Clean-up game administration rules

docs/02-league-rules-and-policy.md

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ The League may establish committees as necessary to assist in the administration
  Committees may be formed for specific purposes, including but not limited to:
 
 1. Advising on disciplinary matters and appeals;
+1. Evaluating disputes and ruling on formal game protests;
 1. Reviewing or proposing additions or amendments to playing rules;
 1. Assisting with competition structure or game administration.
 
@@ -233,35 +234,6 @@ All players in the League are expected to pay their team fees. Players will not
 ### Free Agents
 A player must inform the League Commissioner and such player's Manager no later than February 15 of the upcoming season if of an intention to leave the team and become a free agent. After this the player is free to play for another team in the League. A Manager may waive this deadline for an individual player at the Manager’s discretion. If the player fails to notify as specified, that player shall be disqualified from playing on another League team for that season.
 
-## Protest and Forfeits
-
-### Timeframe and Reporting
-All protests must be filed with the Commissioner within 48 hours of the alleged infraction and on the League supplied form. All requested information must be accurately reported. Any Manager who knowingly falsifies information on the protest form will be fined and suspended as determined by the Commissioner, and that Manager’s team will forfeit the game.
-
-### Ground for Protest
-Protests may only be made on the grounds of a violation of a rule stated in this Constitution and its Bylaws or in violation of a stated Major League Baseball rule. Protests may not, under any circumstances, be based on the judgment of an umpire’s call. The protesting team’s Manager must notify the umpire of the protest at the time the violation occurred. Managers shall notify the league Commissioner at the earliest possible time after the game and provide umpire signature as proof of notification.
-
-### Ruling
-Upon the filing of a protest with the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall call a meeting of the Rules and Competition Committee at the earliest possible date. Judgment regarding the merit of the protest shall be made after deliberation.
-
-### Notification
-Teams that win games by forfeit must notify the Commissioner that very day.
-
-### Umpire Payment
-Forfeiting teams must pay, at the time of the forfeit, the full cost of the umpire(s), and shall be considered not in good standing as defined in [Classification; Standing](#classification-standing). Teams will be considered not in good standing until payment is made. In the event a team is unable to pay the umpire at the proper time, the team’s forfeit fee will be used to cover initial forfeits. The cost of additional forfeits will be paid by the team.
-
-### Forfeits
-Should a team forfeit a game shall lose 2 points in the standings. 
-Forfeiting teams must pay, at the time of the forfeit, the full cost of the umpire(s). Until payment is made, a forfeiting team shall be considered not in good standing as defined in Subsection.
-Should a team forfeit 2 games in a season they will be banned from playing games for the remainder of the season and playoffs and placed on indefinite suspension, not in good standing, as defined in Subsection of the constitution. Games that included or would have included this team shall be subject to the following:
-
-1. All previous games played by the indefinitely suspended team shall count in the official standings.
-1. All subsequent games shall be recorded as a loss for the suspended team and a win for the scheduled opponent.
-
-### Technical forfeit
-A team subject to technical forfeit shall be awarded only one point for a victory. A team may receive 2 technical forfeits per season. After reaching this limit, subsequent technical forfeits shall be converted to forfeits, as defined in [Equipment](#equipment).
-
-## Standings and Postseason
 
