Inclement Weather Conditions Procedure

In the event that weather will be a factor and make a scheduled game unplayable, the following procedure are to be followed by the Home Team.

1) Consult with the other Team Manager/Coach to agree that the game is unplayable due to unsafe playing conditions.

2) Contact the Umpire Assignor to confirm the game will be re-scheduled 2 hours before game time.           

3) In the event that the game is not canceled 2 hours before the scheduled game time, and is not played, the Home Team is responsible to pay the obligated umpire fees for that game.

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HRM Field Status for Weather

To find out if fields will be open for play due to rain, please view this link to see field status.  HP Eisenhower a natural soil field which may close for play while artificial playing surfaces can remain open.  Typically the field status will be updated by HRM bewteen 2pm and 4pm.

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Banned Bat List

Click here to view the banned bat list

Legal Bat Stamps

Stamps we use : ISF 2005. ASA 2000 and ASA 2004

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Constitution - Hammonds Plains - Bedford Orthodox/Softball League

ARTICLE 1. NAME

1.1 The name of the league shall be the Hammonds Plains - Bedford Softball League, hereafter referred to as the “League”.

ARTICLE 2 . AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 To provide an organized environment for members of the League to play softball.
2.2 To provide members of the League a means of obtaining exercise in a pleasurable way.

ARTICLE 3 . POLICIES

3.1 The policies of the League shall be non-commercial, non-political, non-sectarian and non-racial.

ARTICLE 4 . MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Teams may be added to the League by a two vote majority of the Executive Committee.
4.2 Teams may be dropped from the League by a two vote majority of the Executive Committee.
4.3 A list of teams, in order of application date, seeking entry into the League shall be kept.
4.4 All new teams entering the League shall be on probation for the first season.

ARTICLE 5 . EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

5.1 THE Executive Committee shall consist of one member of each team belonging to the League. The President may be appointed as a non-team member.
5.2 Each team is responsible for selecting their representative for the Executive Committee.
5.3 Each team is responsible for sending an alternate to Executive Committee meetings if their primary representative is unable to attend.

ARTICLE 6 . OFFICERS

6.1 The officers of the League shall be as follows:
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director of Umpire & Rules

6.2 Officers are elected or appointed by members of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 7 . DUTIES OF OFFICERS

7.1 The President, under the direction of the Executive Committee shall :

1. Preside as chairperson at all meetings of the League and the Executive Committee.
2. Supervise the general management of the affairs of the League.
3. Assume the position of Director of Umpires and Rules.
4. Perform duties incidental to the office.

7.2 The Vice-President shall :

1. In the absence of the President, preside as chairperson at all meetings of the League and the Executive Committee.
2. Perform the duties of the President during his absence or disability.
3. Perform duties assigned by the President or Executive Committee.

7.3 The Secretary shall :

1. Perform the functions and duties required by the League or Executive Committee.
2. Prepare and maintain custody of the minutes of all meetings of the League and the Executive Committee, and records of the League, except financial records.
3. Prepare and maintain team standings as the results of games played.
4. The team coach or captain shall phone in the results.

7.4 The Treasurer shall :

1. Be responsible for the care and custody of funds and assets of the League, according to normal practice.
2. Prepare and maintain custody of the financial records of the League.
3. Present a statement of the financial position of the League at the first Executive Committee meeting of the year.
4. Ensure payments to the Umpire’s Association and Halifax Regional Municipality are made according to the agreements.
5. Ensure any fines to teams and/or players levied by the League are paid on time.

7.5 The Director of Umpires and Rules shall :

1. Act as liaison with the Umpire’s Association.
2. Ensure any suspensions to teams and/or players are complied with.

ARTICLE 8 . TERMS OF OFFICE

8.1 The term of office for team representatives on the Executive Committee shall be according to the teams discretion.
8.2 The term of office for Officers of the League shall be for one year.
8.3 Officers of the League are eligible for re-election for unlimited successive years.
8.4 The term of office shall be from May 1 to April 30.

ARTICLE 9 . ELECTION OF OFFICERS

9.1 Election of Officers shall take place during the first meeting of the year ( usually the end of April ) by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 10 . MEETINGS

10.1 At least one Executive Committee meeting per year is required.
10.2 Usually the President will call meetings and advise the Executive Committee members, however any Executive Committee member can call meetings.
10.3 Any member can, through their Executive Committee member ask the Executive Committee to consider calling a general meeting.
10.4 Decisions will be based on achieving a majority vote of members
10.5 A quorum is required before an Executive Committee meeting can be held.

ARTICLE 11 . FINANCES

11.1 The fiscal year of the League shall be from May 1 to April 30.
11.2 Dues for member teams shall be set by the Executive Committee at any Executive Committee meeting.
11.3 Dues are to be paid in two (2) installments, half of the dues before the season starts, and the remaining half by July 1 unless otherwise modified by the Executive Committee.
11.4 Any team that does not comply with Article 11.3, shall be suspended from play until dues are paid.
11.5 Funds over and above the League expenses for the current year shall be carried over to the next year.
11.6 The Treasurer shall hold in trust all funds of the League.
11.7 The Executive Committee shall have the power to expend the funds of the League in accordance with the objectives of the League.
11.8 All cheques shall require the signature of the Treasurer or President.
11.9 Receipts must be given for all expenses where possible.

