2012 League Rules

Overview

These PSSBL Rules have been ratified by the PSSBL Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has instituted these rules in the best interest of the League and the membership, in keeping with the duties and powers as defined in the League’s By-Laws. They are intended to supplement the Rules and Regulations of the Men’s Senior Baseball League, which are normally published in the scorebooks supplied to the teams. Where there are inconsistencies, these PSSBL Game Rules shall apply. General Managers must direct each of their players to the PSSBL web site to review these rules before that player may play in a PSSBL game.

The Basic Rule: Sportsmanship

The League subscribes to the highest level of sportsmanship. This means showing respect for umpires, opposing players, teammates, fans and the fields on which we play. Fighting, throwing equipment, deliberate efforts to injure another player, and excessive profanity are examples of poor sportsmanship, and that will not be tolerated. Players who fail to meet this standard of sportsmanship are subject to ejection from games and suspensions, as well as banishment from the League.

General League Rules

1. Equipment
   1. Uniforms With the exception of authorized taxi pool players, supply problems during the first 2-3 weeks of a season, or a special divisional rule, all players and coaches must wear full baseball uniforms to be eligible to participate in a game. A proper uniform is considered to be a matching jersey, baseball pants, baseball socks or stirrups, and cap. All teams must wear a Major League, Minor League, or Negro League replica uniform of either a past or a present team, determined by each division’s choice. Players out of uniform will not be allowed to play. Pitchers shall not wear white or gray sleeves, batting gloves or wrist bands, or any other article which in the umpire’s judgment unfairly distracts the batter or impairs sight of the ball.
   2. Helmets: All batters, runners, and base coaches must wear helmets. Helmets with ear flaps facing the pitcher are required for batters.  Catchers are required to wear a protective helmet in the field. All base coaches are required to wear protective baseball helmets while on the field of play.
   3. Bats: Players may use either wood or metal baseball bats conforming to official standards and approved for use in the PSSBL, except that on all “wood bat weekend(s)” as declared by the League or Division, teams may only use wood or composite-wood bats. Individual divisions may, at their discretion, require the use of wood or composite-wood bats for the entire season and playoffs.
      1. Official PSSBL Bat Standard. All bats used in PSSBL games must have a length-to-weight ratio not greater than minus three (-3). Acceptable examples: 34-inch/31-ounce, 33-inch/30-ounce, 32-inch/29-ounce, etc. All non-wood bats used in PSSBL games must also carry either the BESR (Bat Exit Speed Ratio) or BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) certification stamp. “Composite-wood” means (a) bats composed of more than one wood species, (b) wood bats with a special composite coating (such as the Louisville TPX composite wood bats) or composite wrapping on a wood handle, (c) wood bats with a composite core (such as the Baum bat), and (d) bats with a wood barrel and composite (graphite, carbon fiber, or fiberglass) handle.  Such bats must also have been certified through testing using the NCAA Baseball Bat Certification Protocol.
         1. including all school fields and parking lots.
            2.3.    Personnel on Field and in Dugouts: For the safety of all concerned, as well as compliance with insurance requirements, only roster-listed players and authorized taxi-pool players shall be permitted on the field or in the dugouts during a game. Friends, kids, family, and batboys, etc. are expressly prohibited. If offenses are committed, the offending team’s GM may be subject to a 1-game suspension.
            3.       Length & Completion of Games
            3.1.    A Full Game: It is the objective of the League to ensure that every game is played to the fullest (nine innings or more, as needed,) and that there is a clear outcome. Due to field use, schedules, and budget constraints, this will not always be possible. This objective will not be met whenever a game is called “completed” by the umpires for either of the following conditions: Time Limits (rule 3.2,) and Rain, Darkness or Other Conditions (see rule 3.3).
            3.2.    Time Limits: Subject to field- and playoff-specific rules, no new inning will begin after two hours (2) and fifty-five (55) minutes following the “play ball” call by the umpire. A new inning is defined as beginning when the pitcher throws his first warm-up pitch of the new inning. Some fields have shorter time limits which will apply as necessary.   Games will “drop dead” after three hours (3) and fifteen (15) minutes.
            3.2.1.Games Called by Time Limits:  If a game is called by time limits (as defined in rule 3.2) and the inning has not completed (as defined in rule 3.6), then the score of this game shall revert back to the score at the end of the last completed inning.
            3.3.    Rain, Darkness or Other Conditions: At the discretion of the umpires, a game in progress may be called, “completed” when they have determined that rain, lack of visibility, or other conditions result in unsafe conditions for those involved in the play of the game.
            3.4.    Minimum Game Length: To become an “Official Game,” a game must be played for a minimum of 5 “complete innings” (see rule 3.6). If a game has been called “completed” by the umpires for conditions described in rules 3.2 and/or 3.3, and it has been played for the minimum length as described herein, it becomes an “Official Game” even if it is a tie. However, during the playoffs, all games will be played until a winner is decided. If a game is called by the umpires for conditions described in rules 3.2 and/or 3.3 and it has not been played for the minimum length as described herein, it becomes a “Non-Game” and will be rescheduled.
            3.5.    Suspended Games: A “Suspended Game” is not considered completed and no winner is declared. During the regular season, there will be no suspended games. Games will either be “complete” as described in rule 3.4 or re-scheduled. During the playoffs, tied games that are called by the umpires for conditions described in rules 3.2 and/or 3.3 will be considered a “Suspended Game” and shall be finished when re-scheduled with the original players and lineup in place when the game was suspended. If all the original players are not available, then both teams shall be permitted to substitute players, subject to approval of the Commissioner.
            3.6.    Complete Inning: A “complete inning” is one in which both teams have been put out three times, or one in which the visitors have been put out three times and the home team is ahead.
            3.7.    Official Games: All games, once play has begun, will be considered either “Official Games”, “Non-Games” or “Suspended Games” (playoffs only), as per the above rules. An official game may end in a tie (see rule 3.8.) All “Official Games” are “in the books.”
            3.8.    Tie Games: An Official Game in the regular season ending in a tie is considered “in the books,” and will not be rescheduled or completed at a later date.
            3.9.    Length of Doubleheaders: Both games of a doubleheader will be Full Games, time permitting, unless tied. Total elapsed time from the “play ball” call by the umpire in the first game shall be no longer than 6 1/2 hours, and should follow the time schedule provided to each General Manager, and the umpires, at the beginning of the season. There shall be at least 20 minutes between games of a doubleheader unless both managers and the umpires agree on less time or special field rules are in effect, unless field-specific length of game rules need to be applied.
            3.10. Hurry Up: Since we pay to play, and live with inevitable time limits, every reasonable effort should be made by both teams to speed up the pace of play between innings (see rule 5.4), and, between pitches.
            4.       Pre-Game
            4.1.    Number of Players; Forfeits: Teams must have a minimum of eight players for an official game to begin or proceed, and may borrow a ninth player from an opposing team with the opposing manager’s consent. If the team’s ninth player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player returns to his original team. A team having less than eight players at game time will be given a 15 minute grace period, except that this grace period will be 30 minutes for a scheduled 5:30pm or 6:00 pm weeknight start. If, at any time after the grace period, or during the game, a team falls below the required eight players, the game shall be declared a forfeit, and the team without the required number of players loses the game.
            4.2.    Line-up Cards: Line-up cards specifying the starting offensive line-up, all other available players, and courtesy runners (if any) will be exchanged between managers and given to the umpire prior to the start of the game. Players arriving late may be added at the bottom of the lineup or substituted under normal rules. All substitutions must be reported to the opposing team.
            4.3.    Scorekeeping: While both teams are encouraged to keep score, the home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook. If the home team does not have enough personnel to keep the scorebook, the managers may agree to have the visiting team keep the official scorebook. It is the responsibility of both teams to see that their scorebooks match (at least in total runs scored per team per inning.).
            5.       Play of the Game
            5.1.    Line-ups and Substitutions: The following rules govern line-ups and all substitutions:
            5.1.1. Minimum Line-up. The starting offensive line-up can have nine or more hitters (eight if the team has only eight players and is not loaned a ninth player per Pre-Game Rule A).
            5.1.2. Adding Players to the Line-up. The offensive line-up can be expanded by adding players at the bottom of the order. Once expanded, the line-up cannot be reduced during that game. If a player cannot continue and the team has no available substitute, the team shall take an automatic out the first time that player’s spot in the line-up comes up. Thereafter, that player’s spot in the line-up shall be passed without penalty.
            5.1.3. Re-entry in the Line-up. A player removed from the offensive line-up may re-enter in any spot in the offensive line-up after remaining out for one full cycle of the batting order following his/her missed turn at bat.
            5.1.3.1. Example: If Sue bats for Jim, Jim cannot re-enter the order again until Sue’s spot in the order comes up again. If Sue runs for Jim, after Jim has batted and reached base, Jim cannot re-enter the order again until Sue (or some other substitute batter) has batted in Jim’s former spot (Jim’s first missed at bat), and then that spot comes up again, thus completing the cycle. This applies irrespective of when or whether the player may have been removed on defense.
            5.1.4. Defensive Changes. Free and unlimited defensive substitutions may be made without regard to the offensive line-up, except that a pitcher removed as the team’s pitcher (i.e. removed from the game) shall not return to that position in the same inning and may return to pitch only one time in the same game. However, as per major league rule 3.03, a pitcher may change to another position once per inning and then return to pitch in the same or subsequent inning, as long as he has not left the defensive line-up. A pitcher may change to another position only once during the same inning; i.e. the pitcher shall not be allowed to assume a position other than a pitcher more than once in the same inning.
            5.1.5. Runner Substitutions. Before the game, each team may designate up to two players to have courtesy runners and must inform the other team and the umpire. That designation cannot be transferred to another player. The courtesy runner for any player so designated is the player who was the last batted out who is not already acting as a courtesy runner or the on deck batter. If the batter due up is at one of the bases as a courtesy runner, that courtesy runner shall bat, and the next courtesy runner will assume the previous courtesy runner’s place on base.
            5.1.6. Catcher Courtesy Rule. If agreed prior to the start of play by both teams, the game may be conducted using the “catcher courtesy rule” in order to speed up play. This means that if the catcher is on a base with two outs, he may be substituted from the bases with the last batted out so that he can expedite putting on the catchers gear for warm ups after the third out. This rule is entirely optional and is not encouraged or discouraged by the League. The failure to avail itself of the use of the “catcher courtesy rule” in a given inning does not waive a team’s use of said rule later in the game.
            5.1.7. A team MAY declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order position can be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 9A/9B, 10, 11A/11B, 12, etc. The first time that position 9 gets an at bat, 9A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 9B would be up. Then 9A hits the third time this spot in the order comes up, and so on, alternating between these two players throughout the game. Once a team declares the use of this A/B system, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit for, just as any other player.
            5.2.    Slide or Avoid: Base runners must either slide or attempt to avoid a collision with a fielder attempting to make a play in the vicinity of a base. If no slide or attempt to avoid a collision is made in these circumstances, the umpire shall declare the base runner out. If no slide is made and a collision results which the umpire considers intentional, he may, at his discretion, eject the base runner. If a fielder is not in the vicinity of a base, or is obstructing the base path without attempting to make a play, he/she is not protected by this rule and bears equal responsibility for avoiding collisions. Neither the catcher, nor any other fielder, may block the plate or a base without the ball. The umpire should call a runner “safe” when, except for a fielder blocking the plate or base without the ball, the runner would have reached the plate or base safely.
