RHODE ISLAND MENS SENIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS
2007 Rules of Major League baseball apply except as modified by Rhode Island Men's Senior Baseball League rules in the first instance and Men's Senior Baseball League rules (National) in the second instance. These rules apply to every division (25, 35, 45 & 55) unless otherwise noted. All RIMSBL players and managers are expected to know and abide by these rules. Managers (with league officials) are expected to implement and enforce these rules.

1.0 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT Uniforms

1.1 All teams must have full baseball uniforms by the third game of the season. Full uniform is described as follows: baseball cap, shirt, pants and socks that match the rest of the uniforms of the team they are playing for. A player who is not in full uniform may be disallowed from play without the consent of the league President or Division Commissioner. No refund will be made.

1.2 Managers are encouraged to provide (lend) a team jersey to taxi players.

1.3 Metal cleats are optional.

1.4 All batters and runners must wear a helmet with at least one earflap at all times.

1.5 Catchers must wear a helmet under their mask. Baseballs

1.2 Only RIMSBL approved baseballs will be permitted.

1.2.1 Each team must provide 3 new baseballs at the beginning of each game.

1.2.2 Teams requiring additional balls for regular and/or post-season must purchase from the league (teams are encouraged to diligently retrieve balls during the season).

1.2.3 For the 2007 season the RIMSBL approved ball is the Diamond Pro (six dozen balls per team must be purchased at the start of the season). Bats

1.3 RIMSBL is a wood bat league. Wood composites are permitted as long as handle is not metal. No aluminum bats allowed.

2.0 GENERAL CONDUCT
2.1 Alcoholic beverages and non-prescribed or illegal substances are not permitted before or during the game. If a player is thought to be under the influence of alcohol, non-prescribed or illegal substance he/she will be immediately removed from the game and could face further disciplinary actions and/or league expulsion. If a player is under the influence of a prescribed drug that could cause motor impairment he/she will not be allowed to play and no refund will be provided.
2.2 Players are to strictly adhere to the rules of the various fields. Teams and/or players not following field rules and guidelines are subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion, without refund. Forfeits
2.3 Any team forfeiting 2 games during the regular season faces potential disciplinary action including expulsion from any post season play and/or expulsion from the league without any refund to the expelled team.
2.3.1 If (discretion of league administration) a team is excluded from post-season play under section
2.3, the team with the next best record earns the playoff slot. 2.3.2 Forfeits are the first tiebreaker (see sect 3.43).
2.3.3 See section 3.37 for minimum number of qualified players required for post-season. Rosters 2.4 Final team rosters of up to: o 25 players (25 & 35 Divisions) o 20 (45 & 55 Divisions), must be given to all teams and a copy to the Division commissioners and league president before the start of the season (generally due when balls and books are distributed).
2.5 In order for players to receive their national Hard Ball magazine, rosters must be typed and include, name, address, zip code, email and DOB.
2.6 Roster changes may take place up to the halfway point in the schedule by notification to the league President or Commissioner prior to the start of the next scheduled game. Players cannot be added to a team's roster after a team has reached the mid-point of their schedule.
2.7 If a team does not submit a final roster, its original roster will be considered final. This means that if players were added during the season and a final roster is not submitted, a team must revert back to its original roster, effectively disqualifying newly added players from postseason. Refunds will not be made to disallowed players.
2.8 Qualifications-All players shall sign a waiver of liability, agreeing not to hold the league, its officers, directors, employees, or agents responsible for any injury of damage arising from participation in the league or its activities. Players are participants, not members or owners in the league. As such, RIMSBL's obligation is to provide the agreed to number of baseball games, subject to the rules herein. If a waiver is not submitted, a player may be disallowed from participation. No refund will be made. Also see sect. 4.3.
2.9 ÒNo tolerance policy.Ó RIMSBL provides competitive, recreational baseball with an emphasis on fun, enjoyment, camaraderie and sportsmanship. Mature adult attitudes, sportsmanship and behavior must prevail regardless of competitive nature or circumstance. Negative, slanderous behavior will not be tolerated. Above all, we are here to have fun playing baseball. Inappropriate behavior may result in expulsion without refund. Age 2.9 In the 25, 35 & 45 divisions, (including taxi players) a player is eligible upon attainment of age (when they reach 25/35/45, the birthday they turn the respective age).
2.9.1 In the 55 Division, a player is eligible for the 2007 season if they reach the age of 50 during the Calendar year. Also the average age of a 55 division team must 55. The intent is to increase the age every year until the age of 55 is attained (e.g., 49 for 2006, 50 for 2007, 51 for 2008 etc). 2.10 In all divisions, regardless of when a player becomes age eligible, he/she must satisfy the post season eligibility requirements (see section 3.38).

