The Federation of Amateur Baseball Leagues plays its games under major league professional rules. These rules are stated in the latest edition of the Official Baseball Rules as published by Sporting News. There are certain exceptions, which are spelled out herein. The F.A.B.L. Board of Directors reserves the right to add, change, remove or modify in any way and at any time the following rules and regulations. F.A.B.L. is an invitational league. The league has the right to refuse applications from teams without cause.
Player Eligibility:
1. College League: Twenty-two (22) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 23 years before May 1st and must be on college roster.
2. Connie Mack/Senior: Eighteen (18) year old or younger and will not reach the age of 19 years before May 1st.
3. Mickey Mantle/Junior : Sixteen (16) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 17 years before May 1st.
4. Bob Feller: Fifteen (15) years-old or younger and will not reach the age of 16 years before May 1st.
5. Sandy Koufax/Sophomore: Fourteen (14) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 15 years before May 1st.
6. Dale Murphy: Thirteen (13) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 14 years before May 1st.
7. Pee Wee Reese: Twelve (12) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 13 years before May 1st.
8. Gil Hodges: Eleven (11) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 12 years before May 1st.
9. Willie Mays: Ten (10) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 11 years before May 1st.
10. Willie Mays: Nine (9) years old or younger and will not reach the age of 10 before May 1st.
Team Rosters & On Field Personnel:
1. Only players, coaches and managers, whose names are submitted and approved on team's roster are allowed to play, participate or appear in scheduled games for that team. Any changes of managers or coaches during the season must first be submitted to the league and cannot participate until official approval is received.
2. A player shall appear on the roster of only one F.A.B.L. team during the same season.
3. Any game played with illegal players, managers or coaches, will result in an automatic forfeiture of each game in which an illegal person competed. Violating play eligibility rules can result in teams, coaches and managers being expelled from F.A.B.L. In addition, there will be an automatic fine of $200.00 assessed to teams using illegal players, managers or coaches, for each game in which they played or participated.
4. All disputes concerning a player's eligibility are to be settled by the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors and such Board findings are final.
5. The 14, 16 and 18 year-old Open Division preliminary rosters must be submitted to F.A.B.L. at the first general meeting in March for board approval. The Board will advise teams on or about March 15th if they have been accepted into the Open Division. Teams not accepted into the Open Division will be assigned to the respective age Metro Divisions. Teams other than Open Division Teams, must have a preliminary roster by March 15th. (Signatures not required on preliminary rosters).
6. All final team rosters shall have not less than 18 players for the 18 year old Connie Mack Division, 16 players for the 16 year-old Mickey Mantle Division, 14 players for the 14 year-old Sandy Koufax and 13 year-old Dale Murphy Divisions, and 12 players for the 12 and under divisions. Teams involved in National Tournament may be restricted to a maximum number of players by National Organization Rules.
7. All final rosters including copies of birth certifications, waivers, field permits, proof of insurance and other required documentation must be submitted at the divisional meeting in May. Failure to comply with these rules will result in team being suspended from play in F.A.B.L. Any additions to rosters will be allowed for a period of 2 weeks after roster date, and must be submitted on a new complete roster signed by all team players. The Board of Directors reserves the right to request additional proof of a player's age. All disputes concerning a player's age are to be settled by the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors and decisions shall be final.
8. It is recommended that a team have at least 75% of it's players be of the age of the division they are playing in. Teams playing up, with less than 50% of their players not of the age of the division they are registered in, will need to request league approval.9. F.A.B.L. photo ID's will be required by all players in the 12 and under divisions.
10. Teams having players two years younger than the maximum age of the division in which they are applying, must get F.A.B.L. approval.
Recruiting:
1. The F.A.B.L. discourages the active solicitation of players from other F.A.B.L. Teams. Infractions of this rule can result in fines, suspensions or both. You will immediately report any illegal recruiting to your Division Coordinator.
Team Obligations:
1. All teams entering F.A.B.L. competition must have a home field. This includes holding permits for community fields covering the dates of our official season. In situations where teams do not have 100% exclusive rights to a field, it will be at the discretion of the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors to admit such teams to the league.
