The American Legion
Department of Maine
Baseball Rules and Regulations 2008
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Please Read Carefully
American
Legion Baseball Competition shall be placed under the rules set forth and adopted by the National Americanism Commission,
The American Legion, National Headquarters, 700 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206.
These
rules and regulations will be read and construed in connection with regulations published in the Baseball regulations of 2008
by the National Commission of The American Legion.
Purpose
It is the duty of the Department Baseball Director
or Committee to formulate such rules and regulations and boundaries, NOT IN CONFLICT WITH NATIONAL RULES, for play within
that Department. The protection and stimulation of competition must be used in drafting these Rules.
All questions,
disputes and protest within a Department shall be decided by the Department Baseball Director or Committee in charge who shall
have the Power to disqualify or Suspend anyone violating Department or National regulations.
RULE:
1. American Legion Baseball competitions in 2008 are open to boys or girls born on or after January 1,
1989. (Any player born before January 1, 1989 is not eligible.)
2. Only eighteen (18) players will be allowed on each team. Read National
Rule as to player roster. Teams will not be allowed to release players unless the 18 player roster is filled.
- American Legion Baseball Registration Form 1, (6 copies) must be
filed (TYPED ALPHABETIZED AND COMPLETELY FILLED OUT) and must be received by the Zone Commissioner no later than June 17,
2008. The certificate (Form 1), (6 copies) must be fully completed and certified by competent school official, team manager
and team coach. TWO LEGIBLE BIRTH CERTIFICATES of each player must accompany
the certification form. Records of birth must be a State certified reproduction from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics,
or Department of Health, or other government agencies authorized to produce birth documents. Or a U.S. Government issue Passport,
A U.S. Government issue Military I.D card or Dependent I.D.card. Notarized photocopies
of birth certificate; hospital records; baptismal records; school records or certificates will disqualify a player and/ or
team. Teams not certified by June 17, 2008 or, teams first game will not be eligible to compete this year.
An official team photograph, 5” x 7” glossy with caption is required to be submitted with team paperwork
in order to be a certified team. Additional Photographs,
(4), will be required with State Tournament Paperwork.
EACH PLAYER MUST COMPLETE AND FILE National
American Legion Form 2. Original copy shall be attached to the National Form 1 and forwarded to the Department Director. Any
team or player who fail to complete and file Form 2 shall be disqualified for any further play.
a) THE ZONE SCHRDULE WILL START JUNE 17, 2008 AND END July29,2008
b) Managers of both teams will notify the Zone Commissioner of any game missed due to high school baseball play-offs.
Team managers must submit a roster or completed Form 1 prior to their first game in two copies to the Zone Commissioner. Roster
will have the following information: players name, school attending, home address, date of birth and age. Roster will have
the same names as Form 1. Teams having players in state championship games will have two weeks to catch up on missed scheduled
games.
4. The player personnel of a team cannot be changed after a team roster
or a Form 1 is submitted.
a) Only in case of death,or Player is placed on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, may a vacancy
be filled with a substitute player, and then only with authorization by the Department Baseball Director for competition within
the Department and by National Director of the Americanism Commission for tournament play outside of Maine.
b) Outside sponsorship is permissible, subject to the approval by and under the control of the Department Baseball
Director.
c) No member of Baseball Committee may participate in a protest or be in charge of a tournament if he is coaching
or managing a team that is involved in play-off competition.
d) Team coach may be a non-legionnaire. No teams will be permitted to compete in more than two (2) games in any
one day.
e) Only Department Baseball Director may approve release of player from team to another. Release must be in writing
by releasing team. All release requests must go through Zone Commissioner.
f) All games will be played under the official rules of professional baseball, OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES (as published
by TRIUMPH BOOKS)
g) Re-entry: Only an injured player may be replaced by a player who
has been removed from the game and no other substitutes are available (Player to be chosen by the opposing coach). Player
re-entering may not pitch if he had pitched prior to re-entering. THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO PLAYOFF OR TOURNAMENT GAMES.
h) All zones may use the following re-entry rule: Any of the starting players may withdraw and re-enter once, provided
such player occupies the same position in the batting order whenever he/she is in the lineup. A substitute may not reenter.
i) All zones may use the DH in accordance with rule 6.10 Official Baseball Rules of the (TRIUMPH BOOKS)
j) The ten run rule may be used if each zone votes to do so. Simple majority rules.
5. Read carefully the National rule, which covers player regulations.
a) All questions, disputes and protest within a Department shall be decided by the Department Baseball Director
or committee in charge. READ CLOSELY National Rule 6.