2.11 Each manager is responsible for the proper ages of players on his team and overall adherence to this rule. An opposing manager or the President and Commissioner may at any time question a player's age. In such occurrences, the player must submit proof of age to requesting person. If no such proof is produced, the player must submit proof to the league President or Commissioner within one week. If a player does not meet the correct age requirement of the division they are playing in, they will be removed from any further league play effective immediately and any games an illegal player participated in will be forfeited. No refund will be made. Additionally, teams are subject to further disciplinary action as this is a fundamental tenet of the league and the manager's are responsible for its enforcement. Players changing teams

2.12 A player may change teams under the following guidelines:
2.12.1 Between the final game of the season and January 1st: Notification in writing to the manager of the team that he intends to leave with a copy to the league President or Commissioner before January 1st.
2.12.2 ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1st, AND DURING THE SEASON: A player wishing to change teams on and after January 1st or during the season must notify, in writing (email or regular mail), the manager of the team he is currently on and league President or Commissioner, of his intentions to change teams. Changing requires the consent of both managers and the league President or Commissioner. If the required consents can not be obtained, the player may request to be released on waivers. Teams then have the option of acquiring a player on waivers in reverse order of finish of the preceding regular season. Once a player goes into the waiver pool and they are selected by a team they must play one season for the selecting team. If the player refuses to play for the selecting team they must sit out one season. Once a refusal is submitted by the player they cannot change that refusal at any time. After sitting out one season they are free to join any team they are eligible to play on.

2.12.3 In an effort to afford player protection, one exception exists to 2.11.2; Recognizing that certain dynamics affecting a player's decision to change teams may not be in place before January 1st (e.g., player initially finds out in January that certain unfavorable changes have occurred with his/her team), a player may submit in writing only to the President or Commissioner before January 1st a waiver request (same as 2.11.1, except issued only to President or Commissioner, not the player's manager). This waiver request is a temporary placeholder (to allow time for issues/concerns to play out). If a player actually decides to change teams, he/she must notify his/her manager ASAP (this is not intended to delay decision at the detriment to the manager). The intent of this exception is to balance protecting a player's right to not have his/her playing fate entirely in the hands of the manager (Òmust receive manager's consent after January 1stÓ), with a manager's right to know. This option is not to be used negatively. Specifically, it is crucial that managers be given timely notice of a player's intent to leave so that they may make any necessary arrangements. Accordingly, the league President/Commissioner will protect a player's waiver privacy according to their sole discretion and only to the extent that in their opinion unnecessary harm/inconvenience is not put upon the manager. Simply stated, a player has the responsibility to inform his/her manager as soon as practicable. Therefore, under any circumstances it is unlikely that the President/Commissioner will maintain waiver privacy under this exception (2.11.3) beyond February.

2.13 No game will be played and counted without league-sanctioned umpires. However if both managers agree to play a league scheduled game without league sanctioned umpires (when umpires are a no-show), then that game will be considered official.

