PSSBL 2013 League Information

It is recommended that you read this in its entirety, especially if you are participating in the tryouts and/or are a new player.

Welcome to the 2013 PSSBL!

We are now in our 25th year of play. This document should answer most of your questions concerning the League, tryouts, costs and the operations of the PSSBL. If it doesn’t, there are names of contact people at the end of this information who would be glad to provide more information. We are here to help.

What is the PSSBL?

The Puget Sound Senior Baseball League (PSSBL) is a non-profit adult baseball organization which was started in 1989 for adults (ages 19-70+) who wanted to “revisit their youth” and play hardball. We started in 1989 with only 4 teams. By 1999 we had grown to 29 teams, and in the years since then, we have grown to 67 teams. We are one of the largest baseball leagues in the world and easily the largest in the Pacific Northwest.

Unlike our national affiliate, the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL), we do not include “Men’s” in our name because there are currently a few women playing in the PSSBL. Therefore, any reference to “he” or “his” hereinafter may also apply to the female gender. Our motto is “Don’t Go Soft, Play Hardball.” The PSSBL is now recognized as one of the premier sports operations in the Puget Sound area. This year there will be 67 teams in nine age and skill divisions with well over 1,000 players participating. There are other “leagues”, but they do not rise to the level of PSSBL’s competition, organization, professionalism and respect in the baseball community among colleges, high schools, park and recreation departments and school districts.

How many divisions are there and how many games are played?

In extremely rare cases when unplayable weather is frequent, a team’s regular season schedule could be less than a complete season. This has only happened a handful of times in 20+ years. A strong effort is always made to reschedule all rained out games.

Your age for eligibility is anytime during the calendar year 2013. For example, if you are not 19 until December 31, 2013, you are still eligible for the 2013 season.

What is meant by Unlimited, Advanced, Intermediate, and Recreational?

The Olympic Division is designated as “Unlimited”. This means a high level of competition for any player over the age of 19. There are no restrictions on the number of buddy picks or ex-professional players a team may have on the roster. “Advanced” divisions such as Cascade, Sierra, Smoky and Everest feature a high level of competition in different age categories with varying rules which may restrict player acquisition and/or the number of ex-pros allowed. The Adams is listed as an “Intermediate” division which features restricted player acquisition rules, certain playing time rules, ex-pro restrictions, and a generally good level of play consistent with the age group of each division.

“Recreational” divisions Rocky, Teton and Adirondack are for players who wish a more relaxed environment, while still being competitive. These divisions feature restrictive player acquisition rules, designated playing time for all, and a friendly atmosphere for the more casual player.

What is the cost?

The cost is around $20 per game (see 2013 Registration Dues below). Pretty cheap sports entertainment when you compare it to the cost of a round of golf, an afternoon of bowling or a day of skiing, not to mention a Mariners, Seahawks or Huskies game. These dues cover almost everything – use of the best fields, umpires, baseballs, national dues, and eligibility in the World Series in Phoenix, as well as other regional, national and international tournaments.

Players need to pay for their own uniforms. These run approximately $80 – 125, but most teams have used uniforms available at a reduced price. This is a one-time expense if you stay on the same team each year. All uniforms emulate (team names and designs) professional Major League, Minor League, or Negro League teams. No sponsors are allowed on uniforms.

Even though we are not the greatest ballplayers in the world, the League insists that we all at least dress and look like baseball players. It is an important image to project, especially to the people who rent their fields to us. Keep in mind, we’re granted access to some fields that are not available to other adult leagues.

2013 Player Dues Schedule

The Rocky Division plays 20 games, while the Teton, Everest and Adirondack Divisions play 18 games (others play 24), hence, the lower dues.

The standard operating expenses (field rentals, umpires, insurance, baseballs, etc.) are nearly $500,000 annually. We are a Federal and state recognized non-profit corporation. The PSSBL spends nearly $8,000 per year in newspaper, radio, and TV advertising to assist in recruiting new players to the League which is why your dues will be lower your second year…and all years that follow. The funds the League collects by means of asking the new players to pay $40 more pays for only a very small percentage of advertising costs and the tryouts.

When must these dues be paid?

Registration dues must be paid (in full) on or by March 27, 2013 for returning players and for new players. For tryout players, it is EXTREMELY CRITICAL you understand that if your payment isn’t RECEIVED by March 27, 2013, your name will be removed from the draftable list and you can’t play in 2013. Do NOT mail the check on March 25th or 26th, as it won’t be received in time for the draft on March 30th (which starts at noon) and your money will be returned.

