News and Announcements
Basic C.A.B.C. Tournament Rules & Regulations
1. Unless otherwise prescribed, the Official Baseball Rules shall be in force.
Stan Musial, Connie Mack/Don Mattingly, and Mickey Mantle/Ken Griffey, Jr. Divisions- designated hitter (DH) for the pitcher only and no re-entry (Rule 702, 803, 902).
Re-entry is permitted in Sandy Koufax/Nolan Ryan (Rule 1002); Pee Wee Reese/Gil Hodges (Rule 1106); Willie Mays/Jackie Robinson (Rule 1206) and Roberto Clemente Divisions (Rule 1308). No DH is permitted.
2. Any game not legally completed because of inclement weather or other unforeseen developments shall be a suspended game and play shall be resumed from the point of suspension. (Rule 214)
3. All games are scheduled for 7 innings except Willie Mays/Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente which are only 6 innings. All games must be completed; no terminated games allowed. Any game not legally completed because of inclement weather or other unforeseen developments shall be a suspended game and play shall be resumed from the point of suspension. In C.A.B.C. tournament competition, a game shall be legally completed after five (5) innings if the visiting team is ahead and after four and one-half (4 1/2) innings if the home team is ahead is Stan Musial, Connie Mack/Don Mattingly, Mickey Mantle/Ken Griffey, Jr., Sandy Koufax/Nolan Ryan and Pee Wee Reese/Gil Hodges. In Willie Mays/Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, a game shall be legally completed after four (4) innings if the visiting team is ahead and after three and one-half (3 1/2) innings if the home team is ahead. In any suspended game, the pitcher’s record for innings pitched shall be considered on a calendar day basis.4. In all Stan Musial, Connie Mack/Don Mattingly, Mickey Mantle/Ken Griffey, Jr., Sandy Koufax/Nolan Ryan and Pee Wee Reese/Gil Hodges games, games are scheduled for seven innings, but will be terminated after 5 innings if a team has an eight run lead. (Four and a half if the home team is ahead.) (Rule 203).
All Willie Mays/Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente games are scheduled for six innings, but will be terminated after 4 innings if a team has an eight run lead. (Three and a half if the home team is ahead.) (Rule 203).
5. The batter must wear protective headgear, with double flaps, both while at bat and while running the bases; and the catcher must wear protective headgear, cup and protector (or mask with built in throat guard) while catching. The umpires have been instructed to rigidly enforce these requirements, without exception, and deviations will NOT be permitted. A catcher’s mask, cup and helmet must also be worn when warming up a pitcher on the field or in the bull pen. (Rule 221(b) and(c)).
6. Coaching staff must be uniformly dressed. No one other than the 24 players (Musial), 22 players (Connie Mack) or 20 players (all other programs), 1 manager, 2 coaches and 1 scorekeeper are permitted in the dugout or field area.
7. Dates, time and/or sites of tournament games are subject to change at the discretion of the designated Tournament Director. (Rule 201(g)).
8. In tournament play, no team shall be permitted to play more than two (2) games in one calendar day without direct permission from the national office. (Rule 202 and 217).
9. Players must sign the Tournament Team Roster in the presence of the Site Director. If player is not present at initial registration, he must register before he plays. Signatures must match original roster.
10. No player may be added to the roster after initial certification except as provided in national rules.
11. All rules of the AABC Official Handbook are to be strictly followed and the burden of understanding the rules is on the team manager. This includes, but is not limited to, the pitching rules and pairings (Rule 211).
12. Protests on rule interpretation are decided by the Tournament Committee (or its representatives) on the field. Appeals must be made immediately (before the next pitch is thrown) to the Site Director after the play in dispute and citation to the specific rule from the AABC Official Handbook or Major League Rule Book being protested. The protest will not be considered without a citation of a rule.
13. Batting practice: Regulations will differ at various Tournaments; consult your designated Tournament Director and/or the Tournament Committee.
14. All teams in tournament must present original birth certificates, or a legible copy of same, and a roster of all their players to the Tournament Director. Also, all players must sign on day of play before the first game a tournament team roster in order to be eligible to play in the tournament.
15. All teams competing in tournament play must be fully covered by both Medical & Liability Insurance. A copy must be submitted and kept on file with the Tournament Director.
16. A. Any runner is out when the runner does not slide legally.
a. On a "force play", a legal slide shall be a slide in which the runner is capable of touching the bag from the runner’s sliding position.
b. Notwithstanding Subsection (A), a runner shall be deemed to have made an illegal slide if the runner contacts or attempts to contact the fielder:
i. Above the fielder’s knee with the runner’s spikes;
ii. By either "rolling" or "leg whipping" the fielder; or
iii. In a manner that the umpire deems to be unsafe and not a legitimate baseball play.
B. Any runner is out when the runner does not attempt to avoid contact with a fielder who has possession of the ball and is attempting to make a tag.
a. For Subsection (B), a fielder who is in the process of eminently fielding a ball shall be considered a fielder in "possession" of the ball.
C. Penalty for A & B. The ball is dead and no runners shall advance beyond the last base attained prior to the illegal slide or contact. If the slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the game.
17. Trips to the mound will follow the Major League rule. A pitcher who is removed from the mound to play another position may return as a pitcher if he was not removed because of trips to the mound (Rule 201(b)). In those divisions in which re-entry is allowed, a starting player who pitches at any time and who is removed from the mound to the bench may re-enter as a pitcher if he was not removed because of trips to the mound.
18. If a player or coach is ejected he must sit the next game. If he is ejected a second time, he will not be permitted to appear in the balance of the tournament. If a coach is ejected or suspended he must leave the field and the stands. He cannot be viewable from anyone on the field or in the stands. If a player is ejected or suspended and he is not deemed a disruptive influence by the site director he may remain on the bench so he can be supervised by the coaches.
19. There will be no degrading cheering or chanting. If the umpire or Site Director determines a violation there will be one warning. Thereafter players or coaches will be ejected.
20. All players and coaches must remain in the dugout or in the bench area unless they are playing or coaching. They may not sit on the dugout steps or the area around the dugout or bench. They also may not stand against or near the backstop. If there is a violation, one warning will be issued. Thereafter players or coaches will be ejected. If an argument or fight breaks out on the field any player leaving the dugout or bench area will be ejected.
21. If there are problems with the weather the Tournament Director has the sole discretion to decide who is declared the Champion (appeals may be made to the State President only if the rules are not applied properly). First he will eliminate all teams with a loss if there is/are undefeated teams. (If only one team is undefeated that team will be declared the winner).
Next the AABC Official Handbook ‘POOL PLAY’ Rule 212 will apply if all the teams left have played each other.
If all the teams left have not played each other, the following will apply:
1. Least total runs given up;
2. Most total runs scored;
3. Net runs;
4. Draw.
Please note with regard to 1, 2 and 3 the number of games is not a factor to consider as the schedule (the number of games) is by luck of the draw.
22. All tournaments must make every effort to be done by the Sunday night prior to the start of the Regional Tournament. No game may start after 9:00 P.M. on Sunday. Exceptions can only be granted by the State President at the request of the Tournament Director.
23. The bat rule as per Rule 221 applies as indicated.
24. Formal complaints have to be submitted in writing to the President of the CABC.
25. Under no circumstances may a player compete in Tournament competition at more than one age group Division.
26. In the event a team which plays in more than one League qualifies for a Tournament from more than one League, it must declare for which League it will compete in Tournament play. This declaration must be made by June 1st of the current year.
27. If more than one team on which a player plays qualifies for Tournament play, the player may choose for which team he will play in Tournament play. However, the player may only play for one team in Tournament play.
28. A team playing in the State Tournament may add up to three (3) extra players from other teams in its League. These players will count toward the limit specified in Rule 105 of the AABC Official Handbook.
29. If a player refuses a valid request to play as an extra player for a team, he shall be deemed to be suspended and shall be ineligible for all further post-season play.
30. In the event a team plays in more than one League and does not qualify for Tournament play from any such League, priority for drafting players listed on that team’s roster shall be given to teams in the League which that team declared it would compete for in Tournament play.
31. In the event a team does not participate in a Regional Tournament/World Series for which it has earned the right to advance, the following sanctions shall be imposed:
A. The team shall be suspended and shall be ineligible for post-season play for the following year.B. The League which the team represents shall pay a $1,000.00 fee to the CABC.
C. The coach(es) and/or player(s) shall be subject to further sanctions, to be determined by the President of the CABC.
No sanctions shall be imposed if a replacement team for the Regional Tournament is found. Such replacement team must have participated in the CABC State Tournament.
32. The use of NOCSAE approved protection headgear (hardhat) must be worn by base coaches while in the field of play. Coaches will wear a helmet with either a single, double or no flap helmet while in the coaches box. Failure to do so, will result in ejection from the game.
33. Pitch Smart Guidelines will be used in all State Tournaments.
34. Additional Tournament Rules & Regulations not mentioned above shall be at the discretion of the Tournament Director and/or the Tournament Committee and/or C.A.B.C.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE AABC OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
2014 ANNUAL MEETING REPORT
** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CABC STATE DUES ARE $15.00 PER TEAM AND THE AABC NATIONAL DUES ARE $30.00 PER TEAM. THERE IS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $5.00 PER TEAM FOR REGIONAL DUES (THIS CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE CHECK FOR YOUR STATE DUES.)
REVIEW OF MARCH, 2014 CABC ANNUAL MEETING
The CABC Annual Meeting was held on March 12, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Coco Key Hotel & Convention Center in Waterbury. A quorum was present to conduct the business of the meeting. Following is a review of the issues discussed at the meeting:
1. Overview of 2013 Season- 2013 was another successful season for the CABC. Teams from Hodges (Yard Dogs), Ryan (Seymour) and Musial (Stratford Storm) won World Series.
2. Registrations- Connecticut’s registrations decreasedfrom 202 teams to 196 teams. The number of Leagues decreased from 20 to 17.
3. Budget- The Treasurer's Report was handed out. As of March 12, 2014, the CABC had a balance of $14,654.37.
4. Insurance- The official carrier of AABC insurance remains K & K Insurance Group, Inc. Application forms are available online on the AABC’s website. Rates have increased for 2014, especially at the Musial level. Discounts are available for Leagues registering all of their teams at once. Teams/Leagues have the option to apply for $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 for liability and participant accident coverage.
THE AABC NO LONGER ISSUES INSURANCE WAIVERS. THEREFORE, ALL TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN TOURNAMENT PLAY ABOVE THE STATE LEVEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE K & K INSURANCE.
Tony Santoro emphasized the need to have policies in place for: (1) screening of volunteers (there is a link on the AABC for Lexis/Nexis, where information is available for background screening); and (2) obtaining signed Waiver and Release forms. If teams/leagues fail to enforce a system to secure and maintain signed waivers, there will be less insurance coverage.
The CABC purchased Directors and Officers Liability Coverage in 2013 and has done so again in 2014.
5. Review of AABC Annual Meeting
(A) Rule Changes: Tony Santoro reported that some rules changes were adopted to the AABC Official Handbook at the National Meeting held in New Orleans, LA in November, 2013. Copies of the rules changes were handed out at the meeting and are also available on the CABC website.
AN EXTENDED DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE REGARDING THE NEW RULES FOR ADDING PLAYERS. PLEASE PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THESE NEW RULES (RULE 105 IN THE HANDBOOK), AS WELL AS RULE 106(D) (CHANGING THE NUMBER OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAMES A PLAYER MUST PLAY IN TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TOURNAMENT COMPETITION FROM 3 TO 1) AND RULE 221(E) (CLARIFYING THE BAT RULE FOR THE GRIFFEY THROUGH MUSIAL DIVISIONS).
(B) World Series Formats: Most World Series will have ten (10) teams this year.
(C) World Series Travel Allowances: Teams in our Region will receive the following World Series allowances from our Region’s allotment from the National Office:
Mack- $6,535
Mantle- $6,535
Koufax- $6,535
Ryan- $3,000
Reese- $6,465
Mays- $6,465
Robinson- $3,000
Clemente- $6,465
Teams will receive an additional travel allowance from our Region, and our Region will pay the entry fees for Robinson and Griffey participants.
(D) AABC Website: The AABC website is being updated. More information will follow. It is anticipated that rosters will now be required to be entered online.
(E) Single-Age Groups: Tony Santoro stressed that it is extremely important for any League wishing to participate in single-age group play to notify him as early as possible, so that he can reserve a slot in the World Series and determine if a State Tournament will be needed.
6. 2014 World Series, Regional and State Tournament Dates- A list of World Series, Regional and State Tournament dates for 2014 was handed out. These dates (which are posted on the CABC website) are current as of March 2, 2014 and are subject to change.
7. Review of Regional Meeting
(A) Regional Dues: Each CT team that won a Regional Tournament (other than Musial) and advanced to a World Series in 2013 received money from the Region. In 2014, the Region will distribute all dues it receives for travel reimbursements.
(B) Entry Fees for Regional Tournaments: Each team participating in a Regional Tournament will be charged an enry fee. It is expected to be approximately $250/team.
(C) Reese: CT may have two (2) slots in the Reese Regional Tournament.
(D) Musial: Our Region will once again have 2 slots in the World Series. CT will host one of the Regional Tournaments, with teams from Massachusetts.
(E) Regional Tournament Packages: Regional Tournament Directors have been asked to distribute information packages packages no later than July 1st.
(F) Draws: Pairings for Regional Tournaments will be drawn by the Regional Director.
8. CABC Rules
(A) Teams In More Than One League: A form for those teams participating in more than one League has been posted on the CABC website. In the event a team which plays in more than one League qualifies for a Tournament from more than one League, it must declare for which League it will compete in Tournament play. This declaration must be made by June 1st.
(B) Players On More Than One Team: If more than one team on which a player plays qualifies for Tournament play, the player may choose for which team he will play in Tournament play. However, the player may only play for one team in Tournament play.
(C) Extra Players: A team playing in the State Tournament may add up to three (3) extra players from other teams in its League. These players will count toward the limit specified in new Rule 105 of the AABC Official Handbook.
9. 2014 CABC Officers and Directors- The following people were elected as Officers and Directors of the CABC:
President/Treasurer Tony Santoro
Vice President Ray Brown
Secretary Wendy Stadalnik
Musial Director Mike Fedell
Mack Director Mark Finkenzeller
Mantle Director Mark Finkenzeller
Koufax Director Ray Brown
Reese Director Bill Ryan
Mays Director Tony Stango
Clemente Director Wendy Stadalnik
10. Deadlines for Registrations, Insurance, Schedules and 2014 State Tournament Bids, Etc.- Following is a list of important deadlines:
May 15- Deadline for submitting State Tournament Bids
June 1- (1) State Tournaments Awarded
(2) Deadline for declaration of preference for tournament play by teams in more than one League
June 15- (1) AABC Registration Form due at National Office, with National Dues of $30.00 per team- Clemente, Mays 9, Mays, Hodges, Reese, Nolan Ryan 13s and Koufax
(2) Deadline for establishing residence
July 1- (1) AABC Registration Form due at National Office, with National Dues of $30.00 per team- Griffey 15s, Mantle, Mattingly, Mack and Musial
(2) CABC Rosters due at State Office, with State and Regional Dues
(3) Copies of Schedules due at State Office
11. State/Regional Tournaments- The following issues were reviewed:
(A) Insurance is mandatory for all levels of Tournament play, including State Tournaments.
(B) Under no circumstances may a player compete in Tournament competition at more than one age group Division, as specified in the AABC Official Handbook.
(C) Teams will be required to sign an “Intent Agreement” in order to participate in the State Tournament. Copies of the Agreement are available on the CABC website.
12. 2014 State Tournament Bid Forms- Any team or League wishing to submit a bid should contact Tony Santoro. Single-age Tournaments are open to teams that will commit to advance.
13. Regional Tournaments- Connecticut hosted the Clemente and Mantle Regional Tournaments last year. Both Tournaments were very successful. Tony Santoro thanked Ray Brown and the Tournament Committees for making these Tournaments such a success.
Teams were housed at the Coco Key Hotel in Waterbury. We have developed an excellent working relationship with this hotel.
Connecticut has been awarded the 2014 Clemente and Koufax Regional Tournaments, as well as one of the Musial Regionals.
14. 2014 Qualifying Tournaments- Please check the AABC website for information on Qualifying Tournaments. It is expected that many Qualifiers will be held this year.
15. Miscellaneous
(A) Background Checks
All managers, coaches, chaperones or other volunteers must be checked against the State Sex Offenders Registry. Each League is responsible for checking the registry with respect to each League team. Each League will have to certify to the CABC that all such persons have been checked against the Registry. If any person does appear on the Registry, Tony Santoro is to be notified in writing immediately. Failure to follow this procedure may result in loss of insurance coverage and/or disqualification from Tournament play.
