CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this association shall be the Lehigh Valley Junior Legion Baseball League (herein sometimes referred to as L.V.J.L.B.L.).

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

2.1 - Health

To organize, develop and direct an inter-community baseball program, which will promote, protect and conserve the health and physical welfare of all participants.

2.2 - Education

To formulate and maintain policies that will safeguard the educational values of inter-community athletics and cultivate high ideals of sportsmanship.

2.3 - Competition

To promote uniformity of standards.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

3.1 - Members

All baseball teams which are accredited by the American Legion Junior Baseball Program of Pennsylvania and are in the Lehigh Valley area are eligible for membership.

3.2 - Application for Membership

Application for membership in the L.V.J.L.B.L. shall be made in writing to the President of the League by the January meeting of the new season year. Each application for membership shall be made in writing by the executive officer of the sponsoring organization. Final approval must be granted by a two-thirds vote of League membership.

3.3 - Membership Effectiveness

A) Membership in this league shall become effective when teams application receives final approval of the League membership and the sponsoring organization has paid a current team share. A current team share must be paid by May 1st of the current year to validate the membership.

B) Any new teams requesting membership will come to the January meeting and present their case to the league members at which time league members will ask questions (time limit 30 minutes). The new teams will then go home, thus leaving 15 minutes for discussion among league members. The new team will return for the February meeting at which time all unanswered questions will be asked. After this discussion, the league will vote by ballot on each new team. If accepted the new team will join the league as soon as requirements in Article 3.3 Section A are met. The new teams can not vote on league issues until the March meeting, this allowing a period for the new team to get familiar with the league.

3.4 - Withdrawal of Membership

Requests for withdrawal of membership from this League shall be made in writing by the executive officer of the sponsoring organization to the President of the league before the January meeting of the new season. The penalty for failing to notify the League of withdrawal will be forfeiture of team share. A team requesting withdrawal shall be paid its team share immediately upon acceptance by the League, and its membership ceases effective immediately.

3.5 - Definition of Lehigh Valley

All teams joining the league and new members requesting additional territory in the zone must be in Lehigh and Northampton counties. ‘Existing teams’ current status will be grand-fathered until they leave the Lehigh Valley Junior Legion Baseball League.

ARTICLE IV - DUES

4.1 - Amount of Dues

Dues in the L.V.J.L.B.L shall be referred to as a team share or a portion of a team share. A team share in the L.V.J.L.B.L. shall be $70.00. A sum of $130.00 will be assessed new teams entering League. $60.00 returned if all games that season are played.

4.2 - Payment of Dues

All portions of a team share necessary to maintain a $70.00 team share are payable on or before March 1st. A membership of the delinquent team shall lapse until such time as the portion of the team share has been fully satisfied. New team membership shall not take effect until its share has been paid.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

5.1 - Officers

A) The officers of this league shall be a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer and shall be elected at the January meeting of the current year.

B) Election shall be by ballot with one vote per team.

C) All league officers must attend 50 percent of league meetings to be eligible to hold office.

5.2 - Duties of Officers

The President shall preside at all league and membership meetings. He shall have the right to appoint standing committees and all temporary committees. He shall have the right to execute all decisions of the membership. He shall have no right to act on an important matter of his own accord unless authorized by the membership. He shall be an ex-officio member on every committee. He shall sign with the Treasurer or Vice-President all legal papers and official documents in the name of the league. The President, along with the Vice-President and the Treasurer are authorized signors of checks or drafts drawn for required expenditures of the league. The President shall have no right while presiding to make any motion or to confirm any motion before the decision of the members unless he relinquishes the chair to the Vice-President for the purpose of any motion. The President also has responsibility of running the playoffs.

The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall be entitled to all his prerogatives. He shall have the authority to sign with the President all legal papers and official documents in the name of the league. The Vice-President along with the President and the Treasurer are authorized signors of checks or drafts drawn for required expenditures of the league.

