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League Rules
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12/20/04
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RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR DODGERTOWN WEST MSBL - Rev. 12/1/03
ELIGIBILITY
GOVERNMENT
RULES OF PLAY
THE POOL
MANAGERS AND CO-MANAGERS
GAME DAY
PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY
1) ELIGIBILITY
a) DTW Members � Members shall have attended the Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp in Vero Beach, Florida, and be at least thirty (30) years of age.
i) Giants Fantasy Campers � Anyone who has attended the San Francisco Giants Baseball Adult Camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is at least thirty (30) years of age, shall also be eligible for membership.
ii) Los Angeles Dodgers � Instructors from the Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp, and former Los Angeles Dodgers and Brooklyn Dodgers players, shall also be eligible for membership.
iii) Other Major League Fantasy Campers � Anyone who has attended any major league adult baseball camp, is at least thirty (30) years of age, and is sponsored by a Dodgertown West member, shall also be eligible for membership. Each Dodgertown West member may sponsor one such player per calendar year.
b) Administrative Fees, Forms and Waiver � To be eligible to play in Dodgertown West regular-season games, each member shall have paid a one-time $20.00 administrative fee, and shall have submitted both a completed Dodgertown West personal bio/questionnaire and a signed injury and liability-release waiver form to the Commissioner. Each member is subject to suspension from play with Dodgertown West if they have not complied with this section.
c) Game Fees � The fee for play in Dodgertown West is $15.00 per game. All players must remain current with their game fees. Any player reaching a level of $35.00 in arrears is subject to suspension until these fees are brought up to date.
d) League Structure � Dodgertown West is comprised of six (6) teams. Each team shall have a manager who has volunteered to manage. Each team is also allowed to have an assistant manager. The managers and members of the Executive Committee shall meet twice a year (in June and December) to hold a player draft. Players eligible for the draft must be compliant with all of the above stated parts of this section. Any player joining Dodgertown West after a draft has been completed will be assigned to a team in the order in which they joined the league, and will be assigned to the team with the next choice in the most recently completed draft.
e) Guests and Non-Drafted Players �
i) Non-drafted players (such as players who chose not to be drafted, eligible players who live out-of-town, future attendees of either the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco Giants Adult Baseball camp, Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp instructors, former Los Angeles Dodgers and Brooklyn Dodgers players, or current members of a MSBL or MABL league brought in to augment Dodgertown West tournament teams) are eligible to play in scheduled Dodgertown West league games provided that they have executed the required DTW injury and liability-release waiver.
ii) This category of player may direct their request to play to any Dodgertown West player. The member (host) shall notify the pool manager of the request. These players shall be placed at the top of the pool list (subject to the pool manager�s discretion), and every effort will be made so that these players can be placed on one of the teams participating that week (see Section 4 � �The Pool�). In the case of future Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp attendees, and MSBL and MABL players who will be joining Dodgertown West at tournaments, these players are allowed to participate in two (2) regularly scheduled DTW games prior to either attending Dodgertown or participating in a tournament, provided that they have executed the required DTW injury and liability-release waiver.
2) GOVERNMENT
a) The day-to-day activities and long-term forecasting and planning of Dodgertown West are overseen by an elected Executive Committee made up of members willing to volunteer their time and effort.
b) Committee Structure � The Executive Committee is comprised of seven (7) voting members � a commissioner, vice-commissioner, secretary, treasurer and any other such officers and committee chairpersons deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
c) Committee Eligibility � Any Dodgertown West member, as defined in paragraphs 1.A, 1.A1, 1.A2 and 1.A3 above, and who is currently in good standing, is eligible to serve on the Executive Committee. Executive Committee members who have served their two-year term are eligible for re-election one (1) year after their term has lapsed.
d) Standing Commissioner � Joe Mausser, the Commissioner, serves at his own pleasure as long as he is willing and able to do so.
e) Length of Term � The remaining six (6) board members serve two-year terms, with the three (3) longest-serving board members retiring each year. This rotational scheme allows for necessary management continuity while opening the board to fresh input and energy.
f) Meetings � The Executive Committee meets at least once per year to nominate a slate of Executive Committee candidates, to review the state of the league, and address such business it deems necessary.