The League has a “No Pay, No Play” policy. If you pay and are not drafted (infrequent), your payment will be refunded quickly. Remember, we want players who are serious and no team can or will draft a player who hasn’t paid. Teams will not be permitted to pay the dues of a tryout player on Draft Day so they may draft them. If a player is drafted and changes his mind, that team will have been placed in a very difficult position. They’d have to fill that spot at a time when all available players have been drafted.

To whom must you pay?

You may pay by check or credit card. You will need to register online in either case. Check payments for your registration dues are payable to the PSSBL and should be submitted to:

Eric Koosmann, PSSBL Treasurer
PO Box 577
Seattle, WA 98111-0177

Online Registration

You may register online, which includes agreeing to the terms of the Waiver of Liability. It takes only a few minutes. You can pay dues at this time with a credit card or mail in a check. Until you pay in full, your registration is considered pending. The League strongly urges all players to register online by using the link on our homepage.

Is the Waiver of Liability important?

It’s not simply important, it’s mandatory (no exceptions). Your GM, President Tom Evans Krause or Player Agent Scott Dillinger will have hard copies of Registration Forms as well and Waivers of Liability if you cannot register electronically. The League strongly encourages online electronic registration with electronic signature as opposed to filling out the hard copy.

Will my information be kept confidential

Your e-mail address we ask for is used only by the League so you may receive pertinent League information. Your e-mail address is not sold to any outside agency. This policy is strictly enforced by League officials.

How many Tryout sessions must I attend?

One is enough, however, it is always better to attend a couple so all the General Managers get a good look at your skills. It also tells them that you are enthusiastic about playing. And, of course, if you wait until the last tryout session and it rains, you’re out of luck.

What must I do at Tryouts?

Just relax and have fun. You will be asked to demonstrate your skills as related to your desired position(s). This may mean hitting, running, throwing and fielding. Running will be voluntary, but if you show off good foot speed, it is an excellent skill for senior players. If you are a pitcher or catcher, you will, of course, be asked to pitch or catch. You should try out for all the positions you want to play in the PSSBL.

Don’t “sandbag” or hide your skills so some General Managers will overlook you in the hope you can get on another team of your choice. If you are caught (and you will be) you will not be able to play in the League for at least two years, and there will be no refund of your player dues.

Tryouts – When and Where

If you wish to play (and you are not on a team yet), you must attend at least one (1) tryout to be eligible to be drafted. Tryouts will be held alternately at Edmonds Community College, 20000 68th Avenue W, Lynnwood, WA 98086 and Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007. Ages 35+ try out from 9am-noon. Ages 19+ try out from 12-noon-3pm. Please check in one-half hour before your start time.

• Sunday, March 10 (Edmonds Community College), 2013
• Saturday, March 16 (Bellevue College), 2013
• Sunday, March 24 (Edmonds Community College), 2013

Note: Three issues regarding the tryouts and draft were implemented by the Board on 2/1/2005. It is highly recommended to read the tryout rules that were introduced.

PSSBL Draft

The PSSBL Draft will be held at Fisher Plaza in the conference room adjacent to Sport Restauant.

• Saturday, March 30, 2013

What if you do not get drafted after trying-out?

Most players who pay the League registration dues will get drafted, so you’ve got a great chance of playing. In subsequent years some players move up to a more competitive division after showing their skills, or polishing their skills after many years of inactivity. With 9 different age/skill Divisions, we have room for most all ages and most all levels of talent. If you do not get drafted, we will promptly refund your money.

What if you get drafted by a team and refuse to report?

Simply put, you don’t get to play and you don’t get a refund. The PSSBL wants to ensure parity, which is the reason for the PSSBL Draft. Before the actual Draft, you need to decide if you really have the time, desire and money to play. Certainly not after! To be fair to the team drafting you, you should be available to play in at least 75% of the games. If you refuse to report after being drafted, you will not be able to play in the PSSBL for two (2) years. And there will be no refund of your registration dues. If you ‘drop out’ on the team that drafted you, that team loses a valuable draft pick and will be without a player for a full season. Thus, the severe penalty.

Do you need to be in shape?

