Cranberry Baseball League Rules - Section A: The MLB rulebook shall govern the playing of all league games except rules that are specific to the Cranberry Baseball League as contained herein.
Postponements - Section B: The home team manager may postpone a game because of inclement weather conditions. Within 48 hours of a postponement, the home team manager must offer the manager of the visiting team at least two possible make-up dates on which it does not have a league game scheduled. The visiting team manager must indicate his acceptance of one of these dates within 48 hours of notification. These games must be played within fourteen (14) days after the postponed date. If the home team cannot get a field, they should work with the visiting team to try and secure the visiting teams field within the same amount of time (14) days. In the event that the two teams cannot resolve a make-up game the home team should request assistance from the Commissioner. At that time a date and field will be assigned. If either team cannot field a team it will result in a forfeit.
a) If a game is postponed in the final 2 weeks of the season all efforts should be made to play the game immediately. If a date cannot be settled on seek assistance from the commissioner.
Games that are postponed within 24 hours of game time due to issues with permits for fields are subject to 1/2 payment to the umpires assigned as well as a $100 fine payable to the commissioner. Should the postponement/notification occur within 2 hours of game, the umpires will receive full pay.
Officials - Section C: No league-sanctioned games may start with less than one league-assigned umpire present. Only league-assigned umpires may be used for scheduled games. League umpire assessments may not be used for non-scheduled league games.
Special Circumstances - Section D: Postponements for any other reason may be made only with the approval of the President. Failure to obtain approval will result in a forfeit by the team. The President may grant a waiver in the case of extenuating circumstances.
Length Of Games - Section E: All regular season games shall be scheduled for seven innings. A 8-Run Mercy Rule shall be in effect for all games. Under the mercy rule, the game will end and a win will be awarded when the home team is ahead by at least 8 runs after 4 1/2 innings or behind by at least 8 runs after 5 complete innings. If the visiting team expands to the lead to 8 or more runs in the top half of any inning from the 5th inning and after, the home team must bat in the bottom half of the inning. Teams should attempt to play beyond seven innings in the event of a tie unless halted by darkness, curfew, or inclement weather. Playoff games shall be played the prescribed number of innings. If interrupted by weather or darkness, they shall be completed from the point of interruption on the next scheduled playoff date, if so directed by the President. The team trailing in score at the time of suspension may elect to waive this provision and accept the score as it stands.
Forfeits - Section F: A team which forfeits a game shall pay to the President a fine of $50.00 as well as all umpire fees and any additional expenses incurred by the home team (lights, field) in full for games that are forfeited. Payment must be made before the team's next scheduled game or within 48 hours of originally scheduled game. Fines must be in the hands of the President at that time; failure to do so will result in successive forfeits until all fines are paid.
Section G: A team will be suspended from further league play if it has forfeited games on two separate dates during a season. Its remaining scheduled games shall be recorded as forfeits and its membership in the league shall be revoked. The balance of fees and umpire assessment, if any, shall become the property of the Cranberry Baseball League. Said team may re-apply for membership the following year and if accepted must pay a $500.00 fee.
Section H: The President shall award a forfeit for the use of ineligible players.
Ejection And Suspension - Section I: The Umpire-in-Chief shall report to the President, within 25 hours, the names of any player or coach who may have been ejected from the game and circumstances surrounding the ejection.
The First Time a player, coach, or manager is ejected from a game, he shall be fined $50.
The Second Time a player, coach, or manager is ejected from a game, he will be fined $50 and suspended from the next two league games.
The Third Time a player, coach, or manager is ejected from a game, the team will be fined $50 and the player, coach, or manager will be suspended for the rest of the season. If he desires to play, coach, or manage the following season, the team that he wishes to participate for must apply for re-instatement to the league and said application must be approved by a majority of the voting members.
When the Umpire In Chief notifies the President of an ejection, the President or Comissioner will call the respective coach, who will inform him of the situation. With this call, the President will institute the appropriate penalty for the ejection. If payment of a fine is forthcoming, payment must be made prior to the teams next game or the player, coach, or manager cannot participate.
If a player or coach has physically abused an umpire, he will be suspended for the next three games, following notification from the President. Additional sanctions may be assessed. A second incident of any type of physical abuse shall result in the suspension of that player for the remainder of the season. If he desires to play the following season, the team that he wishes to play for must apply for re-instatement to the league and said application must be approved by a majority of the voting members.
All ejections and fines can be appealed. The appeal will be heard by the President, Team Representative, and the Umpire in Chief. All fines can be rescinded or reduced at their discretion.
Conduct Rules - Section J: LANGUAGE: Players must refrain from using vile and profane language. In general, it is expected that players will be under control and not use obscenities. It is further expected that the manager will control the language used by his players. The standard for the league is that if, in the umpire's judgment, inappropriate language can be heard by a fan in the stands, that player will be ejected. If the player does not leave the field immediately or if he persists in using foul language, the manager will also be ejected. If the situation continues to persist, the umpire will forfeit the game to the other team.
Section K: FIGHTING & PHYSICAL ABUSE OF OFFICIALS: Any physical confrontation with opposing players or officials, including pushing, shoving, striking with arms, hands, legs, feet, or equipment, or an attempt to make such physical contact, will result in the following penalties:
- For the first offense by an individual, ejection from the game and a suspension from the team's next Game (the 2nd game of the doubleheader if appropriate) as well as a $50 fine.
- For the 2nd offense, ejection from the game and suspension from the next 3 games as well as a $50 fine.
- For the 3rd offense, ejection from the game and suspension the season; additionally, the team must pay a $50 fine.
- If the physical confrontation is directed toward an umpire, the provisions of Section I.e (above) will apply.
Section M: INTENTIONALLY THROWING AT A BATTER: If a pitcher is ejected for intentionally throwing at a batter, he shall be suspended for the team's next four games, beginning with the 2nd game of a doubleheader if appropriate. If a warning to the teams had been previously given, then the manager shall be ejected as well and be suspended for one game, beginning with the 2nd game of a doubleheader if appropriate. All other ejection rules will be enforced.
Section N: VERBAL ABUSE/BENCH JOCKEYING: Game personnel will not use language that reflects negatively on opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators. The umpire will issue one warning and if the abuse continues, will eject the offending personnel. If the abuse does not subside or if it cannot be ascertained who the offending individual is, the manager shall be ejected. All other ejection rules will be enforced.
Protest - Section O: Protested games must adhere to Official Rule 4.19. Within 24 hours after the game's conclusion, the manager of the protesting team is required to submit a written statement to the League President outlining the grounds for the protest. The League President will provide a response to the protest within 72 hours of receiving it. If the protest is found to be valid, any fees paid will be refunded.
Designated Hitter - Section P: A designated hitter may be used in accordance with Official Rule 6.10.
Pre-Game Field Use - Section Q: Visiting teams may have use of the field 15 minutes before the start of twilight games. All practice on the field shall end five minutes before scheduled start of a game. There shall be no practice time allotted between games of a doubleheader. Teams shall be ready to present lineup cards to the umpires and to review ground rule five minutes before the scheduled start of each game.