⚾ 1.1. BASEBALL: Rules and Regulations
I. Venue
- PRISAA Approved Venue
II. Field Equipment
- Official Balls: Leather balls sanctioned by the PABA.
- Official Bats:
- Aluminum bats (maximum of BESR -3).
- Wood bats (no tampered bats).
- All bats are subject to inspection by the Chief Umpire if questions arise.
III. Player Eligibility
- Based on PRISAA Eligibility Technical Rules (Handbook / Manual of Operation).
IV. Team Rules
- Each team shall have a maximum roster of eighteen (18) players.
- A team must have nine (9) players present on the field, witnessed by the official scorer, to be eligible to start a game.
- Each player shall wear the same complete uniform of the team (cap, jersey, pants) to play.
- There shall be no switching of jerseys (one number is assigned to each player).
- All players and coaches shall respect the decisions and protocols of the officials.
V. League Proper
V.1. Starting Time and Warm-up
- There shall be no grace period for the scheduled starting time. Teams/players reporting late by one minute or more shall merit a default.
- The official time must be synchronized between the official scorer, league commissioner, and league director.
- An allocated seven (7) minutes warm-up time is given to each team prior to its respective game time.
- No third (or other) team shall be allowed to warm up on field premises until a game has been completed. Pitchers must warm up in the designated bullpens only.
V.2. Conduct during Games
- There shall be no fraternizing between teams during ongoing games.
- Teams preparing in the clubhouse/locker room prior to their game are restricted from interacting with the team in the dugout and must remain silent. Violation may warrant a penalty.
- Teams may cross the dugout to access the designated warm-up area (if a game is in progress) during the fifth inning stretch to avoid disrupting the team in the clubhouse. Violation may warrant a penalty.
V.3. Pre-Game Protocol
- After player introductions, both teams shall line-up in front of their respective dugouts (behind the foul lines).
- Teams are required to remain lined-up until the conclusion of the national anthem.
- Everyone is expected to face and honor the Philippine National Flag during the National Anthem.
V.4. Defaulted Games
- A defaulted game score is automatically set to 9-0 and awarded to the winning team.
- Any team which defaults shall be penalized by the league on a case-to-case basis.
V.5. Suspended Games
- A game shall be suspended if less than 4 1/2 innings are played due to unexpected events (e.g., inclement weather).
- Suspended games shall be rescheduled at a later date and continue from the inning that was being played.
- If the scenario occurs during the first inning, the game shall be rescheduled and played anew in its entirety.
V.6. Proper Officials to Address Concerns
- Substitutions/Position Changes: Must be directed first to the home plate umpire, then to the official scorer. Notification to the scorer first makes the substitution invalid.
- Umpiring Decisions: Contested decisions shall be addressed first to the home plate umpire. The chief umpire may be called upon for further clarification.
V.7. Protest Procedure
- A formal written protest regarding an umpire's ruling may be made to the technical and/or decisions committee of Baseball Philippines no more than 24 hours after the conclusion of the game.
- The recorded end-time by the official scorer shall be the official start time for the 24-hour grace period.
- A non-refundable processing fee of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) shall be charged for every protest.
- Judgment calls cannot be protested.
- Teams are not allowed to walk out of games regardless of a protest; violators shall be sanctioned.
V.8. Official Rules
- The Official Rules of Major League Baseball (American League) will be used unless otherwise stipulated herein.
V.9. Player/Coach Suspension and Ejection
- Penalties shall be determined on a case-to-case basis.
- If a player/coach incurs two or more offenses/warnings (after the first), the offender is given a one-game suspension.
- Team managers/coaches are responsible for the actions of their players/representatives; they shall be penalized if the offender cannot be identified.
- Warnings and ejections are determined by the league commissioner and/or chief-umpire.
V.10. Decision Body for Protests
- The league commissioner shall serve as the chair of the decisions committee of Baseball Philippines.
- The committee shall comprise three representatives from Baseball Philippines. The commissioner casts the deciding vote in a stalemate.
- Teams involved may furnish the committee with written protests and explanations.
- Other complaints/suggestions can be sent to the office of the league commissioner or
info@baseballphilippines.com.