10 and under require 65 ft. bases and a 46 ft. pitcher's mound.
11 & 12 require 75 ft. bases and a 51 ft. pitcher's mound.
13 and above require 90 ft. bases and a 60.5 ft. pitcher's mound.
2. All league registration fees and other team charges must be paid in full by the end of the first meeting in March.
3. A rostered manager or coach must attend final registration meeting (late February or early March), and division roster certification meeting in May. Failure to attend final registration meeting will result in automatic $50 fine and team will not be guaranteed entry into the league. Failure to attend May meeting will result in an automatic $100 fine, automatic forfeit loss of first game, and one week suspension of manager. Further penalties can be levied by Board of Directors.
4 . All teams, regardless of whether you win or not, must call in the game scores to their Division Coordinator within 24 hours after the game or games have been played. Also, teams must notify Division Coordinators within 24 hours of any game that was postponed. Any manager or coach purposely reporting erroneous game scores will be subject to fines, suspensions or both. If a team does not call in a score, they will automatically get a loss. This can only be changed by written explanation, and acceptance of that explanation by the Board of Directors.
5. Umpires are to be paid their fees in full before the start of each game, or between games of a doubleheader. Some divisions may be required to pay their umpire fees prior to the start of the season.
6. In the event one of the two umpires fail to report to the game site and the game is called by just one umpire, that umpire shall receive one and one-half fee (1 1/2).
7. No team owing delinquent fees to the F.A.B.L. will be allowed to enter tournament play.
8. Teams must play their games using the official F.A.B.L. baseballs.
9. It is the home teams responsibility to furnish the home plate umpire with 3 new official F.A.B.L. baseballs prior to the start of each game. In the case of doubleheaders, the home team shall be required to furnish two new balls prior to the start of the second game. It is at the discretion of the umpires to decide whether a particular baseball from the first game is fit to be used. If not, new balls will be provided at the discretion of the umpires.
10. Prior to the beginning of game, managers will exchange line-ups and supply a copy for the home plate umpire. Line-up must include player's first name, initial and full last name. Managers must record umpire's names and numbers in score book.
11. All scheduled games must be played. Your team's failure to complete their scheduled games will impact your ability to re-enter future teams in F.A.B.L. competition and loss of all bond monies unless team is involved in a FABL sanctioned tournament.
12. All tournament teams must play and if necessary make-up all their scheduled games. Any exception to this rule must be approved by the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors. Failure to comply can result in fines and impact your ability to enter future teams in F.A.B.L. competition.
Uniforms and Equipment:
1. All players, managers and coaches shall be on the field during games in full uniforms (see section 1.11 of Official Baseball Rules). This includes hats, pants, shirts and socks of the same type, and color. First offense violators of the uniform rule will automatically be fined $50 per violator. Second offense fine and/or suspension will be determined by F.A.B.L.
2. All field managers and coaches must be in full uniform to be allowed to coach on the field, including trips to the pitchers mound. If a coach or manager is not in uniform, he must limit himself to the dugout and is not permitted on the playing field during a game. Only managers, coaches or players whose names appear on a team's roster are allowed to coach on the field during games.
3. All catchers must wear protective chin straps and cups. Twelve and under teams may not wear metal cleats. Players cannot wear any jewelry.
4. All disputes concerning uniform rules are to be settled by the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors and such Board findings are final.
Baseball Bat Specifications:
1. The length and weight specifications that are currently in effect for aluminum bats used in high school competition shall be the requirements for aluminum bats used in F.A.B.L. baseball. 13 year old division and above (-3).
2. College Division and Senior Open Division must use wood bats only. No composite bats are allowed.
Pitching, Leading and Stealing - 12 Year and Under:
1. Ten year and under divisions: A pitcher can only pitch four (4) innings per game, six (6) innings per week. A pitcher can only pitch in one game of a double-header. A pitcher must have one full calendar day of rest for each inning pitched with a maximum of three (3) full calendar days.
