National Adult Baseball Association
Father/Son Playing Rules
1. Approved Player Combinations: Each player must meet the criteria of the "Approved Player Combination" chart shown above. This is an open division, meaning anyone is allowed to participate in the Father/Son division.
Father Designation Son Designation
Father Son/Step Son/Son-in-law
Grandfather Grandson
Uncle (50 yrs or older) Nephew
Son (50 yrs or older) Uncle (49 yrs or younger)
2. Pitching Guidelines: Fathers and Sons must each pitch 4 complete innings (12 outs) of each 8 or 9 inning game; 3 complete innings (9 outs) of each 7 inning game; and 2 complete innings (6 outs) of each legal 5/6 inning game.
3. Offense: 15 players must complete an at-bat in every scheduled 9 inning game, and 12 players in a scheduled 7 inning game. Exception: For two competing teams, with one or both teams consisting of fewer than 15 available players, the batting requirement will be equal to the size of the smallest available roster at the start of the game. Penalty: Forfeiture if not corrected after managers/Umpire •conference just prior to the start of 7th inning. Note: If a team pitches the first 4 innings of a scheduled 9 inning game with just "fathers" or with just "sons", and then switch to the other designation for other designation the next 4 innings (or to the remainder of the game), the game cannot be declared a forfeit due to a shortened game. If the game does go 9 innings, the ninth inning may be pitched by either "fathers" or "sons".
No more than 2 sons may bat consecutively. Ten minimum batting order slots required. Batters must use bats with a wood or composite hitting surface only.
4. Offensive Batting Order: Each manager has the prerogative to bat as many players in his initial lineup. If the manager wishes to add players to the bottom of the lineup (i.e. hitting positions 11, 12, 13, 14, etc.), he may do so at any time. Added players to the bottom of the line-up may be added as individual hitters or as A/B. Any added player to the bottom of the lineup or pinch hitter must notify the opposing team manager of the batting order change. If no notification is made, and proper protest is made, an automatic out will be assessed to that batter. If a player is pinch hit for, he may not re-enter the game as a hitter, but may stay in the game defensively. Batters may not be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added to the game. If a team increases the size of their lineup to 15 hitters, they must always have 15 hitters in their lineup. The tournament will use the "Shared Position" to enter two players in any offensive batting order position. A team MAY declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order position will be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 3A/3B, 10A/10B, etc. The first time that position 3 gets an at bat, 3A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 3B would be up. Then 3A 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 from the batting order may be pinch hit for, just as any other player. An A/B position may be added to the bottom of the lineup at any time during the game. Teams can not add a "B” batter to an existing lineup spot once the game begins.
Offensive substitution is unlimited for players sharing the same spot in the batting order once they are placed there (i.e., a batter and a runner for that batter may occupy the same position in the offensive lineup; neither player may appear in any other offensive lineup slot. Shared position must be Father/Father or Son/Son). A shared position in the offensive batting order may be initiated at any time, at the manager's discretion. Managers must notify opposing manager when players in shared-batting order positions are being switched. A player batting in a "shared" slot may vacate and substitute for an injured player who does not have a "shared spot”, without penalty of an out.
An out will be assessed if an injured father is unable to bat in his designated batting position, and there is no available father to bat in his place, resulting in 3 sons batting consecutively. Exception: A father batting in a "shared "slot may vacate that spot and substitute for an injured father batter who does not have a "shared" spot, without penalty of an out.
5. Batting order and offensive starter re-entry rule: A starter in the batting order may be removed and a substitute may bat in that player’s place at any point during a game, but it must be a father for a father and a son for a son. The starter may return to bat again, but only in the original spot in the batting order, and only after the replacement has had at least one plate appearance. The substitute may not bat again once removed from the batting order. Please remember, only the starter may re-enter during the course of the game. Any other player re-entering the order will be treated as batting out of order under Official Baseball rule #6.07
6. Pinch Runners: Pinch runners replace batters in the batting order. Sons may not run or pinch run for fathers.
7. Eligibility Rules: The Father/Son division will be an open division. Meaning anyone is allowed to participate in the father/son division. Minimum age to play is turning 16 years of age in the calendar year. Uncles or Sons 50 years of age or older qualify to play as "Fathers". Uncles 49 years and under must play as "Sons". Uncles and Nephews do not qualify as "related" fathers/sons under the exception rule explained below. "Players" who have a son and father "playing" in the tournament will decide to play either as a "father" or as a "son" according to the tournament fee schedule. "Daughter" and "Niece", etc. can be substituted for "Son" and "Nephew".
