SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE INC.
BY-LAWS - CONTENTS
1. BY-LAWS
These are the By-Laws of the "SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE INCORPORATED"
an enlargement of the Constitution. The "SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE
INCORPORATED" will be referred to as the ‘SABL’ or ‘the
League’ herein.
2. OPERATION
These By-Laws shall be binding on all members of the SABL
3. INTERPRETATIONS
4. FINANCE
(1) The SABL Board is empowered to:
(2) Finance Director
(3) Auditor
(4) Revenue
(5) League Losses - Levies
(6) Indemnity
(7) Subscriptions and fees
(8) Fines
(9) League Budget
(10) Financial Reports
5. MEMBERSHIP
6. NEW CLUB
7. NEW ASSOCIATION, LEAGUE, UNION
8. LEAGUE COMPOSITION
9. TRIAL OR EXHIBITION GAMES
10. LIFE MEMBERS
11. THE BOARD
12. BOARD MEETINGS
13. BOARD OF DIRECTORS DUTIES
(1) Youth Directors
(2) Operation Directors
(3) Administration, Communication & Women's Director
(4) Finance Director
14. EJECTIONS, REPORTS AND THE TRIBUNAL
(1) Ejections
(2) Reports
(3) The Tribunal
15. NEGLECT TO ATTEND SUMMONED MEETING
16. PLAYING DISQUALIFIED MEMBERS
17. BASEBALL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
18. INDEMNITY.
19. OLYMPIC CHARTER
20. AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS
21. CLUB UNIFORM
22. CLUB DISPUTES
23. DISPUTES
24. PROTESTS
25. CHANGES IN LEAGUE CLUBS
26. GENERAL RULES RELATING TO COMMITTEES
27. INFRINGEMENT BY CLUBS OR DELEGATES AND PLAYING MEMBERS
28. CONDUCT
29. NOTICES
30. REGISTER OF CLUBS
31. ALTERATION OF BY-LAWS
32. CLUB RULES
33. TROPHIES AND AWARDS
34. PERMIT COMMITTEE
35. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
36. FINANCIAL INDUCEMENT
37. GENERAL RULES RELATING TO PERMITS
38. INTERCHANGE OF PLAYERS BETWEEN GRADES
39. PARTICIPATION IN THE FINAL ROUND
40. CLEARANCE COMMITTEE
41. RULES RELATING TO CLEARANCES AND TRANSFERS
(1) Transfer of Players.
(2) Required Player’s List
(3) Clearance Procedures - (For players in 2 above.)
(4) Fee Payment Guidelines.
AGE POINTS SCALE
(5) Registration Procedure for Cleared Players.
(6) Dissolution of Club
(7) Amalgamation of Clubs
(8) Listed players who stand out of baseball.
(9) Disputes Procedure.
42. CLEARANCE FROM OTHER BODIES
43. NON NATIONALS
44. ENFORCEMENTS OF DECISIONS AND DIRECTIONS OF LEAGUE
45. REPORTING SCORES
46. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES
47. UNAUTHORISED MATCHES
48. UMPIRES
49. FAILURE TO FIELD A TEAM
50. EXPELLED PLAYING MEMBERS
51. MANAGERS
52. SCORERS
53. PENALTIES, SUSPENSIONS, ETC.
54. STANDING ORDERS FOR ALL LEAGUE MEETINGS
55. OPERATIONAL BY-LAWS FOR ALL LEAGUE MEETINGS
56. MATTERS NOT DEALT WITH.
57. TIMING
58. SCHEDULE OF FEES,CHARGES AND FINES
1. BY-LAWS
These are the By-Laws of the "SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE INCORPORATED"
an enlargement of the Constitution. The "SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE
INCORPORATED" will be referred to as the ‘SABL’ or ‘the
League’ herein.
2. OPERATION
These By-Laws shall be binding on all members of the SABL
In the construction of these By-Laws or Playing Rules and Conditions except where the context or subject otherwise specified or requires:
1. The singular includes the plural, male includes female, and vice versa.
2. "Administration Director" means that member of the Board appointed
by it to perform the functions and duties of the Administration Director as
they are defined in these
By-Laws.
3. "Affiliated Body" means any other Association, League, Union or other body, which has for its objects the promotion of, interest in., or betterment of baseball and which has been admitted to membership of the League in accordance with these.
4. "Baseball Operations Director" means that member of the Board appointed by it to perform the functions and duties of the Baseball Operations Director as they are defined in these By-Laws.
5. "Baseball" means the game as played under the American and National League Rules of baseball as adopted and amended by the Australian Baseball Federation and incorporating any local rules as determined by the Board.
6. "Board" means the Board of Directors appointed under these rules.
7. "Club" means any Club formed and which has been admitted to membership of the League.
8. "Coach" means any person whether playing or not who directs the play of a team or the training thereof.
9. "Correspondence" means communication in a form which is acceptable
to and easily accessed by all parties to the correspondence and can include
both written and electronic (eg facsimile, e-mail etc.) communication.
10. "Final Round" means the series of matches played at the conclusion of the minor round to determine the premiership in each section, and includes any semi-finals, finals, or elimination matches of any other name and any replays of these matches, and any matches played to decide the promotion or relegation of any team from one grade to another. Example - "That the winner of the Division 2 Grand Final be promoted to Division 1. If the Minor Premier of Division 2 is not the winner of the Grand Final, or does not compete in the Grand Final, then the Minor Premier shall have the right to challenge the Grand Final winner for promotion to Division 1, in a separate 'best of 3' series.
11. "Finance" is the responsibility of the President of the League, and General Manger, in consultation with the SABL Auditor.
12. "Finance Director" is that member of the Board, or the President of the SABL, appointed by it to perform the functions and duties of the Finance Director.
13. "Fully Financial" means with no monies, fines etc. owing to the SABL.
14. "General Manager" means the person appointed to that position by the Board, and shall be responsible for the administrative and financial affairs of the SABL.
15. "Laws of the game" means the laws governing the game as prescribed in Clause 3.5, above.
16. "League By-Laws" means any By-Laws made by the League pursuant to the powers contained in the Constitution.
17. "Marketing Director" means that member of the Board appointed by it to perform the functions and duties of the Marketing Director.
18. "Match" means any one of the series of matches drawn up by the Baseball Operations Committee.
19. "Meetings of the League" includes any General meeting or meeting of the Operations Committee and adjournment thereof.
20. “Metropolitan Club” [Metro Club] means a club that pays full fees as deemed by the Board.
21. "Minor Round" means the series of competition matches as drawn up by the Baseball Operations Committee.
22. "New Clubs or teams": Note that any teams they are prepared to nominate in the future be placed in any grades as seen fit by the Baseball Operations committee and or the Board; and that those teams have the right of relegation or promotion as any other Club teams would if that is the system that year.
23. "Non National" means a player who does not hold an Australian passport or who is not an Australian citizen.
24. "Office Bearers" means the President and the members of the Board and includes any approved person who may from time to time be acting in place of or discharging the duties of any Office Bearer during his absence.
25. "Official" means any SABL Office Bearer, employee, umpire, Life Member, or Club committee or board personnel and includes all Club team personnel such as trainers, executive officers etc.
26. "Off-season" means the remaining months or periods of the year, vis a vis "Season".
27. "Player" means any member of any Club, whether registered or not, who in the current series is participating or has participated in any baseball match which is or was arranged by, or is under the control of the League and includes any player, coach or manager of any Club or team.
28. "Premier" team means the winner of the Grand Final for that grade.
29. "President" means the person who is President for the time being of the League.
30. "Promotions Director" means that member of the Board appointed by it to perform the functions and duties of the Promotions Director as they are defined in these By-Laws.
31. "Round of Matches" means any group of matches on the same or adjacent days and includes any split round, deferred or adjourned matches of the same round.
32. "SABL Office" means the office employees appointed to perform the functions and duties of the SABL Office as they are defined in these By-Laws.
33. "Scorers Association" means the South Australian Baseball Scorers Association (SABSA) or any other body formed to safeguard the interests of baseball scorers and accepted as an affiliated body of the League.
34. "Season" means the summer months and adjacent months during which summer sport may be played.
35. “Senior Player” is a player eighteen years of age and over at the 31st of December in the summer season playing.
36. "Team Manager" means any person appointed by any Club to manage a team or assist the Coach with the management or organisation of a team or its equipment.
37. "The League" means the South Australian Baseball League Incorporated.
38. "Two delegates" (in the case of a Metro Club) and its delegate
(in every other case) means the duly appointed representatives of any Club
or other body entitled to representation at any meeting of the League, and
includes any person acting as their proxies or proxy as the case may be. "Each
Metro Club shall be entitled to appoint two proxy delegates each of whom may
act as proxy for either of that Club's delegates and each of the other Bodies,
appointing a delegate as aforesaid, shall be entitled to appoint one delegate
and one proxy delegate.
39. "Umpires Association" means the Baseball Umpires Association of South Australia (BUASA) or any other body formed to safeguard the interests of baseball umpires and accepted by the Board as an affiliated body.
40. "Urgency" means, in respect to a decision or resolution, the same as in normal business operations. That is, a matter upon which a decision could not be delayed while a formal SABL meeting was called without jeopardising the outcome of the decision or resolution.
41. "Youth Director" means that member of the Board appointed by it to perform the functions and duties of the Youth Director as they are defined in these By-Laws.
42. "Youth Player" is a person under eighteen years of age at the 31st of December in the summer season playing.
Top
4. FINANCE
(1 THE SABL BOARD IS EMPOWERED TO:
Subject to the proviso that commitments in excess of a total of $2,000 per
Club will not be undertaken without prior approval from the Clubs, the South
Australian Baseball League is empowered, through the Board:
To acquire, rent, construct, provide, make, maintain, or improve any such stands, sheds, buildings, fences, playing arenas or other improvements or conveniences as may in the opinion of the League from time to time be considered necessary for the purposes of the League or for the proper conduct and management of the business of the League or for the advancement or attainment of any of its objects.
To borrow, raise money or secure payment of any debt in such manner as the League shall think fit and in particular by the issue of debentures or stock, perpetual or otherwise, charged upon any or all of the assets of the League (both present and future) and to purchase, redeem or pay off any such securities.
To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute, and issue cheques, bills of exchange, promissory notes, bills of lading, warrants, debentures or other negotiable instruments.
To exchange money on deposit, call or other contract with any bank, financial institution or other body.
To invest and deal with moneys of the League in such manner as the League may from time to time determine and to lend money to such persons or clubs and on such terms as may be determined.
To lease or acquire by purchase or otherwise any freehold or leasehold land in South Australia or any other assets whatsoever.
To raise money by, or impose any, subscription fees, levies, fines, percentages or otherwise from the Clubs or affiliated bodies or the players thereof as the League may from time to time determine.
To receive and deal with gate moneys or other income paid in respect of any baseball matches arranged or controlled by the League.
To render assistance, pecuniary or otherwise, to any Club, League or other body promoting the interests of any form of sport or to any patriotic and/or charitable institutions or bodies.
To sell, improve, manage, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any part of the real and personal property of the League.
To subscribe for, take, acquire, invest in, hold, sell, exchange and deal in shares, stocks, bonds, deposits at call or otherwise, debentures, obligations or securities of any governmental authority or person or Company.
In the event of the winding up of the League, and if the assets are more than sufficient to satisfy the liabilities, the excess property of the League shall be distributed in accordance with the Constitution
(m)To do all such things and acts as are incidentally necessary or subsidiary to all or any of the above objects.
(2 FINANCE DIRECTOR
The Finance Director shall be a member of the Board and shall be appointed by the President.
In conjunction with the General Manager he shall:
Keep or cause to be kept a true and accurate account of all moneys received and expended by the League, of matters in respect of which such receipts and expenditures take place, and of all assets and liabilities of the League;
Render or cause to be rendered accounts on behalf of the League for all moneys due to the League;
Be responsible for the receipt of all moneys due to the League and shall pay or cause it to be paid to the credit of the League account, at such financial institution as the Board shall determine;
Pay or cause to be paid, all accounts and other disbursements authorised by the Board, provided that all cheques and other negotiable instruments shall be signed by any two of the President, Finance Director or other person(s) nominated for the purpose by the Board;
Submit a statement of the financial position of the League in accordance with paragraph 11.1(a) of these By-Laws.
