**Modified February 9, 2024**

 

 

SECTION I   --  GENERAL

 

1. The Central Massachusetts Baseball Association will operate as a continuous ownership of players league (starting with a redraft for the 2006        season).

 

 

SECTION II   --  SCHEDULE (UPDATED 2022)

 

1.    The number of scheduled games in a season, and the scheduled meeting dates, will be determined at the Annual Business Meeting.

2.    League play will be conducted either in-person or virtually as determined by the managers.

3.    Series shall tried to be scheduled/spaced every 3 weeks. A series is defined as a set of six games, 3 home and 3 away, vs. an opponent.           (2024)

4.    Scheduled meeting dates should also be considered “Play-By” dates. All games for a scheduled series are to be played by the scheduled               meeting date (and scheduled time).  

5.    Managers shall coordinate ahead of their scheduled meeting date to decide on a time and venue. Both teams are responsible for the                     communication of getting games played, timing/changes/etc. This should be documented (emails/text/etc) as much as possible, in case the         series is not played on time.

6.    Managers shall coordinate ahead of their scheduled meeting date to decide on a time and venue. Both teams are responsible for the                     communication of getting games played, timing/changes/etc. This should be documented (emails/text/etc) as much as possible, in case the         series is not played on time.

7.    The Commissioner shall be notified as soon as possible in case a series is in jeopardy of not being played on-time.

8.    If, due to real life circumstances, a manager realizes he’ll be unable to fulfill his obligations during the season, he should contact the                       Commissioner as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to work around the situation. In this case, a backup manager may be           designated to handle the team in the owner’s absence.

9.    If there are any un-played series, winning percentage will be used to determine playoff and draft position.

10.  Penalties for not playing games on time
       1. 1st offense - warning to offending manager(s). Manager has 2 weeks to complete.
                       a) If series is not played after the 2-week grace period
                              i. Offending manager forfeits their games - those games will count in the loss column and in   winning %.
                              ii. The non-offending team will not have games made up, and will not count as wins.
                             iii. Player Usage for both teams will have to be updated to reflect less games played.
i                             v. Winning % will be used for league standings and determination of playoff eligibility.
        2. 2nd offense - can be either the manager not completing a series within 2 weeks after a warning, OR it can be not having series played                                    by the "play-by" date for a 2nd time. Loss of 2nd round draft pick (to be added at end of draft).
        3. 3rd offense -  can be three 1st offenses, or a combination of one 1st offense and one 2nd offense - league officers to determine if                                             offending manager should be removed from the league, or other penalty imposed. 
        4.  If last regular season series is not played by play-by date - league officers shall determine whether a forfeit rules should be imposed (See                 above forfeit process).
        5.  If there is a disagreement in who is the offending manager, the league officers will make the determination based on evidence.

 

SECTION III   --  PLAYING BOARD CHANGES

 

1.  All managers will use 2012 APBA Master Game Boards

2.  The Bases Empty Board from the 2004 Master Game will be used (printed handout provided)

         A. Play result 19, bases empty. Fielding one is changed to: OUT AT FIRST A-3B PO-1B

         B. Play result 15, Bases Empty, fielding two is changed to FLY OUT - PO-LF

         C. Play result 12, runner on first, Fielding one should read- DP: A1B PO SS A SS PO 1B (FB) safe at first runner out FC, A1B POSS

3.   All rainouts and delays are a foul ball.    

4.   Add 2 to all catcher’s throws.

5.   SA’s will be assigned yearly according to the Lundin spreadsheet.  

6.   Starting pitcher Adjustments/Reductions

         Grade1 1-17 with no EARNED runs for 5 consecutive innings (+3 to both grades)

         Grade1 18-26 with no EARNED runs for 6 consecutive innings (+3 to both grades)

         Grade1 27+ with no EARNED runs for 7 consecutive innings (+3 to both grades)

      (Every scoreless inning pitched thereafter Grades increases +3

      5 EARNED runs in 3 consecutive innings (-3)

     10 EARNED runs in 6 consecutive innings (-6)

7.   If a starting pitcher is injured and must be removed before the sixth inning another starter may take his place and is not limited to relief rules.           This includes play-offs.