2.14 The League president must sanction the managers, players and coaches for any World Series team. Dispute Resolution Process

2.14 All protests involving rule interpretation and or infraction of league rules must be lodged with the umpires in accordance with major league rules. If a team finds that an opposing team has used an illegal player a protest must be submitted to the league President or Division Commissioner in a timely manner. Protesting an illegal player does not have to be filed with the game umpires. 2.14.1 Only interpretation of rules is protestable NOT umpire's judgment. 2.15 The Dispute Resolution and Protest process is as follows:

2.15.1 The league Commissioner will decide all protests/disputes.

2.15.2 Upon notification to the commissioner of a desire to appeal his/her ruling, the protest/dispute may be appealed to the league President. If such notification (to the Commissioner of intent to appeal) is not made, the Commissioner at his/her sole discretion may disallow the appeal.

2.15.3 If the president upholds the Commissioner's decision, the decision becomes final.

2.15.4 If the President has a different interpretation from the Commissioner, the Commissioner may then agree with the President and the decision stands.

2.15.5 If the Commissioner and President have different rulings, (and/or at the sole discretion of the President and Commissioner), a special 3-person committee will be convened to rule on the protest/dispute. Such committee will be appointed by the league Commissioner and shall consist of properly rostered players from the other divisions of the RIMSBL (no committee member may be from the division in which the protest/dispute is being considered). A majority vote of the 3-man committee will then resolve the protest/dispute.

Override of rules
2.16 Managers or players cannot override existing rules. No special agreements between teams that in any way modify, alter, change or break existing rules may take place. If there is such an occurrence between teams then both teams are subject to a forfeit of said game at the discretion of the President/Commissioner. In limited cases, league administration reserves the right to override rules to act in the best interest of the league (see section 4.3). Game Cancellations and Reschedules

2.17 Official communication on game cancellations and reschedules includes any or all of the following; the league telephone recording, website/message board and email. Game cancellations, rainouts, reschedules etc. will typically be made electronically. Phone calls may be made, but are no longer to be expected. If a manager does not have Internet access, designate someone. 2.18 Inclement weather: In the interest of fiscal responsibility and respect of players, umpires and families' time, it is the express responsibility of the respective manager's to make every effort to reach a decision before the scheduled game time allowing for timely notification of players and umpires of cancellation (see section 2.19)

. 2.19 It is the responsibility of the HOME field/team manager to notify the umpire in chief one and one-half (1.5) hours before scheduled game time to avoid incurring fees (therefore managers should be communicating no less than 2 hours before game time, so that timely umpire notification can be made). If timely notification is not made by the home team umpire, then the home team manager is responsible for the umpire fees.

2.20 Several fields typically notify the league of cancellation (Gagne, Wheeler, Pierce, McCarthy, RIC, etc.). However Manager's are not relieved from responsibility under section 2.19. Communicate first with the league officials on the fields that typically notify the league and ensure that proper notifications to umpires are being made.

2.21 For fields with multiple games; be careful to pay special attention to the status of the 2nd and 3rd games (e.g., it is entirely possible that the league does NOT receive a call from the field canceling the 1st game of the day, hence no league notice is recorded or sent. Clearly the subsequent day's games remain at risk depending on weather). Point; when in doubt, don't assume anything. See section 2.19 regarding Manager responsibility under rainouts.

2.22 In the event a game is NOT cancelled prior to arrival at the field, it is the responsibility and requirement of both Manager's to communicate and reach agreement at the field prior to departure (e.g., when teams and Managers are at the field but before the game begins).

2.23 Once the game begins the decision to cancel play is the sole discretion of the umpires.

Schedule
2.24 The schedule will be set by the league. Special requests are not allowed unless in the judgment of the President and/or Commissioner unusual circumstances exist. The only exception is for tournaments. Teams planning tournament competition (including Cooperstown games) must notify the league by March 15th.

2.25 Canceled games due to rain, poor field conditions, field unavailability, or act of God will be rescheduled at the sole discretion of the President and Commissioner.

2.25.1 A minimum one-week (7 days) notice will be given to the respective team managers for rescheduled games.

2.25.2 During the final month of the regular season (August) and throughout the post season (September, October) no such one-week notice is required.

2.26 Rescheduled games will become part of the official schedule. Only in the event that a makeup is being asked to be played before the one-week notice, (April-July) will manager consent be necessary.