2. Eleven and twelve divisions: A pitcher can only pitch eight (8) innings per seven day calendar period (Sunday-Saturday). A pitcher must have one full calendar day of rest for each inning pitched with a maximum for three (3) full calendar days. Example #1: If a pitcher throws four (4) innings or more on Wednesday, he cannot pitch again until Sunday. Example #2: If a pitcher throws two (2) innings on Wednesday, he can pitch six (6) innings on Sunday, but would not be able to pitch again until Wednesday of the new period (Sunday-Saturday). Example #3: If a pitcher throws seven (7) innings on Tuesday, he can only pitch one (1) inning on Saturday. He would be able to pitch again on Monday. Example #4: If a pitcher throws six (6) innings on Saturday, he cannot pitch again until Wednesday. On Wednesday, he can pitch two (2) innings and then be able to pitch six (6) innings on Saturday. A day is not based on hours, but full calendar days. A day's rest supercedes the maximum of eight (8) innings pitched in a period. If a pitcher pitches in the first game of a double-header, he cannot pitch in the second game.
3. Balks: Ten year and under divisions: Balk rules will not be enforced for the first half of the season. Thereafter, two warnings per pitcher will be given before a bald is called. Eleven and twelve divisions: Two warnings per pitcher before a balk is called. Please remember to teach to pitcher what he did wrong.
4. Leading and Stealing: Nine year and under: No leading is allowed until the ball passes the batter. Ten through twelve: Leading and stealing is allowed.
The Schedule:
1. All F.A.B.L. scheduled games must start regardless of other commitments. All F.A.B.L. games must take precedence over all other games scheduled by other leagues a team might be registered in. Special consideration will be given in cases where teams have a great percentage of their players competing in high school playoff and championship games.
2. All games must be played as scheduled. No changes are permitted. If a scheduled game is not played, it is the responsibility of the teams involved to reschedule. F.A.B.L. is not responsible for rescheduling these games. Games not played will be treated as forfeits, and team will be responsible for all forfeit fees that are applicable.
3. Teams shall not request high school playoff special consideration unless the number of team players involved in high school playoffs makes it impossible to field a team.
4. Teams must advise their league coordinator regarding problems fielding enough players to compete in scheduled games due to high school playoffs. The coordinator will determine proper course of action in these matters.
5. All teams granted special consideration due to high school playoffs will be required to make-up games not played under the provisions of this rule.
6. Any changes to official game starting time and/or game site require the home team manager or coaches to notify the visiting team manager and/or coaches, the division coordinator and umpire association within 48 hours.
7. All disputes concerning team schedules are to be settled by the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors and such Board findings are final.
8. In the event a team requests cancellation of a game due to unusual circumstances, the Board of Directors will determine if a forfeiture fee will be assessed plus loss of game and deduction of 1/2 point from their current standings.
Game Time Limits:
1. There is a two-hour game time limit for the ten year and under divisions, and a 2-1/2 hour game time limit for the eleven and twelve year old divisions. No new innings can start after that time. Extra innings are allowed as long as they are within the specified game time limit. Games can end in a tie.
2. A new inning cannot start after 10:45 PM on lit fields.
Postponed Games:
1. The only acceptable reason for not playing a game would be rain, lighting or un-playable field conditions. The decision to postpone a game because of rain are as follows: a) At least two hours before game time, both team managers agree to a rain postponement by telephone and advise all umpires and players involved. Managers, coaches, players and umpires meet at game site and the umpires determine that either the field conditions or weather will prevent the game from being played. The decision of umpires at game sites in this regard is final.
2. Umpires shall determine when to postpone a game already started because of rain, field conditions (including darkness) or lighting. The decision of umpires at game sites in this regard is final.
3. All single games postponed must be played within seven (7) days. Doubleheaders are to be made up within fourteen (14) days. The home team is responsible for rescheduling postponed games. They must communicate with their opponent, the division coordinator and umpire association in the rescheduling process.
4. Automatic make up dates. All teams are required to have field availability on Mondays (except for the 13/14 year old division which will have either Thursday and/or Friday). Cancelled games will be automatically rescheduled on the next Monday (13/14 Thursday/Friday). If the home team does not have a field that day, they will automatically be the home team at the visitor's field.