The Secretary shall keep a correct record of all proceedings at all meetings of this league and keep a correct and full roll of all members' names and addresses. He shall attend to all correspondence of the league, including correspondence to the league members and the membership dealing with meetings, notices, etc. and any and all other correspondence. He shall turn over to his successor in office all property of the League in his custody. The secretary shall turn over to the treasurer a list of teams absent at each meeting so the treasurer can collect the appropriate fine.

The Treasurer shall receive and collect all monies and funds due to L.V.J.L.B.L. and deposit all monies and funds received timely in a checking account with a bank under the name of Lehigh Valley Junior Legion Baseball League. He shall prepare all checks or drafts drawn for required expenditures of L.V.J.L.B.L. from such account to be signed, and by such authorized, by two of three authorized signors. Authorized signors are the President, the Vice-President and the Treasurer. He shall keep careful and correct records on a calendar year basis of all monies and funds received, deposited and expended in the form of a month-end financial report which identifies receipts and disbursements and cash balances and unpaid fines. Such report shall be submitted at each regular meeting of L.V.J.L.B.L. to be approved by the membership. He shall have the authority to sign with the President all legal papers and official documents in the name of the league.

ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS

6.1. Approval

Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws must be approved by majority votes, with each team allowed one vote. A quorum of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership must be present.

A) Amendments to this Constitution must be read and approved at two successive league meetings.

B) Amendments to the By-Laws may be approved at a single regular League meeting.

6.2 - Submission of Amendments

A) Amendments to the Constitution to be considered during the current year must be presented by April 1st to the membership.

B) Amendments to the By-Laws to be considered during the current year must be presented and approved prior to the start of the regular season.

6.3 - Defeated Amendments to the Constitution

The provision of a defeated amendment shall not be submitted for a vote to the League for two (2) League calendar years.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

7.1 - Annual Meeting

An annual election meeting shall be held no later than February 1st for the purpose of election of officers and re-organization.

7.2 - Other Meetings

All other meetings shall be called by the president as they are required.

7.3 - Quorum

A majority of the league's members must be present for the transaction of normal business of the L.V.J.L.B.L.

7.4 - Meeting Attendance

All meetings are mandatory and if a team is not represented at a league meeting by a member listed on the current

year’s directory (minimum of 3 names listed), a $50.00 fine will be assessed.

Any coaching changes will clear the slate of that team and all slates will be cleared on a yearly basis.

7.5 - Meeting Etiquette

Smoking is not allowed at league meetings.

ARTICLE VIII - VOTING MEMBER

8.1 - Team

Each member team shall be entitled to one (1) vote. Name of the voting member must be declared at roll call.

8.2 - Abstaining

At voting role call, a member may either vote or abstain from voting. Abstaining is defined as giving up your voting privilege.

8.3 - Players

No Player under contract shall be a voting member.

8.4 - Tie Vote

A) The policy committee shall cast the deciding vote in case of a tie. All other officers and officials of the league shall have no vote unless representing a team.

B) The president as ex-officio member of the policy committee meets the definition to satisfy quorum requirements.

ARTICLE IX - RECRUITING ZONES

9.1 - Freeze of Recruiting Zone

If in the event a team should have difficulty in fielding a team for the following season, a team can request from the league a freeze of their recruiting zone. This freeze of their zone would be for one (1) year only.

9.2 - Player Eligibility

A) Players eligible to play for the team who has requested and received permission from the league a one (1) year freeze of their zone, and allowed to play for the next nearest Junior Legion franchise of this league. Stipulations for this are as follows:

1) Players must return to their frozen franchise the following year if that team is fielding a team.

2) The two (2) zones involved, the frozen zone and the next nearest zone, cannot exceed 40,000 population as of the last current census and/or disrupt the parity of the league.

3) The next nearest team of the league interested in players from the frozen zone, are allowed to invite these players to try out with the understanding they must return to their own zone if that team is fielding a team as stated above.

B) Zoning Requirements Specifics:

1) All teams must zone by area such as township, borough, tracts, and wards for city teams.

2) If a team jumps over a territory to get to someone else they must claim and add all population to that area. If two teams ask for the same area the one closest gets the territory.

3) If a territory is split for zoning purposes, boundary lines will be given to the league zoning committee.

4) All zone changes must be presented at the January meeting.

