Clarksville Adult Baseball League Rulebook
Est. 2024
DISCLAIMER
The safety of the players, managers, umpires, fans, and staff is our highest priority and EVERYBODY’S PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY! These rules and regulations are hereby meant to protect all those associated with the Clarksville Adult Baseball League (CABL), while ensuring equality and fair play during all league events. All participants and our fans should be aware of the potential risk of injury associated with the game of baseball and take the necessary steps to safeguard themselves from injury. Any game, practice, or special event may be suspended or canceled at the discretion of the CABL Board of Directors if matters of personal safety are at risk. ALL MANAGERS and PLAYERS are required to sign the CABL Waiver and Release of Liability form prior to participating in any league activities. Any player who fails to complete this form and/or adhere to the policies and procedures of CABL shall not be permitted to participate in league events and may face additional disciplinary action. Any person found to be participating without these documents on file is considered ineligible. Any manager, player, or league member who permits someone to participate assumes personal risk for any claim made against CABL. The league reserves the right to amend or adjust the rulebook as needed during the season.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Control yourself and your players. Players need to know the rules that affect them, and it is your responsibility to ensure they know. Good sportsmanship is expected of every player. It is up to each player to make the game competitive and enjoyable for the players, managers, umpires that participate, as well as friends, family, and other spectators who come to watch. Fighting and/or physical abuse of players, umpires, and spectators, or abusive language directed at players, umpires, or spectators will not be tolerated by the Clarksville Adult Baseball League.
ALCOHOL, DRUGS & TOBACCO
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND/OR DRUGS ARE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED IN THE VICINITY (INCLUDING PARKING LOTS) OF THE FIELD. THIS APPLIES TO ALL MANAGERS, PLAYERS, FANS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR ANY OTHER SPECTATORS OF THE GAMES. ANY MANAGER OR PLAYER FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THESE RULES MAY BE SUSPENDED FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) GAMES. ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS MAY ALSO BE APPLIED AGAINST ANY OFFENDER(S). A second violation may result in expulsion from the LEAGUE, either individually or as a team. Please notify all participants and players of the rule. Umpires have the authority from THE LEAGUE to stop or forfeit games if there is a problem with drinking or drugs at any game. Teams are to police their fans, friends, family members or spectators for violations of league rules. Both team managers should attempt to persuade any individual in violation of these rules to leave the premises immediately. Smoking is also prohibited on the field and in the dugout and can only be done outside the facilities where the games will be played.
FEES & PAYMENT
League Fees: Each new player will pay $350 in full by the listed date of that year. Returning players will pay $300.
Umpires: Umpire fees are included in the league fees and will be paid by the league.
Uniforms: Jersey, hats, socks, and belts are included in the league fee. Each player is expected to provide their own home and away pants.
Team Equipment: Catchers gear, game baseballs, and batting helmets are provided to each team.
GAME FIELD
Games will be played at Northwest High School (800 Lafayette Rd, Clarksville, TN 37042) and Kenwood High School (251 E Pine Mountain Rd, Clarksville, TN 37042).
UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT
UNIFORMS:
Team/Player Uniforms: All players must wear a uniform while participating in league games in design to that of his teammates. Players not in uniform may not be permitted to play. Metal and molded cleats are both allowed.
EQUIPMENT:
Helmets: All batters, on-deck batters, and runners must wear helmets. It is recommended for base coaches to wear helmets.
Baseballs: Official game balls will be provided to the managers of each team as needed. Each team is responsible for providing two (2) new baseballs to the home plate umpire at the plate meeting prior to the beginning of the game. Any additional baseballs needed throughout the game will be provided by the home team.
Bats: Only wood baseball bats are permitted for game use. Composites are allowed.
Catcher Masks: Skull cap style face masks and catchers helmets are allowed
SCHEDULE, GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE & CANCELLATIONS
Each team will play a minimum of 12 games not including playoffs. The #1 & #2 seeds will play for the championship, and there will be a 3rd place game for the #3 & #4 seeds.
Games will be scheduled for Thursdays and Sundays each week.
A complete game schedule will be posted on GameChanger prior to the start of the season.
GAME LENGTH:
Start Times: It is the collective responsibility of the umpires, managers, and players that the games start on time as scheduled. Teams will be expected to be warmed up and ready for play 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
Innings: All games will be scheduled for 9 innings or 2:45 hours with no new innings starting after 2:45.
Extra Innings: If the game is tied after 9 innings and the time limit has not been exceeded, the game will move to extra innings. Each extra inning will begin with the last out from the previous inning at second base. (only during the regular season)
Changes to Game Length: The league reserves the right to modify the length of a game as needed to facilitate the scheduling of league play or to ensure the safety of players in cases of inclement weather.
