WESTBORO MEN’S SOFTBALL

LEAGUE RULES

UPDATED 4/20/2016

1. Each game will consist of nine (9) innings and ten (10) players in the field.  A team is required to have nine (9) players to start and finish a game or else the team will be forced to forfeit.  

2. There will be a grace period of twenty (20) minutes at the start of a game.  If a team cannot field the required number of players, then the umpire will declare the game a forfeit.  This declaration is made when the twenty (20) minute grace period ends.  

3. The total number of players on a team’s roster cannot exceed twenty-four (24) players.  Players must be eighteen (18) years of age to be eligible to play.  

4. Open roster until the first game.  After the first game, no additions are authorized.  League will meet at mid-season (date to be decided) at which time, due to excessive injuries or any other legitimate reason, the league can vote to allow to add player(s) to a team’s roster.  New players must provide proof of residence to the Commissioner unless they quality for the 20% out of town exception rule.  

5. The entry fee for each team is due by the first game of the season.  Teams will be allowed a one week grace period.  Failure to pay at the time unless an agreement with the league commissioner will result in the team being excluded from league play.  

6. No metal spikes are allowed.

7.  Sliding is allowed.  However, no deliberate take-out slides are allowed.  A player may elect to slide feet first.  Rule of first contact applies whether runner is ssafe even if the bag is dislodged.  If runner slides head first, then he must maintain contact with the bag.  The runner must avoid collisions and must either slide into the base or surrender for the out if a play is being made at the base.  The fielder may not block the base or the base path without possession of the ball.  A fake tag which impedes the runner or causes the runner to slide, the fielder is subject to ejection.  SLIDE OR AVOID.

8.   There is free substitution in the field (including the pitcher).  

9.   Everyone bats in a set order even if a player is not playing in the field.  Late arriving players must be put at the end of the order once a game has started.  Home team taking the field for warm-ups is considered to be the “start” of the game – not a first pitch.  A player can opt to be at the game, but not play or bat.

10. At the request of the manager before the game, a courtesy runner may be requested for an injured player.  If a player is hurt during the game, a courtesy runner can be requested at that time.  The courtesy runner will be the previous batter who made an out (last out – batted or based).  Just to clear up the runner rule the runner can advance past first, but they have to continue running and can't take a pinch runner. But if they want to use a runner they have to stop at first.

10. Only the manager can discuss calls with the umpire.  A protest must be lodged at the time of the disputed call – based on the rule of play.  Judgment calls are not subject to a protest.  

11. There will be no abuse of the umpires by players or spectators.  At the first offense (unless flagrant), the player will be given a verbal warning.  The manager will also be informed.  At the second offense during the game, the player will be ejected.  Suspension from the following game depends on the cause of the ejection and the judgment by the league and the commissioner.

12. No extreme language is to be used.  Umpire will warn the bench and call the game if it continues with the offending team forfeiting the game.  

13. The official game is 5 innings or 4.5 if the home team is winning.  

14. If one team leads the other by 15 runs or more after 6 innings, then the game will be stopped and the leading team declared the winner.  If the home team is losing, they are entitled to their at bats.  

15. In the event of a light failure, the game will be continued where it was left off at the next open make-up date

1. Amendment (May 14th, 2012) – due to weather suspension, if the game is not a complete game, it will be continued at the suspended point as voted by the league.

16. A base runner may leave the base when the ball crosses the plate or the batter has swung at the pitch.  

17. The minimum arc of each pitch will be six (6) feet and the maximum arc will be fourteen (14) feet.  In the interest of accelerating the game, an expanded strike zone will be called at the judgment of the umpire up to a width of a softball either side of the plate.  The distance from the pitching rubber to home plate will continue to be 55’ for the safety of the pitcher.  

18. Players wishing to change teams must sit out a year before joining a new team or there must be a mutual agreement by both managers on the change.  

