NCBL CONSTITUTION

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL BASEBALL LEAGUE

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Updated as of June 15, 2023

PLEASE NOTE:    Revisions to the constitution and by-laws approved during the off-season meetings at 2023 off-season meetings are highlighted in red. Other changes made from 2015 through 2022 remain highlighted in bold black.  Also, please note: 

A Social Media Code of Conduct was approved at the 2016 Kick-off meeting (can be found under NCBL in the top banner of the NCBL website).  It details:

who the code applies to (teams/players/umpires);

what a violation is (insulting/threatening/offensive/non-family friendly);

what the consequences are (banning the account, suspensions, fines);

and how to report a suspected violation (Incident Report Form).

 

From 2016:  Sliding Rule at 2nd Base –the rule changes made by major league baseball in 2016 will not be applied and thus slides to break up a double play will be called as they always have been.

From 2015:  All players should note by-law 6.9 h) which contains 3-games suspensions related to intent-to-injure for actions including, but not limited to, a pitcher throwing intentionally at a batter, a runner sliding cleats up at an infielder, or a runner colliding with an infielder or catcher.  

 

CONSTITUTION

SECTION 1:    Name

Article 1.1    The name of the League shall be the National Capital Baseball League.

SECTION 2:   Purpose

Article 2.1 (a)   The League shall organize baseball for adults in the National Capital Region which will be both competitive and recreational in nature.

(b)  The League shall operate separate entities as player demand warrants; for purposes of this Constitution and By-Laws, we shall use the term “Tier” to refer to any or all of them.

(c)  Where necessary, provisions will be made in this Constitution and the League By-Laws for differences in the operation of the different Tiers.

SECTION 3:   League Membership

Article 3.1   The League shall comprise teams in good standing that are located in the National Capital Region and whose applications have been approved by the league.

Article 3.2   Each team shall designate one representative (team rep) who shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the League in accordance with this Constitution.  Four (4) officer positions from NCBL umpires (Umpire-in-Chief), Deputy Umpires-in-Chief (2), and Umpire Assignor) shall also be entitled to vote at meetings of the League in accordance with this Constitution. 

Article 3.3   A new team shall not be entitled to exercise a vote during its first year of membership in the League.

Article 3.4   All eligible teams may vote on all matters except: where it is determined that the matter in question concerns only a part of the League, only eligible teams of that part or parts may vote.

Article 3.5   “New” teams shall be reviewed after one season of play.  The review is to take place at the annual “winter meeting”.  “Permanent” status and voting privileges shall be granted at the “winter meeting” by majority vote of permanent teams in the League.

Article 3.6   A team shall retain its status as a League member in good standing as long as it abides by the League’s Constitution and by-laws, and lawful decisions of the League and discharges its playing and financial obligations to the satisfaction of the League.

Article 3.7   The age limit for players in the League shall be a minimum of sixteen years of age with any player turning 16 in that calendar year, with parental consent, is eligible to play in the NCBL (modified at the 2016 Kick-off Meeting).  Where the player’s age is less than eighteen years of age, parental consent is a mandatory condition of membership.

Article 3.8   (a) In accordance with Article 2.1 (a), all players shall be a resident in the National Capital region, or shall live in such a region that the baseball at the level of the League is not available to them.  No team shall use out-of-town visitors for games, nor shall any team allow a player from outside the National Capital region to take the roster spot of a player from the National Capital region.

(b) Players and/or teams belonging to age groups different than O.B.A. Senior (21 and up) (such as Big League), and players/teams who live in a area governed by another league or governing body (such as the Quebec Federation of Baseball), shall be ineligible for participation unless the following stipulations are met:

1. There is no league or team available to them, or if one exists, they are indeed registered with them.

2. They have the written permission of the league or governing body to leave said or governing body, or written permission to play concurrently in the National Capital Baseball League.  NOTE:  The purpose of this rule is to foster cooperation between the League and Baseball Canada, O.B.A., Q.F.B., and Little League.  Specifically, we do not wish to be seen as “raiding” Big League (16-18) for younger players or teams.  We do not want a team to leave a Big League or Q.F.B. league to play in the NCBL.  This does not affect the NCBL National Capital Crusaders since they are registered with Big League and they play in the NCBL with the permission of Big League.  It might affect an NCBL team if a league is started in Hull/Aylmer/Gatineau.

Article 3.9    As a condition of membership in the league, a team implicitly endorses the Constitution and By-Laws of the League, and shall satisfy the League that all players on its roster are eligible under the requirements of Articles 3.7 and 3.8.

Article 3.10   The League itself shall be affiliated with the Ontario Baseball Association (and therefore also to Baseball Canada) in a manner that is advantageous to the League.  Member teams are free to increase their own level of affiliation with OBA on a team-by-team basis.

Article 3.11   As a condition of membership in the League, each team agrees to purchase a minimum of 4 tickets to the year-end banquet, unless specifically allowed less by majority vote of the League.

SECTION 4:    League Administration

Article 4.1 (a)   The Officers of the League shall be the Commissioner, Tier President(s) (one per Tier), Registrar, Treasurer, Secretary, Operations Officers (3), Umpire-in-Chief, Deputy Umpires-in-Chief (2), and Umpire Assignor (amended at the 2019 Winter Meeting).  

Article 4.1 (b)   The Operations Officers (3), Umpire-in-Chief and Deputy Umpires-in-Chief (2) will constitute the League Operations Committee (number of Operations Officers amended at the 2018 Winter Meeting and number of Deputy Umpires-in-Chief amended at the 2019 Winter Meeting).

Article 4.2    The Officers of the League shall hold office for a period of two years on election by a simple majority of a quorum of the League at the winter meeting.

Article 4.2.1   The Commissioner may appoint a replacement for any Officer who is temporarily unable to perform his/her duties.

Article 4.2.2   The League has the authority to remove a League Officer from the League Administration if they are deemed to be in derelict of their duties or are otherwise engaged in behaviour detrimental to the League. Removal of a League Officer can occur by a majority of quorum during a League meeting.  Suspension of a League Officer can occur at any time by decree of the Commissioner and a majority of the League Administration, until such time as his removal may be voted upon by the League.

Article 4.3    Officers may be members of a team but no team may have more than one elected officer position (unless approved by the League) and no team may have more than one vote.  As stated in article 4.1, all officer positions including the 4 officer positions related to umpires also have one vote each unless that officer is a manager of a team in the league.  

Article 4.4    A quorum of the League and of a Tier shall be a majority of the representatives of the League or Tier respectively. For purposes of quorum, the 4 officer positions related to umpires shall each count as representatives in League-wide votes, but will abstain from Tier-specific votes unless warranted.  Where motions specifically relate to umpires, the quorum must include 2 of the 4 officers related to umpires.  

Article 4.5   Unless otherwise indicated, decisions of the League or a Tier shall be made by a simple majority of the applicable quorum. 4.5.1 In the event of a Tie, the Commissioner shall cast the deciding vote, notwithstanding 4.3.

Article 4.6    As a condition of membership in the League, each team may be asked to assume responsibility for an officer position or other function listed in the By-Laws or established by the League, or shall pay to the League a fee in lieu of accepting such responsibility as provided in the By-Laws.

Article 4.7   All payments made from League funds shall be by cheque signed by two of the following three officers:  the Commissioner, the Treasurer, and the Secretary. Only these officers shall have cheque signing authority.

Article 4.8   While the League may choose to maintain only one bank account, the treasurer shall provide for separate financial statements for each Tier.

Article 4.9   The financial year of the League shall be November 1 to October 31.

SECTION 5:    Powers of the League

Article 5.1   The League is empowered to: 
a) amend and enforce the Constitution 
b) amend and enforce the By-Laws 
c) accept or reject applications for teams/players/umpires  
d) suspend or revoke team/player/umpire participation in the League and 
e) enter into agreements or associations for the benefit of the League.

Article 5.2   The League may elect to discipline any team, player, coach, manager, umpire, or other team official for any on-field or off-field activities which, in the opinion of the League, are contrary to the League interests.

Article 5.3   The use of the name of the League (Article 1.1) is reserved solely for the Officers of the League (Article 4.1) and any misuse of the name of the League shall be considered contrary to the League’s interests (Article 5.2) and the person or people responsible for misuse of the name of the League shall be subject to discipline procedures established in the By-Laws of the League.

SECTION 6:     Meetings

Article 6.1    The League shall meet not less than twice each year and at locations convenient to the majority of the representatives.

Article 6.2    The annual “winter meeting” shall be called by the Commissioner not earlier than November 15 and not  later than February 15 of the following year (modified sometime prior to 2007), with two week’s notice to  all representatives.  The agenda of the annual “Winter meeting” shall include: 
- financial statement 
- election of officers 
- Commissioner’s report 
- amendments to the Constitution (amended at the 2019 Winter Meeting)

- placement of current teams in Tiers

Article 6.3    The annual “spring meeting” shall be called by the Commissioner not earlier than February 15 and not later than March 31, with one week’s notice to all representatives.  The agenda of the annual “spring” meeting shall include: 
- financial update 
- proposed League budget 
- proposed membership fees 
- amendments to the Constitution (amended at the 2019 Winter Meeting)

- By-Law revisions 
- assignment of organizational duties 
- League composition i.e. membership, applications and revocations, Tier structure and composition

Article 6.4    The Commissioner may call such other meetings as he/she may decide with a minimum of 48 hours notice to the representatives.

Article 6.5    The Commissioner shall call a special meeting at the request of three or more representatives within 48 hours notice of the receipt of such request.

SECTION 7:     League Officers and Functions

Article 7.1    The officers of the League are:

(a)  The Commissioner, who shall have overall responsibility for the operation of the League, and in particular shall: 
· call meetings, as required by the Constitution, and other meetings at his/her discretion 
· obtain and allocate playing fields and times to Tier Presidents 
· prepare tier schedules, rainout schedules, and playoff schedules for all tiers to optimize field usage and thereby minimize payments for unused field permits (modified for the 2007 season)

· establish committees or special functions as required and appoint persons to perform such assigned tasks 
· act on behalf of the League, subject to appeal, to uphold League discipline as defined in Article 5.2 of the Constitution

 (b)  The Treasurer, who shall receive, hold, and disburse the funds of the League in accordance with the By-Laws and directions of the League.  He/she shall compile statements of the financial status of all Tiers, and do such other things that will ensure the sound financial operation of the League.