ARTICLE 12 . UNIFORMS

12.1 Uniform colors for teams may require approval by the Executive Committee.
12.2 Uniforms shall consist of matching jersey if possible.

ARTICLE 13 . RULES

13.1 Current Canada Softball Association rules are if effect, with the following changes.
13.2 Players must be a minimum of 25 years of age by Dec 31 to play in the League with the exception of two (2) players per team 19 years of age or over by Dec 31.
13.3 Rosters must be submitted, with proof of age if requested, to the Secretary by July 1. Failure to comply will result in the offending team(s) being suspended from play until roster is submitted.
13.4 All games shall be seven (7) innings.
13.5 Five full innings shall constitute a complete game.
13.6 A team that scores five (5) runs in one (1) inning, shall take the field regardless of the number of outs. The last inning is an open inning and the number of runs that can be scored is limitless.
13.7 The game will be called if one team is ahead by ten (10) runs after five (5) complete innings.
13.8 Ten (10) players are used in the field.
13.9 Seven (7) players constitute a legal team.
13.10 A team failing to meet Article 13.9 shall be fined any costs incurred by the League.
13.11 A player must be present before the end of the third inning or before the team bats through their lineup in order to be inserted at the end of the batting order.
The only way a player can be inserted into the lineup after the third inning or when the team has already been through their batting order is as a substitute. A player is taken out of the game and the substitute takes his place in the batting order.
13.12 Batting lineups containing both the starting lineup and the list of substitute players will be exchanged between both teams at home plate meeting prior to the start of the ballgame.
13.13 Unlimited substitution is allowed. Once a player has been substituted, he can not re-enter the game. Pitchers are exempt from this rule.
13.14 The only courtesy runner permitted is to replace a catcher who is on base with 2 outs in the inning. The courtesy runner shall be the player who was the last official out. Any other runners that are replaced are deemed to have been substituted for and cannot re-enter the game as per section 13.13
13.15 Stealing is allowed once the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
13.16 Bunting is not permitted.
13.17 The batter is not permitted to run on a dropped third strike.
13.18 Metal cleats are not permitted.
13.19 Catchers must wear an approved helmet when catching.
13.20 A commitment line is in place 1/3 of the distance from home plate on the 3rd baseline. When a runner breaks the plane of the commitment line, he is committed to continue to home plate and a force play is in effect. The catcher must touch the plate and is not permitted to tag the runner. The runner must not make intentional contact with the catcher

13.21 Orthodox pitching as per the Softball Canada & Softball Nova Scotia definition is in effect. No lob ball, slow pitch, sling shot, modified softball, half whip or whip pitching is allowed.

The Hammonds Plains Orthodox league emphasises the importance of the following:

•       At no time can the arm/wrist come in contact with the waist or hip.
•       The arm must remain in a straight locked position throughout the delivery when using the bowling style. When using the figure eight style, the elbow can bend as long as the ball stays inside the  elbow.
•       The ball can never be outside the pitchers wrist at the top of the backswing or at any point during the forward motion, whether the palm is facing upward or downward.
•       No snapping of the wrist when using the bowling style due to the ball being outside the wrist. When using the figure eight or bowling style and a backspin is thrown, there can be a snap at the wrist.
•       Starting the delivery, your hips must be square to the plate. If there is any rotation of the hips at any point during the backswing, the hips must be back to square when the ball passes the hip during the forward motion.

13.22 The official ball for the League will be decided by a majority of the Executive Committee at the beginning of each season.13.23 In the event that a game is tied after seven (7) innings, the game will continue until a winner is decided or the game is called because of darkness or other weather conditions. The outcome of a called game will be the result of the last complete inning. If the game remains tied, both teams receive one (1) point.
13.24 Once a game starts it can be cancelled only by the umpire at the playing field.
13.25 Any player ejected from a game is suspended for a minimum of one game for the first offence. The Executive Committee will review each case to determine if further disciplinary action is required. The suspension shall be for the first game played following the offence.
13.26 Any player ejected from games more than once shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee to determine what disciplinary action will be taken.
13.27 Any player who strikes an umpire or another player shall be ejected from the League.
13.28 Any suspended player who plays in a scheduled League game while suspended shall be ineligible for the playoffs. The suspended player’s team shall forfeit the game the suspended player plays in.
13.29 Suspensions will carry over to playoff games.
13.30 In order for players to be eligible for the playoffs they must have played in at least one-third (1/3) of their teams eligible games.
13.31 In order for bats to be of legal use in the League, they must have an ASA (Amateur Softball Association) stamp on them AND not be on the banned bat list. The banned bat list will be distributed to members at the start of each season and updated periodically if necessary

ARTICLE 14 . AMENDMENTS

14.1 Amendments to the constitution may be made by the Executive Committee at any Executive Committee meeting.
14.2 Amendments to the constitution require a majority vote by members.
14.3 All new teams entering the league shall be on probation for their first season.
14.5 All base runners and batters must wear Softball Nova Scotia approved batting helmets. (Flaps covering both ears)

END