CITY OF PEACHTREE CITY

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

 

ADULT SOFTBALL PROGRAM – RULES AND REGULATIONS

Spring 2010

 

Changes and New Rules are Highlighted In Yellow

 

SECTION I – ACCEPTANCE

 

A.      Participation and play in the City of Peachtree City Recreation Department’s Adult Softball Program, acknowledges full acceptance of any and all rules and regulations governing these leagues.

 

B.       Due to limited available fields for the Adult Softball Program, the following rules/regulations will apply regarding the priority of accepting teams for league play:

 

            1. FIRST (1ST) PRIORITY – Teams that participated in the program in the previous season. Note that this refers to the same season in the previous year. A team that played in the Summer season in one year but not in the Spring season of that same year, for example, not be considered “returning” for the following Spring season, but would for the next Summer season.

             

            2. SECOND (2ND) PRIORITY – New teams, whether they are completely new to our league programs or have participated in one league but are not “returning” for the current league. (For example, a team that played in last year’s Summer league but not in last year’s Spring league, would be considered “new” for this year’s Spring League.)

 

            3. Teams from outside Peachtree City and Fayette County are welcome and will be accepted to participate in the Adult Softball Program conducted by the Peachtree City Recreation Department, provided there is space available, however; they will be required to pay an additional $25 “out-of-county” fee. A team is considered “resident” if the sponsoring church or business is located in Fayette County (Church and Industrial leagues) or if at least 50% of the participants are Fayette County residents (Open leagues.)

 

SECTION II – ENTRY FEE

A.      Entry fees and registration deadlines will be announced by the league coordinator in advance of registration.

 

1.        Registration forms may be faxed, delivered by hand or mailed, so as to arrive at the Recreation Administration Office by the established deadline. However, no registration will be considered officially received until the league fee has been paid in full.

 

2.        Fees may be paid at the Recreation Administration Building located at 191 McIntosh Trail Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

SECTION III – ELIGIBILITY

A.      PLAYERS

1.        All players in all leagues must be eighteen (18) years of age to participate in the Adult Softball Program, as conducted by the Peachtree City Recreation Department. There will be no “cut off date” for participation; players are eligible to participate on or after their 18th birthday. A player who is not yet 18 years old but will turn 18 during the season may be listed on the roster form, but cannot actually sign the form until his or her 18th birthday. At that point, he or she will become eligible to play for that team. All players must bring photo ID to all games and be prepared to show ID if requested. Failure to provide requested identification shall result in the player being removed from the game and forfeit for that player’s team.

2.        Only players who are legally signed to a team’s roster will be allowed to play for that team. See Sec. VII, Rules E and F for roster protest procedures and penalties for playing ineligible players.

3.        Players are allowed to play in more than one league, but cannot play for two (2) teams in the same league or different level of play in the same league (a player can play for a team in the Monday Night and Tuesday Night leagues, for example, but not two different teams in the same league, even if they are in different divisions.) The league coordinator can, when necessary, make exceptions to this rule, but he will notify all league team captains in such a case.

4.        Only men will be allowed to participate in leagues that are designated “Men’s,” and only women will be allowed to participate in leagues that are designated “Women’s.” “Co-Rec” leagues will be open to both men and women.

 

B.   LEAGUES

It will be left to the discretion of the league coordinator to arrange teams into leagues and divisions. An effort will be made, where possible, to have “church” and “open” teams playing with similar types of teams. However, teams will register to play on a specific night of the week - each night will have it’s own league. Any team – whether church sponsored, business sponsored or “open” – is eligible to play in any of the leagues.  Teams will register to play on a specific night. When 18 teams have registered for a specific night of the week, that league will be declared “full” (unless  arrangements are made by the league coordinator to admit additional team(s).)

 

SECTION IV – ROSTERS/RELEASE AND WAIVERS OF LIABILITY

 

A.       ROSTER – The Master Roster shall be filed at the Recreation Administration building in the Athletic Coordinator’s Office.  Roster are due to be turned in before the start of each team’s first scheduled league games; no team will be allowed to participate in league play unless its completed roster has been turned in. Maximum roster limit for all teams will be thirty (30)) players.

 

1.        Rosters must be filled out completely.  Players must print their names and e-mail addresses legibly, check the box that indicates where they live, and then sign their name in the space provided.  The Manager of record must also sign the roster in the space provided.

 

2.        In order for a new player (added after the roster is turned in to the coordinator) to be eligible, the player must fill out the Roster/Waiver of Liability form in person at the Recreation Administration Building not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the game.  If the player cannot get to the office in person, he or she may get and fill out a roster addition form and fax it to the office at (770) 631-2541 Added Church and Industrial league players must be certified as members of their sponsoring church or company in the same manner as all other players (see Sec. III(B) above.)  Roster changes may be made at any time before the end of the first four playing dates of the season.  At that point, the rosters shall be frozen and no changes can be made. This will include the post-season tournament. After the rosters are frozen, players can only be added as replacements for other players who are removed from the active roster for reasons such as illness or relocation. The team captain will have to provide proof to the league coordinator of the circumstances causing the need for a replacement.

