Baseball Clubs of Cape Cod

League Bylaws

Article I: Name & Purpose

Section A: This organization shall be known as the Baseball Clubs of Cape Cod and shall be on an amateur standing. The league is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the guidelines of the national Men’s Adult Baseball League (MABL).
Section B: The purpose of the league is to provide an alternative to softball for men and women 18 years and older, and to promote competition among amateur baseball teams on Cape Cod and in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Section C: All franchises and team members agree to abide by the bylaws and rules of the BCCC.

Article II: Membership

Section A: The membership of this league shall consist of self-organized baseball teams, granted a franchise in the league by consent of the Executive Committee. Any team holding a franchise in this league shall retain and exercise its franchise for the next season without need for re-acceptance to membership, provided that it has fulfilled all of its financial obligations to the league.
Section B: A new franchise may be accepted for membership by a two-thirds majority of the league’s Executive Committee. Each application for membership will be acted upon individually. New franchise applications will be acted upon by the Executive Committee no later than March 15.
Section C: Membership status may be revoked by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee. Any franchise whose membership is in jeopardy shall be notified, in writing, by the Commissioner of the charges against them and be given the opportunity to respond to the charges at a league meeting.

Article III: Officers and Committees

Section A: The Executive Committee will consist of one representative general manager or manager from each team in the league. The function of the Executive Committee will be to approve and monitor the conduct of all league business, to approve new teams for membership and dismiss teams that fail to adhere to the bylaws, and to select league leaders and delegate operational functions.
Section B: The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be selected from among the team managers/general managers and elected annually by a voting majority at a January/February meeting of the league. He/she is responsible for calling and presiding over league meetings and serving as a public spokesman for the league. He/she will provide oversight of the actions of the league President and Vice President; in particular, he/she will audit financial reports of the League. He/she shall appoint committees deemed necessary for the proper operation of the league.
Section C: The President shall be elected annually by a majority of the Executive Committee at a January/February meeting. He/she is responsible for issuing agendas and minutes for league meetings. He/she shall administer the scheduling and rescheduling of all league games and playoff games. He/she shall be responsible for overseeing league finances, creating and managing the budget, and keeping an account of all league revenue and expenditures. He/she shall submit a report of same at each meeting of the league. He/she will work with the Umpire in Chief to schedule umpires for all league games.
Section D: The Vice President shall be elected annually by a majority of the Executive Committee at a January/February meeting. He/she shall be responsible for securing and managing fields and facilities. He/she will serve as primary liaison for the acquisition of new players and equipment/supplies. He/she shall also manage the publicity of the league.
Section E: The Commissioner shall be elected annually by a majority of the Executive Committee at a January/February meeting. The Commissioner shall not be directly affiliated with any of the member clubs in the league. He/she is responsible for ensuring that all league games and all Executive Committee activities are conducted in accordance with the league rules and bylaws. He/she will serve as an ombudsman for players and managers, arbitrating disputes among leagues, players, and umpires as necessary. He/she will rule on the eligibility of players, and will maintain an updated record of all players approved for league play. The Commissioner shall resolve all game protests, enforce discipline for players, managers, and coaches (including suspensions), and award forfeits where appropriate under BCCC bylaws and rules. He/she will appoint the Umpire-in-Chief.
Section F: The Umpire-In-Chief shall be appointed by the Commissioner, subject to approval by the Executive Committee. The role of the Umpire-In-Chief will be to assign umpires to league games and to assure the appropriate level of quality officiating in league games.

Article IV: Voting Privileges and Procedures

Section A: Each Executive Committee member (team) is entitled to one vote on all matters brought to a vote at any league meeting at which it is represented. The President, Vice President, Commissioner, and Umpire in Chief do not vote (unless they also serve as a team’s lone representative).
Section B: The Commissioner, or in his absence his/her designee, is entitled to vote if there is a tie vote among member clubs at a league meeting.
Section C: Presence of two-thirds of the league's members shall be sufficient for conducting business at a league meeting.
Section D: All matters brought to a vote at league meetings shall be decided by a simple majority of members present and voting unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.

