1. UNIFORMS, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS

• 1.a) All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys which identify the team by logo or name, and baseball pants. Each player's uniform must be of similar design to his teammates' uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsors name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt pending league approval.
• 1.b) No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager's consent.
• 1.c) All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace period should be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.
• 1.d) All batters and runners must wear helmets for both at bats and on base. Full double-ear flap helmets are encouraged for at bats and for the bases. Catchers are also encouraged to wear a helmet underneath their mask.
• 1.e) Only baseballs provided by the local league will be permitted. The home team is responsible for providing the baseballs for each game.
• 1.f) Wood and wood composite bats are allowed in the league and both will be permitted for all games unless otherwise noted.  
• 1.g) Metal cleats are permitted.

2. GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE, RAIN-OUTS AND TIES

• 2.a) All games are 7 innings.  
• 2.b) No inning will be started after 2 hours 30 minutes. Time supersedes innings.
• 2.c) In the event of rain or darkness, 5 innings will signify a complete game. Games called on account of rain or darkness prior to 5 innings played will be rescheduled by the league and restarted from the beginning. 
• 2.d) There is no mercy rule after 5 innings
• 2.e) All playoff games must be played to completion (7 innings, no ties).

3. TEAMS, PLAYERS, AND LINEUPS

·         3.a) A player is eligible to participate in the ECABL if their 18th birthday falls before the start of the current season.  

·         3.b) Pitchers must be at least 30 years old before the current season starts to pitch in the league. If a player turns 30 after the season has begun, the player’s manager may submit a waiver to the league committee and will be approved with a majority vote. There are no innings limits for pitchers.

·         3.c) All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed waiver forms on file with the league and have paid all applicable league fees in full.

·         3.d) The deadline for adding players to the roster to be eligible for the playoffs will be by the 7^th game. In addition, to be eligible for the playoffs, a player must enter the game for at least one out in at least 7 games.  Payment must be made and forms completed at this time as well. Players on the roster but not paid by the deadline will not be eligible for the playoffs.

·         3.e) No player may switch teams without the consent of both managers and the league commissioner, unless he is a free agent. If this does not meet with approval, the player must re-enter the league's next draft, making him available to any team for selection. In the event a team disbands during the season or at season's conclusion, all players will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team. If a player is not invited back by his manager, he must be given his release so that he may go to the team of his choosing or re-enter the draft. If a player is invited back to play and he desires not to play for his former team, he must re-enter the draft, making himself available to all teams.

·         3.f) In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team, he may do so. No other player can be taken from the existing team without the consent of the existing team's manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without the respective team manager's approval. All new teams must be approved by the league committee.

·         3.g) Final team rosters must have no less than 12 paid players. Maximum number for playoff roster is 18 (see rule 3.d).

·         3.h) A team must have 8 players from their roster for an official game. Any team not able to field 8 players from their roster will forfeit 10 minutes after the scheduled start time of their game, unless the opposing manager consents to the borrowing of a player from another team (a taxi player). Borrowed players may not pitch. During the playoffs, teams will not be required to supply players to the opposing teams, and teams may not use players from the other teams. Any taxi players must be first utilized from the team with a bye week before requesting from another team.

·         3.i) A team manager must bat at least 9 players. Managers have the option to match length of lineup cards. As an example, if a team has only 8 players (minimum to play game) and therefore bats only 8, the opposing team will have the option of batting 8 as well. Players may sub into a game for a starting player and will take their position into the batting lineup.  Substitution players must be declared before the game on the lineup card. A/B rule: a manager may bat two players in the same batting lineup position and alternate those players plate appearances at the manager’s discretion.  As an example, if two players occupy the 9 spot, one player can bat all game or both players can split plate appearances as the manger desires. Additionally, any team that bats with less than 9 players will have to take an out up to the 9^th spot in the batting order.   

·         3.k) Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both. All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the players' offensive status in the line-up.

·         3.l) If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury, prior commitment, or ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the batter’s place. If no reserve is present, a substitute from an A/B position may be used to fill the lineup spot without penalty at the manager’s discretion. If no player is placed into the vacated position, an out will be recorded every time that spot comes up to bat. There is no “slide up rule”.

·         3.m) If the pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only one time during the course of the game, but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position after being removed or no position at all.

·         3.n) All teams must announce offensive additions, substitutions, and/or changes to the home plate umpire AND opposing team manager and/or scorekeeper. Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a legal substitution. If a team fails to announce an offensive addition/change, the player will be called out as soon as he occupies the batter's box and the lineup will revert back to the lineup in effect prior to the player entering the game. The unannounced player will not have officially entered the offensive lineup and is therefore still available offensively even though an out has been assessed.

·         3.o) Players that will need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager before game time or during the game with opposing managers consent. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed the maximum of 2 courtesy runners per game. The courtesy runner is assigned to a particular player and not by position. The player to make the last batted out must be the courtesy runner. Once the game begins and the full complement of 2 courtesy runners have been used, only by obvious injury can an additional courtesy runner be used. Courtesy runners cannot steal but may advance on a passed ball, wild pitch, or errant pick off attempt. 

·         3.p) Once there are 2 outs you MAY have a runner for the catcher and/or pitcher (the last batted out) if he is on base to allow him to get equipment on to speed up play. If you apply this rule, the player coming out of the game MUST catch and/or pitch the next inning. This player is allowed to steal.