 

3.        Roster forms, plus any additions or deletions, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED by scorekeepers or field monitor at the field. (Exception: Teams will be allowed to turn in their rosters at the field on the night of their first scheduled league games.)

 

4.        A player is allowed to change his/her team affiliation only one time during the season being played.  This may be going from one league to another, provided he/she meets the requirements for playing in that league or going from one team to another within the same league.

 

SECTION V – RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

A.       GOVERNING RULES

 

1.        Amateur Softball Association of America rules as printed in the current edition of the Official Guide for National ASA will govern play in these leagues, except where they are in contradiction to the following local rules and regulations.  One (1) current ASA rule book shall be provided to each team manager (one per team).

 

2.        See supplement:  Rules for Adult Co-Rec Softball.

 

3.        Sportsmanship – Good sportsmanship will be expected and required of all participants, coaches, managers and spectators. It is the duty of the team captain to be the only person to discuss questions regarding rulings and calls with the umpires, and to do so in a civil manner. It is also the duty of the team captain to make sure that his or her players behave in a spirit of civility and good sportsmanship toward the umpires, scorekeepers, opponents, spectators and league officials at all times.

 

4.        Players, coaches, managers and spectators shall refrain from making derogatory comments or using inflammatory actions calculated to create ill-will and cause disorder between themselves and their opponents.

 

B.        LENGTH OF GAMES

 

1.         A regulation game consists of seven (7) innings, however; there will be an hour and five (5) minute time limit on each game.  If a game is still in progress at the end of this time limit, the umpire shall announce the inning in progress as the last one.  Please note:  No game shall end in a tie.

 

2.         The score of a forfeited game shall be recorded as 7-0.

 

3.        The “MERCY RULE” shall apply in all games.  “A game shall be considered complete when a team is ahead by 20 runs after 3 complete innings; 15 runs ahead after 4 complete innings; or 10 runs ahead after 5 complete innings”.

 

4.         Ball/Strike Count:  Each batter will start his/her at-bat with a 1-ball, 1-strike count. All foul balls will count as a strike with the exception of the first foul ball after the batter has gotten his/her second strike (“courtesy” foul rule.)

 

C.       SPECIAL PROVISIONS:

 

1.       EXTRA HITTERS(S) In all leagues except Co-Rec, , as many as five extra hitters are allowed, with any ten playing defense. (See Co-Rec supplement for Co-Rec EH rule.) PLEASE NOTE:  Extra players are optional but if one or more is used, it must be made known prior to the start of the game and must be used for the entire game. Also, a team may start with 9 or 10 batters in the lineup and then add batters up to the limit should the player(s) arrive before that team has batted one time through the original lineup.  However, if the team is starting with nine players, the tenth player can be added at any time. Note: The final number of players in the lineup (after any additions) will be considered the number of players that that team “started with” (see next rule.)

 

2.       If a player is injured, ejected or leaves for any reason, that team can continue to play with one (1) less player than it started, (but never less than nine (9) players.) The loss of a 2nd player will be cause for a forfeit. The only exception will be in the case of multiple injuries, or when an additional player is required to accompany an injured player to the hospital. In these cases, the umpire may allow the game to continue, as long as the team still has nine players.  If the player leaving the game is scheduled to bat, at bat or a base runner, they shall be declared “OUT”, unless a legal substitution can be made.  However, the player’s position in the batting order will not become an automatic out. Instead, that player’s team will continue to the next hitter in the lineup with no penalty. The player who has left the game under this rule cannot return to the line-up.

 

3.       “Courtesy Runner” Rule: Teams will be allowed to replace a single base runner on the bases as a “courtesy runner” in the case of an injury to that base runner. The replaced base runner is then allowed to stay in the game, at the same position in the lineup, without having to be officially substituted for. The base runner who is being replaced on the bases then becomes that team’s “designated non-runner” and is the only player who will be allowed to be substituted for in this manner for the rest of that game. Furthermore, in declaring that player to be the “designated non-runner, that team must then send a “courtesy runner” in for that player every time he reaches base for the rest of that game. The base runner will be replaced on the base by the player who made the last out for that team. If the team has not yet made an out in that game, it will be the batter previous to the player being replaced. If a player who has been brought on to run for another player is on base when his turn at bat comes up, he can be replaced on the base by the player proceeding him in the lineup, assuming that player is not also on base. If that player is also on base at that time, we will then go to the player ahead of him in the lineup, and so on until one is found that is not on base. See Co-Rec Rule Supplement for specific Co-Rec Courtesy Runner rule.

 

4.       A player on the team bench that has participated in the game may re-enter the game to replace an injured player.

 

5.       In the Women’s and Co-ed Leagues, NO WOMAN WHO IS PREGNANT will be allowed to participate in this program without providing written permission from her Physician on letter-head stationary and SIGNED BY THE PHYSICIAN; not his nurse.  This permission shall be provided to the Athletic Coordinator for the Peachtree City Recreation Department and shall be made a part of the player’s team file along with the official roster and the Release/Waiver of Liability.  Should an umpire and/or a league official discover that a pregnant woman is participating in league or tournament play, and has not provided an official consent/approval letter from her attending Physician, she will be immediately be removed from the game and said player will NOT be allowed to participate further until the required written permission is provided.  This same removal procedure shall be followed in the event an illegal player is detected.