 (c)  The Secretary, who shall record, distribute and maintain a file of the minutes of all League meetings.

 (d)  The Tier President(s), who shall be responsible for the baseball operations, including decisions regarding postponement of scheduled games, umpire liaison, and communications among the teams of their Tiers (modified for the 2007 season).  See By-law 6.2 for potential costs to teams when scheduled games are postponed within 30 days of the originally scheduled date (amended at the 2011 kick-off meeting and again at the 2017 Kick-off meeting).

(e)  The Registrar, who shall record regular season and playoff rosters for each team in the League, and distribute copies to each team. The Registrar shall also arrange for mandatory purchase of insurance for each active player, and shall collect waivers of liability in accordance with Article 8.1 of the Constitution.  The Registrar shall settle disputes regarding questions of player eligibility under SECTION 3 of the By-Laws.

 (f)  The Operations Committee Officers (3), who shall undertake projects related to the effective, efficient and sustainable operations of the League. The Officers (3) shall liaise with the NCBL Umpire-in-Chief, Deputy Umpires-in-Chief (2) and Assignor on League operational matters related to umpires, resolve issues between teams and between teams and umpires within the Mediation Committee, assess results of the rating system and consult with problem teams to improve their conduct, and help implement processes to improve operational efficiency of the League. The Operations Committee members shall also convene and preside over Player Disciplinary proceedings. One of the Operations Committee Members will participate as an advisor to Umpire Disciplinary Committees.   Note:  The number of Operations Committee Officers was increased from 2 to 3 to help lessen the workload for existing officers (amended at the 2018 Winter Meeting)

g)   The Umpire-in-Chief, who shall oversee umpire operations overall, including the hiring, managing, development, and discipline of umpires under his/her charge, and overseeing the establishment and evolution of the NCBL Umpire Manual and the NCBL Umpire Code of Conduct in alignment with the League’s interests and benefit. The Umpire-in-Chief shall liaise with the Operations Committee Members to resolve problems between umpires and teams and implement processes to improve relations between umpires and teams. He/she shall create a culture of umpiring excellence to develop the highest quality of umpires for the league.  He/she will resolve all questions or problems which require interpretations of baseball or league rules from umpires or the Operations Committee members.  The Umpire-in-Chief will ensure that all NCBL umpires have consistent interpretations of the NCBL By-Laws and baseball rules specific to the league.  He/she shall also convene and preside over umpire disciplinary proceedings. The Umpire-in-Chief will participate as an advisor to Player Disciplinary Committees. (The title of Umpire-in-Chief and his deputies were changed from Head Umpire during the 2019 Winter Meeting). 

h)   The Deputy Umpires-in-Chief shall assist the Umpire-in-Chief in his/her duties. They shall assist in the recruitment of new umpires.  One of the Deputy Umpires-in-Chief will participate as Secretary on all Umpire Disciplinary Committees and also participate as an advisor to Player Disciplinary Committees.  A 2nd Deputy Umpire-in-Chief was added whose primary responsibilities include working with the Umpire-in-Chief on day-to-day administration, and deal with all Operations Committee matters (amended at the 2019 Winter Meeting).

i)   The Umpire Assignor, who shall assign plate and base umpires for all regular season and playoff games, and oversee the establishment and evolution of an assignment process (whether software or other form) to these ends.  The Umpire Assignor shall prepare bi-weekly invoices to the League Treasurer for each umpire and distribute cheques to those umpires.  He/she is also responsible (in conjunction with the Operations Committee) for recruiting new umpires for the league.  The Assignor will participate as Secretary on all Umpire Disciplinary Committees where the Deputy Umpires-in-Chief are not available or must recuse themselves, and will serve as an umpire alternate on Player Disciplinary Committees.

 SECTION 8:    League Liability

 Article 8.1   As a condition of their participation in the League, each player, coach, manager, umpire,  or other official of a team shall indemnify and save harmless the League, its executive, and team representatives for any liability arising out of their participation in the League, and if required by the League, shall execute a waiver of  liability to that effect.

 Article 8.2   As a consideration of its membership, each team shall indemnify and save harmless the League for any liability arising out of their membership in the League.

 Article 8.3   Where the League provides for the purchase of insurance on a per-player basis, based on team rosters submitted by each team, if a team has not handed in its roster by the agreed-upon deadline, the team, and in particular the team manager and not the League, shall be held responsible for any liability arising out of that team’s participation in the League.

 SECTION 9:    Disbandment

 Article 9.1   To participate in the current playing year, a team shall deposit with the League a PERFORMANCE BOND in such amount as the League determines from time to time.

 Article 9.2   The League shall maintain each team’s PERFORMANCE BOND as security from which a team`s fines, financial penalties or other financial obligations shall be paid.

 Article 9.3   The PERFORMANCE BOND is payable in its full amount not later than the Annual Spring Meeting.  If, during the current playing year, a team`s BOND becomes depleted, that team must restore its PERFORMANCE BOND in  full before that team may participate in any future League activity.

 Article 9.4   The League shall credit each team in a Tier with that Tier`s financial surplus (as reported in the League`s financial statement, at the Annual Winter Meeting) on a pro rata basis of teams in the Tier, less any financial obligation outstanding on October 31.

 Article 9.5   If a team`s PERFORMANCE BOND has been debited by fines, penalties, etc. the League shall credit the pro rata surplus first against any outstanding financial obligations and then to the team`s PERFORMANCE BOND until the full amount of the PERFORMANCE BOND is restored.

 Article 9.6    Any portion of the Tier surplus remaining to a team after the full amount of the PERFORMANCE BOND has been restored shall be credited to the team to be applied against fees for the following year, unless the team requests immediate payment.

 Article 9.7   Notwithstanding 9.4, if a team informs the league before the Annual Spring    Meeting that it is disbanding, the League shall pay back the team`s  PERFORMANCE BOND and any other team funds deposited with the League,    less any outstanding financial obligation.

 Article  9.8   If a team decides to disband after the Annual Spring Meeting, or ceases operations during the playing year for any reason, the team 
 (a)shall forfeit its PERFORMANCE BOND 
 (b)shall not be liable to pay any fee instalment due after the date of disbandment or cessation of operations.

 SECTION 10:    Amendment

 Article 10.1   Amendments to the Constitution may be made at either the “winter meeting” or the “spring meeting”, on a majority vote of the League quorum (amended at the 2019 Winter Meeting).

 Article 10.2   Amendments to the By-Laws may be made at any meetings required by the    Constitution, or called by the Commissioner, provided that a notice period of at least forty-eight (48) hours is provided. 

 

 

 BY-LAWS

 SECTION 1:    League Functions

1.1   Pursuant to Article 7.1, the Commissioner may appoint persons to assume the following responsibilities:

(a) Publicity - report game results, standing and schedules to the media, and develop and sustain beneficial contacts to publicize and promote the League.

(b) League Statistics - collect, compute as required, compile and make summary reports of Tier standings and individual batting and pitching records.

(c)  Tier Statistics - collect the individual batting and pitching records of the teams in the Tier and provide them to the League Statistician.

(d)  Awards - conduct the selections for the awards listed, arrange for their presentation, keep an inventory of League trophies and provide for their storage, repair and engraving.

(e)  Annual Banquet - create an agenda and budget and arrange catering, tickets, permits and location.

(f)  Player Disciplinary Committee – The League shall convene a Player Disciplinary Committee for Level 2 suspensions and invite all players, umpires, league representatives and other parties that will best inform the Committee’s process, as the Operations Committee deems appropriate.  A Level 2 suspension is defined as when subsequent games are given after an ejection, consistent with By-Law 6.9.

The Player Disciplinary Committee composition will be as follows: One Operations Committee member performing the Chairman duties, the other Operations Committee member will perform the duties of Secretary, two Team Managers (or a designate from their team) who are not members of teams in the same Tier as the suspended person or team, as selected by the Operations Committee, and one umpire recommended by the Umpire-in-Chief will perform the duties of the panel. The Umpire-in-Chief and the Deputy Umpires-in-Chief, or the Umpire Assignor as designate for either of the two, will be invited to participate in an advisory role.

(g) The Umpire Disciplinary Committee shall be convened for umpire suspensions and/or fines and invite all players, umpires, league representatives and other parties that will best inform the Committee’s process, as the Operations Committee deems appropriate.  

The Umpire Disciplinary Committee composition will be as follows: The Umpire-in-Chief performing the Chairman duties, the Deputy Umpires-in-Chief performing the duties of Secretary, two active umpires on the official League roster, as selected by the Umpire-in-Chief, and one team representative who is not a member of a team in the same Tier as where the suspended umpire issue occurred, as recommended by the Operations Committee, will perform the duties of the panel. The Operations Officers will be invited to participate in an advisory role, but only one of the three is required for the Committee to proceed.

(h) The Mediation Committee shall be convened at the recommendation of the Commissioner, Operations Committee or by quorum of League vote for issues arising within the League that is of concern to League operations, whether they between opposing players, between opposing teams, between teams and the League, between players/teams and umpires, or any other party involved in League Business.

The Mediation Committee will be comprised of the Operations Committee (the 3 Operations Officers, the Umpire-in-Chief, and the 2 Deputy Umpires-in-Chief, or their alternates).

No player, manager, umpire or League officer may decline to participate in the Mediation Committee, subject to fines consistent with By-Law 1.6. Additional fines may be levied at the agreement of the Operations Committee and the Committee.  A non-response to a Mediation Committee invitation will constitute a decline.

