2016 Americas Masters Games Baseball

Playing Rules

Playing Rules Researched

International Baseball Association

Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Federation

MSBL/MABL Mens Senior Baseball League/Mens Adult Baseball League

NABA National Adult Baseball Association

Roy Hobbs Baseball

Divisions and Age Eligibility

The baseball competition at the 2016 Americas Masters Games will be organized into two age divisions providing there are at least four teams entered in the specified divisions. Age eligibility date shall be December 31st, 2016.

45+ Division – Players must be born in the calendar year of 1971 or earlier. No underage players are permitted.

55+ Division – Players must be born in the calendar year of 1961 or earlier.  No underage players are permitted.

All Players must register as individual athletes through the Americas Masters Games Registration site and must produce proof of registration if questions of eligibility arise.  Secondary documentation in the form of photo ID may be used to further confirm eligibility. Team managers should enter their team through the Games website and then instruct their players to register as team members – managers will provide a code word for players to be rostered on the correct team.

Coaches/Managers – Non-playing coaches/managers should register as Games participants through the Americas Masters Games registration site. For insurance purposes, only registered players and coaches should appear on field as participants.  Bat boys are not allowed unless they are registered as Americas Masters Games participants.

2016 Americas Masters Games Medals – All 2016 Americas Masters Games competitions will be awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals.  Only registered players, managers, coaches and team officials will be eligible to receive medals.  Non playing team members must register through the Games online system – I believe the registration fee is $50.  Registration entitles all non-playing personnel access to all the games activities.

Equipment

Shoes - Metal spikes are allowed; however, only those manufactured for baseball.

Bats – Wood, laminated, and wood-composite bats (100% wood barrel) are permissible. Metal-wood bats are not permitted.  Upon protest, the penalty for using an illegal bat will be an out for the offending player

Helmets – All batters and runners must wear helmets with at least one earflap facing the pitcher for both at bats and on base.  There is no option to this rule.  Full double-ear flap helmets are encouraged for batters and on base runners.  It is recommended that helmets conform to NOCSAE specifications (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment).

Catchers – Catchers must wear a catcher’s helmet with mounted face guard (hockey style) or they must wear a helmet under a conventional mask.  It is recommended that masks conform to NOCSAE specifications (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment).

Bullpen/Warm Up Catchers – Catchers warming up pitchers in the bullpen or on the field between innings must wear a mask.

Coaches – All base coaches must wear helmets while on the field of play.

Game Length, Run Rule and Rain-Outs

Pool Games* shall be nine innings in length with NO NEW INNING to begin after 2 hours and 40 minutes. If the game is tied after nine complete innings, extra innings are permitted as long as they begin before 2 hours and 40 minutes. Tied games count as a result.

 Playoff games leading up to Medal Final Games shall also be nine innings with NO NEW INNING after 2 hours and 40 minutes. 

Medal Final Games (Gold/Silver and Bronze Medals) shall consist of nine innings without a time limit.

*Every effort will be made to have pool games nine innings in length.  If teams are scheduled for two pool games in one day the tournament committee may set those games for seven innings in length with a time limit of no new innings after 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Factors influencing this decision include number of venues, amount of daylight, and allowing time for athletes in all sports to enjoy the full spectrum of Games activities.  Another factor which could affect game lengths (innings, time) will be the number of teams in each division.

Rain Out Games – In the event the number of rained out or rain shortened games encroaches on day, time, or venue limitations, the Games committee reserves the right to mandate seven inning games.  These games, unless Medal Finals would have a rule of NO NEW INNING after 2 hours 15 minutes.

Suspended Games – Games suspended due to inclement conditions or as a result of unexpected circumstances shall be resumed based upon a decision by the Games Baseball Committee.  If a suspended game cannot be resumed, a decision about the game result will be made by the Games Committee.

Run Limits (Mercy Rule) – If there is a 10 run discrepancy at the end of 7 innings, the game will be ruled final.  If a 7 inning game is being played the result will be ruled final if there is a 10 run discrepancy after five innings.

Teams, Players and Lineups

Game Lineups – All teams are required to use the batting lineup booklets provided for the Americas Masters Games Baseball Committee.  For each game team managers are to enter each player’s full name and uniform number.  Home plate umpires will be forwarding lineups from both teams to tournament officials.  These lineups will be kept to respond to any situations related to player eligibility.  All players should be included on team lineups.

Batting Lineup – The Americas Masters Games Baseball Tournament will use a TEN man batting lineup.  This is the minimum number and a manager may bat as many players as he desires.  Teams must maintain a ten man batting order throughout the game, otherwise the tenth spot, if vacant, becomes an automatic out.