V.11. Game Duration (Time Limit)
- For the first 2 games of the day: If a game surpasses its allotted duration of three (3) hours and goes into extra innings, a maximum of two (2) extra innings shall be played. If the game remains unresolved, it shall be suspended and rescheduled only if it affects the final standings.
- For the final game of the day: The duration of extra-innings play will be determined by the home-plate umpire's discretion regarding sufficient daylight and player safety.
V.12. House Rules / Ground Rules
- House rules shall be adopted based on venue restrictions and announced by the chief umpire before the start of each game.
- Each team must present its designated manager/assistant manager/coach(es) and team captain to the chief umpire. Only the designated persons shall be allowed to appeal calls on the field.
V.13. Regular Season Games
- All regular season games shall have no time limit and shall go the full nine (9) full innings.
- Draws shall merit extra innings until a winner emerges (refer to V.11).
V.14. Tie-breaking (Regular Season)
If two teams are tied in the standings, the higher-ranked team shall be determined as follows:
- The team that won the game(s) between the teams (head-to-head match-up).
- Fewer runs allowed in the games played between the teams.
- More runs scored in the games played between the teams.
- Higher batting average in the games played between the teams.
- Fewer runs allowed in all the games played.
V.15. Postseason Games
- There shall be no time restriction on postseason games.
V.16. Venue Rules
- Teams shall abide by the rules and regulations of the playing venue (e.g., no smoking and no alcoholic beverages on the field and dugout).
V.17. Press Release
- Team representatives must at all times recognize and include Baseball Philippines in the event of any press release on internet, print, radio, and television. Violators face appropriate penalty or expulsion.
V.18. Run Difference Rule (Mercy Rule)
- The game is ended if a team is losing by ten or more runs after the following completed innings, provided the losing team has batted:
- After the 3rd or 4th inning during Five (5) Inning Games.
- After the 5th or 6th inning during Seven (7) Inning Games.
- After the 7th inning on Nine (9) Inning Games.
V.19. Speed-Up Rules
- Coaching Boxes: No at-bat can continue without coaches properly stationed on their respective positions at the first base and third base coaching box.
- Pitcher: The 12-second rule for the pitcher shall be enforced at all times (with or without men on base).
- Hitter: The hitter shall be required to remain in the batter’s box unless the umpire grants a reasonable request for time.
- Warm-up: The pitcher is allowed four warm-up pitches between innings. The plate umpire may terminate warm-ups if they take too long and call "play ball."
- Home Run Celebration: Team members are not allowed physical contact with the batter/runner until they touch home plate. Violation results in a warning; a second violation results in the manager's ejection.
- Mound Visits (Infielders): Only one infielder at a time can make a trip to the pitcher’s mound, and only one such visit per inning is allowed. The catcher is not considered an infielder for this rule.
- Mound Visits (Coaches): Coaches are allowed three "free trips" to the mound during the game (pitcher is not removed). Meetings are limited to 30 seconds. After the third free trip, each subsequent trip results in the removal of the pitcher. One additional free trip is allowed for every three extra innings. Two trips in the same inning to the same pitcher results in removal.
- Offensive Meetings: Teams are allowed a maximum of three at-bat (offensive) meetings per game. One additional meeting is permitted for every three extra innings.
- Intentional Walks: Shall consist of one pitch only. The defensive team must inform the plate umpire prior to execution.
V.20. Pitching Rules (Applicable to Postseason)
- If a pitcher pitches more than six (6) innings in a game, that pitcher shall not be allowed to pitch in the next scheduled game.
- If a pitcher pitches six (6) innings or less, that pitcher shall be allowed to pitch in the next game.
- A pitch thrown in an inning by any player is equivalent to one inning pitched.
- Bracketing Rule: If more than Six (6) teams are bracketing in a Single Round Robin System with top two (2) for semi-final, top one (1) for final or Championship with 7 inning to play. In case of tie, win on the other will apply.
VII. Awards
- Most Valuable Player
- Best Pitcher
- Best Hitter
- Homerun King
- Best Coach
- Best Umpire
- Medals to Individuals Athletes (Team Member)