All Teams, Managers, Coaches, and Players participate in New Jersey American Legion Baseball at the invitation of the New Jersey American Legion Baseball Chairman. The invitation can be and will be withdrawn for conduct deemed to be unbecoming to the American Legion. Every team that shows being sponsored by an American Legion Post on their Form 1 (Roster) and their insurance policy must make sure they have the approval of said Post.
Team Entry Forms and other required documentation must be filed in New Jersey by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2009 with the Department Baseball Chairman or appropriate District Vice Chairman. Each team’s State Fees ($100) are due on this date.
Each League Chairman/President is responsible for ensuring that every umpire has Official’s Insurance before being permitted to officiate a baseball game during the regular and post season games. Under no circumstances is a person permitted to officiate a game unless he/she provides evidence of Official’s Insurance in good standing. NJSIAA and CBUAO Officials are acceptable. If not a certified member in good standing of either organization, an individual must provide a copy of the insurance card provided to the official when a policy is issued. The Umpire in Chief and any Official of the New Jersey Baseball Committee has the authority to request the identity of any official hired to work a game and request proof of insurance. Penalty: Each league will be fined $100 for the first infraction and $500 for the second infraction. If there is a third infraction, the league will be relinquished of the privilege to hire and assign umpires for the remainder of the season. A neutral assignor will be chosen by the Umpire in Chief for the remaining games. The league will have an opportunity to apply for relief to be reinstated to hire and assign officials for the following season which will be determined by the State Baseball Chairman. This will eliminate unqualified persons from umpiring our games.
RULE #1 - PLAYING REGULATIONS
New Jersey American Legion Baseball will follow the Official Baseball Rules as authorized by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball and published by Triumph Books (2009 Official Rules Major League Baseball 312-939-3330). Modifications of these rules, as noted in Rule 1, generally pertain to matters of safety, equipment and insurance. They are made with the welfare of the players and coaches in mind.
(A) Coaches shall be mandated to wear a helmet when in the coaching box. MLB is leaving the decision as to what type of helmet the coach wishes to wear up to the coach or club. But the coach has to wear a protective helmet while in the coaching box. He can wear a single, double or no flap helmet. If he does not have a helmet - that coach cannot remain on the field. Coaches must remain in the coach's box until the ball is put into play. (For safety reasons MLB [and the Legion] will not allow coaches to creep towards home plate until the ball is in play). Coaches must have both feet inside the front of the coach's box. However if the coach wants to move away from the plate - out the back of the box, MLB will not mandate he remain in the box. If a coach is outside the box (closer to home plate) he will be warned once and on the 2nd infraction, will be ejected. If he is out of the back of the coach's box this is not considered an infraction.
(B) Teams must be in a like uniform to play Inter-County, County, State Tournament and National play. At that time, the American Legion Baseball insignia must be on the left sleeve of the uniform or left breast. No one shall be allowed to participate unless the aforementioned Rule #1 (B) is adhered to.
(1)
Uniform shall be as required by National Rules.
(C) A non-playing adult, 21 or over, must be in charge in the dugout and/or on the bench at all times. A coach must be uniformed in order to go onto the playing field.
(D) In New Jersey, all batting helmets must have the NOCSAE seal of approval stamped on the helmet, and such seal must be visible on the outside of the helmet. All players are required to wear a double-flapped, ear-protective helmet while batting, running the bases, and while on deck. Catchers are required to wear a safety helmet, throat protector and protective cup, in addition to normal catcher’s equipment. While warming up a pitcher, either in or out of the bullpen, a catcher must wear a mask. Any player who refuses to do so shall be ejected from the game.
(E) Baseball Requirements: All Senior 19 & Under teams will use the Wilson A1010PROSST Baseball. All 17 & Under, 15 & Under, and 14 & Under teams will use the Wilson A1010HS1SST Baseball.
(F) All teams must have a first aid kit with them in the dugout at all American Legion Baseball games. Failure to have a First Aid Kit shall result in forfeiture of game.
(G) A designated hitter may be used for the pitcher only. The DH will follow the American League Designated Hitter Rule as published by Triumph Books.