            5.3.    Decoy Rule: A defensive player may decoy a runner into sliding or altering his path to the base only if it serves a “strategic purpose” and the defensive player does not obstruct the base path without the ball. In the event of a decoy violating this rule, all runners shall be allowed to advance an extra base without risk of being put out. Examples of “strategic purpose” include when a defensive player, who sees a runner attempting to steal second base during a hit and run play, look supward into the sky and says he’s got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on the ground.  This is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing.  The defensive player who violated the decoy rule shall receive a warning and may be subject to ejection for a second offense.
            5.4.    Pitching: Warm Up Pitches. A pitcher shall be permitted eight warm-up pitches, both upon entering the game, and at the start of each half-inning. If the umpire feels that a pitcher is trying to slow down the game intentionally, then and only then, he can lessen the amount of warm-up pitches to no less than five. The umpire also has the discretion to allow for as many warm-up pitches as necessary when a pitcher is substituting for another injured pitcher.
            5.4.1. Intentional Walks. Intentional walks are permitted. To issue an intentional walk, the pitcher must pitch four balls. All pitches are live.
            5.4.2. Hit Batters. Umpires have discretion to eject any pitcher who intentionally throws at a hitter. If a pitcher is believed to have intentionally thrown at a hitter, the League may take further disciplinary action up to and including banishment. Regardless of intent, if a pitcher hits four batters in a single game, he/she shall not continue pitching in that game. A pitcher so disqualified may remain in the game at another position.
            6.       Post-Game
            6.1.    Protests: Protests must be lodged with the umpire in charge prior to the next play. Protests may challenge the interpretation or application of a rule, but may not challenge a judgment call. A notation of the protest and circumstances shall be made in the official scorebook. The team lodging the protest must send a written protest to the Division Commissioner and the League President, with a copy to the opposing team’s general manager, postmarked or emailed within 48 hours of the game or the protest is waived.
            6.2.    Reporting Scores: The winning team must report each game score by posting the results to the PSSBL website within 48 hours.
            7.       Other
            7.1.    Playoff Eligibility: In order for a player to be eligible for the playoffs with a PSSBL team, that player must be listed on the team’s roster with a “complete” registration status (i.e. active status, dues paid, and waiver signed), and must have been of such status with said team on or before July 15th of the same year.
            7.2.    Team Playoff Eligibility: At the discretion of the Division Commissioner, with appeal rights to the PSSBL Board of Directors, any team forfeiting twice in a single season may be deemed ineligible for post-season play.
            7.3.    Roster Termination (“Cut”) Letters: Every General Manager shall be required to send a “cut letter” to each player from his preceding year’s roster whose position on the roster is being terminated before start of play for the next season. Roster termination letters must be completed and mailed prior to the 10th day of January of the year in which the roster position in being terminated. A copy of each “cut” letter must be submitted to the PSSBL President or PSSBL Player Agent by the 14th day of January of the same year, or may be hand delivered at the next General Meeting. NO PLAYER MAY BE REMOVED FROM A ROSTER AFTER THE 10th OF JANUARY EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF BOTH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION IN QUESTION AND THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT. ONLY THE PSSBL-RECOGNIZED GM HAS THE AUTHORITY OR ABILITY TO CUT A PLAYER.
            7.4.    Changes to Rules: All League rules are subject to change, if in the best interests of the League. Any change requires a majority vote of the PSSBL Board of Directors. Each Division may also change its own specific rules, provided these rules are not in conflict with or be deemed detrimental to the overall interests of the PSSBL, as determined by the PSSBL Board of Directors.
            7.5.    Taxi Pool Usage: Taxi-pool players will not be allowed to pitch, unless agreed to by the opposing team’s GM or manager prior to the start of the game. Taxi-pool players are not eligible for the playoffs. See divisional rules for additional Taxi Pool Usage procedures, policies, and restrictions.
            7.6.    Illegal Players: If an ineligible player is used in a game that team will forfeit the game (even if not protested by the opposing team) AND a 2-game suspension will be imposed for both the GM and the ineligible player. A $25 fine will also be assessed the GM. Note that the ineligible player’s suspension cannot commence until he/she has remedied the cause of the ineligible status.
            7.6.1. It is the responsibility of the GM and/or player to confirm the receipt of payment or required forms or signatures by the League office. Mailing the payment/form the day of a game does not make the player eligible. Check the League web site rosters well in advance of your first game to ensure that all of your players are eligible to begin the season.
            7.6.2. A player is defined as eligible to play if his/her roster status on the current League’s web site shows “Active” with a signed waiver and dues paid in full. Any other status than “Active” will mean the player is ineligible. As well, any player who is required to serve a suspension, regardless of the roster status shown on the League web site, is ineligible to play.
            7.6.3. Any player who plays in violation of the PSSBL Taxi Pool Policy shall be considered an ineligible player.
            7.7.    Missed General Meetings: Each GM (or a designated replacement) shall attend each scheduled General Meeting.  The GM is responsible for his replacement’s attendance. Teams who play on the evening of a General Meeting are excused from attending. Your commissioner will forward any important information discussed at meetings on these dates. For unexcused missed meetings, the burden of responsibility is placed on the GM to contact other GM’s or your commissioner to receive any information you missed.
            7.7.1. If a team is not represented at a General Meeting, the fine shall be $25 for the GM. For a second offense, the fine shall be $50 for the GM with a 1 game suspension. For a third offense, the GM is immediately removed from his position. These penalties are the minimum as imposed by the league. Each Commissioner has the authority to increase these penalties if he so chooses.
            7.8.    General Manager Conduct: Any general manager that is removed from position by the PSSBL board of directors or a division commissioner may not be reinstated as a general manager in the PSSBL until he/she is both a member in good standing with the PSSBL and his/her reinstatement is approved by the PSSBL board of directors.
            8.       Discipline and Ejection
            The following information represents the minimum standards or penalties imposed for ejections and/or any other disciplinary matters regarding PSSBL members. Each division may increase the severity of punishment with additional penalties or fines.
            Ejections are to be reported by the affected player’s General Manager to their Division Commissioner, as well as the League Player Agent, within 24 hours or prior to the team’s next game, whichever comes first. 
            8.1. Ordinary Ejections:  An ejection is considered “ordinary” if specified on the umpire’s report of the ejection or at the discretion of the Division Commissioner, League President, and/or PSSBL Board of Directors.
            8.1.1. Minimum Penalties: All ordinary ejections are subject to the following minimum penalties, effective immediately upon occurrence:
            ·         1st ejection: A first ejection shall result in a one game suspension and a fine of $25.00.
            ·         2nd ejection: A second ejection shall result in a three game suspension and a fine of $50.00. 
            ·         3rd ejection: A third ejection shall result in a three game suspension and a fine of $100.00.
            8.2. Non-ordinary Ejections: Ejections not deemed “ordinary” per the umpire’s report of the incident or at the discretion of the Division Commissioner, League President or PSSBL Board of Directors shall result in a suspension and fine greater than the minimum penalty required for an “Ordinary” ejection. The Division Commissioner, League President, and/or PSSBL Board of Directors have the discretion to determine the appropriate penalty and should penalize the player in accordance with their actions.
            8.3. Extraordinary Verbal Assault, Excessive Abuse: Extraordinary Verbal Assault and/or Excessive Abuse may occur when a player engages in a verbal discussion with an umpire, player, field personnel or fan, or engages in excessive abuse of equipment, property, the dugout or the premises in general. The Division Commissioner, League President, and/or Board of Directors shall determine if a player’s actions fall under this category. An ejection, “ordinary” or not, is not required for a player to be found to have engaged in Extraordinary Verbal Assault or Excessive Abuse. An ejection of any type may also be found to have fallen under this category.
            8.3.1 Minimum Penalties: All offenses of this nature are subject to the following minimum penalties, and may be added to at the discretion of the Division Commissioner, League President, and/or PSSBL Board of Directors, and are effective immediately upon notification (whether by ejection or by written notice from the PSSBL, whichever comes first):
            ·         1st Offense: A first offense shall result in a suspension of at least five games, and fines and/or damages.
            ·         2nd Offense: A second offense in the same season shall result in the player’s banishment from the PSSBL.
            8.4. Fighting, Physical Threats: Fighting or attempting to incite a brawl, or physical and/or verbal intimidation—that which would put a reasonable person in fear for his or her safety — whether directed at an umpire, players, field personnel, fans, or any other person in the vicinity, shall subject a player to banishment from the league on the first offense. The Division Commissioner may recommend and the League President or PSSBL Board of Directors may banish a player for this offense.
            8.5. Other Disciplinary Actions: Given the fact that the above disciplinary rules will not cover every possible situation that may arise, the PSSBL reserves the right to review and penalize any misbehavior which it deems detrimental to the welfare and reputation of the League. The PSSBL Board of Directors has the power to penalize behavior or levy fines or assessments as it deems appropriate (e.g. cases of property destruction, damage to League reputation, etc.). 
            8.6. The Appeal Process:  For any penalty, the ejected player has a maximum of forty eight hours to notify the Division Commissioner, Player Agent, or the League President by telephone, fax, or email of their intent to appeal. No appeal can be made after this deadline. Once an appeal has been made, the player may continue to play until such time as his or her appeal is decided on. An Appeal will be heard by whichever “Appeal Panel” is applicable to the player’s situation:
            ·         Appeals of Single Game Suspensions or Individual Fines/Penalties: An appeal of a single game suspension or of an individual fine or other penalty will be handled by that Division’s Commissioner.
            ·         Appeals of 2 or 3 Game Suspensions and Accompanying Fines/Penalties: An appeal of a suspension of 2 or 3 games (including the accompanying fines) will be reviewed by a Commissioner of another division, as selected by the Vice President. 
            ·         Appeals of 4+ Game Suspensions and Accompanying Fines/Penalties: An appeal of a suspensions of four (4) or more games will be reviewed by a three-person panel of Board Members, none of whom shall play in the division in which the suspension was levied, as selected by the Vice President (who may sit as one of the three panelists
            8.6.1 Umpire’s Report: Unless it is found by the Appeal Panel that the umpire is obviously biased, great weight will be given to the umpire’s version of the incident.
            8.6.2. Past Record and History of the Player: In considering a player’s appeal of the facts of the incident and/or the assessed penalties, the League may consider the player’s past history in the PSSBL.
            8.7. Serving Suspensions: A suspension is to be applied to the next available game(s) that the player’s team is scheduled for. This may include carry-over into the playoffs and/or the following season. A player who plays for an additional team in another division only serves their suspension in the division in which the offense occurred. 
            8.7.1. Multiple Team Exceptions: A player who does not play for two teams serves the suspension consecutively, even if he/she changes teams part-way through the suspension.  Additionally, a player who plays for two or more teams, and quits the team on which the offense occurred must still serve the remainder of the suspension with one of the teams on which he/she still plays. Finally, a player who quits part-way through a suspension, and then returns to the PSSBL at a later date must still serve the remainder of their suspension and pay any outstanding fines.
            8.7.2. Double-Header Exception: A player who is ejected in the first game of a double-header may play in the second game only if his/her team will forfeit due to losing that player.
            8.8. Monetary fines must be paid in full to the Division Commissioner and/or any member of the Board of Directors prior to participating in a game in the division where the offense occurred, regardless of whether the suspension has been served or not. Example: Player X must serve a 2 game suspension and pay $25. Player X takes 10 days to pay the fine, but his team plays 4 games over those 10 days. Player X is not eligible to play in any of those 4 games because he has an outstanding fine to the League.
            8.8.1 With regard to players who are members of multiple teams, the PSSBL Board of Directors always has the power to extend the application of a penalty to all divisions in which a player is a member of, should the Board decide that such action is necessary. 
            Divisional Rules
            These rules are intended to supplement the rules of the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League and the Men’s Senior Baseball League (published in the official MSBL scorebooks). Where there are inconsistencies, these divisional rules shall apply. The rules of Major League Baseball apply to all rules not covered in this document, the PSSBL playing rules, or the rules of the Men’s Senior Baseball League.
