February 19, 2007

In general, the Major League Baseball Rules have been modified to emphasize two guiding principles:

a) "Work on Monday" principle, which is self-explanatory. Rules were modified in the interest  of safety.

b) "Pay to Play" principle, whereby rules have been modified to increase player participation.

c) By default, all rules are Major League Baseball Rules unless specifically modified by the SFBL book.

The Florida Hardball Official Rules and Regulations provide for certain standards of sportsmanship. It is the personal responsibility of each player and manager to at all times maintain a professional, mature and pleasant attitude towards the game, competing players and officials. The League Office will strictly enforce these rules and standards and will take disciplinary action against any player found in violation. 

The League Office, through its Rules and Protest Committee, remains the sole governing body for the South Florida Baseball League and Fort Myers Hardball and retains the right to amend and/or modify these Rules and Regulations.

Florida Hardball has a long-standing policy of non-discrimination for any participant, supplier or any other interested parties, on the basis of race, color, national origin, handicaps or sex.

1. All teams must have full baseball uniforms. This refers specifically to each player wearing a uniform, which matches every other team member. Matching uniform is defined as matching jersey, pants, socks, belt and cap. Players wearing incomplete uniforms may not participate in any League sanctioned event. The only exception to this rule is in those instances where a new player is officially added to a team roster. In these instances the new player may participate providing he is wearing a matching team jersey, cap, along with baseball pants. This exception remains in effect for two weeks from the player’s inception date into the League. This two-week exception may not be used for players listed on opening day rosters.

a. A non-uniformed player is not permitted to take the field during an official game.

b. All teams must be in uniform as of the first game

c. All managers, assistant managers and coaches must be in full uniform while in the dugout  or on the field. Bat boys and scorekeepers must wear a team jersey.

d. Umpires will not permit non-uniformed players to play in any League sanctioned game,

other than the exception noted above.

2. All batters and runners must were protective helmets. There are no exceptions to this rule. Full ear flap helmets are encouraged for at bats, as well as for base running. However, single flap helmets are permitted in both instances. Catchers are required to wear a protective helmet under their mask. This same rule applies for all national tournaments.

3. All teams are required to use the official Florida Hardball designated baseball (R-100, or Wilson A1010), as provided to each manager at the start of each season. Each team must bring three (3) new balls to each game so that there are six new balls being provided to the chief umpire prior to the start of each official league game.

4. Metal spikes are permitted.

5. Wood and metal bats are permitted.

6. To be eligible for league play, a player must be fully registered with the League Office. Additionally, they must execute the Liability Waiver and Insurance Form and have paid their player registration fee in full.

7. Only those players appearing on final rosters are permitted to play in League sanctioned events. Any team found to be violating this rule will forfeit the game in which the illegal player played. The second time such a violation occurs, the team will forfeit all of its remaining games, and will not receive any refund of Registration Fees.

8. Any roster players wishing to drop out of the League may do so up to and including the date on which the second regular season game has been scheduled by contacting the League Office directly and making said request in writing. In this case, providing the player has already paid the full registration fee, he shall be entitled to a 50% refund. If the player has not paid his registration fee in full, he will not be entitled to any refund.

9. Players wishing to resign from a team after the completion of the second regularly scheduled game of the season are not entitled to any refund.

10. Players dropping from teams due to injury or relocation prior to the completion of the second regularly scheduled game are subject to the terms outlined above. If the injury or relocation occurs after the second game, the League is under no obligation to issue any refund.

11. To be eligible to play in Florida Hardball a player must be 18 years of age. For all purposes, a player is considered to be "18 or over" on the day of his 18th birthday. A player is considered to  be "25 or over" during the calendar year of his 25th birthday. A player is considered to be "35 or over" during the calendar year of his 35th birthday.

12. An opposing manager may at any time question a player’s age and request said player to provide proof of age prior to the start of play. The player must provide said proof in the form of an original photo identification such as a Driver License, Voter’s Registration Card, Passport or Student ID. If the player does not have adequate proof at the time of play, he may not participate in the scheduled game.

13. Failure to abide by age regulations will not be tolerated. If an under-age player is found to have participated in League play, the team for which he has played will forfeit all games in which he actually played in. The guilty player will receive a minimum one-year suspension from League play. If the manager had prior knowledge, he is subject to similar suspension.

14. Players reaching the age of 25 are not required to enter the Senior Division and may continue to participate in the Adult Division.

