
Rule changes includes baseball logos, collisions at home plate, number of players per team and more.
Coming off of a highly-successful 2015 season, American Legion Baseball has confirmed rule changes heading into next year’s season.
To view last year’s rule book, click here.
The rule changes for 2016 are as follows:
Rule 1.A. Baseballs. An American Legion Baseball authenticating logo is required on all baseballs that will be used in regular and post season competition. A current list of authentic products can be found on the website: www.emblem.legion.org.
Rule 1.G. Collisions (Clarification) Collisions at home plate. A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate), or otherwise initiate an avoidable collision. If, in the judgement of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the umpire shall declare the runner out (regardless of whether the player covering home plate maintains possession of the ball). In such circumstances, the umpire shall call the ball dead, and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision. If the runner slides into the plate in an appropriate manner, he shall not be adjudged to have violated Rule 1.G.
Rule 1.T. 10-Run Rule.
1. During the regular season, the department committee may grant permission to both junior and senior teams/leagues to use a 10-run rule for league games and invitational tournaments.
2. During the regular season, the department committee may allow senior and junior teams to play seven-inning games with a 10-run mercy rule after five innings of play or 4½ innings if the home team has the last at-bat.
3. All senior American Legion tournaments shall use a 10-run rule after seven innings, unless the home team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 6½ innings, at which time that game will be halted.
Rule 2.B.4.a. 2014 Graduated Student.
a) Players who graduated in 2015 shall play for the last American Legion team they played for. If a team should fail to form and/or exist, or the graduated player last played for a junior program, the player must play for the team nearest their parents’ domicile. Players who graduated in 2015 shall not be eligible to be transferred (Forms #76 or #77). Their names must have appeared on a previously approved American Legion Baseball team roster.
Rule 6.E. Players per Team. No American Legion Baseball team may have more than 18 registered players once National Form #1 is registered with the department. Each team must register players on National Form #1 via the online registration program with their department by June 25 or the department closing date, whichever comes first. The department baseball chairman must certify teams to National Headquarters by June 30 to be eligible for national competition. A non-Legionnaire may serve as coach.
1. In cases of death, a player may be replaced on National Form #1.
2. A player may be replaced if that player is placed on active duty in the U.S. armed forces following the submission of the certified National Form #1.
Note: American Legion Baseball insurance provides coverage for all players who try out, practice or play in exhibition games; however, once the regular season has begun, only those players listed on the national electronic roster shall be covered.
Insurance premiums: Insurance premiums for 2016 will remain the same.
Additionally, American Legion Baseball will be moving toward select compliance with the MLB/USA Baseball Pitch Smart initiative. While no rule changes have been made at this time, read more about the initiative here.
- Baseball