THERE ARE NO REFUNDS! NO EXCEPTION!!!!!!!!!!!
EJECTIONS/INJURIES
An ejected or injured player cannot be replaced by an already slotted player. They can only be replaced by a "bench" player, and if there are none left, the slot is an automatic out. NO EXCEPTIONS!
If a player is ejected twice in a season, HIS SEASON IS OVER. If this should happen, his team will not be able to replace him.
GAME PLAY
There is 1 pinch runner per game . A slotted runner use is not counted as a runner .
Each player will be guaranteed what is considered two playing slots per week. A playing slot is comprised of either two at-bats or four innings in the field or 2 innings inwin the field with one at bat. Coaches are STRONGLY urged to get every player a minimum of 50% playing time. (Batting one game, fielding the other, only hitting in both games, or only fielding in both games are ALL ways to achieve 50%.)
Regular Season:
1) All games are called for 8:05 PM sharp. There will be no waiting for additional players to arrive. The umpires will enforce the start times. If a team isnt responsible enough to be there by 8:50, then the games will be shortened to a 5 inning game.
2) A game may begin with 8 players. The opposing team would be expected to provide a catcher until a player arives.
3) The second game will begin 5 minutes after the completion of the first game .
4) The field dimensions are as follows. 65 feet to each base. 46 feet from the pitchers mound to home plate. All players must use the courtesy bag on first base when running down the line. This is a courtesy and no penalty will be awarded if a player should FORGET to use this base.
5) Any team, which forfeits three games during the season, will not be eligible for the playoffs.
6) A late arriving 9th or 10th player may enter the game at any time; however, he must bat in the last spot in the order unless he is slotted in the lineup with a different player.
7) Protests- If you feel the umpires made an error on a rule call (not a judgment call, like safe or out) then you may protest the game at that moment. You must inform EVERYONE (the umps, opposing captain and commisioner ) of your intention to play the game under protest and your reason for doing so. The scorekeeper must then mark the time in the game that the play in question happened. After the games the commissioners will discuss. Should you win the protest the game will be resumed from that point on. However, if you won the game then it will not be resumed and the final score will stand, unless the runs will affect your team making the playoffs.
8) A protest for a non-roster player who was not league approved as a sub will result in a forfeit. The game will not be made up- it will be a 7-0 victory for the protesting team.
9) If an umpire turns his back from the play, the play is ruled dead.
For example, after a play was finished and a baserunner was off the bag and was tagged out but the umpire's back was turned from the play, than the runner can not be called out because the play is ruled dead.
Rainouts
1) Any game called before the fifth inning will be picked up at the point it was called if scheduling allows. Any game that is called past the fifth inning of the team trailing will be a complete game.
2) Rainout games will be rescheduled as time permits.
3) Please note; The League reserves the right not to make up games if: an inordinate amount due of rainouts will endanger the beginning of playoffs.
4) Rainouts will be posted on the website after the league has scheduled them and will be posted to the website.
5) Captains will also be notified by WhatsApp of the cancellation and should forward to their players
General Rules:
All Rules are per "ASA" Rules with the following modifications specific to our League
Mercy rule: A game will be called after 5 complete innings, if a team is leading by 11 or more runs. In the event that a team goes up by more than 11 runs in the top of any frame after the fifth inning, the opposing team must bat in the bottom of that frame in order to call a mercy.
Re-entry rule; Any player may re-enter the game at any position at any time and for as many times he wishes but must bat in the same position as designated in the line up card. 2 players can be designated to hit in the same position and either player can bat at each turn in the batting order.
Slot rule: In the event a player gets injured we allow a different slot gets broken and insert that slotted player into the inured players slot. The injured player may not return.
5) Pitching speed is fast. No windmill- No side arm. In the event a pitcher is in question if he is throwing sidearm the umpire will decide. Umpires discretion!
Arm can be raised to shoulder level. Illegal pitches will receive one warning per team and called (No pitch). The next illegal pitch will be called a ball.
6) Pitchers must start with one foot on the rubber.
7) The count will be four (4) balls, three (3) strikes.