 ### Website
 The Commissioner shall maintain a league website that includes all official scores and league standings. Additional pertinent information will be provided.
@@ -389,3 +361,77 @@ Uniform compliance is required in order to protect League competitive integrity,
 1. The Commissioner may impose discipline for uniform non-compliance, including warnings, corrective deadlines, fines, temporary player ineligibility, and other remedies authorized by League rules. In determining the appropriate discipline, the Commissioner may consider factors including bad faith, repeated non-compliance, and refusal to comply with a League directive. Penalties may be imposed up to and including game forfeits.
 ## Subjectivity
 These rules, regulations, articles, and Bylaws may not be suspended, set aside, or added to under any circumstances, regardless of the will of the Managers. This provision nullifies the “If both managers agree” concept.
+## Game Administration
+### Subjectivity
+No official playing rule or League policy may be suspended, set aside, or added to under any circumstances, regardless of the will of the Managers. This provision nullifies the “If both managers agree” concept.
+
+### Pre-Game
+#### Field Status
+The host team of the field shall be responsible for checking the status of the field in the event of rain. In the event neither team is the host of the field, the home team shall be the responsible team. The responsible team must report the status of the field to the Commissioner and the assigned umpire no later than 2:00 pm for a weeknight game, and at least 2 hrs. before a weekend game. As a courtesy, the responsible team should also notify the visiting Manager, but the visiting Manager may also contact the Commissioner for information regarding the status of the field. 
+
+Any Manager who knowingly falsifies information regarding the status of the field to avoid playing the game for any reason will be fined and the team will forfeit the game.
+
+#### Rescheduling
+Managers from both teams must contact the Commissioner to confirm any changes that they wish to make to the official schedule. Teams may not change times, places, or dates of games without the consent of the Commissioner. Any such games played shall be considered unofficial.
+
+In the discretion of the Commissioner, a game may be postponed due to extraordinary circumstances. In the event a game is to be postponed, the Commissioner shall alert the Managers in an expedient manner.
+
+Any postponed or suspended games must be rescheduled in a timely fashion by the Managers of that game for the next possible date. If Managers cannot come to an agreement in a timely fashion, the Commissioner may reschedule the game.
+
+### In-Game
+#### Umpire Payment
+Umpires are to be paid on the field promptly upon request.
+
+#### Substitution of an Umpire
+Should a league sanctioned umpire fail to appear at game time, the teams can choose to play the game with an umpire(s) of mutual choosing. The Commissioner needs to be informed by both teams prior to the start of the game to make it official.
+
+#### Minimum Number of Players
+Forfeit time shall be 20 minutes after the scheduled starting time. If a ninth player does not arrive or arrives after forfeit time, the team shall be in technical forfeit, as defined in [Forfeits](#forfeits).
+
+1. A team may begin a game with eight (8) players up to two (2) times in one season. A team that fails to field nine (9) players at the start of the game after receiving 2 (two) prior technical forfeits shall forfeit all subsequent games.
+1. A team in technical forfeit shall remain in technical forfeit, regardless of the number of players with which it finished the game.
+
+If a ninth player does not arrive or arrives after forfeit time, the team shall be in technical forfeit, as defined in [Forfeits](#forfeits).
+
+###  Protests
+Protests may only be made on the grounds of a violation of a rule stated in League policy or playing rules. Protests may not, under any circumstances, be based on the judgment of an umpire’s call. The protesting team’s Manager must notify the umpire of the protest at the time the violation occurred. 
+
+### Post-Game
+#### Field Maintenance
+All teams are responsible for the maintenance and cleanup of the field and dugout areas after a game. Both teams must fill in all infield, batter’s box, and pitching mound holes. Additionally, both teams must have adequate equipment on hand for field maintenance. Teams who repeatedly fail to do proper post-game maintenance may be subject to discipline.
+
+### Notification of Results
+The winning team shall be responsible for notifying the Commissioner of the score of the game no later than 10:00 AM the day after the game was played via text message, email, or telephone call. In the result of a forfeit, notification shall be immediately at the conclusion of the game.
+
+### Notification of Protest
+Managers shall notify the league Commissioner at the earliest possible time after the game and provide umpire signature as proof of notification.
+
+All protests must be filed with the Commissioner within 48 hours of the alleged infraction and on the League supplied form. All requested information must be accurately reported. Any Manager who knowingly falsifies information on the protest form will be fined and suspended as determined by the Commissioner, and that Manager’s team will forfeit the game.
+
+#### Ruling
+Upon the filing of a protest with the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall call a meeting of the Rules and Competition Committee at the earliest possible date. Judgment regarding the merit of the protest shall be made after deliberation.
+
+Forfeiting teams must pay, at the time of the forfeit, the full cost of the umpire(s), and shall be considered not in good standing as defined in [Classification; Standing](#classification-standing). Teams will be considered not in good standing until payment is made. In the event a team is unable to pay the umpire at the proper time, the team’s forfeit fee will be used to cover initial forfeits. The cost of additional forfeits will be paid by the team.
+
+## Game Outcomes
+
+### Technical forfeit
+If a team is in technical forfeit status, the game may proceed as permitted by Playing Rules, but the following applies:
+
+1. A team in technical forfeit that wins shall receive one (1) standings point for that game.
+1. A team may receive up to two (2) technical forfeits in a season.
+1. After a team reaches two (2) technical forfeits, each subsequent technical forfeit shall be converted to a forfeit.
+1. Technical forfeit status remains in effect for that game regardless of later player arrivals.
+
+The opponent of a team in technical forfeit is entitled to a full (2) standings points for a win.
+
+### Forfeit
+If a game is forfeited, the following applies:
+
+1. The forfeiting team shall receive a loss and a minus two (-2) point standings penalty.
+1. The non-forfeiting team shall receive a 7 runs to 0 runs win in the standings and is entitled to a full (2) standings points.
+1. The forfeiting team must pay the full cost of umpire fees for the forfeited game.
+1. A team that forfeits two (2) games in a season may be suspended for the remainder of the season and postseason and placed on indefinite suspension, subject to Commissioner determination.
+1. If a team is placed on indefinite suspension for repeated forfeits:
+      1. Prior games already played shall remain in the official standings.
+      1. Subsequent scheduled games shall be recorded as forfeits.