2.27 If a game is not made up for any reason it will result in a forfeit for both teams.

2.28 Only under extraordinary circumstances will the regular season be extended. Any such extension will be at the sole discretion of the President and Commissioner. Any games not made up will be forfeited.

3.0 THE GAME
3.1 A team must have at least 9 players to start and finish an official game. If a team only has 9 players and a player sustains injury, which precludes his/her continued play, or a player is ejected, the game becomes a forfeit.

3.2 Players must be from the team's official roster or be an eligible Taxi player (see section 3.3). Taxi player NOTE: DIFFERENT DIVISION RULES

3.3 An eligible taxi player must meet the age requirements of the applicable division.

3.4 An eligible taxi player in the 25, 35 & 45 Divisions is any player in the other three divisions who meets the age requirement.

3.5 An eligible taxi player in the 55 division must come from within the 55 division or from the pool of eligible players in the lower age divisions (minimum age 50 for the 2007 season). (see sect 2.9.1).

3.6 There are NO restrictions on the use of taxi players in the 25 & 35 divisions.

3.7 Taxi players are eligible for playoffs in the 25 & 35 divisions, if they meet the post-season requirements for a particular team (e.g., a taxi player may have attained 25 appearances in aggregate, playing for multiple teams, he would NOT qualify, unless he has 25 appearances for one team (in this example. There are other ways to qualify in addition to plate appearances).

3.8 Taxi Restrictions in BOTH 45 & 55 divisions:

3.8.1 Taxi players are not eligible for playoffs in the 45 & 55 divisions.

3.8.2 No more than 3 taxi players may be used in a game.

3.8.3 Taxi players must hit at the bottom of the lineup.

3.8.4 The use of taxi players is further restricted based upon the number of players at the game from the team using taxi players. The following limitations apply;
3.8.4.1 Teams may use taxi players as long as they don't exceed 10 players by adding that taxi player (e.g., if a team has 7 of their own players, they can add no more than 3 taxi players totaling 10 players for the game. A team that has 8 of their own may add 2 taxi players to total 10 and a team that has 9 of their own players may only use 1 taxi player to total 10).

3.8.5 If a team only has 6 of its own players, the game will be forfeited.

3.9 Additional 45 Division Restriction;
3.9.1 A team may only use taxi players a maximum of 5 games during the season.
3.10 Additional 55 Division Restriction;
3.10.1 A team may only use taxi players a maximum of 3 games during the season.
3.10.2 If a team shows up with 8 players, it may not borrow a player for defensive purposes only from the opposing team. The shorthanded team must then take an out for every time the 9th hitting slot comes around.
3.10.3 The 55 Division will go by the following rule for adding taxi players: A team with 7 players may add 4 taxi players, 8 and 3, 9 and 2, 10 and 1, not to exceed 11 players. Should a team adding taxi players to ensure that they have up to 11 players suddenly find itself in the situation where players from its own roster show up unexpectedly enabling the team to exceed 11 players, it will be allowed once. The second and subsequent times it happens, the team will be required to send player(s) home to reduce the number to 11 players.

3.11 Managers are encouraged to provide a jersey to taxi players under section 1.1.1. Grace Period 3.12 There will be a 15-minute grace period to allow a team to field nine players. The 15 minutes will begin at the scheduled game time and end 15 minutes after. The umpire-in-chief of that game will determine the time (or home team manager if no umpires are present and teams agree to play under section 2.6).

3.12.1 Teams failing to field 9 players by the end of the grace period will forfeit the game. If a player arrives after the grace period and the teams decide to play, the game officially remains a forfeit. Umpires are not obligated to officiate a forfeited game.

