Rule 1A The Annual Election of Positions
Clause 1A1 The President of the HBL shall coordinate the Annual Election for the following year. In the January managers meeting, any candidate wishing to run for president of the HBL will do so during the meeting (candidate should be present at the meeting). Voting will take place in the February managers meeting. If a new president is elected they will assume presidential responsibilities immediately.
Clause 1A2 To be eligible to run for the President of the HBL: Must be an active member of the HBL.
Clause 1A3 The position requirements of the President of the HBL: 1) If elected and currently a Manager, the person shall step down as Manager of the team, 2) Must have a professional business acumen, 3) Have leadership abilities and can execute goals of expanding the league and implementing innovative ideals for success, 4) Standing forthright and grounded with the established rules and regulations for every member of the HBL, regardless if they are friend or foe, 5) Be able to be reached 24/7/365 from members of the HBL and prospective members to the HBL, 6) Execute the vision and the Articles of Declaration from the Founder of the HBL and 7) Be the face and voice of the HBL.
Clause 1A4 The term of the President of the HBL shall be one (1) year.
Clause 1A5 There shall be no maximum of term limit.
Clause 1A6 Following the 2019 season, a vote will be taken to decide to stay with the same three tier system (President-Managers-Players) or look to institute a “Board of Directors” (President-Vice President-Treasurer-Secretary-Player Coordinator-Umpire Coordinator-Communications Director-Ect)
Rule 1.0 Age Verification
Clause 1.1 Any player that is 28 years or older by December 31st of the season year can participate in the HBL.
Clause 1.2 The HBL will no longer provide Age Waivers for players that have not turned 28 years old by December 31st.
Clause 1.3 The President of the HBL shall verify all members of the HBL no later than 3 days prior to Opening Day.
Clause 1.4 All members, regardless of years of service to the HBL shall have their age verified.
Clause 1.5 Verification shall only be one or the other; 1) the original, non-expired government issued identification card (i.e., state issued driver’s license or state issue identification card) or 2) a passport. No other means of verification will be accepted.
Rule 2.0 Appeal Process
Clause 2.1 Any player charged with an infraction, has the right to appeal an infraction against them as appointed by the HBL.
Clause 2.2 The Charged has two (2) days from the day of the game that they received an infraction to submit the Right to Appeal Request (HBL012FRM) to the President.
Clause 2.3 If the Charged does not submit a Right to Appeal Request (HBL012FRM), the President of the HBL shall dispose judgment against the Charged.
Clause 2.4 Upon receipt of the Right to Appeal Request, the President will conduct an investigation in the infraction(s). Upon completion of the investigation, the President shall schedule a hearing within 24 hours with the Charged, his Manager, the Umpire, and himself.
Clause 2.5 During said hearing, the Charged will have the opportunity to defend themselves against the infractions as cited.
Clause 2.6 The President’s decision shall be final and cannot be appealed or overturned by any member of the HBL.
Rule 3.0 Courtesy Runner
Clause 3.1 The Courtesy Runner Rule is only applicable to the catcher and an injured player during the play in which they were injured. If a catcher uses a courtesy runner, he must catch the entire next inning (with the exception of an injury).
Clause 3.2 An injured player may be replaced (In the field, while at bat, while on base) one time during a game. If the injured player returns to the game and is injured a second time they must sit out the duration of the game.
Clause 3.3 The courtesy runner shall be the last batted out.
Rule 4. 0 Definition of a Complete Game
Clause 4.1 A complete game in the HBL shall be declared at the bottom of the 4th inning.
Rule 5.0 Drafting of Players
Clause 5.1 There will be no draft for new players. Managers are encouraged to recruit new players.
Rule 6.0 Expansion Teams
Clause 6.1 Teams that either have never been in the HBL in the past or a team that has more than 90% (17 players) of its players that have not participated in the HBL for over two (2) years.
Clause 6.2 Expansion Teams must provide an Official Team Roster (HBL001FRM), Player Waiver and Consent (HBL002FRM) signed by all players on the roster, age verification of players.
Clause 6.3 The President of the HBL approves or disapproves Expansion Teams.
Rule 7.0 Equipment
Clause 7.1 Aluminum bats with a -3 are legal.