(3 AUDITOR
(a) The Auditor or Auditors of the League shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting provided that any retiring Auditor shall be eligible for re-election. The Board may appoint any person to fill any casual vacancy in the position of Auditor and the person so appointed shall hold the position until the next Annual General Meeting. No auditor’s appointment may be terminated unless ratified by a Special General Meeting of the League.
(b) The Auditor shall be provided with copies of the Annual Financial Statements and all other supporting accounts to be placed before the Annual General Meeting and it shall be his duty to report thereon as to:
(i) Whether he has obtained the information and explanations he has required,
and
(ii) Whether, in his opinion, the Annual Financial Statements referred to
in the
report are properly drawn up and exhibit a true and correct view of the state
of the League's affairs.
(c) Every Auditor shall have the right of access at all times to all books, accounts,vouchers, and minute books of the League and shall be entitled to require from the President, Finance Director, General Manager or other Board Member of the League such information and explanations as he may consider necessary for the purpose of his duties.
(4 REVENUE
(a) The League shall receive:
All monies paid in consideration of the photographing, broadcasting, televising, sponsoring of any match arranged by the League (other than home and away games at club grounds), and no such arrangement for photographing, televising or sponsorship shall be arranged other than by/or with the consent of the League.
All moneys paid by any person, firm or corporation for associating the League with any publication goods, service or otherwise.
All moneys paid to it by way of donations.
All amounts paid to it by Clubs, members, players, and others by way of
subscriptions, fee, fine, levy, or otherwise.
(b) The moneys received by the League shall be applied in the following manner:
In paying the running expenses of the League, which shall include (without limiting the generality thereof), expenses of running matches, publicity, advertising, salaries, wages, promotion, honoraria, ground hire and any other costs.
In providing grants to other bodies as the League may from time to time determine.
As an allocation to any Provident, Insurance Fund or Reserve as the Board may determine.
By payment to all or any of the Clubs or group of Clubs as the Board may determine, provided that each such payment shall be reported to the next Annual General Meeting.
(c) Events arranged under the jurisdiction of the League may be tendered for, in accordance with the guidelines of the Board at the time.
(d) Nothing in the above paragraph shall prevent the League from resolving to pay any portion or the whole of the net proceeds of any match or any competition to any Club.
(5 LEAGUE LOSSES - LEVIES
(a) The Board may from time to time declare a levy on each Club for its proportion
of any loss incurred out of the conduct of the business of the league and
may specify the manner in which such levy shall be paid.
(b) The SABL Office shall forthwith give notice to each Club of the amount of such levy and the manner in which it is to be paid, and any such Club which does not pay its proportion of such levy by such time as the Board shall determine, may be suspended by the Board; provided that the Board may any time thereafter lift the suspension of such Club on payment of its proportion of such levy.
(6 INDEMNITY
Every Office Bearer, or member of any Committee or other employee, servant
or officer of the League shall be indemnified out of the funds of the League
against all costs, damages, charges and expenses which such persons may incur
or become liable to by reason of any act or thing done to him as an officer
or servant of the League in the discharge or in the purported or intended
discharge of his duties.
(7 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES
(a) The League shall be entitled to collect and receive from Clubs and affiliated bodies such fees, levies and subscriptions as it may from time to time prescribe and in particular as relating to the following:
(i) Affiliation fees payable by any body affiliated with or seeking affiliation with the League. Such fee shall be not less than $2 per season, provided that the Baseball Umpires Association of South Australia, the South Australian Baseball Scorers Association of South Australian, Country Baseball Association of South Australia and any other body prescribed by the Board shall be admitted free.
(ii) Registration, transfer or other fees payable by Clubs for transactions with the Clearance Committee concerning players.
(iii) Match or other fees relating to participation of teams or players in matches.
(iv) Contributions to any insurance, provident, travel or other funds established by the League.
(v) Disputes and protest fees.
(vi) In any other matter that the League may direct.
(b) The League may prescribe the manner in which such fees, levies, etc., shall be paid.
(c) Such fees, levies, etc., shall be fixed in such manner and at such time as is provided in these Rules, provided that the League may at any time make any charge or levy for a specific purpose, chargeable in any manner it may deem fit.
(d) Any Club failing to pay any levies, subscriptions, fees or other monies properly payable to the League on or before the date set by the League for payment thereof, shall be deemed to be unfinancial and the League may debar the team(s) of the Club from taking part in competition matches and/or have any premiership points forfeited, until such time as all outstanding monies are paid.
(e) Any Club failing to pay any monies payable to the Baseball Umpires Association of South Australia (BUASA) on or before the date set for payment thereof, shall be deemed to be un-financial to the League, and the League may debar the team(s) of the Club from taking part in competition matches, including finals, and/or have any premiership points forfeited, until such time as all outstanding monies are paid.
(8 FINES
(a) Whenever a fine has been imposed on any Club, Affiliated Body, delegate, player or official, hereinafter referred to as Club, such fine shall be paid within ten days from the posting by the General Manager of the League of a notice of the imposing of such fine.
(b) Each Club shall be responsible for the payment of all fines imposed by the League on its delegates
(c) In the event of a fine not being paid:
(i) The Club in default may be deemed to be unfinancial and liable to be treated as prescribed in By-Law 4 (7 (d).
The League may suspend, for such period as it thinks fit, the right of the delegates of such Club to vote at meetings of the League or any Committee.
Any player shall be treated as suspended for such period as the League may deem fit.
(9 LEAGUE BUDGET
(a) An Annual Budget shall be prepared by the Finance Director in conjunction with the General Manager.
(b) The Annual Budget shall contain details of the League’s estimated revenue and income from subscriptions, and proposed administrative and operational expenditure for the forthcoming financial year.
(c) The Annual Budget shall be approved by the Board prior to release to Clubs and Affiliated Bodies.
(d) The Annual Budget shall be prepared and approved by 30th June each year.
(10 FINANCIAL REPORTS
(a) Annual Financial Statements
The General Manager, in conjunction with the Finance Director, shall prepare Annual Financial Statements at the end of each financial year for inclusion in the League’s Annual Report, for presentation and discussion at the Annual General Meeting.
The Annual Financial Statements shall consist of a minimum of a Balance Sheet and a Statement of Income and Expenditure.
Explanatory notes will be used to explain any unusual transactions, contingencies, contract obligations and any other item not covered in the statements.
The Annual Financial Statements shall show the figures for the current financial
year and those of the previous year, and the figures may be rounded to the
nearest $ for ease of presentation.
(b) Monthly Financial Statements
The General Manager, in conjunction with the Finance Director, shall prepare Monthly Financial Statements at the end of each month for presentation to the Board meeting.
The Monthly Financial Statements shall consist of a minimum of a balance sheet, updated with current assets and liabilities, and a statement of income and expenditure. The latter shall show, on a year to date basis, the actual receipts and expenses incurred compared with the pro-rata year to date budget figures.
Explanatory notes shall be used to explain unusual transactions and major (>10%) variances between the actual results and the budget estimates. Amounts may be rounded to the nearest whole $.
The Monthly Financial Statements shall be approved by the Board, which may take further action or require more information on the monthly figures as part of its ongoing financial management of the League.
Once approved by the Board, copies of the Monthly Financial Statements may be issued to Clubs and Affiliated Bodies.
Lists of supporting data showing full details of creditors and aged details of debts due shall readily available to the board on request, but shall not be released to Clubs and Affiliated Bodies unless expressly approved by the Board.
(c) Ad Hoc Event Reports
The Board may direct that separate accounts shall be kept for certain or special events organised by or for the League.
When such direction is given, a Statement of Revenue and Expenses for the event shall be prepared by the General Manager in conjunction with the Finance Director and the event manager, and submitted to the Board within one month of completion of the event.
The statement shall list details of all receipts and payments and show the net profit/loss for the event.
Top
5. MEMBERSHIP
The League shall consist of:
The Office Bearers.
SABL Board of Directors
The following Metropolitan Clubs:-
Adelaide East Torrens Glenelg Golden Grove/Central Districts Goodwood Henley
& Grange Kensington Northern Districts Port Adelaide Playford City Southern
Districts Sturt West Torrens Woodville
The following Club:
Flinders University
The following Affiliated Bodies:
The Baseball Umpire’s Association of South Australia Inc (BUASA);
The South Australian Baseball Scorer’s Association (SABSA) ;
The SA Winter Baseball Association;
The SA Country Baseball Association (SACBA);
Other bodies from time to time approved by the Board to be affiliated with
the SABL
Top
6. NEW CLUB
Any New Club seeking affiliation with the League shall make written application
to the League, signed by the Secretary and Chairman of the Club, and include
the following information:
Name of Club;
Uniform design and colours;
Ground location and arrangements;
Name and full address of all Club Officials;
The number of players available to the Club.
A copy of the Rules of the Club and a Business Plan shall accompany each application.
Each Club shall provide at least two senior teams, and two Youth teams in the competitive matches of the season, unless exempted by the Board.
Upon receipt of the above, the Board shall, within thirty days, meet with
the Club Officials in order to establish whether the new Club will be able
to meet its commitments regarding:
(a) Finance
(b) Players
(c) Grounds
Upon being satisfied that the applicant satisfies the requirements, the Board shall approve the application.
7. NEW ASSOCIATION, LEAGUE, UNION
Any new Association, League, Union or other body which has for its objects the promotion of, or interest in the game of baseball may apply in the manner set out in Clause 6 (as far as applicable) and on being approved by the League shall be admitted as an affiliated body on payment of such fees as the League may direct.
Every fourth year the League shall consider the composition of the League and it’s teams, and, if necessary, the composition thereof may be altered, but no Club shall be admitted to the League unless the League is satisfied that it has the necessary qualifications and can fulfil its obligations.
Top
9. TRIAL OR EXHIBITION GAMES
No Club or team of any Club of the League or any affiliated body shall participate in any match against any other team or Club not being a member of, or affiliated with the League or the Australian Baseball Federation of any League or other body affiliated within the Australian Baseball Federation, except with the express approval of the League.
Top
10. LIFE MEMBERS
(1) The League shall have the power to elect Life Members, such membership to be awarded to those who have rendered special service to the League. Life Membership may be awarded posthumously. Two Life Members annually may be elected by special resolution at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the Board. Nominations for Life Membership, outlining details supporting the nomination, shall be made in writing to the Board by any interested party.
(2) Each Life Member shall be entitled to:
Notice of the Annual General Meeting or any Special General Meetings and
be entitled to one vote thereat.
A token or pass which on presentation will admit the holder thereof to all
matches arranged by the League, the pass or token shall remain the property
of-the League and shall be immediately returned to the League if such person
should cease to be a life Member.
A free ticket for one person to the annual Capps Medal Presentation.
A Life Member’s badge, an SABL tie and a plaque.
(1) The Board shall consist of the President and six Members and shall have the authority to interpret any matter as it deems fit, and the authority to fine any person or Club, as it deems fit.
(2) The powers of the League shall be vested in the Board which shall have authority to carry out all the objects of the League which are not otherwise herein required to be exercised by the League in General Meeting and in particular to:
(a) direct the policy of the League in matters affecting the control and management of baseball;
(b) establish any fund to achieve any of the objects of the League;
(c) make any order on a Club, affiliated body or member of any Club not working in conformity-with these By-Laws, made hereunder;
(d) administer the finances of the League;
(e) hear and determine any appeal from any Club or member thereof or from any affiliated body or member thereof;
(f) to make any order for suspension or impose any fine, on any Club, team, member or section of members of any Club, for any wrongful act or misdemeanour as may be provided in these Rules and the By-Laws made hereunder, or if not so provided, as it may deem fit;
(g) determine any matter referred to it by any Club or Affiliated Body;
(h) settle any disputes between Clubs and members as may be submitted to Board;
(i) deal with, settle or determine any matters that may arise and are not
specifically provided for or covered, dealt with or referred to in these
By-Laws;
(j) delegate any of its powers to any properly constituted Committee or Committees consisting of one or more persons;
(k) fill any casual vacancy in any Office of the League;
(1) appoint a Minute Secretary to the Board, Assistants to any Office Bearer, or create and fill any such other positions that it deems to be warranted at any time;
(m) divide the teams of the Clubs into such divisions, or grades as may be considered necessary or delegate these duties to a committee or nominee;
(n) make, alter or repeal any local rules for the conduct of matches not inconsistent with the rules of the game of the Australian Baseball Federation;
(o) engage and dismiss full or part-time employees of the League and fix the salary and other conditions of hire of any such employee;
(p) arrange interstate baseball matches and select the teams and other personnel to be engaged therein; and
exercise any other power or authority vested in it by these By-Laws.