(H) The use of any form of tobacco (smoking, chewing and snuff) or the possession of any tobacco like products such as bubblegum tins by a player, coach, manager or any official accompanying any American Legion Baseball Team while on the playing field, benches, in the bullpen or dugouts is prohibited. Any individual violating this rule will be ejected from the game and the playing area. Additionally, this individual may be subject to additional penalties. The League Chairman is encouraged to monitor individuals involved in previous incidents and to insure this incident is not repeated.
(I) The use of any illegal performance enhancement drug or unprescribed steroid is strictly prohibited. Any individual player or coach violating this rule will be immediately terminated as an active participant and be permanently banned from any involvement whatsoever, relating to New Jersey American Legion Baseball. This is to be considered as a zero tolerance policy. There will be no exceptions.
(J) Every American Legion Baseball team must purchase both group liability and accident insurance from the American Legion agent of record. Coverage must be purchased by May 15, 2009 for existing teams. New Teams must have coverage by their first tryout / practice. Proof of such coverage must be submitted to the Department with Form #1 on June 20th. Any team that fails to purchase insurance from the approved carrier by the required date, shall be disqualified from competition in the state tournament and the team will not be counted in the league’s “number of teams count” used to determine number of positions in the state tournament.
(K) A 10 run rule is in effect after 6 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead by 10 runs or after 7 innings if the visiting team has had the opportunity to bat in that inning in a 9-inning game.
A 10 run rule is in effect after 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead by 10 runs or after 5
innings if the visiting team has had the opportunity to bat in that inning in a 7-inning game.
RULE #2 - PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
(A)Competition is open to players for 19 & Under born on or after January 1, 1990. Record of birth must be by Certificate bearing the appropriate seal or certified copy of such from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or Department of Health or an accepted certified birth recording agency of this state. Official Federal Department certificates are acceptable with a parent's affidavit on the back stating it is a true copy. Passports are acceptable also.
(B) In case of foreign birth, a player will present any certificate or document duly issued to the bearer by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services or by the Department of State that shows the birth date of the bearer. Official birth certificates issued by a foreign country are acceptable when accompanied by a letter with an English translation, and such birth certificate must have an official seal. Passports are acceptable also.
(C) Records of birth must be an original or a state certified document from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics, or Department of Health, or other government agency authorized to certify birth documents. A raised seal must be visible on the state certified document.
(1)Notarized photocopies of birth certificates, hospital birth certificates, baptismal records, school records or certificates are not acceptable proof of age and will disqualify a player and/or team.
(D) It shall be mandatory that all players competing in American Legion Baseball in New Jersey will have their parents or legal guardian(s) sign the National A.L. Player Agreement Form #2
(E) All requests for interpretation of rules because of disagreement, on player eligibility beyond the league chairman must be in writing and follow the organization structure. (Organizational Structure: After League Chairman to District Director to District Vice-Chairman to State Chairman). No verbal requests will be honored by the Department Baseball Committee.
RULE #3 - PLAYER RECRUITMENT
(A) New Jersey, in accordance with the National Rules, is currently playing under Plan "B", except for those counties granted permission by National to use Plan "A".
(B) (1) Any player not attending a base school must play for the team nearest their legal residence. The next, closest base school is determined by using Mapquest.com to calculate the shortest driving distance. If the player is cut from that team's roster he must get a signed National Transfer Form #76 and try out for the next nearest team. If the player is cut from that next closest team, he must get a signed Transfer Form #76 and may continue to tryout for the next closest team and so on. A Transfer #76 Form is required from each team. The exception to this rule is private and parochial schools which must comply with National Rule 4.C. Coaches should keep copies of this form for themselves.
(2) Should a Post not grant a release to a non-base school player, the player’s name must appear on the team's National Form #1 and every opportunity must be given to insure that the player can actively participate with the team.
(3) If a team's roster (Form#1) is full, an automatic transfer will be granted to players unable to make the team. However, only non-base school players who attend tryouts will be granted the automatic transfer.
(4) Base School Players who are not rostered are not automatically transferred. For a team to select a player from another team’s “area” or base school, requires a transfer. If no transfer is granted, those players are ineligible to play
(5) The aforementioned Rule B 1 thru 3 shall apply only to players in grades 12, college, and out of school.