g) Committee Succession � At or near the end of each calendar year, the Executive Committee will nominate a slate of candidates for the three (3) board positions due to be vacated at yearend. This slate of candidates is submitted to the Dodgertown West general membership for vote. The league secretary will promptly tabulate and report the results. The candidates garnering the top three (3) vote quantities become the new Executive Committee members and assume their duties on January 1st of the ensuing calendar year.
h) Committee Member Replacement � In the event an Executive Committee member is unable to carry out their duties on the board, the Executive Committee may replace them. The board will discuss appropriate replacement candidates and may make a selection without holding a general election if they see fit. Replacement board members will serve out the remaining term of the board member they replace, and are eligible for re-election as discussed in paragraph 2.B above.
3) RULES OF PLAY
a) The current rules of MSBL and Major League Baseball will be used with the following exceptions.
i) Helmets � All base runners are required to wear a batting helmet while batting and running the bases. Any base runner refusing to wear a batting helmet will be called out.
ii) Catchers � Catchers are required to wear protective headgear at all times while in the act of catching. Any catcher refusing to wear headgear while in the act of catching will be ejected from the game.
iii) Base Stealing � Except in the case of a �wild pitch� or as otherwise provided herein below, stealing of bases is not permitted, provided that the pitcher assumes a legal �set� position prior to delivering the ball. Should the pitcher not assume a legal �set� position, base runners may advance, at their own risk, to any succeeding base other than home. The stealing of home shall not be permitted as a direct steal or as the second part of a double steal (see Paragraph 3.E - �Pickoffs�). Stealing home is only legal as prescribed in Paragraph 3.D - �Base Runner Advancement.� Any attempt by a runner to illegally steal a base will ruled an out.
iv) Base Runner Advancement �
a. Definitions:
i. Wild Pitch: A "wild pitch� shall be defined as a n "errant pitch" from the pitcher if it is not cleanly fielded or is missed entirely and therefore "gets away" from the catcher. A ball that bounces in the dirt or on the plate and is cleanly fielded by the catcher is not "errant" or a "wild pitch" and the runner may not advance and is subject to being picked off in one helluva� nice play by the catcher.
ii. Errant Throw: An "errant throw" shall be defined as a throw that is not caught by the fielder from the catcher.
b. In General: Except in the case of a �wild pitch� and �errant throw� as defined herein, no base runner may advance to the next base.
c. On a third strike not caught by the catcher, no base runner other than the batter-runner may advance unless the catcher attempts to put out the batter-runner. The sole exception to this is when there are two outs, in which case a third strike not caught by the catcher is a live ball, regardless of whether the pitch can be deemed a �wild pitch� or catcher attempts to make a play. In this case, all runners may advance, at their own risk, to any succeeding base, including home.
d. Advancement on a Wild Pitch: In the event of a "wild pitch" runners may advance one base from 1st or 2nd base and no advancement from, past or through 3rd base unless the initial throw is an �errant� throw.
e. Advancement on an Errant Throw: If the "initial" throw from the catcher is an "errant throw" or is mishandled by the fielder, the runner may advance or continue advancing "all he can get" at his own risk. A throw that bounces (one or more times) before reaching the fielder is not an "errant throw" unless the receiving fielder fails to securely catch said throw. A secure catch of such a throw shall be determined in the best judgment of the umpire.
v) No contact: Players shall not initiate intentional contact with opposing players.
a. If a base runner initiates intentional contact with a fielder, the base runner will be called out. If a base runner breaks up a double play by initiating intentional contact with a fielder, the umpire will call the batter-runner out as well. All base runners must either slide directly into the base (not through it and into the fielder) or to the side of the bag away from the fielder, or give up their right to the base to avoid initiating contact or interfering with the fielder making the play by stopping or leaving the base path.
b. A fielder may not at any time block a base (including home plate) or be in the base path so as to impede or obstruct the base runner�s right to the base or the base to which the base runner is proceeding. If a fielder causes a collision or impedes a base runner�s progress, the interference rule will be enforced and the runner will be safe and the umpire may advance the runner to the base to which the runner would reasonably be expected to reach safely if the runner had not been impeded.
