Rules

NIMBL RULES

Updated: April 2026

NI-MBL House Rules always take precedence over MLB Rules. The Northern Illinois – Men’s Baseball League (NI-MBL) will be referred to within these rules as the “League”. Where so and when so done, “League” is synonymous with our name, the Northern Illinois Men’s Baseball League (NI-MBL).

Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs & Other Equipment

1. All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants and belt. Each player’s jersey must be the same, no variations. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsor’s name on a patch or uniform shirt.

No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent.
All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace period will be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms. All teams should have their uniforms by game time of the 3rd game; unless the league approved. Father’s Day weekend, all players should have uniform(s).
All batters and runners must wear helmets with at least one earflap facing the pitcher for both at bats and on base. Catchers must wear a helmet underneath their mask. Base coaches ARE NOT REQUIRED to wear helmets while on the field of play.

2. Baseballs. 21s teams will each bring three (3) baseball balls to each game; each 35s and 48s team will bring a minimum of two (2) balls to each game. Only baseballs provided by the local league are allowed.

Wilson a1010 -or- Pro Nine PRO NFHS baseballs.

3. Bats. Wood and metal bats are allowed:

No other metal bats except BBCOR Certified bats are permitted.
Wood Bats of any certification
No bats exceeding 36" in length or a 2 5/8" diameter are permitted. Drop -3 or less. No drop -3.1 or greater.
21+ and 35+ are BBCOR metal and composite bats permissible.
48+ and 58+ are WOOD bat only. Composite wood bats are permissible.
Upon protest, the penalty for using an illegal bat will be an automatic out for the violating player; the bat will be removed from the game.
48s and 58s division are WOOD bat only starting in 2026.

4. Baseball Shoes. Metal cleats are permitted.

5. Baseball Gloves. No size restrictions.

Teams, Players and Lineups

1. League Age Requirements. A player is eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game if they are 21, 35, or 48 -- age division dependent -- within the season's calendar year.

An opposing manager may at any time have the right to question a player’s age. Proof of age must be presented at the game, OR no later than Wednesday of the current week. If an underage player is detected, penalties whether to the individual or team will be decided by the “League”. Penalties may include forfeiture of all games in which the under-age player played. If the manager had prior knowledge, he is subject to suspension.
Pro Players status. Any player(s) that has been PAID $$ for playing baseball at any level of play being Major League, Minor league (AAA, AA, A, Rookie), Independent leagues is deemed a “Pro Player. They are eligible to play in the NIMBL after 5 years of last played game.
Age requirements and waivers (NONE)

58’s- all players must turn 58 in calendar year 2026. ZERO players born in 1968 or later.
48’s- all players must turn 48 in calendar year 2026. ZERO players born in 1978 or later.
35’s- all players must turn 35 in calendar year 2026. ZERO players born in 1961 or later.
21’s- all players must turn 21 in calendar year 2026. ZERO players born in 2005 or later.

2. Rosters. Must be actively maintained ONLINE. Game day line up should be reflected with players online and on lineup card.

Rosters can be edited throughout the season with no more than 20 players rostered ONLINE. A player can made INACTIVE and new player can take the 20^th spot on roster if needed. NOTE: Players can NOT be taken ON-OFF-ON-OFF rosters. Once player is OFF, they cannot play remainder of the season. This is not Fantasy Baseball.

Online Roster must include the following for each player:
- first, last name
- Date of Birth year
- clear picture (selfie) of player that clearly IDs player
- jersey number that is unique. No duplicate #'s for players
Roster requirements
- Final team rosters must have no less than 12 players, MAX of 20 players.
- A player who voluntarily quits or player(s) who are put on season ending IR that cannot play again in 2026 can be replaced by another player for the remainder of the season. MGRs can replace players accordingly. Replacement players can still qualify for the postseason meeting the MIN game playoffs
- requirement (per division). NO EXCEPTIONS will be made regardless of when player entered the current season.

Managers can challenge a player’s legitimacy before or after a game. Use of an illegal player will result in a forfeit of the game in which the illegal player was used, and a forfeit fee will be assessed. After reviewing the severity of the infraction additional sanctions may be incurred.
Injured players MUST BE reported to the league when incident has happened (after game) or player is expected to miss beginning of the season due to injury/surgery. Online form “Player Injury” is online for MGRs to use. Credit will not be given to players when MGR reports incident weeks later.

