2013 Rules & Regulations
For Nassau Semi-Fast Softball League, Inc.
1. Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will be responsible for the operation of the League, including the Resolution of all protests and disputes. The Protest Committee will be composed of members of the Board of Directors not affected by the result of the protest. The same actions apply to disciplinary measures that the Board deems necessary to take against a player, manager or team.
2. Fees: $2,500.00. Fee covers 36 Corker Clincher softballs, umpire fees, awards, weekly website updates, scorebook, All-Star Game, A.S.A. Rulebook, liability insurance ($1,000,000), playing fields, playing field permits, A.S.A. membership and General League Administrative costs.
3. Reporting Scores and All League Communications: All communication will be done via email and the league website (leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=nsfsl). Please make sure you check both your email and the website by Saturday prior to your Sunday game for any changes. Every team is responsible for reporting the scores and reporting umpire rating information on our league website (leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=nsfsl). One warning per team will be given. The second time, the team will lose home field advantage for both games and the third time, the team will not receive credit for its win (or wins) and/or lose field preferences.
3:00 PM Monday is the deadline for reporting.
NOTE: When reporting your score on line, you must submit your pitcher’s names who pitched that day to provide proof that he reaches the five (5) game minimum for playoff qualification. If challenged in the playoffs, we will go to the website for qualification purposes. It is the teams responsibility to report the pitchers name.
Verification that the pitcher actually pitched on the day that is reported will be a “No Response” by the opposing team. If opposing team challenges the reports, league will look into further and ask for scorebook.
4. Rosters: Age limit is eighteen (18) years minimum. All players who play one or more games for a team are prohibited from playing on any other team in the league for the remainder of the season without Board of Director approval. No additions will be permitted after the first nine (9) weeks of the season unless approved by the league (competitive balance will determine). No non-roster players will be permitted to be added for the playoffs. No pitcher that has not pitched at least five (5) games on five (5) different dates will be permitted to pitch in the playoffs. The only exception to the pitching qualification rule is if the team’s regular pitchers are not available in the playoffs, a roster player who did qualify can pitch, even though they pitched less than the required five (5) games. (e.g.: Your third baseman who played 8 weeks in total but only pitched 2 weeks would qualify. This replacement pitcher will still be subject to our league and ASA pitching rules). No position player that has not played at least five (5) games on five (5) different dates will be permitted to play in the playoffs. Teams will forfeit all games in which an ineligible player is used. If a manager thinks his opponent is using a non-roster player, he can require the opposing teams' player to sign his scorebook. The Scorebook must be submitted to the League within three (3) days. If the signature is not identical to the signature on the insurance waiver league roster, the game or games will be forfeited. A $10 protest fee is required and refundable if protest is upheld.
Note: All players, including pitchers, must appear on the Amateur Adult Athletic Waiver And Release Of Liability (Waiver Roster) to be eligible to play in all league games, both regular season games and playoff games. These rosters must be submitted by April 30, 2013. As players are added, a new individual Amateur Adult Athletic Waiver And Release Of Liability (Waiver Roster) must be submitted to commissioner for this individual. These rosters, team and/or individual, will be used to determine playoff eligibility.
5. Scheduling: Will be determined after the league meeting on April 18th when division alignments are finalized. There will be realignment for the second part of the season based on the competition balance of play in the first part of the season.
Note: We reserve the right to modify our realignment format based on caliber of play and the number of rain-outs that may occur.
6. Field Assignments: Fields will be distributed fairly and based on how responsive teams were to paying league fees, for turning in all required rosters and how timely they report their scores on the league website each week. No permanent home fields will be issued.
NOTE: Since fields are at a premium and that some dates have been taken away from our league and given to Little Leagues, you may have to play 1 weekend at Coes Neck park starting at 12:30pm to 3:30pm. We will make sure that it only happens once per season to any team.
7. All Star Game: Peter Devine of Joe’s Garage has been responsible for this event and will continue to do so. The tentative date for this event is Friday evening, July 19th at Baldwin Park. Please contact Peter to help organize this event.
