Don Neice, M.C.A.L. Director 768 Lexington Drive - Brick, NJ 08724 732-458-9554 donneice@comcast.net	The Monmouth County Athletic League Believes Sportsmanship is an Expectation. So Please Let The Players Play, Let The Coaches Coach, Let The Officials Officiate, Let The Spectators Be Positive M.C.A.L. PRIDE
	Participating Schools Antrim Avon Bay Head Belmar Bradley Beach Brielle H.W. Mountz Manasquan Neptune City Sea Girt Spring Lake Heights St. Catharine
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SCORES AND STANDINGS

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GUIDELINE RULES FOR 2009

Last Updated: 07/21/2009 11:28:34 AM

Please Call In or Email Don Neice, M.C.A.L. Director, After Each Game
732-458-9554 donneice@comcast.net

GUIDELINE RULES FOR BASEBALL 2010

A. Participating Schools:
"A" Division                  "B" Division
Antrim                          Avon
Belmar                         Bradley Beach
Brielle                          H.W. Mountz
Manasquan                    Sea Girt
Neptune City                 Spring Lake Heights
St. Catharine                 Bay Head (Softball only)

B. Eligibility - Participants must not have attained age 15 prior to September 1 of current school year. To participate in the M.C.A.L. a student must be a resident in the town in which they wish to play and/or attending member school. (See Eligibility/Alternatives under general guidelines)

C. Practice - Practice may begin on March 8TH.

D. Rules - Standard rules (Federation) of play will be utilized. *Exceptions to these rules will be listed below. Sneakers or all purpose rubber cleats may be worn by all participants. Metal cleats or spikes cannot be worn. (See all-sports dress code - attached) Home field rules will be explained prior to the start of the game to both the officials and the visiting coach. The schedule will consist of one game with each school. Additional games may be played through special arrangement, but will not apply to the trophy or championship.

E. Time Limit - All games should start as close to 3:30 p.m. as possible and consist of seven innings, when possible. No inning may be started after 5:45 p.m., and four and one-half or 5 innings will be considered a complete game. The two-hour rule must be used in all games.* Umpires should keep the time on the field. The visiting team should confirm the game by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the game. *This means if a game starts at 3:30 you may not start an inning after 5:30 - a game that starts at 3:45 ends with no inning after 5:45. There are no exceptions to this rule. (See Time Limit rule - attached)

F. The home team will be assigned two qualified officials when possible. Cancellation of games will be made by the home field administrator. A visiting “home” team does not cancel the game. Games should be canceled only with administrative approval. The league director must be notified of make-up date. Frank Lineberry is our assigner. Call him at 732-239-7600 to cancel games.
Rate of pay - $56.00 (2) - $72.00 (1)

G. Trophies -Trophy - In order to win a trophy you must have at least a .500 record within your division. A maximum of three trophies will be awarded in each division and only division games will count towards league standings. All soccer games will be scored as follows: Win - 2 point Tie - 1 point Loss - 0 points Forfeits count as a played game. All forfeits must be reported to the League Office in writing by the team receiving the win. If not submitted to the league office in writing the game will be considered cancelled. See Forfeit Rule - attached

In case of a tie (for first, second or third):

Tiebreaker - 1. Overall Record (If same go to #2)
2. Head-to-Head Results (If a split go to #3)
3. Duplicate Trophy

TO QUALIFY AS OVERALL LEAGUE CHAMPION YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL OF YOUR SCHEDULED GAMES. OVERALL LEAGUE CHAMPION WILL BE BASED ON THE TEAM WITH THE MOST WINS. A FORFEIT IS CONSIDERED AS A GAME PLAYED. This rule may be waived by the League Director if there is sufficient cause for a game not to be played.

H. Disqualification Procedure - All players ejected from a game will receive an automatic 1 game suspension, which will be served in the next game. A second ejection in a season will result in a 2 game suspension. A third ejection will result in suspension for the season. Coaches must report an ejection to their administrator within 24 hours of the incident. An incident report form must be filed with the league within 3 days. (See Disqualification procedures for players & coaches)

I. Non-Interference Rule - Only authorized coaches and assistants may coach players during M.C.A.L. games. Spectators may not actively* coach from the sidelines for the purpose of enhancing the chances of their team to win a particular game or games.

