Schuylkill Teener Baseball League By-Laws
FEES & FINES
Section 1. ANNUAL FEE: The annual fee for each senior team shall be $300 which is payable on or before the designated scheduled meeting in April. In addition, the annual fee for each junior team will be $100. Payment must be made before or on the day of the April meeting before the League Opening date.
Section 2: If a team membership in the league is discontinued for any reason, there shall be no refund of the annual fee.
Section 3: Any team not having a representative at any meeting will be fined $5.00. Furthermore, any team whose representative is absent from three (3) or more meetings in any season shall receive no refund of franchise money that would be due that team at the conclusion of that season if applicable.
Section 4: Any team failing to appear for a scheduled game will be fined $25.00. All games that are considered forfeits will incur a $25 fine.
Section 5: The winning team shall be responsible for calling in the score, pitching information, to include all innings pitched by each pitcher, and any and all ejections of players, managers, coaches, or parents. Failure to do so will result in a fine, and, or forfeiture of the game. Calls must be made by 10:00pm.
Section 6: When the total fines of any team exceed $10.00, the team shall be notified of the amount owed to the league. The fines will be due before or at the meeting.
Section 7: All scheduled games must be played, regardless of standings. A twenty-five ($25.00) dollar fine will be imposed for every game that is not completed during the regular season.
SUSPENSIONS
Section 1. A player who has been ejected from a game by an umpire, for any conduct detrimental to the game, will be suspended for the next scheduled game and reviewed for further suspension to be determined by the League President and or Rules Committee depending upon the infraction. The managers of both teams will be required to report the incident to the League President on the same day it occurred. This suspension shall not apply to a player who is ejected according to the sliding rule, unless, upon review by the League President it is deemed malicious. Any coach who is ejected from a game will be suspended for the next game and have his case reviewed by the League President and or Rules Committee. Any coach involved in a physical confrontation will be suspended forever from participating in VFW Teener Baseball according to VFW State Rules.
BOUNDARIES
Section 1: League manager’s submitted Boundaries in 2014 for League review and approval. The League President, Rules Committee, and a majority vote of Senior managers must approve any changes to boundaries.
Section 2: If there is a conflict of boundaries between two or more teams, each manager shall presenthis case to the League. The League’s decision on the matter will be final.
Section 3: Any player that has been cut by a team may try out for a team
closest to his home. The League President depending on the distance from
the player’s home will choose the team.
In the event a team can’t accept another player, the next closest town will
be selected, etc. The player will not be permitted to try out for another
team once he has been placed on the new team. He/she must remain on
that team their entire Teener career.
ELIGIBILITY
Section 1: The minimum age for eligibility shall be 12 years of age (as of August 1) and the maximum age shall be 16 years, inclusive. Any youth who will become 17 years of age prior to August 1 of any baseball season is ineligible to participate in Teener Baseball. If a player turns 17 years old on August 1, they are eligible to participate in Teener League.
Section 2. As of March 28, 2012, no one outside the boundary of Schuylkill County will be eligible to participate in Schuylkill Teener League.
Section 3. For Special situations, a written request must be presented to the League. The League will empower the Executive Board to present its findings and recommendations to the League President and Vice President for final approval or rejection.
TEENER LEAGUE / LEGION LEAGUE DUAL PARTICIPATION
This agreement will cover the assigning and use of players who are on joint rosters between the Schuylkill Teener League and the Schuylkill-Berks American Legion Baseball League.
The primary purpose of this agreement is to ensure that all boys will have the maximum opportunity to perform in a competitive environment, ensure their safety and foster a spirit of cooperation between the two leagues.
Players can, within the restrictions of the respective leagues, tryout for either league. If both leagues accept them, the following conditions will apply:
1. The Teener League will be the player's primary team.
2. Legion can double roster up to a maximum of 1/3 of their roster with Teener players.
3. When games occur on the same day, the Teener League games will take precedence. However, Teener league coaches, may, if requested by a legion coach, release a player to the legion team if he feels it will not jeopardize his team’s outcome. The Teener league coach’s decision will be final.
4. If a player is used without permission or a player shows up for a Legion game without permission and the Teener League coach does not OK usage, the legion coach will be suspended for one game. The penalty is doubled for each subsequent occurrence.
5. The legion coach will confer with the Teener coach on his pitching plans and secure his approval before implementing his plan. The health of the player should be paramount in the deliberations.