(3) Not later than the 31st day of May in each year, the Board shall fix the amount of any subscriptions, fees, levies, or other accounts to be paid by each Club, team or Body and shall determine by what method such amounts shall be paid, and shall determine the amounts to be paid as Umpires Fees. If this is not done the subscription, fee, or levy from the previous season shall be taken as the figure.
At the first meeting of the Board after the AGM the Board will elect a Vice President from amongst its board members.
The Board shall meet at least once in each month on such day and at such time as may be determined by the Board and such other times as may be required by the President or any other two of its members.
The Board shall cause minutes to be kept of its meetings, and a copy of such minutes shall be distributed to all Clubs and Affiliated Bodies within 14 days of the meeting.
Each member of the Board shall be entitled to one vote at its meetings and, in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
Four members shall constitute a quorum of the Board.
The President, or in his absence the Vice President, shall chair the meetings of the Board. If neither the President nor the Vice President is present at any meeting of the Board, the Board shall, at the commencement of the meeting, appoint one of its number as Chairman of that meeting.
The Board, shall submit to the Clubs and Affiliated Associations a budget of its estimated expenditure for the coming season for approval at least two months prior to the first game of the Division 1 competition.
The Board shall, at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting in each year, appoint any Committee for which these By-Laws provide (all of which committees are hereinafter called "special committees"). In addition thereto, the Board may from time to time and at any time delegate any of its functions to or seek advice from such additional committee or committees as it considers necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the League.
Subject to the provisions of these By-Laws relating to any of the committees (whether special or otherwise), membership may consist of one or more persons, none of whom shall necessarily be required to be a member of the Board or to be affiliated or associated with any Club.
Subject to the provisions of these By-Laws relating to committees, the Board may disband any committee (other than a “special committee”) appointed by it as aforesaid and may in its discretion, add any person to or remove any person from any committee including a “special committee”.
(11) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the By-Laws contained, each committee other than the Tribunal (whether a “special committee” or not) shall be responsible to the Board and its decisions shall be subject to review by the Board.
Top
13. BOARD OF DIRECTORS DUTIES
Youth Director(s)
Consists of two portfolios (a) Senior Youth Director (b) Youth Director
The Senior Director’s responsibilities of the Portfolio for Youth are
:
To liaise with SABL Office staff on youth matters, including SABL, ABF and
International matters. (including Youth budget setting and the Goodwill and
Friendship series.)
Chair Youth committee meetings and oversee all aspects of youth. Chair of
Youth rules and playing conditions sub-committee
Oversee U18, U16 & U14 State team tryouts, selection, appointment of Coaches
and Executive Officers. Liaise with players, parents, coaches and Executive
Officers during state team tryouts, selection and trip away. Liaise with merchandising
and clothing supplier for State teams.
Elite baseball all areas including liaison with SASI
Youth Permits and Tribunal
Board liaison with Baseball Parent Support Group.
The Youth Director’s responsibilities of the Portfolio for Youth are
:
Attend all SABL Youth committee meetings and Chair in Senior Youth Directors
Absence.
Chair of Youth grading and structure sub-committee. Chair of youth tournaments
and operations sub-committee.
Organiser and convenor of U14 Winter Development program.
Responsible for Youth Development programs. (including Tornadoes, SABL Talent
Squad, Youth Intra State carnival)
Responsible for the Development of Grass roots baseball in all areas.
Youth Permits and Tribunal
Liaison with Seaton High Baseball program.
Assist Senior Director with the Goodwill and Friendship series.
2. Operations Director(s)
Consists of two portfolios (a) General Portfolio (b) Playing Portfolio
Baseball Operations - General
Baseball SA Web site
Project manage the SABL Web-site
Assist with the training, problems, design and contract.
Memorabilia
Manage; procure, SABL memorabilia including History, photos and uniforms etc.
Liaise with the Mortlock library re the SABL collection
Locate and organise donations or sponsorships for memorabilia.
Manage photos, digital images, film, video etc
Masters Baseball
Manage Masters Baseball in South Australia including overseeing rules, constitution,
program, tribunal and formats.
Project manage the Australian Masters games
Winter Baseball
Manage Winter Baseball in South Australia including overseeing rules, constitution,
program, tribunals and formats.
Baseball SA Hall of Fame
Project manage the SABL ‘Baseball SA Hall of Fame’ including overseeing
Charter, rules, Inductees
Collect information, photos and stories for the Hall of Fame.
Baseball Operations - Playing
Format
Manage, Chair the Baseball Operations Committee
Assist with the duties of the Baseball Operations Committee
Manage the Summer league program booklet of matches
Prepare the program for the Baseball SA web-site
Local Playing Rules and conditions
i. Reviewing and interpreting of Local Playing Rules and conditions
ii Making, producing a rule booklet.
Coaches Meetings
Organise meetings with coaches re rules, format and general discussion.
Tribunal
Chair, Manage clearance tribunal
Manage Disciplinary tribunal
Permits
Provide advice and interpretations
Be part of the permit committee.
Voting - Medals
Assist with voting at Capps medal night
Collect, check, arbitrate and add up votes for awards
Max Puckett All Star and Legends game
Project manage the event
Meet with relevant groups
Adelaide Bank All Star Team of the Year
Project manage the event
Conduct meeting with Coaches to select the team.
3. Administration, Communication & Women’s Director
The Director’s responsibilities of the Portfolio for Administration, Communication and Women in Baseball are to oversee and provide guidance with :-
(a) The administrative function of the SABL ensuring all issues in the areas of human resources, procedures, equipment, systems and OHS & W are adequately addressed to maintain an effective and efficient administrative service and keep the Board informed of any key administration issues which may impact on the League.
(b) The communication procedures and systems that the SABL have in place to distribute and receive information in a timely, effective and accurate manner as well as address any communication issues which may impact on the reputation of the League.
(c) The Interests of women in South Australian baseball to ensure appropriate acknowledgement of their support to baseball in South Australia and provide various avenues for discussion, support and interaction with women from other Clubs and Associations.
Top
14. EJECTIONS, REPORTS AND THE TRIBUNAL
(1) Ejections
An Umpire or Board member may report any registered player, Club or official conducting himself in a disorderly manner on the day of a match, within the confines of the playing grounds (including its environs).
In the event of a player, coach or manager, during the course of a game, being guilty of misconduct, or committing a misdemeanour, or infringing the Rules or By-Laws in such a manner as to cause an Umpire to eject him from the game, he shall be reported by the Umpire.
In the event of the ejected person refusing to leave the ground within a reasonable time, the umpire will award a forfeit and 9-0 result against the offender’s team.
A pitcher, judged by the plate umpire to have intentionally and deliberately
delivered a pitched ball at a batter will be immediately ejected from the
game. No warning shall be given. At the time of the ejection the umpire shall
warn the manager of both teams that another such pitch by any pitcher during
the game will result in the immediate ejection of the pitcher, and that pitcher’s
manager.
In appropriate circumstances, a manager or other player may be ejected in
the first instance, depending on the situation.
A member of the offensive team who charges the pitcher’s mound, and reaches the dirt portion, will be automatically ejected from the game. Ejection may be appropriate if the dirt is not reached.
Team personnel leaving their positions, either in the field or on the bench, to involve themselves, in any way, in a physical confrontation, must be either ejected or reported by the umpire/s. Umpires must decide their action depending upon the seriousness of the incident. Personnel leaving their bench will be deemed to have become involved if they cross the foul lines, unless the confrontation is outside of these boundaries.
Managers and coaches are permitted to become involved, but only to bring the violators of their team under control, and to get players back to the benches as soon as possible.
A player involved in a confrontation while remaining in his position, and who is judged by the umpire/s to have been defending himself, rather than contributing to the incident, will not automatically be ejected.
(2) Reports
(a) When a manager, coach or player is ejected from a game, the umpire must report the circumstances to the SABL President or his nominee, through the League Office, within 2 working days after the match in which the incident occurred, on the appropriate form.
In addition, the umpire MUST telephone the SABL President, or his nominee, after 9.00 am the following working day, and between them they will discuss whether a tribunal should be called.
The SABL President, or his nominee, will peruse all umpire reports and will have the prerogative to recommend a tribunal, after consultation with the umpire.
The SABL President, or his nominee, shall have power to direct:
That the report be referred to the Tribunal, or
That the manager, coach, player or Club be censured in writing, or
That the umpire be censured or offered advice, through the umpires Director, or
That the matter be pursued no further.
In his report the Umpire shall make a recommendation of either further action being taken, or no further action being taken.
(b) When an umpire ejects a player or official from the first game of a double header, including multiple finals round games, he is ineligible to play/officiate in the second (or third game).
(c) The following penalties shall be applied automatically to all personnel
ejected from a game, unless a subsequent Tribunal hearing provides otherwise.
[A player who is ejected from a game and receives an automatic suspension
is still eligible to win any SABL award. Should a player face a Tribunal (at
the SABL’s discretion) and thereat be found guilty, then he is ineligible
to win any SABL award.]
(i) First Time
Ejected from a game for any reason, other than "audible obscenity" then “one round automatic suspension”, and the Manager/Coach at that time will also be ejected. For example:
Indecent language towards umpire one round automatic suspension
Equipment abuse one round automatic suspension
Unsportsmanlike conduct one round automatic suspension
Striking/attempting to strike a player one round automatic suspension
Making intentional contact with umpire one round automatic suspension
Objecting/disputing umpire’s decision one round automatic suspension
Pitcher intentionally throwing at a batter one round automatic suspension
Melee rule (includes team fine of $250) one round automatic suspension
Any other rule or regulation one round automatic suspension
In addition, the player could be directed to the Tribunal.
Where a player is ejected from a game for any reason other than audible obscenity, in Senior baseball, then the Manager/Coach at that time will also be ejected. The Manager/Coach receives no automatic penalty, but may be directed to the Tribunal.
For "audible obscenity" only, the player will have the offence recorded by the league but there will be no further automatic penalty at that time.
(ii) Second Time
Ejected from a game for the same reason as previously ejected, in the same season, then, other than in respect to "audible obscenity", “two rounds automatic suspension”.
For "audible obscentiy", if the player or coach offends again within the next 4 games in which he participates, then "one round automatic suspension."
If under the melee rule, then, in addition to the two games, a team fine of $500.
In addition, the player could be directed to the Tribunal.
(iii) Third Time
Any person ejected from a game or reported for a third time during a season, for whatever reason, will attend the Tribunal.
(d) Automatic suspensions are applied to the Division or Grade (Senior or Youth) in which the ejection occurred, and while the suspensions are being served the player is unavailable to be selected in any other Division or Grade (Senior or Junior).
For example, a junior receiving an automatic suspension from a Division 3 game is not available for selection in any team (Senior or Youth), until after the next round/s of matches of Division 3. Or, a junior receiving an automatic suspension from a Junior Grade game, is not available for selection in any team (Senior or Youth) until after the next round/s of matches of that Junior Grade in which the suspension was incurred.
(e) A player who has been ejected from a game and who faces an automatic
suspension may, after examining the umpire’s report, within 24 hours
thereof, request a tribunal hearing if, in the opinion of the player and his
Club, it is considered the penalty is unjust or that the umpire’s report
is not an accurate statement of the offence. A fee as prescribed in the schedule
of fees and fines shall accompany each request for a tribunal. No suspension
would apply until the tribunal has been convened.
(3) The Tribunal
The Board shall, at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting in
each year, appoint the Tribunal, which shall consist of three persons, one
of who shall be elected as Chairman. The members of the tribunal should, as
far as is possible, be independent from any active association with any Club
or team, and shall hear and determine such matters as are referred to it in
accordance with these By-Laws.
Two members shall form a quorum.
The Board may, from time to time, appoint any one or more proxy members who may perform the functions and exercise the powers of any or more of the members who may be unable to attend the hearing of any charge. The Proxy Members should, as far as is possible, be independent from any active association with any Club or team.
The Tribunal shall enquire into, hear, and adjudicate upon and determine any charges made in accordance with By-Law 14.2.
In addition, the Tribunal:
May summon any person to appear and give evidence at the hearing of such charge.
