ALAMEDA BABE RUTH'S CODE OF CONDUCT

The Alameda Babe Ruth program is set up for the benefit of the players with the specific objectives of implanting firmly in the youth of Alameda the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage and respect of authority.  With this is mind, the Board of Directors have established the following Code of Conduct for all age group leagues:

1. All players, coaches, umpires, scorekeepers and fans shall be treated with respect.

2. Coaches and players shall not demean their own players, opposing players, or umpires before, during or after the game.

3. Players will be ejected from the game for throwing bats, helmets, gloves, etc.

4. Any unreasonable display of emotion will elicit a warning from the umpire. This includes the use of foul language. Upon receiving a warning, the player or coach shall immediately stop arguing and return to his position or the dugout. Failure to do so will result in ejection from the game. Any repetition later in the same game will also result in ejection from the game, as will a flagrant violation at any time in the game (even if a warning was not previously given).

These rules are in the best interest of Alameda Babe Ruth and are to be adhered to by all participants.  Immediately following a game, the home plate umpire shall report the ejection of any player, manager or coach as well as any other flagrant violation of these rules to the umpire-in-chief, who will report the incident to the President.

Any player who continually violates this Code of Conduct will not be eligible for all-star selection and may be subject to further league action.  Player ejections must be reported to the General Manager, who has the authority to impose further punishment including suspension for one or more future games.  Any manager or coach ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from participating in his next league game and may be subject to further league action.

ALAMEDA BABE RUTH BY-LAWS,
POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Revised July 2007  
( * = Most recent changes)

CONTENTS

~ alcohol & tobacco ~ all stars ~ all star managers/coaches ~ approval of payments ~ awards/sportsman ~ awards/volunteer ~
~ ball thrown out-of-play ~ board of directors ~ board quorum ~ board selection ~ code of conduct ~ college scholarships ~ 
~ darkness ~ draft, american league ~ draft, national league ~ dugouts ~ eligibility ~ evaluations ~ extra hitter ~ fake tags ~ forfeits ~
~ ground rules* ~ high school players ~ helmets, base coaches & batboys/girls ~ infield practice ~ injuries during game ~
~ jewelry ~ managers & coaches ~ manager/coach responsibilities ~ metal spikes ~ minimum play rule ~
~ pitching rules* ~ protests ~ rain-outs ~ replacing players ~ running over catcher ~ sign-ups ~ 16/19 yr olds ~
~ standings ~ 10-run rule ~ time limits ~ tie games ~ trips to mound ~ trophies ~ uniforms ~

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Alameda Babe Ruth League program is to provide a safe, organized baseball program for 13-19 year old boys and girls in the city of Alameda, with the specific objectives of implanting firmly in the youth of Alameda the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage and respect for authority.  Unless otherwise noted, the sections below pertain only to the 13-15 year old leagues.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
A player must live in Alameda to be eligible to sign up for the 13-15 year old Alameda Babe Ruth programs.  However, once a player is on an American League or National League team, he or she is eligible to sign up and play through league age 15, even if the player has moved out of Alameda.  13 year olds cannot play in the National League; they are only eligible for the American League.  Players are prohibited from participating on a team or in a league of any other baseball program that operates during the same time frame as Alameda Babe Ruth, with the exception of the middle/high school programs.

Additionally, a player who owes money, uniforms or equipment to Alameda Babe Ruth from the previous year is ineligible to participate in the League until said debt is paid (or suitable payment arrangements are made in advance with the Treasurer).  A player who has not paid his/her player fee cannot play in any League game until the fee is paid (or suitable payment arrangements made in advance with the Treasurer).

SIGNUPS
Signups will be held in January or February.  Everyone must sign up, including players returning to the same 14-15 year old team as the previous year.  A player is signed up when a signed medical release form is returned to the league.  All players who sign up for the league at signups, or before a later cutoff date established by the league, are guaranteed to make a team if they attend at least two evaluations (see below).  Players who sign up after the cutoff date can attend the evaluations, but they are not guaranteed to make a team.  Some may make a team if there are enough spots available. The rest will be put on a waiting list in case there are later openings.

