The official American Legion Baseball rules as adopted by the National Americanism
Commission for 2010 apply to the Department of New Hampshire with the following additions:
Changes from the 2010 rules will be in bold blue text.
GENERAL
1. The business manager should be a member of The American Legion. The business manager can be a member of the Sons of American Legion (SAL).
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. For Senior games, a suggested minimum fee of $75.00 for a nine (9)-inning game is to be paid to each umpire. For Junior games, a suggested minimum fee of $60.00 for a seven (7)-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 $25.00.
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 MUST have a Red Cross-approved First Aid Kit in the dugout at all tryouts, practices, and games. If dugout is checked by the umpire or any member of The Department of New Hampshire American Legion Committee and not there, the Penalty shall be a $100.00 fine for each violation.
7. The uniformsof team members, which include coaches, scorekeepers and players, shall have an American Legion Baseball insignia on either the left shoulder or left breast.
a. 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. Umpires have 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 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.
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.
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. The Department Baseball Chairman has the right to release a player to another team, if they will not release provided the player has tried out for that team. There are no releases for a Junior Legion player.
5. The parent's or court appointed guardian's legal residence that applies to a player's eligibility shall be established prior to6. A Player is eligible for Senior American Legion Baseball in 2011 if he is born on or after Jan. 1, 1992. A Player is eligible for Junior American Legion Baseball in 2011 if he is born on or after Jan. 1, 1994. See 2011 Eligibility Chart.
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.
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 gamemust 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.
1. The New Hampshire State Tournaments (both Junior and Senior) will be AN EIGHT (8) TEAM DOUBLE ELIMINATION FORMAT.
2. The DEPARTMENT BASEBALL COMMITTEE shall select the site and dates for both State Tournaments.The 2011 Senior Tournament will be held at Holman Stadium, Nashua, NH from July 22nd to July 26th with rain dates scheduled for July 27th and July 28th, and will be hosted by TBA. The 2011 Junior Tournament will be held at Gill Stadium, Manchester, NH from July 22nd to July 26th with rain dates scheduled for July 27th and July 28th, and will be hosted by the NH Junior Legion Baseball Committee.
3. Umpires for the State Tournament will be selected by the Department Baseball Committee and will be members of the NHALBUA.
4. All Senior tournament games will be scheduled regulation nine (9) inning games. Junior tournament games will be seven (7) innings. Tournament games interrupted, for whatever reason, will be played to conclusion and retain their place in the tournament schedule.
5. All Senior 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 1/2 innings (4 1/2 innings for Junior).
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 Senior State Tournament. The National ten (10) inning pitching rule is in effect for the New Hampshire Junior State Tournament.
8. Department Senior Champion must be determined by July 30th, 2011. Department Junior Champion must be determined by August 5th, 2011.
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, the above tiebreak system will be used until the fourth tiebreak. There will not be a coin flip; there will be play-off game to decide the fourth seed outcome. If 3 teams are tied, after tiebreak's a-c above, 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.
1. SENIOR ALL-STAR GAMES
a. The New Hampshire Senior Championship team will play an All-Star Team comprised of 18 & 19-year-old players selected from all the NH Senior American Legion baseball teams. (Those 19 year old players born on or after January 1, 1992.)
b. A game made up of 16 and/or 17 year old All-Stars will also play a game as part of the double header, with the players from District A competing against players from District B.
The 2011 Senior games will be held on July 30 at Gill Stadium - Manchester, NH. The 16/17 year old game will be at 9:00. The 18/19 year olds vs. the NH Senior Champion will be at 12:30.
2. JUNIOR ALL-STAR GAMES
a. The New Hampshire Junior Championship team will play an All-Star Team comprised of 17-year-old players selected from all the NH Junior American Legion baseball teams.
b. A game made up of 15 and/or 16 year old All-Stars will also play a game as part of the double header, with the players from District A competing against players from District B.
The 2011 Junior games will be held on August 6 at Gill Stadium - Manchester, NH. The 15/16 year old game will be at 9:00. The 17 year olds vs. the NH Junior Champion will be at 12:00.
3. Expenses incurred by All-Star players will be borne by the player's Post.
4. Senior games will be nine (9) inning games. The Junior game will be a (7) inning game.
1. Deadline for team entry into NH American Legion Baseball program AND
REQUESTS TO CHANGE BASE SCHOOL for the 2011 season will be no later than
February 15, 2011.
2. It is each team's responsibility to see that the National FORM #1 has been filled out on-line and that the hard copy FORM #2's have been filled out for each player and are in the hands of the District Director prior to the first District game or not later than June 30, 2010, whichever occurs first. (If a player is dual-rostered, each team must have a FORM#2 in it's possession for that player and also turn in to the proper Director for both the Senior and Junior team that player is playing for).
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 new first year player's (Junior or Senior player) birth certificate will accompany the hard copy Form #2. 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.)
a. Dual Rostered Players: Teams will be allowed to dual roster up to 3 players each season between its senior and junior teams. A player who is dual rostered must submit a Form 2 to both the senior and junior team. The team manager should make note on each dual-rostered players Form 2 that player is a dual rostered player.
4. Proper Certificates of Insurance must be purchased and filled out on-line (Accident and Liability Required), AND THESE CERTIFICATES SHALL EFFECTIVE BY THE 1ST DAY OF TRYOUTS.
1a. Senior District games will be scheduled regulation nine (9) inning games.
1b. Junior District games will be scheduled regulation seven (7) inning games.
1c. Doubleheaders: Due to travel expenses and our short season time constraints,
doubleheaders will now be allowed under the following rules:
Juniors: Junior teams are allowed to schedule doubleheaders consisting of two (7) seven-inning games. Junior teams are allowed to schedule the
same team if you are playing a home and away series with that team or two different teams on the same day.
Seniors: Senior teams are allowed to schedule a doubleheader with the same team that will be played as two (7) seven-inning games. If by
chance these teams play one of these games and the second is rained out; the second will be made up as a (9) nine-inning game except:
a. The home team schedules that game and they are playing another scheduled game with a different team that same day, they will play the make-up game as a (7) seven-inning game and
the scheduled game as a (9) nine-inning game.
b. If the home team is playing another team that is also playing its second game in a day because they had a make-up game that same day scheduled, then both games would be (7) seven-inning games.
2a. Regularly scheduled Senior District games must be completed on or before Saturday, July 16, 2011. No more than 2 District games can be scheduled for the last 6 days of the regular season.
2b. Regularly scheduled Junior District games must be completed on or before Saturday, July 23, 2011. 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 1/2 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.
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 2011 season has to register with the chairman prior to November 15, 2010. This will allow this to be voted on by the Baseball Committee.
REGISTRATION: Teams shall register on-line from January 1, 2012 until March 3, 2012.
Once registered, teams have to purchase their insurance on-line prior to MAY 15th.
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 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 for the 2012 season is NOVEMBER 15th, 2011.
RULE VII #2: THE NATIONAL FORM #2 complete with a proper original Birth Certificate for each new first year player(Junior or Senior team), must be in the hands of the Division Director prior to the first District Game or not later than JUNE 30th, whichever occurs the earliest.
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