RULES & REGULATIONS

A.  ELIGIBILITY
1.  Teams shall have a roster limited to 25 men or less.
2.  Team personnel going into military service may be replaced at any time through specified procedures for changing rosters.
3.  Original rosters, which are due prior to opening day, may be changed at any time up to and including the calendar date for the end of the first half. This must be done by emailing the Commissioner. A player must play with one CMSL team only.
4.  Rosters will be final at the calendar date for the end of the first half.
5.  A team using a player(s) not registered with the league will cause the game(s) in which the said player participates in to be automatically forfeited.
6.  Players must be male and 18 years of age or older.
7.  All players under suspension from a league in other communities cannot participate in the Clark Men's Softball League.

B.  GAME RULES
1.  All games, except where abridged or amended by these rules, will be governed by the official rules, USSSA sanctioned.
2.  Ground rules for all fields will be established by the Executive Committee prior to opening day. The safety factor should be considered in the setting of all ground rules.
3.  Ground rules will be reviewed by the team managers in the presence of the umpire prior to start of each game.
4.  Balls & Strikes- will be called by the umpires using a mat behind home plate. Home plate and the black around it will be considered a strike. The mat behind home plate will also be a strike.

C.  ENTRY FEES
1.  Entry fees are based solely on the anticipated costs of operating the league. This includes umpires, forfeit fees, awards and equipment.
2.  The entry fee must be paid in full prior to the start of the season. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting the game or games until said fee is paid in full.

D.  EQUIPMENT
1.  All teams must supply their own practice balls and CMSL league approved bats.  See:  http://www.leaguelineup.com/miscinfo.asp?menuid=32&url=cmsl&sid=636377189
2.  All teams must supply their own bases (movable) and 2 large orange traffic cones for outfield foul line markers.
3.  The home team will supply a new game ball and will be responsible for setting up the field for game play.
4.  The visiting team will supply a good back-up ball.
5.  As of 2015, official league balls will be Trump (red stitch).
6.  Team uniform shirts are mandatory with sponsor or team name. No cutoff jeans, swim trunks or tank tops will be allowed.
7.  All players must be completely clothed. Uniforms must be worn at all times.
8.  Bats must have approval stamped on them. Bats must be A.S.A approved. Umpires have the right to eliminate any piece of equipment he/she deems defective or dangerous.
9.  Metal cleats are not permitted.  If a player is wearing metal cleats, he will be given ample opportunity to change before stepping into the batter's box.  If a player enters the batter's box while wearing metal spikes, the opposing team will be awarded an automatic out.  Player can not re-enter the game until cleats are changed.  All players must be wearing proper footwear at all times. 
10.  Failure of a team to field at least 8 players with a team shirt in a regular season game will result in a $25 fine for the team manager.  Failure of a team to field at least 8 players with a team shirt in a playoff game will result in a forfeit.
 
E.  OFFICIALS
1.  All home officials shall be selected, approved and assigned by the league and may not be removed from their assignments.
2.  Should the assigned officials not report for a game, the team managers should try to select an official who meets the satisfaction of both managers. If teams are unable to agree on a substitute official, the scheduled game should be postponed and rescheduled at a later date. The Commissioner must be contacted in either case.
       a. If a substitute official is agreed upon, the use of that person cannot be protested at a later date.
3.  The assigned umpire is the official league representative at the game.
4.  Abusive language or physical contact, if proved intentional, will result in the suspension of the player(s) involved.  Additional discipline, which may include additional game suspensions or league dismissal, will be evaluated by CMSL Board of Directors.

5. Player Ejection: AS OF MAY 17, 2015:  If a player is ejected from a game and it is reported by the umpire:  

• Both managers and the umpire will be required to submit an e-mail to the league President describing the situation.
• Each individual will be questioned, then a decision will be made if a suspension is warranted.  
• If a suspension is warranted, the length of the suspension will be determined by the league president or case-specific governing CMSL board member.
• If a player is suspended from the league, he will be required to appear before the league president and board members to apply for reinstatement.

