BASEBALL SUPPLEMENT 2016-2017

Article 1	GENERAL INFORMATION
Section 1	Conference Eligibility
A.	General Guideline
1.	All Conference colleges will recognize and abide by the State Athletic Constitution and the decisions of the California Community College League of California and the Commission on Athletics.
B.	Eligibility
1.	To be eligible to participate in all non-conference and conference contests all student athletes must be registered in classes according to the requirements set forth in the State Athletic Constitution and By-Laws and the Big 8 Conference Constitution and By-Laws.
2.	Conferences shall require each college to certify athletic eligibility by submitting Form 1,
Student Eligibility, and Form 3, Team Eligibility, to the conference commissioner’s office by email prior to the first game, meet, or match. Addendums to Form 3 may be submitted at a later date, but the athletes listed on the addendums are not eligible until the emailed date.
3.	An ineligible player is defined as a player who has not completed or adhered to all the requirements of the State Athletic Constitution and Conference By-Laws.
a.	Any college that allows an ineligible player to participate in a contest, whether team or individual shall forfeit the contest and/or are subject to disciplinary
by the conference commissioner (with the exception of Bylaw 1.4.2.E and
1.15.8.A of the COA/CCCAA Constitution and Bylaws). Such disciplinary action may include sanctions as described in Article 7.3.3 of the State Athletic Constitution.
b.	During the season of competition, all member colleges shall check the eligibility of student athletes at a minimum of once per week. Per CCCAA requirements, student athlete must meet eligibility requirements before competing in any contest.

Section 2	Sport Chairperson
A.	Elected from among the respective coaches of each men’s and women’s sport for a term of two years starting July 1.
B.	The duties of the sports chairperson shall be to:
1.	Establish coaches meeting dates in conjunction with the sports administrative representative.  The end of season meeting of the conference coaches shall take place immediately after the completion of conference play.
2.	Attend and chair all said coaches’ meetings for the purpose of developing a conference schedule, outlining procedures to be recommended to the conference for consideration, developing and modifying the sport supplement, and selecting all-conference and MVP recipients.
3.	Compile a master contest schedule and sports supplement to be forwarded to the sports administrative representative for presentation at the appropriate conference meeting.
4.	Collect league standings, and other relevant information, and communicate them to fellow coaches and the sport administrative representative on a minimum of once per
week.

Section 3	Sport Administrative Representative
A.	Appointed by the president, in consultation with the conference commissioner, from among the conference assembly athletic directors.
B.	The duties of the sports administrative representative shall be to:
1.	Set coaches’ meeting dates in conjunction with the sports chairperson;
2.	Attend all such meetings for the purpose of developing a conference schedule, outlining procedures to be recommended to the conference for consideration, facilitating the
development and modification of the sport guide, report all-conference selections and

MVP information to the conference commissioner.

C.	Present conference contest schedules and sports supplements at the appropriate conference meeting for approval. Fall sport schedules and supplements should be presented at the regular spring meeting. Spring sport schedules and supplements should be presented at the regular fall meeting.
D.	Maintain records of league standings and all other matters pertaining to each sport.
E.	Submit a year-end report to the conference commissioner no later than two weeks after the State Championship for that specific sport.

Section 4	Meetings
A.	Coaches will meet a minimum of two times each year.
1.	Post-conference-at the completion of conference competition
2.	Off-season-at least 3 weeks prior to the Big 8 Assembly meeting
B.	Meeting times and locations should facilitate attendance by all coaches of the Big 8, including hosted colleges.
C.	Hosted college will be invited to send representation to the coaches’ meetings.
D.	The post-conference meeting shall address the following issues:
1.	All-conference awards, MVP, etc.
2.	Post conference information
3.	Completion of statistics
4.	Recommendations for substantive Big 8 Sport Supplement changes
5.	Input for CCCAA/Big 8 legislative issues
6.	Election of next Sport Chair

E.	The off-season meeting shall address the following issues:
1.	Competitive schedule (complete with dates and times)
2.	Specific amendments to the sport supplement
3.	Input for CCCAA/Big 8 legislative issues

F.	Meeting Logistics
1.	One week prior to any meeting, the administrative representative will remind all coaches regarding date, time and place.
2.	A quorum for any meeting will be 50% plus one.
3.	Coaches must be present to vote.
4.	It is the responsibility of the administrative representative to forward any pertinent information from the state coaches association to division coaches whenever appropriate.
5.	If a college coach cannot attend a meeting, the coach can get someone else from that college to be present.