3. Waivers. Before playing in any NIMBL game, player waivers MUST BE COMPLETED by each player in order to play.

4. Scorebooks. Last names should be used to allow for proper player identification.

5. Start of the game. A team must have 8 players for an official game and/or may borrow a player from an opposing team with the opposing manager’s consent and/or may borrow a player from another team, also with the opposing manager’s consent. If the team’s 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player reverts back to his team.

6. Emergency Players. Can only be called upon if a team is at 9 or less players; he must at maximum be the 10th and last player rostered for that game. For the 35’s and 48’s, the only exception with opposing manager approval is when a called upon extra emergency player shows up with 10 players in attendance.

The team manager must notify NI-MBL of their desire to add an “Emergency Player” for each game there is needed. Send an email to [email protected] with details of the situation. There are no guarantees of emergency player approval especially in instances of continued abuse/overuse of emergency players. Emergency Players are a game- playing solution not a game strategy.

Emergency players cannot pitch or catch UNLESS having opposing manager’s consent.
Emergency players have to bat at the bottom of the order, last of the turned in lineup card.
During the season, only two (2) Emergency players can be used per game unless approval is granted with the consent of the opposing team. For the 35’s and 48’s additional emergency players can be added with approval from the opposing manager.
During the postseason, only one (1) Emergency player can be used per game, with the consent of the opposing team.

21s div- Player must have qualified for the play-offs with his own team. Additional emergency players can be added with approval from the opposing manager.
35’s, 48’s and 58s emergency players may come from the same age division.
If a team starts a game with an emergency player(s) and additional rostered players show up, the emergency player must come out of the line-up.

7. Short players and can’t play the game… Forfeit. Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from the “League” with no money refunded to the team. There will be a fine of $50 for each forfeit; subject to review by the “League”. After review, a fine may be reduced or waived. If the fines are not paid by the play-offs, a team will not be eligible for play- off play. Teams must notify league. Send an email to [email protected] with details of the situation

8. A team manager may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 10 (subject to the number of players available, if less than 10). Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game. If a team has only 9 (nine) players and therefore bats only 9, the opposing team will have the option of batting 9 as well. If a team has more than 9 players and still only bats nine, they will be assessed an out each time the 10th batting position is skipped. Batting only 9 players is NOT a protestable offense.

9. A manager may add batters to the bottom of the lineup at any time, but if a batter is pinch hit or run for the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter but may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher. Added players to the bottom of the lineup may be added as individual hitters or as A/B. Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both.

10. A team MAY declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order position (i.e. 1-2-9-10 can be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 2A/2B, 9A/9B, 11A/11B etc. The first time that an A/B position gets to bat, “A” would hit and the next time, B would be up. Then A hits the third time this spot in the order comes up, and so on, alternating between these two players throughout the game. Once a team declares the use of this A/B system, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit for, just as any other player.

11. 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.

12. 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 even though an out has been assessed.

13. If a player is forced to leave a game due to an obvious injury, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, can 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. NO OUT will be assessed at any time. KEY PHRASE: “OBVIOUS INJURY.” For ejections, an out is assessed the first time that batting position comes up, then that spot is skipped without penalty for the remainder of the game.

14. No “out” penalty for players who have to leave a game early, per opposing MGRs approval. A player who has to leave a game early may do so without his team having to take the penalty of out when his turn comes up in the batting order. However, pre-game notification IS REQUIRED; the manager whose player is leaving early, must inform the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. The umpire does not need to be notified; but as a courtesy you should inform the umpire. If an opposing manager is not notified of a player’s early departure, it will be left to the discretion of the opposing manager, based on circumstances, if an out will or won’t be taken for the leaving player’s next at bat.

15. All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the player’s offensive status in the line-up. If the STARTING pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the course of the game, but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position after being removed or no position at all. The re-entering of a STARTING pitcher can only be done once a game.

