On several occasions - including at a 45+ game last weekend - I have heard GMs and players debate the rules regarding borrowed players. Some say borrowed players can't pitch or catch. Some say borrowed players can catch but not pitch. Others just shrug their shoulders.
Rule 8-3 states that "An assigned/borrowed player cannot pitch". No mention of the catcher position.
I interpret that to mean that a borrowed player can play catcher. I thought it would be better to settle this matter on the bulletin board than to argue about it in the pre-game meeting with the umpires.
So, can anyone provide a written reference to support that a borrowed player cannot play catcher? Or, can we all agree that a borrowed player can play catcher?
As a GM and a catcher, I have a vested interest in this discussion. Thank you.
Don , borrowed played can not pitch or bat higher than 6th in the batting order. I never heard that they couldnt catch. Also needs to be approved by the opposing Gm . Not just show up with guys game time.
Don, I just looked at the old web site and the rules listed there, CDMSBL leaguelineup. Artical #8 goes into details for borrowed players. The info. that Lex sent is correct, and the last sentence in that rule states no other restrictions. So, I say that you can use a borrowed player to catch. If I am wrong, someone please clarify.
Thank you Harold. It has always been my understanding that sub players could play the catcher position. However, as I posted, the GMs at Sunday's 45+ game agreed that the sub could not play catcher.
I thought it would be a good idea to clarify this rule on the bulletin board so we could all be on the same page.
I recall that I had been told by John Reel more than once that borrowed players should not be stronger than the player or players being replaced. Borrowed players are meant to allow games to be played in a timely manner. And, it is required that the opposing manager is informed in advance and must approve the use of specific borrowed players. Thats how it has been explained to me.
Yes Jim, there are several other requirements regarding borrowed players. My post was only intended to clarify the misunderstanding that borrowed players can't play catcher.
Regarding the relative strength of borrowed players, GMs have the right to approve or deny a borrowed player request. It is always interesting to see how some GMs exercise this right.
Thanks for taking the time to clarify that Don. As a long-time GM, I've never disapproved a request from another GM to borrow a player so we could avoid a forfeit, even if the plater was a stud. Who would do something like that???
While we are in rule clarification mode, I can't find a rule in our posted rules whereby the home team always gets the first base dugout. I've heard several managers demand that they get the first base dugout because they are the home team. I think that rule should be clarified also. If that's how it's supposed to be, let's make it a rule and post it as such so we can avoid these pre-game discussions. That would make it fair for everyone, because let's face it, sometimes one dugout is better than the other, especially on hot sunny afternoons.
New Scotland the home team dug out is the first base side. I guess it s whenever Dennis lane is playing on watervllet they get choice of dugout WHOS GOONG TO ARGUE THAT LOL he takes care of the field. But to my knowledge there isnt any other distinguished dugout for home or away. BOB MOORE in the 33s 3rd base is home team dugout. No other field has that established.
At the 55+ Managers meeting of 4/22/17, the fifth item on the agenda was the dugout assignment. It was decided that the home team would get the first base dugout. Besides myself, those present were Don Ball, Mike Hart, Brian Allen, Don Wixon, Ray Demers, Brad Buchan and Tom Maney. Some of the aforementioned were managers, while the others were standing in for their manager. With this dugout assignment in place, it wasnt necessary to have a race to the ball field and claim the better dugout. Now that Im active in the 62+ Division, I incorrectly assumed that the dugout assignment was the same as the 55s. I think that a rule encompassing all of the divisions could be beneficial. (I remember that the 55+ Dodgers would get the first base dugout at Watervliet regardless if they were home or away, since that was their home field, and Dennis Lane always does a great job in prepping that field. Most, if not all, of his equipment to prep the field was kept in that dugout.)
I think the dugout assignment is a good subject for the board to address at one of their meetings. Given an equal number of home and away games, if theres a rule whereby the home team has the first base side, everything will even out for all teams and there will be no need for pre-game discussions.
Here is the Rule on Borrowed players, as posted on the CDMSBL website:
"8-3. If a GM determines he will not have enough players to start a scheduled game, both General Managers must agree to a resolution so each team has nine (9) players to start said game. A team can borrow an age-eligible CDMSBL registered player to start a game. The Commissioner must be notified and he can veto any agreement regarding the borrowed player. The General Manager of a team showing up with eight (8) players can borrow a player from the opposing team if opponent has more than nine (9) players. The opposing General Manager has the right to veto a borrowed player. A GM does not have to let his opponent borrow a player from his team. An assigned/borrowed player will be a starting player and play a complete game. An assigned/borrowed player cannot pitch. Players cannot be borrowed during playoffs. Borrowed players must be approved by the opposing GM prior to showing up at the field. Borrowed players cannot hit higher than sixth (6 th) in the batting order in all divisions."
Personally, I wouldn't care is the borrowed player is Aaron Judge. I'd rather play against a borrowed stud and lose, than stand in the parking lot and win by forfeit.
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