6.  The umpire should be familiar with USSSA rules and all CMSL By-Laws.
7.  The umpire fee will be decided upon prior to the season opening.  If a game is canceled before the first pitch is thrown (at the field), the umpire will receive 1/2 of his fee.

F.  POSTPONED GAMES
1.  Only inclement weather or extreme circumstances will cause a game to be postponed.
2.  In the event of inclement weather, game information will be sent out by a board member via text prior to 5:00 PM.  Information may also be posted on CMSL website. If you have not received a notification, assume the game will played as scheduled.  After 5:00 PM, it will be the umpires decision at the field whether or not the field will allow safe play.
3.  If your game is postponed during the week, be prepared to play the next open night available - including Fridays.
 
G.  PROTESTED GAMES
1.  The protest committee shall consist of the Commissioner, The Board of Directors and 1 USSSA official.
2.  No protests of judgment calls will be allowed.
3.  No protests will be valid unless it is made clear to the umpire that the protest is being lodged. The umpire must publicly announce it, with the umpire and manager contacting the Commissioner as soon as possible.
4.  There will be a $25 fee for filing a protest. If the protest is lost, the fee will be deposited in the leagues account. If the protest is upheld, the fee will be returned.
5.  Only registered captains and managers may file a formal protest.
6.  The league strongly urges that only one representative report for discussions.

H.  FORFEITS
1.  A forfeit will result in the team involved paying a $25 forfeit fee. A forfeit eliminates a team from further play until said fee is paid in full. Three forfeits will result in elimination from the league.
2.  The team forfeited upon must immediately notify the Commissioner. The team forfeited upon will get a win with a score of 7-0.
3.  If teams can not play on a specified day, it is their responsibility to contact the opposing team's manager and the Commissioner within 24 hours of scheduled games time, to avoid a forfeit.

 
I.  SUBSTITUTIONS
1.  Players can be substituted at any time during the game.
2.  Once a starter is substituted for (including the EH) he can return to active play once later in the game, providing he assumes the same batting position as before leaving the game.  If a substitute is removed from the game, he can not re-enter.

J.  EXTRA HITTERS
1.  The EH may act as an 11th or 12th player in the lineup to bat. All fielders must bat.
2.  The EH may bat at any place in the batting order.
3.  If you start a game with an EH, you must finish with the EH.
4.  The EH can become a fielder at any time during the game providing his batting position remains the same. The fielder who is replaced by the EH can become the EH or leave the game with a new player assuming the EH role.

K.  MANAGERIAL DUTIES
1.  The home team manager is responsible for laying out the field (bases and mat) and for providing a new game ball (given by the league).
2.  The visiting team manager must supply a good back up ball.
3.  Managers must contact the umpire and opposing team manager regarding position changes and substitutions. If changes are to be made during an inning, a "time out" must be called.
4.  Managers or a team representative are required to discuss the ground rules and review the line up with the umpire and opposing team manager prior to game time.
5.  Managers or a team representative are required to attend all meetings. Failure to do so will result in a $10 fine for the team's manager.
6.  Managers must have their league fee and rosters submitted before the season begins.
7.  Managers have the right to question the eligibilty of a player as per section IIA-eligibility.
8.  Managers must contact the Commissioner and inform him of all roster changes.
9.  Winning team managers will report the score of his game along with the umpires name to the league.  This can be done by logging into the website (all teams will receive a log-in and password) and entering the score. Failure to do so will result in a $10 fine for the team manager.

L.  SEASONAL STRUCTURE
1.  Opening day for the season will be the 3rd Monday in April. However, this could change due to daylight savings time changes.
2.  As of 2018,  there will be 10 teams comprised of 1 division. Each team will play a total of 18 games, 2 games vs. each team.
 
M.  COURTESY RUNNERS
1.  Each team is allowed 3 players to have courtesy runners for the entire game.
2.  If a player starts the game with a courtesy runner, he must finish the game with a courtesy runner.
3.  Courtesy runners will be the last batted out.
4.  Umpires must be notified prior to the game of which players will have courtesy runners.
5.  When a player is at bat and requires a courtesy runner, the batter can only advance to first base. No matter how far the ball is hit, the batter is only allowed a single. He will be allowed second base on an overthrow.