May at their absolute discretion admit or reject any evidence given or tendered at the hearing of such charge.
May adjourn the hearing of such charge from time to time as may be convenient.
May adopt and pursue any procedure that they may think convenient and proper in the hearing, adjudication and determination of such charge.
May, as they in their discretion shall think fit, punish summarily by censure fine, suspension (from playing or exercise of official functions) or disqualification (from playing or the exercise of official functions) any witness, being a player or an official, who is found by them to have knowingly and with intent to mislead them, made any false statement at the hearing of any charge, or in respect of any matter material to the said charge, and directed to the proof of the innocence or guilt of the player charged, or the gravity or the triviality of the charge which has been made against him.
May, as they in their discretion shall think fit, censure, fine, suspend or disqualify any playing member or official who is found guilty by them of any charge.
May dismiss any charge as being trivial or as not having been proved or upon not finding the playing member charged guilty of the offence against him.
Shall hear any appeal by an expelled or disqualified player against such penalty imposed on him by his Club. In hearing such appeals the Tribunal shall have the same powers as those granted them in the hearing of charges made in accordance with By-Law 14.2.
(f) The following conditions shall be complied with at any hearing of a charge at a meeting of the Tribunal.
The accused playing member or person shall attend on the hearing of such charge, and may give evidence and call witnesses, and question all witnesses who give evidence on such hearing. Should he fail to attend after having been duly notified in accordance with By-Law 14.3(5)(a), the Tribunal may proceed to hear the charge in his absence.
The Umpire or Umpires or persons who has or have made the report or charge shall give evidence and may call witnesses and question all witnesses who give evidence at hearing.
Intended witnesses will not be admitted whilst other evidence is being given.
A reported person who, at the date of the hearing is under 18 years of age, will be permitted to appoint an adult person as his advocate, and any person so appointed shall be permitted to remain whilst all evidence is being given. An advocate, if appointed, will assume control of the reported person’s defence, and the latter will not be permitted to speak unless it is to give evidence on his own behalf.
Legal representation will not be permitted.
Every adjudication, decision or determination of the Tribunal, and every penalty imposed by the Tribunal (whether for an offence against the Laws of the game or for false statement punishable pursuant to the power given in Sub-section 14(3)(e)(v) of this By-Law, or otherwise), shall be final and is not subject to appeal.
A playing member against whom a charge has been made of a breach of the Laws of the game shall be eligible to play until the Tribunal has adjudicated upon such charge or is subject to such other penalty as the Tribunal may impose, say for non attendance.
It is the spirit and intent of these By-Laws that Tribunal hearings be conducted
in a completely unbiased manner with due deference to all present. Any person,
under the control of the League, who conducts himself disrespectfully to the
Tribunal at the hearing of a charge against a player, or subsequent thereto,
may be suspended for such period as the Tribunal deems proper, or may be fined
a sum not exceeding $50.
Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, the Tribunal may, if they
deem fit in the interests of the League or of the game, exercise all the powers
and inflict the penalties provided for in these By-Laws notwithstanding any
irregularity or failure in compliance with these By-Laws or with the procedure
laid down by these By-Laws. Notwithstanding any defect in any charge or other
matter the Tribunal may proceed having regard only as to whether the substance
of the charge or other matter has been established or not, provided that the
Tribunal shall adjourn the hearing for so long as they think fit in any case
where they are satisfied that any person would or might be prejudiced if they
proceeded at once to exercise their powers under this Rule.
(g) The Tribunal will, as a general rule, proceed as follows:
The reporting umpire and the reported person will be called.
The report will be read.
The reported person will be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Should the reported person be undecided, the Tribunal will enter a plea of not guilty.
Where the reported person pleads guilty, the umpire will be directed to outline the circumstances of the report. The reported person may question the umpire provided any such questions seek only to elaborate and/or clarify the umpire’s evidence, or provide the Tribunal with evidence of mitigation.
Where the reported person pleads not guilty:
the umpire will be directed to outline the circumstances of the report.
the reported person may question the umpire.
the umpire may call his witnesses.
the reported person may question the witnesses.
the reported person will be asked to present his defence.
the umpire may question the reported person.
the reported person may call his witnesses.
the umpire may question the witnesses.
The parties to the report and any visitors will then retire whilst the Tribunal considers the evidence placed before it. Where the Tribunal is to return a finding of guilty, it shall have regard to the register of reported persons before deciding upon the nature and extent of any penalty to be imposed.
(vii) All parties will then be re-admitted and advised of the Tribunal’s decision. Any penalty involving a suspension shall be given to the reported person in writing and a copy sent to the person’s club.
(h) The Tribunal shall cause to be kept a register of all matters on which it adjudicates, its findings and any penalties imposed.
(i) Should a reported person be unable to attend the scheduled hearing of the Tribunal that person shall immediately notify the General Manager and state the reason for his enforced absence. The General Manager shall consider all aspects of the matter and decide if the reported person should be given permission to participate in any games set down to be played prior to the re-scheduled hearing. This decision shall be binding.
(j) In the event of the reporting umpire not being in attendance at the appointed time, the Chairman shall allow a reasonable period of grace. The report shall not lapse but will be re-scheduled for hearing at a date and time to be advised to all parties. The General Manager must be advised of the umpire’s failure to attend the hearing and the umpire will be requested to furnish an explanation of his absence. The matter will then be referred to the Umpire’s Appointment Panel whose task it will be to decide if any disciplinary action is to be taken and to advise the General Manager of that decision. In these circumstances the reported person may participate in any games scheduled to be played prior to the re-scheduled hearing
In the event that a reported person is not in attendance at the appointed time, the Chairman shall allow a reasonable period of grace. The reporting umpire will then be requested to give his evidence and if that evidence establishes that the reported person has a case to answer, that person shall be suspended until such time as he applies for a hearing and actually appears or consents to the hearing proceeding in his absence. The General Manager is to advise the reported person’s Club of all decisions made under this clause and ensure the decision is entered in the register.
15. NEGLECT TO ATTEND SUMMONED MEETING
Every official or servant of the League, and every person who has applied for and obtained registration and a permit to play, shall attend every meeting or enquiry of the League or Committee of the League (including the Tribunal) to which meeting or enquiry they have been summoned. Failure to so attend will result in the imposition of such penalty or fine as the General Manager, the Committee or the Board deems fit.
Any official or servant of the League, or playing member of the League, who makes a false statement to the League or a Committee of the League, will be charged with such offence and such charge dealt with in accordance with these By-Laws and may be fined as deemed fit by the Board.
Top
16. PLAYING DISQUALIFIED MEMBERS
(1) No player or person under suspension or disqualification by the League or any affiliated Association of the League shall, during the term of his disqualification, be eligible to take part in, play, coach, score, or in any other manner take part in any match under the control of the League or of any Club or any Association affiliated with the League or with which the League is affiliated. The Tribunal shall be the only authority to amend any disqualification.
(2) It shall be an offence for any player to contravene this By-Law and the League may impose such penalty as it deems fit.
Any Club offending against this By-Law shall forfeit such match and may also be liable to any additional penalty by way of fine that the League shall deem fit.
17. BASEBALL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
The Board shall, at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting in each year, appoint the Baseball Operations Committee, which shall consist of a member from each Club plus the Baseball Operations Director and the Youth Director. The Baseball Operations Director shall be Chairman. A quorum of the Committee will consist of 66% of members. Clubs will be asked to forward their nomination and a proxy to the SABL either at the Annual General Meeting or within a week thereof.
The Baseball Operations Committee shall have the full authority, in accordance with the By-Laws and resolutions of the League, for the organising, conducting, and controlling of the senior and junior competition.
The committee can recommend to the Board to change any By-law or playing rules and conditions.
The Operations Director (Chair of the Operations Committee) shall, in having regard to the decisions of the Operations Committee and in accordance with the League Rules and By-Laws:
(a) Prepare a program of all matches as shall be conducted by the League.
(b) Decide on which grounds such matches shall be played. In this regard the Committee may require any Club to mark, improve, alter the position of, add to the facilities of, or remove any fences, cages, ropes or other fixtures, or make any alterations as it may direct concerning the baseball diamond, playing area or grounds and may suspend the use of such grounds until such alterations have been made. The Committee shall be the sole judge in this matter.
(c) Decide the time and date upon which such matches shall be played.
(d) Decide which teams shall make up the competition in all grades.
(e) Have the power to cancel or transfer matches because of inclement weather or other sufficient reason.
(f) Carry out any other duties directed or authorised by the Board.
(5) Subject to the Constitution, the decisions of the Operations Committee shall be binding on all-parties and the subsequent decision of the Board in the event of any appeal shall not have retrospective effect on any act, matter, or thing, done pursuant to the decision of the Operations Committee.
(6) No later than the date advised by the Operations Committee, each Club shall nominate to the Committee the particulars of the teams which it desires to enter into the program of matches for the ensuing season.
(7) Should any Club, either before the commencement of or during the progress of the program of matches, reduce the number of teams it nominated or has participating, it may be fined up to the sum of $250.
(8) On receipt of the team nominations from the Clubs, the Operations Committee shall at its discretion place such teams in such grades as it shall deem fit. In doing so, it shall be guided by some general rules. These include, that any team becoming premiers of a Minor Grade in one year MAY be promoted to the next higher Minor Grade in the subsequent year, and in doing so displace the team finishing last which should be relegated to the next lower grade. If the team being relegated has a team in that Division already, then that team must be relegated, since no Club shall have more than one team in any Division other than the lowest Division. It is up to the lower team whether it wants to go up.
(9) The Operations Committee shall, at least ten days before the commencement of each season, advise each Club of the grades in which each of its teams have been placed for the season. Any Club wishing to dispute the decision of the Operations Committee may, within three business days of the date of the advice, lodge with the General Manager an appeal. The Board shall hear such appeal and make a decision which is then binding, and which shall be subject to no further appeal.
(10) The Operations Committee shall have the power to inspect any grounds upon which matches are to be played, or proposed to be played, and may at any time approve or disapprove of their use and they shall be sole judge in this matter. In this regard, no diamond shall be placed in any position, nor any cages, benches, fences, ropes, backstop or other facilities be added to, taken from or moved on any ground without the prior approval of the Operations Committee. Failure to adhere to this By-law may result in a ground being declared unfit for use by the Operations Committee.
Top
18. INDEMNITY
Every Office Bearer, or member of any Committee or other employee, servant or officer of the League shall be indemnified out of the funds of the League against all costs, damages, charges and expenses which such persons may incur or become liable for, by reason of any act or thing done by him as an officer or servant of the League in the discharge or in the purported or intended discharge of his duties.
The League agrees to fulfil and act under the requirements of the International Olympic Charter, Rule 26 and its By-Laws, or where the constitution is inconsistent with the Rules, Regulations and Directives of the I.O.C., the latter shall prevail and the Constitution to the extent of the inconsistency shall be invalid.
Any Association may be affiliated with the League under the following conditions:
Such Association must possess a constitution which has been lodged with and approved by the Board, and must have adopted the Laws of the Game.
Such Association must register with the League each calendar year, giving the names of the Office Bearers and the Clubs, if any, forming the Association.
A registration fee as nominated by the Board must be paid with the application of every Association.
In any matter not provided for by the Rules and By-Laws of any affiliated Association, or in any matter involving the interpretation of such Rules and By-Laws, the Association may, by resolution, refer same to the Board for a ruling. Such ruling, when obtained, shall bind the Association until such time as the Association shall have dealt with the matter by passing a new rule.
Each Club shall register its colours and uniform with the League and such colours and design shall be subject to approval by the Board. Priority of registration shall determine the exclusive right of a Club to such colours and design.
No Club shall change its colours or design without the prior approval of the League.
A coloured drawing or picture MUST be provided to the Board before approval may be given to alter Club Colours and uniform.
The colours and design so registered and no other shall be worn in such grades as the League may from time to time determine.
The Umpire may refuse to allow any player infringing this By-Law to take part in any game until he shall have conformed to the By-Law.
In the event of a Club playing a member or members so prohibited, or the umpire reporting a team or Club for not having all members in correct uniforms, the League may inflict such penalty as it deems fit.
(1) Whenever it is made to appear to the satisfaction of the Board, by a notice in writing and signed in manner hereinafter provided, that disputes or differences have arisen amongst the members of a League Club, and that such disputes or differences, if not settled, are likely :
interfere with the representation of such Club in the program of matches arranged or to be arranged by the League; or:
to be prejudicial to the best interests of the game,
the Board will intervene with a view to the settlement or adjustment of such disputes or differences.