8.   The Bunt for Hit chart changed to “batter must be a speed of 15 or greater and have a minimum of two 31’s on the card”.  (2022)

9.   Runner on 3rd, Defense playing “Corners IN”, and the runner playing “safe”, the play result 25 fielding one is changed to Line drive out, runner        returns safely.

​

SECTION IV   --  PLAYING RULE CHANGES

 

1.    On any point not covered below, the rules of the latest edition of the APBA Master Game will apply.

2a.  All of the rules of the CMBA Pitching System will be followed in all league games.(when sacrificing and a hit # is  stopped it becomes a                 POPOUT 2)

2b.  The CMBA pitching system will be modified as follows:  The control rating for a league average pitcher will be changed from 0 to 16.

2c.  The CMBA hit for a Bunt chart will be used in all league games. (revised for 2011 season)

3.    Use of H+R will be from the APBA boards. (2018 season)

3a.  On a steal attempt during a H+R, the runners steal rating will be used, (not his speed), along with the catchers throw and the pitchers move             under a poor lead.

3b.  A player can only H+R if player they have two 31's on their card.

3c.  H+R not allowed if up by more than 4 runs from 5th inning on.

3d.  H+R may be used a maximum of three times in a nine inning game plus one additional time in extra innings.

4.    The CMBA Base Stealing System will be used in all league games, along with a revised version of some players SAL's to “A+” based on

       50 + steal attempts.

             a.) When a runner on first is NOT held, improve his SAL by one letter and check his lead against a  MF-0 pitcher (all pitchers are                              considered MF-0 when not holding).

             b.) On all successful steals an additional roll is required to determine an overthrow. If the catchers defensive rating appears on the line of                    the dice roll, Roll one die, if the number rolled is the same, no throw away has occurred. Follow the normal procedure for overthrows.                    The baserunner can not play it safe on an overthrow.

             c.)  The baserunner and hitter must remain in the game after the attempt.

5.     Use of the CMBA Error and Rare Play Distribution Card is required in all league games.

6.     If a player has more than one 10 on his card, the first 10 is changed to a 7.

7a.   On any outfield play with a tiered depth factor. The defensive manager will first roll for the outfielders defensive rating (using the standard                fielding chart) then will roll again (using the defensive rating found and the standard fielding chart) to determine the depth factor to be used.

7b.   On a tag up play, the defense may appeal the outcome. Declare that the runner left early, both managers roll (2 dice) if the result is a match,          i.e., a 34 and a 34, the appeal is upheld and the runner is declared out. If there is no match the original play stands. (This is allowed once            per game per team)

8.     When stealing second with a runner on third, decrease the catchers TH by 2.

9.     Use of the CMBA HBP/BRAWL CHART is mandatory in all regular season league games.

10.   Second column singles are no longer randomized.

11.   All power numbers 2-6 both first and second column shall be randomized. Randomize all doubles (odd or even)

              a.) A batter without a 1 on his card CAN hit a home run on a random throw. However, pitchers with negative homerun ratings can only                     turn a double into a homerun if the batter has a 1 on his card.

12.   All dice used in a series shall be agreeable to both managers on both size and color.

13.   Any team trailing by 10+ runs after the 6th inning may insert a positional player as a pitcher. That pitcher to have a grade of 4/4, -36. -36,

        ( R ) with a MF-0 and WP3. His fielding shall be 0. This move will invalidate the DH.

14.   Use of the Phillips Injury Table is mandatory in all league games.

15.   Pinch running:  If a pinch runner attempts a steal he can not be run for again that turn around the bases. Also, the batter must remain in for              this AB (he can be hit for if the pitcher is removed).