Article V: Dues

Section A: With guidance from the President, the Executive Committee will establish annual dues of member franchises prior to March 1 of each year. Dues must be paid by teams, not by individual players.
Section B: Each member franchise shall submit its league dues in full to the President before April 1 for the spring/first half of the season and August 15 for the fall/second half of the season, unless otherwise agreed by the Executive Committee. Failure to do so could result in forfeiture of membership. A new member/team must submit the sum of $500 to the League before being included in the season schedule. This sum will be part of the team’s annual dues and is non-refundable. If the franchise is in default, the money will become the property of the Baseball Clubs of Cape Cod.

Article VI: Schedule, Game Length, Rainouts, and “Mercy” Rules

Section A: The regular season schedule of 25 or more league games shall be submitted by the President for approval at a league meeting prior to March 24 of each year. After the schedule is approved, no changes may be made without the approval of the Commissioner.
Section B: The starting time of weekday regular season games shall be 7:00 p.m. Starting times for Saturday, Sunday, and holiday games shall be set by the home team and the President before the season, with approval of the Commissioner.
Section C: All regular-season games will be played for 7 innings, with no new inning starting after 2 hours 30 minutes from the first pitch. Extra innings may be played to break a tie as long as the game does not exceed the time limit. Doubleheaders will be comprised of two 7-inning games, with no more than a 20-minute break between games. All playoff games shall be 9 innings.
Section D: The home team manager may postpone a game because of inclement weather (including cold) or poor field conditions. The home team manager must notify the opposing manager and the Umpire-in-Chief NO LATER THAN 2 HOURS before the scheduled start time. The Commissioner and President should be noticed on the day of the game. In the event such notification does not take place, the home team solely will be responsible for any travel fees imposed by the umpire in chief (in consultation with the Commissioner). Postponements for any other reason may be made only with the approval of the Commissioner (failure to obtain approval will result in a forfeit by the team).
Section E: 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 21 days after the postponed date. Failure of either team to comply with this rule could result in a forfeit. The home team manager must notify the League President, Commissioner, and the Umpire-in-Chief of the date and time of the rescheduled game within 4 days of the postponement.
Section F: In the event of darkness, 7 innings shall constitute a complete game. In the event of rain, 5 innings (or 4.5 if the home team is ahead) shall constitute a complete game. All league playoff games must be played to completion, and there are no time limits for playoff games.
Section G: No league-sanctioned games may start with less than one league-assigned umpire present. Only league-assigned umpires may be used for scheduled games.
Section H: Once the game has started, the umpire may suspend, cancel, or call a game if the safety of the players is compromised due to rain, darkness, or field conditions.
Section I: If there is a 10-run discrepancy at the end of 5 innings, the game will be ruled final at this point.
Section J: Any team that forfeits a game must pay a $100 fine to the league. No team may participate in the playoffs or the next season without paying outstanding fines. Three forfeits by any team will result in expulsion from the league, with no money refunded to the team. If a game is forfeited or canceled at least 24 hours in advance, no fine will be assessed.
Section K: Visiting teams must have use of the field for the last 15-20 minutes before the start of a game. All practice on the field shall end five minutes before scheduled start of a game. There shall be no practice time between games of a doubleheader. Teams shall be ready to present lineup cards to the umpires and to review ground rules five minutes before the scheduled start of each game.

Article VII: League Standings and Playoffs

Section A: Prior to the opening of each regular season, the President, with approval of the Executive Committee and Commissioner, will design a playoff format and schedule.
Section B: Standings shall be determined by the awarding of two points for a win and one point for a tie. The Vice President shall establish a procedure for the reporting of game scores.
Section C: Teams that tie for post-season playoff positions shall determine their playoff seeding using these tiebreakers: head-to-head competition first; followed by winning percentage; followed by a coin toss.
Section D: The team with the higher league standing shall be the home team for the first and third games of each playoff game/series.
Section E: A player must have taken part in no less than one-third of his team's regular-season games to qualify to participate in any playoff game. If such a player fails to meet the requirements due to injury, a letter should be submitted to the Commissioner explaining non-compliance.