8. Playoffs: Format will be best of 3 series that may begin August 4 based on field availability and permits issued. The surviving highest seed always stays that way and will play the lowest seed. There will be no reseeding between rounds. We will make every effort to have 2 umpires for playoff games, especially for the finals. Regular season run rules apply to games 1 and 2, but no run rule will be in effect for game 3. NOTE: We may have more flexibility this season with respect to starting the playoffs later because of the addition of some new fields that can be used in September. This will be determined at a later date.
9. Tie Breakers for division title and getting into playoffs and for playoff seedings. To avoid any controversy as the season unfolds, below is the method by which we will determine seedings and such. As stated earlier, once the playoffs start, there is no "reseeding" between rounds, the highest surviving seed going into the playoffs retains that seeding position. If an unequal number of games are played by any team, the percentage basis will be used to determine positioning. In case of ties, the following tie breakers will be used:
A) head to head wins and losses
B) run differential head to head
C) total run differential
D) coin flip
Note: Tie breaker for wild card teams ( IF APPLICABLE) are slightly different than above. The tie breaker will first apply to determine the top three teams within each division using the standard tie breaker rules stated above. The tie breaker to determine the two wild card teams, both within the same division or across divisions, will be total run differential and a coin flip.
10. Game Time: If no rain is falling, Umpire may start games promptly at scheduled time if both teams have at least 9 players present. Umpires are not required to start any game if rain is falling. Forfeits may be imposed after 15 minutes past the scheduled time for the first game and 30 minutes later for the second game. Teams must have a minimum of 8 players in uniform to start and the same at all times during the game. The 8 player team must supply its own catcher. If a team starts with 9 or 10 players, and is reduced for any reason, the missing player (or players) will be declared OUT when their turn at bat comes up. The same applies if a team is batting 11 or more players and is reduced to 9 or fewer batters. As long as there are 10 batters in the batting order (or more) no out will be declared for a missing batter (Cub Rules). The field should be divided in half for practice prior to game time, with one team using the first base side and the other using the third base side. The Umpire can suspend practice at game time.
11. Run Rule: A team leading by 11 runs at the end of the fifth (5th) inning or 9 runs at the end of the sixth (6th) inning will be declared the winner. This rule is in effect for both games.
Note: See playoff section for different run rule.
12. Rain Outs: Rained out games will be made up if possible. On attended fields, you must call the field to see if it is open and playable. If you receive no response, then proceed to the field. On unattended fields, the home team may cancel their games due to rain or an unplayable field by calling the visiting team manager and the Umpire in Chief 1 hour before game time. If not done at least 1 hour before game time, the Umpire at the game shall determine whether the field is playable. Once the game has begun only the Umpire may call a game off due to rain or an unplayable field. If both teams agree not to play because of an unplayable field, the games will be rescheduled, if possible. If a game is suspended due to rain and it is not official, the game will be resumed at the point of suspension at a later date, if necessary and if possible.
Field Tel #’s – usually avail between 7 – 7:30 am
North Hempstead/Tully Park – 739-3055
Manorhaven – 767 – 4618
Coes Neck – 868 – 8190
Baldwin – 546 – 2233
Newbridge – 783 – 2502
Caemmerer – 739 – 6740
Christopher Morley – 571-8113
Martin Reid - 338-2787
Note: Official game cancellations will be decided by 9:00PM Saturday evening via email. Please check the website as well. No phone calls will be made. If you do not receive the email by 9:00 PM Saturday evening, the game is played as scheduled – see above rainout rules.
13. Suspended games: If a game is ended because the field permit has expired, or rain begins, and 5 innings (4 1/2 if home team is ahead) has been completed -the game is considered official and ended. Tie games will be considered as 1/2 a Win and 1/2 a Loss and will not be re-played or completed at a later date. If game is not official, and beginning is not trivial, the game will pickup where it left off, if possible.
14. Softballs: Each team will supply one new Corker Clincher for each game. The Umpire will put in play a new ball in the top of the first inning and the other new ball in the bottom of the first inning. After the first inning the best ball, as determined by the Umpire will be used. If either of the 2 new balls used are lost or damaged, the Umpire may request that the teams supply used balls which are in good condition. Teams retain the balls which they supplied after the games.