 

6.       Base stealing will not be allowed under any circumstances.

 

7.       In extra innings, we will use the ASA “International Tie Breaker” rule. Starting with the top of the 8th inning, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled  to bat last in that inning being placed on 2nd base. (e.g. if the #5 batter in the line-up is scheduled to bat, the #4 batter in the lineup will take 2nd.) A substitute may be inserted for the runner.

 

SECTION VI – EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS

 

A.      EQUIPMENT

1.        Shoes are mandatory for play in all softball games.

2.        Rubber-molded, cleat shoes are approved for use. Steel spikes are EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED and shall be treated as illegal equipment regardless of whether  they are “screw on” or “screw in” type.  All other shoes must meet ASA Rule Book standards. Work boots, cowboy boots and other non-athletic shoes are examples of the types of footwear that are prohibited.  The judgment of the umpire shall be final in determining whether a player’s footwear shall be allowed.

3.        Smooth and soft-soled athletic shoes, including tennis and basketball shoes are acceptable.

4.        The Recreation Department will provide two ASA-approved balls for each game. The balls will be either a Worth Gold Dot or Dudley “Thunder Heat”, with a COR of .44 and a max. compression of 375.0 lbs or less. Men’s leagues will use a 12” ball; Women’s leagues will use an 11” ball.  The Co-Rec League will use 12” balls for male hitters and an 11” ball for female hitters.

 

NOTE: If, in the course of play, one or both balls are lost or damaged, the teams will be asked to provide a ball to be used in its place. The ball they provide must also be either a Worth Gold Dot or Dudley Thunder Heat and must conform to the same standards listed above.

 

5.        Illegal and Altered Bats:

Any player found to be using an altered or illegal bat shall be declared “out” and immediately ejected from the game.  The bat shall be removed from play. The ejected player shall also be ineligible to participate in the team’s next three to five scheduled games, to be determined by the league coordinator, and both the player and team captain will be subject to an additional period of suspension, to be determined by the league coordinator.  If, in the opinion of the umpire, a bat has been altered in such a manner as to pose a serious safety issue, the umpire is authorized in accordance with ASA Rules to take possession of the bat and deliver it to the league coordinator for further review and action.  Umpires will document all instances involving altered or illegal bats and a report shall be submitted to the league coordinator for review and action.  Should a player be found using an altered or illegal bat a second time, he or she shall be indefinitely suspended from further play in Peachtree City pending a review by the league coordinator.  A player is considered using an altered or illegal bat once he/she enters the batters box in possession of the bat. Should a batter be found to have used an altered or illegal bat after his/her turn at bat, and before a pitch has been delivered to the next batter, the violating player shall be declared “out” and ejected from the game - regardless of whether they reached base or made an out.

 

 

Definitions:

Altered Bat:  A bat is considered altered when the physical structure of a legal softball bat has been changed.  A “flare” or “coned” grip attached to the bat handle, inserting material inside the bat, applying excessive tape (more than 2 layers) to the bat grip, painting a bat other than at the top or bottom for identification purposes, an induced flat spot or side, removing a bats name and/or model number, and engraved markings on the barrel end of a metal bat are some examples of altering a bat.  Engraved “ID” marking on the knob end of a metal bat is not considered altered.

Illegal Bat: An illegal bat is one that fails to meet ASA specifications.  All Titanium bats, wooden bats that are not engraved “Softball,” a bat in which the manufacture’s name, model number, or the word “Softball” is no longer clearly visible, a bat that has been placed on the list of ASA Non-Approved bats, and any standard wooden baseball bat are examples of an illegal bat. 

 

B.       UNIFORMS

1.        Uniforms will consist of matching-colored shirts with a factory type, non-duplicating number pressed (rubberized vinyl) or sewn (tackle twill) on the back. In accordance with ASA regulations, all uniforms must have an Arabic whole number between 0-99. Three-digit numbers, fractions, decimals or other mathematical symbols are not allowed to be displayed as a uniform number. “00” will be allowed to be used

 

2.        A team’s uniform does not need to have any writing or inscription on the front of the shirt; however, if there is something printed on the front of a team’s uniform, all of that team’s uniforms must either have the same inscription or be blank. The style of the inscription may vary, but the wording must be the same. (In other words, uniforms from two different teams, even if they are the same color, will not be allowed.)

 

3.        No masking, duct, electrical or adhesive tape numbers will be allowed.

 

4.        No magic marker or paint/ink type numbers will be allowed.

 

5.        If a shirt/jersey is two (2) colors or has stripe trim, the dominant color shall determine uniform color.

 

 

6.        Teams are strongly encouraged to have the prescribed uniform shirts on hand for their first game, however; a one (1) week reprieve will be allowed. Under no conditions, will any player be allowed to play without wearing the proscribed numbered shirt with the beginning of the second week of scheduled league play.