Clause 7.2 Wooden bats are legal regardless of weight.
Clause 7.3 All batters and batters on deck shall wear a protective baseball helmet with one (1) or two (2) ear flaps.
Clause 7.4 Catchers shall wear all protective catcher equipment; chest protector, helmet with face cage, shin guards, protective cup and a catcher’s glove.
Clause 7.5 Players shall wear plastic molded and/or metal cleats or athletic shoes with a closed toe. No other types of footwear will be accepted.
Clause 7.6 All players are encouraged to wear a protective cup.
Clause 7.7 It is recommended, but not mandatory that base coaches wear a protective batting helmet.
Clause 7.8 Players shall meet the Uniform Requirements of Rule 31.0.
Rule 8.0 Field Maintenance
Clause 8.1 The playing field shall be prepared for play 90 minutes before game time.
Clause 8.2 If the field is not deemed playable and no notice is given to the President of the HBL, then the Home Team shall forfeit the game.
Clause 8.3 The Home Team Manager must communicate to the President of the HBL and/or League Affairs prior to 90 minutes of game start to either move the game to a different field, suspend the game for a future date and time or deem the field unplayable.
Clause 8.4 The President of the HBL and/or League Affairs has the right to direct in any circumstance and has the final authority.
Rule 9.0 Forfeiture Clause
Clause 9.1 If during the course of the Regular Season, a team forfeits a game – the forfeiting team shall contact the President of the HBL to ensure that future forfeits are avoided.
Clause 9.2 If a team is to forfeit a game the manager of that team needs to give notice to the opponents manager, president of the HBL and the umpires no later than three hours prior to the start time.
Clause 9.3 Any team that forfeits three (3) games or more will not be eligible for the playoffs.
Rule 10.0 Game Balls and Umpire Fees
Clause 10.1 Each Home Team will provide the Home Plate Umpire with three (3) unused official HBL balls for play.
Clause 10.2 Each Home Team will pay the umpires prior to the start of each game.
Rule 11.0 Holiday Observance
Clause 11.1 The HBL observes Mother’s Day Weekend and no games will not be scheduled during that weekend. No Playoff games will be scheduled over the Labor Day weekend.
Rule 12.0 Ineligible Game Day Player
Clause 12.1 A player is considered ineligible to participate in a game if they arrive at the top of the 4th inning or later.
Rule 13.0 Innings of Play
Clause 13.1 Any game in the HBL shall be scheduled for seven (7) innings, unless called due to inclement weather.
Clause 13.2 Games cannot end in a tie; therefore, extra innings shall be played to declare a winner.
Rule 14.0 Numbers of Players to Start a Game
Clause 14.1 A team shall have eight (8) players to start a game.
Clause 14.2 If a team only has eight (8) players During the number nine (9) batter shall be considered an out only when there are no outs or one (1) out has already been recorded.
Clause 14.3 If a team only has eight (8) players and that team is at bat with two (2) outs when the ninth position comes up that team will begin the next inning with one (1) out.
Rule 15.0 Opening Day
Clause 15.1 Opening day will be April 28th for the 2019 season.
Rule 16.0 Player Post-Season Eligibility
Clause 16.1 Players shall have five (5) or more games played during the regular season to be eligible.
Clause 16.2 Any player traded to another team must play in five (5) regular season games with their new team to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
Clause 16.3 At each game, when the managers have the meeting at home plate, both managers will need to bring their scorebook with game lineups filled out (Players full name and jersey number). Both managers will need to take a picture of both books and text it to the proper individuals. These photos will be used to calculate each players playoff requirement of five (5) games. It is suggested that each manager keep a copy of each lineup card. The HBL President or designee will keep a spreadsheet for playoff eligible. The spreadsheet will be issued after games 4,8,12 and 16 in order for all managers to cross reference player eligibility.
Clause 16.4 All players shall play a minimum of three (3) innings of defense and bat in the lineup for game play eligibility. If using a DH, field play is not required.
Clause 16.5 If a team forfeits a game, none of that teams players will receive credit towards games needed for playoff eligibility. The team that won by forfeit will credit all their currently rostered players with a game played
Rule 17.0 Playing Fields
Clause 17.1 It is the responsibility of the Team Manager to find and secure their team’s home field.