docs/03-playing-rules.md

@@ -46,34 +46,23 @@ An umpire, in their discretion, may declare a game called if
 1. Local laws or field rules (e.g. lightning detector) prevent continuation of the game.
 1. Other circumstances prevent further safe play. The Rules and Competition Committee may rule on any forfeit or loss of points as applicable.
 
-## Game Time
+## Game Equipment and Uniforms
-The starting time for all weeknight games shall be 5:50 p.m. for fields without lights. Starting times for games played at lighted fields and on the weekends shall be determined by the League and may legally begin after 6:30PM. Forfeit time shall be 20 minutes after the scheduled starting time.
+Games shall be played with legal baseball equipment and player uniforms as required by League Rules and Policy.
-
-## Player Uniforms
-All players must be in proper uniform in order to be eligible to participate in games, as specified in League policy.
 
 ## Minimum Number of Players
-Teams must start the game at the scheduled starting time if they have at least eight (8) players present. A team may not wait until forfeit time for players to arrive, the game must begin as soon as a team has 8 players present. If a ninth player does not arrive or arrives after forfeit time, the team shall be in technical forfeit, as defined in [Forfeits](#forfeits).
+Teams must start the game at the scheduled starting time if they have a minimum of (8) players present. League policy may designate a forfeit time after which a team with less than the minimum is subject to forfeit. A team may not wait until this forfeit time for players to arrive. The game must begin as soon as a team reaches this minimum.
 
 1. In the event a team starts a game with eight (8) players, the ninth spot in the batting order shall be considered an out recorded to the pitcher. A team may insert a ninth player in the vacant ninth spot after the start of play.
-1. A team may begin a game with eight (8) players up to two (2) times in one season. A team that fails to field nine (9) players at the start of the game after receiving 2 (two) prior technical forfeits shall forfeit all subsequent games.
-1. A team in technical forfeit shall remain in technical forfeit, regardless of the number of players with which it finished the game.
-A team may finish the game a player short, that is one (1) player less than they started the game with (eight (8) players for a nine (9) man line-up, nine (9) players for a ten (10) man), provided the team does not fall below this minimum.
-
 1. The vacated spot in the batting order shall be considered an automatic out.
 1. Should a team fall below the minimum, the game is terminated and the team loses by forfeit.
 