EVALUATIONS
A minimum of two and a maximum of three evaluations will be held before the season starts for both the American and National leagues.  To accommodate those who are sick or out-of-town for a weekend, there must be evaluations on two different weekends.

Players who cannot attend two evaluations due to illness, injury or other acceptable reason can still be guaranteed to make a team with the special permission of the General Manager for that league.  For those injured, this usually means the player must show up at the beginning of a regularly scheduled evaluation so the managers can see the player and ask questions.

Returning 15 year olds who played on a National League team the previous year do not have to attend evaluations.  They are automatically on the same team as the previous year as long as they have signed up prior to the end of evaluations (their manager has the option to keep the player even if they have not officially signed up).  Players who were in the American League the previous year are not automatically on a team.  They must sign-up and attend the evaluations.

NATIONAL LEAGUE DRAFT
The National League draft will be held shortly after the last evaluation.  Each team will draft to a maximum 15 player roster.  The number of teams, the roster size, and the breakdown between 14 and 15 year olds will be determined by the General Manager.

Draft selections will be as follows (example below is for a six team league):

                         Team Number                           Draft Pick

                                    1                                  1  12  13  24  25

                                    2                                  2  11  14  23  26          etc.

                                    3                                  3  10  15  22  27

                                    4                                  4    9  16  21  28

                                    5                                  5    8  17  20  29

                                    6                                  6    7  18  19  30

The last place team the previous year gets first choice of draft position (i.e., team 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6), the next to last place team gets the second choice, etc.).  If teams tied the previous year and there was no playoff to resolve the tie, they will flip a coin to see who gets the earlier choice for draft position. To determine standings for draft selection purposes, only regular season games from the previous season count.   Post-season tournament games do not count.

If there is a new team, that team will select five 15 year olds at the beginning of the draft before any other team gets a selection.  In addition, the new team will get the first choice of draft position (as if the new team had finished last the previous year).

The purpose of the evaluation and draft procedure is to attempt to have a competitive balance between the teams at the beginning of the season.  If there is a competitive imbalance caused by a 15 year old not returning to his National League team (moved, injury, quit, etc.) or some other reason, the General Manager can allow that team to select one or more 15 year olds at the beginning of the draft (i.e., before team #1 gets the first selection).  A majority of the National League managers can appeal the General Manager's decision in this matter to the Board of Directors, as long as the appeal is prior to the commencement of the draft.  If there is an appeal, the draft will be postponed until after a decision by the Board of Directors.

A manager can have an option on his own son or daughter.  The draft round at which a manager option must be exercised will necessarily vary depending on the player's ability and will be determined by a unanimous vote of the National League managers.  If a unanimous vote is not possible, the General Manager will determine when the option must be exercised.  A majority of the National League managers can appeal the General Manager’s decision in this matter to the Board of Directors, as long as the appeal is prior to the commencement of the draft.  If there is an appeal, the draft will be postponed until after a decision by the Board of Directors.  A manager must declare before the start of the draft if the option will be exercised.

There will be no coach, brother or sister options without the express approval of the Board of Directors.

AMERICAN LEAGUE DRAFT
The American League draft will be held shortly after the National League draft.  Each team will draft to a maximum 15 player roster. The number of teams and the roster size will be determined by the General Manager, but all 13-15 year-old players who have signed up prior to the cutoff date and have attended two evaluations will be guaranteed a spot on a team.

Draft selections will be determined by drawing numbers from one to the number of teams in the American League and will be as follows (example below is for a four team league):

                         Team Number                           Draft Pick

                                    1                                  1  8    9  16  17

                                    2                                  2  7  10  15  18            etc.

                                    3                                  3  6  11  14  19

                                    4                                  4  5  12  13  20

A manager can have an option on his own son or daughter.  The draft round at which a manager option must be exercised will necessarily vary depending on the player's ability and will be determined by a unanimous vote of the American League managers.  If a unanimous vote is not possible, the General Manager will determine when the option must be exercised.  A majority of the American League managers can appeal the General Manager's decision in this matter to the Board of Directors, as long as the appeal is prior to the commencement of the draft.  If there is an appeal, the draft will be postponed until after a decision by the Board of Directors.  A manager must declare before the start of the draft if the option will be exercised.  There will be no coach, brother or sister options without the express approval of the Board of Directors.