Section 5	Sport Supplement Revisions
A.	Recommended revisions of the sport supplement shall be finalized and distributed to the administrative representative for that sport two weeks prior to the scheduled assembly meeting.
1.	Fall semester sport supplements shall be presented at the spring conference meeting.
2.	Spring semester sport supplements shall be presented at the fall conference meeting.
3.	Proposed changes to the sport supplement that affect the competition format and scheduling be presented 1 full year prior to their proposed implementation.
4.	If conference or CCCAA hosting problems occur-must have emergency consent of
commissioner.

B.	All proposed changes should be provided on a cover sheet attached to the revised sport supplement. The administrative representative shall distribute the cover sheet and revised sport supplement to all member or hosted colleges that sponsor that sport one week prior to the scheduled assembly meeting.
C.	The administrative representative will make sure the supplement and schedule are included on the consent agenda at the designated conference meeting.
D.	Once approved by the conference assembly, final approved copies of the sport supplement shall be distributed to all member or hosted colleges that sponsor that sport.
E.	All sections of the supplement and cover sheet must be dated and identified as draft/approved in
the upper right hand corner.

Section 6	College/Competition Venue Information
A.	It is the responsibility of the host college athletic director to distribute/competition venue information to all conference and hosted colleges.
B.	The following items should be addressed:
1.	directions to campus/competitive venue
2.	map
3.	parking regulations/permits or other campus site regulations
4.	dressing room accommodations
5.	equipment and supplies provided
6.	contest supervision specifics
7.	athletic training services
8.	emergency contact information

Section 7	Decorum
A.	General decorum, including playing within the rules, showing good sportsmanship, treating players, coaches, officials and fans with respect, and conducting all activities with “class” and professionalism, is the responsibility of all participants of both the host and visiting colleges. Decorum at California community college events is the responsibility of all participants. Decorum rules apply to all conference and non-conference contests. Individual sport supplements may be more strict, but not more lenient, than the decorum rules listed in Article IX of the Big 8 Constitution/By-Laws.
B.	The responsibility for the on-site enforcement of decorum shall be specifically addressed within each sport’s supplement.

Article 2	BASEBALL
Section 1	Personnel and dates for upcoming season
A.	Sport chair
1.	The baseball coaches shall elect a head coach the sport chairperson for a period of two years. If the chair leaves his coaching position, a new chair shall be elected for the remainder of the term. Any changes in chairperson will be reported to the conference baseball administrative representative. Doug Jumelet is the conference representative. His term is from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017.

B.	The duties of the sports chairperson shall be to:
1.	Establish coaches meeting dates in conjunction with the sports administrative representative. The end of season meeting of the conference coaches shall take place immediately after the completion of conference play.
2.	Attend and chair all said coaches meetings for the purpose of developing a conference
schedule, outlining procedures to be recommended to the conference for consideration, developing and modifying the sport supplement, and selecting all-conference and MVP recipients.
3.	Compile a master contest schedule and sports supplement to be forwarded to the sports administrative representative for presentation at the appropriate conference meeting.
4.	The chairperson is the league’s official representative to the Nor-Cal Seeding Meeting.

C.	Fall meeting date/location
1.	The committee met on September 14th at 9:00 a.m. at Sacramento City College.

D.	Spring meeting date/location
1.	The committee will meet on Wednesday, May 3th, 2017 at Sacramento City College.

E.	Season start dates
1.	Practice
a.	Practice or scrimmages may begin no earlier than January 16, 2017.
b.	The first game will be scheduled no earlier than January 27, 2017

F.	Conference competition
1.	Conference Competition will begin on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

G.	Number of contests
1.	Maximum number of contests is 40 games.
1.	
Section 2	Schedule/competition format
A.	Format
1.	General format
a.	The conference schedule will consist of seven 3-game series.
B.	Number of matches/games/entries
1.	The conference schedule will consist of 24 games.

C.	Dates/Times
1.	Weekday games will begin at 2:30 PM.
2.	Saturday games will begin at 1:00 PM.
3.	Game times may only be changed by constitutional rules.