8) There is no bunting or deliberate chopping.
Batter will be called out. No Warning, umpires decision.
9) Base running- There will be no leads from any base. Runners will be permitted to lead on the pitchers release. Any runner caught leading before the release will be called out, No warning!
The catcher has the option to throw to any base to pick off a leading runner. Only the base needs to be touched to call the runner out. The base runner must touch the initial base before advancing on a wild throw.
10) Base runners will be permitted extra bases on a wild throws as per official Softball book rules as defined by the umpires.
11) Tagging up is permitted. Runners can not advance on appeal plays
12) No stealing of any base
13) Base runners cannot stand parallel or anywhere but on the base itself. No warning needed for umpire to call that runner out.
14) The Mokass Rule:
No colliding- All runners must avoid a collision with any defensive player this is not a " slide only rule" it's a no collision rule. Sliding is generally the safest route but in the event that a defensive player is blocking all routes to the base the base runner should avoid contact however means necessary. Any runner colliding with a defensive player will be called out and subject to ejection if done flagrantly.
If there is any play at any base (home plate included, but 1st base not included) We encourage to slide as first option unless not possible. This is to ensure safety. There is no exceptions to this rule. Safety first, end of story!
15) No blocking a base- Fielders must give sliding player a lane to the base. If an umpire feels the runner would have slid in safely if not for the fielder blocking the base he should call him safe. If the base is clearly blocked the runner does not have to slide, he can attempt to get in around the fielder.
16) Infield fly rule is in effect. Once called by the umpire the batter is automatically out and runners can advance at their own will. The runners need not tag up if the ball drops. However, if the fielder catches the ball then runners must tag up.
17) Players may defend the field where ever they wish. 6 outfielders or infielders if they so choose.
18) If a player in the lineup should leave mid game and there is no one to replace him there will be an out in the batting order next time his spot comes around. If a player was fielding but not hitting he may take over that spot in the order.
19) Overthrows- 2 bases from the base last occupied at time of release. It has nothing to do with the base you are going to and there is no difference if an infielder or outfielder makes the overthrow.
example- if you hit a grounder to short and the SS overthrows 1b you will be awarded 2nd base.
example- you are retreating to first base after a catch and fielder tries to double you off 1B, and throws into dugout. Runner will be awarded 3rd base since he already had occupied first base.
Conduct
1) All players are expected to behave in a civil and sportsmen like manner.
2) Physical and verbal abuse of umpires and of opposing players will be met with suspensions.
3) Only captains are permitted to discuss rules or voice opinions on any certain call. The team must refrain from attacking the umpire verbally.
4) Bat throwing or swinging at another will result in an automatic 2 game suspension not counting the game you are currently playing in.
5) Metal cleats are not allowed. Once brought to the umpires attention you may not continue to play in them (even if the other team says its ok). It is a safety issue.
6) ONLY ASA/ USA approved bats are permitted. This is a safety issue and will NOT be tolerated. If an opposing player or umpire finds any non legal bats. The bat will be discarded. If the bat is seen again, the player using it will be ejected for the duration of that game.
Sub Rules:
You are entitled one freeze plus the SP. Once you designated a player that is final and cannot be changed. You can wait until necessary to make this designation.
If u have less than 10 after that we take the avg draft round of the players missing and allow the captains to select from the draft board. We strongly suggest to choose subs from the league.
Playoffs:
1) 5 of the 7 teams make the post season.
2) In the event of a tied, win loss record the following criteria will determine the advancing team.
a.1 Head to head play
(If a team swept in that 3 way head to head that team earns a playoff berth and the remaining two teams play a play-in game for the final Wild Card Spot. )
b. Runs +/- (head to head) (for seeding purposes only)
c. Runs +/- (full schedule) (for seeding purposes only)
d. Strength of victory (accumulative records of teams you've beaten)
e. coin flip
3) The Wild Card game between the 4 and 5 seed will be a one 9 inning game unless instructed otherwise.
4) The rest of the post season will be best of three series (7 innings each).
5) The higher seed team will have the option of batting or fielding first in the first and third games.