Where deemed appropriate, and at the agreement of the Operations Committee, the Umpire-in-Chief, Deputy Umpires-in-Chief and the League Commissioner, the Mediation Committee rulings will be binding. Failure to comply with binding Mediation Committee rulings will subject those affected to disciplinary action and /or fines.

By-Law 1.2   The Committees mentioned in By-Law 1.1 have the power to set their own process to determine the issue but must allow suspended, sanctioned or fined persons, teams or umpires the opportunity to present their case in person if they so wish. Where the Committee finds sufficient evidence to support the digital review of a particular case, it may elect to hold the Committee review through email or telephone.

By-Law 1.3   The Committees shall decide by majority vote within seven days of the date the Commissioner or Umpire-in-Chief referred the issue to the Committees. The Committees’ decision shall be made in writing and copied to the Commissioner and Umpire-in-Chief and the affected parties. Brief summaries of Player and Umpire Disciplinary Committee rulings will be publicly posted in designated portion of the League website.

By-Law 1.4 a)   Notwithstanding 1.2, a person, team or umpire may, on payment of a $100 fee, appeal the decision of a Disciplinary Committee or a Binding Mediation Committee to an Appeal Board comprising of the same original committee members. The appeal must be made within 48 hours after the results of the Disciplinary Committee have been sent by email to the affected parties.

 

By-Law 1.4 b) An appeal must contain pertinent and relevant new information not reviewed in the original hearing that, by reasonable consideration, could have a material impact upon the review and/or decision.

 

By-Law 1.4 c)   A team or person who loses an appeal, or whose appeal was dismissed by the Operations Committee, shall forfeit the protest or appeal fee. If the team or person is successful in their appeal, the $100 dollar fee will be refunded.

 

By-Law 1.4 d)   Committees mentioned in By-Law 1.1 reserve the right to refuse an appeal where it deems the appeal to be frivolous and used to ensure the player in question can continue to play, or where the information presented therein does not, in their opinion, materially affect the outcome of the ruling/assignment.

 

 

 

By-Law 1.4 e) The decision of the Appeal Board is final.

By-Law 1.5   A team, or person who loses a protest, or appeal pursuant to 6.15 shall forfeit the protest or appeal fee.

By-Law 1.6   A team which fails to accept an officer position or function listed in By-Law 1.2   shall pay to the League a sum of $50.

By-Law 1.7    A team which fails to accept an officer position or function listed in By-Law 1.1   shall pay to the League a sum of $50.

 

 

SECTION 2:    Playing Rules

By-Law 2.1   Except as provided herein, the playing rules shall be those of Baseball Canada.

By-Law 2.2 
(a) A regulation game shall consist of seven innings, and all other rules governing the end of the game are as in Official Baseball Rules 4.10, with the following additions:  Extra innings are played in a tie game if and only if time permits. Should the game be called for reason of curfew, the game shall be considered to be a regulation game, regardless of the number of innings played.  Should the game be called because of light failure or bad weather before the scheduled end of the game, it will be replayed if the game was not of regulation length (4 and a half or 5 innings, depending on score), and will otherwise be considered a regulation game.  If the umpire calls the game during an inning, the score reverts to the last complete inning.  A regulation game which is tied when the umpire calls the game shall remain tied and shall not be continued or re-scheduled. 

NOTE 1:  Beginning in 2005, playoff games are required to be 7 innings (6 and a half if the home team is ahead) and thus games with a run differential of less than 5 runs (amended from “less than 7 runs” at the 2019 Winter Meeting), will be suspended and finished later if the game has been called earlier. Umpires will be paid overtime if a playoff game requires more than 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete 7 innings. (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings). 

NOTE 2:  Beginning in 2017:  In the playoffs: if the visiting team scores one or more runs in extra innings, any subsequent stoppage to that game will make it a suspended game, and must be completed before the next game takes place.  Any stoppage of a game in extra innings where it's still a tie game will permanently end the game in a tie (By-law amended at the 2017 kick-off meeting).

NOTE 3:  Beginning in 2020, after a playoff game has started (i.e. after 1st pitch) and a stoppage happens before the end of the 5th inning which would normally result in the game being called, the game will be suspended rather than called. For purposes of time limits, the umpires must take note of the time played and that will be carried over to when the game is continued. (By-law amended at the 2020 winter meeting).

(b) Mercy rule of 10 runs after 5 innings to be used in all tiers for all regular season and playoff games (amended at 2019 Winter Meeting).

By-Law 2.3   The time limit for a game shall be as follows: No new inning may begin more than 2 hours and 15 minutes after first pitch regardless of scheduled start of game (amended at the 2011 spring meeting). For purposes of this by-law, the definition of a new inning is the moment the last out is made in the previous inning (defined at the 2019 Kick-off Meeting). For early evening games, no new inning may begin after 8:15 pm regardless of when the first pitch was thrown, unless no team(s) shows up for the field in the late slot at that field.  The drop-dead time for early games (when there is a game afterwards) and the first game for afternoon double slots (when there are 2 games) will be 15 minutes after the “no new inning can start after” time.  So, for 6:15pm games, at 8:30pm the game will end as if the lights went off; for 1:00pm games, the game will end at 3:30pm as if the lights went off (modified at the 2016 Kick-off Meeting).

 

Stadium games have a limit of 2 hours from the scheduled start of the game rather than first pitch due to the fact that field contracts are only for a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes per game. Beginning in 2014, as we are now locking up at the stadium, games can play to the full time-limit of 2 hours and 15 minutes, assuming sufficient light, whereas in previous years, no new inning could start after 8 pm. Weekend Stadium games have a 2-hour time limit from the first pitch.      

 

By-Law 2.4 (a) A team in any tier (amended at the 2019 Kick-off Meeting) may play a game with eight players. 


(b)(i) When a team begins a game with only 8 players, the ninth spot in the batting order shall be an “automatic out”. If a team starts a game with 9 players but subsequently drops to 8 due to injury or other circumstances, then the player who leaves the batting order shall be replaced by an “automatic out”. 


(b) (ii) The “automatic out” shall be used as follows.  When that spot in the batting order is due to bat, the opposing pitcher shall be on the mound with the ball, and the umpire shall call for a batter. Upon being informed that this batter is the “automatic out”, the umpire shall declare an “out” and indicate the new number of outs, ending the inning if it is the third out or proceeding to the next batter otherwise.  NOTE:  The way this is to be interpreted is that the “Automatic Out” is not an “out” until the umpire says so.  Say that the 9th spot in the order is an “automatic out”. In the case of the 8th batter making the second out, the ball is still “live” until the pitcher takes his position on the mound with the ball and the umpire declares the third out.  In the case of the 8th batter drawing a two-out walk, for example, teams are reminded that the ball is still in play; the batter is free to go past first base and other runners may try to advance at their own risk, until the umpire declares the “automatic out”, which he can’t do until the play is over (i.e. the batter has touched first base, and the pitcher is on the mound with the ball.

 

By-Law 2.5   A team shall be granted fifteen minutes grace beyond the scheduled start time if it has insufficient players.  If after the period of grace, insufficient players remain for one team, the game shall be declared a forfeit.  Where both teams have insufficient players, each team shall be charged with a forfeit, the game shall be cancelled and replayed only if it has a bearing on the final standings of the League. 

Grace period for early games is 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes but there is no change in end times (added at some point around 2010).

By-Law 2.6 (a) A forfeit is declared when a team is unable to start a game with the minimum number of players within the grace period as stated in by-law 2.5.   The score of a forfeited game shall be 7-0 (amended at the 2010 spring meeting). 


(b)  Each player on the roster of a team which wins a game by forfeit will each be credited with one game played towards his/her playoff eligibility. The team which wins by forfeit will designate one pitcher as having pitched in the game towards his/her playoff eligibility (amended sometime prior to 2010).  No player on the roster of a team which loses a game by forfeit will be credited with a game played, regardless of whether or not the player was present at the forfeit.

 

By-Law 2.7   The home team shall for each game:

(a) NOTE:  this section on deciding suitability of the field for play was removed at the 2019 Spring Meeting and replaced with by-law 2.71.  

(b) Supply a minimum of three new and 3 good used baseballs (added at the 2014 Kick-off meeting) for the playing of the game.   Only baseballs approved by the League shall be allowed. 

(c)  Supply the bases, and if possible, chalk the lines. 

(d)  Prepare the infield for play, particularly the pitcher’s mound and the batter’s box. 

(e)  Permit the visiting team first access to the playing field, ten minutes before the start of the game. 

(f)  Report to the Commissioner, the absence of an assigned umpire.

 

Bylaw 2.71:   (added at the 2019 Spring Meeting)

(a): The home team shall decide the suitability of the field for play for a regular season game. When conditions warrant cancellation of the game, the home team shall report such cancellation to the League not less than one and a half (1.5) hours before the scheduled starting time.

(b): If a regular season game is to be cancelled less than one and a half (1.5) hours before the scheduled starting time, a consensus between the home and visiting team representatives needs to be made, otherwise it will be up to the umpires.

NOTE: The 1.5 hour threshold in (a) and (b) is for the local teams/fields only. This remains 3.0 hours for games in Kingston and Cornwall.

(c): If a playoff game is to be cancelled at any time before the scheduled starting time, a consensus between the home and visiting team representatives needs to be made, otherwise it will be up to the umpires.

(d): If a consensus is not made in (b) or (c), and one team doesn’t show up to the field, that team will forfeit the game.

By-Law 2.8    If at any time after the start of a game, a team is unable to field the minimum number of players, that team shall be declared the loser due to insufficient players. However, this is not a forfeit as defined in by-law 2.6 a) and therefore provisions of any by-laws for forfeits do not apply (example 2.6 a) regarding score or 6.3 regarding fines).  If the winning team is ahead at the time of default, that score shall be the final score but if the defaulting team is ahead at the time of default, the score will be amended to be one less than the winning teams score at the time of default.  If there was no score, then the score shall be recorded as 1-0 for the winning team (amended at the 2010 Spring Meeting).  

By-Law 2.9    When a team loses a player through injury or ejection and no other player remains who has not played in the game, the team may return a player to the line-up except a player who has been ejected from the game.

