I - GOVERNMENT

COMPOSITION

The RCMBA will consist of fifteen teams divided into three divisions.
The divisions will be named Ernie Harwell, Harry Caray and Mel Allen.
Each team in the RCMBA will be managed by one person unless otherwise permitted by the commissioner.

MEMBERSHIP

All managers are expected to be honest, honorable and credible.
Any manager within the league may be replaced at the commissioner’s discretion.

COMMISSIONER

The RCMBA will be run under the direction of one person, the Commissioner.
He is responsible for administering all items necessary for the success of the association.
His decision or ruling on any league matter is final.

RULE CHANGES

Changes will be done in the form of a proposal to the entire league, issued from the Commissioner.
All non-expansion rule changes will require a 2/3 affirmative vote unless otherwise stated by the Commissioner.

EXPANSION

Expansion to the requested size will be permitted with a 3/4 affirmative vote by the league.
All existing teams will protect 15 players.
In each round, the new team(s) will select one player, from each existing team
At the conclusion of each round all existing teams will protect three additional players
The above will continue until the expansion team(s) reaches the designated roster size

II - PLAYER LIMITS and ELIGIBILITY

ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Any player carded in 30 man APBA rosters for the current year.
Non carded players may be carried on a roster, if the player has remained on any roster since last carded.

POSITION PLAYERS

GAME LIMITS
Position player game limits are not rounded and calculated as follows:
MLB PA per game @ 3.1 or more = actual games
MLB PA per game from 2.4 and 3.1 = actual games x 0.7
MLB PA per game less than 2.4 = actual plate appearances
The Commissioner will publish rosters of each team's position player game limits
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Qualification for use at a defensive position is determined by meeting either of the following criteria:
... played five games at that position in the last MLB season or
... If less than 100 games, played 5% of games (rounded) at that position(s)
Those NOT qualified at a position may be used as injury/eject sub ONLY IF no qualified players are available
The Commissioner will publish/post rosters showing each player's qualified defensive starting positions.
POSITION PLAYERS PITCHING
Players who pitch and play a defensive position will have separate game limits for both
Those with an APBA pitching rating can be used whenever needed but are limited to actual innings pitched.
Those without such rating can pitch only when no eligible pitchers are available to complete a game as grade "Dw1"
... If the above applies, see Section XII - MLB Rules regarding loss of DH

PITCHERS

STARTS/INNINGS
All pitchers are restricted to their actual number of starts.
All pitchers are restricted to their actual complete innings as a starter and/or reliever
Any starting pitcher with less than one complete inning is reduced to 0 starts & 0 innings
Any relief pitcher with less than one complete inning is reduced to 0 innings
PITCHERS BATTING/OTHER POSITIONS
Players who pitch and play a defensive position will have separate game limits and/or plate appearance limits for both
Pitchers:
... if used as a DH they must meet Position Player requirements as a two way player
... is used a pinch hitter they're restricted to actual plate appearance as a pinch hitter
See Section IX- Pitchers, for additional rules

OVERUSE

Any position player exceeding their game or plate appearance limit will become a free agent.
Any pitcher exceeding their limit of starts or inning limits will become a free agent.
Anyone who is overused in any capacity is NOT eligible for post season play.
Additional penalties for overuse violations may be imposed including removal from the league.

MLB SEASON

In the case of an abbreviated MLB season all limits will be adjusted to reflect a 162 game season.

III - TEAM ROSTERS

GENERAL

Your Official roster is on the web site showing defensive positions, game limits and maximum starts & innings allowed
.. .. Relievers who averaged more than 2 innings per relief appearance are shaded green RIP innings
Off-season roster size:
.. .. » unlimited/unrestricted « except the week prior to free agent draft. See Section V - Free Agent draft
Regular season roster size:
.. .. Maximum of 36 players carded or not (Expansion team first yr 40)
.. .. .. that always has at least 162 games of defensively qualified players for each position
.. .. .. that always has at least 162 pitching starts
.. .. .. that always has at least 450 relief innings
.. .. Roster must be finalized prior to playing regular season games & is final on submitting cuts to reach 36

REGULAR SEASON ACTIVE ROSTER

The maximum number of players is 26. (30 in September).
The maximum number of pitchers is 13. (14 in September)
.. "Two-Way Players" per MLB rules may appear as pitchers, without counting toward the above pitcher limit
The active roster must have RCMBA qualified players for all defensive positions.
The active rosters must have at least one qualified backup at C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and two OF
.. Players who are eligible to play multiple positions count as a backup for all eligible positions.
Players used as a substitute will comply with the following:
.. RCMBA qualified defensive players for that position will be used first
.. If none are available, then any APBA rated player for that position will be used
.. .. If no player as noted above is available then any player may be used to finish the game.