c. Any player who makes "malicious contact" with another player, in addition to the ruling on the play as defined above in (a) and (b) is subject to ejection from the game by the umpire and suspension from league play by the Executive Board.
vi) Pickoffs � Pickoff attempts by either the pitcher or the catcher are allowed in accordance with MSBL and Major League Baseball rules.
a. On a pick off attempt by the pitcher the out must be recorded by a tag of the base runner. In the event of an errant or mishandled throw, the runner may advance, at their own risk, to any succeeding base, including home; on such a play, the runner must make an attempt (a movement or motion) to return to the base they occupy before any advance can be made. The subject runner must tag that base before advancing. No runner may advance on the initial throw of a pickoff attempt; the throw must be errant or mishandled before any runner may advance. In the event of an errant or mishandled pickoff attempt to a specific base, any other runner occupying other bases at the time are not required to return to their base before advancing.
b. On a pick off attempt by the catcher, the out may be recorded by either a tag of the base runner or the base (force out).
c. A base runner shall be deemed out if an initial throw from catcher after a "wild pitch" or in a "pick-off attempt" to any base is not errant and the ball reaches the base before the base runner (force out). A thrown ball that is not an �errant throw� but nevertheless bounces (one or more times) before reaching the fielder shall remain a force out play as long as the fielder firmly grasps the ball and is in contact with the bag prior to the runner arriving at the base on either a catcher pick-off attempt or an initial throw from the catcher retrieving a "wild pitch" and trying to get the advancing runner.
i. On all ensuing throws a "tag� of the base runner with the ball shall be required for the runner to be ruled out.
ii. A runner occupying another base (different base than the one being thrown to) may not advance on an initial throw (from pitcher or catcher) unless the throw is "errant" or mishandled by the fielder but then may also advance at his own risk.
iii. A base runner may attempt to draw a throw but will need to return to the base prior to being "forced" out. In the event a throw is made and is "errant" or mishandled by the fielder, the runner may, after retreating and touching the initial base (tagging-up) advance at his own risk on the "all he can get rule".
(1) No outfielder may directly participate in any pick off attempt, except to retrieve an overthrown or mishandled ball, or to participate in a subsequent rundown play.
ix) Balks � As stealing of bases is not generally permitted in Dodgertown West, the normally accepted rules regarding balks are to be adjusted as follows. For DTW purposes, balks will be delineated in one of two ways: �technical� and �material.�
(1) A technical balk is one in which no deception of the base runner is intended, and no pickoff attempt is made. Umpires, at their discretion, may call the balk for educational purposes only. No out will be recorded, no base runners will advance, and any pitch made will be ruled a non-pitch.
(2) A material balk is one which the pitcher either attempts to deceive a base runner or makes an illegal pickoff attempt. All base runners will advance one base. The Executive Committee will, from time to time, provide the head umpire with a list of experienced pitchers who will receive no warning before a material balk is called. All other pitchers will receive one warning per game. In the event of such a warning, the ball is dead, no out will be recorded, no base runners will advance, and any pitch made will be ruled a non-pitch.
x) Intentional Walks � Each team is allowed to intentionally walk an opposing team player once in a game. The pitcher or catcher may announce the intentional walk of a batter at any point prior to or during the batter�s at-bat. No pitches need be thrown.
(1) If a team attempts an intentional walk more than once in a game, the home plate umpire will stop play and call a balk, all base runners will advance one base, and the count will be restarted at 0-0. If, in the judgment of the home plate umpire, a team attempts an intentional walk after the first one, either by purposely throwing pitches out of the strike zone or by intentionally hitting the batter, they will rule a balk as described above.
xi) Batting Order � All players present at the beginning of each game will be listed on the official batting order for the team to which they are assigned, and they will bat in the order they are listed for the entire game. Any player who arrives after the start of a game will be inserted at the bottom of the batting order and will bat in that position for the remainder of the game. The batting order of each team will be determined at the discretion of the team manager with the following stipulation. All regular members of a team�s roster must be listed in the batting order before any pool player. The only exception to this rule will be in the case of a regular roster player arriving after the start of a game.
