COAB RULES

(updated 02/2026)

 

Central Oregon Adult Baseball Rules and Procedures

Forward

Central Oregon Adult Baseball (COAB or the “League”)Rules and Procedures have been

approved by the COAB Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has instituted these rules

in the best interest of the COAB and its membership, in keeping with the duties and powers

as defined in the COAB Bylaws. Re-codified, amended, and adopted by the COAB Board of

Directors on 02/19/2026.

All League rules are subject to change, if in the best interests of the League. Any change requires a majority vote of the COAB Board of Directors.

Rule Hierarchy and Changes

The COAB Game Rules govern play in the COAB. The COAB Game Rules supplement the current Official Rules of Major League Baseball (see http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/official_rules.jsp for a PDF version of the rules). Where there are inconsistencies, the COAB Game Rules apply. All COAB Game Rules are subject to change, if in the best interests of the League. Any change requires a majority vote of the COAB Board of Directors. Each year, a Rules and Disciplinary Committee will be appointed by the Board of Directors to, among other duties, review and recommend rules changes. No one, including a Division Commissioner, has the ability to change COAB Game Rules outside of this process. Managers must direct each of their players to the COAB web site to review these rules before that player may play in a COAB game.

The Basic Rule "Sportsmanship"

The League subscribes to the highest level of sportsmanship. This means showing respect for umpires, opposing players, teammates, fans and the fields on which we play. Fighting, leaving the bench or your position during an altercation (for any reason), throwing equipment, deliberate efforts to injure another player, and excessive profanity are examples of poor sportsmanship, and are not tolerated. Players who fail to meet this standard of sportsmanship are subject to ejection from games, suspensions, fines or any and all of the above, as well as banishment from the League. A player need not have been ejected from a game to face these penalties.

General League Rules

1. Equipment

1.1. Uniforms

With the exception of authorized taxi pool players or supply problems, all players and coaches must wear full baseball uniforms to be eligible to participate in a game. A full baseball uniform is considered to be a jersey, baseball pants, baseball socks or stirrups, and cap.

1.2. Helmets

All batters and runners must wear helmets while on the field of play. Helmets with ear flaps facing the pitcher are required for batters. Catchers are required to wear a protective helmet in the field.

1.3. Bats

Players may only use either wood or wood equivalent bats during games.

1.3.1 Altering of bats

Corking of a wood or composite-wood bat, rolling of a composite bat, or other similar performance enhancing modifications qualifies the bat as non-COAB standard and illegal for use in COAB play ("Illegal Bat"). Substances applied to the handle solely aimed at increasing grip shall not be considered “performance enhancing” for purposes of this rule. Infractions and penalties apply for the use of an Illegal Bat.

1.3.2. Infractions

If there is probable cause for suspicion, a Manager may request an interruption of play and request the umpire examine an opponent’s bat at any time prior to first pitch to the next batter.

1.3.3. Player Penalties

The following penalties apply if the use of an Illegal Bat by a player is discovered.

1.3.3.1. First offense

A batter who enters the batter's box with an Illegal Bat is declared out regardless of whether or not the ball is put into play.

1.3.3.2. Second offense by the same player:

The batter is declared out and is subject to a 5-game suspension.

1.3.4. Team Penalties

Following any infraction, the Manager of the offending team is required to broadcast the penalty to COAB Board of Directors within 12 hours following the conclusion of the game. The message will be forwarded to all other teams within that division. The following team penalties also apply for any Illegal Bat infraction.

1.3.4.1. First offense by a team:

Warning issued to Manager, no penalty.

1.3.4.2. Second offense by a team

The Manager is automatically ejected.

1.3.4.3. Third offense by a team:

The Manager is subject to a 3-game suspension (carried over into playoffs or following season, if applicable).

1.4. Footwear

Players must wear athletic shoes, subject to field-specific rules.

2. Fields

2.1. Care of Fields

The following rules apply to the care of fields used by the COAB:

2.1.1. Sunflower seeds with shells, peanuts with shells, and similar nuts with shells

Are prohibited on the field surface or in the dugout at artificial surface fields or wherever prohibited by specific field rules, whether posted or not.

2.1.2. Warm-ups, running, stretching, and pepper games.

Where permissible by individual field rules shall always be in the outfield, and not on the infield.

2.1.3. Batting cages

Batting cages shall only be used if a field permits such use, or by prior arrangement.

2.1.4. Hitting or Throwing Balls into Fences

Players shall not hit or throw balls into fences as part of their warm-up while using fields that have signage saying not to do so.

2.1.5. Post-Game Cleanup

Clear all dugouts of all trash and dispose of properly.

2.1.6. Interaction with Field Personnel

All COAB players shall be polite and respectful to field personnel. We are guests on their field (and can be uninvited).

2.1.7. Practice after a Rainout

No practice is allowed on a field after a rained-out game is declared.

2.1.8. Special or Posted Field Rules

All special rules that are posted or in effect for particular fields on which the COAB may play shall be observed. Refer to the League’s Field Rules section on COAB.com for more information.

2.1.9. On Deck Batters

On deck batters shall warm up on the dirt or designated surface, depending on field-specific rules. On deck batters may not warm-up on the grass!

