoid contact, especially with the catcher No barrel sliding or spikes above the knee. A runner must slide directly into the base, not in the vicinity of the base and just be able to touch it, with either hand or leg. There should be no unnecessary roughness or intent of bodily harm. The ejection will be automatic and the player must follow the ejection policy of the BALBL.
RULE #10 TOBACCO RULE
National Rule 1, Section L - The use of any form of tobacco by a player, coach. Manager or umpire while on the playing field, benches, in the bullpen or dugouts is prohibited. Any Individual Violating this rule will be ejected from the game See Rule 17 for Ejection Policy·
RULE #11 PROTESTS
A protest must be lodged with the umpire before the next pitch in an American Legion game. Any protests are to be in writing within 48 hours and in accordance with Department and National rules. A $25 check must accompany the protest. The check will be returned if the protest is upheld by the league. Any further appeals must conform to Department and National rules. It must be for a rule interpretation and not an umpire's judgment call
RULE #12: MASTER SCHEDULE CHANGES
The BALBL season will begin on Saturday, May 30, 2010. The schedule is to be finalized at the May meeting. A team may postpone a game when 4 or more players are involved in a high school function on the same day of an American Legion game. Any conflicts should be submitted before the May meeting. Once the schedule is finalized, the only changes accepted will be if 4 or more players are involved in the high school playoffs or graduation. If you have to postpone any games, please do so one game at a time. You must start your season two days after your high school completes its season. If a team has 4 or more players involved in a Sports Awards function, the Chairman must be notified 5 days in advance and you can only use this cancellation once during the season. The BALBL master schedule regular season will end on Thursday, July 2, 2010 (dates subject to change in any calendar year). All games must be completed on the master schedule. Games can't be moved without just cause any questionable changes must be cleared through the Chairman, especially when the other team is unhappy because of the change. ALL RE-SCHEDULED GAMES MUST GO THROUGH THE CHAIRMAN, OF THE LEAGUE. The home team will set the date of rescheduling a game.
RULE #13: SPECIFIC GAME RULES AND INFORMA TION
All games are to be played in accordance with the baseball rules as published by the Triumph Books, National and Department. A current rule book from the Triumph Books should be purchased for league use the only exceptions are those listed in the BALBL rules. The designated hitter is acceptable for any player in the lineup. The re-entry rule applies to any player in the starting line-up one conference per inning, per pitcher. Second conference in an inning, the pitcher must leave the mound but can remain in the game to play another position. If there are less than nine (9) players for the visiting team at game time, there shall be a 30 minute waiting period when the game must start or be forfeited. The team that forfeits must pay both umpires, a $25 league fine and lose 2 points in the standings. The home team must be ready at the starting time with 9 players or forfeit the game. Two (2) or more forfeits in two (2) consecutive years will result in the team being suspended for the following season all players must wear the same uniform with the American Legion patch on the left sleeve. All managers/coaches must wear uniforms to go on the playing field or be on the bench. A $25 fine will result if the uniform rule is not followed. If a team is ahead by ten (10) runs at the end of the 5th or 6th inning, the game will be terminated. The home team may declare before the game if the lights will be used if necessary. Both the visiting team and the umpires must be notified before the game. The Legion rule will apply for jewelry. An umpire can request that jewelry be removed for safety reasons. Games must begin with 9 players and must finish with more than 6 players. The league has adopted the high school speed-up rule regarding courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or catcher. BASE COACHES MUST WEAR A HELMET OR BE EJECTED! All games must start by 7 pm and no inning to start after 10 pm. No pitch will be thrown after 10:15 pm.
RULE #14: TAUNTING RUL.E
No players, coaches or managers will be allowed to taunt the opposing players, coaches or manager. The umpire may issue a warning before any ejections are made
RULE #15: DISRESPECTFUL CONDUCT
No American Legion coach or team official can speak poorly in any respect of another American Legion team's members. Any infraction will result in a disciplinary hearing by the Chairman Committee and possible suspensions, fines, etc.
RULE #16: TEAMS IN ARREARS
If a team exceeds the $200 Refundable Bond, it won't be included in the current season's schedule until all monies are paid in full. All arrears must be paid by March 1st or those teams won't be allowed to play in the Bergen American Legion Baseball League.
RULE #17: EJECTION POLICY - Penalties for a player ejection.
First Ejection: One (1) game automatic suspension.
Second Ejection: Two (2) game automatic suspensions.
Third Ejection: Indefinite suspension based on the Baseball Committee hearing for a player.
The following penalties will occur for a Manager/Coach ejection:
First ejection- $50 fine and two game suspensions for coaching on the field but can remain in the dugout if no other coach is available.
Second Ejection-A League suspension and a $100 fine with a hearing before the Baseball League’s Committee.
Third ejection - Penalty determined by Executive Committee hearing.
RULE #18:
Any threats of verbal or physical violence or physical contact by players, coaches and/or umpires will be dealt with by the Executive Committee and punished in accordance with the severity of the incident.
RULE #19 RAIN DATE MAKE-UPS.
The two teams shall re-schedule a rain out or make up within 3 days. If no date is set the chairman will set a date to be played and that will be within 14 days or a double forfeit will be charged.
RULE #20: ATTENDANCE
If a team fails to attend by the March meeting without notifying the Chairman, they will be suspended for that season