            Adams Division
            1.       GAMES
            1.1.    Playing Time
            1.1.1. Each player in the Adams Division will be guaranteed a minimum of three (3) innings of defense, and one (1) at-bat, per nine-inning (9) game. No minimum is guaranteed for players who arrive after the first pitch of the game.  Teams may set this deadline to 30 minutes prior to game time if they wish, and if they submit their team rule in writing to the Division Commissioner. 
            1.1.2. The manager will not force any player to play. 
            1.1.3. It is not the intention of the Adams Division to guarantee that all players receive equal playing time.
            1.2.    Defensive Lineup 
            1.2.1. The defensive lineup is independent of the offensive lineup and may be changed at any time during the course of the game without notification to the umpires and/or the opposing GM.  All other League rules apply. 
            1.3.    Offensive Lineup 
            1.3.1. The offensive lineup (Batting Order) is independent of the defensive lineup and may be changed at any time during the course of the game. The opposing GM must be notified as well as the official bookkeeper. 
            1.3.2. Any player who is substituted for by a pinch hitter may return to the offensive lineup after one full rotation of the lineup.  That is, the player may re-enter the lineup when the next opportunity for that player to bat would have occurred, and no sooner. (Example: Joe bats leadoff.  In his 2nd at-bat, he is pinch-hit for by Bob.  Joe can return to the lineup when he would have had his normally scheduled 3rd at-bat, or any time after that at-bat occurs). 
            1.3.3 Any player who is substituted for by a pinch runner may return to the offensive lineup after the pinch runner has hit in that lineup spot’s next at-bat, and no sooner.  (Example: Joe bats leadoff, and reaches base.  Joe is pinch-run for by Bob.  Bob (or a pinch hitter who is not Joe) must bat at the next time the leadoff spot is scheduled to be at-bat.  Joe may re-enter the lineup after this at-bat has occurred). 
            1.3.4. A player who leaves the batting order due to injury may not re-enter the batting order for the remainder of the game. 
            1.3.5. Teams must bat a minimum of 9 players in the lineup if 9 players are available. If the game is started with 8 players, the team may play with an 8 man batting order, and must add players up to 9 batters as they arrive. Teams may start the game with more than 9 batters if they so choose. 
            1.3.6. Once the game has begun, a team may extend the batting order from the bottom at any time, and must inform the opposing GM, umpire, and official bookkeeper. 
            1.3.7. Anytime that the batting order is below 9 players, the team will record an out in the batting slot that was last vacated each time this vacated slot is scheduled to bat. Example 1: Team A starts the game with 8 players. Team A must record an automatic out when then 9th slot comes up for at-bat. Example 2: Team A starts with 9 players. Midway through the game, the player in slot 3 must leave the game. Team A must record an out each time slot 3 comes up to bat, unless another player shows up who can fill the slot. 
            1.3.8. If a player must leave the offensive lineup for any reason other than an offensive substitution (pinch runner, pinch hitter), that player may not return to the lineup for the remainder of the game. 
            1.4.    Pitchers 
            1.4.1. Pitchers may not return to the mound after leaving the game.  However, a pitcher may be moved to another defensive position, and may still return to the mound, provided that the pitcher returns to the mound in the same inning.
            1.5.    Base Runners 
            1.5.1. A base-runner may have three different types of replacement runners: a substitute runner, the catcher’s substitute, or a pinch-runner. 
            1.5.2. The purpose of the catcher’s substitute is to speed play in between innings. When there are two outs and the catcher reaches base, the catcher may opt to use a substitute runner. This substitution is optional for the offensive team. It does not need to be agreed to by both managers. There are no running restrictions for the catcher’s substitute runner. 
            1.5.3. The purpose of the substitute runner (declared or undeclared) is prevention of injury and/or aggravation of an existing injury. This substitute runner may not attempt to advance from the time that the pitcher takes the rubber until the time that the pitch crosses the plate. Essentially, the substitute may not initiate a steal on the pitch.  If a substitute runner attempts to steal, a warning will be issued to the team.  Any subsequent attempts to steal by that team’s substitute runners will result in that runner being declared out.  (Example 1: Joe is a substitute runner on 1st.  The pitcher pitches the ball, and it gets past the catcher for a Wild Pitch.  Joe may advance.  Example 2: Joe is a substitute runner on 1st.  The pitcher makes a move to 3rd base.  Joe may advance if he wishes, since the pitcher has put the ball in play.  Example 3:  Joe is a substitute runner on 1st.  The pitcher pitches the ball and the catcher catches it.  The catcher isn’t paying attention for some reason, and Joe may advance if he wishes, as the ball is in play.  Example 4: The pitcher is wandering around the mound, off the rubber.  The ball is in play, so Joe may advance if he chooses to do so.) 
            1.5.4. A team may declare a maximum of two players that are eligible to utilize a substitute runner, should those players reach base safely during the course of the game. These players must be declared to the opposing GM, umpire, and official bookkeeper prior to the first pitch of the game. Once the first pitch has occurred, no players may be designated for eligibility to utilize a substitute runner. Exception: A team may request to utilize a substitute runner for a player who receives an injury (but does not leave the lineup) during the game. This request must be approved by the opposing manager, and the umpire and official bookkeeper must be notified. 
            1.5.5. A batter who is eligible to use a substitute runner must touch at least 1st base and “time” must be granted before he/she may be replaced by a substitute runner. 
            1.5.6. Any substitute runner must be the last player in the lineup to be declared out. 
            1.5.7. A substitute runner does not have to be used in every single incident. A player, even though designated to have a substitute runner, may run for himself, if he/she sees fit to do so. If so, he/she shall have no running restrictions. 
            1.5.8. If a pinch-runner is used, the pinch-runner must be out of the lineup at that time, and must assume the position in the lineup of the player for whom he is running the next time through the batting order.
            1.6.    Forfeits 
            1.6.1. A team that forfeits a game will automatically lose its 1st round draft position in the next draft, and the GM will be suspended for one game. For an additional forfeit, the team will lose a buddy pick from the next season, and the GM will be suspended for two games. If no 1st round pick is available due to a previously executed trade, then the 2nd round pick will be used. If no 2nd pick, then 3rd, etc. If there is no draft pick available for use, either because they have been traded away, or the Commissioner determines that the division will not be drafting down to a 3rd or 4th round (or more), then the Commissioner may levy a disciplinary action of his/her own choice. 
            1.6.2. In the event of two forfeits in a single season, the status of the team and the general manager will be reviewed by the Commissioner, and reported to all other GMs. The team in question will be automatically eliminated from the playoffs, and additional disciplinary action may range from a mandatory resignation of the team’s GM up to a mandatory disbanding of the team. Any additional disciplinary action will be determined by the Division Commissioner and approved by the League Board of Directors. 
            1.6.3. There are no limitations to the maximum number of players a team may carry on a roster, and plenty of taxi-pool players. Thus, there is no reason to ever forfeit. However, if circumstances are deemed extraordinary, a team’s GM may appeal the penalties in rule 1.6.1 to the Commissioner. This appeal is only possible for a first forfeit. 
            1.6.4. Any forfeit by a team will subject that team to potential assignment of taxi-pool or other available players to the team’s active roster for the remainder of the season, at the discretion of the Division Commissioner. 
            2.       ROSTERS 
            2.1.    Buddy picks 
            2.1.1. The Buddy Pick Season is defined to begin on the day of the first PSSBL General Managers Meeting following the conclusion of all Divisional Playoffs. The Buddy Pick Season will end once the team in question has completed its last playoff game. 
            2.1.2. Buddy Picks may be used at any time during the season defined in 2.1.1, and the team exercising that pick must inform the Commissioner in writing. 
            2.1.3. Buddy Picks will be awarded to each team at the first General Managers Meeting following the conclusion of the playoffs. 
            2.1.4. All teams finishing at or above a .667 win percentage will receive one buddy pick, and may trade in their First Round Draft Pick for a second buddy pick. 
            2.1.5. All teams finishing under a .667 win percentage will receive two buddy picks, except for the last place team which will receive three buddy picks. 
            2.1.6. The Commissioner may at any time choose to award an additional buddy pick to any team having less than ten active players on its roster. 
            2.1.7. The Commissioner may at any time choose to award an additional third buddy pick to a team performing poorly that was not the last place team. 
            2.1.8. Buddy picks may not be traded, transferred, or carried forward to another season. 
            2.1.9. No player chosen as a buddy pick be traded in his first season of play. 
            2.1.10.Players who receive a draft number at the PSSBL Draft are not eligible for buddy picks.
            2.4.    The Draft 
            2.4.1. Draft order will be determined by playoff seeding, which will take into account overall W-L
            Records and any needed tie-breakers. Teams will draft in reverse order, with the lowest seeded team drafting first, and the highest seeded team drafting last, per round. Existing teams entering the division for the first year will be added to the end of the draft list for each round. 
            2.4.2. Teams will take turns selecting their draft picks until all teams have declined to participate in a round. Teams are not required to draft any players, provided they already have a minimum roster size of paid/registered players by the end of the draft. 
            2.5.    Immediate Family Members 
            2.5.1. A family member, for the purpose of this rule, is strictly defined as a parent, sibling, child or spouse. 
            2.5.2. The team may immediately obtain the family member of the drafted player, and must first spend a buddy pick to do so. If no buddy picks are available, the team will lose its next available draft pick. 
            2.5.3. A team may add a player to its roster that is an immediate family member of a returning player without expending a Buddy Pick or subjecting the player to the PSSBL draft. These picks must be added to the team before the season’s draft. A team may only use this rule once per season (as defined in the Buddy Picks section). If a team seeks to add a family member during the season, the team must have a ¾ majority vote from its players in favor of the acquisition and receive approval from the Adams Division GMs and Commissioner. 
            2.6.    Taxi-Pool Use 
            2.6.1. A GM or manager of a team should never allow his team to forfeit a game through being unable to field a team on-time. The penalties are discussed Forfeits section of the Adams Division rules, and are severe. The GM has access to the Taxi-Pool of players in order to prevent this from ever being an occurrence, and is expected to know in advance whether or not he will have enough players available and take steps to procure players from the Taxi Pool. 
            2.6.2. Taxi Pool players will be obtained by contacting the Player Agent. The Player Agent (or the Commissioner, if the Player Agent cannot be contacted) should be given at least 48 hours’ notice. Teams that provide 48 hours’ notice or greater to the Player Agent will have grounds for appeal of any penalties regardless of whether it is the first or second forfeit. 
            2.6.3. A team must get a new list every time it needs a player. The list, in whatever form, must be brought to the game and surrendered to the opposing GM or manager upon request. Teams may not contact the same players repeatedly. If you believe a taxi-pool player was used illegally, contact the Commissioner and an investigation will be made. 
            2.6.4. Taxi-pool players will not be allowed to pitch, unless agreed to by the opposing team’s GM or field manager (in the absence of the GM) prior to the start of the game. 
            2.6.5. Teams may only contact players provided by the Player Agent or Commissioner for Taxi Pool use. An exception will be made if you called the Player Agent at least 48 hours in advance of the game and you were not able to get any taxi pool players to turn out. You must call the Commissioner before the game and get a verbal OK to call a player known to you. The contacted player may only play if they are the 8th or 9th player. As soon as you have 9 eligible players, the contacted player must then leave the game.
            2.6.6. Using an ineligible player will result in your team forfeiting that game, at minimum. 
            2.6.7. All taxi-pool players utilized must meet all player eligibility restrictions for the Adams Division. All Taxi Pool players must be paid and registered members of the PSSBL Taxi Pool or paid and registered members of a PSSBL Team 
            2.6.8. All taxi pool players asked to participate in a game will be guaranteed three innings of defensive play and will be in the lineup for the entire course of the game, with the exception of injury. 