Batter’s Box

Batters must keep one foot in the box during their at bat, with the following exceptions:

  1. Defense calls time out or pitcher is off the mound
  2. Catcher leaves his position
  3. Offense (or batter) is granted a time out
  4. When the batter is out of the box, he may not leave the dirt area around home plate except in the case of a substitution, a conference, or an equipment problem
  5. When a player is in violation of this rule, the umpire will ask that the batter return to the batter’s box – one warning per offending player.  If the offending player does not return to the batter’s box (or if the violation is repeated), a strike will be called without a pitch being thrown.

 

 

 

Batting Lineup Substitution Options

 Substitution rules are meant to give managers flexibility to provide as much participation as possible for their players

  1. Starter Re-entry Rule – The ten batters in the starting batting lineup may be substituted for at any point during the game.  They may RE-ENTER the batting lineup during the game provided they re-enter the lineup in their starting spot. (Example: Player A is batting seventh to start the game – after being substituted he may re-enter the game but only in the seventh spot).  Once the starter re-enters, the substitute may NOT re-enter the batting order.  He may continue in the game as a pitcher or defensive player.
  2. Add On Rule – Once the game has started, managers may add players to the batting order at the BOTTOM of the order and must maintain these positions for the duration of the game.
  3. Hitting/Defense – Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other.  Players may play in either lineup or both.
  4. All teams must announce all offensive additions, substitutions, and/or changes to the home plate umpire AND opposing team manager and/or scorekeeper.  Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a legal substitution.  If a team fails to announce an offensive addition/change, the player will be called out as soon as he occupies the batter’s box and the lineup will revert back to the lineup in effect prior to the player entering the game.  The unannounced player will not have officially entered the offensive lineup and is therefore still available offensively though an out has been assessed.
  5. Ejection/Injury Situations – If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place.  If there are no reserves who can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up.  The first time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed, after that one time, no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player.
  6. It is recommended that all teams hold back one player to respond to any emergency situations that might affect the ten man continuity of the team’s batting order.

Courtesy Runners

Teams in the 45+ Division will be allowed TWO courtesy runners per game – teams in the 55+ Division will be allowed THREE courtesy runners per game.

  1. Managers must note these players in their lineup prior to the start of the game.  It is suggested that (NR) – Non Runner - be used beside the players name so that they are clearly designated.  The designation may not be transferred to any other players during the game.
  2. If players are not designated prior to the start of the game, the opposing manager may deny the request.
  3. Players who have the Courtesy Runner designation must be replaced by the LAST recorded out unless it is another designated runner or a catcher (with two outs).
  4. Catchers – Upon reaching base with two outs, catchers must be replaced by the last recorded out.    
  5. Lost Option – If a batter (designated as needing a courtesy runner) opts to run, or forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game.  This option will be lost once the next batter receives one pitch in his at bat.  Managers are encouraged to plan ahead and make sure courtesy runners are substituted promptly.
  6. Injury Runner – Once the game begins and a full complement of 3 courtesy runners has not been used, if a player sustains an injury, an additional courtesy runner may be used.  In the event a player becomes injured during the game and three courtesy runners have already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed. The pinch runner replaces the injured player in the batting line up and the injured player may not return.  If all substitutes have been used, the vacated batting spot becomes an automatic out.

 

 

 

Slide or Avoid

 

The Americas Masters Games Baseball Committee is concerned about possible unnecessary and violent collisions that may occur with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all bases.  The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions whenever possible.

  1. Runner Initiated Contact – When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball and in the umpire’s judgement, the runner is responsible for the collision, the play is ruled dead and the offending runner is declared out. All other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.  If the collision is flagrant in nature, the offending player is ejected from the game and will be subject to tournament discipline.
  2. Force Play Slide Rule – The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player.  This is a safety as well as an interference rule.  Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule.  This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs.

On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases – exception – a runner slides or runs in a direction AWAY from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder.

  • “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground
  • “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk, and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases
  • If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
  1. Legal Contact – Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:
  • Makes a legal slide directly to the base
  • Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play
  • Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond the base
  • When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not make contact with or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called
  1. Illegal Contact – Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:
  • The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder
  • The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder
  • The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position
  • The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder
  • The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to complete the play
  • With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance
  • With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance
  • If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.

Defensive Obstruction/Interference

  1. Blocking the Runner – (Obstruction) Players may not block the base path or a base without possession of the ball.  For example, a catcher may not block the plate without the ball.  The right of way belongs to the runner.  Most catchers should know to offer the runner part of the plate to make him slide inside or out.
  2. Decoy (False) Tags – False tags which initiate a slide on the part of base runners or cause unnecessary delay are not permitted.  Umpires may apply obstruction rules, award bases and violators may be ejected.  Player safety is a greater concern over questionable tactics.

