CHICAGO NORTH MEN’S SENIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE

RULES & PROCEDURES

Revision date: 9/2/09

GOVERNANCE

A. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The following offices shall comprise the Executive Board.

1. President

2. Vice-President

3. Communications Director

4. Treasurer

5. Player Personnel Director

6. League Scheduler

B. COMMITTEES

1. The following committees shall be created by the President who will select those members to serve thereon:

a. Protest Committee-- adjudicates game protests

b. Appeals (Rules) Committee--adjudicates appeals

c. Expansion Committee-- Will have the authority to approve under recommendation of the President any new franchises (teams) and their respective rosters . 

d. Roster Size committee-will set league roster size limits minimum and maximum.

2. The President may also create such other committees he deems necessary for the proper administration of the league.

3. Board Advisory Committee— comprised of and chosen by members of the League Board to promote the views of the League Board and provide advice and guidance to Executive Board.

C. GOVERNING BASEBALL RULES

1. All games will be played in accordance with Major League baseball rules;

2. MSBL National rules shall override the above when applicable;

3. CNMSBL rules shall override the above when applicable;

4. CNMSBL Divisional rules shall override the above when applicable, but shall apply to each specific division only.

D. LEAGUE STRUCTURE: The League shall consist of multiple age brackets, herein referred to as “Divisions.” The Executive Board on a yearly basis as needed may change the number of divisions and the age minimums. Each Division shall operate as a separate competitive entity but shall be subject to the League’s Rules, Procedures and Bylaws as set forth herein unless specifically stated otherwise.

E. DIVISION RULES

1. AGE ELIGIBILITY: In order to be eligible for a particular division, the player must attain the minimum age by Dec. 31 of the year in which he plays;

2. Commissioner: Each Division shall have a Divisional Commissioner appointed by the President to serve on a yearly basis. The Commissioners responsibilities will include but not be limited to: run divisional meetings, communicate with divisional managers, adjudicate issues arising within the division, determine draft order and conduct preseason draft;

3. SELF-GOVERNANCE: It is assumed that the teams that constitute a division are best suited as a group to make decisions concerning the administration of all divisional issues. Therefore, each division may enact on the field rules and procedures that will apply to that division only.

4. OVERSIGHT: All rules and procedures enacted, and decisions made by the divisional managers and Commissioner are subject to review by the President. The President shall overrule, agree with, or submit the ruling to the Appeals Committee for its review and resolution.

F. BEST INTERESTS: CNMSBL shall follow the MLB “Best Interests” rule. Any action taken by the president pursuant to this provision may NOT be appealed or overturned.

G. NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION: It is acknowledged that the rules and procedures set forth herein may not directly address every issue that may arise. Therefore the absence of any specific rule prohibiting a particular act is not to be construed as allowing said act. The Executive Board, Division Chairmen and Committee members may take into account intent as well as other factors when considering an issue and reaching a decision.

CODE OF CONDUCT

CNMSBL is founded upon the principal that all participants shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.

A. EJECTION: A player, manager and/or coach can be ejected for any of the following reasons without warning:

1. Attempting to cause injury or harm to another individual, or acting in any manner that may reasonably be deemed to be threatening in nature.

2. Any type of physical contact with an umpire that is not indisputably accidental.

3. Continual and/or excessive profanity or verbal abuse.

4. The throwing of any piece of equipment in such a manner to pose a risk of harm to another individual.

5. Any excessive and unreasonable disruption of the game. (It shall not be cause for ejection for a player to voice, in a reasonable manner, his disagreement with an umpire’s call and/or to discuss the situation at hand so long as he ends further discussion and/or dissent upon instruction from the umpire to do so.)

6. A manager may request from an umpire an explanation of any ruling at any time so long as its done in a reasonable manner and does not cause undue delay of the game.