2.2. Alcohol and Tobacco

No beer or other alcoholic beverages shall be permitted on the premises where games are played, including the field area and parking lots. No player will be permitted on the premises under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Players shall abide by posted rules at the field. Of note, tobacco products (including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff) are prohibited on school property, including all school fields and parking lots. If reported to a Board of Directors assigned disciplinary committee, and they conclude that there is a reasonable belief that this rule was violated, they may levy penalties including but not limited to suspensions and fines as laid out in Section 8.

2.2.1 Exception to Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol and tobacco use  is permitted as long as the following criteria is met

1. Games are being played at a facility that serves alcohol on site
2. The facility representative has given the COAB Board of Directors the okay to bring alcohol on site

2.3. Personnel on Field and in Dugouts

For the safety of all concerned, as well as compliance with insurance requirements, only roster-listed players and authorized taxi-pool players shall be permitted on the field or in the dugouts during a game. Friends, kids, family, and batboys, etc. are permitted only by approval of the team managers.

3. Length & Completion of Games

3.1. A Full Game:

It is the objective of the League to ensure that every game is played to the fullest (seven innings or more, as needed,) and that there is a clear outcome. Due to field use, schedules, and budget constraints, this will not always be possible. This objective will not be met whenever a game is called "completed" by the umpires for either of the following conditions: Time Limits (rule 3.2,) and Rain, Darkness or Other Conditions (see rule 3.3).

3.2. Time Limits:

3.2.1. Regular Season and Non-Championship Playoff Games:

Umpires will declare "final inning" at (or as near as possible to) two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes following the "play ball" call by the umpire. Games will complete (per Rule 3.6) at the completion of the "final inning." If the field is NOT available (such as if another game is being played on it immediately following), regular season games will "drop dead" at 3 hours and 15 minutes.  No games will be called in the middle of an at bat with the exception of uncontrollable occurrences (lights or weather). In the case of a tie after the final completed inning, games will either be:

3.2.1.1. Regular Season Games:

Considered a tie and be considered complete.

3.2.1.2. Non-Championship Playoff Games:

Considered suspended and finished at a later date, per Rule 3.5., OR, if the field remains available, the game may be continued until completed or until Rule 3.2.4 or Rule 3.4 applies.

3.2.1.3 Mercy Rule

A game may be called complete when a team achieves a 10 run lead after 5 complete innings, and both team managers agree to call the game complete.

An umpire may call the game with a 15 run lead after 5 complete innings. 

3.2.2. Playoff Games-Division Championship:

Division Championship games will be played to completion, provided the field remains available and with the approval of the umpires working the game. If another game is scheduled to follow on the same field, Division Championship games will be suspended at 3 hours and 15 minutes and will then follow Rule 3.5. In the case of a tie after 9 innings and the game cannot be completed for any reason (such as time limits are reached per 3.2.4 or the umpires invoke Rule 3.3, or if the umpires are unable to continue) Division Championship games will be considered suspended and finished at a later date, per Rule 3.5.

3.2.3. New Inning:

A new inning begins when the third out is made in the bottom of the inning.

3.2.4. Field Specific Rules:

Some fields have time limits for lights or for field closure (i.e.; Lights turn off at 10:30 pm). Such time limits will be considered "drop dead" time limits for all games played on these fields. These conditions should be taken into account when determining whether a new inning should begin.

3.2.5. Games Called by Time Limits:

If a game is called by time limits (as defined above) and the inning has not been completed (as defined in rule 3.6), then the score of the game shall revert back to the score at the end of the last completed inning as defined in rule 3.6.   If the game is called during the home half of the inning and the home team is in the lead, all stats and scores from that inning shall count.

3.3. Rain, Darkness or Other Conditions:

At the discretion of the umpires, a game in progress may be called "completed" when they have determined that rain, lack of visibility, or other conditions result in unsafe conditions for those involved in the play of the game.

3.4. Minimum Game Length:

To become an "Official Game," a regular season game must be played for a minimum of 4 "complete innings" (see Rule 3.6). To become an "Official Game," a non-championship playoff game must be played for a minimum of 5 "complete innings" (see Rule 3.6). Championship playoff games must be played for a minimum of 5 "complete innings" (see Rule 3.6). If a game has been called "completed" by the umpires for conditions described in rules 3.2 and/or 3.3, and it has been played for the minimum length as described herein, regular season games become an "Official Game" even if it is a tie. During the regular season, if a game is called by the umpires for conditions described in rules 3.2 and/or 3.3 and it has not been played for the minimum length as described herein, it becomes a "Non-Game" and will be rescheduled. During the playoffs, all games will be played until a winner is decided per 3.2.1.2 or 3.2.2. If a playoff game is called by the umpires for any of the conditions described in rules 3.2 and/or 3.3 it will become a suspended game per rule 3.5.

3.5. Suspended Games:

A "Suspended Game" is not considered completed and no winner is declared. During the regular season, there will be no suspended games. Regular season games will either be "complete" as described in rule 3.4 or considered a "non-game" and re-scheduled. During the playoffs, tied games and all games that are called by the umpires for conditions described in rules 3.2 and/or 3.3 that have not met the minimum game length standards in Rule 3.4 will be considered a "Suspended Game" and shall be finished when re-scheduled with the original players and lineup in place when the game was suspended. If all the original players are not available, then both teams shall be permitted to substitute players, subject to league and division substitution rules.