5) All Junior Legion teams must zone within the State approved zone of the Senior Legion team that they feed.

9.3 - Team Share

Team shares for teams requesting freeze shall be determined on previous years playing calendar. This team share is determined at the annual reorganization meeting of the league each January. Team share refunded by the league at the previous year share if team drops from league the following year.

9.4 - Meeting Attendance

Frozen teams must attend the January meeting of the league to advise whether or not that team is re-entering a team to the playing schedule or dropping from the league.

9.5 - League Activities

Frozen teams are not allowed any participation in any activities of the league while they are frozen.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - PENALTIES

1.1 - Suspension

A) A team shall be suspended for remainder of season and shall be fined $50.00 which has to be paid before January 15th of the following year in order for said team to be reinstated as a member of the League. Any one team which is suspended in two consecutive years shall be dismissed from the League and lose its forfeit money.

1) For flagrant violation of the Constitution or By-laws of the League.

2) When the conduct of a team is unsportsmanlike and results in actions, which are detrimental to individual and public welfare and which are prejudicial to the purpose of this league.

3) For forfeiting two (2) games in a season for any reason.

B) Suspension of Manager or coaches - When conduct of a manager or a coach is unsportsmanlike and results in actions which are detrimental to individual and public welfare and which prejudicial to the purpose of the League. The League membership, upon proper notification, shall decide what constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct.

C) Suspension of player or players - When conduct of a player is unsportsmanlike and results in actions which are detrimental to individual and public welfare and which are prejudicial to the purpose of the League. The League membership upon proper notification shall decide what constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct. Suspension could be for the balance of current year.

D) Ejections from games should be reported to the League President by both coaches immediately following the game.

1) First ejection of a player, manager or coach will result in a required one (1) game suspension of that person. The required suspension will be served the game immediately following the ejection. There will be no appeal of the ejection allowed. The decision and the ejection of the player, manager or coach by the umpire stands.

2) The second ejection of a player, manager or coach will result in a required three (3)game suspension of that person. The required suspension will be served the three games immediately following the ejection.

3) The third ejection of a player, manager or coach will bring with it a ban from the league for the remainder of the season. The player, manager, coach and/or team do have the right to appeal.

4) A manager or coach may appeal an ejection immediately after the game. The coach must notify the opposing coach at the end of the game or in writing that evening that he will be appealing the ejection. The coach must notify the League President by telephone or by e-mail before the end of the day that he will be filing an appeal. The coach must then file a written appeal with the League President no lather than noon the day following the ejection.

5) In order to appeal an ejection the team or organization must put up a $100.00 fee. If the appeal is upheld the fee will be returned to the team/organization. If the appeal is denied the processing fee is forfeited to the league and the suspension will be applied.

6) If the League President determines that the actions of the player, manager or coach may warrant a suspension or punishment that is more or less severe than that which is determined, the President may refer the incident to the Policy Committee for further review. After review by the Policy Committee has the authority to take additional action as needed.

7) Managers and/or coaches who do not report ejections: 1 game suspension.

8) All slates will be cleared after each year regarding first and second violations for players and coaches.

E) If a Junior Legion team is scheduled to play on a date and a player does not appear at that game but does play elsewhere the following penalties shall be enforced:

1st Offense - Player suspended 1 game

2nd Offense - Player suspended 3 games, manager 1 game

3rd Offense - Player and Coach suspended for season, the team is placed on probation for the rest of the season.

In all cases a letter will be sent to the team's organization to inform them of the situation and also appeals are available for each offense. Thirteen year olds that are double roster players with an American Legion Prep team are exempt from the Jr. Legion game attendance by-law.

F) All players on a team must wear the same uniform before games. During and after the reading of the Code of Sportsmanship all players must be in full game uniform.

1.2 - Fines

Any suspended team must pay the umpire's forfeit fee for all remaining games.

1.3 - Forfeit of Games

A) Using an ineligible player.

B) For other violation of the Constitution or By-Laws of this League.

C) Any team forfeiting a regularly scheduled game shall be responsible for the cost of the umpire's fee.