B. PENALTIES FOR EJECTION

1. In addition to being prohibited from further participation in the game, the player, manager or coach must immediately leave the general vicinity of the field. If the participant does not comply, then the umpire shall give one warning that a forfeit shall occur if the ejected participant does not comply. A further penalty will apply as a result of an ejection as follows:

1. First ejection--Player receives a 1 game suspension. This suspension is subject to review by the President. The bond requirement as set forth below will apply.

2. Second ejection of the same player in one season--2 game suspension. This suspension may be appealed.

3. Third ejection of the same player in one season-- the player is suspended for the remainder of the season, not to be less than 5 games. Said player will be barred from playing in the league until he seeks and is granted reinstatement from the Board. The Board may impose any restrictions and conditions to the allowance of reinstatement that it deems appropriate.

2. A participant ejected from a game may receive additional disciplinary action for his ejection, including, but not limited to, more than the one game suspension.

C. DETRIMENTAL CONDUCT: The Board may suspend or otherwise penalize any player, manager or coach for such a period and upon such terms as it shall set forth for conduct that is deemed to be detrimental to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league. This conduct shall include but NOT be limited to the following acts: cheating, acts of intimidation, fighting. knowingly using ineligible players, and attempting to manipulate and/or subvert any rule, procedure or bylaw.

TEAM/PLAYER RULES & PROCEDURES

A. TRYOUT & DRAFT

1. The league will organize and conduct a yearly preseason tryout and draft for the purpose of allocating new players and those existing players wishing to change teams within a division.

2. PPD shall determine the procedures to be used in conducting the tryout and draft with the primary goals being to promote league parity, stability and fairness.

3. Players currently on a CNMSBL roster need not participate in the tryout in order to be drafted though said player must have appeared in a league game within the previous season to obviate the need to tryout.

4. Any new player to the league must participate in the tryout in order to be eligible to be drafted.

5. Drafting order shall be determined by each Division chairman in accordance with divisional rules.

B. ROSTERS and TEAM FEES

1. Each team is required to have a minimum of fifteen (15) active players on its roster.

2. There will be a $30 surcharge for each player rostered in excess of 18 billed to the team, a $50 surcharge for each rostered player in excess of 25 and $100 surcharge for each player in excess of 30 rostered players. 

3. It shall be the responsibility of each manager to submit team fees to the league on the date so designated by the Executive Board.

4. Except where provided otherwise, players may not be added to a roster after the beginning of the season. In the event a team demonstrates a significant need, hardship or other extraordinary circumstance after rosters have been frozen, PPD and President reserve the right to allocate extra players or make roster adjustments as deemed appropriate.

5. Once the season starts, no player for any reason shall be entitled to reimbursement of his league fee, in whole or in part, though a team may choose to do so.

6. All teams must submit complete rosters into Scorebook.com prior to that team’s first game.

7. Failure to submit team fees and/or rosters in accordance with the rules herein may result in sanctions to be determined by the Executive Board. These sanctions may include but are not limited to forfeiture of games, fines, and reduction of number of scheduled games.

C. TRADES: Teams may execute trades involving players, slots, and draft choices in accordance with the following:

1. General parameters:

1. Each trade will be reviewed on its own merits.

2. Only those trades made at arms length within the spirit of fair play and competition will be allowed.

2. Specific Prohibitions-- This section is intended to be illustrative and does not list all rules governing trades:

1. A manager may not trade himself.

2. A trade may not be executed in anticipation of a team disbanding in any manner.

3. Trades may not be made during the season.

3. Procedures:

1. Any player being traded must consent in writing to the trade.

2. Should slots and/or draft choices be included in a trade, the slot or draft choice must be for the current season or for the season 1 year in the future.

3. Both PPD and the respective Division Chairman must approve any and all trades. A decision restricting or forbidding a trade is not subject to appeal though great weight will be accorded the decision of the Division chairman and those division managers not involved in the trade.