3.12.2 The official game start-time for purposes of the time limit, under
3.12 (short players) is the scheduled game time. However, if for any reason, conditions other than a team being short players (e.g., field not available due to game before etc), then the official start time for time limit, is when the umpire orders the first pitch to be delivered.
3.12.3 There is ONE EXCEPTION to the 15-minute grace period. In this age of technology, in the event a team has absolute positive cell phone confirmation that its ninth player is in actual transit to the game and will likely arrive very soon after the 15 minute grace period, then the team with the ample number of players may take the field and allow the team with 8 players to hit (regardless of the scheduled home/visiting teams). If the player in transit does not arrive by the time his slot is reached in the batting order or if the third out is made and the team with 8 players has to take the field the game is forfeited by the team with 8 players. The official start time is per 3.12.2.
3.12.4 If the league becomes aware that a game began under the positive confirmation of transit provision of 3.12.3 and subsequently, that representation is false, the offending team faces disciplinary action (this exception is strictly to make every effort to avoid a forfeit. It is not to be used to buy more time in the hope that a player will show). Line- up exchange
3.13 In the event of a forfeited game all players present on both teams will be credited with 3 plate appearances in all divisions. Line-ups must be exchanged to ensure that only players who are actually present receive credit for plate appearances.
3.14 Managers must exchange lineups prior to the start of the game (including forfeits in 3.4.1.2) and announce any additions/substitutes to the batting line-up during the game. Courtesy Runners NOTE DIFFERENT DIVISION RULES
3.15 The following (section 3.15 & subparts 15.1- 15.5) apply to every division:
3.15.1 The courtesy runner is the last batted out with the exception of the catcher. In the interest of timely play, the catcher may not be a courtesy runner.
3.15.2 In the case of runners being needed in the first inning, before a batted out is recorded, the courtesy runner will be the player occupying the last spot in the batting order (unless the last spot is occupied by the catcher, in which case the second to the last spot).
3.15.3 If an additional courtesy runner is needed, the player needing a runner is removed from the game and his/her slot in the batting order is skipped. If it is an A/B slot, then the player sharing that spot hits every time through the line up.
3.15.4 Teams who have player(s) that require courtesy runner(s) must notify the opposing team of the intent to use such runners before the start of a game.
3.15.5 If declaration of courtesy runners is not made prior to the start of the game, their allowance becomes the sole discretion of the opposing manager. 25 Division Courtesy rules (in addition to section 3.15)
3.16 Teams are allowed 2 courtesy runners.
3.16.1 Courtesy runners may steal in the 25 division. 35 Division Courtesy rules (in addition to section 3.15)
3.17 A courtesy runner may not steal.
3.17.1 If a courtesy runner attempts to steal he/she is declared out.
3.17.2 Courtesy runners may run when there is a full count with 2 outs. They may advance on passed balls (defined as any ball that hits the dirt), errors, and wild pitches, pitchers' error in pick-off, hits and sacrifices and may tag up and advance.
3.17.3 Teams are allowed 2 courtesy runners. 45 & 55 Division Additional Courtesy Rules (in addition to section 3.15)
3.18 Teams are allowed 3 courtesy runners.
3.18.1 55 Division; if an additional (4th) courtesy runner is needed, the runner will be allowed to complete the play/inning. The player requiring the courtesy runner will be removed for the remainder of the game and an out will be recorded each time his turn at bat comes up.
3.18.2 Teams may declare courtesy runners at any point up to the maximum of 3.
3.18.3 A courtesy runner may not steal.
3.18.4 If a courtesy runner attempts to steal he/she is declared out.
3.18.5 Courtesy runners may run when there is a full count with 2 outs. They may advance on passed balls (defined as any ball that hits the dirt), errors, and wild pitches, pitchers' error in pick-off, hits and sacrifices and may tag up and advance.
3.18.6 55 Division; a courtesy runner may not initiate an offensive action, i.e., an exaggerated lead to draw a pick-off throw thereby allowing another runner to advance a base, or breaking for second base to initiate a hit and run play. Also, pitchers must pitch from the stretch position when a courtesy runner is on base.
Batting Lineups 3.19 Minimum number of hitting slots is 10 (teams only required to bat 10 slots).
3.20 If either team has less than 10 players (e.g., 9), then the team with more players may match the number of slots of the opposing team (e.g., 9).
3.21 Teams may A/B from any slot, including the first slot.
3.22 Teams may choose to bat everyone.
3.23 Teams may pinch hit and pinch run with their surplus players if they are not or have not been in the batting order.
3.24 Teams may start with the minimum number of slots (defined above in 3.19 and 3.20) and add slots at the bottom of the line-up at any point in the game. Once a slot is added that player is no longer eligible to pinch hit or pinch run. A slot once added, may not be removed.
3.25 When adding slots, teams may add an A/B slot.
3.26 All players are eligible to play the field (even if not hitting). Free substitutions on defense (except pitchers see sec. 3.47).
3.27 If a player is forced to leave the game for any reason, that batting position is skipped in the batting order for the rest of the game. If a player leaves an A/B slot, then the player sharing that slot will bat each time through the order for the remainder of the game.
3.28 A team must, at all times, have a batting order and defense of at least 9 players (except for the 55 division, see section 3.10.2). If not, the game is forfeited (also see section 3.1& 3.4).

