Players, coaches, managers or other team members shall not make disparaging or insulting remarks to or about opposing players, or commit other acts that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
Managers are responsible for their players and shall have complete control over their team. Players will cooperate with each other and accept the manager's decisions as being final.
Any serious violation of these rules will result in player ejection, game forfeiture, or possible expulsion from the league.
Players can and will be suspended at the discretion of the league.
It is the manager's responsibility to make sure all players understand and abide by all rules.
1.0 Player Conduct
1.1. Fighting is prohibited. No player will try to distract a batter by jumping up and down or yelling "swing" or any other deliberate act that would be considered unsportsmanlike.
1.2. Players will always be mindful and considerate when there are women and children present at the games. Swearing will not be tolerated at any time.
1.3. All disagreements will be addressed ONLY by the 2 coaches. No players from either team will be permitted to argue.
1.4. Player Warning. The 2 coaches will agree when a player should be warned due to poor conduct. If a second warning is required in the same game, the coaches will agree to eject the player. 3 ejections in a season is grounds for immediate removal from the league.
1.5 All new teams are under a 1 year probationary year. At end of year, if no issues arise, they are fully admitted.
2.0 Equipment
2.1 All players will wear numbered shirts so that they may be easily identified.
2.2 All players must wear sneakers, rubber spikes, or plastic spikes (no metal). If a player is found to be wearing metal spikes AFTER the game has begun, that player will be ejected from the game.
2.3 All teams will use the SB12 LFR Ball ONLY! Both teams will bring a new ball to every game.
2.4 Bats must be ASA approved, and must be single wall. No double or triple wall bats will be permitted! The ASA list of banned bats is attached, and can also be found at http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_w_pics_2000.asp.
For a bat to be used it must CLEARLY meet the following 3 criteria;
1). It does not appear on the ASA banned bat list for the current year (link found on web site)
2). The bat must be a single wall bat AND MUST BE CLEARLY LABELED AS SUCH. (Note: if a new player or team joins the league and they have a double wall bat it can only used if they send it to the bat MFG for re-certification and the re-certification stamp must be on the bat for it to be used).
3). The Bat must have the ASA approved label/marking on the bat.
If a bat does not clearly meet the above criteria it will not be allowed.
If a bat meets the criteria it will be allowed.
Note: If an opposing team or team’s feels a bat is giving a team an obvious advantage over another team that bat will be reviewed by the league. The league will confirm the 3 criteria is clearly met and inspect the bat for possible tampering; if it is found that the bat was modified or tampered with the team will be removed from the league. If the bat is found to be acceptable by the league it will be allowed to be used
3.0 Players
3.1 Eight (8) is the minimum number of players a team needs to start a game; two positions that have to be fielded are pitcher and catcher. If this team loses a player (male or female) to injury and has no substitute to replace the injured player the game is forfeited to the opponent.
3.2 This being a Coed league, at least two females shall play the entire game. If you have only one Female you play the field with 9 players and you have an out in the 7th batting position. So every time the 7th spot comes up that is an automatic out. The female must play the field.
3.2.1 If a second female enters the game, then it resets to standard play
3.2.2 If a team does not have a minimum of one (1) female, then the game is forfeited.
4.0 Pitching & hitting
4.1 Pitchers will throw a slight arc pitch at an easy tempo. Batters will be given easy let-him-hit-it pitches. Any attempt to strike a batter out will result in possible suspension and or forfeiture of the game.
4.2 The only spinning aloud is a natural spin as it leaves the pitchers hand. No delibrate SIDESPIN, such as spins that are not forward or backward, shall be allowed. Forward/backward spins that result from natural pitching motion are allowed. No curves or knuckle balls are permitted.
4.2.1 Any concerns over spinning of pitches will be addressed by the team coaches.
4.2.2 UPDATE - Natural Spinning is now permitted to Female batters.
4.2.3 UPDATE- FEMALES CAN STRIKE OUT-swinging strikeout or balls that hit the mat.
4.3 The arc of the pitch will be from 6' to 12'. A guideline for 12' measurement is the top of the backstop. Pitches below or above this arc range will be considered a no-pitch, and do not count toward strikes/mat hits.