Like John Kruk of the Phillies once said, ‘I’m not an athlete, I’m a baseball player.’ So there is hope for all of us. At this senior level, the player who is in good condition can often times outperform a more skilled player.

What if you have not played for awhile?

Welcome to the crowd. Almost everyone now playing in the PSSBL had not played for a number of years. If you played some high school baseball, you probably won’t have any trouble competing. Actually, there are some good players in the League who were outstanding athletes in other sports, but never played baseball during their youth. Give it a whirl; there is no cost to try out.

What about equipment?

Besides purchasing your uniform, there’s your glove, cleats (metal and/or plastic) and other personal gear that you must have. Most teams will have bats to use, but these usually belong to individual players. You are encouraged to have your own bat and batting helmet. A helmet that fits can be purchased for $15-40 from a baseball catalog or a sporting goods store. Wood bats are mandatory if you play in the 19+ Olympic Division, 35+ Teton Division, 45+ Smoky Division or 55+ Everest and Adirondack Divisions. You may use metal bats in the other divisions, but no metal bat may have a differential of greater than -3 and must be BBCOR certified (Length can’t be more than 3 ounces more than the weight in ounces).

For the Tryouts, you are strongly encouraged to bring your own bat and helmet. Generally, each catcher has his own equipment. Don’t forget to mark your equipment in case it gets misplaced.

Where are the games played?

As the premier adult league in the area, we are privileged to play on the best fields available in the greater Puget Sound area. These fields are located in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. They include Everett Memorial Stadium, Husky Ballpark, Bellevue College, Edmonds Community College, Lower Woodland Park, Kent Memorial Park, Peter Kirk Park, Bannerwood Sports Park, and many others. The league will play approximately 840 games this season. We continually strive to improve the overall field quality in our game inventory through feedback from teams and by working with the schools and communities who provide the venues.

When are the games?

Generally, teams will average two (2) games per week over the regular season with fewer games in May and June and more games in July and August. Weekday games on unlit fields usually begin at 6:00 pm and at 7:00 pm or 7:30 pm at lighted fields. Most games will last a full nine innings; a few will end earlier due to darkness or field-specific time limits.

Is there a minimum playing time rule?

The PSSBL does not have such a League-wide rule, but the Adams, Adirondack, Sierra, Rocky and Teton Divisions have rules that regulate this. However, we do encourage all our Divisions to be fair about playing time because everyone pays to play. Many teams have policies of playing every player who shows up for the game both offensively and in the field.

Rainouts

We’ll have rainouts, no doubt. The League Rainout Line is 425-644-1901. Every effort is made to post rainout information at least 2 hours before the scheduled first pitch. Obviously, at times this is impossible. Be patient. Remember, you’re not the only one playing on any given day. Some Saturdays or Sundays we’ll be playing over 30 games league-wide, so there are a lot of field conditions to monitor. The rainout hotline can be called 24 hours a day. Some days it will be updated numerous times. An effort will be made to contact the GM of a team whose game is rained out, but at times this can’t be done. Every player is encouraged to call the Rainout Line several times throughout the day.

What is the role of the General Manager (GM)?

The GM is the key to the overall success of this League. He is the main link between you and the League, especially with respect to communications. He must attend all monthly PSSBL General Meetings, handle all administration and managerial functions. The GM may appoint an on-the-field manager, but in the eyes of the League the GM is the boss of his team. Click at top in the menu on “General Manager” to learn more about the General Manager’s role. However, the game strategy and decision making responsibilities on game day are those of the Field Manager, not the GM.

At the end of each season, every General Manager’s performance may be reviewed by the League. It takes a majority vote of the team’s players to “fire” a GM, and they must have a qualified replacement for the ousted GM. This may be done at any time.

Once on a team, can I change teams?

No, not within your division, unless a suitable trade can be worked out. You can request to be traded at any time as long as both General Managers agree and the League approves it. If you are unhappy at the end of a season, you may go back into the Draft the following year by trying out again and, if you are selected, you can join another team within that division. Once you are on a team’s roster, you are no longer a free agent within that division. For more information, please read the “Player’s Rights”/league/playerRights.aspx” document.

When is the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series?

The MSBL World Series is played in Arizona and the MSBL Fall Classic is played in Florida during the months of October and November. Participation is voluntary. Some teams will bring an “All-Star” team that is different than their regular season team.

What umpires are used in the PSSBL?