(6) All Players attending a Non Public School must sign a National Form #77. Coaches should keep copies of this form for themselves.
(C) No coach, baseball chairman or member of a teams baseball staff shall solicit or in any manner attempt to entice players from a team other than their own to play outside baseball games for a team other than the team a player is currently registered with. Permission may be granted by the League Chairman on a case-by-case basis. Violation of this rule shall be suspension and/or discipline as determined by the Department Baseball Committee.
(D) Any resident of New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Delaware must play Legion Baseball for the state in which they reside.
(E) County Baseball Chairman and League Presidents who directly supervise leagues may impose policies more restrictive than State Rules if in the best interest of their local program.
(F) Any player who attends another public school other than where they live using a voucher, pays tuition or is allowed to attend because a parent works for the Board of Education, will has a choice to play based on their residency or based on the school they attend. Choice is a 1 time choice and can not be changed unless they move or change schools.
RULE #4 - PROTEST
(A) All protests of player eligibility and team eligibility must be specific with proof in writing, within forty-eight (48) hours after the game. If a player is found ineligible, he shall be disqualified immediately. No protest may be made in any county beyond the last game played by his team. If the protest is upheld, all games in which the disqualified player participated shall be forfeited.
(B) All protests and interpretations of the Department and National rules shall be handled in this manner:
(1) Protests and interpretations must be submitted to the County Chairman for a decision
(2) County Chairman may request that the District Director and/ or District Vice Chairman conduct a hearing and render a decision on any manner. An answer must be given within seventy-two (72) hours in writing. After following the organizational structure, an appeal of such a decision may be made to the Department Committee. . (Organizational Structure: After League Chairman to District Director to District Vice-Chairman to State Chairman/Committee). There is a five hundred dollar ($500) bond to be designated to the scholarship fund when such an appeal to the state committee is made. If on appeal the decision is over-turned, the bond will be returned.
(C) No manager, coach, player, player’s agent, player’s parent, or legal representative shall be permitted to bypass the County Chairman, the District Director, the District Vice Chairman, or Department Chairman and appeal directly to National Headquarters on the matter of protest or interpretation of rules. All appeals must proceed up the organization structure of the State Baseball Committee (District Director to District Vice Chairman to State Chairman / Committee). Violation of this rule shall result in sanctions, including but not limited to suspension of the violator and/or violators, for the remainder of the season and playoffs.
(1) The required process for a protest above the League Chairman is to document the issue and submit it to the District Director. The District Director will review, consult with appropriate State Committee members, the State Rules Interrupter and render a decision.
RULE #5 - TEAM AND PLAYER CERTIFICATION
(A) Each team must register with the responsible Department Official or Committee their complete packet no later than 10:00 a.m. June 20 of this year. The packet consists of fully completed original National Form # 1 (plus 10 copies), a National Form #2 (Yellow Copy) for each player on your Form #1. Proper Insurance Coverage (Accident & Liability Yellow Forms from S.A. Van Dyke), National Forms #76 & #77 where applicable and the New Jersey Web Site Form. Failure to comply with the above will make the team ineligible for the State Tournament and that team’s league may lose a State Tournament berth.
NOTE: It is recommended that all player forms be turned into respective County Chairman before the first game of each season. Counties are encouraged to incorporate the recommendation in their respective rules.
(B) March 31st is the date for establishing legal residence and attendance in school.
(must be attached to National Form #1 a copy of proof of team insurance.
(C) All Senior Teams must use the National Transfer Form #76 when a player transfers from one team to another.
(D) Each League Chairman has the authority to make judgments that are in the best interest of American Legion Baseball and the quality of play within its league. This includes not allowing entry of a new team or a change of drawing schools if in his opinion, it will damage an existing team or teams, or lower the level of play within the league. The League Chairman should discuss the situation with the State Committee and his County Commander prior to making such a judgment and ruling.
