RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR DODGERTOWN WEST MSBL - Rev. 10/10/10
1. ELIGIBILITY
2. GOVERNMENT
3. THE LEAGUE
4. RULES OF PLAY
5. THE POOL
6. MANAGERS AND CO-MANAGERS
7. GAME DAY
8. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY

Dodgertown West (also more commonly known as “DTW” or “the League”) is an unincorporated association of men and women dedicated to continuing the camaraderie and fellowship each experienced while playing baseball at the Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp. Its Mission Statement provides that the league has been established "To continue the camaraderie experienced at Dodgertown by playing baseball for the enjoyment of the game, for the love of the game and in the spirit of fair play regardless of a player's ability and with the safety for all of paramount importance." With this Mission as a guide, membership in the association and the rules of play shall be governed as follows.

1. ELIGIBILITY

A. Membership. Membership in DTW is open to any baseball player who:

1) Is at least thirty (30) years of age; and

2) Has attended the LADABC Adult Baseball Camp; or

3) Is a member of West Coast Fantasy Baseball; or

4) Is an instructor from the LADABC Adult Baseball Camp and/or a former Los Angeles and/or Brooklyn Dodgers player; or

5) Has attended any major league adult baseball camp and is sponsored by a current DTW member.

6) Is sponsored by a DTW member in good standing (who has played as least 10 games in the preceding year).

B. Registration. At the time of the initial registration, each member shall submit to the Commissioner or League Secretary a completed DTW personal bio/questionnaire and a signed injury and liability-release waiver form together with a registration fee of $50.00 or such other amount as may from time to time be set by the league board. The registration fee shall be an annual fee and, after the initial year of membership, shall be billed to the member’s account.

C. Game Fees. Each member shall pay a fee for each game that the member shall play. The amount of said fee shall be $20.00 or such other amount as the league board shall from time to time fix.

D. Suspension. A member may be suspended from participating in any DTW sanctioned event if said member is not in compliance with any rule set forth herein. A member may also be suspended if the member’s Registration and Game Fee account balance exceeds $200.00. If suspended, said member shall remain suspended until such time as that member shall be in compliance.

2. GOVERNMENT

A. Board of Directors. A Board of Directors (hereinafter “the Board”) shall set and modify from time to time, as necessary, the philosophy, policy, organization and operation of the league.

1) The Board shall be comprised of six (6) members elected at large by the league.

2) Any League member, as defined in Section 1. A. above, who is currently in good standing, shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Board.

B. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee (hereinafter “the Committee”) shall be responsible for carrying out the philosophy, policy, organization and operation of the league as established by the Board. The Committee shall also be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the League.

1) The Executive Committee shall be comprised of a Commissioner, Vice-Commissioner, Secretary and Treasurer, each initially appointed by majority consent of the Board.

2) Each member of the Committee serves at his or her own pleasure for as long as he or she is willing and able to do so.

3) The Executive Committee may appoint any such other officers and committee chairpersons as the Committee shall, from time to time, deem necessary.

C. Election. Board members shall be elected by a vote of the League.

1) Only those members of the League who shall be in good standing at least 30 days prior to the time set for the election may vote. Each member shall have one vote each board position being filled. Cumulative voting shall not be permitted.

2) Board members shall be elected to a term of two (2) years, except for the initial election. Immediately after they shall be assembled after the first Election, they shall be divided into two classes. The seats of the board members of the first class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the first year and of the second class at the expiration of the second year, so that one half of the members may be chosen every second year thereafter.

3) At such time as the Secretary shall designate but in no event later then the beginning of the second week of November of said year, the Secretary shall give notice to the membership of the date of the next election. The notice shall also invite any member desiring to stand for board member to submit his or her name in nomination together with a brief statement of candidacy.

4) The election shall take place no later than the Monday of the third week of December. On the date set for election, the Secretary shall disseminate to the general membership a ballot containing a list of all candidates and instructions regarding how to vote and the number of votes permitted.

5) The general membership shall have a period of one week in which to return the ballot to the Secretary. Any ballot returned to the Secretary which shall not comply with the instructions is to be disregarded.

6) The results of the election shall be announced to the membership no later than the end of December each year. The candidates garnering the top three (3) vote quantities shall be deemed elected to the open positions on the Board with their terms to commence effective January 1st of the ensuing calendar year.

D. Vacancies.

1) In the event a member of the Board is unable or unwilling to carry out the duties of the position prior to the expiration of that member’s term, a vacancy of that member’s position shall be declared by the Commissioner and/or the remaining members of the Board. Upon such declaration, the Commissioner, at his/her option, may appoint, with the approval of a majority the Board and the remaining Committee members, a member to fill the unexpired term or leave the position vacant until the next election for that position shall take place. In the event a member is appointed to fill said vacancy, said member shall serve out the unexpired term. Thereafter, an election shall be held to fill the position in the same manner as if the position had not become vacant.