 

7.        Ball caps, visors, and headbands are optional.  If worn, they can be mixed, but must be worn properly.

 

8.        Any clothing with logos/messages of suggestive or vulgar nature will not be allowed.

 

9.        Each player will wear his or her uniform shirt on the outside of any other clothing, clearly visible, regardless of weather conditions.

 

SECTION VII – PROTESTS

 

A.       TYPES OF PROTEST

Rules Protests: Misinterpretation/misapplication of a playing rule; protest must be made before the next pitch or, before all infielders have left fair territory, or if on the last play of the game, before the umpires leave the playing field. JUDGEMENT CALLS BY AN UMPIRE ARE NOT GROUNDS FOR PROTEST. All rule protests must be then filed in the manner described in B through D below.

 

Player Eligibility Protests: Will be handled at the time of the protest as described in E and F below.

 

B.        All rules protest shall be in writing.  The following information shall be included:  date game played, time game played, field, teams involved, players involved, umpires, inning, ball/strike count, number of outs, time protest occurred, the rule and section of the official rules misinterpreted or misapplied and any other essential facts that will aid in arriving at a just and fair decision.

 

C.       The only person authorized and allowed to discuss rule interpretations and/or applications

with  the umpire is the TEAM MANAGER OR CAPTAIN.

 

D.       Protest must be submitted to the Athletic Coordinator within two (2) working days along with a $25.00 protest fee.  Failure to comply with instructions in this section shall result in rejection of the protest.  If a protest is considered valid, a committee will be convened to hear and to rule on the protest as soon as possible.  A protest committee shall be composed of three (3) softball team managers from teams within the program but not from the league the protest originated, one (1) executive committee member of the PTC Umpires Association and the Athletic Coordinator, representing the PTC Recreation Department. A quorum will consist of those present at the meeting.  If no representatives appear for the protest meeting, the league coordinator will make the decision.

 

1.        If the protest is upheld, the following would occur:

a.        The misinterpretation/misapplication would be corrected and the game would be continued from that point to the end of the game, whether seven (7) innings or the one (1) hour ten (10) minute time limit with the resulting out come final.

b.       The $25.00 protest fee would be returned to the protesting team.

 

2.        If, for any reason, the protest is not upheld, the $25.00 protest fee would be forfeited and not returned.

 

E.        Player Eligibility Protests: In cases where a player’s eligibility is in doubt, the protesting team's manager must report to the umpire, scorekeeper and opposing manager to contest the eligibility of the player in question.  This protest must occur after the player in question have been written on to the lineup sheet and before the player in question’s second turn at bat. The protesting team’s captain will inform the umpires that they are playing under protest because they feel that the opponent has an ineligible player. They will then point out the player(s) whom they feel are participating illegally.  A team captain may protest no more than three players per game. Those players will then be asked to provide proof of their identification with a picture I.D. (all players are required to bring a picture I.D. to every game.) They will then be compared to the lineup form and the team’s roster to determine whether they are eligible. If one or more of the players cannot provide identification, they will be assume to not be on that team’s roster will not be allowed to participate in that game. All player eligibility protests will be handled in this manner and will be decided before the game in question is allowed to proceed. In addition, the field supervisor, umpires or other recreation department staff present at games are allowed to protest the eligibility of any player he or she sees fit to challenge at any time, and teams will then be required to provide proof of eligibility at that time or face the penalties described below.

 

F.        If a team is found to be playing an ineligible player, the team will forfeit the game(s) in which said player participated.

 

SECTION VIII– CONDUCT

 

A.      PERSONAL

 

1.        No tobacco of any kind shall be allowed on the field or in the dugout area.

 

2.        No gambling will be tolerated.  Violators shall be suspended from the program.

 

3.        No drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages will be tolerated.  A player, coach or manager who is guilty of being under the influence of intoxicants shall be immediately removed from the playing area and suspended from the adult softball program.  This suspension is mandatory for one (1) year.

 

4.        Illegal drugs shall not be brought to or consumed on City property or while participating in activities sponsored and conducted by the City.

 

5.        ANY PLAYER, COACH, MANAGER OR SPECTATOR who so much as touches an umpire, recreation staff member, scorekeeper, other player, manager or coach in anger or threatens to do them bodily harm, shall be suspended and barred from participation in adult athletic activities for an indefinite period of time.

 

6.       Profane language, rowdy behavior and/or any display of unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.  Players, managers or coaches guilty of any such behavior shall be subject to the possibility of being ejected from the game. Any person who is ejected form a league game is automatically suspended from his/her team’s next scheduled game. In addition, a second ejection from a game will result in suspension for the duration of league play. Any player who is ejected from a ball game is required to then leave the facility immediately. Failure to do so may, at the discretion of the umpire(s), cause his or her team to forfeit the game being played and subject the player, the team captain and/or the entire team to further punishment, as deemed necessary by the league coordinator.