Regulation game
3.29 All games are nine innings. For 2007 some fields have time limits, others do not. Fields where multiple games may be scheduled (Gagne, Wheeler, RIC, Bryant etc.), there IS a time limit. No inning can start after 2:45 minutes from the official start time. For ÒstandaloneÓ fields (fields without multiple games) there is NO time limit (McCarthy, Pierce, Old Mtn, Slocum, Sprague etc). Note see sec 3.31. For post-season rules on time limits see section 3.33.
3.30 Games are considered regulation and hence final after 5 innings (4.5 innings if home team is leading) have been played.
3.31 In the case of games being played on fields with curfews no inning will start after the curfew. Curfew shortened games are considered regulation in accordance with section 3.30. Games played at fields with curfew can end in tie. In such cases, each team will receive one point.

Mercy Rule
3.32 If there is a 12 run discrepancy at the end of 5 or more innings or a 10 run discrepancy at the end of 7 or more innings, the game will be ruled complete (home team has the opportunity to bat to reduce the margin below the 12 runs in the 5th inning. If 12th run plated in top of 6th, home team has oppty to bat in bottom of 6th ). Home team has oppty to bat in bottom 7, to reduce margin below 10 runs. In the 8th & 9th innings, the mercy rule occurs when the 10th run discrepancy is plated (e.g., the visiting team obtains the 10 run margin in the top of 8th or 9th inning. The home team does NOT have an opportunity to bat in the bottom of the 8th or 9th.
3.32.1 The mercy rule is in effect during the playoffs.

Post Season
3.33 No playoff game can be shortened due to time limit, weather, because of another scheduled game immediately following, curfew, or other natural causes. A playoff game can be shortened due to the mercy rule (see sect. 3.32.2).
3.34 If a playoff game is shortened due to one of the examples is sect. 3.33, the game will be resumed from the point of postponement.
3.35 Teams upon mutual consent may agree to consider a regulation game complete in the event the game is shortened from an event in sect. 3.33 (e.g., example, if one team has a large lead in late innings and the field curfew is reached (e.g., Pierce) or weather. Both managers must agree to consider the game complete. Such declaration must be made immediately following the contest. Should both managers not agree, then this resumption of play is as defined in section 3.34. Managers to notify the league Commissioner immediately of any mutual decision to consider the game complete and final.
3.36 In order for a player to be eligible for RIMSBL post season, a player must have; >a minimum of 25 plate appearances, or >play 50% of their teams' games, or >pitching appearances in 1/3 of games.
3.37 Teams must qualify at least 12 players for playoffs or they are subject to forfeiting their slot in the playoffs. 3.38 Taxi players are eligible for post season in the 25 & 35 divisions if they satisfy the requirements of section 3.36 for a particular team (it is possible for taxi players to qualify for more than one team).
3.39 Taxi players are not eligible for playoffs in the 45 & 55 divisions.
3.40 The only exception to this playoff eligibility rule is if a player is injured. Medical documentation may be required to substantiate injury. To avoid improprieties, typically medical waivers are granted only to seasoned and/or known players to the league and managers. Waivers are not typically granted to players who have not yet evidenced commitment to the league (e.g., new and or unknown to league).
3.41 A player who becomes age eligible during the season remains obligated to satisfy the post season eligibility requirements (see section 2.9).
3.42 Playoff format, the following applies: 25 & 35 Divisions >Top 6 teams qualify. >Top 2 teams earn a first round/quarterfinal round bye. >The semi-final round highest remaining seed will play the lowest remaining seed. >The highest remaining seed will be home team in games #1 and #3. >All postseason series are best of three, under the following stipulation: o The first/quarterfinal round participants (ONLY) agree to play consecutive days if possible AND field quality is of no matter (in the interest of completing series quickly so that bye teams are not waiting unnecessarily long). 45&55 Divisions 3.43 Tiebreaker format 1. Forfeits (see sect. 2.3.2) 2. Head to Head 3. Fewest runs allowed against opponent tied with 4. Fewest runs allowed for the season