4.4 Another pitcher will replace pitchers experiencing control problems, which slow the game down.
4.5 Use of a strikeout mat (MAT SIZE- 27 inches wide by 39 inches deep) used for all batters. If any 3 pitches hit any part of the plate and/or mat (including borders), without the batter making contact (fouls do count) at those pitches, the batter will be considered out.
4.6 - Females can now strikeout the same as Male.
4.7 Male Batters will not be permitted to bunt. Any fair ball that is hit with anything except a full swing will be considered a foul ball.
4.7.1 Female batters can bunt. A foul bunt with two strikes results in an OUT.
Bunting-UPDATE- Females are longer allowed to bunt if their team is up by 10 runs. Since there is a 10 run rule per inning during the first FIVE innings, the Females would not be allowed to bunt until the following inning. Bunting can be restarted if the team that was down by 10 runs, brings the score within 10 runs. When 10 runs have been reached please notify opposing coach. 4/19/21
4.7.2Strikeouts:
A male batter can strike out if the following occurs:
If on strike three:
1) The ball hits the plate or mat and the batter does not swing, the batter is out.
2) The batter swings at the ball and does not make contact with the ball the batter is out
3) The batter hits a ball into foul territory(including out of play), he will have one more strike to try and get a hit. If the ball hits the plate or the mat, the batter swings and does not make contact with the ball or hits the ball into foul territory(including out of play), the batter is out
4.7.3 - Pitching distance - for Safety, the pitcher MUST pitch from 50' from home plate. There is NO maximum pitching distance.
A pitcher is not permitted to make a charge to the plate, anticipating a bunt. His normal follow-though and step forward is permitted.
4.7.4- The pitcher MAY NOT move up to pitch to a female batter. While you CAN move Back for any batter, You CAN NOT MOVE IN FRONT OF THE MINIMUM PITCHING DISTANCE. Mininum pitching distance in 50 feet from home plate. Please determine distance with coaches prior to game.
4.8 There will be no walk, no advance by a runner on a passed ball or wild pitch, and no stealing.
4.9 There is no defined batters box, however batters will be called out if they step on home plate.
4.10 A designated hitter (DH) AND an Extra Hitter (EH) may be used. A team may field ten players and bat eleven or twelve. During regular season it is encouraged to bat 12.
4.11 UPDATE There is a 1-up home run rule. If team A hits a Home run then any home run (over a fence,does not include inside park HR's) they hit after that will be an OUT, unless Team B hits a home run then it is reset and Team A can hit another home run but no more than 1 over Team B. The coaches must discuss what is considered an out of Play home run if there is no fence.
5.0 Base running/sliding/fielding
5.1 Base runners will not be permitted to take leads. A runner must wait until the bat contacts the ball. The runner will be called out if his foot leaves the bag before the ball is hit. 1st and 3rd Base coaches will make this call. Players may bring it to the COACHES attention if they feel a base runner left early. The coaches will then discuss the call with the other coach.
5.2 Infield Fly: infielders and/or base coaches shall call the infield fly, when base runners are on first and second, and a pop-up is hit within the infield playing area. The batter is automatically out even if the fielder drops the ball.
5.3 Tagging up: If a fielder does not have control of a fly ball (bobbles the ball) but eventually catches the ball, the base runner can leave on contact after the ball makes contact with the fielder's glove.
5.4 Sliding: There will be no take out slides or intentional cross body blocks used by any base runner or fielder. Sliding into home is allowed but the runner must avoid contact with the catcher the Plate and Strike matt are both considered home base. Interference by the runner, such as throwing ones hands up in the air to break up a double play, will result in both runners being called out. During an obvious force out play at any base, the runner must make an effort to move out of the base line and out of the path of the ball. In cases of intentional body contact, both the guilty runner AND the runner going to first base shall be called OUT and the player doing the take-out slide can be thrown out of the game.
5.5 Courtesy runners: The last batter to make an out shall be the courtesy runner for the injured player (all innings).
5.6 All infielders will remain behind the basepaths when a female is at bat. Infielders must wait until contact before crossing the line. If infielder crosses the line before the ball is hit and makes a play on the batted ball then the batter will be given an automatic hit. When a female batter is at bat, the fielding team is not permitted to bring the outfielders to within 125-ft (imaginary arc-line from LF to RF) from the bases. Outfielders cannot move in from the arc-line until there is contact made.