3.6. Complete Inning:

A "complete inning" is one in which both teams have been put out three times, or one in which the visitors have been put out three times and the home team is tied or ahead.

3.7. Official Games:

All games, once play has begun, will be considered either "Official Games", "Non-Games" or "Suspended Games" (playoffs only), as per the above rules. An official game may end in a tie (see rule 3.8.). All "Official Games" are "in the books."

3.8. Tie Games:

An Official Game in the regular season ending in a tie is considered "in the books," and will not be rescheduled or completed at a later date.

3.9. Length of Doubleheaders:

Both games of a doubleheader will be Full Games (see Rule 3.1), time permitting, unless tied, per the rules above in this section. Based on these rules, by definition, the first game of a double header will have a maximum length of 3 hours and 15 minutes.

3.10. Hurry Up:

Since we pay to play, and live with inevitable time limits, every reasonable effort should be made by both teams to speed up the pace of play between innings (see rule 5.4), and, between pitches. The league does not adhere to MLB pace of play rules.
 

4. Pre-Game

4.1. Number of Players; Forfeits:

Teams must have a minimum of eight players for an official game to begin or proceed, and may borrow a ninth player from an opposing team with the opposing manager’s consent. If the team’s ninth player arrives after the start of the game, the borrowed player returns to his original team. A team having less than eight players at game time will be given a 15 minute grace period, except that this grace period will be 30 minutes for a scheduled 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm weeknight start. If, at any time after the grace period, or during the game, a team falls below the required eight players, the game shall be declared a forfeit, and the team without the required number of players loses the game with a score of 7-0. .

4.2. Line-up Cards:

Line-up cards specifying the starting offensive line-up, all other available players, will be exchanged between managers and given to the umpire if requested prior to the start of the game. Line-up cards must include, at a minimum, last names and uniform numbers for all available players. For taxi pool players without a jersey, include last name and "T" as the number. Players arriving late may be added at the bottom of the lineup or substituted under normal rules. All substitutions must be reported to the opposing team.

4.3. Scorekeeping:

4.3.1 Required Scorekeeping

While both teams are encouraged to keep score, the home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook. If the home team does not have enough personnel to keep the scorebook, the managers may agree to have the visiting team keep the official scorebook. It is the responsibility of both teams to see that their scorebooks match (at least in total runs scored per team per inning.).

4.3.2 Gamechanger

For official league stats to be kept all games must be scored on the Gamechanger app. League records and player awards will be reflective of team stats on Gamechanger on a team-by-team basis. Stats recorded by your scorekeeper will be what becomes submitted. Home and Away teams both keeping a book is strongly encouraged. In the case of contradicting books the home team's book will be considered “official”.

4.4 Dugout Selection

The home team shall use the 3rd base dugout and the visiting team shall use the 1st base dugout. Managers may agree to swamp dugouts prior to game time.

4.4.1 Designated Home Field Exception 

In the case a team has a designated “home field”, that team will receive priority on dugout selection at their home field whether they are the home team or not.

5. Play of the Game

5.1. Line-ups and Substitutions:

The following rules govern line-ups and all substitutions:

5.1.1. Minimum Line-up.

The starting offensive line-up can have nine or more hitters (eight if the team has only eight players and is not loaned a ninth player per Pre-Game Rule 4.1).

If a team has only 8 players present, the team must take an automatic out at the end of the first time through their order. Thereafter, the lineup turns over without penalty

5.1.1.2 Non-rostered players

A team is required to have seven (7) players properly registered on their roster present at the time of first pitch in order to begin a game. 

A maximum of three (3) pool players or borrowed players may be used at any given time. 

When using pool or borrowed players your lineup card may not exceed ten (10) total players.

5.1.2. Adding and Removing Players to the Line-up.

The offensive line-up can always be expanded by adding players at the bottom of the order. In no case can a lineup be shortened to less than 8 slots - a team needs 8 players to proceed or the game is a forfeit per rule 4.1,   If a lineup is shortened, the removed player is ineligible to return to the game on either offense or defense.

5.1.3. Re-entry in the Line-up.

A player removed from the offensive line-up may re-enter in any spot in the offensive line-up after remaining out for one full cycle of the batting order following his/her missed turn at bat. .

5.1.3.1. Example:

In a 9-person lineup, if the leadoff hitter is pinch hit for the second time through the order (the 10th plate appearance of the game) they are eligible to re-enter the lineup in the 1st slot, the third time through the order (the 19th plate appearance of the game).  If the leadoff hitter reaches base their second time up (the 10th plate appearance of the game) and is subsequently pinch-run for, they are eligible to re-enter the lineup in the 1st spot, the 4th time through the lineup (the 28th plate appearance of the game).  In both cases, the batter must go 17 spots (twice through the order) between plate appearances.

5.1.4. Defensive Changes.

Free and unlimited defensive substitutions may be made without regard to the offensive line-up, with the exception of pitchers who, once removed from the pitching position, may not return to pitching during that game, except with agreement from the opposing manager. Except in case of injury, pitchers must remain at pitcher for at least 1 PA. Pitchers are not required to face a 3 batter minimum. 