A series is defined as the away AND home games vs one team shown on one line of the schedule.
You must have the exact same players active and inactive for both home and away game vs that same opponent.
Active and inactive players may be exchanged, without limitation at the beginning of each series.

UNAFFILIATED PLAYERS

Any carded player not on a roster will be placed in the next free agent draft.

IV - TRADING

GENERAL RULES

All trades shall be promptly reported to the commissioner or his delegate.
The commissioner will rule on any disputed trade.
The commissioner may declare any trade void, in the best interest of the association.

OFF SEASON

PLAYERS:
Trading is permitted from the designated dates between early October & mid-March.
Trades may include any amount of players and/or draft picks except as noted below.
No trades are permitted in the regular season except during the in-season trade window.
.. A manager may submit his 36 man roster early and end his off-season trading window.
.. A team is not allowed to trade after playing official scheduled games

DRAFT PICKS:
No future picks may be traded. Only for the draft immediately following the last completed regular season
Picks for rounds 1-8, per the above, may be traded
Each team must always retain at least six free agent draft picks.

IN SEASON

A trading period will be permitted at the 2/3 point of the schedule - July 29-July 31st
Trades made during this time must be for players only, in equal amounts from both teams and restricted to:
... A maximum of three trades per team during this period and no more than one between the same teams.
... A maximum of three players from one team to another team in any trade.
... A maximum of five players from one team can be traded during this entire period
NOTE: Roster mandates in section III TEAM ROSTERS (General: regular season) still apply

V - FREE AGENT DRAFT

DRAFT ORDER

Excepting lottery results, draft positions are based on inverse order of the previous seasons winning pct
Expansion teams draft after all teams with 100 loses or fifth, whichever is lower.

FREE AGENTS

All carded players not on an RCMBA roster are eligible to be drafted.

TIMEFRAME

The draft will be held in conjunction with an annual meeting in late January or early February.
Starting time will be 12 noon EST on the designated Saturday
The draft will consist of eight scheduled rounds, followed by bonus rounds.
Those unable to attend will delegate someone to draft for them or use a telephone or use the internet for their selections.

PRE-FREE AGENT DRAFT

At a designated date all teams will reduce their roster to 30 (35 for first year expansion teams).
.. Teams reducing to less will gain bonus draft picks equal to the excess reduction.
Bonus picks will begin with round nine, in the original draft order.
NOTE: After the pre draft cut down date, assigned bonus draft pick totals will not change regarding roster size

TIEBREAKERS

Ties for draft pick seeding will be broken in the following manner and order:
... record vs each other (team with more losses/ worst pct is awarded the better pick)
... away pct vs all teams (team with best pct is awarded the better pick)
... division standing (team with lower position is awarded the better pick)
... coin flip (winner receives the better pick in odd numbered rounds)

LOTTERY

Immediately after the regular season a lottery will be held for the first three positions of the first round
The NYS Daily Win 4 - Midday will be used to determine the winning number.
All teams not in the playoffs will be eligible
The team with position #1: receive 9 chances, position #2: 8 chances, and so on down to one chance for position #9
The team closest to the NYS number will move into the #1 slot, the next closest #2, the next closest #3
... Ties: If for a top 3 slot, will redraw with a one new chance number for the next day's drawing.
... Ties: Other ties will be broken by the tiebreakers listed in the next section
All other teams will then remain in their original assigned draft order
All rounds after round one, will remain in the original assigned positions

VI - SERIES PLAY

SCHEDULE

The regular season will be from March 15th thru September
The Schedule indicates what series are to be played in that month and sequence order.
In each series the away games happen before home games.
Your first home game is always game 5 or 6 of that series
Byes do NOT count as 3 days rest.
At the end of each MONTH, all pitchers will be considered rested for 3 days
See Section III- TEAM ROSTERS for active roster requirements

DH USE

-- Optional for regular season games

PITCHER REST DAYS

Starting pitchers must have at least three days rest between starts.
Any starter/reliever, must have 3 days rest between starting and relief appearances.
-- NOTE: Any pitcher recording less than 6 outs is exempt from the above two rules and any rest requirement

STARTING PITCHER ROTATION

Each team must have a starting rotation complying with rest requirements. See section IX for details
The rotation is sequential from one series to the next series.