(E) Requests for Base School changes need to be submitted to the State Baseball Chairman by April 1st. The League Chairman and the State Baseball Chairman must approve requests for Base School changes. Unless unusual circumstances occur, teams must maintain their base school for a minimum of 3 years. Changing a base school and not following the above process will result in the team being declared ineligible for both the regular season and post-season play.
(F) There should be only one team from a base school. Exceptions to this rule require a waiver from the Department Baseball Committee.
(G) In New Jersey the official school enrollment figures shall be those published by the N.J.S.I.A.A. for the year 2009.
RULE #6 - SPONSORSHIP
(A) In New Jersey the following methods of sponsorship are permissible:
(1) Post entirely sponsoring a team or teams
(2) A Post and an outside individual or concern co-sponsoring a team or teams.
(3) An individual or an outside concern sponsoring a team or teams in The American Legion Baseball program.
NOTE: In all the above, all the rules as set forth by the American Legion will be strictly adhered to.
RULE #7 - TOURNAMENTS
(A) The Department Baseball Committee may prescribe such rules for the playing of State Tournaments, as it considers necessary.
(B) Each League "must" have a League Champion by Wednesday, July 15th in order to advance to the Department Tournament. The teams participating in the District Tournament must be communicated by each League Chairman to Jeff Goldberg no later than Wednesday, July 15th The teams participating in the State Tournament must be represented in the Thursday, July 16th Pre-Tournament Meeting.
(C) All Senior, District Tournaments will start on Saturday, July 18th, 2008. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
(D) Teams reaching the finals must supply the Dept. Chairman with four 5”x7” glossy print pictures. Pitchers must not have more than three (3) rows of individuals. Failure to supply the pictures will result in disqualification from State Tournament. Digital Representation may also be supplied – Refer to National Rules
(E) District Chairman, with the Department Chairman, shall be the Field Selection Committee and must approve fields for the Districts and State Finals.
(F) If a State Official or Representative is assigned by the Department Baseball Chairman to a tournament site and he is affiliated with a team that qualified for the State Tournament as a Manager or Coach, his team will play at the location he is assigned.
(G) All necessary expenses of the competing teams shall be borne by the posts sponsoring teams.
(H) Each League shall be entitled to a minimum of one representative in the Department Tournament. The number of teams participating in State District Tournaments shall be determined by the Department Baseball Committee on June 20, 2009.
(I) All 19 & Under, 17 & Under, 15 & Under, and 13 & Under teams in New Jersey will remit to their respective County Chairman a $100 fee. This fee covers the baseball scholarships and other expenses and must be submitted on June 20, 2009.
(J) Any team or County Baseball Chairman having a particular problem regarding player's eligibility, territorial boundary lines, or other problems not covered by either the National or State Rules, is required to communicate with their respective District Director prior to May 15th. The District Director will consult with the District Vice Chairman and the State Chairman as required.
(K) Tournament Directors shall decide whether a game will be cancelled or postponed for any reason. Their decision shall be final. After a game has started, umpires must confer with the Directors before a game can be called for any reason.
(L) In New Jersey a team must participate in a league of four (4) teams or more and compete in a minimum of twelve (12) league games to be eligible for Department Tournament play.
(M) Any player, or person accompanying a team participating in a State Tournament that is ejected from the game or dugout by an umpire must leave the park where tournament games are being played and shall be suspended for the next scheduled game. Tournament director may apply longer penalties at his discretion. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of game. Any coach or manager ejected from a State Tournament game, shall be suspended for the remainder of the tournament.
(N) Any team that forfeits a game in the Department Tournament may be subject to a 1-year suspension upon review by the Department Baseball Committee.
(O) All teams participating in New Jersey American Legion Baseball must play in an existing County League where their base school is located. The Department Baseball Committee may grant a waiver to this provision for travel purposes and/or other unusual circumstances.
(P) A team cannot participate in the State Tournament unless it has a minimum of 12 active players on their roster. At least 12 active players must be present and available to participate at the beginning of each game or they will forfeit out of the tournament and possibly suspended next year. A Player who was ejected in a prior game will count in totaling the required 12 players. The Site Director, after consulting with the State Chairman/Tournament Director can exercise common sense judgment where unusual circumstances have occurred and players may be late because of major traffic issues or other circumstances. A team is allowed to bring up a maximum of 3 players from its 17 & Under Junior team only if they are short players and they will fall under the 12 player requirements for the tournament. Those 3 players must appear on their 17 & Under Junior roster.