5.1.5. Designated Runners .

The courtesy runner for any player so designated is the player who made the last actual out who is not already acting as a courtesy runner or the on deck batter, a player not in the lineup may be used as a courtesy runner at any time. If an out has not been made in the game, the courtesy runner will be the last player in the batting order who does not need a courtesy runner. If the batter scheduled to be on deck is at one of the bases as a courtesy runner, that courtesy runner is allowed to go on deck, and the next courtesy runner will assume the previous courtesy runner's place on base. If the offensive team replaces the runner with the wrong courtesy runner (a player that was not the last actual out) and the opposing team protests before the next pitch, then 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. If the original runner inadvertently runs themself and the opposing team protests after the next pitch, the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game.

5.1.6. Catcher Courtesy Rule.

Each team has the option of using a courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs in order to speed up play. This means that if the catcher for the next inning is on a base with two outs, he may be substituted from the bases with the last actual out so that he can expedite putting on the catcher’s gear for warm ups after the third out. The catcher courtesy runner is bound by the rules of the paragraph above

5.2. Slide or Avoid:

Base runners must either slide or attempt to avoid a collision with a fielder attempting to make a play in the vicinity of a base. Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal as defined below. If no slide or attempt to avoid a collision is made in these circumstances, the umpire shall declare the base runner out. If no slide is made and a collision results, the umpire may, at his discretion, eject the base runner. If a fielder is not in the vicinity of a base, or is obstructing the base path without attempting to make a play, he/she is not protected by this rule and bears equal responsibility for avoiding collisions. Neither the catcher, nor any other fielder, may block the plate or a base without the ball. The umpire may call a runner "safe" when, except for a fielder blocking the plate or base without the ball, the runner would have reached the plate or base safely. It is strongly encouraged that this rule be specifically discussed at all pre-game home plate meetings to communicate the specific COAB rule to the umpiring crew.

5.2.1. Legal Slide

A legal slide can be either feet first or head first that begins before s/he reaches the base. If a runner slides, s/he must slide and a) reach the base with either a hand or a foot and b) remain on the base. A runner may slide or run in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. Jumping, hurdling, and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder as long as the fielder is lying on the ground.

5.2.2. Illegal Slide

A slide is illegal if a) the runner changes his/her path to the base in order to collide with an infielder, b) the runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide into the fielder, or c) the runner’s raised leg is higher than the fielder’s knee when the fielder is in a standing position, or d) the runner goes beyond the base and then makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder, or e) the runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg, or f) the runner dives or attempts to dive over a fielder.

5.3. Decoy Rule:

A defensive player may decoy a runner into sliding or altering his path to the base only if it serves a "strategic purpose" and the defensive player does not obstruct the base path without the ball. In the event of a decoy violating this rule, all runners shall be allowed to advance an extra base without risk of being put out. Examples of "strategic purpose" include when a defensive player, who sees a runner attempting to steal second base during a hit and run play, looks upward into the sky and says he's got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on the ground. This is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing. The defensive player who violated the decoy rule shall receive a warning and may be subject to ejection for a second offense.

5.3.1 Fake Tags

Infielders applying fake tags with the purpose of altering runners' ability to safely reach a base without the ball is prohibited and may result in a warning and/or an extra base. This call is the discretion of the umpire crew.

5.4. Pitching:

5.4.1. Warm Up Pitches.

A pitcher shall be permitted eight warm-up pitches upon entering the game, five at the top of every subsequent inning, and none in an inning after moving from pitcher to fielder and returning to pitcher. If the umpire feels that a pitcher is trying to slow down the game intentionally, then and only then, he can lessen the amount of warm-up pitches to no less than five. The umpire also has the discretion to allow for as many warm-up pitches as necessary when a pitcher is substituting for another injured pitcher.

5.5. Extra Innings

If the score is tied after nine complete innings:

Regular season games - each half-inning following the 9th inning will begin with a runner on second base. The runner placed on second base at the start of each half-inning shall be the player in the batting order immediately preceding that half-inning's leadoff hitter. Managers can substitute/pinch run for the runner placed on second base by using a bench player or another player that is eligible for re-entry per rule 5.1.3. If the runner placed on second base has a designated courtesy runner, then rule 5.1.5 applies.

Playoff and Championship Games - each half-inning following the 9th inning will begin with the bases empty.
 

6. Post-Game

6.1.  Reporting Scores:

The winning team must report each game score on gamechanger within 1 hour of game completion
 

7. Other Rules

7.1 Minimum Roster Size:

Each COAB team must have at least 15 "paid" active roster spots by the completion of their respective division's draft.

7.2 Official Roster Posting

Official rosters will be posted after the conclusion of the draft. Player adds must go through the waiver wire/trades during the entirety of the season. 

 

Players must be registered as active players or added to the teams reserve list as inactive players and on the official team roster in order to be considered official members of a team.  

7.3 Playoff Eligibility:

In order for a player to be eligible for the playoffs with a COAB team, that player must be listed on the team’s roster with a "complete" registration status (i.e. active status, dues paid, and waiver signed), and must have been active for 10 or more regular season games. Team Managers may request an exception to the playoff eligibility requirements for a specific player by submitting a request to the Division Commissioner.  Such exceptions shall require the approval by a majority of the division's Managers.

