League Rules

INTRODUCTION

Note: Changes and clarifications to the Rules are highlighted in yellow

Latest Rules revised 5/1/2007

Section 1 - Regulation Games
1.1	Nine Inning Games: A regulation game shall consist of nine innings.
1.2	Time Limit: No inning of a game shall begin within 15 minutes of the next scheduled game. If the diamond is available after the scheduled time, the umpires may continue play at their discretion, except that a new inning cannot be started after 10:45PM
1.3	Tie Games – Regular Season: Subject to Section 1.2 above, extra innings will be played in the event a game is tied after nine innings. In regular season play, a game that is tied after playing time is exhausted will not be replayed. The score is final and each team will be awarded one point in the league standings.
1.4	Mercy Rule: If one team is leading by 25 or more runs after five or more complete innings, the official game is considered to have ended. Should play be continued, individual statistics beyond this point will not be recorded.
1.5	Adverse Weather/Field Conditions: When there is a problem with rain, lightning, sloppy field conditions, lights etc., the umpires alone are responsible to decide whether the game is to be played. Should a game be called and five or more innings have been played, the score at the end of the last complete inning will be final. Any games cancelled before the 5th inning will be rescheduled and replayed in their entirety. The Umpire-in-Chief is responsible for re-scheduling of games.
1.6	Playoff Games: May be temporarily halted due to Section 1.5, but the umpire shall not make any decision to abandon the game before the scheduled time allotment has expired for that game.
1.7	Tie Games – Playoffs: Will be replayed in their entirety at the end of the series, if required. Effect: a tie game in the playoffs will not count as a single point - teams must secure two victories to advance in a best of three series.
Section 2 - Rosters
2.1	Roster of 14: A team must carry a roster of fourteen registered (regular) players.
2.2	Player Eligibility: Regular players or replacements must be at least 30 years of age by May 1, current year. Returning players must have played a minimum of 70% of the games in the previous season unless excused for reasons acceptable to the Executive. Spares must be 25 years old as of May 1, current year, unless a son of a regular player
2.3	All Players To Bat: Each participating player must be included in the batting order and will bat in turn.
2.4	Spares: League Executive maintains a list of registered spares and rates them. Where the rating of a spare is pending (awaiting evaluation) a 7.4 rating is temporarily assigned. Teams may arrange for one or more registered spares (subject to Section 3.2) when a team has an insufficient number of regular players to field a team. A team that uses an unregistered player or does not comply with Section 2.4 shall forfeit the game.
2.5	Matching Spare(s) Ratings: When a team is short of players necessary to field a team, they may arrange for a registered spare whose rating is no greater than the highest-rated absent regular player. If additional spares are required, the rating(s) of the additional spares cannot exceed the rating(s) of the next highest-rated missing players (i.e. the ratings must be matched player for player). A team shall not field a team of more than 12 players, when utilizing spares.
2.6	Spares in Batting Order: Any spares must be placed last in the batting order. This does not apply where a spare replaces a player for an extended period under Section 2.7 or 2.8.