(Q) In the event of delays due to bad weather, the State Baseball Chairman has the ability to:
(1)Change the number of required innings from 9 to 7.
(2)Go to single elimination
Note: This can be done on a District Site or State Wide basis.
(R) At District Tournaments and at the State Finals, the umpires will inspect all bats and helmets before the 1st game. If an umpire deems a bat or helmet unsafe, it will be held by the Tournament Director and returned to the team after they are eliminated from the tournament or the tournament is completed. The umpire will also inspect any weighted bats. ANY home made weighted bat will not be allowed and will be held by the Tournament Director and will be returned to the team after they are eliminated from the tournament or the tournament is completed.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICYS
(A) State Meetings will be open to all State Baseball Officials, Senior and Junior League Officials, and invited Guests.
(B) County Baseball Chairman who supervise and administer leagues or their representative and League Presidents (Pyramid League) or their representative may participate in roll-call, voting in favor or against recommendations. The State Baseball Chairman will cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie
GENERAL FINANCIAL POLICYS
(A) The State Baseball Chairman or Authorized State Baseball Committee Official will approve all purchases.
(B)All requests for reimbursements and payments will be in writing and the bill, invoice or receipt will be provided with the written request.
(C)The State Committee will pay an allowance of $1,500 to each organization that hosts a District Tournament or a State Finals pending the submission of a finance report for their tournament.
(D)Umpire fees for State Finals will be paid by NJ American Legion Baseball.
1.To partially off set expenses associated with the duties of their position (gasoline, mileage, phone bills, etc), an allowance will be paid to State Baseball Officials. The exact amount will be determined by the State Baseball Chairman in consultation with Department Headquarters in Trenton. The amount will be based on assignments and related expenses incurred by the particular official.
2.The Senior State Champions will be given an expense allowance of $750
3.The Senior State Runner Ups will be given an expense allowance of $500
4.The Junior State Champs will be given an expense allowance of $500
5.The Junior State Runner Ups will be given an expense allowance of $250
6.The Sophomore State Champs will be given an expense allowance of $250
7.The Freshman State Champs will be given an expense allowance of $250
8.The NJ American Legion Headquarters in Trenton must approve any State Baseball Official traveling to Indianapolis for the convention. These individuals will be reimbursed for their airline ticket or car mileage and paid a per diem amount for daily expenses. The Per Diem amount will be determined by the Department Headquarters in Trenton
9.Financial and Cash controls will be implemented at the Districts and State Finals.
10.The Tournament Committee will provide the Finance Committee an estimate of the revenues and expenses.
APPENDIX
In State Tournament games, where a game has not been played to completion in accordance with professional Baseball Rules, and where a game is called by the Umpire-in-Chief because of darkness or rain, before the full nine innings have been concluded, the game shall be suspended with the remainder of the game played from where it was called to its conclusion. Where a game has been suspended for either darkness or rain, game must be completed, but the next regularly scheduled game may be played first. This decision rests with the Tournament Officials.
No county shall impose individual rules for any new team entered into their program, nor shall any new team be subject to any undue financial burden that is not imposed on the rest of the league.
In New Jersey a person must be a member of the American Legion or Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) to direct, administer, guide or enforce discipline or otherwise be the sole Director of a County American Legion Baseball League. The baseball program is a part of The American Legion and therefore must be under the direct supervision of a person or persons who are members of the parent organization, The American Legion.
AWARDS
(A) The Department presents permanent awards to the Semi-Finalist and Finalist.
(B) The Department Champion will receive the Albert J. Moeller Memorial Award. The first Runner-Up will receive the William T. O'Connor Memorial Award. The Second Runner-Up will receive the Thomas Holder Memorial Award. The Third Runner-Up will receive the John Hartigan Memorial Award.
