Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Baseball Operating Code Updated: January 11, 2021 Recent: 1.1.2 + 2.1.4 1. ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE 1.1 CONFERENCE STRUCTURE 1.1.1 The Conference consists of an Eastern Division and a Western Division. 1.1.1.1 East: Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shepherd, Shippensburg, West Chester. 1.1.1.2 West: California, Clarion, Gannon, IUP, Mercyhurst, Pitt-Johnstown, Seton Hill, Slippery Rock. 1.1.2 Conference play shall be conducted with each Western Division team playing four games against each opponent in their respective Division for a total of 28 games. The Eastern Division teams will play three games against each opponent in their respective division for a total of 24 games. (In 2021 Eastern Division teams will be scheduled for FOUR games against each divisional opponent for a total of 32 games). All mandated conference contests shall count in divisional standings. 1.2 CONFERENCE COMMITTEES 1.2.1 Sports Chairperson: An athletic administrator from a member school shall be selected chairperson to the baseball coaches. Duties: a. Annual Meeting/Special Meetings - Prepare and distribute an agenda, oversee recording and distribution of minutes. b. Present approved recommendations to the Athletics Administrators for action. c. Attend the championship and administrate any conference issues that arise at the site. d. Assist conference office with editing of the sport operating code. 1.3 MEETINGS: The annual meeting of baseball coaches shall be at the discretion of the conference office. 1.4 PERSONNEL 1.4.1 Staff Limitations a. 1 head coach b. 1 full-time assistant (coaching contract with benefits) or part-time assistant or volunteer c. 1 paid part-time assistant (half time or less) or graduate assistant or volunteer d. 2 volunteers e. 5 TOTAL COACHES 1.4.2 Additional Staffing a. An institution is also permitted to utilize an unlimited number of full-time undergraduate students with no limitation of duties. b. An institution is also permitted to utilize a maximum of one social equity position per sport. i. The social equity position may not be utilized as the head coach. 1.5 NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT: Each Conference member agrees to abide by the regulations and procedures outlined in the National Letter-of-Intent Program. 2. REGULAR SEASON PROCEDURES 2.1 GAME DAY PROCEDURES 2.1.1 Uniforms: Per NCAA rules. 2.1.2 Game Balls: The Wilson WTA1001B Collegiate Baseball shall be used in all Conference games and at the PSAC Championship. 2.1.3 Lineups: Coaches are requested to submit game lineups to host SIDs by 15 minutes prior to the start of each game. 2.1.4 Mandated Schedule 2.1.4.1 Western Division The mandated schedule requires that each team play four 7-inning games (two home and two away) against each team in its division. 2.1.4.2 Eastern Division The mandated schedule requires that each team play three games - a single 9-inning game at one site and a 7-inning / 9-inning doubleheader at the opposite site - against each team in its division. When the first game of a 7/9 inning doubleheader is extended into extra innings, the second game of the doubleheader will be played as a 7-inning contest. 2.1.4.2.1 7-inning / 9-inning doubleheaders shall be scheduled for a noon start time. 2.1.4.2.2 9-inning single game contests shall be scheduled for a 2 p.m. start time. (In 2021 both divisions will play doubleheaders in a 7-inning / 9-inning format) 2.1.4.3 The conference schedule must be strictly adhered to. Teams are expressly prohibited from altering the mandated schedule, the only exception being final examinations and/or at the discretion of the commissioner. In such cases, an alternative date must be mutually agreeable. 2.1.4.4 Should the final regular-season mandated date on the original schedule be reached and make-up games still remain to be completed only those contests that have a bearing on the outcome of the Conference Tournament seeding will be completed. 2.1.5 In the event a team is delayed for arrival at the site of competition, the team will be provided 45 minutes of preparation time before the start of competition upon their arrival at the site. 2.1.6 Called Games 2.1.6.1 Regulation Games - Called games during the regular season that meet the criteria of a regulation game (NCAA Baseball Rule 5.8b) are complete with results (win, loss or tie) recorded for both teams. NOTE: A tie will be the result under NCAA Baseball Rule 5.10. 