16.   When playing corners “in” play result “33” or “34” (on hitters card only) score as single, runners advance one base.  If “33” or “34” results            from redistribution, score as indicated on master boards. If hitters card has both “33” and “34” only the “33” is changed.

17.   Sacrifice.  

             a.) All power #’s result in safe at first on FC, runners advance one base (score as SAC no AB)

             b.) Hit #’s 7 thru 11 check against pitchers grade (batters handicap if any is halved and rounded up). If the hit is stopped, score as P2, if                    the hit is good, do not redistribute, use hit result “7”.

18.   When a 12 becomes a base hit and the distribution roll is a 6, treat the result as an infield hit and runners (if any) advance one base.

19.   In all cases when a runner makes the third out while another runner is trying to score: one die will be rolled: 1-4 run counts; 5 or 6 does not            count.

20a. Closer Rule: (2012) A pitcher with MLB saves can have his grade raised based on the following formula:

              Every 5 MLB saves = a 1point grade increase. Example 10 to 14 saves = 2 points, 45 to 49 saves= 9 points.

              Restrictions: Only one pitcher per series can receive the upgrade, the pitcher must be made known before the   

              Start of the series, the pitcher can not enter the game before the 8th inning.

20b. If the closer blows a save he will drop to the original grade.

21.   If a player has 3 or more first column 1’s the 1 on “66” cannot be knocked down.

22.   Any RP result of "ball" becomes “two balls”.  Any RP result of "strike" becomes “two strikes".  (2021)

23.   The MLB extra inning rule will be used in all regular season league games.  (2022)

24.   The MLB extra inning rule will NOT be used in any league games.  (2023)

​

SECTION IV.1  --  INJURIES (Phillips Rule Does Not Apply)

 

1.  If a player is injured on a play result, the number of missed games due to the injury will be calculated as his “J” factor.  (Miss “J1” 1 game to           “J4” 4 games.)   J-0 removed from current game if manager rolls odd number die.       

2.  If a starting pitcher is injured he must miss starts as follows: J-0 (current game); J-1 or 2 (4 games);J-3 or 4 (8 games).

3.  Reliever:  J-0 (1 game); J-1 or 2 (2 games); J-3 or 4 (3 games).

 

SECTION V   --  SUBSTITUTIONS

 

1.  No Pitcher may pinch hit or serve as the Designated Hitter unless he pinch-hit at least five times during the previous major league season. It is           the responsibility of the manager wishing to use a pitcher in this manner to produce the evidence to support his use. Any team may opt not to           use the DH. Pitchers, who had no at bats in real life, must use the SAMBO generic pitchers batting card.

2.  No offensive substitutions (pinch hitters or runners) may be used such that a team could not field a team defensively for the next inning. This rule       is waived if the team at bat is losing the game and the game is in the 9th inning or later. The team in question must be able to field a defensive       team consisting of positional players, not pitchers.

3.  Position players may not be put in a position not listed on their card unless injuries or Sec V.2 use leave the team with no available position             players. Any player playing at a position for which he has not received a fielding grade will automatically receive fielding three for any play he       in involved. That player will also receive a grade one point less than the minimum fielding rating listed on the standard fielding chart for that           position.

​

SECTION VI   --  PLAYER USAGE

 

1.   No team may begin Championship Play without sufficient usage at each position.

2.   Games, where usage rules or injuries may apply, shall always be in the sequence of the order you play your games.

3.   Any team finding itself with insufficient usage to complete the season must pick up a player from the pool of unassigned players. The                      Governing Board will select this player. In compensation for this said team must release a player from its roster and also return the awarded            player to the pool following the season. No team may use this rule to improve its roster, or to prevent premature use of the players on protected        status. This article eliminates the all others card.