6. Should a pitcher be used without adhering to the terms of #4 above, the legion coach will be suspended for one game. The penalty is doubled for each subsequent occurrence.
7. Teener league agrees to remove all penalties for players who pitch for legion.
8. Legion agrees to make its pitch count records available to all Teener coaches via their web site.
9. As per Legion rules, if a player quits Teener league and Teener league coach does not release him, player may still play legion but cannot play on nights his Teener league is playing.
Agreement
All prior agreements, both written and formal, will now be null and void. This agreement should be a “living” document between the two leagues. Before the start of the following season, the leagues should meet and discuss all pertinent issues are discussed so the harmony between the leagues can continue.
GAME RULES
Section 1: All teams must carry insurance, including liability. Copies of said insurance will be made available to Teener League prior to any team practices or games.
Section 2: Home teams must furnish two (2) new balls for each game.
Section 3: Batters and base runners must wear a protective helmet.
Section 4: All players should wear a protective cup but all catchers must wear a protective cup. Team managers are responsible for the enforcement of this rule.
Section 5: Only two (2) coaches, one (1) manager, scorekeeper, team
members and League officials will be allowed in dugouts or on the player bench.
Section 6: Adults may be used on the coaching lines.
Section 7: The home team shall supply a PIAA umpire behind the plate and the visiting team shall supply a base umpire. Additional umpires may be used if the managers of both teams are in agreement.
(a) If the home team supplies two (2) PIAA umpires, or the visiting team supplies a PIAA umpire in addition to the home plate PIAA umpire, no additional umpires shall be required. If, the PIAA umpire refuses to agree to a visiting umpire, the visiting team must be satisfied with the arrangement and no protest may be lodged against the home team.
Section 8: The use of uniforms is mandatory.
Section 9: ONLY the manager may argue a call with the umpire. When a situation arises that involves a player, time must be called to permit him to consult with his manager, who in turn will confer with the umpire.
Section 10: A player may pitch 14 innings per week and this includes any rained out games not completed. Rest period rules will be applied in all such cases.
Rest Period Rules
The maximum innings a player can pitch per game is seven (7).
The maximum innings a pitcher can pitch in one (1) week period is
fourteen (14).
Weekly pitching periods begin on Sunday and end Saturday at midnight.
If a player pitches five (5) or six (6) innings in one game he must rest for two (2)
days; seven (7) innings in one game, he must have three (3)
days rest.
If only one (1) pitch is thrown in an inning, it is equal to a full inning
counting towards the pitchers total.
The penalty for failure to comply with this rule will result in the forfeiture
of the game for the offending team.
Section 11: The President of the League has the power to stop any game that is not being played in accordance with the Schuylkill County Teener regulations.
Section 12: The Schuylkill County Teener League will abide by the National League Rules Book, with the exception of the Extra-Hitter Rule, Designated Hitter Rule, Free Substitution Rule, and the Rain/Darkness Rule that will be clarified below.
Section 13: Extra Hitter Rule: This rules adds a 10the (tenth) hitter to a team’s lineup. This rule can never be used when a team employs the Designated Hitter rule. This is also the reverse when a team employs the Extra-Hitter rule. You must use one or the other, never both in the same game.
The Extra-Hitter may move to any position on the field during the game but shall remain in the same slot in the lineup.
Section: 14. Designated Hitter Rule: This rule can never be used when a
team employs the Extra Hitter Rule.
The designated hitter must be in the starting lineup. The designated hitter
may be removed for a pinch hitter or pinch runner and later re-enter the
game but in the event that the player for whom the designated hitter has
been batting, bats during the game, then the team shall lose the right to
employ a designated hitter.
Section 15: Free Substitution Rule: All starters, except for the pitcher, may be substituted for one (1) time only. He must return to his original spot in the batting order but may be placed at any position on the field. The pitcher cannot return to the mound if taken from the game and sent to the dugout. However, if the pitcher remains on the field to play another position, he can return to the mound (1) time to pitch. The designated hitter is included in the free substitution rule. Exceptions to this rule are pinch runners or pinch hitters, for which the rule does not apply.
Courtesy Runner: Any player who has not been in the game in any fashion can be used as a courtesy runner for either the pitcher or catcher; not both.
