Fall Draft Rules

35+ Draft League Rules

Updated 9/12/2022

  1. Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs and Other Equipment

    1. Uniforms:

      1. All teams must have full baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belt, sanitary socks and stirrups by - each player’s uniform must be of similar design to his teammates' uniforms. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed the sponsor's name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt.

      2. No player out of uniform will be allowed to play without the opposing manager’s consent.

      3. All teams should have their uniforms by their third game. A grace period should be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.

    2. All batters and runners must wear helmets with at least one earflap facing the pitcher for both at bats and on base. There is no option to this rule. Full double-ear flap helmets are encouraged for at bats and are encouraged for the bases. Catchers must wear a helmet underneath their mask. All base coaches are encouraged to wear helmets while on the field of play.

    3. Each team should bring a minimum of 8 balls per game.  Only baseballs supplied by the league will be allowed into league and playoff games.  

    4. Wood or Wood composite bats ONLY are allowed in the Charleston 35+ Draft League

    5. Metal cleats are permitted within field owner guidelines.

  2. Game Length, Run Rule and Rain-Outs

    1. All regular season games are 7 innings 

    2. Game time limit for Fall Draft games Iincluding playoff games, is 2.5 hours. 

    3. In the event of a tie game at the end of regular game play, teams will follow Texas Shootout Baseball for 1 inning where each team starts the inning with the bases loaded and 1 out. If at the end of that one inning there is still a tie, then the game will end in a tie. 

    4. Playoff games have no time limits and no tie games

      1. Extra innings will still be Texas Shootout style for each additional inning needed, but the game will continue until there is a winner.

    5. Charleston MBL 35+ Games are 7 Innings, 5 innings for a complete game if rained out.  Games not reaching 5 complete innings will be continued the next time the teams meet.  If there is no following game scheduled between the two teams, the scheduler will work with the coaches to find a time where the game can be completed.

    6. If there is a 12-run discrepancy at the end of 5 innings and/or the game has gone 2 hours and 30 minutes, the game can be ruled final at this point. 

    7. Forfeited game will count as 7 runs for winning team

    8. Any games rained out will be rescheduled by the league scheduler, and may be made up at any time not conflicting with previously scheduled games. All make-up games must be agreed to by both managers and the scheduler, and league notification must take place. Rain out games must be made up in order of cancellations.

    9. Final league standings will be determined by won/lost percentage. Ties will be decided by head-to-head competition first, followed by runs allowed.

    10. In the event of rain, it is the responsibility of the scheduled home team to notify the scheduler and opposing team of field conditions and possible cancellation of the game, at least 1 hour before scheduled game time. In the event such notification does not take place, the home team solely will be responsible for any travel fees imposed by the umpiring organization.

  3. Playoff rules

    1. All league playoff games must be played to completion either by league standards, being a 7 inning game. The umpire may suspend, cancel or call a game if, in their opinion, the safety of the players is compromised due to rain or darkness 

    2. Playoff decisions (seeding) made based upon final season league standings.  Tiebreakers: Head to Head competition then runs allowed.

    3. Playoffs will immediately begin upon the completion of the regular season.  Teams will be seeded based upon regular season standings

    4. Playoffs will be a single elimination tournament with all teams making the playoffs

    5. Team with higher seed will be home team for the entirety of the tournament

    6. Forfeited game will count as 7 runs for winning team

    7. There are no time limits and no tie games in the playoffs

    8. Pitchers are not restricted to a maximum amount of innings pitched

  4. Teams, Players and Lineups

    1. Player Eligibility

      1. A player is eligible to participate in an official league sanctioned game if they are at least 35 years old, or they will turn 35 in the calendar year of play

      2. Charleston MBL 35+ Draft League eligibility is turning 35 within the calendar year of the season.

      3. Teams are allowed one player under the age of 35, but they are not elligable to pitch or catch at any time during the season.

    2. Draft Rules

      1. The Charleston 35+ Draft League is a draft league, and all players must be chosen to teams through an annual draft

    3. New Players

      1. The league shall control the assignment to teams of all new players who have contacted the league in response to advertising or who have been referred to the league by any means.

      2. Players must be signed up to be in the league draft through registering through the league website AND have their annual league fees paid prior to the draft 

      3. The number of teams and players on each roster will depend on the number of players in the draft list

      4. draft rules:

        1. The Draft Coordinator will provide the officers a list of registered Draft Pool Players at least one day prior to the draft.  

        2. Team Draft order will be established by drawing draft order numbers at random.

        3. Each team will get ONE Pick per round

        4. The draft order for the first 4 rounds will follow a snake order as follows: 1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1,1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1.  Subsequent rounds will follow a straight pick order; 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4, etc

        5. As the draft continues, teams can pick a player, pass, or say, “we are done”……. And will continue to draft until no players are left to draft.

        6. Supplemental drafts (either before the season begins, or after) will only be done when the number of new draftees match the number of teams in the league.  Example: If there will be 5 teams in the league in a given year, a supplemental draft cannot occur until 5 players have registered and paid for the draft. 

        7. After the season begins, coaches that need to borrow players (to ensure 9 players per game) should contact league coaches to inquire about borrowing players .  This will help any team to avoid a forfeit. This is a first come first serve basis.

        8. Borrowed players: All players in the league can play for other teams if teams are to avoid a forfeit.  Pitchers can play for other teams at any time, but CANNOT pitch for any other team but their own.

    4. Team Rosters

      1. Team rosters will be determined at the draft before the season games begin.  

      2. All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed a waiver form on file with the league for the current season/year.

      3. There is a no trade policy without the consent of all the team coaches

      4. Final team rosters must have no less than 12 players.

      5. Last names must be used in the scorebook to allow for player identification for follow up inquiries that relate to playoff and national tournament participation requiring minimum playing requirements.

    5. Lineups

      1. A team manager may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 12 (subject to the number of players available, if less than 12).

        1. Teams must bat at least 10 batting positions with at least 12 batters in those 10 positions.  For example: Batters 1-10 will have one batter in each position, and positions 11 and 12 will have A/B batters for the entirety of the game

        2. Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game.

        3. If a team has more than 9 players and still only bats nine, they will be assessed an out each time the 10th, batting position is skipped.

        4. Batting only 9 players is NOT a protestable offense.

      2. A manager may add batters to the bottom of the lineup at any time but if a batter is pinch hit or run for (except under courtesy runners as outlined in section 5), the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter but may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher. Added players to the bottom of the lineup may be added as individual hitters or as A/B. Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both.

      3. A team MAY declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order position (i.e. 9, 10, 11, etc.) can be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 9A/9B, 10, 11A/11B, 12, etc. The first time that position 9 gets an at bat, 9A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 9B would be up. Then 9A hits the third time this spot in the order comes up, and so on, alternating between these two players throughout the game. Once a team declares the use of this A/B system, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit for, just as any other player.

      4. If a team has started the game with A/B batters in place, the following will be effective:

        1. If either the A batter, or B batter is injured, or needs to leave the game, no out will be applied when the injured player is scheduled to bat.  The uninjured/remaining player will become the only batter in the line-up position.  All rules for a single player occupying a batting line-up position will then be in place for the remainder of the game.

        2. If a player in any other position in the batting line up not occupied by A/B batter, needs to leave the game, the next player coming up in a A/B batting position will take the place of the vacated player in their line-up position.  This player now becomes the batter in the lineup, and all rules in place for a lineup player are in place.

        3. These rules DO NOT apply for any player being ejected from the game.  All rules in place for obtaining outs when players are ejected are in active.

      5. During the regular season, pitchers are limited to 5 innings pitched per game. For playoff games, there are no restrictions for inings pitched per game.

      6. All teams must announce all offensive additions, substitutions, and/or changes to the home plate umpire AND opposing team manager and/or scorekeeper. Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a legal substitution.

        1. If a team fails to announce an offensive addition/change, the player will be called out as soon as he occupies the batter’s box and the lineup will revert back to the lineup in effect prior to the player entering the game. The unannounced player will not have officially entered the offensive lineup and is therefore still available offensively even though an out has been assessed.

