Sec. 1 – A valid protest can only be made on rules violation or player eligibility. Umpires judgment calls are not considered valid protests.

Sec. 2 – A team manager shall be obligated to secure a copy of the Official Baseball Rules or Official Softball Rules and the official rules as set forth by the rules committee. He/she shall acquaint her/his players and coaches with the contents of both rulebooks.

Sec. 3 – Whenever an alleged rules violation occurs during the progress of an official or rescheduled game during the regular

season, the manager, or designated manager for that game wishing to register a protest must ask for “Time” and immediately notify the umpire-in-chief and the manager of the opposing team that the game is being continued “under protest”. This will enable all interested parties to take notice of the exact conditions prevailing at the time and will aid in proper determination of the issue. If the protest is on the final play of the game, you must announce your intent to protest before the umpires leave the field. Failure of the protesting manager or designated manager to comply with this section will nullify and render void any future protest regarding this alleged violation of the playing rules.

Sec. 4 – In the event a protest is withdrawn at the games end, the umpire-in-chief shall be so informed by the manager or coach who made the protest. This action shall nullify and render void any future protest of this game, regarding this alleged violation of playing rules.

Sec. 5 – In the event a protest is not withdrawn, it shall then become the obligation of all umpires working the game to file a written report of the incident causing the protest to the SPAA office within seventy-two (72) hours following the end of the game in which the alleged violation occurred. It shall also become the obligation of the protesting manager or coach to file a written report on an official protest form (supplied by SPAA) of the incident causing the protest to the SPAA office within seventy-two (72) hours following the end of the game in

which the alleged violation occurred. A protest fee of $25.00 and a copy of the protesting team’s score sheet for the protested game must accompany the completed protest form. In the event a protest is disallowed, the protest fee may not be refunded. In the event a protest is upheld, the protest fee will be refunded.

Sec. 6 – The Protest Committee shall consist of the SPAA President, a representative from the rules committee, and a representative from the umpire committee. The protest committee’s rulings are final and there is no appeal process.

Sec. 7 – The protest committee, upon receiving the protest and written reports, shall notify both managers in one (1) week as to the status of their protest if a decision has not been rendered. Once a decision is rendered, both managers will be notified in writing of the outcome.

Sec. 8 – If the protest is won the protest fee will be refunded and the game will be played from the time of the protest on. Players that were not in attendance at the original game will be added to the bottom of the batting order. Players at the original game but not present for the finish of the protest game will be scratched from the batting order. If a pitcher has not already pitched their inning limit during the original game, they may pitch in the finish of the game up to their inning limit.

If the protest is lost, the $25.00 protest fee will not be returned.

Sec. 9– In the event of a protested game, any players not at the completion of the game shall be removed from the batting order and all players not at the first part of the game shall be added at the end of the batting order. All rules relating to pitchers shall carry over from the first part of the game to the completion of the game.

Sec. 10 – Any player, manager, coach, or team in violation of any rule heretofore or rulings made by the Protest Committee, shall be liable to probation or suspension from the SPAA. It shall be the responsibility of the Protest Committee to notify the team as to game forfeitures, probation, or suspension.