Any protest of violation of State or National rules during games in league play must be filed with the Department
Baseball Director within 48 hours of time of infraction and must be documented by two witnesses. Documentation must be in
duplicate and typewritten. Protest Board for league play in 2008 will be comprised of Baseball Committee members not
directly involved with protest. The findings of the Protest Board will be final.
b) If a player is found or is known to be INELIGIBLE, he/she shall be disqualified immediately. All games in which
the disqualified player participated in SHALL BE FORFEITED. (National Rule 6-C).
c) If a player is known to be ineligible because of age, having played with another team or not being properly
released, or playing in another area, (Parent’s Residence of Record), not assigned his team, etc., notify the Zone Commissioner
by phone with a follow-up letter and notify the Department Baseball Director immediately by phone or letter.
d) Protests of Official TRIUMPH BOOKS baseball rules during actual game conditions must be filed with the chief
umpire before the next legal pitch is thrown. Any game protest continued beyond the end of the game must be in writing accompanied
by a check for $25. The Department Baseball Director will appoint a three (3)-person committee to adjudicate the protest.
6. All disputes concerning eligibility will be referred to the Department Baseball Director and the Committee,
who will take immediate action as outlined in Department and National Rules. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. A second offense
of rules, eligibility by the same team or manager, will be considered UNSPORTSMANSHIP;
(Rule 10, Department of Maine Rules).
7. It is required that player’s uniforms shall bear only the
insignia of the American Legion, except as may be qualified by National regulations. No firm or company whose advertisement
reflects the sale or use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products shall be permitted to display such advertising on a team
uniforms.
8. The Baseball committee is the final authority to interpret all
State rules necessary for the good of the program. The Department Baseball Committee will be composed of the Director, Baseball
Advisor, Field Director and one Commissioner from each zone.
9. National Americanism Commission, American Legion Baseball Rules,
Department of Maine American Legion 2008 Rules and TRIUMPH BOOKS Official Baseball Rules will be followed.
a) The Department closing date to submit paperwork or roster will be June 17, 2008. Post marked letters
June 17 or your team’s first game with National Form 1 will be accepted, only if in compliance with Rule 3.
b) Penalty. Any game participated in before a team roster or Form 1 and supporting documents are received by Zone
Commissioner will be forfeited. This will be strictly enforced.
10. Any manager, coach, athletic officer, player or official, who
conducts himself or herself in any unsportsman like manner, (which would reflect discredit on the program), while participating
in any American Legion competition shall be removed from further participation. The Department Baseball Director shall be
the sole judge of any infraction of the spirit and intent of this rule and his decision shall be final. Comments derogatory
to the American Legion Program or Officials will not be tolerated.
a) Any manager, coach, player or official pushing, hitting or manhandling any player, coach, manager or official
will be suspended for three (3) games immediately by the Department Baseball Director. (Only by him, more if warranted). Any
player fighting or any player entering a fight will automatically receive a five (5) game suspension, first offense. Second
offense in the same season will be suspension for the duration of the season and tournament play. Should anyone be hospitalized,
an indefinite suspension by those involved will be considered.
Vulgar language or obscene gestures will not be tolerated by managers, players, coaches or fans on or near the
bench. Any player, manager or coach ejected by the umpire will leave the complete playing area within three (3) minutes or
forfeit the game. An ejected player, coach or manager will automatically be ineligible to play or participate in the next
scheduled game.
The team manager or coach will report the incident following the game by phone within 24 hours, to the Zone Commissioner.
Failure to report the ejected person will continue the suspension until a report is rendered. Any game in which an ejected
or suspended player, manager or coach participates will be forfeited, (Ineligible Personnel).
The Zone Commissioner will check with both managers and umpires concerning the violation. He will submit a written
report within 48 hours along with his recommendations to the Field Director. The Field Director will notify the Department
Director on action he wants taken.
Any player, coach or manager ejected by an umpire must leave the ballpark. Suspended players, coaches or managers
are not allowed at the ballpark.
b) If upon documented proof any player is involved in substance abuse, the Department Baseball Director will be
immediately notified. The player or players concerned will be given a choice of taking a drug test or being indefinitely suspended
from playing American Legion Baseball by the Department Baseball Director. After the suspension the only way to be reinstated
to play is to be undergoing a recognized rehabilitation program.
c) When a struggle exists for the control of a Legion Baseball Team which threatens to disband the team, the State
Baseball Committee has the authority to Appoint a person or persons to control that team. The committee must consider the
recommendation of the zone Commissioner and may require a hearing of the parties involved and /or written statements from
the people seeking control.