PITCHER MAXIMUM INNINGS PER GAME

No pitcher may exceed 11 innings in one game

INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions will be sent to each scheduled team of a month, no later than the 1st day of that month.
... In March, instructions will be sent by March 15th.
Instructions will printout on ONE page.
They will be sent to one specific team.
The instructions will include:
... Active roster, lineups, pitching rotation, relief pitchers, injury replacements and strategy.
... Players assigned to a position must have that position listed on their official team roster
... Pitching rotations will be clearly listed, with the game number that each pitcher will start, next to his name
Courtesy says to include pitcher grades, handiness, defensive ratings
Failure to comply releases the home manager from any interpretation he makes or use of active players

SERIES RESULTS

You must play & deliver the results to the Commissioner, no later than the 28th day of that month.
They will include complete stats for both teams complying with GAME SCORE SHEET & STATISTICS sections.
The visiting manager should check those results for errors, questions and update his year to date statistics.
Results will be provided in an Excel series recap/stats format or hand written version.

GAME SCORE SHEETS

In general the Excel recap will be the only requirement however the following may apply:
If previously requested by the opposing manager, the home managers will produce score sheets of each game
Those score sheets will indicate when the following items occurred:
... Hit and run was used.
... Unusual play card or Error card was used.
... Infield was moved in.
... Substitution was made.
... Other noteworthy occurrences.

STATISTICS

The following statistics will be kept and documented in this order:
BATTING (G AB R HT RBI 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS HBP SF SAC DP E)
PITCHING (W L G GS CG ShO Sv SIP RIP HT R ER HR BB K HB WP BK)
NOTE: MLB scoring rules
... The batting DP statistic is a GROUND INTO a doubleplay.
... A line out doubleplay or flyout+out at a base is NOT scored as GiDP. It's two separate putouts
... Hitting into a triple play is not scored as GiDP. It is a separate statistic

PENALTIES

If a manager doesn't receive instructions/results he should first inform the other manager of the missing item.
If after attempting the above the issue is still unresolved he will notify the commissioner.
.. He then will receive permission to play the games, with any competitive lineup and pitching rotation of his choice.
.. Further he will ignore any results or instructions received in violation of the above stated rules.

Any manager falling more than one month behind, without extenuating circumstances, will be replaced.

VII - PROTESTS

PROCEDURE

If a manager believes there is an issue, he should notify the opposing manager and attempt to reach an agreement.
If he cannot reach agreement the commissioner will arbitrate a settlement or issue a ruling.
If the protest is upheld, the home manager will replay the game(s) from the point of protest and issue revised stats.

VIII - PLAYOFFS

GENERAL RULES

Playoffs will normally begin October 1st
Per MLB rules, the "ghost runner" is never used during playoff games.
The DH is mandatory for the start of each game.
All injuries will be enforced per our regular season rules.

TIME FRAME and PARTICIPANTS

Participants will include the first place team of each division and three best remaining WL% teams as wildcard entries.
The Playoffs begin after one day's rest (Day 163) following the regular season.
All games must be played on-line (ROLZ, SKYPE, etc) or face to face.

PLAYOFF TIEBREAKER RULES

(A) TIES - ALL TEAMS QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS:
... Record vs each other (team with more wins is home or seeded higher)
... Away pct vs all teams (team with better pct is home or seeded higher)
... Coin flip (winner is home or seeded higher)
... A tie that determines which team receives a bye in round one, rules from (B) will apply
(B) TIES - ALL TEAMS DON’T QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS:
A playoff game will be held the day after game 162 as game 163. See "All Teams Qualify" for home team.
As per September rules all players may be active for this game.
... Position players have one extra game (or 1 PA) added to their season limit for that game.
... Starting pitchers have 1 start added to season limit and 7 start innings for that game
... Relief pitchers have 1 inning added to their season limit for that game.
Starting pitcher rest requirements will apply as a continuation of the regular season.

SEEDING

The three pennant winners will be 1, 2, 3 and the wildcard teams 4, 5, 6.
Those teams will be seeded within the two groupings based on descending order of W/L%.

