General Rules
A. PROTESTS – A protest must be based on a misrepresentation or misapplication of the rules and not on the umpire’s judgment. It must be announced to the umpire prior to the next legal pitch. Only the manager and player involved can discuss the questionable play; others will be considered as misconduct. Any protest will be settled with the umpire during the game before play is resumed. If the protest cannot be settled at the game, a written protest must be submitted in writing to the Division Rep, or to the Board of Directors within 24 hours. A $20.00 protest fee should accompany the protest letter. The Silver League President shall establish a protest committee upon receipt of a written protest and accompanying fee. The protest committee will review all the facts, interview participants including the umpire related to the protest. After the committee has completed their review, they will provide a written recommendation to the Board within seven (7) days of being notified by the President. The Board of Directors will review, approve, and make a final decision on the protest and notify the parties. The Board of Directors will retain the right to amend the committee’s recommendation. All decisions by the Board are final.
The Silver League President may refer to the Constitution & By-laws (Article VI – Quorum, Section 6 – Emergency Meeting Quorum) to hear the protest and follow the guideline procedures in this section when time is of the essence. If the protest is upheld, the $20.00 fee will be returned, and the game will be played from the point of the protest.
B. MISCONDUCT:
1. The penalty for misconduct is ejection from the game, and the forfeit of his/their right to play in his team’s next game.
2. An ejected manager, coach, or player must leave the playing area.
3. All ejected players’ names must be provided to the Division Representative, immediately. He will then notify the opposing manager of the next scheduled game. Failure to sit out the next scheduled game will result in a forfeit.
C. GROSS MISCONDUCT – Gross misconduct is pushing, shoving, striking, fighting, dangerous or violent play, or any other act by a manager, coach, or player involving an opponent, spectator, umpire, or Silver League standards related to fields.
1. The penalty for gross misconduct is ejection from the game and suspension for a minimum of four (4) games. The ejected player or players must leave the playing area.
2. The Silver League Board will have the discretion to impose appropriate action and/or suspension based on the severity of the incident.
3. Players that are to serve a suspension will not serve that suspension until they are in “good standing” in the Silver League.
NOTE: The umpire’s judgment determines if misconduct or gross misconduct has taken place. The umpire(s) have the authority to forfeit a game if, in their judgment, the offense warrants that action.
D. “Misconduct” not covered by the rules above can be overseen under the Silver League By-Laws if brought to the Board’s attention.
E. SITUATIONS – If a player experiences a situation or has a grievance that he believes would inhibit his participation in the Silver League, he may ask that the situation/grievance be reviewed by the Board of Directors or a Grievance Committee (appointed by the President). This application and reason must be in writing. If a Grievance Committee is formed, they will present their recommendation in writing to the Board of Directors for review and approval. The Board of Directors will retain the right to amend the committee’s recommendation.
F. Only managers and roster individuals are permitted in the dugouts.
G. All players are to focus on good sportsmanship and conduct. If during the game, a player creates a situation of misconduct or inappropriate behavior (language/F-Bomb) directed at a player, umpire or spectator, the umpire will eject the player from the game. If the same situation occurs at the playing venue before or after a game, the incident should be reported to a member of the Board of Directors. The Board has the right to act on all instances of misconduct.