The State Baseball Director and the State Baseball Committee has the power to Suspend any person with Criminal
Convictions or Defiance of American Legion Baseball Rules.
11. TEAM PENALTIES:
a) If the visiting team doesn’t show for
a game or call in time to notify the umpires, then they must pay the umpires fees to the home team. If the home team fails
to field a team and the visitors travel to the site of the game, the team must pay $1.00 per mile one-way travel to the visiting
team. When games are postponed, notify the other team and umpires early to save money.
b) Commissioners will approve their Zone
schedule no later than May 1. Subsequent changes made to game times or game days that are to take effect within a seven day
period may be made by mutual agreement. Changes made to either game start times or game days that are to take effect after
seven days of the change must be approved by the Zone Commissioner. The home team must always inform the Zone Commissioner
of any change to the schedule. A fifteen minute grace period is extended to all games. Any conflicts in scheduling will be
decided by the Zone Commissioner after he confers with both teams.
c) In the case of a regulation game being suspended due to darkness, rain, etc.; the game will resume at the point
of interruption, at the next scheduled meeting of the teams
involved. In the case of the last meeting of the season, the game
will resume at the point of interruption, on the next open date for both teams. See TRIUMPH BOOK Rule 4:10.
Suspended
games are permitted. Suspended games will resume from the point of
Suspension at the next scheduled meeting of the teams involved. In the
event the
Suspended game was the last scheduled meeting of the teams involved, the game will resume at the earliest
date possible. (Note: It is conceivable the suspended game could be played on
the same day as, and prior to, a regular season game between one of the teams involved in the suspended game and another team.)
Suspended games must be certified by the home plate umpire and by both team coaches. The written Statement of Certification must include the game status at the time of suspension, and it must
be signed by the coaches of both teams and by the home plate umpire. Game status
must include: date, location, teams, score, line-ups of both teams, which inning the game was stopped, outs, batter, ball
– strike count, and base runners.
The Zone Commissioner shall be notified by the home team within twenty-four (24) hours, and before the suspended
game may be resumed, that a suspended game condition exists. The Statement of
Certification shall be mailed or delivered to the Zone Commissioner by the home team with forty-eight (48) hours of the suspension.
d) All rainouts, or postponed games MUST be rescheduled by the next day and must be played
within seven (7) days or forfeited by home team. After July 15, rainouts, or postponed games MUST be PLAYED the next
open date of both teams. Home field availability will not be an accepted reason for failure to schedule a make up game. The
home team will forfeit. If a date cannot be agreed upon between the two teams, the Zone Commissioner will be notified and
he will set the date and place for the game in question. League games take priority over any other games. VIOLATION: League schedule games will be forfeited. Only the Zone Commissioner or Baseball Director
may make an exception.
e) Visiting team will be allowed 20 minutes for hitting if arriving 45 minutes or longer before game time.
f) If a team drops from the league, all games that are played count in the standings and the remaining games are
forfeits to the team on the schedule.
g) Any team forfeiting one game, repeat one scheduled game, will jeopardize there playing next year. (Committee
decision).
12. All baseball teams will pay an annual fee of $50.00, due no later
than March 1, 2008 Make checks payable to: The American Legion, Department of Maine, P.O. Box 900, Waterville, Me. 04903-0900,
Attn: Baseball & NAME OF TEAM. Only new teams need send a letter of intent along with entry fee. New teams must have a
field to play on, uniforms, a sponsor, financing, and management and be approved by the Baseball Committee.
a) At the tournament a plaque will be given to the championship team and runner-up and individual awards to players
on these two teams. Zone winners and runner-ups in each zone will be given team trophies.
b) ALL TEAMS MUST have a representative at the April meeting where all forms and rules are passed to each team.
Any team failing to have a representative at this meeting will be fined $100.00 and may be disqualified for the year.
13. The State of Maine will be made up of Five (5) zones: Zone 1 Commissioner
Mr.Dave Paul; Zone 2 Commissioner Mr. Chad Drouin; Zone 3 Commissioner Mr Delwin Wilson, Zone 4 Commissioner Mr Bob
Philbrick, Zone 5 Commissioner Mr Robert Moody, Junior Legion Commissioner Mr Al Livingston.
a) All zone problems will go to the Zone Commissioners,
then to the Field Director, before coming to the Department Director for final approval.
b) Each zone will play a minimum of 20 games to qualify for state tournament participation. All games, including Zone Tournament games, count toward won and loss record to determine Zone champions
and Zone runner-up.