15. Bases, Pitching Plate, Home Plate: The HOME team is responsible for supplying this equipment. If the Home team fails to do so, then the Visiting team must supply the missing equipment (Visiting team becomes the Home team for both games). If both teams fail to supply any item of this equipment the Umpire is empowered to call a Double Forfeit. Outfield line flags or stanchions (cones) are optional.
16. Scorebook: A scorebook will be supplied to each team. Each team is responsible for keeping his own teams' scorebook. These scorebooks are the property of the League and must be available for inspection if a protest is lodged.
17. Uniforms: All players in the field or at bat are expected to wear uniform shirts with the team name or logo preprinted on them.
18. Metal Spikes: No player may wear metal spikes. A player found to be wearing them will be required to remove them. No other penalty is applicable.
19. Designated Hitter Rule (D.H.): At the option of each Manager, and subject to the limitations contained in the balance of this Rule, teams may use a designated hitter in their batting order. Such designated hitter may hit for any one of the ten players who play defense for their team. The designated bitter may not change their batting position once the game has begun. A team may employ a designated hitter only in games when it has 11 or more players present. The designated hitter is permitted to replace the player he is hitting for and to play the defensive position in the field. The player who is being batted for is then removed permanently from the game and there is no longer a designated hitter.
20. Extra Hitter Rule (E.H.): The E.H. can be used with or without a D.H. At the option of each Manager teams may use an extra hitter in their batting order. The extra hitter may not change their batting position once the game has begun. A team may employ an extra hitter in games when it has 11 players present. The extra hitter may replace any player (except the non-batting player). There is no limit to the number of times an extra hitter can replace a player in the field. The player removed becomes the extra hitter (no change in batting order!) An extra hitter cannot replace a "designated hitter". If a team starts with 11 batters (using both a DH and EH) and is reduced to 10 or less for any reason (including injury or rejection), the missing player or players will be Declared Out when their turn at bat comes up. If a pinch hitter or pinch runner is used for an extra hitter that player becomes the extra hitter and the player that has been pinch hit or pinch run for is permanently removed from the game.
Note: We are now allowing a second E.H. to be used to promote more playing time. Same rules as above will apply to this second E.H.
21. Cub Rules: At the option of each manager, before each game, teams may employ Cub Rules which are defined as follows: Each team will designate their batting order, listing at least 11 men present. After the start of the game, additional players may be added at the end of the batting order only. NO PINCH HITTING PERMITTED! ! ! Batters may only be dropped from the batting order if they are severely injured during the game (Umpire discretion), ejected by the Umpire, or, have left the field permanently for the day. Unlimited substitution in the field for all batters in the batting order is permitted. No player may play the field who is not in the batting order including the pitcher. A player may appear in the batting order anywhere whether or not he plays defensively, either at the beginning or during the game. If a pitcher is removed because of 2 trips to the mound or if he is removed to the bench, he may not reenter the game as a pitcher for the remainder of the game. If he is removed and plays a defensive position, he may return as a pitcher. A pinch runner, if he is not already in the batting order, may replace a player in the batting order after he has entered the game as a pinch runner for that player. The player being run for is then out of the game for the remainder of the game. The Umpire has the final decision in any dispute regarding Cub Rules and his decision cannot be protested to the League.
22. Courtesy Runners: Two (2) courtesy runner is permitted by our league and must be announced prior to the game. Team managers can agree upon more than one (1) runner prior to the game. A courtesy runner may be added during the game for an injured player with the approval of the opposing manager. Last batted out must be employed.
23. Pitching Rule: Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, and does not play a defensive position in the field, he cannot return as a pitcher in that game. A pitcher who throws 2 illegal pitches in 1 game will be removed as a pitcher by the Umpire for the remainder of the game. He may play another position. If a pitcher throws 2 illegal pitches in any 2 games (different Umpires) or one or more illegal pitches on any 3 Sundays (different Umpires) he may be suspended as a pitcher for the remainder of the season.
Certain pitchers will only be allowed to pitch in the "A" Division. An email will be sent with the list of these pitchers. These pitchers will not be allowed to pitch in any cross-over games against "B" Division teams.
