Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Approximately $180 for the following:
The MSBL charges $26 per player which includes a yearly subscription to Hardball Magazine and helps fund 7 national and over 30 regional tournaments.
The SJMSBL charges a team fee that includes field insurance, All Star game at Campbell's Field, 4 dozen official MSBL game balls made by Rawlings, playoff umpire fees, championship trophies and jackets.
Two umpires will be scheduled by the league to appear at each game. Each team pays one umpire. Their fee is $80 per 9 inning game (3 hour time limit) and $70 per 7 inning game (2.5 hour time limit). Each player's share of the team and umpire fees will be collected prior to the start of the season.
Free Fall Season, excluding umpire fees.
New Players must also purchase their uniform and equipment.
Fees will be reduced based on team sponsorships.
Q: When does the season start?
A: Spring season, 18 Sunday morning games, begins mid-April and ends
in August with playoffs ending around Labor Day. The Fall season
runs from Labor Day until Halloween. Fall playoffs end in early
November. No league games are scheduled on Holidays. The Fall season
is free, excluding umpire fees, provided a player plays in the
Spring.
Q: What type of bats do you use?
A: Wood, wood composite or bamboo bats are allowed no greater then a
-3 rating (bat length - ounces = rating).
Q: How's the pitching /level of play?
A:As a batter you probably won't see anything faster then 65mph
however you will see curve balls, changeups and sliders. Most of our
team/competition are former high-school and college players who miss
playing organized ball
Q: Are there any special rules?
A: Spring season games continue until there is a winner, regardless
of the 3 hour time limit, if the score is tied. The Spring roster is
unable to be modified once the season begins (unless we fall below
the league minimum of 13 players). An infield fly rule applies and
is called by the umpire. Base runners are not allowed to collide
with fielders, or slide with cleats up, if they could have avoided
doing so. A maximum of 20 players make the roster. The offensive and
defensive lineup is treated separately. Theoretically, we could have
9 players that play the field and do not bat and 11 players batting
that do not play the field. Defensive players may be substituted
freely and re-enter the game at any time. Any pitcher that is
replaced must wait 3 offensive outs before re-taking the mound.
Courtesy runners are allowed for pitchers and catchers, when there
are 2 outs, in order to speed up the game. Any ejected player is, at
a minimum, suspended from playing the next scheduled game (this rule
does not apply to pitchers that are removed from the mound for
hitting batters, unless deemed intentional). All other rules are the
same as Major League Baseball. A complete list of
SJMSBL Rules
are available