xii) Defense and Substitutions � Free substitution of defensive players is allowed at any time during a game with the following restrictions. No pool player may be a part of the starting defense in preference over a regular member of a team�s roster. Pool players may start if fewer than nine team roster players are available, except that a pool player may start at catcher if no team roster player is willing or able to start in that position. No pool player may start as a pitcher (see Paragraph 3.K - �Pitchers�). If a team has at least nine team roster members in attendance, all nine of these players must be placed in the starting defense and play at least one inning before a pool player may be substituted (with the possible exception of the catcher, as noted above). In the spirit of fairness, the Dodgertown West Executive Committee strongly suggests that all players be given approximately equal defensive time as physical condition allows. No pool player may play more innings on defense than a team roster player without the team roster player�s express permission.
xiii) Pinch or Courtesy Runners �
a. Pinch runners are required on the base paths for pitchers and catchers whenever there are two outs.
b. Players with injuries that limit their running and who have made it safely to any base may request a pinch runner regardless of the number of outs. The runner requesting a pinch runner must ask the umpire for time out and have that request acknowledged before leaving the base.
c. Under no circumstances shall a batter be permitted to have a substitute runner from home plate. A substitute base runner may be permitted to run for any base runner at any time.
d. In order to keep games moving, managers are to have a pinch runner ready prior to commencement of any at-bat that may necessitate a substitution. The pinch runner will be the player who made the most recent out (not necessarily the most recent batted out). If no out has been recorded in the game, or if the out(s) recorded were by players excused from pinch running as defined in the next paragraph, the pinch runner will be, in this order: (1) the player to score most recently in the inning; or if no run has scored, (2) the previous player in the batting order. If these players are excused from pinch running, the pinch runner will be the next available prior unexcused player in the same order of preference.
e. Players excused from pinch running are the active pitcher, catcher, and any player with an injury that would prevent their pinch running. In these instances, the pinch runner will revert to the unexcused player who made the most recent out; or if no out has been recorded in the game, the player who scored most recently in the inning; or the previous player in the batting order if no run has scored in the inning. All pinch runners must wear batting helmets.
xiv) Pitchers
a. Pitchers who are regular members of a team�s roster are allowed to pitch a maximum of five (5) innings per game. These innings do not have to be continuous. For example, a pitcher may start a game and pitch any number of innings not exceeding four (4), be substituted for, and then return later in the game to complete his five (5) innings.
b. Any pool player is allowed to pitch a maximum of three (3) innings per game. No pool player may enter a game as a relief pitcher prior to a team roster pitcher (anyone drafted as an �A� or �B� pitcher), unless consented to by the roster player. No pitcher may exceed their allowed innings unless agreed to by both managers. No pool player may enter a game as a starting pitcher unless agreed to by both managers, and only as a result of a team having no one on their own roster who is either capable or desiring to pitch at all. The preference here is that a regular roster player be the starting pitcher. Starting roster pitchers must pitch at least one (1) inning, unless unable to continue due to injury.
c. Hit Batters by Pitchers: If during any one game, a pitcher shall hit with a pitched ball three (3) batters, said pitcher shall be removed from the mound and may not reenter to pitch during said game (2 hit batters in an inning and your off the mound shall no longer apply).
xv) Outfielder Positioning � No outfielder may play closer than halfway between the outfield fence and the outer edge of the infield dirt, and may not move inside the restricted area until contact is made with the ball. The only exception is in last-inning, game-deciding situations, when the outfield may be positioned at the manager�s discretion, in an attempt to cut off the tying or winning run at home plate.
(1) Any outfielder found violating the positioning rule will be issued one (1) warning by the umpires per game. Any outfielder violating this rule a second time during a game may be ejected from the game at the discretion of the umpires.
