THE AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL RULES DEPARTMENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 2008
The
official American Legion Baseball rules as adopted by the National Americanism
Commission for 2008 apply to the Department of New Hampshire with the following
additions: 1.
The business manager should be a member of The American Legion. 2.
There should be two (2) umpires for all District games. If only (1) umpire is available, the Game may
be played. (NOTE: Refer to 9.03 of the
Official Baseball Rules): a. Umpires hired for District
games shall be members of the NH American Legion Baseball Umpires Association. b. A suggested minimum fee of
$65.00 for a nine (9)-inning game is to be paid to each umpire. c. Non-members of the NHALBUA
can be hired for non-district games. The
parties involved determine fees for these umpires. d. If an Umpire gets to a game
and the game is canceled before the first pitch, the Umpire will be paid a fee
of $30.00. e. NEW JUNIOR TEAMS ONLY
suggested minimum fee of $50.00 for a seven (7)-inning game. 3.
A pitcher must be replaced after the manager or coach makes a second
trip to the mound in any one inning.
This replaced pitcher may play at any other position but cannot return
to the mound in that game. 4.
The Designated Hitter Rule is used in NH American Legion Baseball. Refer to Rule 6.10 of the Official Baseball
Rules. If you use the designated hitter,
it must be for the pitcher only. 5.
10-Run Rule. All Playoff Games
and Department Tournament Games will utilize a 10-Run Rule after seven (7)
innings, unless the home team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 6-1/2 innings. 6.
Each team 7.
a. The uniforms
of team members, which include coaches, scorekeepers and Players, shall have an
American Legion Baseball insignia on either the left shoulder or left breast. If insignia is not there the umpire shall
stop the game until corrected or the umpire shall allow a reasonable amount of
time to make correction. b. A coach or manager must be
in same uniform as the team to go on the playing field. c. No one will be allowed in
the dugout unless in uniform and this includes the scorekeeper. d. Base Coaches Must Wear a Helmet in the Coaches Box.
8.
The Department Baseball Committee prior to a team participating in the
New Hampshire American Legion Baseball program must approve sponsorship. a. “No Firm or Company whose
advertisement reflects the sale or use of alcoholic beverages, or tobacco
products shall be permitted to display such advertising on team uniforms.” 9.
Rules not specified in State Rules will be covered by National Rules or
the Official Baseball Rule Book as published by the Sporting News. 10. Umpire has the authority to eject players, coaches, or managers
from a game for malicious, flagrant, or un-sportsmanlike conduct. Umpire has to call one of the three
supervisors of umpires the day or night, it occurs. Supervisors of Umpires will notify the team,
if the participant ejected will or will not coach or play the next District
Game. If the team is not notified, the
player, coach, or manager may participate in the next District Game. 11.
The Department of New Hampshire will play by “B” recruiting only. 12.
Coaches must wear a helmet to be on the field. A hard helmet is
required; "skullies" or cap inserts are NOT permitted. If a coach 13.
RULE 4:05 COMMENT: It has been common practice for many years for some coaches to put one foot outside the coach's box or stand astride or otherwise be slightly outside the coaching box lines. Until a batted ball passes a coach, a coach is not permitted to position himself closer to home plate than the coach's box nor closer to fair territory than the coach's box. Otherwise, a coach shall not be considered out of the box unless the opposing manager complains, in which case the umpire shall strictly enforce the rule and require all coaches (on both teams) to remain in the coach's box at all times. II ELIGIBILITY, TRANSFERS, OR CHANGING TEAMS 1.
A release can only be given jointly by the team Manager or Head Coach. 2.
Teams intending to give a release must do so prior to June 25th. If a player tries out for a team and is cut,
the player can tryout to the next nearest base school team. See rule 4E transfer rule in National
rulebook. The only way a player can be
protected is to put him on the Roster.
At the same time, if a player fails to try out, he cannot try out for
the next nearest team without a waiver. 3.
Players wishing to cross the State line(s) to play in another State
must have written permission from both, Department Chairman prior to June 25th. Must use American Legion Baseball National
Transfer Form #76. 4.
If a team manager or coach refuses to release a player to another team,
the Department Baseball Chairman shall have the right to release said player to
another team, under the following conditions. III 1.
Protests of official baseball rule interpretations during actual game
conditions must be filed with the chief umpire before the next legal pitched
ball is thrown from the pitching mound or an out made. 2.
A written protest (using the Protest Form) must be sent within 24 hours
to the Protest Committee Chairman, District Director,
and Department Baseball Chairman. 3.
The Protest Committee Chairman will send the written decision to the
Team manager with copies to the District Director and Department Baseball
Chairman. 4.
Player eligibility protests will be filed in writing, be specific and
include positive written proof of the circumstances and presented to the
DISTRICT DIRECTOR with a copy to the DEPARTMENT BASEBALL CHAIRMAN. The DISTRICT DIRECTOR will resolve the
protest allowing an appeal of his decision to the DEPARTMENT BASEBALL CHAIRMAN. 5.
