I- Name & Purpose

II- Membership

Rules- Postponements

III- Officers

Rules- Officials

Rules- Bench Jockeying

IV- Voting Procedures

Rules- Special Circumstances

Rules- Protests

V- Dues

Rules- Length of Games

Rules- DH

VI- Schedule

Rules- Forfeits

Rules- Pre-Game

VII- Rosters & Eligibility

Rules- Suspensions

XI- Equipment

VIII- Post-Season Format

Rules- Language

XII- Adoption of Bylaws

IX- League Standings

Rules- Fighting

Appendix A- Tiebreakers

Article I: Name & Purpose

Name

Section A: This organization shall be known as the Cranberry Baseball League, Inc. and shall be on an amateur standing. The league is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Purpose

Section B: The purpose of the league shall be to protect and stimulate competition among amateur baseball teams in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Agreement

Section C: All franchises and team members agree to abide by the by-laws of the Cranberry Baseball League, Inc. [Back To Top]

Article II: Membership

Members

Section A: The membership of this league shall consist of duly elected and accepted baseball teams, each one of which shall hold a franchise in the league. Any team holding a franchise in this league shall retain and exercise its franchise without need for re-acceptance to membership, providing that it has fulfilled all of its obligations to the league.

New Members

Section B: Applications for new franchises will be reviewed by the Membership Committee; the Membership Committee will report its findings and recommendations with the Board of Directors.  A new franchise may be elected to membership by achieving a 60% favorable majority of the league members present and voting at a league meeting. Each application for membership will be acted upon individually. New franchises will be acted upon no later than the January meeting of the membership.

Membership Revocation

Section C: Membership status may be revoked by a 70% majority of the franchises present and voting at a league meeting. 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 conducted no earlier than seven days from the date of written notification from the commissioner. [Back To Top]

Article III: Officers

President

Section A: The President shall be elected by majority vote annually at a fall meeting of the league. He/she is the chief executive officer of the league and is responsible for its overall functioning and security.

Commissioner

Section B: The Commissioner shall be elected by majority vote annually at a fall meeting of the league. He/she is the chief operating officer of the league and is responsible for calling meetings, issuing an agenda for all meetings, and presiding over same. He/she shall appoint committees deemed necessary for the proper operation of the league. He/she is responsible for ensuring that all league games are conducted in accordance with league rules. He/she shall administer the schedule of all league games. He/she shall supervise the conduct of all playoff games. He/she shall reschedule any postponed, suspended, or tied games in the regular season as well as in the playoffs.

Section C: The Commissioner shall appoint annually no fewer than two (2) persons to a Board of Appeals to rule on all protests and act as chairman of the Board of Appeals which shall not include persons directly affiliated with member clubs. The Commissioner shall not be directly affiliated with any of the member clubs in the league, except when voted by 100% of the league members. [Back To Top]

Associate Commissioner

Section D: The Associate Commissioner shall perform the league duties as delegated by the commissioner. He/she shall be elected annually.

Treasurer

Section E: The Treasurer shall be appointed by the commissioner and shall be responsible for keeping an account of all league revenue and expenditures. He/she shall submit a report of same at each meeting of the league.

Sports Information Director

Section F: The Sports Information Director shall be appointed by the Commissioner. He/she shall keep the minutes of league meetings and submit them to all league members within fourteen (14) days after each meeting. He/she shall also manage the publicity of the league.

Umpire-In-Chief

Section G: 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. The Umpire-In-Chief shall be appointed by the Commissioner.

Executive Committee

Section H: The function of the Executive Committee will be to conduct the monitoring of all league business. The executive committee will consist of all league officers,  the Chairman of Strategic Planning Committee, Chairman of Membership Committee and one General Manager/Manager appointed by the Commissioner to be the Team Representative. The Executive Committee is chaired by the commissioner.

Board Of Appeals

Section I: The Board of Appeals shall rule on all game protests and team player suspensions. The board will consist of a minimum of two (2) league officers, chaired by the commissioner. All rulings by the Board of Appeals shall be final and binding. [Back To Top]

Article IV: Voting Privileges and Procedures

Member Club

Section A: Each member club is entitled to one vote on all matters brought to a vote at any league meeting at which it is represented.

Commissioner

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.