15. Complete team rosters are due by the deadline set by the League Office at the beginning of each season. Once established, absolutely no new players may be added to a team’s roster without first notifying the League Office. All changes must be cleared through and approved by the League Office. In the event a player is approved, the player may not participate in any League events for a minimum of 3 business days after approval (to provide adequate time to insure the player).

16. No new players may be added to any roster after the date on which the second regular season game has been scheduled. The only exceptions to this rule are as follows: a verifiable case of attrition, a verifiable injury (doctor verification may be required), or to fill a vacant spot on a team roster that was paid for and left open. In all instances, to add or delete any player, a Roster Change Form must be submitted to and approved by League Office.

17. In order to be eligible to compete in the playoffs a player must have played in at least four (4) regular season games with the same team.

18. Each season all new players listed in the Player Pool, the League’s waiting list, will be invited to participate in a League sponsored tryouts to be followed by a live draft. The draft will be conducted in a manner to allow parity in the League by having the previous season teams with the lowest winning percentage drafting first.

19. No team may have more than 5 ex-pros on their roster. Ex-pro is defined as a player that has played double A or triple A in the last three years, or Major League Baseball within the last 8 years. In order to be eligible for League play an ex-pro must have been out of professional baseball for a minimum of twelve (12) complete months. This status must be verified in the form of an official letter of release from the minor/major league club. A player is not considered to be an ex-pro if he is at least 40 years old, or has been out of professional baseball for at least 8 years. Active single A and college players may participate without restriction.

20. Teams must have a minimum of 8 (eight) batters for an official game, but must borrow a player from the opposing team to field nine players. The opposing manager is obligated to loan a player to said team for defensive purposes only. The borrowed player may only play defensively for the opposing team and may be replaced by another borrowed player when it is his turn at bat. The team short players may borrow a registered player from any other league team within their respective age division providing the borrowed player is currently an active league member in good standing and is currently listed on an league roster. The opposing manager may not contest the borrowing of this player. However, under no circumstances may any borrowed player be used as a pitcher or catcher. The team that has borrowed a player may officially bat only eight players, as the borrowed player is obligated to bat for his own team when it is his turn to do so. If the borrowing team’s ninth player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player must revert back to his original team immediately and be removed from the defensive line-up of the borrowing team.

21. If a player ejection reduces the team to eight (8) players, the team must borrow a defensive player from the opposing team for defensive purposes only. However, an automatic out will be recorded each time the ejected player’s spot comes up in the offensive line-up. Under no circumstances shall this event be declared a forfeit. See related Rule 39 and Rule 40.

22. Games involving borrowed players are considered official events and will count in all League standings providing the conditions of this rule have been met.

23. All games are 9 innings. In the event of darkness, 7 innings constitute a complete game. In the event of rain, 5 innings constitute a complete game.

24. The game clock will start promptly at the time scheduled, regardless if the teams are ready to play or not. A 15 minute grace period is allowed if the minimum number of players has not arrived by game time. After the 15 minute grace period has expired, the game will be ruled a forfeit, and the team short players will record a loss.

29. A manager is entitled to one (1) free trip to the mound each inning. If a second trip is made during the same inning the current pitcher must be removed from the mound.

30. Each team is entitled to one defensive and one offensive "time-out" during each inning.

31. Managers may designate up to two (2) courtesy runners per game. Managers must notify both the Home Plate umpire and the opposing manager prior to the first pitch as to the name and number of any player that will be using a courtesy runner during the game. Once a player is designated as having a courtesy runner, that player must be replaced by a courtesy runner throughout the game. If notification is not given prior to the start of the game, the opposing manager may deny the request.

The one exception to this rule is if a manager designates one or less courtesy runners prior to the start of the game, he may use one courtesy runner to run for a player that reaches base and is injured in the process of doing so. In so doing the manager has now declared this player as having a courtesy runner for the remainder of the game. The purpose of this rule is to allow players with minor injuries to continue hitting in the batting line up, and it may only be used once during a game providing the manager has not declared his maximum two courtesy runners prior to the start of the game.

The player to make the last batted out must act as the courtesy runner. A batted out is defined as a player which made out while at the plate (i.e. a runner forced at second is not a batted out). If there is no previous batted out to act as a courtesy runner (i.e. first inning rally), the manager shall use the last batter in his line up.

32. With two outs and a catcher on base, it is a mandatory that he be replaced by a courtesy runner, which in all cases is the last batted out.