D) Any tie game that is not made up by the end of the season is considered a forfeit and the team is responsible for the payment of umpire fees.

ARTICLE II - UMPIRES

2.1 - Umpires

The league shall establish which umpire organization shall supply the necessary umpires, which meet Legion standards through a contract.

2.2 - Approval

All umpires must be approved and certified by the Department of American Legion of Harrisburg.

2.3 - Method of Selection

The Umpire Assignor shall select and assign all umpires for the League.

2.4 - Number of Umpires

Two umpires shall be used for each league game, one behind the plate and the other on the bases. The umpire behind the plate shall be designated umpire-in-chief. When an umpire fails to report for a game the game must be played with one umpire.

2.5 - Umpire's Fees

A) Negotiate with the umpire assignor by the February meeting of the current year.

B) Protested Games L.V.J.L.B.L. will go by State Guide Book concerning all protests to be heard by the Policy Committee.

C) Each team will pay $15 annually to establish an umpire assignor expense fund. The assignor will work with the League Treasurer to get reimbursement. Any unused funds will go to the general league fund and will be included when calculating the team share.

2.6 - Team Umpires Fees

Member teams shall pay umpire fees at the game, home team pays, as soon as the game becomes official.

ARTICLE III - PLAYER CONTRACTS

At a date, time and place established by the Regional Director each team shall have approved the contracts, Birth Certificates, Rosters according to the guidelines as set forth in the State Guide Book.

ARTICLE IV - POLICING

A) Each home team is required to police all games.

B) The managers and coaches of each team are responsible for the control of their fans. Ultimately the home manager is responsible for determining if it is appropriate to call for police assistance.

ARTICLE V - SCORING

Each team is to fill in two (2) batting order cards, one (1) for the umpire-in-chief and the other for the opposing manager.

ARTICLE VI- FIELD TIME ALLOTMENT

A) The visiting team shall have use of the field as they wish for thirty-minute period, thirty-five (35) minutes before game time.

B) Five minutes will be allowed for reading of the Legion Code and the ground rules of the field, five minutes before game time.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

7.1 - Policy Committee

A) The Policy Committee shall consist of three (3) League Representatives and two (2) alternates elected by the League voting membership. The policy committee shall be formed at the January meeting.

B) The members of the Policy Committee shall serve for a period of one (1) year.

D) The newly formed Policy Committee shall meet annually for organizational purposes only and at such other times thereafter as the president or a majority of members of the League may request.

E) Powers and Duties include:

1) To have general control over all League relations and League athletic contests in which a member team participates.

2) To interpret the provisions of the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules and Regulations of play of this League as it may from time to time adopt.

3) To decide matters in dispute between member teams.

4) To fix and enforce penalties for any violation of the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules and Regulations of play of this League within the limits prescribed by the By-Laws and Constitution.

5) To authorize the return of membership dues and to exclude from membership or to suspend from membership in this League any team whose executive officer does not enforce the rules of this League.

6) A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Policy Committee.

7.2 - Zoning Committee

A) To zone the league at the February meeting in accordance with the Junior Legion rule guidebook.

B) Voted by league membership at the January meeting.

C) Submits zones to state for acceptance and whatever maps are necessary.

7.3 - Statistician

A) Keep all statistics of league standings, schedule and any other duties as deemed necessary by the League President and league membership.

B) To be appointed yearly by League President.

7.4 - By-Laws Committee

A) Committee consists of two members in good standing of the league. At the end of the current season the committee is to review all minutes from current season and add to the by-laws or constitution of the league.

B) Appointed by the League President.

ARTICLE VIII - ALL-STAR GAME

The League’s All-Star Game will be determined by the League annually prior to scheduling night.

ARTICLE IX - RULES

The L.V.J.L.B.L shall be governed by:

A) Official playing Rules of Baseball (National League).

B) Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball Guide pertaining to baseball rules.

C) Constitution and By-Laws of the L.V.J.L.B.L.

D) Limited Substitution

1) A starting player may return to the lineup, one time in his original batting position in the starting lineup. The substitute player who batted in the starting players position in the batting order must be removed from the game and cannot return to the lineup if the starting player returns to the game.