 

B.       GAME

 

1.       If an argument goes over one (1) minute, the umpire shall call “PLAY BALL” and if the offending team refuses to play within one (1) minute, the game shall be forfeited to the opposing team.

 

2.       No player shall throw the bat, whether intentional or not.  Offenders are subject to being ejected from the game.

 

3.       Players are not allowed to hit balls against the field fence for warming up.

 

C.       DISCIPLINARY ACTION – In any and all cases necessitating disciplinary action by an umpire relative to the above indicated conduct by players, managers or coaches, a detailed written report shall be submitted ASAP to the Athletic Coordinator.

 

SECTION IX – GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION

 

A.      GAME DAYS/TIMES

 

1.        Game days, dates and times will be determined by the league coordinator.

2.        A ten (10) minute grace period will be allowed for the first scheduled game each day, and a five minute grace period will be allowed for each subsequent game (See D below.)

 

B.       GAME LINE-UP

1.        Ten (10) minutes prior to scheduled game time, team manager is required to submit a copy of his/her line-up to the official scorekeeper.

 

2.        Line-up shall include the player’s last name, first name or initial and jersey number.

 

3.        If the scorekeeper has not received a complete line-up from both teams by the scheduled game time, the one (1) hour five (5) minute game time limit shall go into effect, thus reducing the playing time available for that particular game.

 

4.        Changes can be made UNTIL the line-up is entered into the official scorebook.  Once the line-up has been entered, it becomes official and this means that any change must be done as an official substitution. EXCEPTION: See Sec. V, Rule C(1). If a batter is not present when his or her turn at bat comes up, they are automatically declared OUT. After this occurs once, a team may then change their line-up to eliminate the player who is not present (so they do not have to take an out every time that player would have come up to bat.)

 

C.        DELAYS – Game delays caused by rain and/or lightning shall not be counted against the one (1) hour ten (10) minute game time limit.

 

D.       GRACE PERIOD  - For the first scheduled game each day, teams will, if needed, be allowed a 10-minute “grace period” to allow late-arriving players to participate. Even though the first scheduled game officially has a ten (10) minute grace period, if both teams have nine (9) legal/eligible players available, the game will start immediately or as soon as the ninth (9th) player arrives.  After the grace period, the team that cannot place nine (9) players on the field or have nine (9) players available to bat shall forfeit the game. For all subsequent games, there will be no grace period – for those games, game time is “forfeit time.”

 

E.        If neither team has the minimum number of players (9) available, a double forfeit shall be declared.

 

F.        There will be no “INFIELD PRACTICE” between games.

 

G.        FORFEIT GAMES – Any team forfeiting on three (3) separate occasions shall be dropped from further league play and ALL of that teams games (both prior to and after being dropped) will be eliminated from the league standings.

 

H.       IN CASE OF RAIN – Five (5) complete innings, or four and a half (4½) innings if the home team is ahead at the time the game is called, shall constitute a completed game.

 

I.          LIGHTNING: If, in the judgment of any one of the umpires at the facility during any league game, there is sufficient threat of a lightning strike in the area of the ballfields, play will be suspended immediately on all fields. In such a circumstance, the umpire will have the scorekeeper use an air horn to notify all players in the facility that play has been suspended. All players are then required to leave the facility as quickly as possible. We will not ask players to take cover “in their cars” until play can safely be resume; instead, play will be suspended for the remainder of that day or evening. These games will then be treated in the same manner as a rain-out; either suspended or declared completed as per Sec. XI, Rule H (above.)

 

J.         IN CASE OF FIELD LIGHT FAILURE – Game shall completed from the point at which it was suspended.

 

K.       It shall be the responsibility of each team manager to keep unauthorized personnel out of the dugout and off the team bench.  Only uniformed players, manager, assistant manager, and batboy/batgirl are authorized to occupy the dugout/bench area.

 

L.        GROUND RULES

1.        HOME RUN RULE: Five (5) per team, per game – in all leagues and all divisions. This limit only applies to “over-the-fence” home runs. “In-the-park” home runs will not count against the limit.

a.        For any over-the-fence hits in excess of the above, the ball is dead, the batter is out and no runners can advance.

 

2.        Meade Field # 1 and #2 have a telephone wire across a portion of deep right field.  If, by chance a batted ball strikes this wire, a dead ball shall be declared and ground rule home run awarded.

 

3.        Teams will report to the dugout that is on the side of the field on which their team is shown on the scoreboard.

 

4.        On fields that have tree branches that reach over the fence into the playing area, any batted ball in fair territory that is ruled to have touched a tree branch will be ruled a “dead ball.” Any play on that ball (whether it is caught or not) will not be counted. The batter will return to his at-bat at the same ball-strike count as before the play, and any base runners will return to their original base(s).

 

 L.   LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AND AWARDS

1.        First (1st) and second (2nd) place finishes in each league shall be determined by games won versus games lost.  In event of a tie in the standings at the end of the season, final standings will be determined by the following criteria: (1) Fewest number of games forfeited during the season, (2) head to head record of teams involved, (3) run differential (runs scored minus runs allowed) in head-to-head games, (4) run differential in all league games, and (5) a coin toss. For tie-breaking purposes, any game with a run differential of more than 10 runs will count toward the differential as a 10-run difference. If time permits, a one game playoff may be played to decide a league championship, if deemed necessary by the league coordinator.