Such notice may be signed either by the delegate member of such Club or by the Chairman and Secretary of such Club, or by not less than twenty-five persons who are members of such Club.
Such notice shall set out full particulars of all matter(s) in respect of which such disputes or differences have arisen.
The Board may require representatives of the parties to such dispute or difference to attend before it, or may appoint a Committee to confer with such representatives and may direct such Committee either to report to the Board or to deal with such disputes or differences.
The Board or such Committee shall, in the first place endeavour to induce the parties to such disputes or differences to arrive at an amicable settlement and failing such settlement shall adjudicate upon such disputes or differences.
The adjudication of the Board or such Committee shall be final and binding upon and observed by all parties to such disputes or differences.
The SABL Office shall forthwith give to such persons as the Board or Committee may direct, a copy of such adjudication.
Top
23. DISPUTES
(1) Every dispute, other than transfers and clearances, which arises between two or more Clubs and which is not amicably settled within ten days of the dispute occurring, shall be referred to the Board for settlement.
The Secretary of any Club involved in such dispute shall immediately after the expiration of the said period of ten days forward to the SABL Office a statement in writing setting out the matters in dispute. The Board shall hear and adjudicate upon such dispute or refer it to a Committee to hear and adjudicate thereon.
The adjudication of the Board or such Committee shall be final and binding upon and observed by all parties to such disputes.
(4) Every dispute shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
A fee as prescribed in the schedule of fees and fines shall accompany each statement of dispute.
The SABL Office shall give notice of the date and time and place of the hearing to the parties to the dispute.
The Board or such Committee may include in its finding a direction as to the retention or return of the fee or an increase in the fee.
The SABL Office shall advise the Secretary of each Club involved in such dispute of the decision thereon.
Every protest by a Club arising from a match or any incident therein shall be signed by the Secretary of such Club and lodged with the SABL Office within 2 working days after the completion of the match or incident concerned.
The Board shall hear the protest as soon as practicable and adjudicate thereon.
In the event of any team wishing to protest an umpire’s interpretation of a rule, whether it be a rule as contained in the official Book of Rules or upon a local rule, the requirement shall be to notify the Umpire of the intention to protest the game, at the time of the incident.
Failure to advise the SABL Office within the specified time, or to advise
the umpire of the protest at the time of the incident, shall render the protest
null and void.
Every protest shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
A fee as prescribed in the schedule of fees and fines shall accompany each statement of protest.
The SABL Office shall give notice of the date and time and place of the hearing to the parties to the protest.
Where the protest involves an umpire’s interpretation of a rule, the current Umpire’s Director shall be invited to advise on the correct interpretation of the rule
The Board or such Committee may include in its finding a direction as to the retention or return of the fee or an increase in the fee.
The SABL Office shall advise the Secretary of each Club involved in such protest of the decision thereon.
(6) The adjudication of the Board shall be final and binding upon and observed by all parties to such disputes.
Any League Club may, in General Meeting, and with the consent of the League first obtained:
(1) Adopt such other name as it may deem fit; or
(2) Amalgamate with any other Club.
26. GENERAL RULES RELATING TO COMMITTEES
Each Committee of the League shall, at its first meeting, elect from its members a Chairman. Where a League Director is a member of the committee, and the committee falls within their portfolio, he shall be the Chairman unless the Board directs otherwise.
The Chairman shall:
(1) Chair all meetings of such Committee.
(2) In the absence of the Chairman from any properly constituted meeting of the Committee, the members present may appoint one of their number to preside.
(3) The Chairman of a Committee shall be entitled to a deliberative as well as a casting vote.
(4) A Committee may continue to act notwithstanding the existence of any vacancy on the Committee.
(5) No Committee shall incur any expense without the prior approval of the Board.
Top
27. INFRINGEMENT BY CLUBS OR DELEGATES AND PLAYING MEMBERS
Any Club, official or playing member infringing any League By-law or law of the game, or who by their action brings the game into disrepute, shall be dealt with as the Board may think fit.
The decision as to whether a person’s actions have brought the game into disrepute shall be vested in the Board and the decision of the Board shall be final and shall be binding on all parties involved.
Any Club which is expelled from its position as a League Club shall absolutely forfeit all claims to or interest in the funds, property and affairs of the League.
Top
28. CONDUCT
(1) No official or servant of the League or of a Club and no person who has pursuant to any By-Law applied for and obtained registration and a permit to play shall, during the progress of a game or within a ground under the control of the League, or at or near any official meeting of the League or of its Committees:
(a) Use abusive, threatening or insulting language to or interfere with or assault any Office Bearer, delegate, umpire, other official or servant of the League, or a playing member or a gatekeeper.
(b) Be guilty of any other conduct which is detrimental to the best interests of the game.
(c) Obtain or attempt to obtain entrance to any oval without producing an entrance pass or paying the proper admission charges.
(d) Refuse or neglect to observe or comply with the By-Laws of the League, provided that during the course of any matter the Umpire or Umpires shall be the only person entitled to make any report on any incident or matter arising within the game or provided for under the rules of the game.
(e) Allow any other person to gain or attempt to gain admission to any match or other privilege with any pass or token provided by the League for his own personal use.
(f) Consume alcohol, "dip", smoke or chew tobacco before, during or after game completion whilst in the vicinity of the playing diamonds, particularly in the presence of Youth players.
(2) A charge against any person offending under the provisions of Clause (1) of this By-Law may be laid by the League Member, Umpire, Board member, Official or servant or, in case of an infringement of sub-clause (c), by the oval official or gatekeeper against whom the alleged offence took place.
(3) Such charge shall be in writing, which shall set out the matter or matters complained of, and the name of the alleged offender.
(4) Such charges shall be lodged with the SABL within 2 working days after the event in which the incident occurred.
(5) The SABL Office shall give to the person against whom a charge has been made, the Secretary of his Club and any other person or Club affected, 3 clear days written notice of such charge, and shall set out the time and place appointed for the hearing.
Such notice may be served personally or may be enclosed in an envelope addressed to the person charged, and posted through the post as a registered letter. When such advice is being conveyed by registered post, the 3 clear days will commence from the time at which Australia Post would, in the normal course of business, be expected to make delivery.
(6) Any charge under this By-Law shall be heard and determined by the Board, or by a Committee appointed by the Board, and such hearing and determination shall be valid notwithstanding the non-attendance of any party upon whom notice has been served.
(7) If the offence under this By-Law involves a player, the Board or the Committee hearing the charges may at its option direct that the charge be heard and dealt with by the Tribunal and the procedure with respect thereto shall be the same as set out in By-Law 20.
(8) Where a charge under this By-Law has been found to be proved, the authority hearing the charge may inflict such punishment either by way of censure, fine suspension or disqualification as it deems fit.
(9) Every member of a League team, whether interstate, intrastate or overseas, and all Club officials and registered players accompanying or travelling with an interstate team, shall be bound by and fully observe the conditions set by the League and these rules.
(10) It shall be the duty of the Executive Officer of any team, in (9) above, to lay a charge against any playing member of the team and against any registered player or League official travelling with the team of having been guilty of a breach of conduct. Any such charge may also be laid by any Office-Bearer of the League, Board member or delegate.
(11) The adjudication of the Board, Committee or Tribunal shall be final and binding upon and observed by all parties to such matter.
Top
29. NOTICES
The following shall be regarded as sufficient notice for the purposes of the By-Laws:
A notice given by the SABL Office to any delegate or Office Bearer shall be given by letter, to such person and delivered to him personally, or posted to him at his registered address.
A notice given by the SABL Office or the Chairman or Secretary Of any committee of' the League to any Club shall be given by letter addressed to the Secretary of such Club and delivered to him personally or posted to him at his registered address.
A notice given by the SABL Office or the Chairman or Secretary of any committee of the League to any playing member, or other person or body, shall be given by letter addressed to such person or body and delivered to him or them personally or posted to him or them at the registered, usual or last known place of abode or address.
Where a notice is sent by post, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and posting a letter containing the notice, and shall be deemed to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
A notice given to the League shall be given by letter addressed to the SABL Office and delivered personally or posted to or left at the registered office of the League.
All notices, letters, forms, and other documents given to the League by any Club shall unless expressly provided by the Board be signed by the person who is registered as Chairman or Secretary of such Club and where so signed shall be binding on such Club, its delegates and members and the validity of any act done there under, or by virtue thereof, or pursuant thereto, shall not be questioned or put to issue in any manner howsoever.
A facsimile may be used instead of a letter in the above cases.
Where it has been agreed between the League and the Secretary or Chairman of a Club, on an annual basis, electronic mail may be used instead of a letter in the above cases.
(1) The SABL Office must keep and maintain a register of all Clubs and shall enter therein the names and addresses of the present President/Chairman, Secretary, playing members, coaches, delegates and proxy-delegates of each Club.
(2) The Secretary of each Club shall provide the SABL Office, no later than 4 weeks after the League Annual General Meeting, with the names and addresses of the present President/Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Operations Committee delegate and proxy-delegates. In addition, they shall give notice, within seven days, to the SABL Office of any change of name or address of those office bearers subsequently taking place.
(1) (a) The Board shall have power from time to time to make, alter and repeal any By-Laws as it may deem necessary or convenient, or expedient, in relation to the proper conduct and management of the business and affairs of the League and the attainment of its objects. All By-Laws so made and for the time being in force shall be binding on all members of the League and the Clubs and shall have full effect accordingly and immediately they are adopted.
(b) The repeal of any such By-Law adopted / approved by the Board may only
be repealed
by a majority of at least three fourths of votes exercised at any Board, Annual
General,or Special General meeting
(2) In particular, but not exclusively, the Board may make By-Laws relating to:
(a) Framing, revising and declaring the laws governing the game of baseball.
(b) For the general management of all baseball matches arranged by the League.
(c) Framing the conditions of the competition among Clubs.
(d) Regulating the appointment and duties of Umpires, Coaches, Managers and other Officials for matches arranged by the League.
(e) Regulating the affiliation with the League of other Associations, Clubs, Leagues or other bodies.
(f) Providing for and regulating the determination by the League or any of its Committees of any allegations, complaints, reports and charges against, and the imposition of fines, penalties, levies and the like in connection with such matters on a Club or on players or Officials of any Club or affiliated body.
(g) Providing for and compelling the reference of any disputes to the League for settlement.
(h) The Board or any of its Committees in connection with the management of the affairs of the League and as to the appointment, removal, qualifications and disqualification of members of such committees, and as to the duties, powers, functions and privileges of any such Committees or the members thereof.
(i) Regulating the meetings of the League or any of its committees and the conduct of business at-such meetings.
(j) Providing for subscriptions, fees, levies, fines or other payments by Clubs, members or players thereof to the League.
(k) Providing for the conditions under which players may play or continue to play and any penalties, suspensions, fines that may be imposed.
(l) Providing for the conditions under which any off-season games may be played.
(m) Providing for the conditions under which Clubs may be organised and/or operated.
(n) Providing for representative teams of the League to play other teams and trips relating thereto either in South Australia or elsewhere.
(3) Submissions may be made in writing by members of the League to change
the
By-Laws.
Each Club shall adopt and keep in force proper rules for the regulation and control of such Club. Alterations to such rules, after approval, shall be notified to the League.
Such rules shall, inter alia, provide for:
the holding, on a date not later than the thirtieth day of June in each year, of an Annual General Meeting;
the appointment of delegates and other officers to the League, together with the notification to the League of particulars as required of such persons;
the holding of Special General Meetings of the Club.
the submission of a copy of the club’s Annual report and Financial Statement to the League.
(3) The League may, by notice in writing forwarded to the Secretary of any Club, require such Club to adopt new rules, or to rescind, vary, modify, or alter any existing rule. The Club shall forthwith put in place the necessary procedures to abide by the direction and its rules shall be altered as necessary.
South Australian Baseball League trophies and awards shall be determined on performances during the minor round, and, where appropriate, shall be based on the official statistics maintained by the League. They may include the following:
Division 1 - The Capps Medallion
This shall be awarded to the Division 1 player who receives the greatest total
of votes, cast on a 3-2-1 basis by the plate umpire in each Division 1 game.