(2) In the event of an outfielder positioning violation, any out made after the offending outfielder touches the ball is not recorded, the play is dead at that point and the batter will be ruled safe and credited with a base hit. If no out is recorded after the offending player touches the ball, the play will stand as executed.
xvi) Umpires � Dodgertown West will employ two umpires for each game. The umpire stationed behind home plate will be designated as Umpire-in-Chief. All judgment decisions of the umpires will be final. Umpires will enforce all rules of Major League, MSBL, and Dodgertown West baseball. Any protests will only be allowed regarding the specific interpretations of these rules. Protests will be heard and ruled upon by any Executive Committee members in attendance at the game if the managers cannot come to a resolution between themselves. Please recognize that two umpires cannot see as much as four, and so the Executive Committee would like to urge you to take this into account before engaging in any discussions with the umpires or filing any protests. These umpires know and understand the spirit in which Dodgertown West plays, and they will do their best to maintain that spirit.
xvii) Decoys and Collisions � If a player forces a runner to slide due to a decoy where there is no play on the runner, all runners will advance one base. If the same player who has made the illegal decoy does this twice in a game, he will be ejected and will be subject to suspension by the Executive Committee. This is not to be confused with smart baseball. For example, a fair decoy is when a shortstop who sees the base runner advancing from first to second, looks upward into the sky and says that he has the pop-up, when in fact the ball has been hit on the ground to the second baseman. This play might cause the base runner to put on the brakes and retreat to first base, giving the defense a chance to get the force at second. This differs from intentionally making a runner slide when there is absolutely no play.
(1) Players must not intentionally collide with any other players. In the case of a base runner intentionally colliding with a fielder, the base runner will be called out and may, at the umpire�s discretion, be ejected from the game, and the Executive Committee may suspend them at their discretion. In the case of a base runner intentionally colliding with a defensive player at second base in order to break up a double play, the umpire may call the batter-runner out as well. All base runners must either slide or give up their right to a base (i.e. avoid a collision by stopping or leaving the base path) if the defensive player has possession of the ball, is in the act of receiving the ball, or is about to immediately receive the ball and will be able to make an apparent play on the base runner.
(2) If a defensive player is not in possession of the ball, is not in the act of receiving the ball, or is not about to immediately receive the ball so that they are able to record an out (i.e. make an apparent play at any base), they cannot block the base (including home plate) or be in the base path so as to impede (obstruct) the base runner�s right to that base or the base to which the base runner is proceeding. Under such circumstances, the defensive player is responsible to avoid the collision. If a collision occurs under these circumstances, the base runner will always be considered safe and the obstruction rule will be enforced. The umpire may advance the base runner to a base to which the base runner was reasonably expected to reach safely, if they had not been impeded. If a defensive player intentionally causes a collision with the base runner, the umpire may eject them from the game, and the Executive Committee may suspend them at their discretion.
b) On-Field Conduct � Dodgertown West is a recreational league, and as such, all players are required to adhere to the rules of good sportsmanship. Players engaging in abusive language or displays of anger which may endanger the safety of other players are subject to ejection at the discretion of the umpires, and subject to suspension at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Fighting will absolutely not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any players engaged in fighting will immediately be ejected from a game, will be required to leave the playing field and the ballpark, and will be subject to a mandatory suspension to be determined by the Dodgertown West Executive Committee. There will be no exceptions to this portion of the rule. This rule will apply not only to the baseball field itself, but to all surfaces and structures that are a part of the complex in which the field is situated.
c) Alcohol � No alcoholic beverages, and no drinking of such beverages, is permitted on the fields, surfaces, and structures upon which Dodgertown West plays baseball. This includes parking lots, picnic areas, gymnasiums, recreation buildings, et. al. Failure to comply with this rule will be cause for suspension for one year from Dodgertown West. This includes all DTW baseball activities (league play, tournaments, et. al.).
d) Dressing and Undressing � Dressing and undressing in the parking lots is not permitted. Please use rest rooms, locker rooms or, as a last resort, dugouts, if such need arises.
e) No Smoking � There is no smoking in or around the dugouts, or within reasonable proximity of other players or umpires anywhere on the playing field, bullpens, locker rooms or contiguous areas.