By-Law 2.10   A player who has returned to the line-up shall take the place in the batting order of the player removed.

By-Law 2.11 Designated Hitter (DH) (a) Each team shall be permitted one Designated Hitter (DH) position in the batting order, as in Official Baseball Rules 6.10, except that the League shall permit the use of a DH for any player in the starting line-up, rather than just for the pitcher. 

(b)  Teams are limited to one DH per game.  That is, a team may elect to use a DH for (at most) one player.  Failure to elect to use a DH prior to the game precludes the use of a DH for that game. 

(c) A DH may be designated to bat for any one starting player and his/her subsequent replacements without otherwise affecting that player’s status in the game.  A DH for the player must be selected prior to the game and be included in the line-up cards presented to the Umpire in Chief. 

(d)  The DH named in the starting line-up must come to bat at least one time unless the opposing club changes pitchers. 

(e) Pinch hitters and pinch runner may be used for the DH.  Any substitute hitter or runner for the DH becomes the new DH.  A DH may not pinch run.  A replaced DH shall not re-enter the game in any capacity except under conditions of injury or ejection as in By-Law 2.10. 

(f) The DH may be used defensively.  He/she would continue to bat in the same position in the batting order, and the player being DH’d for would then bat in place of the substituted defensive player.  (If more than one defensive substitution is made when the DH takes the field, the manager shall immediately designate their spots in the order).  A DH is locked into the batting order.  No multiple substitutions can be made that will alter the batting rotation of the DH. And once a DH becomes a defensive player, the DH role shall be terminated for the rest of the game. 

(g)  A player being DH’d for may only pinch hit or pinch run for the DH.  Once the  player who was originally DH’d for comes to bat, the DH role shall be  terminated for the rest of the game, and the player who was performing the DH  role is removed  from the game and shall not re-enter the game in any capacity except under conditions of injury or ejection as in Bay-Law 2.10. 

(h) There is one possible conflict with the (f) and (g) above.  Under (f), it could be argued that while a team is at-bat, the manager could claim to be moving the DH into the field next inning and thus the player being DH’d for would become a pinch hitter for the replaced defensive player.  However under (g), the player being DH’d for may not be a pinch hitter or pinch runner for any player except the DH.  It is decided that (g) will take priority and that player being DH’d for may not bat for someone besides the DH unless the DH has already played in the field.  Therefore, no manager shall attempt to use the players originally being DH’d for as a pinch hitter or pinch runner for any player except the DH. 

(i) NOTE:  Rule clarification at the beginning of the 2005 season, if a team is using a DH, and one of their players leaves the game due to injury or ejection, the DH may be inserted into the field of play if no other players are available on the bench. Notwithstanding By-law 2.11 h), if the team at bat loses a player due to injury or ejection, the player being DH’d for may bat or run for the lost player if no other players are available on the bench for substitution or re-insertion (amended at 2005 Spring & Kick-off meetings and further clarified at the 2010 Spring Meeting). 
 

By-Law 2.12    Before the start of a game, each team shall submit the starting line-up list of players to the opposing manager and to the umpire. The list shall include player uniform numbers and positions. In addition, each team shall identify to the umpires and to the other team, the captain and the field manager who shall be responsible for the conduct of the team and they shall be the sole persons permitted to question an umpire's application of the rules. Any player on the team's roster can be used as a substitute regardless of whether or not he is listed on the line-up card or when that player arrives at the game (amended by executive committee vote on May 14, 2011).

By-Law 2.13   The League heartily endorses strict enforcement of Official Baseball Rules 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 9.01 and 9.02(a) In particular, the flagrant use of profane or obscene language, and physical contact with an umpire or participant shall be cause for immediate ejection and possible further suspension.

2.13 i) Contact Avoidance Rule (approved at 2013 Kick-off meeting) The NCBL maintains a “contact avoidance rule” to ensure that players are not injured through collisions at home plate.  This rule places the onus of responsibility for contact avoidance on the offensive team and the defensive team, the Catcher and the Runner.  Please note that any reference to the Catcher in this rule also applies to any other fielder covering home plate.

 

a)    The Catcher

The Catcher must provide unobstructed access of the plate to the Runner when not in possession of the ball or in the act of fielding a ball. Fielding a ball includes being about to receive a thrown ball if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the Catcher so that he must occupy his position to receive the ball.  The Catcher will be called for obstruction and the Runner will be called safe if, in the umpire’s judgment,

the Catcher has not provided access to the plate to the Runner and the Catcher was not either in possession of the ball or in the act of fielding a ball.

 

b)   The Runner

The Runner must avoid contact at all times.

 

The only way contact may occur and the Runner not be declared out is

 

-       incidental contact occurring while sliding when the Catcher provides no access to the plate because he is either in full possession of the ball or is in the act of fielding a ball.  If in the opinion of the umpire the Runner slid with the intent to induce excessive contact, the Runner shall be called out and may be subject to further sanctions;`

-       intentional (not incidental, as in while making a play, but truly intentional) contact by the Catcher on the Runner;

 

Any other contact will result in the Runner being called out. 

 

 

 By-Law 2.14 (a)    Further to Official Baseball Rules 8.06 and 3.03:  On a coach or manager’s first mound visit to a pitcher in an inning, he/she may elect to move the pitcher to another defensive position.  In that case, the player may not return to the mound until the next inning or later.  On a coach or manager’s second mound visit to the same pitcher in the same inning, he/she must remove the pitcher from the mound. The pitcher may take another defensive position but may not return to the mound for the remainder of the game.

 

(b)  In the case of player-managers, such people shall identify themselves to the umpires, and the umpires shall charge a mound visit to the manager whenever he/she leave his/her defensive position to converse with the pitcher.  Attempts to circumvent this rule by having other players talk to the pitcher shall also be charged with a mound visit.

 

By-Law 2.15    The League recognizes the difficulty in completing 7 innings of play within time limits (modified to reflect amendment to by-law 2.3 at the 2011 spring meeting).  The following guidelines shall be followed: 
  -Games shall start at the scheduled game time, subject to By-Law 2.6, regardless of whether both teams have had a pre-game infield practice. 
  -A home team which does not have the infield ready 20 minutes prior to game time (By-Law 2.8) shall forego their pre-game infield practice.  Given that the infield is ready, a visiting team which is not ready 10 minutes prior to game time shall forego their pre-game infield practice. 
  -Teams in a game starting at 8:30 should be prepared to forego their pre-game infield practices if the previous game finishes too close to 8:30. 
  -Pitchers shall be limited to 5 pitches between innings, unless weather and the umpire’s discretion dictate more. The 5-pitch limit includes pitches thrown to a warm-up catcher.

- Beginning in 2017, the league has adopted major league baseball’s rule change for intentional walks where the manager of the offensive team, after asking for and being granted a time-out, need only indicate to the umpire that the batter is to be awarded first base without any pitches being thrown (approved at the 2017 Kick-off meeting).

- Beginning in 2019: In order to have a league sanctioned way of moving a game along, at any time in a game, either team may choose to have their own batter take an intentional strike out. This is implemented the same as an intentional walk. (Approved at the 2019 Kick-off Meeting)  

 

By-Law 2.16 Extra Hitter (EH) – (adopted for TIER 3 and TIER 4 at the 2022 Kick-off meeting).

(a) Each team, if they so choose, shall be permitted one Extra Hitter (EH) in the batting order so that there are 10 batting positions. 

(b) The EH is independent of the DH as teams may also elect to use a DH for a defensive player.

(c) Failure to elect to use the EH prior to the game precludes the use that option for that game. The EH player must be included in the line-up cards presented to the Umpire in Chief.     

(d) The EH position may be collapsed by eliminating the EH’s position in the batting order or by having the EH play in the field for a defensive player who is not being DH’ed for. The EH is locked in his position in the batting order and the replaced fielder’s position in the batting order is removed to bring the batting order back to 9 positions.

 (e) If the EH takes the defensive position of a player who is being DH’ed for, that player is removed from the game but the batting order remains the same at 10 positions.

 (f) Pinch hitters and pinch runners may be used for the EH. Any substitute hitter or runner for the EH becomes the new EH. The EH may not pinch run. A replaced EH shall not re-enter the game in any capacity except under conditions of injury or ejection as in By-Law 2.10.

(g) While a team is at-bat, the manager may want to revert back to a 9-man batting order by removing the EH position or by claiming to be moving the EH into the field the next inning and thus remove that fielder’s position in the batting order. However, this would appear to be a potentially unfair manipulation of the batting order while the team is batting.  Therefore, it is decided that the batting order can be collapsed back to 9 positions only while that team is in the field, (i) Notwithstanding the preceding subsection, if the team at bat loses a player due to injury or ejection, the EH may bat or run for the lost player if no other players are available on the bench for substitution or reinsertion. The batting order thus reverts back to 9 and there is no automatic out for the batting position being removed.

 

By-Law 2.17 Everyone Bats Option as explained in Team Duties (initially added for the 2021 Covid season but then adopted for TIER 4 at the 2022 Kick-off meeting).

2.17-1. Basic application

a- a team can decide at the start of the game to have all their players in attendance bat.

b- the umpire and opposing team must be notified prior to the start of the game that this option is being used.

c- once a team starts a game like this, they can not change their minds once the first pitch is thrown.

d- if a team only has 9 players at the start of the game, they MUST state prior to starting the game, that they are using the rule for when late-arriving players show up (see 2a below)

e- when using this rule, defensive substitutions are un-limited EXCEPT for pitchers. For example, a player can play in the field in the 1st inning, sit for the 2nd and 3rd, and then go back in the field for the 4th....and so on...

Please note: Pitchers must still follow the NCBL rules regarding re-entry. (ie. Can not re-enter as pitcher in same inning and if removed from pitching, must stay in game defensively in order to re-enter as a pitcher later)

 

2.17-2. What if a player arrives late?

a- if a team is using this option and a player arrives after the start of the game, this player is to be placed at the bottom of the batting order.

