San Diego Memorial Day Senior Baseball Tournament
Tournament Rules
- This is a wood bat tournament.
- Players
must be 60 years old, or older, by December 31 of the calendar year
(since 2015 tournament, no grandfathering, no exceptions). Players in 65+
and 70+ divisions must likewise be age 65 and 70 by December 31.
- We have adopted MSBL 70+ Rules for the 70+ Division.
- A/B Batting lineups (former MSBL National Rule
3g/dead link) or shared positions (MSBL National Rule 6) are allowed.
- A team manager
may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 10 (subject to
the number of players available, if less than 10). Batters cannot be
deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when
they were added during the game. If a team has only 9 (nine) players and
therefore bats only 9, the opposing team will have the option of batting
9 as well. If a team has more than 9 players and still only bats nine,
they will be assessed an out each time the 10th batting position is
skipped. Batting only 9 players is NOT an offense open to protest.
- A traditional A/B lineup or Shared positions are allowed in the batting lineup. If shared positions are chosen, courtesy
runners will not be allowed. Use this definition from MSBL National Rule 6
- The
manager uses two players to share one batting position in the offensive
lineup and during the game the manager decides who bats each time the
batting position comes up. This can be implemented at the start
of a game or can be added anytime during the game. He can then
use the other player to run if he chooses to do so. When a player
is used as a base runner in the Shared Position, he MUST bat the next
time his position in the order comes to the plate. After that
point, either of the Shared Runners may bat in this position.
There is no limit to the number of shared line-up positions. Any
player sharing a batting position is locked in that position for the
duration of the game and cannot be used in any other batting order
position. This rule replaces both A/B and courtesy runners.
If teams choose to use the A/B and Courtesy Runner instead of the
Shared Runner, they are entitled.
- In A/B or shared positions, the catcher must still come off the bases when there are 2 out.
- Round robin games are 7 innings, with a
2:15 time limit (no inning can start after 2:15).
- Playoff games are 7 innings, with no
time limit.
- Base running: Substitute runners will be
allowed for catchers who are currently in the game, and a maximum of three
position players identified by each team at the start of the game.
Substitute runner(s) must be the last batted out.
- Players
that will need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the
opposing manager prior to the start of the game. If not so notified,
the opposing manager may deny the request. Each team will be allowed a
maximum of 3 players (other than the catcher currently in the game) per
game who can be run for each time that they reach base. The individual
who runs for these players needing a courtesy runner is not determined
ahead of time. It is always the last batted out who must run for the
person needing the courtesy runner. Once the game begins and the full
complement of 3 courtesy runners has not been used, if a player
sustains an injury, an additional courtesy runner may be used. In the
event a player becomes injured during the game and the maximum number
of courtesy runners have 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 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. The 30 second time limit
will begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow replacement
for the runner.
- Balk: Third to First � Like MLB, a move by a pitcher to 3B, then 1B will be a balk.
- Ex-pro status rules are not applicable
for this tournament.
- Any pitcher may reenter the game, as a
pitcher, after leaving the mound as long as reentry does not occur in the
same inning. A pitcher may immediately leave the mound to another player
position.
- Helmets must be worn by all batters,
runners and base coaches (MSBL National Rule 2); each team may have a child batboy/batgirl who
should also wear a helmet.
- No
player can play on two different teams in the same division in the
tournament (a player may play in 60 and 65 divisions if the player pays
fees in both divisions).
- Protests. This
is a fun tournament. No protests allowed. If you cannot come to a final
decision between the umpire and managers, the Field Director�s decision is
final.
- In the event of
a conflict between any other sources of information, such as tournament
flyers, any verbal comments or these rules, conflict will be resolved in
this order: (1) this document of exceptions (2) MSBL rules (3) MLB rules
(4) all other written sources.
Scheduling/Round
Robin
- Round Robin games will be 7 innings; time limit 2:15; Round Robin
games may end in a tie
- Two points awarded for a win, one for a tie.
- Standings determined by total points, ties resolved by:
- Head-to-head competition
- Total runs allowed
- Coin toss
Tournament
Schedule-Playoffs
- The tournament committee will re-balance seeds, if any determined
out of line.
- Pairings will be determined by standings.
- Home teams for playoff games will be based on standings at the
end of Round Robin play throughout playoffs. MSBL rules, Home team dugout is first-base side
MSBL National Tournament Rules (9/02/2021)
MSBL/MABL World Series 70+, 73+ & 75+ Rules - 2022
Major
League Baseball Official Rules (2021)
A-B Batting Lineup description (10/13/2013)
Shared Batter Lineup description (5/25/18)
Rules in force 5/26/2018)
Updated Feb 19, 2022