 

2.        At the discretion of the league coordinator, tournaments may be set up either as part of the season (covered by the league fee) or as a separate activity after the season. The league coordinator will determine whether a tournament will be played, what type of tournament it will be and what type of awards will be given.

3.        In all league post-season tournaments, the higher seeded team will be the home team for all first round games only. After the first round (meaning every team’s first game,) home and away will be determined by a coin flip.

 

4.        In all league post-season tournaments, their will be no time limit on championship games only (including both final games in a double-elimination tournament.) All other games will follow the usual time limit rule.

 

5.        The manner of distributing awards will be determined and announced by the league coordinator before the start of the season. If a league’s schedule includes a tournament as part of its regular schedule, the league coordinator will decide whether to give awards for the regular season, tournament or both. 

 

6.        Any automatic bid to GRPA tournaments will be awarded to the 1st place team from the regular season, not from the post-season tournament.

 

M.      GEORGIA RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION (GRPA) TOURNAMENTS

1.        DISTRICT – The following applies:

a.        Teams desiring to participate in the 4th District GRPA tournament (1st or 2nd place finish in local league play) may do so provided said teams agree to be responsible for paying the required entry fee and post a forfeit fee deposit in the amount of $35.00.  The entry fee and forfeit deposit are due to the Recreation Department prior to submitting the required roster and identification documents to the tournament host Recreation Department.

b.       The PTC Recreation Department will assist in preparing the entry documents/proof of identification.

c.        Provided the teams fulfill their tournament obligations, the $35.00 forfeit fee deposit will be refunded.

d.       Teams should understand if they qualify (win 1st or 2nd place in the District) for the State Tournament, they are committed and obligated to play in this tournament.

 

2.   STATE – The following applies:

a.       Teams that qualify to participate in the State GRPA Tournament must pay the required entry fee of $150.00.  Once they have completed their obligation to this tournament and submitted a paid-in-full invoice from the Host Recreation Agency, the PTC Recreation Department will reimburse to the team(s) the full amount of the entry fee.

b.       Qualifying team(s) shall post a forfeit fee deposit equal to one-half (1/2) ($75.00) the team entry fee with the PTC Recreation Department prior to participating in this tournament.  This fee will be refunded provided the team(s) complete their obligation to the State tournament and forfeit no games.

 

NOTE:  If a team fails to compete in either the District and/or the State Tournament to which they have committed, the City will retain their forfeit fee deposit in order to pay forfeit fees which will be assessed to the PTC Recreation Department.

 

SECTION X; SUPPLEMENTAL RULES

ADULT CO-REC SOFTBALL PROGRAM

 

A.      BATTING ORDER – The batting order shall start with either a male or female and alternate sexes accordingly.

 

B.       GAME BALLS: In Co-Rec play, male players will hit the 12” ball and female players will hit the 11” ball. The league will provide one of each ball for every game. Teams will need to be ready to provide an ASA-approved replacement ball, of the proper size, when the one league-provided ball is either lost or temporarily irretrievable. Teams will need to be ready to do so quickly, so as to not hold up the game.

 

C.       DEFENSIVE POSITIONING – In a regulation Co-Rec game, there shall be ten (10) players (five (5) male and five (5) female) with the following positioning requirements.

1.        Two (2) males and two (2) females in the infield.

2.        Two (2) males and two (2) females in the outfield.

3.        One (1) male and one (1) female as pitcher and/or catcher.

 

D.      EXTRA PLAYER (EP) – When using the EP rule, there shall be twelve (12) or fourteen (14) players, (with the same number of male and female players), the same as regular Co-ed play plus two (2) or four (4) EP’s who will bat in the line-up.

1.        All twelve (12) or fourteen (14) must bat on offense.

2.        Any ten (10) may play defense (five male/five female as described above in part B.)

3.        Defensive positions may be changed as long as the Co-ed positioning is properly observed.

4.        The batting order must remain the same throughout the game.

 

E.       BASE ON BALLS

1.        ANY walk to a male batter will result in a two (2) base award.

2.        The next batter (female) will bat.  EXCEPTION:  With two (2) outs, female batter has the option to bat OR walk.

 

NOTE:  Should a female batter/runner pass a male batter/runner when choosing to walk, no out shall be declared during this dead ball period.

 

3.        A male batter/runner advancing to second base without touching first base shall be called out, if properly appealed.

 

F.       PLAYING SHORTHANDED

1.         A game may begin with nine (9) players, but when and if another player arrives (of the correct missing sex), that player must be placed into the line-up at the tenth (10th) batting position.

 

2.         If a team plays shorthanded, they must have a minimum of five (5) females and four (4) males.

 

3.         Whenever a team is playing shorthanded with only nine (9) players, they will not be penalized with an automatic out at the 10th place in the order. They will proceed from the 9th batter back to the first with no penalty.