Quorum

Section C: Presence of 50% of the league's members shall be sufficient for conducting business at a league meeting.

Majority

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. [Back To Top]

Article V: Dues

Approval

Section A: Annual dues of member franchises shall be established by the Executive Committee prior to March 1 of each year.

Payment Due

Section B: Each member franchise shall submit its league dues in full to the commissioner before May 1. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of membership. A new member must submit the sum of $500.00 to the commissioner at the time of being accepted as a league member. This sum will be in addition to its annual dues and is non-refundable. If the franchise is in default, the money will become the property of the Cranberry Baseball League. [Back To Top]

Article VI: Schedule

Schedule Deadline

Section A: The regular season schedule of league games shall be submitted by the commissioner for approval at a league meeting prior to March 15 of each year. Prior to March 15, member franchises must indicate to the commissioner the dates on which their home field is available, and their desire to schedule home doubleheaders. After the schedule is approved, no changes may be made without the approval of the commissioner.

Starting Times

Section B: The starting time of weekday regular season games shall be 6:00 p.m. Starting times for night, holiday, Saturday, and Sunday games shall be set by the home team with the approval of the commissioner. A team unable to field nine players at the scheduled time may have an additional 15 minutes before a forfeiture is awarded and an additional 45 minutes before the second game of a doubleheader is forfeited. [Back To Top]

Article VII: Team Rosters and Player Eligibility

Player Eligibility

Section A: No player shall be paid for his playing services by any team in the league. If said player is found guilty, he will be suspended for the rest of the season. The team will forfeit every game that the player was compensated for and participated in.

Section B: The youth group team (American Legion, Babe Ruth, CYO, etc.) will take priority when games for such players are to be played on the same day. When a player has two games scheduled, he is ineligible to play for the Cranberry League team. Penalty: Article X, Sections F-H.

Section C: Players who wish to transfer from one team to another, from one season to the next, must secure the commissioner's approval for such transfer. The commissioner will normally approve all such requests, provided that all obligations to the former team have been met.

Section D: A new franchise will not be able to take a player from another Cranberry League team's final roster in its first year of operation. Under certain circumstances, a veteran player may move to a new franchise with both the approval of the commissioner and of the established franchise affected.

Section E: If a player is drafted by a team that qualifies for Stan Musial Tournament play at the conclusion of the regular season, said player (if he accepts the draft and is placed on the tournament roster of the drafting team) is ineligible to become a roster player for the drafting team in the following season. If said player does not accept the draft, he remains eligible to transfer to any team including the drafting team under the provisions of Section C. [Back To Top]

Preliminary Roster

Section F: Each team shall present a copy of its preliminary roster of not more than 25 players to the commissioner by the May league meeting. Failure to submit preliminary rosters will result in the suspension of team activities. Once a player signs the roster, he becomes the property of said team for the remainder of the season unless he is released by said team.

Section G: Changes in the preliminary roster may be made by notifying the commissioner or his designate in writing. No added player may be eligible to play until twenty-four (24) hours after the commissioner or his designate has been notified of the change.  [Back To Top]

Final Roster

Section H: Each franchise shall submit its final roster of not more than 25 players to the commissioner or his designate by June 25. Failure to submit the final roster could result in the suspension of franchise activities. No change may be made to the final roster for any reason except if a team loses a player because he has been drafted into the service, drafted by a professional baseball team, or has died. That team shall be allowed to add a player to the roster even if the vacancy occurs after final rosters have been submitted, in accordance with Sections A-G. [Back To Top]

Article VIII: Post-Season Format

Playoff Games

Section A: Prior to the opening of the regular season, the executive committee, with the approval of the league members, will design a playoff format.

Schedule

Section B: At a meeting called at the end of season's play by the commissioner, the commissioner and the playoff managers shall arrange for the scheduled playoff games and approve the final roster of each competing franchise.

Eligibility

Section C: A player must have taken part in no less than ten (10) games of his team's league games to qualify himself for any championship playoff game.

Home Team

Section D: The team with the highest league standing for the year shall be the home team for the first and deciding games. [Back To Top]

Article IX: League Standings

Regular Season Standings

Section A: Standings shall be determined by the awarding of two points for a win and one point for a tie. The commissioner shall establish a procedure for the reporting of game scores.