Article VIII: Team Composition and Assignment of Players

Section A: A player is eligible to participate in league-sanctioned games after reaching his/her 18th birthday. Opposing managers may request, through the Commissioner, proof of a player’s date of birth.
Section B: A player must be retired from professional baseball for one complete BCCL season before becoming eligible to participate in the league. Pro-ball refers to major and minor leagues in the U.S. and abroad, or semi-pro leagues where players are paid.
Section C: The league shall control the assignment of new players who have contacted the league in response to advertising or who have been referred to the league by any means. Players acquired through a team’s own recruiting efforts shall be subject to the control of the team and not the league.
Section D: Before each season, the league will conduct a draft for new players wishing to join the league and existing players who would like to switch teams. The draft order shall be based upon reverse order of the final regular season standings from the previous season (that is, last place shall draft first; first place shall draft last, etc.). At the discretion of the Executive Committee, certain concessions and trades may be made based on the geographic location of a player and a team.
Section E: A player who has not played in any league game in either the current or previous year shall be regarded as a new player.
Section F: No player may switch teams during a season without the consent of both managers and the Commissioner. If this does not meet with approval, the player must sit out until the next season. He/she must then re-enter the league draft, making himself available to any team for selection.
Section G: In the event a team disbands during the season or at season’s conclusion, all players with 3 years seniority in the league will become automatic free agents and will be permitted to play for any desired team. Players not having 3 years in the league must re-enter the draft.
Section H: In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team, he/she may do so, pending approval by the Executive Committee. No other player can be taken from the existing team or any other team without the consent of the respective team managers and the Commissioner.
Section I: Team rosters must include no less than 15 players. Teams that do not include 15 players will be required to accept additional players as assigned by the President/Vice President.
Section J: Rosters must be submitted to the President and Commissioner by opening day, including player waiver forms and the team medical waiver form. Players may be added to rosters through the 20th game of the season. After 20 games, players may only be added at the Commissioner’s discretion (possible scenarios for late additions would be injuries or player displacement).
Section K: All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed waiver-of-liability and registration forms on file with the league.

Article IX: Uniforms and Equipment

Section A: All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt, sanitary socks and stirrups (or solid colored socks). Each player’s uniform must be of similar design to his teammates’ uniforms.

No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent.
All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace period of four games should be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.

Section B: All batters and runners must wear helmets while batting and while on base. Helmets with at least one earflap are required, and double-ear flap helmets are encouraged. Catchers must wear a helmet underneath their mask.
Section C: The official league baseball will be the Diamond D-1 ball. Each team must provide a minimum of 3 balls for each game. Only official league baseballs will be permitted.
Section D: Players must bat with wooden or composite wood bats. Aluminum bats are not allowed in any league game.
Section E: Metal cleats/spikes are permitted but not required. Sneakers are highly discouraged.

Article X: Offensive and Defensive Lineups

Section A: A team must have 8 rostered players on the field to play an official game. A team with 8 of its own players may borrow a player (or players) from the opposing team or another team in the league (both with the opposing manager’s consent). If a team’s 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player reverts back to his team. If a team cannot put 8 of its own players on the field within 15 minutes of the schedule starting time, the game will be ruled a forfeit. Teams have an additional 45 minutes to complete their team before the cancellation of the second game of a doubleheader.
Section B: Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both. All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the players’ offensive status in the line-up.
Section C: A manager may add batters to the bottom of the lineup at any time, but if a batter is pinch hit or run for, the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter. He/she may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher.
Section D: If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place. If there are no reserves that can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. The first time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed. After that one time, no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player.
Section E: Last names must be used in the scorebook to allow for player identification for follow up inquiries that related to playoff eligibility.