33. If an infielder decoys a throw, all runners will be entitled to advance one base. If the same fielder decoys a throw twice in one game, he will be ejected from the game. Decoying refers specifically to a situation where a runner on base slides unnecessarily due to a decoy. Two notable exceptions are when stealing or in an overthrow situation.

Fielders may not block said base or plate with or without the ball and must allow access via:

a. a clear path between the fielders legs;

b. a clear path to the left or right of the fielder’s position;

c. a direct path with the fielder positioned behind the base or plate.

In the event a fielder is determined by the umpire to be blocking said base or plate, or is found to be blocking the base path, the runner shall be automatically awarded said base or plate. This rule is particularly directed at catcher’s blocking the plate and will be strictly enforced.

35. Intentional walks are permitted starting in the sixth inning of any game. Pitch outs are permitted, providing, in the opinion of the Home Plate umpire, they are not used in such a way as to intentionally walk a batter prior to the start of the sixth inning. In the event the umpire determines that a player was walked intentionally prior to the start of the sixth inning, he may, at his sole discretion, advance all base runners by one additional base. Any batter receiving an intentional walk who displays un-sportsmanlike conduct as a result of said walk shall be ejected from the game. There is no limit as to intentional walks per game.

36. Speed up Rule: An intentionally walked batter must not be pitched to.

37. Any games rained out will be re-scheduled by the League on a best efforts basis. Rain out games must be played if they are material to the playoffs, and ample field access and time allows said games to be played. If a rain out game has no effect on playoff standings and cannot be played with reasonable rescheduling efforts, it may not be played.

38. Only roster players, managers, a scorekeeper, and one ball/bat boy are permitted in the dugout area. Violation of this rule may result in forfeit of said game. League insurance does not allow for family members, friends or pets to be present in the dugout area. Please avoid this practice at all times. Additionally, for insurance purposes smoking is not permitted in the dugout area.

39. Each manager must bat a minimum of 10 (ten) batters in his line-up, but may choose to bat as many players as listed in his official roster. Both a DH (Designated Hitter) and one or more EH (Extra Hitter) may be included in the line-up. A DH need not be used to bat for the pitcher, while an EH represents an extra hitter. Batting line-ups are rigid. The following guidelines have been established when dealing with the batting line-up:

a. Players may not move their position within the batting line-up.

b. If a pinch hitter or a pinch runner is substituted for a player, the player that has been substituted for may not come back into the batting line-up.

c. Batters may not be deleted or skipped over, with the notable exception of those conditions outlined in Rule 21 and Rule 40.

d. Any person substituting for a batter in the line-up must bat at that batter’s position in the line-up, regardless of the defensive position the new batter may be occupying on the field.

e. Each player is required to have at least one at bat during the game.

f. A team may choose to bat more than ten (10) batters. However, the size of a batting line-up may not reduced. For example, if a team chooses to bat 12 (twelve) players, it must maintain a batting line-up throughout the game of not less than 12 batters. The only exception to this rule is in the event of a legitimate injury or ejection. If the batting line-up is decreased and said decrease is not the result of an injury or ejection, or approved by the opposing manager, the missing batter shall be declared an automatic out by the Home Plate umpire.

g. A team may add batters to the end of its line-up at any time throughout the game, providing these players have not yet been part of the batting line-up. However, as stated in Rule 39f above, once the size of a batting line-up is increased, it may not be decreased.

h. Managers may elect to use the A/B alternating batters scheme, provided, however, that this is declared prior to the start of the game. Essentially, the A batter and the B batter take

turns batting in the A/B slot in the batting line-up. The A/B slot must be the last batting slot in the starting line-up. Managers may, however, add additional batters after the A/B slot, as

they normally are entitled to. No more than one A/B slot is permitted.

40. If a player is forced to leave the game due to injury, or if a player is ejected from a game, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the batter’s place. If no reserve player meeting these criteria is present or available, that spot in the batting line-up is skipped over and all batters move up accordingly, with no penalty to the affected team (the skipped over batter is not treated as an automatic out). The only exception is detailed in Rule 21, where an ejected player reduced a teams batting line-up to eight (8) batters.

41. Free defensive substitution is permitted. All players may be substituted for defensively at any time and repeatedly without affecting that player’s status in the batting line-up. However, an exception to this rule exists in the case of pitchers as described in Rule 42.

42. If a pitcher is removed from the mound, regardless of whether or not he goes to the dugout or takes another position on the field, he may not re-enter the game as a pitcher until at least one complete inning has been started and completed. For example, if a pitcher is removed from the mound with one out in the top of the fifth inning, that pitcher may not return to the mound until the top of the seventh inning. In this example, the sixth inning represents the inning that has been started and completed. An individual pitcher may only re-enter the game under these conditions one time during any game.