7.4. Team Playoff Eligibility:

At the discretion of the Division Commissioner, with appeal rights to the COAB Board of Directors, any team forfeiting three games in a single season may be deemed ineligible for post-season play.

7.5. Roster Termination ("Cut") Letters:

Every General Manager shall be required to send a "cut letter" to each player from his preceding year’s roster whose position on the roster is being terminated before start of play for the next season. Roster termination letters must be sent to the player prior to the 31st day of January of the year in which the roster position is being terminated. A copy of each roster termination letter must be submitted to the COAB President or COAB Player Agent by the 7th day of February of the same year, or may be hand delivered at the next General Meeting. NO PLAYER MAY BE REMOVED FROM A ROSTER AFTER THE 31st OF JANUARY EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF BOTH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION IN QUESTION AND THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT. ONLY THE COAB-RECOGNIZED Manager HAS THE AUTHORITY OR ABILITY TO CUT A PLAYER.

7.6. Taxi Pool Usage:

Taxi-pool players may be obtained by submitting a request through the COAB online Taxi Pool system. A team may add a taxi player through other means with the approval of the opposing Manager. The Division Commissioner must be notified of all such requests.  The Division Commissioner reserves the right to overrule the opposing Manager if the circumstances are warranted.  Taxi-pool players may not be allowed to pitch, unless agreed to by the opposing team’s Manager or manager. Taxi-pool players are not eligible for the playoffs.

If a division commissioner determines a team's taxi pool usage to be excessive, the commissioner has the authority to compel that team to add players to their roster via buddy pick or waiver wire acquisition.

7.7. Ineligible Players:

If an ineligible player is used in a game that team will forfeit the game (even if not protested by the opposing team) AND a 2-game suspension and a $25 fine will be imposed on the Manager. The division commissioner also has the authority to suspend the ineligible player should it be determined the player should reasonably have known they were ineligible at the time they played (for example, they are currently serving a suspension). Note that the ineligible player’s suspension cannot commence until he/she has remedied the cause of the ineligible status.

7.7.1. Ensuring Eligibility:

It is the responsibility of the Manager and/or player to confirm the receipt of payment or required forms or signatures by the League office. Mailing the payment/form the day of a game does not make the player eligible. Check the League website rosters well in advance of your first game to ensure that all of your players are eligible to begin the season.

7.7.2. Eligible Player Definition:

A player is defined as eligible to play if his/her roster status on the current League’s web site shows "Active" with a signed waiver and dues paid in full. Any status other than "Active" will mean the player is ineligible. As well, any player who is required to serve a suspension, regardless of the roster status shown on the League web site, is ineligible to play.

7.7.3. Other Definitions of Ineligible:

Any player who plays in violation of the COAB Taxi Pool Policy or player acquisitions rules shall be considered an ineligible player. Any player who registers for the tryouts in a given year, whether they attend a tryout or not, shall be considered an ineligible player in that year if the first team they are added to is by any means other than the draft.

7.8. Missed General Meetings:

Each Manager (or a designated replacement) shall attend each scheduled General Meeting. The Manager is responsible for his replacement’s attendance. Teams who play on the evening of a General Meeting are excused from attending. Your commissioner will forward any important information discussed at meetings on these dates. For unexcused missed meetings, the burden of responsibility is placed on the Manager to contact other Manager’s or your commissioner to receive any information you missed.

7.9 Expansion Teams

7.9.1 Current players

Players leaving teams to join expansion teams are required to tell their managers prior to January 31.

7.9.2 Compensation

Teams who lose players to expansion teams will be granted additional buddy picks and/or compensatory draft picks at the discretion of the Board of Directors

7.10. Manager Conduct:

Any manager that is removed from position by the COAB Board of Directors or a division commissioner may not be reinstated as a manager in the COAB until he/she is both a member in good standing with the COAB and his/her reinstatement is approved by the COAB Board of Directors. Managers may not initiate contact with players on other teams in their own division, during the season or not, for the purpose of recruiting them to the Manager's team, or to suggest the player ask for a trade or any other such actions that would reasonably be considered tampering. Such actions are subject to suspension, fines or other discipline of the Manager by the division commissioner, President or Board of Directors.
 

8. Discipline and Ejection

The following information represents the minimum standards or penalties imposed for ejections and/or any other disciplinary matters regarding COAB members. Ejections are to be reported by the affected player’s General Manager to their Division Commissioner, the League Player Agent, and the Vice President, within 24 hours or prior to the team’s next game, whichever comes first. Division Commissioners and any “Appeal Panel” convened must report, in writing, the results of all disciplinary actions in their division (penalties leveled, appeals heard, and reasoning behind such decisions) by the next COAB Board of Directors meeting following the disciplinary action.

8.1. Ordinary Ejections:

An ejection is considered "ordinary" unless otherwise specified on the umpire’s report of the ejection or at the discretion of the Division Commissioner, Vice President, and/or COAB Board of Directors.

8.1.1. Minimum Penalties:

All ordinary ejections are subject to the following minimum penalties, effective immediately upon occurrence.  Ordinary ejections are not subject to appeal.