(C) Scholarships - $ 4,000 David C. Goodwin Memorial Award
$ 2,000 Ernest Zardetto Memorial Award
$ 1,000 Joseph Barth Sr. Award (effective 2008)
$ 500 Joseph DeFante Award (effective 2008)
STATE BASEBALL COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Chairman – Bob Catullo (908) 486-9057
Executive Director - Jack Byrnes (908) 241-6874
Assistant to the Chairman -- Jeff Goldberg (973) 736-8872
Senior Honorary Vice Chairman -- Joe DeFante (856) 833-1373
District 1 State Vice Chairman -- Frank Calandrillo, (201) 818-9668
District 2 State Vice Chairman -- Robert Migilore (908) 352-6076
District 3 State Vice Chairman -- Tom Beisler (908) 687-1363
District 4 State Vice Chairman -- Ronald Krowiak (856) 566-0022
Umpire in Chief / State Vice Chairman -- Rusty Kolins (856) 546-2409
District 1 Director -- Harold Scheideler (201) 652-7104
Counties: Bergen, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Sussex
District 2 Director -- Jim Caffrey (848)-250-3236
Counties: Essex, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, and Warren
District 3 Director – Rick Freeman (609 588-0152)
Counties: Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth
District 4 Director -- Tom Jones (856) 853-1246
Counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, & Salem
Junior Division Chairman – Jim Caffrey (848)-250-3236
District 1 Junior Director -- Bill Tonero (201) 874-5420
District 2 Junior Director – Carmen Marano
District 3 Junior Director -- Andrew O’Hara (732)613-8821
District 4 Junior Director – John Hernandez
Department Liaison -- Chuck Robbins, (732) 270-8259
Forms & Registration -- Jeff Goldberg, (973) 736-8872
Insurance -- Jack Byrnes (908) 241-6874
Public Relations -- Jeff Goldberg, (973) 736-8872
Scholarship Committee Leader -- Tom Garretson (732-787-8510)
State Rules Interpreter -- Frank Calandrillo, (201) 818-9668
Web Site -- Ron Krowiak, (856) 566-0022
New Jersey American Legion Baseball Website:
www.homestead.com/NJALBaseball/NewJerseyAmericanLegionBaseball.html
2009 COUNTY BASEBALL REPRESENTATIVES
ATLANTIC Bob Conn, 529 Passmore St., Hammonton, 08037 (609) 561-
BERGEN Harold Scheideler, 12 Stuart St., Waldwick, (201) 652-7104
BURLINGTON Joyce Cooper, 79 New Castle Lane, Willingboro, 08046 (609)
CAMDEN Francis Carr, 44 Central Ave, Audubon, 08106, (856) 547-1570
CAPE MAY John Hernandez, Jr., 318B Vine Ave., Galloway Twp., 08205
CUMBERLANDOpen
ESSEXMichael Sheppard, 28 Kayser Lane, West Orange, 07052 (973) 669-
GLOUCESTEROpen
HUDSONWalter Tomasheski, 599 Devon St. Kearny, 07032, (201) 997-5073
HUNTERDONCharles W. Halsey Jr, 3 Longview Rd., Lebanon, 08833 (908)
MERCERRick Freeman, 58 Jarvie Drive, Hamilton Square, 08690 (609)
MIDDLESEXWalter Zjawin, 218 Center St, Metuchen, 08840 (732) 906-3695
MONMOUTHTom Garretson, 106 Church St., Belford, 07718 (732) 787-8510
MORRISHarold Liberatore, 109 Milton Rd., Milton, 07484, (973) 208-0114
OCEANChuck Robbins, 1941 Oakdale Rd., Toms River, 08753 (732) 270-
PASSAIC Lou Pouls, 50 Sade St., Apt South 220, Clifton, 07013
SALEMOpen
SOMERSET Open
SUSSEXRich Shernce, 22 Belton St., Stanhope, 07874 (973) 347-7507
UNIONRobert Migliore, 416 Redcliff St., Elizabeth, 07202 (908) 352-6076
WARRENIsabel Dodd, 8 Kohler rd., Blairstown, 07825
19 And Under
District Tournament July 18
17 And Under
District TournamentJuly 25
15 And Under
District Tournament Aug. 1
14 And Under
TBA
