MJBL Rulebook
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
METROPOLITAN JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE, INC. NATIONAL YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS Metropolitan Junior Baseball League is committed to our … youth, communities and institutions of higher learning. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PROLOGUE .................................................................................................................................. 5 STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................................ 6 A. TEAMS .............................................................................................................................. 7 1. TEAM NAMES .................................................................................................................. 7 2. AGE REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 7 3. ILLEGAL PLAYERS – PENALTIES ................................................................................ 7 4. ROSTERS AND FORMS ................................................................................................... 8 5. TEAM ROSTERS .............................................................................................................. 8 6. TEAMS FEES ..................................................................................................................... 8 B. EQUIPMENT ........................................................................................................................ 9 1. BASEBALLS & BATS ....................................................................................................... 9 2. PENALTIES ....................................................................................................................... 9 3. UNIFORMS ...................................................................................................................... 10 C. GAMES ............................................................................................................................ 10 1. FIELDS ............................................................................................................................. 10 2. DUGOUTS ....................................................................................................................... 10 3. ALCOHOL/INTOXICANTS ........................................................................................... 10 4. POSTPONEMENTS ......................................................................................................... 11 5. NUMBER OF PLAYERS FOR GAMES .......................................................................... 11 6. STARTING TIMES OF GAMES ..................................................................................... 11 7. FORFEITS ........................................................................................................................ 12 8. OFFICIAL GAME ............................................................................................................ 12 9. EXCEPTION-RUN DIFFERENTIAL RULE .................................................................. 12 10. PITCHERS ........................................................................................................................ 12 11. BATTERS ......................................................................................................................... 12 12. OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTIONS ..................................................................................... 13 13. DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTIONS ..................................................................................... 13 14. RE-ENTRY: ...................................................................................................................... 13 15. PLAYERS LEAVING THE GAME ................................................................................. 14 16. SPEED-UP RULE – RUNNING ....................................................................................... 14 17. SPEED-UP RULE – BATTING ....................................................................................... 14 18. INTENTIONAL WALKS ................................................................................................. 14 19. DECOYS........................................................................................................................... 14 20. HIGH SCHOOL SLIDE RULE ........................................................................................ 15 21. INTENTIONAL COLLISION .......................................................................................... 15 22. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT ............................................................................... 15 23. REPEATED EJECTIONS ................................................................................................ 16 24. GAME PROTESTS/ APPEALS PROCEDURE ............................................................... 16 3 D. LEAGUE STRUCTURE AND FORMAT........................................................................ 16 1. STATISTICS .................................................................................................................... 16 3. TIEBREAKERS ............................................................................................................... 16 4. PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY (PLAYERS) .............................................................................. 17 5. PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY (TEAMS) .................................................................................. 17 7. PLAYOFF/CHAMPIONSHIPS ....................................................................................... 17 8. MJBL WORLD SERIES (12 AND UNDER) ................................................................... 17 9. POST SEASON AWARDS .............................................................................................. 17 E. TEE-BALL - MACHINE PITCH/COACHES PITCH (M/C-P) .................................... 18 1. EQUIPMENT NEEDED: ................................................................................................. 18 2. PLAYING FIELD ............................................................................................................. 18 3. RULES: ............................................................................................................................. 18 APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................. 20 4 PROLOGUE The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (“MJBL”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1966 by Dr. William Forrester and Mr. Caesar Barron. It was conceived because there were limited opportunities for African- American youth to participate in organized baseball. MJBL was formed to provide baseball for youth of all nationalities who had a desire to play. The league was designed to provide wholesome fun through the sport of baseball for the youngsters in Richmond, Virginia. In 1991 MJBL launched its Inner City Classic (“Classic”) in the City of Columbia, SC. It was designed to provide urban youth the opportunity to travel to other cities, compete in the game of baseball and to be exposed to diverse cultures. As the Classic grew, it became apparent that this event would fulfill a niche for a segment population to once again embrace the game of baseball. Thus, through this evolution MJBL has expanded its scope to offer league play and a championship tournament on a National level. MJBL will crown a National Champion annually for the 12 and under age group. MJBL will continue to coordinate with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (“HBCUs”) to host the Classic. It will continue to be offered to youth ages 13 through 19 to expose them to the educational and cultural enrichment opportunities that are available to them through these institutions of higher learning. Rules and Regulations of MJBL’s 12 and under division that includes machine/coach pitch and tee-ball are designed to focus on fundamentals. The overall objective is to keep our youth actively engaged through practices and games to make this sport exciting and fun at an early age. Rising 13 year olds are encouraged to join their nearest Major League Baseball Reviving Baseball in the Inner City (“RBI”) program. Although MJBL will offer baseball to 13 through 19, it by no means intends to conflict or compete with the RBI league. MJBL officials will coordinate with RBI officials to ensure that tournament dates do not conflict. Membership in both leagues is advisable for those who qualify. No league, team or individual that is not in good standing with the RBI league will be permitted to join MJBL. The unique facet of MJBL is the requirement that all leagues will provide avenues for their league members to stay actively involved in educational, cultural enrichment, and athletic endeavors after league play has concluded. This will be accomplished through collaboration with other youth serving agencies (see appendix K) to afford athletes a comprehensive program for their development. The Commissioner for each league will be responsible for establishing a collaborative network in their state. 5 STRUCTURE PRESIDENT: MJBL will have a national President for baseball operations. The President will be appointed by MJBL’s Executive Director, who also shall retain the discretion to remove said President from the position. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The term will remain effective