Article XI: Other Game Rules

Section A: The Official Rules of Major League Baseball (American League version) shall govern the play of all league games, with the exception of rules that are specific to the Baseball Clubs of Cape Cod as contained herein.
Section B: No later than 48 hours following a protested game, the manager of the protesting team must submit in writing to the Commissioner the reason for the protest. The Commissioner shall respond to the protest within 72 hours of its receipt.
Section C: COURTESY RUNNERS

Players who need courtesy runners due to injury must have their manager notify the opposing manager before game time. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed the maximum of 2 courtesy runners per game. The courtesy runner must be the player who made the last batted out.
Once the game begins, and if the full complement of 2 courtesy runners has not been used, a courtesy runner may be used only in the case of injury. In the event a player becomes injured during the game and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) has already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed.
If a batter (designated as needing a courtesy runner) opts to run, or forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he/she will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game. The offensive team that is replacing the courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. If the runner is not replaced within this time period, the original runner must run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game.

Section D: PITCHERS

No player may wear white or gray sleeves while pitching, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband.
If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any one game or three in one inning, the pitcher must be removed.
There is no regulation as to how many innings a pitcher may pitch in a game or a week.
If the pitcher is removed, he/she may re-enter to pitch once during the course of the game, but not in the same inning. He/she must remain in the field in order to be eligible to re-enter as a pitcher.

Section E: Infielders are not allowed to decoy a throw or catch. Decoying is defined as a false catch or throw made in an attempt to get the player to slide unnecessarily and without strategic value. If a decoy throw or catch is detected, all runners shall be allowed to advance one base beyond the base held after all play stops. Any fielder who intentionally decoys shall be expelled from the game.

Article XII: Player Behavior and Team Responsibility

Section A: There will be no alcoholic beverages or tobacco products permitted on the field or surrounding stadium grounds before, during, or after the game.
Section B: Each team is required to clean trash and equipment from the dugouts and playing field following each game and to rake the pitching mound, home plate area, and baselines.
Section C: Players shall not intentionally collide with any other players.

In the case of a runner intentionally colliding with a fielder, the runner will be called out and may, at the umpire’s discretion, be expelled from the game. All base runners must either slide or give up their right to a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving a base path) if the defensive player has possession of the ball, is in the act of receiving the ball, or is about to immediately receive the ball and will be able to make a play on the base runner.
If a defensive player is not in possession of the ball, is not in the act of receiving the ball, or is not about to immediately receive the ball so that he/she is able to record an out, he/she cannot block the base or be in the base path so as to impede (obstruct) the base runner’s right to that base. Under such circumstances, the defensive player shall be responsible to avoid collision. If a collision does occur under these circumstances, the runner will always be considered safe and the obstruction rule shall be enforced. The defensive player may be ejected from the game if the action is deemed intentional.

Section D: An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from a game. The league holds the right to suspend or expel any player, coach, or manager who abuses league rules, who fails to exhibit a sense of sportsmanship, or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires, spectators, or other players.
Section E: The Umpire-in-Chief shall report to the Commissioner, within 24 hours, the names of any player or coach who has been ejected from the game and circumstances surrounding the ejection. When an umpire notifies the Commissioner of an ejection, the Commissioner will call the respective coach, who will inform him of the situation. Within 72 hours, the Commissioner will institute the appropriate penalty for the ejection:

The First Time a player, coach, or manager is ejected from a game, he/she shall be warned by the Commissioner of the penalties for additional ejections.
The Second Time a player, coach, or manager is ejected from a game, he/she will be suspended from the next three league games.
The Third Time a player, coach, or manager is ejected from a game, he/she will be suspended for the rest of the season. If he/she desires to play the following season, he/she must apply for re-instatement to the league and said application must be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee.
Exception: If a player or coach has physically abused an umpire and engaged in fighting with another player, manager, or coach, he/she will be suspended for the next three games, following notification from the Commissioner. A second incident of any type of physical abuse or fighting shall result in the suspension of that player for the remainder of the season. If he/she desires to play the following season, he/she must apply for re-instatement to the league and said application must be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee.

Article XIII: Adoption of By-Laws

Section A: These by-laws will be effective when approved by a majority of the league's members present (the Executive Committee) and voting at a league meeting.
Section B: These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of quorum of league members present and voting at a league meeting.