D. ROSTER MOVES

1. Additions-- Teams may add players to rosters as follows:

1. Player is designated a slot player;

2. Player is chosen in preseason draft;

3. Action taken by PPD and/or President due to special circumstances;

4. Player is acquired via trade;

5. “Old player rule”-- A player may be added to a roster during the season on a temporary basis under the following conditions: a) player was previously rostered on that team and b) player has not been rostered on another team within the division subsequent thereto.

2. Restrictions:

1. A player choosing to leave the team on which he is rostered may only be added to another roster within the division upon applying for and being chosen in the draft or via authorized trade.

2. In the event a team disbands or fails to exist for whatever reason, that team’s players who return to play in the division may only be added to a roster subsequent to entering and being chosen in the draft.

E. SLOT PLAYER: Where allowed by division rule, a player may be added as a slot so long as he has not played on another team within the division at any time. Division rule shall determine if and how many slots a team shall receive in any given season.

F. NEW TEAMS: In order for a new team to be considered for admission to a division that team must submit a proposed roster in writing along with a payment in the amount of $1000. The "Expansion Committee and the President  will promptly review the matter and inform the new team if it has been accepted. If the roster is accepted as submitted, the $1000 is not refundable under any circumstances. If the roster is rejected or changes are required the money will be refunded in the event the team chooses not to proceed. The Expansion Committee may impose upon the new team any restrictions and/or conditions as it deems appropriate.

G. PROCEDURAL PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. No player shall be allowed to play in CNMSBL games until he has signed a League player contract and waiver;

2. All players must register electronically via the league web page prior to the start of each season. A player is not eligible to play until such time as his registration is complete

3. Returning ballplayers must pay the first $100 of their annual fee to their team manager no later than February 1st of the calendar year of the upcoming season to guarantee their position on the team. A manager who has not received this payment may elect to remove the player from the roster. This removed player may only join another team within the division by entering and being chosen in the draft.

4. A player who is drafted and fails to report within a reasonable time to the drafting team will be suspended for two calendar years commencing from the date on which he was drafted. Upon the end of the suspension, the player may only join the division via the draft.

5. A player must pay all fees agreed upon and due. Failure to pay within a reasonable time will result in said player being removed from the team roster and banned from playing in the league until such time as his fees are paid.

RULES OF PLAY

A. PROCEDURAL GAME ISSUES-general

1. All games are scheduled to be 7 innings

2. Teams are responsible for keeping all dugouts and fields clean and free from debris and adhering to any and all rules of each particular field. Violations may result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to forfeit, fine and suspension.

3. Visiting teams shall occupy the first base dugout and home teams shall occupy the third base dugout. Infield practice is permitted at Northbrook and Rec Park before the first game of the day so long as permitted by field rules and time allows. Infield practice is prohibited at all times at Bensenville and Oakton.

B. PROCEDURAL GAME ISSUES-starting

1. The umpire shall announce the start time of the game immediately subsequent to declaring the commencement of play.

2. Number of Players.

   Though a team may begin a game with 8 players if it so chooses, this team may borrow one player from the opposing team with the consent of the lending manager. The lending manager shall choose which player from his team to lend to the team with 8.  Should the borrowing team have another player arrive to give them 9 or more, the lending manager may elect to take back the borrowed player.  In the 55 and 60 divisions, the team with eight may also borrow a player from a team other than the one that they are playing with the consent of the opposing manager.

   
   

   It is the intent of this rule that teams be able to field a minimum of nine players at all times.

3. In the event a team does not have the minimum eight players at the field with which to begin a game, there shall be a ten (10) minute grace period delaying the official start of the game. The game shall not be ruled a forfeit during such time. In the event no additional player(s) arrives during the 10 minute grace period, the game shall be ruled a forfeit. The grace period shall count against the game time limit.

C. PROCEDURAL GAME ISSUES-ending

1. Rain/Lightning: In the event a game is called due to rain or lightning, the game will be considered over and complete in accordance with MLB rules except the minimum number of innings to be completed shall be 4 1/2 if home team is ahead and 5 if visitor is ahead.

