George Donnelly Sunset League rules and regulations
Franchises
Any team holding a franchise in the GDSL 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.
All GDSL franchises agree to abide by the rules,regulations and obligations. If a franchise does not abide by the rules, regulations and obligations, it is subject to revocation.
The following steps will occur if a franchise is to be revoked.
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The franchise that is to be revoked must be told so in writing by the commissioner.
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An emergency league meeting will be held. At the league meeting the franchise that is to be revoked will have a chance to answer the charges and defend themselves.
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To revoke a franchise it must take a majority of franchise holders voting. The commissioner is not allowed to vote on this matter, even to break a tie. In the event of a tie vote, the franchise will be placed on probation for a season. If another violation occurs. They are immediately expelled from the league.
If a franchise is revoked, they will have the opportunity to re-apply for league membership the following season.
The George Donnelly Sunset League sets the seasons league fee at the February meeting. It is then up to the franchise to pay the fee. Once any payment of the league fee is transfered to the GDSL it is non refundable.
ROSTER
The roster limit is 28 per franchise.
Player Movement
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A player is not considered to be on a team until he has played in a game or paid his league fee for a team.
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If a player is to move teams during the season he needs to let the commissioner know his intent along with the player's current team.
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A player can move as long as his financial commitment is taken care of to his current team, and he is granted a release by his current team
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If a player owes a league fee to a team, he can be blacklisted until the player pays his league fee to the prior team.
RULES
Rules of Play
The MLB rulebook shall govern the playing of all league games except rules that are specific to the GDSL as contained herein.
Designated Hitter/P
A team can utilize their pitcher as a DH also. On the lineup card the manager will have to designate their pitcher as a DH/1. Once the pitcher is out of the game he continues in the lineup as a DH
Slide Rule
If there happens to be a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line with clear possession of the ball, the runner may make contact, slide into or make contact with a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base (plate).
Contact above the waist that was initiated by the base runner shall not be judged as an attempt to reach the base or plate. The runner may not attempt to dislodge the ball from the fielder. Contact above the waist shall be judged by the umpire as an attempt by the runner to dislodge the ball. The runner must attempt to avoid a collision if he can reach the base without colliding. If the runner’s path to the base is blocked and (a), (b) and (c) are fulfilled, it is considered unavoidable contact
Mercy Rule
The GDSL mercy rule consists of ten (10) runs after seven (7) innings of play for a nine (9) inning game. It is ten (10) after five (5) innings of play for a seven (7) inning game.
Extra Hitter
The extra hitter can play any defensive position with the exception of the pitcher. If you choose to use the extra hitter, he must be used for the entire game.
POSTSEASON FORMAT
Playoff Eligibility
To be eligible for the playoffs, a player must appeared in 6 games throughout the season
Playoff format:
Round 1: #4v#5 (single elimination)
Round 1: #3v#6 (single elimination)
Round 2: #1 v 4v5 winner & #2 v 3v6 (best of 3)
Finals: Best of 3
Seeding
Seeding will be determined by the final standings.
Tiebreakers
For playoffs the tie breaks are the following.
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Record v tied teams.
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Runs differential v tied teams
CODE OF ETHICS
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. Any physical violence is subject to immediate expulsion from the league. Game personnel will not use language that reflects negatively on opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators
Ejections
All ejections will carry a minimum of one (1) game suspension. The ejected player must leave the field in a timely manner without disrupting the game. The commissioner will determine if the ejection is more than one (1) game.
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First ejection. One game suspension
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Notification of appeal from the player or manager immediately following the game.
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The commissioner will discuss with both managers at the game along with the officials at the game.
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The appeal will be settled within 24 hours of notification
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Second ejection. Two game suspension. Can not be appealed.
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Third ejection. Automatic suspension for the reminder of the season. Can not be appealed.
Abuse of Officials
Any verbal or physical abuse of officials is not permitted and will result in a season suspension. This will not be appealable
Fighting
Any fighting or bench clearing incidents will result in immediate suspension and will be determined by the commissioner with no chance at an appeal.
Intentionally Throwing at a Batter
Any pitcher that is ejected for intentionally throwing at a batter shall be suspended for the team’s next four consecutive games. If a pitcher does it a second time the player will be expelled from the league.
Verbal Behavior
Game personnel will not use language that reflects negatively on opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators. The umpire will issue a warning and if the abuse continues will eject the offending person(s).