REPLACEMENT OF PLAYERS

UNIFORMS
No team may wear team uniforms, jackets, sweatshirts or similar items of clothing that are not provided by the League without express permission of the Board of Directors in advance.  Players must return League issued uniforms to their manager at the conclusion of their last game.

INFIELD PRACTICE
The visiting team is allowed to take a 10 minute infield practice from 20 minutes prior to game time to 10 minutes prior to game time.  The home team is allowed to take a 10 minute infield practice from 10 minutes prior to game time until game time.  A team forfeits its infield practice if it does not take it during the time allowed.

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
High school players (both varsity and junior varsity) can practice with their Babe Ruth team, but they cannot participate in any games (including practice games) until their high school team has finished its season.  Intra-squad games are OK, but any type of game, "practice" or "scrimmage" that involves players from another team are not.  A player's high school team can forfeit its remaining games if this rule is broken.  This is a high school rule and an Alameda Babe Ruth rule.

If a high school player quits his high school team after its first league game, that player cannot participate in any games (including practice games) until his high school team has finished its regular season (this is an Alameda Babe Ruth rule).  The reason for this rule is to prevent high school players from quitting their high school teams in order to participate in Babe Ruth games or practice games.

MINIMUM PLAY RULE 
All players who are not injured or being disciplined must play at least -- three (3) defensive innings and have one (1) at bat.   

The opposing manager must be informed prior to the game that the player is being disciplined and will not play.  Once this notification has taken place, the disciplined player cannot play in the game unless an injury or some other situation occurs that would cause the team to play with less than nine players and there are no other players on the bench who are uninjured or being disciplined.  If a player has to be disciplined during the game, the opposing manager shall be informed immediately that the player will not play in the game.

If there is a shortened game due to darkness, weather, ten run rule, etc., it is recommended that the players who did not get their minimum time in the game:

• Start the next game,

• Play the remainder of the missed time plus the new game's minimum time, and 

• Bat at least twice.

If the game was not shortened, players who did not get their minimum time in the game must:

• Start the next game, and 

• Play the entire game.  

Managers who violate the minimum play rule may be disciplined.

INJURIES DURING THE GAME
If an injury, sickness or ejection occurs during the game and there is no player on the bench who is eligible to replace the injured, sick or ejected player, the following shall occur.

1. If the injury, sickness or ejection is to a starter who was replaced and who then re-entered the game, the player who initially replaced the starter shall take the injured, sick or ejected player's place.

2. If the injury, sickness or ejection is to a starter who was not replaced, any player on the bench may take the injured, sick or ejected player's place, regardless of whether the player on the bench was a starter or a non-starter.

An injured or sick player, once removed from the game under the above rule, cannot re-enter.

TRIPS TO THE MOUND
The second trip to the mound to the same pitcher in the same inning causes the pitcher's automatic removal as a pitcher.  The pitcher is eligible to stay in the game, but cannot return as a pitcher.  If a pitcher is removed on the first trip to the mound in an inning, the pitcher can return later in the game as a pitcher, even if he/she was substituted for and later re-entered.

PITCHING RULES (New - April 15, 2008)
The following pitching rules shall apply to the American and National leagues for all regular season and the post-season tournament games (does not apply to all-star tournament games):

1. A pitcher may pitch seven innings per week.  Due to different schedules and the number of participating teams, what constitutes a "pitching week" differs between leagues, i.e.:

   • For the National League, the pitching week is Tuesday through Monday

   • For the American League, the pitching week is Monday through Sunday)

2. If a pitcher delivers one pitch or makes one play in an inning, that pitcher shall be charged for one inning pitched.

3. A pitcher must have two days rest between pitching assignments if he pitched more than 42 pitches in any game in the American League or more than two innings in the National League (i.e., a pitcher who pitched on Thursday is not eligible to pitch again until Sunday). In no event may a pitcher exceed 3 innings pitched and be able to pitch the next day, regardless of pitch count.

4. If a pitcher pitched 42 pitches or less in the American League or two innings or less in the National League, he is eligible to pitch in his team's next game (as long as he has not reached his seven innings per calendar week limit).

