NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SOFTBALL LEAGUE
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS
&
LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO ASA RULES
MISSION: to honor God by being a witness for Christ to all who play and watch the games and in the communities in which we play those games.
PURPOSE: to allow players to use their God-given physical talents in competition while also coming together in community, building relationships, and encouraging each other to grow in their spiritual lives.
ELIGIBILITY:
1. Players must be MEN, 16 or older as of the day the league commences.
2. Players (including returning players) MUST sign a liability waiver PRIOR to their first game. Players under 18 require a parent/guardian signature as well. Coaches are responsible for having forms signed and can be asked to produce waivers at any point throughout the season (create a file and keep it with you, also have extras on hand for new players).
3. Players should play in at least two (2) games (separate days) to be eligible to play in the playoffs. This is not easily enforced by the league, so coaches are asked to have integrity when creating their playoff rosters (i.e. don’t stack your team with ringers). If you know you will be short at tourney time, try to have potential subs participate during the season.
CLOTHING/APPAREL/EQUIPMENT:
1. Shirt and Shoes are required at all times.
2. Metal spikes will not be permitted.
3. League balls will be provided.
4. All bats should be ASA/USA certified and approved.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
1. Mangers/Coaches will be responsible for the conduct of their players and fans.
2. Use of foul language is not permitted and offending players will be subject to the following:
· 1st Offense: warning from the umpire.
· 2nd Offense: immediate dismissal from that game and a report to the League Director.
· Further disciplinary action could be warranted, up to and including, dismissal from games for the remainder of season, to include playoffs.
3. Arguing with umpire(s) will not be tolerated. Only COACHES are allowed to discuss calls with the umpire. The umpire will decide when the discussion shall end. This assumes that the umpire (being a player on the opposing team) understands that he is also accountable for his behavior. Coaches should report any exceedingly poor sportsmanship and/or player ejections to the League Director. Appropriate action will be taken to ensure there are not repeated incidents.
4. Verbal abuse and/or physical roughness of any umpire or player is not permitted and will be subject to the following:
· 1st Offense: immediate dismissal from the game and a report to the League Director. Upon review of the situation, further disciplinary action could be warranted.
· 2nd Offense: dismissal from the league.
5. A player ejected from two games will be dismissed for the remainder of the season to, include playoffs.
6. No alcoholic beverages or tobacco products will be permitted at any field location or in parking lots thereof. Any player having consumed alcohol prior to a game can be asked to not participate in that game. Any spectator in violation of this rule will be asked to leave the immediate premises. NOTE: This is not an attack on your views regarding alcohol or tobacco use, but rather simply does NOT coincide with the direct mission of the league and is also in direct contradiction to policies of the churches that provide league fields.
PRE-GAME:
1. Each double-header should start and end with a prayer. Coaches should ensure this is occurring. This is an outflow of league’s mission and purpose and serves to remind the players of our desire to compete for the glory of God.
2. There is a 15 minute warm up period for each team prior to the first game of the double-header ONLY (Home – 6:00-6:15 & Visitors – 6:15-6:30). Please do not infringe on others warm up time.
3. Games start at 6:30PM; however, there is a 15 minute grace period for the 1st game only.
4. All ground rules should be determined PRIOR to the start of the first game (i.e. home runs, ground rule doubles, out of play, etc.).
THE GAME:
1. The first team listed on the schedule is HOME for Game 1. This alternates for Game 2.
2. A team may start the game with eight (8) players without penalty. Less than eight players will result in an automatic forfeit. No “out” will be assessed for playing with less than 10 players. If starting with less than 10 players, additional players are allowed to join play as they arrive without penalty, but must be added to the END of the batting order.
3. If a team has less than 9 to start, the opposing team must supply a catcher, but they are to catch PITCHES ONLY. Once the ball is in play, the substitute catcher should clear the area so as to not interfere with any play.
4. All players on the team may be in the line-up, but this is not mandatory. If you bat your full
lineup, free substitution applies defensively. If you bat only 10, players may leave and re-enter the lineup, but they must bat in their original place in the order.
5. Any player (including the pitcher) may be replaced or reinstated at any point during the game.
6. Each team should supply an umpire during their ‘at bat’. All calls are final. Umpires are expected to be fair and consistent.
7. The distance from the front of the pitching rubber to the back tip of home plate should be 50’.
8. A legal pitch must reach a height of at least 6’ and not exceed 10’. A strike mat will be used to determine balls and strikes. If the ball hits any part of the mat, it is a strike. If it does not, it is a ball. To be consistent, this MUST be followed.