The Designated Hitter is included in the Free Substitution Rule. Exceptions to this rule pinch runners and pinch runners for which the rule does not apply. Once a pinch hitter has his “at bat,” if he is not placed on the field of play, he can no longer be utilized in that game. Courtesy runners can be used for the pitcher and, or, catcher during the course of a game. One player must be designated for the pitcher and a different player for the catcher. If a courtesy runner enters the game as a substitute then a different player that was not in the game as of this time can be used as the courtesy runner. The new courtesy runner must be a player that has not participated in the game. Any player that has been removed from that game cannot be utilized as a courtesy runner. If an injury occurs, and there are no legal courtesy runners, the opposing manager will pick the courtesy runner.
Section 16: Rain/Darkness Rule: Any game that has not reached 41⁄2 innings and has been stopped by the umpire because of rain and or darkness, shall be resumed from the point of stoppage at the earliest possible date.
If the game is halted by rain or darkness after the game has become legal (41⁄2) innings and the home team is winning, then the game is over. If the game is tied or the home team is losing after 41⁄2 innings, and the game is halted, then the game will be resumed from the point of stoppage. If a game is halted after a completed inning, fifth, sixth, or seventh inning, with either team leading, then the game is over. If an inning is started, sixth or seventh, and the full inning is not completed, then the game will be resumed from the point of stoppage.
The President of the League will review any unforeseen occurrence of this rule.
Section 17: Sliding Rule: In an attempt to dislodge the ball, runners may not run into, or knock over any defensive player who has possession of the ball, while making a play on said runner. The President of the League will review any occurrence of this rule, which can result in a players suspension.
FAKE TAGS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED: Penalty is one warning and subsequent ejection for second offense.
A runner is out when:
1. He does not slide or attempt to avoid a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag or if he maliciously runs into a fielder
(Malicious contact supersedes obstruction). Hurdling is prohibited.
-
Stepping over the outstretched glove of a fielder holding the ball on
or near the ground waiting to make the tag is legal.
-
On a force play at any base (except first base) the runner or retired runner fails to execute a legal slide or if he does not slide, fails to avoid the fielder of the play. Note: If such action by the runner, batter-runner, or retired runner causes illegal contact or illegally
alters the play, interference shall be called.
Any play at the plate must result in a slide. If a player fails to slide and makes contact with the defensive player the runner may be ejected and suspended for the next game depending review from the league president.
Definition of a legal and illegal slide:
A legal slide can be either foot first or head first. If a runner slides feet first, at least one leg and buttock shall be on the ground. If a runner slides he must slide within reach of the base with either hand or a foot.
A slide is illegal if:
a. The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide into the fielder,
or,
b. the runner’s raised leg is higher than the fielder’s knee when the fielder is in a standing position, or
c. the runner goes beyond the base and
makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder, or
d the runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg, or
e the runner tries to injure the fielder
Note: Sliding at a fielder who is off the base is considered Interference if
the runner (in the umpire’s judgment) could not reach the base with either
a hand or foot. There is no penalty for making contact with a fielder
during a legal slide.
A player ejected from a game for violation of the sliding rule will not
be suspended for the next game unless a review by the League
President is warranted.
ONL Y A PIAA UMPIRE CAN EJECT A PLAYER FOR
VIOLATION OF THE SLIDING RULE
Section 18: Metal spikes are permitted for the Senior and Junior Divisions.
Section 19: Intentional Walks: A manager need only to inform the home plate umpire of his intention to walk a batter. No pitches will therefore be required to Intentionally walk a batter.
Section 20. All fields must be lined off from home plate to the fair poles
in the outfield.
A batters box must also be outlined. If the field is not lined off, the game can be forfeited.
Visiting teams will be accorded 30 minutes of pre-game practice commencing at or before 5:20pm for games beginning at 6:00pm or 40 minutes prior to the beginning of a scheduled game. A visiting teams’ pre-game practice will end at 5:50pm or 10 minutes prior to the beginning of a game. The 10 minutes prior to the start of a game will afford the home team ample time to make final field preparations. Any deliberate violation of this rule, within a reasonable time frame (e.g. longer than 5 minutes)will result in a substantial fine and or suspension of the offending manager. The fine and or suspension will be at the discretion of the League President.
Section 21: No games are to be cancelled due to insufficient players. Regular season games, which are forfeited, will carry a $25 fine.
A hearing will be convened to ascertain the facts prior to the fine being imposed.
Section 22: Every home team must have a written copy of their ground rules readily available at each home game.
Section 23: All bats must be marked “BB Core.” Bat size will be -3 for Senior League games. Any Junior League player on a Junior League roster participating in a Senior League game must bats up to a -3 “BB Core."
