ON FIELD BEHAVIOR POLICY

 
In December of 1993, the On Field Behavior Policy was established by the National Association of Professional Baseball Clubs in conjunction with Major League Baseball.

Note that Major League players on a rehab assignment with an N.A. club are subject to the provisions of this policy and are to be reported in the same manner as any player.

The actual text of the policy follows.

 ON-FIELD BEHAVIOR POLICY

For All Minor League Baseball Leagues, Extended Spring Training,

Instructional League, and the Arizona Fall League

Pitchers Intentionally Throwing At Hitters

A pitcher judged by the plate umpire to have intentionally delivered a pitched ball at a batter will be ejected from the game per section 6.02(c)(9)A of the Official Playing Rules. An umpire shall have the discretion, in accordance with Official Playing Rules section 6.02 (c)(9), to warn a pitcher whom he/she feels may have intentionally thrown at a batter.  If such a warning is given to the pitcher, the managers of both teams shall be warned as well.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an umpire shall not be required to issue a warning prior to ejecting a player.

At the time of the ejection the umpire shall warn the manager of both teams that another such pitch by any pitcher during the game will result in the immediate expulsion of the pitcher and that pitcher’s manager.

Field Personnel Leaving Their Position to Participate in Confrontations

For purposes of this policy, applicable field personnel shall be defined as players/coaches/trainers/roving instructors.

The position of applicable field personnel is considered to be wherever the individual is located (dugout, bullpen, coaching box, defensive position, etc.) at the time a confrontational situation develops.

A player or players deemed by the League President to have been an instigator or combatant in a confrontation will receive an automatic fine  (minimum $450 at CLASS AAA®, $300 at CLASS AA®, $150 at CLASS A®, $75 at CLASS A SHORT SEASON® and Rookie) and a minimum of a three game suspension.  Such violations will include but not be limited to: a pitcher judged by the League President to have intentionally delivered a pitched ball at a batter, a pitcher leaving the pitcher’s mound and initiating a confrontation, a batter/runner charging or pursuing the pitcher, fighting, etc.

A player involved in a confrontation while remaining at his position and judged to have been defending himself and not contributing to the incident will not be ejected, fined or suspended.

All applicable field personnel leaving their position to in any way involve themselves in a confrontation as other than an instigator or combatant will be fined by the League President based on the degree of their involvement.* Minimum fines for leaving their position will be $150 at CLASS AAA®, $100 at CLASS AA®, $50 at CLASS A®, $25 at CLASS A SHORT SEASON® and Rookie.  The violator’s conduct will be the basis for the League President’s decision on whether a penalty greater than the minimum is appropriate.

If a violation of this policy does occur and a confrontation develops, the field managers/coaches/roving instructors are expected to leave their position as necessary, in an attempt to bring the violator(s) from their team under control.  Staff should not involve themselves in physically restraining personnel from an opposing team.

Any player not currently on the active list (disabled or otherwise) leaving his position to become involved in a confrontation will be subject to the same penalties as an active player.  Any suspension involving an inactive player will be served immediately upon activation.

*Should a skirmish develop while other players are located nearby (i.e., a rundown, a play at second base involving the runner and the shortstop or second baseman with the other nearby, or a play at the plate involving the runner and catcher with the pitcher backing up), those “nearby” or “backing up” the play must not become involved as this will constitute a violation for leaving their position at the time a confrontational situation develops.

NOTES:

1. At no time will more than two position players and one pitcher concurrently serve suspensions. The length of suspension for pitchers will vary based on his position as a starting or relief pitcher. The League President will determine when suspensions will be served.  All suspensions under this policy are to be without pay.
2. In the case of Instructional League and Extended Spring Training all fines and suspensions shall be handled the same as the Rookie level and shall be determined by the Commissioner’s Office.
3. In the case of the Arizona Fall League all fines and suspensions shall be handled the same as Triple-A and shall be determined by the Commissioner’s Office.