43. No white or gray pitching sleeves, no batting gloves or wrist bands, and no sunglasses will be permitted for pitchers.

44. If a pitcher hits 4 (four) batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed upon hitting the fourth batsman. If a pitcher hits twelve (12) batters in one season he is banned from pitching for the remainder of the season.

45. Each pitcher is entitled to a maximum of eight (8) warm up pitches prior to the start of the game, and five (5) warm-up pitches at the start of each inning. The only exceptions to this rule are if the pitcher is new and did not throw at least one pitch during the previous inning, in which he case he is entitled to eight (8), or an injury to the previous pitcher, in which case the new pitcher is granted a reasonable warm up period by the Home Plate umpire.

46. Each player must play a minimum of 3 innings defensively and have at least one at bat during each game. Players not receiving this minimum of playing time may appeal to the League Office for disciplinary action against their manager.

47. Each player’s playing rights belong to the team on which he plays (or was drafted by). Players may not move between teams during the season with the exception of bona-fide trades or changes made by the League Office.

48. Any player requesting a release from his present team at the end of the season with the intent of moving to another team may do so by filing for free agency, i.e. notifying his team manager and the League Office of his intentions within 24 hours of completion of the final game of the season, including make-up games and post season games.

49. Failure to notify both the team manager and the League Office will void player’s request for free agency, and the player’s playing rights remain the property of his present team. Consequently, the player is restricted from playing with any other team and may gain his release only by:

a) sitting out one complete season

b) re-entering the draft for the new season

c) being assigned to the league Player Pool with the League Office

d) paying to the present team a transfer fee equal to the player registration fee

e) a manager’s consent may at any time release a player from the previously mentioned

restrictions

50. In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team at the start of a new season, he may do so without obtaining an official release from his previous manager. No other player may be taken from the existing team without the consent of the team’s manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without the respective team manager’s approval.

51. Once a game begins the umpires have complete and total control over the game. Their rulings are final. The League Office will at all times support the decisions and authority of the umpires. Teams are responsible for their fans and umpires may issue forfeit warnings to teams as a result of unruly fans. If the activity persists, the umpire may issue a forfeit to both teams resulting from the activity of the unruly fans.

52. In the event an umpire feels that a game is getting out-of-control, regardless of whether the problem lies with the players, the managers or the fans, he may at his sole discretion choose to end play, or issue a loss to both teams. The umpire is not obligated to notify either manager of his decision at the time play is stopped, but is required to contact the League Office within 24 hours to report his decision. If play is ended the League Office will determine whether or not to complete the game during a scheduled rain out week, or to rule the game final.

53. In the event any player is heard by an umpire to be using excessive foul language, or directing derogatory comments towards an opposing player or umpire, he will be warned by the umpire. If the player contests the umpire in any manner, or is caught committing said infraction a second time, he will be ejected from the game and asked to leave the stadium.

54. Only the manager may dispute a call or discuss a situation with the umpire. Any player doing so will be ejected.

55. All decisions regarding rules and the interpretation of rules must be made by the field umpires during play. These decisions are deemed to be final. In the event it is determined that an umpire has issued an incorrect ruling or has misinterpreted an existing rule, a protest may be filed with the League Office. However, the protest will not be considered unless it has a material impact on the outcome of the game. Protests must be bona-fide, documented in writing and submitted to the League Office. The Rules and Protest Committee will investigate and render a ruling in an expeditious fashion.

56. In the event a player commits an act which is deemed a violation of an official League Rule, and said act requires that the League Office impose penalties as dictated by the Official Florida Hardball Rules and Regulations (i.e. suspension due to altercation, etc.), the Rules and Protest Committee shall conduct an independent investigation but will rely heavily on the verbal and/or written statements of the umpires officiating the League event.

57. There will be no beer, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs permitted during the game, or anywhere on the park premises. If this situation arises and the player notified refuses to adhere to this policy, the player will be expelled from the League without warning. Players wishing to smoke during the game may do so only in the spectator area of the field. Chewing tobacco is banned from all league events.

58. The League has set a standard of sportsmanship, and will strongly encourage suspensions and expulsions for infractions of said standards. Any player who has been cited by League Officials for rules violations regarding conduct at least three times during his membership shall be expelled from the League.