2) In the event that a member of the Committee shall be unable and/or unwilling to so serve, a vacancy in the Committee shall be declared which, as soon as practical, shall be filled by appointment by the Commissioner and approval of a majority the Board and the remaining Committee members.

E. Actions by the Board. All actions of the Board shall be approved by majority consent of the Board and the Committee with each member having one vote.

F. Meetings. The Board and Committee shall meet to review the state of the league, and address such business it deems necessary at such times and places as they shall determine but in no event less than once per calendar year. No meeting shall be commenced or if commenced, no business shall be conducted unless a quorum shall be present. A majority of the Board and Executive Committee as then constituted shall constitute a quorum. No proxies shall be permitted.

3. THE LEAGUE

A. League Structure.

1) The League shall play two seasons per year, a Spring season and a Fall season. The Spring season shall run generally from January 1 through June 30 with the Fall season from July 1 though December 31 of each year. The Committee and the Board may adjust from time to time the number of seasons and each season’s schedule as they may deem appropriate.

2) The League shall be comprised of so many teams as the Committee and Board shall from time to time fix. Each team shall have a manager who shall be permitted to select one assistant or co manager. Managers and co-Managers (hereinafter “Managers”) shall be volunteers and members in good standing with the League who shall be selected by a member of the Board and/or Committee and approved by a majority of the Board and Committee.

3) The Secretary, or such other League member as the Secretary shall designate, shall formulate a game schedule for each season. The number of games to be played, including playoff games if any, shall be fixed by the Secretary, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Board and Committee.

4) Teams shall be comprised of members in good standing who shall have been selected at a Player Draft.

B. Player Draft.

1) A Player Draft shall be conducted no less than one month prior to the beginning of each season with the date, time and place established by the Secretary or such other League member as the Secretary shall designate (hereinafter “draft moderator’) who shall also organize and moderate the draft.

2) At least one month prior to the date and time set for the Draft, the draft moderator shall survey the membership to determine the number of members who are available for and desire to play in the upcoming season. Only those DTW members who are in good standing and who have indicated their availability for and desire to play in the upcoming season shall be eligible to be drafted. Based on the results of the survey, the draft moderator shall thereafter determine the pool of players for the draft and shall notify the Managers thereof.

3) The draft moderator, Managers, and such other members of the Board and the Committee who shall desire to do so, shall meet at the designated time and place to conduct the draft. No other DTW members or persons may be present unless explicitly permitted by consent of the Board and Committee.

4) Any member joining the League after a draft has been completed will be assigned to a team in the order in which the new member has joined the league and will be assigned to the team with the next selection in the most recently completed draft.

C. Guests and Non-Drafted Players

1) 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 league games provided that they have executed the required DTW injury and liability-release waiver.

2) Guests and Non-Drafted Players desiring to play in one or more games during the current season will be assigned to a team for play in a given game through the Pool as set forth herein below.

3) Said player(s) may direct a request to play to any league member who will serve as host/sponsor and who shall notify the pool manager of the request. Such a player 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 said player(s) can be placed on one of the teams participating that week (see Section 5 “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

4. RULES OF PLAY

A. The League’s Rules of Play shall be the same Rules as established by Major League Baseball and MSBL except as modified by the following.

1) 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.

2) 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.

3) Base Stealing. A runner, at his/her own risk, may steal any base, including home, on an errant pitch as defined herein below. With runners on 1st base or 1st and 2nd bases, a runner may also advance on a pitched ball, whether or not an errant pitch, when the pitcher fails to deliver said pitch from the stretch position. Any runner advancing in violation of this rule may be put out by the defensive team upon delivering the ball while in play to and tagging the base which the runner occupied prior to the advancement. No other runners may advance on any play that attempts to record an out against the offending runner provided the play at the original base is completed without an errant catch or throw, in which case any runner aside from the offending runner may advance at that runners own risk..

4) Base Runner Advancement.

a. Definitions:

i. Errant Pitch: An "errant pitch" is a pitch from the pitcher that either hits the ground first before being caught by the catcher or is missed entirely by the catcher (wild pitch or passed ball as those terms are defined by MLB) or if caught by the catcher, is subsequently dropped.

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, a runner may advance at the runner’s own risk to the next base without a hit ball on an errant pitch and/or an errant throw as defined above.

c. On a third strike not caught by the catcher, a base runner other than the batter-runner may advance at the runner’s own risk (See Base Stealing above). As to the batter-runner and situations when there are two outs, MLB rules apply.

d. Advancement on an Errant Pitch: In the event of an errant pitch as defined above a runner may advance as many bases as the runner may choose to attempt subject to being tagged out by a defensive player or players.

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.

5) No contact: No Player shall initiate intentional contact with an opposing player in an attempt to interfere or avoid a play. The umpire shall use his best judgment to determine if the contact was intentional or in the course of a play.