c) If at the end of the regular season a tie(s) exists, the Zone Commissioner shall resolve it using the following
methods: 1) a single nine (9) inning game will be played on a neutral field or
a site agreed upon by both managers; [No play-off game will be scheduled
later than three (3) days prior to the start of the state tournament.] 2) the
won/loss records of the teams involved in head to head competition will be used; 3)
the regular season wins will be assigned a point value based on the success of the team that is defeated (i.e. Team A has
a season ending record of 15-9, any win recorded against that team would result in 15 points, Team B has a season ending record
of 4-20, any win recorded against that team would result in 4 point, etc.) with the higher composite total breaking the tie; 4) a coin flip between the team managers by the Zone Commissioner.
d) The Zone Commissioner will maintain a list
of board umpires for his zone and forward two copies to the Department Director.
e) Only players and coaches who are registered on Form 1 are permitted on the playing field in the coaching boxes.
Coaches and players must be in alike uniform in order to go on the playing field. NO EXCEPTIONS. Those persons in uniform
and not on the Form-1 must sign a waiver prior to the beginning of the season. At least one adult must be in charge of his/her
team during league play at each game, All COACHES MUST WEAR HELMETS WHEN IN THE COACHES BOX,
HELMETS WILL HAVE THE NOCSAE
SEAL OF APPROVAL.
f) Zone Commissioner will furnish five copies of his zone schedule, one is to be the original to the Department
Director.
14.
Maine Board umpires will be used in all games, home
team responsible. Two or more umpires each game. No umpire may officiate any game that immediate family is participating in.
Home team will forfeit, no written protest necessary. Phone call only to the Zone Commissioner. When only one umpire is available,
the visiting team will wait 30 minutes after the starting time for another umpire. Twilight ball games after July 4 will be
a 15-minute waiting period. No games will be played with one umpire unless by mutual consent of both managers.
ANY TEAM PLAYING IN STATE,REGIONAL,WORLD
SERIES TOURNAMENTS MUST HAVE ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES. OR PASSPORT,MILITARY
ID,
ANY TEAM PLAYING IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT MUST HAVE 4 OFFICIAL TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS 5X7 GLOSSY WITH CAPTIONS.
COACHES WILL MEET WITH THE
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR TO COVER THE ABOVE CERTIFICATES AND PICTURES BEFORE THEIR FIRST GAME.
ANY TEAM UNABLE TO MEET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL FORFEIT THEIR GAMES !!.
State Tournament Play Rules
1. The
2008 State Tournament will have ten (10) teams participating. Two teams will be selected from each zone. Teams participating
in the state tournament will either be the winner and runner-up of their zone tournament or be first (1st) and second (2nd)
place finishers during their regular season play. The winners or first place finishers will be the home team for their first
game at the State Tournament.
2. The State Tournament will be a double elimination tournament.
3. The
tournament pairings will be presented at the Spring Meeting at Togus. All ten teams will play the first two (2) days of the
tournament, weather permitting. Games will be played according to the attached schedule with second games doubleheaders starting
twenty (20) minutes after completion of first game. The Tournament Committee will make arrangements for another field in case
of bad weather.
4. The State Tournament will start on August 02, 2008 and continue
through August 06,2008 later, if necessary.
5. The Department Director will send a letter to all teams participating
in the tournament, outlining the manager’s responsibilities before the tournament starts.
6. National Rule 1.F; will apply to all pitchers in tournament play.
Penalty: Forfeiture of game if a protest is filed with the umpire before the last out of the game. The official scorer will
maintain the records required.
7. In case of rain, a thirty (30) minute period will be used to determine
if play will resume. The State Baseball Director, Local Tournament Director and umpire crew chief will make the decision.
8. Delayed games, not completed, will start at the period of delay,
at the first available time.
9. The Department Baseball Director will be in complete charge of
the tournament. The Local Tournament Director and the five zone commissioners will assist the director.
10. The Director will pick a three (3)-person committee to determine
the winner of the annual Sidney Schwartz Award. Andrews Post # 17 in memory of Francis Archer will furnish a trophy to the
Championship team each year. The same committee will select the team to be awarded the annual Commanders Award for Team Sportsmanship.
12. All protest during tournament play will be decided immediately.
The director will appoint a three-person committee to rule on a protest immediately on the field to allow the game to continue.
This committee will be comprised of Department of Maine, Baseball Committee members. Tournament umpires, not working the game,
will be used as alternates if Committee members are not present at the time of the protest.
13. Each team will be allowed one (1) manager and two (2) coaches
only, within the playing field. The Tournament Director may allow additional persons in the dugout.