Any player found to be ineligible shall be disqualified. Any and all games said player participated in
shall be forfeited. 6.
Any appeal or rule interpretations to National Headquarters, the
National Director, or the National Appeals Board must be routed through the
Department Baseball Chairman. Any individual or team, either directly or
indirectly, that contacts such higher authority without the permission of the
DEPARTMENT BASEBALL CHAIRMAN SHALL BE SUSPENDED from participation in the New
Hampshire American Legion Baseball Program for a period of time as determined
by the DEPARTMENT BASEBALL COMMITTEE. IV 1.
District Games will take precedent over non-district games in
rescheduling of un-played games. 2.
Teams must submit a copy of their season baseball schedule (District
and NON-DISTRICT) to the District Director prior
to their first scheduled game. 3.
District Games, not played as scheduled due to inclement weather or
other reasons, must be rescheduled within 48 hours after the game is
called. The District Director must be notified immediately. This game must be made up within 7 days of the originally scheduled
game. If the two teams cannot agree on a
rescheduled date within the 7 days, the District Director will set the
rescheduled date and his decision is final.
If the game is not played on the rescheduled date, barring more
inclement weather or other reasons, that game cannot be played and will not
count in the final District standings for both teams. Expenses incurred to play the rescheduled
game will be borne by the home team. 4.
If a team forfeits a game, a fine of $100 will be imposed. A $200 fine will be imposed for the second
game forfeited in the same season. An
automatic suspension of the Baseball Franchise will occur for the third forfeit
in the season. Fines must be paid within
five calendar days after the forfeited game and prior to Post Season play. 5.
In the judgment of the State Baseball Committee, if a team does not
finish its scheduled District games, all games played by that team will be
discounted in the final standings of the District in which the team played. V 1.
The New Hampshire State Tournament will be AN EIGHT (8) TEAM DOUBLE
ELIMINATION FORMAT. 2.
The DEPARTMENT BASEBALL COMMITTEE shall select the site and dates for
the State Tournament. The 2008 Tournament will be held at Spaulding High School Field, Rochester, NH on August 1st to August 5th with August 6th and 7th as rain dates. Rochester Post 7 will host the 2008 Tournament. 3.
Umpires for the State Tournament will be selected by the Department
Baseball Committee and will be members of the NHALBUA. 4.
All tournament games will be scheduled regulation nine (9) inning
games. Tournament games interrupted, for
whatever reason, will be played to conclusion and retain their place in the
tournament schedule. 5.
All State Tournament games will utilize a 10 Run Rule after 7 innings,
unless the home team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 6 ½ innings. 6.
No team will be required to play more than two (2) games in any
one-calendar day (State and National Tournament only). Playing day starts at 8:00 A.M.. (See
National Rule 9J(l),(2),(3). 7.
The National twelve (12) inning pitching rule is in effect for the New
Hampshire State Tournament. 8.
Department Champion must be determined by August 10, 2008. 9.
For seeding purposes only, teams whose records are the same in the
final district standing and are tied for first, second or third place will be
determined by: a. Won and lost record against
the team or teams tied with. b. Won and lost record against
the other three teams qualifying for the State Tournament. c. Least number of runs allowed
against team or teams tied within head to head competition. d. If still tied, a flip will
determine seeding. e. The first and second place seeded
teams will have the option of choosing to play as the home or visiting team in
their first game of the State Tournament.
All other games will use a coin flip to make the determination of home
or visitor. 10.
If two or more teams finish in a tie for fourth place, a one game
playoff will decide fourth place. a. If 3 teams are tied, a coin
flip will decide a bye in game one, and the team receiving the bye will play
the winner of the playoff game to decide fourth place. 11.
During a State Tournament, any player, coach, or manager suspended from
a game by an umpire for un-sportsmanlike conduct must report to the Protest
Committee to be reinstated, the Committee will review the request and will make
a recommendation to the Department Baseball Chairman. The Department Baseball Chairman’s decision
is final. 12.
Any PLAYER, COACH, or MANAGER ejected by an umpire must leave the
ballpark. 13.
Any player, coach, or manager who shows any disrespect to the Flag of
our country by unnecessary moving, talking, or not removing of hat during the
code of sportsmanship and our National Anthem will be warned and a second
offense means suspension for the rest of the tournament. This is a National Rule that applies to all
National Tournaments. VI NH AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL ALL-STAR CLASSIC 1.
The New Hampshire Championship team will play an All-Star Team
comprised of 18 & 19-year-old players selected from all the NH American
Legion baseball teams. (Those 19 year
old players born on or after January 1st, 1989.) 2.