4. PITCHERS

• 4.a) No player while pitching may wear white or gray or any variation of those color sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching. Sleeves may be allowed if they are solid team colors which do not conflict with the rule already mentioned.
• 4.b) One intentional walk per game will be allowed without need to pitch. The manager is allowed to tell the umpire and the batter then goes to first base.
• 4.c) If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batsman. If no other pitchers are available the pitcher may remain with approval of the opposing manager.
• 4.d) There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week.

5. FIELDERS AND BASERUNNERS

• 5.a) Infielders are not allowed to decoy a throw or catch. If a decoy throw or catch is detected, all runners shall be allowed to advance one base beyond the base held after all play stops. If the same fielder decoys twice in the same game, the fielder shall be expelled from the game. Decoying is referred to as a false catch or throw done in an attempt to get the player to slide unnecessarily, where no strategic value is gained. Any fielder may use a decoy only if it serves a strategic purpose. For example, if a fielder, who sees a man attempting to steal second base during a hit and run, looks upward into the sky and says that he's got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on ground is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing.
• 5.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 he is able to record an out (apparent play at any base), he cannot block the base (e.g. home plate) or be in the base path so as to impede or obstruct the base runner's right to that base. Under such circumstances, the defensive player shall be responsible to avoid collision. If a collision does occur under these circumstances, the runner will always be considered safe and the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The ball shall be declared dead. The defensive player may be ejected from the game (if the action is intentional, he must be ejected), and will be suspended from league play if the obstruction is judged to be flagrant.
• 5.c) Players shall not intentionally collide with any other players. In the case of a runner intentionally colliding with a fielder, the runner will be called out and may, at the umpire's discretion, be expelled from the game. All base runners must either slide or give up their right to a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving a base path) if the defensive player (e.g. catcher) 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.
• 5.d) Force Play Slide Rule--The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs.
• 5.d.1) On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases. However, a runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. "On the ground" means either a head first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground. "Directly into a base" means the runner's entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases. If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
• 5.d.2) Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner makes a legal slide directly to the base, is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play, makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base. When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (a) make contact with, or (b) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
• 5.d.3) Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if the runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder, the runner uses a rolling, or cross-body slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder, the runner's raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder's knee when in a standing position, or the runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder, the runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg, or the runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play. "Beyond the base" means any part of the offensive player's body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.
• 5.d.4) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. If the runner's slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest. If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.
• 5e) Any batter over the age of 50 who gets a clean hit that reaches the outfield cannot be throw out at first base only. 

6. PLAYERS BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY

• 6.a) There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted at the field before, or during the game. The field refers to the general playing area and ancillary areas. This applies to tobacco products for high school fields, which have rules against tobacco use.
• 6.b) The league has the right to suspend or expel any team member who abuses league rules, who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship, or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.
• 6.c) An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game. Any expulsion from the game must be documented to include the umpire’s interpretation of the event before the umpire leaves the field and must be submitted to the league within 24 hours.  Optionally, both managers may submit interpretation of events to the league within 24 hours as well.
• 6.d) Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated and players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league. First offense for fighting will be a minimum 7 game suspension, at the discretion of the board. Second offense will be expulsion from the league.
• 6.e) Managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at any time have the right to question a player's age. Inquiries as to a player's age or eligibility should be addressed as soon as the issue arises. Players must provide positive identification and/or verification of age at time of request. If a manager is shown to have used an ineligible player, first offense will be a 7-game suspension for both manager and player involved. Second offense will be a one-year suspension, and third offense will be expulsion from the league.

7. EX-PRO STATUS AND REGULATIONS

• 7.a) A player must be out of professional baseball for 3 complete seasons before becoming eligible to pitch.  

8. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

• 8.a) Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team at the discretion of the board.
• 8.b) All protests should be lodged to the league board within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made. The league board shall decide all protests.

9. CODE OF CONDUCT

Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:

• 9.a) Lay a hand upon, shove, strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty or such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
• 9.b) Refuse to abide by an official's decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
• 9.c) Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official's decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
• 9.d) Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.
• 9.e) Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
• 9.f) Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until the board of directors reviews their conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
• 9.g) Be guilty of verbal abusive attack upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until the board of directors reviews their conduct. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.
• 9.h) A player in an intoxicated condition before, during or after the game is not allowed. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
• 9.i) Smoking on the field of play or in the dugout, or any tobacco use (including chewing tobacco) anywhere that our host fields prohibit is not allowed. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game.

10. PENALTIES

• 10.a) The league board may, by vote of the majority of the board, suspend any player or manager for such a period and upon such terms as it may propose, for the conduct within its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.
• 10.b) Except as otherwise provided, the league board shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and shall report their decision to the player and manager.
• 10.c) A player found in violation of any provision delineated in the codes of conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.
• 10.d) Any player found in violation of any provisions delineated in the codes of conduct, after being suspended from further participation in a game shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.
• 10.e) Any player or manager suspended for the remainder of the season will not be entitled to any refund of league fees.

11. PENALTIES, GRIEVANCES, PROTESTS, AND APPEALS

• 11.a) Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the commissioner or league board. The commissioner shall adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the board of directors.
• 11.b) An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the league board by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted.