Double AA Sports
The Leader in Softball League's and Tournament's in New Jersey
2011 Women's Softball League By-Laws - Updated April 19th
1. All rules, unless written below, must be followed as written in the
ASA Official Softball Rule Book - Modified Fast Pitch.
A. No windmill or slingshot pitches are allowed.
2. Regular season games will be overseen by one (1) umpire.
World Series games will be overseen by two umpires.
3. Each team must have a minimum of eight (8) players to field a legal line-up and maximum 10 players on the field.
The 11th - 15th players or EH's are allowed to rotate in and out of the field
We will allow teams to bat additional Extra Hitters (E.H.) Which would be batters 12-15 - This is in case teams want to bat additional players and get them in the game.
UPDATE: The 9th through 15th players may be added to the lineup as they arrive. But if you start with 15 you must finish with 15 players in the batting order or when that turn comes up it will be an out.
4. Games will be scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. sharp. If the opposing team does not appear or does not have enough players to field a legal team by 6:45 p.m., the game will be forfeited.
Playoffs and World Series Games will start at 6:15 p.m. sharp.
A. For the Chestnut Ridge Field with
6:30 starts only. Teams must vacate the field by 8:15 p.m. sharp if another game is scheduled for the 8:15 time slot. Umpire will issue a warning at 8:00 p.m.
5. All team members must wear the same type and color jersey. A team consisting of players from more than one company may have each company logo displayed on their jersey or each player representing her corporation may wear a jersey with her own corporate logo, but the jersey must be the same type and color for the entire team. Team logos are optional but a number should be displayed on the jersey. Players without their team jersey will not be allowed to play unless both managers agree to waive this rule.
6. The catcher must wear a catcher's mask. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the game. Chest protection and shin guards are optional.
7. No bunting is allowed.
8. No stealing is allowed.
9. No leaving any base until a pitched ball crosses home plate. If a runner leaves a base early (before the ball crosses the plate), the runner will be called out by the umpire. No warning will be issued.
10. Runners must avoid contact with defensive players as stated in the ASA rule book, Points of Emphasis section 12 and section 8. “In order to prevent and protect the defensive player attempting to make a play on a runner, the runner must be called out if he remains on his feet and crashes into a defensive player holding the ball and waiting to apply a tag or if the defensive player is about to receive a thrown ball. In order to prevent the crash ruling, the runner can slide, jump over the top of the defender holding the ball, go around the defender, or return to the previous base. The runner may be called out for not avoiding the defensive player at the umpire’s discretion”.
11. Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and re-entered once -- provided such a player occupies the same batting position whenever she is in the line up. When a starting player returns to the line up, her substitute must be withdrawn and cannot switch to a new position in the batting order. (See Rule 4-5.)
12. If a substitute runner is necessary for reasons of injury or pregnancy, this must be mentioned at the beginning of the game. This substitute shall be the person who made the last recorded out. Each team is allowed 2 courtesy runners per game. If an additional runner is required due to an injury, which has occurred during the game, this rule may be waived as long as it is agreed upon by both teams.
13. Mercy Rule - After completing 5 innings (regulation game), if a team is leading by 12 runs or more, this will constitute as the “Mercy Rule” and the umpire will call the game at the end of the completed inning. This only applies during regular season games. There is no Mercy Rule during post-season play.
14. Playoffs and World Series games must be played to a full seven innings even if this means continuation on another day. The Mercy rule is not in effect during the post season. Only agreement by both teams can waive this rule. All other rules cited for the regular season will be applied to Playoffs and World Series games except where noted.
15. Forfeit - If a team does not have enough players and a forfeit is known ahead of time (prior to 5:00p.m.); the Team that is forfeiting the game is required to contact the opposing Team Representatives and the League President.
16. Roster changes. There must be a 48 verbal notice and 24 hour written notice of change via email.
Open Roster, No Limit on size, Players must be at least 18 years old and not on a High School Team,
July 1st Roster is frozen.
17. Playoff Eligibility - Must play in Minimum of 3 games to be eligible for playoffs (Name in Lineup at least 1 inning)
18. Each Team will supply One Softball per game, "Certified ASA Softball" as provided by the league
19. Double base at first is not required but optional as per captains meeting vote.
20. Bases are 60 feet
21. Pitchers Mound is 43 feet
22. The Home Team is responsible for the following:
A. Equipment: All bases, home plate, and pitcher's plate if one or both are not present at the field. Bases will not be tied down. It is the umpire's discretion when the base moves during play.
B. Inclement Weather Notification: The Home team is responsible for contacting the League President and the opposing Team Representatives in the event of a cancelled game due to inclement weather. A 4:30 p.m. decision time will exist for this purpose. After 4:30 p.m., both teams must show up at the field regardless of the weather and the final decision will be made by the umpire at 6:30 p.m. If a team does not show up at the field and the umpire’s decision is to play the game, the team that did not show up will forfeit.
D. Checking Field Condition: It is the responsibility of the Home team (OR Local Team) to check the condition of the playing field in the event of rain which occurred earlier in the day and has stopped prior to 4:30 p.m. If the condition of the playing field warrants a game cancellation, it is the responsibility of the Home team to notify the League President and the opposing Team Representative of the cancellation.
23. Managers, coaches or any team players/members may not drink alcoholic beverages during the game. If a warning by the umpire is unheeded, the game is subject to forfeiture by the offending team.
24. A copy of these By-Laws should be brought to every game.
25. Rule 8, section 2B, the third strike rule, does not apply. The batter is out on a 3rd strike whether or not the ball is caught by the catcher. No tag has to be made.
26. If the umpire is not present at the field by 6:45 p.m., one person agreed upon by both teams or two people, one from each team, may be selected to umpire the game. The fee paid for an umpire is $45.00. This fee will be paid to the “volunteer” umpires who preside over the game. If the ASA umpire shows up after the 3rd inning is completed, he will take over officiating the game but will only be paid the travel fee.
27. For safety reasons, all players are required to remove their jewelry before play begins. Exposed jewelry such as hoop/dangling earrings, bracelets, watches, rings or any other item judged dangerous by the umpire may not be worn during the game. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are NOT considered jewelry, but if worn, they must be taped to the body. If a player is requested by the umpire to remove jewelry and they refuse, the player will be removed from the game.
28. Playoffs - All Teams will make the playoffs - 5 teams
Seed 5 vs Seed 4 as a play in game to even out teams - One Game
Then Seed 4/5 Winner vs Seed 1 and Seed 2 vs Seed 3 - One Game
World Series is 2 remaining teams in a three games series
29. HIT BATTER: A batter hit by pitch (directly not on a bounce) will result in an awarded first base.
"Umpire discretion to get out of way" A batter hit by pitch (directly not on a bounce) will result in an awarded first base."Umpire discretion to get out of way"
30. Tiebreakers - Head to Head, Than Record vs Highest ranked teams, than lowest runs allowed, then coin toss.
For World Series Only:If a legal team cannot be fielded, both teams must agree upon a rescheduling date - the next possible day preferably. No more than two (2) re-schedules allowed.
The one week notice rule of cancellation does not apply to the World Series.
*** IMPORTANT: Player Injury Insurance is NOT provided by Double AA Sports, Tony Davino OR Bollinger Insurance. Teams had the option to purchase separately for their team but no teams decided to purchase this year. This was reviewed at Mandatory 2011 Captains Meeting. ***