2009 MEXICO BASEBALL CRUISE RULE MODIFICATIONS

1. Eligibility - During the year 2009, the NABA 48+ TEAM USA cruise participants should be 48 years old as of December 31, 2009. For the 47 and younger TEAM USA, each participant must be at least 21 years old (cruise line regulation) no later than December 5, 2009. For the 47 and younger Mexico team, the AVERAGE AGE of all team players combined should be no younger than 35 years old. As of November 5th, the average age of the younger TEAM USA is 37 years old and the older TEAM USA is 57. The final decision of age eligibility by any participant will be made by the Baseball Cruise Director in conjunction with the Mexico team's manager to insure the viability and legality of the games to be played. All players (both U.S. and Mexico) will be required to prove their age eligibility through the use of an official government-issued identification card or driver's license. Baseball hats and matching individually-sized multi-colored game jerseys/shirts for up to 15 Mexico team players on each age team (including any coaches/managers) will be provided as gifts/souvenirs by the NABA upon receipt of each player's name and birth date. Each Mexico team manager from Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Manzanillo should email their roster information (names and birth dates) no later than November 20, 2009 to: nabacruises@yahoo.com. The TEAM USA rosters with names and birth dates will then be emailed back (as a reply) to each Mexico team manager/representative immediately.

Concerning jerseys/shirts for each of the Mexico city teams (Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Manzanillo), it is extremely important that the sizes needed for the 30 players/coaches in each city should be emailed to nabacruises@yahoo.com now or as soon as possible before the shirts are ordered and printed. Please indicate how many small, medium, large, and extra-large jerseys you will need for up to a total of 30 shirts maximum (2 teams).

SPECIAL NOTE: If the average age of any Mexico team cannot match the average age listed above for either of the TEAM USAs, the games will still be played. Matching the average age for the 48+ TEAM USA (57 years old) may be impossible for any Mexico team. However, it is important that each 47 and younger Mexico team's average age is no younger than 35, which is 2 years below the younger TEAM USA (37-average age). The average age request will be utilized as a guideline to help make the games as fair as possible.

All of the following rule modifications below apply to the 48+ TEAM USA and the 48+ MEXICO team, and they supersede all present rules as established by the National Adult Baseball Association (NABA) and the National Baseball Congress. For the 47 and younger TEAM USA (plus the MEXICO 47 and younger team), many of the rules listed below will apply. However, base stealing will be allowed only for the younger teams. Please ignore rule modifications #2 stated below which is designed for the 48+ teams only. Also, the substitute runner rule (#3 below) should not be implemented for the younger teams in order to avoid improper use of base stealing. However, if there is an injury as determined by the umpires, the player making the last recorded out would run for the injured player in the 47 and younger game. If an injured player cannot continue to play, that player's slot in the batting order will be skipped without penalty. Because of time constraints and the need to insure enough batting opportunities for both teams, rule #12 (see below) should be implemented for both age groups, which will eliminate the need for a mercy run rule that could end the game before all innings are played.

Changes or modifications to any rules may be established and approved by the opposing managers before each game begins.

2. Stealing bases or taking bases as the result of wild pitches or passed balls is greatly discouraged. If there are runners on base, after each pitch that is not put into play by the batter, ALL BASE RUNNERS ARE FORCED BACK TO THEIR BASES. Therefore, attempted stealing of bases is not a wise play and is greatly discouraged, especially while the pitcher has possession of the baseball while on the mound, or when he pitches it to the plate, or when the catcher attempts to throw the ball back to the pitcher. In addition, runners on base are not only imperiled from stealing, but are prohibited from taking bases as a result of wild pitches, passed balls, and dropped pitched balls by the catcher. If a pitched ball does not make contact with the batter's bat but does make contact with the ground, the ball will be immediately considered to be a dead ball (as if it was a foul ball). The catcher (or any other player or umpire) must throw the ball back to the pitcher (only) to put the ball back into play. The pitcher must then assume the pitcher's position by placing his foot on the rubber, similarly to the situation after a foul ball has hit the ground or has gone out of play and has become a dead ball.