Playoff Positions

Section B: All regular season games must be played. The commissioner shall directly supervise the re-scheduling of any postponements during the final ten days of the regular season. Teams which tie for post-season playoff positions shall determine their playoff seeding using the tie-breakers as outlined in Appendix A. [Back To Top]

Article X: The Cranberry Baseball League Rules

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.

  [Back To Top]

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. [Back To Top]

Special Circumstances

Section D: 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. The commissioner may grant a waiver in the case of extenuating circumstances. [Back To Top]

Length Of Games

Section E: All Saturday, Sunday, and holiday single games shall be scheduled for seven innings. Weekday games and doubleheaders shall consist of seven innings. An 8-Run Mercy Rule shall be in effect in both games of a double-header and all games played under lights. 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. 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 commissioner. The team trailing in score at the time of suspension may elect to waive this provision and accept the score as it stands. [Back To Top]

Forfeits

Section F: A team which forfeits a game shall pay to the commissioner 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 commissioner 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 commissioner shall award a forfeit for the use of ineligible players. [Back To Top]

Ejection And Suspension

1. Section I: The Umpire-in-Chief shall report to the commissioner, within 25 hours, the names of any player or coach who may have been ejected from the game and circumstances surrounding the ejection.

   1. The First Time a player, coach, or manager is ejected from a game, he shall be fined $50.  
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. When an umpire notifies the President of an ejection, the Commissioner or President will call the respective coach, who will inform him of the situation. With this call, the commissioner 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
   5. If a player or coach has physically abused an umpire, he will be suspended for the next three games, following notification from the Commissioner or 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 Commissioner, President, Team Representative, and the Umpire in Chief.   All fines can be rescinded or reduced at their discretion. [Back To Top]

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 their teams. The standard for the League is that if, in the umpire's judgement, 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. [Back To Top]

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 attempt to make such physical contact- will result in the following penalties:

1. 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.
2. For the 2nd offense, ejection from the game and suspension from the next 3 games as well as a $50 fine.
3. For the 3rd offense, ejection from the game and suspension the season; additionally, the team must pay a $50 fine.
4. If the physical confrontation is directed toward an umpire, the provisions of Section I.e (above) will apply. [Back To Top]

Section L: TEAM PERSONNEL LEAVING POSITIONS: If players or coaches leave their positions to participate in a fight, they shall be ejected and suspended from the team's next three games, beginning with the 2nd game of a doubleheader if appropriate. (A player who remains in his position and is judged to be defending himself or a player who is attempting to prevent a fight shall not be ejected or suspended). A batter or runner who initiates a fight by charging the pitcher or a pitcher who leaves the mound to initiate a fight will be ejected and receive a three game suspension. The second offense is suspension for the season. All other ejection rules will be enforced.   [Back To Top]

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.  [Back To Top]

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.  [Back To Top]

Protest

Section O: Games are to be protested in accordance with Official Rule 4.19.[Go To Rule] No later than 24 hours following the game, the manager of the protesting team must submit in writing to the commissioner the reason for the protest. The sum of $50.00, payable to the Cranberry League, must accompany the written protest. The commissioner shall respond to the protest within 72 hours of its receipt. If the protest is upheld, the money will be returned. [Back To Top]

Designated Hitter

Section P; A designated hitter may be used in accordance with Official Rule 6.10.[Go To Rule] [Back To Top]

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. [Back To Top]

Article XI: Equipment

Uniforms

Section A: All players and base coaches shall be in proper, complete team uniform.

Baseballs

Section B: The home team is responsible for supplying all balls necessary to complete a game. Only one brand of ball will be used during the course of the season.

Helmets

Section C: All batters, base runners, and catchers must wear protective helmets. The batter's helmet shall have an ear flap on the side facing the pitcher.

Base coaches are not required to wear helmets.  This overrides the MLB rule 1.16 (e).

Bats

Section D: Wooden bats that meet the specifications of the American League Rules will be used. [Go To Rule] The use of aluminum bats is prohibited.

[Back To Top]

Article XII: Adoption of By-Laws

Approval

Section A: These by-laws will be effective when approved by a majority of the league's members present and voting at a league meeting.

Amendments

Section B: These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of quorum of league members present and voting at a league meeting.

[Back To Top]