SFNABA FAQ

1.What is the SFNABA? SFNABA stands for San Francisco National Adult Baseball Association. We are an adult (18+) recreational baseball league affiliated with the NABA, which is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The NABA offers competitive and recreational baseball in over 85 leagues in more than 30 states. There are currently over 30,000 player-members playing America's pastime on weekends and in twilight leagues. You can visit the NABA website at www.dugout.org. Ken Hale formed the SFNABA in May of 2001 in order to provide recreational baseball to a larger player base in San Francisco and it’s neighboring regions.

2.Who can play in the league? Anyone, male or female, ages 18 and over is qualified to join the SFNABA.

3.How much is the entry fee to play? The total cost for a player to play in the league is dependant on several factors including which team you are on, number teams in the league, and cost of fields. Players can usually expect to spend approximately $300 for their league entry fee and team expenses.

4.What does that cost cover? Your entry fee covers many costs of league operation. Some of those costs are umpires, field rental, baseballs, waiver insurance, and team registration.

5.Is there any other cost to play? Equipment such as bats, cleats, gloves, and helmets are NOT covered in the player entry fee. Also, field rental costs for team practices are NOT covered. These costs are specific to each team and handled by the Manager or a designated player.

6.Where are the games played? Games are played on Recreation and Park facilities in San Francisco. At this time we are trying hard to secure more fields in close neighboring cities such as Daly City, Alameda, and San Mateo.

7.When are the games played? Game times are 10am and 2pm both Saturdays and Sundays between March and August. Teams play one a week at any one of those times.

8.Are there regular practices? The individual teams and their managers handle practices. Most teams try to practice once a week during the season.

9.How many games are there? We try to have a full schedule with approximately 20 games per season. Actual number of scheduled games depend on the number of teams in the league and availability of fields.

10. How many teams will there be? We expect to have 20-22 teams participating in 2008.

11. Are there special games like All-Star and playoffs? We have an All-Star game near the middle of the season. Managers will submit a certain amount of players to their respective division’s All-Star Team. The playoff structure will depend on the final amount of teams in the league.

12. Are there any tournaments held nationally? There are several national tournaments during the season, most of which are held on holiday weekends like Memorial and Labor Day.You can find more information about these tournaments at the NABA’s website, www.dugout.org.

13. How can I sign up? You can submit your playing information at www.sfnaba.com by clicking on the “New Player” link.You will then be entered in the Free Agent pool and be asked to attend the new player tryouts.

14. My friend wants to play too, can we be on the same team? We can usually accommodate friends getting on the same team.

15. Where and when are the tryouts? Tentatively planned for the end of February. Date, time, and place TBD.

16. Can I manage my own team? Anyone can be a manager as long as they are comfortable with the many responsibilities that come with it.I expect certain things from managers in this league, the main thing being responsibility.Please read the Managers FAQ for detailed information on managing a team in the SFNABA.

17. What kind of bat does the league require? We require wood/composite baseball bats.There are several reasons for using wood bats, which can be read at the Wood Bat FAQ.

18. Are there any special rules in the league? Because we are classified as a recreational league, certain rules apply to our games to enhance the safety and enjoyment of all participants.You can read about them in the NABA Rules FAQ.

1. Why does the SFNABA use wood bats?

Safety - There are many reasons, but first and foremost is the safety of our players. Aluminum bats are being made stronger and more powerful all the time. With the increased "sweet spot" on the bats and the level of pitching in the league, the formula is there for disaster. There are many players who take the mound that have great pitch speed but no movement. Anyone with a powerful aluminum bat at the plate can end up hitting a ball up the middle from an 70mph pitch which may end up hitting the pitcher at 80mph and cause an injury. What is the likelihood of something like that happening? Not very likely, however I am not willing to take that chance. The last thing I want is a player being severely injured during one of my games. The repercussions would be terrible.
Isn't it possible for a player to be severely injured even with wood bats being used? Of course, but at least with a wood/composite bat the chance of serious injury decreases substantially. Everyone who takes the field knows there are risks that come with it. Part of my job is to try making the playing experience as safe and fun as possible.
Reduce blowout games - Wood bats should help even scores, reward pitchers for making good pitches, and help fielders play better defense. This is not a hitter's only game! We had some games with football blowout scores last season that made the playing experience for BOTH teams decline. This will help the less talented teams be more competitive with the better talented teams. Good hitters will still hit their shots since they usually hit on the sweet spot. This will help the hitters that need improvement find the sweet spot. With aluminum, you can pretty much make contact and the ball will travel 130 feet. With wood, you will get more feedback and can adjust your swing to make better contact.
Increase pitcher's effectiveness - There is not a lot to chose from when it comes to pitching talent. Obviously we have some very good arms out there but for the most part the pitching level is nowhere near the hitting talent. There are some pitchers in the league that can spot the ball very well, only to give up cheap hits to an aluminum bat. Pitching to wood bats will allow pitchers to spot on the inside and outside of the plate without fear of giving up a jammed home run or a double off the end of the bat.
Increase fielder's defense - In the short amount of time a player has to react to a hit ball, the sound the bat makes helps their judgment. With metal bats, almost every hit sounds the same whether it be a home run or a foul behind the plate. Players can be back on their heels on a routine ground or fly ball simply because the sound of the bat was so loud. Wood bats produce a more distinctive sound from each part of the bat and will allow fielders to get a better initial jump on the ball.