In the event of a tie in the number of votes, all players with the highest
number will receive the award.
To be eligible for this award, a player must not have been found guilty of an offence by the SABL Tribunal.
A premiership trophy in each grade for the winner of the Grand Final in that grade: In addition to the Advertiser Shield, a premiership trophy will be awarded to the winner of the senior Division 1 Premiership that remains the property of that Club.
The SABL Junior Shield
This shall be awarded to the Club which gains the greatest total of premiership
points from its Division 1 teams in all junior age groups. In the event of
an uneven number of games, a win loss ratio shall be used in determining the
winning club.
The SABL Ohlstrom Shield
This shall be awarded to the Club which gains the greatest total of premiership
points from its teams in Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 grades. . In
the event of an uneven number of games, a win loss ratio shall be used in
determining the winning club.
Division 1 Batting Champion
The batting champion shall be the Division 1 player with the highest batting
average calculated by dividing the total number of safe hits by the total
times at bat, as defined in rule 10.02(a) of the Official Baseball Rules.
To be eligible for this award, a player must be credited with as many or more total appearances at the plate as the number of games scheduled for Division 1 multiplied by 3.1. Total appearances at the plate shall include official times at bat, plus bases on balls, times hit by pitcher, sacrifice hits, sacrifice flies and times awarded first base because of interference or obstruction.
Division 1 Pitching Award - Earned Run Average (ERA)
The pitching award - earned run average, shall be awarded to the Division
1 pitcher with the lowest earned run average, calculated by multiplying the
total earned runs charged against the pitcher by 9 and dividing the result
by the total number of innings pitched.
To be eligible for this award, a pitcher must have pitched in at least as many innings as the number of games scheduled for a Division 1 team in that season.
Division 1 - Gordon Ross Memorial - Golden Glove Infielder
The golden glove infielder of the year shall be awarded to the Division 1
infield player with the highest fielding average, calculated by dividing the
total put outs and assists by the total of put outs, assists and errors.
To be eligible for this award, an infielder must have participated at a position in at least two-thirds of the number of games scheduled for a Division 1 team in that season.
Division 1 - Gordon Ross Memorial - Golden Glove Outfielder
The golden glove outfielder of the year shall be awarded to the Division 1
outfield player with the highest fielding average, calculated by dividing
the total put outs and assists by the total of put outs, assists and errors.
To be eligible for this award, an outfielder must have participated at a position in at least two-thirds of the number of games scheduled for a Division 1 team in that season.
Division 1 - Runs Batted In (RBI)
The runs batted in trophy shall be awarded to the Division 1 player who records
the most runs batted in for that season.
Division 1 - Mutual Community Baseball SA Youth Elite Award
The Mutual Community Baseball SA Youth Elite Award shall be awarded to the
Division 1 player selected by majority vote of the Division 1 coaches, following
nomination by a Club, in writing, to the League office.
To be eligible for the award a player must have had fewer than 25 plate appearances, and/or have pitched in less than 15 innings, in Division 1 (all clubs) in the 3 seasons prior to that season, and must not be a non-national.
Division 1 - Team of the Year
The Division 1 Team of the Year shall be selected by majority vote of the
Division 1 coaches, on the basis of a player per position and two umpires,
one plate and one base, following nomination by a Club, in writing, to the
League office.
The Max Puckett Memorial Award
This shall be awarded to the outstanding SASI scholarship holder, as recommended
by the SASI officials.
The Bob Finn Memorial Award
This shall be awarded to the most consistent player in the South Australian
Youth Teams, as recommended by the coaching panels of each team to the Youth
Director who will make the final decision.
The Claxton Shield Award
This shall be awarded to the most valuable player in the South Australian Claxton Shield Team, as recommended by the coaching panel.
Division 2 - Under 12(2) Medals
These shall be awarded to the player in that Division, provided there is a
competition in that Division, who receives the greatest total of votes, cast
on a 3-2-1 basis by the umpire in each game. In the event of a tie in the
number of votes, all players with the highest number of votes will receive
the award.
To be eligible for this award, a player must not have been found guilty of an offence by the SABL Tribunal.
Division 2 Ron Sharpe Medal Division 3 George Chapman Medal
Division 4 Max Galloway Medal Division 5 Graham Fisher Medal
Division 6 John Tyson Medal Under 19 Baseballers Club Medal
Under 16 (1) Len C Poole Medal Under 16 (2) Len C Poole Medal
Under 14 (1) Don Carter Medal Under 14 (2) Alan Waldron Medal
Under 14 (3) Claude Pearce Medal Under 12 (1) Ron Macbeth Medal
Under 12 (2) Ron Chandler Medal
The Board shall, at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting in each year, appoint the Permit Committee, which shall consist of three persons, being the Baseball Operations Director, the Youth Director and one other.
Should the Board fail to make the appointment, for whatever reason, the Operations Director of the League will handle all permits and permit matters, in the manner he deems best, and with whatever assistance he chooses.
Any reference to the Permit Committee in these By-Laws shall be taken to also mean the General Manager, in the circumstances in 34(1) above.
The Permit Committee shall, in accordance with the By-Laws of the League:
Deal with registrations, applications for registrations and permit requests;
Have the power to grant or refuse permits on any grounds that the Committee deems appropriate, in accordance with the By-Laws of the League;
Have the power to enquire into, question and establish the bona-fides of any registration or application for registration of a player;
Have the power to enquire into, question and establish the grades of matches in which a player may participate in accordance with the By-Laws of the League:
Have the power to summon before it and question any player or person who has applied for registration or permit, or who, in the opinion of the Committee, may be able to assist in it’s enquiries regarding any registration or permit;
Subject to Rule 11 of these By-Laws, the decision of the Permit Committee shall be binding on all parties and any subsequent decision on the subject shall not have retrospective effect on any act, matter or thing done pursuant to the decision of the Committee.
Every person desiring to become an on field person including player, coach
or assistant coach with any Club shall, before being allowed to play or coach,
apply annually to the Club for registration on the form prescribed. The Club
shall forward all registration forms to the League Permit Committee and shall
be liable to pay the appropriate registration and insurance fees in accordance
with the schedule for fees and fines at the given time.
Any person who is entitled to be registered as above may participate in one
match for that Club in any grade without being registered, PROVIDED THAT an
application for registration is lodged within 72 hours after the completion
of that game, and the Permit Committee is satisfied that it was not reasonably
practical in the circumstances for that person to be registered prior to the
match. If the Permit Committee is not so satisfied, then any premiership points
earned by the Club in the match or matches in which the person participated
shall be forfeited 9 to 0 to the opposing team.
Any person who does not register for a period of five consecutive years, shall be regarded as a new player and shall be subject to the rules relating to initial registration.
Upon receipt of the completed registration form the Permit Committee shall, subject to these By-Laws permit the registered person to participate with a particular Club
Any player registered to play with a Club, may be granted approval to coach a team in another Club provided that his application to coach that Club is accompanied by a letter signed by the Secretary of the Club for which he is Playing, stating that they have no objection to the player acting as a coach for the Club specified. Such approval shall be issued for one season only, but may be subject to renewal provided that the above procedures are adopted in any subsequent season.
Any player or Club furnishing or attempting to furnish incorrect information
or particulars with regard to a player's age or other information relevant
to a player's registration or transfer may be fined for each offence in accordance
with the schedule for fees and fines at the given time. In addition, the team
or Club for which a player played will also forfeit such match or matches
as the Board of Directors in consultation with the Permit Committee may deem
fit and they will be awarded
9 - 0 to the opposing team.
The League shall keep and maintain a register of all persons who have obtained a registration to play. Such register shall, for the purpose of these By-Laws be the sole evidence of the facts contained therein.
The Permit Committee may grant a temporary permit to a person to play for another Club provided the current club agrees, this permit is for one season only. The intent is to fill up a team from one Club with players from another.
(1) If the Permit Committee can be satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that any player has been offered financial inducement, or that a reward has been offered or is being paid to entice or encourage that player to transfer from one SABL Club to another SABL Club as a player, other than to the position of Club, or senior, or Division 1 Coach, it shall report its belief to the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors is satisfied that the belief is correct it may instruct the Permit Committee to refuse to grant or to revoke any registration of that player and the Permit Committee will act accordingly.
(2) If the Permit Committee can be satisfied on the balance of probabilities, that any player has been offered financial inducement, or a reward has been offered or is being paid, in respect of his services as a player, other than in the position of Club, or senior, or Division 1 Coach for any Club, it shall report its belief to the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors is satisfied that the belief is correct it may instruct the Permit Committee to refuse to grant or to revoke any registration of that player and the Permit Committee will act accordingly.
(3) Under the terms of this By-Law, the Permit Committee or the Board will not action cases where the financial inducement or reward does not exceed $500.00
37. GENERAL RULES RELATING TO PERMITS
Should the Permit Committee consider that any team or Club is seeking to take unfair advantage of the interpretation of any permit By-Law, the Committee shall forward their findings to the Board of Directors who shall call for the team or Club to account for their actions. The Board of Directors shall impose such penalty as it deems fit.
A maximum of eighteen participating players, plus four non-playing coaches may participate in Division 1 matches (executive officer, medic and bat boy are not included). Such restriction shall not apply to the number of players who may participate in matches of any lower grade or any under age team.
The penalties for any breach of the Permit By-Laws, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be loss of premiership points and forfeiture of any matches in which the player committing the breach took part .
If the Permit Committee shall consider at any time that the special circumstances of any case or cases warrants a more severe penalty or fine, it shall report the matter to the Board of Directors which may impose such penalty or fine as it may deem fit.
The League may from time to time may prescribe any special conditions regarding age of players or any other qualifications to participate in any grade or grades of matches (other than Division One) and the Permit Committee shall be entitled to make such enquiries as it shall deem fit regarding the entitlement of any player to participate in matches of such grades;
When a Club has two or more teams in any under age grade, no player shall be permitted to transfer from one team to another without the prior permission of the Permit Committee. This restriction shall not apply to Youth teams until the first game played after January 1st in any season.
If, however, the League gives notice that a grade is to be divided by a system of grading, no player after participating in one game in that grade shall be permitted to transfer to another team within that grade unless the Permit Committee is satisfied that the transfer is necessary because of a shortage of available players.
Every application for a permit, or any other matter lodged with the Permit Committee shall be in duplicate accompanied with a stamped addressed envelope. If this Rule be complied with the Permit Committee shall endorse the duplicate with its decision and return it in the envelope provided as evidence of its decision on the matter. Failure of a player or Club to comply with this By-Law resulting in non-notification by the Permit Committee of its decision on the matter shall not entitle such player or Club to presume in any way that a decision has been made by the Permit Committee on the matter nor absolve it from any penalty resulting from his or its actions.
In the event of any case arising relating to Permits, or transfers, which
is not provided for by these By-Laws, such case may be dealt with as the Permit
Committee shall deem fit.
(9) No player shall participate in more than one match in any one round of
matches unless it also be in a higher grade team. Players playing consecutive
double headers cannot play for a team lower than that played in the initial
double header.
In the event of a player playing a double header where less than 18 players
participate in any two grades in the one round of matches, the Club shall
notify the Permit Committee of this fact and the circumstances. The Permit
Committee shall investigate all such cases and in the absence of a satisfactory
reason advise the League of the forfeiture of the lower grade match in which
the player participated.
(10) No player who played in any team in the first round of matches in any one season shall be eligible to participate in the starting nine in the opening round of any higher grade:
(i) which had a bye in the opening round of matches of that season, or
(ii) where the first round of matches for that grade commences later in that season,
unless a special permit is granted by the Permit Committee. Such special permits shall only be issued in extenuating circumstances arising from injury or last minute un-availability of a player, or players selected to participate in the higher grade.
38. INTERCHANGE OF PLAYERS BETWEEN GRADES
During a round of senior matches you MUST have NINE different starting players per team, (excluding designated hitter where applicable). No player, including youth players, can start in two games during the weekend [that round of games]. However a permit may be given to a player to start in both games under extenuating circumstances. If a player does start in both games, the other team must advise the umpire they are playing under protest to have this rule applied.
A player who starts in a game for a team must participate in that game for a minimum of one plate appearance and three defensive outs before being replaced, unless the player is unable to satisfy this requirement due to illness, injury, ejection etc.
Subject to the provisions of these By-Laws, a player having played in one grade may play in the next team in a lower grade in the following round of matches. The Permit Committee may, at their discretion, allow players to drop more than one grade within their Club.