2.7	Injury Replacement: If a player is injured for more than three consecutive games, an equivalent spare at least 30 years old by May 1, current year, approved by League Executive must replace him for the remaining period of absence. A player known to have sustained a long-term injury must be replaced immediately. Team Captains are advised of the following procedure for approval: The affected Team Captain shall advise the League Vice President (or in his absence, any Executive Member) immediately, when a replacement player is required. Regular season replacements are required when a regular player is injured and will miss at least three games. Voting Participants: The Vice President shall immediately notify Executive Members plus Team Representatives that a replacement player is required and which Executives and Team Representatives that will be involved in the Voting Procedure (the Voting Participants). In the regular season and playoff round robin, Executives and Team Representaives playing for the affected team will be excluded. In the case of absence of the Vice President or his exclusion from the process, remaining Executive Members will appoint a designated replacement to carry out his duties. Nomination Procedure: Affected Team Captains shall have the option to nominate a suitable replacement player from the registered spare list or request approval to temporarily audition a player for 1 or 2 games who does not have a “confirmed” rating. Voting Procedure: The Voting Participants shall review the nominated replacement player in accordance with the Replacement Criteria. The Vice President shall determine whether Voting Participants are adequately familiar with the nominated player or, if not, request a player audition. When satisfied that the Voting Participants are familiar with the nominated player, the Vice President shall conduct a vote by e-mail or phone. Each Voting Participant shall vote ‘approved’ or ‘not-approved’ with a simple majority of Voting Participants required for approval. In the event of non-approval, reasons shall be provided. In the event of a tie vote, the Vice President shall carry the deciding vote. The Vice President shall advise the affected Captain and all Voting Participants of results of the vote and reasons for non-approval, if applicable. In the event of non-approval, the affected Team Captain shall continue with the Nomination Procedure and the Voting Procedure shall re-commence. In the event that a replacement player is not nominated in the allotted time required, or two unsuccessful votes have been held, the Vice President will consult with the League Executive Members to approve a replacement player that satisfies the Replacement Criteria. Upon approval, the replacement player will be so advised by the affected Team Captain and is eligible to play as a “regular player” from that point forward for the duration of the injured player’s absence. The Team Captain is to advise the Executive when the injured player is able to return. The League Statistician shall make note of such player movements and modify the website forms to accommodate. Replacement Criteria: The replacement player must be: • on the League’s registered spare list, available and willing to play on a regular basis • 30 years of age as of May 1st of the current season • rated no higher than the player he is replacing In the event that there are no suitable replacement players available that meet the Criteria for Approval, the Vice President may instruct the Voting Participants to disregard or modify any of the above Criteria or provide a list of acceptable replacement players. Notes: • Captains must not wait for three games to notify the Executive of an injury. • Auditioning players are considered spares and must be batted last – however Rule 2.5 is waived for that player • Captains are advised that ratings for new spares are predetermined at 7.4, until they are “confirmed” and often “confirmed” ratings can be outdated. • Captains on both teams are advised that all spare ratings should be confirmed after each game that a spare plays in.
2.8	Injury Replacement (Playoffs): In the playoffs, spares may not be used for any reason, other than for replacement, as described below and approved by League Executive. Players known to be unavailable for any reason for the duration of one or more entire playoff series must be replaced before the start of the series for its entirety. A player cannot be replaced in the middle of a series; however, the replaced player may return at the start of the next series. Captains are asked to identify such replacement situations to the Executive as soon as they are known." Section 2.8 provides that replacement of regular players must occur prior to the start of any best 2 out of 3 or 3 game round robin Series (to be defined by the League Executive) if the regular player will be “unavailable for any reason” for the entire playoff series. The same procedure for playoff games as above is adopted, except for the following: The regular player does not have to be injured, but “unavailable” for the entire Series. Auditions are not permitted. In head-to-head playoff Series, League Executive and Team Representatives playing on the opposing team will also be excluded from the Voting Procedure. If a suitable replacement on the registered spare list is not available, as determined by the Vice President (or his designate), a regular player from a team eliminated from the playoffs may be selected as a replacement by the affected Team Captain. In this case, the current rating of the selected replacement player must be at least 1.0 point below the player being replaced. Due to time constraints the Vice President may establish time parameters as deemed necessary. Notes: • Captains must not wait for three games to notify the Executive of an injury. • Auditioning players are considered spares and must be batted last – however Rule 2.5 is waived for that player • Captains are advised that ratings for new spares are predetermined at 7.4, until they are “confirmed” and often “confirmed” ratings can be outdated. • Captains on both teams are advised that all spare ratings should be confirmed after each game that a spare plays in.
Section 3 - Participation
3.1	Sit-outs: In each inning: The defensive team will use a maximum of eleven players in the field. No player shall sit out a second inning until each player on the team has sat out an inning. No player shall sit out a third inning until each player on the team has sat out two innings. If a player sitting out must replace an injured player part way through an inning, the replacement player shall be deemed to have sat out the whole inning.
