DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES
GAME EJECTIONS & INCIDENT REPORTS
Each game ejection (players, coaches and fans) will be tracked through Game Summary Reports filled out by the Official Scorekeeper and followed up through Incident Reports provided by the umpire. All reports will be sent to Baseball Alberta and will be filed and tracked for the entire season. While most individual ejections will not result in more disciplinary action, some incidents or groups of incidents may result in further action. Baseball Alberta Disciplinary Guidelines are available on the Baseball Alberta website. Team discipline is the responsibility of the individual teams and their coaches and managers, who shall be held responsible for the maintenance of discipline and proper team or individual conduct. Any breach of discipline, whether on the playing field or off, shall be dealt with by Baseball Alberta through our reporting process. Baseball Alberta will use Baseball Canada rule 1.4.4 as a guide to assist with following up on such incidents.
BASEBALL ALBERTA FINE STRUCTURE
Associations will be subject to a $500 fine per infraction for the following reasons:
Entering a team into a Baseball Alberta league after the team entry deadline. Teams are not permitted to enter a league more than a week after the team entry deadline for any reason.
Changing blackout dates or availability on team entry forms after the team entry deadline. Changes will not be accepted after the final schedule is released.
Withdrawing a team entry from the league after the team entry deadline at any point until the end of the season. This includes teams withdrawing from the Provincial Championships without indicating non-participation before the Team Entry Deadline.
Failing to show up for a scheduled game without prior notification at least 48 hours in advance OR without a valid reason.
When an infraction occurs, the Association President will be notified and sent an email outlining the details of the infraction along with the amount fined. All fines must be paid to the Baseball Alberta office by cheque, credit card, or e-transfer within 30 days of notification.
OTHER PENALTIES
These are other infractions and resulting penalties/discipline that may occur within the Baseball Alberta League. All infractions are subject to a review by the Baseball Alberta Discipline Committee.
1. Not Showing for a Scheduled League / Provincial Championship Game (Without notice; or walking off the field during a game; or withdrawal from play by a team official)
Automatic team suspension pending Baseball Alberta review
Possible fine as determined by the Board of Directors
Note: Failure to complete league scheduled games could result in the suspension of the team for Provincial Championship play at the discretion of Baseball Alberta.
2. Cancellation of a Scheduled League Game (Non-weather related with less than 2 days’ notice)
Automatic team suspension pending Baseball Alberta Review
Possible fine as determined by the Board of Directors
Note: Failure to complete league scheduled games could result in the suspension of the team for Provincial Championship play at the discretion of Baseball Alberta.
3. Refusal to Travel to a Scheduled League / Provincial Championship Game
1st Offense – Forfeit loss assigned to team and five (5) game suspension of Head Coach.
2nd Offense – Team Suspended from play for the remainder of the season; Head Coach suspended for the following season.
Note: Failure to complete league scheduled games could result in the suspension of the team for Provincial Championship play at the discretion of Baseball Alberta.
4. Refusal by a Team(s) to Play / Make-Up a Scheduled Game
1st Offense – Forfeit loss assigned to team and five (5) game suspension of Head Coach.
2nd Offense – Head Coach suspended for the remainder of the season; Team suspended for three (3) games.
3rd Offense – Team suspended from play for the remainder of the season.
Note: Failure to complete league scheduled games could result in the suspension of the team for Provincial Championship play at the discretion of Baseball Alberta.
5. Team Removing Themselves from the Remainder of the Schedule
Based on a review by the Baseball Alberta Discipline Committee & review of team/individual suspensions by Baseball Alberta.
6. Not Using Rawlings Baseballs for Provincial Championships
Based on a review by the Baseball Alberta Discipline Committee.
7. Failure to be Present at the Opening Ceremonies of the Provincial Championship (without approval)
Based on a review by the Baseball Alberta Discipline Committee 8. Not Submitting Required Game Information Game Summary Reports and Weekly Pitching Reports – 11U to 18U from Host Game(s) by Deadline (Noon on the next business day after the game(s) were played)
Baseball Alberta Office will request the paperwork with an assigned deadline.
After deadline has passed; a $100 fine will be issued per occurrence.
8. Playing an Illegal/Ineligible Player - Please note that Baseball Alberta is providing options for teams through use of Affiliate Players and Replacement Players to ensure teams have enough players to field a team. Also, teams who are short will not be sanctioned past their 7-0 forfeit loss in order to keep kids playing the game as long as they show up to play. Dishonesty and cheating will not be tolerated.
1st Occurrence – Forfeit Loss Assigned to team in Question and Three (3) Game Suspension of Head Coach as Listed on Approved Roster
2nd Occurrence – Forfeit Loss Assigned to Team in Question, Ten (10) Game Suspension of Head Coach Listed on Approved Roster
3rd Occurrence – One Year Suspension of Head Coach and Suspension of Team for Remainder of Season 10. Player and/or Coach Who Quits or is Suspended from a Team
Player and/or Coach will be deemed ineligible for the remainder of the season (or until suspension is lifted) – will not be eligible to be added to any roster (including Western/National Championship roster), will not be available as an Affiliate Player and will not be eligible for pick-up for Provincial Championship play
9. Player and/or Coach Conduct Towards Umpires
Automatic review of incidents by Baseball Alberta. Any discipline administered as per Baseball Alberta suspension guidelines.
10. Yelling or Swearing at Umpires **NEW FOR 2024**
Any umpire report which is submitted for 11U, 13U, or 15U games which include any mention of confrontation between a coach and an umpire and includes mention of a coach yelling or swearing at an umpire will result in automatic one game suspension of the coach. Any additional similar incidents involving the same coach could result in longer suspensions.
Any umpire report which is submitted for 18U games which include any mention of verbal abuse, which could include swearing, are subject to a minimum one game suspension of the coach. Any additional similar incidents involving the same coach could result in longer suspensions.
BASEBALL ALBERTA DISCIPLINE POLICY
Revised version to come...