If a base runner has inadvertently tried to advance to the next base in that dropped ball/wild pitch/passed ball situation, the base umpire should immediately stop play and direct him back to the base that he came from, after the dead ball has been called and before the next pitch. A dead ball situation will occur only when a pitched ball is not caught by the catcher and the ball hits the ground (including short pitches that are scooped cleanly by the catcher). However, if a pitcher or catcher attempts to pick-off a runner (taking too big of a lead), and the pick-off attempt hits the ground during that play, the base runner(s) may then try to advance. OTHERWISE, ALL BASE RUNNERS ARE FORCED BACK TO THEIR BASES. If a pitched ball does not hit the ground, base runners are therefore imperiled from stealing. Pick-off attempts by the catcher can only be attempted if the ball has not touched the ground during or after each pitch. However, the force play back to a runner's base requires a "tag" for an out, unless in the umpire's opinion, the runner is too far removed from the base he is forced back to and a "tag" would therefore be irrelevant and unnecessary. Please note, when a base runner is far removed from the base he is forced back to, it might be prudent for the defensive team to avoid a long throw to that base. This is true, because if the throw to that base inadvertently hits the ground, the base runner now standing at the next base (or beyond) will then be declared safe and will be able to stay at that base due to the ineptness of the defensive team. Carrying the ball to the base a runner is forced back to (to insure that it doesn't hit the ground) would be considered a wise play.

3. If a batter, after reaching base successfully and the play is finished, does not wish to run the bases (desires to be a non-runner), that batter may call "time" and have any player on his team run for him. (The decision to replace a non-runner must be made immediately after the batter reaches base and before the first pitch to the next batter. No changes can be made after that next pitch.) If a player who is acting as a substitute runner is scheduled to be at bat while still on the base path, an additional substitute runner is ineligible to take his place, and the original substitute runner must take his turn at bat immediately. The manager must be careful who he uses as a substitute runner in these situation, because an out will be recorded with the elimination of the runner on base. It should be noted that a substitute runner may only run once as a substitute during each inning. Therefore, a player may only run the bases for himself (when he gets on base) and only once as a substitute runner during any one inning. The only exception to this rule will occur when the offensive team goes completely through its batting order during any one inning and batters are now getting their second at-bat during the same inning. If a non-runner gets on base twice and requires a substitute runner both times during the same inning, a substitute runner who has already run for him or another player may run again. This situation will probably occur only during a team's last at-bat in the 9th inning (or as determined by the home plate umpire) when unlimited scoring is in affect.

4. All teams will utilize an extended batting order. All players present and in uniform will be placed in the batting order. Late arriving players will be added to the bottom of the batting order. Semi-injured players who are not in uniform, but are present just in case of an emergency, should be listed on the lineup card by the manager as a potential substitute player according to traditional NABA rules. If required to play, those players would be required to put on a uniform before they would be eligible to enter the game. Please note, there must be a minimum of 9 batters in the batting order if 9 players are fully suited up, are present, and ready to play.

5. If a player must quit the game and his manager has notified the opposing manager (prior to the game) of the player leaving during play, the batting order will be shortened without penalty. Players who are removed from the batting order, but are still present at the field when it is their turn to bat (except players who are injured as determined by the home plate umpire), will be declared an automatic out for being illegally skipped in the batting order. If a player is injured while at bat and cannot continue to complete the "at-bat," the next player in the batting order will bat immediately and assume the injured player's ball and strike count. If a player is ejected by an umpire, there will be no penalty for skipping the ejected player's position in the batting order. If a second player on the same team is ejected during the same game, an out will be recorded for the second vacated position. If, as a result of a player ejection, a team is reduced to 8 players, that team will not forfeit the game according to NABA rules. Any team may play a game with a minimum of only 8 players.

6. Managers are required to utilize each player on their team in a defensive playing position for at least 3 innings (9 outs played) in each game. Please note that players who want to bat, but do not want to play defense, may be listed as designated hitters only. Managers are then required to notify the opposing manager and the Baseball Cruise Director of any player who fits into that category, even if it is the result of an injury.