5. One or both team's failure to comply with rescheduled game rules will be subject to a forfeit of such games, a fine, loss of game, and the deduction of 1/2 point from their standings.
6. A game is considered an "official game" provided the losing team has had a minimum of five innings at bat for seven inning games, and four at bats for six inning games.
Mercy Rule:
1. If a team is ten (10) or more runs ahead of their opponent, and the opponent had five innings at bat, or 15 runs after three innings, the umpire shall declare a halt to the game and the leading team shall be declared the winner If the visiting team is ahead according to the above specifications, the home team must be allowed its half of the inning..
Sportsmanship Rule:
1. If in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately attempts to injure a defensive player while in the act of sliding or going into a base, he will be called out and shall be subject to ejection from the game and suspension from the League.
2. If in the judgment of the umpire, a pitcher throws a pitch deliberately at a batter, the pitcher shall be subject to ejection from the game.
3. The umpire shall reserve the right to eject a spectator, player, coach or manager he deems is exhibiting profane, vulgar and un-sportsmanlike behavior, which is in his judgment detrimental to youth baseball and the FABL. If the person ejected refuses to leave the grounds the umpire, at his discretion, can forfeit the game.
4. Any manger, coach or player who uses unsportsman-like conduct before, during or just after a game (as per section 4.06 of Official Major League Rule Book) shall be subject to disciplinary action by F.A.B.L. Board of Directors.
5. Teams who repeatedly cannot control parents or spectators at their games shall automatically forfeit the remainder of their season and will not be reinstated until the team can guarantee such parents or spectators will not be present at any of their future games.
6. Any manager, coach or player who makes intentional physical contact with an umpire shall be subject to a minimum of one year suspension from F.A.B.L.
Ejection:
1. If a manager, coach or player is ejected from a game the umpire will report the incident to the division coordinator by telephone. The coordinator may request a written report from the umpire. The coordinator may submit such report to the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors. The F.A.B.L. Board of Directors reserves the right to subject each ejected player, coach and manager to fines, suspension or both. A manager or coach ejected a second time within one season will receive an automatic fine, suspension, and/or loss of bond. Length of suspension will be determined by F.A.B.L. Board of Directors. Protests: 1. All protests must be lodged in accordance with professional baseball rules and regulations.
2. Only violations of rules and regulations will be considered. Umpire judgment calls are not grounds for protest.
3. A team manager must advise the umpires if he will be playing the remainder of a game under protest. Such advisement must be made before play continues and the next ball is pitched. The umpire will advise the opposing manager and sign both teams' score books.
4. Protests must be lodged via telephone with the division coordinator within 24 hours of the game in question. A written protest must then be lodged and faxed within 48 hours of the game in question, to the division coordinator or F.A.B.L. A copy of the score book page must be included if it is required to settle the protest in question. This written protest must detail the grounds under which you are protesting the outcome of the game. All protested games require a $50.00 protest fee. This fee is to be made payable to F.A.B.L. and sent to the above F.A.B.L. address. This fee must be postmarked the day or day after receiving the faxed protest. This fee will be returned to you if your protest is upheld.
5. All decisions made by the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors concerning protests are final.
Suspensions and Reinstatements:
1. Any player, coach or manager that is suspended from the League for any period of time must submit a written request to the League for readmission. Such request would need approval from the Board of Directors. The Board has a right to continue suspension indefinitely. This determination shall be at the sole discretion of the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors.
Fines & Forfeited Games:
1. Any and all forfeited games will automatically count as a loss to the forfeiting team and a win for the opponent.
2. A forfeit fee of $50.00 will be levied against the team forfeiting a game and such team will be liable for appropriate umpire fees.
3. A team who forfeits a game must pay both umpires their full fee.
4. A team that forfeits on two separate occasions can be expelled from the League and result in the loss of their Bond.
5. Forfeit fees must be paid before a team is permitted to continue playing additional F.A.B.L. baseball games.
6. Any unpaid fees and/or fines shall be deducted from the Franchise Bond.
7. Fees and/or fines that have been deducted from the Franchise Bond must be replaced within 3 days.
8. Any refusal to conform to F.A.B.L. rules or a willful attempt to circumvent and violate the league's rules and regulations can result in an individual or team being suspended from league activities for a period of time determined by the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors.