2. I'm not a very good hitter and now it seems I won't be able to hit at all, can I still hit with metal? No, everyone playing in the SFNABA must hit with a wood/composite bat. Don't write yourself off just because you may not possess a .300 average. From personal experience (lifetime .093 hitter) I can tell you it is just as hard to hit with wood as it is with metal. The advantage of a wood bat is that you will be able to better your swing because you will get instant feedback and be able to adjust your swing to hit with the sweet spot. With an aluminum you can simply go up there and swing wildly and hope the ball lands fair. That should not be an enjoyable experience.

3. Are there different varieties of wood bats?
True wood - Ash is the most commonly used wood bat, specifically with Northern white ash being higher quality. Maple is making a name for itself, especially since it is what Barry Bonds uses. Prices range from $30-$60.
Wood composite - A composite bat is a wood bat encased in a composite material that completely wraps the bat. The advantage is a bat with wood playing characteristics that has strength and durability approaching aluminum. This is the recommended bat of the SFNABA. Prices range from $70-$180.

4. What will happen if I use an aluminum bat or other illegal equipment in a game?
Opposing managers can ask an umpire to inspect a bat before or after an at bat. If an illegal bat is discovered before the batter finishes a plate apperance, the illegal bat will be thrown out of the game with no penalty. The batter may then proceed with the at-bat with a legal bat. If the illegal bat is used at the plate a second time, the bat will again be removed from the game and the batter will be called out. If an illegal bat is discovered after a batter's plate appearance, the batter will be called out and the bat will be removed from the game.

6. How do I pick the right bat for me?
Take a look at this website, is describes the many variations of bats and helps you understand with type might be best for you.
http://www.baseballtips.com/howto/wood.html

1.Can I be a manager? Anyone eligible to play in the league may be a manager.In order to be a manager, one must be willing to take on the many responsibilities that come with it.Mainly, you must be responsible for yourself and your players.The league is built on the contributions and effort made by the managers and could not function without their help.

2.Do managers get any special considerations or discounts? While on the field, managers are no different than anyone else out there.Since most managers are starting players on their team, they are looked upon to set an example for the rest of their players.No special considerations are given to the manager of a team when it comes to entry fees or if fines are assessed to them.

3.What kind of time does it take to manage? Not including games, some managers spend up to 20 hours a week working on lineups, contacting players, conducting practices, and fulfilling other functions that go along with managing a team.On the other hand, some managers spend as little as 5 hours during the week planning for that week’s game and are able to field a team.It really depends on how comfortable you are with managing on the field and what the team demands are.The more time you are able to put in, the more you will get out of it and the better the league will be for it.

4.What are the main responsibilities to managing a team?
1.Collecting entry fees from their players is the one of the most important pre-season functions a manager has.Because these fees contribute to the overall team fee and onward to the league operation budget, it is extremely important that the manager collect in full the entry fee from each player on their roster.Failure to turn in the total team fee before the start of the season will cause the team to forfeit all games until the fee is paid in full.
2.Keeping an updated roster and player contracts on hand at each game.Valid contracts for each player may be requested by an opposing manager at any time to be sure a player on the field is paid in full and is eligible to play.
3.Keeping in contact with players.This is extremely important during the season to ensure all players are up to date on league and team news.This will also help the manager with the lineup for the current week’s game.It’s a bad feeling to show up at the field and not know who will actually be at the game.It’s also important to open up to players and make sure they are happy and having fun.Any issues should be dealt with promptly.
4.Organizing practices is certainly a tough prospect but it ultimately pays off on the field.Regular weekly practices are highly recommended.Team practices are sometimes combined amongst teams to enhance the turn out and are conducive to overall league goodwill.
5.Recruiting and signing new players are essential to the overall growth of the league.Managers can attend the preseason free agent tryouts to add players to their roster, and can also sign undrafted players during the regular season.Specific rules and dates apply to signing players so the league President should be consulted before a manager tries to sign a player.
6.All managers are encouraged to attend the manager’s meetings held sporadically before, during, and after the season.These meetings are a chance to discuss issues and suggestions with all other managers and the league President face to face.Plus, there’s free food!
7.FINDING SPONSORS can greatly reduce the cost for the players on the team if applied to the entry fee and can also go toward team equipment, practice times, team parties, or anything else the manager and sponsor agree to!The league does not provide sponsors for teams but it will help in any way possible to secure funds for team and/or league use.