4.         If a team begins with 12 or 14 players and loses a player for any reason, they must remove the player (of the opposite sex) either directly before or directly after that player in the lineup. That player is eligible to substitute for another player in the lineup after the half inning that is in progress when the player leaves the game, plus one more complete half inning, have passed.

5.         Teams must always play with an even number of players (except when playing with nine as described above.) If a team that is using 12 or 14 players in their lineup loses more than one female or more than one male player, that team will forfeit that game.

 

G.       “COURTESY RUNNER” RULE

1.     All rules regarding this type of substitution will apply, with the exception that the “courtesy runner” must be the same sex as the player for whom he or she is running. If the person who, under the normal rule, would be the substitute runner is not the same sex as the player for whom he or she is to run, the batter before that person in the lineup shall be the runner instead.

 

H.      OUTFIELD LINE

1.        There will be a line drawn parallel to the edge of the outfield grass at a distance of two hundred (200) feet from home plate.

 

2.        When a female is batting, all male outfielders shall stay behind this line until the batter hits the ball.

 

3.        Violation of this rule will result in the offended team accepting the results of the play or having the female bat over.

 

I.         “OUTFIELD THROW OUT” RULE

On any ball hit to an outfielder, the outfielder will not be allowed to attempt to directly throw the batter-runner out at first base. The outfielder is allowed to throw the ball to an infielder, who may then relay the ball to first in an attempt to throw the runner out. If, in the judgment of the umpire, an attempt is made by an outfielder to directly throw out a batter-runner, that batter-runner will be automatically awarded 2nd base. Any base runners ahead of the batter-runner will be forced along the bases accordingly.

 

 

ADDEDENDUM:

Explanation of Rule Changes and “Points of Emphasis”

 

Section III, Rule A(1): Eligibility - In the past, any player who would be 18 years old by September 1st of the current year would be eligible to play. However, we've been advised that, since a minor is not allowed to consent to the league waiver, we cannot allow them to participate in the league programs until they have actually turned 18. We certainly hope this does not affect to many of you, but we really didn't have a choice. As in the past, players will be required to show a photo ID if requested to prove their age.

 

Section II, Rule B: Leagues - In the past, we automatically separated teams into "Church" and Open" (and, in the past, "Industrial" and "Over-40") Leagues. This past fall, we tried something different. A growing number of teams have been asking to play on a specific night of the week. So now we will have league that reflect the night that each team wishes to play. We are still encouraging Church teams to sign up for Monday nights, and for Open teams to go with Wednesdays, but we will allow teams to request the night that they want. Once a particular night is full, teams will need to either move to a different night or not participate. If the numbers are such that we can group church and/or open teams into their own divisions, we'll do so, but the main emphasis will be to match up teams of similar playing ability into divisions on each night. The plan is still to play the Co-Rec leagues on Thursdays.

 

Section V, Rule A(3): Sportsmanship - This is just an expansion on the old rule. We want to make sure that all of our team captains are aware of their role in maintaining the sportsmanship of our leagues.


Section V, Rule C(3) - "Courtesy Runner" - This is one of those rules that has been changed and "fine tuned" over the years. It is also one of the most misunderstood rules we have. The change basically says that, if you have a courtesy runner on base and his or her turn at bat comes up, you may substitute another runner for him on base so he can go ahead and bat. This was an occasional problem, particularly in co-rec play. Partly this was because of a common misunderstanding of the co-rec rules, which I'll address later. Bottom line is this - we don't want to punish a team for exercising their right to use a courtesy runner, and this change should keep that from occurring.

 

Section VI, Rule A92): Shoes - We've seen people show up to play in a variety of interesting footwear over the years. Our main concern here is for the safety of the players who might come into contact with a player's shoes - we want to reduce the risk of injury as much as possible. Normal softball shoes and other "soft spike" athletic shoes, as well as regular "tennis" shoes or "sneakers" are allowed, but hard-soled shoes like work boots and cowboy boots are not allowed. Furthermore, it will be left to the judgment of the umpires as to whether what a player is wearing will be allowed or not. This is one of those things that, frankly, should be obvious, but apparently it sometimes is not - thus the rule.

 

Section VI, Rule A(5): Altered and Illegal Bats - This is, as you know, a subject that we have worked very hard in the last year or so to emphasize to everybody. We feel that the use of illegal and/or altered bats presents a very real danger to our players, as well as a definite legal risk to everyone involved. The new rule mandates at least a three game suspension, and allows up to a five-game suspension, for a player who is found to be using an illegal or altered bat. Further more, it allows the coordinator to punish the team captain as well as the player in question. We feel that it is important to make a serious point that we will not tolerate the use of non-approved or altered bats, while retaining some leeway in the length of the suspension, so this rule allows me to do so.