2) Pitchers shall be treated like any other starting player.

3) If a team has used all of its players in a game and then due to injury or ejection lose a player that can’t be substituted for via the re-entry rule, the team can use another player in that spot to finish the game. The intent of this rule is to encourage teams to use all players without worrying about a forfeiture due to injury or ejection. The policy committee will determine any questions of abuse regarding this rule and may revoke the privilege of any team.

E) Pitching Rules

1) Pennsylvania Baseball Guide Book limits a pitcher to no more than ten innings or three appearances in any four (4) consecutive calendar day period.

2) Official Baseball Rule 8.06 - This rule limits the number of trips a manager or coach can make across the base line for conferences with any one pitcher in one inning. A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning will cause the pitchers automatic removal. The pitcher cannot return to the mound for the remainder of the game.

F) To maintain a standard within the league, there will be no catch and carry permitted in the league. Players must have two feet in play to make a good catch. If a player goes out of play with the ball, the ball is dead and runners advance one base.

G) 15/10 Run Rule – The league shall utilize a 15 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs after 5 innings mercy rule. The home team will bat if they are the team trailing in any inning.

H) Extra Hitter – A team can bat a tenth hitter following these guidelines.

1) The extra hitter can hit anywhere in the lineup

2) The extra hitter position is treated like any other fielding position when it comes to substitution

3) It is optional for each team but if you start the game batting ten you must end with ten. If you start with nine you must end with nine. If a team starts with the EH and only has ten uniformed players and a player is ejected or can not continue due to injury, they may finish the game with nine but they will take an out whenever the extra hitter’s batting position is up.

4) It will only be used in the regular season.

5) It is strongly recommended that the same player not be used in consecutive games as the EH. We are trying to develop well-rounded players not just hitters.

ARTICLE X - SCHEDULING

10.1 - General

A) All league games shall be scheduled for seven (7) innings.

B) Schedule shall be determined by the league annually.

C) The season shall consist of no less than 18 games. The membership at a regular scheduled meeting prior to the schedule being prepared shall determine how many games will be played and the schedule format.

D) League Expansion beyond 12 teams.

1) (13 teams) The league will be split into two divisions. Within the two division, each team will play all teams home and away. The teams will also play one cross-fire game against each member of the opposite division. To maintain the league minimum of 18 games played, the division with six teams will play one more game within its own division with the teams playing four cross-fire road games automatically the home team. The pairings of these games will be determined by drawing out of a hat. In the following years, a team can not draw the same opponent for the second time without having played all other teams in the division. Any tie will be broken with a one game playoff with the home team determined by a coin toss.

2) (14 teams) The league will be divided into two seven (7) team divisions. The league schedule will be 19 games, playing home and away within your division, and once across to all opponents in the opposite division. One year a team will have 10 home games and 9 away games and the next year this would be reversed.

3) (15 teams) The league will be divided into a division of 8 teams and a division of 7 teams. The league would be play everyone in their division home and away and also have a cross-fire game with each team in the opposite division. The seven (7) team division would play an extra wild card within their division to have a total of 21 games. The format of this wild card is the same as the 13 team schedule in section 1 above.

4) (16 teams) The divisions will be aligned to have eight (8) teams in two divisions. The league will play all teams within their divisions home and away and everyone in the other division once rotating home and away every year. This will give us a 22 game schedule.

5) (17, 18 teams) Three divisions of 6-6-5 or 6-6-6 teams. Teams will play everyone in their division twice (home and away) and everyone else once alternating home and away every year.

6) (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 teams) There shall be no division system. The league schedule will be that teams will play each other one time.

7) (25 teams) The league will split into two leagues.

E) When divisions are used the divisions will be realigned every two years (odd numbered years). Teams will be ranked based on the accumulative record the past two seasons and snaked through the divisions to provide balance. Home and Away games for non-divisional games will be reversed in the second of the two years (even numbered years).

NOTE: The league has agreed to expand beyond 16 teams with the stipulation that every year we have more that 14 teams we will petition the State to change the State playoff setup to reward the bigger leagues with more representation.