2. No inning shall start beyond the 2 hour and fifteen minute mark unless the score is tied. In this event, no more than 2 additional innings may be played. Playoff and tournament games are exempt from this time limit.

3. An inning is deemed completed and the next inning to commence at the moment the third out of the inning just ended has been recorded.

4. Special rules and procedures for night games at Northbrook (Meadowhill Park) and Rec Park:

a. For weeknight games, game 1 must stop play by 8:15 PM and game 2 must stop play at 10:55PM. The 2 hour 15 minute limit still applies under this provision. For weekend night games, play must stop by 10:55 PM.

2. Suspended Games: If the time limit for any game at Meadowhill or Rec Park has been exhausted that game will be suspended under one of the following conditions:

1. game has not progressed past the fourth inning;

2. game is in the top half of the 5th, 6th or 7th inning;

3. game is in the bottom half of the 5th, 6th or 7th inning and the visiting team has more runs than the home team;

4. game is tied in any inning.

2. A suspended game shall resume from the point at which the time limit was exhausted and only that inning will be completed to conclude the game. If the suspended game ends in a tie after the completion of the inning, the game will count as a tie in the standings.

3. A suspended game shall be resumed at the next scheduled meeting of the two teams if possible. If the two teams do not have another regular season game remaining on the schedule, the League Scheduler and Division Chairman will determine whether the game is to be finished and under what conditions.

5. Extra Innings: At all field there shall be no limit on the number of extra innings played so long as the time limit has not elapsed. At Oakton and Bensenville, and for those games started prior to 5:00PM, if a game is tied after the time-limit expiration, no more than 2 additional innings may be played to break the tie. For those games at Meadowhill commencing after 5PM and all games at Rec Park, extra innings may not be played after the time limit has been reached, and these games shall be governed by the rules for time restriction and suspended games as set forth herein.

6. Slaughter Rule: This rule shall apply after the following conditions have been met:

25 and 35 divisions-- A game shall be declared complete and a winner decided if at any time a team has a 12-run lead and the team trailing has completed its at-bat in the fifth inning.

45 and 55 divisions-- A game shall be declared complete and a winner decided if at any time a team has a 15-run lead and the team trailing has completed its at-bat in the fifth inning.

7. In such circumstance when there are 10 minutes or less remaining on the game time limit, a manager may change pitchers under the following constraints: the manager may not visit the mound and must declare the pitching change from the bench or while at his position on the field; and the new pitcher is not allowed any warm-up pitches from the mound. This rule does not prevent a manager from having a new pitcher begin an inning that commences within the last 10 minutes of the game, nor is this new pitcher prevented from taking the customary warm-up throws. This rule applies at all fields as follows:

Oakton and Bensenville: during the period of time between 2:05 and 2:15 of elapsed game time. This restriction does not apply once an inning has commenced past the 2:15 time limit or when game is tied.

Northbrook and Rec Park: the 10 minute period prior to the mandatory times when the games must stop, i.e. 8:05 to 8:15 and 10:45 to 10:55.

D. LINEUPS

1. If a player is pinch hit for, he may not re-enter the game on offense.

2. If a batter is forced to leave a game for any reason other than ejection, a reserve player not previously in the game as a batter must bat in the departing player’s batting position (single or “split” batter position). If no reserve is present, the batting position is skipped and all batters move up accordingly with no penalty to the affected team. However, if the departing player was ejected from the game the batting position will be an automatic out.

3. Each team may bat as many players as desired in the initial lineup. Players may be added to the bottom of the lineup at any time.

4. Each team must bat a minimum of 10 players providing there are enough players to do so.

5. A/B Lineup Slots: A team may designate A & B hitters in the lineup. A & B hitters will alternate their at-bats. This lineup designation is permitted in any spot in the batting order.

6. If a team has only 10 players at game time, all 10 players must occupy a slot in the batting order and the A/ B designation cannot be used. Batters in the A/B positions may be pinch hit for at any time as any other hitter.

7. Defensive changes need not be announced. Any player may leave and re-enter a game at any position and time with the exception of the pitcher as set forth herein.