D.	
1.	Game/meet/match start time			
a.	
	GAMES	2:30 pm Start	1:00 pm Start	
	Home Team BP	up to 1:00 pm	up to 11:30 am	
	Visiting Team BP	1:05-1:45 pm	11:35-12:15 pm	
	Home Team infield	1:50-2:00 pm	12:20-12:30 pm	
	Visiting Team infield	2:00-2:10 pm	12:30-12:40 pm	
	Field Prep/Ground Rules	2:10-2:30 pm	12:40-1:00 pm	

Pre-game activity

a.	It is the home team’s option to decide on status for all conference games. If the home team hits in any manner, the visiting team has the option to hit in the same manner.
b.	Visiting teams will receive a minimum of ten minutes for pre-game infield in accordance with the schedule.
c.	No batting practice, to be done by either team while games are in progress.
d.	It is recommended that all pre-game drills be conducted on a regular playing field.
e.	Field maintenance is the responsibility of the home team. Pitcher’s mound, home plate and the infield should be prepared before games after pre-game
infield practice is completed.

E.	Changes in schedule - suspended games, defaults, make-up games, natural disasters, facility problems, transportation problems, etc.
1.	Forfeits
a.	Any game that is deliberately forfeited before the start of the game may result in the team forfeiting their entire conference season, pending prompt review by the conference assembly. (Intent is to prevent no-shows).
2.	Suspended Games
a.	All conference games must be played to their completion (9 innings, 8 1/2 if the home team is ahead), except as it is explained below as it relates to the round contests.
b.	HALTED GAME RULE IS IN EFFECT. Games will be completed from the point they were halted, regardless of the inning. 1st round games will be completed at the original home team’s site. In Round 2, all halted games will
be completed immediately prior to the start of the next regularly scheduled contest between the two teams involved regardless of the site.
c.	For the third round games, if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 7 innings and the game is suspended, they will be declared the winner. (6 ½ innings if the home team is leading).
d.	By mutual consent of coaches and Athletic Directors, a halted game may be completed on the next available day.
3.	Rain Outs - Make-up Policy
a.	Games to be played on the next open date (M-W-F or Sunday by mutual consent of both coaches involved). Make-up games must be made up in the order they are rained out. EXCEPTION: When make-up games are rained out, they must be rescheduled as soon as possible (next available M, W, F, or Sunday if agreed. You can play a doubleheader during the week of a particular series. If two or more games in a series are rained out, a team is not required to make-up those games on consecutive Mondays, but can schedule one of the make-ups on the next available Wednesday. Sunday, April 24th and Saturday April 30th of the
a.	
regular season are NOT optional as all rained out games must be completed in a timely manner). These games will not take precedence over another scheduled make-up of a rainout. Once a date is set for the make-up of a rainout between two teams, both teams are obligated to honor that date. Therefore, it is conceivable that games might not be made up in the order they were originally rained out. Switching sites in order to play games is acceptable. The conference administrative representative must verify transportation problems.
b.	Conference games (make-ups) take precedence over non-conference games.
EXCEPTION -- when tournaments are involved.
c.	No team will be required to play more than (4) scheduled conference games per week unless by mutual consent of the coaches. Week is defined as Monday- Sunday (Sunday is optional) A suspended game where less than 5 innings have been played, the competition of that game will be considered one of the 4 total games of the week. If a suspended game is halted after 5 or more innings, that game will not be considered one of the 4 for that week.
d.	All rain outs, make-ups, protested games, etc., must be completed by midnight on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Only exception is Sunday, April 30, 2017, if allowed by the existing CCCAA code (intent is to finish all conference games).

Section 3	Rules of competition
A.	Rule Guide
1.	Current NCAA rules will be followed except for changes stated in these policies.

B.	Scoring
1.	The home book is the official scorebook. It is the visitor’s responsibility to check with the home scorebook. Home team shall provide an official scorer.

C.	Special Equipment
1.	Balls used in conference play shall be the Rawlings R100-CCC or the R1-CCC.
2.	The host team will provide the game balls.
3.	Bases must be installed securely. All pitching mounds must meet NCAA specifications.
4.	It is mandatory that players wear protective batting helmets during pre-game batting practice both on the field and in the batting cages.