A game made up of 16 and/or 17 year old All-Stars will also play a game
as part of a double header, with the players from District A competing against
players from District B. 3.
Expenses incurred by All-Star players will be borne by the player’s
Post. 4.
Both games will be nine (9) inning games. 5.
The 2008 games will be held at Gill Stadium, VII 1.
Deadline for team entry into NH American Legion Baseball program AND
REQUESTS TO CHANGE BASE SCHOOL for the 2008 season will be no later than
February 15, 2008. 2.
It is each team’s responsibility to see that the National FORM #1 and
FORM #2 are typed and in the
hands of the District Director prior to the first District game or not later
than June 30, 2008, whichever occurs first. a. If one team does not comply with this rule
prior to their first District Game, the penalty will be a forfeit and the game
may not be played. b. If both teams do not comply with this rule,
the District Director must be Notified within 24 hours and he will reschedule
the game. 3.
Each player’s birth certificate will accompany National Form #1. No player may participate in the program
until a proper birth certificate has been submitted and accepted by the
responsible Department Baseball Committee official. NOTE: Refer to National Rule Book for
explanation as to what is proper Record of birth to be submitted. (Refer to National Rule 2, E.) 4.
Proper Certificates of Insurance must be attached to National FORM #1
(Accident and Liability Required), AND EFFECTIVE BY THE 1ST DAY OF
TRYOUTS. VIII 1.
District games will be scheduled
regulation nine (9) inning games. 2.
Regularly scheduled District games must be completed on or before
Saturday, July 26, 2008. No more than 2
District games can be scheduled for the last 6 days of the regular season. 3.
The home team must furnish an approved league baseball for all District
games. 4.
The visiting teams will be accorded the courtesy of ½ hour delay in the
start of a game because of travel and unforeseen delays (i.e., mechanical
breakdown, accidents, etc.). 5.
The home team must afford the visiting team 30 minutes batting practice
starting 1 hour before the scheduled game time. 6.
If either team fails to field nine (9) players at the start of the game
or during the game the game will be forfeited and the District Director
notified immediately. 7.
The Department Baseball Committee will arrange the playoff schedule in
the event there are ties for fourth place in the final standing. Finances for tie breaking games will be
shared by the teams involved. IX 1.
Every Post that sponsors a Baseball Team shall be required annually to
sign a Franchise Agreement before they can participate in the Department of New
Hampshire American Legion Baseball Program. 2.
By signing a Franchise Agreement, a Post agrees that they will abide
by, and comply with, the Rules in place and established by the American Legion. 3.
The Department Baseball Chairman will have the authority, with the
right of appeal to the Department Baseball Committee, to suspend the Franchise
Agreement for just cause. A Post may not
participate further in the Department of New Hampshire American Legion Baseball
program when their Franchise Agreement is suspended. Upon appeal to the Department Baseball
Committee a simple majority vote of the Baseball Committee is required to
suspend or reinstate the Franchise Agreement. 4.
Noncompliance of the rules in place, any act that can be classified as
un-sportsmanlike, questionable behavior, lack of proper leadership or a
situation deemed detrimental to the purpose of American Legion Baseball will be
just cause for the suspension of the Franchise Agreement. 5.
The Department Baseball Committee shall have the authority to impose
fines and or require reimbursement of funds for damages incurred by a New
Hampshire American Legion Baseball team.
Such fines and/or reimbursements must be made prior to the reinstatement
of the Franchise Agreement. 6.
A new team for 2008 season has to register with the chairperson prior
to November 8, 2008. This will allow
this to be voted on by the Baseball Committee.
Changes from the 2007 rules will be in bold blue text.
I
GENERAL
comes out to his coaching position without a helmet (as if to begin
an inning), the umpire should direct the coach to put on a helmet
immediately. If the coach does not immediately move to comply
with the umpire's direction, the individual is to be ejected from the game.
PROTESTS
FORFEITS AND MAKE-UP GAMES
STATE TOURNAMENT
TEAM ENTRY AND CERTIFICATION
DISTRICTS
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
Rule II #2..
Teams intending to give
a player a release must do so prior to JUNE 25th
Rule II #3..
Players wishing to cross
the State Line must have
written permission from
both DEPARTMENT
CHAIRMAN prior to June
25th. The NATIONAL
FORM ALB#76 must be filled out in their entirety.
Rule VII #1.
The deadline for team
entry into the New Hampshire American Legion
Baseball Program is no later than FEBRUARY 15th
Rule VII #2.
The NATIONAL
FORM #1, NATIONAL FORM #2 completes with a proper
original Birth Certificate for each player, copies of your Insurance
Certificates of Accident
& Liability coverage, must be in the hands of
the Division Director prior to the first Division Game
or not later than
June 30th, whichever
occurs the earliest.
NH Rules and Regulations/Important Dates and Deadlines-
Code of Sportmanship-
Past New Hampshire State Champions
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