DAIRYLAND BASEBALL LEAGUE
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
REVISED 2008

 

ARTICLE 1
 NAME
SECTION 1.
 THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE DAIRYLAND BASEBALL LEAGUE, INC
 
ARTICLE 2
OBJECT
SECTION 1.
 THE OBJECT OF THIS LEAGUE SHALL BE TO PLAY BASEBALL AND TO ENCOURAGE CLEAN SPORTS AND INCREASE THE LOCAL INTEREST IN THE NATIONAL GAME BY USING HOME TALENT PLAYERS AS FAR AS
IT IS POSSIBLE.
 
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.

THE MEMBERSHIP OF THIS LEAGUE SHALL BE COMPOSED OF ALL TEAMS WHO HAVE DEPOSITED THEIR FRANCHISE FEE WITH THE LEAGUE. CHARTER MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE ARE: BONDUEL,
HOFA PARK, NAVARINO AND NICHOLS.
SECTION 2.

EACH CLUB SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE (1) VOTE. AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER MAY NOT REPRESENT ANY TEAM AT A LEAGUE MEETING. ANY CLUB FAILING TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE (1) QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVE
AT ANY MEETING SHALL BE ASSESSED A FINE OF $10.00. ANY TEAM NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL SHALL BE ASSESSED A FINE OF $5.00. GAMES PLAYED DURING THE WEEK MUST BE CALLED IN BY 7:00 P.M. SUNDAY OR A FINE OF $10.00 WILL BE ASSESSED. THE STARTING TIME OF THE MEETING SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT.
SECTION 3.
NO CLUB SHALL BE ADMITTED INTO THIS LEAGUE EXCEPT WHEN THEY CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY CAN PUT PLAYERS IN BASEBALL UNIFORMS AND CAPS AND CAN SHOW FINANCIAL STABILITY.
SECTION 4.
ANY TEAMS WISHING ENTRY INTO THE DAIRYLAND
LEAGUE MUST NOTIFY THE PRESIDENT OF THEIR INTENTIONS ONE (1) WEEK BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING IN MARCH.
SECTION 5.
ANY NEW TEAM REQUESTING FRANCHISE IN THE DAIRYLAND LEAGUE SHALL BE ADMITTED WITH A 2/3 APPROVAL OF THE LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
SECTION 6.
UPON LEAGUE APPROVAL A NEW FRANCHISE FEE SHALL BE $500.00.
 
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
SECTION 1.

THE OFFICERS OF THIS LEAGUE SHALL BE COMPOSED OF PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY/TREASURER AND A BOARD OF DIRECTORS. ALL OFFICERS EXCEPT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED FOR ONE (1) YEAR AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LEAGUE. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL CONSIST OF ONE (1) MEMBER OF EACH CLUB. THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND THE SEC/TREAS SHALL NOT VOTE OR MAKE MOTIONS DURING A MEETING UNLESS THE PRESIDENT'S VOTE IS NECESSARY TO BREAK A TIE VOTE.

SECTION 2.
THE PRESIDENT SHALL PRESIDE AT ALL MEETINGS. PRESIDENT SHALL BREAK ALL TIE VOTES.
SECTION 3.
THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS NO VOTE. THE VICE PRESIDENT WILL VOTE TO BREAK TIES ONLY WHEN PRESIDING IN ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT.
SECTION 4.
THE SECRETARY/TREASURER SHALL KEEP A RECORD OF THE MINUTES OF ALL MEETINGS, ATTEND TO CORRESPONDENCE, RECEIVE ALL MONEY AND PAY ALL BILLS BY CHECK APPROVED BY THE LEAGUE.
SECTION 5.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH THE PRESIDENT SHALL CONSTITUTE THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE LEAGUE.
SECTION 6.
AT THE CLOSE OF THE SEASON; ALL MONEY BELONGING TO THE LEAGUE, AFTER EXPENSES HAVE BEEN PAID, SHALL BE DISPOSED OF AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE LEAGUE SEES FIT.
SECTION 7.