            2.6.9. GMs must report the names of taxi pool players on the lineup card at the beginning of the game. Winning teams must report any taxi pool players utilized by either team when officially reporting the scores of games. 
            2.6.10.    A team using a taxi-pool player must bat every available roster player in the batting lineup, including, of course, the taxi-pool player. 
            2.6.11.    Taxi-pool players are not eligible for the playoffs. 
            2.7.    Rejoining a Former Team 
            2.7.1. Any player who does not meet the definition of a Returning Player (2.7.2 below) by the end of the season is no longer a member of that team (not a returning player) and may be buddy picked by any Adams Division team. 
            2.7.2. A Returning Player is defined to be a player who was an Active/Paid or Inactive/Paid roster member of a team in the previous season. 
            2.7.3. A Returning Player who chooses to remain Unpaid for the following season will lose his returning player status at the end of that following season, and will be available to be obtained by any other Adams team. Prior to the expiration of that player’s Returning Player status, trades must be explored with the team that still owns the rights to the Returning Player.  GMs are strongly encouraged to make trades in this situation. (Example: Player A ends the 2007 Season for Team X but chooses not to return in 2008. The player still has the option of becoming Active/Paid or Inactive/Paid during 2008 and retaining his Returning Player status into 2009.  If Player A does not do so, Player A will no longer a Returning Player, Team X will no longer own the rights to Player A, and any Adams Division team may buddy pick Player A). 
            2.8.    Trades 
            2.8.1. A player may only be traded with the consent of the player. The division will attempt to accommodate player requests to change teams, so long as the change is not initiated by one of the other existing teams, and so long as the team losing the player is adequately compensated. 
            2.8.2. Trades must be approved by all players involved, and both GMs. As well, the Commissioner may defer approval of a trade to determine if it is beneficial to all parties involved, including the Division. 
            2.8.3. All trades must be filed with the PSSBL Player Agent on the proper form in order to be official. 
            2.8.4. Draft choices are allowed as compensation in trades. 
            2.8.5. Buddy Picks may not be used as compensation in trades. 
            2.9.    Cuts 
            2.9.1. Cuts can be made at the discretion of the GM, keeping in mind the best interests of the team and the player. 
            2.9.2. Cuts may only be made between the end of the season (after the Adams Division Championship game) and the League cut deadline (See League Rules). 
            2.9.3. Cuts must be submitted in writing (email is allowed) to the Division Commissioner, PSSBL Player Agent, and Player whis is to be cut.  The Commissioner shall not defer a cut proposal without extreme reason to do so and such a deferral must be approved by a vote of the Divisional GMs. 
            2.9.4. Cuts that are proposed after the League cut deadline (See League Rules) or are proposed during the regular season may only be proposed in the interest of maintaining team chemistry or for extremely poor behavior. Such a cut proposal must be approved by the Division Commissioner. The GM requesting a cut is strongly encouraged to explore trade options or suspensions prior to proposing a cut. In this way, all options will have been explored before taking extreme measures. 
            2.10.    Waivers 
            2.10.1. An Adams Division player who has been cut may be acquired by another Adams Division team without use of a Buddy Pick. 
            2.10.2. Teams will have one week following the official cut notice sent by the Commissioner to register their interest in a cut player. This must be submitted to the Commissioner in writing. 
            2.10.3. The Commissioner will broker the transaction by informing the cut player of all teams that have given written notice of interest in that player. The player has the right to choose which team he or she will join if more than one team is interested. Furthermore, the cut player may choose not to join any team. 
            2.10.4. A cut player may only be acquired in this manner during the time period starting when he or she is cut, and ending when the next season begins. Exception: A player who is cut with less than one week before the start of the next season will be eligible to be acquired during the one week waiting period. If no team submits interest during that time, his or her eligibility to be acquired via the Waivers system will expire. 
            3.       POST SEASON 
            3.1.    Play-offs 
            3.1.1. Playoff seeds are determined by order of regular season finish. All teams will be eligible for the playoffs. 
            3.1.2. The play-offs shall be a double elimination tournament until a champion has been determined. 
            3.1.3. If two, or more, teams finish the season with identical regular-season records, the following tiebreakers apply (in order): 
            ·                  Number of wins vs. Tied Opponents 
            ·                  Number of Runs Scored vs. Tied Opponents 
            ·                  Coin Flip (2 tied teams) or Rock-Paper-Scissors (3+ tied teams). The Division Commissioner shall attempt to perform this with the tied team GMs in attendance. If the tied team GMs cannot be brought together in time to resolve the tie, then the Commissioner shall break the tie on his own and inform the teams of the outcome.
            4.       GENERAL DIVISION RULES 
            4.1.    New Teams 
            4.1.1. A new team to the Division must first gain the approval of the Commissioner, and of the PSSBL Board of Directors. Barring a mandate from the Board of Directors, a new team must also receive a majority vote of the Adams Division GMs.  In preparing for this vote, GMs should consider the competitiveness of the team in question and ensure that new teams entering the Adams Division will be able to compete effectively. 
            4.2.    General Manager’s Meeting Attendance 
            4.2.1. Teams are expected to send a representative to every General Managers’ meeting. A General Manager whose team is not present at two Calendar Year meetings will be required to replace the General Manager before the next General Managers’ meeting occurs. If the team fails to select a new General Manager, the Division Commissioner may appoint one for the team. 
            4.2.2. Additional League penalties may apply in addition to these specific rules. 
            4.2.3. Only GMs are allowed to vote on Divisional issues. Proxies and/or representatives for a team are not allowed to vote.  Exception: The Commissioner may report the vote of a team, provided that it has been submitted to the Commissioner in writing. 
            4.3.    Naming Convention 
            4.3.1. Teams shall use any name allowed by the PSSBL. Inaugural year (2008) teams are grandfathered in if they do not meet the naming convention. Teams shall choose a name that is not already in use by another PSSBL team.  An exception may be made for new teams that are affiliated with a team of the same name in another division. 
            4.4.    Wood Bat Games 
            4.4.1. Wood bat games may or may not be played. The number of games to be played with wood bats will be determined each year by a vote of the Divisional GMs. 
            Adirondack Division
            1.       Games 
            1.1.    Playing time 
            1.1.1. Each player (unless injured) in the Adirondack Division must play a minimum of three innings on defense with one at bat per nine-inning game.  Some games may be completed prior to the play of nine innings, so the field manager should take this into account and make sure players get the required playing time before a time limit is reached. Every eligible player who was available at game time must get their first plate appearance before any other player in the lineup comes up for their third appearance. 
            1.1.2. If a player comes to a game with an injury and is not going to play in the field or is not going to bat, this must be reported to the opposing field manager prior to the start of the game. 
            1.1.3. In the event that a player is injured during a game, the player may leave the offensive line-up without penalty, provided there are not eligible, available players to take his place. Players who must depart early may also be withdrawn from the lineup without penalty.  The departing player’s turn at bat will be skipped without recording an out, with the provision that this does not apply where the departing player has been ejected by the umpire.  In the case of an ejection with no eligible offensive replacement players, an out will be recorded the first time through the order at the ejected players turn in the order. 
            1.2.    Base Runners 
            1.2.1. A base runner may have two different types of replacement runners:  a courtesy runner or a pinch runner. 
            1.2.2. A maximum of two players may request courtesy runners, should they safely reach base during the course of the game.  They must be declared prior to, or at the time of, the exchange of line-up cards, prior to the start of the game.  Once the first pitch has been thrown, this right is considered waived.  After that, additional courtesy runners are permitted for players injured during the game or injured players in excess of the permitted limit of two. These must be approved by the opposing manager and are restricted in their ability to steal. 
            1.2.3. The purpose of the courtesy runner is prevention of injury and/or aggravation to an existing injury.  The two declared courtesy runners are like any other runner; therefore they can steal.  A courtesy runner added during the game due to an injury cannot steal, but can advance on a full windup, errant pickoff attempt, wild pitch or passed ball. 
            1.2.4. The courtesy runner shall be the player who most recently batted and who was not on base at the start of the play.  
            1.2.5. A batter must touch 1st base (or 2nd or 3rd base if there is an extra base hit) and “time” must be granted before he is replaced on the base. 
            1.2.6. A courtesy runner does not have to be used in every single incident.  A player, even though designated to have a courtesy runner, may run for himself, if he sees fit to do so.  If so, he is eligible to steal and has no other limitations. 
            1.2.7. If a pinch runner is used, the pinch runner must be out of the lineup at that time, and must assume the position in the lineup of the player for whom he is running for the next time through the batting order. 
            1.2.8. Additionally, in an effort to keep the games close and competitive, the GM’s and field managers agree that if their team has a ten run lead there will be no base stealing.  However, the base runners can advance if the pitcher goes into a full wind-up there is an errant pickoff attempt, a passed ball or a wild pitch. 
            1.2.9. For safety purposes, fake tags are not permitted under any circumstances. This extends the league-wide rule in that no exceptions are granted for “strategic advantage.”
            1.2.10. As an additional safety measure, base runners assume responsibility for avoiding contact with fielders in all situations. This includes situations where the fielder may be illegally blocking the base path. The umpire should still call obstruction in the absence of contact if a runner is forced to alter his path to avoid contact. Sliding runners may not try to “take out” a fielder, even if they are within range of the base at the time. 
            1.3.    Bats: The Adirondack division is wood bats only. Bats must conform to the PSSBL rules on wood bats. 
            1.4.    Forfeits 
            1.4.1. If a team forfeits a game the GM will be suspended for the next game.  If a team forfeits a second game during the same season the GM will be suspended for the next two games. 
            1.4.2. In the event of two forfeits in a single season the status of the team and the GM will be reviewed by the Commissioner, and reported to all other GM’s.  Possible ramifications include asking the team’s GM to resign, the team to be prohibited from registering for the following season, or the team to be barred from the playoffs.  This will be determined by a vote of all divisional GM’s. 
            1.4.3. There are no limitations to the number of players a team may carry on a roster and there are plenty of taxi-pool players.  Thus, there is rarely a reason to ever forfeit.  However, if circumstances are deemed extraordinary, a team’s GM may appeal the penalties to the Commissioner.  This appeal is only possible for a first forfeit.
            2.       Rosters 
            2.1.    Buddy Picks: There will be no Buddy Picks in the Adirondack Division. 
            2.2.    Minimum Age: All players in the Adirondack Division must be at least 55 years of age by the end of the calendar year during which the season falls. 
            2.3.    The Draft: The Adirondack division employs a special set of procedures to evaluate team strength and administer new player selection in accordance with preserving division parity. A draft administrator appointed by the commissioner is responsible for defining the formulas and procedures to allocate new players to teams. These procedures are subject to approval by the GMs. 
            2.4.    Taxi-Pool Use
            2.4.1. A GM or field manager of a team should never allow his team to forfeit a game through being unable to field a team on time.  The penalties are discussed in the League and Adirondack rules.  The GM or field manager has access to the Taxi-Pool of players in order to prevent this from ever being an occurrence.  All Taxi-Pool players chosen must be picked following the league Taxi-Pool rules. 
            2.4.2. Taxi-Pool players will not be allowed to pitch, unless agreed to by the opposing team’s GM or field manager. 
            2.4.3. Using an ineligible player will result in your team forfeiting that game, at a minimum. 
            2.4.4. All Taxi-Pool players utilized must be at least 55 years of age within the calendar year and have registered for the PSSBL Taxi-Pool per League requirements. 