8. Defense: There must be a minimum of 4 fathers on defense at all times. Exception: There may be fewer than 4 fathers on defense if the defense is made up of "related" fathers and sons as shown on the chart above (first two categories only). lf the "related "father/son combinations add up to 8 players, the ninth player must be a father.
9. Start Times: Game start times will be approximately 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted on your schedules. Should a team fail to arrive or have a full team ready to play (8 or more under the 8-man start and finish rule) by the scheduled start time, a maximum 1-hour grace period will be allowed and the exact amount of time given that team will be deducted from the original starting time so that the game will be shortened by that amount of time. (Example: if the game starts 15 minutes late due to one team’s being late, no full inning will start after 2 hours and 45 minutes after play has begun.) Assuming the game starts within the 1-hour grace period, the late team will forfeit one run for every 15 minutes to the other team and the game will start at 1-0, beginning with the first minute. In other words, if the start time is 8:30, the score is 1-0 at 8:31; 2-0 at 8:46; 3-0 at 9:01; 4-0 at 9:16 and a forfeit at 9:31. (However, the actual forfeit score “in the scorebook” for tiebreaker purposes will be 9-0.) This rule will not apply if the late team is coming off a back-to-back game, and games that start late due to the previous game’s running over (and not due to a team’s lateness) will not be shortened. (E.g. if both teams arrive to a scheduled 3:30 p.m. game on time and have to wait until another game finishes and do not start until 4:00 p.m., that game will be allowed the full time under the 3 hour Time Limit rule, provided there is adequate light.) START TIMES WILL BE ENFORCED.
10. Time Limit: 3-hour time limits for all pool play games. No new inning may start after the 3-hour mark. If two teams are tied after 9 innings and have not played 3 hours, they may continue to play up to 3 hours, however no new inning may start after the 3-hour mark. All games tied at the end of the 3-hour mark will remain a tied game. There is a 3 ½ hour time limit for playoff games. No time limits for Championship games with the exception of the 50, 55 and 60 and over championship games, which will be a 3 ½ hour time limit for championship games.
11. Games Called Due to Darkness: With exception of Playoff games, any game that has gone at least (5) complete innings before being called because of darkness (on an unlighted field) will be deemed a “complete game” or “regulation game” for “pool play purposes” in accordance with the 2017 Official Baseball Rule (4.10(c)(1)). The NABA will do its best to see to it that travel times between games are minimized so that games can begin on time and games scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on fields without lights can begin on time and “be completed with 9 innings of play”. If a game during pool play has past (5) complete innings and the game is called due to darkness by an umpire before the bottom of the inning is complete, then the score of the game will revert back to the previous inning and the game will be ruled complete. For Playoff games only, at the discretion of the umpires and the tournament director, games to be “called due to darkness” will either be moved to an available field with lights the same evening (after checking in with the Tournament Directors’ office) or continued until the next day at another field (to be determined by the Tournament Director) so that these games can go a full 3 hours or 9 innings of play; provided, however, the “continuation of the game” is in accordance with the 2017 Official Baseball Rule (4.12(d)).
12. Games Called Due to Rain: With exception of Playoff games and Championship games, any game that has gone at least (5) complete innings before being called because of rain, will be deemed a “complete game” or “regulation game” for “pool play purposes” in accordance with the 2017 Official Baseball Rule (4.10(c)(1)). NABA will do its best to ensure that all pool play games are given every consideration to complete as many innings as possible (to be determined by the tournament director) in case of rain. If a game during pool play has past (5) complete innings and the game is called due to rain by an umpire before the bottom of the inning is compete, then the score of the game will revert back to the previous inning and the game will be ruled complete. For playoff or championship games only, at the discretion of the umpires and the tournament director, games will be “suspended due to rain” and will be continued at the point where the game was suspended on an available field that is playable the same day or evening, or continued the next day at the same field or another field (as determined by the tournament director) so that these games can go a full 3 hours or 9 innings of play.