8.1.1.1. 1st ejection:

A first ejection in any season shall result in a one game suspension and a $50 fine

8.1.1.2. 2nd ejection:

A second ejection in the same season shall result in a three game suspension and a $50 fine

8.1.1.3. 3rd ejection:

A third ejection in the same season shall result in a seven game suspension, a $100 fine and possible further punishment as deemed by rules and disciplinary committee.

8.2. Non-ordinary Ejections:

“Non-ordinary” ejections per the umpire’s report of the incident or at the discretion of the Division Commissioner, League President or COAB Board of Directors may result in a suspension and fine greater than the minimum penalty required for an "Ordinary" ejection. The Division Commissioner, League President, and/or COAB Board of Directors have the discretion to determine the appropriate penalty and should penalize the player proportionate to their actions.

8.3. Extraordinary Verbal Assault, Excessive Abuse:

“Extraordinary Verbal Assault”and/or “Excessive Abuse” may occur when a player engages in a verbal discussion with an umpire, player, field personnel or fan, or engages in excessive abuse of equipment, property, the dugout or the premises in general. The Division Commissioner, League Player Agent, Vice President, and/or Board of Directors shall determine if a player’s actions fall under this category. 

8.3.1 Minimum Penalties:

Instances of Extraordinary Verbal Assault and Excessive Abuse are subject to the following minimum penalties, and may be added to at the discretion of the Division Commissioner, League Player Agent, Vice President and/or COAB Board of Directors, and are effective immediately upon notification (whether by ejection or by written notice from the COAB, whichever comes first):

1st Offense:

A first offense shall result in a suspension of at least five games, and $150 fine.

2nd Offense:

A second offense in the same season shall result in the player’s banishment from the COAB.

8.4. Fighting, Physical Threats:

Fighting or attempting to incite a brawl, leaving the bench or your position during any type of altercation, or physical and/or verbal intimidation -- that which would put a reasonable person in fear for his or her safety -- whether directed at an umpire, players, field personnel, fans, or any other person in the vicinity, shall subject a player to suspension, fine and/or banishment from the League on the first offense. The Division Commissioner may recommend and the Vice President or COAB Board of Directors may determine penalties or may banish a player for this offense.

8.5. Other Disciplinary Actions:

Given the fact that the above disciplinary rules will not cover every possible situation that may arise, the League reserves the right to review and penalize any misbehavior which it deems detrimental to the welfare and reputation of the League. The COAB Board of Directors has the power to penalize behavior or levy fines or assessments as it deems appropriate (e.g. cases of property destruction, damage to the League’s reputation, etc.).

8.6. The Appeals Process

Penalties for ordinary ejections are automatic and cannot be appealed.  For any penalty other than an ordinary ejection, the ejected/penalized player or Team Manager has a maximum of 2 calendar days after the scheduled game to notify the Division Commissioner, Player Agent, and Vice President by telephone or email of their intent to appeal any disciplinary action. No appeal can be made after this deadline.  Players subjected to penalties for Non-Ordinary ejections or other significant actions are not permitted to play during an appeal unless otherwise indicated by the President or Vice President.  An Appeal will be heard by whichever "Appeal Panel" is applicable to the player’s situation.

8.6.1. Appeals of Single Game Suspensions or Individual Fines/Penalties:

An appeal of a single game suspension or of an individual fine or other penalty will be handled by that Division’s Commissioner.

8.6.2. Appeals of 2 or 3 Game Suspensions and Accompanying Fines/Penalties:

An appeal of a suspension of 2 or 3 games (including the accompanying fines) will be reviewed by the Vice President and a Commissioner of another division, as selected by the Vice President.

8.6.3. Appeals of 4 or more Game Suspensions and Accompanying Fines/Penalties:

An appeal of a suspensions of four (4) or more games will be reviewed by a three-person panel of Board Members, none of whom shall play in the division in which the suspension was levied, as selected by the Vice President (who may sit as one of the three panelists).

8.6.4. Conducting the Appeal:

Once the appeal is filed by the appealing player, the "Appeal Panel" will, as appropriate, set a hearing date, request information from the appealing player, the respective managers of the teams involved and the League (including any umpire's report), including all information obtained to make the initial ruling. Such information is to be collected as soon as practical. When collected, the "Appeal Panel" will provide this information to the penalized player. Once the appealing player has received the information above, they will provide their response and any substantiating reports from supporting witnesses within 2 days of receipt of the information. For appeals of 3 or less games the "Appeal Panel" will render its decision as soon as practical following receipt of the response from the appealing player. For appeals of 4 or more games, the appealing player may request an appeal hearing that will be conducted in-person or via video conferencing. The "Appeal Panel" will render its decision either 1) as soon as practical following receipt of the response from the penalized player or 2) immediately following the appeal hearing. Should the appealing player request an appeal hearing, they may have no more than 2 personal "advocates" present or provide supporting statements during the hearing. One of these may be the Player Agent who is available to represent all penalized players in their appeals. The League may also be represented at the appeal hearing and provide input to the panel on the player's past record or provide data on past penalties for similar offenses. Only the "Appeal Panel," however, may be present during deliberations.

8.6.5. Past Record and History of the Player:

In considering a player’s appeal of the facts of the incident and/or the assessed penalties, the League may consider the player’s past history in the COAB.

8.7. Serving Suspensions:

A suspension is to be applied to the next available game(s) for which that player’s team is scheduled. If a player is suspended based on his/her conduct as a taxi-pool player, the suspension is applied to the next available games(s) for which that player’s primary team is scheduled. This may include carry-over into the playoffs and/or the following season or if a) the player changes teams or b) the player changes division or c) their team changes divisions part-way through the suspension. A player who plays for an additional team in another division only serves their suspension in the division in which the offense occurred. While serving suspensions, a suspended player may not attend their team's games, sit on the bench, or be present at the field where their team is playing.

8.7.2. Double-Header Exception:

A player who is ejected in the first game of a double-header may play in the second game only if his/her team will forfeit due to losing that player.

8.8 Forfeited games

8.8.1 Forfeit announcement

For the sake of participation a team's forfeiture also takes a game away from another team. If teams are aware they will not have the required number of players to participate in a game they are encouraged to announce the forfeit more than 24 hours in advance. 

8.8.2 Forfeited Game Fines

Teams who forfeit games are required to pay the league the cost of the umpires and facilities. One half of each fine will be given to the scheduled opponent.

8.8.2.1  With 24 Hours of notice

One half of the game rate ($110)

8.8.2.2 6-23 hours of notice

Full game rate ($220)

8.8.2.3 5 or less hours of notice

Full game rate + $100 ($320)

8.9. Payment of Monetary Fines:

When monetary fines are provided as part of the disciplinary penalty, the League will place a “payment due” status on the player’s account for the amount of the fine and mark the player as Not Active on the COAB website. Monetary fines must be paid in full to the Division Commissioner and/or any member of the Board of Directors or through electronic payment on the League website prior to participating in a game in the division where the offense occurred, regardless of whether the suspension has been served or not. Example: Player X must serve a 2 game suspension and pay $25. Player X takes 10 days to pay the fine, but his team plays 4 games over those 10 days. Player X is not eligible to play in any of those 4 games because he has an outstanding fine to the League. If a player is found to have played in a game with a fine not being paid, they will be subject to the next level of ejection/discipline.
 

9. Team Management Rules

9.1 Buddy Picks

Subject to applicable player acquisition rules described below, teams may add (“Buddy Picks”) to their roster subject to the following limits.

These picks shall be awarded to each team at the first general meeting following the conclusion of the playoffs.

9.1.2 Family Members

A team may add a player to its roster that is an immediate family member of a currently rostered player without expending a Buddy Pick or subjecting the player to the COAB draft.

A family member, for the purpose of this rule, is strictly defined as a parent, sibling, child or spouse.

9.1.3  Previously Rostered Players 

If a previously rostered player (Active/Paid or Inactive/Paid) sits out from his former team and all other teams in the same division for less than five years (meaning the player is not a "returning player" as defined in rule 9.3.2 ) and the player and their past team still want to play together, then the team may bring back said player using a "Legacy Pick" that does not require use of a buddy pick. Once a previously rostered player has sat out for five years or more, they are ineligible for a Legacy Pick and a buddy pick must be used.

If a player sits out for one season and either the player or the team does not wish for the player to come back, the player may elect free agency and enter the draft or may seek a trade to another team. That player may not be added as a buddy pick.

9.1.4 Non Drafted players 

Any player added to a team is required to be announced to all other managers as a new member of a team. Managers are required to doing this prior to the new player registering.

9.2 Draft Rules

Draft order will be determined by overall winning percentage of teams for the regular season and playoffs from the previous season using the following calculation: wins/(wins + losses) = winning percentage. For the calculation, ties count as 0.5 win and 0.5 loss. Teams will draft from lowest winning percentage to highest. Teams that are new to the league will be added to the beginning of the draft in the compensatory round.

Use the following factors to break ties for playoff seeding:

1. Head to head competition--wins/losses
2. Head to head competition--runs allowed
3. Overall runs allowed
4. Coin flip

Newly formed and approved teams will be slotted at the last pick of their division drafts. Any changes to such are at the discretion of the Board of Directors by vote.

9.2.1 Drafting Family Members

If immediate family members as defined in 9.1.2 wish to be drafted together, these pairs will be identified at the beginning of the draft. The paired players will only be available to be drafted in divisions where both (or all) are eligible.

If a team selects one of the paired players, the other(s) will be automatically selected with that team’s next available selection. The team may not make another draft pick until they have selected all of the players in that family pairing.

9.2.2 Minimum Roster Size prior to draft

Teams must have at least 10 paid active roster spots in order to be considered a viable team and participate in the draft. If the Board of Directors determines that the player pool is sufficient to accommodate a team with less paid players, they may waive this rule for a given team in a given year.

Players whose teams are deemed unviable per this rule are made free agents are are eligible to join any team per section 9.3 and the limitations of the COAB divisions

9.2.3 Releasing Players

1. Players may only be released after the end of the season.
2. Players must be released by issuing a "cut letter" no later than January 31st.

9.3 Player Free Agency

A player is a free agent if said player (1) was not on a COAB roster in the prior 5 seasons (2) was cut or released by the player's previous team; or (3) was eligible to be drafted and remained undrafted.