14. Tournament pairings: Enclosure
# 1
15. The State Director will pick the umpires
for the tournament. Commissioners from each zone may send suggestions to the Director not later than July 10, 2008
16. The National Anthem will be played and the Code of Sportsmanship
will be read before each tournament game.
17. Any team or zone wishing to sponsor a State Baseball tournament,
must submit a proposal to the Baseball Committee at or before the committee’s winter meeting. Schedule of future tournaments:
2008 - ZONE 2
2009 – ZONE 1
2010 – ZONE 4
2011
– ZONE 3
2012---ZONE 5
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. READ AND COMPLY WITH ALL 2008 STATE AND NATIONAL BASEBALL RULES.
2. UNIFORMS:
a) All team members must be in like uniforms, including coaches and managers.
b) The American legion Baseball Insignia must be worn on the left sleeve, except when sleeveless shirts are worn,
then the Insignia must be sewn on the left breast side or pocket. Ref.; National Rule 1. A.1.
c) No torn or frayed uniform will be allowed in competition.
3. BASEBALLS: It is mandatory
that all Maine American Legion Baseball Games use the following baseballs:
a) Wilson - A1010
b) Diamond - D1
–AL
c) Rawlings - RO
d) Rawlings - RC-100
e) Macgregor
- 97
f) Worth - MLH
Use of
any other baseball, unless approved by the State Baseball Committee is not authorized. The State Tournament baseball will
be the Diamond - D1 - AL.
4. All tournaments shall utilize the American League designated hitter
rule as published by the TRIUMPH BOOKS.
5. If your team expects to get into competition, every detail on “
OFFICIAL FORMS “ , must be properly filled out, including signatures of various officials. REMEMBER, ONLY A LEGAL BIRTH
CERTIFICATE ,PASSPORT ,MILITARY ID, WILL BE ACCEPTED. Players listed ALPHABETICALLY on TYPED FORM 1’S.
a) HOSPITAL, SCHOOL AND BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES ARE NEVER ACCEPTABLE.
b) MANAGERS, COACHES:: READ AND COMPLY WITH ALL RULES.
DEPARTMENT BASEBALL COMMITTEE
Department Director: Charles A.Berube, 123 Second St, Auburn,Me 04210
Tel: 782-5615 E-mail vzchuckberube@verizon.net
Field Director: Dennis Damon, 256 Oak Point Rd., Trenton, ME 04605
Tel: 667-9629
E-mail: dsdamon@panax.com
Advisor: Brian
J. Strickland, P.O. Box 1147, Me 04217
Tel: 824-0973, , E-mail autumn@megalink.net
Zone 1 Commissioner: David W. Paul, 1010 Main St, Veazie Me 04401
Tel: 947-3530
E-mail: DPAUL82510@aol.com
Zone 2 Commissioner: Chad Drouin 9 Centre Rd,Wales Me 04280
Tel:375-8684 E-mail
cdrouin@prodigy.net
Zone 3 Commissioner: Delwin Wilson PO BOX 38 West Bethel Me. 04286
Tel: 836-2109
Zone 4 Commissioner: Robert D. Philbrick, 136
Naragansett St, Gorham, Me. 04038
Tel: 839-3588 E-mail: rdpmcp@verizon.net
Zone 5 Commissioner: Robert Moody 256 Buxton
Rd, Saco Me 04072
Tel: 282-2144
Jr Legion Commissoner Al Livingston, 205 Sandy
Hill Rd, South Portland Me 04106
Tel: 773-4819 aliving1@maine.rr.com
Zone Commissioners, submit a Zone Directory,
showing all teams Names, Home fields,
Mangers,(including phone numbers and addresses),
coaches, (including phone numbers
And addresses) and location of home fields,
to the Field Director who will see that all teams get a copy.
The Baseball
Committee will meet November 16, 2008 to formulate plans for the 2009 season.
They welcome complaints, suggestions and solutions in writing to help improve The American Legion Baseball Program
in the Department of Maine. They will finalize all plans for the 2009
season at their winter meeting on February 08, 2009
CONCLUSION
The Baseball rules have been presented to responsible team baseball officials that attended the April meeting where
these rules were distributed. For further information contact the Department Baseball Director, Charles A. Berube
STATE TOURNAMENT AT , AUGUSTA
Baseball diamond: C.A.R.A COMPLEX.
DATES: AUGUST 2,3,4,5,6,2008
Northeast Regional-
Bristol, Ct. August 14-18
2008 WORLD SERIES – Shelby. NC. August 22-26.
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2008 Maine legion Baseball
Teams-49 teams |
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Zone 1 |
Zone 2 |
Zone 3 |
Zone 4 |
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