ROUNDS/SCHEDULE

1st round is best of five series ... Seed 3v6 and Seed 4v5 ... Seed 1 and 2 receive a bye.
2nd round is a best of seven series... Seed 1 will play the lowest remaining seed and Seed 2 will play the other team.
3rd round or Championship Round, will be a best of seven series involving the two remaining teams.

REST DAYS

There is a scheduled rest day after game 162.
There is a scheduled rest day after game 2 and game 5 in any series.
There is a scheduled rest day after each round.
Bonus rest days: a series ending prior to maximum games counts as rest days equal to the number of unnecessary games.
Note: In Rd1 games, final regular season games must be considered when scheduling starting pitchers in those games.

HOME TEAM

The team having the best WL% will be home for games 1, 2 in all rounds.
The team having the best WL% will be home for game 5 in the opening round.
The team having the best WL% will be home for games 6 and 7 in the second and third round.
Note: Anytime a pennant winner plays a wildcard team they always be home as described above.

ACTIVE ROSTER

The active roster will be 26 (max 13 pitchers) and can be changed at the end each round
Teams must have players qualified to start each defensive positions equal to or exceeding the scheduled games
...see Section III for details re: qualified defensive players
No player who was overused in the regular season will be eligible for any post season play.

POSITION PLAYER LIMITS PER ROUND

The maximum posted below will not exceed the regular season limit

PITCHER LIMITS PER ROUND

Starting pitchers (those permitted to start per regular season rules):
... Those with less than 5 regular season starts cannot be used as a playoff starter
... Those with less than 40 regular season start innings cannot be used as a playoff starter
... Limited to 5% of the regular season limit (not rounded up) +5ip.. (In Round 1 +3ip). Complete innings only.
... Same as regular season rest requirements (3 days rest, less than 6 outs, etc)
... Maximum of 11 innings per game.
Relief pitchers, (those permitted to relieve per regular season rules):
... Those with regular season relief limit of less than five innings cannot be used as a reliever.
... Limited to 10% of the regular season limit (not rounded up) -1ip.. (In Round 1 -2ip). Complete innings only.
... If all qualified relievers have exhausted their innings, the most rested starting pitcher will be used as Grade=Dw.

RCMBA MODIFICATIONS

Unless specified in this Playoff section, all other RCMBA modifications and/or rules to the APBA Basic Game will apply

IX- RCMBA MODIFICATIONS

BALL/STRIKES

Any play result of (Z-ball) or unusual play result of "ball" becomes two balls.
Any unusual play result of "strike" becomes "two strikes"
Note: MLB rules state a foul is a strike unless the batter has two strikes.

ERROR & UNUSUAL PLAY CARDS

ERROR CARD (On 15-21 results including use of H&R or SAC)
Reroll dice and use the below card for the final result
DO NOT USE this if Bases Empty or HBP result
UNUSUAL PLAY CARD (On 23 & 36-41 results including use of H&R or SAC)
Reroll dice and use the below card for the final result
DO NOT USE this if Bases Empty

EXCELLENT DEFENSIVE FIELDING RULE

When PRN = 18,19,20 with bases empty, the following will apply.
Roll one die and final result is:
- 2B8 or SS9 or 3B5 - 1-3 out/ 4-6 error
- 2B9 or SS10 or 3B6 - 1-4 out/ 5-6 error
HIT and RUN USE
- The batter is limited per game in the use of the hit and run, equal to the number of 31's on his card.
INJURIES
- The length of all injuries will will not extend beyond that game.
INTENTIONAL WALK
- When defense calls for IBB, either team may request a dice roll which is then ignored
PITCHERS
- GAME INNINGS LIMIT: No pitcher may exceed 11 innings in one game
- RELIEVER GRADE ADVANCEMENT:
- The current APBA rules for relief pitcher advancement will be used and:
- ... It will also be applied beginning the inning
- ... It will also continue until he faces an opposite side batter or inning ends
- An ambidextrous pitcher vs switch hitters will never receive an upgrade since he must designate which arm he will use
- RELIEVER GRADE REDUCTION:
- ... Relievers are reduced to grade "D" after 6 outs except those averaging over 2.0ip per relief appearance (shaded green)
- When all relievers have been used & another pitcher is needed, a position player will be used. He will be Dw1 grade.
- See section VI-SERIES PLAY for starting pitcher rest requirements
- See section VII-BATTING regarding pitchers hitting, pinch hitting or running
PLAY RESULT 21 - EXCEPT HBP
- Use the 1B defense rating to determine fielding column:
  - 1B4/5 use Fielding 1
  - 1B3 use Fielding 2
  - 1B2 use Fielding 3
RAIN OUTS
- There will not be any rainouts. It will be recorded as a rain delay and the game completed.
- Any pitcher continuing after the delay will be reduced one grade
- This will apply even it happens in the top of the first inning.
SLOW RUNNERS
- This chart is designed by the RCMBA and should be considered their property
- APBA "play safe" is not to be used for any result or base situation.
- The below chart will be used when the runner is slow, the play result is 7-11 and the hit&run is not in use.
- The runner will SAFELY advance the following number of bases:
X- APBA FORMAT