8. At no time, either on offense or defense, may a team have less then 8 players in their line-up.

9. If a player whose team has only nine players available to play is ejected or injured and cannot continue in the middle of an at bat, that player shall be declared out. The next batter shall be the next scheduled batter in the lineup.

10. A batter that is out of the game, having been substituted for earlier, may re-enter the game to replace an injured batter if the team is not able to field the minimum number of players without the replacement.

11. If a batter is removed for a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner (except under courtesy runner rules), the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter though he may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher.

12. All batting changes shall be reported to the opposing manager and home plate umpire.

E. RUNNERS

1. Courtesy Runner (herein referred to as CR) is defined as a player who replaces a batter that has reached base and completes the original batter’s time on the bases. The CR is deemed to NOT be a pinch runner and the original player who reached base remains in the lineup. CRs shall be governed by the following rules:

1. All teams in the 25 division are allowed 2 CRs per game; all teams in the 35, 45 and 55 divisions are allowed 3 CRs/game.

2. Managers must notify the opposing manager of any courtesy runners prior to the start of the game. Failure to do so prevents the use of said runners unless the opposing manager provides consent.

3. CR may be used during the game in the case of injury so long as the team has not already used its allotment. In the event a team has no remaining CRs to use, the team must utilize a pinch runner. In the event no eligible player is available to pinch run, the opposing manager must provide consent to allow an additional CR.

4. CR will be the player who made the last out defined as either a batted out, force out or tag out. Any dispute regarding the use of a CR must be resolved at that time and shall not be grounds for an appeal or protest.

5. The use of a courtesy runner for a designated batter is optional and can be declined. In the event the use of the CR is declined, that designated batter may no longer receive a CR for the remainder of the game, nor may this CR designation be applied to any other player.

6. Until the first out of the game is recorded, the CR shall be the last player in the batting order.

2. Pitchers and Catchers:

In the 25 and 35 divisions, pitchers and catchers who are base runners can be removed after 2 outs for a CR. This is optional and can be declined. Once declined the pitcher or catcher cannot be replaced on the base paths for the duration that the pitcher or catcher remains on base.

In the 45 and 55 divisions, there is no option; the pitcher and catcher must be removed for a CR when there are 2 outs.

F. UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

1. Uniforms: All players are required to wear full matching baseball uniforms with hats. It is the intent of this rule that each team will be properly and distinctly uniformed. New players are exempt from this requirement for a period of 60 days commencing on the day on which that player’s team played its first game of the current season. In the event a player is unable to be in proper uniform in accordance with the rule herein, the opposing manager must provide approval in order for said player to be allowed to participate.

2. Protective Equipment: Batters, base runners and coaches must wear approved batting helmets. Single flapped batting helmets worn properly are acceptable.

3. Catchers must wear a protective helmet.

4. Baseballs: Teams will use only those balls supplied by the league. Each team will receive a quantity of baseballs prior to the start of the season and is responsible to provide 3 balls for each game.

G. PITCHING

1. A pitcher must be removed if and when he hits 3 batters in a game, or if in the

umpire’s judgment, the pitcher deliberately threw at the hitter whether he hit the batter or not.

2. A pitcher cannot wear batting gloves or wristbands while on the mound.

3. A pitcher may not wear sleeves that are white, light gray or other light color that in the judgment of the umpire affects the batter’s ability to see the ball.

4. A pitcher removed from a game in the middle of an inning may not return to the mound until the next inning.

5. A pitcher may only re-enter as a pitcher one time during the same game.

6. Intentional Walks: a team may elect to issue an intentional walk by informing the home plate umpire that the batter is to be intentionally walked. No pitches need be thrown. A team may use this rule no more than two times in a single game. No player may be walked intentionally (with or without pitching) more than one time in any game.