ANNUAL SALARIES PAID BY THE LEAGUE TO IT'S OFFICERS (PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY/TREASURER) AS WELL AS THE UMPIRE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
 
ARTICLE 5.
MEETINGS
SECTION 1.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LEAGUE SHALL BE
HELD ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14TH.
SECTION 2.
SPECIAL MEETINGS CAN BE CALLED AT THE REQUEST OF TWO (2) DIRECTORS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.
 
ARTICLE 6
GAMES
SECTION 1.

A SCHEDULE OF GAMES TO BE PLAYED SHALL BE ADOPTED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MEETING.
GAMES MUST BE PLAYED AT THE PLACE ORIGINALLY
SCHEDULED, EXCEPT WITH MUTUAL AGREEMENT
OF THE TWO TEAMS CONCERNED.
SECTION 2.
POSTPONED GAMES MUST BE MADE UP WITHIN THREE (3) WEEKS OR BE TURNED INTO THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT.
SECTION 3.
ALL GAMES IN THIS LEAGUE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE RULES OF THE OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES ALONG WITH PROVISIONS FOR THE DESIGNATED HITTER RULE AS WELL AS THE RE-ENTRY RULE.
SECTION 4.
ALL LEAGUE GAMES, EITHER REGULAR OR POSTPONED, MUST BE PLAYED BEFORE THE END OF THE REGULAR SCHEDULED SEASON UNLESS THE PRESIDENT ORDERS OTHERWISE.
SECTION 5.
ALL GAMES SHALL START PROMPTLY AT THE TIME AGREED UPON. IF A TEAM DOESN'T HAVE NINE (9) PLAYERS IN BASEBALL UNIFORMS AT THAT TIME, AUTOMATIC FORFEITURE APPLIES.
SECTION 6.
TWENTY (20) MINUTES PRIOR TO GAME TIME, THE VISITING TEAM SHALL BE ALLOWED FIFTEEN (15)
MINUTES OF FIELDING PRACTICE. VISITING TEAM
BATTING PRACTICE WILL BE ABOLISHED. THE
UMPIRE IN-CHIEF WILL CALL THE PRACTICE STRICTLY
BY TIME.
SECTION 7.
ADMISSION CHARGE: ALL PLAYER'S WIVES ARE TO PAY ADMISSION TO LEAGUE ROAD GAMES. CHARGING SENIOR CITIZENS IS OPTIONAL.
 
ARTICLE 7
EQUIPMENT
SECTION 1.
THE HOME TEAM SHALL PROVIDE AT LEAST FOUR (4) NEW BASEBALLS FOR EACH GAME PLAYED. ANY #1 BASEBALL IS ACCEPTABLE. ALL BALLS IN ANY ONE GAME MUST OF THE SAME BRAND NAME.
SECTION 2.
THE DAIRYLAND LEAGUE WILL USE WOODEN BATS FOR ALL OF IT'S LEAGUE GAMES. WOOD COMPOSITE OR SOLID WOOD BATS ARE ACCEPTABLE.
SECTION 3.
IT IS MANDATORY FOR ALL BATTERS TO WEAR HELMETS. ALL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS MUST WEAR HELMETS WITH EAR PROTECTION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HELMET FOR BATTING AND FOR RUNNING THE
BASES.
 