Section 4	Decorum
A.	Responsibility for reporting/identifying potential violations
1.	Decorum Policy (Refer to CCCAA Constitution B Decorum 4.3)
a.	Governed by the NCAA Rulebook and Article 7.3 of the CCCAA Constitution (additional sections are described) of which includes the following:
b.	Rule 3-6-C
(1)	Any umpire shall remove from the game any player, coach, manager or trainer for violation of the Coaches' and Players' Code of Ethics.
c.	A.R.1.
(1)	The umpire first may warn any violator before removing the individual(s) from the game.
d.	A.R.2
(1)	After a player, coach, manager, trainer or scorekeeper has been removed from the game, the individual shall leave the field immediately. A removed person may not remain in the dugout, bullpen or press box during the remainder of the game. Failure to abide by this rule will result in the forfeiture of the game.
e.	Rule 3-6-D
(1)	The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee believes there is no place in college baseball for the physical abuse of officials or fighting among opposing players. A fight rule is in effect that will penalize offending team representatives (e.g. players, coaches, and trainers) for physical abuse or fighting. However, coaches must understand that they are responsible for the actions of their players. Cooperation is needed from
(1)	
players, coaches, administrators and game officials to prevent fighting and physical abuse.
2.	FIGHTING - Any physical abuse of an opposing player, including attempting to strike with the arms, hands, legs, feet or equipment in a combative manner.
3.	PITCHER INTENTIONALLY THROWING AT A BATTER - If a pitcher is
ejected by an umpire for throwing at a batter, the fight rule penalty shall be enforced. If the coach has been previously warned during the contest, the coach shall also be ejected. Note- For this type of ejection, only the coach will not have been deemed as ejected for fighting.
4.	PHYSICAL ABUSE OF GAME OFFICIALS (UMPIRES) - Any threat of
physical intimidation or harm to include pushing, shoving, kicking, throwing at or attempting to make physical contact.
5.	PENALTY -- If a game participant (team member, player, coach, team
attendant, official or college staff member) is ejected from a contest because of fighting an opposing participant, bench clearing, violation of the tobacco and substance abuse policy or intentionally throwing at a hitter the following shall be enforced:
a.	For the first offense by the individual, ejection plus suspension from the team's next contest.
b.	For a second offense by an individual during the same season, ejection and suspension for the remainder of the season including post-season
competition.
c.	If a participant (player, coach, team attendant, official or other college staff member) leave their position, bench, bullpen, or other designated area and participate in a fight, the individual will be suspended for the next three (3) contests.
6.	PENALTY-- if a game participant physically abuses a game official the following shall be enforced
a.	The game participant shall be ejected immediately and shall be disqualified from participating in California Community College activities for 60 Months.
b.	REPORTING B Within 24 hours after a contest where a participant
has been ejected as described above, The coach of the team shall report the names and circumstances to the athletic director who, in turn, shall immediately inform the conference commissioner & the baseball Administration Representative for the Big 8. Failure to report by a coach will result in the penalties described above. Failure to report by the athletic director may result in team forfeitures.
c.	After ejection, the offending individual must leave the field and dugout
areas immediately and is not allowed to communicate with the team or umpires. Failure to abide by this will result in the forfeiture of the game.
d.	Suspended personnel shall not be in uniform, allowed in any team area or perform any team duty before or during the contest.
e.	It is the responsibility of the institution=s head coach and director of athletics to administer and enforce the suspension penalty. If a suspended player or coach is found to have participated in a game for which he was suspended, the offending team will forfeit the game.
f.	If the penalty occurs during the team=s last game of the season, a one game suspension will be assessed at the beginning of the next official
NCAA spring season.
7.	Rule 3-7-J
a.	Unsportsmanlike Conduct -No coach, player or team representative shall at any time, whether for the bench, the coaches’ box, on the playing field or elsewhere:
(1)	Incite or attempt to incite, by word or sign, a demonstration by spectators.
(2)	Call “time” or employ any other word or phrase or commit any act while the ball is in play for the
obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher balk. If a balk is committed, it shall be nullified;
(3)	No fielder shall take a position in the batter’s line of vision, and with deliberate and unsportsmanlike
(1)	
intent, act in a manner to distract the batter.
8.	PENALTY - The offender shall be ejected from the game. Each official’s association will be given decorum forms to report ejections to the appropriate person in their association who will then forward these forms to involved
participants and athletic director, the administrative representative, and the
conference commissioner.
a.	NOTE - If there is any problem regarding this code of conduct which does not have a penalty phase, the proper protocol shall be followed:
(1)	Coach to Coach
(2)	Athletic Director to Athletic Director
(3)	President to President
(4)	If the problem cannot be resolved, then the conference commissioner will be notified.