Exceptions to this rule will be for substitute coaches in the event a coach is ill or out of town, so as not to cancel a game. This should be made clear and approved by both teams prior to the game.

The M.C.A.L. Code of Sportsmanship states in part “...let the players play, let the coaches coach and the officials officiate. Let the spectators be positive.”

*Actively coaching is defined as continually attempting to coach an individual or team during a game. This rule is not trying to stop spectators from supporting their team, but to make the playing field level for both teams. The M.C.A.L. feels that the players, coaches and officials should be the only ones to decide the outcome of games.

If a coach feels that a violation of the above rule is taking place he should bring it to the attention of the opposing coach. That coach should talk to the person involved and ask them to stop. If that does not stop the situation, the coach should ask for an administrator at the school to come out and review the situation. (The officials or referees are to be informed, but are not involved in the process.)

All violations of the rule should be submitted to the league director for review. If there needs to be additional action, the league director will make an appropriate decision.

J. Code of Conduct / Players/Coaches/Spectators - In line with the Shore Conference of High Schools, the Monmouth County Athletic League has adopted the code of good sportsmanship for their players, coaches and spectators. Players, coaches and spectators that violate the spirit of the code of sportsmanship will be subject to suspension from attending/participating in future M.C.A.L. games. (See code of conduct under general guidelines)


K. Reporting Scores - Report all scores to 732-458-9554 or email to:
donneice@comcast.net

L. Team rosters must be submitted to the M.C.A.L. Director prior to the first game.


Baseball-
In baseball the D.H. Rule is optional for each coach; however, the team must have a D.H. at the start of the game, or none may be used during the game. THE MAXIMUM YOU MAY BAT IS 9. The "speed-up rule" is to be used for catchers only; catchers must come off the bases with two outs and be replaced by someone who has not played in the game. Any starter who is substituted for, may re-enter the game, but must re-enter in the same position in the batting order of the original starting line-up. Any member of the team may re-enter the game at anytime, but it must be in the same batting slot. Pitchers may re-enter as pitchers. The 15/10 run rule is in effect for all league games. The 10 run stealing rule is in effect for all league games. All other rules will be National Federation rules.
SEE: 15/10 RUN RULE - ATTACHED - LEAGUE RULES
SEE: 10 RUN STEALING - ATTACHED - LEAGUE RULES-
SEE: DESIGNATED RUNNER - LEAGUE RULES
SEE: BATS - ATTACHED - LEAGUE RULES
Cleats - Metal cleats may not be used in baseball or softball. Any player found using metal cleats will immediately be removed from the game and may not re-enter that game at any time.
 
Assigner -Frank Lineberry will be the assigner for baseball/softball. Call him at 732-239-7600 to cancel a game due to inclement weather. If you need to make any changes, or reschedule a postponed game, please contact the other school and agree on an acceptable make-up date. Then call Don Neice 732-458-9554 and give him the new date. No calls are to be made to the assigner, except to cancel a game scheduled for that day. Two days notice will be required to guarantee officials for any game.

Rate of pay - 56.00 (2) - $72.00 (1)

National Federation rules will be used. Our league rules will override the National Federation rules as listed above.

 

15/10 RUN RULE REMINDER:

AS STATED IN OUR GUIDELINES:

A TEAM THAT IS AHEAD BY 15 RUNS AFTER THREE COMPLETE INNINGS OF PLAY WINS THE GAME.

DURING THE FOURTH INNING IF EITHER TEAM GETS TO 15 RUNS AHEAD, THE GAME ENDS IMMEDIATELY.

IN THE FIFTH INNING THE VISITORS WILL BAT UNLESS THE 15 RUN RULE IS ACTIVATED. THEN THE HOME TEAM BATS. IF THE HOME TEAM IS WINNING BY 10 RUNS OR MORE, THEY WILL NOT BAT IN THE FIFTH INNING. THE GAME ENDS. ALSO, IF THE HOME TEAM IS BATING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH INNING AND THEY GET TO 10 RUNS AHEAD THE GAME IS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY.