Junior Division: Little League bats, Double-Wall, and Ceramic bats are forbidden. Legal bats (BB Core) will be up to a -3. Bats stamped Senior League Transitional bats with a -5, or -8 will be allowed in Junior Division games.
Section 24: Catch and Carry Rule: All balls must be caught with two (2)
feet in bounds.
If momentum carries the fielder out of play, he must return to the field of
play prior to making a play on another runner.
Section 25: Pitchers and their innings pitched per game will be reported to the League. This will include the pitchers full name, innings pitched, and ejections, if any. It is the winning manager’s responsibility to ascertain the correct information from the opposing manger at the time the contest ends. Failure to do so will result in a fine and or forfeit.
Section 26: If, during the course of any game, a team is leading by fifteen (15) runs at the conclusion of four (4) innings, or ten (10) runs at the conclusion of five (5) innings or at any point there- after, the game shall be terminated by the umpire and a victory awarded to the leading team. Interpretation: if the visiting team gains an advantage of fifteen (15) or more runs in the top of the fourth inning, or ten (10) or more runs in the top of the sixth or seventh inning, the home team must bat in the bottom of that inning and, if that home team narrows the margin to fewer than fifteen (15) or ten (10) runs in the bottom of the inning, the game shall continue to its conclusion.
Section 27: Following precedent, a game may begin with 8 players if a team is shorthanded due to lack of players. Conversely, a game may be completed with 8 players, if injury or ejection occurs rendering the team shorthanded.
SCHEDULED GAMES – CANCELLED GAMES
Section 1: The starting time for weekly games shall be 6:00pm and for a Saturday or Sunday game, 2:00pm. If a team does not show up within 30 minutes after the starting time or does not notify the home team that they will be later than this, the game shall be forfeited.
Game times may be scheduled later for teams with lighted fields per prior notice.
Section 2:Scheduled games should only be cancelled for weather conditions. Other reasons for cancellations must be discussed with the League President. If games are to be cancelled due to inclement weather, the home team should notify the visiting team prior to 4:30pm on the day of the game.
Section 3: If an afternoon scheduled game must be cancelled because of inclement weather, the home team should notify the visiting team by 12:00pm noon on the day of the game, if possible.
Section 4: Cancelled games due to bad weather should be rescheduled within seven (14) days. If not, the League Official in charge will schedule a game date. The rescheduled game may be rescheduled at a neutral site.
Games that have to be cancelled and rescheduled due to High School playoffs, or loss of team’s players due to this circumstance, must reschedule their games in the order they were scheduled according to the League Schedule.
Home team should notify the President after 24 hours of a cancelled game. Failure to show for a game is a forfeit.
Section5:All scheduled games must be played, regardless of standings. (1) A twenty-five ($25.00) dollar fine will be imposed for every game that is not completed during the regular season.
Section 6: Senior Division games will be played on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Junior Division games will be played on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Playoff Format And Rules
Regular Season Division Tiebreakers
1. Division ties will be settled in this manner:
a) Best record against each other.
b) Best record within the division.
c) Best record against teams that have already qualified
for the playoffs. Divisions that are not decided will be
excluded from this qualifier.
d) If not decided by the above three tiebreakers then a coin toss will decide the division or divisions in question.
e) Refer to “Coin Toss” below.
1. They will compete in a double elimination tournament conducted at the home field of the highest-seeded team for that particular game. The highest seeded team always has the home field throughout the playing of the winners’ and losers’ brackets.
2. The #1 seed in the tournament will be the team with the #1 overall league record after all tiebreakers are decided. The remaining 7 teams will fill the #2 through #8 seeds according to the best overall league record after all tiebreakers have been decided.
3. The tournament will have the following seeds: #1 vs #8, #2 vs #7, #3 vs #6, and #4 vs #5. Teams will keep their original seed number throughout the tournament regardless of the elimination of a higher seed.
4. Teams will proceed through their respective brackets (winners’ or losers’) until the conclusion of the tournament. The loser bracket will be conducted in the same manner as the winner bracket. The higher seeded team will be the host team during bracket play. The two (2) games of the championship round will have the winner of the winners’ bracket game hosting the winner of the losers’ bracket in the initial game. If the losers’ bracket winner wins the first game then the losers’ bracket winner will be the host team for the deciding game of the League Championship.