Clause 17.2 No two (2) teams shall have the same home field (unless given prior approval by the President of the HBL).
Clause 17.3 It is the responsibility of the Team Manager to provide any agreed fees to the Field Owner and to abide by the Field Owner’s rules while utilizing their field.
Clause 17.4 It is the responsibility of the President of the HBL to provide a copy of the league insurance to the Team Managers to provide to the Field Owners.
Rule 18.0 Playing Rules
Clause 18.1 The HBL has two types of playing rules: HBL Rules – all present players shall bat throughout the lineup or MLB Rules – play nine (9) and bat (9).
Clause 18.2 Managers shall declare which playing guidelines they are using by informing the umpire and opposing manager during the pre game meeting at home plate.
Clause 18.3 Managers may decide to have a player(s) bat through the line-up and not play the field for any minimum amount of innings. If a manager decides to use this rule the player should agree that he will not play the field. This player should be noted on the line-up card as “batting only” and conveyed to the other manager and umpire. Managers should try to play all other players a minimum of three innings in the field if using HBL rules.
Clause 18.4 A hitter may be designated to bat for any one spot in the batting order. A Designated Hitter for that spot must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the other manager. The Designated Hitter named in the starting lineup must come to bat at least one time. It is not .mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a Designated Hitter for that game. MLB rules must be used for that game. (As Stated in the MLB Rules)
Rule 19.0 Purpose of Rescheduled Games
Clause 19.1 Games shall only be rescheduled by the President of the HBL due to inclement weather, poor field conditions due to previous inclement weather and not for a lack of players. Each rescheduled or make-up game shall be completed in a timely manner. It is the Managers of each team’s responsibility to schedule the make-up games. There will be one weekend at the end of the scheduled season for make-up games. Managers have 30 days following a rescheduled game to agree on a makeup date, time and location.
Rule 20.0 Post-Season Format
Clause 20.1 The Top Eight (8) teams shall make the Post-Season.
Clause 20.2 The Post-Season shall be a Best of 3 series.
Clause 20.3 The Post-Season Seeding will be highest seed vs. lowest seed. Each round, the highest seed will play the lowest seed.
Rule 21.0 Rescheduled Make-Up Games
Clause 21.1 All games shall be made up prior to the end of the regular season or the week after the regular season – no exceptions per Rule 19.
Rule 22.0 Retrieving Balls Out of Play
Clause 22.1 It shall be the responsibility of the team at bat to retrieve all foul and homerun balls.
Rule 23.0 Rules and Regulations
Clause 23.1 The Rules and Regulations as set forth in this manual shall be governed by all participating members of the Hoosier Baseball League (HBL) of Northwest Indiana.
Clause 23.2 No additions, revisions or deletions of said rules in this manual shall be changed during the course of the season, unless the President of the HBL finds that a rule or regulation needs such addition, revision or deletion to ensure the accuracy of the league and/or in the best interest of the league.
Clause 23.3 Any Manager can submit additions, revisions or deletions of the Rules and Regulations Manual after the end of the season by submitting a completed Rules and Regulations form (HBL014FRM) to the President of the HBL to annotate as an agenda item for a scheduled HBL Meeting.
Rule 24.0 Schedule of Games and Times
Clause 24.1 A league schedule will be created and distributed by the President of the HBL.
Clause 24.2 Teams shall have eight (8) home games and (8) away games throughout the season.
Clause 24.3 All games shall be played on Sundays, unless otherwise directed by the President of the HBL.
Clause 24.4 All games times shall start as follows: Single Day Games (11:00 am) / Double Header Games (1st Game – 11:00 am / 2ndGame – 1 hour after the completion of the 1st Game).
Rule 25.0 Slaughter Rule
Clause 25.1 The Slaughter Rule shall be in effect when one team has outscored the other by; 20 runs after 4 innings of play or 15 runs after 5 innings of play.