            2.4.5. All Taxi-Pool players asked to participate in a game will receive at least three innings of defensive play and will be in the lineup for the entire course of the game, with the exception of injury. 
            2.4.6. GM’s must report the names of Taxi-Pool players on the lineup card at the beginning of the game. 
            2.4.7. A team using a Taxi-Pool player must bat every available roster player in the batting line-up, including, of course, the Taxi-Pool player.  Taxi-pool players are not eligible for the playoffs. 
            3.       Trades 
            3.1.    A player may be traded or released with the consent of the player.  The division will attempt to accommodate player requests to change teams, so long as the change is not initiated by one of the other existing teams. Players may not be traded for draft picks, since the division does not use a traditional round robin draft system. A team losing a player can expect commensurate compensation to the extent that the loss of the player will affect the team’s strength rating and influence their selection position in the player allocation draft. 
            3.2.    All players, the Commissioner and the GM’s involved must approve trades.  Trades must be for “equal” talent as determined by the GM’s and Commissioner.  As well, the Commissioner may defer approval of a trade to determine if it is beneficial to all parties involved, including other teams in the division.  Teams are limited to one trade per season.  All trades must be filed with the PSSBL Player Agent on the proper form in order to be official. 
            3.3.    Cuts can be made at the discretion of the GM and approval of the Commissioner, keeping in mind the best interests of all involved.  Cuts should only be made between the end of the season (after the championship game) and the League cut deadline. 
            4.       New Teams 
            New teams may be added to the Adirondack division if the GM’s and Commissioner determine that there will be enough players available in the draft.  No partial or full team will be allowed to join the Adirondack division.  Only two players are guaranteed a roster spot on a new team, the GM and the field manager.  The rest of the roster will be filled through the draft or in another manner as determined by the Commission, the GM’s, and the Draft Administrator.  Every effort will be made to ensure that new teams’ rosters are filled out so that all teams in the division are competitive.
            5.       Post Season 
            5.1.    Playoff seeds are determined by order of regular season finish.  All teams will be eligible for the playoffs.  The playoffs are a double elimination tournament until a champion has been determined. 
            5.2.    If two, or more, teams finish the season with identical regular season records, the following tiebreakers apply (in order): 
            ·         The results of head-to-head competition (just wins, not total runs scored)
            ·         Teams still tied will be seeded in accordance with a coin flip.
            Cascade Division
            1.       “Buddy Pick” rules
            1.1.    Unlimited buddy picks. 
            1.2.    Buddy picks will be declared to the commissioner no later than 6pm the day before the first League tryout is scheduled. 
            1.3.    Each team will be allowed up to 2 ex-pro buddy pick players on their roster at anytime.
            2.        Taxi Pool Rules 
            2.1.    Fill in (taxi) players will be obtained by contacting the Player Agent or the Commissioner. 
            2.2.    A team must get a new list every time a player is needed. The list, in whatever form, must be brought to the game and surrendered to the opposing GM or coach upon request. Teams may not contact the same players repeatedly. If you feel a taxi-pool player was used illegally, contact the Commissioner and an investigation will take place. 
            2.3.    Taxi-pool players will not be allowed to pitch, unless agreed to by the opposing teams GM or coach prior to the start of the game. 
            2.4.    Teams may not call anyone else to play. An exception will be made, if you called the Player Agent at least 48 hours in advance of the game and you were not able to get any taxi pool players to turn out. You must call the commissioner before the game and get a verbal OK to call a player known to you. 
            2.5.    If a game is about to begin and your team is short handed (8 players or less) and a league eligible player is in the stands, they will be allowed to play if the opposing teams GM or coach agrees. If it is later determined that this was set up in order to get around replacement player rules, you will forfeit the game, at minimum. 
            2.6.    Using an ineligible player will result in your team forfeiting that game, at minimum. 
            2.7.    If you lose a player for the season due to injury or necessary relocation, you may be able to activate a player from the taxi-pool to play with you regularly, provided they pay a prorated fee and the player activation is approved by the league President. 
            3.       Courtesy Runners 
            3.1.    Players that will need courtesy runners, must have their manager notify the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed a maximum of 2 players per game who can be run for each time that they reach base.  The individual who runs for these player(s) needing a courtesy runner is not determined ahead of time.  It is always the last batted out whom must run for the person need the courtesy runner. Once the game begins and the full complement of 2 courtesy runners has not been used, if a player sustains an injury, an additional courtesy runner may be used. In the event a player becomes injured during the game and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) has already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed. If a batter (designated as needing a courtesy runner) opts to run, or forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game. The offensive team that is replacing the courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. If the runner is not replaced within this time period, the original runner must run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game. The 30 second time limit will begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow replacement for the runner. 
            4.       Fines 
            4.1     Player Fines 
            A player who is ejected from a game will now also be fined $25 for his/her 1st ejection and $50 for his/her second ejection. This fine is not appealable and must be paid to the division commissioner prior to the player resuming play for his/her team. 
            4.2     GM Fines 
            A GM who misses a meeting is fined $25 for the first absence and must be paid to the commissioner. Upon his second absence from a meeting that GM must be replaced. After the 1st missed meeting the GM has until the next meeting to pay that fine. If he/she does not pay the fine in that time frame he/she becomes a player not in good standing with the league and cannot return to play until said fine is paid!
            Olympic Division
            1.       Forfeits: A team’s first forfeit shall result in a one game suspension for the general manager and a $100 fine. A team’s second forfeit will result in a $100 fine, a two game suspension for the general manager and the team will be disbanded.
            2.       Ejections: A player’s first ejection will result in a one game suspension and a $25 fine. A second ejection will result in a three game suspension and a $50 fine. A third ejection will result in the player being removed from the league. Any player involved in a physical confrontation with another player, coach or umpire will be removed from the league. In addition to these penalties, the PSSBL may add to these suspensions. All suspensions carry over to the next season. All suspensions and fines described above are automatic, but the player may appeal the PSSBL suspensions. Ejection for failure to follow the slide and avoid rule will be treated like any other ejection.
            3.       Missed Meetings: Any general manager who misses a general league meeting without having made prior arrangements with the Commissioner or PSSBL representative will be fined $25.
            4.       Courtesy Runners: The Olympic Division does not have courtesy runner rules; no exceptions. If a pinch-runner is used, the pinch-runner must assume the previous player’s position in the lineup the next time through the batting order.
            5.       Player Rosters: In light of the heavy turnout of tryout players in the 21-27 age range, each team will be required to have a minimum of 15 players on their roster. Any player, who turns 21 years of age by December 31 of the season’s calendar year, is eligible to be included on the roster. Every player must be in full uniform to be eligible to play in a game.
            6.       Former Professional Players: Former professional baseball players, including both minor and major leaguers, are eligible to play in the Olympic Division, without regard to length of time out of professional baseball.
            7.       Playoff Eligibility: For an Olympic Division player to be playoff eligible, he must 1) Have a completed/active registration status by 7/15 and 2) Appear in the stats posted on PSSBL.com for a minimum of 3 games.
            8.       Draft: Any team that enters the draft with a roster of 18 paid players or more or reaches a roster size of 18 players during the draft, the team must sit out their draft turn(s) until all remaining teams present with rosters of 14 players or less fill their roster through the orderly draft method. After all teams have reached the 15 player roster level the draft will resume in regular order with all teams eligible to draft. 
            8.1: Teams must have 9 paid players before the draft commences.  If a team does not have at least 9 paid players before the draft, the team will be folded. 
            8.2: Any player that is on a team that folds before draft day will be a free agent.  In order to fold a team before draft day, the GM will need to notify all of the team members as well as the division commissioner that the team is being folded.  If both are not satisfied, the team will not be folded till draft day and the next rule comes into effect. 
            8.3: Any player that is on a team that has been folded on draft day will be a free agent.  However, they cannot be picked up by any other Olympic teams till after the Olympic division draft.  This means that teams cannot count on players from folded teams to fill out the minimum 15 player requirement.
            9.   Wood Bats:  Wood Bats are required on the following fields: Auburn Riverside High School, Dacca Community Playfield, Edmonds Woodway High School, Hiawatha Ballfield, Highland Middle School, Highland Park # 1, Island Crest Park North, Island Crest Park South, Lynnwood High School, Marymoor #1, Marymoor # 2, Meadowdale High School, Micky Merriam Athletic Complex (Magnuson Park), Mountlake Terrace High School, Mount Rainier High School, Mountain View High School, Newport High School, North Snohomish, Peter Kirk Park, Petrovitsky Park, Shorewood High School, Steve Cox Memorial Park, Tripleplay Baseball Club, Whitman Middle School, Wilburton #1, Wilburton #2, William E. Moshier Memorial Park, Willis Tucker Park. 
            Rocky Division
            1.       Minimum Playing Time
            1.1.    Defense 
            1.1.1.Each player in the Rocky Division will be offered a minimum of four innings of defense per nine-inning game, with at least three of those innings scheduled for the first seven innings. No minimum is guaranteed if the player arrives after the first pitch of the game, or if a game is shortened (to less than seven innings) by unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather or darkness. 
            1.1.2.Defensive position assignments are entirely at the discretion of the General Manager (or a designated Field Manager if applicable). 
            1.2.    Offense 
            1.2.1. All players in attendance will be included in the batting order. Players arriving after the batting order has been exchanged with the opposing team must be added to the end of the batting order. 
            1.2.2. A player may leave the offensive line-up without penalty (to the team) if the player is injured or is forced to leave the game for another commitment. The departing player’s turn at bat will be skipped without recording an out, with the provision that this does not apply where the departing player has been ejected by the umpire. In the case of an ejection, an out will be recorded the first time through the order at the ejected players turn in the order. 
            1.2.3. If a player leaves the offensive lineup for any reason, that player is no longer eligible to return to the game, offensively or defensively. (exception: see 1.2.4) 
            1.2.4. During the regular season, a player may choose not to bat and still play in the field. During the post season, all players must be in the line-up. 
            2.       General 
            2.1.    Participation is voluntary; players will not be ‘forced’ to play. Each player in attendance will be offered four defensive innings and a place in the batting order, but it is not the intention of the Rocky Division to make a guarantee about all players receiving equal playing time. 
            2.2.    Any player who feels their manager has defaulted on their responsibility to provide minimum playing-time has the right to discuss the issue with their General Manager, the League Player Agent, and/or the Rocky Division Commissioner. 
            3.       Inning Limitation for Pitchers 
            3.1.    Six-Inning Maximum 
            3.1.1.All pitchers in Rocky Division games are limited to a maximum of six innings per game. All innings pitched by an individual pitcher must be consecutive, regardless of the total number of innings pitched. 
            3.1.2.Partial innings pitched for the purposes of this rule are counted toward the six-inning maximum as full innings. For example, a pitcher entering the game with two outs in the first inning (and remaining in the game as the pitcher) has exhausted his/her eligibility after the sixth inning of that game. 
            4.       Courtesy Runners 
            4.1.1.Declared: A maximum of two players requesting courtesy runners can be declared prior to the exchange of line-up cards before a game. The courtesy runner must be the last batted out (unless that player is injured or also a declared player requesting a courtesy runner). In the event that no outs have been recorded in the game for the batting team, the courtesy runner must be the last player in the batting order. Courtesy runners are allowed to steal and have no other limitations. 
            4.1.2.Injuries: Injury replacements are allowed in addition to any declared courtesy runners. However, injury replacements are not allowed to steal or advance on passed balls. Injury replacements are only allowed to advance when the ball is put into play by the batter. Injured players must be replaced by the last batted out (unless that player is injured or a declared player requesting a courtesy runner), or by the last player in the batting order if no outs have been recorded in the game for the batting team. 