GENERAL
- APBA Basic Game (v2006) boards will be used.
- APBA Hit & Run and Sacrifice booklets (v2006) will be used.
- "Optional Pitching Rules for Advanced Fans" will be used.
- "Optional Advanced Fielding" will be used.
- The APBA "ZZ", "K", "R" ratings will be used.
- "Optional Base Coaching" and "Optional Injury Table" will NOT be used
- APBA OPTIONAL SCORERS RULE is optional
- You can find the current rating on the APBA Lineup sheet
- For play results 15-23 and 38-41 when the result of the play is an error or base hit
- ... If the entry is an E and the play result is a hit, change the result to an error
- ... If the entry is an H and the play result is an error, change the result to a hit.
- Do NOT use the Optional Scorers Rule if:
- ... There is a hit and error on the same play
- ... The error occurs on a stolen base attempt.
- ... The play result is foul ball OR hit by pitcher OR interference
- ... A sacrifice OR hit & run has been called
MASTER GAME
- APBA Master Game use is NOT allowed.
BBW COMPUTER GAME
- BBW Computer Game can be used only by the commissioner as described herein.
- .. The games played will be home games for a team without a manager.
- .. The game will be monitored, play by play.
- .. "Danny RCMBA" will be the manager used for both teams.
- .. The BBW Hit and Run option can be used.
- .. The BBW Steal option will not be used.
- .. "normalized" ratings will be used for all players.
XI- OFFICIAL APBA GAME PLAY RULINGS

DOUBLE COLUMN CARD RESULTS REGARDLESS OF PLAY RESULT COLUMN
- , the below result is changed to the indicated number,
- .. MAN ON 3rd - Card result = 6 .. "Double column cards: score this the same as "5-Double"
- .. MEN ON 1st &2nd - Card result = 2 .. "Double column cards: score this the same as "5-Triple"
- .. BASES LOADED - Card Result = 6 .. "Double column cards: score this the same as "4-Double"
- In other words a double column card is NEVER a homerun with a card result #6 in either column per Skeet Carr (APBA).
APBA RESULTS and SCORING OF SAME
- .. 2nd & 3rd less than 2 outs; Final result is 38 - "Infield fly batter out; PO6- SS loses ball in sun; runners advance"
- The batter gets an rbi and charged with an at bat. It is not a sac fly.
- Board play statements happen on 1st pitch (such as: ball & CS)
XII- OFFICIAL MLB RULES