This requirement does not apply to the Musial Division.
A Certification Form which must be signed and returned to the CABC by a League official is available on the CABC website.
(B) Portable Fence- Bill Ryan has looked into the possibility of purchasing a portable fence which can be used for State Tournament games. At this time there is no place to store the fence.
(C) Connecticut Combat/Lou Spataj- Lou Spataj and the Combat were put on probation at the beginning of the 2013 season. This year they failed to advance to the Ryan World Series in Battle Creek, MI, despite having signed an Intent Agreement. The CABC may have to reimburse the Tournament Host $400.00 for the Tournament entry fee. After discussion by the Board of Directors, it was decided that Mr. Spataj and the CT Combat would be indefinitely suspended, making them ineligible for Tournament play.
(D) 13U World Series Classic- Battle Creek, MI will be hosting this Tournament from July 24-27. This is not the same as the AABC Nolan Ryan World Series. Any teams interested in participating in Battle Creek should contact Tony Santoro. There is a 4 game minimum, and the cost is $450.00/team.
(E) CABA World Series- Any teams interested in participating in these Tournaments should contact Tony Santoro.
(F) Flat Seam Baseballs- Tony Santoro stated that flat seam baseballs may be used at the Mack World Series this year. It is possible that these balls will be used at other age levels in the future.
(G) Drafting of Players- Tony Santoro indicated that there was a significant problem last year regarding whether or not a player had refused a draft. Tony Santoro strongly recommended that, in the future, the person conducting a draft make every effort to verify with a player or his parent that the player has refused a draft. This can be done by phone, text, email, etc.
(H) Security at Tournaments- Tony Santoro reported that a potentially serious issue occurred at the Mantle Regional Tournament last year, where there was a confrontation between an umpire and a group of fans. Fortunately this incident was addressed before it escalated. Tony Santoro asked that all Site Directors be sensitive to these types of situations. If there are future occurrences, the umpires may require a police presence at Tournaments.
(I) Behavior of Players, Coaches, Fans- Tony Santoro commented on a disturbing trend in unsportsmanlike behavior over the last couple of years. This seems to be occurring in all sports, not just baseball. It is recommended that League officials address this issue with their teams, so that it does not become a problem.
(J) Safety Issues- Tony Santoro recommended that Leagues/teams keep abreast of the latest safety equipment/protective gear which is available. For example, chest protectors/guards, face protectors and skull caps are available for younger players. Protective caps are also available for pitchers.
For the tenth consecutive year, Connecticut is proud to host the Clemente North Atlantic Regional Tournament. The Tournament will be played at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury, CT (1200 Watertown Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06708). The Tournament will run from July 10th through July 13th. The winner advances to the Clemente World Series in McDonough, GA to be played from July 23th through July 27th.
Teams participating in the Clemente Regional will stay at the Coco Key Hotel and Convention Center (3580 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT). Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 1-800-446-1449 or 1-203-706-1000. TO RECEIVE THE GROUP RATE, YOU MUST IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A MEMBER OF THE ROBERTO CLEMENTE NORTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ROOM BLOCK.
The Tournament Director is Ray Brown. He can be reached by email at RayBrown24@aol.com
Connecticut is proud to have been chosen as the host of the Sandy Koufax North Atlantic Regional Tournament. The Tournament will be played at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury (1200 Watertown Avenue, Waterbury, CT) and at other fields in Waterbury. The Tournament will run from July 24th through July 27th. The winner advances to the Koufax World Series in Bartlesville, OK to be played from August 6th through August 10th.
Teams participating in the Koufax Regional will stay at the Coco Key Hotel and Convention Center (3580 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT). Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 1-800-446-1449 or 1-203-706-1000. TO RECEIVE THE GROUP RATE, YOU MUST IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A MEMBER OF THE SANDY KOUFAX NORTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ROOM BLOCK.
The Tournament Director is Ray Brown. He can be reached by email at RayBrown24@aol.com
UPDATED AABC WEBSITE
THE AABC WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED. THE NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE END OF MARCH, 2014. TEAMS AND LEAGUES WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER ON THE UPDATED WEBSITE, AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT ROSTERS WILL BE INPUT ONLINE. THE UPDATED WEBSITE WILL HAVE POWERFUL NEW COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING TOOLS.