16. No player may switch teams without the consent of both managers and the league president. If this does not meet with approval, the player must sit out one full season from competition. In the event a team disbands during the season or at season’s conclusion, all players will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team. If a player is not invited back by his manager, he must be given his release so that he may go to the team of his choosing or re-enter the draft. If a player is invited back to play and he desires not to play for his former team and cannot be successfully traded, he must sit out one full season.

17. In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team, he may do so. No other player can be taken from the existing team without the consent of the existing team’s manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without that team’s manager’s approval.

18. New Players: The league can assist in player placement to teams of all new players who have contacted the league in response to advertising or who have been referred to the league by any means. A player who has not played in any league game in either the current or previous year shall be regarded as a new player. A new player acquired by a team through that team’s own recruiting efforts shall be subject to the control of the team and not the league.

General “League” Rules

1. Rain Outs / Umpire Situations. NI-MBL does not maintain a rain-out or game status hotline. Managers must communicate with their players directly regarding game status. Rainouts must be called in directly to umpires or the umpire assignor at least two (2) hours before scheduled game time. Managers will use MGRs toolbox on league website to obtain umpire information.

2. Score Reporting and Stats. Scores are to be reported online. You will have ten (11) days to enter scores and stats and then the game will lock. Teams must input players in attendance of game under the column “G” as for game played. All other statistical info is recreational. If scores/stats are not inputted in this time frame players will lose that game in play-off qualifying.

3. Protests. All protests should be lodged to the “League” by Wednesday of the same week. All protests shall be decided by the “League”. The “League” will review with board members and/or advisory board members (Oversight committees). Send an email to [email protected] with details of the situation.

4. Season schedule should be released by early April pending field owners given availability with final revisions made by end of April. Holiday weekend are as follows.

Opening day after Easter in April. PLAY BALL!
Mother’s Day Sunday- No games
Memorial Day Weekend- league play games
Father’s Day June- league play games
4^th of July weekend- No games (2026)
Labor Day Weekend in Sept- No games unless necessary for team playoff seeding
Playoffs concluded no later than last weekend in October

5. Game Time. Umpires will officiate until a game is complete. Managers must mutually agree on start time and follow the rule. Typical game duration should be less than 3 hours in length. Time limits are as follows:

League wide all divisions
- 9 inn games 3 hours
- 7 inn games 2.5 hours

Exception: For fields that have a time limit, the game will be considered complete when time expires. Should the game not be completed, scoring will revert back to the last completed inning.

21's division exceptions

When a team is scheduled to play two (2) REG season games and/or a make-up game, game duration will be 7 innings. Team a is playing a DH vs 2 teams at given date. Team B in the morning, team C in the afternoon.
Weekday games (i.e.; Wed/Thurs nights) are 7 inn games and have a 2.5-hour time limit

6. Ties are acceptable after official game designation and/or in the case of time-limit games. Weather shortened games and/or a daylight-shortened game scoring continues exactly where it was left off from. Scoring does not have to revert back to the last complete inning where one team had the lead over another. Official games must be official; 5 innings for 9 innings games and 4 innings for 7 innings games.

7. There will be a Slaughter Rule in regular season and postseason play.

League wide across all divisions
- 9 inn games- 12-run differential after five (5) innings and 10-run differential after seven (7) innings
- 7 inn games- 12-run differential after five (5) innings and 10-run differential after six (6) innings

8. Speed-up Rules - Pulling pitchers and catchers with two outs. Each team can individually decide when and where to use the speed-up rule of pulling a pitcher and/or catcher for a courtesy runner. In essence, every team has the right to pull the pitcher and catcher at two outs if they choose to. This does not affect the use of the allotted two (s) courtesy runners per game. (See Courtesy Runner Rules below)

9. Extra inning rule- With time remaining under Rule 5 game times, the following take place....

If a game is tied after 7 or 9 innings, each extra inning begins with an automatic runner on second base for each team in the top and bottom of the inning. The runner is the player who made the final out in the previous inning or a pinch runner if the team chooses. Note: If the player that made the final out of the previous inning is a NR and was called out in play, the previous out in the inning must run. Bench players that have not been inserted into batting order eligible to pinch run. PRE designated (before the start of the FINAL inning BEFORE extra inning starts) “Non-runner’s” are, excluded from running in the "Xtra innings situation.
Postseason: The Extra inning rule does not apply during playoffs. Reg season only.