MLB Rule 5.10 (g) - Pitcher 3 batter rule
- The starting pitcher or any substitute pitcher is required to pitch to a minimum of three consecutive batters, including the batter then at bat (or any substitute batter), until such batters are put out or reach first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the starting pitcher or substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire-in-chief’s judgment, incapacitates him from further play as a pitcher.
- To qualify as one of three consecutive batters, the batter must complete his plate appearance, which ends only when the batter is put out or becomes a runner. If the offensive team is put out prior to any substitute pitcher completing his first three consecutive batters, the pitcher may be removed from the game between innings; but, if he returns for the subsequent inning, he must complete pitching to as many batters as necessary to satisfy the three consecutive batters requirement
- examples:
- ... 1) pitcher faced 3 batters, in an inning, you can replace him
- ... 2) pitcher faced 1 or 2 batters and the inning ends, you can replace him at start of next inning
- ... 3) example two happens but you have him continue into next inning - the 3 batter count now resumes. That is you count how many he faced last inning and he now must face whatever is needed to reach 3 batters before you can replace him.
MLB Rule 5.11 - Designated Hitter
- ...(1) A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game.
- ... (5) The Designated Hitter may be used on defense, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made
- ...(8) Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a position on defense, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game.
- ...(12) Once a Designated Hitter assumes a position on defense, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game.
- ...(13) A substitute for the Designated Hitter need not be announced until it is the Designated Hitter’s turn to bat
- ...(14) If a player on defense goes to the mound (i.e. moves from position on field and replaces the pitcher), this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter’s role for that club for the remainder of the game.
MLB Rule 7.01(b) - Extra Innings
- (2) Each half-inning following the ninth inning will begin with a runner on second base, as follows:
- (2A) The batter (or a substitute for the batter) who leads off an inning shall continue to be the batter who would lead off the inning in the absence of this Extra Innings rule.
- (2B) The runner placed on second base at the start of each half-inning shall be the player (or a substitute for such player) in the batting order immediately preceding that half-inning’s leadoff hitter. By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the tenth inning, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. However, if the player in the batting order immediately preceding that half-inning’s leadoff hitter is the pitcher, the runner placed on second base at the start of that half-inning may be the player preceding the pitcher in the batting order. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game in accordance with Rule 5.10.
- (2C) For purposes of calculating earned runs under Rule 9.16, the runner who begins an inning on second base pursuant to this rule shall be deemed to be a runner who has reached second base because of a fielding error, but no error shall be charged to the opposing team or to any player.
MLB Rule 9.04 - RBI
- RBI is a statistic credited to the batter whose action causes one or more runs to score as set forth in this section.
- (a) The official scorer shall credit the batter with a run batted in for every run that scores:
- ...(1) unaided by error and as part of a play begun by the batter's safe hit (including homerun), sac bunt, sac fly, infield out or fielder's choice unless rule 9.4(b) applies.
- ...(2) by reason of the batter becoming a runner with the bases full because of a base on balls, hit by pitcher, interference or obstruction; or
- ...(3) when before two are out, an error is made on a play on which a runner from third base ordinarily would score.
- (b) The official scorer shall NOT credit a run batted in:
- ...(1) when the batter grounds into a force double play or reverse force double play; or
- ...(2) when a fielder is charged with an error because the fielder muffs a throw at first base that would have completed a force double play
MLB Rule 9.7 - CAUGHT STEALING
- (h) The official scorer will charge a runner as "caught stealing" if such runner is put out or would have been put out by errorless play when such runner:
- ... (1) tries to steal;
- ... (2) is picked off AND tries to advance; or
- ... (3) overslides while stealing
- NOTE: A runner "picked off" is NOT charged with caught stealing. It is simply a defensive play resulting in an out.
MLB Rule 9.8 - SACRIFICE FLY
- (d) Score a sacrifice fly when before there are two out, the batter hits a ball in flight handled by an outfielder or an infielder running in the outfield, in fair or foul territory that:
- ... (1) is caught and a runner scores after the catch, or
- ... (2) is dropped & a runner scores, if in the scorers judgment the runner could have scored after the catch, had the fly been caught
MLB Rule 9.16 - EARNED RUNS AND RUNS ALLOWED
- An earned run is a run for which the pitcher is held accountable.
- In determining earned runs, the official scorer shall reconstruct the inning WITHOUT THE ERRORS (including catcher's interference and passed balls), giving the benefit of the doubt always to the pitcher in determining which bases would have been reached by runners had there been errorless play.
- ...(a) The official scorer shall charge an earned run against a pitcher every time a runner reaches home by aid of:
- safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, stolen base, putout, fielder's choice, base on balls, hit batters, wild pitch (including a wild pitch on a third strike that permits a batter to reach first base)
- BEFORE fielding chances have been offered to put out the offensive team
- NOTE: For purposes of this interference penalty shall be construed as a fielding chance. A wild pitch is solely the pitchers fault and shall contribute to an earned run, a defensive run just as a base on balls or a balk.
- ...(b) No run shall be earned when scored by a runner who reaches first base;
- ... ...(1) on a hit or otherwise after his time at bat is prolonged by a muffed foul fly;
- ... ...(2) because of interference or obstruction; or
- ... ...(3) because of any fielding error.
- ...(c) No run shall be earned when scored by a runner whose presence on the bases is prolonged by an error, IF such runner would have been put out by errorless play.
- ...(d) No run shall be earned when the scoring runner's advance has been aided by an error, a passed ball or defensive interference or obstruction, IF in the official scorer's judgment the run would not have scored with the aid of such misplay.
- ...(e) An error by the pitcher is treated exactly the same as an error by any other fielder in computing earned runs.
- ...(f) Whenever a fielding error occurs, the pitcher shall be given the benefit of the doubt in determining to which bases any runners would have advanced had the fielding of the defensive team been errorless.
- ...(g) When pitchers are changed during an inning, the official scorer shall not charge the relief pitcher with any runs (earned or unearned) scored by a runner who was on base at the time such relief pitcher entered the game, nor for runs scored by any runner who reaches base on a fielder's choice that puts out a runner left on base by any preceding pitcher.
- ...(h) A relief pitcher shall not be held accountable when the first batter to whom he pitches reaches first base on four called balls if such batter has the following counts when pitchers are changed. It will be charged to the preceding pitcher. Any other result except four balls will be charged to the relief pitcher..2 balls, 0 or 1 strike(s)..3 balls, 0 or 1 or 2 strike(s)
- ...(i) When pitchers have changed during an inning, the relief pitcher shall NOT have the benefit of previous chances for outs not accepted in determining earned runs.
- NOTE: A pitcher is responsible for a certain number of runners, NOT the individual runners
MLB Rule 9.19 - SAVES FOR RELIEF PITCHERS
- The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such pitcher meets ALL 4 of the following conditions;
- (a)He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
- (b)He is not the winning pitcher;
- (c)He is credit with at least 1/3 of an inning pitched
- (d)He satisfies ONE of the following conditions:
- ... enters the game with a lead of no more than 3 runs pitches for at least one complete inning (3 outs);
- ... enters the game, regardless of count, with the potential tying run either on base or at bat or on deck;
- ... he pitches effectively for at least 3 (complete) innings and maintains the lead.