            4.1.3. Teams will be allowed to use a runner for the catcher with 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the last batted out (unless that player is injured or also a declared player requesting a courtesy runner). In the event that no outs have been recorded in the game for the batting team, the courtesy runner must be the last player in the batting order. Courtesy runners are allowed to steal and have no other limitations. 
            5.       Roster Information 
            5.1.    Roster Additions 
            5.1.1.All players must be added to Rocky Division rosters via the draft, with three possible exceptions: Assistant GM’s, family members, and former players. 
            5.1.2.Each Rocky Division GM has the opportunity to select an Assistant GM to assist with team activities and administration. The Assistant GM is intended to be a one-time addition to the roster and must be declared by the General Manager prior to the first league tryout of the season. When an Assistant GM position is vacated, returning teams are encouraged (though not required) to designate new Assistant GM’s from the group of players on the roster from the previous season. All new Assistant GM’s require approval from the Rocky Division Commissioner. 
            5.1.3.Prior to the first league tryout of the season, a maximum of two immediate family members of players on a roster can be added to that team’s roster if approved by the team General Manager and the Commissioner. If a pair of family members attends the league tryouts and would like to play on a team together, the first of the two players will require a draft choice, and the second will be added to the roster (without consuming a draft choice). Immediate family members are strictly defined and limited to the legal definition of one of the following: Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, and/or sons. 
            5.1.4.Former players can be added to the roster of their former team after an absence of one or more seasons if approved by the team General Manager and the Commissioner, without regard to payment status of the $35 league fee otherwise required to ‘freeze’ a roster spot. 
            5.2.    Roster Subtractions 
            5.2.1.The Rocky Division is currently the only division in the PSSBL that does not allow off-season player ‘cuts’ except in extreme circumstances. Players are eligible to return to their teams if they are members in good standing. 
            5.2.2.For those rare occasions where team chemistry is negatively affected by the presence of a specific player or players, trades will be strongly encouraged. All trades, however, require the approval of the Commissioner and all players and General Managers involved. In extreme circumstances, if the Rocky Division Commissioner agrees that all other options have been exhausted, a player can be released from a roster following approval from a majority of the General Managers in the Division, and the Rocky Division Commissioner. 
            5.3.    Taxi-Pool Players 
            5.3.1. Substitute (Taxi-Pool) players will be obtained by contacting the PSSBL Player Agent or his appointed representative. If the Player Agent cannot be reached, the team may contact the Division Commissioner instead. 
            5.3.2. All players eligible for Taxi-Pool service must have registered for the PSSBL Taxi Pool and paid the fee (if applicable) and must be over 21 years of age as of the end of the current calendar year. Under no circumstance may non-PSSBL players be used. 
            6.       Playoff Information 
            6.1.    Playoff Seeding: Playoff seeds are determined by order of regular season finish and are not affected by playoff game results. 
            6.2.    Tie-breakers 
            6.2.1.For teams with identical regular-season records, the following tiebreakers apply (in order):
            ·                  Results of head-to-head competition
            ·                  A point system that provides more points for victories over higher-seeded teams.
            ·                  Example: In an 8-team division, victories over the top seed are worth 8 points while victories over the 8th seed are worth one point. The higher point total earns the higher seed.
            ·                  The same point system applied in reverse for losses within the division.
            ·                  Coin toss. 
            7.       Determination of Draft Order: Draft order is determined by regular season finish and is not affected by playoff results. Teams draft in the reverse order of the playoff seeds from the previous season. Teams that are new to the division will be added to the end of each round. 
            8.       Miscellaneous 
            8.1.    General Meeting Attendance 
            8.1.1.A team that is not represented at two PSSBL General Meetings in any calendar year will be required to replace the General Manager following the second missed meeting, and prior to the next General Meeting of that calendar year. 
            8.1.2.Additional League penalties apply for any team not represented at a League General Meeting. 
            8.2.    Forfeits 
            8.2.1.A forfeit by any Rocky Division team during the season will result in the mandatory assignment of Taxi-Pool players to the roster for all remaining games on the schedule, arranged by and at the discretion of the Rocky Division Commissioner. 
            8.2.2.A second forfeit during the season by any Rocky Division team will result in exclusion from the playoffs and mandatory replacement of the General Manager prior to the next General Meeting of that calendar year. 
            8.2.3.Additional League penalties apply for any team forced to forfeit a regular season or playoff game. 
            8.3.    Division Naming Convention: Minor League team names (current or former) are required for all new Rocky Division teams unless an exception is approved by a majority vote of the General Managers in the division and by the PSSBL Board of Directors. In addition, new team names are limited to those that have not been used by any current or former Major League teams, and are not currently in use by another member of the PSSBL 
            8.4.    Wood Bat Requirement: The use of wood bats (only) will be required for one weekend on the Rocky Division schedule. The Rocky Division Commissioner will announce official dates prior to the season. This rule will be revisited annually. 
            8.5.    12-run “Mercy” rule 
            8.5.1.For regular season games only.  The rule will NOT apply to playoffs. 
            8.5.2.One team leads by 12 runs or more after 7 complete innings of play. 
            8.5.3.Minimum playing time of 2 hours from the first pitch.
            Sierra Division
            1. GAMES
            1.1. Playing Time 
            1.1.1. Each player in the Sierra Division will be offered a minimum of three innings of defense with one at bat per nine-inning game. Some games are highly likely to be completed prior to the play of nine innings. In the event of such a game, the manager should try to offer at least two innings of defense with one at bat. No minimum is guaranteed if the player arrives after the first pitch of the game, or if a game is shortened to less than seven innings (e.g. rain-out, darkness, etc.) 
            1.1.2. The manager will not force any player to play. It is not the intention of the Sierra Division to guarantee that all players receive equal playing time. 
            1.1.3. In the event a player is injured or is forced to leave the game for another commitment, the player may leave the offensive line up without penalty, provided there are no eligible, available players to take his place. The departing players’ turn at bat will be skipped without recording an out, with the provision that this does not apply where the departing player has been ejected by the umpire. In the case of an ejection with no eligible offensive replacement players, an out will be recorded the first time through the order at the ejected players turn in the order. 
            1.2. Base Runners (rule change approved 02/09/07) 
            1.2.1. A base-runner may have three different types of replacement runners: a courtesy runner, the catcher’s substitute, or a pinch-runner. There are no running restrictions for any of these types of replacement runners. 
            1.2.2. Players who need a courtesy runner must have their manager notify the opposing manager and home plate umpire at the home plate meeting. Otherwise, the opposing manager has the right to refuse the courtesy runner. Each team will be allowed a maximum of two players per game who can be classified as needing a courtesy runner. 
            1.2.3. In the event that a player becomes injured during a game, and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) has been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed unless approved by the opposing manager. 
            1.2.4. If the offensive team replaces the runner with the wrong courtesy runner (a player that was not the last batted out) and the opposing team protests before the next pitch, then the original runner must run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game. 
            1.2.5. If the original runner inadvertently runs for himself and the opposing team protests after the first pitch, the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game.
            1.2.6. If the right to use a courtesy runner is forfeited by violating any of the rules above, the offending team will not have the right to use another courtesy runner for an injured player. (For example: A team designates 2 courtesy runners prior to the game and in the 4th inning, one of the designated runners inadvertently runs for himself. That player then forfeits his right to a courtesy runner for the remainder of the game and the team may only use the one other courtesy runner originally designated. Should a player get injured after this, that player must be pinch run for.) 
            1.2.7. In addition to declared courtesy runners, the catcher, should he be on the bases with two outs in the inning, may utilize a substitute runner. This substitution is optional for the offensive team. Use of the catcher courtesy rule must be agreed upon by both managers prior to the start of the game. 
            1.2.8. All courtesy runners used, as well as the catcher’s substitute runner, must be the “last batted out,” as defined herein. 
            1.2.8.1. For the purpose of these rules, “last batted out” is defined as follows. The last batted out will be the last player, currently in the lineup, to have been declared out through striking a batted ball (the exceptions being strikeouts and outs made while running past first base). If no eligible “last batted out” can be determined from the last four batters to appear at the plate prior to the batter now needing a replacement runner, then the fifth batter prior will become the substitute runner. A player currently on base, or having already declared himself in need of a substitute runner, or a catcher with two outs, obviously is not eligible to become the replacement runner. 
            1.2.8.2 A batter must touch 1st base (or 2nd or 3rd base if there is an extra base hit) and “time” must be granted before he is replaced on the base. 
            1.2.9. If a pinch-runner is used, the pinch-runner must be out of the lineup at that time, and must assume the position in the lineup of the player for whom he is running for the next time through the batting order. 
            1.3. Forfeits 
            1.3.1. A team that forfeits a game will automatically lose its 1st round draft position in the next draft, and the GM will be suspended for one game. For an additional forfeit, the team will lose a buddy pick from the next season, and the GM will be suspended for two games. 
            1.3.2. In the event of two forfeits in a single season, the status of the team and the general manager will be reviewed by the Commissioner, and reported to all other GMs. Possible ramifications include asking the team’s GM to resign, the team to be prohibited from registering for the following season, or the team to be barred from the playoffs. This will be determined by a vote of all Divisional GMs. 
            1.3.3. There are no limitations to the number of players a team may carry on a roster, and there are plenty of taxi-pool players. Thus, there is no reason to ever forfeit. However, if circumstances are deemed extraordinary, a team’s GM may appeal the penalties in the league-wide rules to the Commissioner. This appeal is only possible for a first forfeit. 
            1.4 Dugout Selection 
            1.4.1 The home team has the right to choose which dugout or bench it will occupy for the game.
            1.5 Use of Wood Bats, Wood Bat Games
            1.5.1 The official bat of the Sierra Division is metal, per the PSSBL bat standards.
            1.5.2 Any player may use a wood bat (per the PSSBL bat standards) in any game.
            1.5.3 Any two GM’s of any two teams may agree prior to a game to use wood bats in the game.  If the teams decide to use wood bats, no player may use metal bats in the game.
            1.5.4 Certain fields are designated as “Wood Bat Recommended” and wood bats (per the PSSBL bat standard) are suggested and recommended to be used on these fields whenever a Sierra Division game is played on the field.  If the GM’s/teams agree the game is to be wood bat, no player may use a metal bat on these fields.  The list of “Wood Bat Recommended” fields is specified and approved by the Division GM’s prior to each season.
            1.5.5 The Commissioner will also designate a “Wood Bat Weekend” each season.  During the ‘Wood Bat Weekend” all games played at any and all fields for that weekend by all teams in the Sierra Division will be “Wood Bat Only” and no metal bats shall be used by any player.  Exception: If one or both teams are not prepared for a wood bat game (such as failure to communicate with Players) the GM’s may agree prior to the game to use metal bats.  Rules 1.5.2 through 1.5.4 still apply to this exception.
            2. Rosters 
            2.1. Buddy Picks 
            2.1.1. Each team shall be award two (2) buddy picks unless the team finishes with a combined regular season and post-season winning percentage of less than .400.  Teams finishing below a .400 winning percentage shall be awarded four (4) buddy picks.  The Commissioner may, at his discretion, award an additional buddy pick to the last place team, if he deems it appropriate. The Commissioner may also, at any time prior to the draft, award an additional buddy pick to a team having less than ten players on the roster. 
            2.1.2. Buddy picks may not be traded, transferred, nor carried forward to another season. Nor can a player chosen as a buddy pick be traded in his first season of play. 
            2.1.3. Unused buddy picks may be added by a GM prior to the team’s 12th game of the season. If game play has already begun, the GM should obtain the consent of his team prior to adding a player to the roster in this way. 