The best available. The same professional umpires are used by the local high schools and colleges. Like the players, they make mistakes, but experience has proven that overall they make fewer mistakes (both mental and physical) than the players.

How does the PSSBL deal with discipline?

The best approach is not to find out. We are very severe to those who choose to not obey our rules. For example, a player was suspended for 7 games (with no pro rated refund) for spitting sunflower seeds on an artificial turf field, which is against the rules. Several players have been given lifetime PSSBL bans for misconduct. If the rules say you can’t do something, don’t do it. Because we are all adults, every player is expected to conduct him or herself beyond reproach. The excellent reputation of our League allows us to play on the best fields available. The PSSBL has established itself as being much more than a “beer league”, so there are enormous penalties (and possible expulsion from the League) for any bad conduct on or near the playing fields. Ask for a set of rules if you have any questions. Your General Manager has a copy. They are on the website as well. When administering any punishment, the League will assume that you were fully aware of these rules before any such violation occurred. It’s not possible to register online without agreeing to the Rules of Conduct

When does the season begin and end?

It generally runs from early-May to the end of August. PSSBL Divisional Playoffs run for several weeks in September. Previous attempts to start our season earlier were met with too many rainouts and a lack of playing fields which are occupied by youth teams.

How about Holidays during the PSSBL season?

There normally are no regular season games scheduled on Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekends. It is up to the team to request to play on a holiday weekend before the game schedule is finalized. Some PSSBL teams choose to play in tournaments over the Memorial Day Weekend, July 4th and Labor Day Weekend.

What Division(s) can you play in?

It depends on your age. Whatever your age, you can always ‘play down’ into a lower age bracket, assuming you are good enough. Unless you are an exceptional player, we encourage you to stay in your own age category. On the registration form you may indicate whether you hope to play in the most competitive division regardless of age or that you prefer to play with players your own age.

Again, your calendar age applies in order to be eligible to play. In other words, if your birthday is on December 31st, whatever your age is at that time qualifies you to play in the appropriate Division / age bracket during that preceding summer season. For example, if a player doesn’t become age 25 until December 31, 2013, he is still eligible to play in the Cascade (25 and over) Division during the 2013 season (as well as in any of the 19+ Divisions). There is no age restriction for female players. They can ‘play up’ despite the fact that they may be younger than the required age bracket.

Can you play in two (2) Divisions?

You can do this, however, you must pay two (2) registration dues, with a discount applied to your 2nd team. The dues for your 2nd team are approximately 80% the dues that’s owed for your 1st priority division team. You must indicate which Division will be your priority team in the event there is a game conflict in the schedule. This enables the GMs on both teams to know your intentions in advance.

What about Medical Insurance?

Each player is personally responsible for any medical expenses as a result of an injury while playing in the PSSBL. While the League has a liability policy, it does not provide medical insurance for players.

Whom should you contact if you have any further questions?

Our website address is www.pssbl.com. The national organization’s (MSBL) website is www.msblnational.com. Questions should be only directed locally, however.

Tom Evans Krause, League President, and Scott Dillinger, League Player Agent, will be in charge of the tryouts. Tom may be reached at 425-743-2751 (home) or 206-915-6369 (cell). Scott may be reached at 425-210-4809.

The PSSBL telephone has a voice mail system which will have important information and updates on the Tryouts, Draft and other issues. The League telephone number is 425-644-1901.

If and when you are drafted by a team, your main contact will be your General Manager. In addition, your Division’s Commissioner can also help. All these names are on the home page.

All tryout sessions are FREE. Under no circumstances will a player be allowed on the field prior to filling out and signing a Registration Form. For this, there are no exceptions.

Thank you for interest and/or participation in the PSSBL. We hope to see you at the tryouts!

Division Notes Back to Division Chart

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.
2. Each player in the Adams and Adirondack Divisions will be offered a minimum of three innings of defense with one at bat per nine-inning game.
3. Managers in the Teton Division are strongly encouraged to provide all players substantial playing time.
4. All pitchers in Rocky Division games are limited to a maximum of five innings per game. Teton Division pitchers are limited to a maximum of seven innings per game.
5. Some fields in Cascade and Sierra have been designated as Wood-Bat fields.
6. See Adirondack or Sierra Division rules for Roster specifics.
7. See Adams, Adirondack, Sierra, or Smoky Division rules for Buddy Pick specifics.