Over Thirty Baseball, Inc. Philosophy, Rules, and Regulations Revised November 18, 1999 PROPOSAL For 2000 season rule amendments Proposed changes in RED below

1          RULES

1.1   Over Thirty Baseball, Inc. adopts as its official baseball rules the Official Major League Baseball Rules. Any exceptions to these rules are listed herein.

1.2   A majority vote of the Board of Directors is needed to add, delete or amend league rules as the need arises. All players will be notified of the changes by their manager. A revised copy of the rules will be distributed to each league member each year at the time of registration.

1.3   Except for extenuating or special events, O.T.B. schedules all games on Sunday mornings exclusive of the following holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Columbus Day.

2          CONDUCT

2.1   There will be no alcoholic beverages permitted during the game. Also, smoking is prohibited within the playing area or within the vicinity of the playing area. The use of profanity is strongly discouraged within the playing area or within the vicinity of the playing area.

2.2   Unsportsmanlike conduct is strictly prohibited. The penalty for players involved in such altercations can be any of the following after a review by the Board of Directors and officers: warning, reprimand, suspension, seasonal expulsion, or permanent expulsion. Each team is responsible for the conduct of its players and supporters. Should this become a problem, the responsible team is subject to forfeiture at the discretion of the umpire. President and/or Vice presidents interim decision making process regardless of their participation in the game in question.

Define Infractions:

Minor Infractions

Unsportsmanlike Conduct - abusive language or harrassment of players or umpires. Violation of Official Baseball or OTB rule which warrants ejection. Repetitive minor infractions may warrant suspension or expulsion.

Major Infractions

Flagrant verbal or physical abuse by a player or manager - assault and battery on players, managers, or any member of the umpiring crew before, during, or after a game. Failing to leave the playing field or designated area after an ejection by the umpire, causing additional unsportsmanlike conduct and forfeiture of a game. If found responsible for a Major Infraction, no less than one (1) game suspension.

2.3   Any player or manager ejected by the umpire from a game shall be subject to the provisions of section 2.2 with specific regard to unsportsmanlike conduct and suspended until the Board of Directors and Officers has completed its findings. Minor infractions will be resolved before the suspended player's or manager's next game. If reasonable cause is found that a major infraction has occurred, the player or manager will be suspended for the next official game, pending investigation which may result in additional suspension or expulsion. Manager/player ejection from a game automatic 1 game suspension which under compelling circumstances and upon review could be overturned by the B.O.D. or its designated executive committee members. All ejections must be reported to the B.O.D office by phone within 8 hours of the incident.

2.4   If an infielder decoys a throw, only the runner will be entitled to advance one (1) base. If the same fielder decoys twice in a game, he will be ejected from the game. Decoying is referred to where a player on base slides unnecessarily due to a decoyed throw or tag, except in a steal or overthrow situation. Any preceding runner(s) forced to advance by the award of one (1) base for the penalty of decoying, shall advance without liability to be out.

2.5   When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who is clearly in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge:

1.   Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable (could the runner have reached the base without colliding), or unavoidable (the runner's path to the base was blocked) or:

2.   Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate) or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder.

Penalty: If, in the umpire's judgement, the runner  a) could have avoided the collision and reached the base, or  b) was attempting to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball shall be declared dead and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. If ruled deliberate by the umpire, it may result in the player's ejection from the game.

2.6   If a pitcher hits four (4) batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batsman. This rule does not supersede normal umpire discretion under Major League Rules.

2.7   The Hidden Ball Play can be executed only when the pitcher is completely off the pitching circle (i.e., both feet on the grass of the infield). Re-visit in regards to balk rule. Re-visit in regards to balk rule.

3          ELIGIBILITY COMMITMENT

3.1   All managers/players must not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may, at any time, have the right to question a player's age. During registration, all players must attest to their correct age. A player must be 30 years of age by June 15 of each season. If an under-30 player is detected, penalties of long term suspension to the individual will be decided by the League President and Board of Directors.

3.2   Each year, new applicants will be eligible for the draft according to order of receipt of applications. The annual draft will be conducted in a manner to allow parity, fairness, and an opportunity for all teams to field all positions with priority given to returning ballplayers. In order to maintain fairness and opportunity, the league will not publish the number of players on a waiting list. If a manager has a need for a player, the manager will make a request for a player. Applications of returning players playing a minimum of one (1) game from the previous season will be considered as part of the draft pool.