ARTICLE 8
PLAYOFFS
SECTION 1.
ANY TEAM TIED FOR A DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY.
SECTION 2.
THE SHAUEGNESSY PLAYOFF SYSTEM WILL
DETERMINE PLAYOFF PAIRINGS. (1 VS 4), (2 VS 3).
IN THE EVENT OF A TIE; THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF TIEBREAKERS WILL BE FOLLOWED UNTIL THE TIE IS BROKEN:
A. THE BEST LEAGUE RECORD IN HEAD TO HEAD COMPETITION.
B. THE BEST LEAGUE RECORD IN DIVISION PLAY.
C. A COIN FLIP.
SECTION 3.
ALL PLAYOFF GAMES MUST BE PLAYED NINE (9) INNINGS. IF A GAME IS RAINED OUT BEFORE BEING AN OFFICIAL GAME (5 INNINGS), IT WILL BE PLAYED OVER. IF A GAME IS RAINED OUT AFTER IT BECOMES AN OFFICIAL GAME, IT WILL BE CONTINUED FROM THE POINT OF SUSPENSION.
SECTION 4.
ALL RAINED OUT PLAYOFF GAMES OR SUSPENDED GAMES MUST BE RESCHEDULED AND AGREED UPON WITHIN 24 HOURS OR THE LEAGUE EXECUTIVE BOARD WILL RESCHEDULE SAID GAME.
SECTION 5.
PLAYOFF RECEIPTS ARE DIVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER. LEAGUE UMPIRES ARE PAID AND THE HOME TEAM RECEIVES MONEY FOR FOUR (4) BASEBALLS. THE REMAINDER OF THE RECEIPTS ARE DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS.
SECTION 6.
IN THE EVENT THE HOME TEAM'S FIELD IS UNAVAILABLE, THE GAME WILL BE MOVED TO THE OPPOSING TEAM'S FIELD. HOWEVER, THE HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE WILL NOT CHANGE.
 
ARTICLE 9
FUNDS
SECTION 1.
AN ANNUAL LEAGUE FEE MUST BE PAID BY EACH
TEAM BEFORE THE START OF THE SEASON. SAID
FEE SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ON A YEARLY BASIS AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
SECTION 2.
ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE LEAGUE SHALL BE TAKEN FROM THIS FUND.
SECTION 3.
ALL FINES COLLECTED SHALL BE PLACED IN THE LEAGUE TREASURY.
 
ARTICLE 10.
UMPIRES
SECTION 1.
THE UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF SHALL BE IN CHARGE OF THE GAME ONCE THE GAME BEGINS. HE SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO CALL THE GAME OFF, OR DELAY OR SUSPEND THE GAME ON ACCOUNT OF RAIN, DARKNESS OR ANY OTHER REASON WHICH HE MIGHT DEEM NECESSARY. THE BASE UMPIRE SHALL WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF AT ALL TIMES AND SHALL CONSULT THE FORMER IN CASE OF ANY QUESTIONS.
SECTION 2.
THE UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF WILL BE ASSIGNED BY THE LEAGUE AND THE HOME TEAM WILL FURNISH THE BASE UMPIRE. THE VISITING TEAM MAY ALSO FURNISH A BASE UMPIRE. ALL BASE UMPIRES MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 18 YEARS OF AGE.
SECTION 3.
AN UMPIRE SHALL REMOVE ANY PLAYERS FROM THE GAME WHO IS USING VIOLENCE OR INTENTIONS OF DOING BODILY HARM UPON THE PERSON OF AN
UMPIRE OR PLAYER. HE MAY ALSO REMOVE ANY PLAYER WHO VIOLATES ANY OF THE RULES OF THE GAME.
 
ARTICLE 11
PROTESTS
SECTION 1.
THERE ARE NO PROTESTS IN LEAGUE GAMES. ALL DISPUTES MUST BE SETTLED BEFORE THE GAME CAN CONTINUE.
 
ARTICLE 12
FORFEITURES
SECTION 1.
ANY CLUB FAILING TO LIVE UP TO THE RULES OF THE LEAGUE SHALL BE EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE AFTER A HEARING WITH THE GOVERNING BOARD.
SECTION 2.
ANY TEAM EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE OR ANY
CLUB WITHDRAWING FROM THE LEAGUE DURING THE PLAYING SEASON SHALL FORFEIT IT'S FRANCHISE AS
WELL AS THEIR FRANCHISE FEE.
SECTION 3.
NO CLUB SHALL WITHDRAW FROM THE FIELD DURING THE PROGRESS OF A GAME FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. ANY CLUB LEAVING THE FIELD DURING THE PROGRESS OF A GAME SHALL FORFEIT THE GAME TO THE OPPOSING TEAM
SECTION 4.
ANY TEAM FORFEITING A GAME FOR ANY REASON SHALL BE ASSESSED A FINE OF $100.00 PLUS PAY THE
HOME PLATE UMPIRE FEES.
SECTION 5.
ANY TEAM HAVING FORFEITED ONE (1) GAME DURING A SEASON SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PLAYOFFS THAT SEASON. ANY TEAM FORFEITING TWO (2) OR MORE GAMES DURING A SEASON SHALL BE EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE.
 