10.2 - Regular Season and Playoff Schedules

The regular season schedule and playoff schedule will be drawn up by the membership at a scheduled League meeting.

A) The dates of regular season games can only be changed by the consent of both teams. The home team is responsible for notifying the statistician and umpire assignor.

B) The dates of playoff games can only be changed by the consent of both teams and the League president.

10.3 - Changing of Dates

All requests for changing dates shall specify the new dates agreed upon and be forwarded at least 48 hours prior to the playing date to the person responsible for assigning the umpires.

10.4 - Tie/Postponed Games

Postponed games must be rescheduled within three (3) days of the originally scheduled date and must be played within ten (10) days. If no new date can be agreed upon within the three day period contact the Vice President for help finding a date and site. If after six (6) days the game is not rescheduled, the Policy Committee will determine if any punishment should be given which could include fines or forfeiture if a team is not cooperating in rescheduling.

10.5 - Postponed Games

If a game is postponed because of inclement weather or wet grounds the home team must notify visitors and umpires at least two (2) hours prior to game time. Notify Statistician.

10.6 - Starting Times of Games

A) 30 minute grace for games.

B) Starting time of games may be changed by mutual consent of teams involved. The League president and umpire assignor must be duly notified.

C) Weekdays and Weekends - no later than 6:00 p.m.

D) Night games - no later than 8:30 p.m.

E) Use of lights to complete a game that is not designated as a night game needs to be agreed upon during the ground rules before the game. This agreement must be made with the consent of both coaches as well as the home plate umpire. The lights will be turned on at the request of the umpire. If the agreement is not made, the game will be over when called by the umpire.

10.7 - Ties

If a game ends in a tie or if the away team ties or takes a lead in the top of an inning after the game is official and the bottom of the inning cannot be completed due to weather or darkness, the game will be considered suspended and will be continued on a date and site to be determined by the league. Suspended and tie games will be scheduled by the League President and umpires fees will be paid by the league. Teams will be provided with 15 minutes for pre-game warm-up.

10.8 - Completion of Season

All League games must be played. Any team who does not complete their regular season schedule will be put on probation for the following season.

ARTICLE XI - PLAYOFFS

11.1 General

A) (12 teams or less)

1. Format: A four team playoff to be held between the first 4 place finishers in the season standings. First place team will play fourth place team and the second place team will play the third place team in the League season standings, in round one. The first and second place teams will be the home team in game one, the third and fourth place teams will be the home team in game two. Teams finishing regular season play in 1st or 2nd position have home field advantage if a 3rd game(s) is necessary. In the final round of the playoffs the 1st highest seeded team has the home field advantage. Each playoff series to be best of three games.

2. Tiebreakers: In case of a tie for either first or second, third or fourth, or fourth and fifth places a one game elimination is to be played. Home team is to be determined by a toss of the coin. Expenses and receipts to be shared on a 50-50 basis.

3. If we have the wildcard: To be determined

4. If we have a host team: To be determined

B) (13, 14, or 15 teams, 2 divisions)

1. Format: The west division winner will play the east second place finisher and the east winner will play the west second place finisher in a best of three series. The winners will advance for a best of three championship series with the team with the better record having a home field advantage.

2. Tiebreakers: To be determined

3. If we have the wildcard: If the league gets an at large bid to the Eastern Regional the playoff winner goes as league champion. The two division winners will play (1) game for the at large bid.

a) Division winners should play on a neutral field. If none are available, home team will be determined by a coin toss.

b) Costs for this game will be split. Neutral field maintenance will be the responsibility of the team associated with the neutral field. Gate receipts will be split.

c) If the winner of the divisional playoff game and the winner of the league championship series end up being the same team, the loser of the league championship series will gain the at large bid.