13. Mercy Rule: There is a 10-run mercy rule after 7 innings in effect for all pool play and playoff games. The mercy rule will not apply to Championship games.
14. Protests: All protests must be filed at the field with the plate umpire at the time in the game the manager believes an umpire’s decision is in violation of these rules. We will follow the rules exactly in accordance with the 2017 Official Baseball Rules (4.19) from the National Baseball Congress. By filing a protest, the manager agrees per this rule to submit a $100 cash, non-refundable fee (refundable only if you prevail) to the umpire at the field. If a protest is made, the game will stop and the protesting manager must give $100 and a cell phone to the home plate umpire. The home plate umpire will call the NABA Tournament Office and informs the head umpire assigner he has an official protest. He will then give the phone to the manager to explain his protest. Once the manager has explained the protest he will give the phone back to the hom plate umpire. After consulting with the tournament rules committee, the umpire coordinator and tournament director; will make a decision regarding the protest. There will be no time added to the clock during a protest. The clock will remain running to keep the tournament on schedule. If the protest is upheld, the umpire will give the money back to the manager; and if the protest is denied, the umpire keeps the money. Remember, an umpire’s “judgment” call cannot be protested, only rules interpretations. PLEASE NOTE: Only the tournament director has the authority, if needed, to stop the clock or to add time remaining to the game.
15. Eligibility Protest: All protests with regard to age/identity or ex-pro/college rule must be protested on the field to the umpire and opposing team manager with the number of the specific player in question. Eligibility protests must occur before the game begins if an opposing team knows of an infraction. For a protest to happen during the game, the manager of the team protesting must protest the game prior to the end of the 4th inning in order for the protest to be valid. By filing a protest, the manager agrees per this rule to submit a $100 cash, non-refundable fee (refundable only if you prevail) to the umpire at the field.
If a protest is made the game will stop and the protesting manager must give the umpire $100, a cell phone, and the specific player in question with regard to eligibility. The umpire will ask the opposing manager to provide that specific player’s proof of age and identity with a valid picture ID and tournament ID card. Any player unable to produce a valid picture ID and tournament ID card will be ineligible to continue or play in the game. If a player’s identity or age makes him ineligible to play, the umpire will not allow the player to continue in the game. The home plate umpire will then call the NABA Tournament Office and inform the head umpire of the protest. After consulting with the tournament rules committee, the umpire coordinator and tournament director; will make a decision regarding the protest. The NABA rules committee will then determine if the game has been tainted and if a protest/consequence should stand in the game and/or tournament for the violating team. A protest of the age/identity or ex-pro/college rule by a team after the 4th inning has been completed will not merit protest consideration. There will be no time added to the clock during a protest. The clock will remain running to keep the tournament on schedule. If the protest is upheld, the umpire will give the money back to the manager; and if the protest is denied, the umpire keeps the money.
PLEASE NOTE: Only the tournament director has the authority, if needed, to stop the clock or to add time remaining to the game.
16. Reporting Scores: Both teams must report all scores within 1 hour of completion of the game to the tournament score line. It is the team manager’s responsibility to verify their team's score with the official tournament headquarters records. No discrepancies will be altered after seeding for playoffs.
17. Tiebreakers: See the official NABA Tournament tiebreaker rules attached.
18. Additional Rules: If a team registered for the tournament decides not to come, and does not communicate with tournament officials until after the schedule has been completed, the following rule will apply: The schedule will be played as written and each team scheduled to play the said team which did not show up for the tournament will receive a forfeit win of 9-0. No pro-rated refund of a team fee will be given as a result of a forfeit win. If a team decide to stop playing a championship game and leave for any reason the following rule will apply: The championship game will be called a forfeit loss for the team who decides to leave or stop playing the game, and the championship will go to the remaining team. No warming up in the infield or around the dugouts. Use ONLY the outfield area to warm-up. Do not warm-up in front of the dugouts. No SOFT-TOSS or hitting baseballs into the fences. No alcohol on the baseball fields or in the dugouts at all. No smoking on the baseball fields or dugouts at all. No tobacco on the baseball fields or dugouts at all. Use only the restrooms provided. If you are caught not using the restrooms, both the player and the team will forfeit their game and be ejected from the facility and will not be allowed to play at that facility the rest of the tournament. All other rules of baseball (set forth in the 2014 Official Baseball Rules published by the National Baseball Congress), amended by the rules set forth in the NABA Manager’s Rulebook and Guidelines, except as amended above, apply.