4.   For Starting Pitcher usage purposes, each team will have a day off after the stats due date.

5.   Non-pitchers shall be limited as to both the number of games in which they may appear and the number of at bats they may have during the          Championship season. A players limitations will be computed by dividing the number of games in a CMBA season by the number played by          the players team during the previous Major League Season and multiplying the resulting fraction by the number of games and at bats. All                fractions in the final allotment will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

             a.)  Any player who qualified for the league batting title during the previous Major League season will be limited in Games only.

             b.)  In the event that MLB does not play at least a 145 game season, player usage will be pro-rated based on teams playing

                  162 games.  (2023)

6.   Pitchers shall be limited as to the number of starts, total appearances and innings pitched. These limitations shall be computed in the same              manner as article 6 above. Pitchers shall be further restricted according to the following.

             a.)  No pitcher who made less than 41 starts in the previous major league season may start with less than three days rest. A pitcher with                       more than 41 starts may start with 2 days rest, the number of times equal to the number of starts over 41.

             b.)  No pitcher may start and relieve in the same series.

             c.)  No pitcher may pitch more than 6 inning of relief in the same series.

                  1.) Exception: A pitcher that has more than 90% of games started to games played is allowed to pitch more than 6 ings but no more                         than 9 innings. This may only be done once per series.

             d.) In a five game series the final two games are considered a doubleheader. Thus no pitcher may start twice in any one series unless he                    started more than 41 games in the previous Major League season.

7.     Any position player exceeding their game or at-bat limit will become a free agent. (2021)

8.     Any player that is overused in any capacity is NOT eligible for post season play.  (2021)

9.     Relief pitchers must face a three batter minimum or finish the inning.  No pitcher may be brought in to relief that has less innings than the                number of outs remaining.. (2022)

 

SECTION VII  --  ROSTERS

 

1.   Each team's Major League Roster shall consist of a maximum of 26 players. Only players on the Major League Roster are eligible to play in            Championship Season games. All other players controlled by a team are sent down to the Minor League. Players may be promoted and                demoted from the Major League Roster to the Minor League Roster only between series and between games 3 and 4 of a series. (2024). This        restriction is negated in the case of an injury, in which case the injured player may be removed from the Major League Roster and replaced by        another player. If this is done, the injured player may not be re-activated until the beginning of the next series, unless another injury should                leave his team unable to field a full defensive team. All Major League Rosters must include at least nine carded pitchers.

2.   Major League Rosters may be expanded from 26 to 30 players for the final two regularly scheduled meetings. (72 games in a 88 game                season).

3.   Each team will submit a winter roster on a date determined by the Player Agent. The size of a teams roster will determine the number of draft          picks that team has in the Annual Draft. Each team will be allotted a sufficient number of picks to achieve a roster total of 40 players (2024).          If, for example a team protects 30 players, that team would receive 10 draft picks.

 

SECTION VIII  --  DRAFT

 

1.   Each year, an annual draft will be held prior to the start of the Championship Season. Players in this draft will be those who are not affiliated          with any CMBA team, and are carded on the teams CMBA drafts from.

2.   The drafting order for all rounds other than the first will be in the inverse order of winning percentage during the previous CMBA Championship        Season for all non-playoff teams. The playoff teams will be in the inverse of the final playoff standings. Ties for draft position will be resolved by        some random selection manner and positions will rotate from round to round. Teams that were inactive during the previous season will be                placed at the end of each round, after the active teams have drafted. The drafting order for the first round will be determined by lottery                  governed by the following guidelines:

                A) All teams that qualified for the CMBA playoffs during the previous season, as well as all inactive teams will be placed in a group                          and all non-playoff teams in another group.

                B) Non-playoff teams will be awarded chances in the Lottery according to the following formula: Three chances for the team with the                          highest winning percentage (2024), with one additional chance awarded to each succeeding team in that group. The club with the                      worst overall record shall receive 3 bonus chances above the previously mentioned formula.

                C) Under no circumstances, shall the team with the worst percentage from the previous season pick any lower than third.