9. The pitcher may not argue with the umpire regarding balls and strikes; however, he may inquire about the placement of the ball (i.e. long, short, high, or low).
10. Batters begin with a 1-1 count.
11. A foul ball with two strikes results in a strike out. If the foul ball resulting in the strike out is fielded by any player, runners may advance at their own risk.
12. Bunting, intentional chopping, and stealing bases are illegal.
13. On a play at 1st base, runners MUST use the orange bag (if available) to help ensure player safety. Failure to do so will result in an out regardless of the actual result of the play. Conversely, if the defender covers utilizing the orange bag, the runner will be safe regardless of the actual result of the play. A runner rounding, or returning to, 1st base is not required to use the orange bag.
14. A team may pinch run once per inning FOR AN INJURED PLAYER. The pinch runner must be the last player to have made an ‘out’ for the injured player’s team.
15. On plays at home, a runner must either slide or avoid initiating contact with the catcher. If the runner does not slide and clearly initiates contact with the body of the catcher, he will be called out. Bottom line:
· Clear Runner Initiated Contact + NO Slide = OUT;
· The following are considered examples of contact initiated by the DEFENSIVE PLAYER and are therefore exempted from this rule:
· Defensive player putting on a tag;
· Defensive player sliding into the path of the runner in order to draw contact;
· Defensive player moving into the base path to get an errant throw.
· Contact + Slide = Result of the Play;
· No Contact = Result of the Play.
The League is trying to promote SAFE & SMART play. So, CATCHERS – Don’t block the plate. RUNNERS – When in doubt, miss the catcher and/or slide.
16. The infield fly rule is to be observed. The ASA definition of an infield fly is “a fair fly ball, not including a line drive, which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher with ordinary effort when first and second or first, second and third bases are occupied with less than two outs.”
17. All games will consist of 7 innings or one hour in length, whichever comes first. If the time limit is reached during an inning of play, that inning must be completed barring adverse conditions outlined below. Four (4) full innings constitutes a full game. A mutual agreement between the two coaches may cancel any further play due to adverse conditions (i.e. rain, lightening, darkness, or other unsafe conditions).
18. A run rule is to be observed. If a team has a lead of 25 or more runs after 3 innings, 20 after 4, or 15 runs after the 5 innings. The game will be deemed complete.
19. In the event of a tie at the end of either 7 innings or whichever inning is completed beyond the one hour time limit, the tie will be broken in the following manner (beginning with the visiting team):
· Begin with one (1) out;
· Begin with a runner on 2nd base. This should be the player that made the last out in the previous inning;
· The 1-1 count remains in effect
· Play until the tie is broken at the conclusion of an inning.
CO-ED ADAPTATIONS TO RULES IN ‘THE GAME’ SECTION:
- There will be at least 3 females per team on the field at all times. There is no requirement where the females must play at this time.
- The batting line-up will consist of alternating male-female. Because only 3 females are required to field a team, teams may place 2 males between each female. If there are not enough females to keep 2 males between each female, the females must be rotated through the line-up to keep the 2 males to 1 female ratio.
- If a pitcher walks a male and there are already 2 outs, the female coming up to bat next has the option to bat or take a walk. If the female chooses to bat, the runner on first does not automatically advance to 2nd.
ADVERSE WEATHER:
1. Coaches should assess the threat of lighting and weather at the start of the game. If lightning is present, the game should be called. Coaches may wait 15 minutes for passing storms then re-assess playing conditions.
2. Playoffs (if using 3rd party umpires): The umpire shall hold sole discretion as to stopping play due to weather. This is non-negotiable. The umpire may offer a 15 minute delay for passing storms and then re-assess.
3. All rain outs/cancellations should be reported as quickly as possible to the League Scheduler to ensure timely scheduling of make-up games.
4. All rain outs/cancellations should be made up unless otherwise approved by the League Board. Make-up games are to be scheduled upon agreement between the coaches and field availability confirmed by the League Scheduler.
POST-GAME:
1. Please respect the fields and take all trash, equipment, etc. with you when you leave.
2. Assigned teams should complete all required field work to help ensure quality playing conditions for those that follow.
3. The winning team is responsible for reporting scores to the League Director. Please provide teams that played, winning team(s), score and field location. This should be completed within 24 hours of game completion. Please comply as the League is trying to keep accurate and timely records.
NOTE: Any rule may be changed, omitted, or amended by a meeting called by the League Board.