All new pitchers entering the League must be approved by the League. The Board of Directors will look at a combination of the level and quality of the pitcher and how he complies with the ASA modified pitching rules in the ASA rule book provided.
24. MISCELLANEOUS RULES:
A. No wagering or betting on the outcome of any League game is permitted.
B. Drugs, Alcoholic beverages and other intoxicants are prohibited at all playing
fields used by our League. Violators should be reported to the League and the
League will determine appropriate disciplinary action if a violation of this rule is
found.
C. Batter is out when he appears in the batter's box with an altered or illegal bat.
Umpires' decisions on altered or illegal bats can not be protested!!! See list of illegal bats attached.
D. On a pickoff attempt by the catcher, if the ball goes into dead territory, either
directly or by deflection, the base runners advance only 1 base.
E. After a pitch is thrown to the batter and is not hit, the ball is dead. The ball
becomes alive only when there is a pickoff attempt.
F. Any player suspended from any ASA League will also be suspended from our
League until such suspension is removed.
G. A batter hit by a pitched ball will not take his base.
H. On a pickoff attempt a tag is not required.
I. The re-entry rule as described in the A.S.A. Rulebook will not be permitted.
J. Stealing is not permitted.
K. If a pitcher starts his motion and fails to release the ball, the ball is dead and not
considered an illegal pitch.
L. The Pete Rose rule will be strictly enforced. For a description see the A.S.A.
Rulebook. Offenders will be severely dealt with by the Board of Directors.
M. If 2 Umpires are scheduled and one does not show, the teams are required to play.
If no Umpire shows, teams are not required to play. Games will be made up if possible.
N. Batter is out if he deliberately attempts to "bunt" or "chop-down" on the ball (in
judgment of Umpire).
25. Forfeits: Any team forfeiting 1 or 2 games on any 2 Sundays may be dropped from the League and all of its remaining games will be forfeited. No refunds will be given.
26. Disputes with Umpire: On any discussion or dispute, only the team Manager or Captain will be allowed to discuss the matter with the Umpire. Any player or Manager causing any physical contact with an Umpire will be suspended or expelled from the League. An Umpire may forfeit any games due to conduct un-befitting a player or Manager. An Umpire may eject a player, or players, for any unsportsmanlike conduct or actions. The player or Manager involved may be suspended or expelled from the League. A Manager will be held responsible for the actions of this player(s) if he fails to try to control their actions at any time during the course of the game.
27. Protests: Protests must be made to the Umpire immediately and before the next pitch. The protesting team Manager should sign the opposing team's scorebook at the time of the protest. The Umpire should sign both scorebooks. In order for the League to consider a protest, the Manager must make an attempt to show the Umpire a copy of the League Rules and Regulations which applies. If the protest involves the A.S.A.
Rulebook, the Manager must have a copy at the field. The protest must be submitted to the League, in writing, within 3 days following the game. Afee of $10 must be sent in with the protest. The fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld. A determination of all protests will be made by the Protest Committee within a reasonable time. No telephone calls should be made to any member of the protest Committee to influence his decision.
Acknowledgement Page
I have received the following from the Nassau Semi-Fast Softball, Inc.
1. 2013 Rules and Regulations
2. Illegal Bat List
3. Field Permits to follow
4. ASA Rule Book
5. Score Book
6. 36 Corker Clinchers
7. Amateur Adult Athletic Waiver And Release of Liability Roster and Form
(See Below – Waiver Roster)
With respect to the Waiver Roster, I understand that it is my responsibility as team manager or representative to have all of our current team members and those to be added during the season, complete and sign this Waiver Roster and return to League Commissioner by 4/30/13. If the Waiver Roster is not returned by 4/30/13, I understand that my team’s games will be forfeited.
I also understand it is my responsibility to submit either a revised team Waiver Roster or an individual Waiver Roster form as new players are added to my team. I will have the player sign said form prior to playing his first game and submit to league official to be eligible to play the next week.
_______________________________________ ___________________
Signature Date
________________________________________
Team Name
Anthony D. Mendolia, League Commissioner and President Nassau Semi-Fast Softball, Inc. (contact via email amendolia4@optimum.net or cell 917-299-2140)