5.Can I have another player help with these responsibilities? Absolutely, as long as you trust that person to be responsible for those tasks you assign.Overall there is only one person designated as the team manager and is ultimately responsible for the duties of managing a team.

This isn’t so much a FAQ as it is more a listing of rules that are substantially different from Major League Baseball.Some rules have been made or modified to not only provide safer game play, but also to allow flexibility for managers and players.

1.“No Contact Rule” - This rule mainly pertains to situations at second base and home plate.Players running the bases MUST slide in close play situations such as double plays at second and throws home.The baserunner must concede the out and not “take out” the fielder.Head first slides are always scrutinized and are generally not a good idea.Incidental contact will certainly still occur but on obvious plays, runners who do not concede will be penalized up to banishment from the NABA.Fielders are also held accountable for such things as “faking out” a baserunner.Players may not pretend to be in the action of catching or throwing a ball or stand on or in the way of a baserunners natural basepath.The fielder must concede the base to a runner if they to not posses the ball and make an attempt to tag the runner.These plays are closely watched not only by the players and managers, but are actionable by the umpires.Umpires may take whatever action they deem necessary, up to throwing a player out of a game.Further action may be taken by the league president, up to banishment from the NABA.Play it safe.

2.Batting lineup – Managers can put as many legal players in their batting lineup as they wish.If there are 16 players on the roster and all 16 show up to the game, it is the Manager’s prerogative to put all the players in the batting lineup.The recommended maximum is 10.A player that begins the game in the batting lineup may be pinch hit for after their first plate appearance.That player may re-enter the batting lineup but must return to their original spot in the order and only after the pinch hitter has a plate appearance.The batting lineup has no correlation to who takes the field.It is possible to have 18 players on the roster and play 9 exclusively in the field and the other 9 exclusively in the batting order.

3.Fielders – Players can play any amount of positions and be a reserve an infinite amount of time during a game.For example, you may play first base in the 1^st and 2^nd innings, be on the bench in the 3^rd inning, play shortstop in the 4^th and 5^th innings, and then pitch the rest of the game.Again, these position changes have no impact on a player’s batting position or lack thereof.

4.Pitchers – Players may pitch as many innings and in as many games as the manager chooses.A pitcher can be taken out of a game and re-enter at pitcher only once.They may play as many fielding positions during the game as the manager chooses.For example, you can start a game and pitch 3innings.You can then leave the game and be on the bench or as many fielding positions the manager chooses.You may re-enter as a pitcher again but if taken out you cannot pitch again in that game.You may still play other fielding positions for the rest of the game.

5.“Mercy Rule” – If a team has 10 or more runs than their opposition after 7 innings, the game is ended.

6.Forfeit – If a team must forfeit for any reason, the opposing team will win the game with a 9-0 final score credited to them.Forfeits are not welcome.If a team must forfeit multiple times, they may face penalties up to being disbanded.

7.Time Limit – No new inning can start after 3 hours past game time.Ties are possible but not welcome.It is possible that tied games be continued at a later date to determine a winner.

8.Valid Players – Each player must be at least 18 years of age as of April 1^st during the current season and filled out and signed a league contract.The contract must then be turned in to the league president for verification and acceptance.All players must have a valid ID present during games for verification purposes.If a player is found in violation, they will be ejected from the field.

9.Valid Roster – A team must have at least 8 valid players at game time to avoid forfeit.There is a 15 minute grace period after which the opposing manager may either accept the forfeit or allow more time for the opposing team’s player to arrive.If they allow for more time, their team will be awarded 1 run at that time and 1 run each 10 minutes there after, up to one hour.The 3 hour time limit will still apply.

10. Valid Playoff Roster – To play in the playoffs, a player must be on their team’s roster no later than 6 weeks before the playoffs and have played in at least 4 games for that team.