For example, a team has 12 batters in the lineup and a player arrives in the 3rd inning when they are at the 3rd spot in the order.  The late arriving player would become the 13th batter in the lineup in slot 13. (NOT in the 4th slot)

b- if a player arrives late, but does not want to hit, no new batting slot is created and he can only play in the field.  If the team wishes to bat this player later, he would have to sub into one of the existing batting slots, thus removing the player he is replacing from the batting order (this does not affect defensive substitutions, both players are still able to play in the field)

 

2.17-3. What if a player leaves prior to the end of the game (this includes leaving due to injury)?

a- if a player leaves prior to the end of the game, his spot in the order will simply be skipped.

EXCEPTION - if this player leaving brings the number of batters to 8 batters, his spot in the order would become an automatic OUT.  If this player leaving brings the number of batters to 7, the team forfeits the game.

 

2.17-4. What if a player gets hurt while being on base?

a- the last out would replace the injured player and the injured players spot in the lineup will be skipped next time it comes up

EXCEPTION - if this player leaving brings the number of batters to 8 batters, his spot in the order would become an automatic OUT next time it comes up.  If this player leaving brings the number of batters to 7, the team forfeits the game.

 

2.17-5. What if a player doesn't want to hit (or team doesn't want to bat EVERYONE, but still wants to bat more than 9)?

a- It must be indicated before the game who is hitting and who isn't (EXCEPTION: late arriving players, see 2b above)

b- If someone that wasn't in the batting lineup wants to hit later in the game, he would have to sub into one of the existing batting slots (see 2b above).

 

 

SECTION 3:    Team and Umpire Rosters and Registration

By-Law 3.1 (a) No player may play in any League game unless the player’s name is on a team’s roster. See by-law 3.13 for the use of a League Emergency Spare.
(b)  Each team must supply a written roster of its players to the Registrar, 24 hours prior to its first scheduled League game. 
(c)  A team that does not comply with (b) shall forfeit all scheduled games until it does comply. 
(d)  Teams may appeal player eligibility and team roster decisions to the League, in extraordinary circumstances. 
(e) Teams shall be allowed to add players to the team roster no later than 1 hour before a game.

By-Law 3.2     The Registrar shall keep a complete list of all teams’ rosters and shall distribute copies to the other teams on request.

By-Law 3.3     Each team shall be permitted to makes changes to the roster in writing to the Registrar, until 11:59 P.M. on June 30. However, addition of players who are not, and have not been, on any roster in the league in the current year may be added at any time after the deadline (amended at the 2010 Spring Meeting).

By-Law 3.4     Restrictions for final rosters was deleted at the 2010 Spring Meeting as a result of amendments made to by-law 3.3.

By-Law 3.5     A player who has been removed from a team’s roster shall not be restored to that roster for the current year.

By-Law 3.6     A player who has been entered on a team’s roster in a season shall remain a member of that team for the remainder of the playing season unless he/she is released from his/her team and notification is received by the Registrar.

By-Law 3.7    A player who is denied his/her release from a team may appeal to the Commissioner.  No player or other member of a team shall engage in the activity of inducing a player to seek his/her release from his/her current team (At the 2013 Kick-off meeting, it was decided that this restriction on recruiting of players by another team is only a gentlemen’s agreement. There is no penalty for off-season recruitment.  Furthermore, it was agreed that the Manager of a team receiving a player in the off-season will contact the Manager of the other team as soon as possible).

By-Law 3.8    Unless prior approval is obtained from the League (amended sometime prior to 2007), no person shall attempt to have playing and/or non-playing roles concurrently with two or more teams in the League.  For example, no player shall play for two or more teams, no coach/manager shall coach/manage for two or more teams, and no person shall play for one team and coach/manage for another. The penalty shall be expulsion from the League for the balance of the season. Any NCBL player on an NCBL roster that is also on the NCBL umpire roster may not umpire in the Tier that they play in.

By-Law 3.9    Unless otherwise decided by the League, no team shall be permitted to have more than 25 players on its roster (amended at the 2009 Kick-off Meeting). 

By-Law 3.10 (a):    (as amended at the 2019 Spring Meeting). A player in any Tier is eligible for the playoffs if they appear in at least 25% of their current team’s regular season games.

NOTE: An official appearance includes a Plate Appearance OR pitching to 1 batter. Playing defensively other than pitching is not included. Pinch-running alone is also not included (Amended at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).  

In the event that the number of regular season games multiplied by the percentage required for eligibility does not result in a whole number of games, the result is rounded up, for example 25% of a 22-game season is 5.5 games, and this is rounded up to 6 games required for eligibility.

By-Law 3.10 (b):   The team representative of any player who is looking to bypass the minimum playoff requirements shall email the four Tier Presidents as soon as possible and present their case. The three Tier Presidents not involved in the tier of the request will be the ones voting on the case, taking into consideration: the legitimacy of the injury, the history of the player on the team, feedback from the other teams in the tier, the timing of the request, and anything else they deem appropriate. (3.10b added at the 2019 Spring Meeting).

3.10 c)   The Umpire-in-Chief, Deputy Umpires-in-Chief and Assignor will assign only the best performing umpires from each Tier for postseason games. The official umpire performance evaluations carried out during the season by the Umpire-in-Chief, Deputy Umpires-in-Chief and Assignor, the NCBL umpire rating system and relevant playoff logistics will guide the selection process.

By-Law 3.11 (Revised at 2020 April Executive Meeting):  Financial obligations between an NCBL team and its players are the responsibility of that team’s management.  However, if a dispute arises from either 3.11 a) or 3.11 b) below, about the existence or extent of indebtedness between a team and a player or vice versa, the issue shall be referred to the discipline committee for a ruling on the penalty.

 

a) A player who owes money or other assets to the team with which he/she was last registered is ineligible to play in the League, subject to appeal as a dispute.

 

b)  NCBL refund policy:  Any potential refunds to players for any reason are between a team’s management and the individual player subject to appeal as a dispute.    

 

By-Law 3.12    No Umpire may officiate in any League game unless the Umpire’s name is on the NBCL Umpire Assignor’s roster. 
(a)  The Umpire Assignor must supply, by way of e-mail, a written roster of League Umpires to the League prior to the season start, and provided additions to the roster throughout the season. 
(b)  An Umpire that does not appear on the official League roster shall forfeit all fees and monies for any game officiated. 
(c) The Umpire Assignor shall be allowed to add Umpires to the official League roster at any time before game assignments by submitting an email addition to the NCBL League Umpire Roster, subject to the approval of the Umpire-in-Chief.

(d) Umpires shall provide umpiring services to the League as independent contractors.

 

By-Law 3.13   Use of an Emergency Spare – (added at the 2022 Kick-off meeting).

(a) Where a team is at risk of defaulting a game, they may seek assistance from the league using a “spare’s list”, which will be compiled and provided by the league. A “spare’s list” with the names of individuals interested in sparing, along with their contact information and geographic location, will be made available on the league’s website. This list will be updated and shared periodically throughout the season. All spares on this list will be registered and insured by the league; therefore, these spares will not need to be added to a team’s roster prior to the game.

(b) Any team that already has a full roster but requires a spare, will not be penalized for the use of a spare.

(c) When a team does use a player from the “spare’s list”, they will need to advise their opposition prior to the game (at lineup exchange at the minimum) that they are using a non-rostered spare and identify who they are. A spare who is brought out for a game must, at the very least, have one plate appearance. After the game, the team who used the spare will advise the league that they used someone from the spare’s list and who it was. A spare will not be charged any monetary amount for assisting the team. Any spare who is ejected from a game, regardless of reason, will be removed the “spare’s list” and will be unable to participate in the league as a spare.

(d) Should a team wish to add a spare to their roster, they can; however, the individual will forego any future opportunities as a spare unless they are subsequently released from that team’s roster. A team that adds a spare to their roster is to advise the league so that individual can be removed from the “spare’s list”.

(e) In general, this sparing option shall NOT be applicable for the playoffs. However, a team may request an exemption as stated in By-Law 3.10 (b).

 

SECTION 4:    Standings and Statistics

By-Law 4.1    Each Tier may decide, by majority vote of teams in the Tier, to be divided into Divisions provided that a Division shall comprise of not less than three teams 
 

By-Law 4.3    League standings shall be determined according to total number of points, with two points credited for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss.

By-Law 4.4    When at the completion of the regular season: 
(a) two teams are tied, the tie shall be broken according to the following  sequence: 
(i)  the won-lost record between the tied teams 
(ii)  the won-lost record of the tied teams against team in the same division 
(iii)  net runs for and against in the games between the tied teams 
(iv)  net runs for and against for the total games played by the tied teams 
(v)  a sudden death play-off game flip of a coin (modified by Executive vote Aug 20, 2022).

(b)  three or more teams tied, the tie shall be broken according to the following sequence: 
(i) the won-lost record among the tied teams 
(ii) the won-lost record of the tied teams against teams in the same division 
(iii) net runs for and against in the games between the tied teams 
(iv) net runs for and against for the total games played by the tied teams

(v)  a sudden death play-off game flip of a coin (modified by Executive vote Aug 20, 2022).

 

The following sections c) and d) were added at the 2007 Spring Meeting:  

(c) if two teams are tied for the last playoff spot: 
(i) an additional game will be played between the 2 tied teams to decide which team will make the playoffs (this game is to be played under playoff rules but with no tie) with the home team decided by the tie breaking sequence from 4.4 (a). (Amended at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

(d) if three or more teams are tied for the last playoff spot: 
(i) The tie-breaking sequence in 4.4 (b) shall apply until only two teams remain tied, then 4.4 (c) shall be applied.

By-Law 4.5    The tie-breaking sequence in 4.4 (b) shall apply until only two teams remain tied, then 4.4 (a) shall be applied.

By-Law 4.6    At the end of the regular schedule, the team with the highest point total in each tier shall be declared Tier Pennant Champions.

By-Law 4.7    The team that wins the final playoff series in a Tier shall be declared Tier Playoff Champion.