No excessive movements behind the cones can be made. (No running from behind the cones) to the line. Shifting left or right is acceptable.
If they do leave early the coaches will decide if play should be a Dead ball or re-done. 2nd offense will result in an automatic hit. Outfielders cannot play behind the shortstop, second base, etc. as a mid-fielder. Prior to game, managers should agree to the correct distance based on the placement of the left field and right field foul line cones/markers.
5.7 - - A second safety base at first will now be used (if available). Runner uses the base in foul territory.
6.0 Coaching & umpiring
6.1 The base coaches will make all close calls at all three bases as well as home plate. The base coaches will make fair and responsible calls and must always be aware of the game. The first base coach will be responsible for first base and home plate. The third base coach will be responsible for second base and third base. Disputed calls will be discussed and agreed upon by the team coaches, and if agreed overturned.
6.2 The catcher will call all foul balls, strikes and out of play, LOUD so the fielders and base runners can hear the calls. If a ball is fair, the catcher is to say NOTHING and the fielders should be instructed that the play is alive unless they hear the catcher say foul. The manager will see to it that the catcher is made aware of all responsibilities of the position.
6.3 Managers must be prepared to settle any disputes that may arise. Therefore, a manager cannot be distracted and must always keep an eye on all aspects of the game. If a close play is disputed the managers and the managers only will discuss the play. All others involved in the play will move away from the area. If a decision cannot be reached, the rulebook may be consulted for further clarification. However, the recommended decision is to replay the play.
7.0 Game parameters
7.1 A regulation game shall consist of seven innings. A game shall also be regulation if five or more complete innings have been played or if one team has a fifteen run lead after four innings the team that is behind may concede or may choose to finish the game. No running up the score rule: No team should run up the score on another team. The number of runs a team can scored per inning is 10 for the first FIVE innings. This goes for playoffs as well as regular season. Thus, the maximum number of runs a team could have after four innings would be 40 runs.
7.2 Suspended games that are not considered regulation or regulation tie games, that are suspended, shall resume where play left off on the next convenient date for both teams.
7.3 A game may be called because of the following:
7.3.1 Darkness
7.3.2 Rain
7.3.3 Lightning
7.4 Games should try and start between 6:00 and 6:15 p.m. Forfeitures will result if a game does not get started by half past six (6:30). "No exceptions". The score of a forfeited game shall be 7-0 in favor of the team not at fault.
7.5 Managers will make phone contact before a scheduled game. Scheduled games may be called off by the manager's because of INCLEMENT WEATHER ONLY. If a manager knows he will not have enough players to start the game he may forfeit over the phone. In either case a game will be called off no later than 3:30 P.M. This will give the manager time to notify all players.
7.6 Rescheduled games are considered regularly scheduled games and are to be played regardless. Rescheduled games may be called off only because of inclement weather.
7.6.1 Rescheduling games. BOTH teams need to come to an agreement as to when and where the game will be played. The home team is responsible for the field as it is their home game. In case the home teams field is unavailable, contact other teams about their field availability. Forfeits are a LAST resort. Once a date has been agreed to, every effort has to be put in to make the game happen.
7.6.2 Let the league know when and where the make-up will be played. The website will have the make-up date and location. Send in the game result ASAP so the website can be updated.
7.6.3 Games postponed due to inclement weather, must be made up by date determined by the league. Failure to make up games, results in forfeiture of games of the home team.
8.0 Bookkeepling/line up
8.1 All teams will follow the substitution and re-entry rule.
8.2 Stacking the lineup, by use of the substitution rule, is prohibited.
8.2.1 There will be no pinch-hitting.
8.3 Compare scores after each full inning.
8.4 Review all ground rules before the game. It is the manager's responsibility to make sure his players are informed of all ground rules.
9.0 Team management
9.1 All managers, or appointed substitute, are required to attend all meetings. If any two meetings are missed the team WILL be fined $25.00. If more than two meetings are missed, the team may be ineligible for playoffs.
9.2 If a player has played a game for team A and appears on teams A's roster, that player will not be permitted to switch to team B in the same year.