19. All games will be played with a restricted flight ball (White Dudley’s).  

20. Two opposing managers may agree to postpone one scheduled game only up to 48 hours before the game.  It is the team’s responsibility to advise the league commissioner and the umpire.  A date for the rescheduled game must be made within one (1) week or the league commissioner will determine a new date.    

21. Playoff games will be a best-of-three first round and best-of-five championship round.  Only top four teams will make the playoffs.

26. Field maintenance is the responsibility of both teams playing including cleanup around the bench areas after the game.  

27. All new players must be town residents unless previously grandfathered.  A Westborough resident playing in the league who moves out of Westborough will be allowed to continue to play in the league.  If, however, a player no longer living in Westborough does not play in a given year, his eligibility ends (unless injured).  In 2004, the Recreation Department ruled that a 20% rule would be in effect which would allow a maximum of six (6) out of town players for each team.  However, teams that would qualify to add an additional out of town player would be allowed to add only one out of town player per year.  Teams with more than four (4) grandfathered players cannot add any additional players until they reach three (3) out of towners.  

28. The pitcher only has to keep his foot in contact with the rubber at the “start” of the pitch to be a legal pitch.

29. Roster Management/Playoff Eligibility – players must play in AT LEAST 10 regular season games to be eligible for playoffs.  We will be tracking attendance this year as a result and I expect each manager to send me a photo of their scorebook at the completion of each game, so I can track games played….of course, if guys are injured, we can have an ‘injury hardship’ clause and those playoff eligibligibiles must be approved by me, the Commissioner.

30. The playing field rules and “out of bounds” have been changed.

1. From the second lightpost and IN…a ball will be considered ‘out of play’ if hit to the left/right of the poles.

1. If a ball is caught IN play and carried out of bounds, there will be NO runner advancement.

b.      From the second lightpost and OUT…every ball is considered ‘in play’.

31. The league has established bases to be at 70’.

1. On June 1st, it will be determined if a player is in “need” or in “want” of additional players.  

1. If deemed a “want” issue, then players will be added to a draft pool.

1. Draft order determined by reverse order of standings as of June 1st.  

2. If deemed a “need” issue, then players will be added to the respective roster.  

2. 1-1 count – ONE foul ball on 2 strikes is allowed.  A second foul ball on 2 strikes will be an out.  

3. 5 home run limit – a 5 homerun (over the fence!) limit has been established.  Any subsequent ball hit over the fence (6th +) will result in a double and runners moving appropriate number of bases (will be treated as ground-rule double)

The Official WMSL Bat Policy

On April 21st, 2015, the WMSL purchased a G4 SSL Bat Tester to determine the legality of any aluminum and composite bat.  (http://barrelcompression.com/home.html)  .  This device tests the legality/illegality of a bat.  It does NOT test HOW it became legal/illegal.  It cannot determine if a bat was altered in any way, shape, or form.  It can only determine the usability.  

Before the first game of each season (beginning with the 2015 season), each and every bat from each team’s arsenal will be tested using the compression device.  If a bat passes the compression test, then it will be stickered with a serial number and logged in the league’s “Bat Handbook & Registration”.

If a bat fails the compression test, then it will NOT be stickered and will be disallowed from any league competition.  This bat will be considered “illegal”.  This does not necessarily mean a bat has been altered/tampered/doctored.  It means that the compression fibers in the bat have become broken down to the point that the ball is now coming off the barrel harder/faster and the bat is considered “hot” (like Sam Lloyd).  

Bats will be tested once a year (before the first game).  If a bat passes the compression test at the beginning of the season, then the bat will be approved and ruled “legal” for the duration of the season.  That bat will be measured once again in the subsequent season.

If an “illegal” bat is found to have been used, the finding must happen at that exact instance.  For example, if a team has used a bat throughout a game and the “illegality” of the bat is found late in the game, it is only at that instant that a ruling/judgment/punishment will occur.  If a hitter is found to have used an “illegal” bat, the batter is out and runners will return to their previous base – essentially will be considered a “dead ball”.  

Any new bats purchased during the season must be tested and approved as “legal” prior to using in league competition.  NO EXCUSES.