By-Law 4.8   ***as of 2007, the Best Batter award is voted on by team managers from the tier.

By-Law 4.9    ***as of 2007, the Best Pitcher award is voted on by team managers from the tier.

By-Law 4.10    Each team is responsible for notifying the League of each game’s results by the established process provided to teams at the start of the season (Amended at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

By-Law 4.11    Each team shall provide game and individual statistics in such form and by deadlines established by the League.  Such statistics shall be filed with the Tier Statistician and failure to comply will cause the League to impose a fine in accordance with By-Law 6.2(d).

NOTE:  Beginning in 2022, both teams are responsible for submitting statistics for their own team online which will be used to determine the official participants of each game (as per by-law 3.10) following the established process provided to teams at the start of the season.  A fine defined in by-law 6.2 (f) will automatically be applied if the statistics are not submitted on time. (Note amended at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

By-Law 4.12    In recognition of team and individual achievements, the League may make awards, including those listed in Appendix A to these By-Laws. 

By-Law 4.13    Should a team become inactive in mid-season, all remaining games are cancelled except: 
(i) if the team has only 5 or fewer games left, all remaining games are awarded to opposing teams and appropriate fines are levied against the team’s performance bond. 
(ii)  if the team has played 5 games or fewer games, all games for that team are cancelled, games it previously played are removed from the standings, and the performance bond is forfeited to the League.

By-Law 4.14   Teams that finish in last place, in the regular season, in Tiers I, II, and III shall move to Tiers II, III and IV respectively, in the following season.

By-Law 4.15   Teams that finish in first place, in the regular season, in Tiers II, III, and IV shall move to Tiers I, II, and III respectively in the following season.

By-Law 4.16    Notwithstanding By-Laws 4.14 and 4.15, a team may request to remain in or move to a Tier.  Permission shall be granted if the teams in each Tier affected by such request agree by majority vote.

By-Law 4.17    A new team shall be placed in a Tier by a majority vote of a quorum of the League at the annual “spring meeting”.

By-Law 4.18    In order to potentially speed up the games, beginning in 2005, a “catcher hurry up rule” may be used at any time the catcher is on base when 2 are out, at the option of the team that is at bat. When 2 are out, the catcher who is on base may be replaced by the player who made the last out. The catcher is still in the game and this is not considered a pinch runner as the last out is already in the game.  If the catcher is replaced by a pinch runner not already in the game, this is a substitution and the catcher is out of the game. The option may be used selectively for a particular occurrence or for the whole game.  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings). 
  
By-Law 4.19 
(a) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 1 starting June 1, 2007 
(b) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 2 starting June 1, 2008 
(c) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 3 starting May 1, 2010 (amended 2010 Spring Meeting)

 (d) Wooden bats only to be used in Tier 4 starting May 1, 2011 (amended 2011 Spring Meeting).

 

 

SECTION 5:    Schedules

By-Law 5.1   The home team responsibilities regarding the suitability of field and weather conditions for play are defined in by-law 2.71 (amended at the 2019 Kick-off Meeting).

By-Law 5.2.1   The Commissioner is responsible for rescheduling suspended or cancelled games and informing the umpiring service (amended for the 2007 season). 

By-Law 5.2.2    The Commissioner may try to accommodate both teams on rescheduled games but has the authority to require the teams to play a specified date and time (amended for the 2007 season).

By-Law 5.3    Teams must be prepared to begin playoff series 2 days after the last regular season game is played or 2 days after a prior series has completed.  Each 3-game series will initially be scheduled in a 5 day window and each 5-game series will initially be scheduled in an 8 day window (in Tier 4 these series may extend to 6 and 9 day windows).  A rain out contingency date beyond the window will also be tentatively scheduled. Prior to each series, teams may submit an early or late preference for their home games for that series but will otherwise be expected to play on the days determined by the playoff series convenor (a President assigned from another tier) (amended at the 2015 Kick-off meeting).  

By-Law 5.4    At the request of both teams, the Tier President may postpone a scheduled game.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6:     Deposits, Fines, Discipline and Protests

By-Law 6.1 
(a) Each member shall deposit with the League such fees and performance bond as the League establishes.  Fees shall be applied to field, umpire, baseballs, administration and miscellaneous expenses.  The Performance Bond shall be used for payment of fines and other financial penalties.

 (b)When the League provides for payments in instalments, a team shall not participate in a scheduled game after an instalment date, until the team has paid its instalment.

  . 
By-Law 6.2    The League shall impose a fine and a team’s performance bond will be debited in the amount of the fine in accordance with the following schedule. 

(a)  $200 on each occasion that a team forfeits a game (i.e.is unable to start a game with sufficient players).  On the third forfeit in a season, the team shall be expelled from the League for the remainder of the season (modified at the 2010 Spring Meeting);

(b) $50 against a team on each occasion that the team fails to send a representative to a League meeting; 

(c) $20 against a team on each occasion the team or one of its players has a cheque returned to the League for any reason; 

(d) $10 against a team for each game where the statistics submissions via the Google Docs spreadsheet misses the monthly deadline (revised at the 2017 Kick-off meeting).

(e) $50 against a team that fails to provide final statistics or any other information that the League requires; 

(f) Beginning in 2005, $10 (reduced from $25 at the 2017 Kick-off meeting) against a home team that fails to send the official scorers line-up participation list to the designated League email address (lineup@rogers.com for 2005) within 10 days.  (By-law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings); 

(g) Beginning in 2011, if a team, under by-law 5.4, obtains approval from the Tier President to postpone a scheduled game within 30 days of the scheduled game, that team will be charged the actual cost of the field (approximately $100 to $200 depending on the field and lighting requirements) for that game (amended at the 2011 spring meeting). The Tier President has the discretion to waive the field cost fine if the Commissioner can fill the field slot with another game. Additionally, for out-of town games (Beckwith, Cornwall, Kingston, Winchester), cancellations by a visiting team that are within 30 days of the scheduled game will result in a $100 per game fine to cover the cost of the field and provide a deterrent for teams trying to cancel if they can’t field a competitive team (amended at the 2017 Kick-off meeting).

 

(h) Beginning in 2017, to better streamline the post ejection process, a team is fined $50 for not submitting an incident report detailing the ejection within 48 hours of the game (approved at the 2017 Kick-off meeting).

 

By-Law 6.3   The League, on a two-thirds majority vote of its representatives, may impose a fine against a team, player or umpire for any other reason, including failure to provide timely and accurate scoring summaries or failure to attend a protest or disciplinary hearing.

By-Law 6.4   When, in the opinion of a majority of the representatives of the League, a team or its representative is not discharging its functions to the satisfaction of the League, the officer or function responsibility will be removed from that team and the League may impose fines or other penalties which it feels appropriate.

By-Law 6.5   A team may protest a game because of 
(a) an incident that may have influenced the game’s outcome; 
(b) an umpire’s interpretation of a baseball rule; or 
(c) a question about the eligibility of a player. 
Such protests shall be made in accordance with Official Baseball Rule 4.19 and delivered in writing with a $25 fee to the Commissioner within 48 hours of the start of the protested game.

 

By-Law 6.6 This by-law relating to conduct after an ejection was amended and rewritten at the 2023 Spring League meeting as follows:

 

(a): An ejected player is required to immediately leave the playing field, promptly pack up their equipment, and exit the bench area.

 

(b): The ejected player is permitted to sit in the stands or be in proximity to the field, not on the players bench or behind it or in proximity to it, to watch the remainder of the game. The player must refrain from any interaction with the umpires, the opposing team, and their team for the purposes of coaching or, directly or indirectly, criticizing the umpires, or taunting or interacting with the opposing team for the duration of the game.

 

(c): When a player is ejected, the representatives of both teams playing the game and both umpires officiating the game shall report the incident to the Operations Committee e-mail and fill out the incident report in the League website game summary/report, providing the player’s name, reason for ejection and the circumstances applying to the incident.

 

NOTE: Beginning in 2005, a player may be ejected from a game even after the play of the game has ended. This is treated as a 7th inning ejection. Examples include during cleanup or post- game handshakes. (By-Law amended at the 2005 Spring and Kick-off League meetings).

 

By-Law 6.7 (a):  The following suspensions shall apply automatically in the regular season (amended at the 2019 Spring Meeting) without leave to Appeal. For purposes of by-law 6.7, the definition of a new inning is at the moment the first pitch is made in the next inning (defined at the 2019 Kick-off Meeting).

(i)First ejection: should a routine ejection occur before the last two innings the offending player is ejected for the remainder of the game.

(ii)First ejection: if ejection occurs in the last two innings then the ejection is considered to be continued for the next scheduled game.

(iii) Second ejection: one additional game, the next scheduled game

(iv) Third ejection: three additional games, the next three scheduled games.

NOTE: for (iii) & (iv) should the ejection occur in the last two innings, the ejection is considered to be continued for the next scheduled game. The additional games assessed for iii) and iv) occur after the ejection continuation is completed.

 

By-Law 6.7 (b) (added at the 2019 Spring Meeting): Ejection status for Level 1 ejections resets in the playoffs, but Level 2 ejections remain (i.e. a player's regular season Level 1 ejection under 6.7 (i) does not carry over into the playoffs).

The following suspensions are conditionally applied in the playoffs, with limited opportunity to appeal:

i) First ejection: should a routine ejection occur before the last two innings the offending player is ejected for the remainder of the game.

ii) First ejection: if a 6.9 (a)-(p) ejection occurs in the last two innings then the ejection is considered to be continued for the next scheduled game.

iii) Second ejection: one additional game, the next scheduled game.

iv) Third ejection: three additional games, the next three scheduled games.

 

By-Law 6.8    When a team has been assessed five ejections in a season, the Commissioner shall impose a $100 fine and suspend that team pending review by the Discipline Committee.

By-Law 6.9    Ejections and/or conduct, on or off the playing field, before, during or after the ejections, for the following reasons shall require the Commissioner to impose the following minimum suspensions, and to refer all Level 2 ejections/suspension to the Operations Committee for the purposes of establishing a Player’s Discipline Committee.