7. All Baseball Cruise games will be 9 innings or 3 hours. No new inning will be started after 3 hours have been played. However, once an inning has been started, that inning must be completed even if it extends the game beyond 3 hours of playing time. If the score is tied after 9 innings and the time limit has not yet been reached, a 10th inning will be started. Otherwise, the game may end in a tie. In case of inclement weather or poor playing conditions, a game is considered official after the losing team (or both teams when tied) has been to bat at least 5 times.

If both teams are shorthanded (less than 8 players) at the game start time, the game clock will begin and the amount of playing time will therefore be reduced until at least one of the teams has enough players. Then, if only one team is shorthanded, they will play with whatever number of players they have or can borrow from their opponent until their regular players show up to make their team full. Any borrowed players will then revert back to their originally assigned team.

8. Although the NABA places certain restrictions on pitchers, there will be no restrictions on pitchers on the Baseball Cruise, except that a pitcher who is relieved from the mound may return to the mound to pitch again, but not within the same inning of the removal.

9. Metal spikes will be permitted during all games played on any Baseball Cruise.

10. In order to prevent injuries at all bases, a no collision rule will be enforced. Infielders should never block bases even if they have possession of the baseball. Also, infielders should never enter the base path of an approaching runner to intercept a poorly thrown ball. The infielder will be held responsible if contact occurs in such a situation. Infielders should always give a substantial portion of a base for a runner who might be sliding in. Base runners must either slide or give themselves up. However, sliding is not required during the Baseball Cruise because of the age group. Players will not be forced to slide, if they wish not to. However, if a player does slide in order to try to break up a double play, the runner will be held accountable for any dangerous contact at the base. "Barrel-roll" body sliding is not an acceptable form of sliding into a base. Base runners must always run with control and concern for their opponent. Under no circumstances will a base runner try to dislodge the ball from a defensive player. Also, infielders should not induce base runners to slide unnecessarily by using a "phantom tag." Disciplinary action (ejection, suspension, fines, etc.) will be taken against any player guilty of such actions, as determined by the umpires and Baseball Cruise Director. Please remember, this is not "blood and guts baseball."

11. Teams must have a minimum of 8 players available on the field at game time to avoid a forfeit. Extra players from the opponent's team may be utilized (with the permission and approval of the manager and his team who have more than 9 players present) only as a last resort to avoid a forfeit. The number of players loaned and the caliber of the player(s) will be at the sole discretion of the manager loaning the players to avoid a forfeit. No player, however, will be forced to play against his own team. Lastly, if a team loses a player during the game for any reason, including a situation that reduces the team count to only 8 active players, an automatic out will not be charged. However, if any team's player count is reduced to only 7 players and no other players are available (even from the opponent), that team may be subject to a forfeit. Most importantly, playing the game has the highest priority, and everything will be done to make sure that the game is played.

12. Once a team has scored 5 runs in an inning, play is halted and the half inning is over. However, if in achieving the 5 maximum runs allowed per inning, an over-the-fence home run is hit with men on base that results in more than 5 total runs, all of the runs will count. (For example, if the bases are loaded and four runs have already been scored in a half inning and the batter hits a grand slam over the fence, 8 runs will count.) This rule will apply to all innings except the last scheduled inning, when each team may score as many runs as possible.

13. Additional special rules for this age group are covered in the Manager's Rulebook and Guidelines as printed by the NABA. All other official rules are determined by the 2009 National Baseball Congress Rulebook. When in doubt, contact the Baseball Cruise Director. Protests must be addressed by the manager only and directed to the home plate or main umpire and the opposing manager before play continues. Because of the uniqueness of the rules, the umpires (provided by the Mexican teams) may have no authority over nor the proper knowledge about certain rules and situations. When in doubt, a manager should immediately consult with the opposing manager to determine legality of a play before play continues. If the managers disagree, a protest should be stated immediately to the opposing manager, the home plate or main umpire, and the Baseball Cruise Director and/or TEAM USA's General Manager in order to rule on and reach an immediate decision concerning the protest.

14. During the Baseball Cruise, metal or wood baseball bats will be permitted for use.

15. If a player is wearing a full uniform at the game field, it is assumed that he is ready to play and must be placed into the lineup. Injured players or those players not wishing to play should not be in full uniform. This will prevent teams from improperly dropping weaker players from their active playing roster at game time or during the game.