3.2	Minimum Players To Start: A team must have a minimum of 9 players (including spares) to start a game. Six of those players must be regulars. The team must have sufficient players to start a game 15 minutes after the scheduled start time or the game is forfeited.
3.3	Minimum Players To Continue: A team must have at least eight players to continue a game.
3.4	Late Arrival: A player who arrives at the bench after the first pitch of the game may play; but his name must be added to the bottom of the batting order. If his team is in the field with less than 11 players, he may join them immediately. He shall not sit out a further inning until each player on the team has sat out an equal number of innings. Effect: absence from one or more innings due to late arrival at the bench is equivalent to sitting out one or more innings.
3.5	Injured & Misses Turn At Bat: A player who misses a turn at bat due to illness or injury must leave the game.
3.6	Injured & Leaves The Field: Except as provided for in Section 7.4 (Injured Baserunner), a player who leaves the field due to illness or injury may return to the game provided he does not miss his turn at bat. He must, however, return to the field on his next regularly scheduled turn, or leave the game.
3.7	Minimum Games: A player must participate in a minimum of 70% of regular season games to be eligible to play the following season. League Executive will review all individual situations.
Section 4 - Pitching Regulations
4.1	Illegal or No Pitch: For a pitch to be legal: One foot must start in the Pitcher’s Box The pivot foot must remain in contact with the Pitcher’s Box during the wind-up, the delivery, and when the ball is released The pitch must be released with moderate speed, and The ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc of at least six feet from the ground Any infraction of the above is called an "illegal” or “no pitch" by the umpire. In the case of a low-arc pitch, the batter has the option to swing at the pitch and the batted ball is live. If the batter swings and misses, a strike is called on the batter. In all other cases, the ball is dead, a “ball” is called on the batter and runners may not advance.
4.2	Catcher Interference: If the catcher touches a pitched ball before the ball strikes the mat or the ground, the ball is dead, play stops. The batter is awarded first all other runners advance one base as well, even if not forced. No runner will advance to home unless forced by subsequent runners.
Section 5 - Batting Regulations
5.1	Strikes: A strike will be called by the umpire if: A legally pitched ball hits any part of the mat at home plate The batter swings and misses a legally pitched ball The ball is hit to foul territory
5.2	Third Strike Foul: A third strike foul ball will result in an out.
5.3	Caught Foul Balls or Tips: The batter is declared out if a foul ball or tip is caught by the catcher, provided the foul ball has traveled to a height over the batter's head.
5.4	Batter’s Box: The batter is declared out if he steps on the mat or has his foot on the ground completely in front of or behind the mat when the bat contacts the ball
Section 6 - Baserunning Regulations
6.1	Commitment Line: A Commitment Line will be drawn perpendicular across the base path 21 feet from home plate, between 3rd and home. A player will be considered to have crossed the Commitment Line when any part of his body touches the line or the ground beyond the Commitment Line.
6.2	Cannot Return to 3rd: The runner must proceed to the home plate Safe Line after crossing the Commitment Line. He cannot return to 3rd base. If he does, the runner is declared "out". If a runner has crossed the Commitment Line, he cannot return to 3rd to tag up on a fly ball; he is automatically out.
6.3	Force After Crossing Commitment Line: After crossing the Commitment Line, a runner cannot be "tagged out". The out must be made with the defensive player, in control of the ball, touching the home plate mat before the runner crosses the Safe Line.
6.4	Must Be Hit Or Walked Home: If a runner occupies 3rd base when a pitch is made, he may only advance past the Commitment Line as a result of a ball being hit by a batter or as a result of being forced due to the batter drawing a "walk" with the bases loaded.
6.5	Base Stealing & Lead 0ffs: Base stealing of second and/or third base is allowed. The runner must keep contact with his base until a legally pitched ball hits the mat at home plate or the ground before, beyond, or beside the mat, or is struck by the bat - otherwise, the runner is immediately declared "out". The play is dead prior to the pitch being delivered and neither a strike nor a ball shall be called. Any umpire can call lead-offs. This is not an appeal play.