10. Courtesy Runners. A maximum two (2) courtesy runners per game are allowed NOT counting Pitcher/Catcher speed up rule. Courtesy runners can be named prior to, or during the game. Base running substitutions after using allotted courtesy runners must follow Major League Baseball rules.

The courtesy runner will be the last out…not last batted out.
If any of the players with a courtesy runner chooses to run during any point in the game, he can. In addition, if he wishes he can take his courtesy runner his next time at bat.
If a 3rd, 4th etc.; courtesy runner is needed after 2 courtesy runners have been used, the opposing team must approve the use of courtesy runners. If allowed, normal rules apply, last recorded out, 2 outs no Pitcher/ Catcher.

Pitchers

1. No player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.

2. One intentional walk per game will be allowed. If a second intentional walk is attempted, a balk will immediately be called and all base runners will advance one base.

3. Pitchers are allowed three (3) hit batters. Upon hitting the 3rd batter, a pitcher must be removed from the pitching position for the duration of the game. A removed pitcher is allowed to play any other defensive position.

On the Bases

1. Decoy Rule. Any fielder may use a decoy only if it serves a strategic purpose. For example, if a fielder, who sees a man attempting to steal second base during a hit and run, looks upward into the sky and says that he’s got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on ground is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing.

However, if a fielder fakes a tag, forcing a player to slide, when there is no strategic purpose or apparent play, the runner will be ruled safe and all runners will advance one base. This is an umpire judgment decision and not a rule that may be protested.

2. Sliding is not mandatory. A base runner who does not slide at a base or plate IS NOT automatically out; even if there is minor incidental contact that does not affect the outcome of the play.

3. A base runner who slides or stays up when advancing must go toward the bag, not toward the defensive player. A base runner who “takes out” a defensive player with a purposeful collision (e.g. Lowering shoulder, spikes high, body block) or a base runner who sets a screen will be automatically out; and is subject to immediate game ejection or warning; all at the discretion of the umpire.

4. Defensive players must allow the base runner a straight, clear path to reach the base. A defensive player is NOT allowed to position himself in the base path unless he has possession of the ball or the trajectory of the ball takes him there. If a defensive player blocks the base prior to fielding the ball thereby hindering the runner’s true course to the base, the runner will automatically be awarded the base. A defensive player CAN block a base if he actually has the ball. Warnings or ejections for repeated violations by a defensive player will be the umpire’s discretion.

5. Catchers. A catcher must field the ball behind or in front of the plate; or to the first base side of the plate. A catcher CANNOT set-up to field the ball on the plate or on the third-base line. If the trajectory of the ball takes him to these areas, this is okay. The catcher must bring the tag to the plate. A catcher CAN block the plate if he actually has the ball. Infractions will result in the runner automatically being awarded the plate. Warnings and/or ejection for (repeated) violations by the catcher will be at the umpire’s discretion.

If there is a collision because the defensive player is blocking the base or plate, while not having the ball or trying to field the ball, the runner will automatically be awarded the base/plate. Warnings and/or ejections for repeated violations by defensive players will be at the discretion of the umpire.
In essence, base runners are at fault when causing collisions outside of the baseline or when not sliding down at the base or plate, but instead sliding at a defensive player. Defensive players are at fault when in the baseline while not in possession of the ball or in the true act of fielding the ball. In most other instances, collisions will be considered incidental.

🏆 Play-off Qualification, Game Credit, Standings Tie-Breakers

1a. 21s Division. A player needs eight (8) games played PLUS

16 Plate Appearances (NOT At- Bats) -or-
16 IPs. in order to qualify for the play-offs.

1b. 35s Division. A player needs seven (7) games played PLUS

18 Plate Appearances (NOT At- Bats) -or-
18 IPs. in order to qualify for the play-offs.

1c. 48s Division. A player needs seven (7) games played PLUS

18 Plate Appearances (NOT At- Bats) -or-
18 innings Pitched -

1d 58s Division. A player needs six (x) games played PLUS

xx Plate Appearances (NOT At- Bats) -or-
xx innings Pitched -or-
xx innings played in field in order to qualify for the play-offs.
WORK IN PROGRESS...TBD

A player must have xx MIN games (see division requirements) played in the league and on the team, he is playing on in the play-offs. If a player played 4 games with a team in one division and 3 games with any NIMBL team (regardless of division) this does not qualify him to play for either team; he must have 8,7 or 6 games on the team he is playing on in the play-offs.