                D) The playoff teams will be in the inverse of the final playoff standings. (2023) 

3.   Three year draft rule: Every third year a new team will be drawn from the unused teams and added to the draft able teams. Also a team will            be removed from the list of current draft-able teams.

Current Draft Teams:  Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland A's, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays   (2021)

For the 2024 season the Cincinnati Reds have been added, Miami Marlins have been dropped. 

4.   When a player who is no longer on a draft-able team is cut, he will be included in the upcoming draft. If not selected, that player then                  becomes unavailable until joining a draft eligible team.

 

SECTION IX   --  PLAYOFFS

 

1.   The playoff qualifications for the subsequent Championship Season will be determined at the Annual Business Meeting. If there is a tie for any           but the final qualifying playoff spot, playoff positioning will be determined by the head to head record during the championship season.  If             more than two teams are tied for the same spot, the total head to head records are used (2024). If there is a tie for any but the final qualifying         playoff spot, playoff positioning will be determined by random selection. If there is a tie for the final playoff spot, there will be a one game             playoff on the day following the conclusion of the regular season to determine the playoff participant. A coin flip shall decide home team,(the         person flipping shall decide who will be heads and tails.)

                   a.) Playoff usage in the post season tie-breaker as follows.

                                                    J-0     J-1      J-2       J-3       J4

                       NON PITCHERS:    UNL   UNL   5 AB   3 AB   1 AB

                       RELIEF PITCHER:      3 IP   3 IP     2 IP    2 IP     1 IP

                       STARTING PITCHER:  Will use the Maximum Batters Faced number on the card.

 

2.   All playoff series are best of seven series in a 2-3-2 format. For purposes of pitcher usage and injuries, the first playoff series will be played on        days 2,3,5,6,7,9, and 10 following the completion of the regular season. The second series will be played on days 12,13,15,16,17,19            and 20. The third series will be played on days 22,23,25,26,27,29 and 30. Any subsequent series will adhere to this pattern.

3.   Playoff usage will be determined by the following:

                  a) Non pitchers have no restrictions on games played. Any player who was unlimited during the regular season shall be unlimited for                        playoff at bats. Players who were not eligible for unlimited status during the regular season are limited to 10% of the championship                        season allotment. This is a per series allotment.

                  b)  Playoff game SP and RP innings, as well as players AB that are not defined as unlimited, will be based on MLB playing

                      162 games. If less than 145 MLB games are scheduled/played, then the innings pitched and AB’s will be pro-rated to a

                      162 game season.  (2023)

                  c) Starting pitchers may not start a playoff game without at least 3 days rest. They are also limited to a number of innings determined                        by the following: If 3 series are scheduled he will be limited to .185 MLB IP rounded up. No more than 50% may be used in any                          one series. If 1 or 2 series are scheduled he will be limited to .065 MLB IP rounded up. This is a per series allotment. No pitcher                          may start a playoff game unless he made at least 4 starts during the regular CMBA season. If an injury prevents the qualification                            from being met the pitcher with the highest number of starts will be eligible to start.

                      All fractions are rounded up to a whole inning.

                   d) Relief pitchers are not limited to the number of games which they can appear. However they are limited to .065 % of their MLB                            regular season innings. This is a per series allotment. lnnings pitched in relief count double if that pitcher had an APBA split grade                          and has a CMBA regular season allotment of 4 or more starts. Innings pitched in relief count triple if that pitcher does not have an                        APBA asterisk, and has a CMBA regular season allotment of 4 or more starts.

                   e) Pitchers who are used as both starters and relievers in the same series may not pitch more than 12 innings in the series. Also                                 innings pitched in relief are charged according to the rules in (c). and the pitcher must rest according to the following schedule:

 

                                     STARTERS:  1-10 batters faced 1 day rest

                                                   11-20 batters faced 2 days rest

                                                   21 + batters faced 3 days rest

 