        2. Example: Team A is batting 12 players and wishes to add a player to the bottom of the lineup (Player 13). Player 13 walks to the plate and is not announced to either the opposing team or home plate umpire. Once this player occupies his position in the batter’s box, the umpire will immediately call him out for an illegal substitution and it will then go back to the number 1 position in the lineup. Player 13 is still available to be added to the lineup legally.

      7. If a player is forced to leave a game due to INJURY, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place. If there are no reserves who can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. There will be NO OUT assessed.

      8. If a player is forced to leave a game due to EJECTION, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place. If there are no reserves who can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. The first time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed, after that one time, no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player.

      9. A team must have 8 players for an official game and may borrow a player from an opposing team with the opposing manager’s consent or may borrow a player from another team, also with the opposing manager’s consent. If the team’s 9th player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player reverts back to his team.

      10. All players may be substituted for defensively, at any time, without affecting the player’s offensive status in the line-up. If any pitcher is removed from pitching, he may re-enter to pitch at any time during the course of the game. The removed pitcher may play any other position after being removed or no position at all. 

  5. Player's Behavior and Team Responsibility

    1. Tobacco and Alcoholic beverages 

      1. There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted at the field before, during or after the game.  The field refers to the general playing area and ancillary areas.

        1. Charleston 35+ draft league will suspend any violators for the remainder of the season if they are caught with beer or alcoholic beverages. 

      2.  Tobacco products are also banned from all facilities (this includes vaping). 

        1. 1st time violator will be suspended for 1 game and for the remainder of the season if caught again.

        2. Violators at Shipyard Park will be assessed a $100 fine, payable to Shipyard, in addition to their suspension 

    2. Ejected Players

      1. An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game.  An expulsion results in an automatic 1 game suspension.  The ejected player does not need to be present at the game they are suspended for. Managers only may appeal suspensions to the league rules committee.  Whereby a ruling will be determined after consulting involved parties.

      2. Ejected players must leave the field/dugout/facility as soon as ejected.  If for any reason the player being ejected cannot leave due to transportation restrictions, the ejected player must not participate in the game in any capacity.  This includes helping teammates warm up, coach in any capacity, or help with team changes.

      3. Any player ejected from a game will be subject to at least a minimum ONE Game suspension, and possible expulsion from the league depending on the severity of the infraction. Multiple game suspensions will be at the discretion of the rules committee.  The suspended game(s) do not count towards a game of eligibility. The rules committee must make its final ruling within 3 days from the date of ejection if more than a 1 day suspension is needed.

      4. The league has the right to suspend or expel any team member who abuses league rules or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship or who plays without regard to the safety of the umpires or other players.

      5. Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated and players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league.

      6. In Charleston 35+Draft if any players are involved in aggressive physical contact the players involved will immediately be suspended for 5 games and will be subject to expulsion from the league.

    3. The rules committee is concerned about possible unnecessary and violent collisions that may occur with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all bases. The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions whenever possible.

    4. When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge:

      1. Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable (could the runner have reached the base without colliding) or unavoidable (the runner’s path to the base was blocked) or

      2. Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate) or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder.

      3. PENALTY—If the runner, a) could have avoided the collision and reached the base, or b) attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

      4. If the fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner may make contact or slide into a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate.

      5. If the collision by the runner was flagrant, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest. The ball shall be declared dead.

    5. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The runner is safe and an immediate dead ball shall be called.

      1. If the base runner collides flagrantly, the runner shall be declared safe on the obstruction, but will be ejected from the contest. The ball is dead.

    6. Decoy Rule

      1. Any fielder may use a decoy only if it serves a strategic purpose. For example, if a fielder, who sees a man attempting to steal second base during a hit and run, looks upward into the sky and says that he’s got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on ground is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing.

      2. However, if a fielder fakes a tag, forcing a player to slide, when there is no strategic purpose or apparent play, the runner will be ruled safe and all runners will advance one base.

      3. This is entirely an umpire judgment decision and not a rule that may be protested.

    7. Force Play Slide Rule

      1. The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs.

      2. On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.

      3. Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder.

      4. "On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.

      5. "Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.

      6. If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.

    8. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:

      1. Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or

      2. Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play.

      3. Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.

      4. When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (a) make contact with, or (b) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.