Clause 25.2 All forfeits will be scored as a 15-0 loss for the forfeiting team
Rule 26.0 Sportsmanship and Standards of Behavior
Clause 26.1 As a member of the HBL, being professional and exhibiting sportsmanship is expected of every player. It is up to each member of the HBL to ensure that games are competitive and enjoyable for other players, managers, umpires and spectators. Fighting, abusive language, abusive gestures and physical abuse of players, managers, umpires and spectators will not be tolerated in the HBL and is a mandatory ejection from the game and future judgment of suspension or banishment from the HBL.
Rule 27.0 Team Names
Clause 27.1 Teams are encouraged to create their own personalized names; however, the name shall not be derogatory or offensive in nature.
Clause 27.2 Teams can use any available MLB team name not currently being used in the league.
Rule 28. 0 Team Rosters
Clause 28.1 Teams are allowed to have a maximum of 20 players.
Clause 28.2 Rosters are frozen even at the end of the season; however, Managers can Drop Players after the season has ended.
Clause 28.3 An Official Team Roster (HBL001FRM), Player Waivers and Consent (HBL002FRM) and the team fee shall be provided to the President of the HBL prior to Opening Day.
Clause 28.4 Managers are encouraged to acquire new players for the upcoming season.
Clause 28.6 Players can be added or removed from the roster during the regular season.
Clause 28.8 Trades shall only be approved by President of the HBL.
Rule 29.0 Tie Breakers for Standings
Clause 29.1 Tie Breakers will be Best Record -> Head to Head Record -> Runs Scored Against -> Run Differential
Rule 30.0 Umpires
Clause 30.1 The President of the HBL shall coordinate and schedule umpires for all games.
Clause 30.2 The Manager of the Home Team shall provide the umpire fees prior to the start of each game.
Rule 31.0 Uniform Requirements
Clause 31.1 All players shall be compliant in the professionalism of the league in the following manner:
Sub-Clause 31.1.1 Matching team jersey with a whole number on the back.
Sub-Clause 31.1.2 Last names are optional.
Sub-Clause 31.1.3 Baseball pants.
Sub-Clause 31.1.4 Matching team hats.
Clause 31.2 New or traded players acquired shall meet the uniform requirements in Sub-Clauses 31.1.1 through 31.1.4 before their first game with the team.
Clause 31.3 Teams shall have their uniforms by Opening Day. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit.
Clause 31.4 All jerseys must be tucked in, if a jersey is untucked and the batter's jersey is struck by a pitch thrown below the belt line, the pitch will be called a ball by the umpire. If an untucked jersey is struck by a thrown pitch below the belt line it will not be considered a Hit by Pitch
Rule 32.0 Player Ejections
Clause 32.0 Any player ejected from a game will be issued a four (4) game suspension. The player ejected has 24 hours from the time of the ejection to appeal the suspension. Any player appealing the suspension must contact the president of the HBL. The president will then begin an investigation into the ejection by getting statements from the ejected player, the ejected player’s manager, the opponent’s manager, both umpires and anyone else who was a witness to the ejection. The president will have 72 hours from the notification of the ejected player to uphold the suspension, modify the suspension or remove the suspension.
Rule 33.0 Intentional Walks
Clause 33.0 Anytime a team wants to intentionally walk a batter they must throw four balls.
Rule 34.0 Blocking Home Plate
Clause 34.0 For the safety of all players, no player will be allowed to block home plate unless that player has possession of the ball. If the ball has not made it to the defensive player that is positioned near home plate he must not block home plate. If the umpire decides that a defensive player is blocking the plate without possessing the ball the run will count, even if the runner does not touch home plate.
APPENDIX OF FORMS (Forms can be requested from the President of the HBL)
Official Team Roster (HBL001FRM)
Player Waiver and Consent (HBL002FRM)
Report and Disposition of Charge(s) (HBL003FRM)
Official Game Day Line-Up (HBL004FRM)
Draft Evaluation Sheet (HBL005FRM)
Player Dropped Notice (HBL006FRM)
Player Trade Notice (HBL007FRM)
All-Star Ballot (HBL008FRM)
Meeting Agenda (HBL009FRM)
Meeting Attendance (HBL010FRM)
HBL Scorecard (HBL011FRM)
Right to Appeal (HBL012FRM)
Meeting Minutes (HBL013FRM)
Request of Rules and Regulations (HBL014FRM)