2.1.6.2 Halted Games - Called games during the regular season that do not meet the criteria for a regulation game are considered halted games (NCAA Baseball Rule 5.9) and must be completed from the point of being called. (Four-game series) 2.1.6.2.1 If this involves the second game of a double-header during the teams’ initial meeting, it must commence at the point of being halted prior to the start of the second set of games between the two teams. 2.1.6.2.2 If it was impossible to begin the second game of the initial double header, that game will be played as the first game of a triple-header at the site of the second meeting. (See 2.1.7.3.2 for expenses). 2.1.6.2.3 If during a second meeting of two teams a halted game that must be completed should occur, the visiting team must return to the site to complete the contests. (Three-game series) 2.1.6.2.4 If this involves a halted 9-inning game during the teams’ initial meeting, it must commence at the point of being halted prior to the start of the second set of games between the two teams. 2.1.6.2.5 Halted 9-innning games during the initial meeting are to resume as the first contest of a tripleheader at the site of the second meeting. In this instance, the originally scheduled 7/9 inning doubleheader will be played as a 7/7 inning doubleheader. (See 2.1.7.3.2 for expenses). 2.1.6.2.6 If during a second meeting of two teams a halted game that must be completed should occur, the visiting team must return to the site to complete the contests. 2.1.7 Postponement Due to Weather: Games which are postponed because of weather must be rescheduled using the following procedures: 2.1.7.1 The next day following the mandated game and each subsequent date thereafter. If a team has a non-conference opponent scheduled in advance for that date, the opponent should be aware of the policy which requires that the non-conference game be canceled or rescheduled. 2.1.7.2 If Friday’s games are postponed, Saturday’s site and games will remain the same and Friday’s games rescheduled for Sunday. 2.1.7.3 If possible, and in consultation with the administrators, teams may switch home/away sites if field conditions permit a switch. 2.1.7.3.1 If the same team hosts both doubleheaders in the schedule, home/visitor status for the second doubleheader should be opposite of the first played doubleheader in order to balance home/visitor status for the season series. 2.1.7.3.2 For all contests, regardless of the determination of home/visitor status, the HOST institution will be responsible for payment of officials and supplying game balls. 2.1.7.4 If an institution is unable to complete its home portion of the double-header by Monday at 6 p.m. - and an agreeable make-up date cannot be reached - the Conference Office should be notified to determine the sites and dates of any uncompleted contests at that time. 2.1.7.5 It is understood that if a conference game cannot be made up and another mandated date has been reached, the day after the second date is the rain date for that second game, not the first one. 2.1.7.6 When an institution has multiple rainouts, make-ups must be played in original order. 2.1.7.7 If an institution has concerns due to academic issues, the two coaches should turn the rescheduling of weather-postponed games over to the respective athletic directors. 2.1.7.7.1 To clarify “academic issues” pertaining to the rescheduling policies -- a team will not be required to TRAVEL consecutively to away-from-home contests in the equivalent of an academic week of classes (M-W-F or W-F-M or F-M-W and T-Th or Th-T). 2.1.7.8 All games, including make-ups, must be scheduled before the last date of the original mandated schedule. 2.1.7.9 Institutions are required to email/call the conference office with rescheduling changes. 2.1.8 Lightning Policy: The certified athletic trainer from the host institution will have the unchallengeable authority to postpone or suspend competition in the event of lightning. The certified athletic trainer and game official or game administrator must consult and all agree as to when play is to be resumed. 2.2 GAME OFFICIALS 2.2.1 Officials Fees: 2021 - 7/7 inning doubleheader – $300/umpire; 7/9 inning doubleheader - $320; Single Game - $190/umpire | Doubleheader rained out during game 1 - single game fee; DH rained out after game 1 or during game 2 - doubleheader fee 2.2.1.1 Other fees: a.