19. Bat Requirements: Father/son division is a wood bat only tournament. In the wood bat divisions NATURAL WOOD BATS, COMPOSITE WOOD BATS AND METAL/WOOD BATS are permitted for use during play.
20. Courtesy Runner: Father’s can declare up to 4 players who can have another player run for them in the event they reach base. Son’s can have up to 2 players who can have another player run for them in the event they reach base. Those that require the courtesy runners are called non-runners ("NR"). The courtesy runner will always be the last recorded out. Father’s must run for father’s and son’s must run for son’s. It is not mandatory to use this rule as the manager has the option depending upon the situation. But if a change is made, it must be at the furthest base the player reaches safely on that play. If the non-runner advances to any base beyond that reached before the next pitch a courtesy runner may not be used. The courtesy runner must enter the game before the next pitch, or the use of the courtesy runner is forfeited on that play. Failure to promptly send the courtesy runner to the field may result in a "delay of game" call, resulting in the original runner being called out. The players who will not run must be designated as such before the game begins on the lineup card with the "NR" symbol next to their name. This rule applies only to the player(s) and not the position in the batting order. If a listed available substitute is a "Non-runner", they must be so designated on the lineup card. If the non-runner is the first player up in the first inning of a game, the courtesy runner will be the last player in the batting order. There is no speed-up rule allowing runners for the pitcher or catcher. Any improper use of a courtesy runner including the use of the improper or wrong replacement shall result in the non-runner being scored as an out.
21. Roster Limits: NABA’s maximum roster size is limited to 30 players. Exception to this rule must be made in writing to the President of NABA and will be presented to the tournament rules committee for consideration and approval.
22. No Collision/Slide rule: The NABA has a No Collision/Slide Rule defined as follows: The intent of this 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.
A. The runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.
i. 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 deliberate contact or altering the play of the fielder.
ii. “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.
iii. “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.
iv. Example 1 – 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.
B. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:
i. Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or
ii. 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.
iii. Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.
iv. Example 2 – When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (1) make contact with, or (2) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
C. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:
i. The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder;
ii. The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
iii. The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;
iv. The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder (“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.)
v. The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg;
vi. The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play.
PENALTY for 1-6:
1. With less 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 may be ejected from the contest based on the umpire’s judgment.
Note: The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted unsportsmanlike action by the runner for the purpose of crashing into the fielder, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously this is an umpire’s judgment play.
It is the judgment of the umpire whether a collision/slide intentionally violates this rule. This includes using elbows or lowering a shoulder in an attempt to cause a fielder to drop a held ball. The umpires may, at any time, eject any player who makes contact with another player with the intent to cause injury. A player may not block the base path or a base without possession of the ball. For example, a catcher may not block the plate without the ball. The right of way belongs to the runner. Most catchers should know to offer the runner part of the plate to make him slide inside or out.
The NABA reserves the right to refuse any player or team permission to participate in a tournament. The NABA reserves the right to add, delete, merge or create divisions or divisional formats based on the number of teams entered at any time before the tournament, and will give every effort to give teams advance notice, however NABA may not be able to do so. If a team planned to enter a deleted division, that team may play in another division or receive a refund minus your deposit, or transfer the balance to another NABA National or World Championship Tournament, provided it is at least 5 days prior to check-in. The NABA also reserves the right to make changes to the rules or make changes in prizes and/or giveaways (but with a substitute of equal or greater value), which would then be effective upon notice to the teams participating in the tournament.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF GUARANTEED POOL GAMES WILL BE FIVE (5) FOR ALL THE DIVISIONS (AS PUBLISHED ON PROMOTIONAL FLYERS) AND THERE WILL BE ONE OR TWO ROUNDS OF PLAYOFFS, FOLLOWED BY CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES, FOR EACH SEPARATE DIVISION UNLESS ALTERED BY EVENTS OR HAPPENSTANCE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE NABA, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INCLEMENT WEATHER, WAR, RIOTS, CIVIL DISORDER, FIELDS BEING OUT OF ORDER, OR ACTS OF GOD.
(UP-01/01/19)