Official Games: With the exception of playoffs; at the completion of four (4) innings, a game is considered an official game whether suspended due to weather or time limit.
Unofficial Games: Any game that is stopped or suspended before five (5) innings have been completed (with the exception of time limit) will be considered a suspended game and will be resumed from the exact point at which it was suspended.
Incomplete Games: If a suspended game cannot be made up for any reason, the game will be removed from the record (view official game rules).
Weather Delays: In the case of inclement weather, a game may be suspended or delayed by up to thirty (30) minutes to allow for field conditions to approve before resuming play. If play cannot safely resume within this time period, then it will be suspended or postponed as deemed appropriate by the league officials.
RUN RULE:
The run rule implemented is 12 runs after 5 innings and 10 runs after 6 innings.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellation Policy: All games will be played as scheduled unless affected by inclement weather, poor field conditions, or facility closure.
Weather Call: A weather call will be made as soon as possible before the start of the game. All managers will receive communication from the league regarding cancellations and it is their responsibility to inform all of the players on his team.
Rescheduled Games: All games that have been canceled due to weather will be rescheduled prior to the start of playoffs unless time restraints prevent it.
Forfeits: If a team is unable to play and/or field a full team for a scheduled game for any reason, that team will be subject to forfeit and take a loss for that game.
ROSTERS & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
ROSTERS:
Team managers will draft their rosters prior to the start of the season. Returning players will return to the team they were on the previous season unless they have been traded (view trading policy).
Roster Commitment: Once added to a team’s roster, a player is bound to that team for two (2) years and is not permitted to join another team’s roster without approval of being traded by their team manager. After two (2) years, a player may re-enter the draft process.
Trading Policy: Managers may discuss with other team managers potential trades. If a trade is approved by the league president, the traded player will immediately be added to the new team’s roster and removed from their prior team’s roster. TRADE DEADLINE IS THE END OF THE THIRD (3) WEEK OF THE SEASON.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:
Hit Batter Rule: If a pitcher has hit three (3) batters in a single game, they must be removed immediately and will not be permitted to pitch for the remainder of that game. They are, however, permitted to play any other position on defense for the remainder of the game.
Pitch Limits: All pitchers will be limited to 75 pitches games 1-4 and 100 pitches games 4 – 12. During playoffs, there will be no pitch limit. If a pitcher reaches the pitch limit during an at-bat, they may finish that at-bat, but must be promptly removed from pitching afterwards. If a pitcher throws the pitch limit or more in a game, they must not pitch for 6 full days after that game.
Pitchers: Once a pitcher is removed from the game, they are no longer eligible to re-enter as a pitcher in the same game regardless of pitch count. They may, however, play any other position.
LINEUPS & BATTING ORDER
LINEUPS:
Lineup Cards: Team managers are responsible for providing a lineup card to the opposing team, and announcer prior to the start of the game. All subs must be listed on the lineup card.
Substitution: Each team is allotted unlimited subs throughout the game.
Adding Players to the Lineup Card: Players will not be added to the lineup after the game has started. If a player is in the batting lineup and is not present for his turn at bat, then an out will be assessed until that player is available for his at bat.
BATTING ORDER:
Batting Order: The batting order must contain a maximum of ten (10) players. The batting order does not have to consist of the players that are playing on the field.
Minimum Number of Players: A minimum of eight (8) players is required to begin and complete an official game. At no time will a team be permitted to play with less than 8 players.
Grace Period: If a team does not have eight (8) players present at the designated start time, they will be granted a fifteen (15) minute grace period to allow for an eighth (8th) player to arrive. If the minimum number of players is not reached by the end of the grace period, a forfeit must be taken in accordance with the league’s FORFEIT POLICY.
Starting with Eight (8) Players: If a team starts a game with only eight (8) players, they will be assessed an automatic out each time they go through the batting order unless a ninth (9th) player arrives. The manager can designate any spot in the batting order he or she wishes as the “vacant spot” for which the automatic out will be recorded.
Playing with Eight (8) Players: If a team is reduced to only eight (8) players after the game has started due to injury, ejection, or a player leaving, they will be assessed an automatic out each time the vacated spot in the order comes up to bat.
COURTESY RUNNERS
Courtesy Runners: The Courtesy Runner shall be the last player to have made an out, either as a batter or runner. The exception to this rule is when said player is a pitcher, or catcher. If a Courtesy Runner is needed at the start of the game, before an out has been made by a player capable of filling the role, then the last batter listed in the batting order will serve as the Courtesy Runner.
Pitchers & Catchers: Should a pitcher or catcher reach base, they have the option to request a courtesy runner.
Injured Players: If a player sustains an injury during a game that prevents them from running, a team may request a courtesy runner.