1. A “Free Agent” is a player who will be added in the year's draft class.
2. A "Returning Player" is a player who was an Active/Paid or Inactive/Paid roster member of a team in the previous season and will automatically be a roster member for the current season unless cut or released by the player's previous team.
3. Any team that folds from a division makes their players free agents. Any free agent player is available to be added to any team in the division without requiring use of a buddy pick or a draft pick until the end of the immediate following season.

9.4 Trades

1. Trades must be approved by all players involved, both Managers, and the Commissioner, and submitted to the Player Agent.
2. Draft choices are allowed as compensation in trades If the team trading the draft pick is no longer in the division at the time of the applicable draft, the team receiving the pick will draft in the slot that the trading team otherwise would have held (e.g., if Team A trades its first round pick for the next season to Team B and Team A later finishes with the worst record in the division and folds, Team B would have first overall pick in the next draft).
3. Buddy Picks may not be used as compensation in trades.
4. Trades cannot involve monetary consideration.
5. The trade becomes official only when a fully executed COAB Trade Form is filed with the League President.

9.5 Waiver Wire

1. The Waiver Wire is a collection of players available to be picked up by teams who need them.  The Waiver Wire is a web-based system on the COAB website and is managed by the Player Agent in coordination with the Division Commissioners.
2. After the conclusion of the draft, new players who contact the league looking for a team will be directed to register for the Waiver Wire.  Once the player's Waiver Wire registration is approved by the Player Agent, they will be available to be claimed by teams in divisions for which the player is age eligible. Teams awarded player(s) through this method move to the bottom of the waiver order.
3. After the draft, a waiver order is established as the reverse order of the end of the previous year’s standings (total record, including postseason play) and is maintained through the season by the Division Commissioner.   
4. If player(s) are claimed from the waiver wire and awarded by the Player Agent, they become member(s) of the claiming team immediately upon completing the league registration and payment and are ineligible to join another team in the division except as prescribed by section 9 of these rules.
5. If an awarded player does not pay required league dues and become eligible to play after 14 days from the initial claim, the claiming team may request to have its waiver priority reinstated at the discretion of the division commissioner. The eligibility of the originally claimed player for addition by other teams shall be determined at the discretion of the division commissioner and player agent.
6. The Waiver Wire is NOT intended for existing players who are looking for a new or additional team.  Players on an existing roster who would like help finding another team should contact the Player Agent and/or the Commissioner of the division(s) they would like to play in.  

Additional details on the Waiver Wire process can be found on the Waiver Wire Information page. 

9.6 Teams Merging

This section outlines the rules, process and considerations when two teams in the same division decide to merge.

1. The merge of two existing teams will effectively result in one existing team folding into the other.  This should not be viewed as the formation of a brand new team.
2. The team must communicate to the commissioner which team is remaining and which team is folding.   The remaining team shall retain their draft position and any allotted buddy picks.  The folding team shall forfeit their draft position and any allotted buddy picks.  Any future draft picks previously traded by the folding team will be treated in accordance with rule 9.4.2.
3. When teams merge, players from those teams are permitted to “opt out” of the merge.  As part of the merge, the general manager(s) are responsible to communicate with the players from the team and determine which players will be part of the combined team and which will not.   When communicating the merge to the division commissioner, the Manager will provide a list of players who will be part of the combined team and those who will not.   The players who will not be part of the combined team will become Free Agents and are available to be added onto any team in the division without the use of a buddy pick.   The commissioner will communicate the list of available Free Agents to all Managers in the division as well as the Player Agent at the same time.  Managers should not engage in discussion with those players about joining their roster until this notification has been made.   The division commissioner and/or the Player Agent will be available to assist players in finding a new team as needed.

9.7 Playoff Eligibility

9.7.1 League Dues

Teams are required to have all of their league dues paid and current in order to be eligible for the postseason. This includes:

League Fees

Fines for any player/manager ejections

Fines for any damaged property, fields, or league equipment

Fines from any forfeited games

9.7.2 Participation

Teams who had to forfeit (3) or more games for any reason are not eligible for postseason play.

9.8 Playoff Seeding

Playoff seeding will be determined by regular season winning percentage using the following calculation: wins/(wins + losses) = winning percentage. For the calculation, ties count as 0.5 win and 0.5 loss.

Use the following factors to break ties for playoff seeding:

1. Head to head winning percentage
2. Winning percentage in conference games
3. Head to head competition--runs allowed
4. Overall runs allowed
5. Coin flip

Determining the home team for championship games/series:

Playoffs will be played in a traditional bracket form, Initial seedings will be based off regular season record

 

9.9 Tampering    

It is against the rules for any manager or team to directly or indirectly approach another player from a different team (in the same division) in an effort to convince that player to leave their current team to join a different team in the same division.  A manager interested in acquiring a player on another team in the division would need to approach the other player's manager rather than approaching the player directly.

A manager who is approached by a player from another team in the division expressing interest in joining their team should redirect the player to first engage with the manager of their existing team.

Consequences will be determined by the board or commissioner of that division. Consequences could be as severe as losing buddy picks or draft picks and possible suspensions.

 9.10 Team Names

Team names must be approved first at the divisional level and then by the Board of Directors. Except as approved by the Board of Directors, all team names must have a past or present team name from a professional baseball league.
 

10. Division Summary Chart

 Teams are to be added as expansions as registration and interested players continues to grow.