ARTICLE 13
PLAYERS
SECTION 1.
NO CLUB SHALL BE ADMITTED ON THE BALL FIELD EXCEPT WITH IT'S PLAYERS AND COACHES IN FULL TEAM BASEBALL UNIFORM AND CAPS. MANAGERS, SCORERS AND REPORTERS MAY BE ALLOWED ON THE BENCH WITHOUT UNIFORMS.
SECTION 2.
 NO CLUB SHALL BE ALLOWED A PLAYER LIST OF MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE (25) PLAYERS. A SEPARATE LIST FOR PLAYERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR HIGH SCHOOL/LEGION BASEBALL (INCLUDING SENIORS)WILL
BE ALLOWED AND IS UNLIMITED IN NUMBER. SAID
LIST OF HIGH SCHOOL/ LEGION PLAYERS WILL NOT COUNT AGAINST THE TWENTY-FIVE (25) MAN ROSTERS.
SECTION 3.
 AT THE LAST MEETING BEFORE THE START OF THE SEASON, EACH MANAGER MUST SUBMIT FIFTEEN (15) COPIES OF HIS TEAM ROSTER SHOWING FULL NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER. ANY PLAYERS REJECTED
BY A MAJORITY OF MANAGERS CANNOT BE PLACED ON
A ROSTER.
SECTION 4.

ALL PLAYERS WHO APPEAR ON AN APPROVED ROSTER AT THE START OF THE SEASON REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THAT TEAM UNTIL THE END OF THE
SEASON.
SECTION 5.

FOR A PLAYER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN THE PLAYOFFS HE MUST HAVE PLAYED (APPEARED) IN AT LEAST SIX (6) REGULAR SEASON GAMES. ANY PLAYER LISTED ON THE HIGH SCHOOL/LEGION ROSTER MUST HAVE PLAYED (APPEARED) IN AT LEAST THREE (3) REGULAR SEASON GAMES. ALL SERVICEMEN
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PLAYOFFS REGARDLESS OF THE
NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED.
SECTION 6.
AN "APPEARANCE" OR "PLAYED GAME " MEANS THAT
THE PLAYER MUST APPEAR IN THE GAME OR MUST BE
PRESENT AT THE START OF THE GAME AND BE LISTED
ON THE LINE-UP CARD AS A STARTER OR A RESERVE
FOR THAT GAME. IF A PLAYER ARRIVES AT THE GAME
AFTER THE LINE-UP CARDS ARE EXCHANGED HE MUST
THEN APPEAR IN THE OFFICIAL SCORE BOOK TO BE
CONSIDERED TO "HAVE APPEARED" IN THAT GAME.
SECTION 7.
ANY PLAYER WHO IS ON TWO OR MORE ROSTERS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON WILL BE PROPERTY OF
THE TEAM FOR WHICH HE APPEARS FIRST IN A GAME.
SECTION 8.
 ALL PLAYERS MUST BE A MINIMUM OF SIXTEEN (16) YEARS OF AGE TO PLAY IN DAIRYLAND LEAGUE GAMES.
 
ARTICLE 14
ENFORCEMENTS
SECTION 1.
THIS CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS SHALL BE ENFORCED AND CAN ONLY BE CHANGED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING BY A 2/3 VOTE OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE CLUBS COMPOSING THE DAIRYLAND LEAGUE BOARD. ALL OTHER QUESTIONS RAISED NEED ONLY A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF CHANGE. THE PRESIDENT SHALL BREAK ALL TIE VOTES.
 