3.3   Dates for submission of final rosters will be decided by the League President. There will be absolutely no changes permitted afterward without the approval of the League President.

3.4   Any player may submit their name for consideration in the draft. A player may switch teams after completion of the draft with the approval of the board.

3.5   Teams must have nine (9) players to start an official game. A team cannot complete a game with less than eight (8) players. Please refer to major league rules for further clarification including forfeiture of the game.

3.6   Any player missing two consecutive games without prior notification is subject to suspension for the remainder of the season. Any player missing four games with or without prior notification is subject to suspension for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, the player involved is not entitled to any refund.

3.7   In order for a player to qualify and participate in his team's playoffs, a player must be on the team's official roster no later than July 15th. If a player fails to meet the requirements due to injury, a letter should be submitted to the League President explaining the non-compliance.

4          PLAYING TIME, POSITIONS, AVAILABILITY

4.1   A pitcher may pitch no more than a total of eighteen (18) innings in three (3) consecutive games.

4.2   Pitchers may not wear apparel which can be deemed as a distraction during the game (i.e. wrist bands, bright pitching sleeve, shining objects).

4.3   Each manager will bat all players present at the start of the game. The manager will add players who arrive late, at the bottom of the lineup as soon as he is ready to play.

4.4   Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, unless physically unable to swing, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game. If a player is forced to leave the game for whatever reason, that spot is skipped and all batters move up accordingly, with no penalty to the affected team. If a player misses his turn at bat for whatever reason but wishes to continue, an out will be charged at the time of the missed turn at bat. More clear definition of playing in field and batting. Some players can hit b/not play and visca versca.

4.5   All players, able to play, must play at least four (4) innings on the field. Any player not present at the start of the game will have those innings missed deducted from the 4-inning minimum.

4.6   A player who needs a courtesy runner, due to injury factors only, must have his manager notify the opposing manager before game time. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request during the game. Each team will be allowed the maximum of two (2) courtesy runners at the start of each game. The player to make the last batted out must be the courtesy runner unless it is the first inning of a game and no player has made an out. In this case, the manager may designate any player to be a courtesy runner. In the event a player becomes injured during a game, a manager may add to the number of courtesy runners for each injured player. (As an additional option to this rule, pitchers and catchers, if the last batted out, may be skipped as courtesy runners with the previous batted out running.)

4.7   Pitchers and catchers shall be allowed a courtesy runner when there are two (2) outs in an inning. The runner has to be substituted before the next batter comes up to bat. The courtesy runner shall be the player who made the last out.

5          COMPLETED GAMES / PROTESTS

5.1   All games are nine (9) innings. It is at the umpire's discretion to call the game in the event of darkness or inclement weather. A game called due to darkness is complete upon playing seven (7) innings and a game called due to inclement weather is complete upon playing five (5) innings.

5.2   If there is a fifteen (15) run difference at the end of five (5) innings and the game has gone two (2) hours, the game will be ruled final at this point. This rule will not pertain to playoff play.

5.3   After three (3) hours and thirty (30) minutes from the start of a game, the teams may not begin a new inning. The game will be ruled final at this point. This rule does not apply to playoff games.

5.4   Rainouts can be played to completion at a later date, schedule permitting, with the agreement of both teams and League notification.

5.5   All protests should be lodged verbally with the League President within twenty four (24) hours. All protests should be submitted in writing to the League President within seventy two (72) hours. All protests shall be decided by the Over Thirty Baseball, Inc. Board of Directors consisting of the League Officers, Directors, and team Managers. Any board member whose team is involved with a protest will have no vote in the decision. In case of a deadlock, the President's vote will be the deciding vote.

6          EQUIPMENT / UNIFORM

6.1   All teams must have full baseball uniforms.

6.1.1   No player without a uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager's consent.

6.1.2   Every effort must be made for teams to have their uniforms by the first game.

6.2   All batters and runners must have helmets; there is no exception to this rule. Dual or single flap helmets are mandatory when batting and helmets are required for the bases. Catchers are also required to wear a helmet beneath their mask.

6.3   Only League approved baseballs will be permitted for league play. Each team must bring three (3) balls to each game.

6.4   For the 1999 season, aluminum bats with a differential of no greater than five (5) will be used at all O.T.B.-sanctioned games. Any batter using an illegal bat will be ejected from the game.

6.5   All baseball cleats are permitted in league games.