Rules | GDSL

GDSL rules

Franchises

Any team holding a franchise in the GDSL shall retain and exercise its franchise without need for re-acceptance to membership, providing that it has fulfilled all of its obligations to the league.

All GDSL franchises agree to abide by the rules,regulations and obligations.

If a franchise does not abide by the rules, regulations and obligations, it is subject to revocation. The following steps will occur if a franchise is to be revoked.

The franchise that is to be revoked must be told so in writing by the commissioner.
An emergency league meeting will be held. At the league meeting the franchise that is to be revoked will have a chance to answer the charges and defend themselves.
To revoke a franchise it must take a majority of franchise holders voting. The commissioner is not allowed to vote on this matter, even to break a tie. In the event of a tie vote, the franchise will be placed on probation for a season. If another violation occurs. They are immediately expelled from the league.

If a franchise is revoked, they will have the opportunity to re-apply for league membership the following season.

Roster

The roster limit is 28 per franchise.

Player Movement

A player is not considered to be on a team until he has played in a game or paid his league fee for a team.
If a player is to move teams during the season he needs to let the commissioner know his intent along with the player's current team.
- A player can move as long as his financial commitment is taken care of to his current team, and he is granted a release by his current team
If a player owes a league fee to a team, he can be blacklisted until the player pays his league fee to the prior team.

League

Protest Procedure: Games are to be protested within 24 hours of completion. The commissioner will then respond to the protest within 24 hours.
Shortened Season: The commissioner may cut short the season and/or the playoffs in order to complete the season and/or playoffs in a timely manner in the event of rain outs or outside circumstances. This will be brought up at an emergency meeting and discussed and voted on.
Make-Up Games: Unless otherwise agreed upon, all GDSL games will be played to completion. We may use other fields to achieve this.
Forfeits: If a team should forfeit, they will be fined $275.00 dollars to be paid by the next game. If they do not pay by the next game they will be subject to league revocation.
Suspended Games: Games will be suspended if it is a tie game going into the curfew. The suspended game will be finished the next time the two teams play.
Grace Period: If the manager feels that he needs an extra 10-15 minutes to get his guys there, he must request to the commissioner a time extension at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. A grace period will not be granted for a GDSL game that follows a Babe Ruth game.

Rules

Rules of Play

The MLB rulebook shall govern the playing of all league games except rules that are specific to the GDSL as contained herein.

Designated Hitter/P

A team can utilize their pitcher as a DH also. On the lineup card the manager will have to designate their pitcher as a DH/1. Once the pitcher is out of the game he continues in the lineup as a DH

Slide Rule

If there happens to be a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line with clear possession of the ball, the runner may make contact, slide into or make contact with a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base (plate).

Contact above the waist that was initiated by the base runner shall not be judged as an attempt to reach the base or plate. The runner may not attempt to dislodge the ball from the fielder. Contact above the waist shall be judged by the umpire as an attempt by the runner to dislodge the ball. The runner must attempt to avoid a collision if he can reach the base without colliding. If the runner’s path to the base is blocked and (a), (b) and (c) are fulfilled, it is considered unavoidable contact

Mercy Rule

The GDSL mercy rule consists of ten (10) runs after seven (7) innings of play for a nine (9) inning game. It is ten (10) after five (5) innings of play for a seven (7) inning game.

Extra Hitter
The extra hitter can play any defensive position with the exception of the pitcher. If you choose to use the extra hitter, he must be used for the entire game. Once a player is marked on the lineup card as the EH, he is not able to pitch that game.

Postseason Format

Playoff Eligibility

To be eligible for the playoffs, a player must appeared in 6 games throughout the season

Playoff format:

Round 1: #4 v #5 (single elimination)

Round 1: #3 v #6 (single elimination)

Round 2: #1 v 4v5 winner (best of 3)

Round 2: #2 v 3/6 winner (best of 3)

Finals: Best of 3

Seeding

Seeding will be determined by the final standings.

Tiebreakers

For playoffs the tie breaks are the following.

Record v tied teams.
Run differential between tied teams

Code of Ethics

Players must refrain from using vile and profane language. In general, it is expected that players will be under control and not use obscenities. It is further expected that the manager will control the language used by their teams. Any physical violence is subject to immediate expulsion from the league. Game personnel will not use language that reflects negatively on opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators

Ejections

All ejections will carry a minimum of one (1) game suspension. The ejected player must leave the field in a timely manner without disrupting the game. The commissioner will determine if the ejection is more than one (1) game.

First ejection. One game suspension
- Notification of appeal from the player or manager immediately following the game.
- The commissioner will discuss with both managers at the game along with the officials at the game.
- The appeal will be settled within 24 hours of notification
Second ejection. Two game suspension. Can not be appealed.
Third ejection. Automatic suspension for the reminder of the season. Can not be appealed.

Abuse of Officials

Any verbal or physical abuse of officials is not permitted and will result in a season suspension. This will not be appealable

Fighting

Any fighting or bench clearing incidents will result in immediate suspension and will be determined by the commissioner with no chance at an appeal.

Intentionally Throwing at a Batter

Any pitcher that is ejected for intentionally throwing at a batter shall be suspended for the team’s next four consecutive games. If a pitcher does it a second time the player will be expelled from the league.

Verbal Behavior

Game personnel will not use language that reflects negatively on opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators. The umpire will issue a warning and if the abuse continues will eject the offending person(s).