9. In the event that a team reports to a game site with less than nine (9) players, there shall be an automatic suspension of the game's start for a period of not more than twenty (20) minutes to allow for the arrival of additional players. If after twenty (20) minutes the team still has fewer than 9 players, the team shall forfeit the game. Forfeiting manager will pay both umpires one game fee. If forfeiture occurs at the first game of a doubleheader, team shall forfeit both games, unless the forfeiting manager decides to wait for players for the second game. An additional 20-minute wait for the second game will be allowed. If after the second 20 minutes the team still has fewer than 9 players, the forfeiting manager will be liable for umpire fees for both games.
10. At the discretion of the non-forfeiting team. which has ten (10) or more players at game site, non-forfeited team players can be placed on the forfeited team to provide the team with nine (9) players for the purpose of playing a game or games. This game or games shall be deemed a scrimmage. These games shall not count in the league standings and will not alter the day's forfeiture situation. No F.A.B.L. games shall be played with less than nine (9) players on each team. Umpires are obligated to do game without extra compensation. This game shall not exceed two (2) hours or five innings.
11. In the thirteen through eighteen year old division, a team that starts with 9 players can finish the game with 8 players if the loss is due to an injury. The injured player's batting position will be automatic out. This rule does not apply to the 16 year Open, 18 year Open and College Division where 9 players are required to finish a game. In the 13 and 14 year old division, a team can start with 8 players. Twelve and under division can start and finish a game with 8 players. If a ninth player shows up, he can be inserted at the bottom of the line-up. That team is limited to 9 players for the rest of the game.
Post-Season & Tournament Play:
1. The F.A.B.L. Board of Directors reserves the right to select the teams that qualify for playoffs and tournament bids.
2. The F.A.B.L. Board of Directors will advise all teams of the tournament cut-off date prior to the start of the season.
3. The F.A.B.L. Board of Directors will consider each team's point total up to the cut-off date with regard to awarding tournament bids. In the event of ties, head to head competition will be considered.
4. In the event two teams have same point total and are even in head to head competition at the cut-off date, the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors can require the two teams to engage in a one game playoff, to be played on a neutral field, to determine the awarding of a tournament bid.
5. Each division coordinator will determine the method used to select players for All-Star games.
6. At the conclusion of the regular season schedule a one-game or two game elimination tournament will be held to determine the overall Division Championship teams. This tournament will be organized by the division coordinator of each division.
7. Any and all playoff games suspended by umpires for any reason whatsoever, where five innings have not been played, will resume the following day from the point of suspension and shall be deemed a continuation of the game in the same manner as though the suspension did not occur.
8. A tie games in the playoffs will be considered a suspended game. In the event the visiting team ties or takes the lead in their inning and the home team doesn't get a chance to bat in the bottom of that inning, the game is considered suspended.
9. A game that is considered a completed game as per League Rules is not a suspended game (5 full innings for 13 and above, 4 full innings for 12 and under).
10. F.A.B.L. will select the game date, time, and site for continuation of suspended playoff games.
11. All weekday playoff games shall start at 5:00 p.m.
12. For a roster player to be eligible for F.A.B.L. playoff competition, he must play in at least four (4) regular season games. Use of a non-eligible player in F.A.B.L. playoffs will result in a forfeit of game and suspension and/or fine to the team manager and/or coaches.
F.A.B.L. Playoff Tournaments Rules and Regulations:
Unless specified by the division coordinator, all teams will be eligible to participate in the league playoffs. No round will begin until the previous round is completed.
Tournament play will follow the NABF approved bracket system.
Teams will be seeded in order to finish in the regular league standings. In match-ups, team with the highest seed (most points) is always the home team. If team with the highest seed dies not have an available field, then game will be switched to opponent's field, but highest seed will still be home team.