            2.2. The Draft 
            2.2.1. Draft order is determined by final standings, defined as the overall W-L record combining the regular season and playoff games. Teams draft in the reverse order of their final standing, from bottom to top. Teams that are new to the division will be added to the end of each round (see New Teams section.) There will be as many rounds as needed until no team is willing to draft a player. 
            2.2.2. It is not necessary to draft a player if a team’s roster is sufficiently ample to meet the demands of the forthcoming season. However, each team should participate in the try-out process by offering representatives to assist the League’s Player Agent and President on try-out days. 
            2.3. Immediate Family 
            2.3.1. A family member, for the purpose of these rules, is strictly defined as a parent, sibling, child or spouse. 
            2.3.2. A team may draft an immediate family member of a player drafted by declaring its intent at the time it drafts the first of the family members, in exchange for its regular third round pick. 
            2.3.3. A team may add a player to its roster that is an immediate family member of a returning player without expending a Buddy Pick or subjecting the player to the PSSBL draft. These picks must be added to the team before the season’s draft. A team may only use this rule once per season.
            2.4. Returning Players
            2.4.1. A team may add any player who is returning to the division after more than a one year absence to their roster without using a buddy pick, draft pick, or other compensation, PROVIDED the team was the last team who owned the player’s rights.  For this rule, a team last owned the rights of a player if the team was the last Sierra team for which the player played AND the player was not either subsequently officially traded or cut.  This returning player in this case, since he has sat out for over a year, is a free agent and is not required to return to the team which last owned his rights.
            3. Taxi-Pool Use 
            3.1. A GM or manager of a team should never allow his team to forfeit a game through being unable to field a team on-time. The penalties are discussed in the League and Sierra rules, and are severe. The GM or manager has access to the Taxi-Pool of players in order to prevent this from ever being an occurrence. 
            3.2. Fill in (taxi-pool) players will be obtained through the use of the official PSSBL online taxi pool system on the PSSBL web site or by contacting the Player Agent. The Player Agent (or the League President, if the Player Agent cannot be contacted) should be given at least 48 hours notice. The Player Agent and League President will have the list of eligible Taxi Pool players. 
            3.3. A team must make a new request online or to the Player agent every time it needs a player.  If the GM contacts the Player Agent directly to obtain a list, the list, in whatever form, must be brought to the game and surrendered to the opposing GM or manager upon request. Teams may not contact the same players repeatedly. If you believe a taxi-pool player was used illegally, contact the Commissioner and an investigation will be made. 
            3.4. Taxi-pool players will not be allowed to pitch, unless agreed to by the opposing team’s GM or manager prior to the start of the game. 
            3.5. Teams may not call anyone, other than those on his Taxi-Pool list, to play. An exception will be made if you have not received a response via the onlie taxi pool tool AND you called the Player Agent at least 48 hours in advance of the game and you were not able to get any taxi pool players to turn out. You must call the Commissioner before the game and get a verbal OK to call a player known to you. The contacted player may only play if they are the 8th or 9th player. As soon as you have 9 eligible players, the contacted player must then leave the game. 
            3.6. Using an ineligible player will result in your team forfeiting that game, at minimum. 
            3.7. All taxi-pool players utilized must be at least 35 years of age within the calendar year, and have registered for the PSSBL Taxi Pool, and paid the dues. 
            3.8. All taxi pool players asked to participate in a game will receive at least three innings of defensive play and will be in the lineup for the entire course of the game, with the exception of injury. 
            3.9. GMs must report the names of taxi pool players on the lineup card at the beginning of the game. Winning teams must report any taxi pool players utilized by either team when officially reporting the scores of games. 
            3.10. A team using a taxi-pool player must bat every available roster player in the batting lineup, including, of course, the taxi-pool player. 
            3.11. Taxi-pool players are not eligible for the playoffs. 
            4. Trades 
            4.1. A player may be traded with the consent of the player. The division will attempt to accommodate player requests to change teams, so long as the change is not initiated by one of the other existing teams, and so long as the team losing the player is adequately compensated. 
            4.2. Trades must be approved by all players involved, and both GMs. As well, the Commissioner may defer approval of a trade to determine if it is beneficial to all parties involved, including the Division. 
            4.3. All trades must be filed with the PSSBL Player Agent on the proper form in order to be official. 
            4.4. Draft choices are allowed as compensation in trades. 
            5. Cuts 
            5.1. Cuts can be made at the discretion of the GM, keeping in mind the best interests of the team and the player. 
            5.2. Cuts should only be made between the end of the season (after the championship game) and the League cut deadline. 
            6. New Teams 
            6.1 A new team to the Division must first gain the approval of the Commissioner, and of the League Board. 
            6.2. A new team can have a multitude of meanings: a hybrid of several disbanded teams, the nucleus of a team from another PSSBL Division, or a team with a nucleus of players who are from outside the PSSBL. 
            7. POST-SEASON 
            7.1. Playoffs 
            7.1.1. Playoff seeds are determined by order of regular season finish. 
            7.1.2. Once play-in games have been played, if any are scheduled, the play-offs are to be a double-elimination tournament until a champion has been determined. 
            7.1.3. If two, or more, teams finish the season with identical regular-season records, the following tiebreakers apply (in order) to determine playoff seeding: 
            a. Results of head-to-head competition, (not total runs scored, just wins). 
            b. A point system that provides more points for victories over higher finishing teams. Example: In a 10-team division, victories against the first place team are worth 10 points while victories against the 10th place team are worth one point. The higher point total earns the higher seed. 
            c. The same point system applied in reverse for losses within the division. Example: In a 10-team division, losses to the first place team are worth 1 point while losses to the 10th place team are worth 10 points. The lower point total earns the higher seed. 
            d. Rock-paper-scissors.
            7.2. Division Most Valuable Player (MVP)
            7.2.1. After the end of the regular season, a Sierra Division Regular Season MVP (not counting post-season performance) shall be determined each year based on the following process:
            a. Each GM shall submit the names of three (3) worthy players from their own team to the Commissioner prior to the first playoff game.
            b. All players in good standing from all teams in the Sierra Division shall vote for one player from the complete list of submitted names.  Players may not vote for players on their own team, however.
            c. The MVP is the player with the simple majority of votes.
            d. In the event of a tie for first place, a second vote of all players from all teams will occur with only those players who tied for first place on the ballot.  Players MAY vote for a player from their own team in this instance.  This process shall be repeated until a winner is determined by a simple majority.
            8. All-Star Game  
            8.1. Should All-Star games be organized by the League, each team will elect three players to participate in the game, as well as three alternates. The game is normally held prior to, or during the playoffs. At the discretion of the Commissioner, in order to field two full teams, the number of participants per team may be increased. 
            8.2. There may also be one, or more, inter-Divisional All-Star games scheduled. The Commissioner will be entitled to invite players from any team, as he sees fit, in order to field a competitive team. 
            9. Other Tournaments  
            9.1. All players are encouraged, as they see fit and are able, to form teams to participate in Regional and/or National tournaments. The GMs and Commissioner are willing to offer assistance in supporting the organization of such Tournament teams.
            Smoky Division
            1.       Forfeits
            1.1.    After the first forfeit, the Commissioner shall warn the team.
            1.2.    If that team forfeits a second time, the team shall be disbanded.
            1.3.    Note: There is no excuse for forfeiting a game because players are always available from the PSSBL Taxi Pool. If a team is disbanded, every effort will be made to readjust the playing schedule so the remaining teams do not lose any game dates because of the removal of the forfeiting team.
            2.       Ejections: The Division will not levy any additional penalties. The PSSBL has in place specific penalties for ejected players.
            3.       Missed Meetings: The Smoky Division has no penalty for missed meetings other than that adopted by the PSSBL
            4.       Courtesy Runners
            4.1.    Each team is allowed to designate two (2) players for whom courtesy runners will be used. 
            4.2.    These players must be designated prior to the start of the game or their courtesy runner option is waived.
            4.3.    If a player for whom a courtesy runner was not designated needs a runner during the game, a pinch runner may be used.
            4.4.    The courtesy runner shall be the last batted out. A batted out is defined as a batter who, at the immediate conclusion of his at bat, has not reached base or has been put out and is no longer on base. That is, if the batter is put out before safely reaching base or is put out trying to stretch a single into a double or over running a base, he is a batted out. Once the ball is returned to the mound or time is called, and a batter remains on base, he can no longer be considered a batted out. That is, once the ball is returned to the mound or if time was called after the conclusion of his at bat, the batter does not become a batted out, even if the batter is picked off before the next pitch is thrown. If no player has been a batted out, then the courtesy runner would be the player at the bottom of the batting order. By way of illustration: If the leadoff batter reaches first base and has been designated to have a courtesy runner, the last batter in the order who is not designated to have a courtesy runner would run. 
            In the event of an A/B batting position needing a courtesy runner, the other batting position would be the courtesy runner. (For example: If the position B batter needs a courtesy runner, the A batter will be the courtesy runner for B instead of the last batted out.)
            4.5.    A batter must touch 1st base (or 2nd or 3rd base if there is an extra base hit) and “time” must be called before the courtesy runner replaces that player.
            4.6.    A courtesy runner does not have to be used in every single incident. A player, even though designated to have a courtesy runner, may run for himself, if he sees fit to do so. If the courtesy runner is waived, the runner who waived the courtesy runner must run or use a pinch runner for the duration of that time on the bases. However, the courtesy runner is not waived for the duration of the game.
            4.7.    If a player for whom no courtesy runner has been designated at the start of the game becomes injured to the extent that he cannot run (players may still be able to field or pitch, but not be able to run the bases), a pinch runner must be used.
            4.8.    There is no automatic courtesy runner for catchers when there are two (2) outs. If both GMs agree at the start of the game, teams may agree to use a courtesy runner for catchers when there are two (2) outs.
            5.       Wood Bats
            5.1.    Laminated and wood composite are allowed. Bats with wood barrels but with aluminum or other non-wood handles are not allowed.
            5.2.    The penalty for using an illegal bat is the same as batting out of order.
            5.3.    The batter is out and all runners must return to the bases occupied prior to the batter putting the ball in play.
            5.4.    The fact that an illegal bat was used must be brought to the umpire’s attention prior to the next pitch being thrown. As in the case of batting out of order, the penalty can be waived by the defense, if the defense elects to let the play stand.
            6.       Dugouts: The home team shall use the 3rd base dugout and the visiting team shall use the 1st base dugout.
            7.       Player Rosters
            7.1.    All Smoky Division rosters must have at least 15 fully-paid players throughout the entire season, regardless of any refunds and/or less than 15 active players on the roster.
            7.2.    Ex-Professional Players
            An ex-professional player must be out of professional baseball for at least ten (10) years to be eligible to play in the Smoky Division.
            7.3.    Buddy Picks
            7.3.1.The number of buddy picks shall be determined by the Commissioner and Smoky GMs at the end of the current season for the following year. Some of the possibilities include an unlimited number per team; the same fixed number for all teams, or a number based on the team’s overall W-L record, including the regular season and the playoffs. In determining the number of buddy picks, consideration may also be given to a team’s number of forfeits, ejections and missed meetings.
            7.4.    Draft Picks        
            7.4.1.The order of draft picks for the next season will also be finalized for each team immediately after the end of the preceding season. Draft picks shall be determined as a result of a team’s W-L record (including the regular season and the playoffs) and trades.
            IMPORTANT: If a Smoky team makes a trade in good faith with another Smoky team which is subsequently penalized, it shall be assumed for trade purposes that the team not in violation will retain its original position in the Draft. If it is a trade for a Buddy Pick, that trade shall also be honored on behalf of the non-violating team, as if no penalty had occurred.
            7.5.     Trades
            7.5.1.All trades must be approved by both of the GMs involved and the Smoky Division Commissioner.