PLAYER CONDUCT & TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
PLAYER CONDUCT:
Alcohol: The consumption of alcohol by players during a game is strictly prohibited and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in dugouts or on school property. Players and managers found to be in violation of these rules are subject to disciplinary action.
Tobacco: The use of tobacco products on school property is strictly prohibited. Players and managers found to be in violation of these rules are subject to disciplinary action.
Collisions: Base runners shall make EVERY attempt to avoid collision with a defensive player. Any player who makes an intentional and/or malicious attempt to contact an opposing player is subject to disciplinary action.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: All acts of unsportsmanlike conduct are subject to disciplinary action. Fighting: Any player who initiates, provokes, or excites a physical altercation with another player, manager, umpire, or spectator is subject to disciplinary action.
Soft Toss: The hitting of baseballs into any fence is strictly prohibited. Batting practice, soft toss, and tee work must be conducted in designated practice areas only.
Once one of these conducts are violated the league president will then decide on the severity of disciplinary action.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:
Field Maintenance: The home team is responsible for assisting with field maintenance prior to the first game and after the last game of the day.
Field Clean-up: All teams are responsible for trash pickup and removal from the field and dugout at the end of each game.
Bookkeeping: The visiting team will manage GameChanger. This can be a player or a fan.
UMPIRES
Ejections: An umpire has the authority to remove any player, coach, manager, fan, or employee for violations of these rules to include objecting to decisions, actions of unsportsmanlike conduct or foul language, and/or unsafe play. It is the responsibility of the home plate umpire to notify the league of any player ejections.
Payments: It is the responsibility of CABL to render individual payment to the umpires.
EJECTIONS, SUSPENSIONS, & FORFEITS
Ejections: Any player or manager ejected from a game must leave the park immediately and is to serve a minimum of a one (1) game suspension before being permitted to participate in the league.
If any player or manager is ejected for a 2nd time, they will be suspended for 2 additional games before being permitted back on the field and will be fined $100 by the league before returning to play.
If a player or manager is ejected more than 2 times, further disciplinary action up to removal from the league will be determined by the Board of CABL.
Reporting Ejections: The manager from both teams is responsible for reporting any player ejections to the League.
EJECTIONS, SUSPENSIONS, & FORFEITS
Ejections: Any player or manager ejected from a game must leave the park immediately and is to serve a minimum of a one (1) game suspension before being permitted to participate in the league.
If any player or manager is ejected for a 2nd time, they will be suspended for 2 additional games before being permitted back on the field and will be fined $100 by the league before returning to play.
If a player or manager is ejected more than 2 times, further disciplinary action up to removal from the league will be determined by the Board of CABL.
Reporting Ejections: The manager from both teams is responsible for reporting any player ejections to the League.
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE:
Disciplinary Review: The Board of Directors reserves the right to review all matters of misconduct and amend any disciplinary action taken against its players, managers, and members. All amendments to said actions will be made public to the league and its members.
Disciplinary Committee: The Disciplinary Committee will consist of the Board of Directors (President, Vice President, and Team Managers). All disciplinary matters will be decided by way of a majority vote.
FORFEITS:
Forfeits: If a team is unable to field the minimum number of players (8) and/or does not show up for a scheduled game, the game will be recorded as a forfeit.
Notification of Forfeit: Teams are required to notify the League of a pending forfeit at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time to avoid financial penalty.
Forfeit Penalty: Teams failing to provide advanced notice of a forfeit are subject to a fine of $180 made payable to the league to cover the cost of umpires.
Multiple Forfeits: If a team forfeits three (3) games in a single season, they will be removed from the schedule and may be dropped from the league without refund of league fees pending review by the Board of Directors.
Dropped Teams: If a team is dropped from the league, all games they participated in will be dropped from the division standings.
Scoring a Forfeit: All forfeits will be recorded with a final score of 1-0.
SCORES, TIEBREAKERS, MISCELLANEOUS
SCORES:
Reporting Scores: It is the responsibility of the visiting team managing GameChanger to report an accurate final score on the app at the end of the game.
TIEBREAKERS:
All division winners and playoff participants will be decided based on winning percentage.
Winning Percentage: decided by dividing a team’s total wins by their total games played. Ties will be counted as 1/2 win and 1/2 loss. As an example, a team that is 16-3-2 is 17-4 for calculating winning percentage purposes, while 16-6-1 is 16 1/2-6 1/2. There will be times when the winning percentages end up equal. In those instances, the tie will be broken using the following system:
Tiebreakers: Should two teams end the regular season tied for 2nd place in the standings, the two teams tied will play one playoff game to determine who will move onto the championship series.
TRICK PLAYS:
Hidden Ball: The pitcher must remain off of the dirt on the mound during the duration of the hidden ball trick.