If an odd number of teams are entered in tournament, top seed has option of refusing first round bye. If top seed refuses bye, then second seed is offered bye. If second seed refuses, the bye is offered to third seed and the fourth. Last seeded team must take bye.
Number one seed will be placed at top of bracket and be matched against lowest seed. Number two seed will be placed at bottom of bracket and matched against second lowest team. Number three seed will be inserted in bottom portion of bracket and number four will be placed in top half. Number five in top, number six in bottom.
No team will receive a second bye until all remaining teams have received one. A forfeit is considered a bye.
Ties for seeding will be broken in the following manner. Two teams tie: (1) most wins (2) head-to-head competition (3) most games played. If three teams are tied: (1) most wins (2) best record of games played between the three teams. If one team emerges from the three, then follow (1), (2), and (3) to break tie with the two remaining teams.
Winners play winners, losers play losers when possible. When the bracket is completed and five teams remain, the bye will go to the team which has not received a bye will go to the team with the most points. When three teams remain, follow the same procedure. After the bye has been determined, the teams will be matched in the following method: (1) Teams who have not played each other. (2) If this cannot be achieved, then team with most points plays team with least points. When four teams remain, disregard the bye and use the above two methods for match-ups.
After the bye has been determined and all possible combinations of pairings throw some pair or pairs of teams against each other for the second time then the combination that puts the least number of teams together will be used. Where there are but three teams left and each has received an equal number of byes and one team has played the other two and the other two have not met, the teams who have not met must play and the other team will receive the bye in that round.
If one team is left in the winner's bracket, they do not get a bye if there is an even number of teams left. (See above "Bye Criteria"). They continue to play losers.
Both teams will supply balls regardless of which team is home team.
Playing on Teams Outside of F.A.B.L.
1. It is essential to the league that all F.A.B.L. players remain with their respective teams to play in regional and national tournaments supported by F.A.B.L. and its affiliates. Without being granted special permission by the Board of Directors, it is a violation of F.A.B.L. rules and regulation for a player to join any non-F.A.B.L. team for the purpose of playing in tournament competition, except those games that are played as a member of his high school baseball team. Failure to obtain such permission can result in a player being suspended from F.A.B.L. baseball activities, expulsion from his team's roster for the remainder of the year, along with such other actions determined by the Board of Directors.
2. It is the goal and intention of F.A.B.L. to permit as many teams as possible to compete in regional and national tournaments. In order to maintain the strength of the teams that qualify for such tournament play, it is essential that players on such teams do not leave their F.A.B.L. team to play on an All-Star type team that is not sponsored by F.A.B.L. Therefore, all F.A.B.L. players shall be prohibited from playing, competing and/or participating in any other organization's All Star Team without the prior written consent of the F.A.B.L. Board of Directors. A violation of this provision shall subject the player to immediate suspension and/or expulsion from his team's roster for the remainder of the year in which the violation occurs, along with such other additional disciplinary action to be taken by the Board of Directors.
3. It is expressly understood that participation in the baseball section of the New York State Empire Games shall be excluded from this prohibition.
Re-Entry Rule - (15 through 18 Year Old Divisions):
1. Any of the nine starting players may withdraw and re-enter once, provided such player occupies the same batting position whenever he is in the line-up. A substitute who is withdrawn may not re-enter. The pitcher withdrawn while a batter or base runner may re-enter the game immediately. If the pitcher is removed because of a second trip in the same inning, he may re-enter the game in any position with the exception of pitcher or he may immediately be placed in a defensive position.
Extra-Hitter Rule (14 Year Old and Under):
1. Each team is allowed a maximum of two extra hitters in the batting order. Extra hitters can play in the field. There is free re-entry for all fielders as long as the batting order does not change. If in the course of a game a player has to leave for any reason, including injury, and the team does not have another player to replace him in the batting order, that batting position that the player vacated becomes an automatic out. The DH and Re-Entry Rules are not allowed in the fourteen year old and under divisions. If pitcher is removed from the game because of a second visit to the mound in the same inning, he may stay in the game at any position including extra hitter. He may not pitch again in that game.
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