4. If we have a host team: If a member (referred to as "host" team) of our league is hosting the Eastern Regional or State Finals and also qualifies to represent our league through the guidelines established, the following will happen:

a) the "host" team will go as host team.

b) if we do not have a wildcard, the team that lost to the "host" team in the league championship series will go as league champion.

c) if we do have a wildcard,

i) if the "host" team won the divisional playoff and does not reach the championship series, "host" goes as host, winner of league championship series goes as league champion, and loser of the league championship series goes as the wildcard.

ii) if the "host" team won the divisional playoff and reaches the championship series, the team playing the "host" in the championship will go as the league champion, the "host" will go as host team, and a three game series will be played, between the two first round losers, at the same time as the league championship series to determine who goes as wildcard.

iii) if “non-host" team A wins the divisional playoff and faces the “host" team in the league championship series. The “host" team goes as host, the team playing the “host" goes as league champion, and a three game series will be played, between the two first round losers, at the same time as the league championship series to determine who goes as wildcard.

iv) if "non-host" team A wins the divisional championship and the "host" team defeats “non-host” team B in the league championship series, the “host” goes as host team, the divisional winner goes as league champion and "non-host" team B goes as wildcard.

(NOTE: The extra series will only be necessary if the league championship series is between the "host" team and the divisional playoff winner or if the "host" team wins the divisional playoff and reaches the championship series.)

C) (16 teams, 2 divisions)

1. Format: The playoff will now be between the top four (4) finishers in each division in a double elimination tournament, games will be played in seven days (3 on, 2 off, 3 on). The initial pairings are based on the highest seeds playing the lowest seeds (1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5). The brackets will not change after each round. Seeding will be based on won-loss record overall at the end of the season and not by division finish. Higher seeds are the home teams with the exception that the winner of the winner’s bracket will play at home until they are beaten, and then it will revert back to the higher seed being the home team.

2. Tiebreakers:

a) Tie Breakers for Eligibility - there will only be a need for a tie breaker system if a tie for 1^st and 2^nd place occurs or a tie among teams for the 4^th place position would occur. If this occurs the following tie breakers shall be used in order: Head to Head, Division Record, Coin toss if a tie for 1^st and 2^nd place, a playoff if tie for the 4^th position occurs.

b) Tie Breakers for Seeding - Head to Head results. If they split during the regular season, a coin toss will determine the seedings.

a) Division winners should play on a neutral field. If none are available, home team will be determined by a coin toss.

b) Costs for this game will be split. Neutral field maintenance will be the responsibility of the team associated with the neutral field. Gate receipts will be split.

c) If the winner of the divisional playoff game and the winner of the league championship series end up being the same team, the loser of the league championship series will gain the at large bid.

a) the "host" team will go as host team.

b) if we do not have a wildcard, the team that lost to the "host" team in the league championship series will go as league champion.

c) if we do have a wildcard,

iii) if "non-host" team A wins the divisional playoff and faces the "host" team in the league championship series. The "host" team goes as host, the team playing the "host" goes as league champion, and a three game series will be played, between the two first round losers, at the same time as the league championship series to determine who goes as wildcard.

iv) if "non-host" team A wins the divisional championship and the "host" team defeats "non-host" team B in the league championship series, the "host" goes as host team, the divisional winner goes as league champion and "non-host" team B goes as wildcard.

D) (17, 18 teams, 3 divisions)

1. Format: The playoff will now be between the three division winners and the next 5 best records in the league in a double elimination tournament, games will be played in seven days (3 on, 2 off, 3 on). The initial pairings are based on the highest seeds playing the lowest seeds (1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5). The brackets will not change after each round. Seeding will be based on won-loss percentage overall at the end of the season. Higher seeds are the home teams with the exception that the winner of the winner’s bracket will play at home until they are beaten, then it will revert back to the higher seed being the home team.

2. Tiebreakers:

a) Tie Breakers to determine Division Winners – Head to Head results, division record, and then coin flip only if tie teams will qualify for playoffs otherwise a playoff is needed. (Note: If we flip a coin to determine division winner all tie teams involved in the flip would receive a division winner trophy.)

b) Tie Breakers for 5 wildcards – Head to head, division record only if all tie teams are from same division, and then flip of coin if all tie teams will qualify for playoffs otherwise a playoff will be needed.

c) The Policy Committee will handle any special cases that arise and will be responsible for establishing any tiebreaker playoff games.

d) No team involved in a tie can be eliminated from the playoffs by a flip of a coin.