ARTICLE 15
SPECIAL RULES
SECTION 1.
EACH TEAM MUST NOTIFY THE MANAGER OF THE VISITING TEAM NO LATER THAN A REASONABLE TIME PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED STARTING TIME WHEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO PLAY THE SCHEDULED GAME DUE TO WET GROUNDS OR BAD WEATHER. PROVIDING FURTHER THAT ANY TEAM THAT FAILS TO DO SO SHALL PAY THE VISITING TEAM THE SUM OF $25.00 FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES.
SECTION 2.
THE STARTING TEN (10) PLAYERS WILL BE DESIGNATED "STARTERS" AND THE PLAYER TAKING THE PLACE OF A STARTER WILL BE DESIGNATED A "SUBSTITUTE". A "STARTER" MAY BE REMOVED FROM A GAME AND RE- ENTER ONE TIME. HE MUST RETURN TO THE SAME POSITION IN THE BATTING ORDER BUT MAY FIELD A DIFFERENT POSITION. A "SUBSTITUTE" MAY NOT RE- ENTER THE GAME ONCE HE HAS BEEN REMOVED.
SECTION 3.
A RELIEF PITCHER COMING OFF THE BENCH TO PITCH IS ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF EIGHT (8) WARM-UP PITCHES AND A RELIEF PITCHER COMING FROM A POSITION ON THE FIELD TO PITCH IS ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF TWELVE (12) WARM-UP PITCHES. PITCHERS ARE ALLOWED EIGHT (8) WARM-UP PITCHES BETWEEN INNINGS.
SECTION 4.
IF A FIGHT OCCURS BETWEEN PLAYERS DURING A GAME, THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE NOTIFIED BY THE UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF. A MANDATORY TWO (2) GAME SUSPENSION SHALL BE IMPOSED ON THE GUILTY PARTIES.
SECTION 5.
ANY PLAYER WHO BUMPS AN UMPIRE WILL RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC TWO GAME SUSPENSION INCLUDING THE PLAYOFFS. HE WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE SEASON FOR A SECOND OFFENSE INCLUDING THE PLAYOFFS. SWINGING AT OR HITTING AN UMPIRE WILL AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO A SEASON SUSPENSION INCLUDING THE PLAYOFFS. A SUSPENDED SEASON IS EXACTLY TWELVE (12) MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE START OF THE SUSPENSION.
SECTION 6.
GAMES ANNOUNCED FROM THE PRESS BOX SHOULD BE DONE IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
SECTION 7.
 ALL BASEBALL UNIFORMS SHALL HAVE A DAIRYLAND LEAGUE PATCH ON THE LEFT SLEEVE OR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CHEST IF THE UNIFORMS HAVE NO SLEEVES.
SECTION 8.
 A TEN (10) RUN RULE IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL LEAGUE GAMES AFTER SEVEN (7) INNINGS OF PLAY.
SECTION 9.
"NO SMOKING" WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE PLAYING FIELD.
SECTION 10.

DESIGNATED HITTER RULE:
ANY TEAM MAY ELECT TO USE THE DESIGNATED HITTER RULE. A HITTER MAY BE DESIGNATED TO BAT FOR ANY STARTING PLAYER. A DESIGNATED HITTER MUST BE SELECTED PRIOR TO THE GAME AND MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE STARTING LINE-UP. IT IS NOT MANDATORY THAT A CLUB USE THE DESIGNATED HITTER RULE, BUT FAILURE TO DO SO PRIOR TO THE GAME PRECLUDES THE USE OF THE DESIGNATED HITTER FOR THAT GAME. PINCH HITTERS FOR THE DESIGNATED HITTER MAY BE USED. ANY SUBSTITUTE FOR THE DESIGNATED HITTER BECOMES THE DESIGNATED HITTER. THE DESIGNATED HITTER MAY BE USED DEFENSIVELY, CONTINUING TO BAT IN THE SAME POSITION IN THE BATTING ORDER, BUT THEN THE DEFENSIVE FIELDER MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE GAME AND CANNOT RE-ENTER IN ANY CAPACITY. THE DEFENSIVE FIELDER MAY BAT IN PLACE OF THE DESIGNATED HITTER, BUT THEN THE DESIGNATED HITTER IS OUT OF THE GAME AND CANNOT RE-ENTER IN ANY CAPACITY. THE DESIGNATED HITTER OR THE DEFENSIVE FIELDER CANNOT BE USED FOR A PINCH RUNNER. THE RE-ENTRY RULE DOES APPLY TO THE DESIGNATED HITTER AS WELL AS THE DEFENSIVE FIELDER.