RCMBA CONSTITUTION

Established 1975

.... last update: 8/1/2024

Table of Contents (clicking on any line below takes you to that section)

I - GOVERNMENT

COMPOSITION

MEMBERSHIP

COMMISSIONER

RULE CHANGES

EXPANSION

II - PLAYER LIMITS and ELIGIBILITY

ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

POSITION PLAYERS

PITCHERS

OVERUSE

MLB SEASON

III - TEAM ROSTERS

GENERAL

REGULAR SEASON ACTIVE ROSTER

UNAFFILIATED PLAYERS

IV - TRADING

GENERAL RULES

OFF SEASON

IN SEASON

V - FREE AGENT DRAFT

DRAFT ORDER

FREE AGENTS

TIMEFRAME

PRE-FREE AGENT DRAFT

TIEBREAKERS

LOTTERY

VI - SERIES PLAY

SCHEDULE

DH USE

PITCHER REST DAYS

STARTING PITCHER ROTATION

PITCHER MAXIMUM INNINGS PER GAME

INSTRUCTIONS

SERIES RESULTS

GAME SCORE SHEETS

STATISTICS

PENALTIES

VII - PROTESTS

PROCEDURE

VIII - PLAYOFFS

GENERAL RULES

TIME FRAME and PARTICIPANTS

PLAYOFF TIEBREAKER RULES

SEEDING

ROUNDS/SCHEDULE

REST DAYS

HOME TEAM

ACTIVE ROSTER

POSITION PLAYER LIMITS PER ROUND

PITCHER LIMITS PER ROUND

RCMBA MODIFICATIONS

IX- RCMBA MODIFICATIONS

BALL/STRIKES

ERROR & UNUSUAL PLAY CARDS

EXCELLENT DEFENSIVE FIELDING RULE

HIT and RUN USE

INJURIES

INTENTIONAL WALK

PITCHERS

PLAY RESULT 21 - EXCEPT HBP

RAIN OUTS

SLOW RUNNERS

X- APBA FORMAT

GENERAL

MASTER GAME

BBW COMPUTER GAME

XI- OFFICIAL APBA GAME PLAY RULINGS

DOUBLE COLUMN CARD RESULTS REGARDLESS OF PLAY RESULT COLUMN

APBA RESULTS and SCORING OF SAME

XII- OFFICIAL MLB RULES

MLB Rule 5.10 (g) - Pitcher 3 batter rule

MLB Rule 5.11 - Designated Hitter

MLB Rule 7.01(b) - Extra Innings

MLB Rule 9.04 - RBI

MLB Rule 9.7 - CAUGHT STEALING