Exceptions. For players that missed game due to injury, MGR must have reported to league via link online. Games after that will be taken into consideration for playoff credit. 1 Gm = minus 1 Gm less and 1 PA or 1 IP or 1 In played in field (48s).

2. Game credit is given when:

A pitcher pitches 1 inning (MIN) and is at the entire game even when not playing.
A pitcher pitches 1 inning (MIN), has at least 1 AB and is only at a portion of the game.
A player just plays the field, but is at the entire game, even without a plate appearance or batter pitched.
One (1) at bat (AB) even if the player is only at a portion of the game.
A non-injured player does not play, but is at the entire game.

NI-MBL will rule on injured players receiving game credit; there is no guarantee of game credit. NI-MBL should be notified immediately of an injured player requesting game credit. Send an email to [email protected] with details of the situation.
There will be no other waivers issued outside of injury waivers and Military commitment(s) leave/deployment

3. If there is a tie in the Division standings at the end of the season, for whatever reason, the tie breakers will be as follows:

Head-to-head competition
Run Differential – Head-to-Head
Coin flip

🏆 Playoff format

21+ Division: Playoff Guidelines & Regulations

I. Postseason Qualification

To be eligible for the 21+ Division playoffs, a player must participate in a minimum of eight (8) regular-season games and meet one of the following statistical requirements:

Position Players: A minimum of 16 Plate Appearances (Note: Based on PAs, not At-Bats).
Pitchers: A minimum of 16 Innings Pitched (IP).

II. Season Schedule & Flexibility

Timeline: The target start date is the week after Labor Day. If the regular season concludes early, playoffs may begin in August, provided they finish before Labor Day.
Flexibility: Teams must remain flexible regarding makeup dates. All scheduling is subject to change based on rain-outs, field availability, and postseason progression.

III. Format & Seeding

Participation: The Top 8 teams qualify for the postseason bracket. There are no wild card games for the 2026 season.
Bracket Structure: The bracket is fixed; there is no reshuffling after rounds.
- Quarterfinals: #1 vs. #8 | #4 vs. #5 | #2 vs. #7 | #3 vs. #6.
Series Format: All three rounds (Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Championship) are Best-of-Three series.
Tiebreaker Hierarchy (Head-to-Head):
1. Head-to-Head (H2H) record.
2. Run differential in H2H games.
3. Total runs scored in H2H games.

IV. Game Logistics & Venues

Field Assignments: The league books all games based on availability. There is no guarantee of home-field use for any team.
Home Team Advantage: The higher seed is designated as the "Home" team for games 1 & 3.

V. Quarterfinals: Game 3 Policy

Primary Schedule: Game 3 matches are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday/Thursday nights.
Series Volume Contingency:
- 0–2 Series: If two or fewer series require a Game 3, matches proceed on Wednesday/Thursday.
- 3+ Series: If three or more series require a Game 3, matches will be postponed and played the following weekend.
Final Deadline: All Quarterfinal outcomes must be finalized by September 20th

VI. Semifinals & Championship Series

Doubleheader: Games #1 and #2 are played as a 7-inning Doubleheader on the same date.
Tie-Breaker: If necessary, Game 3 is a 9-inning game played the following weekend, subject to field availability.

VII. Championship Prize

The division champion will receive a $600 credit toward the following season’s league fees.

Note: All scheduling and field assignments remain subject to change based on weather conditions and local field availability.

35+ Division: Playoff Guidelines & Regulations

I. Postseason Qualification

To be eligible for the playoffs, a player must participate in a minimum of seven (7) regular-season games and meet one of the following statistical requirements:

Position Players: A minimum of 18 Plate Appearances (Note: This is based on PAs, not At-Bats).
Pitchers: A minimum of 18 Innings Pitched (IP).