3. If we have the wildcard: The team that lost to the final playoff game will go as the wildcard.

4. If we have the host: If a member (referred to as "host" team) of our league is hosting the Eastern Regional or State Finals and also qualifies to represent our league through the guidelines established, the following will happen:

a) the "host" team will go as host team.

b) the team that lost to the "host" team in the final league playoff game will go as league champion.

E) (19-24 teams)

1. Format: The playoff will now include the top 8 finishers in the league in a double elimination tournament; games will be played in seven days (3 on, 2 off, 3 on). The initial pairings are based on the highest seeds playing the lowest seeds (1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5). The brackets will not change after each round. Seeding will be based on won-loss percentage overall at the end of the season. Higher seeds are the home teams with the exception that the winner of the winner’s bracket will play at home until they are beaten, then it will revert back to the higher seed being the home team.

2. Tiebreakers:

a) Tie Breakers for 8 spots – Head to head and then flip of coin if all tie teams will qualify for playoffs otherwise a playoff will be needed.

b) The Policy Committee will handle any special cases that arise and will be responsible for establishing any tiebreaker playoff games.

c) No team involved in a tie can be eliminated from the playoffs by a flip of a coin.

3. If we have the wildcard: The team that lost to the final playoff game will go as the wildcard.

a) the "host" team will go as host team.

b) the team that lost to the "host" team in the final league playoff game will go as league champion.

Note: Any year the league receives three entries into the state playoffs the third team to be sent to the playoffs will be the team with the best regular season record that is eliminated from the league tournament.

11.2 - Scheduling

A) The playoff schedule will be drawn up by the membership prior to the start of the regular season. See Article X, Section 2.

B) Positional playoff (see Section 1, Paragraph C above) will be scheduled by the membership at the regularly scheduled League meeting.

11.3 - Umpires

A) Two umpires shall be used for each playoff game, one behind the plate and one on the bases. The umpire behind the plate shall be the umpire-in-chief.

B) No playoff game may be played with less than two (2) umpires.

C) The teams involved may choose to use three (3) umpires.

11.4 - Trophies

A) A team trophy will be presented to the seasonal champion (12 or less teams, 19-24 teams) or division winners (13-18 teams). Trophies will be presented to the players of the teams in the finals of the League championship playoffs. The Championship team and runner-up will get a team trophy also each team will get 21 trophies for its team.

B) The league championship trophy will be named the George Horwath Award.

ARTICLE XII - MISCELLANEOUS RULES

A) Both teams must report the result of the game to the League Statistician no later than 12 noon the day after the game has been played. Results include score, pitchers’ names and innings pitched for all pitchers involved in the game. Teams failing to report results by the required deadline will result in the following:

1^st Offense- $5.00 fine

2^nd Offense- $5.00 fine

3^rd Offense- $10.00 fine

4^th Offense- $10.00 fine

5^th Offense and thereafter will result in a $10.00 fine and one (1) game suspension of the manager.

B) In addition to the team share, each team will pay an additional $10 fee. This money will be donated to any one of our teams who become eligible and qualify in the State Finals. This is to help defer cost. If no team qualifies than the money is carried over and becomes part of our general fund.

C) Each team must have two officially announced tryouts. Proof of the announcements will need to be presented at roster night along with a list of players (and their date of birth) who attended the tryouts. There is a fine of $25 for failure to do so.

D) If lightning is seen by either umpire, the field must be cleared and a wait of fifteen (15) minutes must take place. A fifteen (15) minute waiting period begins each time lightning is observed.

E) A coaching box of the dimensions identified in the Major League rulebook must be clearly marked before the game can begin. A coach will receive one warning for being out of the coach’s box. A second offense will result in the coach’s ejection from the game.

F) All managers and coaches are required to have a criminal history background check performed by the teams sponsoring organization. An appropriate official from the sponsoring organization must sign a statement of assurance for each manager and coach that each one has had a criminal history background check and are cleared for coaching. By signing the statement of assurance the sponsoring organization indemnifies and holds harmless the LVJLBL from any against any and all liability, claims, suits, losses, costs and legal fees.