N.  MISCELLANEOUS RULES AND POINTS OF INTEREST 
1.  Game time starts at 6:30 PM sharp (6:15 PM for doubleheaders). Teams unable to field a team of at least 8 men by 6:40 PM (6:30 PM for doubleheaders) will forfeit the game (unless an agreement to further delay the start time is reached by the managers....SINGLE GAMES ONLY). 6:30 PM is a mandatory start time for doubleheaders (not negotiable)!!! First game of doubleheaders will have a 55 minute time limit with no new inning starting after that 55th minute unless the game is tied (and the game being tied is the ONLY reason the game can continue after the 55th minute)!!!
2.  If you start with 8 players, you may add a 9th and/or 10th, 11th, 12th player until the 3rd inning. After the 3rd inning has been completed, no additional players can be added.
3.  All games will be scheduled for 7 innings. The 15 run rule after 4.5 innings will apply to all league games, including playoffs.
4.  NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR SMOKING ARE PERMITTED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS AT ANY TIME!
5.  Ample notice must be given by a team who cannot play a rescheduled game date.
6.  A player must have seen action in a minimum of 6 regular season games to be eligible for post season play.
7.  NO BARRELING INTO THE CATCHER IS ALLOWED! If the catcher already has the ball in his glove at home plate, the runner must slide or give himself up.
8.  NEW FOR 2015:  Home plate and the mat will be considered one base for the purposes of scoring a run.  The base-runner may elect to touch either when scoring a run.  If the mat moves, the run will count at the umpire's discretion based on where he/she presumed the mat would have been.
9.  If a catcher catches a foul tip off the bat, the batter will automatically be deemed out on the play.  There are no height requirements for this rule.
10.  If a foul ball is caught on a 3rd strike, the baserunners have the right to advance at their own risk.
11.  NEW FOR 2017: a double (white/orange) first base (safety base) will be mandatory to be used in every game. It will be treated as a separate base from home to first base (fielder gets the white part of base and runner gets the orange part of base). It will be treated as ONE singular base for any other plaly. Both the runner and the fielder have equal right to both sides of the base except when the play is home to first base.
12.  Team managers are responsible for their players conduct. When the game is completed, both team managers are responsible for cleaning up their area.
 
O.  GROUND RULES FOR ALL FIELDS
1.  Following is a list of rules to be followed at all three fields. Specific boundaries will be established at home plate prior to the start of each game between the umpire and team managers.
2.  All batted or thrown balls are alive and in play except specified below as being dead, interfered with or obstructed.

RULE #1:  A "no play" call by the umpire signals a "dead ball", whether caught or missed by a fielder. It counts as a foul ball strike on the batter. On K-2 and K-3 there are tree limbs that go into fair territory, if the ball hits a tree in fair territory then the play becomes a "no pitch" or "do over" and will be replayed regardless if the fielder catches it.  If the ball hits the tree limbs in foul territory then it will be called a foul strike on the batter. A fielder cannot catch a ball off a tree in foul or fair territory.

RULE #2:  On all dead ball calls dealing with overthrows, the runners are awarded 2 bases from start of play, except on throws from the outfield, then USSSA rules are enforced, 2 bases at time of overthrow.

RULE #3:  "Fair balls" bouncing into "dead ball" areas and back into the field of play are to be played out.

RULE #4:  All balls are dead at all fields if they travel over, under or behind the backstop fence.

RULE #5:  If a batted ball travels into any "dead ball" areas, the umpire reserves the right to call "no play" if he feels the fielder may cause injury to himself or others pursuing the ball.

RULE #6:  If a fielder carries a caught ball from fair territory into a "dead ball" area, the umpire calls "dead ball" and the runner(s) advance 1 base.

RULE #7:  Interference: Ball is dead when the umpire feels that the course of normal play has been hampered by a fan or obstruction. Bases will be awarded by the umpires judgment.