From, and including the fourth round of matches before the commencement of the major round, a player may only be relegated with the approval of the Permit Committee and in considering such approval the Committee shall bear in mind whether:-
(a) Both of the teams in question are capable of or are striving to achieve or hold a place in the final four to contest the major round.
(b) The relegation is being forced by a player returning to that or a higher grade from absence due to injury, suspension or other acceptable reason.
(c) The construction of these By-Laws would otherwise require a team to carry more than nine eligible players.
(d) Any player who has started in a team immediately prior to a round of matches in which that team is not scheduled to play shall not be eligible to play in any team in a lower grade in that round of matches without the prior sanction of the Permit Committee.
(4) No player shall participate in more than one match in any one round of matches unless it also be in a higher grade team. However a permit may be given to a player to start in two games regardless of team grade under extenuating circumstances.
(5) Players playing consecutive double headers cannot play for a team lower than that played in the initial double header.
39. PARTICIPATION IN THE FINAL ROUND
The general concept is that you play for the team that you played the majority of your games in during the minor round, provided:
(1) No player shall be relegated to a lower grade team after the last match of the minor round of matches except as provided in this By-Law.
(2) No player shall be permitted to play in the final round of any grade of matches, except Division One grade, unless such player shall have played in the last four matches for the Club in the minor round in that or a lower grade.
(3) The Permit Committee may grant approval to play in the final round of any specified grade to any player who was not able to complete the qualification prescribed herein due to illness, injury, duty with the Armed Forces or other reasons acceptable to the Permit Committee.
When teams of the same Club are competing in the same round of final round matches, a player may be relegated from a higher grade to play in the next team in a lower grade.
The Board shall, at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting in each year, appoint the Clearance Committee, which shall consist of three persons, being the Baseball Operations Director, the Youth Director and one other.
Should the Board fail to make the appointment, for whatever reason, the General Manager of the League will handle all clearance and transfer matters, in the manner he deems best, and with whatever assistance he chooses.
Any reference to the Clearance Committee in these By-Laws shall be taken to also mean the General Manager, in the circumstances in 40(1) above.
Top
41. GENERAL RULES RELATING TO CLEARANCES AND TRANSFERS
(1) Transfer of Players.
Any player registered with the SABL shall have the right to transfer from one Club to another within the SABL, to an Interstate Club or a Club of an Affiliated Body provided that the appropriate Registration - Clearance Form is completed and endorsed by the player's parent Club.
Between 31st December and the completion of the Final Round in any season there shall be no transfer of players between Clubs of the SABL except if the clearance procedure required by these By-Laws has been commenced, but not completed by 31st December.
The transfer of players from a Club of the SABL to an Interstate Club or the Club of an Affiliated Body may be carried out at any time. The completed Registration - Clearance Form for all such transfers must be endorsed by the SABL Office before the transfer can be considered finalised.
The following players are able to transfer from their existing SABL Club
to another SABL Club subject to meeting any financial obligation to their
existing Club and filling out the completed Registration - Clearance Form,
subject to 1(a) and (b) above.
Players 14 years and under at the 31st December in the given year.
Players 35 years and over at the 31st December in the given year.
Players who have not played for a minimum of 5 years for their Club.
Players not on the Required Players List.
(2) Required Player’s List
(a) Clubs shall provide, to the SABL Office, their list of 25 required players by the 31st of March each year. The players will be between the age of 14 and 34 years at the 31st December in the given year. The Club MUST advise the player that he is on the list.
(b) A further list of up to 5 players, who have been signed and are playing baseball in any league or organisation outside of Australia, may also be provided. If these players are de-listed and return to play in South Australia, or return and play in Australia, Clubs must include the player in their list of 25 players to protect them.
(c) Clubs may at their option revise the list as at the 30th June and 30th September each year.
(d) Players on the list can transfer to another Club subject to payment of the fee as calculated in the guidelines and meeting any other financial obligations to their existing SABL Club.
(e) Players disabled between lists can be replaced on the lists by writing to the SABL and giving reasons plus a copy of the Doctor’s report.
(f) When a player is cleared to another Club they can be replaced on the list immediately provided all other conditions are met.
(g) When a player transfers interstate and subsequently returns to South Australia within 5 years, he is deemed to be a registered player of the Club from which he transferred. In such situations, that Club shall be entitled to amend its required player’s list to include the player in the25, if it so desires.
(3) Clearance Procedures - (For players in 2 above.)
Letter of approach.
A letter stating a Club's intention to approach a listed player MUST
be delivered to the player's current Club not less than one calendar month
prior to any transfer application. A similar letter of approach MUST
be made if a listed player approaches another Club with the intention of transferring.
If the letter of intention is delivered less than one month prior to the commencement
of the season, the player MAY be granted a permit to play for the new Club
until such time as the clearance is finalised.
Penalty: Where it is determined, on the balance of probabilities, a Club has breached these clearance procedures, the following penalty will be applied:
When a fee has been agreed, a penalty of up to double the transfer fee will be paid to the SABL in addition to the agreed fee to the Club involved.
Players shall not be approached between 31st December and the completion of the Final Round in any season.
The provisions of this Rule 3 (a) and (b) must be adhered to if a player approaches another Club with the view of obtaining a clearance to that Club.
Formal Interview.
The current Club must invite the player to it’s next constituted Executive
Meeting, or a date no later than 31 days from receipt of the letter.
The formal interview with the player shall not take place until the current Club has received the letter of approach.
All players MUST attend. Players under the age of 18 MAY attend with parent,
guardian and or Club representative.
(4) Fee Payment Guidelines.
a. Points as per Age Points Scale;
b. SA State/IBLA/ABL Representative 3 points per year;
c. Australian ABF Representative Team [All ages] 10 points;
d. Pitchers Aged 15 - 30 Double Age points;
(A player shall be deemed to be a pitcher if he has pitched in at least as
many innings (total for all teams) as the number of games scheduled for his
‘priority team’ in any of the previous 3 seasons. The player’s
‘priority team’ will be the team by which the player has pitched
the most innings during the previous 3 seasons played.)
e. Years of service to existing Club from age 12 3 points per year;
f. Years played "A" Grade (All Clubs) 3 points per year;
AGE POINTS SCALE
AGE POINTS AGE POINTS AGE POINTS
15 & under 15 21 21 27 23
16 16 22 22 28 21
17 17 23 23 29 18
18 18 24 24 30 14
19 19 25 25 31-34 10
20 20 26 24
Fee to be calculated at $20 per point or any lesser amount agreed by Clubs.
Maximum Fee for Transfer $3,000.
(5) Registration Procedure for Cleared Players.
A cleared player does not become a registered player with the new Club, and
cannot participate in an SABL match for the new Club, until the properly endorsed
Registration-Clearance Form has been received by the SABL Office.
(6) Dissolution of Club
In the event of the dissolution and or winding up of a Club affiliated with the SABL, which has lodged accepted, required player list(s) with the League, then the listed players shall be deemed to be assets of the Club, and shall be subject to the above rules regarding transfers.
If the Club does not have a management structure in place to handle these matters, then the League shall stand in it’s place for the purpose of transfer, registration and payment of players on the list(s).
(7) Amalgamation of Clubs
In the event of the amalgamation of Clubs affiliated with the SABL, which have previously lodged accepted, required player list(s) with the League, then the listed players of each of the Clubs concerned shall be deemed to be assets of the Clubs, and of the new Club.
Previously listed players who are not on the new 25 player list or the 5 player “professional” list are subject to these transfer rules, including sub paragraph (8), whilst their registration remains alive.
(8) Listed players who stand out of baseball.
Any listed player over the age of 25 who has voluntarily refrained from playing baseball for one whole season may apply to the Permit Committee for a permit to play for the Club of their choice, provided that notice of such intention to stand down has been conveyed to the League Office in writing prior to the commencement of the season.
In considering such application the Permit Committee must be satisfied that the player has not stood down due to injury, business, social or personal commitments and that no financial inducement has been offered to the player.
If the Permit Committee is satisfied that the player has no financial commitment to any Club, it may amend the Fee Payment Guidelines for that player, such reduction to be in accordance with the following table, with the percentage applied to the points total prior to applying the $ figure.
Player’s age at 31st December of season after standout. Percentage
reduction in Fee Payment Guideline
26/27 20
28/29 40
30/31 60
32/33 80
(9) Disputes Procedure.
In the case of a dispute of any nature between the parties, a Club may ask the SABL to convene a Clearance Committee meeting. The decision of that committee will be binding on all parties, will be final and will not be subject to any further appeal or correspondence.
The Clearance Committee will sit after each participating club pays the SABL $ 100 before the tribunal is convened. The $ 100 fee may be refunded.
42. CLEARANCE FROM OTHER BODIES
Any player or coach who is registered with any League or Association affiliated with the Australian Baseball Federation or with this League must obtain a clearance from the Club concerned, endorsed by the League or Association of which it is a member, if he wishes to be registered with this League.
All such applications for a clearance must be processed through the SABL Office who shall forward it on to the League or Association concerned. A copy of such application shall also be passed to the Permit Committee.
No registration shall be completed for any player transferring from another League or Association to enable him to play during the current season unless his completed registration is received back from the other League or Association by the SABL Office before the 31st day of December in that season.
(4) Any player transferring back to this League after playing with an affiliated League or Association, shall return to the Club for which he was playing previously, prior to the transfer to the affiliated body, provided the return is within 5 years.
(5) Any player registered with this League, who wishes to play concurrently with a team associated with an Association or Country Club directly affiliated with this League, may do so without a clearance provided that he obtains written approval from the Secretary of his Club.
1. Subject to the provisions of this By-Law, the Permit Committee may accept the registration of a Non National and grant a permit to play, provided that the registration is lodged and accepted prior to the 31st December of the current season. However, if the Non National was previously registered to play with another Club and is on that Club’s required player list, then he is subject to the provisions of By-Law 41 (4) and By-Law 43.4
2. A Club shall be restricted to a total of two Non-Nationals playing in Division 1 at any one time. However, only one Non-national may pitch in a scheduled Division 1 game. Any Non-National who has pitched in Division 1 will not be allowed to pitch in a lower division during that season
3. A Club is permitted to pitch Non-Nationals in a total of only 50% of the scheduled Division 1 games between them, including finals, for which they are available to play. A Non-National may pitch in only one game of a double-header, be it in a Saturday / Sunday or same-day and in only one game of a finals series of games for which they are eligible to play. The number of Non-Nationals who can pitch in any one single game, a double-header or a finals series of games shall be restricted to one.
4. A Non National who has previously been registered with this league and who applies for registration with a new Club, whether after a return from overseas, interstate etc. or not, shall require a financial clearance from the previous Club before the Permit Committee can issue such registration.
5. A Non-National who is under suspension by the Tribunal shall not commence
any such suspension:-
Until he physically domiciled in Adelaide, has presented himself to the General
Manager of the SABL and his registration accepted. Before the commencement
of the scheduled playing season.
44. ENFORCEMENTS OF DECISIONS AND DIRECTIONS OF LEAGUE
In the event of the refusal or failure of a Club to obey a decision or direction of the Board or the League given in accordance with these By-Laws, such Club may be fined, or may be disqualified from playing any of the other League Clubs for such period as the Board deems fit. Alternatively or in addition, the League may suspend for such period as it deems fit, the rights of the delegate members and proxy delegates of such Club to vote at meetings of the League or of any Committee.
Top
45. REPORTING SCORES
(1) The League requires that, at the earliest opportunity on a Saturday, and in any event before 6.30pm, each Club must ring the designated Club for that round of matches and provide the scores for the games played on that Club’s grounds. The designated Club will then advise the Sunday Mail, in accordance with the directions given, of the results it has obtained.
(2) Immediately after the completion of the Division 1 game on a Sunday, and the reconciliation of the score books, the home Club scorer is to ring the Advertiser’s Sporting Department (8206 2000) with the following details. Advise that they are baseball results and provide:
Score;
Hits for each team, including home runs, using surnames only, unless there
are two or more players with the same name, when initials should be given;
Highlights of the game, if requested.
In addition, the scorer is to provide the Division 2 result.
(3) Prior to 10.00am on the Monday following the weekend round of matches each Club is to advise the League office (‘phone, fax, email,) of all home ground results.