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.

6) Pickoffs. Pickoff attempts shall be governed by Major League Baseball and MSBL rules with the following modifications.

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 his 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 previously occupied 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 another base at the time is not required to return to his original base before advancing.

b. On a pick off attempt by the catcher, runner must be tagged out. No out will be recorded by merely tagging the base (force out).

c. In all cases following a pick off attempt, an out may only be recorded when the runner is tagged while not in contact with the appropriate base. MLB rules shall apply.

d. A runner occupying a base different than the base 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 advance at his own risk.

e. 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.

7) Balk. 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: 1) technical and 2) material.

a. 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.

b. A material balk is one which the pitcher either attempts to deceive a base runner or makes a pickoff attempt. In the event of a material balk, play will be stopped and all base runners will advance one base.

c. It will be within the umpire's sole decretion to determine whether a balk is technical or material and to make a call thereon accordingly.

d. Experienced pitchers will receive no warnings before a material balk may be 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.

e. The Executive Committee will, from time to time, provide the head umpire with a list of experienced pitchers.

8) Intentional Walk. In an attempt to keep the game moving, each team is permitted one intentionally walk per 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.

a. 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.

9) 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 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.

10) Defense and Substitution. 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 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 “Pitchers’ below). 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.

11) 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. Unless a player incurs an injury during the game that prevents that player from running and in which case a pinch runner will be permitted, all other players who will require a courtesy runner must be announced to the opposing team prior to the commencement of the game and only such designated players shall be entitled to have a pinch runner

e. 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 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 herein, 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.

f. Players excused from pinch running are the active pitcher, catcher, and any player with an injury that would prevent him from pinch running.

12) Pitchers

a. A Pitcher who is a regular member of a team’s roster is permitted 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 may be permitted to pitch but for 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 a 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 its own roster who is either capable or desiring to pitch. 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. 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.

13) 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. 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.

14) 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.

a. 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.

b. 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.

15) 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.

16) 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.).

17) 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.

18) No Smoking. Smoking is prohibited at all field venues unless otherwise permitted at the said venue.

B. Application of Rules. The Rules governing play shall be applied in the following order DTW rules, MSBL rules, and Major League Baseball rules.

5. THE POOL

A. 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 League will permit all members in good standing to participate in the Player Pool. .

B. Eligibility. Any regular member of Dodgertown West (see Paragraph 1.A) shall be eligible to enter into the weekly player pool. Guests and non-drafted Dodgertown West players (see Paragraph 3.C.) may also enter the pool and play, provided that any such player has executed the required league injury and liability-release waivers.

C. Procedures.

1) 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.

2) When a player calls into the pool, that player should make the pool manager aware of which game(s) the player is 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 his own manager aware in the case of a guest wishing to play on the same team as the host.

3) Drawing from the Pool. Managers must call 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 team is missing its “A” level shortstop that week, a specific request may not be made for an “A” level shortstop out of the pool.

4) 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.

5) 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.

6. MANAGERS AND CO-MANAGERS

A. Managers and co-managers are voluntary positions.

B. Draft Participation. Managers shall be responsible for participating in the player draft. 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 Secretary will supply all managers, the 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 Secretary with any changes in the current address, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the players on their rosters.

D. 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.

E. 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.

F. Pre-Game Preparation. Prior to each scheduled game, managers and co-managers are responsible for contacting all 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.

G. Team Equipment. Each team will be issued a supply of new baseballs, 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.

H. Home Team 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 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.

1) 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.

2) Teams that 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.

3) The team releasing one or more of its pool players will have the sole discretion of which pool player(s) it releases.

4) 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. Managers are 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.

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. Where necessary, 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 teams are 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, managers 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.

7. GAME DAY

A. Game Times. Start times for all games shall be indicated on the game schedule provided to each member at the beginning of each season. For the convenience of the League members, the season schedule may also be posted on the League website.

B. Game Duration and Regulation Games. All games will be a regulation of nine (9) innings or more if tied at the end of regulation but in no event shall a new inning be commenced after three (3) hours from the start of the game. The game umpire shall be the official time keeper unless otherwise agreed.

1) In the event a game is called due to time, it shall be deemed an official game if:

a. Five (5) innings have been completed (four and a half innings if the home team has scored more runs than the visiting team); or

b. The home team scores one or more runs in its half of the fourth inning to tie the score.

2) 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.

C. Arrival Times. All players should attempt 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. 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.

E. Retrieving Balls Out of Play. Whenever possible, the team at bat shall be responsible for retrieving foul balls or home runs hit outside of the playing field.

F. Rain Outs. Any game that is cancelled for any reason will be rescheduled and played only if possible given field availability and season schedule.

8. 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 league fees are paid timely. A member may be suspended if his account should exceed $200.00.

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. 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.

F. 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.