Pitchers

  1. Pitching Limits – There is no limit on the number of innings a pitcher may throw in a game.  Teams are encouraged to make liberal use of pitchers in pool games to maximize participation.
  2. Medal Round Eligibility – All pitchers appearing in medal round games must have pitched in one inning during pool play.  Teams are required to summarize pitching innings in their scorebook which must be produced upon request if eligibility concerns arise.
  3. No Re-entry for Pitchers – Once a pitcher is removed from a game, he may not return as a pitcher.  He may continue to play in the game as a batter or as a defensive player.
  4. 4 Hit Batters – If a pitcher hits 4 batters in a game, he shall be replaced by a relief pitcher.
  5. Mound Visits – If a manager/coach makes more than one visit to the mound, the pitcher must be removed.  The only exception will be a visit related to an injury.
  6. Warm Up Pitches – Starting pitchers may have ten warm-up throws and are limited to five warm-up throws between succeeding innings.
  7. Relief Pitchers – Pitchers coming into the game after the starting pitcher departs are entitled to five warm-up tosses.  Please ensure there is sufficient bullpen warm up prior to their entry.
  8. Injury Replacement – Pitchers substituted in an injury situation will be given two minutes to warm up.
  9. Pitching Substitutions/Changes – All pitching changes must be announced to the home plate umpire and the opposing manager/scorekeeper.
  10. Dress – No player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.

Game Results

  1. Home plate umpires will record the final game score on forms provided for each game.  Each team manager will sign the forms to verify game results.  Tournament officials will collect the game result forms.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship and adult attitudes must prevail regardless of level of competition.  Umpires are requested to eject players before, during or after games for any of the following behaviors, considered to be unsportsmanlike.

  • Threats of physical intimidation of umpires, players or spectators
  • Verbal abuse of umpires, players or spectators
  • Excessive profanity
  • Throwing of equipment (umpire’s judgement)
  • Consumption of alcohol or smoking violations – smoking is prohibited on the field of play or in the dugouts and their immediate area
  • Games Committee personnel may intercede in cases of violations involving alcohol or smoking

 

Playing Format

  1. Tie Breaker Rules (Pool Games) – Breaking ties in the standings after pool games.  If teams are tied in points (2 points for win, 1 point for tie) after pool play is completed ties will be broken by:
  • Wins
  • Head to head game
  • Fewest number of runs against divided by number of defensive innings against common opponents
  • Runs scored against common opponents
  • Coin Flip (Unless result is to determine which team advances to playoffs)
  • Tie Breaker Game (Length determined by Tournament Committee)
  •  

Protests

Protests are allowed on misapplication of game rules.  Protests on a judgment call by an umpire will be declined.  Retroactive protests will not be accepted.  Protests must be made at the point at which a rule has been misapplied.  To protest a game, a manager must:

  • Stop the game before the next pitch is thrown
  • Notify the umpire and the opposing manager that the game is being played under protest
  • Upon receiving the protest, umpires will stop the game clock for the duration of the protest
  • Umpires will meet with the complex field supervisor and/or Americas Masters Games representative   
  • Contact will be made to Tournament Director and the protest will be resolved before resuming the game
  • Every effort will be made to resolve the protest fairly – decision of the Tournament Director or alternate official is final
  • Protests involving ineligible players will be dealt with following the game

Scorekeepers

All teams will receive a tournament scorebook which must be used for all baseball games.  Team scorekeepers are not permitted on the field or in open dugouts with no screening protection.  It is recommended that scorekeepers sit in the spectator seating area.  Team managers and scorekeepers are to summarize pitching information following each game on a form inserted into the back of the scorebook.  This is to verify pitcher eligibility for medal round games.

It is hoped to have official scorekeepers at all games but this is dependent upon the number of local volunteers. All medal round games will have an official scorekeeper.

Special Circumstances

While there will be a good level of competition in all 2016 Americas Masters Games sports, there is an important emphasis on enjoying the sport, respecting your opponents, and experiencing the City of Vancouver and its amenities.  Many of the baseball tournaments our guys have attended have been focussed on playing baseball with little time to fully enjoy much beyond the diamond.  We are reminding our guys to take full advantage of all of the Games events and we trust that our out of town visitors will take the opportunity of enjoying the baseball and everything else that is included.

The Americas Masters Games framework, along with the rules put in place by the baseball committee hopefully will meet all anticipated occurrences.  In the event that special circumstances evolve, the Baseball Technical Director, in consultation with the Americas Masters Games Organizing Committee will work with everyone to resolve unexpected issues in a fair and open manner.

 



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