Scheduling Off Days
“Off-days" will be scheduled into the playoff brackets. These “off-days” will be days that are not part of the normal bracket play. This will afford extra rest for “Loser Bracket” pitchers.
Above all, a scheduled “off-day” shall be added at the conclusion of the “Loser Bracket” final. This “off-day” may never be omitted, except in an emergency. The President would decide this.
3. “Off-days,” that are part of the normal bracket play, may be omitted, if the normal progression of the tournament has been delayed by excessive rain or other unforeseen circumstances. The Tournament Director shall determine when and if these adjustments shall be made to bracket play in the event of these special circumstances. This does not include the “off-day” following the Loser Bracket final.
records in all instances, when applicable.
THERE WILL BE NO SPECIAL PLAYOFF GAMES FOR TEAMS WITH SIMILAR RECORDS.
2. Potential playoff teams with similar records will use the following tiebreakers to determine if they qualify and what their seeding will be:
a) Head to head record.
b) Record versus teams that have already qualified for
the playoffs.
c) Record versus all league teams with winning or tied
records.
d) Coin toss.
e) Refer to “Coin Toss” below.
Coin Toss
1 Coin toss or “flip” will be used when all tiebreakers have been exhausted and the seed or seeds remain undecided. These strict guidelines must be followed or the “flip” is meaningless:
a) In the presence of the league president, or in his
absence and only with his permission, the vice-president,
and the managers concerned, will the “flip” take place.
b) The winner of the “flip” will obtain that particular
seed.
2 Regular season division tiebreakers, playoff tiebreakers, and “flips” will be decided during the next league meeting immediately following the conclusion of the regular season.
3 This meeting will also serve as the all-star meeting.
Playoff Game Rules
1. All regular season game rules will be used during the tournament competition.
a) Maximum innings per game will be 7 innings.
1} Regular rest for 7 innings pitched is 2 days rest. No exception!!!
2} 1 pitch
in an inning is considered a full inning.
[a] Any pitcher who pitches into his sixth inning of work in that
game must have 2 days rest,
No exception!!!
3} 1 pitch in an inning is considered a full inning.
State All Star – League – County Championship Play
Section 1: Each year the League shall vote whether to use all stars or the top team of each division for tournament play. If the resulting vote is in favor of All Star play, then each team will submit in writing, one week prior to the League meeting in July, names for the All Star team.
The manager of the All Star team will have the final decision after all players have been discussed with their divisions selection committee.
Section 2: The manager of the team in first place on the date selected by the League (June meeting), shall be the manager of the team that represents the division in tournament competition.
Section 3: All-Star rosters will be completed and turned in by the end of the All-Star meeting. Managers of each league team will have the appropriate player information, including player birth certificates, at the meeting. If for any reason the roster is not completed by the end of the meeting then the responsible manager will have 48 hours to complete the list and submit it to the President. If not submitted within 48 hours of the meeting, a new manager will be assigned.
Section 4: The League President will determine Sites for tournament and League All Star games.
Section 5: All division activity will cease for division All Star practice for five (5) days prior to the first tournament game.
Section 6: If any all-star player fails to appear or quits the team during All Star play shall be ineligible for All Star selection the following year. All boys selected for any All Star team are responsible for transportation to and from All Star practices.
Section 7: Schuylkill Teener Baseball League will participate only in V.F.W. Tournament play.
Section 8: All county playoff games must start no later than 5:30pm.
Section 9: The collection taken at any All Star or Championship game will be turned over to the League.
Section 10: The League will provide two P.I.A.A. umpires for each game. A League officer will be present at each game, if at all possible.
Section 11: Junior and Senior teams representing Schuylkill Teener League in State Tournament Play are required to attire themselves in the League provided uniforms.
Section 12: Junior Division Championship Playoffs will field the best 16 records at the conclusion of the regular season, after tiebreakers have been decided.
(1) The manger that decides to protest a game must do so at the time of the incident on which he is protesting the game. Any protest entered after the game has been allowed to proceed from that point shall be considered invalid.
(2) At the time the manager decides to protest a game, he must notify the plate umpire, notify the opposing manager and announce to the spectators that the game is being played under protest. Failure to do this makes the protest invalid.
(3) The protest, in order to be valid, must be mailed to the League Secretary within twenty-four (24) hours. The letter must be properly dated and signed by the protesting manager. A committee named by the League President will make decisions. The committee’s decision shall be final.
(4) NO protest will be permitted that is based on a judgment decision by an umpire.