Other
3.44 If, in the umpire's judgment, an infielder decoys a runner (e.g., fake tag); all runners will advance one additional base. If the same fielder decoys twice in the same game he will be immediately ejected from the game. A decoy is defined as a move by a fielder designed to force an unnecessary slide by a runner.
3.45 All runners must avoid intentional collisions with a fielder. In intentional collisions, the runner causing the collision is automatically declared out and will be ejected from the game if the umpire concludes that the collision was intentional. However, in the judgment of the umpire, if a fielder blocks a base or baseline without possession of the ball, the runner who avoids a collision shall be declared safe.
3.46 Two intentional walks per team, per game are permitted. However, no batter is allowed to be walked more than once in a game. The pitcher must deliver the ball to the plate. Runners may advance.
3.47 A pitcher can re-enter a game under the following conditions; pitcher has been removed (from pitching but may play the field) for 3 outs, and the pitcher may re-enter only one-time.
3.48 Any pitcher who hits three batters in one game shall be automatically removed from pitching in that game. If an umpire detects a pitcher intentionally throwing at a batter, the pitcher will be ejected from the game.
3.49 Suicide squeeze and stealing of home is not permitted. A base runner that in the umpire's judgment runs from third base in an attempt to either steal home or is in the process of running home while batter is attempting to bunt will be automatically declared out and the batter returned to the batters box with a strike added to the count. Safety squeezes are permitted. Runners on third base may take home plate on an error, passed ball, wild pitch, sacrifice fly, hit, or if a pitcher or catcher attempts to throw out or pick off another base runner.
3.50 Children are not permitted inside or around the dugouts. Any batboy or girl, scorekeeper or other non-player must be at least 12 years of age and wear a helmet if 12 or under.

4.0 Administrative
4.1 Regarding formal voting. In consideration of teams properly represented and allowing for discussion and positions on issues to be duly considered, if a manager is unable to attend a scheduled meeting, send an alternate. Said alternate will be allowed to vote on that team's behalf. If a team is not represented at a scheduled meeting, it will not be allowed to vote (no absentee votes).
4.2 A $500 deposit is due by March 1, 2007. All/remaining fees are due in full before the start of the season. Any team not paid in full before their first league game will forfeit all games until their account is settled in full. No refunds will be given and missed games due to non-payment will not be rescheduled. Teams with sponsors must comply with this section also (sponsored teams must pay the league. The team can then wait for reimbursement from the sponsor).
4.3 All players will sign a waiver of liability, agreeing not to hold the league, its officers, directors, employees or agents responsible for any injury or damage arising from participation in the league or its activities.
4.4. These rules are the result of and based on actual experiences over RIMSBL's history (almost 20 years). No set of rules and regulations can be all encompassing or forward looking. Accordingly, league officials (President and Division Commissioners) reserve the right to do whatever is deemed in the bests overall interests of the league.
4.5 For the 2007 season, all divisions will play an 18 game regular season schedule & a playoff format as described in sect. 3.42. Forfeits, resechedules etc. are all subject to the terms and conditions contained herein.
5.0 Additional 55 Division Rules 5.1 No throwing out batter/runner at first base from outfield.