 

Section VI, Rule B(1 and 2): Uniforms - Two things here. First, the numbers need to be whole numbers between 0-99. (Sorry #6 7/8ths and #103.) This is in accordance with ASA rules, but it has been missed by some of our teams over the past few years, so we felt it merited a mention in our rules as well. The other part basically is meant to make sure that everybody on a team is wearing the same uniform. Over the years we've had the occasional player show up with something written on the shirt that was completely different than what the rest of the teams had on. It may have technically qualified, since it was the same color and had a number on the back, but it was definitely not the same uniform.  The point of these rules is simply this - WE ARE NOT PLAYING PICK-UP GAMES - THIS IS A LEAGUE PROGRAM. When you register a team in our leagues, you are stating that you have a team that wants to compete in an organized league. Yes, of course, the point is to have fun, but that does not mean that it is not taken seriously by the participants. When one team shows up out of uniform, it is in fact an insult to the other teams that make the effort to do so themselves.

 

That being said, we aren't trying to put an undo strain on the finances of anybody here. That's why we only require that the shirts be the same color and (for obvious reasons) have a number on the back. Furthermore, if most of your players have the "standard" uniform of your team, but you add players at some later date and don't want to go to the trouble and expense of getting matching jerseys for them, a "blank" T-shirt, of the same color and with a legal number on the back, will suffice. In fact, I suggest to team captains that they get a few blank, same-colored shirts (with unused numbers!) at the start of the season, so you'll have them on hand when you add a last-minute replacement to your roster, or when someone shows up without their jersey. (I do it every year with my team in Fayetteville, and they always get used!)

 

Section VIII, Rule B(2): Throwing Bats - This isn't a new rule, but we want to ask each team captain to make it clear that throwing of bats is not allowed. We've seen an increase of this type of behavior in the last year or so. A player who throws a bat in any manner is likely to get tossed from a game, possibly without a warning. Same goes for the foul language. Please remember that we usually have family members - including children - in attendance at our games. Lets make sure that our behavior is something we can be proud of.

 

Section IX, Rule D: Grace Period - Again, this isn't new - but need to be re-emphasized. Two things here. First, please remember that the grace period on the 8 and 9pm games doesn't apply if those games are already running more than five minutes late. Second, please remember that it is not the fault of the umpires if you don't have enough players at game time. They are under no obligation to extend the grace period because you claim that "you player is on his way." We often get complaints that an umpire "just wants to get paid for not working the game." That is about the lamest arguments I've ever heard. Fact is, they are there and ready to go - it is the missing player who isn't! Please don't blame your umpire for the tardiness of your player(s).

 

Section IX, Rule I: Lightning - This isn't a change in our policy, but it hasn't been spelled out in the rules in the past. Please make sure that your players know that, when they hear that horn, they need to get off the fields and out of the park. We strongly feel that the safety of our players takes precedence over "getting the games in." I know that the inclination is to keep playing when their is lightning in the area, but this is a serious situation that needs to be dealt with seriously. The fact is, lightning strikes kill ballplayers every year - let's do everything we can to make sure that it doesn't happen to us!

 

Section IX, Rule K: Dugouts - Once again, not a new rule, but a point that needs to be re-stated. The dugouts are for players and other "team personal" ONLY. Please keep children, friends, visitors, etc... out of the dugouts. we consider the dugouts to be a part of the field. They are open to the playing field and hit balls do occasionally find their way into the dugouts. In addition, the teams bats and other equipment are in there, setting up a potentially dangerous situation, especially for under-supervised children. I know we don't provide much as far as entertainment options go for children at Meade (someday I hope to change that!) but we still need to keep out of the dugouts anybody who doesn't belong there. This is for their own safety.

 

Co-Rec Rules Supplement:

Section X, Rule F: Courtesy Runner - This rule has been misinterpreted by many players and even some umpires. It says that, when figuring out who will serve as a courtesy runner, we select the person in the batting order who made the last out. When that person is not the same sex as the original runner, you go back one hitter in the order and that person runs. What has sometimes happened instead is that the last person of the same sex as the original runner to make an out was utilized as the courtesy runner. This has sometimes led to selecting someone (usually a guy) who is so far removed from the "runee" (who had just batted) in the lineup that his place in the batting order comes up while he is still on base, leading to the necessity of the new rule (Sec. V, Rule C(3)) above. Normally, if the courtesy runner is selected properly, as stated in the rule, that person's spot in the lineup will not likely come up again until that player either scores, makes an out or the inning ends.

 

Section X, Rule G: Outfield Line - This rule hasn't changed, but needs to be re-emphasized. Please make sure that all of your players are aware of it. Please also note that it is not a situation that can be punished "after the fact." In order for the rule to be enforced, the umpire has to be aware of the infraction when it happens. Also, there is not "punishment" required, except that, if the umpire does rule that a male outfielder broke this rule, the hitting team is allowed to either except the results of the play or to "do it over."

 

 

 

17. The NO CONTACT rule is in effect for base runners. A runner must do everything possible to avoid contact. Runners do not have to slide.... just avoid contact. Fielders are not entitled to block a base without “having a play" on the runner. Runners that initiate contact will be called out, and may be ejected from the game at the umpire’s discretion. In the event of contact, it is an "Umpire's Judgment"call, as to which player caused the contact.