H. DECOYS: A fielder is not permitted to decoy a base runner in any manner with the intent being to cause the runner to slide when there is no play actually being made on that runner. This rule does not disallow a fielder from pretending that a ball has been hit in the air to trick a runner into returning to a base. This rule is meant to protect runners from injury. In the event of an infraction, all runners will be advanced one base and a warning will be issued to the offending team. A second infraction by the same fielder will result in the ejection of that player committing the illegal play.

I. COLLISIONS & CONTACT

1. All base runners while attempting to attain a base must attempt to avoid any collision with a fielder. While a player may slide directly into a base without penalty, roll blocks are not permitted and the offending player shall be ruled out on the play. An offending player may be ejected at the discretion of the umpire. It is also illegal to block the entire plate/base without possession of the baseball.

2. A fielder (including a catcher) may not block or obstruct a runner’s path to a base unless he is in the immediate process of making a play on a batted or thrown ball in that area. A fielder may not apply an excessively forceful tag to a runner. Catchers, while setting up to receive a thrown ball, must initially position themselves in such a manner so as not to block the plate or the third base line

3. A runner has the right to the base path unless the fielder is in the process of making a play on a batted or thrown ball, provided, however, such runner shall not be penalized if he inadvertently obstructs a fielder’s view while evading a batted or thrown ball. A runner whose path to the base is illegally blocked shall be awarded the base. Not withstanding anything to the contrary in this rule, a runner must in all cases reasonably attempt to avoid contact, even if the fielder is illegally blocking the base path. A runner who fails to make a reasonable attempt to avoid contact with a defensive player shall be called out, and any other runner advancing on the play shall be required to return to the last base occupied. If in the judgment of an umpire, a violation of this rule is flagrant or intentional, the offending fielder or runner, or both, may be ejected from the game.

J. GAME SCHEDULING: The Executive Board shall determine all rules and procedures governing the initial scheduling and rescheduling of games. The Scheduler shall have final say concerning all matters related to the scheduling of games. The Scheduler in consultation with the Executive Board may change such rules regarding the scheduling and completion of games as is deemed necessary to complete the season on a timely basis.

PROCEDURE

A. PROTESTS: All game protests shall be lodged in writing via email or fax with the President and Divisional Chairman within 48 hours.

B. APPEALS: All appeals shall be lodged in writing via email or fax with the President and Divisional Chairman within 48 hours. The manager must make all appeals on behalf of a player.

C. BOND: For protests and appeals, a $50.00 bond must be posted by the contesting team/manager within 24 hours of the time when the protest/appeal was lodged. No appeal or protest will be heard and adjudicated without a bond having been posted accordingly. In the event Bond is not properly posted, the appeal/protest shall be considered rescinded and the matter closed. The bond will be refunded only if the protest/appeal is upheld. The hearing committee shall not be comprised of any member from the same division from which the challenge originated. Bond may only be paid electronically via the league webpage. Only credit card or debit card (Visa or MC) will be accepted. Checks will not be accepted.

D. FINES

1. League Meetings: Any manager failing to attend or send a representative of that team to attend a regularly scheduled League meeting without prior approval form the President will result in an automatic fine of $50.00. For the third offense within a calendar year, a manager shall be fined $100 and may be suspended from managing at the discretion of the Executive Board. All missed meeting fines must by paid before baseballs will be handed out to that manager/team.

2. Game Forfeits: Any team forfeiting a game shall be fined $75.00 for the first and second occurrence and $150.00 for the third occurrence. These fines will be reduced by half in the event the forfeiting manager announces the forfeit in advance AND the league is not required to pay umpiring fees for that game. A fourth forfeiture within a season may result in mandatory expulsion from the League for the remainder of the season along with any additional future sanctions deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.

3. Game Results: All game scores must be called into the hotline by Midnight on the day on which a game was played. Failure to comply will result in a $25 fine being assessed against the winning team.

4. Payment of Fines: All forfeit and late score fines must be paid before the next regularly scheduled game. A team with a fine outstanding shall be deemed to forfeit any games played following written notification of the fine. Managers who do not comply may be subject to further disciplinary action as determined by the Executive Board. All fines are to be paid with credit card via the website.