(4) With regard to Division 1 twilight games, the home team, (which may not
be the winning team), is to provide the League office by 10.00am on the following
Thursday the details set out in paragraph 2 ( a-c ) above.
(5) With regard to other grade twilight matches, the results are to be accumulated for the following Monday, as set out above.
(1) The uniform of the League shall be of a design approved by the League.
(2) (a) The General Manager of the League shall obtain a written receipt from the Manager of any South Australian team for uniforms and materials issued and such Manager shall accept responsibility for the proper care and return of same in good order and condition.
(b) The players of any team may be required by the General Manager of the League or the Manager to lodge a deposit of an amount not exceeding $100 to be held as security and to be repaid on return of the uniforms in satisfactory condition.
(c) Any player who has been selected or represented South Australia in any Australian Baseball Championship game may, upon application to the League, be given permission to purchase at his own expense an approved blazer and/or jacket bearing upon the pocket the emblem of the League.
(d) Upon his initial selection, any player, so selected, shall be entitled to one State Cap at the expense of the League and such Cap can only be replaced upon a subsequent selection upon presenting his old Cap to the General Manager of the League who upon being satisfied as to its age and condition may issue an order for replacement. Should a player require a new Cap at any other time it shall be at his own expense.
(e) Players chosen to represent South Australia in other than teams in the Australian Championships may be given permission to purchase a blazer or jacket by the League or may be issued with a Cap of such design as approved being other than that approved for (c) and (d) above.
(f) The Junior Baseball Committee shall obtain approval from the League to issue blazers and/or jackets for the members of any junior State teams.
(3) When an Interstate match is to be played outside South Australia, every member of the team shall leave and return with the team unless prior exemption is granted by the League to any player.
(1) No League Club may take part in any match other than that arranged by the League without prior consent of the League.
(2) Should any such match be approved to be played outside South Australia consent shall also be obtained from the controlling body of baseball in the State in which the match is to be played.
(1) Umpires shall be paid such amounts as determined by the Board of the League and those payments should be reviewed annually, to keep them in line with the movement of the consumer price index (CPI) at 30th June in each year.
(2) Should any match set down to be played and at which an Umpire attends, not take place, the Umpire shall receive the prescribed fee.
(3) In the event of any Umpire failing to attend the match to which he has been appointed, the home club shall have the power to appoint a substitute, and that substitute must comply with the requirements set out in the Playing Rules of these By-Laws.
Top
49. FAILURE TO FIELD A TEAM
The League may suspend or otherwise deal with a Club which fails to field a team in any competition match.
In addition the defaulting Club shall incur a fine equivalent to the total dues or subscriptions which may have been due to the League had the match been played. In such cases, the Club receiving a forfeit shall be exempt from payment of any dues or subscriptions for the match concerned.
Clubs fielding more than one team in League competitions shall not be permitted to forfeit a match in a higher grade whilst still contesting a match in a lower grade. This By-Law shall not apply to the forfeiture of a match in any grade concerning which any special prescription has been made regarding age of players or other special qualification.
Top
50. EXPELLED PLAYING MEMBERS
A Club which has expelled or disqualified a playing member shall forward to the General Manager of the League within one week of such expulsion or disqualification the name of such playing member, together with particulars of the offence for which he was expelled or disqualified.
Such player may, within seven days, apply to the General Manager of the League for an appeal against his expulsion or disqualification to be heard by the Tribunal.
(3) No Club or any Club or body affiliated with the League shall be allowed to play such players until his case has been finally decided by the Tribunal.
Top
51. MANAGERS
Any Club may, or the League may direct that any Club shall, appoint a Manager for any team or teams who shall:
(1) Be subject to the jurisdiction of the Umpires at all matches.
(2) Be subject to such rules regarding duties, dress or other matter as the League may from time to time prescribe.
Top
52. SCORERS
Each Club shall supply one scorer for each match in which any team competes and such scorer shall:
During the course of such match be regarded as an official of the League as prescribed in these By-Laws and score in accordance with Section 10 of the official rules of baseball as recognised by this League.
Shall render assistance to the Umpire of the match by completing the match result cards and responding to requests for game information.
Not be subject to permit rules regarding registration, permit or transfers.
All Scorers MUST sit together during their game in a neutral location with an unobstructed view of the play.
If scorers refuse to sit together the umpire will refer to the Home scorer’s
book ONLY.
Be subject to appropriate qualification as the League may from time to time
prescribe upon the recommendation of the Scorers Association.
Top
53. PENALTIES, SUSPENSIONS, ETC.
(1) Any Club, team or affiliated body under suspension shall forfeit all rights and privileges held under or in the League or its property, and its members shall be debarred from taking part in any match organised by or under the auspices of the League.
(2) The League shall have power to endorse any suspension or disqualification imposed by any controlling body of Baseball, either in or outside of South Australia; provided that such notification shall be received by the League in writing.
(3) Any Club, member, player or delegate thereof, or an affiliated body refusing or failing to obey or carry out a decision or direction of the League given in accordance with the Rules or By-Laws of the League shall be liable to:
(a) Suspension or disqualification for such period as the League may deem fit;
(b) The rights of the delegates of such Club or affiliated body to vote at meetings of the League or any Committee may be suspended for such period as the League may deem fit;
(c) Such other fine or penalty may be imposed as the League may deem fit.
(4) The League shall have power to fine, suspend, disqualify or otherwise deal with any Club, member, player or delegate thereof or an Affiliated Body, for any act or misdemeanour not otherwise specifically provided for in the By-Laws of the League.
54. STANDING ORDERS FOR ALL LEAGUE MEETINGS
(1) A member desirous of speaking must address the Chairman and no member speaking shall be interrupted unless called to order, in which case he shall stop and the member calling to order shall, in the first place, name the standing order under which he rises, and, if found by the Chairman to be correct, shall be heard in preference to any other speaker, and the question of order shall be disposed of before the subject is resumed or any other subject entered upon.
(2) No member shall speak twice without the approval of the Chairman on the original question except by way of explanation or as the mover in reply. Nevertheless, a member who may have been misrepresented or misunderstood shall be allowed to explain, immediately before the mover exercises his rights to reply. After the reply, the amendment or the original motion, as the case may be, shall immediately be put to the vote.
(3) Whenever an amendment is moved upon an original motion, no second amendment shall be taken into consideration until the first amendment has been disposed of. If the amendment be carried it shall form part of or replace the original question and become itself the question, whereupon a further amendment may be moved.
(4) If two or more members desire to speak at the same time, the Chairman shall decide which is entitled to pre-audience.
(5) No member shall speak for longer than ten minutes at any one time without the consent of the meeting
(6) A member who uses any expression capable of being applied offensively to any other member shall, if required, by the Chairman, withdraw such expression and make a satisfactory apology to the meeting. A member, having used objectionable words and not retracting same and apologising to the satisfaction of the meeting, may be censured, or the meeting may pass a resolution inflicting on him such penalty or fine as the meeting deems fit.
(7) When, in consequence of disorderly conduct the Chairman shall call a member to order by name, such member shall withdraw from the meeting room immediately or, if he desires to explain, as soon as he has been heard in explanation. If he does not so withdraw after being called upon by the Chairman so to do, he may be expelled during the pleasure of the meeting. After such member’s withdrawal the meeting shall at once take the case into consideration.
(8) If any objection be taken to the ruling or decision of the Chairman, such objection must be taken at once.
(9) If objection is taken to the ruling or decision of the Chairman, the member so objecting shall put the nature of his objection forward. Should the motion not be seconded, the business shall be proceeded with at the point where it was interrupted, but if the motion be seconded, the motion so raised shall be dealt with.
(10) No member shall converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance whilst a member is speaking or any matter is being considered. In case of such noise or disturbance being persisted in after the Chairman has called to order, the Chairman shall call upon the member making such disturbances by name, and the meeting may thereupon pass a resolution censuring such member or inflicting on him such penalty or fine as the meeting deems fit.
(11) When a question is being put to the vote, or when the Chairman is speaking, or a member is addressing the Chair, no member shall interrupt him in any manner, nor shall a member interrupt another whilst speaking, except:
(a) To request that any words used by him and objected to be taken down;
(b) To call attention to a point of order;
(c) To call attention to the want of a quorum.
(12) A member who is not in his seat shall be permitted to vote on any question.
(13) No member shall speak to any question after the same has been put by the Chairman except to call for a ballot upon the question. A record of the voting of such ballot shall be entered in the minutes of the Meeting.
(14) A motion "that the question be now put" moved and seconded, shall take precedence over all other business and shall be put by the Chairman without any discussion, provided that no such motion shall be made so as to interrupt a member whilst speaking.
(15) If the motion for the question to be put be lost, the discussion on the original question shall be resumed where it was interrupted and no similar motion shall be again entertained until one or more members shall have addressed the Chairman upon the question.
(16) No member shall reflect upon any vote of the Meeting except for the purpose of moving that such vote be rescinded.
(17) No discussion shall be allowed on a motion for leave to withdraw a motion or an amendment then before the Meeting.
(18) A debate may be adjourned on a motion, passed without discussion, either to a later hour of the same day or to another day.
(19) The member, upon whose motion any debate shall have been adjourned by the Meeting, shall be entitled to pre-audience on the resumption of the debate.
The Chairman shall have a casting vote only, and in case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall exercise such casting vote, and if any reason be given by him it shall be entered in the minutes and proceedings.
55. OPERATIONAL BY-LAWS FOR ALL LEAGUE MEETINGS
The Junior Baseball Committee, Baseball Umpires Association and any other body prescribed by the League may make any By-Laws for the conduct of the business of such body, but such By-Laws or any alteration or repeal of any such by-Laws, shall not be effective until the approval of the Board has been obtained.
In the conduct of the business of any body, any matter not provided for in the By-Laws of such body shall be governed by the By-Laws of the League.
Any matter of any kind whatsoever not dealt with or provided for in the By-laws of the League may be dealt with in such manner as the Board may deem fit.
Top
57. TIMING
These Rules and By-Laws shall take effect as from the day of the passing thereof.
58. SCHEDULE OF FEES, CHARGES & FINES
BY-LAW |
SUMMARY OF BY-LAW |
AMOUNT OF FEE,
CHARGE, FINE |
| 4 | (4) League losses - levies | As determined by the Board |
| 4 | (7) Subscriptions and Fees | |
| (1) Affiliation | $2 minimum - refer 24(3) | |
| (2) Registration and transfer | Refer 40(1) - registrations & 46(9) - transfer disputes | |
| (3) Match | Determined annually by the Board | |
| (4) Contributions for insurance, travel | Determined annually by the Board | |
| (5) Disputes |
$200 - refer 27(4)(a) | |
| (6) Protests | $200 - refer 28(5)(a) | |
| 11.3 | Annual match fees etc. | Determined annually by the Board by 31st May |
| 14.2(c) | Tribunal penalties | |
| (1) Melee rule - first time | $250 | |
| (2) Melee rule - second time | $500 | |
| 14.3(f) | Tribunal hearings | |
| (vii) Disrespectful behaviour | Not exceeding $50 | |
| 15 | Neglect to attend summoned meeting | As determined by the Board |
| 16 | Playing disqualified members | As determined by the Board |
| 17(7) | Withdrawal of nominated team | $250 (refer also 63.23) |
| 59 | Playing rules and conditions | |
| (1) 19.2 - age group violation | $30 per player | |
| (2) 24 Fines | ||
| Late Official Result Sheets | $20 per sheet | |
| No shade on benches | $50 | |
| Ground infringement reported by umpire | $20 | |
| Forfeit | $20 plus total fees due for match | |
| Official Result Sheet not filled in | $20 | |
| 20(3) | Affiliated Associations nomination | As determined by the Board - minimum of $2 |
| 22(4) | Disputes between clubs | $200 |
| 24(5) | Match protests | $200 |
| 28(8) | Misconduct charge proven | As determined by the Board |
| 35 | Registration of players | |
| (1) Registration and insurance fees | Determined annually by the Board by 31st May | |
| (6) Incorrect information | $30 per player | |
| 37 | Rules relating to clearances & transfers | |
| (4) Fee payment guidelines | $20 per point - $3,000 maximum | |
| (9) Disputes | $100 each club | |
| 46 | Representative matches - uniform deposit | Up to $100 maximum |
| 49 | Failure to field a team | $20 (from playing rules and conditions fines) |