League Level Ejections and Suspensions

(a)   indefinite - behaviour detrimental to the interests of the League (LEVEL 2). 

(b)   7 games – grossly offensive racial comments or sexual orientation insensitive comments (LEVEL 2).  Penalty increased from 5 games at the 2022 Kick-off meeting.

Umpire/ Player safety ejections and suspensions

(c)   10 games - direct physical abuse of an umpire (LEVEL 2), including but not limited to: pushing, punching, slapping, spitting at, throwing objects at, or any other intentional contact with an umpire in order to intimidate. 

(d)    7 games - indirect physical abuse of an umpire (LEVEL 2), including but not limited to: threats of physical abuse, kicking dirt towards or on an umpire, persistent aggressive swearing at an umpire over and above 6.9 (f), intentional contact with any umpire's equipment or possessions not on his person. Penalty increased from 5 games at the 2022 Kick-off meeting. 

(e)   3 games - unintentional incidental contact with an umpire during a discussion of a call or a rule interpretation or during an argument with someone other than the umpire, including thrown equipment that was not aimed at the umpire but subsequently ended up within 5 feet of the umpire’s person. NOTE: contact is to be interpreted as intentional contact governed by that would normally be considered verbal abuse of the umpire who was contacted. 

(f)     5 games - verbal abuse of an umpire including but not limited to aggressive swearing or cursing at or about an umpire. If this verbal abuse becomes persistent, this section will be superseded by by-law 6.9c in order to determine the length of suspension (LEVEL 2). Standard is as follows: 1 game if there is swearing/insults after the ejection (of short duration); 3 games if there are repeated swearing/insults after the ejection (of extended duration); and 5 games if there is an in-your-face swearing/insulting confrontation after the ejection (of extended duration and in the immediate presence of an umpire).  Penalty increased from 3 games at the 2022 Kick-off meeting and standard modified at the 2023 Spring meeting.

(g)   5 games - verbal abuse and/or threats of an umpire off the playing field (LEVEL 2). 6.9 g) will be in addition to any other previously occurring ejection/suspension within the game, if a continuation of the preceding ejection.  Where a reasonable amount of time, as determined by a Disciplinary Committee, elapsed between the initial ejection/suspension and the off-field abuse/threats, off-field actions of the player will be considered a second and separate incident.  Penalty increased from 3 games at the 2022 Kick-off meeting.

(h)   3 games – any action by a player deemed to be intentional, during the normal play of the game, and which could reasonably result in an injury to another player, including, but not limited to, a pitcher throwing intentionally at a batter, a runner sliding cleats up at an infielder, or a runner colliding with an infielder or catcher (LEVEL 2).   (amended at the 2015 kick-off meeting).

 

(i)     3 games – outside the normal play of the game, throwing a ball or other piece of equipment at another player (with the intention of hitting that player). (LEVEL 2)

(j)     3 games - a person who starts and persists in a fight shall receive a minimum 3 game suspension. (LEVEL 2)

Note: Only one of the following (k), (l) and (m) penalties will apply per person per incident (they are not cumulative): (added at the 2023 Spring meeting)

(k)   5 games - fighting (penalty increased at the 2023 Spring meeting)

(l)     7 games - instigating a fight (LEVEL 2) (penalty increased at the 2023 Spring meeting)

(m) 10 games - persisting in a fight (LEVEL 2) (penalty increased at the 2023 Spring meeting)

(n)   1 game – outside of the normal play of the game, throwing a ball or other piece of equipment out of the field of play.

(o)    1 game - failing to leave the playing field or players bench immediately following ejection (modified at the 2023 Spring Meeting).

(p)   1 game - re-enters the playing field after having the left the playing field following an ejection (added during the 2010 Kick-off Meeting).  

 

(q)   3 games - any violation of By-Law 6.6(b) by an ejected player (added at the 2023 Spring Meeting).

 

By-Law 6.10 a) A person who has served his/her minimum suspension may resume participation pending a Player’s Discipline Committee decision.

b)  A person who is suspended must be on an active roster for their suspension to be in effect.  If the person is not on a roster, then he is not serving his suspension (added at the 2010 Kick-off Meeting). 

c) Failure of an umpire to uphold the requirements outlined in the NCBL Umpire Code of Conduct and/or the NCBL Umpire Handbook, on or off the playing field, before, during or after games, for the following reasons shall require the Umpire-in-Chief to refer the issue to the Umpire Discipline Committee, which shall be guided by the following: 

1.                  Indefinite suspension: conduct detrimental to the interests of the league.

2.                  Suspension of scheduling days equivalent to 10 games: physical abuse of players or managers (intentional contact) before, during or after a game.

3.                  Suspension of scheduling days equivalent to 3 games: unprofessional conduct, unbecoming an umpire, such as, but not limited to, egregious or repeated instances  of mismanagement of the game environment, egregiously or repeatedly contributing towards the erosion of game environment(s), and/or an instance of unjustified ejection before, during or after a game. The use of foul language by an umpire is also considered conduct unbecoming an umpire, before, during or after a game. The standard for assessment is 1 game if there is swearing/insults at any time; 2 games if there is repeated swearing/insults at any time (of extended duration); and 3 games if there is an in-your-face swearing/insulting confrontation at any time (of extended duration and in the immediate presence of a player/umpire).  

4.                  Suspension of scheduling days equivalent to 3 games: unintentional incidental contact attributable to an umpire’s actions with players or coaches before, during or after the game.

5.                  Suspension of days equivalent to 2 or more games: Failure to show up for assigned game without 24-hour notice or proper justification as determined by the Umpire-in-Chief and Assignor.  

6.                  Suspension of days equivalent to 1 or more games, and/or official reprimand by Umpire-in-Chief: improper dress, associating with one team on or off the field before, during, or after games, refusal to explain a ruling when asked politely and respectfully, repeated instances of late arrivals for games (umpires should be on the field 5 minutes before game start time), and/or failure to fill out required ejection incident report(s).

NOTE: This By-:Law, as it applies to umpire-player fraternization, has been the subject of League discussion following the May 5 2013 Kick-off meeting, and the consensus is that we want to foster an NCBL community which fully includes umpires, so we do not want fraternization to be prohibited as in 6 above.  

Therefore, please note that any sanctions for "associating with one team on or off the field before, during, or after games" will only be applied if such association is deemed to be egregiously improper

 

By-Law 6.11   When there is 
(a) a protest 
(b) an alleged infraction of Article 5.3, or 
(c) a suspension pursuant to By-Laws 6.8, 6.9, 6.10 the Commissioner shall refer the matter to the Player or Umpire Disciplinary Committee.

By-Law 6.12:   Where there is a consistent pattern of ejections/suspensions among teams and/or players, the Operations Committee will assign a Red or Yellow Team/ Player status based on the suspension/ejection history of the previous 5 seasons.

6.12 a) A Red Team is defined as a team with multiple 6.9 suspensions over multiple years

6.12 a-1) First suspension of any player: Manager automatically gets one game, Disciplinary Committee reviews the suspension and can assign additional games to player/manager where it deems warranted, over and above those outlined in By-Law 6.9.

6.12 a-2) Second suspension of any player: Manager automatically gets two-game suspension, team is placed into league probation and it forfeits performance bond, must reapply to the league for re-instatement the following year.  Disciplinary Committee reviews the suspension and can assign additional games to player/manager where it deems warranted, over and above those outlined in By-Law 6.9.

6.12 a-3) Third suspension of any player: the team will forfeit all of its remaining regular season or post-season games, the manager will be given a 5-game suspension (to be served in next season), and the team may not apply for reinstatement. No more than 3 members of the roster of this team may appear on any single NCBL team roster in the next 5 seasons.

 

6.12 a-4) Note: If any player is suspended more than once on a red team, that player will automatically be given an additional 24 games, to be served in addition to the forfeited season.

 

6.12 b) A Red Player is defined as Player with either multiple 6.9 suspensions over the 5-year window or any suspension involving 6.9 (a).

6.12 b-1) First suspension: Manager automatically gets one game. Red player automatically gets 5 games in addition those determined by By-Law 6.9. Disciplinary Committee reviews the suspension and can assign additional games to player/manager where it deems warranted, over and above those outlined in By-Law 6.9.

6.12 b-2) Second suspension: Manager automatically gets 5 games. Red Player will be suspended for the remainder of the regular season and post season of that year. The Red Player will be required to apply for re-instatement to the League for the following season through the NCBL Operational Committee.  The NCBL Operational Committee will make a recommendation to the League, and may impose mitigating measures such a player performance bond, stricter penalties for ejections/suspension in the new season and/or subsequent seasons up to and including subsequent seasons.

                             

6.12 c) A Yellow Team is defined as a team with multiple 6.9 suspensions and/or multiple ejections within the 5 year period.

6.12 c-1) First suspension of any player: Disciplinary Committee reviews the suspension and can assign additional games to player/manager where it deems warranted, over and above those outlined in By-Law 6.9.

6.12 c-2) Second suspension of any player: Manager automatically gets one game. Disciplinary Committee reviews the suspension and can assign additional games to player/manager where it deems warranted, over and above those outlined in By-Law 6.9. 

6.12 c-3) Third suspension of any player: Manager automatically gets 5 games. Team is placed into league probation and it forfeits performance bond, must reapply to the league for re-instatement the following year. Team receives Red Team Status.

6.12 c-4) Any additional suspensions, the team will forfeit all of its remaining regular season or post-season games and the team may not apply for reinstatement. No more than 3 members of the roster of this team may appear on any single NCBL team roster in the next 5 seasons.

 

6.12 c-5) If any player is suspended more than once on a yellow team, that player will automatically be given an additional 12 games, to be served in addition to those outlined in By-Law 24.

 

6.12 (d) A Yellow Player is defined as a team with a 6.9 suspension and/or multiple ejections within the 5 year period.

 

6.12 (d-1) First suspension:  Disciplinary Committee reviews the suspension and can assign additional games to player/manager where it deems warranted, over and above those outlined in By-Law 6.9.