5. Any innings pitched by a pitcher during the last week of his high school season shall count as if they were pitched in Babe Ruth for the purposes of this rule. Thus, if a pitcher pitched one inning for his high school team, he would be eligible to pitch six innings that week in Babe Ruth. If a pitcher pitched three innings for his high school team on Friday, he would not be able to pitch in Babe Ruth on Saturday or Sunday (as he would not have the required two days rest).

6. AL Pitch Count:  A Maximum "pitch count" of 95 pitches is being imposed in the American League. It is the responsibility of the scorekeepers' from both teams to track the pitch count of both pitchers. Score keepers should confer and reconcile pitches between each inning. Pitches lobbed for an intentional walk do not count towards the 95 pitch total. If a pitcher reaches the 95 pitch total in the middle of an at-bat, the pitcher is allowed to finish pitching to the batter before being replaced.

10-RUN RULE
A game is over after becoming regulation (losing team has had five innings at bat) if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs and both teams have had an equal number of times at bat or the home team is leading.  

CALLING GAMES FOR DARKNESS - COMPLETING GAMES
If a game is called for darkness at the end of the 5th or 6th inning, or in the bottom of the 5th or 6th inning with the home team ahead, the game is final. If the game is called for darkness before it is a regulation game (the losing team has not completed 5 innings at bat or the game is tied in the 5th inning), the game will be continued later and played to completion. If the game is called for darkness in the 6th inning, that one inning only will be continued later. If any continued game is tied at the completion of an inning, the game will be played to completion.

JEWELRY
Players may not wear earrings, watches, rings or any other jewelry that could be dangerous to the player or to other players.  Medical ID's may be worn if they are taped to the skin or worn on a neck chain tucked under the jersey.

If it is not yet a regulation game when it becomes too dark (the losing team has not completed five innings at bat), the continued game will be played to completion.  If the game is in the sixth inning when it becomes too dark, that one inning only shall be continued, unless the game is tied (i.e., the game will be over at the end of the sixth inning, unless the game is tied).  If any continued game is tied at the completion of an inning, the game will be played to completion.

TIE GAMES
Tie games during the week will be continued at a later time (preferably the next time the two teams play on a weekend, or otherwise as determined by the General Manager).

LEAGUE STANDINGS
There will be no playoffs at the end of the season for the American or National leagues unless there is a tie in the standings for first or second place.  If two teams are tied, there will be a single game playoff.

EXTRA HITTER
The Extra Hitter is a 10-man batting order with 10 starters. The EH must always be shown on the line-up card. 

• American League - This batting order alignment is REQUIRED.

• National League - This batting order alignment is optional, however, once a team starts a game with an EH, it must continue with the EH for the entire game.

The EH must also play the required minimum defensive innings (i.e., AL, 3 innings; NL, 2 innings).

DUGOUTS
Only players, managers, coaches, scorekeepers, batboys and batgirls are allowed in the dugout during games.  The third base dugout is for the home team.

BALL THROWN OUT OF PLAY
If a ball is thrown out of play by a fielder, each runner is entitled to two bases from where he was when the ball was thrown.  However, if the throw was the first throw by an infielder, each runner is entitled to two bases from where he was at the time of the pitch.  If a ball is thrown out of play by a pitcher who did not step off the rubber before trying a pickoff play, each runner is entitled to only one base.  If the pitcher steps off the rubber before trying the pickoff play, each runner is entitled to two bases (in essence the pitcher becomes a fielder when he steps off the rubber).

FAKE TAGS
To prevent injury, fielders shall not fake tags.  Players shall be warned once.  Any repetition will result in ejection from the game.  For any fake tag, the umpire may decide to rule obstruction, in which case the baserunner will be allowed to advance to the base he/she might have obtained without the fake tag.

RUNNING OVER CATCHER
To prevent injury, baserunners cannot run over the catcher or any other fielder.  If a collision occurs at the plate or a base and the runner did not slide or try to avoid contact, the runner will be called out, and if the umpire believes the collision was intentional, the runner will be ejected from the game.  If the catcher or another fielder jumps into the base path trying to catch a ball, contact is allowed, unless in the umpire's judgment the collision was intentional. If the catcher or fielder is in the base path and not in the process of catching a throw, obstruction will be called and the runner will be safe (unless the runner intentionally runs over the fielder).

