Article I, SECTION VI – LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
(A) For 2010, the Playoffs will be three rounds of play with the first round (Divisional Semifinals) consisting of eight teams.
(B) The top four teams in each division will be seeded one through four within their respective divisions. For seeding purposes, ties will be determined using the NECBL Tiebreaker Guidelines.
(C) Divisional Semifinal pairings will give the home field advantage to the number 1 and 2 seeds within their division. Subsequent rounds (Divisional Final and NECBL Championship Series) will give home field advantage to the teams with the best record. All Series will use the best-of-three format and the team with the better record will host the first and third game of each series.
(D) All playoff and NECBL Championship Series games are scheduled nine-inning games. All games will be played to completion except when, at the discretion of both general managers and the Commissioner, it is unfeasible to do so. The NECBL will utilize three umpires for each playoff game.
(E) If either or both of the teams participating in a playoff series or the NECBL Championship Series cannot use their home facilities, the Commissioner will determine a neutral site.
(F) All playoff players must be on the roster of their respective team as established under the “Player Personnel” section of these guidelines.
(G) Rain Dates, if necessary, will be established under provisions of these Guidelines regarding cutoff dates and travel requirements for participating teams.
Article I, SECTION VII – TIE-BREAKER RULES
(A) The NECBL shall use the following tie-breaker rule for teams eligible for the playoffs that end the regular season with identical win-loss records, with the exception of the final playoff spot (see below):
a. FIRST- Head-to-Head record between teams tied.
b. SECOND- Combined Head-to-Head record with First teams.
c. THIRD – Combined Head-to-Head record with Second place teams.
d. FOURTH – Combined Head-to-Head record with third place teams (etc., until a winner can be decided)
e. FIFTH – In the event all of the foregoing fails to break the tie, it shall be broken by a coin toss.
(B) In the event of a tie for the last and final playoff spot, the position shall be decided by a one game playoff with the home field to be decided by a coin toss.
Playoff Structure and Timing
1. The Divisional Semifinal Round will be a "best 2-of-3 format", and is currently scheduled to be played as follows:
Series 1: East Seed #1 vs. East Seed #4 -- August 2, 3, 4
Series 2: East Seed #2 vs. East Seed #3 -- August 2, 3, 4
Series 3: West Seed #1 vs. West Seed #4 -- August 2, 3, 4
Series 4: West Seed #2 vs. West Seed #3 -- August 2, 3, 4
2. The Divisional Championship Round will be a "best 2-of-3 format". It is used to determine the East and West Division Champions, and is currently scheduled to be played as follows:
Series 5: Winner Series #1 vs. Winners Series #2 -- August 5, 6, 7
Series 6: Winner Series #3 vs. Winners Series #4 -- August 5, 6, 7
3. The 2010 NECBL Championship Series will be a "best 2-of-3 format". It is used to determine the NECBL Champions, and is currently scheduled to be played as follows:
Series 7: Winner Series #5 vs. Winners Series #6 -- August 8, 9, 10
5. All games will be nine (9) Inning Contests. We will publish the field locations and game times, once we complete the Regular Season Schedule on 7/31/09.
6. A Three-Man CBUAO Umpiring Crew will be used for all games.