6.12 (d-2) Second suspension: Manager automatically gets 2 games. Yellow Player will receive 6 games over and above those determined by By-Law 6.9. Disciplinary Committee will review the suspension.

 

6.12 d-3) Third suspension: The Yellow Player will be suspended for the remainder of the regular season and post season of that year and receives Red Player Status. The Yellow Player will be required to apply for re-instatement to the League for the following season through the NCBL Operational Committee.  The NCBL Operational Committee will make a recommendation to the League, and may impose mitigating measures such a player performance bond, stricter penalties for ejections/suspension in the new season and/or subsequent seasons up to and including subsequent seasons.

 

6.12 (e) All teams with clean records:  Standard by-laws apply. Multiple suspensions and/or ejections in one season can result in the NCBL Operations Committee applying Yellow or Red Team status as they deem appropriate.

 

6.12 (f)   All Red/Yellow Teams/Players will return to a clean record after 3 years of no incidents (ejections or suspensions).

 

6.12 (g) In cases of extreme suspensions involving 6.9 (a), the Operations Committee and/or the Player Disciplinary Committee can assign a Red+ status to teams or players where there is risk to the interests of the League as a whole, or where they deem appropriate.  A Red+ assignment can include a zero-tolerance policy for any ejection, regardless of nature, punitive financial mitigants for player and team, and conditions precedent for the team in the event that a Red+ player breaches the zero-tolerance policy.

 

6.12 (h) Red/Yellow Team/Player Appeal Process

The intention to appeal a Red-Yellow Team/Player suspensions must be made in writing within 24 hours of the Player Disciplinary Committee ruling or Red/Yellow team/player assignment, to the NCBL Operational Committee.

 

6.12 (h-1) The Operational Committee will only review Red/Yellow Team/Player ruling appeal requests under the following conditions:

 

6.12 (h-1a) An appeal must contain pertinent and relevant new information not reviewed in the original hearing that, by reasonable consideration, could have a material impact upon the review and/or decision.

6.12 (h-1b) The player or team must provide a payment of a $100 fee, payable to the NCBL, with the appeal documentation and must be received  within 24 hours after the results of the Player Disciplinary Committee and/or Operations Committee ruling has been sent by email to the affected parties (amended at the 2011 Kick-off meeting). 

6.12 (h-2) A team or person who loses a Red/Yellow Team/Player appeal, or whose appeal was dismissed by the Operations Committee, shall forfeit the protest or appeal fee. If the team or person is successful in their appeal, the $100 dollar fee will be refunded.

6.12 (h-3) The Operations Committee reserves the right to refuse an appeal where it deems the appeal to be frivolous and used to ensure the player in question can continue to play, or where the information presented therein does not, in their opinion, materially affect the outcome of the ruling/assignment.

 

6.12 (h-4) Where new information is presented in the appeal document and deemed by the Operations Committee to be relevant and having the potential to materially affect the outcome of the original ruling/assignment, the Player Disciplinary Committee, comprised of the same committee members, will be reconvened.

 

By-Law 6.13   Any application by a new team for membership in the League shall be    accompanied by a $400 deposit (amended prior to the 2010 season). The deposit shall be refunded to the team if the application is denied. Otherwise it shall serve as the team’s Performance Bond for the upcoming season. Should the team withdraw after having been accepted but before the season starts, the deposit shall be 
forfeited to the League.

By-Law 6.14   A player, coach, manager, or other team official shall not wear a uniform, sit on the players’ bench ,coach bases, or participate in any way  (for example scorekeeping, or managing from the stands) following an ejection, or during a game for which he/she has been suspended.

By-Law 6.15    When a team uses an ineligible player (where ineligibility is due to any reason, such as roster ineligibility or suspension), the team shall automatically forfeit the game and the team’s coach/manager shall be suspended for one game.

SECTION 7:     Miscellaneous

By-Law 7.1    A team shall outfit its players with complete uniforms of similar color and design, with appropriate numbers.  Hats shall be worn at all times by defensive players (except the catcher).

By-Law 7.2    No player shall be permitted to bat or be a runner on the base paths without an approved protective helmet with double ear flaps.

By-Law 7.3    There shall be no attempt to injure another player at any time. (NOTE: By-Law 7.3 amended at Spring Meeting 2007) 
(a)  Collision Avoidance portion moved to By-Law 2.13 i) at the 2013 Season Kick-off meeting.

(b)  If in the judgment of the umpire, player A has performed recklessly or premeditated actions without regard to the safety of player B such that player B is injured, then the umpire shall eject player A from the game; if player A is a base runner when this occurs, player A will be called out regardless of the outcome of the play, NOTE:  In base-running collisions, double-forearm knock downs and the like will be considered to be an attempt to injure.

By-Law 7.4    Members of the teams shall not drink alcohol or consume drugs on the playing field, including the players: and spectators” benches, at any time in the course of a game.

By-Law 7.5    Each team’s on-field manager shall be held completely responsible for knowing and applying and abiding by the League Constitution and By-Laws.  In the event of his/her absence he/she shall appoint a replacement manager who shall have the same requirement to know the Constitution and By-Laws.  In the event of automatic suspensions under By-Law 6.7, the League shall not be required to tell the manager or the person involved of the automatic suspension.  The manager must ensure that the person serves the suspension, or be subject to penalties under By-Law 6.20.

By-Law 7.6 (Metal cleat prohibition) Deleted at the 2001 Winter meeting.

By-Law 7.7   Players may wear batting gloves under their baseball gloves while at their fielding positions.  In the case of pitchers, the batting glove must be one solid dark color either black or brown or matching the color of the pitcher’s baseball glove. The pitcher’s batting glove can be dyed or otherwise colored to make the glove into that one solid colour.  The pitcher’s batting glove must not be white or light in colour.

 

 

APPENDIX “A”

ANNUAL AWARDS

In cases where the vote is to be made by each team in the Tier, the team reps shall submit three names on a 1st-2nd-3rd basis, where final tabulation will be made on points; 5 points for first, 3 for second, and 1 for third.  Teams shall not vote for candidates from their own team. 

TIER I:

1) The Tier 1 Playoff Championship Trophy for the Tier 1 Playoff Champions as defined in By-Law 4.7.

2) The Wallace/Jordan Pennant Trophy for the Tier 1 Pennant Champions as defined in By-Law 4.6.

3) The Greg Mackay Trophy for the Tier 1 best batter as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

4) The Kevin Levya Best Pitcher Trophy for the Tier 1 best pitcher by majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

5) The John Jordan Memorial Trophy for Tier 1 Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs as selected by the Tier President.

6) The John JordanTrophy for Tier 1 Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

7) The Ron Quesnel Trophy for the Tier 1 player judged as showing the best combination of sportsmanship and playing ability as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

8) The John Kohli Award for the Tier 1 Rookie of the Year for the best first year player as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

9) The Ross W. Potter Trophy for Tier 1 Manager of the Year as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

10) The Casey Wood Memorial Trophy for Tier 1 Best Catcher as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

 

 TIER II:

11) The Tier 2 Playoff Championship Trophy for the Tier 2 Playoff Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.7.

12) The Marcel Nicholas Trophy for the Tier 2 Pennant Champions as defined in By-Law 4.6.

13) The Gerry Wallace Memorial Trophy for Tier 2 Best Pitcher as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

14) The Paul Robert Trophy for the Tier 2 best batter as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

15) The Blair MacKenzie Trophy for the Tier 2 Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season as selected as such by majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

16) The Tier 2 Rookie of the Year for the Tier 2 best first year player as selected by majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

17) The Rodney Walsh Trophy for the Tier 2 player judged as showing the best combination of sportsmanship and playing ability as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

18) The Bob Rrousseau Memorial Trophy for Tier 2 Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs as selected by the Tier President.

19) The Tier 2 Manager of the Year as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier (added at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

 

 TIER III:

20) The John Robertson Trophy for the Tier 3 Playoff Champions as defined in By-Law 4.7.

21) The Tier 3 Pennant Trophy for the Tier 3 Pennant Champions as defined in By-Law 4.6.

22) The Tier 3 Best Pitcher Trophy for the Tier 3 best pitcher as selected a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

23) The Shane Alexander Trophy for the Tier 3 best batter as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

24) The Jim Dean Trophy for Tier 3 Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season as selected by majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

25) The Mike Robillard Memorial Trophy for the Tier 3 player judged as showing the best combination of sportsmanship and playing ability as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

26) The John Jordan Memorial Trophy for Tier 3 Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs as selected by the Tier President.

(27) The Tier 3 Manager of the Year as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier (added at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

(28) The Tier 3 Rookie of the Year for the best first year player as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier (added at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

 

 TIER IV:

29) The Tier 4 Playoff Championship Trophy for  the Tier 4 Playoff Champions, as defined in By-Law 4.7.

30) The Tier 4 Pennant Trophy for the Tier 4 Pennant Champions as defined in By-Law 4.6.

31) The Tier 4 Best Pitcher Trophy for the best pitcher selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

32) The Tier 4 Best Batter Trophy for the best batter as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

33) The Govanni Leo Trophy for the Tier 4 Most Valuable Player of the Regular Season as selected by majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

34) The Peter (Papa Jo) Johns Memorial Trophy for the Tier 4 player in Tier 3 judged as showing the best combination of sportsmanship and playing ability as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier.

35) The Bob Rrousseau Memorial Trophy for Tier 4 Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs as selected by the Tier President.

(36) The Tier 4 Manager of the Year as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier (added at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

(37) The Tier 4 Rookie of the Year for the best first year player as selected by a majority vote of the teams in the Tier (added at the 2023 Kick-off meeting).

 

League-wide Awards

33)  The Joe Beelen Volunteer Award for the individual recognized for his/her outstanding contribution to the league as a volunteer, as selected by the Commissioner. 

34)  The Umpire of the Year Trophy for the umpire recognized for his outstanding service to the league as an umpire, as selected by the Umpire Executive.