9.3 League Fee is $60.00 per team.
10.0 Setup
10.1 See the Pre-game set up and guideline for information on set up.
10.2 All home teams will place cones in the outfield, 125 feet behind 1st and 3rd bases, to help define the foul lines. Two cones minimum.
10.3 Halfway Rule (3B): Mark a line in the base path halfway between third base and home plate. The line is there for the following situations; a player rounds third base and if the player's crosses the ½ way line, the runner, must continue to go home. The play at plate becomes a force out (like a play at first base). Whereby, the catcher does not have to tag the runner. The catcher should try to make a force out by keeping a foot on the plate. However, the runner could be out if the catcher tags the runner. Furthermore, if a runner crosses the ½ way line, and goes back to third base, the runner is out. When a foul ball is hit, a runner can tag up if the foul ball is caught, if the runner crosses the ½ way line, the runner has to go home. If the ball is not caught and is fouled, and the runner breaks for home and crosses the ½ way line, the runner is not out.
11.0 Playoffs
11.1 A player must have participated in three games by and Including the 10th game of the season to be considered eligible for post season play.
11.1.1 4 teams (each division winner and a wild card team with the next best record) will receive a first round bye in the play-offs. The three division winners will be seeded #1, #2 & #3 based on record and tiebreakers. The wild-card team will be the #4 seed. The remaining 8 teams will compete in play-in games. (beginning 8/2/07) The seedings will be #5 vs #12, #6 vs #11, #7 vs #10, and #8 vs #9, with the higher seeds receiving home field. In case of teams sharing their fields, then the teams with the highest seed will receive home field. For these 4 play-in games, the 4 teams that have earned byes shall provide no less than 2 umpires, preferably 4 umpires, to officiate the games. We should have 4 umpires for EACH game.
The 4 winners will join the top 4 teams in the play-offs as the new 5, 6, 7 and 8 seeds, based on their previous rankings. The highest remaining seed becomes the new #5 and the lowest ranked team becomes the new #8.
Play-off games will be staggered within the same week. #1 vs #8 and #2 vs #7 will play on Tuesday. #3 vs #6 and #4 vs #5 will play Thursday of the same week.
11.2 The seeding will be 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs. 5. Seeds 1, 2, 3, and 4 have the home field. All winners will advance to the next round and get re-seeded according to the team's playoff seat. Fields are assigned based on the pre- playoff seeding.
11.3 The two winners will play in a best of three Championship with the highest seed hosting Game 1 and Game 3 of the championship.
11.4 Tie-Breakers: Two (2) teams tied the tie breaker will be 1) greater number of wins; 2) head-to-head (greater number of wins); 3) Divisional Record; (4) flip of the coin. Three (3) or more teams tied the tie breaker will be 1) greater number of wins; 2) greater number of wins earned in games between the teams tied; 3) divisional records, (4) draw play-off seat position (no team will be positioned/seated lower than their regular season won-lose record finish). Example 1: Team A, B, C, and D finished the season 8-4 and are all tied after the tie-breakers. Teams A, B, C and D will determine their play-off seat/position number (1-4) from a hat. The worse a team could be seated is fourth based on this scenario. Example 2: Team A is 9-3; Team B is 9-3 and Team C is 9-3. Team A beat Team B twice and Team C once. Team C beat A once and Team B once. Team B beat Team C once. Thus, Team A had a total of three total wins between the three tied teams and is determined the first place finisher – play-off seat #1. Team C is second place with two wins between the tied teams and Team B is third.
11.5 Trophies: The Playoff Champion will get a Championship trophy and the runner-up will get a Second Place trophy.
11.6 Setting up divisions for the following season. The 4 top teams (teams that get a first round bye are in the top division next year) unless a lower seed (5 thru 12) wins the championship. In that case, the top division would be the 3 division winners and the champion while the #4 seed drops to division B. Then the seedlings from 5 thru 12 set the other divisions with 5, 6, 7 & 8 in division B and 9, 10, 11 & 12 in division C. Any new team automatically enters division C. Also any team can only move up or down 1 division per year; so a C can only go as high as the B and an A can only go as low as the B in any season.
Updated- 4/26/2017 |
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