    9. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:

      1. The runner slides or runs out of the baseline in the direction of the fielder;

      2. The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;

      3. The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;

      4. The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder;

      5. "Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.

      6. The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg;

      7. The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play.

      8. PENALTY:

        1. With fewer than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.

        2. With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.

        3. If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest.

        4. If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.

      9. Each league must set its own standards of player/team sportsmanship, but must encourage suspensions for infractions unbefitting to the image and policies of the league.

      10. Failure to abide by age regulations - the managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at any time have the right to question a player’s age. If a manager wants to lodge a protest, proof of age and residence must be mailed to the manager who lodged his protest by Friday of the following week. If an underage player is detected, penalties to the individual or team will be decided by the league president and board of directors. As a national precedent, the penalties will be forfeiture of all games in which the under-age player participated in and a minimum two-year suspension. If the manager had prior knowledge, he is subject to similar suspension

  6. Courtesy Runners

    1. A team is allowed courtesy runners for injured players only.

      1. Players that will need courtesy runners, must have their manager notify the opposing manager at the time the courtesy runner is identified. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request. 

      2. The individual who runs for these player(s) needing a courtesy runner is not determined ahead of time. It is always the LAST OUT who must run for the person needing the courtesy runner. 

      3. The offensive team that is replacing the courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. If the runner is not replaced within this time period, the original runner must run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game. The 30 second time limit will begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow replacement for the runner.

    2. The Charleston 35+ Draft league allows for courtesy Runners ONLY for the following:

      1. Pitcher or Catcher of record at any time. This is voluntary, and does not contribute to courtesy runners

      2. 1 injury curtious runner only. Nothing is designated pre-game. If a manager says a player can't run prior to the game, he/she can't be in the lineup.

  7. Pitchers

    1. Durring regular season games, pitchers are capped at maximum of pitching 5 innings

      1. At any time the team has a double header scheduled for the day, pitchers do not have restrictions on the max innings they can pitch

      2. Durring playoffs and post season games, pitchers do not have restrictions on the max innings they can pitch

    2. No player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.

    3. One intentional walk per game will be allowed. If a second intentional walk is attempted, a balk will immediately be called and all base runners will advance one base.

    4. If a pitcher hits 4 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the fourth hit batsman.

  8. General League Rules

    1. Two forfeits by any team could mean immediate expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team. Individual leagues should evaluate circumstances before rendering a decision.

    2. All protests should be lodged to the league protest committee/board within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made. All protests shall be decided by the league board of directors and/or protest committee.

    3. Charleston 35+ Draft League rules require participation in at least 4 of their own teams' games in the regular season.  Participation is tracked by a registered plate appearance or completing 1 full inning of pitching.

    4. Players serving a suspension DO NOT have that game counted towards their 4 game requirement.

    5. Players that were to make a forfeited game will have that game count towards their 4 game requirement. This applies to both teams.  For example: Team A will only have 6 team members attend a game causing a forfeit; those 6 players will get credit for one game towards their 4 required.

  9. Code of Conduct

    1. Prohibitions. Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:

      1. Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.

      2. Refuse to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

      3. Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.

      4. Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.

      5. Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

      6. Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.

      7. Be guilty of verbal abusive attack upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.

      8. Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be upon the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

      9. Smoke on the field of play or in the dugout. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game.

    2. ​​Direct communication with an umpire or umpire coordinator outside of a game setting by a player or manager is inappropriate and will result in a 1 game minimum suspension.  All queries, criticisms, accolades must be communicated through the league’s umpire coordinator.

  10. Penalties

    1. The board of directors may, by vote of the majority of the directors, suspend any player or manager for such a period and upon such terms as it may propose, for the conduct within its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.

    2. Except as otherwise provided, the commissioners shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct, and shall report their decision to the player, manager and the board of directors.

    3. A player found in violation of any provision delineated in the codes of conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.

    4. Any player found in violation of any provisions delineated in the codes of conduct, after being suspended from further participation in a game shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.

  11. Grievances, protests, and appeals

    1. Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the commissioner or appropriate board. The commissioner shall adjudicate all such grievances and shall report any action taken to the board of directors.

    2. An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the board of directors by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted. However, all decisions by the board of directors are final and not subject to appeal.

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