II. Season Schedule & Flexibility

Timeline: The target start date for playoffs is the week after Labor Day. If the regular season concludes early, playoffs may begin in August, provided they finish before Labor Day.
Contingencies: Teams must remain flexible regarding makeup dates. All scheduling is subject to change based on rain-outs, field availability, and postseason progression.

III. Format & Seeding

Participation: All six (6) teams qualify for the postseason bracket.
Bracket Structure: The bracket is fixed; there is no reshuffling after rounds.
- Quarterfinals: Seeds #1 and #2 receive a BYE. Matches are #3 vs. #6 and #4 vs. #5.
- Semifinals: #1 vs. Winner of (#4/#5) and #2 vs. Winner of (#3/#6).

Series Format: see below

Wild card games: #3 vs. #6 and #4 vs. #5 Single Game elimination
Semi and Finals are Best-of-Three series.

Tiebreaker Hierarchy (Head-to-Head):
1. Head-to-Head (H2H) record.
2. Run differential in H2H games.
3. Total runs scored in H2H games.

IV. Game Logistics & Venues

Field Assignments: The league schedules all games based on availability. There is no guarantee of home-field use for any team.
Home Team Advantage: The higher seed is designated as the "Home" team for games 1 & 3.

V. Semi finals: Game 3 Policy

Primary Schedule: Game 3 matches are tentatively slated for Wednesday/Thursday nights.
Series Volume Contingency:
- If playoffs begin earlier than Sept 13th, below does NOT apply.
- If playoffs begin Sept 13th: and
- If only one (1) series requires a Game 3: The match will proceed on Wednesday/Thursday.
- If BOTH series require a Game 3: Matches will be moved to the following weekend.
Final Deadline: All Semi final outcomes must be finalized by September 20th (the start of the Semifinals).

VI. Semifinals & Championship Series

Format: Games #1 and #2 are played as a 7-inning Doubleheader on the same date.
Tie-Breaker: If necessary, Game 3 will be played the following weekend, subject to field availability.

VII. Championship Prize

The division champion will receive a $600 credit toward the following season’s league fees.

Note: All scheduling and field assignments remain subject to change based on weather conditions and local field availability.

48+ Division: Playoff Guidelines & Regulations

I. Postseason Qualification

To be eligible for the 48+ Division playoffs, a player must participate in a minimum of seven (7) regular-season games and meet one of the following statistical requirements:

Position Players: A minimum of 18 Plate Appearances (Note: Based on PAs, not At-Bats).
Pitchers: A minimum of 18 Innings Pitched (IP).

II. Season Schedule & Flexibility

Timeline: The target start date is the week after Labor Day. If the regular season concludes early, playoffs may begin in August, provided they finish before Labor Day.
Flexibility: Teams must remain flexible regarding makeup dates. All scheduling is subject to change based on rain-outs, field availability, and postseason progression.

III. Format & Seeding

Participation: Top 4 teams qualify for the postseason bracket.
Bracket Structure:

Semifinals: #1 vs 4 and #2 vs #3.
Series Format: Both the Semifinals and the Championship are Best-of-Three series.
Tiebreaker Hierarchy (Head-to-Head):
1. Head-to-Head (H2H) record.
2. Run differential in H2H games.
3. Total runs scored in H2H games.

IV. Game Logistics & Scheduling

Game Structure: All games (#1, #2, and #3) are played as standalone 7-inning games. There are no doubleheaders for this division.
Home Team Advantage: The higher seed is designated as the "Home" team for games 1 & 3.
Mid-Week Potential: Due to field availability and potential rain-outs, teams must be prepared to play on Wednesday or Thursday nights. This will be confirmed as field availability is secured.
Venues: The league books all games based on availability; there is no guarantee of home-field use for any team.

V. Championship Prize

The division champion will receive a $600 credit toward the following season’s league fees. NIMBL teams ONLY

Note: All scheduling and field assignments remain subject to change based on weather conditions and local field availability.

58+ Division: Playoff Guidelines & Regulations

I. Format & Seeding

Participation: All three (3) teams qualify for the postseason.
Evolution of Format: Please note that the playoff structure for the 58+ Division is reviewed and updated each season to best fit the division's growth.
Bracket Structure: * Opening Round: Seed #2 vs. Seed #3 in a Single-Elimination game.
- Championship: The winner of the 2v3 match will advance to play the #1 Seed for the title.