E. SCOREBOOK: Each manager is responsible for entering the complete team roster prior to the season, updating the roster throughout the season, and entering complete game box scores and individual player statistics for each game played within 7 days of the completion of the game. Failure to comply with any and all Scorebook reporting requirements may result in fines or other penalties to be determined by the President.

PLAYOFFS

A. PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to participate in the playoffs a player must participate in a minimum of 50% of his team’s scheduled games (less any lost due to cancellation, but not forfeit) subject to any divisional modification. Player eligibility must be substantiated by Scorebook.com. Any issues regarding a player’s playoff eligibility shall be brought to the attention of the PPD and Division Chairman who shall render a joint decision. In the event of a conflict, another Executive Board member shall take part in the decision.

B. ELIGIBILITY WAIVER: A player who due to injury, illness or disability is deemed not eligible for the playoffs may be exempted from the requirements of the aforesaid eligibility rule under limited circumstances.

1. This provision is for injury or illness only and does not apply to any other type of absence, be it family, personal or work related.

2. DISABLED LIST: The player must have been placed on the disable list during the period of disability. To qualify for placement on the disabled list and therefore be eligible for a waiver, a player must have an injury or illness with medical documentation (which means the player must have sought medical attention from a qualified practitioner and have suitable proof thereof.) In addition, the manager must provide written notice to PPD within 72 hours of the date the player was placed on the disabled as well as notice within 72 hours of the date the player was removed from the disabled list. The minimum stay on the disabled list is 15 days. Participation in other games or leagues during the period of time when the player is on the disabled list will nullify the applicability of this waiver.

3. If a player is hurt and sits out any number of games but does not seek medical treatment, he is not eligible for a waiver as there is no independent verification available.

4. Those games missed during the period of injury/illness will not count towards the total games played by the team when determining eligibility. Where applicable, the number of plate appearances required will be reduced proportionately

5. Any team that wishes to have a player(s) qualify for a waiver must submit to the PPD the following information:

-Player involved

-Dates of incapacitation

-Number of games missed and dates of games

-Written medical verification

C. FORFEITS AND ELIGIBILITY: The players of a team that forfeits a game receive no credit for a game played even though the game counts when determining the team total. Conversely, players on the winning team do get credit for a game played. This provision shall apply regardless of whether the game is forfeited in advance or at the field.

D. PLAYOFF STRUCTURE:

1. A total of eight teams will make the playoffs.

2. The divisional winners, if any, shall receive the first 2 seeds.

3. The next six teams to qualify will be based on regular season records.

4. Seeding will not change from round to round.

5. All rounds will be best of three.

6. The team with the best record will be the home team for game 1 and game 3 if played.

7. In the first round, the teams will be ranked one through eight. The team ranked one will play the team ranked eighth. The team ranked second will play the team ranked seventh. The team ranked third will play the team ranked sixth. The team ranked fourth will play the team ranked fifth. The winners will proceed to the second round.

8. In the second round, the teams will be ranked one through four. The team ranked one will play the team ranked fourth. The team ranked second will play the team ranked third. The winners will proceed to the third round and the winner will be crowned division champion.

9. All sections contained herein are subject to change based on divisional needs.

E. TIE BREAKERS

1. In the event of a tie in the standings within any division or conference at the end of the regular season, such tie shall be broken (decided) in the following manner and in the following order of sequence:

1. head-to-head;

2. best record within divisional play;

3. run differential between teams—head to head;

4. fewest runs allowed for entire season with forfeits being prorated.

2. The aforesaid tiebreakers shall be applied in order to determine both playoff eligibility and playoff seeding.

Copyright Notice: All material contained herein are Copyright 2008 by Chicago North Men’s Senior Baseball League. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any use of materials on this Web site, including reproduction, modification, distribution or republication, without the prior written consent of Chicago North Men’s Senior Baseball League is strictly prohibited.