4) THE POOL
a) The pool was designed by Dodgertown West to help ensure that an optimum number of players will be in attendance for each game, and to give players who so desire an opportunity to play more than just those games scheduled for their team. The rules governing the pool follow.
b) Eligibility � Any regular member of Dodgertown West (see Paragraph 1.A - �DTW Members�) is eligible to enter into the weekly player pool. In addition, as stated in Paragraphs 1.A1, 1.A2, and 1.A3, non-Dodgertown West players may also enter the pool and play, provided that they have executed the required league injury and liability-release waivers.
c) Procedures � In order to be eligible for the pool, players must call the pool manager no later than the Tuesday prior to the next scheduled game. Any guest member must contact an active member of DTW and that member (host) must contact the pool manager. Non-active players in the pool will be given priority at the pool manager�s discretion.
i) When a player calls into the pool, they should make the pool manager aware of which game(s) they are available for (morning, afternoon, or both). Any request to play on a specific team, especially in the case of out-of-town visitors and guests, will be honored if at all possible, and with regard to team parity. It is also suggested that the host make their own manager aware in the case of a guest wishing to play on the same team as the host.
d) Drawing from the Pool � Managers must call into the pool manager by Wednesday prior to game day to report whether or not they anticipate needing pool players. This will allow the pool manager to release pool players to the teams as needed. Managers who have fewer than twelve (12) of their roster players scheduled to be in attendance for a game must request players from the pool manager. Requests for specific positions may only be made in the case of the need for a pitcher or a catcher. Any other specific requests will be allowed only on a general basis, such as a shortage of infielders or outfielders. Be advised that if a manager is missing their �A� level shortstop that week, a specific request may not be made for an �A� level shortstop out of the pool.
e) Players in the pool will be assigned at the discretion of the pool manager with an eye towards team parity. No player may be directly solicited outside of the pool without the express permission of the pool manager, and not until all players currently in the pool have been assigned to a team. The only exceptions to this would be in cases where a team specifically needs either a pitcher or a catcher, and there are none signed up for the pool that week; even in such a case, this can still be done only with the pool manager�s permission.
f) Violation of these pool-drawing policies (e.g., a manager recruiting a player before all players in the pool have been assigned, and/or without the permission of the pool manager) will result in a warning from the Executive Committee to the manager. Repeated violations will result in the manager being suspended from further team management at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
5) MANAGERS AND CO-MANAGERS
a) Managers and co-managers are voluntary positions. We appreciate the participation of these DTW members and their willingness to take on these jobs. The rules and responsibilities of these people follow.
b) Draft Participation � Managers shall be responsible for participating in the drafts, to be held twice a year. Co-managers may also be in attendance, or may attend if the primary manager is unavailable.
c) Post-Draft Team Communication � Upon completion of the draft, managers are required to promptly contact all of the players on their rosters and make them aware of the team schedule, league rules, and procedures for participation in the coming season. The league Secretary will supply all managers, the league Treasurer, and the pool manager with the rosters as a result of the draft, listing names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mails that coincide with the draft results. Managers are also required to supply the league Secretary with any changes in the current address, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the players on their rosters.
i) It is strongly suggested that managers make sure that all players identify their personal belongings in some manner in order to help expedite the return of any equipment left at the field following games.
d) Familiarity with Rules � Managers should familiarize themselves with the rules governing DTW baseball, and they should make their players aware of any and all rules pertinent to the playing of DTW baseball games, such as stealing, pickoffs, outfield positioning, etc. They should also be aware of the field and park rules and regulations and make their players aware of same.
e) Pre-Game Preparation � Prior to each scheduled game, managers and co-managers are responsible for contacting the players on their rosters to determine who will be in attendance that week. In the event of a game being canceled due to weather, field conditions, etc., managers and co-managers are responsible for contacting their players to make them aware of the cancellation, and for contacting the Commissioner as well.
f) Pool Reporting � Managers must report to the pool manager, by Wednesday each week prior to games, whether or not they need pool players. Each team must play with at least twelve (12) players for each game if at all possible. The DTW Executive Committee has determined that this number allows for the league to remain financially viable.
g) Team Communication � Managers are responsible for contacting their players regarding any changes to the DTW schedule, including rainouts and cancellations of any nature of scheduled DTW games.