6.6	Cannot Steal Home: A player who steals a base may, with liability to be put "out", attempt to advance to another base in the same play. The player may not proceed to home. If he does advance past the commitment line, he is declared "out". The runner can only advance to home on a batted ball or if forced by a bases-loaded base on balls (see Section 6.4).
6.7	Scoring: The base runner must cross the home plate Safe Line (see 10.6) before a defensive player, in control of the ball, touches the mat at home plate. A player will be considered to have crossed the Safe Line when any part of his body touches the line or the ground beyond the Safe Line.
6.8	Plays at Home: The base runner is not permitted to touch the mat when attempting to score (he is called “out”), except to avoid collision with another player or umpire. The defensive player must not tag the base runner once he has crossed the Commitment Line and if he does, the base runner is safe. These are not appeal plays.
Section 7 - Courtesy Runners
7.1	Maximum Number: A team may use a maximum of five courtesy runners per game; however, each of the five must be a different player. Teams are to mark Courtesy Runners utilized on the score sheet.
7.2	Process: Any player in the batting order may act as a courtesy runner and may replace a prior courtesy runner. The courtesy runner must be announced to and acknowledged by the umpire and the opposing team before he replaces the runner on base.
7.3	Courtesy Runner Due at Bat: If a Courtesy Runner is due up to bat while still occupying a base, he must be replaced on base by another courtesy runner. If all courtesy runners (5) have been used, the courtesy runner remains on base; an "out" is declared and the courtesy runner misses his turn at bat.
7.4	Injured Base runner: If a base runner declares an injury and (or) cannot continue, and there are no courtesy runners available, the player who can't continue must leave the game without penalty of an "out". The player who was last declared "out" and who has not already served as a courtesy runner will replace him on base.
Section 8 - Player Conduct
8.1	Coaches Are Spokesmen: Only Captains, or their designates when absent, are to speak with the umpires in the event of a disputed call.
8.2	Player Ejection: The following infractions are grounds for ejection: profane or abusive language displays of temper (throwing objects etc.) intentional and violent collision with an opposing player fighting continued arguing or displays of poor sportsmanship
8.3	If Ejected: If ejected, a player may no longer participate in the game and must leave the park immediately, if ordered to do so by the umpire.
8.4	Ejections To Be Reviewed: All ejections are subject to a review by league executive and may result in further discipline.
8.5	Additional Discipline: Continued harassment of umpires, players or bystanders after an ejection will result in additional disciplinary action and possible forfeit of the game.
Section 9 - Miscellaneous
9.1	Points: Teams will be awarded two points for a win and one point for a tie.
9.2	Playoff Positions: At the end of the regular season, ties in the league standings will be broken in the following manner: Number of wins Record against all teams tied in the standings Run differential of games amongst teams tied Coin toss
9.3	Bats: All bats used in the league must be on the ASA approved list. ASA's listing of certified bats on its web site at ASA .
9.4	Non compliance: By a player or team will result in his team's forfeiture of the game, as determined within 24 hours of the completion of the game by the League Executive.
9.5	Protest of Alleged Illegal Bat: Must take place at time of the at bat or before the first pitch to the next batter. The game is to continue with details of the bat noted by the umpire and submitted to the League Executive for review.
Section 10 - Playing Field
10.1	Bases: Bases are 65 feet apart.
10.2	Pitching Box: Box is 2 feet wide and 15 feet long. Its front edge shall be in a line between home plate and second base and 50 feet from the back corner of home plate, but no further away than 65 feet.
10.3	Batter’s Box: Batter’s Box is 7 feet by 3 feet on either side of Home Plate.
10.4	Double Base: Double Base shall be used at first base. Orange side is in foul territory and is the “safe bag” for the runner.
10.5	Commitment Line: Commitment Line is 21 feet from home plate perpendicular to the baseline.
10.6	Safe Line: Safe Line is a line drawn in foul territory starting at the top left-hand corner of home plate perpendicular to the third base line. A runner attempting to reach home must do so by touching the ground in foul territory on or beyond the Safe Line.