59. In the event a player is involved in an altercation with another player, all players involved shall be suspended for a minimum of 3 games, or expelled from the League (the League Office shall make any final determination). The second time a player is involved in an altercation, he will be expelled from the League and banned from participation for life.

60. In the event an umpire is deemed to have initiated an altercation with a player or manager, said umpire shall be banned from officiating in Florida Hardball for a period of one calendar year. The second time an umpire is found guilty of the same offense, he shall be banned from officiating League events for life.

61. Players may not address opposing batters or pitchers by name. Violation of this rule will result in a warning by umpire, and possible ejection if the warning is not heeded.

62. Any player ejected from a game for any reason shall automatically be suspended for the following game. This rule shall apply to regular season and playoff games equally. Managers may be exempt from this rule based on the determination of the League Office.

63. If a player that was ejected fails to sit out the next game played by his team, that player will receive an additional two-game suspension in addition to the standard one-game suspension as provided for by the rules. If the same player does this twice during any one season he shall receive an additional four-game suspension in addition to any other penalties imposed.

64. Any manager that fails to abide by the ejection rule, whereby an ejected player must sit out the next game played by his team, shall himself be suspended for one game by the League Office.

65. Any player that threatens or makes intentional contact with an umpire before, during or after any league sanctioned event, while on the playing field or the premises upon which said event is being conducted (i.e. dugout, parking lot, etc.) shall be suspended from League play for a minimum of one calendar year from the date of the occurrence of said incident. In the event said player is involved in a second such incident subsequent to his reinstatement the player shall be expelled from the League for life, and the League Office will assist in prosecuting the player to the fullest extent of the law.

66. Any player that makes unintentional contact (defined as non-violent, incidental) with an umpire before, during or after any league sanctioned event, while on the playing field or the premises upon which said event is being conducted (i.e. dugout, parking lot, etc.) shall be suspended from League play for six games from the date of the occurrence of said incident. In the event said player is involved in a second such incident subsequent to his reinstatement the player shall be suspended from League play for one season. In the event said player is involved in a third such incident subsequent to his second reinstatement the player shall be expelled from the League for life.

67. Any player that has been ejected from at least two (2) regular season games during a single season shall be suspended from play for the next six (6) games following the second ejection.

68. Each manager is responsible for maintaining an accurate score sheet of each game played. The League may, at any time, request copies of a particular game’s score sheet for the purpose of cross checking manager’s statistics. In the event a manager is uncertain as to whether or not a player should be credited with a legitimate base hit or an error, he should consult with the umpires to arrive at a ruling.

69. Each manager, or his designated stats person, is required to log on the website and enter the game score as well as their team game stats no later than 6pm on the day following a game.

70. In the event a manager is incapable of attending a League sanctioned event in which his team is competing, he must notify the League Office of his expected absence prior to the event.

71. Managers are responsible for reporting any and all player ejections to the League Office within 24 hours of the game’s completion. Failure to report ejections may, at the sole discretion of the League Office, result in a one game suspension of the manager.

72. Managers must identify themselves to the Home Plate umpire prior to the start of the game. If a manager happens to be a catcher it is suggested that another player act as manager during games since each trip the catcher makes to the mound may be considered by the Home Plate umpire to be a charged visit.

73. Each manager/team is responsible for the proper maintenance and cleaning of the field. This requires that all equipment and litter be removed from the premises following each game. Additionally, teams playing the first and last games of the day are responsible for removing/replacing any tarps and/or batting cages. In the event a manager is unable to fulfill these obligations, he must notify the League prior to the scheduled event so that arrangements can be made. Teams violating or ignoring this policy are subject to disciplinary action by the

League Office.

74. All team manager are responsible for calling in the game score to the League Office immediately after each game is completed.

75. Each manager shall submit a copy of his team’s batting line up to both the Home Plate umpire and the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. This line up must include the player’s last name and jersey number.

76. Managers are required to attend all managers meetings prior to and during the season. Managers may send an assistant manager to the meetings providing the League Office has prior knowledge of such substitution.

77. If a field is deemed to be a "rain out" by either the Home Plate umpire or the field owner both teams must leave the premises, and the game is declared a rain out. Any attempt on the part of either team to ignore said ruling, and to "work" the field, or get it into "playing" condition shall result in the imposing of a $100 field maintenance fee. Said fee shall be divided and assessed equally against both teams. Monies collected from said fee shall be paid to the field owner as required. The same penalty shall be imposed if the teams attempt to continue play in any manner after the rain out designation has been handed down by the appropriate official.