h) Team Equipment � Each team will be issued a team equipment bag, a supply of new baseballs, helmets, a score book, and a first-aid kit at the time of the draft. Baseballs will be supplied by the league Treasurer. It is the responsibility of the managers to make sure that this equipment is brought to the ballpark for each game.
i) Home Managers� Responsibilities � Home team managers are responsible for the following pre-game actions. 1) Make sure that the field is accessible to DTW players. This includes rest rooms, locker rooms, dugouts, and grandstands. 2) Make sure that the field is in playable condition. If minor repairs can be made, this should be done before the start of the game. Contact park or field personnel for assistance in these matters. 3) Supply the Umpire-in-Chief with three (3) new baseballs prior to the start of each game, and review the rules and regulations of play with all umpires working that game. 4) In conjunction with the umpires, make sure that both teams are ready to begin the game on time. The sooner a game starts, the more innings can be played.
i) At the conclusion of the game, the home team managers shall retrieve any baseballs in the possession of the umpires. These balls should be kept for possible use in future games, in the event that the supply of three balls for a game should be exhausted. They are also be responsible for notifying field, park, and recreation personnel when the last out of the day has been made. It is imperative that the fields be locked, and that equipment be picked up and stored as soon as possible after the final game of the day has concluded.
j) Equalizing Teams � In order to optimize equality in the number of players between opposing teams, both team managers must meet prior to each game to compare the quantity of players available to each team. An attempt should be made to equalize the number of players on each team if at all possible. Teams with two or more players more than their opponents are required to release one or more of their pool players to the team with fewer players. For example, team �A� has twelve players, including at least one pool player, and team �B� has ten. Team �A� would be required to release one pool player to team �B� unless said pool player is a necessary pitcher or catcher.
i) Teams who do not have nine players at the start of a game may request a pool player or players from the opposing team, provided the opposing team has ten or more players. The opposing manager must relinquish one or more pool players in an attempt to equalize the number of players on each team.
ii) The team releasing one or more of its pool players will have the sole discretion of which pool player(s) it releases. No team will be required to give up a team roster player regardless of the differential in the number of players.
k) Policing Dugouts and Field � At the conclusion of the game, the managers are responsible for policing their respective dugouts. They should ensure that all trash is placed in available receptacles, and that any player equipment left behind is retrieved. Managers are also responsible for notifying field personnel and the commissioner of any property damage that occurs during the course of a game.
l) Player Conduct � Managers are responsible for the conduct of their players. Please make sure that all players arrive at the ballpark at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of a game. Managers are also responsible for organizing any pre-game preparations, such as infield and outfield practice. Any disputes involving the umpires should be undertaken by the managers. Any protests should be presented by the manager to the umpires and/or any Executive Committee members present. Any disputes between players should be moderated by the managers. If necessary, any DTW Executive Committee members in attendance may, upon request, be called upon to help settle any disputes.
m) Keeping Score and Game Summaries � Unless there is a designated scorekeeper in attendance, managers are responsible for keeping a score book for the games played by their team. At the conclusion of the game, the manager is responsible for delivering these score sheets, or copies thereof, to the league statistician at the earliest possible time after the conclusion of the game.
i) Managers are also responsible for providing the league Newsletter Editor with a written summary of the game as soon as possible after the conclusion of the game. Managers may, at their discretion, appoint any team member to write this summary.
n) Financial Duties � Managers are responsible for making sure that the players on their rosters have their league fees up to date. The league Treasurer will make both the player and the manager aware of when a player has reached a point of being ineligible due to league fees in arrears. The Treasurer will also periodically make each manager aware of his players� current financial status with the league, and the manager is responsible for making each player aware of how much money they owe the league.
o) Field Permits � The Commissioner will supply each home team manager with a copy of the permit to use the field, and a copy of the liability-insurance certificate for the ballpark. They must bring these documents to the ballpark each game, and make sure that all players are aware of the rules governing use of the field.
p) Efficient Play � Managers are asked to make sure that their team is aware that DTW games are to some degree governed by a time limit. They will be responsible, in conjunction with the opposing manager and umpires, for making sure that the games move at a rapid and efficient pace so that as many innings as possible may be played.