METAL SPIKES   
Metal baseball cleats have been approved for players in ALL Babe Ruth leagues, including the American League.

HELMETS FOR BASE COACHES & BAT BOYS/GIRLS
Players who serve as first or third base coaches, or as Bat Boy or Bat Girl during the game must wear batting helmets when outside of the dugout.

ALL-STARS  
The managers in the National League vote for the 15 year-old all star team and the 14 year-old all star team. The managers in the American League vote for the 13 year-old all-star team. The 15 year old all-stars will be selected before the 14 year-old all stars. Each all star team will be drawn solely of players from that age group (exceptions to this rule will be considered by the Board on a case-by-case basis).

Each manager in the respective league votes for 15 players for the team. The top 11 vote-getters are on the team. If there is a tie for the 11th spot, the managers will vote to break the tie. The all-star manager picks the remaining 4 players for the team. These last 4 choices are solely at the all-star manager's discretion.

If there is a vacancy on the all-star team for any reason (quit, discipline, injury, etc.), the all-star manager can select any other eligible player.

All-star jackets and uniforms (except for the hat) belong to the League and must be returned to the League immediately following the all-star season. No one may "purchase" his/her all-star uniform or jacket without express approval of the Board of Directors.

TEAM AND LEAGUE SPORTSMAN
Near the end of the season, each manager will select a team sportsman.  This should be the player who shows up to practices and games on time, has a good attitude, abides by the rules, and accepts victory or defeat graciously.  Athletic ability should not be considered.  In the National League, the team sportsman has to be a 15 year old.  All team sportsmen will receive a plaque at the Awards Ceremony.

After all team sportsmen has been selected, the managers in the American League will select one of the American League sportsmen as their league sportsman.  This player will receive the Whitey Wootten award at the Awards Ceremony.  The managers in the National League will select one of the National League sportsmen as their league sportsman.  This player will receive the Ty French award at the Awards Ceremony.  In voting for the league sportsman, a manager may not vote for his own team sportsman.

It is very important that the identity of the team and league sportsmen be kept secret until the Awards Ceremony.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The league President will select an adult volunteer of the year.  That person will receive the Volunteer of the Year award that has been established in memory of Woody Dal Porto at the Awards Ceremony.  The only restriction on the selection is that the President cannot select himself/herself. 

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Drinking of alcoholic beverages is not allowed on the field, in the stands, or anywhere else near the playing field.  Smoking and chewing tobacco are not allowed on the field.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Alameda Babe Ruth will award at least one $500 scholarship each year (plus any additional from donations) to a graduating high school senior who will be attending college the next fall.  The Board of Directors will appoint a Scholarship Committee, which will select the scholarship winner(s) without further approval by the Board.  The scholarship(s) will not be paid until proof of enrollment in the fall is submitted.

PROTESTS
All protests must be submitted in writing to the President within 24 hours following completion of the game protested.  All protests will be decided by the President or by his/her appointed committee.

16-19 YEAR OLD
For our 16-19 year old teams (i.e., our Sr. Leaguers) at least 75% of the players must live in Alameda and any non-Alameda players must be either pitchers or catchers.

If there are two teams of 16-19 year-olds, the coaching staffs for both teams will work together with the understanding that the Mariners are a feeder program to the Merchants.  The Merchants will be the “major league” or “varsity” team and the Mariners will be the “minor league” or “junior varsity” team.  The Merchants will have priority over fields, uniforms, equipment, etc.  The Merchants and the Mariners may play in different leagues, and neither is required to play in a Senior Babe Ruth League if that League is not competitive.  The General Manager will recommend which league(s) the Merchants and Mariners will play in, but the Board of Directors has final approval.

All players must try out unless approved by the General Manager in advance.  Returning Merchants players may be frozen and not required to try out with the approval of both the Manager and the General Manager.

CODE OF CONDUCT
The Alameda Babe Ruth program is set up for the benefit of the players with the specific objectives of implanting firmly in the youth of Alameda the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage and respect of authority.  With this is mind, the Board of Directors have established the following Code of Conduct for all age group leagues:

1. All players, coaches, umpires, scorekeepers and fans shall be treated with respect.

2. Coaches and players shall not demean their own players, opposing players, or umpires before, during or after the game.