IN THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH INNING THE GAME ENDS IMMEDIATELY WHEN EITHER TEAM REACHES A 10 RUN LEAD.

 

RE: STEALING

WHEN EITHER TEAM REACHES A 10 RUN LEAD, NEITHER TEAM MAY STEAL A BASE. IF THE SCORE DROPS BELOW A 10 RUN DIFFERENCE, EITHER TEAM MAY BEGIN STEALING AGAIN. IF A RUNNER STEALS A BASE AT 10 RUNS OR MORE THEY SHOULD BE SENT BACK TO THE BASE THEY WERE AT. THEY ARE NOT TO BE CALLED OUT.


The M.C.A.L. realizes that all coaches are trying to win games and are always worried about the other team catching up. You can follow the rule and still win games. Let’s all remember the Aims and Objectives of the M.C.A.L. which include:

The development of good character.
The instillation of good sportsmanship.
To promote sound interschool relations.
To develop skill and confidence in children through athletics.
To develop a healthy social interest.
To develop an understanding of the rules of play for the various games in which the children will participate.

 

DESIGNATED RUNNER

WE DO NOT HAVE A PROVISION FOR A DESIGNATED RUNNER.

THE LEAGUE RULE STATES:

Any starter who is substituted for, may re-enter the game, but must re-enter in the same position in the batting order of the original starting line-up. Any member of the team may re-enter the game at anytime, but it must be in the same batting slot. Pitchers may re-enter as pitchers. All other rules will be National Federation rules.

CLARIFICATION: THIS MEANS IF YOU USE A PINCH RUNNER FOR ANYONE, THAT IS THE ONLY PERSON THEY CAN RUN FOR THE REST OF THE GAME. YOU CANNOT USE THAT SAME RUNNER IN ANY OTHER SLOT IN THE LINEUP. IT ALSO MEANS THAT THE PINCH RUNNER CANNOT SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY OTHER PLAYER IN THE GAME. THEY CAN ONLY SUB FOR THE PERSON THEY RAN FOR.

SPEED-UP RULE IS FOR CATCHERS ONLY:

The “speed-up rule” is to be used for catchers only: catchers must come off the bases with two outs and be replaced by someone who has not played in the game.

 

BOYS BASEBALL WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE BATS THIS YEAR THAT ARE A 5 OR LESS IN DIFFERENCE.

NOT ALL UMPIRES WILL KNOW OUR RULE. BRINGING YOUR LEAGUE RULES TO GAMES WILL ELIMINATE THAT PROBLEM.

BATTING HELMET

ALL PLAYERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR HELMETS WITH FACE GUARD/FACE MASK. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

ALL SPORTS DRESS CODE

ATHLETIC TEAMS IN THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SPRAY THEIR HAIR IN SCHOOL COLORS OR TO PUT SPARKLES ON THEIR FACES. THIS IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. (HAIR THAT IS PERMANENTLY DYED IS PERMITTED)

THIS INCLUDES BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER, BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL, BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL. THIS RULE EXCLUDES CHEERLEADERS.

NO TEMPORARY TATTOOS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED ON ANY ATHLETE PARTICIPATING IN THE MONMOUTH COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE.


ANY PLAYER WHO DOES NOT ADHERE TO THE ABOVE RULE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE UNTIL THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE REMOVED.

RE: FORFEITS


ALL FORFEIT WINS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE LEAGUE OFFICE IN WRITING BY THE TEAM RECEIVING THE WIN. IF NOT SUBMITTED TO MY OFFICE IN WRITING THE GAME WILL BE CONSIDERED CANCELLED.

SIMPLY LIST THE NAMES OF THE SCHOOLS, BOYS OR GIRLS, DATE OF GAME AND SIGNED BY WINNING COACH OR ADMINISTRATOR.

THIS RULE IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OUR REGULAR SEASON GAMES IN ALL SPORTS.