q) Injuries � In the case of personal injuries suffered by a player on their roster, a manager will be responsible for the following. 1) Making sure that any available treatment is administered for minor injures such as cuts, scrapes, etc. 2) In the case of more severe injuries, making sure that the proper assistance is obtained (such as calling 911 for ambulance assistance), and notifying park personnel. 3) Assisting park personnel with filling out any necessary accident forms. 4) Making sure that a family member or teammate accompanies any player requiring immediate off-field assistance to an emergency facility. 5) Informing the Commissioner of these injuries, including the name of the player, the date and time of the injury, a short description of the nature of the injury, and what steps were taken in connection with the injury, including on-field treatment and any other medical treatment required. 6) Following up after the game on the well-being of the injured player, and reporting to the Commissioner concerning the prognosis of said player.
6) GAME DAY
a) Game Times � All games at Commerce will begin at either 9:30 AM or 1:00 PM, unless otherwise specified on the league schedule. Games at Santa Fe Springs will begin at either 9:00 AM or 12:30 PM, unless otherwise indicated. Games at Encino will begin at either 9:30 AM or 1:00 PM, unless otherwise indicated.
b) Game Duration and Regulation Games � All games will be three (3) hours or nine innings, whichever comes first. No new inning will be started after two hours and forty-five minutes (2:45) have elapsed from the first pitch of a game.
i) If a game is called due to time, it is a regulation game if: 1) four innings have been completed; 2) the home team has scored more runs in at least three (3) half-innings than the visiting team has scored in four (4) completed half-innings; or 3) the home team scores one or more runs in its half of the fourth inning to tie the score.
c) Participant Arrival Times � All players are asked to arrive at the ballpark no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to game time. Managers and co-managers are asked to arrive no later than forty-five (45) minutes prior to game time.
d) Prevailing Rules � All games shall be governed by, in order, DTW rules, MSBL rules, and Major League Baseball rules.
e) Pitcher�s Mound � No player may use the pitcher�s mound prior to the start of any game. Players wishing to warm up or work out must use the bullpens or other designated areas.
f) Retrieving Balls Out of Play � At Commerce, the home team is responsible for retrieving foul balls or home runs hit outside of the playing field. At Santa Fe Springs, Encino, and other fields, the team at bat is responsible for retrieving balls.
g) Tie Games � At the conclusion of the allotted time limit, if the score is tied, the game will be considered a tie in the standings. The league�s agreements with the parks do not allow for additional time to settle a tie game.
h) Rain Outs � It will not always be possible for rain outs or cancellations to be rescheduled. If possible, such makeup games will be scheduled by the Commissioner.
7) PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY
a) Rules � Be aware of DTW rules and policies.
b) Contacting Managers � Contact your managers in a timely fashion regarding your availability for each game. Try to make them aware of whether or not you will be in attendance by the Tuesday prior to your next scheduled game.
c) Fees � Make sure that all of your league fees are up to date. Remember that if you should reach $35.00 in arrears, you may be declared ineligible to play until such time as your shortages are covered.
d) Uniforms � Complete regulation Dodger uniforms are required (no T-shirts). Either batting-practice or game jerseys are acceptable. During hot months, catchers may take their defensive position without a regulation jersey, though they must bat wearing a regulation jersey. Players not in regulation uniforms as described above will not be permitted to play. If a player removes part of their regulation uniform during a game, they will be asked to put it back on so that they are once more in a regulation uniform; if a player refuses, they will be ejected from the game.
e) Player Arrival Times � All players are asked to arrive at the ballpark no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to game time (managers are asked to arrive forty-five (45) minutes prior).
f) Insurance Restrictions � Due to insurance liabilities, no non-players are allowed either on the field or in the dugouts, either during pre-game warm-ups or while a game is in progress. Any non-player on the field or in the dugouts will be ordered out by the umpires. No player may take the field unless he or she has executed the required DTW injury and liability-release waiver.
g) DTW Philosophy � Remember first and foremost that this league was created to maintain and cultivate the friendships that were begun at Dodgertown. It is a recreational league. Please always maintain an attitude of camaraderie and fair, safe play.
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