Minnesota Senior Men's Amateur Baseball Association

Rules of Play

(1)
General Rules
American League rules shall apply unless superceded by State Rules

(2)
Official League Games
Only games played under the rules of the Minnesota Senior Men's Amateur Baseball Association shall be used to determine league standings.
(3)
"3-Out Rule"
A legal game shall consist of 7 innings with 3 outs per inning for each team.
(4)
"1-1 Count Rule"
At the beginning of his turn at bat, each batter shall assume the count of one ball and one strike.
(5)
Re-Entry (once)
A manager may substitute for and later re-enter any player in the line-up  including the Designated Hitter (DH). This substitution may take place in either the offensive or defensive line-up. Upon re-entry, the re-entered player must return to his original position in the batting order. Once a player is removed from the line-up for the second time, he can no longer be re-entered.
(6)
"Courtesy or Pinch Runner"
Any player not currently in the batting line-up may be used a a runner once, and only once, during a game. Said player shall not have been in the defensive line-up for the previous 1/2 inning.

(Exception) The player for whom the DH is hitting can be an eligible runner once during  game.

(7)
"Designated Hitter"
The designated hitter option need not be relinquished before or during a game. Managers may elect to establish a designated hitter for one of the starting players or one of the substitute players at any time during the game. If a DH is used at the start of the game , he may enter the game defensively for any player in the line-up. The player for whom he was hitting will assume the spot in the batting order of the player coming out of the game or a new DH may be established in that or any other position in the batting order. However, batters are locked into the line-up and no amount of multiple substitutions can alter the batting order.
(8)
"Legal Line-up"
Nine players shall consitute a legal line-up.

(Exception) Teams may play with a few as eight (8) players during the regular season and in one game in post-season play without penalty. In all subsequent games, the ninth position in the batting order shall be considered an automatic out unless the eighth player receives a walk. In case of injury, teams may continue a game with eight (8) players without penalty. Teams shall not be charged with playing with eight (8) players if the ninth player assumes his first turn at bat.

(9)
"Protests"
During State Tournament play, protests shall be resolved by the State Board members at hand during the game if possible, by suspending the game and ruling before play is resumed.
(10)
"Must Slide"
It shall be primarily the base runner or batter-runner's responsibility to avoid contact with the defensive player making the play. The runner shall be required to slide directly to the base or step around the defensive player fielding the ball or making the play. If his failure to do so results in a collision with that player, he shall be called out. If he attempts to hinder the completion of a double play, both he and the other runner on whom the play would have most likely been made, shall be called "out". In all such cases, the ball is dead, runners may not advance, and no runs may be scored as a result of this action.
(11)
"Obstruction and Decoy"
Defensive players may not "obstruct" the runner or "decoy" the runner into an unnecessary slide. If a defensive player pretending to have the ball, or pretending to be catching it, causes a runner to slide or stop at a base unnecessarily, the umpire shall call "obstruction" or "decoy". Each base runner shall be awarded one (1)additional base. The ball is dead and no runners may be put out as a result of this action.
(12)
"Flagrancy"
Any attempt to injure an opponent by either the offense or the defense shall be cause for an immediate suspension and if applicable, also be called out.
(13)
"Caps"
Each offensive and defensive player along with coaches shall wear caps when in site of fans.
(14)
"Warm-up Pitches"
Pitchers will be allowed only five (5) warm-up pitches when entering the game and between innings. Pitchers will be allowed 15 pitches when entering from the field and as many as the umpire deems necessary in the event of an injury.
(15)
"10 Run Rule"
If a team has an advantage of ten (10) or more runs, all games shall be shortened to five (5) innings, except the State Championship Games in all classes.
(16)
"Suspended Games"
If a game is suspended for any reason before it is official, the game shall be played from the point of suspension. All games in the championship rounds shall be resumed and completed.
(17)
"Tie Breakers"
In the event of a tie, all games other than those in the championship rounds shall implement a tie breaker after the 12th inning is completed.  At the beginning of the 13th inning, teams will be allowed to place either their 8th or 9th batter at second base as a base runner. Each team will begin the 13th inning at the top of the batting order. At the start of each subsequent inning, the runner placed at second base shall be the player whose turn is the most distant in the batting order.
(18)
"Insurance and Contracts"
All players will be required to provide their own insurance and sign a contract which includes a waiver of claims against their own league and it's members and the State Association and it's officers and members.
(19)
"Bats"
Approved composite (metal handles with wood barrels) or all wood bats must be used.
(20)
"Helmets"
Approved batting helmets shall be worn.
(21)
"Baseballs"
Only approved baseballs shall be used.
DeBeer 101R Rawlings RO
Diamond D1 Wilson A 1010