3. Players will be ejected from the game for throwing bats, helmets, gloves, etc.

4. Any unreasonable display of emotion will elicit a warning from the umpire. This includes the use of foul language. Upon receiving a warning, the player or coach shall immediately stop arguing and return to his position or the dugout. Failure to do so will result in ejection from the game. Any repetition later in the same game will also result in ejection from the game, as will a flagrant violation at any time in the game (even if a warning was not previously given).

These rules are in the best interest of Alameda Babe Ruth and are to be adhered to by all participants.  Immediately following a game, the home plate umpire shall report the ejection of any player, manager or coach as well as any other flagrant violation of these rules to the umpire-in-chief, who will report the incident to the President.

Any player who continually violates this Code of Conduct will not be eligible for all-star selection and may be subject to further league action.  Player ejections must be reported to the General Manager, who has the authority to impose further punishment including suspension for one or more future games.  Any manager or coach ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from participating in his next league game and may be subject to further league action.

MANAGERS AND COACHES

The Board of Directors selects all managers for all age groups and can remove them at any time.  Managers can choose their own coaches without prior approval of the Board of Directors. However, the Board of Directors can remove a coach at any time.

MANAGER/COACH RESPONSIBILITIES
Manager and coach responsibilities include the following:

1. To set an example for the players by adhering to and enforcing the Code of Conduct.

2. To be responsible for the conduct of his players and parents.

3. To attend tryouts for the purpose of preparing for the player draft.

4. To attend scheduled meetings including pre-season, post-season, general, or Manager/Coach meetings. 

5. To be responsible for the care and collection of equipment and to turn in uniforms and equipment promptly at the end of each season.

6. To assist with field maintenance including the following:

• Drag, hose down and line infield prior to the game (both teams responsible).  Note that the Park Department assists with dragging and hosing down the fields. 

• Pick up trash in own dugout after the game.

• Put away the bases, hoses, etc. after the game (home team).

• Drag dirt areas at Stargell Field after the game and repair home plate and pitcher areas (both teams).

ALL-STAR MANAGERS AND COACHES 
The National League manager with the highest standings (based on regular season games only) from the previous year has the option to be the 15 year-old all-star manager. If this person declines, the manager with the second highest standing from the previous year has the option. If this person also declines, the manager with the third highest standing has the option, etc.

The National League manager with the highest standings at the end of the current year has the option to be the 14 year old all-star manager. If this person declines, the manager with the second highest standing from the current year has the next option, etc.

The American League manager with the highest standings (prior to the play-offs), at the end of the current year has the option to be the 13 year-old all star manager. If this person declines, the second place manager has the option, etc.

All-star managers are free to choose any manager or coach in their league to be the all-star coaches.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPOSITION

The Board of Directors shall be composed of the following 21 voting members:

• Five officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, 13-15 Treasurer, and 16-18 Treasurer

• Four League General Managers: American, National, Mariners & Merchants

• One Umpire-in-Chief

• One Assistant Umpire-in-Chief

• One Comptroller

• One Alameda Recreation & Park (ARPD) Liaison

• Eight Directors: Legal Affairs; Equipment; Communications; Sponsor Relations; Player/Coach Development; Fundraising; District All-Star Tournament; State All-Star Tournament

Position Descriptions:

QUORUM
A quorum of the Board of Directors must be present in person or by proxy for the Board of Directors to conduct any business.  A quorum is eleven members of the Board of Directors.

BOARD SELECTION PROCEDURE
The Board of Directors shall be selected each year in September as follows:

APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS
Bank accounts and financial records for the 13-15 year old league shall be separate from those of the 16-18 year old teams.  All bank accounts (savings, checking, money market, certificates of deposit, etc.) shall require two Board member signatures for withdrawal of funds or payment of bills.

Only the President, General Manager or Equipment Manager may charge equipment at any sporting goods company.  Any other charges must be specifically authorized in advance by the Equipment Manager with a purchase order.  If equipment is needed immediately, the person picking up the equipment can pay in cash and fill out a form provided by the Treasurer to get a reimbursement.