II. Game Logistics & Scheduling

Series Format: Unlike other divisions, the 58+ postseason consists of Single-Game Series for both rounds.
Field Assignments: The league schedules all games based on availability. There is no guarantee of home-field use for any team.
Flexibility: Teams must remain flexible regarding makeup dates due to weather or field constraints.

III. Championship Prize

The division champion will receive a $200 credit toward the following season’s league fees.

Note: All scheduling and field assignments remain subject to change based on weather conditions and local field availability.

🤝 Player's Behavior and Team Responsibility

The “League” has the right to fine, suspend and/or expel any team member who abuses “League” rules or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship; or any team member who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.

1. Managers and players shall display good sportsmanship at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:

Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the “League”. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the “League” for life.
Refusing to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by “League”. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the “League” for life.
Be guilty of verbal abusive attack upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the “League”. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.

2. NI-MBL takes the stance that as adults you know there should be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted at the field before, during or after the game. The field refers to the general playing area and ancillary areas. The “League” will only take appropriate and necessary steps when notified by a “FIELD OWNER” that drinking by a team member(s) has occurred. In addition, if the “League” is notified of an intoxicated player entering a game, appropriate and necessary steps may/will be taken by the “League”.

3. The “League” has the right to suspend or expel any team member who abuses “League” rules or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.

4. Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be

tolerated. Players expelled from the game for either violation are subject to league suspension or expulsion.

5. NI-MBL WILL issue suspensions or expulsions infractions unbefitting to the image and policies of the “League”.

🟥 Ejections

An umpire or the League’s Commissioner has discretion to expel any player or manager from the game; during the game.

There is a “Three Strikes process” for ejections.

First Ejection: One (1) game suspension and a $25 fine payable prior to the player’s next played game. Suspension can be appealed/reversed.
Second Ejection: Up to three (3) game suspension; can be carried over to the following season. A $50 fine will also be assessed and is due prior to the player’s next played game. The team manager will be subject to suspension as well. Suspensions can be appealed/reversed.
Third Ejection: Immediate expulsion from the league; all divisions. Reinstatement will be predicated on formal reapplication to the league. The team manager may be subject to penalties in the current or next season.

⚖️Appeal process

One rep from each division (3) makes up the Rules committee and convenes and votes on suspensions to be upheld by Voting simple majority. Statements to be inquired upon to the player, MGRs present and Umpire statement.

Players have until 5pm Wednesday AFTER the game. If no notification to the Rules committee is given, the player is suspended. See above. Email to [email protected] MUST be sent to appeal ejection. Depending on the severity of the violation, first and second ejections are subject to additional penalties being assessed; additional games, suspension from the league, etc.
Fines must be paid BEFORE playing in the next game. Electronic payment to League Treasurer [email protected] must be made and verified.
Teams must report ejection to the league via the team site under a form titled “Player Ejection form.”

Based on the guidelines provided, here is a clear breakdown of your league's Rule Modification Process. I've organized this to serve as a quick reference for your league members.

⚖️ Standard Rule Modification

By default, all rules apply across all divisions within the league. To change or rewrite an existing rule, the following criteria must be met:

Requirement: A simple majority vote.
Default Outcome: In the event of a tie, the rule remains unchanged (the status quo is maintained).

👔 Tie-Breaker Protocol

If a division-specific vote results in a tie and a resolution is required, the tie-breaking authority falls to the League Administration.

The Tie-Breaking Order

Votes are cast by the following roles in this specific order:

Commissioner
Player Development
Treasurer

Conflict of Interest Clause

To ensure neutrality and fairness, the following restriction applies:

Note: An administrator cannot cast a tie-breaking vote for a division they are personally active in. The vote must come from an administrator representing a different division or the league at large.

Quick Summary Table

Scenario	Requirement for Change	Outcome of a Tie
Standard Vote	Simple Majority (>50%)	Rule stays in place
Division Tie-Breaker	Admin Intervention	Commish → Player Dev → Treasurer