                                    RELIEVERS:  1-3 batters faced 1 day rest

                                                    4-6 batters faced 2 days rest

                                                    7 or more batters 3 days rest

​

                   f) A starters innings to count as a 1:1 ratio when used as a reliever in extra innings.  The pitcher must also rest according to the                                 constitution provision in Section IX, paragraph 3, sub-section d.  A starter shall be defined as a pitcher that does not have an                               APBA asterisk, and has a CMBA regular season allotment of 4 or more starts.  (2021)

4.   Injuries  that occur during the regular season will carry over into the playoffs if the injury is of sufficient length. Furthermore injuries that occur            during a playoff series will carry over to the next series if the injury is of sufficient length. (Removed suspensions 2022)

5.   HBP rules (11 or 66 Injured - use J-Factor, 22,33,44,55 - 5 off speed, 2 HBP by same team has pitcher ejected). After 2 HBP by the same             team, warnings are issued. Next HBP has the pitcher ejected. (2024)

 

SECTION X   --  ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

 

1.   Changes to the Central Massachusetts Baseball Association Constitution may be made when an amendment receives 2/3 majority of all                members present and voting at the Annual Business Meeting. A member abstaining from voting will be considered not to be voting. The                  meeting must be held at least one week after it has been announced in a newsletter and sent to the league members. A quorum will consist of          2/3 of the active league membership.

2.   A member unable to attend any league business meeting may authorize the Commissioner to cast his vote for him by means of a written proxy.        In this case the absent member will be considered to be present and voting for the questions on which he has provided a proxy. This rule                applies to the Annual Business Meeting as well as any other voting procedure that may arise during the season. The proxy must state which            way the absent member wishes his/her vote to be cast on a specific issue. Any significant changes or amendments to the original proposal            being voted upon will invalidate the proxy.

3.   Membership dues must be paid for the current year prior to participation in the Annual Draft. The amount of membership dues to be paid will          be determined by the membership at the Annual Business Meeting.

​

SECTION XI--  LEAGUE OFFICERS

 

1.   The officers of the league shall consist of a Commissioner. elected by the members at the Annual Business Meeting for a term of one year. and        a Governor from each conference. elected by the members of each respective conference at the Annual Business Meeting for a term of 1 year.        Alternates for each of these three offices will also be elected at the Annual Business Meeting.

2.   The Commissioner and Governors shall comprise the Board of Governors and shall have the final responsibility for the operation of the league          within the framework of the Constitution and for the resolution of any disputes or questions that may arise. If any member of the Board of                Governors is unable to vote on any issue, due to a conflict of interest with his own team or should a vacancy occur. then and only then will the        alternate for that office assume his place on the Board of Governors with full powers accorded to him.

3.   The Commissioner may appoint committees or assign tasks to the membership as he sees fit in order to enhance the well being of the league. It        is expected that, in the exercise of his power, attempts to distribute work among the members will be done equally.

 

SECTION XII   --  STATISTICS

 

1.   Statistics shall be postmarked no later than the second THURSDAY after the scheduled meeting to allow the league statistician to properly                organize and print the league leaders. The following penalties will be imposed for late or non-submitted stats:

​

        Penalties for no stats - 1st time, warning. 2nd time loss of 2nd round pick.  Each additional miss you will lose a 3rd and so on. Lost picks will          be added to end of draft to ensure 36 players.  

​

2.    CMBA managers are required to record the following statistics for his team and report to the statistician in the order listed.

       BATTING (Ave, OBP, SLG, G, AB, R, HT, RBI, 2B, 3B, HR, BB, K, SB, CS, E, HBP).        *Optional (SAC, SF, DP, ASST)

       PITCHING (W, L, Sv, ERA, W%, G, GS, CG, ShO, IP, HT, R, ER, HR, BB, K, HB, WP)   (2021)      

 

3.    Stats to be done and submitted after each series.   (2021)

 

SECTION XIII   --  TRADING

 

1.   CMBA trading deadline will be first meeting after MLB trading deadline.

​

​