B.	Coaching Ethics
1.	It is the duty of the coach to be in control of his players at all times in order to prevent any unsportsmanlike act toward opponents, officials, or spectators.
2.	Coaches are expected to comply wholeheartedly with the intent and spirit of the rules. The deliberate teaching of players to violate the rules is indefensible.
3.	Coaches should teach their players to respect the dignity of the game, officials, opponents and the institutions they represent.
4.	Coaches should confine their discussion with the game officials to interpretations of the rules and not constantly challenge umpire decisions involving judgment.
5.	“Bench Jockeying” will not be allowed. Coaches are to prohibit bench
jockeying, which would include personal or malicious remarks, cursing or
obscene language towards opponents, umpires, or spectators.
6.	Coaches should refrain from any personal action that might arouse players or spectators to unsportsmanlike behavior.
7.	Coaches should expect from the umpires a courteous and dignified attitude toward players and themselves.
8.	During each conference game the opposing team is limited to stretching on their dugout side and field. The home team will adhere to this policy as well.
9.	Coaches shall have players dressed prior to arrival at a site (Baseball field).
Intent: No dressing or undressing in the dugout.
10.	Coaches shall have players leave a visiting dugout and the facility in the same condition after the completion of the game.

Section 5	Championship/Tournament/Playoff	procedures
A.	Determination of champion

B.	Note - There will be no post-conference playoffs. The champion will be determined by overall Conference finish. If two or more teams tie for first place, they will be declared co- champions.
1.	Ties-The following tiebreaker formula will be used for post-conference seeding purposes only:
a.	First place or tie with two teams
(1)	Head to Head Competition
(2)	RPI

b.	First Place or tie with three or more teams
(1)	Best record against tied teams.
(2)	RPI
(3)	Head to head competition in the conference at the top of the standings and going down in the standings until the tie can be broken. For example, three-way ties for first place not broken

1.	
by number 1 above. Record vs fourth place team, if necessary vs fifth place team, etc.

C.	Forfeits and teams not eligible for post season:
1.	Any Team that is not eligible for post season competition will go to the bottom of the list when ranking league teams for post season play.
2.	Any team forfeiting 8 or more contest will not be eligible for post season play and will be ranked at the bottom of the conference standing regardless of record.

Section 6	Officials
A.	Numbers
1.	The home team will provide two umpires from the Central Valley Umpire Association (CVUA), the approved umpires’ association of the Big 8 Conference.

B.	Qualification/officials group
1.	The approved association will contract with the Big 8 Conference. Official association representatives will be invited to pre-season and postseason coaches meetings.

C.	Any protocol concerns
1.	In the event that only one official is available to officiate a contest, the contest must be played. If one umpire is used to officiate a contest the umpire must work the game from behind the plate.

Section 7	Statistics
A.	College responsibilities
1.	The home team stat crew reports statistics immediately after conference games.

Section 8	Awards
A.	All conference team selection
1.	
a.	Certificates by position:		
Awards Distribution (30 Total Awards)	
	1st Team (18 Members)	2nd Team (12 Members)	
	1 Catcher	1 Catcher	
	3 Pitchers	3 Pitchers	
	1 First Baseman	1 First Baseman	
	4 Infielders	3 Infielders	
4 Outfielders	3 Outfielders	
1 Designated Hitter	1 DH / Utility Player	
1 Utility Player	
1 Relief	

There will be a total of 30 all-conference awards divided between first and second team selections as designated by the coaches plus (1) MVP and (1) Pitcher of the Year.

2 TBA = 1 spot will be filled by the MVP and the other spot will be filled by the next best available player.

2.	All schools must submit by email their final nominations for All-Big 8 Conference awards to the sport chairperson(s) on Friday before the conference meeting. The voting will be done for first team first, then the second team. Only players on the official ballot may receive votes.
3.	Coaches will bring their ballots to the meeting with their final conference stats for nominated players filled out. Coaches should also bring final overall stats for nominated players.
4.	Any player nominated for all-conference consideration must be eligible and in
good academic standing at the conclusion of the conference season.

B.	Most valuable player
1.	MVP to be determined first. Each school may nominate one player. The MVP will then be included for first team awards. MVP Pitcher will be the top vote getter for first team in the pitching category. All ties must be broken.

C.	Coach of the year
1.	The Big 8 will select a "Coach of the Year." The selected coach will be presented an award at no cost to the conference.

D.	Other Awards
1.	The Big 8 champion will receive a team championship award.