+A team may finish the game a player short, that is one (1) player less than they started the game with (eight (8) players for a nine (9) man line-up, nine (9) players for a ten (10) man), provided the team does not fall below this minimum.
+
 ## Player Injuries
 Should a player suffer a debilitating injury during the game and cannot continue, and a team has no more eligible players on its bench, a team can use a player that was removed from the game to replace him. This replacement player must be the first player removed from the game, and if this player is unavailable the next player is used (and so on). If no reserve is present, the vacated spot in the lineup is skipped and all batters move up accordingly, with no penalty to the affected team.
 
 1. If a substantial case can be made that a team skipped a spot with the intent to gain a competitive advantage, a protest by the opposing team may retroactively be ruled as a forfeit.
 
-## Field Maintenance
-All teams are responsible for the maintenance and cleanup of the field and dugout areas after a game. Both teams must fill in all infield, batter’s box, and pitching mound holes. Additionally, both teams must have adequate equipment on hand for field maintenance. Teams who repeatedly fail to do proper post-game maintenance shall be fined.
-
-## Payment of Umpires
-Umpires are to be paid on the field promptly upon request.
-
 ## Designated Hitter
 The League shall follow the Major League designated hitter rule at all times, with the exception that a team may designate a D.H. for any position on the field.
 
@@ -118,25 +107,6 @@ In regular season play, the defensive line-up is independent of the batting line
 
 In postseason play, the free defensive substitution rule defined above shall not be applicable and substitutions shall be made in accordance to applicable League and MLB rules.
 
-## Field Status
-The home team shall be responsible for checking the status of the field in the event of rain. The home team must report the status of the field to the Commissioner and the assigned umpire no later than 2:00 pm for a weeknight game, and at least 2 hrs. before a weekend game. As a courtesy, the home team should also notify the visiting Manager, but the visiting Manager may also contact the Commissioner for information regarding the status of the field.
-
-1. Any Manager who knowingly falsifies information regarding the status of the field to avoid playing the game will be fined and the team will forfeit the game.
-
-## Rescheduling
-In the discretion of the Commissioner, a game may be postponed due to extraordinary circumstances. In the event a game is to be postponed, the Commissioner shall alert the Managers in an expedient manner.
-Managers from both teams must contact the Commissioner to confirm any changes that they wish to make to the official schedule. Teams may not change times, places, or dates of games without the consent of the Commissioner. Any such games played shall be considered unofficial.
-Any postponed or suspended games must be rescheduled in a timely fashion by the Managers of that game for the next possible date. If Managers cannot come to an agreement in a timely fashion, the Commissioner may reschedule the game.
-
-## Notification of Results
-The winning team shall be responsible for notifying the Commissioner of the score of the game no later than 10:00 AM the day after the game was played via text message, email, or telephone call.
-
-## Uncompleted Games
-All games not completed by the end of the regular season shall count as losses for both teams unless a team deliberately attempts to avoid playing a sanctioned game. The team that was willing to play the game will be judged the forfeit winner if so ruled by the Commissioner.
-
-## Substitution of an Umpire
-Should a league sanctioned umpire fail to appear at game time, the teams can choose to play the game with an umpire(s) of mutual choosing. The Commissioner needs to be informed by both teams prior to the start of the game to make it official.
-
 ## Collisions
 NO COLLISIONS ARE ALLOWED, UNLESS THE CONTACT RESULTS FROM A SLIDE. It is the base runners responsibility to slide or avoid contact. Fielders and runners must abide by Official Baseball Rules regarding Interference, Obstruction, and Catcher Collisions.. 
 Unless the umpire rules that the contact was incidental or the result of Obstruction by the fielder, the runner shall be called out, the ball declared dead and the runner automatically ejected from the game. Per [Flagrant Collisions](#flagrant-collisions). if the collision is determined by the umpire to be flagrant the player may be subject to the further penalty as defined in that section.