            7.5.2.When players are involved, they must also agree to the terms of the trade.
            7.5.3.All trades must be filed with the PSSBL Player Agent in order to be official.
            7.6.    Taxi-Pool Players
            7.6.1.A Taxi Pool player may be used if a team expects to have less than twelve (12) players at a game.
            7.6.2.The Player Agent (or the Commissioner, if the Player Agent cannot be contacted) must have at least 48 hours notice. The Player Agent and Commissioner will have the list of eligible Taxi Pool players.
            7.6.3.Taxi Pool players may be from within the Smoky Division and must be ages 48 and over. Taxi Pool players cannot pitch, unless approved by both managers prior to game time.
            7.6.4.The opposing team must be notified about the Taxi Pool player before game time at home plate when the line-ups are exchanged.
            7.6.5.The opposing team must be notified about the Taxi Pool player before game time at home plate when the line-ups are exchanged.
            7.6.6.A Taxi Pool player must play at least three (3) innings in the field and get two (2) at-bats.
            7.6.7.If a team uses a non-Taxi Pool player as a replacement player, the team shall forfeit that game.
            7.7.    Playoff Eligibility: To be eligible for the playoffs a Smoky Division player must have paid for at least half the season. The number of games actually participated in has no bearing upon playoff eligibility.
            8.       Minimum Playing Time: There is no minimum playing time rule. Smoky players should be encouraged to speak first with his or her team GM or field manager before going to the PSSBL Player Agent about lack of playing time.
            9.       Uniforms / Conduct: All Smoky players shall be in full uniform when stepping onto the playing field. All Smoky players should at least look like baseball players. The only exception might be those new players (and occasionally returning players) who must purchase new uniforms. They shall have a grace period until June 1st. Procrastination or inefficiency are not excuses.
            10.   Disputes, Etc.: If there is a dispute regarding the levy of certain penalties, the GMs shall vote. The Smoky Player Agent or the Commissioner shall be the tie breaker, depending on whether or not their own team is involved in the controversy. Otherwise, all of the above policies, rules and penalties shall apply.
            Teton Division
            1.       Playing Time
            1.1.    Offense and Defense
            1.1.1. Each player in the Teton Division will be offered to play offense and defense during league play.  It is strictly the player’s decision if he/she wants to play.  In the spirit of the Teton Recreation Division, all players at the game will be encouraged to play.  A player may be added to the bottom of the lineup if he/she chooses to hit after the game has started and had not been included in the original starting lineup.  Designated Hitters are permitted in the Teton Division both during league play and during the playoffs. 
            1.1.2. Defensive position assignments and the batting order are entirely at the discretion of the General Manager (or a designated Field Manager if applicable).
            1.2.    Offense
            1.2.1. A player may leave the offensive line-up without penalty (to the team) if the player is injured or is forced to leave the game for another commitment. The departing player’s turn at bat will be skipped without recording an out, with the provision that this does not apply where the departing player has been ejected by the umpire. In the case of an ejection, an out will be recorded the first time through the order at the ejected players turn in the order.
            1.2.2. If a player leaves the offensive lineup for any reason, that player is no longer eligible to return to the game, offensively or defensively.
            2.       General
            2.1.    Participation is voluntary; players are ‘encouraged’ but will not be forced to play.  Players leaving the lineup will not be allowed to return in the same game.  Players are strongly discouraged from leaving the offensive or defensive lineup for ‘competitive’ reasons, and a GM may not suggest or deny a player playing time for competitive reasons.  Leaving play for ‘competitive’ reasons may result in a forfeit of the game and a one game suspension to the player and/or GM for the 1st offense as determined by the Teton Division Commissioner.  Additional penalties may be imposed as determined by the Teton Division Commissioner for additional offenses. 
            2.2.    Any player who feels their manager has defaulted on their responsibility to provide minimum playing time has the right to discuss the issue with their General Manager, the League Player Agent, and/or the Teton Division Commissioner.
            3.       Inning Limitation for Pitchers
            3.1.    Five-Inning Maximum
            3.1.1. All pitchers in Teton Division games are limited to a maximum of five innings per game. All innings pitched by an individual pitcher must be consecutive, regardless of the total number of innings pitched.
            3.1.2. Partial innings pitched for the purposes of this rule are counted toward the five-inning maximum as full innings. For example, a pitcher entering the game with two outs in the first inning (and remaining in the game as the pitcher) has exhausted his/her eligibility after the fifth inning of that game.
            4.       Courtesy Runners
            4.1.    Declared: A maximum of two players requesting courtesy runners can be declared prior to the exchange of line-up cards before a game. The courtesy runner must be the last batted out (unless that player is injured or also a declared player requesting a courtesy runner). In the event that no outs have been recorded in the game for the batting team, the courtesy runner must be the last player in the batting order. Courtesy runners are allowed to steal and have no other limitations.
            4.2.    Injuries: Injury replacements are allowed in addition to any declared courtesy runners. However, injury replacements are not allowed to steal or advance on passed balls. Injury replacements are only allowed to advance when the ball is put into play by the batter. Injured players must be replaced by the last batted out (unless that player is injured or a declared player requesting a courtesy runner), or by the last player in the batting order if no outs have been recorded in the game for the batting team.
            5.       Roster Information
            5.1.    Roster Additions
            5.1.1. All players must be added to Teton Division rosters via the draft, with three possible exceptions: Free Agent Picks, family members, and players in good standing.
            5.1.2. Each Teton Division GM has the opportunity to select a Field Manager to assist with team activities and administration.
            5.1.3. Prior to the first league tryout of the season, a maximum of two family members of players on a roster can be added to that team’s roster if approved by the team General Manager and the Commissioner. If a pair of family members attends the league tryouts and would like to play on a team together, the first of the two players will require a draft choice, and the second will be added to the roster (without consuming a draft choice). Family members are strictly defined and limited to the legal definition of one of the following: Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, son-in-laws, and daughter-in-laws.
            5.2.    Roster Subtractions
            5.2.1. Players on a Teton Division team may be “waived” by the team GM and placed on the “Waiver Wire”.  In an effort to find the waived player a new team, the team GM can attempt to trade the player to another team for which the waived player qualifies to play.  The trade is completed after both GM’s agree on the trade, and the Teton Division Commissioner has been notified.  The waived player may also contact any PSSBL team which he qualifies to play for according the PSSBL League Rules.  The waived player may also enter the subsequent PSSBL draft.  Once the GM has notified the player that he has been waived, the GM will also submit the player’s name to the Teton Division Commissioner and the PSSBL Player Agent.
            5.2.2.    Roster Limitations: Each team will have minimum 15 players or league designated minimum.  There will be no maximum limit specified.  Each GM will determine how many players they need to guarantee minimum players in attendance for all games, while ensuring minimum playing rules are complied with.
            6.       Taxi-Pool Players
            6.1.    All rules listed for Taxi-Pool players in the PSSBL League Rules also apply to the Teton Division except the following minor modifications:
            6.1.1. Substitute (Taxi-Pool) players will be obtained by contacting the PSSBL Player Agent
            6.1.2. All players eligible for Taxi-Pool service must have registered for the PSSBL Taxi Pool and paid the dues (if applicable) and must be over 35 years of age as of the end of the current calendar year.
            6.1.3. Taxi Pool players may not pitch unless agreed by the opposing GM prior to the game.
            7.       Playoff Information
            7.1.    Playoff Seeding: Playoff seeds are determined by order of regular season finish and are not affected by playoff game results.
            7.2.    Tie-breakers: For teams with identical regular-season records, the following tiebreakers apply (in order):
            ·              Results of head-to-head competition
            ·              A point system that provides more points for victories over higher-seeded teams.
            ·              Example: In an 8-team division, victories over the top seed are worth 8 points while victories over the 8th seed are worth one point. The higher point total earns the higher seed.
            ·              The same point system applied in reverse for losses within the division.
            ·              Coin toss.
            8.       Determination of Draft Order
            8.1.    Inverse order of regular season finish results as announced prior to the draft by the Teton Division Commissioner prior to the draft. Teams that are new to the division will be added to the end of each round.
            9.       Miscellaneous
            9.1.    General Meeting Attendance
            9.1.1. A team that is not represented at two PSSBL General Meetings in any calendar year may be required to replace the General Manager following the second missed meeting, and prior to the next General Meeting of that calendar year.
            9.1.2. Additional League penalties apply for any team not represented at a League General Meeting.
            9.2.    Forfeits
            9.2.1. A forfeit by any Teton Division team during the season may result in the mandatory assignment of Taxi-Pool players to the roster for all remaining games on the schedule, arranged by and at the discretion of the Teton Division Commissioner.
            9.2.2. A second forfeit during the season by any Teton Division team may result in exclusion from the playoffs and mandatory replacement of the General Manager prior to the next General Meeting of that calendar year.
            9.2.3. Additional League penalties apply for any team forced to forfeit a regular season or playoff game.
            9.3.    Division Naming Convention
            9.3.1. Minor League team names (current or former) are required for all new Teton Division teams unless an exception is approved by a majority vote of the General Managers in the division and by the PSSBL Board of Directors. In addition, new team names are limited to those that have not been used by any current or former Major League teams, and are not currently in use by another member of the PSSBL
            9.4.    Wood Bat Requirement
            9.4.1. Wood Bats- Use of league approved wood bats will be allowed by all players at all times.
            9.4.2. All interdivision games scheduled with Smoky or Adirondack Division teams will be wood bat only. 
            9.4.4. Any Teton Division game which opposing GM’s both agree and designate prior to play may be played wood bat only. 
            Document History
            Document Version Number
            Date
            Revision Summary
            Changed By
            2006
            5/3/2006
            Updated for 2006
            Bill Lapp, Jason Rivers,
            Matt Basket
            2007a
            2/4/2007
            Removed Baker Division Rules; Removed Rainier Division Rules; Added draft for Missed Meetings Rule and Illegal Player Rule; Added rule for Olympic Division Draft; Added Teton Division to use same rules as Rocky Division
            Victor Ovena
            2007b
            4/9/2007
            New 12 run “mercy” rule for Rocky and Teton Divisions replaces old 15 run “mercy” rule.
            Victor Ovena
            2007c
            4/25/2007
            Updated Cascade “Ex-Pro“ rule
            Updated Sierra Division base runner rules
             Updated Cascade “Buddy pick” rule
            Victor Ovena
            2008a
            2/4/2008
            Added helmet rule for base coaches.
            Victor Ovena
            2008b
            3/3/2008
            Adams Division Rules. Cascade courtesy runner. League wide A/B batting position
            Victor Ovena
            2008c
            4/14/2008
            Teton rules separated from Rocky rules. Updates to general rules per Tom Krause (League President). Updates to the Adams rules per Matt LeClair (Adams Commissioner). Updates to Teton rules per Tom Howerton (Teton Commissioner).
            Victor Ovena
            2008d
            4/14/2008
            Approved by PSSBL board of directors for 2008 season
            Victor Ovena
            2008e
            6/12/2008
            Added the Adirondack rules. Changed the numbering format to make it easier to reference rules.
            Victor Ovena
            2009a
            4/3/2009
            Addition to PSSBL Bat rule:
            1.3.1.1  Altering of bats
            Changes Cascade Division rule 1.1 to “unlimited Buddy Picks”
            Added to Olympic Division Rule 7: Draft (7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 are new for 2009).
            Victor Ovena
            2011
            4/10/2011
            Updates to General Rules as approved by the PSSBL Board of Directors for 2011 season
            Updates to Teton Division rules per Mike Ruger (Teton Commissioner)
            Updates to Sierra Division rules per Wayne Ottum (Sierra Commissioner)
            Wayne Ottum